LEO ALMODAL Does Nature Inspired Show at OKADA

Leo Almodal is no stranger to couture gowns and suits. I've seen several pieces he's put out with some celebrities in events I've been... and covered. This time, it's his grand 65 piece collection that he's showcasing at Okada's Grand Ballroom. Sure enough, he didn't disappoint onlookers with jaw dropping gowns worn by some of Manila's most gorgeous models, beauty queens and celebrities.

If you didn't get to catch the show, as always, KUMAGCOW.COM has it covered. Please, enjoy!

Leo's fashion show was obviously nature inspired, with exquisite couture pieces right from the start. You'll see how he tries to outdo his first creation with another one, equally merging earth, sea and air elements with flowy, fluffy textile adorned with crystals and gems at front and back.

We were also surprised with the participation of the sultry and talented actress Sanya Lopez. Max Collins was also fitting to open the show, I didn't really recognize her until her second outfit because everything looked ethereal, they looked like goddesses walking on the runway.

Aside from them, Arci Munoz, Ara Mina, Herlene Budol, Drag Race PH Winner Captivating Katkat, beauty queens Jamie Herrell, Michelle Gomez, Gazini Ganados, Yllana Marie Aduana, Maureen Montagne, Emma Tiglao, Jennifer Lloyd, Tracy Maureen Perez, Ingrid Sta. Maria, Krishna Marie Gravidez and Ghene Latugat showcased more of the gowns in different parts of the show. Several noted models carried them all so well, we all drooled from start to finish.

 I do agree with the producer when she mentioned that Leo Almodal is a genius. This collection has shown how talented this Filipino designer is, and seeing that this will also be done in other countries (as we speak) will be fitting as he gives only the best in his designs. You should take note of the Blue Sea Slug like gown, the Gold one that opened the show and the Red Rose colored one before the end of the show. Those are standouts, and my personal favorites!

Congratulations on doing this heavenly show Leo! After seeing all these, I'd be honored to wear a suit from you! 

IKEA is Looking For Models, It Could Be You!

The world's biggest IKEA is set to open in the Philippines and what better way to keep the excitement rolling but to get YOU involved. See, IKEA is about to produce a magazine featuring Filipinos on the cover. What's good is that they're looking for FIVE Families, Friends, Individuals that would be on the printed and digital version of the magazine. It will contain not just the brand's milestones, but also inspiration on design that you could also follow. That model they're looking for, could be you.

The family can be the run of the mill Dad, Mom and kids, but it can also be multi generation, LGBT, or any kind of family there is. Well, aside from the usual fun, you'll get Php 30,000 worth of IKEA shopping vouchers to get your dream items from the store. Make sure you like their official channels because they'll also announce the winners there. If you want to audition, CLICK HERE and follow the directions on how to apply.

Don't say I didn't tell you! Because I just did.

A Legacy: Jing Monis and M Barbers

Joey Mead and Phoemela Barranda hosted the event

Had a wonderful evening with celebrities and friends of Jing Monis, hair guru and stylist to the stars. He's been in the industry for 25 years and has been the trusted person to take care of A list celebrities, influencers and models in the industry. I personally was a little happy to meet a person of his stature. I know some of the photographers he's worked with and they're all great. 

He's also helped a ton of models, sponsored quite a number so they could get where they are. He's also donned magazines, countless editorials and have already drawn praises from the who's who of the industry.

This evening was special because he's bringing in something new, his personal baby of sorts. I like it a LOT because I live nearby and with the way things are going in this community, we need a special place to take care of our hair without all the fuzz and fancy. Go for a more mom and pop shop, that cool barbershop feel, and he calls it M Barbers.

He showed us how it is through a fashion show, ready?

Chasing Huawei Hotspot Hotties

Had fun a few weeks ago as Huawei had us chase around Huawei Hotspot Hotties at the Mall of Asia in Pasay City. Sexy vixens and good looking men started walking around the mall and we were given the task to spot them. They were carrying access points and the guys had the passwords so we could get connected to the internet, which means we also had to talk to them in some way. I was looking forward to capture them all in one photo so I did not get to walk around anymore and just stayed in the new Huawei store in the Cyberzone at the left wing of the mall. It's right on top of the SM Hypermarket's building so you wouldn't really miss it.

Aside from the hotties, there were three other stars of the show. One was the Flash LTE Pocket Wifi, the Spark Pocket Wifi and the Lightning LTE CPE Router. The FLASH has LTE speeds of up to 150 Mbps and upload of 50 Mbps and can accommodate up to 10 devices. The SPARK on the other hand is 3G capable and can run 21 Mbps but is small in form. You can have it run up to 6 hours because it's 1500 mAh and turn on very fast! The router on the other hand is LTE capable, but can get you 32 devices connected. It's also got Gigabit ports so if you're into wired ones, this can perfectly work in your favor. I bet it's even better with SMART as your network provider (of course!).

