New Store In SM Megamall Fashion Hall: GIORDANO concepts

Off the posh hallways of Megamall's new Fashion Hall is an addition to the great brand that we Filipinos loved all these years, this is GIORDANO concepts. We've already got them as staple on shirts and other garments but they have particularly leveled up a notch as they introduce this more premium brand that will cater to executives, yuppies and those who want a more luxurious line of clothing. Fact is, they've taken those well designed products from Korea and introducing them through this one, pretty cool right?

Their vision: is to provide consumers like us a more upmarket brand or kind of Giordano that still presents casual attires and shows a "less is more" retail approach that will be attractive to a more high end buyers.This innovation will make  majority of its collection in modern black, whites, grey and monochromes but still make it available in a large variety of styles. This approach and attitude will provide a more upscale, dreamy line which will be very much at par with other international brands like Armani, Polo by Ralph Lauren and Lacoste. They can even be greater for some of the items I've seen in the store. Start spending.

I love the colors. Even if they are getting a little adventurous, the collared shirts and tshirts are proving to be quite classy; plus the materials are obviously a wee bit thicker than usual without compromising comfort. It's soft on the skin and primarily cotton based. I think I've already seen their market, mostly professionals who want to splurge on more luxurious things. Like some execs in my office who only seldom shop but invests in more classy clothing. Nothing wrong with that because you only deserve the best if you've worked hard for your money. Getting what's worth every cent is the key.

Since it's the first GIORDANO concepts store in the Philippines, what great way to start the day with some of the Philippine's brightest stars and personalities. You might recognize some of them :)

Giordano's Chairman and CEO Peter Lau was there and was pretty happy that aside from the regular Giordano stores, there's Giordano concepts now in the Philippines. He's promising that they will bring more high end products to the Philippines through Giordano concepts. It'll be easy he laments and seeing the celebrities who already enjoyed the clothing, they are sure that the most discriminating Filipino consumer will make this the better choice when it comes to premium clothing.

Giordano concepts partnered with Preview magazine's stylists so they can experiment with the celebrities who went to the store that afternoon. They did a swell job and got the mostly seriously dressed wear a relaxed upscale outfit which all came from the Giordano concepts store.

Just ask the good looking host of Midnight Snack and model Mikael Daez. He brightened up the room with his chiseled facial features and winning smile. He also donned Giordano concepts shirts later on in the evening. Twa's nice meeting you again :)

My friend Ruth aka Ruthilicious of http://www.ruthdelacruz.com/ also enjoyed her time with model Brent Javier. He's cute as a button and he's dapper on this bit, then he wore some of the collared shirts later on as he was dressed up by Preview's style team. Effortless.

The people are as equally hot as the clothes in Giordano concepts and judging from what I've seen in the store, there are some items that I really like especially the long sleeved shirts and accessories on the other tables. If you want to check out what classy stuff they have in the store, please do give them a visit at the 3rd Floor Fashion Hall in SM Megamall. They are open the same with mall hours so you better give them a visit.

I'm shopping there tomorrow :)

For more information about their stores:

Giordano Philippines

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Visit their official website

http://www.giordano.com.ph

Greenwich Creamy Carbonara Pasta and "PinyaExagge" Hawaiian Overload Pizza!

Celebrating delicious friendship in my home calls for only one thing, that's pizza and pasta that's got the Greenwich brand on the box! Just this weekend, I had one of the most interesting surprise in the form of their new products; and its accompaniment of an explosion of superior flavors. One is the new Greenwich Hawaiian Overload Pizza and the other is their Creamy Carbonara Pasta!

The Greenwich Hawaiian Overload Pizza is a Hawaiian Pizza lovers dream! This one's got tons and tons and tons of sweet, tangy and juicy pineapples, an overwhelming layer of cheddar and mouth watering mozzarella cheese, mildly spiced ham, meat bits and fresh, crunchy bell peppers that everyone loves! I had to make sure I save some for other family members because I almost ate it all!

You might think this is like the ordinary Hawaiian Pizza you usually get but NO. It's OVERLOADED with the best ingredients and you can only get it when you dial 55555 in Metro Manila or by visiting their stores nationwide!

