Opening the gates of fashion

Singapore-based retail brand Iora dresses up women with classic apparel and accessories that never go out of style.

Iora Philippines owner and operations manager Monette Garcia and part-owner and finance manager Anabelle Cuazon welcomed guests for lunch and to preview the brand’s Fall-Winter collection.

With constant research over various countries in Europe and Asia, Iora’s design team in Singapore, headed by chief designer Jayne Koh, generates more than 80 new styles into the stores every month to give customers something new each time they visit Iora. Monette says: “Filipino women demand value for money by buying high-quality brand with good styling. Our products have good detailing and lining as well as styling as seen on additional bows, pleats and embroidery.”

The retail brand offers a wide selection of quality apparels at affordable prices for the fashion conscious and young executives. Anabelle says: “Our designs are in between trendy and classic which ensures long-term use.”

Iora executives from Singapore who attended the event were CEO Leng San Ng, Jayne Koh and marketing manager Toon Lin Teo.

(Iora boutiques are located at Glorietta, TriNoma, Robinsons Galleria, Rustan’s Shangri-La Department Store, SM Mall of Asia, SM Megamall, Libis Outlet Store, Ayala Center Cebu, SM Cebu and soon to open at Marquee Mall in Pampanga.)

Dressed to impress

The Manila Hotel hosted the 2009 Best Dressed, an event conceptualized by Karr Marin and Baby Fernandez.

The night was a celebration of who was classified as Manila’s Best Dressed namely Pinky Tobiano, Adel Tamano, Mia Martinez-Mancio, Education Secretary Jesli Lapus, Marietha Holmgren, Victorangelo Flores Tantoco II, Rianne Cuevas, Howard Calleja, Edgar Villanueva and Baby Bayani-Ortiz. All were dressed by Aureo Alonzo.

Guests were led by former First Lady Imelda Marcos, who was dressed to the nines. The highlight of the evening was the finale which had FILA president Cris Albert donning a black and pink Auggie Cordero gown who was named the night’s hall of fame awardee along with male counterpart Mikee Romero.

Cris’ friends and family like her mom Wanda Louwallien, Celine Lopez, Ralph Joseph and husband Butch Albert later showered the hall of fame awardee with long-stemmed roses and tulips.

Running towards a green future

As part of its Greenology Campaign of heeding the call for sustainability, Ayala Malls continue its corporate thrust for sustainability by showcasing events that will surely capture the hearts of concerned mall patrons and environmentalists. Ayala Malls Group SVP and group head Marivic Añonuevo says: “We have pioneered environmental programs in Philippine malls, and these programs have now become models in the industry. Now we’re affirming our commitment to Mother Nature by responding to the global call for sustainable living and sustainable environment. With Greenology, we have come up with an integrated approach to strengthen our environmental efforts and our campaign for sustainable development. And we would like our merchants and mall goers to be our partners in making Greenology a success.”

At the tail end of this campaign was the ECO DASH: The Ayala Malls Environment Run held in Bonifacio Global City. The run was open to all patrons of Ayala Malls, runners and non-runners alike. The event had over 3,100 runners participating.

Ayala Malls transformed ECO DASH into a means of creating awareness on the state of the environment. Participants were encouraged to donate at least one kilo of commonly accepted recyclable items such as paper (white, colored or newspapers), aluminum cans plastics, used ink cartridges and PET bottles to get a P50 off on the registration fee. All recyclable materials shall be turned over to Bantay Kalikasan. Proceeds from the registration fees shall benefit Bantay Kalikasan and Children’s Hour.

The three-kilometer race in the male and female category was won by third runner-up Carlito Fantilaga and Josafat Tabuno; second runner-up Milbert Nabuab and Christine Delfin; and winners Adonis Lubaton and Maricel Yambao. The challenging five-kilometer race had Kevin Solon and Michelle De Vera for the third place; Regie Lumauag and Hazel Madamba for the second; and winners Roldan Verano and Serenata Saluan. The 10-km runners had in third place were Abraham Barcase Jr. and Cinderella Agana; second were Roger Denolo and Meriam Miranda; and champions Jujet de Asis and Emma Magango. The toughest 21-km run was the highlight of the race. Clocking in 1:32:49 for the male third runner-up category is Edward Kho and 1:45:40 for the female was Leica Carpo; second in place were Reynaldo delos Reyes in 1:17:10 and Genevieve dela Peña in 1:43:02; and finally the leading champs of the marathon were Rene Desuyo finishing in 1:14:40 and Anna Vargas in 1:38:28.

The first male and female placers of the 21-km category received as much as P10,000 worth of Ayala Malls Electronic Gift Certificate (eGC), Timex watches and over P9,000 worth of gift certificates from Runnr, Newton and Chris Sports. The 10-km champions for both male and female categories were awarded P8,000, Timex watches and over P6,000 worth of gift certificates from Nike Park and Chris Sports while the five-kilometer first placers received P5,000 worth of eGCs plus Timex watches and gift certificate from Fitness First. The three-kilometer champions took home P3,000 worth of eGCs, Timex watches and Bench Certificates worth P3,000.

Oldest runner Antonio Botabara and youngest participant Dana Patrice Balondo received special prizes as well from Ayala Malls.

The event was held in cooperation with Bantay Kalikasan and Children’s Hour, with special thanks to its sponsors: Bench, Runnr, Newton, Nike Park, Chris Sports, Fitness First, Manila Water and Gatorade.