Smart Infinity, the premium postpaid brand of Smart Communications, recently signed an exclusive partnership with Belo Medical Group, dahlings.

The event was celebrated at the chic Belo clinic in Greenbelt, Makati. On hand to welcome guests were Belo founder and CEO Vicki Belo and Smart Infinity business group head Julie Carceller.

Program host, palangga, was Belo managing director Cristalle Henares, whose mother, Vicki, gave a talk on her internationally accredited clinic’s most sought-after procedures including Thermage, Laser Lipo, Botox and Dermal Fillers.

This was followed by a live demonstration of Dermal Fillers by Belo’s team of doctors that resulted in an immediate, beautiful transformation of a patient.

For her part, Julie discussed Smart Infinity’s exciting offers and what to expect in the coming months from its tie-up with Belo.

Highlighting the affair was a raffle of an iPad mini and a Dermal Filler procedure gift certificate, while all guests received Botox procedure gift certificates.

Textiles in Filipino culture

Members of the diplomatic corps, government officials and advocates of Filipino culture gathered at the recent launch of an exhibit dubbed “Habi: A Most Interesting Journey Through Philippine Handwoven Textiles” at SM Aura Premier in Taguig.

Organized by Habi The Philippine Textile Council, the event was an offshoot of the book of the same exhibit title, published also by Habi and launched in January.

The exhibit, dahlings, coincided with the launch of the Commemorative Stamps on Traditional Textiles, in partnership with the Philippine Postal Association. The stamps’ souvenir sheet featured photographs from the Habi manual: Lilia Tasib of the B’laan indigenous people weaving an incredible tabih ftarang; Ben Buyos working on the t’nalak textile of the T’boli; a pisyabit of the Tausug; and a T’boli maiden wearing the traditional malong.

Showcased at the exhibit were the Inabel Iloko; the Cordillera weaves of abaca fabrics like sinamay; pineapple fabrics or piña, the Queen of Philippine textiles, woven in Hablon, among others.

Guest of honor was Sen. Sonny Angara. VIPs included Filipino Heritage Festival president Armita “Mita” Rufino and Philippine Textile Council chair Ma. Isabel Ongpin, who enlightened the guests with details about the materials on exhibit.

SM senior vice president for marketing communications Millie Dizon and SM Aura Premier mall manager Tyrone Chua attended to the guests’ needs during cocktails.

‘A Mother’s Legacy’

Fabrics and Filipino culture, incidentally, figured prominently in “A Mother’s Legacy Fashion Show” held recently at Sofitel Philippine Plaza’s Spiral restaurant.

Designer Ryan Madamba showcased the traditional Abel Iloco with a modern twist in an elegant evening collection.

Abel Iloco, a cotton loom woven textile with a rich tradition dating back to 1572, is a product of the finest female weavers from Ilocos Norte, dahlings.

At the event, women artisans from Ilocos Norte and Taal, Batangas, demonstrated their revered craft that has been passed on from generation to generation.

The project, palangga, was held in cooperation with the provincial government of Ilocos Norte, Bergamo and SC Vizcarra.

“This evening we invite you to discover a mother’s legacy through our Spiral master chefs, who have prepared the secret recipes of three generations of mothers in their family,” said Sofitel general manager Adam Laker, who was wearing a barong by Bergamo.

Spiral also invited guest chefs from Ilocos Norte who served Ilocano delights such as my all-time favorite empanada, as well as longganisa, bagnet and other yummy stuff.

The event’s main program was Sofitel’s honoring eight remarkable women who are pillars in today’s Philippine corporate world, “recognized for their remarkable industry contributions and admirable fulfillment of their role as women.

Before the night ended, prizes were given away courtesy of Jewelmer, Furla, Michael Kors, Estee Lauder, Kiehl’s, L’Oreal Paris, Suki and Wooden Sunglasses—to the utmost delight of the women guests.