Do you smell Christmas in the air? Welcome the “ber” months! The Philippines must be the only country that starts the holiday season once September kicks in.

When it comes to malling, the Pinoys are tops and that’s true the whole year round. Our malls are packed with shoppers all the time, whether truly buying or simply window shopping or just enjoying the free air-conditioning.

SM Megamall must be one of the busiest malls in the world. I was recently there for the opening of the country’s first “Jump” Experience Center to showcase the PLDT Group’s latest devices, services and technologies.

Interactive games

Telecom leaders PLDT and Smart Communications opened the center to display their newest gadgets, such as the new PLDT Telpad and the latest smartphones and tablets—the BlackBerry PlayBook, Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 and HTC Sensation, to name a few.

Now we won’t need to buy a device before trying it out. At Jump, we can see if the device fits our digital lifestyle before forking over our cash.

PLDT top honchos Manny V. Pangilinan and Poly Nazareno were at the Jump launch, sampling interactive games on gigantic TV screens. PLDT’s Fiber to the Home and Smart’s WiMAX and HSPA+ connectivity gets the various devices connected to the web.

Also at the launch was Doy Vea, Smart’s chief wireless advisor. Doy helped me test-drive a few of the digital toys. Jump has three huge touchscreen displays. On the Jump Screen, players can create their own dancing avatars. The Jump Springboard is more office-like, sort of a lecture room for interactive learning. The third and largest screen is Jump Panorama.

Another innovation found in Jump is a double-unit multitouchscreen, capable of accommodating “32 fingers”—equivalent to “4 people simultaneously using it,” according to the brochure, which must mean the unfortunate foursome must have no thumbs. At any rate, Jump will certainly be packed this ber-month season as Pinoys get to play before pay.

Celebration

After the Jump opening, I decided to check out the different art galleries in Megamall. My feng shui expert advised me to add some color to my living room, to welcome the season after the ghost month. With the recent hullabaloo between religion, the state-funded CCP and the artist Mideo Cruz, I also thought it might be a good time to show some support for the local art scene.

At Manila Art 2011 at the NBC Tent, I found the perfect celebration of Philippine art for art’s sake, devoid of criticism and chatter. Ahh, what a breath of fresh air to see the colorful fun themes of so many artists. Thank you to the National Commission on Culture and the Arts and Bonafide Art Galleries Organization for sponsoring Manila Art.

Exhibiting galleries showcased the works of artists they represented, and each also presented a conceptualized mini-art exhibit. I liked a big Charlie Co oil painting based on Cirque du Soleil’s “Varekai,” while my hubby Dennis picked up a Dina Gadia sculpture.

I also recently purchased an abstract work by close friend Tessa Alindogan (tel. 0917-8131022). Her color schemes blend well with modern interiors, and she can work with clients who commission art pieces tailor-made for them. Tessa is also an interior designer who has exquisite taste and a keen eye for detail. At her first one-woman exhibit at Nest Shop in Makati, family and friends gathered and enjoyed viewing her beautiful pieces, elegantly displayed alongside the lovely furniture pieces of Nest.

Surprises

Another great art supporter is Ayala Museum. Its Artist Space is always a place to find great art surprises, such as the recent Karen Fabie Concepcion one-woman show, “Celebration.” Karen is a successful artist, this being her 17th exhibit, which just ended last week.

For more art, check out the upcoming Salcedo Auctions on Sept. 10. The forthcoming sale features over 60 artworks, and can be previewed at Three Salcedo Place Auction Room, G/L, 121 Tordesillas St., Salcedo Village, Makati. An online catalogue is available at www.

salcedoauctions.com.

Salcedo Auctions (tel. 9644996; e-mail [email protected]) features rare and important paintings and sculpture by our national artists and significant local artists. The upcoming sale features a preparatory painting by Juan Luna, circa 1886; two oil-on-wood-panel paintings by the early modernist Juan Arellano; a highly important relief sculpture in narra by Carlos “Botong” Francisco, and other works from private collections.

Salcedo Auctions is also a key supporter of the GK Hope Ball, which will be held Oct. 7 at the Rigodon Ballroom of Peninsula Manila. Last year, the first ever GK Hope Ball raised P8 million and built a community for 31 families in Sulu. It is a truly worthwhile event to support.

Sustainability

This year’s GK Hope Ball has the aim of “creating sustainability.” GK buys into the philosophy that communities need to be part of the solution in their journey out of poverty. Merely writing them a check isn’t good enough. The four GK communities in Sulu will be taught food sufficiency, green technology, renewable energy and knowledge of recycling.

As always, the highlight of the GK Hope Ball is its live and silent auctions. This year, up for holiday gift-giving are a Mercedes Benz sedan; a chartered flight anywhere in the country on North-South Airline’s Dornier 328; a luxurious stay in a chateau in Bordeaux, France, inclusive of business-class tickets via KLM; stays at Peninsulas in New York and Chicago; and various other fantastic items. GK is truly a great way to give and yet get something in return.

Clearly the “ber” months are a time to think of others, all part of the holiday focus on giving back. No wonder we Pinoys love the “ber” months.

Follow Tessa on Twitter @tessavaldes or e-mail her at [email protected]