5 reasons to catch the Philippines International Furniture Show 2015

PROUDLY PINOY. Design by Felix at PIFS 2015. All photos courtesy of Visions and Expressions

Filipino furniture design and workmanship take centerstage at PIFS 2015

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines International Furniture Show 2015 (PIFS 2015) is ongoing at the first floor of the SMX Convention Center, SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City. The much-anticipated bi-annual event opened on March 13, Friday, and will run until March 16, Monday.

PIFS 2015 coincides with another big lifestyle-design event, Manila FAME, which is currently happening at the second floor of the SMX Convention Center in MOA (I repeat this detail because there is an SMX Convention Center in SM Aura, Bonifacio Global City. I've learned of people going the wrong SMX Convention Center when the venue information is incomplete.).

PIFS is the industry event for the interiors sector of the Philippines. It is also the opportunity for Filipinos to see, appreciate, and be proud of what Filipino furniture designers have come up with, and how far they have gone. I personally call it my "Disneyland," while Manila FAME is my "Wonderland."

I love design, I love interior design, I dream of having a beautiful home, and I am proud of our Filipino designers and artisans.

PIFS was launched in 2014 and was such a big hit. It was organized by the industry to showcase the best in the industry, including social enterprise. Local and international markets took note of the 2014 event, and it is predicted that the visitor number this 2015 will exceed that of 2014.

Here are five reasons to head on to PIFS 2015 right now:

1. It showcases why our home and furniture industries are at front and center of global lifestyle design. Great opportunity to see and get to know the people and brands that bring pride to our country.

2. It is curated by J. Anton Mendoza, one of the top Filipino architects and owner of J. Antonio Mendoza Design Consultants. He is also the creative mind behind the Interior Design Vignettes at the event, for more design inspiration.

3. Over 200 companies are in the roster of designers and manufacturers. Where are they from? What do they do? What materials do they use? Find out for yourself at the event.

4. Trade visitors are expected from 70 countries, including Japan, Germany, Brazil, Turkey, and India. This is a good networking opportunity if you are considering getting into the design and export biz.

5. Mary McDonald and Nathan Turner of hit US design show "Million Dollar Decorators" will be there. They will pick their favorite pieces from the show and will present how Filipino furniture can be used in international room settings. Exciting!

McDonald and Turner graced the press conference that followed the official opening of PIFS 2015 last March 13. Nix Alanon asked them what they thought were the strengths of Filipino design, and here's what McDonald said:

Here are some brands you can check out at PIFS 2015:

Filipino Creazione De Mano, Inc.

Betis Crafts

Murillo Export

Padi Outdoor

Pacific Traders

Betis Crafts

Cancio

Calfurn

Aqua Design Amano

Felix

Which aesthetic fits your taste? When you visit PIFS 2015, let me know. Use the hash tags #PIFS2015 and #CoffeeWithKai in your social media posts.

My taste can go from minimal and mod (like the way I designed the condo I stay at now) to rustic and shabby chic (my dream design for my future home). 

I leave you with this statement chair from Filipino Creazione de Mano, Inc., also at PIFS 2015:

For more information on PIFS 2015 and their succeeding events, visit www.pifs.ph or email info@pifs.ph. - #CoffeeWithKai

‘The Inspiration of Living’ at Worldbex 2015

NO PLACE LIKE HOME. Top of the line and stylish design materials and ideas are on display only until today at Worldbex 2015. All photos courtesy of EON

Head on to Pasay City this weekend for home design delights

MANILA, Philippines - Worldbex 2015 -- Asia’s largest building and construction exposition -- is ongoing at the World Trade Center in Pasay City only until today, March 15. SCG, known in the industry for sustainable business practices, is showcasing its latest collection, along with subsidiaries Mariwasa and COTTO.

The theme of their showcase: "Experience the Inspiration of Living."

“Self-expression is something that Filipinos value highly, and this is reflected in the way they dress, the music they listen to and even in how their homes are designed,” said Jakkrit Suwansilp, Mariwasa Siam-Ceramics VP for Sales and Marketing. “We at SCG are committed to deliver world-class quality products and services that will aide Filipinos in creating a home that truly reflect their individual styles.”

He added, " "Filipinos want something that reflects who they really are in terms of style and design without compromising quality."

Here are three reasons to head to the World Trade Center and catch Worldbex 2015:

1. SCG is hosting an Architect Showcase featuring Jose Ramon Carunungan, principal architect and environmental planner of Carunungan & Partners Co.

Arch. Carunungan has designed various spaces using the SCG Smartboard, a fiber-cement board with Firm & Flex technology. This means that it brings together strength, durability, and elasticity.

