Manny P. celebrates a new kind of birth

Mediascape chairman Manny Pangilinan celebrated his birthday with a bang at the NBC Tent in Taguig. He simultaneously unveiled his newest project, Cignal HD and Cignal Digital TV saying, “Tonight, we are changing the way you view television with the first ever nationwide High Definition TV Broadcast service, Cignal.”

Already a growing trend in the US and Europe, High Definition TV viewing lets one experience crystal clear images and superior sound quality, making the television experience richer and better. Cignal is the first to take this digital, HD experience nationwide, offering it in two subscription packages, Cignal HD and Cignal Digital TV, through all Smart Wireless Centers.

Voom, a general entertainment channel with sports, fashion, concert, documentaries and The History Channel are included in the Cignal HD package. As an added perk, Cignal HD offers free viewing of top rated shows such as the recent NBA finals. It has also offered the Pacquiao-Hatton fight. Soon, Studio 23’s UAAP games can be viewed through Cignal HD.

For Cignal Digital TV, 20 SD/standard definition top rating channels are already available like GMA 7, ABS-CBN 2, TV5, QTV, Studio 23, NBN, CS9, IBC13, ETC, 2nd Avenue, Net 25, HBO, Disney Channel, PBO and Viva Cinema. It also carries digital radio broadcasts of DZRH Television, 90.7 Love Radio, 101.1 Yes FM, Joey 92.3, Magic 89.9, 99.5RT and NU107.

Others at Manny’s birthday/launch were Mediascape executives led by president Orlando Vea, marketing head Gidget Velez and marketing manager Regina Bihis, Smart’s Mon Isberto, Nokia’s Simo Hoikka, Francis Lumen, Illac Diaz, Mark Reyes, Bobby Andrews, LJ Moreno, Vicki Belo and Paolo Bediones.

Meet the Magician of Light

Canon has utilized the breathtaking work of Per-Andre Hoffman to show that it is remarkably true that a picture is worth a thousand words, and more.

Raised in Brazil and Norway, Hoffman lives in Germany and Asia. He specializes in professional photography, text articles, press and promotions. Reaching over 160 million market consumers across the globe, his text-and-photo-articles can be seen in international publications such as National Geographic Magazine, Vogue, GEO and Stern. Called a “Magician of Light” by the photo press, Per-Andre Hoffman’s photography has won numerous international awards.

Using only Canon cameras all his life, he now plans on using the Canon 5D Mark II.

Hoffman’s works of art sponsored by Canon were exhibited at the German Club in Makati. Guests included Tourism Secretary Ace Durano, Undersecretary Eduardo Jarque, Star EVP Grace Glory Go and German Ambassador Christian Ludwig Weber-Lortsch.

Massimo Dutti opens in Manila

Spanish fashion house Massimo Dutti has been finally brought to Manila by premier retailer Stores Specialists, Inc.

At the opening held at its flagship store in Greenbelt 5, guests were treated to a preview of Massimo Dutti’s latest Spring/Summer collection for 2009. Massimo Dutti has been known for its clothes and shoes and has branched out to bags, cuffs, belts and candles.

Spotted at the event were Christine and Paco Sandejas, Audrey Zubiri, Mika Lagdameo, Camille Villar, Conrad Onglao, David Celdran, Inno Sotto and Gov. LRay Villafuerte who, among others, enjoyed the music of Tribu Manila accompanied with overflowing drinks from Ralph’s Wines & Spirits.