The Timex couple

Timex watches recently announced its line-up of celebrity endorsers: Piolo Pascual, Claudine Barretto and Marc Nelson. They have been hand-picked by Timex to represent the brand via a big multi-media campaign that kicked off with the opening of Timex’s freestanding store at the Glorietta 3.

"Basically, the brand itself covers the entire spectrum of ages and lifestyles," says Murli Menon of Newtrends International, the official distributor of Timex.

"Timex has timepieces for people aged five to 55, and it has designs that fit classic and, sporty types, fashion-conscious people, you name it." Murli and his team were the ones who sought out the three new endorsers and convinced them to be the pitch persons for Timex.

Piolo will don Timex’s line of dressy watches that are classic and understated.

"The most important thing for me always is that it’s comfortable. I want something I can wear to any event, and would match the clothes I’m wearing. And I don’t like anything flashy," he says,

Meanwhile, Claudine is tasked to drum up interest in Timex’s line of ladies’ watches. "I like their classic watches because they exude femininity," she says. "And their line also includes watches that are more playful and girly which I also like."

Marc, on the other hand, is the face of Timex’s sports watches. "I like its functionality and look," he says. "Timex has the durability that matches my lifestyle."

Bare From Annie Lennox

Diva Annie Lenox recently released her newest album titled Bare. The album features 11 new tracks that reveal her new level of maturity both as a singer and as a writer. "The songs are about negative emotions, I have to admit. There’s simply no getting away from it," Annie says with a smile, adding,

"In a way, this album belongs more to the self-help shelves of a book shop than in record stores."

Produced by Annie’s frequent collaborator Stephen Lipson, Bare leads its listeners to the painful and sometimes harrowing experience of a broken relationship with a rare originality of expression.

Totally contemporary yet timeless in its sound. Bare is a soul record in its most basic sense: it speaks from the soul.

"Whenever I feel the need to understand a situation, or to try and articulate my feelings, my first instinct is to write," says Annie.

Challenging, yes. Uneasy listening even. Despite the darkness of its subject matter, Bare is still an uplifting album because within it, there is acceptance, progression and an openness to a bright future after a heartbreak.

Bare by Annie Lennox is released by BMG Records.

Partying With Avon

It’s always a blast being part of Avon’s National Sales Convention which always turns out to be one big merry party. This year it was held at the Araneta Coliseum where I, together with six Avon angels, hosted the second part of the show whose theme was – yes, you guessed it right – Charlie’s Angels as we paid tribute to the super heroes, the fighting girls and guys, the wonder women and heroic citizens of Avon.

Our portion also celebrated "Bagong Avon" and all the formidable Avon ladies who continue to work hard to achieve their goals amidst the changing times, and amidst overwhelming odds. My sweet and sexy Avon angels were Arlene Nolasco, Bevs Joson, Suzette de la Cruz, Emie Nierves, Chiqui Parayno and Lynne Catuncan. Thank you angels, you were all deadly!

Various awards were given to deserving Avon ladies from all over the country by Perry Mogar, Roy Emil Yu and Alice Seno. That day, Avon men and women said goodbye to Jose Mari Franco who announced his retirement from Avon (he was president of Avon Philippines and vice president for Southeast Asia). There was an overwhelming outpouring of love and emotion for the man who inspired and empowered Avon people for many, many years. Under his stewardship, Avon Philippines soared. I saw women unabashedly crying in gratitude for this kind and great man.

I probably met Jose Mari Franco only twice or thrice, but in those meetings I experienced the generosity and kindness of this man who must be one of the most loved leaders in the corporate world.

Thank you Mr. Franco and I hope that somewhere down the road, our paths will cross again. I’m proud to be part of the Avon family. And thank you Girlie Rodis and Alice Orleans for bringing me into this wonderful family.