2. COTTO is showcasing "Bathroom Pleasure" which offers three new distinct styles of bathrooms

In my opinion, the bathroom is one of the most important parts of the home, an area we spend a lot of time in. I have a lot of colleagues who are hit with inspiration while spending quiet or alone time in the bathroom, so these displays are a must-see.

3. Mariwasa introduces us to its latest HD Tile Collection and Wall Claddings

These are Majesty, Alder, Summerwood, Pascal, Portia, Metis, Primea, Moreto, Pavia, Mehan and Murica -- perfect for my friends who are currently building their dream home or even condo unit.

No matter how big or small the space, it must be beautiful, because you are putting in hard-earned money into it and are calling it your home.

Check out these photos:

Mariwasa tiles in Norwood

Mariwasa tiles in Stanwood and Vera

Mariwasa tiles in Valerius Ochre

Mariwasa tiles in Hexy Cleo

I love everything about interior design, and hope to have or build my own home someday. There's still time to catch Worldbex 2015 for some construction and design inspirations, guys. Bring the family and have a great time! - #CoffeeWithKai

Go shopping in Manila...fly to New York!

THE TIME IS NOW. Three days to go until this promo closes. Image from The SM Store

Whether you've been to New York or are a first-timer, you must grab this opportunity

MANILA, Philippines - Philippines Airlines is launching its Manila-New York flights, and to amp up the excitement, they have partnered with The SM Store to give everyone the chance to go on this voyage.

The promo called Shop and Fly to New York is ongoing until Sunday, March 15.

Here's how to join:

1. Shop at the SM Store and get a minimum purchase of P2,000.00
2. Make sure you are a holder of any of these cards: SM Advantage, Prestige, BDO Rewards

Simple, right? If you are going shopping anyway, you might as well take a chance at this raffle. There will be 30 winners -- one winner per day.

Today's winner could be YOU! :)

Participating The SM Store branches are Makati, Mall of Asia, Megamall, North Edsa, Aura, Cebu, Lanang, Baguio, and Bacolod.

Let's listen to a little Alicia Keys to get us in the mood, shall we?

Goodluck shopping and joining this promo, guys. Let me know if you win! - #CoffeeWithKai

Amazing Asia: 5 romantic summer destinations for 2015

HELLO, PARADISE! El Nido, Palawan, Philippines. Photo from Agoda.com

Five destination suggestions for romantic travel all year round

MANILA, Philippines - What's the easiest way to get to know a person? Travel with them.

And when it comes to couples in a romantic relationship, there is a saying that goes, “Don’t marry someone until you have travelled with them."

Valentine's Day month has passed, but travelling with your loved one can be done all year round. In case you have yet to plan this year's itinerary, here is a list of romantic destinations in Asia, according to accommodation aggregator Agoda.com.

[Note: They are perfect for single travellers, too. Who knows, you just might meet someone along the way! Isn't it exciting?]

1. Khao Yai National Park, Thailand

Khao Yai, Thailand

Khao Yai National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a popular choice among young Thai couples. It covers four provinces in Thailand with a highest peak of 1,351 meters above sea level.

Khao Yai is famous for its beautiful waterfalls, vast greens, and stunning mountainous scenery.

Couples can embark on various nature-themed activities, such as:

• biking through Khao Yai’s very own vineyards, the GrancMonte Estate and the PB Valley Khao Yai Winery
• birdwatching along its many hiking trails
• kicking back in a private villa and taking in the sounds of  nature in the highlands 

Khao Yai, Thailand

Khao Yai is only accessible by car, and is 1.5 hours away from Bangkok. Two nights in Khao Yai during the Thai winter season (November-February) would be ideal for an idyllic nature-themed romantic escape.

Suggested accommodation:

• Muthi Maya Forest Pool Villa Resort (5-star) has 64 nature-enveloped villas with a large patio and a private pool
• Sasima Moonlight Villa (3-star) offers villas with private pools at a more affordable rate

2. El Nido, Palawan, Philippines 

El Nido, Palawan, Philippines

Travellers tell tales of Palawan being borderline magical, with captivating lagoons, turquoise waters, hidden caves, enchanting dive sites, and more. Another word most often used to describe the province? Paradise. 

There are various activities travelling couples can do together:

• full-day island hopping tours to romantic dinners on the beach
• kayaking to explore the many coves, lagoons, and caves
• jumping off cliffs into the shimmering waters below  

Getting to El Nido is fairly easy, with flights from Manila to Puerto Princesa operated by Cebu Pacific and Air Asia. What follows is a 5-hour shuttle ride to El Nido from the airport.

Suggested accommodation:

• El Nido Resorts Lagen (5-star) is one of the most preferred 
• Cadlao Resort and Restaurant (3-star) offers privacy and comfort minus the frills

There are over 100 hotels and other accommodation types in El Nido bookable via Agoda.com,

3. Pulau Gaya, Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia

Gaya Island, Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia

People prefer privacy when they go on holidays, and the secluded island resorts on Pulau Gaya offer just that.

