Cosmo Manille’s young, hip, chic and the creamiest of watch connoisseurs packed the Manila Peninsula’s Rigodon Ballroom to celebrate the arrival of the world’s latest hottest selling timepiece.
TechnoMarine’s advertising campaign served as the inspiration for the launch’s theme. The Rigodon Ballroom was transformed into a breathtaking underwater landscape by the program director, gent of the hour Richard Tann. Richard T. and Asia’s sweetheart Donita Rose emceed the bash.
A swinging fashion show featuring the country’s top models showcased TechnoMarine watches. An exciting series of raffles kept the chi-chi invitees at the edge of their seats for the duration of the bash, dahlings.
Hot namedroppables who had a great time included low-key Diosdado Macapagal Jr.; our palangga, Jo Ramos; socialites Nini Licaros, Myrna Panlilio-Borromeo, Thelma Gana, Eva Abesamis and Jewelmer’s Baby Cruz; Yamaha big boss Robert Yupangco; popular Rep. Miguel Zubiri; Navotas Mayor Toby Tiangco; mega architect and interior designer Anton Mendoza; Mons Romulo; Marilen Concepcion; and editor-in-chief Anton San Diego.
Moi zoomed in on hot fashion designers Randy Ortiz; Jun Jun Cambe and Eddie Baddeo; Jomari Yllana; eye-catching Southern belle Vina Morales; free again beauty Che Che Joson; Marjorie Barretto; Paolo Bediones; Jackie Aquino; Beth Tamayo; Rudolph Yaptinchay; and Angeli Pangilinan.
Absolutely divine Lani Misalucha belted out two beautiful songs which kept guests like Unilab’s well-respected Jeffrey Campos; lady of style Le Lagdameo; Mary Grace Katigbak; gorgeous Genny Baltao de la Merced; Dandy Gomez; Susan Limjoco and her children Peter, Mickey and Tonton; always with a smile Archie King; Lipa Farm Estates president, lawyer Mario and Babot Oreta; still on cloud nine Rica Thio and Emilio Tuason; Francis Lumen; and Carminia Pavia applauding for more.
Famille pals of TechnoMarine’s holding company Recomira-Ray Corp.’s Mr. and Mrs. Rene Florencio came in full force: Undersecretary Sedfrey Ordoñez; managing director and handsome eligible bachelor Raffy Florencio; Raffy F.’s pals Vic Muñoz and Bubot Andres; mega talent manager Joji Dingcong; attractive Kristine del Gallego; Goody Ilagan; Rex Mendoza; Dennis Aquino; Mike Macale; and Joet Garcia.
Hip trendsetters couldn’t get enough of the fast-paced tres interesting fashion: Anna Cruz; brilliant Celine Lopez; New York City boy, Patrick Reyno; sultry Wendy Puyat; YS magazine’s one of a kind Ginggay Joven and Lexi Schulze; Ana Sicat; Ria Yujuico; Martin Gallaga; Javier Ongping; Cuy Legaspi; Joel Tantoco; Ino Olondriz; ZINE’s Trisha Ocampo and hubby Raffy O.; Jose and Raj Moreno; Inq 7’s Paolo Prieto; My Diamond’s Ina Chiongbian; and top DJs Manolet Dario, Robert Villaluz and Anthony Keirulf.
Franck Dubarry has been making waves around the world with TechnoMarine’s newest advertising campaign shot in Polynesia and at a Maori reservation in New Zealand. Breathtaking images of sleek watch designs set against the uneven contours of nature combined with the idea of reviving ancient ocean-oriented cultures and an evolution of a species through time are elements of the campaign. It is from these that Manille’s launch derived its much talked-about theme. Interestingly, palanggas, the print ads feature models with gills, webbed hands and fins, showing the evolution of a species through time.
Beginning in 1997 as a professional diving watch TechnoMarine has gone through its own amazing evolution. A 20-to 30-minute fashion show took inspiration from this professional diving watch which has become a must-have luxury and fashion accessory.
The Philippine Young Designers Guild, together with its president Dennis Lustico, wowed the invitees with their interpretations of the fun yet chic images in the TechnoMarine catalogue. Models sashayed to lively music in swimwear, casual, sporty and chic lines, also wearing jewelry from Rafael Jewelry to highlight the watch collection.
