Brand aug sep2014 - Volume 4, No.1 by Utmost Creative Publishing

Style: Affluent Hush / Scan: High-Tech Fashion Gadgets / Highlight: World’s Luxury Brands / Rated: Bose Sound Touch 20, Urban Ears Humlan, Strontium Nitro 433X, Lenovo S650 / Mobility: JAC Sunray Limousine, 2014 Mini Cooper, Honda Odyssey, Honda Accord / Unwind: Ocean Adventure, New York City Vacation / Taste: Gramercy, Ivory Yat, Triple O’s, Platinum / Renovate: Chic Styling on a Budget, TCL Led Lighting

U R B A N

P R O F E S S I O N A L ’ S

M A G A Z I N E

A U G U S T- S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 4

FRANCIS LIBIRAN

Luxury

in Design

EDITOR’S NOTE

Eager and Ready

Four years. Wow. If this magazine was a child, it would be in school, eager to learn new things, take on new challenges, and ready to make a mark in this world. In so many ways, this is what Brand has grown into. At four years, yes, it’s a child compared to the other established names in the lifestyle circuit. But that hasn’t stopped us from learning new things, trying to outdo ourselves with every issue, and every theme we’ve conceived. We’ve constantly been pushing the envelope for you, our dear readers and supporters, and though at times it can admittedly get tiring (hey, what endeavor isn’t?), seeing the end result has always been more than enough to justify the exhaustion. We put this issue together right smack in the middle of Typhoon Glenda’s onslaught and while it did slow us down by a couple of days, the same catastrophe took a much heavier toll, inflicting more damage to other businesses and other families. As I did immediately after last year’s Typhoon Yolanda, I would once again like to appeal to your compassion to help and reach out to anyone you know that was affected by this last disaster, and I will keep repeating that call; using this space as our sounding board, with each and every catastrophe that comes our way. Now, back to the good stuff.

We are fortunate, no, blessed to have with us none other than Francis Libiran gracing our cover and main feature. He may very well be the hottest fashion designer in the world right now and he proudly waves the colors of our flag. It is an honor to have him with us and an even greater honor to feature one of his latest undertakings, luxury wristwatches. His name adorns a beautiful tourbillion, the kind that’s more frequently associated with multi-million Peso brands like Patek Philippe, Glashutte and others, at a price that is sure to catch the attentions of collectors. May he continue to bring our country honor in these trying times. Tag along as we visit Gramercy 71, arguably the hottest nightspot in the country and catch a glimpse of what it looks like when it isn’t jam-packed with celebs and partygoers. We managed to score a fashion shoot at the venue as well and the results are dizzyingly breathtaking. After that, our team heads on to Camayan Cove in Subic, Zambales, for a working vacation, and we pop over to Ocean Adventure next door to check out some of their amazing dolphin shows. We also have a spread feature on, as the song goes, “the City that never sleeps, New York, New York.” It’s been almost 13 years since the 9/11 attacks and the city wears its scars as a proud symbol of the indomitable American spirit; a Phoenix rising from the ashes. It is an admirable city in every sense of the word, and not

a shabby model after which we could pattern our own country. Along with our usual gadget features, we’ve included some ultra-expensive, gold and diamond-encrusted iPhones and the like, just to get ourselves – and probably you – green with envy. Watch out for snatchers, though! On the motoring side, we get behind the wheel of the hottest executive sedan in the market – Honda’s legendary Accord, now in V6 guise – along with its equally-potent stablemate, the award-winning Odyssey van. We take the enormous JAC Sunray limousine with us to Camayan and are amazed at its overwhelming capacity, and shoot the new Mini Cooper at the track that put the Philippines on the international motorsports map, the onceglorious Subic International Raceway, now earmarked for the expansion of the adjacent Subic International Airport. Finally, join us on the 27th as we celebrate our fourth anniversary once again at Resorts World. It will be bigger and better than last year – just like school. We can’t wait to get to the next year level! Thank you for your unending support through the years. See you at the party!

STAFFBOX

THE LUXURY IN DESIGN (4th Anniversary issue)

MARIO ALAMAN Publisher

Volume 4 No.1

AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2014 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

STEVEN EDWARD YU Co-Publisher / Editor-In-Chief

EDITORIAL ANDREW RODRIGUEZ Managing Editor

KAYE BENEDICTO

Associate Editor - Tech

YHUONG BOTOR

Associate Editor - Fashion

RICKY ALONZO Jr.

Associate Editor - Lifestyle

COVER 1: FRANCIS LIBIRAN

Photographer: G-nie Arambulo of AdPhoto, Inc. Make-Up: Nathan Ferolino Hair: Ehyel Delloson and Edward Pascual Styling: Jear De Mc Cuttac and Vince Abarra Styling Associates: Barob Solomon and Ipo Gonzales Special thanks to: Arsi Baltazar, Raymond Gorospe, Mr. Albert Que, Mr. William Ong Co, Mr. King Go and UniSilver Time Family

COVER 2: NADINE SAMONTE

JUDE MORTE

Associate Editor - Mobility

Photographer: Jericho Montemayor Make-Up: Nathan Ferolino Hair: Eyhel Delloson and Edward Pascual Stylist: Sancho Bernardo Dress: Designed by Erika Lauren Dela Cruz Shoes: GIBI Designers: Eric Delos Santos, Rex Nicdao and Ian Mallabo Special Thanks to: Ms. Genevieve Sy and Ms. Jenny Flores

NOVELYN QUIAMCO Assistant Editor - Tech

ANDREW ALTAREJOS

Senior Writer / Visayan Correspondents

LIAN CAPILI and NATHAN FEROLINO Editorial for Beauty

CREATIVE ALFRED CABRAL and GUNTHER DE GUZMAN Art Directors

Contributing Photographers

G-NIE ARAMBULO of AdPhoto, Inc. JERICHO MONTEMAYOR, ANDREW RODRIGUEZ ALLAN MENDOZA, GUNTHER DE GUZMAN

COVER 3: DYLAN O’BRIEN

Photo Credits: 20th Century Fox

Contributing Writers

ANNA V. HILARIO, BENJ ROGANDO, DONE DEL PUERTO, DYLAN SEAN CHUA JACEL DE JESUS, JANNO NOVENARIO, MARIJO VIRAY, MALOU CRUZADO, NOVELYN QUIAMCO, SANCHO BERNARDO Celebrity Contributor

DINDIN MORENO

ADVERTISING AND MARKETING JANE LOYOLA

Senior Account Manager

EMMAN ACUNA, EDERLYN MATARO Account Managers

SALVADOR “ILOY” DA Circulation Head

Brand Magazine is published by Utmost Creative Publishing. All Rights Reserved. Copyright @ 2013 Utmost Creative Publishing. Printed in the Republic of the Philippines. No part of this magazine may be used or reproduced in any manner without permission from the publisher and editors. The views and opinions expressed by the authors in this magazine are not necessarily those of Utmost Creative Publishing. Unsolicited manuscripts and images, of which the publisher assumes no responsibility or guarantee of publication, will not be returned unless accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope.

Unit 2-3, Sunshine Condominium, 9633 Kamagong St., San Antonio Village, Makati City Philippines TELEFAX: 403-4475 0933-347-8692, (brandmagazine7@gmail.com), 0930-782-1484 (jhane031423@yahoo.com) Advertising I 0917-363-6473 (stevenedwardyu@yahoo.com), 0905-738-0637 (kaye_benedicto@yahoo.com), 09152633526 (arodriguez307@yahoo.com) - Editorial I 0920-267-7435 (brand.magazine@yahoo.com.ph) - Marketing I Visit our Website: www.brandmagazineph.com Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/brandmagph

Magazine Distributors: Mega Manila: APCEI (Asia/Pacific Circulation Exponents, Inc.) Provinces: L.D.E. GEN. Merchandise, Round New Enterprises, Pacalagan News Enterprises, JLD Gifts and Magazines, Visual Mix

Brand Magazine is Available Nationwide at all LEADING BOOKSTORES: (National Bookstores, Power Books, Fully Booked, Book for Less, Booksale, Bufini, News & Bytes, Saddle Brown, Merriam Webster, Book and Read, Mio Magazine, Forewords, Inc. NAIA: Christian Ventures – II-III-IV, Trading V-VI, North and South Wing, Travellers Drugstore. HOTELS: Diamond Hotel, DusitThani Hotel, Manila Pavillion, Intercon, Mandartin, Sofitel, Manila Hotel, Shangri-La, New Hyatt, Heritage, Peninsula, Dusit Hotel Nikko. DEPARTMENT STORES:Rustan’s Express Lane and Supermarket, E-Media Greenhills, Hyper Souvenir &Flowershop, Cash and Carry, Kangs Grocery, Cubix, Shoppers Mart. PROVINCE: Bacolod, Dumaguete, Cebu, Ilo-ilo, Kalibo, Tacloban, Baguio, Balanga, Dagupan, Lipa, Davao, General Santos. OTHERS: Enchanted Gift Shop, Saddle Brown, Makati Medical, Total Gas Station Alabang, Newport Terminal3.

The Philippines’ Leading Business Hotel for the third consecutive year! Pan Pacific Manila has recently been awarded the “Philippines’ Leading Business Hotel”, for the third consecutive year, at the prestigious World Travel Awards 2013. This marks the fourth time that Pan Pacific Manila has been recognized by the World Travel Awards in the said category. The award is a reflection of Pan Pacific Manila’s commitment to quality, excellent, consistent service and creating memorable guest experiences. For more information visit panpacific.com/manila. M. Adriatico corner Gen. Malvar Streets, Malate, Manila 1004, Philippines Tel +632 318 0788 Fax + 632 310 25 01 enquiry.ppmnl@panpacific.com

Bali, Bangkok, Dhaka, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Ningbo, Perth, Seattle, Singapore, Suzhou, Vancouver, Whistler, Xiamen, Yokohama

CONTENTS

FASHION & TECH

VOLUME 4 / No. 1 / AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2014

STYLE

BEAUTY

TIMELINE

FRANCIS LIBIRAN

Luxury in Design

SCAN

NETBASE

RATED

HIGHLIGHT

INFOCUS

Affluent Hush: Kimberly Karlsson and Ayumi Yoshikawa

10 Beauty Products Worth Splurging On

U-BOAT, SWAROVSKI IMAGERE, SWATCH MOA, POLICE, ESPRIT KOMONO, TITAN, GANT

The Francis Libiran Wristwatch

High-Tech Fashion Gadgets

Must-Have Luxury Gadgets

BOSE SOUNDTOUCH 20 TECH21 URBAN EARS HUMLAN STONTIUM NITRO 433X MOMAX POWERJUICE POWER BANK LENOVO S650

World’s Luxury Brands

Nadine Samonte featuring GIBI Shoes

CONTENTS

Mobility

VOLUME 4 / No. 1 / AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2014 “When luxury and living large is on the top of your list, the JAC Sunray

Limousine fills both of those requirements very easily. Literally, the size of the van grabs everyone’s attention wherever it goes. With more than ample room inside, the luxurious interior and amenities will surely get you to your destination feeling relaxed and pampered.”

Andrew Rodriguez, Managing Editor & Photographer

JAC Sunray Limousine

112

YAMAHA MOTOR SHOW

100

2014 Mini Cooper

113

SUZUKI ERTIGA

104

2014 HONDA ACCORD 3.5V

114

HONDA JAZZ

108

HONDA ODYSSEY 3.5 V6

115

2014-2015 COTY-P and TOTY-P

Larger Than Life

The New Original

Own Its Own Accord

The New Shape of Luxury

Yamaha launches the XTZ 125 and Serow 250 Suzuki gives LUV with the Ertiga Honda launches the All New Jazz Testing Season to be launched by CAGI

BRAND Magazine 2013 Henry Ford Award Winner “Best Automotive Consumer Feature”

CONTENTS

LIFESTYLE

VOLUME 4 / No. 1 / AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2014

116

UNWIND

122

TASTE

118 NEW YORK CITY

T he Luxury in Travel

• Ocean Adventure • New York City Vacation • Discover Baao

“Words cannot describe how much ‘energy’ New York has provided for us. Even when you’re stuck in

• 71 Gramercy / Fame • Ivory Yat dishes about food, family and her fantastic cuisine • Triple O’s By White Spot Hits The Right Spot

128

WELLNESS

132

RENOVATE

138

SPOTLIGHT

140

SPOTLIGHT

142

MOVIE LINE UP

144

BILLBOARD NEWS

ridiculous traffic, I personally saw it as a sign explaining one of many reasons why you should stay longer in New York. If it wasn’t for the traffic, I wouldn’t have been able to explain how beautiful New York was.”

Anna V. Hilario, contributing writer

Executive Platinum Fitness & Spa

• Chic Styling on a Budget • TCL LED Lighting

The A-maze-ing Dylan O’Brien

Mark Carpio - Of Dreams and Passion

The Maze Runner The Drop The Book of Life Foosball

ASUS ZenUI LENOVO A8-50 and S850 Fuse Rico Blanco Joins GIORDANO HUAWEI Ascend P7

130

136

ADVERTORIAL

UNI-BALL MITSUBISHI PEN

Uni Pen Celebrates the 20th Anniversary

An established product with reliable features that have been favoured worldwide for more than 20 years. The “UNI-FLOW SYSTEM” ensures continuous writing with the same thickness to the very last drop of ink. The system highlights a Stainless Steel tip that stays smooth even when little pressure is applied and vividly colored ink that will not run even if water is spilled on the paper.

POWER TANK

The pen that can write in weightless conditions such as in space, on wet paper and subzero environments.

UNI-ball VISION RT

Capless Airplane Safe Ink Uni-Flow System

UNI eco pens

SMART SERIES

Super Smooth Anti-Check Wash The Ultimate Outdoor Pen

Uni- ball VISION ELITE

Features Uni Super Ink Airplane Safe Ink Uni-Flow System

PAINT MARKER

Designed to write on any surface and retain the vivid waterproof ink colour.

Uni-ball Signo broad

Ideal for crafting and card writing. Great for decorative uses.

UNI-ball eye

High- quality and reliable rollerball featuring waterproof pigment ink and ‘Uni-Flow’ system to ensure a continuous consistent write to last drop.

“The Most Outstanding Writing Instruments Brand in the Philippines” Exclusively Manufactured and Distributed by: Lupel Marketing Corporation 718 Quirino Avenue, Tambo Paranaque City, 1701 Phone: (02) 851-6053 / (02) 851-6057 Fax: (02) 851-6054 E-mail: sales@lupel.com.ph

Volume 4 No. 1 www.brandmagazineph.com

UniChalk

Permanent when dry erases on nonpourous surface with water. Best for lightbox, whiteboard, glass etc.

STYLE

FASHION • LIFESTYLE • ACCESSORIES

Affluent

HUSH

Words: Benjamin Rogando Photographer: Yhuong Botor Lights Director: Andy Rodriguez Assistant: Novelyn Quiamco Stylist: Benj Rogando Assistant: Done Del Puerto Make Up: Dylan Sean Chua Models: Kimberly Karlsson, Ayumi Yoshikawa of Mode of Elle

nly when luxury and elegance merge do they give birth to timeless sophistication yet either is easily attainable. Most tend to be overwhelmed by opulence and lose sight of taste and tact. Only with restraint can one achieve elegance as true luxe does not scream loudly like a spit-fire; rather it is a mellow presence that radiates. It would be like coating a diamond in gold. Why put two very powerful fashion forces together when they can each stand on their own instead of fighting the other for the viewer’s attention? In fact, one needs not spend the price of gold when there are brands

nowadays that combine practicality and style such as those at SM stores, where you can find practically anything for anyone. For those who desire the luxe of owning international designer handbags, stores such as Uber Finds sell pre-loved items without sacrificing quality. As for dressing the part? Suite Blanco, Forever21, and the SM store will demonstrate in this fashion story and let their clothes do the talking. We should never let luxury overwhelm us as it is always the person wearing the clothes, not the other way around. Luxe is a whisper not a shout.

Photo shoot venue: 71 Gramercy (Century City, Makati Avenue, Makati City, Philippines) Special thanks to: Kristian Nuevo Sangalang - Marketing and Promotions (71 Gramercy & Fame Thursday) Marie Shindug - Marketing Manager (71 Gramercy) and Fatimah - Marketing Officer (71 Gramercy)

Volume 4 No. 1 www.brandmagazineph.com

Like Us! www.facebook.com/brandmagph

On Kim: Lace turquoise long dress Php3,399 from Suite Blanco., Versace crystal studded medusa necklace Php14,800 (brand new retail Php 56,000) gold sunburst earrings with white stone Php680 and Monet cocktail ring all from Uber Finds Vintage Fashion Store. Lilac shoes Php899.75 from Parisian at The SM store. On Ayumi: Silver suit blazer with black trim Php4,999.75 and matching slacks Php1,999.75 from Arrow. Navy waistcoat/vest Php1,299.75 from Coco Republic at The SM store. Woven button-down white top Php1,025 and grey necktie Php450 from Forever21. Black leather tasslled loafers Php1,199.75 from Milanos at the SM store. Pocket square, stylist owned.

Volume 4 No. 1 www.brandmagazineph.com

Black stretch cotton long dress Php1,275, radial pink stone earrings Php330, and gold necklace Php735 all from Forever21. Chloe 2-tone paraty petit convertible satchel Php64,800 (brand new retail Php98,+++)

Volume 4 No. 1 www.brandmagazineph.com

Khaki suit blazer Php2,725, matching slacks Php915, and woven button-down blue top Php1,025 all from Forever21. Cream pullover with houndstooth print Php780 and yves saint laurent cranberry muse bowler bag Php58,800 (brand new retail Php89,+++) from Uber Finds Vintage Fashion Store.

Like Us! www.facebook.com/brandmagph

Taupe suit jacket Php2,825, taupe denims Php1,435, and woven button-down blue top Php1,025 all from Forever21. Cream cardigan Php749.75 from Coco Republic at The SM Store. Brown two-tone brogues Php999.75 from Milanos at The SM Store. Louis Vuitton monogram document holder Php24,800 (brand new retail Php58,+++)

Volume 4 No. 1 www.brandmagazineph.com

On Kim: Navy dress Php1,799 from Suite Blanco. Kookai Paris vintage rabbit fur coat Php4,800 (brand new retail Php56,+++), Gold sunburst earrings with black stone Php680, gold winged collar necklace Php680, prada white vitello daino leather medium shopping tote Php44,800 (brand new retail Php112,+++) all from Uber Finds Vintage Fashion Store. Gold chain necklace used as belt Php735 from Forever21. Taupe strapped shoes Php1,200 from Parisian at the SM store. On Ayumi: Gunmetal suit jacket Php2,999.75 and matching slacks Php1,199.75 from Sahara. Woven button-down navy top Php1,025 from Forever21. Louis Vuitton monogram necklace Php16,800 (brand new retail Php48,+++), red leather Hermes belt (price upon request), and leather Louis Vuitton monogram document holder Php24,800 (brand new retail Php58,+++) all from Uber Finds Vintage Fashion Store. Red velvet tasselled dress slippers Php999.75 from Milanos at The SM Store.

Volume 4 No. 1 www.brandmagazineph.com

Like Us! www.facebook.com/brandmagph

On Kim: Red embroidered quarter-sleeve dress Php2,999.75 from Suite Blanco. Gold sunburst earrings with black stone Php680 and Versace triple lion medallion necklace Php16,800 (brand new retail Php54,+++) from Uber Finds Vintage Fashion Store. Black velvet cut-out booties Php1,499.75 from Parisian at The SM Store. On Ayumi: Maroon blazer Php1,399.75 from Main Street at the SM store. Navy waistcoat/vest Php1,299.75 from Coco Republic at The SM Store. Pink woven button-down top Php1,025, black necktie Php450 and red denims Php915 all from Forever21. Silver rhinestoned brooch Php180, brass rosary holder Php1,400, and Christian Louboutin studded cris agenda Php32,800 (brand new retail Php46,+++) all from Uber Finds Vintage Fashion Store. Black leather tasslled loafers Php1,199.75 from Milanos at The SM Store.

Volume 4 No. 1 www.brandmagazineph.com

Cream cotton long dress with lace panel & crochet work Php1,799 from Suite Blanco. Golden leaf helix earrings Php229 from Forever21. Vivienne Westwood black leather belt Php880 (brand new retail Php4,800), Monet New York gold vintage button ring Php880 (brand new retail Php2,600) from Uber Finds Vintage Fashion Store.

Volume 4 No. 1 www.brandmagazineph.com

Shawl lapel blazer Php3,999.75 and matching slacks Php1,499.75 from Onesimus. White waistcoat/vest P1,299.75 from Coco Republic at The SM Store. Woven button-down white top Php1,025 and black necktie Php450 from Forever21. Givenchy black antigona zip tote Php58,800 (brand new retail Php110,+++) from Uber Finds Vintage Fashion Store.

Volume 4 No. 1 www.brandmagazineph.com

Black sleeveless jumpsuit Php3,699 from Suite Blanco. Casual vest egret with belt Php1,435 and black & gold necklace from Forever21. Monet New York cocktail ring Php880 (brand new retail Php2,680) and Balenciaga limited edition two-tone city giant21 nickel hardware Php39,800 (brand new retail Php109,+++) from Uber Finds Vintage Fashion Store. Black & white shoes Php899.75 from Parisian at The SM Store.

Like Us! www.facebook.com/brandmagph

BEAUTY

hair • nails • make-up

By Lian Capili, High Definition and Airbrush Makeup Artist

BEAUTY PRODUCTS Worth Splurging On

There are many beauty brands in the market catering to different budgets. With so many products to choose from, are the more expensive options still worth the splurge? Here is a list of pro-approved and must-try products where you get what you pay for.

Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler P1,095 A staple product in every makeup artist’s kit. It gets right down to the base of your eyelashes without pinching the lid. This product is also perfect for most eye shapes giving anyone that lovely curl that will last a day.

1 2 3 4 5

La Mer Moisturizing Cream P13,500 With its luxurious packaging, La Mer gives you a feeling that you’d better get ready to pay a lot for this product. Beauty gurus all over the world claim that this product has made their skin softer and firmer where aging lines and pores became less visible. There’s also a proper way of putting it on your skin: take a small amount and rub the product between your fingers until it is warm -- then pat it on your face where you want it to go.

Nars Laguna Bronzing Powder P1,800

This is a really good bronzer that fits most Asian skin tones. With its rich golden brown color, it’s perfect for contouring the face, warming up the complexion in a subtle and natural way. It is a highly pigmented powder with shimmer that gives off a nice glow. It is truly a must-have in any makeup bag.

Schwarzkopf Silhouette Super Hold Hairspray P1,600 If you are looking for hair volume and superb holding power, this is the product for you. Aside from the price, this product is simply perfect for everyday use to keep your hair in place, or to experiment new styles on. It also smells sooo good too!

Volume 4 No. 1 www.brandmagazineph.com

Makeup For Ever HD Foundation P2,800 This is a buildable liquid foundation that will leave your skin looking flawless without the look and feel of having a heavy foundation on your face. If you’re looking for an everyday foundation which you can also use for special events, this is probably one of the top of the list. The price tag might not be encouraging but it surely gets the job done.

Shu Uemura Cleansing Oil 150ml P1,750 One of the most reliable makeup remover in the market, it easily removes even the most stubborn waterproof makeup without making your skin feel dry or dull. It leaves your face feeling soft and clean of not only makeup that can easily clog the pores, but also impurities from your daily activities. This is definitely a good investment for people who wear makeup most of the time.

Babyliss Flat Iron P4,500

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder P2,000 Radiant skin in an instant is what you pay for with this product. It is simply amazing how it brightens foundation while blurring the pores. It gives anyone a natural healthy glow in a swipe. A definite must-have in your makeup kit.

A true pro-tool which every beauty enthusiast should own. Straighten, curl and style your hair effortlessly without damaging it. This product has natural ions that reduce frizz plus a design that doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t burn your hands and is easy to handle.

Moroccanoil Moroccan Oil P2,395

A product that will truly save your lifeless hair! With only a small amount needed to do the job, Moroccan oil leaves your hair feeling soft and damage free. What it does is not only protect the hair from everyday stress from blow drying or ironing, but it also makes your hair feel more nourished. It is an expensive oil but definitely worth it if you think of the money youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll save from trips to the salon.

