Another industry breakthrough

Marketing triumvirate Shu Uemura-Motorola-Globe launched the Breakthrough Design Art Competition together with Metro Magazine at 32 McKinley, Forbes Park — a unique venue for any party or launch! To celebrate the launch of the competition, guests took part in a symbolic process as they put the conclusion together to sculptor, writer and designer Ovvian Castrillo’s coated black iron sculpture, Breakthrough, created especially for the competition launch.

An innovative, groundbreaking competition, the Breakthrough Design Art Competition encourages everyone to showcase their work, allowing artist exposure in the beauty, telecommunications, retail and media industries. Shu-Moto-Globe will single out the piece that best evokes the breakthrough concept with those three products in mind. The winning artist will be awarded with a P50,000 cash prize, P50,000 worth of Shu Uemura products, the latest Motorola handset and a Globe postpaid plan subscription for one year. The winner will also have an artwork installation at Shu Uemura counters, Motorola concept stores, Globe Platinum Lounge and an editorial spread in Metro. The winning piece will also be incorporated into Shu Uemura packaging, Motorola skins, Globe Platinum cards and the cover design of Metro’s February 2008 issue.

Guests enjoyed free flowing drinks from Premier Wines’ Alize and 3 Vodka, Zen Restaurant’s Japanese fare and Mary Ann Tinio’s newest menu of Italian offerings.

(For more information and entry into the competition, visit www.breakthroughdesign.com.ph)

Citibank welcomes PAL Mabuhay Miles

An intimate celebration with great food, gifts and rewards marked the launch of Citibank Rewards 2007 at the Mezze in Greenbelt 2. It’s Citibank’s widest and most exciting Rewards selection. It now includes the Philippine Airlines’ (PAL) Mabuhay Miles frequent flyer program. 

Present to welcome the guests were Citibank Philippines’ country business manager for global consumer group Mark Jones, country marketing director Cecille Fonacier, cards business director Bea Teh-Tan, PAL EVP for commercial group and EA to the chairman Henry So Uy, VP for marketing support Felix Cruz, AVP for products Barbara Aragon and program development and communications manager Ria Domingo.  The event was hosted by Allure columnist Philip Cu-Unjieng who made the whole affair more intimate as he is familiar with almost all the guests.

Tan said, “One of the surprises that we had is the welcome addition of the country’s flag carrier, Philippine Airlines, to our partners.  Cardholders can now use their Rewards Points to exchange for PAL’s Mabuhay Miles and enjoy free trips and upgrades.” Uy added, “We’re happy to become a part of Citibank Credit Card’s Rewards Program.  We welcome this great opportunity to reach out to their cardholders and offer our unique brand of service.”

This year’s catalog presents the most extensive showcase of gifts and gadgets, vacation getaways, pampering treats and shopping and dining certificates. Citibank cardholders can charge their purchases to their VISA or MasterCard, Gold VISA or MasterCard, or VISA Platinum. Every P30 spent is equivalent to one rewards point.

One of the highlights of the launch was a fun raffle draw which included a Philips Micro component, a Philips Hi-Fi Component, Philip’s Portable DVD Player, Dai-Ichi’s DVD Theater, LG Microwave Oven, Honeywell Air Purifier, Dowell 3-in-1 breakfast maker, a Nintendo DS Lite, 1GB iPod Shuffle, Seville Ice Cream Maker, Honeywell Multi-Pivot Fan, Black & Decker Dustbuster Automotive Vacuum, Black & Decker Blender, GE Cordless Phone, a vintage style Electrolux Toaster and two PAL Mabuhay Miles certificates of 15,000 miles each.

(Check out www.mabuhaymiles.com)

Vodka and beyond

Moet-Hennessy’s Olga Azarcon held an intimate party for her vodka product Belvedere at Martini’s in Mandarin Oriental. She had flown in known British bartender Sam Jeveons of Alconomics to mix drinks and entertain a select number of people.

The turnout was more than the 30 people expected, of course! Olga and Martini’s prepared bar chow for the selected guests before the very amiable Sam started concocting very interesting cocktails using Belvedere vodka and Moet & Chandon champagne.

Celebrities spotted were Joey Mead, Rufa Mae Quinto, Ruffa Gutierrez (who did not drink a drop of alcohol and stuck to water and juice only!), Jessica Rodriguez Bunevacz and Amanda Griffin.

(Check out www.belvederevodka.com and www.alconomics.com)

Live Earth

July 7 (7/7/07) saw Live Earth stage official concerts in New York, London, Sydney, Rio de Janeiro, Johannesburg, Shanghai and Hamburg. Millions of people attended the concerts and the 10,000+ “Friends of Live Earth” events and house parties in 195 countries. Millions also watched or heard the event online or on TV.  Millions pledged to change their own actions and hold our leadership accountable.

In the Philippines, Ilocos Norte was at the forefront of “Friends of Live Earth” events with a celebration in Bangui, Ilocos Norte, right in the wind farm (the very first in Southeast Asia) that provides for nearly half of the energy requirements of the province. Rep. Bongbong Marcos has every right to be proud having seen this project through during his term as Ilocos Norte governor. It has been his primary project even before the Live Earth Concerts were conceived.

Live Earth was founded by Kevin Wall, the worldwide executive producer of Live 8, an event that brought together one of the largest audiences in history to combat poverty. Wall formed a partnership with Al Gore and the Alliance for Climate Protection to ensure that Live Earth inspires behavioral changes long after 7/7/07.

(E-mail me at [email protected])