We welcome July with great cheer as we wish Manny Pacquiao many winning punches when he fights Australian boxer Jeff Horn today, July 2. Since the match is in Brisbane, Australia, I’m sure a lot of our kababayan are flying Down Under to support Pacman.

Speaking of travel, I have luggage that includes the latest Lipault Paris Spring/Summer 2017 Color Collection that was recently launched at SM Mega Fashion Mall.

The premier French luggage brand held an event that was well attended by prominent high society names, select media guests, fashion icons and social media influencers.

Ciely Buenviaje, Lipault country manager, formally kicked off the affair with a welcome talk, followed by a fashion show that highlighted the vibrant hues of summer. This season’s collection celebrates the land of lavender and cicadas. Ciely said that the feel of a Côte d’Azur summer shines through the latest offerings.

Emphasizing this sunny outlook were the three colors that form the core of the collection: Almond Green, from landscapes of olive and almond trees; Riviera Blue, from the deep azure of the Mediterranean Sea; and Pink Gold, reminiscent of the iridescent tones that rules in St. Tropez parties.

Lipault is exclusively distributed in the Philippines by the Samsonite Group, and is available in leading SM department stores nationwide, Rustan’s and Samsonite outlets.

Thanksgiving dinner

Travel is truly a life investment as each destination brings memories and discoveries. Singapore Airlines (SIA) is one of my favorite airlines. I recently attended a special thanksgiving dinner as part of the yearlong celebration of its 70th anniversary.

Guests were treated to an Epicurean journey with exceptional food and music representing key destinations that SIA has flown to for the past seven decades.

Entitled “A Tale of SIA Cities,” the dinner was a way to express gratitude and showcase the heights that SIA has soared to.

SIA’s story began in 1947 when it operated three flights a week to only three destinations. Continuous innovations and services for the past 70 years, the SIA group, which includes its regional wing SilkAir and its low-cost carriers Scoot and Tigerair, now flies to 134 destinations across 37 countries, with most recent addition Stockholm commencing operations on May 30.

Philip Goh, SIA regional VP for Southeast Asia, said the airline has soared through countless milestones and pioneered various innovations to deliver unparalleled service and travel experience to our customers.

The thanksgiving celebration, emceed by singer-actress Pinky Marquez, was graced by Ambassador of Singapore Kok Li Peng, along with Tourism Undersecretary Benito Bengzon Jr., members of the diplomatic corps, esteemed PPS flyers and valued travel partners.

Leading the Philippine group into this new chapter is the new general manager of SIA Philippines, Balagopal Kunduvara. Using his extensive background in SIA, from engineering to business development, Kunduvara is set to take on this challenge to further strengthen the position of the airline in the country.

For 70 years, SIA has been committed to providing its customers “a great way to fly.” With recent innovations and the change in local leadership, this platinum anniversary celebration marks the continuation of a success story.

Fritz Hansen in Manila

SIA has supported the Red Charity Gala in the past. We are honored to have other brands like Bench, Jewelmer, Sun Life Financial, Megaworld, Globe Platinum and the support keeps growing. We are most grateful to Ben Chan who has been with us from the very start.

The Red Charity Gala team was present at the opening of the newly renovated showroom of Fritz Hansen at Studio Dimensione. This furniture and lifestyle shop at The Fort is just one of many stores that Ben has brought into the country.

Following the design of the global look and feel of Fritz Hansen, the new showroom is where both the novelties and the classic icons meet to create a warm Nordic space representing Fritz Hansen’s mantra of “Crafting Timeless Design.”

The Egg Chair, designed by Arne Jacobsen, is one the icons. Along with the Swan, Swan Sofa and the Drop, these highly regarded furniture were designed for the SAS Royal Hotel in Copenhagen.

To showcase genuine craftsmanship and premium quality, Studio Dimensione brought in Fritz Hansen’s master craftsman, Hans Mannerhagen, to demonstrate the actual hand-stitching on the Egg Chair.

For the Novelties section, Jaime Hayon is now the go-to designer of Fritz Hansen, giving the classic portfolio a breath of fresh air and a younger perspective.

New men’s fragrance

For my hubby Dennis’ birthday yesterday, I surprised him and flew to Brisbane for the weekend. I also gifted him with Azzaro Wanted, the newest men’s fragrance that Clarins Fragrance Group recently launched at Blackbird in Makati.

Clarins Fragrance Group along with Scent and Beaute, Inc. welcomed guests including French Ambassador Thierry Mathou to the launch.

Flying in from Paris, the Fashion and Fragrance president of the Clarins Group Sandrine Groslier talked about the Azzaro brand that celebrates passion, dreams and life, while Azzaro Wanted conveys the story of a man who is desired yet envied by everyone.

Program host Issa Litton introduced the team behind the success of Azzaro in the country, led by the CEO of Scent and Beaute, Inc. Ken Jeswani, Samantha Yen and Francis Labora.

Azzaro Wanted is now available at select SM Department Stores, Art of Scent and Fresh.

‘Toruk’

Today is the last show of “Toruk: The First Flight” at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. We love this Cirque du Soleil spectacle.

It brings the breathtaking world of James Cameron’s Avatar into an amazing multimedia performance. Thanks to Concertus Manila and Globe Platinum!