Lancome Hypnose Mascara P1,985 With a patented powerful brush, Lancome Hypnose Macara intensifies the lashes from the root to tip. It creates a buildable volume in your lashes without clumping or smudging. It keeps your lashes curled the whole day. A great product for everyday use to make your peepers even more tantalizing. Like Us! www.facebook.com/brandmagph

TIMELINE

The Luxury of Time Words by Kaye Benedicto

Every second in life counts. Are you in the market for an elegant timepiece that will compliment any outfit? You’ll find options in timeline section; because we feature high-end products at great values.

U-BOAT CHIMERA BRONZE

Ref.: 6945 Movement: Eta 7750 Top Soigné Case: Bronze Diameter: 46 mm Dial/Index: Brown Strap: Calf-vintage Glass: Sapphire SRP: 495,000 php

FLIGHTDECK 50 CAS 3

Ref.: 6117 Movement: Eta 7750 CHRONO Case: Steel Diameter: 50 mm Dial/Index: Black / White Strap: Brown, calf leather Glass: Sapphire SRP: 200,000 php

CLASSICO 53 CAS 2

Ref.: 2272 Movement: Eta 7750 CHRONO Case: Steel Diameter: 53 mm Dial/Index: Beige / Black Strap: Brown, calf leather Glass: Sapphire SRP: 200,000 php

CLASSSICO 45 AS 1 U-42

Ref.: 6471 Movement: Eta 2824 AUTO Case: Titanium grade 5 Diameter: 47 mm Dial/Index: Black / Beige Strap: Dark brown calf-vintage Glass: Sapphire SRP: 280,000 php

Volume 4 No. 1 www.brandmagazineph.com

Ref.: 5564 Movement: Eta 2824 AUTO Case: Steel Diameter: 45 mm Dial/Index: Black / Beige Strap: Brown, calf leather, steel plate Glass: Sapphire SRP: 145,000 php

Swarovski Women’s Watch Collection 2014 Combining a rich jewelry heritage, a spirit for innovation and the high precision of Swiss watch making, Swarovski offers impeccable timepieces infused with an inimitable touch of glamour. Be it for everyday wear or for special occasions, the watch collection comprises pieces that reflect Swarovski’s aesthetic codes, expert crystal faceting, and a true passion for the detail.

CITRA SPHERE CHRONO

Deriving from the CITRA sphere watch, CITRA chrono is an accessible chronograph timepiece. Its sporty accents are balanced by refined crystal pavé surrounding the entire bezel. Easy-to-wear and timeless, the CITRA sphere chrono is the ideal timepiece for a more casual “off-duty” look. The decorative Swanflower® pattern adorns the back of the case, and the crown features a cabochon with the Swan logo mark.

Watch Case:

Round Ø38 mm stainless steel or rose-gold PVD coated stainless steel case set with 40 clear crystals. Water resistant to 30 meters (3 ATM).

Dial:

White silver sunray or black dial with rhodium applied index markers or white silver sunray dial with applied rose-gold PVD coated index markers. One centered pavé clear crystal circle and two counters on the right and left side. The Swan logo mark at 12 o’clock. Date indicator at 6 o’clock.

Strap:

Black or white calfskin leather strap with a crocodile effect and stainless steel or rose-gold PVD coated ardillon buckle.

Movement:

Quartz, Swiss made.

Special Details:

The decorative Swanflower® pattern adorns the back of the case, and the crown features a cabochon with the Swan logo mark.

Like us! www.facebook.com/brandmagph

DOX DX616

THE AUTOMATIC CHUNKY WATCH

DX616 BB (M)

Black dial/ UrethaneBand

DX616 BR (M)

DX616 BS (M)

White dial/ UrethaneBand

Black dial/ UrethaneBand

Features: Watch with visibility, character and angst. And now, in automatic movement. No need for battery replacements, period. It has a stainless steel case in color combinations to give dimension to the watch. It gives a look of durability with its double lock crown and urethane band. No need to squint your eyes to see the numbers with its huge time index and 3-day dater. • Stainless Steel Case + Nude Back to Expose Automatic Movement • Urethane Band • Double Lock Crown • 3 Day Dater • Water Proof up to 30 Meters • Size: 50mm, Weight: 160 gms. • Comes in Black, Silver and Rose Gold Cases • Made in Korea SRP: P10,600.00

Volume 4 No. 1 www.brandmagazineph.com

DX616 BWB (M)

Black dial/ UrethaneBand

SWATCH

BLACKIE Code: YVS401G

Model: Irony Chrono Dial: sun-brushed black with white Arabic numerals at 4 and 8 and white and red indexes, date window at 3 o’clock Case: polished stainless steel Bezel: polished stainless steel, engraved and filled in black with silver tachometric scale Bracelet: mesh in polished stainless steel

SILVERISH Code: YVS405G

Model: Irony Chrono Dial: sun-brushed silver with black and red indexes, date window at 3 o’clock Case: polished stainless steel Bezel: polished stainless steel with engraved tachometric scale in black Bracelet: mesh in polished stainless steel

SPRINKLED WATER PHP 9,500

BACK TO THE ROOTS Code: YVS414 Model: Irony Chrono Dial: white with black Arabic numerals and red printing, date window at 3 o’clock Case: polished stainless steel Bezel: polished stainless steel with black, red and white printing Bracelet: brown leather with embossed alligator pattern and white stitching, butterfly buckle

PRISONER Code: YVS413 CATERHBLACK Code: YWS403C

Model: Big Classic Dial: eggshell color with black indexes and black Arabic numerals at 3, 6, 9 and 12; date window between 4 and 5 o’clock Case: brushed stainless steel Bezel: brushed stainless steel with eggshell color printing and black numerals Bracelet: black rubber touch leather

CATERHRED Code: YWS403

Model: Irony Chrono Dial: purple with orange and silver printing, white Arabic numeral at 12, date window at 3 o’clock Case: polished stainless steel Bezel: polished stainless steel with orange and purple printing Bracelet: purple leather, butterfly buckle

ALBINOSTRICH PHP 9,500

Like us! www.facebook.com/brandmagph

M.O.A

PULSAR

The Nova timepiece is a flare of brilliance in the sky. Silver and crystals illuminate the bright dial. The polished casing and substantial bracelet add to its beauty.

PULSAR

QUASAR

The brilliant core of a far off young active galaxy are symbolized in the burst of lines in the Quasar timepiece. A heavy casing with an elegant strap encapsulates this vibrant energy.

Volume 4 No. 1 www.brandmagazineph.com

The Pulsar timepiece captures the fastspinning and cataclysmic characteristics of the namesake star. Elegant and sublime in the heavens, it is symbolically bounded in the splendidly polished casing with sturdy leather straps.

POLICE

STAMPEDE

• Ppl.14107jsbu/02 • Spring/summer 2014 • Gents watch • Black w/ ip gun top ring stainless steel case frame • 45mm x 50mm case frame size • Black dial color • Black leather strap • 3 Hands date • Php7,290

SUPERMACY

• Ppl.13987js/02 • New collection • Gents watch • Silver stainless steel case frame • 44mm x 51.5mm case frame size • Black dial color • Black leather strap • Multifunction • Php7,490

MILANO

• Ppl.14099jsu/03m • Spring/summer 2014 • Gents watch • Ip gun stainless steel case frame • 44.5mm x 51.5mm case frame size • Blue dial color • Ip gun stainless steel strap • Multifunction-date • Php9,490

FLARE

• Ppl.13648jstb/02m • New collection • Gents watch • Stainless steel silver with black case • 47mm x 54mm case frame size • Black dial color • Stainless steel silver strap • Chronograph • Price: php10,490

JOYRIDING

• Ppl.13970jsbo/02 • New collection • Gents watch • Black w/ orange stainless steel case frame • 49mm x 55mm case frame size • Black w/ orange dial color • Black rubber strap • Multifunction • Php7,990

FIGHTER

• Ppl.13805jsbr/02 • New collection • Gents watch • Stainless black case • 44mm x 57mm case frame size • Black dial color • Black rubber strap • Chronograph • Php9,490

Volume 4 No. 1 www.brandmagazineph.com

ESPRIT

CASEY MESH GOLD

CASEY ROSEGOLD • Ees107112003 • Php7,290 • Spring/summer 2014 • Ladies watch • Rosegold stainless steel case frame • 20mm case frame size • Rosegold dial color • Rosegold stainless strap • 2 Hand

• Ees107112009 • Spring/summer 2014 • Ladies watch • Gold stainless steel case frame • 20mm case frame size • Gold dial color • Gold mesh strap • 2 Hand

TIA SPARK GOLD

• Ees107092002 • Php7,290 • Spring/summer 2014 • Ladies watch • Gold w/ stones stainless steel case frame • 26mm case frame size • Silver with gold dial color • Gold stainless steel strap • 2 Hand

CASEY MESH ROSEGOLD

• Ees107112008 • Spring/summer 2014 • Ladies watch • Rosegold stainless steel case frame • 20mm case frame size • Rosegold dial color • Rosegold mesh strap • 2 Hand

ELSIE ROSEGOLD

• Ees107152002 • Price: php9,290 • Spring/summer 2014 • Ladies watch • Rosegold with stones case • 34mm case frame size • Grey with rosegold dial color • Stainless steel rosegold strap • Multifunction

SOPHIE GOLD

• Ees107052003 • Php8,490 • Spring/summer 2014 • Ladies watch • Silver stainless steel case • 38mm case frame size • Gold dial color • Gold stainless steel strap • Multifunctional

Like us! www.facebook.com/brandmagph

GANT

•American brand •Established 1949 •Distributed in over 60 countries •Over 800 gant ﬂag ship stores •Approx. 5000 Retailers Item code: gntw10893 Function: chronograph; Movement: japanese quartz - miyota os21; Stainless steel case; Ipr;ø 45mm; Mineralglass; Dial: silver; Brown leather strap/bracelet; Wr: 10 atm Price: php17,095.00

KOMONO

KOM-W1900 MAGNUS – The One Case Size: 46mm Gents Php5,250

KOMONO 48

Volume 4 No. 1 www.brandmagazineph.com

TITAN

TTN9971WM01 Php 14,695.00

TTN9971YM01 Php 13,795.00 TTN9971SM01 Php 14,095.00

TITAN RAGA PEARLS

Perola, meaning ‘pearl’, is a bracelet designed with the setting of 22 irregular pearls. Available in black and white pearls, it is set in Free fall links for an elegant form. Like us! www.facebook.com/brandmagph

TIMELINE

FRANCIS LIBIRAN Photographer: G-nie Arambulo of AdPhoto, Inc. Make-Up: Nathan Ferolino Hair: Ehyel Delloson and Edward Pascual Styling: Jear DE Mc Cuttac and Vince Abarra Styling Associates: Barob Solomon and Ipo Gonzales

Q&A BM: Hello Franics, tell us a little something aboyut yourself to help our readers become more acquianted with you: -When did you first get involved in this industry? How did you get started? You are an architect by profession, so how did you end up in the fashion industry? Francis: I am Francis Libiran, a fashion designer. I graduated Architecture at the University of Santo Tomas and worked in an architectural firm after my graduation. Not so soon, I got bored with my job and shifted my career as I enrolled myself at the Fashion Institute of the Philippines while building up my business. Putting up a fashion house was really my dream together with my business partners Arsi Baltazar and Miguel Leyva. BM: You’re relatively young for the level of success you’ve attained. How did you achieve so much in so little time? Francis: I believe that the difference between the impossible and possible lies in a man’s determination. Attaining the level of success right now is the fruit of my hard work which I always dedicate for the glory of our country. I must also say that this is a collaboration of all the efforts that me, my business partner and manager Arsi Baltazar, and my whole team are putting up together.

Volume 4 No. 1 www.brandmagazineph.com

*Special Thanks to: Arsi Baltazar, Mr. Albert Que and UniSilver Time Family Like Us! www.facebook.com/brandmagph

BM: Your gown ended up on the shoulders of Megan Young, on the night it mattered most. How did your gown land on her shoulders? Was there a “competition” among local designers? Francis: There was no competition that happened with regards to dressing up Megan for the pageant. Megan personally approached me since I’ve been dressing her up already for several events in her life. She asked me if I can make her gown for the pageant and why would I say no? I took that opportunity to show the world the true essence Filipina beauty, talent, and artistry. BM: How has Megan’s win (at the Miss World competition) affected your business? Francis: All that I created for Megan is something that will really highlight her beauty; a gown that will make her exceptional from her competitors. And that gown turned to be the “victory gown” of Miss World 2013. Days after her coronation, our phones never stopped ringing and our social media accounts were bombed with inquiries from people, locally and abroad. Of course, being able to create a “victory gown” for an international icon, Megan’s victory is my victory as well.

Gray white long sleeve top, Francis Libiran of Myth Black jogpants, H&M

Volume 4 No. 1 www.brandmagazineph.com

BM: Will you be setting up a store/boutique in the US? Francis: Yes, that’s really our plan. We really want to go global and tap the international market.. BM: Let’s talk about your Tourbillon watch how did that idea come around? Francis: For me, being a designer, with your will and passion, is an endless job. You must never stop thinking of something new that you can offer to the market. So last year, I, together with my business manager Arsi Baltazar, thought of how can expand our product line. Then timely, the management of Chronotron Inc., approached us and offered us to have my own line of timepieces. For me, it is not just an opportunity, but a challenge as well; a challenge that will broaden the span of my capability to design. BM: Who came up with the designs of the watches? They’re classic in every sense and beautifully executed. Francis: The design of the watches were all based on the Francis Libiran aesthetics when it comes to my creations: classic, intricate, timeless, and exquisitely executed. Each of the prestigious pieces was built using high quality materials and beautifully assembled to meet the needs of every consumer.

Gray with orange sleeve details, Givenchy

Like us! www.facebook.com/brandmagph

Luxury

in Design

The Francis Libiran Wristwatch Words and photos by Andrew Rodriguez

ince the invention of the wristwatch, these timepieces have become more than just simple and functional devices that tell time. While a good number of watch brands and their watch models simply show us what time (or date) it is, there are a select few brands that take things to another level, a level of high fashion, status symbol and exclusivity. These are wristwatches that only a select few individuals can acquire and the rest of us mere mortals can only dream of having. One of these exclusive timepieces is this newly released wristwatch from the internationally acclaimed Filipino fashion designer, Francis Libiran. In fact, there is not one but six exclusive timepieces coming from the talented designer. The diamond encrusted bezel and leather wristband watch gracing this (and the next few) pages shout class and exclusivity. Upon opening the simple but elegant leather wrapped box, the studded timepiece begs you to take a closer look at it. What you notice immediately are the 168 diamonds of .87 carats each embedded around the polished bezel. Nothing grabs a personâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s attention like a ring of sparkling gems. Once you get past the bezel, the watch face behind the sapphire glass features a finely detailed and engraved

Volume 4 No. 1 www.brandmagazineph.com

Like us! www.facebook.com/brandmagph

plate. The face showcases a Greenwich Meridian Time indicator and a day & night indicator as well. Roman numbers in bronze are used for the hour indices, complimented by metallic blue hour and minute hands. Francis Libiranâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s name is also prominently displayed on the face also in bronze. In case you are wondering what that small window on the watch face is for, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s there to showcase the most important feature of this timepiece in all its glory. All of the six wristwatches of the Francis Libiran line feature Swiss-made tourbillon movement. For the wristwatch in this article, the windows found on the watch face and back case show off the tourbillon mechanism which, in itself, is a work of precision. The aim of mechanical watch mechanisms like the tourbillon is to improve accuracy and counter the effects of gravity on the small parts of the mechanism. Originally developed around 1795, modern day tourbillons are a novelty and a demonstration of watchmaking virtuosity. Encasing the tourbillon mechanism is a hard wearing rose gold plated solid stainless steel casing with a metal brushed finish. Adding to the look and feel of luxury of the wristwatch is the genuine leather watch straps. The stitched crocodile grain leather strap is padded for comfort and utilizes a clasp system called a deployment buckle or deployant clasp which makes it easier for the wearer to put the watch on and off. It is also less prone to slipping which is the case with heavier watches. First time users of the clasp design may be left scratching their heads initially but once you have figured out how the clasp works, it is very easy to use. This luxurious wristwatch is also an example of exclusivity. Why? Each of the six variants of the Francis Libiran timepieces has only one example of each. It does not get more exclusive than that. So the you have it. A wristwatch designed by a renowned fashion designer featuring tourbillon movement and exclusivity like no other, what else can you ask for?

Volume 4 No. 1 www.brandmagazineph.com

BM: Given a choice, would you be rather known for your clothes, or your watches? Francis: Both :) BM: Do you want to tell our readers anything about Francis Libiran time pieces, and why they should favor local over foreign? Francis: Our country has a lot to offer for us. I think we must really value whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s really ours before trying to look for imported products. The Francis Libiran Timepieces cater to everything that you need in a watch: high quality, timeless and prestige design, and fine materials. Francis Libiran Timepieces will surely give you a timeless experience every second.

Pinstripped long sleeve inner, and black sweater with white geo prints, H&M

Like us! www.facebook.com/brandmagph

SCAN

HOME • OFFICE • PERSONAL

High-Tech Fashion Gadgets Words by Kaye Benedicto

What kind of gadgets make your heart beat faster? The coolest and the latest ones double as fashion accessories. As we continue through 2014, we’ll be bringing you information about the most exciting new gadgets to ensure that you know what is in and what is not!

Volume 4 No. 1 www.brandmagazineph.com

ZTE BLADE G PRO (V829) • Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean • 1.3 GHz dual-core Media Tek MT6572 processor • 5MP rear camera • 4.5”854 x 480 display • 4GB built-in, microSD, 512MB RAM • Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 3G • Dual SIM • Php5,680

ZTE GRAND X QUAD • Android 4.2 Jelly Bean • 1.2GHz quad-core processor • 8.0 MP rear, 1.3 MP front camera; 1080p video recording • 5.0” 1280 x 720 display with OGS Technology (helps with sunlight) • 4GB built-in, microSD, 1GB RAM • Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 3G • Dual SIM/ standby • Php11,480

ZTE Grand X2 • Android 4.2 Jelly Bean •1.2 GHz quad-core mediatek MT6589 processor • 5MP rear, VGA front camera • 5” 960 x 540 display • 4 GB built-in, microSD, 1GB RAM • Wi-FI, Bluetooth, 3G • Dual SIM • Php9,480 Like us! www.facebook.com/brandmagph

LG G3-

“Simple is the New Smart” The LG G3 has a 5.5-inch, 1440 x 2560 (QHD) pixel resolution screen, which provides the super-crisp, 538 pixels per inch. Dimensions are pretty compact for the screen size, resulting in excellent 76.4% screen to body size ratio. The Android 4.4 KitKat-based handset is powered by a quad-core Snapdragon 801 and 3GB of LPDDR3 RAM. It features 32GB of internal storage and a microSD slot. The main 13-megapixel rear shooter comes with the company’s improved Optical Image Stabilization+ and has a laser auto focus assist beam, which delivers fast focus even in low light scenarios. The 2.1-megapixel front-facing cam comes with an “enhanced selﬁe mode”.

LG G PAD 7.0 The LG G Pad 7.0 boasts a 1280 by 800 pixel IPS-LCD display, and a quad-core 1.2 GHz CPU with 1GB of RAM. The SoC of choice is the Qualcomm Snapdragon 400. The tablet also sports a 3MP main camera and 8GB of storage expandable via microSD cards. The G Pad 7.0 has 4000 mAh battery.

Volume 4 No. 1 www.brandmagazineph.com

Exclusive Distributor

Corporate Headquarters: 10th Floor, AIC Center Building, 204 Escolta Street, Binondo, Manila Philippines Email: info@sonic.ph Telephone: +63 (2) 230-8750 Fax: +63 (2) 230-8796 Website: www.tcl-lighting.ph

HUAWEI ASCEND P7 Key Features: • Display: 5.00-inch • Processor: 1.8GHz • Front Camera: 8-megapixel • Resolution: 1080x1920 pixels • RAM: 2GB • OS: Android 4.4 (Kit-Kat) • Storage: 16GB • Rear Camera: 13-megapixel • Battery capacity: 2500mAh • Price: Php 20,990

HUAWEI ASCEND G6 Key Features • Display: 4.5-inch 960 x 540 qHD display • OS: Android™ 4.3 Jelly Bean • Memory: 1GB RAM, 8GB ROM, supports MicroSD card up to 32GB • Front-facing Camera: 5.0MP • Rear-facing Camera: 8MP AF with f/2.0 aperture • Video capture: 1080p HD video recording and video playback • Size: 3G: 130mm x 65mm x 7.5mm • Weight: About 115g • Connectivity: GSM / UMTS / HSPA+ / WiFi 802.11 b/g/n / Bluetooth 4.0 / NFC sharing* • Processor: Qualcomm MSM8926 quad-core 1.2GHz • Battery: 2000 mAh lithium polymer • Price: Php 9,990

Volume 4 No. 1 www.brandmagazineph.com

ASUS MEMO PAD 8 • Operating System - Android 4.2 Jelly Bean • Display - 8” LED Backlight WXGA (1280x800) Screen, IPS Panel, 10 ﬁnger multi-touch support • CPU - Quad-Core, 1.6 GHz • GPU - Mali 400 MP4 • Memory - 1GB • Storage - 16GB One Year ASUS Webstorage Space • Wireless Data Network - WLAN802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth V3.0+EDR • Camera - 1.2 MP Front Camera (720p Video Recording), 5 MP Rear Camera with Auto focus (1080p Video Recording) • Audio - Stereo Speakers with Sonic Master technology • Interface - 2-in-1 Audio Jack (Head Phone / Mic-in), 1 × Micro USB, 1 × Micro SD Card Reader (Support to 64GB) • Sensor – G- Sensor, E-compass, Hall sensor • Battery - 9 hours; 15Wh Li-polymer Battery • Dimension - 212.8 × 127.4 × 9.95 mm (W×D×H) • Weight - 350g

ASUS ZENFONE 6 Asus ZenFone 6 smartphone with 6.00-inch 720x1280 display powered by 1.6GHz processor alongside 2GB RAM and 13-megapixel rear camera. The Zenfone 6 is priced at Php 11,995.

ASUS ZENFONE 5 Asus Zenfone 5 smartphone with 5.00-inch 720x1280 display powered by 1.6GHz processor alongside 2GB RAM and 8-megapixel rear camera. The Zenfone 5 is priced at Php6,495.

Volume 4 No. 1 www.brandmagazineph.com

TCL 4K UHD TV

Model: L55E5690UDS/MS901K-AP/ CS1STA) PICTURE: Category- LCD TV(Edge Lit LED) Dynamic Contrast(DCC)- YES Natura Light Technology-Yes (Natural Light Engine) Backlight Adjustable- YES(0*100) Color Temperature –Warm/Normal/ Cool/Custom Picture Mode- Dynamic,Standard, Movie,Studio,Personal Picture Size- Auto, 16:9,4:3, dot by dot (VGA) Comb Filter-3D Dynamic Noise Reduction- 3D Adaptive Deinterlacing- 3D MEMC ….

