The life of the party

A premium brand deserves an exceptional representative.

Casa Noble’s ever-growing roster of movers and shakers gets a new lift with the addition of STAR’s Tim Yap as its new brand ambassador. An organic tequila company that started in Jalisco, Mexico in the late 1700s, Casa Noble counts music legend Carlos Santana as one of its proud owners now. US President Barack Obama is reportedly one of its most avid aficionados.

My good friend Tim, a seasoned newspaper editor, television celebrity host and premier club owner, shares the same passion, discerning taste and quest for excellence as the artisanal brand he represents.

The formal launch was held at Makati Shangri-La’s Sage Restaurant where guests enjoyed creations of chef de cuisine Gilles Galli.

There was an impressive flow of Casa Noble shots and cocktails like the Ultima Palabra, an herbal twist on the classic Last Word cocktail  (a mixture of Casa Noble Crystal, green chartreuse, maraschino liqueur, lime juice and basil); and Transpacific, tequila mixed with Asian flavors, bridging the continents across the Pacific (a mixture of Casa Noble Crystal, lychee liqueur, lemongrass syrup, lemon and soda water).

All the drinks at the party were prepared by Casa Noble’s very own beverage consultant Lee Watson and Shangri-La’s director of beverages and resident sommelier Daniel Blais. The tequila brand is exclusively distributed in the Philippines by the Global Noble International Corp.

The evening’s program was hosted by Carla Dunareanu with DJ Jessica Milner pumping up the party music.

Global Noble International Corp. president Edwin Francis Ong shared, “We are proud and honored to have Tim Yap as Casa Noble’s brand ambassador. Tim really knows his tequila and fully appreciates the tradition, the heritage and passion for quality that the brand stands for. It goes without saying Tim really knows how to party and Casa Noble is his choice of tequila. And being a very premium brand, we have gone the extra mile by making it available online with free delivery at gurkka.com.”

Jet-set in style

Miami’s whirlwind of bright colors, mixture of cultures and the beautiful landscape inspired the theme of Tumi Spring 2014 launch at 71 Gramercy in Makati City recently.

The launch kicked off with a live graffiti performance amid the beats and rhythm of DJ Ace Ramos and Mars Miranda. Guests reveled in the moment over refreshing concoctions provided by Ketel One vodka and prepared by bartender Enzo Lim of New York’s Maharlika Filipino-Moderno and Jeepney Filipino Gastropub. Inspired by Miami and the urban paradise of the brand’s new collection, Enzo formulated several Ketel One-infused cocktails named Miami Sunrise, Blue Chevron and Oh, The Heat.

The collection, in line with Tumi’s core values of design excellence and an elevated sense of style, is composed of travel bags and pieces of luggage that combine modernism with timeless and traditional sensibilities. The brand also collaborated with American designer, potter and author Jonathan Adler who gave birth to a line of quirky and unique line meant to attract the discerning yet free-thinking jetsetter. The collection is exclusively distributed by the Primer Group of Companies.

This season, Tumi has two new colors for Tegra-Lite, its strongest, lightest and toughest travel collection. New hues of viridian and iridium join the Tegra-Lite’s assortment of graphite, white and black. Designed and engineered for unmatched durability, the collection combines the highest level of durability and impact resistance in a protective, hard-side case with ultimate lightweight ease and maneuverability.

(Available at Greenbelt 5, Bonifacio High Street Central,

Ayala Center Cebu, select The Travel Club stores and Rustan’s Department Stores and Ladybag Ayala Cebu.)

Dare to be a Gutierrez

Avid Filipino reality TV viewers will have something new to be hooked on as E! channel, the 24-hour destination for the “Pop of Culture,” recently launched its newest reality show It Takes Gutz To Be A Gutierrez starring the stellar Gutierrez family.

Hosted by Drei Felix, the event was attended by NBCUniversal vice president of channels for Asia Scott Mckenzie who flew in from Singapore to introduce Annabelle, Eddie, Ruffa, Richard and Raymond Gutierrez as the channel’s newest reality stars. Also at the event were NBCUniversal country manager Liza Latinazo, regional marketing director Hannah Deeth and One Mega Group founder and CEO Sari Yap.

It Takes Gutz To Be A Gutierrez is set on a cruise ship and promises to deliver a rare look into the family dynamics of the famous Gutierrezes, and will include appearances of other family members, as well as other celebrities and personalities close to the family.

The show is tentatively scheduled to premiere end of this month on E! SkyCable Channel 57, Cignal Channel 25 and Cablelink Channel 33.

Back to the tropics

The summer air brings the irresistible scent of the tropics that is so inviting one just cannot say no to it. Just like the scent of Strip’s new coconut wax. 

In line with the season of sun, Strip, the authority on waxing and hair removal, launched its newest coconut wax service in collaboration with brow expert Browhaus and swimsuit label I Love Koi for a tantalizing mixture of skin and sultry swimwear. At the launch, which was also the brand’s fifth anniversary celebration, guests were swept back to the tropics with one-of-a-kind fashion show starring sun-kissed denizens of style.

Tricia Centenera, along with radio sensation DJs Sam YG, Slick Rick and Tony Toni, led the audience through an evening of laughter and entertainment. In keeping with the collaborative theme, a special collection by Cheska Garcia-Kramer for I Love Koi was introduced and modeled by PMAP alumnae Sharmaine de Ramos, Aye Abesamis, Hye Won Jan, Nikita McElroy, Dindin Bukid, Irish Ong, Pam Perlas, Kit Barraquias, Tiff Abiera and Cyrene Morales. The venue also showcased a photo exhibit for Browhaus by Niko Villegas of Edge of Light Studios. 

Many turned up to witness the rousing display and celebrate the start of the suntan season with entertainment courtesy of DJ Tom Taus. Others spotted at the event were Strip and Browhaus managing director Tab Abad, Doug Kramer, Antoinette Taus, Marcel Crespo, Marco de Guzman, Fabio Ide, Erik Cua and Monica Araneta.

(Follow me on Instagram @pepperteehankee.)