A card takes off to dominate the skies

Allied Bank, MasterCard and Philippine Airlines (PAL) Mabuhay Miles have teamed up to launch the Mabuhay Miles World MasterCard. PAL chairman and CEO Dr. Lucio Tan, his wife Carmen and executives from these three institutions welcomed guests to the event hosted by Edu Manzano. The event also featured a musical extravaganza by Martin Nievera backed up by musical director and composer Louie Ocampo.

The new Mabuhay Miles World MasterCard can bring one closer than any other card to getting free flights aboard PAL. Its frequent flyer point to Mile conversion is the lowest there is at only P38 to 1 Mile from Mabuhay Miles, which can also be translated into airline service class upgrades — a virtual boost complementing the jet-setting lifestyle of its cardholders.

There is also the Mabuhay Miles Platinum MasterCard — the fast-rewarding credit card that packs an impressive range of benefits second only to its counterpart. It also boasts of the convenience and flexibility of separate peso-dollar billings, the lowest P38 to Mabuhay Mile conversion towards earning faster free flights aboard Philippine Airlines and a waived first-year annual fee.

Cardholders also get automatic round-the-clock emergency medical and travel support via International SOS (ISOS): the world’s leading provider of medical assistance, international healthcare, security services and outsourced customer care.

(To know more about the new Mabuhay Miles World MasterCard, call Ally Live at (632) 818-9818 or 1800-10-818-9-818 or log on to www.mabuhaymilesmastercard.com)

Celebrating Fete nationale

The French Embassy in the Philippines hosted the celebration of the national day of France in remembrance of the historic storming of the Bastille, which marked the first step of the French to champion democracy. Called 14 juillet or Fête nationale, July 14th is the symbol of the end of the monarchy and the beginning of the Republic.  This year’s celebration was more special as it coincided with the beginning of the French Presidency of the European Union.

Over 700 guests went to Sofitel Philippine Plaza and congratulated French Ambassador and Mrs. Gérard Chesnel who happily received friends from various circles. Ambassador Chesnel formally welcomed the audience with a speech and a toast to the friendship between France and the Philippines with Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo (representing President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo) and the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps Apostolic Nuncio Edward Joseph Adams.

The Harbor Garden Tent of Sofitel had an abundance of French wine, champagne and French dishes all flown in from France.

Vive l’amitié Franco-Philippine!

Luxury redefined

Miele, a century-old German manufacturer of premium and innovative domestic appliances and machines for commercial applications, was formally launched at the newly refurbished Focus Global Inc. showroom along Pioneer corner Reliance Streets, Mandaluyong City.

Miele Southeast Asia managing director Mario Miranda graced the event with Stephen and Lolita Sy of Focus Global Inc. — the exclusive distributor of Miele in the Philippines.

Designer Rajo Laurel was requested to design and create a red Miele dress made of very delicate fabric. The dress was washed and dried in the new models of Miele washers and dryers to show how gentle these laundry care appliances even to the most delicate fabric. Even fresh roses (without the stem) were washed using the Miele washing machine to further prove the machine’s gentleness.

(Call 634-8587 or check out www.focusglobalinc.com)