Thursday, June 28, 2012

The Wedding Anthology: Where Forever Starts


Church doors open, all eyes fixed on the bridal procession, waiting for the much anticipated moment where the bride will walk down the aisle to Mendelssohn’s tune or perhaps Canon in D by Pachalbel. The groom’s heart pounds faster and faster, getting more nervous with every beat as the bride inches her way to the altar, but the promise of love takes all anxiety away to where forever starts.

Weddings are one of the most challenging events to prepare for a couple as it involves not only themselves but also their families and friends who are witnesses to their union.  Even the simplest wedding ceremony takes months and some more than a year to prepare everything, from minute things like invitations, giveaways, flowers, arrhae, veil, cord, specially the rings, to the bigger ones like the guest list, the church, reception venue and food, and of course the gowns and suits.

The month of June, often tagged “The Wedding Month,” is here again. It’s the month where you see couples who will exchange marital vows take on everything that needs to be prepared before they engage in marital bliss. Aside from emotional preparedness, the couple should also be ready for their look.

For impressive ideas regarding their wedding outfit, Tutuban Center, the shopping haven for bargain hunters located at the heart of Manila, recently held “The Wedding Anthology: Formal, Wedding and Evening Wear,” a fashion show that featured Tutuban’s tenants specializing in formal wear for both men and women.

The show kicked off with an array of suits for men for any formal occasion, followed by the ladies’ sophisticatedly designed evening dresses that left most of the audience in awe. The next set featured the most anticipated wedding attires, with men in dashing form wearing classic barong, while the women looked extremely elegant in their gowns studded with elaborate decorations.

                                       
The show was of tremendous benefit for those scouting for the next glossy and trendy look when it comes to formal wear—wedding or not—and the array of remarkable clothes presented during the show made couple’s eyes’ a-glitter with excitement, their hearts a-fluttering as they visualize how they would both look like the moment they are in church in front of the eyes of their families, relatives and friends.

Weddings have always been one of the most anticipated and extraordinary events in anyone’s life, a great moment of celebration for the couple and their loved one.. But more than all the preparations to make a wedding day beautiful and memorable, more than how the wedding should look, what really matters is how the couple would handle the following days of their married life—together, and more importantly, forever.

Tutuban Center is located along historic C.M. Recto Avenue right at the heart of Manila’s shopping district.

Unilab Ideas Positive harnesses youth’s community-changing ideas


After a series of rigorous nationwide screenings in search for the best social marketing ideas around the country, Unilab Ideas Positive has chosen 12 student teams to implement their community-changing projects with a seed money of P100, 000 each. To help them prepare for their project implementation, Unilab Ideas Positive gathered these teams in a 3-day social marketing boot camp led by the country’s topmost and well-known social marketing practitioners at the Unilab Bayanihan Center in Mandaluyong City.

Among the 12 finalists, Team Five for Life (Metro Manila), Tamang TEAMpla (Metro Manila), Team Kabataang Katipuneros (Iloilo City) and Team Green Label (Davao City) focused their efforts on solving their community’s main issue of malnutrition through fun and innovative ideas such as nutrition plate guides and cooking contests. Meanwhile, Team Ba (Baguio City) and Team FNEC (Bicol) focused on improving the hygiene practices of Benguet school children and Muslim Maranao settlers respectively.

Taking on the challenge of environmental care and preservation, Team Protogenia (Batangas) proposed to train the Badjaos of Batangas on how to best utilize their surroundings for methods of self-sustenance while Team W.A.Y.A. (Iloilo City) suggested a mussel-conservation campaign. On the other hand, water-oriented projects were recommended by Team Matalaw (Batangas) and Team JEYTUDITUSI (Cavite) as they sought to establish clean-up efforts for their rivers while Team Bang (Cebu) and Team Transits (Cebu) developed water-filtering systems.

“Unilab Ideas Positive was developed to create meaningful change towards the nation. We seriously take our role as a health and wellness company in building the nation, which is the reason behind the nationwide expansion of the program this year,” shared Unilab Ideas Positive program lead Barry Barrientos. “Knowing that change starts with small steps, we built Unilab Ideas Positive to partner with and give a platform for the youth to ‘positivize’ the Philippines in true Bayanihan spirit, one community at a time.”