As if it wasn't enough, they also had me wishing for more because they paired it up with Greenwich's Creamy Carbonara Pasta! 

It's comfort food at it's finest form. Think of al dente spaghetti with thick, rich cream, and bits of bacon plus a layer or more of grated sharp parmesan cheese all over! I could just imagine you drooling over that at only P 79.00. If you are imagining a perfect weekend, they threw in a Home Alone 3 DVD for me so I did the best thing and sat down seriously and get myself plan a mission of my own while in the comforts of my living room. If that isn't a well rested day, I don't know what is.

For the best pizza, pasta, and a happy tummy you can head over www.greenwich.com.ph to check out their stores near you. Best of all, the Greenwich Hawaiian Overload pizza is sold for P 99.00 in its solo size. That's a quick bite done right. Word of warning though, it is highly addictive and will make you ask for more. Make sure you consume it immediately when you get it (because it's cream remember?) or if you plan to save it for later, refrigerate it. Baddabing, baddaboom!

For more details check out their channels below :)

For more information about their stores:

Greenwich Pizza

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Visit their official website

http://www.greenwich.com.ph/

Dreams Get Real Talent Search Will Hold Weekly Eliminations In SM Malls

Remember my article here? Well, they just informed me that they will hold the official weekly eliminations in SM Malls. It will start this March in various in Metro Manila, Southern Luzon, and Central Luzon.

The weekly elimination rounds are scheduled to run on SM Center Las Pinas Event Center on March 2, SM City Masinag Mall Atrium on March 9, SM City Clark on March 16, SM City Calamba Event Center on March 23 and SM Manila on March 30. Various students from colleges and universities will have to churn out the best kind of music in order to win and advance to the next round.

Remember, the grand champion of the Dreams Get Real talent search will receive a cash prize worth P50,000 from McJim Classic Leather. They will also have a full recording and management contract plus a grant to record a single and release their own music video. The Dreams Get Real competition accepts all male solo, duo, band, or group music acts composed of students that are 15 to 25 years old currently enrolled from any college or university. They also must make sure that they are not under any recording or management contract so they can get in. For more details about the mechanics, please check my earlier post linked above or click on one of their social channels below.

We wish you all the luck! This might be the start of your career, so join now! :)

For more information about their contest:

Official McJIM

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Visit their official website

http://www.mcjimleather.com/

7107 International Music Festival Live Blog!

Hi sports fans! We're live blogging from the 7107 grounds and yes, it's looking so good from where I am. We listened in to Mike Pio Roda this morning and he's quite happy with the turnout. Around 70-80 percent sold, plus more if you count in today and tomorrow's sales. He's also ecstatic that handful of people are coming in and helping too; some who also arrived from nearby countries in the Asia Pacific region. He knows everyone's excited to watch Kaskade tonight and adds that it's pretty hard to benchmark their success this early because it is afterall their first year. To answer some of the funding controversies some online sites made days before, it's simple... bank loans made some of the funds for this festival, and that's private. 

The Asteroids Galaxy Tour was a treat to watch. We had our eyes glued to their vocalist Mette Lindberg. She was awesome. The melodic funky tunes they dished out really made us dance quite a bit. We didn't mind if there were other people because they were apparently dancing too. They were that good. 

Over at the media tent we had popular hiphop artist Kid Ink. This is also Kid Ink's first time in the Philippines and they're excited to see what kind of crowd they'll be having. Fans should expect a lot of interaction and energy. They want the new situation (being in this festival) because they're used to performing in clubs and solo shows. Working with other bands is likely not a usual thing for them, so they want to experience how it is to be here and do just that. 

Brit band NATIVES arrived a bit earlier, they've already started looking around and planning to stick around in the festival grounds today. The band just came in from a short trip to Boracay and was quite surprised that the culture and people were just amazing. Andy, Ashley, Greg, Jack and Jim all had Tapa for breakfast, experienced Jollibee's CHAMP which was tasty. They'll return the favor and play for the crowd today, that's a promise!

