MANILA, Philippines - Whoever skipped Swatch’s latest event, “Mad about the Sea,†was mad to do so. They surely missed a madly fun and exciting party.
Swatch transformed the home of Tessa Prieto-Valdes into a world under the sea. There were giant lionfish and jellyfish on display, mermaids in the pool, an aquarium stage on the second floor and LED screens on the wall and on the floor flashing scenes from the sea.
The mad night marked several occasions — from the 30 years of Swatch to the 19th wedding anniversary of Dennis and Tessa Valdes and the 30th birthday of Swatch ambassador John Lloyd Cruz. The night’s theme took inspiration from the new Swatch Scuba Libre line and its “Mad about the Sea†concept. The collection presents nine models that are sexy and sea-worthy. Its big, bold indicators in high-contrast colors are easy to read when swimming with the fish in the wonder of life undersea. Hands-on, rotating bezels and snug, rugged straps do the rest.
“Another amazing Swatch event! Every event, it gets better and better,†said Swatch ambassador Matteo Guidicelli. Matteo and Tessa were hosts. Mad about the Sea Awards were given to stylish guests. Myrza Sison and Digzy Umali got the Mad about Sea Colors award. Pepper Teehankee who had 378 starfish on his shirt and Audrey Zubiri received the Mad about Sea Creatures award. Alissa Martinez got the Mad about Sea Treasures award. Then the Sea Treasure of the Night was awarded to Gretchen Barretto who came in a Jil Sander dress paired with a set of gold South Sea pearls.
There were games that guests madly lined up for like fishing for party favors from the pool and Swim to Jerusalem.
Let your imagination go mad. That’s what Swatch Scuba Libre is all about. Zia Quizon sang the Swatch Scuba Libre TV commercial theme song Underwater by British singer-songwriter Mika.
Swatch ambassadors Billy Crawford and Luis Manzano, who played handsome seahorses on the aquarium stage set the mad-mood of the night when they, were trying to impress Cosplay Queen Alodia Gosiengfiao who was dressed up as a mermaid. “I’m so happy to join you guys! Naaliw ako sa theme!†said Alodia Gosiengfiao.
Billy and Luis, no longer seahorses, then went on the main stage where the audience was and found John Lloyd Cruz. The three did a dance showdown and a giant submarine cake was brought out for the birthday boy. Tessa and Dennis Valdes kissed for 30 seconds, balloons dropped and guests scrambled to get balloons for Swatch prizes. To make matters even madder, would you believe that Tessa and Dennis married the same day John Lloyd was born? Coincidentally, June 24 is also the feast of St. John the Baptist who baptized Jesus at the River Jordan.
The night was mad for food too as Margarita Fores interpreted the concept with mad food combinations from salmon with goat cheese to scallops with pancetta among others. She added some whimsy at the end of the meal with starry-eyed starfish smores for dessert. There were carving stations for lemon rosemary roasted chicken and beef tenderloin and a station for salami, sausages and cheese. Guests feasted on delicacies from both land and sea, and enjoyed the free-flowing champagne and the caramelized cheese.
It was so madly fun that the crowd could not get enough. The Polo Puck Pirates played an underwater hockey game and guests participated by voting for the winner. Everyone sang along with the acoustic band and danced the night away including John Lloyd Cruz and Tessa Valdes who did a duet of the song My Endless Love especially dedicated to Virgie Ramos.
Everyone was mad about Swatch.
“Still on high over the super, super, super di duper fun fun party!†said Tessa.
\“Everyone leaves a Swatch party happy!†said Alyanna Martinez.
So the next time you get an invite from Swatch, don’t be mad enough to miss it. Only Swatch knows how to throw a mad party. Don’t be mad enough to miss the latest Swatch Scuba Libre either.