MANILA, Philippines - I'm always so amazed that there are very many clich?s about work. We join the rat race. We climb the corporate ladder. And of course, as we do all this, we stop and smell the roses along the way.

These days we should all be more focused on the roses rather than the ladder. We don't want to be retired before we look back and enjoy all the fruits of our working lives.

I like to think that this is the reason malls were invented. Walking along a mall allows us to pause, to reflect on what has been achieved and what we can still strive for.

Take Greenbelt 5, today the country's most fashionable and sophisticated mall. The Gallery of Greenbelt has been the venue for launching several new brands, and depending on one's stage in life, these brands are either already attainable or can be obtained with a bit more hard work and dedication.

Bang & Olufsen is one desirable brand, recently launched in an event that can be described as a sensory experience. Unveiling its seamless design and powerful products, B&O teamed up with Dunhill and Metrobank to triple team their clients that evening. Managing Director Lars Myrup showed off the brand's sleek designs and commanding audio and video capabilities, while Dunhill combined style and substance as their models showed off their classic suits and sportswear.

No evening is ever complete without music, food and great drinks. On a giant Steinway & Sons piano, provided by Lyric, pianist Raul Sunico and flutist Renato Halili wowed the crowd. For the duo's sounds to resonate to more than 100 guests, B&O's powerful Beolab5 demonstrated its amazing acoustic capabilities.

For two years now, I have been taking piano lessons with my patient teacher, Bedi Casilihan (tel. 09194670533). My musically inclined daughter Annika has been taking lessons as well. While she has already completed five lesson books, I can't seem to perfect simple pieces like "Happy Birthday."

Although I am proudly related to Raul Sunico (my maternal grandma was Remedios Sunico Rufino), my fingers can't seem to perform magically. I guess I don't have his hard work, dedication or musical DNA. Tagging along with me at the mini-concert was another Sunico relative, my niece Alexi Prieto, who is visiting while on summer break from college in Chicago. Alexi is also a gifted violinist although still many years away from the virtuoso level of a Raul Sunico.

Alicia Keys

Talking of music reminds me to add in this small digression, courtesy of MTV Philippines. On Aug. 5, they are bringing in super R&B singer Alicia Keys for a one-night-only concert at the SM Mall of Asia Concert Grounds. Opening the show for Alicia is our country's King of R&B, Luke Mejares, and L.A. DJ Mighty Dunx, popularly known as Duncan Ramos, the former vocalist of South Border.

Alicia Keys is brought to us by MTV's Concert Series. For info, call TicketWorld at 8919999, or tune in to MTV Philippines on Sky Cable Channel 57 or log on to www.mtvphil.com.

In love with Fely

And I'm back to my random walk down GB5. As in all malls, where there is retail, there are restaurants. I've lately fallen in love with Fely J's Kitchen (tel. 7288878), perhaps simply because this restaurant, along with its sister establishment, Abe's at Serendra, are leading a resurgence of Filipino cuisine.

It's fantastic to see their new twists and selections-and a fine dining flair that we can proudly show off to visitors from other countries. Both restaurants are members of the LJC Group, which has long been a patron of our local cuisine. I can only imagine a future when I can eat in an LJC restaurant in all of the major cities in the world.

Luxury shopping

Right beside Fely J's is the country's most refined and luxurious boutique department store, Adora. This modern concept is the first of its kind to redefine what a luxury shopping experience is. Euro-centric sensibilities and design are evident in the rich interiors-velvet backdrops, limestone walls, sleek glass and mirrored panels.

Adora is a wonderful discovery for all fashionistas and their male counterparts. Each element in the store is a seamless play of contemporary design while highlighting the outstanding selection of merchandising. Its pocket installations are so beautiful. There is a flower shop by Margarita Fores. Magnificent floralscapes adorn various nooks and crannies of the store. Adora makes shopping a heavenly experience.
And Adora launches its collections with class. For the Paua collection of Adora Artisan, a luncheon was held at the National Museum. Renowned fashion writers from The Financial Times, International Herald Tribune, Vogue Italia and Vogue Nippon were the guests of honor, alongside the local fashion media.

Of course, those that do get to climb higher and higher up the proverbial ladder need to smell bigger roses. And no one makes bigger roses than Bvlgari.

Fine jewelry

Bvlgari head Mario Katigbak recently welcomed special guests, such as Baby Cruz, Madame Cosetta Fedele and Anton Huang, to an afternoon of jewelry viewing at the Lobby Lounge of the Makati Shangri-La Hotel.

Amidst high tea, Super Mario showed off the latest "Bvlgari Bvlgari" jewelry and Monologo rings, which exude an updated modernity in sleek, solid styles inspired by original Bvlgari designs.

The Bvlgari name repetition harks to the double engraving of the brand in the designs, elegantly executed through the range of earrings, pendants, necklaces and bracelets, all in white and yellow gold, with optional embellishments in onyx, mother of pearl and pave diamonds.

Monologo, meanwhile, spotlights a single Bvlgari logo, engraved in white, yellow or rose gold bands. The fine pieces are available at Bvlgari boutiques in 6750 Shopping Arcade and Greenbelt 4.

Of course, to mangle Shakespeare, not every rose need be a Bvlgari. In fact, any rose by any name would smell as sweet. What is important is that we focus on hard work, dedication, plus some divine intervention and perhaps even a sprinkling of Feng Shui energy, and then, we can all achieve our goals.

E-mail the author at seaprincess@inquirer.com.ph.