Rustan's celebrates Italy's beautiful 150 years

MANILA, Philippines - Rustan’s Department Store, Stores Specialists, Inc., Rustan’s Supermarket, and Metrobank together with the Italian Embassy and the Italian Trade Commission present the month-long 2011 Italian Festival, “Bella Patria! Beautiful Motherland!” marking Italy’s 150th year of the unification of Italy.

On June 3, Rustan’s hosts the Italian Festival opening night at Rustan’s Makati. This by-invitation event is inspired by the spirit of the Risorgimento. The Bennato Taranta Power Group and the Mandolinos will entertain guests as they dine with cheese and wine from Italfood Distribution, Inc. and with chocolate from Machiavelli Chocolatier.

On June 14, Rustan’s and Stores Specialists, Inc., will present the Moda Italia fashion show at Greenbelt 4 at 6 p.m. Presenting its latest collections are Salvatore Ferragamo, Prada, Tod’s, Furla, Ermenegildo Zegna, Marlboro Classics, A/X Armani Exchange, Diesel, Bvlgari, Emilio Pucci, Coccinelle, and Fendi.

Savor exquisite Italian coffee brews with a Saeco exhibit and coffee sampling on June 3-5 at Shangri-La Atrium, and learn more about the coffee and dessert pairing with the workshop on exquisite Italian coffee brews and dessert pairing hosted by JC Baron, featuring Aileen Anastacio and Tina Pamintuan on June 5 at Shangri-la Plaza.

On June 7, have a whiff of Italy with “The Tradition of Medieval Herbal Lore in Florence” through Santa Maria Novella, as Silvana Novelli Fornari and Baroness Eleonora de Strobel-Hannikainen explain the heritage of Santa Maria Novella at Rustan’s Makati.

Rustan’s reveals the secret of Treviso, Italy on June 21 with “Hairbrushes: Italy’s Crowning Glory” at Rustan’s Makati. Learn more about this city’s renowned homegrown label, Acca Kappa and its origins. Discover “The History of Fragrances” as told by Leif-Erik Hannikainen on June 28 at Rustan’s Makati.

Be inspired and redecorate your home with traditional Italian style home decorating on June 30 at Rustan’s Makati with “Italian Themed Home Decorating” by Nena Vargas Tantoco, Daphne Oseña Paez and Leif-Erik Hannikainen. Parents can learn on how to travel with baby the Italian way with Chicco on June 11 at Rustan’s Makati, June 18 at Rustan’s Alabang, and June 25 at Rustan’s Gateway. Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday in June, Rustan’s will offer Italian coffee sampling with Delonghi.

Have a glimpse of World Heritage Sites in Italy at the Unesco Traveling Exhibit, from May 25 to June 1 at the ground floor of Greenbelt 4.

Rustan’s Supermarket World Weekend Food Trips feature renowned chefs demonstrating their Italian culinary expertise on June 18 at Rustan’s Supermarket Shangri-la Plaza, July 2 at Rustan’s Supermarket Rockwell, and July 9 at Rustan’s Supermarket Makati. Benny’s becomes global with “A World of New Flavor at Benny’s” as it offers a special Italian menu from June 15 to July 20. For your next grocery trip, shop at Rustan’s Fresh as it offers an variety of Italian products from June 15 to July 20.

For this special anniversary, Rustan’s gives customers the opportunity to sail across Europe’s oceans in a Royal Caribbean cruise with “Gran Lotteria.” For every purchase of P5,000 of participating brands, they will get a chance to travel in a Royal Caribbean cruise for two. Metrobank cardholders who participate in this promotion will get a chance to win exclusive prizes. Promo period is from June 3 to July 3, 2011.