Timeless pieces

To showcase its latest product innovations, Tumi recently presented its Spring 2013 collection at the Presidential Suite of The Peninsula Manila, to the delight of guests.

Highlighting the entire collection is the Tumi icon, featuring a “T” logo pattern. The collection is comprised of the brand’s bestselling styles from its travel, business and lifestyle lines. In addition, the brand introduces a new trademark ID lock system, a new protective feature that aids in shielding personal information encoded in the carrier’s identification cards and documents.

A standout in the brand’s latest collection is its second-time collaboration with quirky label Anna Sui. The collaboration boasts an elegant marriage between Tumi’s Voyageur collection and Anna Sui’s signature whimsical touch. The color palette revolves around airy Raspberry and Pansy hues, while the detailing exhibits charm-like branded hardware, interior striped lining from Anna Sui’s pattern archive and miniature flower-lined zippers. 

Tumi also introduced redefined styles of its iconic Alpha Lightweight collection, which now features a hard side protection with modern ballistic nylon aesthetics. For heavy-duty jetsetters, the brand presented its lightest and strongest travel line — Tegra-Lite, which combines a high level of durability and impact resistance with lightweight ease and maneuverability.

The brand also honored its partnership with Ducati with a retro and motor sport collection inspired by Ducati’s 1972 championship winning bike known as 750 Imola Desmo. The key design of the collection features metallic treatment, tumbled textured leather and perforated detailing.

(The new collection is available at Tumi stores in Greenbelt 5 and Bonifacio High Street Central. Select styles are also available

at Rustan’s Makati, Rustan’s EDSA Shangri-La, The Travel Club stores and Lady Bag at Ayala Center Cebu. The Primer Group of Companies is the exclusive distributor of Tumi in the Philippines.)

An unforgettable dinner

The great chef Alain Ducasse visited Manila in 2010 to attend Enderun’s tie-up with Alain Ducasse Formation (that’s the first outside France). His team of chefs prepared a very memorable dinner, something that is still etched in my mind to this day. I have eaten in various Ducasse restaurants and have always enjoyed his cuisine. 

When I found out that Alain Ducasse Formation chefs and Enderun were to have a gala dinner at the Old Manila restaurant of The Peninsula Manila, I jumped at the opportunity of venturing into another gastronomic feast.

It was an obvious gathering of foodies and gourmands as we were quite all familiar with each other.  After cocktails and chitchat, guests rushed to their seats for the much-anticipated dinner. 

We started off with chicken and foie gras terrine and toasted country bread served with The Peninsula Champagne.  This was followed by tender potato gnocchi with black truffles paired with Henriot blanc de blanc.  I thought the dish would come with just a few shavings of the prized mushroom, but when it came, people gushed about how much black truffle shavings were actually on this potato gnocchi!  No one was complaining! Next dish to be served was the poached spiny lobster in court bouillon with seasonal vegetables in Greek-style and lobster roe foam. It came with Veuve-Clicquot Ponsardin brut.

By then, people were already getting stuffed yet completely satisfied! Dessert was roasted, dried and sorbet pineapple served with Veuve-Clicquot Ponsardin rosé.

It was indeed an unforgettable dinner! I just ate in the same restaurant a month ago with Greg Doyle from Australia cooking for us. It is great to know that The Peninsula Manila does take time to bring these foreign chefs to Manila so that we have a variety of cuisines to enjoy.  I definitely cannot wait for the next fancy meal at Old Manila! Certain photos by Pepper Teehankee and Claude Tayag

(For inquiries or reservations, call 887-2888 or visit www.peninsula.com/Manila.)

A night for pleasure seekers

It was a night of decadence and surprises when Magnum Ice Cream recently had an exclusive party.

Flutes of champagne and glasses of red and white sangria awaited guests as they were offered trays of assorted canapés. The sumptuous buffet, catered by Cibo’s Margarita Fores, included a spread of jamon, mozzarella arugula sandwiches, salad and truffle cream pasta. Neon lights, multi-colored block furniture and hanging umbrella lanterns decorated the party venue, a private house in Makati City.

The pre-show entertainment was provided by DJ Emel Rowe and the soulful voices of Chris Cayzer and Jessica Connelly. Magnum’s brand ambassadors Erwan Heussaff, Rajo Laurel, Tessa Prieto-Valdes, Raymond Gutierrez, Liz Uy and Solenn Heussaff hit the stage and shared their thoughts on Magnum and their favorite flavors. Then Georgina Wilson was recognized as the newest brand ambassador. Georgina introduced Magnum’s two new flavors, Chocolate Brownie and Chocolate and Strawberry.

The highlight of the night was when guests were treated to an exclusive performance of New Yorker rapper Azealia Banks, who surprised the crowd with an a capella version of Amy Winehouse’s Valerie. All ice cream flavors were served to the guests as DJ Euric Lumanog performed his beats.