Chi opens at Edsa Shangri-La

President Arroyo recently led the opening of Edsa Shangri-La’s Chi Spa. Shangri-La officers and local government officials were also present at the glittering ceremony.

This is the seventh Chi Spa to open in the Shangri-La Group and the second to open in the Philippines after the one in Mactan.

A secluded sanctuary inspired by the mystical legend of “Shangri-La” captured in James Hilton’s book “Lost Horizon,” Chi spa draws inspiration from the origin of the Shangri-La legend, set amidst the Himalayan landscape. Chi is over 3,000 square meters, making it the biggest hotel spa facility in Manila.

The spa brings to Manila Chi’s signature “spa-within-a-spa” concept, providing guests with the luxury of personal space. Nestled in the hotel’s Garden Wing, the Chi Spa boasts of a variety of luxurious treatment suites and features indigenous and Philippine-inspired spa treatments.  Signature therapies like Chi Balance, Aroma Vitality and Ying Yang Couple’s Massage work to relax and restore vitality, while therapies like Himalayan Healing Stone Massage and the Mountain Tsampa Rub use indigenous ingredients and techniques drawn from the ancient healing practices of the Himalayan region. Drawing inspiration from the Philippines’ healing traditions, the menu features the Hilot (a healing massage based on time-honored Filipino folk medicine) and Dagdagay (a traditional foot massage using bamboo sticks). The menu also includes Philippine-inspired exclusive treatments such as Hayahay (from a Southern Philippine province term meaning rejuvenating sea breeze), a scrub-wrap-hilot treatment as well as Cacang Wrap with Gugo Hair Treatment.

The 632-room Edsa Shangri-La is the only resort hotel in Metro Manila. Often called a “sanctuary in the city,” it is the first HACCP-certified hotel in the Philippines and was awarded an ISO 14001 certification for its commitment to international environmental standards as well as for its involvement in various environmental initiatives. 

(Call (02) 633-8888 for more information on Chi spa.)

Redefining denim

Plains & Prints revolutionizes fashion with its first luxurious couture line called R.A.F. (Rich And Famous), a collection of high-end designs that transforms denim into stylish, richly detailed pieces for today’s fashionable females.  A preview of the new collection was unveiled recently in a cocktail party at the Glorietta 3 Park.  Plains & Prints owner Roxanne Farillas says, “The R.A.F. Collection is an innovation in fashion as it represents Plains & Prints’ creativity to come up with elegant yet up-to-date designs to show that the denim is more than just jeans.”

The launch introduced R.A.F.’s first designer for the collection, Star writer, my friend, and Plains & Prints image model Celine Lopez.

The launch was successfully organized by Marilen Nuñez and her team from L.E.N. Plus Inc. The Japanese buffet was catered by Vincent Rodriguez of Peppermill Caterers (no relation to this column!). 

Plains & Prints was established 12 years ago with a concept of capturing the simplicity and elegance of Filipinas through its stylish classic pieces. Check out Plains & Prints’ R.A.F. collection in its 40 outlets nationwide.

Barba’s creations at Greenbelt 5

He first got attention with the Vittorio line at Sari-Sari Store. Then came X, his freestanding store. Now, look out for Barba, opening soon at Greenbelt 5.

Vic Barba describes his newest store as Vittorio and X’s mature and intellectual sister. “It feels like I’ve created a family, or at least, I look at my stores as such,” he said. This labor of love, Vic added, took three years in the making, collaborating with artist and wire sculptor Steph Palallos, whom he met when she was studying sculpture in Barcelona.

At the exhibit, Palallos created black wire sculptures that were standouts against the all-white backdrop, a preview for the work that would be showcased in the upcoming Barba store. Vic added: “I didn’t want to do a straightforward exhibit. I just wanted to tease and ignite people’s interest. The clothes that were on display were representations of actual clothes I’ve done and clothes I will do.”  

Vic is happy that the local fashion industry will finally get the venue and recognition it’s long deserved, thanks to the foresight of Ayala Malls. “The idea to push local designers is not all that new. It’s been tried so many times and unfortunately failed, because they lose their vision. But this time, it’s Ayala that’s putting its stamp on this project. So we are hopeful that we are on the same page on this one to make this grow and really turn it into something big, if not great!”  He added, “I’ve always positioned myself as left-of-center in the arena of fashion. They’ll see this at its purest in Barba at Greenbelt 5.”

People can’t wait until the last quarter of 2007 for the opening of Greenbelt 5, the culminating piece of the Greenbelt redevelopment as it opens its first phase. It’s shaping up to be a haven for local designers such as Patrice Ramos-Diaz, Randy Ortiz, Jojie Lloren, Dennis Lustico, Joey Samson, Ivarluski Aseron, Jun Escario, Lulu Tan-Gan, Avatar, Victoria Marin, Joanna Lhuillier and Michi Calica taking up shop space, while accessory designers such as Amina Aranaz, Emie Jorge, Lila Almario and Arnel Papa will also be showing off their wares.

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