Pinoy creativity at its best

Trendsetters celebrated the launch of the Tim Yap-o.d.m. Limited Edition Watch II held at the Rockwell Tent. Present to welcome the guests were top executives of L Timestudio, the exclusive distributor of o.d.m. in the Philippines, and Frank Lam, head of international sales and marketing of o.d.m. Frank, who flew in from Hong Kong, said, “This is an absolute celebration of Pinoy pride, the turn out is really amazing.”

L Timestudio’s executives led by its president Ivan Yao, managing director Emerson Yao and marketing manager Lorenz Manalang were also present to welcome guests.

Rapper Francis M. went onstage to render a passionate performance of his anthemic ‘90s Tagalog rap song Mga Kababayan.  Before the chorus of the song, Star columnist Tim joined Francis in his performance. 

Others spotted were Raymond Gutierrez, Mariel Rodriguez, Victor Basa, Dingdong Dantes, Karylle, Issa Litto, Kat Alano, Brent Javier, Borgy Manotoc, Maurice Arcache, Ernie Lopez, STAR EVP Grace Glory Go, Allure’s Philip Cu-Unjieng, Anton San Diego, STAR columnists Celine Lopez and Mons Tantoco, Divine Lee, Adriano Cartullanes, Hayden Kho, Wyngard Tracy and Dennis Lustico.  

The Tim Yap-o.d.m. Limited Edition Watch II, the result of the collaboration between L Timestudio and Team Manila, accentuates a new form of Filipino time, emphasizing the Filipino as a timeless force in the global scene. This iconic watch design comes in black with its signature Philippine map in gold and the words “SUPER PILIPINAS” embossed on the bracelet.  It is available at all L Timestudio stores and specialty stores nationwide.

Piccini in Manila

Titania Wines’ Tita Trillo welcomed Martina Piccini of Piccini Wines Italy by throwing her a dinner at Shangri-La Edsa’s Paparazzi. Chef Francesco Rizzo prepared a Tuscan dinner for the guests who all had a taste of what Piccini wines were all about.

Some wines tasted included the Bella Mia Bianco, a blend of Cataratto, Insolia e Chardonnay grapes. The Bella Mia Rosso, a Sicilian red, the twin brother of Bella Mia Bianco, emphasizes the friendly character of Sicilian wines. It is a full-bodied and elegant wine, a complement to ruby color, with a magnificent range of aromas of red fruits and berries. Other Piccini wines were the Merlot-Syrah and Cabernet-Merlot blends as well as the Orvieto and fantastic Chianti Riserva.

Martina Piccini paired the wines with the food and delighted the crowd with her antics that people thought her second career could also be as a stand up comedian! Piccini wines are exclusively distributed by Titania Wines.

Treats from Mrs. Fields

The Cinema level of TriNoma was filled with the aroma of freshly-baked goodies as Mrs. Fields opened its first ever Cookie Café. 

Gerwyn and Sheryl See, the couple who recently acquired the brand, ushered their guests of honor into the café. Leading the VIPs was former First Lady Imelda Marcos, who acknowledged the couple’s role in spreading sweetness in the community with their Cookie Café. 

The café’s open kitchen allowed everyone a glimpse into how Mrs. Fields prepares its treats. The gelato bar displaying hard-to-resist cold concoctions was hard to miss and so were the counters that showed new products such as the colorful Cookie Cups, the heavenly Peanut Butter Dream Bars and the fancy Cookie Cakes and Cookie Card.   

Passers-by enjoyed free samples of the world famous brand as Isay Alvarez regaled the audience with songs that warmed the heart.

Another Cookie Café, located at The Manila Pavilion Hotel along UN Avenue in Manila, opened shortly after the TriNoma branch.

Nothing like natural

Young moms of this generation, whose mothers were also Johnson & Johnson’s babies, recognize the heritage of the brand which has kept innovating itself to come up with products to suit baby’s growing needs.

At the recent launch of Soothing Naturals at La Cabane, new moms Marta Araneta and Sheila Carlos were happy to know that extra protection is now available for their infants, Tamara Araneta and Enzo Carlos. The guest speaker, pediatric dermatologist Dr. Donna Leelin-Sarrosa, discussed this unique feature of baby skin and why moms should take extra care in making sure their baby’s skin is always well moisturized. Johnson Baby’s new Soothing Naturals contains olive leaf extract and vitamin E combined with essential minerals and amino acids.

Host Lexi Shultze Berenguer-Testa with daughter Alba and Johnson’s Baby brand manager Via Abaño with daughter Amelie were among those delighted by the delicate scent and smooth, moisturizing feel of Soothing Naturals. Watsons will be the exclusive retailer for Johnson Baby’s Soothing Naturals during the launch phase.

Love 14 names Manila’s Five Loveliest

The Love 14 Foundation has announced its selection of Manila’s Five Loveliest for 2008  at Mezze Restaurant in Greenbelt, Makati. They are Cristina Afzelius, Carla Rosanna Aranaz, Marie Veronique Boncan, Jean Fernando and Jeane Catherine Napoles. They will be proclaimed at a gala charity ball tomorrow, Oct. 17, at the Rizal Ballroom of the Makati Shangri-La. 

Cristina, daughter of Edwin and Carmen Afzelius, is an AB Organizational Communications graduate of De La Salle University. Carla, daughter of Jose and Becky Aranaz, is the younger sister of Amina (now Mrs. Rafa Alunan), who was one of Manila’s Five Loveliest in 1998. Marie Veronique, daughter of Marcelo and Jaqui Boncan, just graduated magna cum laude from the University of Sto. Tomas with a degree in Architecture. Jean, daughter of Jesus and Elizabeth Fernando, graduated from Pepperdine University in Malibu, California with a bachelor’s degree in Finance. Jeane Catherine, daughter of Jim and Jenny Napoles, is involved in her school, the International School’s ICARE Program. 

Manila’s Five Loveliest is the major annual fund-raising project of the Love 14 Foundation which marks its 20th anniversary this year. A non-stock, non-profit organization, it supports the marginalized sector through scholarship programs and medical donations. The foundation is headed by chair emeritus Irene Martel-Francisco, chairwoman Nini Licaros and president Jenny Napoles. The other officers are Therese Coronel-Santos, Nini Valdez, Becky Garcia and Donnie Ramirez.

The Manila’s Five Loveliest 2008 Proclamation and Gala Charity Ball will be directed by Raymond Villanueva. 

(E-mail me at [email protected])