L’Aperitivo Italiano

The Italian Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines Inc. (ICCPI), together with the Italian Embassy, the Dante Alighieri Society and Itasia Industries Corp., presented recently the conclusion of the gastronomic lifestyle event “L’Aperitivo Italiano” at the Straight Up roof-top bar of the Seda Hotel in Bonifacio Global City.

The Aperitivo series was done in cooperation with Qatar Airways, LedCore and Flushing Meadows, T.A. Marketing, Gourmet Society, Granstar and Smeg.

L’Aperitivo Italiano aims to represent the real traditional Italian way of how to spend and live the pre-dinner time. After work, Italians usually gather in their favorite bar, restaurant or hotel and socially enjoy a few hours with fine wines, cocktails and antipasti. The event is meant to stimulate your appetite and at the same time give you an opportunity to socialize and meet friends and enjoy great food and drinks.

The final L’Aperitivo of the year awarded the best selfies submitted from the past L’Aperitivo events with various prizes.  The major prize was a ticket from Qatar Airways.

The ICCPI is engaged with several other gastronomical, cultural and business networking events.

(Visit The Italian Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines on Facebook.)

All about the home

The holiday season is over and I am missing all those holiday decorations already!

For the recent season of festivities, Crate & Barrel showed ways on how to have a fresh and stylish look for one’s tablescape at its Makati store.

The dining and entertainment event featured my friends, Tessa Alindogan and Anton Barretto, who showed guests how to make innovative holiday settings using items from the store. They also showcased breathtaking tablescapes, shared holiday entertaining tips and chose gift ideas for family and friends.

Anton said, “I like breaking pieces because, for me, entertaining is all about the memory that the guests will take with them after the event. Use things that you have at home and don’t be afraid to go a step further and experiment.”

For her part, Tessa shared, “I’m not into Christmas plates and stuff because I’m a practical person. So, I didn’t choose plates with Christmas designs. I chose pieces that you can use all-year round.”

Other tips from Tessa and Anton for those decor junkies: Create a curated, collected look instead of going for matching stuff. This allows you to team new pieces with family heirlooms. Celebrate contrasts like shiny and matte. Add fruits, veggies or blooms in large containers for color and life.

I love shopping at Crate & Barrel and can’t wait to get back there soon!

(Crate&Barrel stores are located at SM Aura, SM Mega Fashion Hall and SM Makati.)

Get fit & stay fresh

Usher the new year with a fit and new you!

In this age of “fitspirations” and #FitnessGoals, Rexona recently powered up its first Fitness Festival dubbed “RXN Fitfest” at the SMX Convention Center.

The event gave participants access to workouts designed exclusively by top fitness clubs Plana Forma for Barre+Yoga+Cardio, 360 Fitness for Circuit Training and Fitness First for Body Jam.

The Fitness Festival began with Barre+Yoga+Cardio workout led by Plana Forma. Participants, together with Fitness Squad members Gretchen Ho and Nicole Andersson, worked their thighs with medium-intensity moves while testing their flexibility and working their core. After the workout, participants each took home a free gym mat and a Rexona goodie bag.

Next in line was the uniquely-designed 60-minute Circuit Training with 360 Fitness led by coach Chappy Callanta. He was joined by his Fitness Squad composed of Dominic Roque, Janina Manipol, David Guison and Drew Arellano. Speed ropes were given to participants to help them continue their fitness journey in the comforts of their own home.

For the festival’s finale, Body Jam workout by Fitness First was set for the participants to dance the night away with the Body Jam Fitness Squad, Legit Status members Rammy Bitong, Gabby Dario, Bea Vega, Vimi Rivera and Ken Laput. They pumped their bodies, swayed their hips and worked their feet to the latest music and the hottest dance moves.

There was also a lounge area at the venue where participants played mini-games to win prizes.

It was definitely a day to remember as everyone endeavored to get fit, stayed fresh and moved to the RXN Fitfest.

Trending colors

Nippon Paint (Coatings) Philippines, a member of the Nippon Paint Malaysia Group, launched the Trend Beyond Colors 2016/2017, where nine key color palettes were unveiled.

These trending colors — Founder Blue, Gray Knight, Green Tuft, Tavern Buff, Lush, Volcanic Black, Being Peach, Blue Lullaby and Fast Car — were curated and handpicked by more than 50 design professionals, color experts and enthusiasts all over the Asia Pacific region held at the Asia Pacific Chroma Zone Colour Forecasting Workshop in Japan in early 2015.

“Nippon Paint’s Trend Beyond Colors 2016/17 captures the region’s essence, from its beautiful landscape to its increasingly connected people driven by technology. Essentially, the Trend Beyond Colors selection makes it easier for consumers to create their own masterpieces — with a little more vibrancy,” Nippon Paint (Coatings) Philippines general manager Michael Chung remarked.

The event also saw artistic setups created by industry leaders and guest speakers architect Jose Pippo Carunungan and interior designer Michael Pizarro using Nippon Paint’s key color palettes. There was also a modern ballet performance that expressed the meaning behind each color palette through motion and rhythm.

Color expert Serene Pang said, “We always take political, economic, social and natural factors in determining the trending colors for a particular region. This year, the Asian palettes were mainly influenced by technology, nature and the individual spirit.”

(For more information, visit www.nipponpaint.com.my/inspirations/trend_beyond_colours_2016_17.)

Are you ready to enter a magical world?

Are you ready to be transported to the magical world of The Gruffalo — Live? This Tall Stories’ musical adaptation of the award-winning picture book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler is set to conquer RCBC Theater from Jan. 27 to Feb. 6 for families to enjoy.

Join Mouse as he sets off on a daring adventure through the deep dark woods in search of hazelnuts, where he meets the cunning Fox, the eccentric old Owl and the party-mad Snake on the way.

“In its four years, The Gruffalo — Live has grown into a major family entertainment event in both Hong Kong and Singapore.  This show will provide a fun and educational experience that the whole family can enjoy. I truly hope that this will give children an opportunity to experience the magic of live theater and expand their knowledge of the art,” says Matthew Gregory, executive producer of the Hong Kong-based ABA Productions.

The Gruffalo — Live is brought to Manila by Concertus Manila, in partnership with ABA Productions and Lunchbox Theatrical Productions. Special thanks to Nickelodeon.

(Book your tickets at TicketWorld. Call 891-9999 or visit www.ticketworld.com.ph.)

(Follow me on Instagram @pepperteehankee.)