'Lumianation'

Its arrival in Manila provided illumination among smartphone users.

Nokia finally launched its much-awaited Lumia smartphones in a well-attended event dubbed Lumianation. It was held at Bonifacio High Street Central in Taguig City. The Lumia 900 won the “Best of CES” smartphone award from CNet.

The club-themed event was a colorful celebration that featured fantastic light displays, house music, art activities and free-flowing food and drinks.

Kat Alano hosted the program, which started off with a dance number to the remix tune of the iconic Nokia ringtone. DJ Nina Saputil and international group Jump Smokers took turns on the illuminated stage throughout the event.

One thing that amazed people was a grand building projection of a 3D mapping of the evolution of Nokia phones, which culminated with the smartphones running on Windows, namely Nokia Lumia 610, Lumia 710, Lumia 800 and Lumia 900. Very fast connections and great features can be expected from these phones. I personally use a Nokia Lumia 800. 

Present during the event was Nokia Indochina and Philippines VP and area head William Hamilton-Whyte, who flew in from Vietnam. William was the former Nokia Philippines GM. During the party, the phone company also announced the Lumia-PAL promo, which gives Nokia Lumia phone owners a chance to win 100 unlimited Philippine Airline flights to local destinations from July 1, 2012 to July 1, 2013.

Models were around to demonstrate the fast, fun and unique features of the smartphones. Guests who were using other brands of smartphones were challenged in the Smoked by a Nokia Lumia booth. It was a fun way to show that users of Nokia Lumia phones can take photos and share them on their Facebook walls quicker than other smartphones. Eighteen guests were able to take home Nokia Lumia handsets as raffle prizes.

Lumianation was the talk of the town that night as “#NokiaLumiaPH” became a trending topic on Twitter. Guests also posted photos and videos of the event on their Facebook pages. 

(Check out www.nokia.com.)

A night for the gents

When French footwear brand Sledgers launched its latest collection, it made many men happy. Why not when these gentlemen found comfort, style and class in the brand’s shoes. The special event was held at Opus Lounge at Resorts World Manila, aptly called A Night for the Gents.

Each pair of Sledgers shoes is suited for every man on the move, with modern and classic footwear for both formal and casual wear made from soft calf leather.

Celebrating the launch of its latest collection for Spring/Summer 2012, Sledgers Philippines introduced its current roster of brand ambassadors, also referred to as the “Sledgers Elite.” They included Alliance Francaise de Cebu director Louis Thevenin, influential speaker Francis Kong, French Consul Michel Lhuillier, TV personality and model Daniel Matsunaga and actor TJ Trinidad. Sledgers France export manager Florian Rocher also flew in to grace the event.

The brand is available at SM City Cebu, SM Mall of Asia, TriNoma, Rustan’s Department Stores, SM Davao and selected SM Department Stores, The Travel Club and Res Toe Run stores.

The Primer Group of Companies is the exclusive distributor of Sledgers in the Philippines.

Rachy’s many fans

Rachy Cuna has many fans... literally and figuratively. He has amassed a following as a painter, floral artist and, now, with his one-of-a-kind fans.

Rachy mounted an installation exhibit of 17 fans called AbaniKO at the InterContinental Manila in Makati City. InterContinental GM Christian Peridon and Chinese Consul General Shen Zicheng unveiled a giant fan with the artist for the opening night.

The well-attended exhibit also saw the likes of PEZA director general Lilia de Lima, Teddy Boy Locsin, National Book Store’s Precy Ramos, Old Asia’s Pachot Mapa, one of my favorite artists Betsy Westendorp de Brias, STAR’s Edu Jarque, Josie Joya Baldovino, Pitoy Moreno, Weng Domingo, Le Lagdameo, Jullie Yap Daza and Susan Calo-Medina.

The AbaniKO show, which will run until the end of the month, is scheduled to be exhibited in various cities in the country and abroad soon.

Congratulations, Rachy!