Pulau Gaya is covered in dense, virgin rainforest. You can go:

• hiking in trails 20 kilometers long 
• diving in sites within the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park, the most interesting being the Gaya Wreck located west of Pulau Gaya

Gaya Island, Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia

The island is easily accessible via a 10-minute boat ride from Kota Kinabalu.

Suggested accommodation:

• Gaya Island Resort and Bunga Raya Island Resort (5-star) are great for couples looking to splurge a little on a beach holiday in Malaysia. 
• Gaya Island Resort has a tranquil Spa Village set amidst mangrove trees
• Bunga Raya Island Resort offers dreamy romance packages for honeymooners

Both resorts feature authentic Bornean architecture and design, with its villas crafted sustainably in order to blend in to its natural surroundings.

Another similarity shared by both resorts: guests usually find it hard to leave at the end of their stay.

4. Gili Trawangan, Indonesia 

Gili Trawangan, Indonesia

Gili Trawangan is the most popular of the three Gili Islands located off the coast of Lombok in Indonesia. It was dubbed "best island destination in Southeast Asia for travellers on a budget" by TripAdvisor’s TripIndex Sun report in 2014.

Gili Trawangan is bustling with lots of activity. You can:

• shop for cheap local food and trinkets at the local night market
• chill and hangout in bars frequently packed with friendly backpackers
• take yoga lessons by the beach, or cooking lessons to get acquainted with Indonesian cuisine
• witness a glorious sunset with the view of Mt. Rinjani on the horizon 

Getting to Gili isn’t too difficult. Fly in to Kuala Lumpur and then Lombok via AirAsia. From Lombok, there are various boat services available with speedboats being the quickest option.

Suggested accommodation:

• Villa Nero and Wilsons Retreat come highly rated on Agoda.com

5. Nantou, Taiwan

Sun Moon Lake, Nantou, Taiwan

Nantou is the only county on the island of Taiwan that is surrounded by land. It offers picturesque mountainous landscapes, lush flora, and lots of rustic charm. It is dubbed “The Alps of the East” and is a haven for holidaymakers looking for a countryside getaway.

At Nantou, you can:

• visit the Sun Moon Lake, a well-known spot for wedding photography
• enjoy a refreshing dip in the many hot springs around Nantou 
• witness a magnificent sunrise at Hehuan Mountain, or Hehuanshan

Hehuanshan, Nantou, Taiwan

Nantou is fairly easy to access from Taipei. Travellers can take the Taiwan High Speed Rail to Taichung and hop on a bus to Cinjing or Puli.

Suggested accommodation:

• Homestays or minsus in Nantou if you want to experience local countryside living 
• The Sun Moon Lake Secret Garden Villa at the Yuchi Township and The Cotswold Villa in Cinjing which are highly-rated on Agoda.com 

Get first dibs on special dibs and promos in hotels worldwide. Follow Agoda.com on Facebook, Google+, Instagram, or Pinterest.

I wish for you a year of travel and adventure! Live life to the fullest. Carpe diem, folks! - #CoffeeWithKai  

One by One: a revolutionary new collection from Melissa

All nine designs in the Melissa One by One collection. Photo courtesy of Melissa Philippines

Here's a way to end up with 81 pairs of shoes!

Melissa is known not only for their brand of jelly footwear (and its fabulous scent that never goes away) but also for their amazing collaborations with top designers in fashion -- like Vivienne Westwood, Karl Lagerfeld, Jason Wu -- and in architecture, like the Campana brothers.

In October 2014, they celebrated 35 years of world domination with a fashion show at the SM Aura Atrium dubbed #MelissaConquersTheWorld.

In photos: Melissa shoes 35th anniversary fashion show

Last March 4, Melissa launched a revolutionary new product that would expand any woman's shoe closet from eight pairs to 81 pairs -- Melissa One by One.

How does One by One work?

1. The shoes are sold in individual units. Each costs P1,447.50 per shoe. If you must buy them in pairs (because you can perfectly do so!), each pair costs P2,895.00.
2. There are nine individual designs (see lead photo). They can be worn in matching pairs, or in mismatched pairs.
3. So if you have all nine individual designs of Melissa One by One, by mixing and matching them, you'll be able to come up with 81 different pairs, depending on your mood, your style, and the occasion. 

Any which way you wear them, you will look chic!

Each Melissa One by One piece can be worn on either the left or right foot. Here's Melissa Philippines's Eleanore Co to tell us more about it:

At the event, we all had the chance to try on the pieces from the One by One collection, and to put together our own pair. 

