ARE you still on a sugar high from all the Halloween candies? It’s time to come down and welcome November.

 

The second to the last “ber” month is always busy—pre-Christmas shopping, parties, and other yearend activities. Throw in a series of Apec (Asia Pacific Economic Conference) meetings and this may just be a record busy November for the country.

 

Just before Apec, on Nov. 14, Swatch unfurls with great pride the Swatch “Ode to the Flag.” It’s the perfect pre-Apec event as we rally to show our pride in being Filipino.

 

Swatch Fiesta

 

Swatch’s timing is always perfect. During the Swatch Fiesta held at the Swatch & Swatch building on Arnaiz Avenue in Makati, the Swiss brand’s creative director Carlo Giordanetti and VP for sales Gonzalo de Cevallos presented Philippine National Artist, Benedicto “BenCab” Cabrera, the second watch he designed for Swatch—Ode to the Flag.

 

And so the Swatch “Ode to the Flag” launch is sure to be a classic. We have BenCab, the Philippine flag, and 21 heads of state here for Apec. What more do we want to showcase the nation’s aspirations, freedoms and culture?

 

Directing the event is Rowell Santiago, with Gino Gonzales as set designer. My invite reads: “Wear Pinoy. Guests will be transported back in time to the early 20th century of Philippine haute cuisine, when Filipinos who traveled brought back the latest in French fashion and gastronomy.”

 

I’m excited to see how Swatch Philippines grand dame Virgie S. Ramos will mount an event pulling together our Spanish-Chinese heritage, with the heady influences of 20th-century France and America.

 

I’m also hoping to get invited to a few Apec events so I can wear my Swatch “Ode to the Flag” along with my new Lesley Mobo gown, which I wore at the Red Charity Gala last month.

 

Fashion high

 

That allows me to seamlessly segue to talking about Lesley’s elaborately sequined, 40-piece ensemble, a cross between 16th-century Tudor-style lines and ’70s disco glitz. I’m still on a fashion high from the Red Charity Gala.

 

Aside from Lesley’s fashion collection, he also presented his new innerwear, a collaboration called Bench Body x Mobo. The undies featured Lesley’s playful vibe of bright, bold and colorful patterns.

 

With Bench as main presenter, the Red Charity Gala also launched the brand’s new fragrances—Mobo and Mobo Pour Homme. Guests were ushered into the Makati Shangri-La’s Rizal Ballroom passing by the foyer, where a table set with nearly naked men lounged in Bench Body x Mobo underwear and Mobo Pour Homme scents.

 

The bewitching set, designed by Ohm David under the direction of director Ariel Lozada, complemented the elegant candelabras and flower arrangements styled by the Robert Blancaflor Team.

 

Ariel conceptualized every detail to elevate every facet of the Mobo collection.

 

And Lesley did not disappoint. His shimmering, multilayered fabrics on high-collared, ruffled dresses were matched with netted neon gloves and sequined shoes. Each masterpiece flowed beautifully through a multileveled stage lit with psychedelic laser lights.

 

After the wonderful show, we all proceeded to the after-party, where we had several bar stations for guests while dancing to the beat of DJ Jen Lee. One of the bars was stocked with Remy Martin, a sponsor of the gala as well.

 

Cross Cultures

 

Remy Martin recently hosted the first Cross Cultures event of Cheryl Tiu at the Curve at Gallery Vask in Bonifacio Global City.

 

An events platform on www.cheryltiu.com, Cross Cultures is built on the premise that food is one of the most accessible ways of exchanging cultures.

 

Cheryl partnered with Eat Ethio, a movement founded by Helina Tesega that provides modern insights on the food, coffee, music, designs and culture of Ethiopia. Eat Ethio shares the same philosophy of Cross Cultures—that the first insight into a culture is to taste it. Remy Martin XO Excellence was a proud partner of this one-of-a-kind dining experience.

 

The elegant dinner at Manifesto Gallerie included pairings with Remy Martin XO Excellence, a genuine grand champagne cognac blended from 85-percent eaux de vie from Grand Champagne and 15-percent Petite Champagne. Cheryl took the occasion to present images she took on a visit to Ethiopia.

 

But I’ve digressed. This is all about November and holiday cheer. At our home, the pumpkins and jack o’ lanterns are coming down and Christmas décor is going up.

 

Style and luxury

 

I love to shop at Rustan’s for all my decor needs. Over at Rustan’s Makati, the most glamorous Christmas furnishings in several theme displays are showcased. Iconic holiday colors of cherry red and winter white create the most playful settings and beautiful table displays.

 

This year, Rustan’s raises the bar yet again in Yuletide giving, and pulls out all the stops to give its loyal patrons more wonderful and memorable Christmas offerings. From picking out gifts to wrapping them up in the store’s monogrammed paper, and finally giving the specially selected gifts to loved ones, Rustan’s ensures that every single step of your Christmas shopping is an incomparable experience.

 

And if you’re confused about what to buy, sign up at the Christmas registry, where adults and kids can list all their Christmas wishes.

 

I had a taste of all this finery at the recent Rustan’s Christmas lunch, where Amb. Benny Tantoco, the clan patriarch, led his entire family in welcoming all the guests with a Noche Buena-style feast. The event also showcased the bell-ringing performers from the Sisters of Mary Girls Town in Silang, Cavite.

 

Touring the store afterwards, I couldn’t help but admire all the brightly lit Christmas settings, which had many ornaments and decor of different themes. It all reminded me that November is the penultimate “’ber,” and that the primary “’ber” is coming in just four short weeks.

 

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