MANILA, Philippines ? Summer fashion is sizzling hot! And it?s even hotter when one sees a hundred designer pieces in one sizzling show.

To celebrate Metro Magazine?s 20th anniversary, a monumental fashion show paraded the creations of the country?s top 100 talented designers, culminating with the Dean of Fashion himself, Ben Farrales. According to Ernie Lopez, managing director of ABS-CBN Publishing, only Mang Ben could?ve orchestrated the extravaganza, bringing together all the talents from even as far as Cebu.

The Samsung-sponsored show was held at the Manila Hotel?s new tent. The after-party was at the elegant, newly renovated Champagne Room. Metro?s editor-in-chief Katrina Holigores was quite pleased with the successful event, which was also sponsored by Mikaela, Doublemint and L?Oreal.

Samsung seems to be all over these days. At the Samsung 2009 AV Roadshow ?LED ? A Whole New Species of Television,? the electronics giant introduced the most mouth-watering new TV these days. The Samsung LED Full High-definition TV is a techie?s dream. Only 1.2-inches thick and 17.6 kilos, the award-winning design could be mounted on a wall like a painting.

Apparently light-emitting diodes or LED produce darker blacks and crisper whites against vivid colors. It?s the sort of viewing experience that lives up to the Samsung slogan: ?Like no other.?

I can just imagine watching, pardon this shameless plug, every Monday at 7:25 p.m., that exciting interior design TV show ?House Life,? on a brand-new Samsung LED. And when the show is over, I can watch a DVD or, and this was news to me, view pictures from a computer or listen to music through the wireless router.

Full TV

I guess times have really changed since all we did was watch TV. The Samsung LED has, according to the literature, ?full DLNA Wireless capabilities which allow streaming in your TV or more than one TV for multi-room entertainment. Samsung?s Medi@2.0 features a Content Library so you can enjoy a variety of pre-installed content such as recipes, art galleries, and even yoga.?

I can see myself hanging a Samsung on the wall, and then during a party, clicking on and displaying a cool painting like a Bencab or something, and that would be far more exciting than just having a dead TV in the room. Samsung Electronics Philippines? CEO Spencer Shim agreed, noting that Samsung truly combines superb design with superior enjoyment.

The best part of a Samsung event is, of course, the raffle. Corporate marketing head Glenn Glinoga got everyone excited as he gave away Samsung digital cameras, SlimFit TVs, LCD TVs and Home Theater Systems to the lucky attendees.

Samsung will reunite with fashion next month when they sponsor a Philippine Daily Inquirer show at the CCP. Watch this space for more on that soon.

In Filipiniana

Among my summer outfits, I usually don?t have much in Filipiniana as I rarely have Pinoy-theme events. So when I was asked to host the opening of Kultura Filipino, I was in a dilemma as to what to wear.

To the rescue came creative fashion designer Jan Garcia, who had created a gown for me for the Metro show. I turned the gown into a Filipiniana outfit by matching it with one of the Kultura ternos I liked.

Kultura is a unique lifestyle store, where one can discover and experience Filipino culture at its best. The newly expanded shop at Mall of Asia also has the latest collection from the Association of Negros Producers.

It?s cool to be Pinoy and that?s true for fashion and interiors. Check out Kultura at MOA, SM Megamall and SM San Lazaro, where you?ll find more than those kitschy, giant wooden forks and spoons.

Teeth as accessories

My newest summer accessories are my teeth. As a coffee and red-wine lover, my teeth have been stained through the years. My personal dentist, Dr. Pio Tripon of the Tripon Dental Center (Tesoro Bldg., 1016 Arnaiz Ave., Makati City, 892-3249), told me that even my favorites, chocolate truffles and puttanesca pasta, have color molecules that penetrate and darken teeth.

His expert recommendation was a kit with take-home bleach that includes a personal tray fixed to your teeth and some hydrogen-peroxide cream that releases oxygen into the teeth and breaks down stains. It?s quite painless and I didn?t even have any transient sensitivity. The only drawback is that I had to drink red wine with a straw for a day.

For more intense whitening, Tripon Dental has a one-hour, power or laser-bleaching treatment for that instant, pearly-white smile. It is perfect for a new bride or anyone anticipating a pictorial. Dr. Pio can be reached at tripon_dental@yahoo.com for an extensive list of services, including teeth-enhancing veneers for that perfect summer smile!

Dove

Summer skin glows with Dove. At the recent launch of Dove Go Fresh! at Le Spa, Sofitel Philippine Plaza, Dove refreshed, moisturized and energized their special guests with beauty bars, body wash, lotions and deodorants.

Fashion model and yoga chick Teresa Herrera hosted the relaxing event with delicious nibblers and refreshing mojito coolers. Dove brand manager Dennis Perez presented two exciting variants: Fresh Moisture, which channels soothing aromas of cucumber and green tea, and Energizing, which boasts stimulating scents of grapefruit and lemongrass.

After a special surprise from Ipanema, guests were offered a delightfully invigorating spa experience at Le Spa using the new Dove products. And to cap off a day of bliss, Sofitel?s executive chef served a post-pampering dinner with sumptuous bites bursting with fresh and tasty flavors.

Dove?s Go Fresh! is perfect for the summer heat and I am excited to give them away at my upcoming party to celebrate 15 years of marriage with my cool husband, Dennis. But that?s not ?til next month, so meanwhile, catch more summer fashion at Philippine Fashion Week at SMX Convention Center. Support our local talented fashion designers!

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