Romancing Bvlgari

The latest Bvlgari jewellery collection Astrale was launched in the midst of Friday’s evening rain at the Shangri-la Makati. In the invitation, it was simply written "to discover the new jewellery collection celebrating contemporary nostalgia and timeless beauty," which conveyed an evening of elegance and romance. At the formal launch, a Bvlgari ballroom was specially created for the discriminating guests of Mario Katigbak, country manager of Bvlgari. Buyers and collectors were first treated for cocktails. It was a welcoming sight to see the sleek contemporary designs of Minotti cleverly arranged to view the buffet table adorned only with Moet Chandon and caviar which was purposely placed to whet our appetite. And for dinner, a 32-meter single table was presented in classy all-white décor. The subtle smell of white lilies and roses decked on ice, white twigs with crystal icicles suspended from the ceiling, and white candles created a magnificent ambience. The formal eight-course dinner menu was simply well planned and wines were selectively chosen from the cellars of Bacchus International. During the dinner, guests were charmed by the voices of the San Beda College Chorale. As the night ascended, guests were escorted to another room for the show proper and viewing of the Astrale collection. The new jewellery pieces were presented in a fashion show conceptualized by Jackie Aquino and styled by Issa Gonzalez Agana. The Astrale collection combines dazzling brightness with harmonious shapes, such as concentric loops and moving motifs in diamonds and white gold. It was beautifully enhanced by sophisticated black couture cocktail and grande soiree dresses as models glamorously glided down the cat walk in their beehives. The collection consisted of splendid diamond pieces characterized by infinite elegance. The elegant affair made me wonder: What is it about our affinity for diamonds and romance?

MIAKKA LIM

Do you prefer Bvlgari diamonds or a grand ball as a debut gift?

I prefer diamonds from Bvlgari since it’s more precious and will last for a lifetime.

LIZA ILARDE

What makes the Bvlgari jewelry collection timeless?

Let’s just say that if my Bvlgari jewelry lasts until year 3000, my great, great, great ad infinitum granddaughter will still be wearing them.

PATTY BETITA

Can you seduce your man with your Bvlgari diamonds?

I haven’t tried to but from experience, I can attract a man simply by charming him with my candidness and humor.

RISSA SAMSON

What makes a woman sophisticated?

It is all about breeding. An educated mind makes a woman rise above the rest.

MACY PINEDA

Which among the Bvlgari Astrale Collection should your man buy for you?

I love the Astrale necklace with a round pendant in white gold. The playful theme of round circles and pavé diamonds, enhanced by a double logo fascinates me. It is so modern yet timeless!

SHAI LIM

Who should you bring along for jewelry shopping?

I will bring along my parents or my special someone, because then they will know what I want for my birthday.

ISSA GONZALEZ AGANA

Can you feel and look sophisticated and virginal at the same time?

Yes, I can feel and look like both but won’t tell you how because that is the mystery of being a woman.

PEPPER TEEHANKEE

What do you think of men who wear jewelry?

I think chunky or flashy jewelry are awful on men. Any metal or stone properly combined with leather or rubber can look trendy and great on men.

