Bigger, better and bolder

The red invitation had three words on it that caught everyone’s attention: "Bigger. Better. Bolder." It certainly was as Esprit unveiled its biggest flagship store in the Philippines at Glorietta 3. This grand launch featured the Spring/Summer Collection 2006 of the Esprit Worlds namely Casual, Collection and EDC.

Vice president for imported brands at Cinderella Richie Coronel Santos said, "It’s a celebration of Esprit’s bold step to open its biggest flagship store in the country that is globally at par with all the Esprit stores in the world. A great party is a must!" Fashion institution Cinderella had brought and distributed Esprit to the Philippines way back in 1985 and continues to grow locally with its 20 branches. This is also one of the largest Esprit stores in Asia at 850 square meters.

Director Jackie Aquino staged a fashion show headlined by Borgy Manotoc and Ornussa Cadness walking the runway with live electronic trip hop music by Drip. Ten young and talented girls who also strutted down the runway were 2006 Cinderella image model Noelle Hernandez, boxing enthusiast Kriselle Yatco, fashion associate Kat Cruz, Psychology major Katrina Domingo, Integrated Marketing and Communications graduate Michelle Robles, third generation of Cinderella Marketing Isabelle De Venecia, accessories designer Ciara Marasigan, Spanish professor/commercial model Alexi Alunan, MTV marketing manager Anne Matoto and belly dancer/model Jessica Kienle.

Cocktails were provided by Maxxium, Diageo and Premiere Wines and food by California Pizza Kitchen. Guests Liza Ilarde and Rorie Carlos each won P20,000 worth of gift certificates from John Robert Powers while Maurice Arcache won a three-day/two-night stay at Sea Wind Boracay Resort for two. Several guests received Calayan SurgiCenter gift certificates. There was an after party held at Nuvo in Greenbelt 2.

Others spotted were Al Santos, French Embassy’s Patrick Launay, Mark Villar, GP Reyes, Johann Espiritu, Cristine Collantes Garcia, Carito Villaroman, Bing Gutierrez of Solar Entertainment, Congressional Spouse of San Jose Del Monte Bulacan Isabelita Roquero, Philippine Airlines’ Babsie Aragon and Ria Domingo, Ronald Singson, Joel Tantoco, 2005 Binibining Pilipinas-World Carlene Ang Aguilar, Marie Lozano and Allure’s Philip Cu-Unjieng and Luis Espiritu.

Welcome to Enderun

Enderun Colleges welcomed their pioneer batch with a launch held at their campus in Ortigas Center. The students, their family, Enderun’s hotel industry partners and guests trooped to the different classrooms to sample regional products and wines representative of the participating countries.

The New Zealand room sponsored by the New Zealand Trade & Enterprise had guests try New Zealand Mussels in Sauvignon Blanc and succulent Roast Prime Rib of Beef, prepared by Enderun’s chef See Cheong Yan. Canada’s section had smoked salmon, maple-syrup laced cheesecakes and ice wine sponsored by the Canadian Embassy. The Philippine room was home to culinary delights all courtesy of San Miguel Pure Foods – regional longanisas, beef tapa pandesal and chicken inasal skewers. Alliance Francaise took guests on a journey to discover why French food is one of the best in the world. Exquisite wines from Sommelier Selection and delectable pates from Pamora Farm completed the experience. There were cheese and chocolate fondues in Switzerland’s area; tapas, Rene Barbier wines and Freixenet Cava in the Spanish territory; while a ravioli and dessert station waited in the Italian room. Wines of the world – Mondavi from California, Ruffino from Italy, Sandeman from Portugal, Trapiche from Argentina, Penfolds from Australia, Shamwari from South Africa and Valdivieso from Chile – were the highlight of the night. The event set the pace for the pioneer students of Enderun when they head out into the real world: the fast-paced global hospitality industry.

Enderun offers a four-year degree course in International Hospitality Management, with the option of majoring in Hotel Administration or Culinary Arts. Students have an opportunity to earn Certificates in Hospitality Operations from Les Roches Swiss Hotel Association School of Hotel Management as they study for their bachelor’s degrees at Enderun. The Les Roches certificate program will be fully integrated into the Enderun curriculum and will allow Enderun students who pass a qualifying exam to gain Les Roches certification after only two years of study without having to leave the Philippines.

(Check www.enderun.com.ph)

RJ rocks

Philippine music icon and entrepreneur Ramon "RJ" Jacinto held a very successful concert with the Manila Symphony Orchestra conducted by Professor Tito Molina at the Insular Life Auditorium in Ayala Alabang.

Even President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo attended the event sponsored by Globe Platinum. Cocktails were served prior to the show with the best wines from Tita Trillo’s Titania cellar and vodka from Ralph Joseph’s Ralph’s while food was from Dencio’s Grill and the RJ Guitar Bar.

RJ delighted the crowd starting with his 1961 hit Weightless and other covers from Elvis Presley, The Beatles and Eric Clapton. The show ended with the audience clamoring for encores.

Others spotted were Insular’s Ting Ayllon, Frannie Jacinto, Tom Zita, Unilever’s Howard Belton, Globe’s Ferdie de la Cruz, PCSO’s Sergie Valencia, Mary Rufino-Mejares and Vicky Zubiri.

(E-mail me at [email protected])