PANEL SPECIFICATION: Back Light Unit- LED Panel Supplier- COST Aspect Ratio- 16:9 Php-66,695

TCL Regular LED

Model: L55B3700/MS306-AP(CS4)

TCL Smart TV 55S4690S

Dynamic Contrast (DCC) Natural Light Technology, Backlight Adjustable Color Temperature, Picture Mode Picture Size, Comb Filter Dynamic Noise Reduction, Adaptive Deinterlacing MEMC Php52,295

55” LCD TV 16:9 Medium /Warm/Cool Yes Auto/4:3/16:9/Zoom1/Zoom2/Panorama 4 picture effects preset (Standard/Dynamic/Mild/User) Auto 3D Yes (Natural Light Enginen II) Php-44,495

TCL GoLive TV

Model: LED40B2810/MS306-LA-CM1GTA

TCL Regular LED

Model: LED40B2800/MS306-LA-CM1GTA

40* LCD TV 16:9 Medium/Warm/Cool Yes Auto/4:3/16:9/Zoom1/Zoom2/Panorama 4 picture effects preset (Standard/Dynamic/Mild/User) Auto 3D Yes (Natural Light Enginen II) Php-17,995

PICTURE: Dynamic Contrast (DCC)-16.9 Natura Light Technology- Medium/Warm/Cool Backlight Adjustable- Yes Color Temperature-Medium/Warm/Cool Picture Mode- 4 picture effects preset (Standard/ Dynamic/Mild/User) Comb Filter-3D Dynamic Noise Reduction- 3D Adaptive DE interlacing – 3D Motion Compensation – Yes

PANEL SPECIFICATION: Back Light Unit- LED Panel Supplier – CIMEI4ALD4005-CM1GTA) Aspect Ratio- 16:9 Panel Size(inch)- 40” Php-22,695

Like us! www.facebook.com/brandmagph

ZH & K - Z99 • Dual SIM Standby • 4.0” WQVGA LCD Display • 0.3 MP Camera • Micro SD Support up to 8 GB • Support Facebook/ Twitter • Support GPRS/Bluetooth/WiFi/TV/FM/MP3/MP4 • Loud Speaker • 6 Colors Available: Black, Blue, Gold, Orange, Pink, Silver • Php1,799

Z38 • Dual SIM Standby • 3.2” QVGA LCD Display w/ Handwriting Input • 0.3 MP Camera • Micro SD Support up to 8 GB • Support Facebook/Twitter • Support GPRS/Bluetooth/Java/Wiﬁ/TV/MP3/MP4 • Loud Speaker • 7 Colors Available: Red, Black, Blue, Gold, Green, Pink, White • Php1,549

Z65

• Dual SIM Standby • 3.2” QVGA LCD Display • 1.3 MP Camera w/ Flash • Micro SD Support up to 8 GB • Support GPRS/Bluetooth/Java • TV/Audio/FM/MP3 • Loud Speaker/ Torch • 7 Colors Available: Gold, Pink, Red, Silver, Black, Blue, Green • Php1,549

Volume 4 No. 1 www.brandmagazineph.com

OPPO N1 OPPO N1 smartphone comes with a 5.90-inch 1080x1920 display powered by a 1.7GHz processor alongside 2GB RAM and 13-megapixel rear camera. With battery capacity of 3610mAh, the Oppo N1 is priced at Php22,990.

OPPO FIND 7A Oppo Find 7a smartphone comes with a 5.50-inch 1080x1920 display powered by 2.3GHz processor alongside a 2GB RAM and 13-megapixel rear camera, with a battery capacity of 2800mAh. The price of the Oppo Find 7a is Php22,990.

OPPO Yoyo Features • Android v4.2 Jelly Bean • Quad-core 1.3 GHz • RAM 1 GB • Micro SIM • GSM 850/900 / 1800 / 1900 MHz • 3G HSDPA 850/1900 / 2100 • HSDPA at 21 Mbps; HSUPA at 5.76 Mbps • 4.7 Inches, 540 X 960 pixels, 234 ppi Gorilla Glass • IPS capacitive touchscreen, 16M colors • 5 Megapixels • Camera Front 2 Megapixels • LED ﬂash, Autofocus, Geo-tagging, Touch focus, Video Calling, • Internal Memory 4 GB • Php12,990 Like us! www.facebook.com/brandmagph

STARMOBILE ENGAGE 8 QUAD+ • Android Jelly Bean • Quad Core Processor • 7.85” Capacitive Screen • Expandable Memory up to 32GB • 8GB ROM + 1GB RAM • 5MP Rear + 2MP Front Cameras • 4000 mAh Battery • Multimedia • Aluminum Finish • USB OTG Compatible • Wi-Fi • Built-in HDMI • Php6,990

STARMOBILE ENGAGE 9I • Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean • 2.0GHz Intel Atom Z2580 with Hyper-Threading Technology • 8.9” WUXGA IPS 1920x1200 Capacitive Display • Expandable Memory up to 32GB • 16GB + 2GB RAM • 5MP Auto Focus Rear Camera + 2MP Front Camera • 6500 mAh Batter • Multimedia • Bluetooth • Wi-Fi • USB OTG Compatible • Glass Finish • Php9,990

STARMOBILE ENGAGE 7+ • Android 4.2 Jelly Bean • Dual Core Processor • 7” Capacitive Multi Touch Display • Wi-Fi • Expandable Memory up to 32GB • 4GB ROM + 1GB RAM • 2MP Rear Camera + VGA Front Camera • 3700 mAh Battery • PlayStore • Multimedia • Social media • Supports 3.5G USB Modem via OTG • Php3,290

Volume 4 No. 1 www.brandmagazineph.com

NOKIA XL Dual SIM The Nokia XL Dual SIM mobile comes with a 5.00inch 480x800 display, powered by a 1GHz processor alongside its 768MB RAM and 5-megapixel rear camera. Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragonâ&#x201E;˘ S4, Maximum talk time (3G): 13h, Maximum music playback time: 37h, Photo sharing: Twitter, Facebook, Send as email attachment; Share over Bluetooth, Social apps: Facebook, Twitter, WeChat, Viber, Skype.

Samsung Curved UHD TV The Samsung Curved UHD TV comes with amazing technologies that really elevate your experience, including the Auto Depth Enhancer, which dramatically increases the feeling of depth you get from viewing images on a curved screen. It works by splitting each frame into areas-Background Area, Center Area, Front Areaâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;by analyzing the similarity of the brightness and color. Then it automatically optimizes the contrast levels for each area to give the viewer a greater feeling of depth for more immersive viewing. Like us! www.facebook.com/brandmagph

NETBASE

HOME • OFFICE • PERSONAL

Must-Have Luxury Gadgets Words by Kaye Benedicto

What would be the first thing you would buy if money was no object? Luxury gadgets have always attracted people’s attention, as technology is nowadays something most people can’t live without and the higher the tech and luxury look of the gadget the better. Here are a list of must-have luxury gadgets, so you can pick your favorite and work to get it!

IDIAMOND IPOD SHUFFLE

The iDiamond iPod Shuffle is definitely for girls who love diamonds and turn down her favorite tunes on a diamond encrusted iPod shuffle.

WORLD’S MOST EXPENSIVE IPHONE AND IPAD CASES

BY BUCCELLATI What makes these cases exclusive is the use of gold and Rigato etching which is a specialty of this designer house. White gold and diamonds have been used extensively on these cases, thus adding a distinct touch to the entire presentation.

IPAD 2 GOLD

Stuart Hughes is back again with the world’s most expensive iPad 2 at $8 million. It’s encrusted with 12.5-carats of flawless diamonds, 53 individually set sparkling gems set in a solid 24-carat gold Apple logo on a 24-carat gold rear plate that weighs an insane 4.4 pounds.

IPHONE 4 DIAMOND ROSE

Designer Stuart Hughes is known for his overthe-top luxury creations and his iPhone 4 Diamond Rose is “the world’s most expensive phone”. The bezel is handmade from rose gold with 500 individual flawless diamonds totaling over 100 carats. Add another 53 diamonds for the Apple logo and a single cut 7.4-carat pink diamond inside the platinum navigation button.

Volume 4 No.1 www.brandmagazineph.com

MOST EXPENSIVE CHARGER FROM MONSTER

Smartphones can be charged on the go; this has become possible with Monster coming up with super thin power cards. Only ten pieces of these cards have been created and five of these have been plated with 24-carat gold. The charger has been developed keeping in mind the requirement of those people who travel a lot. This power solution has a 1600 mAh Lithium ion battery and uses Micro USB input charging. Metal plating has been done on these cards to give them an exclusive look.

TITANIUM PHONE

If you don’t care much for diamonds, but would rather rely on solidity of titanium, then the Regal Titanium Phone Gresso is for you. It is crafted as a one-piece detail made of titanium. The front and back panels feature tempered mineral glass, giving it a rich finish. It runs on Symbian S40, features a 2MP camera, 30MB of internal storage that can be expanded via microSD and offers Bluetooth connectivity.

WIRELESS IPHONE AND ANDROID PHOTO PRINTER

WACOM BAMBOO FUN PEN & TOUCH

A mouse replacement with a stylus that lets you draw, write and edit photos and images with great accuracy. Once you’ve set up the Bamboo, you can even pinch to zoom like an iPad when using Photoshop Elements, which is included in the bundle, making that price tag seem more appealing when compared to a bog standard mouse. If you’re a creative type or simply edit a lot of videos and images, a tablet replacement for your mouse is essential.

This is the printer that connects wirelessly to an iPhone or Androidpowered phone and prints vibrant color photographs. An iPhone running a free app transmits pictures over a home Wi-Fi network to the printer, allowing you to print from anywhere in the home. In less than a minute and without ink cartridges, it prints 4” x 6” borderless photographs at 300 dpi resolution in up to 256 gradations and 16.7 million colors. The pictures are printed on patented paper embedded with yellow, magenta, and cyan dye crystals, producing rich, vibrant photographs that are waterproof and resist fingerprints, dust, and scratches. It can also print pictures directly from PictBridge-enabled cameras. Includes paper cartridge for 10 prints; Compatible with all iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch models running iOS 3 and up and Android-powered devices running OS 2 and up. 7” L x 6” W x 4” H.

RUARK R1 MK2 DAB RADIO If you want the best radio sound flowing from your bedside table, the Ruark DAB radio is what you’re looking for. A simple design houses all the controls on top of the unit and the retro styling belies the crystal clear DAB screen. Sound wise, you can expect good detail and very clear spoken word broadcasts rather than thumping bass. Key features: Retro design, detailed sound, including battery and carry case.

MAGIC MUSHROOMS FLASH DRIVE

Magical mushrooms store 32GB of data. This elegant luxury flash drive is a part of Swiss jeweller La Maison Shawish’s line-up of USB-flash drives. The drive is shaped in the form of a mushroom that is encrusted with precious stones. You will find a full range of mushrooms, decked in various stones like rubies, emeralds, diamonds and sapphires. Like us! www.facebook.com/brandmagph

DIAMOND LAPTOP SLEEVE

It is made of no less than 8,800 diamonds. And to protect your laptop from scratches the opening of this sleeve is covered with the fur of the rare black sable from Siberia. If you want one of these, then you will have to contact the Dutch Company Cover Bee directly, as it’s made to order.

VERTU’S CONSTELLATION SMARTPHONE

British luxury mobile phone, Vertu has now rolled out the Gemstone limited edition using the Constellation series as a base. Available in alternates of two colors - Liquorice Sapphire or Rose Ruby. Add to that about 80 precious sapphires or rubies on the titanium face at the lower end. The brand had also launched an amiable service for the Constellation model known as the Vertu Monogram. Considering we all know personalization and customization is key when it comes to pushing the realms of luxury, we quite like the idea of our personality being projected on to our phones.

HASSELBLAD H4D-200MS

High-resolution camera for highest possible details. Hasselblad’s H4D camera range appears to be a photographer’s dream. One of its high resolution cameras is the H4D-200MS featuring a 50MP sensor and 200MP Multi-Shot Technology. This camera is handy when you need to capture extremely large or extremely close shots with the highest detail possible. It builds on the technology and success of the H4D-50MS and uses Hasselblad’s proprietary multi-shot capture technology, applying a clever technical solution to bring 200 megapixel resolution. In fact, it is three cameras in one, adding functionalities from the previous models such as the H4D-50 and the H4D-50MS. Some of its features include 36.7 x 49.1 mm CCD Sensor, True focus, Ultra focus, digital lens correction and 3-inch display.

PEN SIZED SCANNER

HARD DISK DRIVE MADE OF SAPPHIRE

Developed by a team of scientists from French nuclear waste management agency ANDRA, the drive is made using industrial-quality sapphire, while the data is engraved using platinum. Designed to survive one million years, it’s bound to keep your data safe. Made out of two thin disks of sapphire, each single disk can store about 40,000 pages.

Volume 4 No.1 www.brandmagazineph.com

This is the ballpoint pen that laser-scans documents as easily as it scribes notes. A high-precision auto-focus lens and 5-megapixel sensor built into the pen scan letters, recipes, or important documents as crisp, clear 2048 x 1536 pixel images. Pressing the shutter button halfway projects a visible red laser frame onto a document, and the pen automatically focuses the image just before the picture is taken. The device has 1 GB of built-in flash memory that holds up to 1,000 scanned pictures in JPEG format and the pen also captures voice memos in WAV format with the integrated microphone. Twisting the pen apart reveals a USB plug that downloads scanned images to a computer. Made from anodized aluminum, the pen switches from writing to scanning mode with a turn of a dial. Captures up to 300 images after a one-hour charge via USB. Compatible with Mac OS X, Windows 8, 7, Vista, and XP. Includes a leather case and ink cartridge. 6 1/2” L x 2/3” Diam. (2 oz.)

LASER PROJECTION KEYBOARD FISH TANK COFFEE TABLE

This full sized aquarium table has sides that are made from acrylic ‘The fish tank coffee table plugs right into any AC power point and has an access panel in its base that allows you to reach all of the electrical parts. For feeding your fish there is a gap under the top of the table. Tables are available in two different sizes: a smaller version which has a 15 gallon capacity and a 24” square top and a larger version with a 25 gallon capacity and a 36” square top.

This full sized laser projected keyboard looks like something that’s come straight out of the future and can be connected to most bluetooth devices such as the iPhone, iPad and laptops. Just plug it in and start typing away on your brand new laser keyboard that not only looks awesome but allows you to type at speeds that rival that of a standard keyboard. This cool little gizmo comes with a rechargeable battery that lasts for up to 150 minutes at a time and can be charged with almost any device with a USB port.

DESIGNER WALL CLOCK

PRESTIGEHD SUPREME ROSE TV

This television set has its base and outer frame crafted out of a 28 kg of solid 18K rose gold. The outer frame flaunts 72 brilliant round cut 1ct IF flawless diamonds along with a mix of sunstone and amethyst. The inner frame has hand-sewn alligator skin. PrestigeHD Supreme Rose is a stunning and sparkling 55-inch HDTV.

If you’re looking for a sophisticated wall clock that just oozes style then you really can’t beat this ultra-modern gadget from Biegert & Func. Instead of giving you the time in numbers this clock will tell you the time in statement form such as “its half past eleven”.

SONY PLAYSTATION 3 SUPREME AND NINTENDO WII SUPREME

Thanks to Stuart Hughes, game in style on the Sony PlayStation 3 Supreme and the Nintendo Wii Supreme crafted in gold. Both these gaming consoles are crafted using solid 22ct gold. The PS3 features 1.6 kg of gold and over fifty 0.50 ct flawless diamonds surrounding the disc loading entrance. On the other hand, the Nintendo Wii Supreme is cast with over 2.5 kg of gold with over seventy 0.25 ct flawless diamonds adorning the buttons in front of the console .

Like us! www.facebook.com/brandmagph

RATED

TECH • LIFESTYLE • REVIEW

Wireless Tunes Bose SoundTouch 20 Words and photos by Andrew Rodriguez

s far back as I can remember, Bose has been a brand synonymous with innovative sound reproduction utilizing speaker designs outside the norm. Their products range from home speakers to automotive speaker systems, professional audio to personal audio as well. The Bose SoundTouch 20 is another example of the brand’s innovative thinking when it comes to sound reproduction. The SoundTouch 20 is a speaker system that allows you to stream music from the web wirelessly via Wi-Fi connection.

Volume 4 No. 1 www.brandmagazineph.com

Coming in a relatively large box, the SoundTouch 20 is actually smaller than the box would suggest. After I opened the

box, I found that the unit is a compact speaker system just the right size to be placed on a desk or side table in a typical room. The white and black color combination gives it a classy but modern appearance that would blend in with just about any room. Setting up the unit is easy with only two cables needed to get things going. One of the cables is the power cable while the other is a USB to mini USB cable that is needed only during configuring the speaker system for wireless connectivity. After the cables, I needed a laptop/desktop that had the SoundTouch app installed to finish things. The app can be downloaded free of charge from the URL stated in the instruction manual and installed into a computer, smartphone or tablet. I opted to install the app in my laptop and smartphone since both units contained my music library. Once I got the speaker configured and connected to my home Wi-Fi network using my laptop, the SoundTouch 20 was ready to stream music from an online source or my music library wirelessly.

While I was not able to check how many speakers the SoundTouch 20 had onboard, it is safe to assume that there are, at least, two full range drivers on the face of the speaker and are mounted in a tuned enclosure that uses a vent in the rear of the speaker to enhance low frequency output. Overall, the sound reproduction is balanced across the frequency range with only the really high frequencies being missed but not too much. It has enough power to fill a good sized room with music, plus output to spare. On its own, the tunes can be controlled via buttons found on the top part of the unit. A total of ten buttons control functions like volume, power, aux-in switch and six music presets. There is also a wireless remote that comes with the unit but I think the coolest way to control the speaker system is thru my laptop or smartphone. I can select tracks and control system volume using my smartphone/laptop even if the unit itself is physically in another room as long as it is connected to the Wi-Fi network. In case the Wi-Fi network is

unavailable, Bose thoughtfully included an auxiliary input option for the SoundTouch 20 via 3.5mm jack at the rear of the unit. A visual reference on what is going on with the SoundTouch 20 is available via a OLED display on the front face of the unit. Bose once more has pushed innovation with wireless streaming of music with their SoundTouch technology. The SoundTouch 20 does offer impressive performance without the boundaries of wires. It is definitely the future of speaker systems as far as Bose is concerned.

BRAND RATE THE VERDICT: It is definitely the future of speaker systems as far as Bose is concerned.

Like us! www.facebook.com/brandmagph

Tech21 Impact Shield Self-Healing Screen Protector & Tactical Shield Casing with D3O

for Samsung Galaxy S5 Words and photos by Dindin Moreno

After buying a new phone, the first things I would buy next are a screen protector and a protective casing. It’s not just me, but a lot of people like to keep their gadgets looking pristine just like the first day you bought it. There are a lot of screen protectors and casings offered out there in the market. But only a handful can really claim that that their products are results of hours of research and include space-age technology for protection. Screen protectors and protective casings nowadays are essential to keep your phone safe and scratch free.

Tech21 Impact Shield Self-Healing Screen Protector The Tech21 Screen Protector has a retail price of over a thousand pesos. Don’t be surprised because this is a far cry from the generic ones that costs fifty bucks or less and could be found anywhere. The main selling point of this screen protector is that when something hits the screen, it dissipates and absorbs the force applied away from the point of impact. This is something the generic screen protectors cannot do even if you layer them together. The ‘space-age’ screen protection technology was achieved by putting together three types of layers to form a single screen protector. The

top layer is a hard top that spreads the impact force. The second is ‘BulletShield’, a BASF protection polymer that absorbs impact. This is being used for manufacturing bulletproof glass. The third is a soft base layer that slows down and further absorbs impact force. The Tech21 screen protector is also Self Healing! Slight scratches disappear from the top layer after a day. This screen protector package also comes with a plastic applicator for easy application of the screen protector on your phone. The applicator also doubles as a phone stand so don’t throw it away!

Volume 4 No. 1 www.brandmagazineph.com

Tactical Shield Casing with D3O for Samsung Galaxy S5 The Tech21 Impact Tactical Casing looks like any other case around. You may be surprised to find out that you it is also a result of hours of research and testing to provide your phone with the best protection possible. The case is internally lined with D3O, which is an amazing futuristic material that effectively absorbs and dissipates force and shock away from your phone when struck or dropped. It is soft and flows almost like liquid in its normal state. But when force is applied to D3O, the molecules band together and become rock hard! I know it is quite hard to believe, but just search the Internet and you will see videos of fresh eggs wrapped with D3O surviving drops and direct hits from a hammer. Just watching

the videos online convinced me that D3O really works! In a nutshell, you may scoff at the thought and want to save money by skipping buying a screen protector and case because the Samsung S5 has Corning Gorilla Glass. But numerous drop tests on YouTube shows the screen cracking. So it would still be a wise investment to buy additional protection for your new phone to prevent it from happening. Just make sure itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a Tech21.

BRAND RATE THE VERDICT:

It would still be a wise investment to buy additional protection for your new phone to prevent it from happening. Just make sure itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a Tech21.

Like us! www.facebook.com/brandmagph

Wash and Wear Audio UrbanEars Humlan

eadphones are have increasingly become popular, more so in the recent years where compact portable media players and mobile phones that double duty as media players have found their way into the hands of just about everyone. Also in the recent years, headphone manufacturers have aggressively played a game of one-upmanship to capture the fancy of the consumers. Aside from durability, design, and audio quality of the product, consumers are now enticed by the manufacturers with innovative features that their competition doesn’t have. Urbanears is one of those manufacturers with a seemingly novel idea that actually matters to a lot of headphone users: ‘washable’ headphones. Okay, when I say washable, I

Words and photos by Novelyn Quiamco

don’t actually mean the entire headphone can go through a wash cycle in your washing machine but specific parts that come into close contact with your head and ears can be removed and washed. Urbanears introduced their Humlan headphone line with a removable headband pad and ear cushions which you can then put into a supplied mesh bag that you can throw into your washing machine along with your clothes to keep them clean and fresh all the time. I’m sure anyone can appreciate the whole concept. Aside from the novel idea of cleanliness, the Humlan is also a fairly competent performer to boot in terms of sound reproduction. Each ear cup holds a 40mm dynamic driver that has a 20Hz to 20kHz frequency response. Sensitivity is relatively high at 100db so the Humlan can play pretty loud with minimal

Volume 4 No. 1 www.brandmagazineph.com

voltage. Low frequencies are reproduced relatively well but can seem muddled at higher volume levels. The mid and high frequencies reproduction are nicely reproduced with the top most frequencies naturally rolling off a bit too much for some genres of music. Overall though, the Humlan is satisfactory for listening to a broad range of musical types. If there is anything that had me wanting, it was how it felt while I was wearing it. Although it has an adjustable headband to suit different head sizes, the ear cups were fixed which felt like they were not completely flat against my ears but then that’s just me. The Humlan features a “Zoundplug” which is essentially a socket that allows you to share your music with another headphone/earphone. It’s for those times when you are with someone who might also want

to hear the music that you are listening to without the need of another tool or item. The cord that comes with the headphone is quite tangle-free and is just the right length without being too long or too short. And since mobile phones double up as music devices nowadays the cord is also equipped with a built-in-microphone and remote to pick up calls for hands free talking. Wearing the Urbanears Humlan is quite a breeze and is fashionably comfortable. The sound quality is just right with washability to boot. What more could you ask for from a headphone?

BRAND RATE THE VERDICT: The sound quality is just right with wash ability to boot. What more could you ask for of a headphone?

Mobile Storage Plus Strontium Nitro 433X

ith the leaps of technology in recent years, we have steadily been using our smartphones and tablets more and more to accomplish tasks that required the use of our desktop computers or bulky laptops as we went about our daily routines at work and play. We now have the world in our hands, literally, with the ability of our compact devices to access the internet. We can capture moments in time and memories with the same devices. With the different applications available nowadays, almost anything our desktop computers or laptops could do we can now do with our handheld devices. With all that data to be handled by our devices, reliable memory storage medium is of paramount importance. Enter Strontium

Words and photos by Andrew Rodriguez

Technology Pte Ltd. The brand has a strong market presence in over 30 countries. And one of their products aimed at the compact handheld devices is their Nitro 433X Micro SD Card which is the subject of my review, specifically the 16GB version. Once I got hold of the 16GB Nitro 433X Micro SD Card, I noticed that it came bundled with two adaptors. One is an standard SD card adaptor that will allow you to use the Micro SD card in devices that only have SD card slots available. The second adaptor is a direct USB card reader which I found as a nice touch and a huge convenience on the part of the user since transferring data to your desktop or laptop a piece of cake. Loaded in the Nitro 433X 16GB is a full version of the My Backup Pro Android App as an added bonus. The 16GB Micro SD card maximizes the UHS-I

technology to offer a minimum 65MB/s transfer read speed and earns a ‘Class 10’ rating. Installing the Strontium Micro SD card is straightforward; you just slip it into its slot and forget about it. Well, almost. One thing you will notice, especially when you have been using a ‘slower’ memory card, is that you can access data on your device in less time than before. Saved files like images and videos are opened a wee bit quicker. And finally, transferring data between the mobile devices to your desktop or laptop is faster as well. The 16GB capacity is approximately good enough to store up to 26,208 photos at 5MP per photo; 352 hours of MPEG-4 Standard video; 960 minutes of 1080p HD video; or 16,000 MP3 songs. Now that is a lot of data that you can carry

around in your mobile device. With that much data on the line, Strontium has made the 16GB Nitro 433X as durable as possible by making it water proof, temperature proof, magnet proof and x-ray proof to keep your data safe and sound. The Strontium Nitro 433X 16GB Mirco SD Card offers a superior mobile data solution for smartphones, tablets, GPS, digital cameras and digital camcorders

BRAND RATE THE VERDICT: Strontium has made the 16GB Nitro 433X as durable as possible by making it water proof, temperature proof, magnet proof and x-ray proof to keep your data safe and sound.

