Something to watch out for

World renowned Italian contemporary jeweler Bulgari launched their new Assioma watch collection with a cocktail that was held at Bulgari’s Greenbelt 4 store. The event had DJ Wendel Garcia mix chill-out music while a steady flow of Moet et Chandon champagne, Johnny Walker Gold from Diageo Philippines and a variety of wines from Future Trade International continued throughout the night. Hors d’oeuvres were prepared by Makati Shangri-La Hotel. Three models with hair and makeup done by Toni & Guy Essensuals did the rounds to showcase the elegant Assioma watches to an appreciative audience invited by Bulgari’s Mario Katigbak.

Twenty human mannequins modeled the new collection in four different sizes and materials such as steel, yellow gold, white gold with diamonds and mother-of-pearl, and pink gold for the limited edition. The bracelet also changes according to the chosen model and is presented in steel, alligator or in satin for the adaptation embellished with diamonds on the case and on the buckle. Assioma has three sizes: for men, ladies and junior (unisex). The collection is available with different movements presenting hour-minute-seconds or chronograph versions.

Assioma watches are now available at the Bulgari stores located at 6750 Ayala Center and Greenbelt 4 and at the Bulgari corners inside Rustan’s Silver Vault in Makati and Shangri-La Plaza Mall.

Nokia snaps up Manila society

Manila’s social set flocked to Red at the Makati Shangri-La as Nokia unveiled the Society on Society photo exhibit conceptualized by Metro Society. The exhibit featured photographs taken by some of the country’s top photographers. 

Jaime Zobel, Nedy Tantoco, Anton Huang, Richie Santos, Ting Ting Cojuangco, Bianca Araneta, Sofia Zobel, Claudia Bermudez, Joel Tantoco, Imee Marcos and Georgina Wilson were some of the subjects taken by Jojo Guingona, Pancho Escaler, Monique Villonco, Amanda Lu Ym, Bengy Toda, Victor Consunji and Butch Baluyut.

Nokia presented to guests the Nokia N70 and N90, two imaging devices that are part of the powerful Nokia Nseries. More than just ordinary camera phones, they do more than snap clear photos or shoot VHS-quality videos. No other mobile phone has the N90’s Carl Zeiss optics for its camera lens, 20 times digital zoom, immense memory capacity that stores every single memory captured.

A few were loaned the Nokia N70 and N90 serving as amateur photographers for the night by taking photographs of the guests who attended the event.

All the photographs taken were printed by Kodak via Bluetooth printer. Anton Barretto’s photograph of Lizzie Zobel won him an N90.     

Spotted at the event were Nokia country GM Parikshit Bhasin, Nokia corporate communications manager Luanne Erni, Nokia’s Mike Smith, Joanne Racoma, Rhomel Marcojos, Anabelle Co, Noel Oribello, Rupert Jacinto, Joey and Hilda Antonio, Philip Cu-Unjieng, Vicky Zubiri, DJ Montano, Miguel Rosales, Shu Uemura’s Tina Tinio, Annie Ringor, Leah Caringal, Louie Cruz, Chu Chu Madrigal Eduque, Bianca Valerio, Melissa Martel, Jojo Zabarte, Bulgari’s Mario Katigbak and Eva Abesamis.

Engineered to move

The new Levi’s Engineered Jean collection was recently unveiled at the Volvo showroom in Pasong Tamo, Makati. Levi’s country manager Monch Martelino and Ronnie Celestial announced the arrival of the new line.

The show started with Cat Juan entertaining the crowd with zips followed by the impressive movements of Capoiera enthusiasts.  Then Allstar dancers, who were wearing the jeans for their routine, showed exactly how flexible and comfortable their Levi’s Engineered jeans were. A fashion show followed showing the prominent "running leg" logo signature of the collection, which is imprinted on buttons, belt loop rivets and front pockets zippers. 

Others spotted were Kat Alano, Jacques Dupasquier, Tals Diaz, Rich Herrera, William Devaughn, Ornussa Cadness, Phoemela Baranda and Ely Buendia.

Franck Provost visits Manila

Franck Provost flew in from his base Paris for a retrospective show at Embassy Cuisine in The Fort. The past three decades saw the Franck Provost Group grow from a single salon to almost 600 worldwide. Provost realized his calling at the young age of 18 and proceeded to acquire as much experience and exposure to hone his craft.

The franchise was brought to Manila in 1998 as a joint venture between Ising Madrigal Vazquez and Baby Cruz. The salon prides itself with a French-trained staff of Filipino talents.

The crowd was treated to a live haircutting and hairstyling demonstration by French Franck Provost hairdressers Laurent Hebert (of the Jupiter Street branch) and Goulven Le Floch (of the Alabang branch). 

Spotted at the event were Imelda Marcos, Kitty Go, Yaying Dragon, Cathy de Guzman, Daphne Oseña-Paez, Oskar Atendido, Raul Manzano, Philip Cu-Unjieng, Angelique Villaraza of L’Oreal and Pitoy Moreno.

The magic of Queen

Peter Freestone, Freddie Mercury’s personal assistant and close friend for the last 12 years of his life says, "There are plenty of Queen shows out there but Queen It’s A Kinda Magic recreates the magic of Freddie – live on stage." Queen’s original guitarist Brian May described the production as "brilliant." Queen It’s A Kinda Magic Live brings to life all Queen hits including We Will Rock You, Bohemian Rhapsody, Fat Bottom Girls and We are the Champions in the Araneta Coliseum on Feb. 9. Since 1998, the show has toured Britain, Europe, Asia and the USA. The cast includes Craig Pesco as Freddie Mercury, Travis Hair as Brian May, Brett Millican as drummer Roger Taylor and Sean Nolan as bassist John Deacon.

"The excitement over this forthcoming event can be felt this early not only among Queen die-hard fans but also among the younger generation who have heard of this legendary band," says Bambi Verzo whose Concertus International is producing the show together with Francis Lumen. Their group brought to Manila artists as Michael Bublé, Ashanti, Alicia Keys, Russell Watson, Ja Rule, Maksim and BOND. 

Queen It’s A Kinda Magic is presented by No Curfew. Participating sponsor is Time Force and media partner is Joey 92.3.   

(For ticket inquiries, call Concertus at 813-2612 or Ticketnet at  911-5555. For more information and show sponsorship, please call Concertus at 813-2617.  )  * * * (E-mail me at [email protected])