The urbane man’s holiday desires

High-maintenance has almost always been attached to the fairer sex – since allusions to the term "fairer sex" have now become vague, let me be clear here and state that I’m referring to women. Nowadays, there exists the high-maintenance man as expressions such as metrosexual man and kept boy have become rather ubiquitous and Oscar Wilde’s Dorian Gray has become an idol.

The man no longer always picks up the tab for that dinner of foie gras and a bottle of Krug or that weekend stay at some Aman resort. I’ve a girlfriend who treated her boyfriend to a roundtrip first class ticket to Europe and this girlfriend is definitely not sugar mommy material.

This Christmas, it is a daunting task indeed to find a present for that urbane male friend or relation who salivates over the new Prada tool set. Waitlists that used to only exist for the Hermes Kelly bag now also exist for the Powerbook G4. Here’s a list of 10 gifts that may just bring out your most sophisticated man’s rare nod of approval:

Powerbook G4 Macintosh Laptop

I’ve fallen in love with my Macintosh Powerbook G4 – so have four close friends of mine – we’re planning a regular Mac geek’s club get-together very soon. The G4’s sleek, lightweight aluminum alloy enclosure is absolutely gorgeous – but that’s only the outside – inside, you’ve the fastest and most efficient laptop processor in the world combined with the super-friendly (super sosyal would be more apt) operating system. Add its integrated Bluetooth and Airport Extreme Technology and you’re more connected than Amsterdam’s Schipol Airport.

Available at The Apple Center, Greenbelt 1, Tel 750-6084. Visit www.apple.com for details.

Dior Homme Fashion

Not everyone can wear Dior Homme – this fact I believe is one of the premises that have made it the most enviable modern man’s clothing label today. Its sleek and clean lines, uncom-promising cut and tailoring makes for men’s accoutrement that’s made for major head-turning. Add to the fact that you’ve to starve forever and look almost like Dior designer Hedi Slimane to actually fit into one of the suits just makes the brand even more covetous.

Try getting a pair of Dior Perforated Rubber Shoes at Homme & Femme, Shangrila Edsa Mall, Tel 633-7009.

A Bottle (Make That A Case) Of Grey Goose Vodka

Elementary, kids: the only way to make a decent vodka martini is to use decent vodka – the only way to make the best vodka martini is to use the best vodka – Grey Goose. Consistently placing no. 1 in numerous blind vodka tastings, Grey Goose got its laurels through its very discriminating five step distillation process – the very best grains blended with water naturally purified from champagne (oh la la!) limestone.

Call Fran Ribano of Premier Wines and Spirits at 09178120217

Bang & Olufsen BeoLab 5 Speakers

This speaker is as smart as it gets. Place it anywhere in the room, press a certain button and it will configure itself to project the best sound possible given its position. If your ultimate passion is to get as close to the music of your favorite artists as possible, the new BeoLab 5 will take you there. Conceived, designed and built by Bang & Olufsen, BeoLab 5 is our latest loudspeaker concept developed for everyone with a passion for listening and living with the sleekest in audio and video entertainment.

Check out www.bang-olufsen.com for details.

The BMW Z4

If you’ve got plenty of cash to burn, you will have the most discriminating man on his knees this Christmas by giving the gift of the BMW Z4. I’m not much into describing car specs so I’ll quote from its media campaign: "Create an idea and it will live for a moment. Touch the senses and it becomes timeless. This is what makes the BMW Z4 so immensely compelling: it is a vehicle that was created to excite every sense. Its unique design and premium-quality craftsmanship will fascinate you. Its brilliant handling and splendid performance will exhilarate you. Every time you experience it: the BMW Z4 will provide you with extraordinary moments of unforgettable pleasure. For all your senses." Truly poetry in motion.

Check out www.bmw.com for details.

