Inquirer Lifestyle and Samsung Presents Face-Off

Cosmopilitan Manila crowd saw the launch of the Samsung 3D TV at the Inquirer Lifestyle Face-Off last April 19,2010 at the Marriot Hotel in New Port City, Pasay

It was an intertwine of fashion and technology as some of the country's top designers today showcased their work as well.

The designs of Patrice Ramos-Diaz, Ivarluski Aseron, Joey Samson and guest designer Auggie Cordero lined the runway through the night.

Computer-generated images were also projected to highlight the 3D feature of Samsung’s full HD 3D LED television.

It was an awesome display of 3D imagery.

Here's a video of the fashion show:

On the designs, the clothes exuded a variety of sophistication as Ramos-Diaz, Aseron, Samson, and Cordero focused on their individual design styles, niches and details.

Moreover, the three designers were supporting a non-profit organization named Gifts and Graces whereby they designed bags to be crafted by the members of the organization for the benefit of marginalized communities such as the recent “Ondoy” disaster victims.

The following are photos of guests and VIPs  in the event:

*Thanks to Jepoy Bengero for my photo with Tessa Prieto-Valdez (2nd to the last).

The Face-Off event by Inquirer Lifestyle and Samsung highlighted both organizations' reverence for culture, fashion, and the arts.

Kate Torralba Showcases Her Summer Collection with Nestle Fitnesse

Fondly known as KT, designer Kate Torralba shared her resort-ready wearables at the summer soiree “Fitness, Sunshine and Summertime” in partnership with Nestle Fitnesse.

Presenting Kate Torralbas's “Tightly Knit” Summer Collection, it was held earlier this month at the KT Kate Torralba Store at Greenbelt 5.

The intimate fashion show presented brighter colors, new textures and prints, breezy tops and clever cover-ups. It was all about being confident in your summer skin. KT’s fun and eye-catching pieces featured shapely silhouettes in zigzag knits and a pretty summer palette.

View the fashion event video here (more photos below):

Sun, Sand and Silhouettes

Kate Torralba form-fitting pieces encourages shyness to be dropped and instead be confident in a fitness-and- fashion-forward ensemble of sexy little knit dresses, short shorts, and skin-baring tops

Be inspired to get fit and shape up with Nestle Fitnesse 14-day meal plan and bare your summer-ready body in Kate Torralba’s line of summer pieces.

Electrolux Hosts First Midsummer Festival!

Electrolux Philippines celebrated summer with its first ever Midsummer Festival a few weeks ago at Edsa Shangrila Hotel.

Yes, you heard it right, amidst the scorching heat of summer in the Philippines, Electrolux found a cool reason to celebrate it - their two new refrigerator and airconditioner lines.


It was an immersion to the Swedish culture as their heritage celebrates Midsummer as the beginning of summer after a long winter. Flower garlands and wreaths decorates the houses while friends and families gather together in traditional songs and dance around a Midsommarstang or maypole.

And so it was, the ballroom was filled with traditional Maypole dances and other Midsummer rituals as a symbol of Sweden’s important holidays.

Amidst the revelry, the focus of the event was the launching of Electrolux’s two new addition to its cooling line - The new Electrolux refrigerator and airconditioners.

Guests were treated to fresh strawberries (a traditional Midsummer fare), straight from inside the new Electrolux refrigerator to showcase how it retains the food's original flavors and freshness.

Moreover, the Electrolux airconditioners were also unveiled in the middle of the ballroom. It's features emphasized an environment-friendly aspect in addition to cooling.

There were also other Electrolux appliances showcased during the event:

“The summer we are facing is predicted to be one of the hottest yet so we believe that these two products designed to keep users refreshed in different ways will really resonate with Filipino families. Pure and cool air and fresh food from our new products will go a long way to make this summer more comfortable and enjoyable.” said Malu Estaris, Electrolux Philippines General Manager.

Both products were said to focus on Electrolux’s “Thinking of You” philosophy concentrating on consumer’s needs, from product development and design to logistics and services.

New Sporty Mazda6 Launched at Manila International Auto Show

Mazda levels up the bar in sporty styling as they launched the new Mazda 6 in the recent Manila International Auto Show last week.

The 2010 Mazda6 edition has evolved by highlighting its strengths and enhancing its safety performance and environmental compatibility.

“The Mazda6 exudes all the sportiness expected of a Mazda model coupled with an even stronger premium identity," said Steven Tan, Vice-president for Sales and Marketing, Mazda Philippines.

Dynamic and Sporty Designs

The exterior design, based on a “bold and exquisite” concept, reflects Japanese aesthetics. Mazda reflected the new family face into the exterior design with the pre-facelift Mazda6’s frontal appearance. They adopted classier designs visible from the headlamps and rear combination lamps. Other parts were chrome-plated and made corrosion-resistant. The cockpit had higher-legibility meters and easier-to-use steering-wheel switches.

Exteriors

The new front view had strong lines that flow from the front grille to the A-pillars and forms that extend horizontally along the foglamp bezels from the bottom of the lower grille.

Furthermore, the lower grille lines going to the fenders each incorporate a subtle highlight along the bottom edge of the foglamp bezel.