As part of their learning adventure, the students spent time with the country’s best industry practitioners: social marketing guru Dr. Ned Roberto, social entrepreneurs Mark Ruiz, Reese Fernandez-Ruiz, Jayson Lo, Krie Reyes-Lopez and Chit Juan, and creative and communication strategist Peachy Pacquing. Dr. Ivanhoe Escartin of the DOH National Center for Health Promotion gave the students an overview of the country’s health and wellness landscape. Meanwhile, social marketing consultants and academicians Harvey Keh, Ma. Christine Reyes and Dr. Sylvia Claudio, among others, dug into the implementation details of the students’ projects to ensure smooth rollout. Social advocate Jay Jaboneta and award-winning director Jim Libiran also inspired the participants with their stories of their own advocacies.

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

UNIQLO opens its first store at the SM Mall of Asia

 

UNIQLO is finally opening on Friday, June 15, 2012 at the SM Mall of Asia. UNIQLO is a global apparel brand and number 1 clothing company in Japan offering wide array of simple, timeless and functional apparel for men, women, and kids. In support of the first store opening, in Manila its Chairman and CEO Tadashi Yanai is visiting FROM TOKYO TO MANILA on Wednesday, June 13. Yanai will meet with members of Philippines and Japanese media to share his economic vision for UNIQLO in the Philippines.

The opening of the first UNIQLO store in Manila, in the SM Mall of Asia, makes the Philippines the 12th country outside of Japan where it has presence, after opening stores in the US, UK, France, Russia, China, South Korea, Hong Kong and Taiwan. UNIQLO also operates stores in Southeast Asian countries like, Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore.



With the vision to improve people’s lives through the power of clothing, UNIQLO is seen as an innovator in the apparel industry. In its product lines are highly functional clothes like AIRism, an undergarment that provides cool comfort to the wearer, Dry Pique Polo Shirt, a polo shirt that quickly dries body sweat, and UV Cut apparel, a clothes line with SPF protecting wearer from harmful sun rays.

UNIQLO promotes its “MADE FOR ALL” Philosophy, which captures the company’s vision of providing casual clothing that is made for all people regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, or any other ways that define an individual.

As UNIQLO opens its doors to the Filipinos on Friday, it marks the official day of the brand’s landing FROM TOKYO TO MANILA.

The UNIQLO store at the SM Mall of Asia is open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

UNIQLO is opening its first store in the Philippines in SM Mall of Asia, one of the largest shopping malls in the world, occupying a waterfront site on Manila Bay spanning 407,000 square meters. This massive shopping complex hosts a wide range of retail tenants, including a number of major fashion brands, and is a major draw for both tourists and local residents. The new UNIQLO Mall of Asia Store will be one of SM Mall of Asia’s largest tenants.

Asia offers enormous growth potential for UNIQLO and is a key regional focus of the brand’s global expansion strategy. UNIQLO started opening its first stores in Thailand in September 2011, following its successful expansion into Singapore and Malaysia, increasing its lineup in Southeast Asia to 15 retail locations. Now, as the brand continues to accelerate its regional expansion efforts, the UNIQLO Mall of Asia is set to offer the joy of truly great clothing to shoppers in the Philippines.

For more information about UNIQLO and other FR group companies, please visit www.uniqlo.com or www.fastretailing.com.

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Walk Sexy and in Style with Naturalizer Sandals

 
Naturalizer knows what women want in sandals. It truly understands how truly comfortable footwear can help them move easily through their day and make the most of their time.

Naturalizer is prized for its exclusive N5 comfort system: extra comfort, breathable linings, balance with every step, flexible soles and lightweight materials. This season, sandals get even sexier and more glamorous as Naturalizer offers more options for the woman who travels, strolls, works or just lounges around.



Whether you want them flat, wedge, strappy or heeled, there’s something for every footwear fanatic. Naturalizer carries sandals with dainty names like Ladell Paparazzi, Lila Platina, Fira, Gabbi Banana, Joany and Tahira.

Naturalizer sandals bring a modern, dressier and urban vibe to every outfit you will fancy wearing. Sandals can better show off your exquisitely painted toe nails. They can also flaunt such attention-grabbing accents as bows, rhinestones or beads, color-blocked straps or tribal patterns.  They definitely can be dressed up or down depending on your mood.



Naturalizer is available at Naturalizer outlets in Alabang Town Center, SM Mall of Asia, Robinson’s Place Manila, Glorietta 4, Shangrila Plaza Mall, Bldg. B of SM Megamall, Robinson’s Galleria, Gateway Mall, Trinoma, The Block SM North EDSA, Marquee Mall, SM Cagayan de Oro, SM Cebu, Ayala Center Cebu, SM Davao and at Abreeza Mall Davao.


