MANILA, Philippines - Fresh and natural is the design wave of the future. We can see this from immersing in the history of interior design in the country. By looking back, we can see the way forward!
The Philippine Institute of Interior Designers (PIID) recently celebrated their 44th anniversary with festivities at the Makati Shangri-La. Organizing committee members J. Anton Mendoza, Joey Yupangco and Ed Calma were the creative team behind “Beyond Forty-four,” with a Cube Exhibit featuring a colorful and vivid timeline of the institute’s history.
The country’s top interior designers paid tribute to the godfathers (and mothers) of PIID and held a delightful open forum, with several pioneering artists giving expert advice, including Gerry Contreras (who celebrated his birthday yesterday).
Leading the open forum were Ivy Almario and Michael Pizarro. It was hilarious listening to the stories of grand dames Sonia Olivares and Nena Villanueva. PIID has much to be thankful for at this milestone in their history, including major sponsor Boysen Paints and others like Toto Asia, Oceanic, American Standard, Eurotiles, Liberty Stile, Blims and Multi-Rich Home Decors.
During the event, the Philippine Youth Symphony Band (PYSB) performed beautifully in front of the nation’s top designers. Honored guests included Imelda Marcos, National Artist Arturo Luz and his wife Tessie Luz, glass sculptor Ramon Orlina and visionary Lor Calma.
Expert designer Maja Olivares-Co is PYSB’s main driving force, and she has tirelessly been promoting the band since its start.
The musical number was a preview of their upcoming concert with sensational diva May Bayot on Oct. 17, 6:30 p.m. at the Rockwell Tent. PYSB is composed of talented young musicians whose devotion to the craft started from their formative years. “Laro!..Child’s Play” will reintroduce today’s Filipino children to our rich heritage of folk songs through rearranged musical pieces. For tickets, call Ticketworld at 891-9999.
Graduating class
From the legends of interior design, let’s now move to the fresh and cutting-edge designers of the future. The metro is invited to see the ongoing exhibit of the graduating class of the Philippine School of Interior Design (PSID). PSID’s annual exhibit features 21 well-appointed rooms open to the public for the entire month of October at the ground floor of the Athena Building at Eastwood City, Libis, Quezon City.
The exhibit is in cooperation with World Wildlife Fund and Eastwood City. Its theme is green and sustainable design. Entitled EARTH Designs, the environmental concerns and applicable solutions are cleverly interwoven into the designs of the rooms. The booth of my cool friend Barbie Pardo-Tiangco emphasizes innovative glam designs that are environmentally responsible.
Global design
Pinoys rule in the global design market. On the weekend of Oct. 16, Manila FAME International will hold its exhibit at the SMX Convention Center, Pasay City. The Philippines’ leading international exhibit of design-driven gifts, houseware, furniture, holiday décor and fashion accessories, is celebrating 25 years of promoting the country’s creations to the world. Log on to www.citem.com.ph for more details.
Even in the advertising world, fresh and natural wins. Advertising couple Mon and Abby Jimenez recently worked on the new Minute Maid Pulpy Orange, another great product from Coca-Cola. Mon and Abby were two who volunteered for my Visions for Red photo exhibit for the benefit of the Red Cross.
Thanks to Minute Maid’s word of mouth, not to mention its humongous EDSA billboard, I’ve become a fan of the pulp-bit infused drink. It was also hard to miss its launch bursting forth in a giant, orange-lit dome illuminated by the Bonifacio Global City sunset.
Gamely donning orange aprons and straw hats, Coca-Cola’s top executives Kandy Anand and Sean Cunial introduced the new product and invited everyone to harvest the goodness of nature. New crooner Richard Poon serenaded the Minute Maid-picking guests in the orchard setting. It was a most refreshing experience.
Paul Potts
Even in music, fresh and natural is in. Paul Potts, winner of Britain’s Got Talent, will bring a refreshing new experience when he performs on Oct. 8 at PICC. A classical pop tenor discovered by Simon Cowell, Potts became an instant sensation with his unmistakable gift of music. He has already performed in front of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, at the Royal Variety Performance, and was also a guest of another queen, her majesty, Oprah Winfrey, on the Oprah Show.
Local Filipino soprano Rachelle Gerodias will join Paul Potts for a duet plus some solo numbers. Their operatic voices will surely delight and awe the audience. The concert starts at 8 p.m. so be sure to catch this rare performance. As usual, tickets are available at Ticketworld, www.ticketworld.com.ph. For VIP tickets, call Concertus at 813-2612 and 813-2617.
Produced by Concertus Productions, Paul Potts Live in PICC is presented by McDonalds and 2nd Avenue. The concert is sponsored by Sony BMG, Philtown Properties, Nescafe, HaveItAll, San Miguel Beer and British Council, with media partners Sunday Inquirer Magazine, Philippine Star, Business World, Lifestyle Asia and Expat Magazine. His official residence is the Makati Shangri-La Hotel and his official car is Mercedes-Benz.
Beerfest
October is bursting with fresh activities. Presented by the Mandarin Oriental Manila and the German Club, the 8th annual Oktoberfest will be celebrated for four days beginning Oct. 16 at the NBC Tent at Bonifacio Global City.
From the entertainment to the cuisine to two-nights of the Bavarian Sound Express from Munich, the whole celebration will be super fun. On Oct. 19, Sunday, Family Oktoberfest will have children enjoy the mid-day activities, too. To join the festivities, call Mandarin Oriental at 750-8888. That will be a fresh and natural way to enjoy your family Sunday!
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