The invitees crowded the various watch displays at the ballroom foyer and were treated to a special 15 percent discount that night. Many of our town’s watch lovers grabbed timepieces without batting an eyelash.
Five TechnoSport watches (Raft, Apnea, Cruise, Y and Alpha Series) and one TechnoDiamond (TechnoLady with Rubies) were raffled off that night. TechnoMarine brand manager Ciara Sevilla, Serge Choukron and Allan Mao of TechnoMarine Asia-Pacific, TechnoMarine Phils. managing director Raffy Florencio, Jo Ramos and Rep. Zubiri drew the lucky raffle stubs. The night’s winners included society lady Daisy Payumo, Mark Gavino, Elbert Gatmaitan and Stephanie Co.
The Rigodon Ballroom was packed until show’s end because all the guests eagerly awaited the last grand raffle. Carolyn Lam won the sleek Alpha watch, and Jo Ramos was the lucky winner of a TechnoDiamond – a Technolady with white diamonds, mother-of-pearl face and black satin strap.
Now, palanggas, TechnoMarine’s fabi night was definitely the hottest ticket in town that week. It was a bash that was hard to beat.
Throughout Monaco’s National Day festivities, palanggas, the Monegasque royal famille was as always a study in humility, grace and elegance. The festivities began with a cocktail reception hosted by Prince Rainier III, Prince Albert and Princess Caroline for their tres elegant and chosen invitees which included the Monegasque diplomatic community.
The event was followed by the annual Te Deum Mass celebrated the next morning at Monaco’s Cathedral and the fabi Gala Opera held that night at the newly-constructed Grimaldi Forum.
For the members of the Monegasque diplomatic community, palanggas, the final day of the celebrations was a day of work. Ambassadors and Consuls of Monaco from all over the world convened at the Grimaldi Forum, where they heard Patrick Leclercq, the Minister of State of the Principality of Monaco, discuss the strengthening of economic, cultural and political ties of their respective countries with Monaco. The meeting was followed by a formal, chic lunch, hosted by Monsieur Leclercq in his sprawling, residence which overlooks the Mediterranean’s emerald-green waters.
Needless to say, dahlings, Fortune L. had a fantastic time while meeting some of the royals of the principality and other hotshot dignitaries.
The Holiday Spirit already hung in the air with everyone ready to celebrate. They raced to the booths which served free samples of Wild Vines, sparkling fruit flavors in embossed disposable wine glasses (a great idea, dahlings!). Glasses were raised as a toast "to fun and letting loose."
The cool 89.9 DWTM DJs revved up the night, palanggas, along with Anderson’s executives, Von Hizon, managing director for International Brands, and Lloyd Dizon, product manager for E & J Gallo Wines. DJs Big Daddy Jake, Miles and Crystal got the party swinging with amusing games like which had contestants squealing in delight.
No one blushed at the contestants’ courage and total lack of inhibition that night. Jaws dropped as impersonators sashayed onto the stage, dahlings, belting out the tunes of famous music celebrities like Mariah Carey (one could have sworn it was really her!). Their glittery costumes were equally over-the-top.
The true "Cinderellas" of the ball, dahlings, were the multi-awarded Quezon City Performing Arts Foundation dancers. These wonderful street children turned world-class performers so impressively carried out their dance moves. Trained by the Cultural Center of the Philippines, the dancers couldn’t help warm everyone’s hearts with their hard work and dedication, which certainly paid off that night. They danced to the music of Christina Aguilera’s Genie In A Bottle, Ricky Martin’s Megaremix and the techno hit The Child Inside.
Performers alternated acts until12 midnight, palanggas. Apres, the rave sounds enlivened the dance floor where the crowd partied way, way past 2 a.m. They later cooled off with Wild Vines’ exciting flavors: Strawberry White Zinfandel, Blackberry Merlot, Peach Chardonnay, Black Cherry Cabernet Sauvignon and Raspberry Zinfandel which flowed all night long. E & J Gallo, renowned makers of Carlo Rossi bottles Wild Vines and other quality wines from Sonoma country in California.
Wild Vines gave everyone a reason to let loose, dahlings. Only this time it was for a good cause – supporting the Quezon City Performing Arts Foundation dancers and with other talented performers. The Wild Vines concert party, palanggas, was a blast.
Smile and see you.