Muslim mobility, members of the diplomatic corps and other VIPs gathered to celebrate Eid’l Fitr recently at SM North Edsa, Quezon City.

Also known as Festival of the “Breaking of the Fast,” Eid’l Fitr is an important religious holiday worldwide that marks the end of the holy month of fasting or Ramadan. It usually falls on the first day of Shawwal, the tenth month of the Islamic calendar.

More than that, “it is a time of joy, forgiving and thanksgiving among Muslims as they take the occasion to strengthen ties with family and friends, giving gifts and alms, and feast together,” explained Bai Aminah Razziah Tamano Lucman, granddaughter of Princess Tarhata Lucman of the Royal Maranao House.

Regarded as a springboard to build a better understanding and appreciation among Filipinos of ethnic, racial and religious diversity in the country, the event was held in cooperation with the Magbasa Kita Foundation Inc. and SM, with the Philippine Center for Islam and Democracy, the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, and the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos.

Senator Koko Pimentel, along with Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Secretary Teresita Deles, Commission on Higher Education Chair Dr. Patricia Licuanan, Tourism Undersecretary Danilo Corpuz and Social Welfare Undersecretary Parisya Taradji, took part in the ceremonial striking of the gong.

Internationally acclaimed filmmaker Brillante “Dante” Mendoza was on hand for a screening of his award-winning film “Thy Womb,” the story of a Badjao midwife (played by Nora Aunor) set in a Tawi-Tawi village.

SM executives, led by vice president for marketing Millie Dizon, AVP for marketing Ruby Reyes, AVP for operations Renee Bacani, AVP for leasing Winnie Oliver, and SM City North Edsa mall manager Hershe Angeles welcomed the distinguished invitees, dahlings.

The Block in SM City was transformed into a Salam Village, giving shoppers a glimpse of the Muslim lifestyle. Products from Islamic states, represented by their embassies in Manille, as well as those from Mindanao provinces, were a big hit among shoppers.

Cultural performances, exhibits of traditional Muslim attires by Pitoy Moreno and Patis Tesoro, showcased the cultural heritage of Muslim Filipinos. That drew loud applause from the viewers, dahlings.

Lumia 925’s 6-lens cam

The chic Salon de Ning of Manila Peninsula Hotel was the setting of the recent launch of the Nokia Lumia 925 smartphone.

Nokia Philippines’ très charmant general manager Karel Holub welcomed guests led by Microsoft Philippines managing director Karrie Ilagan, Smart Communications head of postpaid Kathryn Carag and public affairs head Mon Isberto.

“The Nokia Lumia 925’s six-lens camera delivers the best camera performance both in daylight and poor lighting conditions,” said

Gary Chan, Nokia Pan-Asia head of marketing. “The improved optical image stabilization compensates for all hand movements, regardless in which way you’re holding the phone,” he added.

Mike Smith, Nokia Philippines product manager, pointed out how the Nokia Lumia 925 “can take multiple shots in just a single click and edit pictures the way you want them to look.” Which sent the guests rushing to take photos of two ornately dressed Chinese ladies in low-light conditions and capture boxing movements, palangga.

The scene captured what its tagline aptly says, the Nokia Lumia 925 reveals “more than your eyes can see”—or should we say, faster than batting your eyelash, dahlings?

At the end of the photo-taking, Nokia gave away two of the smartphones to two lucky guests.

For more info, log on to nokia.com.ph; facebook.com/nokiaphilippines and twitter.com/NokiaPilipinas.

75 years of The Aristocrat

The year 1938 was significant for the opening of The Aristocrat restaurant, which has since become widely known for its chicken barbecue among other well-loved dishes.

The restaurant’s original and still crowd-drawing site on Roxas Boulevard in Manille was the scene of a recent unveiling of a historical marker to celebrate The Aristocrat’s 75th anniversary.

Descendants of its founder, Engracia Cruz-Reyes, known to Filipinos as “Aling Asiang,” along with officials of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) led the ceremony.

Present at the event were Department of Public Works and Highways representative engineer Ernesto P. Leones, NHCP executive director Ludovico D. Badoy, NHCP chair Maria Serena Diokno, The Aristocrat president Priscilla Reyes Pacheco and chair of the board Raymund Reyes.

Faithful to Aling Asiang’s pioneering spirit, friends and loyal patrons of The Aristocrat were treated to a delicious merienda made up of the restaurant’s specialties. Which I’m sure many of us, palangga, still look forward to having when time allows. My all-time favorite is the yummy adobo flying saucer sandwich and the chicken barbecue with java rice and atchara.

Spotted having a hearty meal was Noel Oñate, among other guests.

Helping entertain the guests were four generations of the Reyes clan, dahlings, including Aling Asiang’s youngest son, Victor C. Reyes, with his wife Ning.