Believe in your dreams and never give up! With sheer confidence and guts, I performed in front of more than 12,000 people at Usana’s Grand Hooray 2016 at SM Mall of Asia Arena.

As the newest brand ambassador of this Utah-based multi-level marketing company that produces various nutritional products and nutraceuticals, I entertained Usana Philippines’ top associates, clients and guests with my rendition of the latest Justin Timberlake song, and ended with an inspirational talk about healthy living that never goes out of style.

This annual convention also highlighted keynote speakers and networking opportunities with sales leaders and Usana executives. Top motivational speakers shared beautiful stories that focused on this year’s theme, “Usana Unlocked.”

Sharing my personal testimony on how Usana is making me feel and look younger, I encouraged the crowd to enjoy each day with love and gratitude, and always keep a positive outlook.

Makeup for princesses

From wearing a futuristic, metallic outfit by avant-garde fashion designer Rocky Gathercole, I transformed into a Snow Queen, wearing an elegant blue gown by US-based Filipino fashion designer Monique Lhuillier for the launch of Happy Skin X Disney.

Happy Skin founders Rissa Mananquil-Trillo and Jacqe Yuengtian-Gutierrez were thrilled to collaborate with Disney, putting a global stamp of approval for what the Filipino can do. Veronica Cabalinan, general manager of the Walt Disney Company Philippines, collaborated with Rissa and Jacqe for a Disney Princess makeup range that can be used daily.

The result was Happy Skin X Disney, a limited edition makeup collection with a full line of products that bring your favorite princesses from Disney to life. Aside from Happy Skin’s best-selling lippies, there are also new products like the brand’s first luminous mesh blush and brightening powder foundation.

Apart from all the stores selling Happy Skin in Metro Manila, the makeup line is now available at Chimes Boutiques, the well-curated specialty boutiques of the Yap family in Davao.

Chimes Boutiques continue to uphold its founders’ vision of providing Davaoeños a shopping haven for unique finds and high-quality items, with the recent opening of the original Chimes specialty boutique on Governor Sales, Davao.

To provide Davao customers an unrivaled luxury experience, the newly renovated store, designed in collaboration with retail design specialist Moss Manila, has spacious walkways, well-lit visual displays and luminous columns.

At the grand launch last month, several celebrities and guests flew in, including fashion designers Patty Ang, Charina Sarte and Maureen Disini. As the launch host, I invited everyone to explore the different floors with a program that featured a glam fashion show of the three lady designers as well as House of Laurel and Vania Romoff.

Makeup guru Lourd Ramos was seen doing makeup sessions in the Happy Skin area, while Moss Manila’s Cyndi Fernandez shared her expertise in home decorating. Stylist accessories designer Joyce Oreña arranged her beautiful collection on the ground floor.

Cindy Yap, Chimes Executive vice president, revealed her excitement and appreciation for all as they are creating an unrivaled retail destination in Davao. This upscale specialty store is the place for the fashion conscious and the discriminating shopper.

Indulgences

From doing some retail therapy at Chimes, I continued shopping back home at Shangri-La Plaza Mall for the formal opening of LuxeRoom, a premier destination for mattress, bed, bath and decorative inspirations.

LuxeRoom formally opened on the fourth floor of the Shang mall just three weeks ago after being open for many months. Allan Anthony Aguilera, CEO of LuxeRoom, welcomed media and VIP guests to discover its chic gallery carrying top global brands. British Ambassador Asif Ahmad led the ribbon cutting ceremony.

All were treated to a sophisticated night of royal indulgences.

Allan introduced LuxeRoom’s brand partners for home and interior design—Vispring, Yves Delorme, Roberto Cavalli, Valeron, Iosis, Michael Aram, Eichholtz, Baobab, Assouline, Abyss & Habidecor and Paradies. The shop serves a specific clientele with very particular and refined tastes. LuxeRoom scours the most prestigious design fairs and markets in Europe and the United States for one-of-a-kind brands that epitomize artistry, craftsmanship, excellence and true opulence.

Helping guests gain a better appreciation of the workmanship put into the luxury pieces, LuxeRoom invited Matthew William Evans, a skilled artisan from the United Kingdom, to demonstrate how a Vispring bed is made. He shared that each handmade mattress has uncompromised quality and service. The attention to detail and luxury in the materials are unmatched.

As event host, I led the night’s festivities into an elegant dinner care of chef Florabel Co. Several guests opted to continue shopping to complete their Christmas list. From exquisitely crafted mattresses to divans, bed linens and decor, LuxeRoom doesn’t overlook any detail when it comes to furnishing private sanctuaries.

Exemplary work

In closing, I would like to congratulate Portugal’s Honorary Consul Antonio Rufino, who was cited for his exemplary work and other efforts in promoting and strengthening the diplomatic relationship between the Philippines and Portugal.

The Federation Internationale des Corps et Associations Consularies (Ficac) honored recently the outstanding Filipino consul among the World Federation of Consuls during the Ficac East Asia Regional Conference of Consuls held in Penang, Malaysia. Honorary Consul Rufino received the Ficac Award of Merit medal from Aykut Eken, Ficac president.

The Ficac World Federation of Consuls is a global organization composed of honorary consuls. The conference carried the theme “Diplomacy Leading to Unity and Peace” to emphasize the importance of overcoming the political, social and economic challenges that countries around the world face today.