Lifestyle Asia celebrated its 27th anniversary recently at the grand ballroom of Raffles and Fairmont Makati. Theme was “Spreading the Table,” which aimed to promote Filipino cuisine and the produce of local farmers.

The Manila Symphony Orchestra opened the program serenading some 600 guests. The Mandaluyong Children’s Choir followed, leading and singing the opening prayer, which ended with “bravos” and wild applause from the trés chic invitees, dahlings.

Highlight of the night was the five-course Filipino gourmet dinner by world-class Filipino chefs.

As a tradition, Lifestyle Asia gave back to the community by donating to worthwhile causes. This year, the donation went to Caritas Manila for its programs for the survivors of Supertyphoon “Yolanda.”

Then, for a blast from the past, there was the classy “Rigodon de Honor.” The women showed off their best ternos and got their bling-blings out of the vault, with their smartly dressed gentleman-escorts.

Melissa is 35

The Melissa shoe brand is celebrating its 35th anniversary.

“Originally produced in 1979 and widely acknowledged as the original ‘jelly,’ Melissa has risen from its humble Brazilian origins to become one of the most celebrated names in international footwear, a force to be reckoned with in the world of fashion,” said managing director Joanne Go.

The anniversary bash saw the launch of the brand’s newest collection in a “travel-inspired” event at the Atrium of SM Aura in Taguig.

Melissa has had groundbreaking collaborations with legendary British tastemaker Vivienne Westwood, fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld, cutting-edge Brazilian duo the Campana Brothers, and Jason Wu.

These new fetish-worthy collection was launched in ceremonies emceed by Nikki Gil.
Meanwhile, 3D murals of the most captivating scenes in Paris, London, New York, and Brazil were on display, inviting guests to have their travel snapshots taken with the hashtag “#MelissaConquerstheWorld.”

Melissa is available at Geleia, Rustan’s Department Stores, The Flat Shop and Swim Boracay. Log on: melissaphilippines.com; like facebook.com/MelissaPhilippines; Instagram @MelissaPhilippines.

Alabang Christmas bazaar

The St. James the Great Christmas Bazaar at Ayala Alabang will have more than 500 concessionaires and will be held on Nov. 27-30, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., at the Cuenca Community Center.

On sale will be holiday foods for gift-giving, Christmas décor, native and imported bags, shoes, ethnic products and handicrafts, Christmas packaging and wrappers, decorative candles, you name it, St. James has it, palangga.

Hardworking charity organizers of the bazaar are led by the mother-daughter team of Mimi and Nikki Valerio; Manny Gonzales, head of St. James Foundation; Edza Gonzales, Titang Montinola, Lulu Africa, and Msgr. Allen Aganon, parish priest.

“St. James Bazaar Committee members do not receive salaries or commissions from the proceeds of the bazaar. We organize and run the bazaar as our apostolate to St. James the Great Parish.” said Mimi Valerio.

All Mastercard and Visa credit cards will be accepted. Metrobank, UCPB Mobile, RCBC Mobile ATM and other ATM machines will be available for shoppers.

Free shuttle service will be provided.

Century Tuna exec wins award

Century Pacific Food GM Greg Banzon jetted in directly from Paris to receive the Outstanding Achievement in Marketing Management award during the 35th Agora Awards at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza.

Banzon was behind the brilliant lifestyle campaigns such as “The Century Superbods,” “No Other Tuna,” and “Kita Naman Sa Katawan, ’Di Ba?”

He was cited for “his outstanding achievements and for the fast rise of Century Tuna as a major player in the Middle East, the USA and 46 other markets, plus the successful launch of the Argentina brand in the USA.”

Judges said they were impressed with the online campaigns of Century generating over 164 million Twitter impressions.

Banzon dedicated his award to his mother Merced and his children. “It has been a long-time dream and inspiration that motivated me to always pursue excellence in marketing efforts during previous stints with RFM and Johnson & Johnson,” he said.

Greg also thanked his peers, “for nominating and selecting me for the award, under the auspices of the Philippine Marketing Association, being one of the most prestigious award-giving bodies for making a difference through marketing innovation and excellence.”