There are numerous milestones in every child’s life that make parents proud. But the ones that make their hearts burn ever so warmly are graduations, whether for preschool, grade school, high school or college. We were blessed to have two this week.
Our youngest daughter Athena finished her Primary Years Program at the Beacon School, and had a Moving On Ceremony as she goes to Grade 6 next school year.
The following day, our elder daughter Annika graduated high school at Beacon Academy. It’s been a happy-sad week for my hubby Dennis and me as we sit and contemplate our daughters’ academic achievements.
Attending both graduation ceremonies has made me ponder about the world that these kids are getting into—whether or not it is a better world than the one I joined after high school. I know for a fact that today’s technology and communications are more advanced, with social media playing a major role.
But with global warming and other illnesses of this world, today’s kids have enormous tasks ahead, to take action and heal our planet with new ideas.
At Annika’s graduation ceremony, Messy Bessy founder Krie Lopez was the commencement speaker. Krie recounted her journey from the corporate world to the fulfilling arena of social entrepreneurship that is Messy Bessy. I think she did a super job inspiring young adults to look at greener ways of doing business.
It truly is a big year for Annika and her fellow 18-year-old graduates. I wish all of you the best as you embark on a future with limitless possibilities. Just remember to enjoy your individual journeys.
Debut party
Annika turned 18 last January and celebrated a movie-theme debut party with her friends all dressed as movie characters. To fully take the theme to the extreme, Norman and Mye Cruz of Adworks Graphics created an awesome invitation, and posters using Annika’s images on her favorite movies.
Her costumes included a “Queen of Hearts” gown by Cherry Veric and a “Kill Bill” ensemble by Rajo Laurel.
Covering the Ballroom of The City Club with movie-theme sets, Pido Villanueva of Ambience by Pido created astonishing sets from “Pirates of Caribbean,” “Hunger Games,” “Harry Potter” and “Avatar.” Matching theme cakes were added to further decorate the space.
Hearts and Bells made
pirates-and-skulls cupcakes and a giant elaborate pirate ship as the main cake. Penk Ching made a dragon “Mulan” birthday cake that was displayed at the front of the venue.
Special cocktails were concocted using Manille Liquor. Prizes from Swatch were given to guests with the best costumes, awarded by Swatch grand dame Virgie Ramos. Swatch has been present in all our parties and these super fun Swiss watches are always the most awaited prizes.
Swatch POP Collection
Swatch’s Tita Virgie recently hosted a private screening of hot hunk star Derek Ramsey’s new movie, “My Candidate,” at My Cinema in Greenbelt. Long-time Swatch friends BenCab, Annie Sarthou, Susan Joven, Millet Mananquil, Sandy Uy, Rowell Santiago and Kara Magsanoc-Alikpala enjoyed a fiesta-like buffet before and after the screening.
Keeping with the election theme, a Derek in barong Tagalog photo wall greeted all guests for a perfect photo-op. For the screening, I wore the new Swatch POP Collection with its eye-catching pop-out head.
The heart and soul of the new Swatch POP Collection comprises nine watches in designs guaranteed to let the imagination run wild. One minute they’re ticking along on your wrist; the next they have hooked up with a cute pearl necklace, or attached themselves to your yoga mat in search of a Zen moment.
Three stunning black-and-white pieces—POPdancing, POPmoving and POPlooking— salute graphical purity. They are joined by a trio of colored creations—POPalicious, POPiness and POPpingpop—with confetti replacing digits to offer some alternative eye candy.
Adding extra fizz to the family are POPover, POPtastic and POPthusiasm. Neon meets pop art and makes a splash as these extrovert timepieces pimp it up and pump it up. Every watch comes with a special clip to attach it to wherever the wearer’s imagination takes it.
Since Swatch knows these watches are destined to go places, there is a POP accessories range embracing colored neck chains, a metal pocket chain and a table-clock stand. Matching wall watches complete the line-up—just pop it up!
At the opening of Global Views, an international home furnishing and accessories shop, I took my new Swatch as it matched with my outfit. Located at the new Shangri-La at the Fort in Bonifacio Global City, Global Views opened in 1997 with a vision to produce a unique collection of home accessories and accent pieces that are elegant, exotic, refined and casual.
Brought to Manila by visionaries Josephine Lim and Christine Lu, Global Views offers over 5,000 items made by skilled artisan from all corners of the globe. The company attracts buyers from over 10,000 retailers, ranging in size from nationally known multi-store chains and specialty interior design stores.
Global Views emphasizes an importance in excellent customer service, beautiful catalogs and a constantly evolving website.
Grey Goose launch
Another exciting launch I attended was the Grey Goose Gastronomique at the Blackbird in Nielson Tower.
Manila’s celebrated chef Colin Mackay curated a special dinner menu paired with premium spirits of Grey Goose.
Prior to dinner, Grey Goose cocktails were served that included Citronique, Cucumber Fizz, Cosmopolitan and Dry Martini. Canapes were paired with chilled Grey Goose VX.
Honorees for the night included Raul Manzano, Marc Tagle, Lesley Tan, Pepper Teehankee and Monchet Olives.
Truly it was a most auspicious occasion to launch the Grey Goose VX. Masterfully crafted with a hint of precious cognac, a pioneering new spirit is born. Inspired by the heritage of Grey Goose creator and maître de chai François Thibault, Grey Goose VX establishes a new standard in luxury spirits.
