Hopes are high

Success comes to those who chase it. Such is the case of the business partners of Samsung Electronics Philippines Corp. (SEPCO) when its Handheld Phones (HHP) business unit honored the contributions of its dealers to the growth and success of the company. At an appreciation event dubbed “Samsung HHP 2011 National Dealer Roadshow” in Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila, the company’s top dealers expressed confidence and high hopes to do better business with SEPCO in the coming years.

On hand to welcome guests that night were SEPCO president KC Park, CFO Philip Lee, advisor for Samsung Mobile Phones Michael Cheon, head for mobile phones Glenn Glinoga, head for mobile phones retail sales Romulus Manlimos, product marketing head for mobile phones Coco Domingo and head for corporate marketing Chiqui Tan.

Samsung executives Michelle Ferriols and TJ Pelayo hosted the event. The guests enjoyed sumptuous buffet meals, an open bar and great entertainment courtesy of Freestyle. At the event, Samsung also showcased its newest technological innovations and most promising mobile phones for this year.

A sweet collaboration called Kaleidoscope

Hyatt Hotel and Casino Manila teamed up with sought-after fashion designer Louis Claparols and presented this season’s trendiest couture cake, Kaleidoscope. Dessert lovers and fashionistas gathered at The Music Bar of the hotel for the unveiling of this confection.

That evening, Louis, the hotel’s GM Anthony Sebastian and executive chef Josef Miklavc revealed a cube-shaped trifle cake decorated with the fashion designer’s signature graphic designs of colorful geometric patterns printed on delicate sugar paper.

Guests were treated to their first bite of Kaleidoscope made with Swiss Felchlin white chocolate layered with fresh strawberries, and covered with smooth cream cheese mousse. Its crunchy base of crushed Graham crackers sprinkled with cinnamon complemented the rich velvety filling. Three lucky winners won a Kaleidoscope cake each for the raffle that night.

A free-flow of Absolut Vodka cocktails and Mumm champagne added kick to the vibrant event, thanks to Cha Cha Abatayo and Luis San Juan of Pernod Ricard Philippines.

Following the success of its first couture cake launch with Kate Torralba last year, the hotel decided to create a series of signature couture cakes by today’s hottest fashion designers.

Louis said, “Being asked by Hyatt Hotel and Casino Manila to do this project with them was such an honor. It is not every day you get a chance to collaborate with one of the world’s leading hotel brands. When I was approached about this partnership, I got really excited by the idea of creating my very own dream cake with the help of the hotel’s talented pastry chefs. The most exciting part of it all is the chance to share my dream cake with everyone.”

Kaleidoscope is a sweet collaboration between Louis and Hyatt Hotel and Casino Manila’s pastry chef Johann Dreisger. He said, “Louis shared with me how crazy he is about cheesecake and any pastries bursting with creamy fillings and berries. For Kaleidoscope, we use only the freshest strawberries in season and premium quality cream cheese. We designed a white chocolate cube featuring elegant carvings using Swiss Felchlin chocolate, which is known as the world’s finest.”

Louis added, “This year, I also promised myself to be more involved in helping an organization that is close to my heart – PAWS or the Philippine Animal Welfare Society. That is why for every Kaleidoscope couture cake sold, a portion of the proceeds will benefit PAWS. I am very grateful to the hotel for supporting me with this cause.”

During the launch, the hotel’s general manager also extended a generous donation benefiting Louis’ chosen organization.

(Kaleidoscope is exclusively available at the hotel’s dessert haven, the Pastry Boutique, until April. For more information, call 247-8669 or 245-1234 or ext. 7215.)