A fruit cocktail party

Various scents filled the air at the successful launch of Stores Specialists, Inc.’s (SSI) newest offering, the first Fruits & Passion boutique at Greenbelt 3.

The fresh, high-quality, and multi-awarded brand from Canada provides products for bath, bed, kitchen, living or dining. Guests were awed by home vignettes showcasing the use of Fruits & Passion products in different parts of the home with items provided by Adventure Import and Export, Coby’s Homes, Kuysen Bath Gallery, Restoration Store One/Store One and Rustan’s Home.

Tessa Prieto-Valdes led the festivities during the store’s formal unveiling. SSI’s EVP Anton Huang welcomed the guests and introduced Fruits & Passion business development director Caroline Biltchik. The boutique’s lines include fruit-scented body care products like bubble baths, glycerin soaps, body milk lotions and bath oils; and items for the home like candles, scent papers, potpourri and gourmet food.

Canadian Ambassador to the Philippines Peter Sutherland led the toast for the Quebec-made brand that invaded Manila as guests enjoyed cocktails and vodka provided by Ralph’s Wines & Spirits as guests of honor Biltchik, Ambassador Sutherland and wife Jo-Lynne, Makati City Rep. Teddyboy Locsin represented by his wife Louie, Kitkat Zobel and Lizzie Zobel joined the event’s host SSI president Zenaida Tantoco.

A rich aroma hovered around the venue, pleasantly greeting everyone after the unveiling as a bright, calming space was revealed, highlighting bountiful elements of the earth.

Others seen were Baby Arenas, HSBC’s Warner Manning, Nini Licaros, Ernie Lopez, Mia Dragon-Floirendo, Cessie Colayco, Santi Picornell, DJ Lopez, CCP’s Nestor Jardin, Irene Martel-Francisco, Star’s EVP Grace Glory Go, Liza Ilarde, Ayala’s Rowena Tomeldan and Myrna Fernandez, Baltazar Endriga, Margarita Locsin, Mari Borao, Rupert and Tina Jacinto, Sarah Jane Paez, Patty Betita and Desiree Verdadero-Abesamis.

White and bubbly

Restaurateur and Star writer DJ Montano really knows how to throw a party. His white and bubbly birthday bash at Embassy was fun-filled where guests were asked to wear white to enjoy an avalanche of champagne all night.

Dinner prepared by Chef Fernando Aracama for DJ’s dear and close friends started at 8 p.m. with white chrysanthemums and white candles decorating the table. The real party followed at 10 p.m. when his dinner guests met the after-dinner guests at the Embassy Super Club’s VIP Lounge right next door. White rose petals and white candles adorned the tables of the lounge. Moet & Chandon, Veuve Cliquot, and Absolut Vanilia were free flowing as guests, most were kind enough to adhere to the white dress code, danced the night away. DJ Jon Herrera provided the house and retro music.

Among those seen were DJ’s posse of Wendy and Tony Hotung, YStyle editor Celine Lopez, Marco and Jackie Antonio, Angelique Villaraza and Chut Cuerva. Also seen enjoying the party were Embassy’s Tim Yap, Jon Herrera, Erik Cua, Mimi and Juliet Tan, Chinggay Andrada, Victor Consunji, Rhett Eala, Robby Carmona, Allure columnist Philip Cu-Unjieng, Teddy and Janine Dario, Ito Feliciano, Luis De Terry and Cindy Kurleto.

PAL makes actual and virtual travel easy

In today’s fast-paced world, connectivity is now more important than ever. In its commitment to customer satisfaction and promotion of hassle-free business mobility, Philippine Airlines (PAL) has partnered with Airborne Access, the country’s leading Wi-Fi (Wireless broadband Internet) hotspot provider. PAL is proud to announce that Wi-Fi access is available at the NAIA Centennial Terminal International and Domestic Mabuhay lounges. Access to Mabuhay Lounges is exclusive to First Class, Mabuhay Class passengers, and Fiesta Class passengers who are Million Miler, Premium Elite or Elite Mabuhay Miles members.

