How lucky were we to have witnessed the Super Blue Blood Moon on Jan. 31? I had to figure out what each of those words meant from an astronomy perspective.

 

“Super” means a larger than usual moon when it achieves fullness at the closest point of its orbit to earth. “Blue” isn’t a color, but just a rare, second full moon on the same month. “Blood” refers to the red orange color that the earth’s shadow casts on the moon during a lunar eclipse.

 

Each of those is rare, but the combination of the three is wow. This event last happened on March 31, 1866, and the next trifecta is on Jan. 31, 2168. I guess this is what “once in a super blue blood moon” means!

 

 i2i’s new collection

 

After that spectacle to end the month, January has turned out to be a stellar start to 2018. I was at the Manila House launch of the eyewear DJP Collection of i2i New York last week.

 

The collection was designed by its brand ambassador and the country’s “Teen King” Daniel Padilla, together with i2i New York’s owners Ricco and Tina Ocampo.

 

The DJP Collection is a set of hip, on-trend yet inexpensive sunglasses, greatly inspired by music influences and other idols such as Johnny Depp, Robert Downey Jr. and John Lennon.

 

Daniel told me that he has always liked playing with different eyewear styles, just like the risks he takes when it comes to fashion. He is the perfect addition to the growing i2i New York family.

 

Daniel and i2i are both authentic and true. He shares not only the style of the brand but also the mission of providing quality yet affordable products to the public, which is very evident in the DJP Collection.

 

Tina said it is very important for i2i’s celebrity endorsers to believe in the products so that they can talk about it with credibility and passion.

 

i2i is always on the lookout for the latest in eyewear fashion, and it considers customers’ needs in choosing the materials used for its products. Because of the success of the DJP line for i2i, Karla Estrada, Daniel’s mom, recently opened an i2i branch in Tacloban as a franchisee.

 

Golden wedding anniversary

 

From the i2i launch, I did a quick costume change to grace the golden wedding anniversary celebration of Ed and Mila Lacson at The Palms Country Club in Alabang. The elegant couple was surrounded by their children and grandchildren, happily joined by a roomful of their closest friends.

 

I am always touched to see a couple achieve a golden milestone, after a lifetime of solid family values passed on to the next generations, excellent business growth that has been contributed by both, and superb health that could have come only as a reward from the good karma both have spread over five decades. That, in a nutshell, is Ed and Mila’s marriage.

 

It was cool to watch Ed surprise Mila with a new set of wedding rings for themselves. The crowd cheered as the couple danced. As Ed said, we are all looking forward to their next golden anniversary in 2068.

 

Royal brunch at Spiral

 

My busy weekend ended at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza for Le Grand Royal Brunch at Spiral, with its 21 dining ateliers and featuring a wine trolley and champagne. The Sunday brunch celebration included an elegant and nostalgic fashion show by multi-awarded fashion designer Albert Andrada, directed by Robby Carmona.

 

For his fifth sartorial showcase at Sofitel, Albert created “The Margaret Collection,” inspired by the timeless royal fashion of Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon.

 

The 14-piece collection showcased colors of the crown jewels including ultraviolet, the pantone color of 2018.

 

Models walked through Spiral and its grand staircase donning golden pearls by Jewelmer with glamorous makeup by Guerlain.

 

The celebration was a royal engagement of its own, as guests arrived in fabulous high tea outfits as they tried on British-style fascinators and hats by my favorite designer, Hat Momma’s Lou Laurene at the Le Grand Royal popup booth.

 

Lifestyle blogger couple David Guison and Vina Guerrero, wearing matching outfits in blush shades, won the Best Dressed Awards and received special gifts from Tefal and Jewelmer. Discerning gourmands also got the chance to win gifts from Power Mac Center, Tefal cookware, Cuisinart, Guerlain and Elizabeth Arden.

 

Le Grand Sunday Brunch at Spiral adds color to the weekends of all hearty gourmands. Check it out on April 29, July 29 and Oct. 28. For reservations, call 8326988.

 

Mark Nicdao’s ‘X-Ray’

 

Last week, photographer Mark Nicdao opened his latest exhibit dubbed “X-Ray.” It’s a beautifully curated visual narrative of how Mark rediscovered his passion for photography.

 

The photos on exhibit were taken while Mark was on a bus and in motion. Fueled by the fire of passion, Mark promised himself that his next exhibit would be meaningful and would tell the story of his rediscovery of self. “X-Ray” is exactly that promise fulfilled. It is as personal as you can get with Mark, who tells the story with a series of 26 photographs.

 

Maserati proudly supports the exhibit and Mark’s story. AutoStrada’s Jason Soong is proud to support fellow Person of Passion. Autostrada is the exclusive and only licensed distributor of Maserati in the Philippines.

 

True to the core values of Maserati, the People of Passion are select and distinct individuals who each have contributed their time, expertise and wisdom to their communities and are fervently passionate about making a positive change. They are also advocates of the Hope in a Bottle campaign.

 

The foundation, headed by Nanette Medved-Po, aims to build more classrooms for public schools, especially in far-flung areas hit by natural disasters. Check out “X-Ray” at the Autostrada showroom in Bonifacio Global City.

 

Follow @seaprincess888 on Instagram.