Diamonds are a couple’s best friend. Thanks to Lovapalooza’s winning offer, a hundred couples won a specially-crafted, limited-edition Crystal Frost necklace, exclusively designed by My Diamond. Winners of CloseUp’s sweetest snapshot photo contest, along with celeb couples like Gerald Anderson and Kim Chiu, Sam Oh and boyfriend Aljarreau Galang, singer Mark Abaya and model Monica Llamas, rocker Ira Cruz and TV host Phoemela Barranda, models Val delos Santos and Robby Mananquil, and STAR columnist RJ Ledesma with fiancée Vanessa Pastor, not only smooched under the snowflake-covered ceiling of the NBC Tent but became owners of a .14 carat diamond set in a 14K white snowflake.
Though CloseUp’s been known for staging red-hot events on the eve of Valentine’s, the brand switched gears this year, no doubt due to the launch of the new CloseUp Crystal Frost. The NBC Tent was decked with crystal snowflakes — their version of mistletoe — and an ice cave. With the air conditioner amped up to its highest and cold mist blowing through the venue, it was hardly what anyone would call romantic.
CloseUp brand manager Tish Condeno would disagree, saying, “Sometimes icy cold is more romantic. It makes you want to cuddle.”
Dubbed a Frost Fest, the event marked, not only the launch of the new toothpaste variant, but the change of pace of the annual Valentine event. “Each year, we try to refresh Lovapalooza,” notes Condeno. This year was all about “giving couples the icy experience.”
Instead of the usual packed crowd, this year’s version was far more intimate. Only a hundred couples were invited — celebs and winners alike — and were informed of the venue only days before the actual event.
The couples were treated to performances by Barbie Almalbis and Hale. Guys passed on the diamond necklace to their significant others while they were being serenaded by Rivermaya to the tunes of 214.
On cue, snow fell while the couples kissed. Romance — it was there in the cold, cold air.