Will try and see if we can blog a little later when we get to meet the other artists performing at the 7107 International Music Festival.

Ciao! :) 

KUMAGCOW

http://www.kumagcow.com

Showing Contemporary Art Strength: ART FAIR PHILIPPINES 2014

If you have missed last year's exhibit that garnered rave reviews and unprecedented international attention, ART FAIR PHILIPPINES is happening again in the 6th and 7th floor of The Link in Makati. It's right beside Makati Shangrila and The Landmark mall. They converted the parking lot into a full blown museum cum art installation venue where world class Filipino artists and other worldly designers converge and show what art is all about.

I've seen some pieces from Manila's best showrooms and even world famous Christie's setting up a live auction where audiences from around the world would get to bid on some of the items in the exhibit. Here's a small peek from my visit this afternoon so you can get a glimpse of what they have there: 

For those who want to see the exhibit, it just started and will run from February 20 to 23, 2014. FYI, there are some good ol Amorsolo's and other private collections on the event that I wasn't able to take shots of because of its artful sanctity. The guards even made me nervous. Heck if you miss to see those, you'll probably never see them again. Makati students are free too I hear so please, take time to visit the lot and see what ART FAIR PHILIPPINES 2014 has in store for you! 

For more information about their stores:

Art Fair Philippines

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Visit their official website

http://www.artfairphilippines.com

Rachelle Ann Go's Send Off Concert: February 22!

Ms. Rachelle Anne Go will be leaving the country for her 14 month stint at London's West End to be art of the long awaited remake of Miss Saigon. She'll be playing the part of bar girl "Gigi" in the said play. Before she leaves, she'll be staging a concert entitled "Miss Rachelle The Send Off Concert" this February 22 at the Meralco Theater. This is also to celebrate her 10th successful year in show business. It was my first time to see her in the flesh and I find her really charming. In the concert, she mentions that you'll also be seeing her journey in this industry laid about in songs. She'll also include a repertoire that will also tell the story on how she ended up in theater so you'll probably see songs from Broadway in the show.

She also says the number of rock, revivals and OPM songs that she've sung all these years paid off when she finally made it to Miss Saigon. She freaked out a little bit when she got the email from the West End production and immediately said yes when the role was offered to her. She felt all her harships paid off because it's her dream to be part of Miss Saigon.

Rachelle also says she's already had a few workshops here and plans to also have some more lessons in London. She also adds that she might need to spend a few hours in school and finish something for herself when advised by other Filipina actresses who did the same. She also is a little afraid because she'll be alone in London all throughout her stay. She's excited though because she'll get to visit the country in a different light when rehearsals are done. It's going to be 2 months of grueling practice for them starting March. She'll also participate in a charity concert late February for victims of Typhoon Haiyan together with other West End staged productions and shows.

Congratulations Rachelle Ann Go! You are doing the country proud!

She will also have Erik Santos, Christian Bautista, Mark Bautista and Ms. Regine Velasquez. Addlib Dance Crew will be also performing with her on stage. This is going to be one nostalgic night of songs and performances. Make sure you get your tickets at TicketWorld Manila 891-9999 or visit their website at www.ticketworld.com.ph.

For more information about her concert:

Cornerstone Talents

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Visit their official website

http://www.cornerstonetalents.net

Video: Philippines Opens for International Pyrolympics

The Philippine International Pyromusical Competition started yesterday and we were there to witness two countries as they start the event that will last until March 22, 2014. To open up, it is logical to have the host country sport something that would showcase how they fare against the others. That also is done so that they know what they are going up against in the Philippines. I have been able to catch on my phone what happened last night but this is a little raw. Had to upload it sooner so you get to have interest what to expect in the next few weeks. Get ready for Platinum Fireworks Inc. representing the Philippines!

Now isn't that nice? If you missed it, don't worry! The schedule is on my previous post. This happens every Saturday 7PM in the evening for the first country and 8PM for the next. See you there!

