Chocolate love

Dove chocolate is finally in the country.  The higher-end chocolate of Mars (the company that gave us Mars Bars) is definitely one of the better ones available in the Philippine market today.  Described by many as very creamy and smooth, Dove has been getting rave reviews from the many who have tried the product through a series of private parties and gatherings.

Dove was present as a gift pack given to those who attended small, select parties.  A dinner gathering for 14 held in a house, a get-together for friends from abroad, and a superhero birthday party had people trying the delicious new discovery.  The gift pack consisted of Dove bars in different variants: milk chocolate, hazelnut and fruit and nut. 

One memorable party was the birthday of Manny del Rosario held at Star columnist Celine Lopez’s flat wherein guests came dressed as their favorite superhero. Just like kids, the guests ate and enjoyed their Dove chocolates. Others who enjoyed Dove in these various parties included model Matt Hadfield; Karen Santos; Jessica Puyat; Shelli Manuel; Nami’s Lex Ledesma; businessmen Patrick Reyno and Marcel Crespo; architect Chut Cuerva; L’Oreal’s Angelique Villaraza; the British Embassy’s Steve Dolan and Katy Parker; Bea Locsin; and Star writers JR Isaac and Ipe Cruz.

Dove samples were also offered to diners for a limited time in Nuvo, Cirkulo, Azumaya, Uva and Kai.  Frequent diners of these places were said to have requested Dove chocolates so they could have it with their coffee.

Check these pictures to see who have been enjoying Dove!  Dove is now available at leading supermarkets like SM, Rustan’s and Robinson’s.

Jewels of craftsmanship

Solstice is defined as the standing still of the sun.  Solstice is also the name of a new line of premium jewelry unveiled at the ballroom of the Makati Shangri-La Hotel.  Such brilliance in that phenomenon can be seen in the masterfully sculpted designs of Solstice. 

Shiraishi Hisako, the multi-awarded Japanese designer of Solstice, flew in from Ginza to personally meet Manila’s jewelry lovers.  She has won several awards in Japan and other accolades such as the International Platinum Design Award. Her creations were innovatively displayed on three round tables using the traditional Japanese meal place setting, complete with chopsticks and origami (the art of Japanese paper folding) swans.

The Solstice line consists of meticulously crafted handmade pieces using various precious metals and stones.  These pieces were shown by the top models of the Professional Models Association of the Philippines (PMAP), such as Rissa Samson, Eazel Don, Nicolette Bell, Rachel Soriano, Isabel Roces and Valerie de los Santos. Alex Bitong and Anne Chavez designed the elegant black gowns worn by the models for the short fashion show directed by Jackie Aquino. Lucky Chari Legarda won a platinum scarf necklace worth about P200,000 in a raffle.

Others seen at the event were Sen. Loi Ejercito; Justa Tantoco; Vicky Belo; Helen Ong; Olga Martel; Nini Licaros; Carmina Sanchez; Baby Cruz; Naty Pappas; Evangeline Pascual; Pinky Webb; Melanie Yaptinchay; Jose Periquet; and Baby Arenas.

Twenty-four-year-old entrepreneur, Andres Rueda, is the man behind Solstice. He said that this was just a preview of the many more exciting pieces to be brought when the store opens next month in a yet undisclosed location in Ayala Center.

Redefining imaging

With the present rapid advancement in technology, new models of cellular phones are "must-haves" on one’s list when a new model is released.  One such sought-after model is the new Nokia 7610. This new model resets the standard from camera phones with a one-megapixel camera and a 10-minute video recording capability that can be stored in its 64MB memory card which comes with the phone.

The launch of the new Nokia 7610 had 12 photographers and film directors explore the potential of the new phone, each showcasing their themed output in an exhibit held in Greenbelt 3.  Those who showcased their works taken from the Nokia 7610 were photographers Francis Abraham, Bien Bautista, Tom Epperson, Jun de Leon, Raymund Isaac, Neal Oshima and Lita Puyat. The directors included Quark Henares, Henry Frejas, Mark Meily, Raymond Red, and Jun Reyes. Also present was Nokia Country General Manager Parikshit Bhasin.

A good opening

Good news for the followers of Good Earth in Pasig, there is a branch there already!  Partners Ana Martha Moreno, Sonja Ocampo, Ginger Ignacio, Kathy Teves, Vanessa Morales, Marge Marasigan, Ria Castrillo and Anna Xeres Burgos have opened a Good Earth at the ground level of the Metrowalk Commercial Complex in Ortigas Avenue, Pasig City.  Now the famous duckquitos, lily on the pond and crispy chicken pao are available to those in the vicinity.  Their grand opening is tomorrow, Sept. 8. For reservations, call 687-2881.

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