MANILA, Philippines - Among my many sins is a passion for filling up my vanity counter-such an aptly named piece of furniture. My husband complains that the table is a bottlefest, lined with beauty products promising that youthful, flawless glow for aging skin, sun creams to protect me while running, golfing or practicing yoga, and a host of other tubes too many to list.
As I enter the exciting mid-forties and embrace life with more energy and enthusiasm, I am also fighting the onset of wrinkles and the fading of eyesight. Age is just a state of mind!
I joined a gathering of like-minded women at the launch of "Age of Confidence," an inspirational book celebrating the life and beauty of Filipino women. The book was part of Nivea's international campaign, "Live Your Beauty," and a fitting intro to its newest anti-aging line called Nivea DNAge-skin products developed for women "of a certain age."
The Nivea DNAge launch, held at the Manila Pen Ballroom, turned out to be a Maryknoll College mini-reunion, as all the authors are alumnae. Nivea marketing director and Maryknoll alum Rica King was delighted to have brought together the authors' families and friends and all shared wonderful school memories.
Concert King Martin Nievera serenaded the guests, after which the women of the hour were introduced. The book is a project of Maryknoll College HS Class of 1984 and edited by Cathy Babao-Guballa. For inquiries about the book, please e-mail miatarrayo@gmail.com.
Ravishing beauty
One lady who is a timeless beauty is ravishing Cris Albert, president of Fila. Bubbly Cris recently celebrated her birthday and the opening of the biggest and newest Fila shop in SM Megamall.
Fila boasts 25 standalone boutiques and 300 in-shop concept stores across the country. This Italian sportswear brand has advanced sports and casual products ranging from apparel to shoes. The newly opened boutique also launched its latest brand, Tiva, a line of fun, youthful, sports-inspired products.
The posh Prince Albert Rotisserie of Hotel InterContinental Manila was splendidly adorned with floral arrangements in soft pink and magenta hues for Cris' twin celebration. Her pretty canary Auggie Cordero dress was a stunning complement to the festive décor.
Visions of Red
As she is a close friend, I asked Cris to be part of the recent photo exhibit "Visions for Red," benefiting the Makati Red Cross. Over the past months, I have convinced many youthful, charitable ladies to participate in "Visions for Red." Thanks to the fact that the photos were taken by members of the Camera Club of the Philippines, the selling effort was very easy.
Canon president Mon Arteficio was so kind to sponsor the developing and printing of all the gigantic black-and-white solos and the color family photos for the exhibit. The beautifully printed and framed photos were so successful that they will be shown again, this time at the Rajo Red Gala Show Sept. 9 at Makati Shangri-La Hotel.
A lot of the ladies are clients and friends of designer Rajo Laurel, who is celebrating 15 years in the fashion industry. There are still a few seats available for this spectacular show. Please call House of Laurel at 8955688 or e-mail rajolaurel@pldtdsl.net to support this show and also the Makati Red Cross.
Aside from being my fashion guru, Rajo is also my vanity buddy. Among the many activities we share, we both enjoy Bikram yoga. I am currently completing the 30-day challenge at Bikram Yoga Manila (tel. 8891011 or www.bikramyogamanila.com), the center owned by yoga entrepreneur Tristan Choa. My teachers Marc Mead and Christina Stathis have been guiding me patiently, since I have been "cheating" once in a while.
Although my hairdos and false eyelashes don't survive the Bikram heat, I feel I am more toned and balanced inside and out. I need that fitness outlet to detox from all my activities.
It's amazing to see all the newcomers to Bikram. The pioneer students over at the Sundar Bikram Yoga at Greenhills are incredibly sexy. At the big 3-Oh party of Bikram guru Sherie Dyer, the regular morning gals were all complete to cheer on our favorite teacher. Sherie's classes are so enjoyable as her witty sense of humor diffuses all the heat.
Aficionado
Bikram critics say it's just water weight lost, but the detoxing process is great for the skin. It must be effective, because even Beauty Doctor to the Stars Vicki Belo is now an aficionado.
The day after her awesome 18th anniversary Venetian Ball, featuring the spellbinding performance of burlesque queen Dita Von Teese, Vicki and I were both sweating it out in class. The Belo Medical Group's Dita Von Strip-teese party will surely hit the Best Party of the Year Award in all the magazines.
The American burlesque artist requested to visit Club Mwah, a Las Vegas-style club with wonderful performances by gay dancers. Club owner Pocholo Malilin was indeed so honored to have the international icon visiting the club.
Club Mwah is becoming a venue for birthday parties with pizzazz. My Flamenco classmate Vikki Santos, her husband Ernie and son Paolo jointly celebrated their birthdays at the club. With all those feathers and rhinestones, it's my kind of party!
Makeup and wellness
Speaking of parties, there's nothing more fun than mixing makeup and wellness. At the Urban Spa Client Appreciation Party, a complimentary Jane Iredale makeover was given to the spa's loyal customers. A new line of makeup products, Jane Iredale is perfect as it is made up of pure minerals to make our skin radiate that natural glow.
The Jane Iredale makeup line is available at Urban Spa, Level 5 Wellness Zone, Shangri-La Plaza Mall (tel. 6876195 or 0917-8918195). At the party, guests enjoyed free makeup lessons and cakes from Cravings, and had the chance to avail of the spa's latest promos, including the Share The Love, Treat a Friend promo entitling a pair to super discounts on higher-value treatments.
Vanity brings out the frailty in me. There's nothing I love more than to pick up a new bottle of massage oil or some newfangled body cream, all to add to the collection atop my vanity.
E-mail the author at seaprincess@inquirer.com.ph
