FOUR continents in four weeks! My hectic but incredible travels have energized me all the more. To give you an idea…
Beginning with a lovely Easter holiday in the Gold Coast, Australia, the family vacation was free of all social events and filled with precious bonding time with my parents and my girls.
On Easter Sunday, we flew home to prepare for my South African adventure with my hubby Dennis Valdes. As a member of the Philippine Underwater Hockey Team, Dennis was already in Stellenbosch, South Africa, competing at the 2016 World Underwater Hockey Games.
Between these trips, I was able to attend the special premiere of the highly anticipated action-adventure film, “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.” The Manila office of Turkish Airlines hosted the screening at the Rockwell Cinema.
Representatives from government, the embassies, media partners and friends from the Embassy of Turkey were delighted to catch the movie.
Turkish Airlines created a brilliant campaign to introduce new US “destinations,” which are Batman’s Gotham City and Superman’s Metropolis. The airline announced its partnership with Warner Bros. Pictures and so movie references were displayed all over the Turkish Airlines lounge and even the menus on board.
Turkish Airlines currently flies to 113 countries, more than any other airline, with flights to 288 destinations and 50 domestic cities in Turkey. The carrier has direct and daily service between Manila and Turkey with brand-new B777-300 aircraft.
One of the fastest-growing airline companies in Europe, Turkish Airlines joined Star Alliance on April 1, 2008.
It was chosen “Best Airline in Europe” for the fourth consecutive year by Skytrax at the 2014 World Airline Awards.
Turkish Airlines won the award again, as well as the “Best Airline in Southern Europe,” the “World’s Best Business Class Airline Lounge” and the “World’s Best Business Class Lounge Dining” at the 2015 Skytrax World Airline Awards.
Rome via Istanbul
Straight from the African safari trip excellently arranged by A2A Safaris, I flew directly to Rome via Istanbul and enjoyed the Turkish Airlines long-haul flight with a personal chef on board. The Business Class lounge in Istanbul is truly awesome and serves excellent food.
Given this opportunity to experience Italy like never before, I was ecstatic to be one of the select media from around the world to join the Luxury Gold by Insight Vacations journey that starts in Rome and ends in Venice.
During this trip, I had the ultimate VIP experience and enjoyed several unique events like entering the Sistine Chapel for a private tour and getting serenaded in our gondola ride in Venice. But I will save all the wonderful details for next month.
On my Turkish Airlines flight home, I was delighted to have as seatmate Monsignor Manny Gabriel who came from a European pilgrimage. On board, he shared stories about the beauty of Turkey, especially noting their Cappadocia balloon ride.
4 scheduled events
Having no time for jet lag, I had four scheduled events the day after coming home. Starting with hosting the launch of the new Sharp Aquos XU series TV and ending with the launch of the Rémy Martin Cognac campaign, I was glad to be recharged to face all the social activities.
After the Sharp event, I taped an episode for Philippine Realty TV (PRTV) at the new flagship showroom with amazing brands like the French kitchen maker La Cornue, the German kitchen maker Eggersmann, the German furniture maker KFF and the German appliance manufacturer Bosch. This episode is part of the 15th season of PRTV, the country’s first and only real-estate and construction TV show.
Make your own Havaianas
Managing the traffic, I was able to attend the Havaianas event at the SM Mega Fashion Hall. Now on its 11th year, the biggest and most anticipated customization event is happening only until today.
Managing director Anne Gonzalez explained that Havaianas pays homage to its Japanese roots with a Shibori-inspired Make Your Own Havaianas (MYOH)—an invitation to customize your own flip-flops with Japanese patterns and iconic pins.
Quickly changing into a stunning gold gown made by Cherry Veric, I headed to the Jaguar showroom for the Rémy Martin Cognac global campaign launch of its new tagline, “One Life/Live Them,” which recognizes that the brand’s consumers are not defined by one talent or skill, but are multifaceted and should be applauded for their many passions.
Rémy Martin anchors the campaign to the mind with a nod to the creative duality of the brand.
To embody this brand philosophy and lifestyle, Rémy Martin is partnering with American actor/producer/renovator/musician Jeremy Renner, who is an ideal representative for the campaign. His blockbuster films include “The Bourne Legacy,” “Mission Impossible” and “The Avengers.”
And true enough, Rémy Martin’s “One Life/Live Them” Manila launch feted some of the most prominent and respected personalities who embody a multifaceted lifestyle and philosophy. The list includes restaurateur/architect Carlo Calma, marketing specialist/entrepreneur Jonathan Crespi, motoring journalist/TV host James Deakin, lifestyle blogger/journalist/TV host Spanky Enriquez, lifestyle journalist/equal rights advocate/world traveler Melo Esguerra and lawyer/TV host/motoring columnist Karen Jimeno. I complete this list with all of my own slashes: fashion maven/lifestyle journalist/interior designer/triathlete.
And that’s how my first day back home went!