Circuit Training Event Schedule For The Week

30 July — FRIDAY

Trip/House Music

at Yero Bar

• Arriba at Café Havana Greenbelt

• Puro Ritmo at Café Havana Malate

• Acoustic Entertainment at Café Adriatico By The Bay

• Snare Mata at Mil Novecientos

• Jazzmates Dream Sequence at The Bellevue Manila

• Etcetera and Velocity at Conservatory The Peninsula

• Ntwine at Conway’s Bar, Makati Shangri-la

• Sabor Latino at Fiesta San Miguel

• Full Moon Party at Bed

• Jive (Hip Hop RNB) at Temple

• Route 70 at Tavern on The Square

• Powerhouse Forte at Merk’s Bar Bistro

• Ladie’s Night Music at HALO

• The Jerks at The ‘70s Bistro

• Allona and Nyoy Volante w/ Mannos at Dish ABS CBN

• Project Fusion, Cruxada & Industria, and 17:28 at Red Door

• DecaDance at Dream@6750

• Vibe at Wasabi

• DJ Manolet Dario at Teak

31 July — SATURDAY

• HipHop/R&B at Yero Bar

• Puro Ritmo at Café Havana Greenbelt

• Arriba at Café Havana Adriatico Malate

• Mr. Noah’s Big Boat at Music Museum

• Beyond Rhythm at The Belluvue Manila

• Mocha with Spin Art at the Conway’s Bar, Makati Shangri-la

• Escape & Kate Pen at Lobby Lounge Makati Shangri-la

• Jazz Performance at University of Santo Tomas,Conservatory of Music

• Dimsum at Fiesta San Miguel

• Massive Trance Music at Bed

• Lucid at Aposento

• Hyperbeat and Music Making Co. at Conservatory The Peninsula

• Art N Soul at Tavern on The Square

• House Music at Temple Bar & Restaurant

• House Sessions at Coquina

• Soul’d Out Band at Merk’s Bar Bistro

• Residents Angels Music at HALO

• Pinikpikan at The ‘70s Bistro

• K 24/7 and 604 at Dish ABS CBN

• Xsentrik at Red Door

• Mystique at Teak



02 august — MONDAY

• Freestyle at Tavern on The Square

• Side A at Suburbia

• Arriba!! at Conway’s Bar Makati Shangri-la

• Rockin Revival at Dish

• Armina Gonzales at Lobby Lounge Makati Shangri-la

• Hourglass at Red Door

• Mai Castro y La Banda at Café Havana Greenbelt

• Acoustic Entertainment at Café Adriatico By The Bay

• Karaoke Night at The Bellevue Manila

• Mondaze at Absinth

• Margarita at Aruba Bar

• Mel and Judith of PS2 and route 70 at Fiesta San Miguel

• Air Crew Nights at HALO

• "I Don’t Like Mondays" w/ DJ Ro at Gweilos

03 AUGUST — TUESDAY

• Escape at Tavern on The Square

• Eva at Off The Grill

• Flinstone and The Gang at Conway’s Bar Makati Shangri-la

• Hyperbeat at Dish

• Carmela Cuneta at Lobby Lounge Makati Shangri-la

• Ecoustic Soul and Thor at Red Door

• Make Music.Com at Le Boulevardier’s Intercontinental Manila

• V:Ebony grooves’at V Bar

• 8 Track at Chef and Brewer Ortigas

• Stingray w/ Moonstruck at Fiesta San Miguel

• Nyoy Volante w/ Mannos at Aruba Bar

• Ladies Night at Yero Bar & Restaurant

• Guarana at Café Havana Greenbelt

• Acoustic entertainment at Café Adriatico By The Bay

• Sabor Latino at The Bellevue Manila

04 AUGUST — WEDNESDAY

• Barbie’s Cradle and Belcanto at Red Door

• Side A at Tavern on The Square

• U-Turn at Off The Grill

• Route 70 at Conway’s Bar Makati Shangri-la

• Southborder at Dish ABS CBN

• Melinda at Lobby Lounge Makati Shangri-la

• 747 Band at Le Boulevardier’s Intercontinental Manila

• Visa V girl of the Week at V Bar

• 8 Track w/ Dr. Larry Solo Piano at Tektite Plaza former Via Mare

• Truefaith at Aruba Bar

• Mocha with Spin Art w/ Pido with Take One at Fiesta San Miguel

• Arriba at Café Havana Greenbelt

• Bo Razon with Puro Ritmo at Café Havana Adriatico Malate

• Acoustic entertainment at Café Adriatico By The Bay

• PS2 (Ladies Night) at The Bellevue Manila

• Big Bed Birthdays at Bed

• Hyperbeat at Conservatory The Peninsula

• Various Acoustic Artist at Temple

• Unity Music by 4-4 Tektoniks at HALO

• Noel Cabangon at The ‘70s Bistro

• Divo and Classified at Suburbia

• Chicken and Vultures at Castro

• RJ Jacinto & Friends at Discovery Suites

• Ice House at Azzurro

05 AUGUST — THURSDAY

• Eva at San Miguel El Pueblo

• Freestyle at Suburbia

• Paolo Santos w/ Take One at Dish

• Spirit of ’67 at Conway’s Bar Makati Shangri-la

• Carmela Cuneta at Lobby Lounge Makati Shangri-la

• Cruxada & Industria and Franco at Red Door

• Rockin’ Revival’at Le Boulevardier’s Intercontinental Manila

• Red Letter Day at V Bar

• M.Y.M.P. at Aruba

• Chill out/House Music at Yero Bar & Restaurant

• Bo Razon with Puro Ritmo at Café Havana Greenbelt

• Arriba at Café Havana Adriatico Malate

• Acoustic entertainment at CafÈ Adriatico By The Bay

• Mocha with Spin Art at Fiesta San Miguel

• Jazzmates Acoustic Foursome at The Bellevue Manila

• House Music at Bed

• 747 Band at Conservatory The Peninsula

• Wise Guys at Tavern on The Square

• RNB Music by Steve Mills at Temple

• The Onda Latina Band at Merk’s Bar Bistro

• Pride Music at HALO

• Cynthia Alexander at The ‘70s Bistro

* * *

To be included in the week’s schedule of events and parties email me the Monday before today’s Friday issue at jrisaac2000@yahoo.com and btx16@yahoo.com. The Circuit Training is looking forward to hear from you.