Like us! www.facebook.com/brandmagph

Refreshing

Juice

Momax iPower Juice Power Bank Words and photos by Novelyn Quiamco

ust about everything we do nowadays involves using at least one gadget. Technology has made how we communicate, share and capture life fit the palm of our hands. All those gadgets consume power and somehow always seem to run out of power when there isn’t a way to plug-in to recharge. Technology has come to the rescue once more and provides us with a solution: power banks. Power banks nowadays exist as a necessity rather than a luxury or just an accessory.

going to change when I received this little orange package from Momax to review. Upon first inspection, I never expected it to be a power bank. Looking just like a miniature pack of orange juice, it had me pretty ecstatic to use it and put the cute power bank to the test. Packing 4400mAh, it is one of the smallest power banks with that capacity in the market today. Aside from having capacity and a small footprint, the iPower Juice is also light which makes it really handy and easy to bring around in your pocket or bag wherever you go.

These external batteries, which power banks basically are, come in different sizes and capacities. The good and powerful ones most often come in expensive, bulky, and let’s not forget, heavy forms. Little did I know that was

The iPower Juice comes with a USB to micro USB cable in the packaging which is compatible with pretty much any gadget out there. Output is a gadget safe 1.5A. Typically, the standard charger for your phone has an

Volume 4 No. 1 www.brandmagazineph.com

output of 1A so the iPower Juice will charge your phone a little faster than normal. There are four LED indicators that give you a heads up on how much charge it has left. A single blinking LED means it only has about 10% of power left and needs to be charged already. Completely charging this cute little power bank takes a good 4 hours or so. After getting myself familiar with the device, I was amazed how easy it was to use and fast the device charges my gadgets. This space-saving power bank can charge at least 2-3 gadgets for every full charge. It incorporates a smart chip that prevents overcharging of your gadget and automatically switches to power-saving mode once your gadget’s battery is fully charged. And by the way, it also comes in two other colors aside from the orange that I reviewed. It is

also available in yellow and lime green. Power banks of similar capacity are typically on the big and heavy side of things but this little juice box is perfect if you are carrying a small purse or, if you want, just put it in your pocket. The Momax iPower Juice is a refreshing way of ‘juicing up’ your drained gadget wherever you may be. So what are you waiting for? Time to juice up!

BRAND RATE THE VERDICT: The Momax iPower Juice is a refreshing way of ‘juicing up’ your drained gadget wherever you may be.

Progress Enough to Change Traditionalists’ Minds Words and photos by Jude Morte

hen it comes to mobile telephony,

traditionalists tend to stick to what works. Namely, using a simple phone with an alphanumeric keypad (such as the Nokia C5-00) merely to send and read text messages, make calls and receive calls, and jot down notes occasionally. However, in media one cannot afford to be left behind, as being part of the fourth estate entails reporting upon progress – including what mid-tier phones can do for journalists. Such is what happened when this writer got a call from ArdentComm (Lenovo’s PR arm) for an experience with the P8,999.00 Lenovo S650 smartphone. Mind you, this traditionalist still prefers going old school when it comes to mobile telephony, sticking to a Nokia C5-00 since 2010. However, friends, motoring media colleagues and relatives have been bugging me non-stop to consider getting a smartphone, as it would be most beneficial in this line of work. So, what the hey, trying S650 might just be that leap of faith needed to

get a smartphone. Besides, the experience would make for better acquaintance with a gadget crucial to being atop the game of getting scoops, which is what makes your hay in media anyway. When you unbox the Lenovo S650, you get the impression that the phone is trying to be at the level of the perceived top tiers of the smartphone arena – namely, the Apple iPhone 5S and the Samsung Galaxy S5 series. On size alone (without actually measuring the S650’s dimensions), the S650 rivals the iPhone and the Samsung S5. Meaning, the phone can barely fit in a pants pocket – which brings up the issue of the proverbial miniature circus big top in one’s lower article of clothing. It could get somewhat awkward when meeting girls, similar to that scene in the movie “Anchorman” where anchor Ron Burgundy (played by Will Ferrell) was “happy” to see Veronica Corningstone (played by Christina Applegate). Accompanying the S60 are necessary peripherals such as earphones, a wall/extension outlet charger (with a detachable USB cable for charging via a laptop or personal computer), and its very own protective

casing. Speaking of the protective casing, it’s one of the phone’s biggest come-ons, as it has a unique flexible silicon strip that has a flexible metal core that can curl like the tail on a Japanese Spitz. The biggest advantage of this part of the casing is that it can act like a fulcrum on which the S650 can lean itself, highly advantageous when viewing videos on the phone’s landscape setting. With regard to the landscape setting, this is one major flaw in a phone which seems to be a great startup for the journalist new to smartphones. You can shoot videos and still photos with the S650, but trying to view them (or even trying to send text messages) from the default portrait setting to the landscape mode takes sometime, which is frustrating. Using the ‘Net and apps like Spotify drain the battery, to the point that a full charge plus said Internet-Spotify usage lasts roughly 330 minutes, which means you need a power bank every time you’re outdoors with the phone. The eight-megapixel camera tends to overcompensate graining (the tendency of the subject to look like pebbles or grains of sand) – even during

outdoor shoots on cloudy days – with perceived sharpness, which tends to make the overall result somewhat artificial. On the good side, when the Android 4.2 operating system is having a good day (read: not slowing down during text message composition), using the landscape feature to write and read messages is ergonomic enough to rival its Teutonic auto namesake. The screen “buttons” are large enough for your thumbs and forefingers to type, and the font used is the equivalent of a size 7.5 or eight on a Microsoft Word document – which doesn’t strain your eyes nor hurt your brain. And using the call feature to reach out and touch someone is great with the S650, as the sound upon reception is clear and strong. With all its faults and fun features, the Lenovo S650 is already beckoning to hasten this writer’s trusty Nokia C5-00’s retirement – progress enough to change traditionalists’ minds with regard to mobile phones. BRAND RATE THE VERDICT: Progress enough to change traditionalists’ minds with regard to mobile phones.

Like us! www.facebook.com/brandmagph

HIGHLIGHT

LATEST • TRENDING • UPDATES

World’s Luxury Brands

uxury goods can be defined as products that are expensive and not necessary. Luxury goods can range from the most expensive clothes, shoes, and perfumes to the most expensive watches and cars. Luxury as a concept has been around since the beginning of civilization. Society has always been divided into social classes. The elite class in society has and is still the biggest consumer of luxury goods in the market today.

Luxury goods are sold by luxury brands. This explains why luxury brands are among the highest valued brands in the world. They provide style and status. Luxury brands remind people what they are paying for. They attract buyers because of what the brand represents. This explains why luxury brands continue to succeed even in these tough economic times. Here are a unique selection of purses and handbags to help you choose the most suitable for your style or personality. Handbag collections from Louis Vuitton, Dior, Burberry, Gucci, and Hermes will set the trend in 2014.

Luxury and Sophisticated Bags Louis Vuitton, Reinvented

Designed to charm, Louis Vuitton’s latest handbag collection amazes with minimalist lines. The first surprise from this collection goes beyond its luxurious materials. The firm has chosen a simple and elegant design, even omitting the brand’s characteristic logo. These bags dazzle with exquisite crocodile skins and stand out for its divine simplicity.

Dior

Dior unveiled a set of festive, colorful and bold handbags, created to celebrate authenticity. Titled Diorific, the new collection is feminine, chic and downright unique. Inspired by its famous bucket bag, these new creations are a cry for freedom and individuality. There are pieces for every occasion, beautifully crafted with elegant and long-lasting crocodile and python skins. From retro highlights and a profusion of colors to the simplicity of pure black, the Diorific collection offers a superb range to choose from.

Gucci

As a tribute, not only to the Chinese New Year, but also to its long tradition of equestrian inspiration, the Italian company launched a special collection of its Bright Bit handbags. Featuring the iconic horse bit that has characterized the label since the 1950s, these bags are ideal additions to enhance any garment with their colorful palette.

Burberry

Hermes

The Double Sens Croco Chiffon by Hermes will available in two different sizes and colors; this reversible piece can change from a stylish crocodile skin handbag to its smooth leather version in no time. The chosen colors enhance both materials, making this bag the most versatile piece created by the French firm.

Volume 4 No. 1 www.brandmagazineph.com

The luxury British label Burberry found the perfect inspiration for its latest collection in the Chinese Year of the Horse. These colorful bags and purses with a festive, modern and elegant design are the ideal complement for any outfit, and they will surely make a perfect amulet.

Most Luxurious Jewelry Brands

Harry Winston

Harry Winston ranks at the top, where he has been since the height of his career. Winston founded his company in 1932 by acquiring and selling estate jewelry, a line that is still vital to the Winston brand. Only the finest quality and rarest stones are used for Winston jewelry. Each piece is put together with master craftsmanship that guarantees durability.

Jewelry is an item of everyday life. We use jewelry to add an extra dazzle to an outfit, whether it is in the form of a bracelet, earrings, or even a watch. These beautiful creations of rare gems and diamonds set in gold, platinum or silver are very costly regardless of their small size. So which companies are among the most elite and luxurious brands of the world? Take a look and see:

Bvlgari Buccellati

Buccellati is known for the impeccable quality of its Italian gold. True to its heritage, house designers adhere to Roman styles, such as the cuff bracelet, but reinterpret them through lacy carvings that look soft from afar. The house also gives jewelry a fabric effect by brushing and mortifying metals, and it often mixes silver and gold for texture and light enhancement. Dense gem encrustation, likewise, gives much of Buccellati’s jewelry its rich texture.

Since its founding in 1884, Bvlgari has been a leader in the world of fine jewelry. The house is based in Rome, where it comes out with elaborate pieces that mix traditional styles with innovative designs. Some of Bvlgari’s hallmarks are bold shapes, large pieces; cabochon stones (a legacy of 1960’s Italian glamour), brightly colored floral and fruity motifs, and classy Italian staples like chokers, bangles, and cuffs. Bvlgari uses the finest gems and mostly 18 karat gold for its discerning clients.

Tiffany

Chopard

Chopard believes in using only the finest materials for its collections. Everyday pieces are made with genuine gemstones and thick layers of 18 karat gold. tQuality matches precision because each detail, no matter how small, plays a part in an item’s overall look. The earrings shown above, for example, are simple and classic, but they are original, distinctive. “Happy diamonds” move around in little glass cases, while tiny Chopard signatures and gold swirls add texture and more “movement” to the earrings.

Tiffany is one top luxury brands that’s also a household name. It offers a great deal of jewelry that’s wearable during the day and for many other occasions, including items for men, women, even children. Quality certainly lies behind Tiffany’s fame. Its gold and silver are stunning and shiny, and its stones are flawless. Only the best materials are used for its pieces, whose every detail is precise and refined.

source: worldwide web / internet Like us! www.facebook.com/brandmagph

THE

LUXURIES OF

LOVE

or the longest time, I have been one of those ladies who believed love and romance were one. For a hopeless romantic like myself, I would always say that love can only be truly expressed through romance; romantic dates, romantic words, and gifts. That being the case then I would say that love must be luxurious to be romantic and true. However, I came to realize true love is luxurious and romantic without being expensive. I was lying in bed one afternoon trying to recall what transpired the past year that caused my relationship to fall to ruins. However, my mind kept flashing pictures of the happy times my ex and I shared. Because they kept flashing back even if I kept trying to brush them off, I decided to just enjoy those flashbacks. To my surprise, I saw the grandeur of our love - and relationship - despite our financial predicaments then, for we were both out of work. We had just come from a failed project and money was truly scarce and yet, our love was extravagant, luxurious. Let me explain.

Volume 4 No. 1 www.brandmagazineph.com

Words by Marijo Viray

Photos by Alfred Cabral

Our relationship was luxurious in time. We were available for each other 24/7. We’d spend long hours together that even if we agreed to separate at a certain hour, we ended up extending, sometimes twice the number of hours. And when we were already living under one roof, we still made sure we spent our time wisely by doing every chore together: cooking, washing clothes or going to the grocery. We just didn’t get tired of each other. In situations where we needed to be apart, we made sure we were on standby mode, ready to drop everything if asked to follow where the other was. It’s not just the time we spent on activities, but also time spent thinking of each other, that is lavish. And we perceive it as time spent wisely; always worthwhile.

20 minutes late, but rather, more than two hours late. And yet I never got mad or showed any irritation to him. As a matter of fact, I never bothered asking him why he was late. What mattered to me was his presence and spending time with him. The patience and understanding I gave him during our relationship was truly extravagant aside from the amount I spent for the dinners or out of town trips. Money was never a question especially when business was still good, for I always believed that giving is part of love. If you don’t give then you do not love. Besides, it’s better to give than to receive.

Another luxury of love is in giving. By this am not just pertaining to the material gifts but also to giving of respect, understanding, patience, among other things. Giving more than what is required and recognized. It does not matter if it’s appreciated, as long as it was given for and with love.

Our love also had the luxury of service; extravagant service because on my part, I was doing what most women were not expected - or not willing - to do. On his part, he never liked washing clothes but he did it regularly for us. That’s how extravagant our service to each other was, in love. We went the extra mile just to please each other, and felt our day was not complete without serving the other.

I remember my lover who was always late for our dates. I’m not talking about 15 to

Lastly is the luxury of love in making love. When you call it sex, there is no love; it’s

merely lust. On the other hand, in “making love” the grandeur is in the whole act of it. From the mere thought of being in bed with your lover, to every move made as the act is consummated. In “making love” we willingly and enthusiastically allow ourselves to perform and keep performing until our lover has reached his or her final destination; the peak as some would say. What makes it even more extravagant is the fact that whenever, wherever and however it is done, it’s still considered beautiful, precious and exciting. Love is such a beautiful feeling that it creates this paradise filled with the luxuries of love that far exceeds the wealth of this world. It has no limitations for the supply is abundant. These are the luxuries in life we hold on to and promise to nurture even when our days in this world are over. And as we grow older and understand life better, these luxuries of love flow greater and smoother. Love is luxurious but not expensive. For advice or inquiries about life, love, people, relationships and sex, you may email me at dservicehub@gmail.com. Like us! www.facebook.com/brandmagph

INFOCUS

FEATURES â&#x20AC;˘ COVER STORY

NADINE SAMONTE

She is one of the prettiest faces in the world of local entertainment. With a career spanning just over a decade, Nadine Samonte is known for several roles both on the big and small screen. Born in Germany and currently in her mid-20s, her real name is Nadine Burgos Eidloth. She takes a break from her busy schedule to sit down with us, pose for our cover and share a few things about herself.

featuring

Gibi Shoes The All Season All Occasion shoes Twitter/Facebook/Instagram: @gibishoes

Nitesha - Multi strapped satin platform heels with glitter and crystal applique. Color: Red/Gold, Silver/Silver, Purple/Gold Price: Php1,599.75 Size Range: 35-39.

Volume 4 No. 1 www.brandmagazineph.com

BM: Gibi shoes is one of the well known local shoe brands, can you tell us how it all began? Genevieve Sy: The brand started as a small brand that wanted to offer leather shoes at a reasonable price. Gibi Shoes started in 1984 offering men’s shoes before venturing into creating children’s shoes and eventually ladies shoes. Since, we’ve been producing genuine leather men’s shoes (all), kid’s school shoes, ladies school shoes and some basic office shoes. Over the years, while still maintaining the usual that we offer, Gibi Ladies entered the mainstream in terms of fashion and beautiful pieces in different colors, materials and chic designs. To date, Gibi can be seen inside leading department stores as well as 55 stand-alone boutiques nationwide. BM: What is the key to the brand’s success and longevity in the industry? Genevieve Sy: We’ve been in the industry for 30 years now and one of the reasons of our longevity is we prioritize quality we’ve been known for since day one. We also need to keep up with the ever so changing trends especially for ladies shoes and compete with the influx of the important brands left and right. One thing that also differs us is our passion and love for shoe making. We see to it that all products coming from us are made from delicate and wellthought of / well manufactured pieces. Proud to say that the brand is at par if not better in terms of craftsmanship with imported ones. We create trendy and beautiful shoes but not too intimidating and away from what Pinoys really want. We understand how Filipinos decide, how they love something familiar, how they can actually wear a certain shoes in multiple ways/events. One more thing is we value sincerity, as a brand we do not promote false advertising like telling clients that it is made from leather when they are not. We believe in what we offer and think that regular clients (usually started as grade school kids wearing their first Gibi shoes, to moms now who have kids wearing Gibi too) feel them too, thus their loyal patronizing.

Shaliyah - Skyhigh (6” heels) double platform sexy heels with rhinestones and chain accent. Color: Champagne, Red Price: Php1,500.00 Size Range: 35-39. Like us! www.facebook.com/brandmagph

Soraia - Open toe satin ankle strapped sandals with rhinestones embellishment. Color: Silver, Red, Violet Price: Php1,999.75 Size Range: 34-39.

Volume 4 No. 1 www.brandmagazineph.com

BM: In what direction is Gibi Shoes going in terms of the future with regards to your products and the company itself? Genevieve Sy: To date, we are looking years ahead while maintaining what we have started as a brand, reaching to younger clients; changes, of course, in terms of adaptability to fashion trends, manufacturing techniques and all, but quality of craftsmanship and products at its core. BM: On a lighter note. We know that Nadine Samonte has been your brandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s celebrity endorser for over a decade. What is the secret to this long-term partnership? Genevieve Sy: Nadine Samonte literally grew up with the brand. As we introduced more trendy and chic ladiesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; designs over a decade ago, we got Nadine to be the face of Gibi ladies (prior to that, our images are usually Caucasian models) to reach out and be closer to Filipinos. Good thing that Nadine was also into modeling that time and had a promising career for that matter. So we thought that it might be a good partnership to begin with. We were both introducing something fresh. Our Partnership with Nadine started at age 14 or 15, year 2003 and because her attitude is as same as the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, we still have her to date. Nadine as a person and an actress also symbolizes simplicity, frankness and sincerity. Just like the brand, we may offer stylish, up to date designs but not so much that one be intimidated to wear them. In terms of looks also, Nadine can carry different styles from casual, dainty, a bit of sporty to a more sophisticated look and that entire persona; Gibi has shoes to match. As everyone knows, we are a family brand and we truly value each other. The brand may have more endorsers at its helm and a new addition soon but Nadine will always be a Gibi baby/lady. BM: Lastly, are there any projects wherein Gibi Shoes is involved in, or upcoming ones that our readers can look forward to? Genevieve Sy: More beautiful, well-crafted styles. Bringing the brand closer to the people via shows nationwide, Social media games for interaction. Furthermore, we promise that we will always produce quality, reasonably priced and beautiful pairs!

Beliz - Double ankle strapped stiletto sandals with glitters. Color: Green/Gold, Black/Silver, Red/Gold Price: Php1,499.75 Size Range: 34-39. Like us! www.facebook.com/brandmagph

Nadine Samonte interview BM: Ok Nadine. For the benefit of our readers, can you tell us how you got started in showbiz? Who or how were you discovered? Nadine: How? That is a long story pero at first kasi nagstart ako ng commercials and print ads. Nag ramp model ako, tapos sumali ako sa isang search for ‘circle of ten’ kung tawagin siya before. Parang search for 5 girls and 5 boys na gagawin nilang mga models, nanalo ako dun. Then meron nakakita sa akin,pinapasok ako sa Star Circle Batch 10. BM: Oh, so it was modeling first? Nadine: Yeah, modeling first in print ads and commercials. Then after that nag-Star Circle Batch 10 ako at ABS-CBN. For 2 years, I was there. My contract was 4 years, wala nangyari sa akin after 2 years so I decided na magpa-release sa kanila. Then pagka-alis ko sa kanila, nagkataon na dumating yun Starstruck so sumali ulit ako. Dun na nag-start, dirediretso na siya after ng Starstruck. BM: Do you have any current projects that you are working on? Nadine: Now, guesting palang ako kasi kababalik ko lang sa channel 7. Kaka-expire lang ng contract ko with TV 5 last June, that was a 3year contract. Guesting pa lang ngayon pero may mga pinaguusapan na mga indie films and regular shows. Nagdedecide pa sila kung ano yun for me talaga kasi nga umalis din ako sa kanila. Medyo mahirap kahit papaano. BM: Are there any upcoming projects that you would like to share with our readers? Nadine: Masasabi ko lang yung mga endorsements na parating. Mga big endorsements na na-eexcite ako kahit hindi ako nakita sa tv, meron darating by next week. BM: Speaking of endorsements, we heard that one of the brands you have been endorsing is Gibi shoes. How long have you been working with them? Nadine: 11years. It’s a long time. Sa kanila na nga ako lumaki. BM: How does it feel to be endorsing a brand for that long?

CNN 863 - Classic pumps with laser printed design topped with studs as detail. Color: Black, Brown Price: Php800.00 Size Range: 35-39

Volume 4 No. 1 www.brandmagazineph.com

Nadine: Iba, it’s really different kasi maraming artista, madaming models na hindi umaabot ng ganun katagal. Hindi pa ako artista nasa Gibi na ako. Hanggang sa nag-artista na ako, nag-modeling ako, lahat nandyan sila para sakin until now. Tingin ko kasi yung relationship namin is not just being a model or being a friend. It’s a family na talaga. So duon na nag-ikot kaming lahat kaya hanggang ngayun andyan pa rin ako sa kanila. Ang good news pa nga, ang sabi nila sakin, ayaw nila ako mawala sa kanila. Hanggang magka-anak ako, gusto nila andyan pa rin ako. So parang wow,I’m so lucky. BM: Let’s move on to gadgets. Would you consider yourself a techie or gadget lover? Nadine: Ummm, slight. Siguro, kasi I have my laptop, I have 2 cellphones. Kakabili ko lang ng GoPro. May camera akong SLR, meron akong digicam. Parang oo.

Felieta - Bejeweled T-strap satin sandals Color: Gold, Wine Price: Php1,499.75 Size Range: 35-38. Like us! www.facebook.com/brandmagph

Felieta - Bejeweled T-strap satin sandals Color: Gold, Wine Price: Php1,499.75 Size Range: 35-38.

Volume 4 No. 1 www.brandmagazineph.com

BM: Among the gadgets that you own, which are the ones you think can’t you live without? Nadine: My cellphone, definitely my cellphone. Also my GoPro kasi mahilig ako mag-wakeboard. Habang nagwawakeboard ako, nag-goGoPro ako. Vini-videohan ko sarili ko or vini-videohan ko ang mga kasama ko. BM: Aside from wakeboarding, what other sporty activity are you into? Nadine: Before mahilig ako mag-karting. Now kasi nagwawakeboard ako and sometimes shooting. Actually, I love boy stuff. Mga sa cars, sa baril, mga ganyan. Hindi kasi ako masyado mahilig sa mga girl things. Nung bata ako, ayoko ng manika. Gusto ko yung may adrenaline rush na pag may ginawa ako na sport, prang macho ang dating. BM: This particular issue is called the ‘Luxury Issue’. Can you give us your opinion is on what is luxury? Nadine: Madami kasi ibig sabihin nun. May classy/classic, fame, rich, marami eh. Luxury is classic for me. Naiisip ko rin sa luxury kasi is diamonds or kinang. I love the style of classic kasi, hindi siya mawawala. BM: Among the things you have owned, which do you consider is the most luxurious? Nadine: Mamimili na lang ako. It’s the lot that I’m paying right now. Kasi it’s a forever luxury for me. The way how iIwill build my house on that lot, parang ganun. I have a house in Laguna, I have condos, I have a car, pero yung lot na yun ang pinakagusto ko talaga. May future ako na tinitignan with it. Kasi I have a car na sinasabi nila na luxury car pero I don’t think that it’s a luxury car. For me it’s not material things. Kahit sino pwede bumili, kahit sino pwede ibenta. Pero itong bagay na ito, pinaghirapan mo, pinagipunan mo, ito ang dream mo, yung goal mo. BM: Last question, what are your future plans for your career and yourself? Nadine: Future plans ko sa career ko, alam ko kasi hindi forever ang artista so I’m having my own career right now. I’m starting with my baking and its doing good. In life, I have everything na rin right now. Siguro, I just want to have a happy family whom i could share life with. I’m getting there. I’m just happy right now. Kahit medyo nag-lay low ako sa showbiz, I have my own career, I have my wonderful life so what more could i ask for.