The Sony Ericsson P900 Mobile Phone

The Sony Ericsson P900 is a triple band mobile phone, an MP3 audio and MPEG4 video player, an advanced handheld device and a mobile video and digital camera – it makes those Jetson gadgets look primitive. Wherever you are, you have phone and e-mail access to your network of contacts. Your calendar is updated. And you have every mobile messaging possibility available. Send pictures taken with the P900 built-in camera in seconds. Record a short video clip and e-mail it straight away. It’ll make everyone envious at your local Starbucks.

Available at most upscale mobile phone dealers, try Semicon. Visit www.sonyericsson.com for details.

Minotti Furniture/Furnishings

If you take entertaining at your bachelor’s pad to an art and expect to get some action from that "take home" impress by having at least one piece of great Italian furniture from Minotti – guarantee the kill by popping a bottle of Dom Perignon. Minotti produces furniture and furnishing of balanced and moderate lines. In the present-day world of furnishing, Minotti represents a reference point for persons with advanced ideas who except not only imagination from a product, but a creation destined to make a name for itself, a product which is the result of study and quality. Impress your bedmate with a kid skin (the baby lamb type) bed throw.

Available at Minotti, The Shangrila Hotel Makati Retail Arcade, 2nd Floor, Tel 830-2230. Visit www.minotti.it for details.

Anthony Logistics Grooming For Men

Anthony Logistics has often been touted as carrying the finest line in men’s grooming – face, hair, body, shave, razor and sun. The brand’s philosophy is simple: Use the finest natural ingredients, combine them with an almost alchemic balance and spare absolutely no expense. The results are products that make you feel like a million bucks. Labels are whimsical – the brand’s everyday shampoo’s tagline says "hair so rich it’ll pay for dinner". I can’t wait till Anthony Logistics makes something that will pay for my champagne binge as well.

Available at any Beauty Bar branch or log on to www.anthony.com.for details.

The Alien Quadrilogy DVD Collection

The freakiest movie of all time has just gotten freakier – I know a friend who peed in his pants while watching this film. The Alien Quadrilogy is a nine-disc (yes, 9!) boxed set devoted to the four Alien films. Although previously available on DVD as the Alien Legacy , here they have been repackaged with vastly more extras and with upgraded sound and picture. For anyone who hasn’t been in hypersleep for the last 25 years, this series needs no introduction, though for the first time each film now comes in both original and special edition version.

Available at www.amazon.com.

A Long Weekend At Any Aman Resort

An absolutely breathtaking resort – from any of its 14 different locations around the world. From our very own Amanpulo in Palawan to the Aman-I-Khas in India. If you measure success in room numbers, Aman resorts hasn’t achieved all that much. They have never focused on being the biggest. They prefer to think small. Intimate. Involving. It’s not that they are better than big hotels because they are small. Aman resorts responds to a contemporary lifestyle. That’s what they offer – a lifestyle experience, without limitations. Live your blue lagoon dreams with your lover.

Check out www.amanresorts. com for details.

More Bang For Your Buck Alternatives:

1. The I-book G4 has the power to make your life a living heaven…for a lot less than its titanium cousin!

2. Bench grooming products from the bath gels to their hardworking fix products make the grade beyond A!

3. Tyler sews up sleek and sexy basics for the sleek and sexy sophisticate (martini not included).

4. The new VW Beetle Buggy or Mini Cooper gives you that irreverent speed demon charm that can make the longest of legs buckle.

5. The Alien Legacy 4 set gives you the same thrill for less hours!

6.It’s still Absolut-ly the best–Absolut vodka never fails to deliver.

7. The Sony Ericsson T-610 still becomes your mobile universe.

8. Paradise can also be found at the Mandala Spa Villas that have just opened in Boracay (call 03628855858 for reservations).

9. Dimensione is stocked to the ceiling with shag pad must-haves!

10. Kenwood speakers are sensitive enough to catch Sinatra’s sighs in between lyrics.

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Email your comments to djmontano@pacific.net.ph