Paris Hilton’s work ethic praised; Google exec in town

One of Asia’s leading real estate firms, Century Properties, pulled out all the stops last month as it launched one of its biggest international collaborations of the year: its collaboration with Hollywood celebrity Paris Hilton for its premiere condominium development, Azure Urban Resort Residences, dahlings.

Manila was pandemonium from the day Paris Hilton landed. She came, she saw and she definitely conquered!

“Her unparalleled style, which made her a successful businesswoman and style icon, and her zest for living the good life are the qualities that we would like to incorporate into our vacation-inspired residential property,” said Century Properties chief operating officer John Victor “Jigger” R. Antonio.

Right après her arrival, Paris went straight to shoot her Azure project video and TV commercial.

Century Properties managing director Robbie Antonio said he was able to observe the celebrity’s professionalism and work ethic closely. She did not complain at all, he said, and always worked with a smile. She had no airs.

Members of the Antonio famille, led by José E.B. Antonio and wife Hilda Reyes Antonio, later joined Paris Hilton in posing for group photos with the Santorini-inspired architecture design of the new development as background.

That afternoon, Century Properties hosted a media conference for the world-renowned businesswoman at Peninsula Manila. “I am truly very proud to be a part of the Azure. It’s my very first real-estate venture and I love it,” she said.

“With her exposure to the best beaches of the rich and famous around the world, plus her fun and sensible fashion sense, we definitely made the right choice in partnering with someone who appreciates urban resort-style living,” explained Robbie Antonio.

A private dinner in Paris’ honor followed at the Pen’s Old Manila. They then went straight to the Rigodon ballroom to be introduced to Azure investors and Manila VIP’s.

She was very accommodating. She impressed everyone with her breeding.

“Everyone can expect that the new Azure campaign as well as Century Properties’ Azure Beach Club will have Paris’ indelible touch,” said Robbie Antonio.

“It’s been great and fun working with her,” Jigger Antonio said, “and we look forward to her return to Manila when we inaugurate Azure’s Beach Club.”

Valii

Watch fanatic that I am, Valii has always been one of my favorite watches; in fact, I have a couple in my watch collections, darlings. So when the invitation came for the launch of Valii’s latest eye-popping collection at Peninsula Manila’s Rigodon Ballroom, moi accepted at once.

The new fashionable timepieces live up to Valii’s heritage of elegance, luxury and style.

The collection is the brilliant brainchild of renowned jeweler Anita Chan. The brand represents, according to the press materials, “the fruition of her vision of fusing her elegant jewelry designs and the cutting-edge of today’s technology with the classic and timeless tradition of excellent Italian watchmaking.”

Bubbling like champagne, the designs stress “the importance of a product’s unique, inimitable appeal to stand out in Manila’s flourishing luxury market,” press materials said.

With their interchangeable rings and straps, Valii watches can be mixed and matched to suit any woman or man’s mood and lifestyle.

Despite the luxury tag, Valli is “well within everyone’s reach,” Chan said.

The Valii launch also marked Chan’s partnership with two long-time pals: hip, versatile fashion designer and vivacious Michele Sison, and advertising and marketing impresario Arnold Vegafria.

In fact, the launch of the collection was accompanied by a dazzling mini-fashion show by Michele, where models breezed around the ballroom flaunting the flashy, multicolor eye-catching “Gummy Scu” watches.

Valii, said Chan, is “the Mandarin’s translation for ‘elegance.’”

Check out Valii, exclusively available at Anita Chan boutique, Power Plant Mall, Rockwell, Makati. Call 8981459 or visit www.valii.eu.

In the great company of Cinderella and Google

At Masetto Resto, I got together with the royals of Cinderella Department Stores—Malou de Venecia, Therese Coronel Santos, eligible bachelor Richie Santos and Marielle Santos Po.

I was introduced to smart and witty Christine Songco-Lau, a close friend of Therese and head of developer relations for Google Southeast Asia.

She said she had been meeting with local universities, private companies and the government “to introduce Google technology and tools that developers need to build both mobile and web apps.”

“I have had several talks with local universities about Google and current technologies that are applied in their curriculum,” she added.

We all had fun. Great conversations combined with fantastic meals, prepared by chef Tippi Tambunting.

We ended the night and all agreed, “Wow, we ate too much.” But believe me, it was worth every bite—the yummy dishes and, more so, the fantastic and very interesting company, dahlings.