Summer is here! We are all ready to enjoy some fun in the sun, sunbathing and playing catch on the beach. To kick-start the summer fun, I hosted an early afternoon tea party with my good friend Nikki Tang of DMark Corp., the local distributor of Heliocare, the most advanced sun-protection brand.

Our Hello Heliocare Summer Party brought together beauty editors, pretty ladies from media and beautiful friends, all loyal users of Heliocare. Michelle Sacramento prepared special personalized bags for all, each stuffed with Heliocare products. (E-mail [email protected] for more info on personalized swag bags.)

Talented and beautiful singer Karylle Yuzon was one of the early birds, arriving straight from her TV show on ABS-CBN. She met Dr. Marla Tamayo, a top dermatologist and also a classmate from Assumption.

Marla told us that Heliocare is one of her top sellers as it is the only brand that gives sun protection through its patented Fernblock. Heliocare has a wide range of oral and topical sun  protectants, including Heliocare Oral, Heliocare Gel SPF 90 and Heliocare Compact SPF 50, all available only through dermatologists’ clinics nationwide.

Heliocare products are formulated with additional chemical and physical filters, photosomes, sunspheres, lutein, lycopene and vitamins. These ingredients increase the level of protection against the sun’s harmful UV rays. At the same time, Heliocare repairs DNA damage and promotes positive skin health.

Champion mixologist

Some of the guests headed straight to the Cointreau Bar, to get the “Perfect Margarita” by Long Bar’s mixologist Rian Asiddao, which included Casa Noble premium tequila and Cointreau orange liqueur. He also served a special cocktail with polvoron powder. The champion mixologist was the country’s representative to the Cointreau Bartending Competition in Bangkok last month, and he told me that he is kicking off a 30-bar campaign as part of the upcoming “Cinco de Mayo” festivities.

The rest of the ladies headed straight to the merienda spread, featuring delightful dishes from Bizu. A Sea Princess party is never complete without games and prizes.

I found perfect summer items at the multilevel shop of Mandaue Foam. It is a perfect place to furnish rooms with several options of styles, colors and fabrics.

From being a local foam manufacturer, Mandaue Foam has branched out into furniture and accessories as well, apart from its comfortable and affordable mattresses.

I discovered the extensive line of Mandaue Foam recently at the product launch and introduction of the brand’s ambassadors at the Rockwell Tent. Expanded to several branches, Mandaue Foam offers a complete line for the bedroom, living, dining and kitchen, too.

The ambassadors include young bachelor Sam YG, star athlete Phil Younghusband, veteran actress and mother Mylene Dizon, style bloggers Nicole Andersson and Kryz Uy, newlywed Saab Magalona, and expectant mother and columnist Kelly Misa. They all expressed their personal style as they designed their own mini-rooms at the brand’s launch.

Each ambassador went through Mandaue Foam’s extensive catalogue and selected items to put together to create their ideal space. Each room looked stylishly unique, as MF Lifestyle believes that homes should be the extension of one’s style and personality.

Modern, sleek and timeless were the design elements of radio DJ Sam, while soccer star Phil made sure his bedroom design was restful and not too overbearing. Mylene made sure her two kids were integral to her space, while bloggers Nicole and Kryz had feminine touches in theirs. The marrieds, Saab and Kelly, nicely provided creative space for their hubbies.

Mandaue Foam has showrooms in Mandaluyong, Quezon City and Las Piñas. For more information, visit www.mandauefoam.ph.

Best salad bar

For our afternoon-party grand prize, we raffled off gift certificates. The first three were for the Easter Staycation at Discovery Primea, the tallest building on Ayala Avenue, won by my sister-in-law Myda Prieto, good friend Jenny Zapanta and Monica Tiosejo. This staycation offers the convenience of being near the city for all your shopping needs, and also a gym, pool, chapel and two restaurant outlets.

Tapenade, an all-day dining resto, is run by Chef Luis Chikiamco and GM David Pardo de Ayala. It features Mediterranean cuisine and one of the best gourmet salad bars in this part of town. The Gilarmi Lounge is also open, featuring Filipino bar fare with an up-classic twist together with draught beers from different parts of the globe. Log on to www.discoveryhotels-resorts.com/discoveryprimea/ for info on their Easter Staycation.

The next two raffle prizes were for weekend packages in fabled island resorts. The first, at Balesin Island, was won by my running buddy Raeanna Cranbourne. The other, at Huma Island Resort & Spa, went to my YPO forum-mate Gi Sicat.

Huma island

I’ve written many columns on Balesin, so let me devote some space to Huma. The island is located off Busuanga Island in north Palawan and is modeled on resorts in the Maldives, with villas built above the water with balconies including outdoor Jacuzzis. The new GM, Bollie Bolton, is an old friend, and he has focused on the resort’s exquisite cuisine and activities, including its spa and water-sports facilities. Best of all, it’s just a seaplane ride away! Check out Huma’s Summer Family Island Getaway at www.humaisland.com.

I just want to end with a positive word. Hands On Manila is hosting a “Funraiser Game Night for Charity” on March 26 at the Manila Polo Club. The event features a “friendly feud” between two competing groups, answering the funniest and most thought-provoking questions asked by host Edu Manzano. It should be a rib-tickling good time for everyone, and with all proceeds going to Hands On Manila’s charitable projects, a generous evening as well. For info, e-mail [email protected].

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