Shaliyah - Skyhigh (6” heels) double platform sexy heels with rhinestones and chain accent. Color: Champagne, Red Price: Php1,500.00 Size Range: 35-39.

Like us! www.facebook.com/brandmagph

MOBILITY

CAR NEWS â&#x20AC;˘ NEW CARS

JAC Sunray Limousine

Larger Than Life Words and photos by Andrew Rodriguez

Volume 4 No. 1 www.brandmagazineph.com

n the past, vans have always played the role of being functional people and cargo movers from point A to point B. Offering average comfort for passengers and maximizing payload capacity was the norm back then. Nowadays, manufacturers have been churning out more and more vans that highlight comfort and amenities previously unheard of in this people mover category. With the multitude of these onebox vehicles from the different automotive brands today, the JAC Sunray Limousine stands out from the bunch. This van takes transporting people in luxury to another level. Upon arriving at the designated location in order to pick up the Sunray Limousine for this review, I was caught slightly off guard by its sheer size even if I had previously seen it in photos, and from afar while it was on display at different events. For some reason I never gave the Sunray’s overall dimensions much thought until that time. Measuring just shy of 20 feet long, nearly 7 feet wide and a little bit more than 8 and a half feet tall, the Sunray occupies a fair amount of real estate on the road even for a van. Although the length of the JAC van was nothing unique in my driving experience thru the years, it was the overall width and height of the luxury van that had me wondering how easy (or difficult) would it be to drive around in and out of the city without any problems. The overall look of the Sunray is actually very reminiscent of a van from a premium German luxury brand which is roughly the same size. Even though the overall shape is fairly basic, the bodylines and body trim spice up what would be plain flat side panels. The front end features a large grill framed by equally large ‘crystal’ headlights while the front bumper below them house the factory installed fog lamps. At the rear, tall split doors are the order of the day instead of a

single tailgate that I would imagine to be highly impractical to manipulate given the dimensions of the vehicle. Matching the headlights are ‘crystal’ tail lights at the rear with integrated rear fog lamps on the rear bumper. Taking a peek inside, you get a glimpse of what equates to swanky lounge on wheels. Leather surrounds you, covering almost every panel visible. And the on-board amenities, well, I’ll reveal that later. After a walk around of the exterior and interior of the van to get acquainted with the features and controls, it was time to get this show on the road. Settling into the driver’s seat, I find myself with a commanding view of the outside world thanks to the large windows all around and a fairly thought out dashboard. Buttons and switches are within easy reach from the command chair. The instrument panel is easy to read which helps minimize the time I spend looking away from the road ahead. The huge side mirrors offer a good view what is immediately next to me on the road plus there are smaller convex mirrors just below them that allow me to see what would normally be a blind spot in other vehicles. The leather upholstered driver’s seat is surprisingly comfortable even on long drives. There is a folding armrest that allows me to rest my right arm while stuck in traffic or long stretches of roads where constant speed is the norm and there is no need to shift the manual transmission. While on the subject of driving around in the Sunray, it actually did not feel all that massive. Acceleration was brisk with the 2.8 liter engine churning out a good amount of torque even at low engine revolutions. The only time when the van’s size did become a concern was during rush hour traffic. Paying close attention to the vehicles ahead and to the sides was high on my list. After braving the traffic and reaching my destinations, parking the van was not all that difficult either. Well, except for finding a suitable spot to park the Sunray. Equipped with power steering, maneuvering the van into parking slots was a breeze. In addition, it comes with Back-up/Reverse Obstruction Warning sensors from the factory giving me an extra pair of ‘eyes’ when backing up. The ride of the Sunray Limousine is relatively comfortable even when I am driving alone. The MacPherson strut front suspension soaks up road irregularities quite well while the leaf-spring rear suspension is a bit on the stiff side when empty but things smoothen out when passengers and luggage get on-board. Now let’s turn our attention to the main cabin area behind the driver’s seat. Upon entering the rear of the van, two leather upholstered Captain’s chairs that can swivel to face the rear of the van are the first indicators of the luxury that awaits the passengers. Immediately behind them are a lounge style bench seat on one side of the van, also upholstered in leather, allowing for relaxed seating, while opposite it is a table/bar to complete the luxury feel of the large Sunray Limousine. There is more than enough room inside to transport 8 to 9 individuals in comfort and style. Remember how tall the van is? Well, that is put to good use in this limousine. Aside from allowing my 5’9” frame to stand completely upright with room to spare between the top of my head and the ceiling, the extra space on either side of the ceiling hold storage bins much like that of a commercial airliner. Towards the front of the ceiling, a large LCD monitor can be found to entertain the passengers while travelling. Hidden in one of the storage bins is a video player that also connects to a complete surround system to boot. Finally, at the rear of the van are a wash basin and storage racks to keep things tidy.

Like us! www.facebook.com/brandmagph

Cooling a large interior with equally large windows is a large task for any air-conditioning system, but the one installed in the Sunray is more than up to it. Driving under the noontime sun and in traffic, my passengers and I never felt warm; and if the sting of the Sunâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rays did bother anyone at the rear, all the windows have curtains to block them completely. When luxury and living large is on the top of your list, the JAC Sunray Limousine fills both of those requirements very easily. Literally, the size of the van grabs everyoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s attention wherever it goes. With more than ample room inside, the luxurious interior and amenities will surely get you to your destination feeling relaxed and pampered. Under all that glitz, glamour and luxury, there is a very capable people mover that can reliably take you where you want to go.

Volume 4 No. 1 www.brandmagazineph.com

The New Original

2014 Mini Cooper Words by Novelyn Quiamco / Photos by Andrew Rodriguez

100

Volume 4 No. 1 www.brandmagazineph.com

hen I was a little girl, I once saw a little car in a movie and was astonished by it. Watching how it maneuvered through traffic while being chased and managed to still look cute caught my attention. Later on I learned that the car which caught my eye was a Mini Cooper. It was the original Mini Cooper which was, I think, the original small car that could. The movie scenes with the car made such an impression that I always wondered how it would feel to drive one. The years passed, I grew up and so did the Mini Cooper. With the turn of the millennium, a new and modern Cooper was introduced to the motoring world. And just like the original Mini, the new one had a huge following among car enthusiasts. This time, the Cooper had several variants to cater to different needs or desires. Sadly, that modern Mini came and went out of production with me still having yet to fulfill my desire to get to drive a Mini Cooper. Then a few months ago, news of the Philippine launch of the newest iteration of the Mini Cooper reached my ears. I prayed that this time I would get a chance to drive one of them for size. Perhaps someone up above was listening when I prayed because our managing editor gave me the assignment to review the latest version of the Mini Cooper. The news had me grinning and got me very excited. It was almost like I was asked out on a date by long-time crush but a whole lot better. As I picked up the new Mini Cooper, my heart was pumping and adrenaline rushing, because for the next few days I would finally have the chance to drive a â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Mini Cooperâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. My drive with the Cooper had me going on a road trip to the north, far from the hustle and bustle found within the city. Since the

road trip also had the veteran motoring writers of our magazine along in their own vehicles, I eventually would get the best of both worlds of being the driver and the passenger of the Cooper. Personally, I think I was the one who had loads of fun while driving and riding it. The overall design of the new car can still be recognized as a Mini Cooper immediately. The basic shape and details of the original Mini takes on a modern flair in the new car. The oversized headlamps in front and relatively small rear lamps, along with their giant chrome surrounds bring classic design cues into the modern day. The new Cooper, for me, still retains the original ‘cute’ design that had caught my attention back then. From the outside, the new Cooper is visually bigger than any other Cooper from the past. The tape measure confirms what my eyes see, the new car has grown a couple of inches but it still fits the dimension criteria of the subcompact/supermini classification. While the original Cooper looked like it could barely seat four adults comfortably when looking at it from the outside, the new car looks it will with ease. Sitting inside, it is spacious (for a Mini Cooper) with a good amount of legroom and headroom in the front even though it has a relatively low roof. The look and feel of luxury abounds inside with the leather wrapped seats, panels and steering wheel. The adjustable driver’s seat allowed me to find the best driving position for me with minimal fussing. Two adults will fit in the back seat as long as they are not especially tall. I’m 5’7” and felt quite comfortable sitting at the back of the car, but I still would rather be driving or in the front passenger seat. I found it considerate of the designers who thought it proper to give the rear seat occupants cup holders. We can’t have passengers back there spilling their drinks now, can we? The seats can be easily folded to allow more baggage space if needed but with a full complement of passengers, the hatch area can still fit an average sized travel bag or two.

Like us! www.facebook.com/brandmagph

101

The dashboard is still one of the areas where the original styling cue is retained. A large circular display dominates the center of the dashboard and serves as information center for the factory radio and different driver interface functions. Directly below it are the A/C controls and a row of switches that reminded me of switches found in older airplanes. One particular switch of interest there is the Engine Start/Stop switch since it was the one that brought the Mini’s heart underhood to life (I’ll get to that in a bit). One final interior touch that caught my fancy was that you can change the ‘mood’ inside the car by changing the color of the interior ambient lights as your mood dictates. Looking under the hood, underneath all the plastic panels, is a surprisingly willing and perky 1.5 Liter 3-cylinder engine that puts out 136 horsepower with the help of turbocharging. Even though it is a small engine, it produces maximum torque early in the rev-range. How early? Is 1,250rpm early enough? Engine performance figures contribute to the go-kart feel of the new Cooper. The acceleration I felt was beyond what I expected from an engine of that size and configuration. The power is put to the ground via a smooth shifting 6-speed automatic transmission. As icing on the cake, all that engine go-goodness is matched with equally surprisingly low fuel consumption. For the duration of the road trip, my drive averaged over 12km/l with a combination fuel efficient driving, spirited driving and a good dose of flat-out driving in a controlled environment away from the general motoring public. Adding to the go-kart feel is a solid suspension that offers really sporty handling without being harsh at the same time. On city streets and expressways, the ride was comfortably solid without being harsh. Road irregularities are soaked up well by the sporty tuned suspension. Taking on the mountain passes in a spirited manner with the new Cooper allowed the suspension to shine. Showing minimal body roll and sharp, responsive steering, the Cooper definitely had me grinning thru the mountain passes. Take note that all that was in the ‘Normal’ mode of the car. Switch to the ‘Sport’ mode and it rewards the driver with even better steering, acceleration and more ‘fulfilling’ engine acoustics. In the end, my experience with driving the new Mini Cooper was an eye-opener. Being NEW means a new platform, a new engine, and new technologies. Despite of all things being new, it still kept some of the old appeal and character. The new original indeed and I like it!

102

Volume 4 No. 1 www.brandmagazineph.com

The 2014 Honda Accord 3.5V

On Its Own Accord Words and photos by Steven Edward S. Yu

104

ince its local launch in the mid-1990s, Honda’s Accord has been the default choice in the hotly contested executive segment, for a host of good reasons – it looked great, drove great and sported the most enviable badge in the industry; one that had long represented prestige, poise and performance. Twenty-odd years on, Accord owners still enjoy the Honda flagship’s esoteric appeal that somehow continues to elude executive sedans from other Japanese – let alone Korean – manufacturers. In fact, keeping with its core values of presence and performance, the latest iteration of the Accord – particularly in 3.5L V6 guise – kicks the segment standard up so many notches that the usual European suspects had better start paying close attention, lest they find themselves holding off an Eastern invader from barreling through the Brandenburg Gate, because that’s exactly what the 2014 Accord can – and will – do, given the chance.

The rear treatment is more Teutonic than ever, a not-so-subtle hint at where Honda wants to take the fight. The tail lamp clusters – a polarizing point on the previous model – are now larger and more harmoniously integrated into the contours of the trunk. The bulbs on the brake lights are fast-acting LEDs, which take less time than conventional filament-type bulbs to reach full illumination when the brake pedal is depressed, immediately alerting the driver behind the Accord of an impending stop. Furthermore, with a multi-LED system, if one diode should fail, the other diodes will continue to function normally and alert the vehicles behind. A chrome plinth ties the tail lamps together and creates the illusion of width and stability. Under the tail lamps, a polished, slash-cut tailpipe resides symmetrically at each end of the bumper, a departure from the bundled tailpipe treatment of the older Accords.

Sleeker and sharper looking than its already, uh, sleek and sharp-looking predecessor, the only word I can use to describe this latest Accord is stunning. From the front, the headlights’ six individual projector lenses are set into their slender main housings like large diamonds on a tiara; luxury never needs to be overstated, and this Accord is all about understated elegance. The fascia is cleaned up to exclude extraneous elements, while the character line running from the Accord’s stem to stern accentuate how long yet well-proportioned the entire vehicle is, tying the front and rear together for an uncluttered, cohesively streamlined appearance.

This particular test unit was dressed in a dapper Modulo body kit which adds some sporting flair to the Accord’s normally

Volume 4 No. 1 www.brandmagazineph.com

conservative appearance. The kit includes a front airdam, running board extensions and a rear valance panel. Some may find the finished product to be more attractive than stock; others may find it unnecessary. I was among the latter. I first saw this Accord at the 2013 Bangkok International Motor Show sans the body kit, and I thought it was among the most attractive cars on the floor. In other words, in my opinion, Honda got the basic design of the Accord perfect the first time around, and that’s exactly how I would want mine. If could afford it, of course. Hey, motoring journalists aren’t executives, last time I checked. But do I really want to be an executive? Do I really want to be chauffeured from one power meeting to another, in the cavernous and plush back seat of an executive sports sedan? My nearly-always brand-new wallet, of course, wants me to. But my feet want to do something else, and parking them in the rear passengers’ footwell isn’t exactly what they had in mind. Feet aren’t just made for walking, running, or pushing a pair of bicycle pedals around in circles. My feet, in particular, are drawn to different pair of pedals – the brake and gas. And that’s exactly where they find themselves the entire time I had the Accord. It all begins with the push of a button on the dashboard, bringing the Accord’s naturally-aspirated, 3.5 liter, 24-valve, quad-cam V6 engine to life - except it’s hard to tell that it is actually running, unless you check the tachometer. The motor is so refined and well-insulated from the rest of the vehicle, it is a challenge to tell what it is doing, or even on how many cylinders it is running. That’s right, how many cylinders. One feature the Accord V6 has that makes it technologically

superior in its segment is the engine’s capacity to run on six, four or just three cylinders, depending on the driver input. At full acceleration or climbing uphill, all six cylinders operate. But when cruising at legal highway speeds, the engine software will progressively disable the number of operating cylinders, first cutting two cylinders (effectively reducing the Accord’s displacement to 2.3 liters/ four cylinders), then cuts one more (to further reduce displacement to 1.75 liters/ three cylinders), enabling the Accord V6 to play two different roles – the most powerful car in its segment, and the most economical – simultaneously. Honda calls this Variable Cylinder Management or VCM. Remarkably, the engine is so refined that when it is running in what ought to be an “unbalanced” three-cylinder state, any resultant vibration is soaked well before being transmitted to the passenger cabin. So the car feels and sounds exactly the same, regardless of cylinder recruitment. Now, before you start applauding, it is worth mentioning that the Americans have had this technology on some of their V8 engines (which gradually cuts down to four cylinders, keeping the engine balanced) for almost two decades. The truly remarkable thing is how Honda has adopted this technology on a V6, and still kept the refinement factor all the way down to three cylinders. Wizardry? That’s innovative Honda engineering for you! All this refinement is pleasantly coupled with all the power you could ever need to make believers of the badge snobs who feel any automobile from a company less than a hundred years old isn’t worth their time. Those same snobs aren’t worth the Accord’s time either.

Like us! www.facebook.com/brandmagph

105

On the road, the Accord rides better than I expected, and I usually set the bar very high for cars in this segment. The initial take off is, in what is now a signature Honda quality, imperceptible. Apart from a slight increase in the frequency of the engine exhaust, every other outside input – particularly surface irregularities and noise – have been attenuated to such a degree that the Accord feels to be floating electrically over the road. It’s so quiet that at 100 km/h, all one hears are the air-conditioner and music from the 8 speakers surrounding the plush-carpeted, soundproofed, dark wood and black-leather-upholstered cabin. Acceleration is smooth and linear, without the sudden rush associated with smaller, turbocharged engines. With all its highway comfort, you’d think the Accord would slouch heavily in the corners but it doesn’t, thanks to its multilink suspension and thick anti-roll bars that keep the Accord – and its passengers – as level as possible, while the well-contoured seats hold all the occupants in their places without sliding sideways. The rear passengers get their own sunshade and audio controls. The front passenger seat incorporates control buttons on the upper inside portion to allow the executive in the rear to move that seat forward for even more legroom. So, back to question I asked myself. Do I really want to be an executive? If the Accord is one of the perks of being one, then, yes, I’d grab the first chance. But I’ve chosen a different career path, and until automotive journalists start earning enough to show up on the BIR’s radar, I’ll be happy to have spent one luxurious week ‘chauffering’ of the best executive cars in the market; particularly if the executive in the back seat is my two-year old son. That’s a job nothing else can beat.

106

Volume 4 No. 1 www.brandmagazineph.com

The Honda Odyssey 3.5 V6

The New Shape of Luxury A Words by Steven Edward S. Yu / Photos by Andrew Rodriguez

utomotive purists can be a difficult bunch to please. To most of them, a luxury vehicle must either have the silhouette of a panther, or be as massive as a bank vault on wheels – an overt declaration of its value and status of the passengers. It must also be trimmed with the hides of various animals; the more endangered, the better; and lavishly boast polished steel and hardwood accents around the passenger cabin. Imagine then, what these same purists would say when the idea of luxury has evolved with the times. With tightening laws against hunting and harvesting animals for skin; increasing standards of safety (wood can splinter and pierce passengers in the event of a collision), the definition of luxury, like the classic Greek definition of beauty – has evolved. And I like what it has become.

This is the Honda Odyssey. If you’re looking for a luxury people mover for your family, look no further. It’s not exactly a new face – this American-market Odyssey, which sets itself apart from the Japanesemarket model by being bigger both in dimensions and displacement – was launched alongside the Pilot 4x4 in 2012; but it continues to be the full-size van of choice among Manila’s well-heeled set. A quick browse through any of the garages inside posh metro villages will confirm this.

108

Volume 4 No. 1 www.brandmagazineph.com

Okay, so it is trimmed in leather – but only on the surfaces that come in contact with the occupants. Everything else is synthetic, down to the faux wood accents and chrome-plated plastic bits. These maintain that enviable “luxury” look without taking a toll on the environment or the planet’s natural resources. In fact, the only wood present in this vehicle is behind the door trim, in the form of recycled fiberboard. The Odyssey takes a very individualistic approach to defining luxury: as style, space and refinement. From the outside, the Odyssey cuts a distinct, streamlined silhouette compared to its nearest –and boxy – competitor. Honda’s current signature fascia is very apparent on the Odyssey, and the family resemblance is easily seen from the flat-top grille that nestles between the headlights without dividing gaps, very much like the previous City and current Civic. The panel angles are flatter; minimizing wind noise as the Odyssey cuts through the highway at the supra-legal speed its 3.5 liter V6 engine is capable of generating. From the side, the character line zigzags sharply just below the C-pillar, creating a visually interesting

“lightning bolt” design on the Odyssey’s flanks, further suggesting speed and power. The rear of the Odyssey is sharply designed, too, with large, low taillights like those on the new Accord featured elsewhere in this issue. I suspect this is because the Odyssey’s engineers have a hidden sense of sarcasm and, knowing that the vehicle has the power to overtake almost everything on the road that isn’t sporting a bull, horse or trident in its logo, decided to make the rear as pleasant to look at possible. One week with the Odyssey was more than enough for me to confirm this theory, as I gave most motorists a quick, fleeting glimpse of the van’s posterior as I drove past. The cabin is designed for eight people – two in front, and three in each of the two rear rows. Since this Odyssey is American-designed and built, the seats are meant for American bodies – taller and wider than usual. This translates into more comfort in an Asian setting, and is evident as soon as you board the vehicle. The front seats’ bottoms reach the back of the knees, while their seatbacks extend above shoulder level. Well, at least my shoulder level, and I’m 5’9”. This

translates into nearly zero driver fatigue over a long trip, which I found myself taking a after just a few days with the Odyssey. Excellent. Unlike the Odyssey’s closest competitor, the middle row does not feature captain’s seats. Instead, the full-width row is divided into three seats; adjustable in a surprising number of ways – the middle seat, with a lower seatback designed for children – can slide forward closer to the first row, enabling a parent in the front seat to easily reach back to attend to the child in the row behind. When not occupied by a child, the middle seatback folds flat forward, creating an armrest and cupholders for the outboard passengers. The outboard passenger seats, in turn, can be slid not only forward and backward, but in and out too, individually. So if you have a wide frame (like a North American’s), you can slide the seat two inches closer to the door to create more space between yourself and the middle passenger. Now that is ingenious engineering!

Like us! www.facebook.com/brandmagph

109

The rearmost row is, for lack of a better description, fascinating. While other American-built family vehicles use motors to fold and tumble the rear seats out of the way, Honda goes the simple route of using a single strap to enable each seat to fold into its recess on the floor pan in just two seconds, with just one elegant, graceful tug. With both seats folded, the floor is flat and ready to accommodate large pieces of luggage or boxes. Now here’s where things get interesting: The middle row seats – all three of them – can be removed from the Odyssey without tools. When removed, their mounting points sit nearly flush on the floor and, in tandem with the folding of the third row, create a cavernous loading area wide enough to transport cargo with a four-by-eight-foot footprint, the size of a standard sheet of plywood. If luxury means versatility, then the Odyssey has just about everyone beat, hands down. Er, seats down. American vehicles are always built with ride comfort in mind, particularly with their thousands of miles of highways connecting the entire country. While the Odyssey can pull off the line with sports-car-like alacrity, it’s the way the suspension and 60-series tires soak up road imperfections that make the Odyssey’s ride so prized. Don’t be mistaken; though Honda was and soon will be active again in Formula One, the Odyssey won’t take corners with the precision of a Formula car, given the differences in their weight and centers of gravity. But it won’t spin on a corner either, owing to the vehicle’s traction control to make sure everything stays right-sideup. Naturally, this much mass needs to be stopped with reliable brakes, and after attacking the twisting roads leading to Camayan Cove in Subic, Zambales with verve, the Odyssey never lost its composure or felt like it wasn’t going to stop where I wanted it to. It now all makes sense. The Odyssey’s incredibly silent and refined 3.5 liter V6 engine – the same one found on the Accord and Pilot – with Variable Cylinder Management makes more than enough power to ferry eight passengers in supreme comfort. However, with the option to transport heavy cargo instead, the benefit of the Odyssey’s 265 horsepower engine will be fully felt and appreciated. So whether you’re taking your family to your Highlands vacation home, or transporting furniture from one house to the next, or taking several Balikbayan boxes to the airport, you’ll have the confidence of knowing that the Odyssey has the ultimate luxury of all – immeasurable dependability – when everyone else merely pretends. This, my friends, is the new shape of luxury. Get used to it.

110

Volume 4 No. 1 www.brandmagazineph.com

Yamaha launches the XTZ 125 and Serow 250 Motorcycle fans in the country now have two new motorcycles they can add to their wish lists. Yamaha officially unveiled the XTZ 125, and Serow 250, for the Philippine market. Initially displayed at the recent Yamaha International Show, both models are dual sports bikes that offer great rides on city roads and on rough terrain. The XTZ 125 is a lightweight, high performance dual sports bike that offers smooth drivability, reliability and fuel efficiency. Optimized for going off road, the bike features a long suspension travel and adjustable rear shock. It guarantees an easy, safe, and comfortable ride with its compact body, stable full HT steel frame and engine guard. The Serow 250 highlights excellent maneuverability suited for mountain trails. The bike features a handlebar with a maximum turning angle of 51 degrees and a short wheelbase to achieve a tight turning radius. The bike also features a powerful fuel-injected engine. The Serow 250 also offers an easy ride with its low-seat height.