Here it is on video!

#HuaweiHotspotHotties #ExperienceHuawei Event at the Mall of Asia Cyberzone
Posted by Kumagcow on Sunday, December 6, 2015

The SPARK costs Php 1,890, the FLASH costs Php 3,990 and the LIGHTNING is Php 5,330. It's affordable and if you're always mobile, the thing can be always ON. That's the only thing you can expect with Huawei these days, they're just humble LOL!

For more information about their products:

Huawei

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Visit their official website

http://consumer.huawei.com/en/

SmartSAT: Smart's New Satellite Phones and Services

When disaster strikes, are you prepared? Are you really ready for the big one?

Well, we got schooled about that a few days ago when Smart hooked us up for an Emergency Management Center Workshop at the New World Hotel in Makati City. The Philippines belong in the Pacific Ring of Fire where a large number of volcanic eruptions, earthquakes and Typhoons take place every year. During Typhoon Yolanda, the provinces of Samar and Leyte suddenly became disconnected from the rest of the Philippines. There weren't any infrastructure that was left standing in some parts of the province and people had no idea what happened in different places. It was like the blind leading the blind. It was a realization, that sometimes, the worst could actually happen. Without communication, it was hard to asses the situation, it was hard to find people, it was hard to look and send help.

Eventually, we were able to get through that hardship, and we learned quite a lot about the essentials, what to do in case we were in that situation. We also got the 214 on Satellite Phones and how much the services cost when you get it through Smart SAT.

These are two phones, one is the SatSleeve which have compatible phone sizes for iPhone 5, iPhone 5S and Samsung S4. The other one is a Thuraya XT, manufactured by a mobile satellite communications company with the same name who partnered with the biggest network in the Philippines SMART Communications. The SatSleeve can last a total of 36 hours (in standby time) and the Thuraya XT on the other hand can last up to 80 hours (in standby time) which means you can use it for days when disaster strikes and communication bogs down. From the looks of the coverage area, I think the only one they didn't include is the US (although some island territories are), north and south America, the north and south pole (Artic and Antartic with some bodies of water). You can check the list of countries here.

It costs Php 38,500 which is already pre-loaded with 225 units which is about Php 10,000 worth of airtime credits. The credits expire in a year and you have to top up credits again so your number won't expire. You can also get this cash or at 0% interest if you have credit cards with their partner banks on 12/24 month installments. If you think about it, it almost costs the same as the normal smartphones today. Good news is, it's perfect for travelers because the call and text rates on these prepaid phones cost way cheaper than roaming rates plus you can get credits in different denominations like 35 units = Php 1,575.00, 100 units = Php 4,500.00, 250 units = Php 11,250.00. You may check out information about SmartSAT Plans here for more information.   

They also have docks, Thuraya IP+ (which is a mobile data and satellite terminal for Internet!), solar panels that can get your gadgets on even in the most difficult situations. That's living the Smart Life!

P.S. Oh by the way, this was also the instance where I met one of my blog idols Ms. Tina Tagle. Unfortunately you won't get to read her previous blogs (which were super cool btw!) but she writes now at her new site and jewelry design haven She Did It Anyway aka Willow Jewelry. I don't know how to tell you why, but just by reading her entries in the past, I've grown to love her and all her kids. She was even prettier in person! Totally, I turned into a fanboy right there (I kept telling my seatmates when I saw her enter the room!). Also to Ms. C (of Chuvaness.com), it was an awesome time to connect and talk with you again! I'm sure there will be another time! Hopefully real soon!

For more information about their services:

Smart Communications

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Visit their official website

http://smart.com.ph/satellite/

Sean O'Pry X Penshoppe Denimlab Fashion Show

Last night was awesome! (well that's two days ago!) We saw Penshoppe's newest endorser Sean O' Pry finally on the runway. This happened in the Function Room 4 of SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia in Pasay City. In attendance were Penshoppe's CEO Bernie Liu, their VP Alice Liu, their sons, fashionistas, celebrities and Sean O'Pry's fans. Jeff Bascon, Penshoppe's Brand Director said a few words before the start of the show. This year has been great for them and the pieces we were about to see he said is part of the Penshoppe Denim Lab collection and added that it was going to be special with Sean O'Pry on the helm. This guy is very humble, he took time to shake our hands one by one during the press conference (as seen on my Penshoppe post here) and I get why he's still adored by many even after his great stint in the Taylor Swift and Madonna video. I wasn't just the one excited because I could hear the screaming fans on this three runway platform they prepared for us. Shall we start?

It was dark and even from afar, people could already see Sean O'Pry in the center of the runway.

When the lights came on, Sean here wore denim shorts, gray striped sweater with green sleeves.