Sophistication in a bottle

There is always sophistication in drinking cognac  especially if you’re taking the Grand Marnier Edition Ruby.

The launch of Edition Ruby at the newly opened Scarlet at the Fort was a memorable one. The baroque interiors of the venue were a perfect backdrop for the event. Guests enjoyed a variety of Grand Marnier signature cocktails including Grand Master Flash, Grand Marnier Tonic, Irresistible, Margarita, Grand Mojito, Grand Marnier Sour and Grand Cucumber. Each cocktail was served in a red Grand Marnier sphere with adorable lit ice cubes.

Canapés of salmon tartar, sesame crusted tuna loin, fresh oysters with sweet miso sauce, oyster rukuferra, rib-eye salpicao in yakitori sauce and beef tornado rolls were passed around.

Since 1880, the Grand Marnier has always been distinguished in spirit and flavor. Its harmonious blend of bitter orange peel with selected cognacs has been the toast of bars and lounges around the world for over a century.

For the past eight years, Grand Marnier has been arraying its mythical bottle with a new and ephemeral garb, always recognizable and reinvented each time. These are the Limited Editions, aimed at bringing a slice of legend to the fashion of the day. For its eighth incarnation, Grand Marnier created Edition Ruby. A very large ruby offsets the refined discretion of the matte and glossy black gown of the bottle.

(From left) Ian and Bille Palabyab, Olga Azarcon and Ferdi Salvador.

Grand Marnier brand area manager Tatiana Delannoy flew in to Manila to join the festivities as she welcomed guests together with Scarlet owners Conrad Alcantara and Cocoy Puyat.

Hail the extra virgin!

For the longest time, my Spanish friend, international sales director for Oleicola Hojiblanca Manuel Lopez Rosas, had been trying to bring his company’s extra virgin olive oil brand in the country. Finally, Spain’s number one brand in the extra virgin segment of the vegetable oil category is now available in the Philippines. 

The Hojiblanca Extra Virgin Olive Oil is owned by Grupo Hojiblanca, the largest producer of olives and olive oil in the world. Oleicola Hojiblanca is the commercial arm of Grupo Hojiblanca, Spain’s largest cooperative of olive farmers with a membership of over 65,000 members.

Oleicola Hojiblanca commercial director Cesar Ruesgas, treasurer and CFO-The Monheim Group Benjamin Bos and head-branded business Bani Avedillo.

 I have tried this extra virgin olive oil before and its strong and fruity taste does make a distinct difference from other brands sold in the market. It is available in Puregold, Robinsons, South Supermarket, Ever and Waltermart.

It is locally distributed by the Monheim Group. Its operation in the Philippines is handled by commercial director Cesar Ruesgas Fernandez and Manuel Lopez Rosas who both flew in for a press launch in Nuvo. Guests were impressed at the food served at Nuvo because the restaurant used this brand of olive oil.

(Check out www.hojiblanca.es)

A night of stilettos and strollers

International sales director Manuel Lopez Rosas and brand endorser Louie Ysmael.

Young, modern moms are chic, engaged and multi-faceted women who epitomize the quintessential Glam-O-Mama.

Glam-O-Mamas, a social boutique pioneered by Amanda Griffin-Jacob and Nicole Jacinto, hit the Manila scene late last year with a host of signature events such as the Stork Exchange.

The Glam-O-Mamas aims to build a network of like-minded, modern and environmentally-aware moms who believe in creating a healthy balance between all the various roles that mothers take on today. The rookie moms launched their newest baby, Glamomamas.com, a fun and informative website that offers yet another platform for moms to connect and share ideas. The online resource provides everything from humorous anecdotes on potty training to the most stylish trends for their babies.

Held at Members Only at The Fort, the launch also unveiled a photo exhibit that featured some of Manila’s most glamorous moms including Christine Jacob-Sandejas, Daphne Oseña-Paez, Tessa Prieto-Valdes, Chesca Garcia-Kramer, Danica Sotto-Pingris, Amina Aranaz-Alunan, Trish Panlilio, Nancy Castiglione, Joanna Preysler-Francisco, Juana Manahan-Yupangco, Audrey Tan-Zubiri, Georgia Schulze-del Rosario, Kat Azanza and Mika Lagdameo-Martinez.

Ari Kader, Carmina Sanchez-Jacob and Amanda Griffin-Jacob.

Guests were treated to free-flowing Amstel Light beer and liquor from Ralph’s Wines and Spirits and took home loot bags filled with Oilatum, Drypers and Pure Beauty products as well as photo souvenirs from Mrs. Pixels.

(Visit www.glamomamas.com)

Georgia Schulze-del Rosario and Mika Lagdameo-Martinez.