communications Nikka Abes
The range of fast and affordable smartphones has gotten more interesting with the arrival of Nokia’s latest handset model, the Asha 310.
It’s touted to get users online three times faster and stream video and browse for free with built-in WiFi, dahlings.
Nokia launched the Asha 310 with a fun bash at Bizu Patisserie in Greenbelt, Makati; guests were treated to henna tattoo services, among other surprises.
Jetting into town for this happening were new Nokia general manager Karel Holub; head of communications for Philippines, Malaysia and Singapore, Nikka Abes; marketing manager Corinne Risos-Bacani; and device portfolio manager Mike Smith, who joined the guests and had a ball themselves.
In his welcome speech, Holub said the launch is not just about the Asha 310, but also a celebration of the 14th Asha phone that Nokia has launched in the Philippines. “We strive to bring affordable yet feature-packed devices to the next billion users as part of our strategy. We want to continue building on our reputation as a global leader in mobile communications technology.”
At the party, guests were introduced to the Asha 310’s dual-SIM and WiFi functions. Aside from delivering fast Internet service, Nokia’s Xpress Browser gives users savings on download costs.
Aprés, the invitees played some EA (electronic arts) premium games which come free with the Asha 310. And, best of all, they got to try out the Nokia Xpress Browser and won loads of prizes, naturellement, which got some of them switching to the Asha 310, palanggas.
Get to know more by visiting www.nokia.com.ph.
PF Chang’s now in BGC
A young group of achievers behind Global Restaurant Concepts Inc. (GRCI) has added another feather to its cap, dahlings, when it opened its second branch of PF Chang’s China Bistro at W Global Center in the hip and happening Bonifacio Global City, dahlings.
The first PF Chang’s resto opened last year in Alabang Town Center.
GRCI president and CEO Archie Rodriguez led the opening of the Global City branch, which is a partnership with PF Chang’s principals.
Moi noticed the guests couldn’t wait to try their signature cocktail mixes and dig into PF Chang’s bestsellers like Oolong-Marinated Chilean Sea Bass and the yummy Chang’s Spicy Chicken, palanggas.
Earlier, opening-ceremony acts dressed as terra-cotta warriors invited us to “wok this way” and experience Asian cuisine as PF Chang’s does it.
Among the guests of honor who did the ribbon-snipping were my soulmate Vicky Zubiri, Cinderella’s Therese Coronel-Santos, Sonja Rodriguez, Ana Zubiri, Rosalind Wee, Jack Rodriguez Sr., Miguel Zubiri and wife Audrey, mi amigo Carlos Garcia, Ramon Garcia, Al Santos, Mary Go and Mila Cheng, dahlings.
GRCI chair Jean Henri Lhuillier, vice chair Manuel Zubiri and CFO Griffith Go were busy as bees entertaining the invitees.
Like all PF Chang’s restaurants across the globe, the grand tradition of turning over a Chinese Lucky Cat for prosperity on the first day of business was held. PF Chang’s execs Jam Olaes, Angel Camins, Jessica Day, Jano Jirgines and Vanessa Torres led the ceremony, to the applause of everyone, including the chefs and waiters, palanggas.
Ambassador Antonio at Harvard Business School forum
Gentleman of all seasons and construction tycoon Ambassador José Antonio graced the upscale Harvard Business School Club forum recently.
The Century Properties chair and former special envoy to China talked on “priming up Metro Manila as an international city” before an audience of business leaders at Makati Shangri-La Hotel as part of the first 2013 Breakfast Roundtable of the Harvard Business School Club of the Philippines, naturellement.
Ever the passionate entrepreneur and advocate of transforming our town into a world-class destination, Antonio said: “If we, as a people, and as a country, hope to make Metro Manila a global destination, we must deliver our products and services with quality. We must be authentic and sincere in our offerings, because it will represent what we can do as Filipinos to the world.”
Jirgines,VanessaTorres, senior operations director JamOlaes
A graduate of the Harvard Business School Owner and President Management program, Antonio emphasized the importance of branding a city and priming it for tourism and direct foreign investments.
His firm, Century Properties, is developing projects with international lifestyle and luxury brands because collaborations with their leaders, including designers, are attracting direct investments in the form of property purchases.
Moi was told that past speakers of the HBS forums included Harvard Business School professor Ranjay Gulati, managing partner of the innovation and growth consulting firm Innosight Scott Anthony; Asian Institute of Management president Steve Dekrey; and Golden ABC president and CEO Bernie Liu.
That’s what having a degree from Harvard is all about, n’est-ce pas, dahlings?