Golden ABC and Bernie Liu *

Golden ABC is the mother company behind fashion brands: Penshoppe, Oxygen, Forme, Memo, Regatta, Tyler and its direct selling subsidiary Red Logo.

Golden ABC, Inc. was established in Cebu, Philippines in 1986.

Fueled by the vision of being the most admired Asian fashion brands company, Golden ABC, Inc. creates and sells its own ready-to-wear clothing and accessory lines. These are produced, marketed and retailed under a fast-growing, dynamic family of brands: Penshoppe, Oxygen, Forme, Memo, Regatta, Tyler and its direct selling subsidiary Red Logo.

President and CEO Bernie Liu has always been an entrepreneur. Under his leadership, Penshoppe, Oxygen, and Memo have achieved Hall of Fame status for Retailer of the Year.

In 2000, he received the Agora Award for Outstanding Achievement in Entrepreneurship from the Philippine Marketing Association, and in 2001 became one of the Ten Most Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) awardees for Entrepreneurship and was later awarded Entrepreneur of the Year by the Grand Chamber Awards of the Cebu Chamber of Commerce. He also won the 2007 Go Negosyo Most Inspiring Entrepreneur.

In spite of his business success, Bernie understands his role in corporate citizenship and makes a conscious effort to fulfill this.  He is the current Chair of the Philippine Retailers Association (PRA) and its immediate past President. Mr. Liu is also a licensed architect and is a graduate of Harvard School’s Owner/President post-graduate program. 

Golden ABC and Fashion Brands

 *Write up is based on press release

Cosmo Manila congratulates Golden ABC on it's 25 years in business this 2011! :)

Fashion Seminar: Meet The Mentors, Learn from the Masters

Check out this Meet the Mentors Series I organized byAsian Institute of Fashion. It features Lulu Tan-Gan, the Queen of Knits, and Robi Lolin, Master Illustrator and Head of F&H's Creative Team.

Fashionistas are invited on September 3, 2011 to be held at the iAcademy building from 10am to 12nn.

Lulu Tan-Gan and Robi Lolin will share their experiences in fashion with the theme of "Fashion in Practice." This is for Asian Institute of Fashion's 1st Meet the Mentors Series.

"Fashion in Practice by Lulu Tan-Gan and Robi Lolin. Hailed as the "Queen of Knits", Lulu Tan-Gan, has been a force in Philippine fashion both as a fashion icon and designer. In the first “Meet the Mentors” series, Lulu together with Robi Lolin, Master Illustrator and Head of Folded and Hung's Creative Team, uncovers the fashion industry with their talk 'Fashion in Practice.'" - indicated in the FB event details

Meet the Mentors Series 1: Lulu Tan-Gan and Robi Lolin

Asian Institute of Fashion @ iACADEMY is at iACADEMY Building, 6764 Ayala Avenue.Register here!

This is an open and free event for the public. Meet the Mentors Series 1: Lulu Tan-Gan and Robi Lolin!

GSM Blueniversity: Drikning Can Be Educational

It's not just another excuse for drinking, seriously. :) GSM Blueniversity has been going around different colleges around the country to educate citizenry in the right age in interesting ways of GSM Blue mixes.

When GSM Blue launched Blueniversity, the idea is to create an 'educational' environment at various student hangouts where they could just enjoy themselves.

About two months ago, GSM Blueniversity sponsored a similar gathering for  bloggers called the “Mixology Seminar” held at Capone’s Bistro, Makati City.

G.S.M. Blue’s Bluniversity fueled the night with lots of drinks and fun with the leading flair-tending champions in the country - Erwyn Unigo (Champion, Professional Division GASM Flair Idol 2007) and Derick De Borja (1st Runner Up, Professional Division GASM Flair Idol).

Erwyn Unigo

Derick De Borja

Eduardo Zamora

  

They concocted personalized cocktail drinks such as Martini to the tune of  “Working Flair,“ "Watta! Watta!", and "Baragatan Blue Mix"!

At the end of the night Toma Cum Laudes ages 18 and above (Philippine legal age of drinking) were identified and given prizes by GSM Blueuniversity Dean Jayce C. Perlas.

Overall, it was a good night of flair-tending and learning drink mixing in a fun and clean way.

Check more about GSM Blue and GSM Blueniversity in their Facebook pages http://www.facebook.com/gsmbluegin and http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000666777214, respectively.

Catch more of GSM Blue's Blueniversity in different campuses throughout the year. Watch out as well for this year’s FLAIR IDOL!

