From Moment to Moët

What’s a celebration without a great bubbly?

Recently, a global movement in champagne history took place with the annual Moët & Chandon Grand Day, which brought sparkling celebrations in 80 regions worldwide for one day! Friends and guests of the champagne house all raised their champagne glasses in a worldwide toast.

This year also marked the 150th anniversary of Moët Impérial, a global icon of celebration. This champagne was created in 1869 as a tribute to the relationship established between Napoleon Bonaparte and Jean-Remy Moët, grandson of the maison’s founder.  

In the Philippines, Moët & Chandon Studio 1869 took over Xylo in Bonifacio Global City in Taguig, Aqua in Angeles, Pampanga, and Oqtagon in Cebu City for the celebration.

Kitten Zapata and Janno Styles.

The new limited edition Moët Imperial 150th anniversary bottle was also made available at the different grand day celebrations worldwide. Party guests were the first to drink from the iconic bottle and created their very own #MoetMoment.

Cheers!

Threads & talents

(From left) De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) Fashion Design and Merchandising (FDM) program chairperson Christine Benet, vice chancellor for academics Geronio Ulayao, Sinulid student head Kimble Quinto, SM Aura mall manager Margie de Leon, DLS-CSB chancellor Robert Tang, SM SVP for marketing Millie Dizon, DLS-CSB School of Design and Arts associate dean for environment studies architect Ma. Cynthia Funk, Sinulid exhibit head Marga Alcantara, faculty member and Sinulid project head Tracey Tabora and exhibit head Ally Gutierrez.

For over 10 years, the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde holds Sinulid, its culminating activity for senior students of the school’s Fashion Design and Merchandising  (FDM) program.

This year, in partnership with SM Aura Premier and co-presented by tech brand Xiaomi, the FDM students presented Sinulid: Altered Translation. This second installment and the highlight of the series of three events featured pop-up booths and vignettes. It also featured garments from nature- and art-inspired RTWs, ballet and hip hop-inspired street wear, avant-garde pieces, knits and evening ensembles.

Nicole Strawford’s display of vibrant ternos won the best exhibit presentation. Her Pino collection is a contemporary take on a traditional wear.

(From left) DLS-CSB strategic adviser Eduardo Jarque Jr., Tusa Alfafara, Mila Wales and Dolly Montenegro.

This year’s student-artists were mentored by the program’s roster of industry experts led by senior industry fellow Lulu Tan Gan and FDM program chairperson Christine Benet. They were alongside designers and merchandisers Andre Chang, Carl Jan Cruz, Chris Diaz, John Herrera, Joel Escober, Pinky Tugas and Jerome Salaya-Ang.

Present at the event were SM senior vice president for marketing Millie Dizon and SM Aura mall manager Margie de Leon, De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde chancellor Robert Tang, vice chancellor for academics Geronio Ulayao, associate dean for environment studies Ma. Cynthia Funk and FDM faculty member and Sinulid project head Tracey Tabora.

In good ‘Company’

(First row) Nicky Triviño, Maronne Cruz and Joel Trinidad; (second row, from left) Sweet Plantado-Tiongson, OJ Mariano, Bianca Lopez and Jill Peña; (third row, from left) Michael Williams, Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo, Chino Veguillas, Cathy Azanza-Dy, James Uy, Caisa Borromeo and Ariel Reonal.

After the success of last year’s Monty Python’s Spamalot, Upstart returns with a new production of Company, the well-loved Broadway classic that is currently making a splash in London’s West End.

The musical, which tackles love, marriage, friendship and loneliness, is one of theater legend Stephen Sondheim’s most beloved works, along with shows like Into the Woods, West Side Story and A Little Night Music. Every major production of the Company on Broadway and the West End has earned accolades since it debuted in 1970, including winning Tony and Olivier Awards.

Helmed by actor/director Topper Fabregas (Gawad Buhay Best Director 2016 for Tribes), Upstart’s version of Company will feature veterans like Michael Williams, Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo, Cathy Azanza-Dy and Caisa Borromeo, with OJ Mariano playing the central character of Bobby.  Joining them are various performers from the theater and entertainment scene. Fabregas was very particular about finding new, unexplored performers and held open auditions for all the parts. “We were blown away,” he said. Producer Joel Trinidad, who is also part of the cast, added, “We said to so many people, ‘Why have we never seen you on stage before’?”

Handling the music is TOYM awardee and former Hong Kong Disneyland musical director Rony Fortich. Handling the production design is New York-based Joey Mendoza, freelance set designer and faculty member at Fordham University Theater Program at Lincoln Center.

(Company runs on all Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from Sept. 13 to 22 at the Globe Auditorium, Maybank Performing Arts Theater, BGC Arts Center, Taguig City. It is presented through special arrangement with New York’s Music Theatre International.)

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(Follow me on Instagram @pepperteehankee.)