No wonder Naturalizer is inspiring women to live their lives and love their shoes in more than 60 countries around the world.  The beloved brand remains committed to designing beautiful footwear that feels as good at the end of the day as they did at the start.

Saturday, June 2, 2012

EVEA: From Passion to Profession


Greer Lee, owner of EVEA Couture
Success in a particular craft is not always dependent on extensive formal training. Passion and experience, coupled with the right amount of fundamental knowledge, can be enough to turn a leisurely pursuit into a worthwhile business.

“As a child, I already enjoyed making clothes for Barbie dolls. As I grew up, I also designed and made my own dresses,” shares Greer Lee, owner of EVEA Couture, adding that her exposure to a family who loves dressing up contributed to her interest in dress-making. “Back then, people were already consulting me for fashion advice. I realized that I loved styling other people as much as I like to dress up.” Couture for her wasn't so much a career choice as it was a part of everyday life.

Lee has a degree in Management but started her career by working for some of the leading clothing retailers in the country. This experience increased her interest to break new ground in the local industry. She established EVEA to capitalize on her passion as well as to further hone her craft. With the brand, she not only provides a valued creation, but is also able to express her distinct design philosophy.

She describes her EVEA designs as timeless. “We make contemporary designs that are fashionable today and yet several years from now, it will still be in style.” EVEA also prides itself in being fashion for every woman. “Our creations are tailor-fitted to complement the client’s specific personality, style and appeal.



Lee actively involves every client in finishing their gown and entourage’s dresses. “It is their day so it’s important to engage them in the entire process. You have to come up with something that they want and at the same time be honest in your assessment of their preferences. Sometimes what a bride wants and what will look good on her are two separate things, but EVEA will make it work” Lee explains.

And while it is typical nowadays for “packaged” gowns and dresses, Lee believes in the value of quoting based on design, complexity, and materials used. “Offering something that’s ‘de-kahon’ limits the brides-to-be’s choices. EVEA gives clients the freedom to select and ultimately get what they really want.

Lee likewise adopts an entrepreneur's mindset with her business, preferring to build EVEA as a brand instead of investing in her name. “I think of myself as an entrepreneur more than a designer; an entrepreneur who has an eye for beautiful things.”


Aside from made-to-measure bridal gowns and evening wear, EVEA also has a ready-to-wear line that caters to women on the go who wants flexibility and comfort in their wardrobe. EVEA Essentials offers dresses with adaptable designs that you can wear anywhere whether it may be a casual gathering or a formal event.

For details on EVEA, call 0917-8983832 or go to www.evea.ph.

Friday, June 1, 2012

Goya Radio Tour with Kim Chiu



Goya, the delicious chocolate brand much-loved by many Filipinos, made someone happy when Goya brand ambassadress, popular actress and certified movie queen Kim Chiu, visited popular FM radio stations Love Radio 90.7 and Yes FM 101.

Kim visited Love Radio 90.7 during the program “True Love Confessions” hosted by famous radio DJ Papa Jack, which usually talks about the love problems of callers on-air and get to talk to Papa Jack for his advice. Kim was also at Yes FM 101.1, sister station of Love Radio, as she sat down with DJ Chico Loco during his program “YES! Diaries,” where life experiences of people through letters sent to the station are read on-air.


Both DJs gamely and happily welcomed Goya and Kim Chiu’s visit since both programs have not had any visitors before so for this day, they made an exception.

During her visit, Kim and Goya excited listeners through a call-in radio promo, where one lucky caller who will share his or her experiences would win fantastic prizes from Goya. A security guard who related his fun experiences when he joined a training camp won a one-year supply of delightful Goya chocolates.

The young actress also encouraged listeners to give the new Goya chocolates a try, and added that chocolates are not only perfect as a snack but also an everyday treat or even as a gift to a loved one or special someone.

Kim also brought smiles to the staff of both stations when she and Goya gave away an assortment of Goya products like “Goya Everyday Chocolate Drink,” “Goya Bars” and “Goya Pretzel Twists” as their way of thanking the two stations for accommodating them during their visit.

For her parting words, the actress advised her fans to enjoy life and just relax, saying “Basta always have fun and enjoy life! Enjoy Goya!”