Splashes of colors

The night was splashed with colorful and creative breakthroughs in technology from Dell Philippines as it launched its latest innovations to the public. The three new and improved varieties of PCs were showcased at Glorietta 3. These are the Studio Notebooks, Inspiron Mini9 and Studio Hybrid.

The new Studio comes into two notebooks namely Dell Studio 15 and Dell Studio 17. Though distinct in inches of its high definition displays, both embody sleek designs, striking colors and personalization options with features such as standard built-in web camera, capacitive touch media control buttons, slot load drives and optional mercury-free LED displays and built-in mobile broadband.

The Studio Hybrid consumer PC is designed to enhance individual personality of its user and creative living. This petite PC is 80 percent smaller than the typical desktop and uses less energy up to 70 percent than usual. The Studio Hybrid comes in various and interchangeable color sleeves: Bamboo, Emerald, Quartz, Ruby, Sapphire, Slate and Topaz.

The technology on laptops for the young generation of today is covered in the Inspiron Mini9, an easy to use and carry small device. This was made possible with Dell’s team-up with Box.net for exclusive web-based file storage, access and sharing to its users. The Inspiron Mini is available in Obsidian Black and interaction experience — Windows XP. 

The guests were welcomed by Dell Philippines director and country manager Barry Bunyi, senior marketing manager for Dell Philippines Karen Gonzales and senior sales manager for emerging market Lisa Lee.

I love PiNoY

Start spreading the news: Pinoys are taking over the Big Apple.  

Well, almost. Former TV personality in the Philippines and now New York entrepreneur Samantha Lopez would be happy enough to take even just a small bite of the Big Apple to put Pinoy talent in New York’s radar. 

Through her production outfit, Samantha Lopez Productions or SLP, Sam hopes it will be just a matter of time before non-Filipino New Yorkers can label “ILOVEpiNoY,” and enjoy what SLP has to offer — Pinoy arts, culture and entertainment served up with a New York twist.

Sam set up the production outfit with the intention of creating a whole new level of entertainment targeted not only to Filipinos but non-Filipinos as well. For Sam, New York is the perfect place to share her love for Pinoys.

“IlovepiNoY” is, of course, a spin-off of the famed “I heart NY” concept. It’s an ingenious logo that Billy Samson crafted for SLP. This early, the merchandising potential for it looks promising. In fact, the T-shirts alone are selling fast.

For Samantha, who has lived in New York for the past seven years, the “ILOVEpiNoY” concept gives her a sense of Pinoy pride. Sam helps her husband Warren Edwards at the upscale shoe store named after her husband and managed by dear friend Ayie Barrios at 107 East 60th St. in Manhattan.

At the formal launch party at Serafina in SoHo, Pinoys and non-Pinoys mingled to share Sam’s new venture. Honorable Consul General Cecilia Rebong joined her in unraveling the banner. Writer Carissa Villacorta, also of the Philippine Consulate, came with the consul general and Giselle Aranda of Time magazine. Giving Sam more “ILOVEpiNoY” moments were Caroline del Rosario with immigration lawyer husband Mark, Cora Rivera, Dindi Gallardo, publisher of Planet Philippines Luis Pedron, Asian Journal editor-in-chief Momar Visaya, Manny Agbanlog of New Jersey-based Filipino Times, Tim Garcia of Fingerprint Communications, copywriter/journalist Dennis Clemente, Terry Badiola of Carousel Pinoy, Nanding and Mila Mendez of Philippine Fiesta, owners of the fast-growing Pinoy events and marketing company, Cesca Litton, Paulie and Carla Villacorta and Robin Tomas.

Also toasting to Sam’s successful launch party were Konstantin Yusipov of Capital One, Katrina Quintas of ALTOUR, chef Noel dela Rama, Ria Del Rosario, Bea Tenchavez, Christie Tan, Lucia Santiago, Stacy Brennan, Nicole Hernandez, Christine Larranaga, Clement Gavarry (otherwise known as the “nose” of the Sarah Jessica Parker perfume),   Filipino restaurateurs Nell Castellvi of Perlas ng Silangan on Roosevelt Avenue in Queens and Henry and Marissa Beck of Grill 21 in Manhattan. 

True to making her concept an event not only for Filipinos but non-Filipinos as well, Sam’s first SLP foray is a first, a comicfest featuring Rex Navarrete of Hawaii, Ron Josol of Canada and Air Tabigue of New York, three of the best Filipino stand-up comedians in North America.

Later, Dindi, Carissa and Kate Gordon, former mayor of Olongapo City, took to the stage to raffle two-day stay at Two Seasons Resort in Boracay while Beverly Hills 6750 and Warren Edwards gave away gift certificates. Other sponsors are San Miguel Beer, Serafina, Western Union and America Calls.

Sam can’t wait to launch another event showing Filipino talents for the greatest city to see and appreciate. Nothing thrills her more than to see a Pinoy take center stage in New York. To her, “If you can make it in the Philippines, you can make it anywhere. Even in New York.”

(To learn more about SLP’s “ILOVEpiNoY,” visit www.ilovepinoynyc.com)

No Ordinary Morning for Chicane

Nokia Music, together with Bigfish, recently presented Chicane in Manila 2008 at the World Trade Center. Back to mesmerize music-loving Filipinos since they performed in Manila last year, Chicane, contrary to the popularly held misconception that he is a lone DJ, came as a full band composed of its mastermind Nick Bracegirdle, percussionist Assaf Seewi, bassist Carl Holt, drummer Mark Pusey, guitarist Simon Small and vocalist Natasha Brocklebanks.

Nick showed that he was much more than “the godfather of the Ibiza anthem.” He left the familiar niche that made him famous and ventured into new territory via a part-rocking, part-grooving full-band sound. The opening act during the event was Johnboy Lee who played nonstop dance music as well as a special new remix of the Nokia tune. Chicane performed crowd favorites such as Offshore, No Ordinary Morning and Don’t Give Up, leaving the crowd singing, dancing and jumping to the music.

Present were the Nokia team led by its head of marketing Sandeep Khanna, marketing manager Mitch So and corporate communications manager Nikka Abes. Others seen were Juan Sarte III, Pierrea and Marie Toundjis, Andrew Wolf, Rachelle Lobangco, Therese Chan, Phoemela Baranda, Alessandra de Rossi, Robby Carmona, Pinky Amador, DJ Manolet Dario and Werner Ramirez.