New kid on the (fast-food) block

Raymond Ilusorio Yap is making a mark all his own as the “new maverick of the fast-food business!”

He hosted a wonderful eat-all-you-can dinner at the Yap-owned Manila Hotel. All guests had their fill of Japanese, Korean, Indian, Chinese, Italian and other cuisines in the very vast and impressive buffet at the Café Ilang-Ilang. The dinner’s purpose was to introduce Raymond’s new restaurant acquisitions. Other than the recently acquired Café France, the Yap Group has also purchased seven more food chains — Congo Grill, Karate Kid, Tempura, Flavours of China, Heaven & Eggs, Holy Cow and Gitara Grill. 

Raymond’s good friend and consultant Jojie Dingcong designed the fun gathering to introduce him to the lifestyle writers, celebrities and other movers and shakers in Manila. Jojie has indeed mastered the art of introducing his friends with fanfare!

It started with chauffeured white sedans picking the select few from their places to be brought to the Manila Hotel. The historic hotel has gone through refurbishing and renovation of the Café Ilang-Ilang, which is now an elegant structure of glass and golden-bronze metal finish by a Singaporean design team.

The tables were laden with elegant blooms beautifully arranged by the creative and talented team of Anton Barretto and Judith Berenguer-Testa of Floriade Inc. The small showroom that displayed the eight restaurant brands now owned by the Yap Group was also designed by the two. Robert Blancaflor, on the other hand, designed all the gilded frames hoisting the eight brands like pieces of art works. 

What a great night for foodies like me!

 ‘Run for water’

 “Cleaner water, greener earth, one runner at a time.”

It was the battlecry of the runners who participated at the Tupperware Run for Water family fun run event at the Aseana City in Parañaque City.

The event, which was part of Tupperware Brands’ contribution to support United Nation Water’s World Water Day, successfully promoted the cause for clean water to be accessible to all.

President and managing director of Tupperware Brands Philippines Perry Mogar said, “We know that as a global company, Tupperware Brands has a responsibility to lead and inspire people to be involved in important issues such as providing clean water for those who do not have access to it. The Tupperware Run for Water event is a concrete example of how we continue to think of ways to make more people participate and do their share in making clean water available for underprivileged communities.”

Participants took part in 3k, 5k and 10k race events. There was even a special 500-m dash event for kids 10 years old and below. After the race, participants were treated to freebies from various event sponsors. Tupperware products were also raffled off. Each runner was given a reusable and eco-friendly Tupperware 500-ml Eco Bottle.

Tupperware Brands pledged to provide an equivalent of one liter of clean water to the Payatas community for every registered runner. It was able to donate 2,000 liters of clean water after the event through Operation Blessing.

Partying with LMFAO

Starmobile launched the Neptune B302 music edition phone by rocking out with LMFAO, an internationally celebrated electro pop duo best known for its hits Party Rock Anthem and I’m Sexy and I Know It.

The big dome was transformed into a super club as LMFAO with Quest Crew and the crowd had major fun — thanks to Starmobile, which marked its entry as a strong and credible brand of quality dual SIM mobile phones at prices within reach. The brand was established by Star Telecom Alliance Resources.

(Check out www.starmobile.com.ph, Happy Man by Starmobile on Facebookand @happymanPH on Twitter for more information on Starmobile.)