Jazz it up!

Since 2009, the Philippine International Jazz and Arts Festival  Foundation has partnered with ABS-CBN’s Cable and Print Media Group to deliver the biggest celebration of jazz and artistry in the Philippines for one month.

At the recent Jazz Gala held at the Rockwell Tent, singer and songwriter Jennifer Blair-Bianco, all-girl jazz trio Baihana, female saxophonist/singer/songwriter Mindi Abair and jazz duo luminaries Tuck and Patti entertained the guests.

The party was heightened with premium tequila offerings from Casa Noble. “Our premium tequila, served ice cold in our special signature glass, is the perfect tandem to great jazz music, as it is one of the world’s finest silky smooth spirits,” said Casa Noble country representative Teddy dela Peña.

Music legend Carlos Santana is part-owner of Casa Noble. The tequila brand has variants like Crystal, an un-aged silver tequila contained in a hand-blown glass decanter; Reposado, which is aged for 364 days in French white oak and contained in a hand-blown cobalt blue decanter; and Añejo, which has taken over 14 years to produce and is matured in French white oak barrels, produced in limited quantities and contained in artisan purple glass decanter.

‘Sun Up to Sun Down’

Members of the media had some fun when Watsons, in partnership with the Department of Tourism, launched its “Sun Up to Sun Down” campaign at the Seawall Garden of Sofitel Philippine Plaza.

Guests enjoyed hand massages, manicure sessions and a poi dancing class before watching the program hosted by Menchu Antigua and Gino dela Peña.

Robert Sun, general manager of Watsons Philippines, and Susan Del Mundo of the Tourism Promotions Board thanked the guests for attending the event. 

The Manila Strings Machine entertained the crowd with a poi dance number and Dr. Tina Batac gave an insightful talk on proper skin care.

Two of the most stylish guests each took home roundtrip tickets for two to Boracay from Seair.

Watsons is part of the AS Watsons chain, the world’s largest health, beauty and personal care retailer. It has a network of 2,500 stores across 37 countries.

(For more information, visit www.watsons.com.ph/web or www.facebook.com/WatsonsPH.)

Fun under the sun

Speedo unraveled a fashion show to launch its Spring/Summer 2013 Collection at its flagship store at Bonifacio High Street in Taguig City.

The swimwear brand’s new Play and Fun collection has the perfect cut for swimming and other water activities. Keep dry almost immediately after leaving the water with Speedreef Xpress Dry Watershort with the Xpress Dry technology for men. The Health and Wellbeing Collection offers optimum comfort and support coupled with a modern look and feminine styling.

The swimwear brand also unveiled exciting new additions to its Swim Fitness collection to  support its new “Speedo Fit” brand campaign. Included in the collection is the Rapidmotion Placement High Neck Swimsuit for women.  Rapidmotion is available as an aquashort for men.

Speedo brought to light the success and accomplishments of one of the country’s top swimmers, Arnel Aba, who has overcome physical challenges. Arnel, a differently-abled swimmer and record holder, received a standing ovation from all the guests for inspiring and motivating athletes to perform their best against all odds.