Gran Prix Experience of Convenience and Coziness

Do you know where to hop and stay for a while when traveling? Or even after your friend's party? Check out Gran Prix Hotel in Quezon City, a comfy and easy access econotel!

Coziness

Gran Prix Hotel Quezon City welcome transients or tourists to their furnished rooms including individually controlled air-conditioning unit, colored TV with cable and remote control,  private toilet with hot and cold shower, multi-functional telephone system with radio clock, safety deposit boxes, and electronic key-card entry system. Even group of friends can stay and enjoy with their barkada bedroom. And who's saying no to massage service?!

Convenience
Gran Prix Hotel Quezon City offers complimentary continental breakfast with daily newspaper aside. You can also relax in their lobby lounge. This hotel is located in the center of Metro Manila. And having that ideal location, you can stroll to anywhere you want. And hey, Araneta Center is just in the ballpark!

Experience
Being one of the Final 6 of BloggerManila.com's Blogger Apprentice, I experienced the comfort and convenience of this econotel. As we entered, the wide-awake guard opened our door as he welcomed us. The receptionist welcomed us, too, with a smile confirming our stay for a night. The service was great! Mark, who assisted us to our rooms made us feel at home. He made all things arranged. The room... the bed... the light, the cold air, it was like you were drifting off to sleep.

"Serbisyong Mabilis, Kwartong Malinis," indeed! It was definitely a great comfy and convenient experience!

Visit Gran Prix website, www.granprixhotels.com, for more info. Or email them at granprixeconotels(at)yahoo(dot)com. You can also stay at their Cebu, Pasay, Tarlac, and Boracay hotels.

*Contributed by Shekinah Armenta
 ('Search for the Blogger Apprentice' participant).

HYD Designer Contestants Readies First Collection

HYD designer contestants recently had a full day photo shoot at the HD Make Up Studio and Academy. The experts in hi-definition (HD) makeup and airbrush in the Philippines was headed by Jeave Gabiana and Christephanie Chua-Sing, co-founders of the academy. 

Jeave Gabiana, a CPA who spent more than 20 years in the corporate world in the Philippines and abroad, decided to veer away from his corporate career and later on founded Basement Academy and became one of the very few in the Philippines who has completed a Diploma Course from Vidal Sassoon Academy in Los Angeles. He personally teaches all our precision cutting courses.

Christephanie Chua-Sing completed her makeup studies at Cinema Makeup School in Hollywood and Professional Airbrush Course from LCE School of Art and Design in Singapore.  She has also completed dual bachelor's degrees in Accountancy and Computer Management. The third person in the team was Mic Alava, a student of both Jeave and Christephanie. The designers and the HYD team were given tips by these professionals on skin care and on the right make up to use appropriate to their styles.

Fashion photographer Christine Day Lorico is known for fabulous photos that tell you various stories. She has done work for newspapers and magazines in the metro.

The photos from the shoot gives you an idea of what to expect from each designer. Expect light and “flowy” designs from Jackie Abueg, a glam rock collection from Marc Blanco, a colorful and feminine collection from Bailey Dava, hip and funky designs from Klart Lim and a comfortable yet opulent collection from Renan Pacson.

Bailey Dava

Marc Blanco

Jackie Abueg

Renan Pacson

Klart Lim

After a successful photo shoot, the Hot Young Designers Fashion Face Off 2011 Designer Contestants started producing their first collection. The first of the three collections will be launched this October1, 2011 at a specially designed eCommerce site for this online competition (HotYoungDesigners.com).

Co-presenter for the Fashion Face Off 2011 is Yabang Pinoy and Juice.ph. Major Sponsors are Giordano, HD Make Up Studio and Academy, Le Bistro Vert, Ever Bilena, Suesh, Lory’s Hair Cream, Baubles, Bangles and Beads, Sheryl Vicente, Strip, Browhaus, Sari-Sari Sounds, DragonPay and Xend. Minor Sponsors are Evita Peroni and Glagla.

Hot Young Designers

For more updates on the Fashion Face Off 2011 and the designer contestants, check out HotYoungDesigners.tumblr.com/ or http://hotyoungdesigners.multiply.com/. For sponsorship inquiries, please contact hotyoungdesigners@gmail.com.

American Eye Center: Care For What You See

With the stress brought about by modern life's pace, having eye problems is not anymore surprising. I experienced mine when I reached the age of mid 30s.Good thing there are specialized eye clinics like American Eye Center

This problem might have come from habits like reading in the dark, washing my face even though I just came from a sleepless night, or long hours in the computer. Now, I'm having a hard time reading small letters or when holding a book too close. I realized that I had to seek help from a professional.