Wi-Fi is the wireless way of connecting to the Internet. It allows computers to connect to the network via radio signals transmitted by an access point. By installing a Wi-Fi card in a laptop or computer and accessing a Wi-Fi "hotspot," users can readily go on-line. Newer laptop and computer models have this technology built into their systems, so it’s just a matter of accessing a Wi-Fi hotspot to be able to go on-line with no cords attached.

The tie-up makes it possible for business travelers to access the Internet anywhere inside the lounge using their own laptops. A complimentary Airborne Access card, which is valid for the first 20 minutes of use within the lounge, will be provided to passengers upon request. Sixty-minute access cards are available for sale at the lounge. For those who do not have laptops but would like to access the Internet, computer workstations with unlimited Internet access are also readily available. PAL has definitely made actual and virtual traveling simply easy.

Bigfish summer madness

After hosting the well-attended return of Paul Van Dyk to Manila, Bigfish, led by Domini Primero, Pixie Cheah and Addict Mobile, revitalizes the summer party scene as it starts the year with an unforgettable event.

Kicking-off the season will be the Amnesia Ibiza Trance World Tour featuring top Spanish DJ Brian Cross (a.k.a. as The Young Tiesto) at Club Embassy at The Fort on March 12. Boracay, summer’s ultimate destination, wouldn’t be the same without another series of great back-to-back weekend parties from the unbeatable tandem. Slinky Trance Atlantik, featuring world-class trance masters Solarstone and Scott Mac and our very own DJ Erwin Edralin will make waves on the sands on March 26, a summer tradition now on its fourth year. It doesn’t stop there as Bigfish and Addict Mobile bring Hed Kandi Beach House featuring Andy Norman on April 2. Both parties climax at the beachfront of Hey Jude.

Simultaneously, Bigfish and Smart Infinity celebrate throughout the warm weather days at the beachfront of Pearl of the Pacific with the second year installment of the Real Boracay Sunset Sessions on March 24 and 25, featuring live performances by Flipside.

The Bigfish summer madness is brought to you by Addict Mobile in cooperation with Smart Infinity, Motorola, Gold’s Gym, ClickTheCity.com, Joey 92.3, Dream106.7FM, Preview, Lemon, Circuit, Tower Records, Music 1 and powered by Martin Audio London. 

A new U

U at Rustan’s had a new ad campaign for 2005 featuring a very good-looking and familiar faces of Manila’s young set. Katrina Tantoco, Geni Psinakis, Paolo Lobregat and TJ Trinidad are the faces that will grace the ad campaigns of U.

The concept will be personality- and mood-driven focusing what message U wants to communicate to its clientele. U symbolizes youth and personality, sophistication and versatility, hip, urban, chill, and cool. U clothing represents a play of polar opposites: Pure yet naughty, gentle yet seductive, soft yet rough, relaxed yet dignified.

What’s new?

Check out Rem Zamora’s (of Malate’s Insomnia and Makati’s 78Orange fame) Piquant at RCBC Plaza. With all those Atkin’s and South Beach diets around, Piquant’s menu has been developed with one primary goal in mind: Delicious food prepared in a healthy way. See for yourself how tasty and healthy cooking can be. It is open for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Piquant is at Podium 3, RCBC Plaza, 6819 Ayala Ave. cor. Sen. Gil Puyat Ave., Makati City.

What’s up?

Gabriela-Youth (UP-Diliman Chapter) will have its theater production of The Vagina Monologues on March 11, 7 p.m., March 12, 3 p.m. and March 13, 3 p.m. at Wilfrido Ma. Guerrero Theater, Palma Hall, Second Floor, UP Diliman. The Vagina is directed by veteran theater director-actor, Prof. Tony Mabesa. Tickets are priced at P250.

(For ticket reservations, call BJ Borja at 0920-5191372.)

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