Loads of our town’s who’s-who and a dash of who’s-that from business, lifestyle, fashion and entertainment flocked to the launch of Uniqlo at the humongous SM Mall of Asia, where Japan’s No. 1 fashion brand opened its first Manila store.
Jetting in for the inaugural were Uniqlo hot shots from Japan such as Tadashi Yanai and Naoki Otoma, chair-president-CEO, and EVP, respectively of Fast Retailing Co. Ltd. (the latter is also managing director of Uniqlo of Asia and Japan). With them was Katsumi Kubota, COO of Fast Retailing Philippines Inc., the joint venture company established between Fast Retailing Co. Ltd. and SM Retail Inc.
Gracing the inaugural was Teresita Sy-Coson, vice chair of SM Investment Corp., naturellement, palanggas.
Highlight was the traditional sake toast ceremony, palanggas. Uniqlo, SM officials, endorsers Chris Tiu, Iza Calzado and Chito Miranda, and all the invitees shouted a deafening “kampai” (“cheers”) in true Japanese style, natch.
After the toast, the rock band Parokya ni Edgar, led by Chito, performed. Also performing was the University of the East Chorale.
An awesome “pre-shopping activity” had select guests given the exclusive opportunity to shop and shop till they drop. It was a shopping manna made in heaven, dahlings.
(Check out Uniqlo at the second-floor main hall of SM Mall of Asia, 10 a.m.-10 p.m., daily.)
Dolce gustazione
Nescafé Dolce Gusto hosted an art demonstration at the Beso restaurant in the Fort featuring painter Sunshine Plata, who uses coffee as medium, dahlings.
“I initially preferred oil as my medium of choice, but switched to coffee because I wanted something more accessible,” she said. Her coffee canvases show whimsical scenes and rural landscapes.
Through the Nescafé Dolce Gusto machine, anyone can indulge in their favorite coffee.
With a simple “pop, lock and drop” of the machine, anyone can indulge in a frothy latte macchiato or a simple cup of aromatic coffee topped with a thin cream layer. It is hassle-free coffee-making that only Nescafé can offer.
With the painting demonstration, the dining experience was completely enhanced with a little bit of everything… coffee and good, dahlings.
Pillow talk
The launching of Tempur’s new mattress was a huge success, dahlings.
The intimate event was hosted by Malu Gamboa of Cirkulo restaurant and Leica Carpo-Argosino, both looking tres chic in sleepwear, would you believe?
The two were a perfect tandem keeping the invitees entertained with witty and naughty jokes and giving the occasion a fashionably fun bedroom ambiance.
Dr. Keith Aguilera, director of the Sleep Disorders Center at St. Luke’s Medical Center, addressed the many questions and concerns regarding sleep from the eager attendees.
The special guests were businessman and triathlete Ernie Lopez, who looked dashing dressed like David Beckham, and our very own traffic stopper and marathon runner, Tessa Prieto-Valdes.
Being one of only two products in the world certified with the space tech seal, Tempur was originally developed for NASA, the US space agency.
The three unique styles of Tempur’s new mattress line was presented.
The Cloud mattress has a soft surface, giving one the feel of sleeping on a cloud. The Sensation is for those who prefer the traditional, bouncy feel of a spring mattress. Lastly, the Original mattress is a perfect combination of softness and firmness.
All three mattresses have the capability of fully supporting the neck, back and shoulders, palanggas.
The fun part was seeing Ernie in bed with six beautiful women, an experience to behold.
(Hey, palanggas, let us pillow-talk. Check out the Tempur store at Greenbelt 5.)
