'The Global Art of Mixing' hits Manila

It finally happened — the Hennessy Artistry in Manila. Before this event in Manila, I have attended this affair twice in the past, one in Vietnam and the other in Shanghai. The Hennessy Artistry was officially launched in Manila late last year with at least three of the most popular and accomplished bands in the country — True Faith, Kjwan with Marc Abaya and Pupil with front man Ely Buendia performing. The international scene was also well represented by the British sound mixed by DJ Lauren Pope, the live music of DJ Rasmus Faber of Sweden and percussionist Thomas Eby.

Manila’s party people gathered at the NBC Tent at The Fort and reveled in an evening of music while enjoying the sparkling and pure Hennessy Tonic, the warm and decadent Hennessy Ginger, refreshing and cooling Hennessy Apple and the tasty and sweet Hennessy Berry.

For five years now, the Hennessy Artistry has promoted “The Global Art of Mixing,” a fusion of distinctively different yet complementary musical genres. The mood of the event is comparable to a master blender who combines the finest eaux-de-vie to produce an excellent cognac — through spectacular and groundbreaking experiences in the major cosmopolitan cities of the world from New York, Los Angeles, Miami and Moscow to our very own Asian cities of Hong Kong, Taipei, Shanghai, Beijing and Kuala Lumpur.

The artistry event is about the blending of different musical styles and culture and creating new music. It is also about breaking the norm of drinking Hennessy VSOP pure; hence the mixing of Hennessy to create cocktails. The event opened in Manila with the performance of the Philippine All Stars as VJs Alvey and Solenn Heussaff introduced Hennessy Artistry to Manila.

Kjwan then followed suit. True Faith sang its new songs but the song that got the crowd singing along with the band was the song it is most known for, Perfect. Medwin Marfil of True Faith raised his glass before jamming up with Kjwan to Jimi Hendrix’s Little Wing.

Next up was Pupil with its diverse sounds of alternative rock. The whole set was an eclectic mix that made the audience inched their way to the stage to immerse themselves in the melody of Disconnection Notice. 

The evening’s highlight was definitely the collaboration of all three bands on all three stages all together singing another Hendrix tune, Born to Be Wild.

After the performance of the local artists, English glamour DJ Lauren Pope kept the crowd in a frenzy when she played her sexy style of electro, progressive house as well as hip-hop and R&B while the Philippine All Stars jammed with her on stage. Swedish DJ Rasmus Faber together with percussionist Thomas Eby soon gave the party a new sampling of live music mixed with their musical mixes from house to jazz and soul to pop with live keyboard performances.

The Hennessy Artistry series around the globe takes pride in providing an unforgettable evening highlighted by an electrifying mix of musical styles and exquisite Hennessy Long Drinks. The event in Manila showed that Hennessy VSOP was an enabler in mixing drinks, music and people.

(For more photos and updates, visit www.hennessyartistrymanila.com)

Turning Japanese with Canon

In its appreciation party dubbed “Merii Kurisumasu” for its friends in the media, Canon, my camera of choice, turned “Toyz” bar at the Fort Strip!

Kimono-clad women and school girls strutted around as some guests wore Japanese-inspired costumes. Timeless Nihonggo tunes played at Canon’s Japanese extravaganza!

After a quick video presentation from Canon Marketing Philippines Inc. president and CEO Alan Chng, guests were entertained by Canon’s very own Jet Hernandez and Thinline Advertising’s Frank Briones, who handles Canon’s PR.

Excitement grew as Canon’s vice president Bong Serevo, consumer system products head Vinchy Sanchez, IT and logistics director Richard Ordoñez, consumer systems products marketing manager Jill Santiago, business imaging solutions assistant marketing manager Tin Dolovino, assistant marketing manager Ernalou Amechachurra and product marketing supervisors Mary Rose Torres and JayR Romero, all wearing traditional Japanese costumes, started the raffle. So many prizes were given that practically all the guests won something! The top prize was a Canon EOS 550D kit. What a way to cap the year!