Mamma Mia! in Manila!

It finally got to our country! One of the best musicals I have ever seen is finally here! I wrote about it last year when I went to Manchester to see the same group performing in the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) now. Certainly, those who love musicals and the hits of ABBA will enjoy Mamma Mia!.

A special gala night was hosted by Concertus Manila that made reliving the ‘70s a truly rewarding and memorable experience. Disco balls adorned the lobby while ‘70s music played as guests enjoyed cocktails before the start of the show.

Event presentor Citi brought its most valued clients to get into the Mamma Mia! fever. At the gala night, guests were welcomed by Citi country officer Sanjiv Vohra with his wife Minna, consumer business manager Sergio Zanatti with wife Corina, global markets head Arcus Fernando, marketing director Cecille Fonacier and credit payment products head Bea Tan. Bambi Verzo, Francis Lumen and James Cundall were also on hand to welcome their guests.

Getting to watch Mamma Mia! was also a rewarding experience for two lucky Citibank cardholders, who each won special packages for two, complete with a car service to and from the CCP. Winners Philip Austria, who came with wife Maricel, and Eduardo Garcia, with sister Edwina, won via an electronic raffle for cardholders who used their rewards points at Citibank’s partner establishments. This treat is part of Citi’s “Money Can’t Buy Experiences” program, which gives Citibank cardholders a chance to win exclusive perks and privileges when they use their rewards points.

Philip, a guidance counselor and three-year Citibank cardholder, said, “It is truly rewarding to enjoy great treats like this that I can share with a loved one.” Eduardo shared that “being among the crowd to experience this international musical will forever be cherished by me and my sister, who just couldn’t wait to watch the show.”

Mamma Mia! is about a daughter’s quest to discover the identity of her father. She invites three possible “dads” from her mother’s past to the island they last visited 20 years ago for her wedding. Over 50 million people around the world have seen the show since its debut in 1999. 

The CCP was so full during that gala night and I seemed to have enjoyed this show better than the one in Manchester because the stage was bigger! After the encore numbers, the entire orchestra section of the CCP was covered in metallic confetti and people were on their feet, clapping with approval!

Mamma Mia! will be staged at the CCP Main Theater until Feb. 19. It is presented by Concertus Manila, Smart Infinity and Citibank. Don’t miss it!

And here’s news for fans of musicals. Watch out for Andrew Lloyd Webber’s classic musical The Phantom of the Opera, coming this year!

Nothing beats the original

After almost a century, the original sneaker is still briskly running in the race.

In 1916, Keds created an American classic: the first shoe with a soft rubber sole, so comfortable and quiet you could “sneak” up on anyone. This original sneaker, called the “Champion,” has remained a style icon for almost 100 years. Worn by legends Paul Newman, Audrey Hepburn, The Ramones, John Lennon, Marilyn Monroe and Jackie O, and consistently celebrated by Vogue, Elle and GQ, Keds continues to attract fashion designers, stylists and top editors in the industry with its classic, authentic style.

Through all the fashion trends of the century, Keds hasn’t changed much since it was created. As a matter of fact, the “Champion” sneaker has remained essentially unchanged for more than half a century! It has become a fashion mainstay versatile enough to adapt to fads and ever-changing fashion trends. 

“Champion” is an unpretentious, stylishly iconic sneaker that exudes casual confidence and smart simplicity. It’s no wonder then that legendary fashion icons themselves wore Keds.

Today, Keds is seen worn by the hottest celebrities like Anna Paquin, Dita von Teese, Chris Colfer, Emma Watson, Natalie Portman, Katy Perry and Kristen Stewart — a testament that true classics can stay relevant for 100 years.

The shoe company continues its legacy of feel-good style, keeping it original, inventive and fun, as it recently re-launched the brand in “Keds: The Original Sneaker Exhibit” at the Ronac Art Center in Greenhills, San Juan City. In this exhibit, Keds collaborated with young local designers CJ da Silva, Valerie Chua, Danika Navarro, Soleil Ignacio and Julius Sebastian, who designed their own takes on the classic Keds “Champion.”

Rare shoe models from the archive were also put on display — from the ‘50s vintage shoes to the latest collaborations with top designers and brands such as Opening Ceremony, Jeffrey, alice + olivia and Stussy.

Keds is available at Complex Lifestyle Store in Eastwood Mall, Ayala Center Cebu, Festival Mall and Alabang Town Center, Hideout in Greenbelt 5, SM Supermalls, Rustan’s, Shoe Salon and the Keds x Sperry Top-Sider pop up store in Mega Atrium.

(For more information on Keds, check it out at www.facebook.com/kedsphilippines.)