Tiffany & Co. announced the fabulous Tiffany HardWear, an eye-catching new jewelry collection that embodies the power and spirit of New York City and the energy of its streets.

The collection’s name and designs draw inspiration from the urban soul of New York. Think of Audrey Hepburn in the classic film “Breakfast at Tiffany’s,” palangga.

For the collection’s formal unveiling in the Philippines, Rustan’s invited Manille’s prominent, fashionable folks. Among the guests were Alex Gonzaga, Tricia Centenera, Nicole Andersson, Jenni Epperson and daughter Aryanna, KC del Rosario, Jessica Wilson, Jenny Rockett and Marilen Jacinto Arroyo.

Tiffany HardWear is classic and edgy. Inspired by a unisex bracelet from 1971, the collection has been reimagined to include earrings, rings, necklaces and pendants, and looks great with a leather jacket, as well as with couture.

One of my Ilonggo friends just had to buy one of the men’s bracelets and wore it all night long.

Rustan’s tireless and dedicated marketing communications manager Dina Arroyo Tantoco did a fabulous job all night long, dahlings.

 

Korean festival

It was an amazing full house at the recent opening of the Korean Food Festival at Marriott Café, dahlings. The oppa-tizing event, which ran till July 31 at the Manila Marriott Hotel, was held in partnership with the Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines.

The hotel jetted in four chefs from Elysian Gangchon, one of the largest resorts in Seoul.

The culinary affair started with a tour of Manila Marriott’s kitchen where the chefs did a cooking demo.

There was also a cultural sword dance called geommu, along with an interactive photo booth where guests could wear hanbok, a traditional Korean dress.

A buffet of popular and rare Korean dishes was served, including kimchi, bibimbap, bulgogi and samgyeopsal, my all-time favorite, Korean barbecue.

But that’s not all, palangga, because there were authentic healthy stuff like namul (seasoned vegetable dish) and another favorite of mine, sundubu jjigae (soft tofu stew), kimchi stew and the yummy mandu (dumplings).

 

Eid al-Fitr at SM Aura

Members of the diplomatic corps, government officials, prominent members of the Muslim community and corporate executives celebrated the recent Eid’l Fitr Festival at Samsung Hall, SM Aura Premier.

The event was hosted by the Department of Foreign Affairs Office of Middle East and African Affairs (OMEAA), in cooperation with SM and National Commission for Culture and the Arts.

“Building Bridges through Music” was this year’s theme, with cultural performances mirroring traditional Muslim culture.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano dedicated the event to our Muslim brothers and sisters, with a message that all nations must take concentrated efforts in promoting peace, given the current situation in Marawi.

Members of the diplomatic corps from the Middle Eastern and African countries—Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Yemen, United Arab Emirates, Iraq, Iran, Oman, Kuwait, Morocco, Egypt and Jordan and Turkey took part in the celebration.

In a show of unity, their counterparts from Venezuela, South Korea and 19 other countries joined the celebration.

Among the guests were DFA OMEAA assistant secretary Hjayceelyn Quintana, human resource management office Ezzedin Tago, chief coordinator Leah Ruiz, undersecretary for administration Linglinghay Lacanlale and director Germinia Aguilar Usudan, with SM senior VP for marketing Millie Dizon welcoming them.

Eid al-Fitr, known as the Festival of the Breaking of the Fast, is an important celebration for Muslims worldwide. It marks the end of the monthlong fast during Ramadan and the start of Shawwal, the tenth month of the lunar Islamic calendar.

During Eid al-Fitr, families and friends reunite to celebrate and offer thanksgiving to Allah. Eid al-Fitr has been proclaimed a national holiday in the Philippines since 2002 to foster peace and goodwill between all religions.