 The Mazda6 R grade has a new headlamp design that accommodates a newly swivel-capable Adaptive Front lighting System. The position lamp has a sharp wing-type shape that abuts the edge of the headlamp, and the entire inner bezel is chrome-plated.

The side view includes newly designed 18-inch aluminum wheels with bold, strong-looking spokes. Each pre-facelift 17-inch wheel weighs 10.46kg, but each new 18-inch wheel is 0.16kg lighter at 10.3kg.

The 4 body colors are Clear Water Blue Metallic (new), Sunlight Silver Metallic, Black Mica, and Crystal White Pearl Mica.

Interior Design

Mazda replaced silver paint with a smooth, glossy, deep-looking piano-black coating on the centre stack. The climate-control and audio dials, the shift lever, the parking-brake knob, and the inner door handles have high-durability chrome plating.

The yaw-rate gain after small steering inputs during straight-line driving is lower than it is with the pre-facelift Mazda6.

Mazda carried forward the high-mount double-wishbone front suspension and the multi-link rear suspension with increased mounting rigidity of the hubs and changed the alignment of the recesses in the bushes on the crossmember.

Under the body, Mazda added plate-type deflectors beside the horseshoe-shape front tire deflectors and extended the front lip spoiler.

The MZR 2.5 inline-four, DOHC, 16-valve engine is distinguished by compactness and efficiency.

Enhanced Active Safety, Refined Comfort and Convenience

The Mazda6 offers world-class safety, as exemplified by a five-star overall rating (the highest available) under the system adopted by the European New Car Assessment Program in 2009.

Offered at an MSRP of PhP1,680,000, the New Mazda6 also provides its riders with in-cabin entertainment through a Bose® Audio System that comes with a 6-Disc In-Dash CD, MP3, WMA Tuner, and Audio Jack with 8 Speakers.The new Mazda6 comes with Dual Zone Electronic Automatic Temperature Control as well front and rear sensors.

Here are some more photos from the Manila International Auto Show:

Check www.mazda.com.ph or Mazda dealerships nearest you: Mazda Alabang, Mazda Greenhills, Mazda Makati, Mazda Quezon Avenue, Mazda Batangas, Mazda Cebu, and Mazda Pampanga.

Manila International Auto Show (MIAS) 2010 A Success

This year's Manila International Auto Show (MIAS) bade another success as car buyers, enthusiasts, and  premiere auto makers gathered last April 15-18 in the annual gathering at the World Trade Center in Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City.

On its 6th year, Manila Auto Show opened with this year’s theme: “Crossing Boundaries.”
MIAS served as one of the best venues for good car deals where you can immediately compare prospective purchases.

It also hosted competitions for custom and classic cars and motorbikes. Exhibits included vintage cars, bikes, classic and new-generation Mini Coopers and Chevrolet’s Cruze Touring Car. A second-generation solar car called SIKAT, following SINAG and again produced by DLSU, was also on display.

The Manila International Auto Show Custom and Classic Car competition Best of Show winner also got tickets for two to the Malaysian Formula 1. A photo competition was also organized by Nikon. Highlight of the event is Russ Swift, the precision driver best known for his tight J-turns and stunts.

"MIAS is the Philippines’ biggest motor show in terms of visitor count, cars on display, and exhibitors – a world automotive exhibition held every summer since 2005."

For more information on Manila International Auto Show (MIAS) 2010, e-mail at info@manilaautoshow.com.

Fitness First's Lose Big Program Encourages Targetted Wieght Loss

The recent Asia reality series 'The Biggest Loser Asia' proved that weight loss and getting fitter bodies is still possible in whatever you weigh you are in.

With that inspiration, Fitness First introduces its very own Lose Big Program. It's weight loss program specially designed by Biggest Loser Asia Blue Team Trainer and Fitness First Asia’s Regional Fitness Manager Dave Nuku.

 “The program is designed to cater to a certain weight class and the lifestyle they live.” says Nuku.

The Lose Big Program is a 13-week exercise and nutrition weight loss group-workout program that specially caters to people who have the will and desire to lose the weight but need initial guidance and structure. It is open to both Fitness First members and non-members.

The program will consist of two teams of eight participants with a qualified trainer leading each group. The intensive program encourages participants to achieve their goals with people of the same needs and motivations.

 “Most people who want to lose weight have the desire but not the exercise program appropriate to their weight class and needs which is why they do not lose the weight. With the Lose Big Program, these needs are addressed, ensuring significant weight loss and a healthy lifestyle,” added Nuku.

It is divided into four phases which would test one’s courage, determination, maintenance of momentum, and control of one’s body and weight. At the end of the 13-week program, participants would be able to plan their own fitness regimen.

The Big Lose Programme

Qualified participants must have a BMI of 25 and above or a body fat of 35% and above to be able to join as the program is designed for that weight class.

 “Fitness First continues to give people the opportunity to be healthy and fit individuals by giving them programs that are best suited for them.” said Mark Ellis, Country Manager, Fitness First Philippines.

Fitness Firt Philippines Country Manager Mark Ellis and Carlos Miguel

Celebrity Ruby Rodriguez was part of the 'The Biggest Loser Asia'

The Lose Big Program is now available in selected Fitness First clubs on a first-come, first-served basis. For inquiries call 848 0000 or visit www.fitnessfirst.com.ph. Lose Big on weight, gain much on confidence! :)