Pure bliss

The scene’s hot new clubbing promoters, Superfly, gave Manila a taste of Bargrooves last year.  Its creator, UK DJ Ben Sowton, rocked the RCBC Tower’s 40th floor as Manila grooved to sophisticated house music and the fresh new vibe of an altogether different experience. 

Recently, Superfly gave Manila and Boracay a taste of "Bliss." This Danish quartet promised to provide "a soundtrack to a movie you’ve never seen" and sure enough, music lovers were treated to an uplifting musical experience.  Bliss’ DJ Stephen and keyboardist Marc-George combined their songwriting talents with Bliss’ two vocalists as they gave the Prince of Jaipur’s standing-room-only crowd a delightful helping of their chill-out compositions.

Their music is a mix of uplifting, down tempo grooves deeply rooted in a blend of Western, African and classical music, mellowed by a Scandinavian coolness.  They headed to Boracay after, playing their live set at the Club Paraw Beachfront to a very appreciative audience. 

Bliss was presented by Smart Infinity and produced by Superfly.

Beauty and the best

The organizers of Mr. and Ms. Lyceum of the Philippines came up recently with an elaborate pageant held as part of the school’s Foundation Day celebrations.  At the helm of the preparations were dean of Student Affairs Randy Sacdalan and faculty member Rosemarie Ampil who ensured a colorful and successful event. (Last year, Ms. Lyceum 2004 Tamera Marie Szijarto represented the country in the Miss Earth 2004.)

A pre-pageant selection process narrowed down the original list of 41 candidates coming from the school’s different colleges to just nine females and six males.  Proclaimed winners were Christian Leonell Pujante (BS Tourism) as Mr. Lyceum 2005, with Toby Vigal (BS Foreign Service) as first runner-up. Fil-German Margo Laine Vaclavek (BS Nursing) was Ms. Lyceum 2005 and Maria Katrina Castro (BS Foreign Service) the first runner-up. 

The judges were Jocelyn Laurel, the lady of Lyceum president Bobby Laurel, wellness advocate and TV host Cory Quirino, society chronicler Maurice Arcache, who earned a BS Foreign Service degree from Lyceum, and fashion designer Frederick Peralta, who is also a Lyceum alumnus.

Rep. Joey Hizon of Manila’s 5th District, Facial Care director Robin Horsman and Anton Corro, director for customer relations of Mastercard International, also served as judges.

A cocktail reception at the school’s Freedom Hall foyer followed the finals. The school officers and faculty, together with selected VIP guests, had the chance to get to know the winners better, as plans to stage an even bigger event next year were drawn up.

Paparazzi’s new guy

Paparazzi, Edsa Shangri-La’s famed Italian restaurant, prepared an exclusive dinner in cooperation with Wine Depot.  New resident Italian chef Domenico Acampora unveiled his unique cuisine with a seven- course dinner. Starters were fresh oysters sautéed in shallots served on creamy truffle sauce, salmon and sea bass carpaccio roulade, corn chowder with dices lobster, and tagliatelle in duck and bell pepper ragout.  Main course was US beef medallions with pear flavored mashed potatoes.  All courses were complemented by fine wines from Kilikanoon, South Australia.

(For reservations, call 633-8888 ext. 2738 or 2739.)

Rockin’ Rio

It felt like frolicking at the beaches of Rio in Brazil sans the actual beach when Rustans launched Escada’s latest fashion fragrance dubbed Rockin’ Rio at the gardens of Shangri-La Hotel in Makati.  Escada’s new limited edition fragrance, Rockin’ Rio, transported the famous Brazilian spirit into the outdoor venue dressed up with bright citrus and floral colors.

Puro Ritmo provided pulsating Latin American music and a Capoeira exhibition was masterfully exhibited by instructors from the Escola Brasileira de Capoeira, Philippines. Host Trisha Chiongbian was one of the first to take on the salsa together with Escada brand manager Mara Ceguera and Rustan’s division manager Mariel Joaquin. Lala Dinglasan and her dancers provided salsa lessons to dance fanatics.

Mara says: "We wanted everyone to experience Escada Rockin’ Rio’s essence that’s why we decided to throw this Brazilian party.  Throughout the year, Escada introduces exciting fragrances on a limited release. These are the fashion fragrances which loyal followers won’t do without. Rockin’ Rio is perfect for Manila’s summers. Its scent is citrus and floral-based which we love."

Piña coladas and Brazilian delicacies were passed around. Mary Lou Prieto Lovina and Menchie Abelardo were awarded best salsa dancers of the night. Greggy Vera Cruz was awarded for being the first guest to arrive while Vicky Montenegro was given the Girl from Ipanema award. 

Toto turns ten

Siam Mariwasa Toto celebrated its 10th year in the Philippines with an all-out party at Embassy in The Fort. The party was at the apex of the successful World Builder’s Expo.

Nibbling on a "Tokyo-meets-Milan" menu were the design world’s top architects alongside Edison, Regina and Yvette Coseteng of Mariwasa. Hosts for the evening were JC Sandejas and Mei Marasigan. Toto began a decade ago in the Philippines with Siam Cement Public Company Limited of Thailand and Mariwasa Manufacturing, Inc. of the Philippines to form Siam Mariwasa Toto, Inc.

Toto’s outgoing president Yasuyuki Saito toasted to the appointment of incoming president Minoru Noomo.

Also seen at the bash were Antonio and Rosemarie Bosch-Ong, Lorraine Belo, Teofilo and Helen Co, architects Jon Alcala, Vince Suntay and Jason Buensalido, Embassy’s Erik Cua and John Herrera, Waco Mapua, Great Ancheta, Lala Fernandez, Albert Adrales and Eduard Ahoro.

30 years of Wrangler

In the recently-concluded Wrangler Annual Conference in Singapore, Edward Ang, president of Wrangler Philippines, received a plaque of appreciation fromVanity Fair (VF) Corporation, for the 30-year partnership and presence of Wrangler in the Philippines. Included in the picture are Tim Wheeler and David Smith of VF Europe and Hamish Stuart, managing director of VF Asia. VF Corp. is the world’s largest apparel company and a leader in jeanswear, intimate apparel, sportswear, workwear and daypacks. Its principal brands include Wrangler, Vanity Fair, Nautica, Earl Jean, JanSport andThe North Face.

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