For more information about their event:

Pyro Philippines

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Visit their official website

http://www.pyrophilippines.com

The 5th Philippine International Pyromusical Competition

Sparks will literally fly again on skies of Manila as the 5th installment of 2014 Philippine International Pyromusical Competition happens at the SM Mall of Asia grounds this February 15, 2014!

It's the most awaited show every year and we haven't run out of participants from first world countries yet. Australia, Spain, United Kingdom, France, Japan, China, Germany, Finland, Canada and the United States of America will all be there represented by individual firework companies to provide the right amount of shock and awe that Filipinos have definitely been a fan of since this started.

Don't worry! We'll be well represented at the event because the Philippines will be doing an opening salvo courtesy of Platinum Fireworks Incorporated. We will be showing off our best at strict international standards to show them why we've been winning other Pyromusic festivals elsewhere too!

Bring your family, friends and loved ones later - and until the succeeding Saturdays until March 22, 2014 so you can be part of this BIG celebration of what is the Philippine International Pyromusical Competition! Explosion starts at 7PM and the next country will be there at 8PM. I'll be there later to shoot so see you! :)

For more information about their stores:

Philippine International Pyromusical Competition

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Visit their official website

http://www.pyrophilippines.com

The Crumpler and Philippine Airlines TravelTour Expo 2014 Rewards!

This is how Philippine Airlines celebrated valentine's day!

Something sweet and giving happened yesterday and will last until the 16th of February 2014.

World renowned bag and accessory brand Crumpler will be at the annual Traveltour Expo 2014 happening at the SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia  in Pasay City. It's the country's largest and most awaited travel exposition of the year. It's now on its 21st year and it has established a strong following since it's the place where you can only get the best travel and hotel deals. Crumpler Philippines has partnered with national flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) to offer once in a lifetime exclusive privileges for patrons at the expo. Any purchase of an international ticket entitles customers to an automatic 30% discount on any Crumpler bag purchase. This also happens the same when you purchase a domestic ticket as it gets you 20% discount on the same bags and accessories instead. Now isn't that amazing?

As if that wasn't a big deal, all Mabuhay Miles members will enjoy an additional 20% Crumpler discounts on top of the ticket purchase promo by just presenting their membership cards or a copy of the promo email letter sent by Philippine Airlines. That means you can get almost 50% off on your purchase if you get an international ticket, if that ain't a great deal I don't know what would be a nice one right?

Go rush to the SMX Convention Center and avail those BIG discounts on the Philippine Traveltour Expo 2014 courtesy of our good friends from Philippine Airlines. I'll be there later! :D

For more information about their promos:

Fly PAL

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Visit their official website

http://www.philippineairlines.com

Excellence in Sound: Move S Wired by NudeAudio

It was Green, perfectly paired to my current bed covers so I gave it a stunning portrait. It was another gadget at the palm of my hand and honestly, I'm already loving it! On looks alone, this portable wired speaker was so good that my friends and family kept on bugging me and asking to even buy it from me. I politely said no so I could unbox the little square one for you guys. Now isn't that nice? :)

The promise of having it connected to almost any other gadget with a 3.5mm jack was a treat, but do you see that mark just below it? Yes, that is true. You'll have 8 hours of pure unadulterated entertainment with this small squared wonder. Given it's small size, you wouldn't believe how much sound and bass it actually produces even with music from my iPhone 5, iPhone 5S and iPod Shuffle.

I was so surprised when I got it to play a couple of tracks. With the high bass requirement on some of my Electronic Dance Music albums, I've never thought that something would be able to cope with it. If I wasn't looking at the thing when it played, I would have mistaken this to be like a 300 dollar brand of speakers (no joke!). Plus the material on this rut looks indestructible. It was made to hit surfaces, get bumped, scratched and develop minor contusions if you hit somebody with it. 

The good sound must have been caused by this. If you've got great engineering done on the container that surrounds the actual piece that emits the sound, you'll have bigger and bolder music. I felt every single beat on my bass. I was contented with it, well no, let me rephrase that... I was astounded by it's performance and had to check with other gadgets if it performed the same. It wasn't a fluke, it was real and I'm digging it. Built to last outdoors, pocket sized and sound quality is divine, how can you go wrong with that?