My Mermaid’s Tale scented candle blends zesty citrus with mandarin undertones and fresh ocean air, balanced with clean mint and ozone notes

 

Merry Christmas to all! May your Christmas wishes come true, and more blessings come your way this holiday season and beyond.

 

At the recently held Christmas tree lighting at Marriott Hotel Manila, a 26-foot tree in the hotel lobby was lit up amid a spread of feasts and treats as Christmas carols were sung. The tree’s ornaments were gold fairy dolls spreading pixie dust throughout the festive lobby.

 

Marriott general manager Bruce Winton welcomed guests and told us about Marriott’s holiday offerings. The upcoming unveiling of the West Wing will add 228 rooms to the hotel, plus new premiere dining facilities. As a teaser, executive chef Meik Brammer and his kitchen team created savories and sweets for all.

 

The lighting of the tree was started by ballerina Sage Espiritu, who then handed her magic wand to special guest Marian Rivera-Dantes, who then flicked open the proverbial switch. The Himig Roseña choral serenaded guests with delightful Christmas carols, and Santa Claus and his fairy friends came down the elegant staircase and shared presents from his red sack.

 

Christmas is a time for giving. Also present during the celebration were the students of the Philippine School for the Deaf, Marriott Hotel Manila’s beneficiary. This year, the hotel will help raise funds to jumpstart the construction of additional dormitories to accommodate more indigent students.

 

Every purchase of Rio the Unicorn will aid in this advocacy. The limited-edition stuffed toy is available at the life-size gingerbread train at the hotel lobby for only P500.

 

Call 9889999 or visit www.manilamarriott.com.

 

 

TropAfrica dinner

 

I’m not much of a cook, so I just ordered the “gourmet to-go” special whole roasted turkey from Marriott Hotel Manila for our TropAfrica Christmas dinner at home. The hotel’s packages include either smoked bone-in ham or whole, roasted turkey complete with appetizers, mains and desserts.

 

The TropAfrica gang enjoyed the smoked bone-in ham, which came with all the requisite sidings, from herb-roasted baby potatoes to various veggies, and also included a pumpkin pie and an apple pie. The turkey was also amply festooned with side dishes and desserts. With that, I created our dinner feast with just one phone call to the Marriott.

 

For giveaways, I gifted the gang with special candle packages called Mermaid’s Tale. This was from the carrier collection of Scenthérapie in collaboration with Sea Princess.

 

Launched last weekend, the Scenthérapie candle comes in 6 oz and 2 oz sizes, and includes a 100 ml room scent. Our friends and special guests followed us to the “bottom of the sea” for an afternoon of socials and scents as we unveiled the Mermaid’s Tale official video and campaign.

 

 

Prelude

 

Mermaid’s Tale is a blend of zesty citrus with mandarin undertones and fresh ocean air balanced with clean mint and ozone notes: forever summer!

 

Mermaid’s Tale is about a mermaid who surfaces from the ocean at sunset. She is awaiting someone, so she leaves a lighted candle by the seashore. The video by Tim & Co., directed by Mike Lavarez, is a prelude to Sea Princess Tessa and Pirate Dennis’ love story.

 

The campaign was photographed by Paola Aseron at Kawayan Cove, Nasugbu. Many thanks to Marivic Limcaoco who made all the arrangements at Kawayan Cove.

 

To match the mood of the afternoon, we had a special floral setup by Te Amo, cocktails by Bizu, and sparkling white zinfandel wines from Beringer. Our guests were treated to a shopping experience with limited-edition Mermaid’s Tale packaging from Adworks Manila, and they also got the chance to shop Scenthérapie’s candle bar featuring its new collection.

 

Ambiance by Pido worked the entire weekend to create giant jellyfish as the impressive backdrop of the launch. Event style creator Pido Villanueva has made some stunning sets specially for us, like our “Game of Thrones”-themed wedding anniversary and the movie-themed 18th birthday of our daughter Annika.

 

 

Backyard project

 

Scenthérapie founders Opalyn and Ricky Nubla told me how the business started as a backyard project for their church. It is now a full-fledged brand of 100-percent pure, hand-poured soy wax candles, with all-natural ingredients and addictive scents.

 

Scenthérapie offers a sensorial experience like no other: Mood, Moments and Memories. This is Scenthérapie’s first venture in the Philippines after having found success in Melbourne with its Christmas scents, as well as in Los Angeles for its sister brand. The website, online shop and new collection will formally launch in January 2017.

Order via Instagram.com/scentherapiecandles, or visit www.scentherapie.com.

Call 09772365607.

 

 

Odyssey queen

From my Sea Princess mermaid look, I was transformed into a futuristic odyssey queen thanks to artist photographer Rupert Jacinto.

 

At the recent Black & White Faaabvlous Ball and launch of his 7th Faaabvlous coffee table book, my photo was included among many notable personalities.

 

Rupert, who has been called “Photographer to the Faaabvlous” by the Washington Post, has photographed international celebrities and socialites such as Ivana Trump, Countess Camille Chandon of Moët & Chandon, Kimberly Rockefeller and royalty such as the Duchess of Calabria.

 

With his photo exhibit at the grand hall of The Peninsula Manila, Rupert gathered Manila’s chic set to view the photos followed by a gala dinner at Rigodon Ballroom. Sponsored by The Peninsula Manila, with the participation of Titania Wine Cellar, Calata Corp., and Jun Jun Ablaza, the event was presented in partnership with the Advertising Foundation of the Philippines, and was in support of the Love a Parish program of Sto. Nino de Paz chapel.

 

The “Faaabvlous VII” icons include international artist Betsy Westendorp, pianist Cecile Licad, Consul Mellie Ablaza, Consul General Fortune Ledesma, Consul Helen Ong, and Ramon Orlina as the Male Icon of 2016. The book’s cover ladies are Virginia Lane, Joy Rustia, Merci Poblador Padolina and Mhel Pechera.

 

Follow @seaprincess888 on Instagram.