I had gone to several eye clinic and I had my share of several eyeglasses as well. The solution I’m getting seems to be in the short term.

I attended a recent event  with regards to eye care and the latest technology they are offering. The American Eye Center unveiled the most advanced technology for the treatment of nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism --- all using Laser or bladeless LASIK surgery via the WaveLight Refractive Suite.

American Eye Center is a full-service diagnostic, therapeutic and surgical eye facility (DOH & PHIC accredited). It houses the latest diagnostic equipment for the early detection and monitoring of all eye diseases such as Glaucoma, Diabetic Retinopathy and Cataract. 

They shared that the WaveLight Refractive Suite is known as the world’s fastest refractive platform. It combines two of the most advanced lasers currently available for performing LASIK surgery—the  WaveLight EX500, a 500 Hz repetition excimer laser; and the WaveLight FS200, a 200 kHz Femtosecond laser.

With the objective of maintaining leadership and enhancing its services in the eye-care industry, American Eye broke new grounds by acquiring the first-of-its-kind equipment that will reinforce the commitment of American Eye Center to be at par with the global standards of quality and excellence in ophthalmic laser treatment.

According to Dr. Benjamin Cabrera, chief operating officer, and a specialist in Cataract surgery, American Eye Center pioneered many of the globally accepted treatments now widely being used locally. “We are continuing this trend with our investment in the femtosecond technology, because we know that quality and safety must never be compromised when it comes to treating eye conditions,” he added.

Check out American Eye Center for any eye-related problems or needs. Their main office is located at the level 5, Shangri-La Plaza, EDSA cor. Shaw Blvd., Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong City. For inquiries and details, call tel. nos. 636-0762 or 729-EYES (3937) or visit www.eyecenter.com.ph.

*Contributed by Lariza Garcia
 ('Search for the Blogger Apprentice' participant).

20th National Retail Conference and Stores Asia Expo 2011 Soon!

They say there is power in numbers. And the Philippine Retailers Association (PRA) knows that. This coming August 11 & 12, top retailers and industry experts will come together for the 20th National Retail Conference and Stores Asia Expo (NRCE 2011) at the SMX Convention Center.

Looking forward with the theme, “The New Frontier: Taking Retail to the Next Level,” the conference promises to be more daring in uplifting the industry to face upcoming challenges.

I hope that such gatherings can help improve the retail sector. One particular area of concern would probably be the proliferation of counterfeit products or brand copycats. Such illegal practices both hurt the retailers and the consumers who receive substandard products.

Speakers and Topics

Making the conference more interesting is this year’s list of top gun guests such as Ayala Land, Inc President and Management Man of the Year 2009 Antonino Aquino, Mang Inasal Founder Edgar Sia II, and Ma. Elena “Ballsy” Aquino-Cruz who will surely inspire participants and retailers in improving their businesses. Simon Hall (Regional Business Manager of Hongkong-based The Continuity Company), Vicky Belo (President of Belo Medical Group), Cathy Saldana (UAP, International Associate AIA, Managing Director of PDP Architects), Illac Diaz (Executive Director of My Shelter Foundation), and Carole Sarthou (Managing Director of Synovate) will also share their expertise and experiences in retail businesses.

However, the most anticipated will be keynote speaker, Asia Brand Guru and renowned author of “The Brutal Truth about Branding,” Joseph Baladi. Having held senior regional and global brand responsibilities in major global companies such as DMB&B and McCann-Erickson Worldwide handling Procter & Gamble, MARS, Labatt beers and Coca Cola, Baladi is sure to provide thought-provoking insights about Asian branding and what holds prevents it to become great global brands.

20th National Retail Conference and Stores Asia Expo 2011

NRCE 2011 Supporters

The 20th NRCE is supported by the leading Philippine companies including PLDT Alpha Enterprise, SM, Hewlett-Packard, Festival Supermall, Robinsons Malls, Banco de Oro, TCC,RedPrairie, Vinculum Communications, Inc.; Ayala Malls, Eastwood Mall, Araneta Center, and Coca-Cola, among others.

Join over 100 top retail suppliers in exhibit at the NRCE 2011 - 20th National Retail Conference and Stores Asia Expo. Register online at their website here and view the complete 2-day scheduled program here. For more information about the 20th NRCE, visit www.nrceph.com or call PRA at 687-4180/4181 or email ebbs@philretailers.com.ph.