112

Volume 4 No. 1 www.brandmagazineph.com

The XTZ 125 is available now with a suggested retail price of P81,900. The Serow 250 will be offered starting in September with a suggested price of P229,000. The XTZ 125 is available in white or blue, while the Serow 250 comes in beige or white/green. Get ready to enter a new world with Yamaha, the Off-Road World.

Suzuki gives LUV with the Ertiga

hy buy a ladder frame AUV with high body roll and bumpy ride when you can have a monocoque with a true car-like ride for much less? Upgrade but don’t up spend. This is what Suzuki, a leader in compact cars, is offering for Filipino families with the 7-seater, compact multi-purpose vehicle Ertiga. Dubbed as a Life Utility Vehicle (LUV), the all-new Ertiga combines the maneuverability and agility of a compact car with the spacious interiors of an MPV. Sporting a 1.4L gasoline engine that produces a maximum power of 95Hp @ 6,000 rpm, a maximum torque of 130Nm @ 4,000 rpm, and an average fuel efficiency of 16.02 km/L, the Ertiga ensures a smooth and comfortable ride every time. The versatile compact MPV is based on the same platform utilized by the well-loved Swift hatchbacks — only now enclosed in a larger, more spacious body. The Ertiga is designed to be both stylish and aerodynamic. Smart side view mirrors are standard safety features for the GL variant. The GLX variant takes this a notch higher by including built-in fog lamps as an added feature for passenger safety. Inside, the Ertiga presents enough space to comfortably seat up to 7 people with 113 liters of space to spare for shopping bags or sports equipment in the car boot. The mid-row seats move back or forward for ample leg room. The Ertiga also offers second row air-conditioning to keep second and third row passengers cool during travels. The Ertiga comes standard with SRS dual front seat airbags, 3-point ELR seatbelts, and ABS with EBD (electronic brake-force distribution) for added safety in all road conditions. The vehicle also uses higher tensile steel in strategic sections of the body structure to reduce overall bodyweight without compromising safety. Second row air-conditioning and abovementioned safety features are available in the GL and GLX variants. Suzuki Philippines President Hiroshi Suzuki shares, “The all-new Ertiga is another testament to Suzuki’s renowned engineering leadership and legacy in manufacturing compact cars. We are bringing in the all-new Ertiga as our latest entry in the MPV segment and we are confident our latest offering will meet, and even exceed, the expectations of our customers. We have carefully combined the best characteristics of a compact car and an MPV to create a very competitively-priced Life Utility Vehicle that is set to be the new standard in this category.” Suzuki is offering the Ertiga range locally in four variants: the Ertiga GA M/T (Php 619,000), GL M/T (Php 712,000), GL A/T (Php 752,000), and GLX A/T (Php 812,000). The Ertiga is available in Serene Blue, Firebrick Red, Granite Grey, Silky Silver, Superior White, and Dusky Brown colors. Like us! www.facebook.com/brandmagph

113

Honda launches the All New Jazz Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. (HCPI) introduced the All New Jazz at Metrotent Convention Center in Pasig City. Known to be the vehicle that started the hatchback segment, the All New Jazz is dubbed as “The One”; further strengthening the benchmark the Jazz has set since 2004. Being a global model in Honda’s line-up, the All New Jazz was developed with the goal to be “The World’s Best Functional Compact”. The development team who worked on the All New Jazz incorporated key technologies that intend to further improve the All New Jazz’ dynamic performance, fuel economy and essentially its versatility and functionality. Under the new Honda design direction of “Exciting H Design!!!”, which represents three key elements – High Tech, High Tension and High touch focusing on overall pleasing human experience, the All New Jazz’ exterior design was based on the “Crossfade Monoform Exterior” concept. The third generation Jazz measures at 3955mm long (55mm longer than previous Jazz), 1695mm wide, and 1525mm tall, with 2530mm wheelbase (30mm longer than its predecessor). As a result, the All New Jazz has larger cabin space with substantial increase in passenger space, shoulder and rear leg room, and cargo space. The increase in cargo space is best noticed with the seats folded down. With the configurability of the Jazz’ Ultra Seat, which folds flat or flips up, it gives the All New Jazz the versatility to quickly and easily adapt to a wide variety of passenger and cargo hauling needs. Like any other Honda vehicle, the application of the “man maximum, machine minimum” design concept enabled the All New Jazz to achieve a compact yet highly efficient package, making it a small car but definitely not small in substance. Based on the “Sophisticated Futuristic Cockpit” interior concept, the already versatile and functional All New Jazz is complemented by a cockpit that assimilates advanced and high quality textures that adds to the fun of driving. It features a highly-visible “3-eye” design instrument cluster. Another addition to the advanced dashboard design is the push start button. The Smart Key with Push Start System intelligently locks and unlocks the doors without even touching the smart key and a push button to start or turn off the engine. The All New Jazz also offers first in class features such as a 7-inch touch screen display audio, the application of such equipment minimizes the use of buttons making it easier to operate while radiating a premium feel. The 7-inch touch

114

Volume 4 No. 1 www.brandmagazineph.com

screen display audio features functions such as hands-free telephone (HFT) and audio streaming via Bluetooth connectivity. For added convenience, the Bluetooth HFT and audio can be operated via the controls mounted on the steering wheel. Together with the connectivity, the All New Jazz has plenty of storage spaces to fit gadgets as big as a tablet. And just below the display audio unit, is the automatic airconditioning system that also comes with a user-friendly touch panel. Heeding to the call for fuel efficient vehicles without sacrificing dynamic performance, the All New Jazz is equipped with refined 1.5 liter i-VTEC engine that delivers maximum power output of 120 ps at 6600 rpm. The 1.5 liter i-VTEC engine is mated to either an improved 5-speed Manual Transmission or a new Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) developed using Honda’s Earth Dreams Technology. To further help in realizing improved fuel efficiency, Honda has also equipped the All New Jazz with the ECO Assist system; which consists of the ECON mode that controls the engine, drive-by-wire, transmission, and air conditioning performance to improve fuel consumption; and the Eco coaching ambient light that promotes a more fuel efficient driving habit by changing its color depending on the throttle input. Together with driving performance and fuel efficiency, one of Honda‘s primary thrusts includes comprehensive methodology on vehicle safety. As standard, the All New Jazz is equipped with Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) and driver and passenger SRS airbags; added to the top of the line variant are side airbags and side curtain airbags. Select variants come with additional safety features such as multi-view rear camera with dynamic guidelines, Emergency Stop Signal (ESS), Hill Start Assist (HSA) and Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) and Motion-Adaptive Electric Power Steering (EPS). Developed to cater to a wider customer range, four variants of the All New Jazz are available with the following suggested retail prices: 1.5 V MT Php 768,000 1.5 V CVT Php 808,000 1.5 VX CVT Php 908,000 (will be available in August 2014) 1.5 VX+ CVT Php 948,000 To further enhance driving enjoyment and ownership experience of our most valued customers, HCPI is offering genuine Honda aero and utility accessories that provide added safety, convenience, and style under the brands of Modulo and MUGEN; which are sold separately.

2014-2015 COTY-P and TOTY-P Testing Season to be launched by CAGI

Celebrating its 11th year, the Car Awards Group, Inc. (CAGI), the country’s premier automotive award-giving body, is formally launching their 2014-2015 Car of the Year-Philippines (COTY-P) and Truck of the YearPhilippines (TOTY-P) testing season on September 3, 2014 at the Filinvest Tent in Alabang. Set to attend this year’s launch are the top executives from the motoring industry, as well as special guests of the organization. “We have a challenging and exciting season ahead as the car brands have launched many cutting edge vehicles that provide good value for money in their respective segments” said Ferman Lao, President of the Car Awards Group, Inc. “Personally, I see many COTY-P potential winners. I don’t envy the testers this year. It’s going to be very difficult to pick the winner. It could be anybody’s ballgame” he added.

country’s premier print, broadcast and online publications. Since its incorporation, the group has strived to find the best vehicles in the country through comprehensive testing involving quantitative and qualitative analysis of the vehicle’s performance, design, value and other relevant factors. The 2014-2015 testing season is open to all “all-new” or “significantly updated” vehicles launched to the local market from October 2013 to October 2014. For purposes of definition, “significantly updated” refers to vehicles that have had significant mechanical or electronic changes to the powertrain, drivetrain, suspension or activity systems that affect the way they drive or operate. Testing dates are scheduled to take place in October, followed by an awarding ceremony to be held before the end of the year. The Mazda 6 was adjudged the 2013-2014 COTY-P, while the Ford Ranger WIldtrak received the TOTY-P title.

Established in 2004, the Car Awards Group, Inc. is an organization composed of motoring journalists from the

Like us! www.facebook.com/brandmagph

115

UNWIND

TRAVEL & LEISURE

Words by Ricky Alonzo, Jr. / Photos by Gunther De Guzman

Waves of Adventure Sensitive. Intelligent. Loveable. Sounds like someone you’ll be proud to bring home to mama. Except that they are the spellbinding Cetacean creatures of Ocean Adventure that have been weaving endless wonders to a captive audience for over a decade now. Ocean Adventure brings a different kind of entertainment. It’s a barrelful of fun -- animal trivia, hilarious and amazing animal shows, punctuated by an impassioned conservation message – all rolled into one. The marine park is located at Camayan Wharf, West Ilanin, Forest Area, Subic Bay Freeport Zone. It’s South East Asia’s only open-water marine park. The 12,000 square meter land area is where you can find the venue for the nautilus theater, sea lion viewing tank, aquarium, research station, and the learning center. The dolphin enclosure covers about 8,000 square meters. It’s the area where the marine mammals can run wild and free in their natural habitat amidst swarms of other marine life.

116

Volume 4 No. 1 www.brandmagazineph.com

Marine Showcase Close encounter

You must have seen sea lions and dolphins countless of times in pictures and on Animal Planet. But nothing comes close to being up close and personal with these mammals. Tops and buttons with zippers are prohibited. This is because buttons and zippers can scratch the animals during close encounters. Before descending to the waters, one must soak his feet in a foot bath to disinfect. After that it’s time to meet Ocean Adventure’s friendly Cetacean! I met Jay, the trainer, who excitedly introduced us to Kirra, an 8-year old bottleneck dolphin. After shaking the hands of Jay, Kirra shook mine. She does this by holding out her pectoral fin and flapping it vigorously. During the course of the encounter you get to pet, feed, kiss, and learn interesting facts about dolphins.

The “Sea Lion Patrol” and “Dolphin Tales” shows deliver a chockfull of entertainment. Both are about 15-25 minutes long. The skits are uproarious, the animals act and do tricks right on cue without skipping a beat! But at the core of the show is the salient message of conservation and taking care of the ocean and its inhabitants. There are two aquarium showcases—Ocean Discovery Aquarium and SeaTrek Aquarium. At the Ocean Discovery Aquarium you can explore the myriad of plants and sea creatures that inhabit the waters of Subic Bay and the South China Sea. A series of wall-mounted aquariums depict the diverse array of habitats including fresh water streams, mangrove forests, coral reefs and deep dark caves. As you move along the aquariums, the deeper the set-up gets in terms of water depth. On the other hand, the most feared and vile creatures inhabit the SeaTrek Aquarium - - sharks, rays, jack fish, eels, and jellyfish. There is a souvenir area before the exit gate. The items to choose run from functional items to cutesy and huggable mementos. As get past the exit area, you’ll walk away with a greater appreciation of life and all creatures great and small. It’s an adventure worth experiencing –just plunge into the fun!

Dolphins have ears the size of a pin hole located on both sides. The dorsal fin acts like the keel on a boat by providing stability to the dolphin’s body. Dolphins have a gelatin-like substance around their eyes to protect while swimming, much like what a goggle does. Much to our delight, Kirra performed some tricks. In true acrobatic fashion, Kirra flipped out of the water. Dolphins naturally do this when in journey to see what lies ahead. Jiggle both of your hands’ fingers and Kirra will make her signature dolphin sound. Kirra also showed her swimming prowess – one that can put Michael Phelps to shame any time of the day. At the end of the encounter Kirra was joined by her bff dolphin Hali for an photo-op with the group. Ocean Adventure now also offers the Sea Lion encounter.

Camayan Beach Resort

After a fun-filled day at Ocean Adventure, the comfort of a wellappointed room is just a few steps away. A whole new world of comfort and joy awaits at Camayan Beach Resort, which is located right next door to Ocean adventure. Make your Subic stay a double treat – enjoy marine wonders and frolic in the sand and sun at Camayan Beach Resort. The beach resort has a full array of activities including biking, kayaking in the mangroves, snorkeling, diving, walking in the forest, horseback riding, beach games, and more. Cap off the day with a sunset cruise and relaxing massage. Like us! www.facebook.com/brandmagph

117

New York CITY T Vacation T he Luxury in Travel

Words by Anna V. Hilario Photos courtesy of the Hilario Family

he nine hour drive (from Toronto) to New York was definitely worth the wait. We saw beautiful sceneries and small towns along the way. We brought some food along so we could have a picnic along the way because there are several travellers’ rest areas every 30 miles that have picnic grounds and washroom facilities with nice landscapes. It’s like that saying, “Travelling is not about reaching your destination, it’s about how you get there.” We stayed at a hotel in New Jersey so we could eat at Jollibee, Red Ribbon and Max’s. We have neither a Red Ribbon nor a Jollibee restaurant in Toronto, so we went there several times. Parking fees in New York were expensive, it’s like $7.50 per half-an hour. New York is like a 20 minute bus ride from our hotel so it wasn’t that bad. You need to pass thru the Lincoln Tunnel to get to New York. It’s a 2.4 kilometre tunnel under the Hudson River that was featured in the film ‘Daylight’ by Sylvester Stallone. Words cannot describe how much ‘energy’ New York has provided for us. Even when you’re stuck in ridiculous traffic, I personally saw it as a sign explaining one of many reasons why you should stay longer in New York. If it wasn’t for the traffic, I wouldn’t have been able to explain how beautiful New York was.The best things about this sleepless city is that you don’t even need to travel because literally everything is there for you 24/7. We did a lot of walking along and everywhere you look, there would always be something right there before you. Every single building was so complex that you wouldn’t even care where you stayed. When I first started walking on the grounds of New York, I felt like I was walking on a whole other world rather than a city. That was how big it was and it was nothing compared to anywhere else I‘ve been to. And it’s not only the city that amazed me; it was the people as well. The police that were scattered everywhere made our family feel safe and the other people around us were kind and friendly enough to show us around. My family and I also visited some of the well-known tourist sites like Central Park, the Statue of Liberty, Rockefeller Center, Empire State Building, the dazzling lights of Times Square at night, the New York Stock Exchange along Wall Street and Ground Zero, the site of the World Trade Center twin towers that were destroyed in the 9/11 attack. The footprints of the Twin Towers were still there but they made it into water falls. The names of the people who lost their lives during the attack were etched in black granite along the perimeter. Originally, we were supposed to go on a ferry to see the Statue of Liberty but it was too busy at the time. So instead, we decided to see it from afar which was ok since the landscape was absolutely fascinating.

The Hilario family (left to right) Henry Hilario, Josephine Velayo-Hilario, Anna V. Hilario and Gaby V. Hilario.

118

Volume 4 No. 1 www.brandmagazineph.com

Broadway and Wall Street have amazing buildings and streetscapes. The building of the New York Film Academy along Broadway looks very nice. Beside the New York Stock Exchange is the Federal Hall where George Washington, the first president of the United States of America, took his oath. At the end of the street you’ll see the amazing tower of the Trinity Church.

The moment I walked through the entrance of Central Park, I felt like walking into those meadows you see in fairytales. The park is so huge, around 11.2 square kilometres in area so we never got to see all of it. It’s funny how most of us think that New York consists of mostly buildings and the typical taxis, when there’s also such a beautiful clearing like Central Park. It’s like I was walking into the heart, or, as I like to call it, the ‘Paris’ of New York City. Residents there warned us not to go to the Bronx and Brooklyn because it is not safe. The only thing that probably needs updating in New York are their subway stations. I thought the subway in Toronto was old but compared to New York, I guess we’re still lucky because it is much cleaner. My mom says one of her favourite things about New York was going on shopping trips. Before heading back to Toronto, we went to this huge mall at the foot of the mountains and bought some clothes and other things for the next school year. According to my dad, prices there are a lot cheaper and best of all is that it’s tax free!

Like us! www.facebook.com/brandmagph

119

DISCOVER BAAO Words by Yhuong Botor & photos by Angelo Maiza

ome south and enjoy the rural, rich culture and tradition of Baaoenos. For travelers, the typical barrio lifestyle is what Baao town can offer. It is an hour drive from heart of Bikolandia – Naga City and thirty minutes’ drive from the wellknown Cam Sur Wake Board Complex. But Baao has more to offer:

The fascinating old traditional family houses; a totally different local food – the sinanglay, ginalpong, tinoktok and other delicacies; a very peaceful community; and friendly, religious and hospitable Baaoenos. It is one of the highest producers of poultry products in the country. Baao is considered as the one of the highest producers of priests in the region; the first Filipino bishop came from - Bishop Jorge Barlin. For many, Barlin is just a street name in Manila or Naga City but the real person comes from Baao. Bishop Jorge Barlin is the very first Filipino Bishop and considered as the first clergyman who became a governor in the country, governing the province of Sorsogon and doing church service as well.

120

Volume 4 No. 1 www.brandmagazineph.com

In the remembrance of the late Bishop Barlin on his birthdate last April 23, the Local Government Unit of Baao with the initiative of Municipal Councilor Edwin Bedural and NGO - Baao Tourism Culture and Arts, the Barlin Festival came to reality. This was supported by the governor of the Province of Camarines Sur, Gov. Migz Villafuerte. The said event gave way to celebrate and identify the true Baaoeno spirit of love in culture, tradition, arts and music. During the one-day activity, a High Mass was offered and commemorated by fifteen (15) local priests of Baao. It also showcased Baaoenos’ talents and skills thru the Barlin Exhibit, ending with a cultural arts presentation and Variety Show in the evening. Among the guests are the internationally acclaimed Baao Children’s Choir and few of the local artists who are the pride of the town. Before visiting other parts of the world, try travelling the Philippines first. Philippines has more to offer…..maybe a small town up north or down south of Luzon has a fascinating historical background like Baao. Your next destination should be worth telling. Before you plan to visit your neighboring country… try to put on your check list the other places of this country. It’s worth keeping the luxurious stories of the trip.

TASTE

DINE IN • TAKE OUT

Words by Monique Dimanlig / Photos by Andrew Rodriguez

A Taste of Passion:

Ivory Yat dishes about food,

family and her fantastic cuisine After her rigorous stint in Pinoy Masterchef, where she experienced all the ups and downs of a reality TV show while needing all the skill of an Iron Chef, Ivory Yat, called the “Sultry Chef”, has risen above and is looking to even greater culinary heights without losing the charisma that is so notably hers. t is one thing to work your way up to become a famous culinary name in a country that can be so picky about its food—it’s entirely another to have to do it on reality TV broadcasted on national television. But this is exactly what Ivory Yat has done. Nicknamed as the Sultry Chef, she’s known not only for the culinary skills that catapulted her to the finals of Pinoy Masterchef, but also for her unfailing stylishness and charisma that made her a fan favorite. Even after her stint in the famous cooking reality show, Chef Yat has a loyal fan following over social media sites that look forward to every update about her food and her style, willing to defend her against any and all detractors. Chef Yat’s culinary inclinations are deeply rooted within the family. She was delighted to talk about cooking being part of both sides of her family. “Both sides of the family can really cook!” she says, explaining how her chops at cooking are genetic. “And I mean really! My dad worked his way through Med school by being a cook and a waiter in his aunt’s canteen. My mom can practically imitate any dish that is served before her.” Her family took pride in being able to determine the components of a particular dish, breaking into recipes and trying it out for themselves. But apart from her obvious love of cooking, one of the best things about Chef Yat is the fact that she does everything in her own style. Being fashionable isn’t exactly the top priorities among most chefs, but to Chef Yat, it’s not even about being fashionable. She feels it’s all about feeling comfortable and feeling your best. She explains how this is just the way she’s always been—she dresses to cook as though she were hosting her own cooking show every time. It’s become a way to boost

122

Volume 4 No. 1 www.brandmagazineph.com

confidence and enjoy herself even more, doing what she does. To Chef Yat, it’s also her secret weapon, which is why the motto on her card is, “A man will remember a woman for 2 things: the way she looks, and the way she cooks.” It is this confidence and belief in her own ability that brought her to Masterchef in the first place. With other extremely talented chefs as competitors, and being judged by some of the biggest culinary names in the company, the competition was no joke. But none of that pressure fazed Chef Yat. Carrying only a whole lot of courage and her confidence, she put her whole heart into the competition, knowing that her passion for cooking and her talents would see her through. Her “fashionista” styles were no hindrance to her either—to Chef Yat, come cooking oil stains on her aprons and whatever else, cooking was what she was there to do. She even says that her hair pieces and flowers brought her good luck. It then comes as no surprise that such a confident and fashionable chef should look up to a chef much like herself. Chef Yat declares her idol as the remarkable Nigella Lawson—the chef with the class, appeal, and above all, amazing culinary skills that have captivated the world over. Ivory gushes about how she loves Nigella’s comfortable home-cooking style that need no forks or tools at the end; just relishing a great meal. Another of her idols is Jamie Oliver, well known for the rustic Florentine style of cooking that gives everything such a romantic appeal. One can see the pattern here: Ivory looks up to comfortable, confident chefs who aren’t at all strict about how cooking should be, and just enjoying making wonderful food. This is what Ivory Yat also hopes to do with her own food— she wants to share great recipes, hoping they will also bring joy to those who try them. She had recently contributed one of her recipes in the finals of Masterchef, her famous palabok, which has made it into the pages of the World’s Best Noodle Dishes. Chef Yat’s recipe is lined up alongside other worldclass names, which she considers a truly amazing honor. She continues to join cooking events, bringing along delicious, homecooked food that earns the love and enjoyment of those fortunate enough to have a taste. Being grateful as well to all the fans who expressed loving her cooking, she even shares her recipes with them through her Facebook fanpage.

What does the future hold for Ivory Yat, the Sultry Chef? Like any other chef looking to make a name for herself, Ivory has aspirations that turn towards having her very own restaurant. Currently, she is enjoying success with her foodstalls in Eastwood City and in Venezia McKinley, both very populated food centers where her food is greatly appreciated. She also teaches the next generation of chefs as an instructor in the College of Saint Benilde. But yes, she says emphatically, she is preparing to release her very own cookbook, and is looking forward to opening a restaurant in Eastwood City. Above all else, Ivory Yat the Sultry Chef is certainly here to satisfy cravings.

Like us! www.facebook.com/brandmagph

123

TASTE

DINE IN • TAKE OUT

The height of DEGUSTATION Words by Ricky Alonzo Jr. / Photos by Ibarra Photography

Delightful degustation scales new heights with the opening of 71 Gramercy. 71 Gramercy is a New York-inspired bar and restaurant with lofty ambitions. Snuggly nestled at the top of the country’s tallest residential skyscraper; it’s a crown jewel that plays host to the hippest bar events and unforgettable high-end dining experiences. The club-resto is divided into three parts: An inside lounge and bar area for the club, a restaurant area, and an al fresco area with full bar. Every corner spoils diners with a spectacular view of the cityscape. Named after a New York neighborhood with class and charisma, the club resto exhibits the same allure. The interiors are modern and chic. The lavish art deco exudes a Jazz Age vibe. The sophisticated lighting and high ceiling – all of these set the mood for divine gastronomy. The food is described as cosmopolitan New York dining. Though the food is evidently on the high end of the spectrum, the food is familiar. The classics reinvented.

Chef Carlo Miguel, the kitchen maestro muses, “Simple food made with the finest ingredients, modern combinations, modern techniques.” 124

Volume 4 No. 1 www.brandmagazineph.com

The indulgent dishes can be likened to a well-orchestrated symphony-- a harmonious blend of ingredients and dishes that complement each other. It starts off well with a glorious selection of appetizers, then crescendos to delightful main courses, and finishes off with divine desserts.

