Kaskading with Dunhill

The set up was simple yet impressive – a massive stage, a DJ booth and a vinyl covered dance floor surrounded by some of the most advanced lights and sounds installations for a truly unique outdoor dance experience. The setting was the Coconut Palace Gardens as Manila’s party crowd grooved to the beats of Superfly DJ Karl Ty as they waited for luxury tobacco brand Dunhill’s much awaited musical treat: International Superstar DJ and producer Kaskade.

Dunhill has always espoused perfection, from the stringent procedures in the creation of each and every tobacco product and this carries over into all of its activities. The brand paid tribute to the perfection of music via a fusion of modern and classic elements. The traditional rhythms and raw ethnic chants of percussion group Pinikpikan were fused with the DJ’s electronic beats. A modern performance by Ballet Manila followed moving to the charged beats of Kaskade anthem Stepping Out.

The crowd went into a frenzy as Kaskade, the man behind such house music chart toppers like It’s you, It’s me, Everything and Empty Streets, dropped Here I Am as his first track as fireworks lit up the sky. Smirnoff vodka was served at the VIP lounge and a selection of the fine Dunhill cigarettes were distributed by its brand ambassadors. 

The Kaskade Party three days later at Club Paraw in Boracay was just as fun.

Watch out for even more Dunhill Dimensions and Superfly events in the metro very soon.

Clarks is here

Clarks Shoes UK featured its Spring/Summer 2006 collection as the store was launched in Glorietta 3, Ayala Center.  Guests were welcomed and serenaded by the smooth jazz music of saxophone player Michael Guevarra as hors d’ oeuvres were served with wine.

The British Embassy’s entry clearance manager Christopher Stacey, deputy director Rov Walker, president of the Philippine-Chinese Chamber of Commerce Francis Chua, congressional spouse Nikki Prieto-Teodoro, Consulate Evie Costa of Togo and Ambassador Victor and Connie Garcia unveiled the new Clarks Shoes store.

Host TJ Manotoc, wearing his own pair of Clarks Shoes, invited the guests to view the Lifestyle Shoe Exhibit and to try the massage chairs and foot massagers in the store.

Guests were treated to massage chair demos by Osim and at the same time, an I-Squeeze and an I-Usap were both given away as prizes. Other prizes given out were a Canon digital camera from Bankard and a wireless Panasonic phone from Banco de Oro. Smart Infinity card members will be given a 10 percent discount (until May 4, 2007) just by showing their card when they transact at any Clarks store.

Clarks gave out special tokens to their loyal customers that made it to the event. Clarks bags and wallets were given away as gifts upon purchase from the store that evening.  Spotted were Mari Kaimo, Sari Yap, Margie Enriquez, Nikki Banzon, Chris Yam, Gerry San Miguel, Lucille Villanueva, Susan Laudico, Max and Zelda Keinle, Simon and Gemma Gemeley, Larry Amante, Ritchie Lavarro, Sid Castro, Dennis Litonjua, Bel Roquero, Lirio Mapa, Diana Cua, Rosita and Conchita Pardillo.

Clarks is exclusively distributed by Cinderella Marketing Corp. and is available in SM Megamall 2/level Bldg A, Cinderella Glorietta 3, Cinderella V Mall Greenhills Shopping Centre and soon to open at SM Mall of Asia.

(For more information, log on to www.clarks.co.uk)

Guerlain is back

After being out of Manila for a few years, Guerlain was officially relaunched by Luxasia Inc. with an exclusive cocktail and fashion show at Rustan’s Makati. 

Luxasia’s GM Mia Cuenca and senior product manager for Guerlain Vanessa Mayuga welcomed guests who were eager to get reacquainted with the popular brand.

Special recognition was given to Jackie Cohen-Antonio, who was christened as the Terracotta Blonde Beauty and Liza Ilarde as the Terracotta Brunette Beauty. They both received the summer bronzing collection from Guerlain. Mia Borromeo was chosen "Lady of the Night" and she received a special gift from Tiffany & Co. A Samsung X700 mobile phone was also raffled off to lucky winner Rina Roman of Rustan’s Cosmetics Division.  

The event was highlighted by a fashion show featuring Guerlain’s Terracotta Collection 2006 modeled by Borgy Manotoc, Ornussa Cadness, Valerie de los Santos, Robby Mananquil, Angel Agustin and Paolo Cabalfin.  Brands featured in the show included Tiffany & Co. Jewelry, Montblanc Eyewear, Loungerie Lux by Celine Lopez, Rustan’s Resort Wear, Aranaz Bags and Substance Footwear. 

Guests enjoyed Moet & Chandon and canapés created by Cibo. Spotted were the French Embassy’s First Counsellor Bernard Regnauld-Fabre and Consul Monique Dibold Pacetti, Lia Bernardo, Marichelle Ligon, Carla Sibal, Malu Fernandez, Marie Calica, Agoo Bengzon, Kinny Salas, Camille Villar, Tiffany’s Ellyn Reyes, Anne Gonzalez of Havaianas,  Chocolate Clothing Company’s Ana and Will Antonio, Gil Coscolluela, Derrick Santos, JR Banzon and Vicky De Leon.

The complete line of Guerlain fragrances, makeup and skincare is now available at Rustan’s Makati and Rustan’s Shangri-La Tower.

Fonterra celebrates New Zealand PM visit

Fonterra Brands, makers of top milk brands Anchor, Anmum and Anlene, welcomed New Zealand Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Helen Elizabeth Clark on her first State Visit to the Philippines.  The Prime Minister discussed development projects sponsored by the New Zealand government in Manila and attended a bilateral meeting in Bohol and the inter-faith dialogue in Cebu.

Fonterra ASEAN hub GM Alan Fitzsimmons, Philippine GM Carlo Mendoza, Philippine directors Francis Aswin and Chat Guillermo were on hand to welcome the Prime Minister.  Also present to give a warm reception to the prime minister were New Zealand Ambassador to the Philippines Rob Moore-Jones and Philippine Ambassador to New Zealand Bienvenido Tejano.

Prime Minister Clark stated that the Philippines will have a bigger role in the future as New Zealand bolsters its efforts in dairy product export. "As New Zealand becomes more aggressive in the export arena, the Philippine market is going to become increasingly important as New Zealand-based companies like Fonterra push for more top quality products to meet local demands."

Tito Nieves live in Manila!

Experience the music of Tito Nieves on June 3, Saturday, as he performs live in Manila with his 16-piece band from Orlando, Florida. Nieves will bring the best of Latin, Salsa, Pop and R&B music in a one-night show filled with pulsating and explosive music.

Included among the timeless classics hits that he will be performing are: How Do You Keep the Music Playing, I’ll Always Love You, You Bring Me Joy, Heart of Mine, I Won’t Last a Day Without You, I’m Gonna Love You Just A Little Bit More Baby, Fool On The Hill, I Like It Like That, It’s Too Late Baby and Let It Be.

Tito Nieves…Live in Manila! happens at the PICC Reception Hall.

(For ticket reservations, call TicketWorld at 891-9999 or 0919-5506762 or 0916-3403919 or visit www.ticketworld.com.ph or www.titonieves.com)

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(E-mail me at [email protected])