The Boracay touch was definitely at the exhibit, with colorful lamps and lush plants dotting the area. Sumptuous hors doeuvres, as well as fine wines, were served at the cocktail launch, which drew well-known personalities and celebrities from the government, business, tourism, and entertainment sectors.
First to arrive at the event were Citibanks Country Business Manager Nina Aguas and Marketing Director Cecille Fonacier, who immediately purchased copies of The Boracay Lifestyle. Other corporate personages at the event were Louis Vuitton Country Manager Gigi Mabanta with husband Col. Jolly Mabanta, Philips Consumer Electronics Elen Torres, RMN Networks Butch Canoy, Perception Inc.s Rene Nieva with wife Genny, Virtusio Public Relations Romy and Lulu Virtusio, Full Circle Communications Milen de Quiros, ZMG Signium-Ward Howells J.J. Calero, SMs vice president for communications Millie Dizon, British Airways Violy Echevarria, Natalie Puey and Marissa Saavedra, IBM Philippines Richard Burgos, and Keppel Philippines Sin Wai Meng and Dennis Zee.
To open the exhibit, guests of honor Aklan Rep. Gabrielle Calizo and Aklan Gov. Florencio Miraflores led the ribbon-cutting ceremony, together with book cover girl and TV personality Lana Asanin.
Among the books contributors present were journalists Tanya Lara and Francine Medina, writers Lito Ocampo Cruz and Tina Cabanayan, and photographers Alex Van Hagen, Lester Ledesma, Erwin Lim, Nestor Santiago, and Arnold Jumpay.
Of course, Boracays well-known islanders were there. Among the guests were White House Resorts Bong and Amanda Tirol, Seawind Resorts Joebert and Susan Cocjin, Paradise Gardens Chris Geiger, and The Sun Village Resorts Emer Ibabao. Celebrities from the fashion and entertainment industries also graced the event, such as actor Jomari Yllana and model siblings Raya and Robby Mananquil. Top fashion show director Robby Carmona was also at the launch, as well as fashion designer Efren Ocampo.
Other well-known personalities who attended the event were former Sen. Francisco Tatad, Citibanks Abby Chan and Aneth Ng-Lim, Louie and Tess Vargas, Export Banks Nenette Tirol, and Timstate Resort and Development Corp.s Joji Monsod.
Top names from Fairways and Bluewater, one of the books major sponsors, were at the event, led by Vice President Peng Perez de Tagle with Dickie and Pinky Almazor, Jennifer Alonte, Ana Alegre, Adrian Flores, and Donnabelle Teruel.
The travel and tourism sectors were also well represented. Those who came to the launch were SEAirs Rachel Bautista, Summit World-Cebu Pacifics Dorothy Bangayan, Corporate Airs Art Alejandrino, Asia Travel General Manager Nikki Rocha, Sierra Tours Marilou Ngo, Sams Travel and Tours Sharon Santos, Cencorp Travels JP Cabalza, Corporate Travels Anne Raña, Cordym Tours Celine Clemente, World Wings Travels Jun Rodulfo, Universal Holidays Inc.s Sheena Kamimura, and New Horizon Travels Jen and Che Bejar.
A 220-page hardbound book on the worlds best tropical beach, The Boracay Lifestyle features a collection of amazing photographs taken by the countrys leading photographers and interesting stories penned by top writers and editors of the famous islands glamorous past, interesting people, unique cuisine, colorful fashion and architecture, arts and crafts, and pulsating nightlife. It also serves as a guide to the island, with its listing of resorts, restaurants, shops and business establishments that make Boracay one of the most vibrant vacation spots in the world.
The Boracay Lifestyle is truly a testament to a Philippine jewel, an island paradise that shows the natures boundless beauty and bounty.
The Boracay Lifestyle is published by Fuentes Publicity Network Inc., in cooperation with Fairways and Bluewaters and The Sun Village Boracay Resort. It is available at Fuentes Publicity Network Inc., Unit 6D, Cypress Garden Condominium, 112 Rufino St. (formerly Herrera), Legaspi Village, Makati City, as well as selected bookstores such as A Different Bookstore in Glorietta 2, Bibliarch in Glorietta 3, Fully Booked in Power Plant Mall, Ink & Stone in The Podium, Book Trends in UP Village, Solidaridad in Padre Faura, and Mag.net in Greenbelt 3 and The Loop. For orders or more information, please call 893-9355, 816-3109, 892-6184; fax 812-4797; or e-mail at fuentes@pacific.net.ph or fpni@pacific.net.ph. Special discounts will be given for bulk orders.