It’s the real thing! To celebrate Coca-Cola’s centennial for its iconic contoured bottle, the company held a dazzling affair at the Bonifacio High Street Central Amphitheater.
“Coca-Cola Bottle Art Tour: Inspiring Pop Culture for 100 years” had enough stars present to match the century its been around. The multisensory exhibit, which has been traveling key cities around the world, featured works of contemporary artists like Andy Warhol, Norman Rockwell, and Peter Blake, among others.
Coca-Cola Philippines made sure our Pinoy artists, photographers and influencers were not left out, as their masterpieces featuring the voluptuous bottle were also showcased in the exhibit. Among the local artists represented were photographers Mark Nicdao, Doc Marlon Pecjo, Xander Angeles, Ronnie Salvacion, Shaira Luna and Jake Verzosa.
All the local masterpieces were auctioned off during the gala night. Proceeds from the silent auction will be used to provide drinking fountains for Little Red Schoolhouse elementary schools across the Philippines.
Diego Granizo, president of Coca-Cola Philippines, and Ted Ryan, director of heritage communications for The Coca-Cola Company, were joined by their brand ambassadors, Enchong Dee, Joseph Marco, Janella Salvador, Jerome Ponce and Diego Loyzaga.
Coca-Cola Femsa also supported the Red Charity Gala last Friday, with a very generous donation to the Philippine Red Cross Makati Branch. Guests at the gala also received Coke cans in their swag bags.
Fashion Can Serve
These “ber” months feature a lot of fundraising events. ICanServe Foundation held Fashion Can Serve, a project to reach out to the brave women who are fighting the fight of their lives against breast cancer. The fashion show featured these women, either cancer survivors or ardent supporters of ICanServe, and helped raise funds to support ICanServe’s information campaigns and community-based programs that include diagnostic screening tests, seminars, training, treatment, and the rehabilitation of women with breast cancer.
ICanServe partnered with Marie France, the leader in slimming and noninvasive body sculpting in the country. The event was held at the Raffles Makati Hotel and also featured an auction, with luxury items donated by Stores Specialists Inc. fetching generous bids. Also up for auction was a Philippine Airlines business-class ticket to Japan and a holiday package to El Nido. Thanks to many generous friends of ICanServe, I had a great time hosting the auction clad in a gorgeous, pink Rajo Laurel gown.
Rajo was one of the six designers to give their talents for free. The rest were Lulu Tan Gan, Rhett Eala, Maureen Disini, Kristel Yulo and Eric de los Santos.
The designers’ muses included Dawn Zulueta, Julie Torres, Agot Isidro, Tweetie de Leon, Bianca Elizalde, Rissa Trillo, Amina Aranaz, Patty Betita, Michelle Dayrit, Leah Caringal, Alya Honasan, Ann Puno, Bernie Aboitiz, Maritoni Fernandez, Toni Abad and ICanServe co-founder Crisann Celdran. It was a night full of love and happy vibes coming from these ladies who have survived cancer, and are living a life well-lived.
Flowers for the night were provided by Fiori di M of ICanServe member Margarita Fores. Giveaways included a Burt’s Bees packet of lip balms. SM Woman–Sabina were presenters of the event, and sponsors included Security Bank, Del Monte, Globe Platinum & Rado; SSI Group, Ortigas & Co., Wilcon Depot and Mercedes Benz.
One of my fave parts of the evening was a short video that exuded love and support to all women battling the disease. Created by videographer Jason Magbanua, the short video included Lea Salonga singing a poignant piece by Marie Hines called “Save It All.” Beautifully narrated by Dawn Zulueta, its core message of understanding and sharing in the pains and struggles caused by the disease was powerfully shared.
The video featured talents from Marie France and Facial Care Center, all of whom volunteered their services to the project. The gorgeous ladies included Agot Isidro, Bianca Araneta-Elizalde, Carmi Martin, Ana Roces, Bernadette Allyson, Shalani Soledad-Romulo, Patty Betita, Tessa Nieto-Villalon, Mikaela Lagdameo-Martinez, Rima Ostwani, Issa Litton, Sam Oh, Riki Flores, Camille Co, Lissa Kahayon and Kryz Uy. Also lending support was Nikoy de Guzman, ICanServe representative.
Bernadette Allyson said it best: “It felt really good to be part of something I feel very strongly about. Breast cancer is a serious concern that we face as women. I wanted to do my part in encouraging and empowering these women, reassuring them they are not alone.”
The tribute was formally introduced by George Siy of Marie France, Peter Prestidge, Jackie Share and Robin Horsman, and then turned over to ICanServe’s board, Roxanne Singson, Elizabeth Virata, Bettina Osmeña, Kara Alikpala and executive director Lanie Eusebio.
Manila FAME
This weekend has so many events, exhibits and bazaars happening all at the same time. Today is the final day of the 62nd Manila Fame Expo at SMX Convention Center next to SM Mall of Asia. Check out all the great merchandise, home décor and accessories, especially the handcrafted work of Gina Ty of Agsam Fashion Fern.
Also on its final day is the annual Noel Bazaar at the Filinvest Tent in Alabang. Founding organizer Mayose Gozon Bautista is delighted to have Globe Telecom as one of the major sponsors. The bazaar supports a lot of charities like Kapuso Foundation and Gifts & Graces, to name a few. Other Noel Bazaar locations due in the coming months are the World Trade Center and SMX MOA.
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