THE CHRISTMAS countdown soon begins! And with it, I can devote this article to wonderful Christmas gift ideas.

 

First stop is W/17, the beautifully curated lifestyle shop of Kaye Tinga and Andy Vazquez Prada. Located at La Fuerza Compound, 2241 Chino Roces Avenue in Makati City, the shop is a warehouse that has been converted to a home furnishing store with several vignettes showcasing outstanding pieces sourced locally and all over the world.

 

Apart from all the furniture and decor for sale, W/17’s first art show, “Saudade” by artist Jana Benitez, recently opened. Already heralded by art critics and collectors, the young artist chose her title name, saudade, a Portuguese word that means longing or nostalgia.

 

“Saudade” is also the title of the final painting in the show. Jana chose to keep the artwork as part of her collection. For years, it hung in the living room of her mother’s apartment.

 

Enamored by the piece, Andy and Kaye convinced Jana to put it back in the public eye and back on the market. Jana’s father, Jolly Benitez, was a rock of support and inspiration in her art and life. He passed away last September and yet Jana continues to feel much connected to him, especially in the stillness of late nights at the studio.

 

The show is also a tribute to Jolly and a reminder that what seems lost is still with us. “Saudade” will be on exhibit until April 2016.

 

Watercolor portraits

 

Staying in art mode, Eru Anii, a vividly expressive young watercolorist, will be having his first one-man show, “#EpisodeOne: Hypomania,” on Dec. 5 at Patio Vera Restaurant, 70 Gen F. Santos Street, Calumpang, Marikina City.

 

His show is a collection of bright and rich watercolor portraits. It runs until Jan. 9, 2016.

 

Eru is a self-taught artist who uses his imagination and talent to create intensely painted pieces. After a life-changing bout with depression in 2012, he found therapy by expressing his emotions through painting. Many of his pieces communicate an invitation for viewers to see a visually colorful spectrum of his deep emotional pain.

 

Fragrant presents

 

From the arts, we move to another gift idea, fragrances. Man in Red by Ferrari is a scent as pour homme as it gets; it is masculinity writ large.

 

A bold and intense scent that celebrates all that is thrilling about Ferrari, Man in Red captures the very essence of masculinity and new breed of individual.

 

The fragrance was recently launched at the hottest new club, Revel at The Palace, with over 100 of Manila’s most debonair gents in attendance.

 

Filipino-English football player James Younghusband, Brazilian hunk Fabio Ide, rising basketball star Chris Banchero, PBA mainstay Joe Devance and actor Troy Montero were among the headliners present.

 

They are all men of contrasts: athletic exteriors with hearts of gold.

 

The #FerrariMan is modern, stylish and elegant. At the launch, the new Ferrari TV commercial was revealed, transporting the audience into the world of the compelling Man in Red. To cap off the night, Brazilian DJ Luane and DJ Keith Haw manned the decks.

 

 

Scent and Beaute Concepts is the exclusive distributor of Ferrari Man in Red and several other luxury scents and beauty products. They are available in the fragrance section of SM Department Stores and Fresh stores in major malls nationwide.

 

Fashionably shod

 

One gift for the person who has everything is to give them a pair of Havaianas. The world’s favorite flip-flops brand hosted a one-of-a-kind nostalgic afternoon as it launched three fun and youthful designs for Filipinas 2015.

 

Over the past years, the Filipinas collection has brought Filipino culture to every colorful pair of Havaianas, said Anne Gonzalez, managing director of Havaianas Philippines. The young artists who worked to bring Lakbay, Lasap and Laro to the collection are Abbey Sy, Alessandra Lanot and Patrick Cabral. The Havaianas Filipinas 2015 collection will be available on Dec. 1 at select Havaianas retailers.

 

And if you’re still stumped for gift ideas, head to the Noel Bazaar. It’s ongoing at the World Trade Center, Pasay, until Nov. 30, and moves to the SMX Convention Center Dec. 18-20.

 

Citi Prestige card

 

With all the shopping for the holidays, I’m glad that Citi Prestige, Citi’s first global credit card, was recently launched. Designed to offer uniform global benefits to affluent clients, this innovative plastic currency promises a world of unforgettable experiences.

 

The launch was a dazzling gala at the ballroom of Makati Diamond Residences. Guests were treated to a preview of all the amazing benefits and perks that come with the credit card. Currently available in 10 countries, Citi Prestige is adding more markets by the end of this year.

 

Aftab Ahmed, CEO for Citi Philippines, said it’s a delight to bring the global product that seeks to set the bar high in providing exclusive benefits and best-in-class treatments to clients in the country.

 

Offering exceptional service, Citi Prestige takes advantage of its global network for clients who love to travel.

 

Citigold and Citi wealth management clients will be given the opportunity to be among the first to sign up for this unique product.

 

“There was strong interest from our Citigold clients who are excited to be founding members of Citi Prestige when we officially launched this November,” said Citi Philippines consumer banking head Bea Tan.

 

Be among the first to apply for the card by calling Citi Prestige at tel. 9959111; log on to citibank.com.ph/citiprestige.

 

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