Cherry blossoms, art and fashion

Shu Uemura has always believed that "beautiful makeup starts with beautiful skin" and that the key to achieving beautiful skin is by cleansing with its high performance balancing cleansing oil, its star product for the last 40 years.

An afternoon tea party was held at The Drawing Room in Makati as Shu Uemura, together with Smart Infinity, introduced the new variant, Sakura Fresh Cleansing Oil, an incredibly light formula and pink- colored cleansing oil inspired by the beauty of cherry blossoms.

To celebrate this occasion, Shu Uemura Philippines collaborated with HG, a group of young Filipino artists, to produce a complete visual and fashion concept that captured the essence of the Sakura Fresh Cleansing Oil which was Filipino in flavor. 

A huge installation artwork was unveiled as guests enjoyed Moet & Chandon, Bailey’s and Hennessy cocktails while enjoying cherry blossom inspired fare from Zen Restaurant and Ashmore’s chocolate-covered strawberries. 

Limited edition Sakura premium items such as bag, necklace and cuff designed by avant-garde designer Yvonne Quisumbing-Romulo (of HG) for Shu Uemura were also given to guests.

Seen at the event were Shu Uemura business unit manager Tina Tinio, HG’s Mads Adrias and Juan Caguicla, Smart Infinity’s Tom Valderrama, Moet & Chandon’s Olga Azarcon, L’Oreal’s David Ennes, Vicky Encarnacion, STAR Y Style’s Celine Lopez and Hindy Weber-Tantoco, Phoemela Barranda, Mariko Jacinto, Nicolette Bell, Fely Atienza, Paolo Prieto, Patrick Reyno and designer Puey Quinones.

The Shu Uemura Sakura Fresh high performance balancing cleansing oil is available in Shu Uemura counters in Rustan’s Makati and Shangri-La Plaza Mall. The limited edition Yvonne Quisumbing-Romulo Sakura items designed for Shu Uemura are available in limited quantities and can be availed of with every purchase of the Sakura Fresh Cleansing Oil.

Planet Ocean

Swiss-watch brand Omega launched its exciting new addition to the Omega Seamaster range, the ‘Planet Ocean’. Present at the launch were Omega VP for product development and designer of Planet Ocean range Jean Claude Monachon and Omega area sales manager Oliver Hugentobler.

The Edge at The Fort was transformed into an underwater marvel accompanied with the calming sound of the blue. Images and video clips of Planet Ocean endorser and Olympic champion Michael Phelps depicted the watch in dramatic action. Australian Olympic gold medalist Ian Thorpe is also an ambassador of Planet Ocean.

Planet Ocean is inspired by the vivacious hues of the clown fish amid the deep blue. The range which features an orange leather strapped piece with orange bezel is a highly fashionable timepiece with uncompromising quality Omega is known for.

Lucy Torres-Gomez hosted the occasion. Richard Gomez picked the winner of the raffle. Lucky Rorie Carlos won a Planet Ocean watch.

Guests enjoyed cocktails from Haiku and flowing Wolf Blass Wines from Premiere Wines & Spirits.

The Seamaster Planet Ocean is available in Omega boutiques.

A French celebration

Filipino artists, critics, filmmakers and the French gathered to celebrate the French in celebration of the French Film Festival at Greenbelt 2 in Makati. French producers collaborated with commercial film distributors to bring 15 contemporary French films for exhibition at Ayala Cinemas.

Acclaimed Filipino films like Panaghoy sa Suba, Dekada ’70, Bagong Buwan, Milan and Batang Trapo were also featured at the 10th anniversary of the French Film Festival in the Philippines. Filipino photographer George Tapan simultaneously exhibited his perceptions of the beauty of Paris in his collection of photos dubbed Paris Off Color.

Gaita’s new treat

Celebrated chef Margarita "Gaita" Fores was invited by Roxas City Mayor Tony del Rosario to the recent Diwal Harvest. She decided to go to try the delectable seafood of Roxas City and the celebrated Angel Wings shell, locally known as diwal. 

The diwal was actually on the verge of extinction until the people of Roxas stopped the harvesting of the very meaty shell and decided to propagate it. Now, the diwal is readily available for everyone to enjoy.

Fores brought in several kilos of seafood for her restaurant, Pepato, in Greenbelt 3. Pepato has diwal grilled with French butter and truffle oil or as fritters served with creamed bagna cauda. She also prepared linguine with diwal, garlic, olive oil and white wine.  Fish from Roxas available in Pepato include barramundi (apahap), red snapper (mangagat) and pompano. 

Fores also has cross crab served chilled with white wine sorbetto, black tapenade and home made mayonaise. Fresh Capiz oysters are also served with these condiments. If you are not one for raw oysters, try the oyster Rockefeller with hollandaise, spinach and crisp prosciutto ham. The seafood is fresh and will most probably be in the permanent menu of Pepato.

(For inquiries, call 757-2636.)

Fabulously white

Nivea Visage launched a new product at the Rockwell Tent with a breakthrough whitening formula. Guests came in refreshing white outfits. 

Nivea marketing director Rica King presented the new products from the Nivea Visage Multiple White Line: the Whitening Cream 20+, Whitening Cream 30+, Whitening Fluid, Whitening Night Cream, Whitening Foam, Whitening Scrub and Whitening Toner.

King says, "The Nivea Visage Multiple White Line not only whitens skin but gives just the right kind of care suited to the skincare requirements of women in their twenties and thirties as well."

Chynna Hortaleza and Pinky Webb hosted the event dubbed Ode to White Beauty which featured a showcase of stunning fashions in white from the country’s up and coming young women designers Reian Mata, Tippi Ocampo, Yvonne Quisumbing-Romulo and Kate Torralba.

Seen at the event were race kart champ Mateo Guidicelli, cager Doug Kramer, TV personality Dyan Castillejo, actors Jomari Yllana and Raymond Gutierrez, model Joey Mead, designer Astrud Crisologo, Rosario Herrera, Christine San Diego, Carmina Sanchez and GP Reyes who was DJ for the night.

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