Mushroom Ravioli Mushroom, ricotta, truffle and parmesan cheese wrapped in homemade ravioli pasta drenched in truffle oil, parmesan and fresh herbs dressing. This is the kind of ravioli that is misleadingly simple but when eaten together, bursts with much richness and flavor. No wonder it’s one of 71 Gramercy’s most celebrated dishes on the menu.

Banana Tartetine A localized version of a traditional French dessert, Banana Tartetine is a sinfully delightful concoction of caramelized banana with chocolate ice cream right smack in the middle. The sweetness and somewhat burnt flavor meld beautifully.

Braised U.S. Pork Spareribs The play of flavors and texture is over the top. The melt-in-your-mouth U.S. pork spareribs with chorizo and saffron mixed with roast garlic, potato purée, crispy jamon and peppers, this entree is made in gastronomic heaven.

FAME With the mesmerizing view of the city as the backdrop, Manilaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most beautiful party people come out and play. They come in full force every night in the most happening themed event in the metro. From Monday to Saturday, 71 Gramercy plays gracious host to distinct themed parties, swinging to the hippest hip hop music one night, then switching mode to throwback tracks the next, while serving guests their fix from a wide array of drink selections. Fame happens every Thursday. It is where the metroâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s A-listers, celebrities, fabulous and fashionable come in droves to party the night away.

Like us! www.facebook.com/brandmagph

125

Triple O’s By White Spot Hits The Right Spot F

or any Filipino who has ever spent some time in Canada, Triple O’s by White Spot will surely be a familiar name. Indeed, as Canada’s very first drive-in restaurant (established by their founder Nat Bailey in 1928), its place in history has already been assured; but it is their legendary Triple O’s burger that propels the brand into iconic status.

It is said that the name “Triple O” came from the shorthand language of the drive-in service attendants – otherwise known as “carhops” – manning the immensely popular Canadian restaurant. When guests at the drive-in chose from mayonnaise and relish, their order slips were printed with X’s and O’s. Three O’s on the slip meant plenty of everything, and that’s exactly what Triple O’s by White spot serves on their menu. reveal countless hits theorizing about what makes this sauce so delicious, as well as multiple attempts to approximate its taste. All, however, conclude that there simply is no way to improve on the taste of the original. Triple O’s offers this unstoppable burger combination in a dizzying array of styles and variations, which can come a la carte or in combo meals of fries and a drink. Enthusiastic customers can even overload their burgers with extra toppings, from a grand selection of cheeses, bacon, and grilled mushrooms. Triple O’s also caters to the popular local preference for fish or chicken burgers, perfectly grilling these patties to a crunchy, juicy, and flavorful delight. For those who have a hankering for something other than a fantastic burger, Triple O’s provides a selection of other mains, such as chicken, pasta, and fish dishes. To cap off an excellent meal, the hand-scooped Triple O’s milkshake is the only way to go. Made with premium vanilla ice cream in the classic flavors, their milkshake and sundaes end your Triple O’s experience on a sweet note. Triple O’s’ claim to have the “sauciest, juiciest, tastiest, bestest burgers around” may appear to be hyperbole, but the proof is in the pudding – or in this case, the patty. Triple O’s elevates the simple concept of the burger with their premium-grade 100% Canadian beef patties. Numerous gourmands agree that Canadian beef is a few notches superior to its American counterpart, due to Canada’s strict screening systems on beef standards and food safety. Likewise, Triple O’s is well known for their meticulous grilling technique, which optimizes the essence and flavor of the beef. And flavor is something that Triple O’s knows intimately well: its legendary (and highly secret) “Triple O” has achieved an almost cult-like following around the world. A cursory online search for “triple o sauce” will

126

Volume 4 No. 1 www.brandmagazineph.com

The good news is that this fantastic taste of Canada has finally opened in Manila, with the first Triple O’s branch in the second floor of SM Megamall’s Atrium. The Canadian Ambassador to the Philippines, Hon. Neil Reeder, joined SweetSpot Philippines, Inc. (the local partner of White Spot) Chairman Richard Yee in welcoming White Spot owner Peter Toigo and President and CEO Warren Erhart to their new business venture in the Philippines. Other notable guests included Mandaluyong Mayor Benhur Abalos and Canadian Trade Commissioner Angel Cachuela. In a market that is somewhat saturated with American fast food brands, it will definitely be a delicious experience to see what the Great White North brings to the (dining) table.

WELLNESS

HEALTH & FITNESS

Words by: Ricky Alonzo, Jr. Photographer: Choy Suarez Model: Ralph Malaluan Venue: Executive Platinum Fitness

Spa

Let’s go to the

For all the body-taxing workouts you have to endure all in the name of fitness—you truly deserve a break. And what is a better way than a time well spent at a spa. The Platinum Spa is your great escape from stress to bliss — from luxurious hand and foot care therapies to full-body massages. Revitalize those tired muscles and regain your inner balance. The 60-minute full body massage experience package is a steal for only P450. This includes access to spa’s wet floor facilities such as dry sauna, steam room, hot and cold shower and Jacuzzi.

128

Volume 4 No. 1 www.brandmagazineph.com

Other soothing massages offered: Foot Reflexology A traditional foot massage which makes use of deep pressure and precise strokes that promote healing of limb muscles from pain and heaviness. This specialized treatment assists in the relief of stress and muscle tension, and also improves circulation in the lower extremities, restoring the body’s natural balance. Sports Massage The Sports massage is specifically designed for people who live a very athletic lifestyle. The focus isn’t on relaxation but on preventing and treating injury, thereby enhancing athletic performance. The therapists can adjust to sport-specific massage styles that address certain body areas that acquire movement strain from specific sports like golf, tennis, badminton, running, cycling or swimming, to name a few.

Shiatsu Massage A form of Japanese body therapy that uses localized finger pressure in a rhythmic sequence on acupuncture meridians. The Shiatsu style is acupressure that uses no oil. This is used for relief of tension, fatigue and stress by pressing vital points of the body, especially on the back, neck and head. This style provides an over-all revitalized feeling after a hard day’s work. Swedish Massage Massage therapists do the Swedish massage using long smooth strokes — kneading muscles and doing circular movements on the superficial layers of muscle using massage lotion or oil. This therapy style is recommended for relaxation after doing sports, workouts, walking and other rigorous physical activities as it relieves and soothes sore muscles through long strokes. The oil is also good for moisturizing dry skin. Back Massage This massage is designed to relieve severe back pains caused by tension in the muscles and the connective tissues of the back area. This type of massage focuses on the muscles located below the surface of the top muscles. The back massage therapy is often recommended for individuals who experience consistent back pains.

Reflex Massage The painful areas of the body brought about by the diseases of the inner organs are relieved. A set of special techniques and grips is used by a qualified physiotherapist based on the actual condition of a patient. This massage may include the neck, back, pelvis, among other areas. Ventosa An ancient Chinese technique that soothes muscle spasms and tissue congestion. Ventosa means “pulling out wind” or in the vernacular hangin lamig. The technique opens the body’s meridians and restores the flow of “qi” (chi). This is done by positioning you face down and placing glasses on specific accupoints in a negative pressure environment to activate blood flow, drive out wind and dampness. Vacuum created inside the glass lifts the skin and increases circulation, helps alleviate pain and allows the body to feel relaxed and rested. This method is generally pain free, though redness in treated areas will occur – which is normal and expected.

Like us! www.facebook.com/brandmagph

129

BE FIT The road to fitness is littered with daunting challenges. But if you are going to set your mind on a healthy lifestyle-- sweating it out and undergoing demanding physical activities, might as well do it in a place that is cozy and equipped with the best facilities you can get your hands on.

ucked along the busy street of Gilmore Avenue, New Manila is a full-featured gym worth a visit. Platinum Executive Fitness is a gym and health club that is exclusively for members and their guests. But fret not – there is a free trial for non-members. Talks are abuzz that those who have availed of their free trial have become converts and found a perfect partner in their commitment to good health and good life. Platinum Executive Fitness has your fitness interest at heart with top-of-the-line equipment that answers all your workout needs — body strength conditioning and pre-cardio among others. The accommodating personal training services team is at hand to design your fitness regime — one that is tailor-made for your body.

130

Volume 4 No. 1 www.brandmagazineph.com

A group studio is available and can be the perfect place for attending a group gym class or stretching after your workout. Platinum Executive Fitness is about well-rounded wellness. It is not just about grueling exercises and pumping iron– it’s also about pampering and relaxation. Private massage rooms are also available for members and their guests. There is a variety of massage therapies you can choose from to energize you and get you well rested. As if that is not enough – you can bask and enjoy the private deluxe whirlpool, cold plunge, steam rooms and dry sauna in the separate day locker rooms for men and women. Each day locker room likewise has its own lounge and a plungeworthy indoor pool.

Like us! www.facebook.com/brandmagph

131

RENOVATE

HOME • OFFICE • ESTABLISHMENTS

words & photos by Ricky Alonzo, Jr.

Furniture, fixtures, decor, accessories…

Chic styling on a budget Renovate your home with all the bells and whistles without breaking the bank. Whether you fancy seeing your room in a whole new light with some spanking new décor or just need a quick repair— there are a few flea markets around Metro Manila that deliver a big bang for your buck. Budget-saving galore -- from toilets, kitchen fixtures, lights, sofas, cabinets, handicrafts and antiques. Chic styling that you can afford!

Juan Luna Street, Caloocan Along the road connecting Caloocan and Manila is a one-stop market for any home furnishing you can think of. Get ready with your haggling prowess as the prices are low, but can still get lower. You can find cabinets, drawers, bed frames, dining tables, computer tables, chairs, and sofas in various colors, shapes, sizes and materials. You can even have some home furnishings tailor-made to your specifications. They also sell home items such as shoe racks, shelves, and kitchen ceramics. Orders can be delivered and assembled right in your home.

132

Volume 4 No. 1 www.brandmagazineph.com

Soler Street Soler Street is a paradise for cheap lights, ceramics, and metalworks for your home. The streetâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most sought-after items are chandeliers, toilet bowls, sliding windows, bathroom and kitchen sinks, faucets, knobs, artisan lights, metal bars, and tiles. Most products are sourced from China.

M. H. Del Pilar Street corner Padre Faura The small shops lining the street of M. H. Del Pilar in Ermita offer some of the most precious relics this side of town. The stores sell antiques certified by the National Museum of the Philippines at reasonably good prices. The area is also the center for fresh and upcoming artists as well as renowned painters. Some shops are operated by artists that accept commissioned painting jobs.

Like us! www.facebook.com/brandmagph

133

Dapitan Arcade Be it Asian, indigenous or a dash Europeaninspired art and religious items, Dapitan Arcade is the go-to place. You can find great selections of home decor and accessories, as well as some Christmas ornaments inside the arcade and in the stores surrounding the area. The market primarily sells export-quality overrun decors from wood, resin, alloys, and native materials. Jewelry and other accessories are also available.

Quiapo Underpass A hub for Pinoy handicrafts, Quiapo Underpass shops offer almost all your native item cravings. If you fancy bamboo, capiz shells, wicker, Narra or Kamagong handicrafts-- the choices are plenty. Stalls open as early as 7 am and close around 5 pm.

134

Volume 4 No. 1 www.brandmagazineph.com

RENOVATE

HOME • OFFICE • ESTABLISHMENTS

Lighting Up Your Comfort Zones, the Earth-friendly Way

After a hard day’s work, we all look forward to coming home. Homes have taken quite many forms in this day and age, it can be a one-room flat, a studio type condo unit, a grand mansion, an old apartment or a home office. Any which way it goes, our homes are our ‘home, sweet home’, our comfort zones. And whether we come home to dine and wine with loved ones, to rest a while or fall in to deep slumber, the first thing we do is switch the lights on…

e used to switch the “Thomas Edison” bulb on; but sooner rather than later, doing that won’t work anymore. The incandescent bulb is not very efficient; it emits a lot of heat, and much energy is wasted. This is why it is being phased-out. The growing concern for global warming, and man-made contributions to accelerating this condition has forced international researchers to find an alternative to Thomas Edison’s invention. The Compact Fluorescent Lamp came out as an energy saving option. But soon, its light may soon be switched off as well, because it also contains chemicals like mercury, which is harmful to both humans and the environment. Lucky as we always are, we have another option- the Earth-friendly LED Light is now available to light up our homes, our work places, our comfort zones. LED Lights do not contain any unsafe chemical, it is energy-saving, cost efficient, and Earth- friendly. Skeptical as we may be about the pressing environmental issues around us, it will only do us good to go for Earth-friendly choices. Contrary to the common perception that LED Lights are just for commercial and industrial use, they are now being used in residences and offices. Read on and see a few of our tips on how you can warm your nooks, create ambience or simply light up your comfort zones, the Earth-friendly way.

How big is your Room?

Getting the proportions of your lights right is just as important as the quality of light they’ll give. A big chandelier for a huge space or maybe a compact spotlight for a smaller room will be more suitable. For low ceilings, a flush or semi-flush light may be the best choice. For larger rooms with high ceilings, a multi-arm light or chandelier with five or more bulbs would be a good buy.

136

Volume 4 No. 1 www.brandmagazineph.com

What do you need for your Comfort Zone and when do you need it?

When planning on your lighting, ask yourself how you use the space and at what time of day? If you use the living room right throughout the day and evening, or for specific tasks such as reading tor working on the computer, then you’ll need a number of different levels of lighting - and lighting types.

LED Bulb Features: • Instant start, no mercury content • Energy saving, longer lifespan • Same size as the ordinary incandescent light bulb • High color rendering, soft light output, no glare • PC lampshade, aluminum heat sink • Some wattages are dimmable • 220 – 240 volts Applications: • Home and Office • Hospitals, Resorts, Hotels • General Lighting

LED T8 Tube

LED Candle Light Features: • Energy saving and no IR radiation • Clear & bright bulb • High lumen efficacy • Beam angle is high as 240 degrees • 220 – 240 volts

Features: • Excellent in heat dissipation, pure aluminum used for housing • Imported LED chips • High quality driver, special IC control, constant current • Joint diffusion agent on PC cover, soft light output • Can be customized for the regular tubes that with ballast • 220 – 240 volts Applications: • Suitable for General Lighting system • Home & Office Lighting • Hotels, Schools, and Hospitals

Applications: • Chandeliers in Hotels • Restaurants and Resorts • Living Room and Lobby

LED Ceiling Lights Features: • Elegant, new design for base • Holes in the base for heat dissipation • Longer Lifespan • Equal distribution of Light Output • Imported Chips, Special in-house Technology • High Quality driver, special IC Control, constant current • 220-240 Volts Applications: • Home & Office Ceiling Light • Hotels, Restaurants, Resorts

Like us! www.facebook.com/brandmagph

137

SPOTLIGHT

MOVIES • MUSIC • BOOKS • THEATRE

THE

A-MAZE-ING N

DYLAN O’BRIEN

ew York Cityborn actor Dylan O’Brien is quickly emerging as one of Hollywood’s brightest talents stars in the upcoming non-stop thrilling action adventure “The Maze Runner.” O’Brien is widely known for his role in MTV’s “Teen Wolf” as Stiles in the hit show, which is loosely based on the 1985 comedy film of the same name starring Michael J. Fox.

In “The Maze Runner,” Thomas wakes up in a lift, moving slowly upward. As the box grinds to a halt and the doors open, he s finds himself among a colony of boys who welcome him to the Glade – a large open expanse O’Brien makes his debut in surrounded by enormous concrete walls. Thomas’ mind is Wes Ball’s “The Maze Runner” based on the best selling young blank. He has no knowledge of adult novel of the same title where he is, doesn’t know where by James Dashner playing he came from, and he can’t remember his parents, his past, Thomas, who we follow into the mysterious Glade, where he finds or even his own name. a community of boys struggling One of the first bona fide stars of to survive, and to escape the Thomas and his fellow “Gladers” the YouTube generation, O’Brien enormous and terrifying maze don’t know how or why they that surrounds them. got to the Glade. They only started uploading videos to the

138

site at just 14, and picked up a manager after appearing in a web series. On film he’s best known for a role in 2013 comedy “The Internship,” and as the lead in 2012’s “The First Time.”

Volume 4 No. 1 www.brandmagazineph.com

know that each morning, giant concrete doors that lead to the Maze open. Every night at sunset they close. And every thirty days, a new boy arrives in the lift. The predictable behavior of the Maze made Thomas’ arrival expected. What’s not expected is having the box appear again, less than a week later, carrying Teresa, the first girl to arrive in the Glade. Thomas learns that each resident of the Glade has a role to play, from gardening to construction to being one of the elite runners who map the walls of the Maze

that keep them captive and change configurations every night. Maze Runners race the clock to cover as much ground as possible before the end of the day when the Maze locks down and the deadly biomechanical Grievers roam the corridors of the concrete structure. Even as a newcomer or “greenie,” Thomas feels an unsettling familiarity about the Glade and the Maze. There is something locked away in his memories that might, in fact, be the key to solving the mysteries of the Maze and possibly the world beyond. “The Maze Runner” is based upon the first book of a trilogy in a bestselling series by James Dashner. Published in October 2009, the novel became a New York Times Best Seller and captured the imaginations of readers around the world, who described it as a combination of “Lord of the Flies,” “The Hunger Games,” and the legendary television series “Lost.” Dashner understands those comparisons, especially to Lord of the Flies, but notes that THE MAZE RUNNER is at its heart a very different story. “I don’t think characters would react they way they do in Lord of the Flies,” he explains.

“I think they’d be more civilized, orderly, and determined to survive and escape. “The Maze Runner” is an adventure story that’s also about hope and the potential of the human spirit.” Director Ball and producer Wyck Godfrey began putting together the project’s myriad elements. Godfrey remembers, “The one thing that blew me away when I first sat down with Wes Ball was that his concept of the Maze went beyond anything I’d imagined.” The next step was to assemble the cast to portray the Gladers, who form a highly functional society as they perform their daily jobs, look out for each other and engage in power struggles as they try to solve the mystery of the Maze. Godfrey says, “The casting was one of the most exciting things about the project. The actors really believed in this world, and we went far afield to find them.” Leading the cast is Dylan O’Brien as the resourceful Thomas, who’s convinced there’s a way out of the Maze. Familiar to fans of the MTV series Teen Wolf, O’Brien has what Godfrey calls “a great everyman quality. Dylan is very relatable in the way that

recalls the young Tom Hanks. He’s not overly glamorous and he’s a great athlete. Dylan could handle the physical requirements required for the character.” O’Brien notes that despite the frightening and mystifying circumstances under which Thomas arrives in the Glade, the experience brings out the best in the character. “Until that moment he wakes up in the lift in the Glade, he’s probably led a pretty sheltered life,” says the actor. “Being put in this situation and under those circumstances, allows him to tap into instincts and a kind of heroism that was always inside of him. He doesn’t let his fear of this new and unknown world prevent him from being curious about it. It doesn’t hold him back.” “Filming Maze Runner was so great, and it really helped to be on location. If we’d shot the movie in LA I think we’d all have gotten along and made the movie, but it would not have had the same spirit. There’s something you get from being with each other, isolated in this crazy experience. You’re only there for what you’re doing, and so it’s all about that, and us guys hanging out. There wasn’t a

single night we weren’t hanging out, from the get-go. I got there a little later than everyone else, and I met some of the guys doing stuff around the production office and exchanged numbers with Will Poulter, and Will said that everyone would be getting together later in his room and making dinner and I should come on by. I went up, and everyone’s just hanging out, watching the basketball playoffs, cooking dinner. We did that every night until shooting started and then it was just eight weeks of us being a huge family. I thought it was so cool. Every one of those guys and Kaya is just so cool – there’s not a bad word I can say about any of them. We got so lucky, man. It’s so rare just to have that experience, and then to also have the movie be something we’re so proud of, it’s the coolest thing ever. They’re all so awesome, every single one of them,” concludes O’Brien on making the film and of his costars. “The Maze Runner” (3D) opens September 17 in cinemas nationwide from 20th Century Fox to be distributed by Warner Bros.

Like us! www.facebook.com/brandmagph

139

SPOTLIGHT

MOVIES • MUSIC • BOOKS • THEATRE

Of Dreams and Passion – Mark Carpio Words and photos by Andrew Rodriguez

ucceeding in life will depend solely on yourself and your desire to achieve all your goals and dreams. Having the passion to accomplish what is needed to reach them will sustain one’s drive until the end no matter long or difficult the road is. In case you are wondering who the dashing young man is on spotlight in this issue, he is a young man on the way up the ladder of success, and he is Mark Carpio. Mark is part of the family that owns and operates Grand Monaco Estate Developers, Inc. The second to the eldest of four siblings, he currently handles finance as Executive Vice President of the family run business which aims to provide better and more affordable homes and structures for the families looking to purchase their first home. The joined the company straight out of college and started from the bottom working his way up. He literally took the shovel in his hand and learned the ropes of the business first hand. Aside from keeping tabs on the family business, Mark also occupies his time with his passion for music, specifically singing and playing the guitar. He reveals that his passion for music began even before joining their company. “I started singing when I was 4 years old. Little did I know that I would start to love singing and before I graduated college, I even planned to pursue it before joining the company.”, says the 27 year old bachelor. But he opted to put a career in music on hold for a while and focused his energies towards the family business. Moving forward to the present, the young Mr. Carpio has begun to pursue his career in music. With his family’s full support behind him, he aims to make another milestone for the family, the Carpio clan, thru his singing. Singing songs that he himself had composed, along with his friends who comprise the band called Head Playback wherein they play alternative music, Mark doesn’t consider singing a career shift but

140

Volume 4 No.1 www.brandmagazineph.com

another ability that he can explore because God gave him the talent to use and share it with others not just because of what he can gain it but to be heard. He now divides his time between both his careers in real estate and music.

“Impossible only exists to people who quit.”

When asked if he has any other future plans aside from both of his current careers, he says that he has several things that he plans to do. One of which is to take up law after he finishes his master’s degree in Ateneo this year. On his third degree right now, he has no plans to stop studying. He has learned to love education and believes that education is one of the things that an individual can depend on and will help a person grow as well. Mark has also, quite recently, acquired the passion to ride motorcycles and recently purchased his first motorcycle. His plan for the next year is to purchase another motorcycle and dip his toes in motorcycle racing. Travelling is also in his cards for the future since he loves to travel with his family. When asked what he foresees for himself a few decades into the future, he wants to have his own tower being in the real estate development business. Enjoying life with his family and loved ones are the first things that come into his mind when asked about the future. Singing would also still be part of that future according to him. He once told his bandmates who have been his friends since high-school, “Until we get old, we would still be bandmates because we do it for the fun and the friendship, not just for the music.” As for the family business, Mark has big dreams for the company. He could only imagine where the company be years down the line. It could become multiple companies or go international; it gets higher every time according to him. Aside from the growth of Grand Monaco Estate Developers, Inc., he sees that the company being a vehicle to help more people, giving more opportunities to others. In closing, Mark Carpio leaves us food for thought in a quote that he believes in and motivates him, “Impossible only exists to people who quit.”

Like us! www.facebook.com/brandmagph

141

SPOTLIGHT

MOVIES • MUSIC • BOOKS • THEATRE

THE MAZE RUNNER

Release: September 18, 2014 Director: Wes Ball Cast: Dylan O’Brien, Kaya Scodelario, Thomas Brodie Sangster, Will Pouter, Ki Hong Lee, Aml Ameen, Alex Flores, Chris Sheffield, Dexter Darden, Jacob Latimore and Blake Cooper An engaging sci-fi adventure filled with the spectacular visual effects is about to be revealed in “The Maze Runner” directed by first time director Wes Ball and produced by blockbuster filmmakers Wyck Godfrey who produced “Twilight,” Ellen Goldsmith-Vein and Lee Stollman (“Abduction”) and Lindsay William (“No Good Deed”). Based on the first book of the best selling trilogy by James Dashner, “The Maze Runner” stars Dylan O’Brien as the movie’s main protagonist Thomas. Brought to a dystopian world where the only memory remains is his name, Thomas along with the rest of other young adults thrive to survive in this world of maze known as the Glade.

