Beauty behind the lens

Renowned fashion photographer Sara Black knows real beauty when she sees it. Working in an industry that ceaselessly glorifies perfection, Sara tries to change the tainted vision of many young girls who aspire to be like the picture-perfect beauties they see on the pages of glossy magazines.

When I Look in the Mirror, a project done in partnership with Dove, is Sara’s very first book, where she showcases the portraits of 46 women who exhibit common features like a huge mole, freckles, a scar or crooked teeth, things that are not normally shown in magazines. While many others would resort to drastic measures to conceal these “flaws,” these women have chosen to rise above, some even further highlighting their so-called “imperfections.”

Sara says, “This book is my reaction to working in an industry that can sometimes be so overly obsessed with perfection. These perfect images of women put a lot of pressure on other women who end up thinking that it’s their benchmark or standard of beauty.” A multitude of women flocked to the launch of When I Look in the Mirror held at The Gallery of Greenbelt 5, in support of Sara’s campaign.

Dove’s Campaign for Real Beauty is a global initiative of the brand to build awareness in women of all ages to embrace their natural physical attributes, regardless of how imperfect societal standards say they are.

Get an LCD TV at 50 percent off

Yes, you read it right, an LCD TV at 50 percent off! Apply and get approved for a new HSBC credit card from now until the end of July, and buy your dream LCD TV from MyScreen at 50 percent off. 

The press was invited to a lunch at Kai in Greenbelt 3 and we were told of the good news. Not only is your beautiful new LCD TV half the price, but it is also payable in installment over 18 months at zero percent interest! For only P639 a month charged to your new HSBC credit card, you can now be the proud owner of a sleek 22” High Definition (HD)-ready, multi-language MyScreen LCD TV that also functions as a computer monitor. The TV can be wall mounted or placed on a stand for desktop viewing.

At the press launch, we also met HSBC’s new head of personal financial services Ron Logan who said, “We’re very excited about our tie-up with MyScreen TV. This promo will provide all our new customers with the chance to treat themselves to a high-quality and high-tech TV for the unbelievably low price of P11,500 stretched out over 18 months.”

Logan also announced that the Caltex rebate program was not only back, but that it was also better than ever. Customers can now get a five percent rebate on fuel and other purchases at all participating Caltex stations when they use their HSBC credit cards, all the while earning Reward/Bonus points that they can trade in for flight miles and other great prizes.

HSBC head of marketing Chris Rourke said, “We know these are challenging times, which is why all our promos aim to provide our customers with the best bang for the buck. That’s the reason behind our strong and enduring relationship with Caltex. Both HSBC and Caltex pride themselves on putting the customer first.”

Three of these LCD television sets were raffled off to lucky press people and Caltex cash cards were given to the attendees while we were enjoying our sushi and tempura. Apply for an HSBC card and get this sleek MyScreen LCD TV now!

Amazing Thailand, amazing value

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) in collaboration with Thai Airways International (THAI) and Thai private sectors presented a product update for travel agents and media in the Philippines at Dusit Thani Hotel in Manila and at Marco Polo Hotel in Cebu consecutively.

Heading the delegation was the deputy governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, Santichai Eursongprasit, together with executive director for ASEAN and South Pacific Prakit Pririyakiet and director for Singapore, Indonesia and the Philippines Porntip Makornpan.

Eursongprasit invited Filipinos to visit Thailand, citing that it is time to take advantage of the on-going promotions and tour packages in the country. Moreover, the much-awaited annual Thailand Grand Sale happening from June 1 to Aug. 31 is just around the corner. He added, “More than 200,000 Filipinos visited Thailand in 2008. This is an increase of more than eight percent.”

Royal Thai Embassy minister Chakorn Suchiva also recognized the Philippine market as one of their most steadfast in Asia.

The event was also the opportune time to highlight the 7 Wonders of Thailand (Thainess, Treasure, Beaches, Nature, Wellness, Trends and Festivities). It also showcased the world-renowned AKSARA Puppet show flown directly from Thailand by Thai Airways at the Grand Ballroom of Dusit Thani Hotel Manila.

Lucky draw prizes, including return tickets to Thailand by Thai Airways with accommodation and tours, left guests Thai-high.