Lady luck has been on my side ever since I arrived back from a pilgrimage in Spain. I must have received so many wonderful blessings after completing the Camino de Santiago de Compostela.
Heussaff, Liz Uy, Raymond Gutierrez and Tessa Prieto-Valdes with Unilever RFM’s CEO and managing director John Concepcion, marketing director Bindoy Baltazar, senior brand manager Jean Madrid and Magnum brand manager Brian Chanyungco
The pilgrimage is a walk across the Spanish countryside, a total of 160 kilometers over a week. The experience was totally exhausting yet exhilarating.
When I got back last weekend, I barely had a week to finalize the details for the Red Charity Gala that I co-chair with big-hearted Kaye Tiñga. But with lots of amazing friends and generous companies, the show was sold out in a couple of days.
Megaworld Corp. is once again one of our sponsors. This aggressive real estate giant has numerous projects and yet never fails to give back and do its share for charity.
Recently, Megaworld showcased Three Central, its most luxurious development in Makati, in a night of merriment at the Rigodon Ballroom of The Peninsula Manila. Three Central units come prefurnished and are available in several sizes. This luxury property will also feature top-notch, first-of-its-kind amenities such as an exclusive mini-theater, culinary station, meditation garden and reflexology path, among others. (For details, call 0917-887MCBD or e-mail threecentral@megaworldcorp.com.)
The glass-clad, 51-story building is inspired by Hong Kong’s International Finance Centre. The tower is located along Valero Street in the financial side of Salcedo Village. Once completed, it will also be home to the first and only lifestyle mall in Salcedo Village.
Tim Yap and I hosted the Three Central launch, an occasion where Megaworld forged a partnership with Habitat for Humanity to provide quality homes to less-fortunate Filipinos. Megaworld is always thinking of giving back, and it donated part of the proceeds from each sold unit of Three Central toward building good, quality homes to select beneficiaries.
Eugene Lozano, head of sales and marketing for Megaworld’s Makati business, said it was a conscious effort to thank their most valued clients.
During the event, guests were treated to a special sneak peek from the major scenes of the musical “The King and I,” which is currently running at Newport Performing Arts Theater at Resorts World Manila. The popular musical adaptation features Filipino world-class talents such as Leo Valdez, Monique Wilson and Tanya Manalang.
Our Assumption HS Batch 81 will be also sponsoring the Dec. 1 showing of “The King and I,” and we are looking forward to watching the wonderful performance as a group.
My friends from Magnum Ice Cream have generously offered to be one of our sponsors. They recently launched the newest addition to the Magnum Ice Cream collection: Magnum Choco Cappuccino. The newest flavor offers a perfect blend of creamy vanilla ice cream with smooth cappuccino sauce ripple, covered in thick cracking Belgian chocolate and sweet crunchy pieces.
An elegant affair was held at the swanky Las Flores restaurant in Bonifacio Global City attended by the Magnum brand ambassadors, celebrities and media personalities, all enjoying the new, yummy flavor.
Opening the event was none other than the marketing genius behind Magnum, John Concepcion, CEO and managing director of Unilever RFM Ice Cream, who welcomed guests and thanked them for their unwavering support of the Magnum brand.
Magnum brand manager Brian Chanyungco was quite excited about the unveiling because this flavor is perfect for all coffee-loving Filipinos. What better combination is there than coffee, ice cream and premium Belgian chocolate in every bite? It does not get any better than that!
Pinoys love ice cream, so our Red Charity Gala guests will surely enjoy the sumptuous menu that the executive food team of Makati Shangri-La has prepared. It will be a gastronomic array of dishes that will have halo-halo with ice cream in the end.
Chef Gene del Prado brings out a fiesta spread of Filipino cuisine for true food lovers to indulge in. Chef Gene is one of the executive sous chefs of our country’s premier hotel. Guests at the Red Charity Gala will get a chance to see how chef Gene has given our favorite local dishes his unique twist.
Makati Shangri-La GM Reto Klauser gave his valuable comments at the food tasting early this week. A true master at his craft, he suggested several points to further improve the presentation and taste of each dish. It’s always great to see the level of attention to detail that Shang brings to its events.
New hair brand
The Red Charity Gala will also introduce Unilever’s newest hair brand, TRESemmé. This product will surely give women access to salon-gorgeous hair at home, every day.
Present in the runways of international fashion shows in Paris, London and New York, TRESemmé now brings its legacy to the Philippines. It previously also sponsored the successful fashion show of lovable designer JC Buendia and the Zee Lifestyle show featuring Furne One.
After conquering the world with his distinctive brand of whimsical style, the amazing Furne just had his homecoming in Cebu, highlighting his dramatic and intricate pieces. Complementing his visually stimulating pieces were hairstyles that added a mysterious elegance to the show.
For the Red Charity Gala, TRESemmé once again brings its style and flair to the runway, this time matching up with designer Cary Santiago. My special thanks to sponsors Smart Infinity, PLDT-Smart Foundation, Fila, Mini Cooper, Sunlife Financial, Philippine Airlines and Preview Magazine. Many thanks also to Remy Martin, Piper-Heidsieck Champagne, Villa del Conte, Luxe by Goldilocks, DAS Shoes and Robert Blancaflor Group for the floral arrangements.
For the Gala auction, I would like to thank Balesin Island Club, Lancel, Louis XIII Remy Martin, Juls Dizon Jewelry, Makati Shangri-La Hotel, PAL, Smart Infinity and Samsung.
Lady Luck has been kind indeed. I attended the opening of Pagcor’s new Slot Club at the Lancaster Hotel this week and won the Slot Machine Celebrity Challenge. This allowed me to donate another check to the Philippine National Red Cross. Thank you Pagcor!
Follow @tessavaldes on Twitter or e-mail her at seaprincess@inquirer.com.ph.