THE DROP

Release: September 24, 2014 Director: Michaël R. Roskam Cast: Tom Hardy, Nooomi Rapace, James Gandolfini Bob Saginowski finds himself at the center of a robbery gone awry and entwined in an investigation that digs deep into the neighborhood’s past where friends, families, and foes all work together to make a living - no matter the cost.

GONE GIRL

Release: October 2, 2014 Director: David Fincher Cast: Ben Affleck, Rosamund Pike Based upon the global bestseller by Gillian Flynn – unearths the secrets at the heart of a modern marriage. On the occasion of his fifth wedding anniversary, Nick Dunne (Ben Affleck) reports that his beautiful wife, Amy (Rosamund Pike), has gone missing. Under pressure from the police and a growing media frenzy, Nick’s portrait of a blissful union begins to crumble. Soon his lies, deceits and strange behavior have everyone asking the same dark question: Did Nick Dunne kill his wife?

142

Volume 4 No. 1 www.brandmagazineph.com

FOOSBALL With over 2 million admissions in Argentina, home of soccer icons Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi, “Foosball” (“Metegol” in Argentine Spanish) is about to kick balls in Philippine cinemas very soon. “Foosball” (known/retitled in the US as “Underdogs) tells the story of Amadeo, a shy but talented boy, and of a foosball team that is trying to get back together after having been dismantled. With the help of the foosball players, Amadeo will have to face his most terrible rival on the football pitch: the Champ. Guided by their leader, the charismatic Right Winger, the foosball players and Amadeo will set off on a great adventure together, like a true team, to get back the dignity that the Champ stole from them. Football is the stage on which this story of love, respect, friendship and passion is played out. Directed by Academy Award Winner Juan José Campanella with animation supervisor Sergio Pablos who also supervised the blockbusters “Rio” and “Despicable Me,” “Foosball” (Englishdubbed version) will open very soon in theatres this 2014 from Axinite Digicinema. Follow Axinite Digicinema at Facebook and YouTube.

THE BOOK OF LIFE

Producer Guillermo Del Torro and director Jorge Gutierrez push the boundaries of animation in the upcoming “The Book of Life” where three childhood friends Manolo (Diego Luna), Joaquin (Channing Tatum) and Maria (Zoe Saldana) take on their most important journey within an enthralling landscape and larger-than-life visuals. As the story unfolds, all the world is made of stories but the greatest story begins in “The Book of Life,” the day when spirits pass between worlds and anything can happen. “The Book of Life” sees the journey of Manolo, a young man who is torn between fulfilling the expectations of his family and following his heart. Before choosing which path to follow, he embarks on an incredible adventure that spans three fantastical worlds where he must face his greatest fears. Rich with a fresh take on pop music favorites, the movie encourages us to celebrate the past while looking forward to the future. Check out this cool poster of “The Book of Life” as it opens us up to a stunning world created with rich details in a powerful story that celebrates life and the after-life. “The Book of Life” (3D) opens October 16 in theatres nationwide (Philippines) from 20th Century Fox to be distributed by Warner Bros. Like us! www.facebook.com/brandmagph

143

BILLBOARD

NEWS • EVENTS

ASUS Ofﬁcially Launches the Zenfone Series in the Philippines The ASUS flagship smartphone together with the new ZenUI are now available at incredible price! ASUS announces the availability of the Zenfone locally.For the first time, Filipino customers can experience the empowering luxury of the longanticipated Zenfone, available in a range of sizes and colors. All Zenfone models come with ASUS ZenUI, the all-new mobile user interface with over 1000 enhancements that make ASUS mobile devices even more fun and seamless to use. The launch of Zenfone in the Philippines marks a significant milestone for ASUS following Zenfone events in Taiwan and China. The Zenfone Series features highperformance and power-efficient Intel® Atom™ processors to deliver outstanding mobile experiences. Zenfone — the incredible smartphone for everyone The Zenfone series incorporates beautiful design, highquality materials and the seamless functionality of ASUS ZenUI to bring empowering luxury to users. Available with screens ranging from 4 to 6 inches and in a variety of striking colors, there is a Zenfone to match anyone’s needs and sense of style. Zenfone 5 and 6 models feature Corning® Gorilla® Glass 3 screens for incredible scratch resistance and durability. Zenfone 4 has a gorgeous 4-inch display and is easy to personalize with swappable back covers available in Charcoal Black, Pearl White, Cherry Red, Sky Blue and Solar Yellow colors. It supports Micro SD cards up to 64GB, giving plenty of room to store photos, videos, apps, and more. Zenfone 4 is the most affordable among the Zenfone Series for the price of only Php 3,995 (8GB). Zenfone 5 comes with a spacious 5-inch HD IPS+ display that can even be used while wearing gloves. Its stunning design tapers to just 5.5mm at its thinnest edge. Zenfone 5 is available in Charcoal Black, Pearl White, Cherry Red, Champagne Gold and Twilight Purple colors. The Zenfone 5 will be available for only Php 6,495 (8GB). Zenfone 6 offers a fantastic 6-inch HD IPS+ display complemented by SonicMaster audio technology to deliver immersive entertainment experiences. It is equipped with a powerful 13-megapixel camera for

144

clear, high-resolution photos. ZenFone 6 is available in Charcoal Black, Pearl White, Cherry Red and Champagne Gold colors. The Zenfone 6 will be available for only Php 11,995 (16GB). ASUS ZenUI — ﬂuid, intuitive and beautiful Zenfone is one of the first ASUS devices to feature ASUS ZenUI, the all-new, exclusive mobile user interface developed around the concepts of freedom, expression and connection. Featuring a new visual design made to be efficient and inviting, it contains modern ‘flat’ icons, vivid color themes, animations, new ringtones and notification sounds, and a clean layout to present information clearly. ASUS ZenUI also includes two features — What’s Next and Do It Later — designed to free users

from actively having to manage the multitude of information they are confronted with daily, and enable them to be more productive. What’s Next puts the information currently most important and useful to the user — such as upcoming appointments, new messages and missed calls from VIP contacts, weather at the next destination, and more — front and center on the lock screen, the home screen and in the notification drawer. Do It Later frees the user to focus on the task at hand, without forgetting about other important things that they need to do later. If a user is in the middle of writing an email and

Volume 4 No. 1 www.brandmagazineph.com

receives a phone call, a simple button tap automatically creates a reminder to call that person back. Users can also save interesting items, like articles, YouTube videos, or any web page, to read later. Each reminder and saved item is collected in the separate Do It Later app and includes a shortcut to perform the related action, such as call a contact or view a webpage. PixelMaster — professionallooking photos, every time Every Zenfone features PixelMaster,

an exclusive ASUS camera technology comprising a set of features including Selfie Mode and Depth of Field Mode that improve camera performance and make it easier for users to capture great photos and videos. Two additional PixelMaster features, Low-light Mode and Time Rewind, are also available on Zenfone 5 and Zenfone 6. Low-light Mode significantly increases camera performance in poorly lit scenes. By merging adjacent pixels, the camera increases light sensitivity by up to 400% and contrast up to 200%,

resulting in clear and bright low-light shots without the need for a flash. Electronic Image Stabilizer (EIS) improves low-light performance even further resulting in sharper, nonblurry photos. Low-light mode is also available when shooting video. Action photography can be challenging due to subject motion, but Time Rewind makes capturing that perfect moment easier. By automatically taking multiple pictures before and after the user presses the shutter button, the chance of getting a great photo of a difficult subject is increased. After taking the photo, the user can “go back in time” using an easy-to-use interface to select the best shot, or can simply choose to save all of the available shots captured by the camera. Selfie Mode is a new and innovative way to take high-quality self-portraits (‘selfies’). It enables the user to use the high resolution main camera on the back of the phone — instead of the lower resolution front-facing camera — to take and individual selfie or one with a group of friends. The camera automatically detects when the selected number of people is in the frame and begins a countdown before taking three photos. Afterwards, the user can select the best-looking photo to save and share online. Depth of Field Mode lets the user capture engaging photographs with sharp, isolated subjects set against rich, softly blurred backgrounds — a look known to photographers as shallow depth of field — that is usually only possible with dedicated, high-end cameras. AVAILABILITY & PRICING Zenfone 4 A400CXG 8GB Php3,995 Zenfone 5 A501CG 8GB Php6,495 Zenfone 6 A601CG 16GB Php11,995

Lenovo A8-50 and S850 Fuse Beauty, Brains, and Portable Power Lenovo (HKSE: 992) (ADR: LNVGY) today announced two new additions to its PC Plus lineupthe Lenovo A8-50, a portable multimedia tablet with the latest processor, enhanced sound, and a large screen; and the Lenovo S850, a savvy and highly responsive smartphone encased in a classy, colorful all-glass exterior. “The Lenovo A8-50 and Lenovo S850 offer

Designed for the fashion-conscious consumer, the beautifully-crafted Lenovo S850 features a classy all-glass exterior that encases smooth and responsive quad-core processor.The S850’s brilliant 13MP rear & 5MP front cameras capture crisp and sharp photos effortlessly. The 5MP wide-angle front camera takes awesome selfies and project better images in voice chats. Thin and light at 140 g, the Lenovo S850 features a five-inch screen for users to enjoy multimedia content in HD. A dual SIM smartphone, users can use different two numbers to take advantage of two data plans simultaneously. Lenovo S850 also supports Lenovo’s range of DOit apps, allowing users to share content with friends rapidly without network charges or Wi-Fi connection, improve speed and protect their device against viruses, spam and malware, back up and restore contacts, SMS messages and call logs, and use multiple shooting modes to when snapping photos.

productivity in compact and extremely portable form factors to support diverse mobility needs of Filipinos. Packed with cameras, powerful processors, high-definition displays, and connectivity features, the Lenovo A8-50 and Lenovo S850 allow users to handle multiple tasks in style,”said Michael Ngan, Country General Manager, Lenovo Philippines.

Pricing and Availability The Lenovo S850, which costs Php13,999 is available through authorized dealers of Open Communications, Lenovo Philippines’ exclusive smartphone distributor while the Lenovo A850, which costs Php10,499 is available through

Lenovo A8-50 supports Lenovo’s SHAREit and SYNCit apps for sharing photos, apps and other files across Android devices without network charges or Wi-Fi connection. The tablet also comes in midnight blue, pearly white, flamenco red, and canary yellow, for users to express their sense of individuality. Lenovo S850: Delightfully Fun and Fashion Forward

146

Volume 4 No. 1 www.brandmagazineph.com

As a global fashion brand that appeals to today’s Millennial generation, Forever 21 reinforces Lenovo’s “For Those Who Do” campaign and communicates Lenovo’s position as a youth-centric brand. Freebies and Discount Promos from Lenovo To celebrate the release of the latest stylish gadget offers, Lenovo is offering two promos that are sure to delight fashionistas and fashionistos alike. For every purchase of the Lenovo S850 or A8-50, consumers will get a Php250 Forever 21 discount voucher for a minimum purchase of Php2,500 worth of regular priced items. The offer is valid from July 21-August 15, 2014 at all Forever 21 Metro Manila branches.

Lenovo A8-50: Colorful In and Out With 30% larger screen than seven-inch tablets, the Lenovo A8-50 offers a more efficient on-thego entertainment, gaming, and multimedia experience. Weighing 360g, the Lenovo A8-50’s svelte eight-inch frame easily fits into the user’s hand. Its sharp, colourful 8-inch display produces bright HD images. The front-facing, Dolby® Audio speakers make it an excellent choice for playing games, watching videos, listening to music, and interacting with friends online. By activating Smart Sidebar, users can enjoy optimal video and audio settings for vertical or horizontal modes. Smart Sidebar also suggests recently-used apps.

“We have seen that mobile phones are increasingly becoming accessories and extensions of one’s personality, so the association with fashion is inevitable. We at Forever 21 are happy to support Lenovo in the launch of their more fashion-oriented offerings,” said Dixie C. Li, VP-Operations, Forever 21 Philippines.

Two lucky consumers can also get the chance to win Php5,000 pesos worth of gift certificates for a shopping spree at Forever 21 by simply uploading a mirror selfie of themselves with their brand new S850. The complete details of this contest can be found on Lenovo Mobile Philippines Facebook.

Lenovo’s authorized resellers. Lenovo partners with global fashion brand Forever 21 As part of its continuous consumer brand-building effort, Lenovo has partnered with global fashion brand, Forever 21 for the launch of the S850 smartphone and A8-50 tablet. The decision is in tandem with Lenovo’s strategy of attacking today’s young consumer market by banking on the fashion brand’s reputation as an authority on fashion and the go-to retailer for the latest trends and must-have styles.

For the latest Lenovo smartphones and tablets news, subscribe to Lenovo RSS feeds or follow Lenovo Mobile on Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/ LenovoMobilePH) and Facebook (www.facebook. com/lenovomobileph).

FASHION • TECH • MOBILITY • LIFESTYLE

SUBSCRIBE NOW! Get One Year (6 Issues) For Only P540.00 *Price Applicable Within Metro Manila Only Address to: Name:_______________________________________________________________ Address______________________________________________________________

I wish to pay by (please check) Cash

Contact no:_____________________ E-mail: ________________________________ Occupation:____________________________________________________________ Company Name:__________________ Would like to start my subscription on ______________________________________ DD/MM/YY

PLEASE CONTACT MARIO FOR SUBSCRIPTIONS AT TEL. NO.: 377- 4558 Fax or scan & email this Subscription form to brandmagazine7@gmail.com Like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/brandmagph and WIN exciting Prizes!

Check (Payable To Utmost Creative Publishing) Payment Deposited To Citystate Savings Account (Savings Account Number: 009-10-001794-6, Pasay Taft Branch)

Rico Blanco Joins Giordano In A Quest To Create A World Without Strangers As Giordano celebrates its 25th anniversary in the country, it intensifies its World Without Strangers credo with music icon Rico Blanco fronting the campaign. “Our aim is to bring World Without Strangers into people’s consciousness, and for it to be the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about our brand,” said Bea Lim, Giordano Philippines’ vice president for marketing. “With Filipinos’ love affair with music, we knew that the best way to make them listen is through a song. And what better way to make this message heard from Rico Blanco.” Giordano’s latest brand ambassador has established himself in the music industry, churning out hit after hit from his early days with Rivermaya to his solo career. Aside from his music, Blanco is also known for his edgy yet laidback personality which shines through his personal style. This made him the perfect choice to deliver Giordano’s message through his latest single aptly titled, “World Without Strangers”. The anthem is set to lighthearted music and an upbeat tone. With Blanco’s signature singing style, the song has the Filipino stamp

all over it, yet it is still relatable to everyone, anywhere in the world. “The song is inspired by Giordano’s vision of a borderless world where people walk hand in hand and celebrate life as one,” Blanco said. “We are happy to have Rico as part of our family. He represents the brand’s timelessness which can be seen in how his music is ingrained in the hearts and souls of Filipinos worldwide. And we want his personality to shine through our classic pieces,” Lim said. World Without Strangers has always been Giordano’s stand since its beginnings in Hong Kong. It is a brand for everyone, everywhere. Its simplicity and timeless quality transcends differences and preferences. And every piece is a building block to any wardrobe that comes to life with the wearer’s personality and taste. “World Without Strangers” by Rico Blanco is now available for download in iTunes. For updates on Giordano Philippines’ World Without Strangers campaign and 25th anniversary celebration, visit www.facebook. com/GiordanoPhilippines.

Rico Blanco Performs His Latest Single,

‘World Without Strangers’, official lyric video launched.

launched during the event. Hosted by Boys Night Out, the stage sizzled for eight hours straight as bandskept the crowd’s spirits high with every guitar riff and heart-pumping song. The bands were Callalily, Sponge Cola, Urbandub, Franco, Up Dharma Down, Gracenote, Techy Romantics, Taken By Cars, Kala, Autotelic, Join The Club, Cygnet, Maude, Hidden Nikki and Yolanda Moon. Statement Tee Design winners

“A world without strangers is a borderless one where people walk hand in hand and celebrate life as one,” said Rico Blanco, music icon and Giordano Philippines’ latest brand ambassador. This is exactly what happened at the first-ever World Without Strangers Music Festival held at the Glorietta Activity Center, Palm Drive. The free-for-all festival featured 15 local bands and introduced Blanco’s latest single “World Without Strangers” which is Giordano’s running credo. Set to a light, upbeat tone, the song is about a world where there is no class or cultural divide; a world where everyone is bonded by a familial tie. Guests swooned to Blanco’s comfortingly familiar signature singing style, which put a Filipino stamp on the song that is still relatable to everyone, anywhere in the world. The song’s official lyric video was also

148

Volume 4 No. 1 www.brandmagazineph.com

The Giordano Statement Tee Design Contest, which attracted a large number of entries, revolved around the “World Without Strangers” theme. Ten designers, five from the male category and another five from the female category, were recognized during the festival. The top 10 designers are Gino Jardinico, Timmy Joy Raymundo, John Angelo Tan, Ivan Marc Robinson, Nadine Encarnacion, Benedict Lim, John Francis Pasicolan, Katherine Francisco and Cathleen Kay Bayani, whose design for both male and female categories were chosen. The winning designs will be released in Giordano stores by the end of July. World Without Strangers Citizens As Giordano rallies for a world without strangers, 12 individuals were also recognized during the festival who have contributed to creating that ideal world. The awardees, called World Without Strangers Citizens, range from social workers to artists, from writers to taxi drivers.

The awardees are: Alex Eduque, volunteer; Jose Yap Dalisay, Palanca award-winning writer; Bengie Reyes, sculptor and furniture designer; Atty. Karen Jimeno, lawyer and social worker; Donnalyn Bartolome, artist and songwriter; Efren Penaflorida, teacher; Sophia Deliu, policewoman; Jovy Sasutona, handicapped painter; Creo Baylon, inventor; Nelson Balmores, a handicapped social worker for Gawad Kalinga; Edita Queras, a tricycle driver; and Doroteo Ochavo, a taxi driver who made news in 2012 for constantly returning things left behind by his passengers. “We are proud to recognize our first batch of World Without Strangers Citizens. They deserve this recognition because they are doing their share to build a world without strangers, and in doing so have inspired others,” said Bea Lim, Giordano Philippines’ vice president for marketing.

Take The Ultimate ‘Grouﬁe’

with Huawei’s Ascend P7 Take better selfies or group selfies (a.k.a. ‘groufies’) with the muchanticipated Huawei Ascend P7. Picking up from where the Ascend P6 left off, the leading global information and communications technology (ICT) solutions provider is set to revolutionize the smartphone photography segment. The Ascend P7 is equipped with an 8MP 5P nonspherical lens front-facing camera that comes with a function for panoramic selfie shooting. “Selfies are great but with most phones capable of only a small frame, the context of the picture is ruined. This is why we see a lot of selfies that lack scenery. The Ascend P7 aims to bring good photography to selfies or groufies,” said Charles Wu, Consumer Business group head of Huawei Technologies Philippines.. Equipped with Huawei’s signature “Voice Photo” function, the Ascend P7 allows users to simply tell the phone to take the picture. Furthermore, this feature takes photos that are accompanied by 10-second audio clips for users to upload photos with special audio expressions on a variety of social media platforms. “We want to offer our customers better sharing options by improving our smartphone cameras and providing them with more ways to express themselves,” Charles Wu said. The Ascend P7 is also the ultimate companion for capturing life’s moments, even the spontaneous ones. Installed with the Ultra Snapshot function, the smartphone enables the user to be camera-ready 1.2 seconds after double-clicking the down volume button from a locked mode. This way, no time is wasted unlocking the phone and waiting for the camera to load. Shooting in low-light settings doesn’t have to mean subpar photos. The Ascend P7 comes with Sony’s 4th generation BSI sensor, Image Signal Processor (ISP), IMAGESmart 2.0 software and f/2.0 aperture on its 13 MP 5P non-spherical lens rearfacing camera. DSLR aficionados and aspiring photographers will have more reasons to celebrate. Huawei’s proprietary ISP allows the smartphone to control a range of functions that can be found in professional cameras, which include autofocus, white balance and noise

reduction, ensuring optimized photos under any conditions. Users can also select the focus and exposure metering function with just one touch so the preferred focus and exposure position can be set to maximize image precision. Fast, seamless connectivity

Huawei’s unique dual antenna, which greatly improves signal reception and allows users to enjoy unlimited media viewing. This duo gives the unit the capability to download at speeds of up to 150Mbps. Huawei also fixed the eternal problem hardcore smartphone users

continuous media viewing and data sharing. The smartphone also has a smart networking switching technology that stabilizes the connection even during weak signal reception to minimize battery drainage. In addition, the power saving management function enables users to switch off any applications running in the background which are consuming unnecessary power to save battery. Power meets beauty The Ascend P7 stands in a league of its own. Its well-crafted, sleek and sophisticated metallic appearance is due to a seven-layered rear surface treatment with a refined “spin effect” micro-pattern design which has never before been seen in other smartphones.

Encased in a well-designed, 6.5mm-thick, five-inch full-HD phone that weighs at just 123g is a high-powered 4G LTE coupled with

have: low battery life. The Ascend P7 comes with a robust 2500 mAh lithium polymer battery and proprietary battery-saving technology, allowing users to enjoy long-lasting

The unit also provides an edge with enhanced strength and durability against everyday use with Corning® Gorilla® Glass 3 front and rear covers. “Huawei Ascend P7 was inspired by the natural curves of a water droplet which instills the phone with a sense of natural purity, and also gives users a more comfortable grip,” said Joon Suh Kim, Mobile Device vice president, Consumer Experience Design Center, Huawei Consumer BG. “It took us months of extensive design refinements to achieve this excellent balance of form and function.” Consuming content through the Ascend P7 is also a unique experience. Its five-inch FHD touchscreen display comes with 1920 x 1080 resolution, 445ppi and 16:9 aspect ratio, providing intense visual clarity when viewing multimedia. Available in black, white and pink, the Ascend P7 makes it possible to people to express excellence with edge.

Like Us! www.facebook.com/brandmagph

149

ABOUT US Utmost Creative Publishing is a company which provides creative, marketing, photography, events, and publishing services. Established in 2010, the company launched its first title, Discounts Magazine, and began conducting events, printing and other services up to present.

MISSION

To provide high-quality services at reasonable costs.

VISION

To be one of the top companies in the Philippines with Honor, Values and Pride.

GOAL

To contribute new ideas, fresh concepts, unique and high-standard marketing strategies to the country’s creative, and marketing industries.

Mario Alaman President and CEO

Steven Edward Yu

Executive Vice President – COO

Andrew Rodriguez

Executive Vice President – CMO

ALFRED CABRAL GUNTHER DE GUZMAN Art Directors

JANE LOYOLA

Senior Account Manager

NOVELYN QUIAMCO EDERLYN MATARO Account Managers

EMMAN ACUNA Events and Marketing Officer

Unit 2-3, Sunshine Condominium, 9633 Kamagong St., San Antonio Village, Makati City Philippines TELEFAX: 403-4475

SALVADOR “ILOY” DA Circulation Head

www.brandmagazineph.com www.facebook.com/brandmagph

OUR PRODUCTS BRAND MAGAZINE Urban Professional’s Magazine that highlights fashion, technology, mobility and lifestyle

DISCOUNTS MAGAZINE the Philippines’ first discounts magazine, that offers coupons, freebies and sales!

IT’S US (Magazine-Catalog) designed for one company or one brand, it can be distributed nationwide or as a company catalog.

UTMOST PLANNER a personalized planner that evaluate culture, history and relation of the products to its target consumers.

BRAND Magazine 2013 Henry Ford Award Winner “Best Automotive Consumer Feature”

CONCIERTO UNO a concert series aimed at reviving the careers of OPM artists.

150

Volume 4 No. 1 www.brandmagazineph.com

LAUNCHING AND PARTY EVENTS we organize fashion shows, celebrations and any private or media events.

COLLATERALS we provide marketing collaterals, layouts, designs, editorials, concepts, special execution for prints and audio-video presentations.

U R B A N

P R O F E S S I O N A L ’ S

M A G A Z I N E

DYLAN O’BRIEN TIMELINE:

FRANCIS LIBIRAN

INFOCUS:

NADINE

A U G U S T- S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 4

SAMONTE

Luxury in Design