Before I share with you my photos, here was a fashion show to launch Melissa One by One, featuring designs by my good friend, Eric delos Santos:

And here, my friends, are my event photos:

The display that greeted us at Nova Gallery, Pasong Tamo, Makati

Blogger Patty Laurel chose a sassy pair: one with stripes and one with polka dots

Wear them on the left or right foot, it doesn't matter. They will still be comfy!

One of the displays from which we had to choose our pair

 

Polka dots -- like stripes -- are a classic, timeless design

Blogger Nicole Andersson hosted the program

Melissa Philippines marketing manager Eleanore Co shows Nicole her own pair of Melissa One by One

Check out the gorgeous pairs of shoes the models are wearing

Asia's Next Top Model Season 2's Katarina Rodriguez (left)

My pair from Melissa One by One. What do you think?

How else can you expand your wardrobe? Share your suggestions with me by posting your comment below. - #CoffeeWithKai

Summer lovin'! Vaseline gives us the chance to #SeizeTheSummer

Right on time: skin protection for summer is here with the new Vaseline Water-Based Serum. All photos by Kai Magsanoc

Pack your bags because we're going to Bali!

MANILA, Philippines - Last March 3, the hottest summer destinations found their way to Stella at Bonifacio High Street. Upon registration, we were asked to sign our name under our summer destination of choice, and -- since Greece is my personal dream destination -- I chose Santorini (among the other choices were Bali and Boracay).

It was the launch of Vaseline's newest product just in time for summer's scorching heat: the new Vaseline Water-Based Whitening Serum.

Here are three things you need to know about Vaseline's newest product:

1. It has SPF30 which provides up to 96% protection from UVB rays, the culprits behind skin damage and sunburn
2. It has PA++ which provides protection from UVA rays which cause ageing and darkening
3. It has Vitamin B3 that lightens the skin, for the ladies who want to be fairer

The launch did not have the typical program; instead, a fun game was held. Bloggers were grouped into teams based on their summer destination of choice (we were sitting in our respective "destination tables") and given placards with the letters A, B, C, and D. 10 questions were asked about summer and our team got 8 out of 10 answers right. We won!

Our prize? Lagu beach blankets!

But that wasn't the highlight of the event. The highlight was the announcement of the #SeizeTheSummer contest which would give everyone the chance to win a free trip to Bali, Indonesia.

Here are the mechanics:

1. Post a pic of what you think is the perfect summer activity, and answer this question: With Vaseline Water-Based Serum, how will you #SeizeTheSummer?
2. For your post to count as an entry, you MUST tag @VaselinePH with the hash tag #SeizeTheSummer
3. Post in BOTH your Instagram and Twitter accounts
4. Vaseline Summer Mavens Laureen Uy and Tricia Gosingtian (Tricia was at the launch and acted as game master) will each choose one winner. Each winner wins a TRIP FOR TWO to Bali, Indonesia.
5. The Bali trip for the lucky winners will be on April 10 to 14

My pics from the event:

Apples Aberin, head of Public Relations, Unilever Philippines

Our team's table based on our summer destination of choice

Yummy food served by Stella

Vaseline ambassador Tricia Gosingtian (left) during the game

Team Santorini won and each of us received a Lagu beach blanket

The happy and pretty ladies of Team Santorini! To my left (I'm second from right) is Apryl Galang of Circuit Magazine

Two of my Santorini teammates at work during the event

The new Vaseline Water-Based Whitening Serum is available in 180mL and 70mL

We were all given the chance to try the product, and I was happy to find out that it feels light on the skin and has a mild scent. Nothing strong, nothing heavy. Perfect for summer. 

Where are you travelling to this summer? Tell me about it and maybe you can share with me your pics, too. I encourage you to join the #SeizeTheSummer contest. You just might be one of two lucky winners. 

Nothing bad about a free trip to Bali, honey! - #CoffeeWithKai

Express yourself: Converse launches "Made by you" campaign

Brand ambassadors Georgina Wilson and Kean Cipriano share their Converse story. All photos by Kai Magsanoc

The multi-channel global campaign has officially begun!

MANILA, Philippines - Last March 2, the atrium of the New Glorietta in Makati City lit up with the worldwide launch of Converse's "Made by you" campaign.

The program began with a fashion show featuring the collaboration of Converse with three Filipino designers: Ulysses King, Melchor Guinto, and Jeffrey Rogador. It was followed by the appearances of brand ambassadors Georgina Wilson and Callalily's Kean Cipriano, who shared their Converse story. Producer Mike Carandang later joined the program.

The "Made by you" campaign is the sneaker brand's way of celebrating the creativity and self-expression of people who wear Converse, especially those who take the time to personalize their pair or reveal their artistic flair through designing their sneakers.

The campaign is a global one. The brand scoured the globe to collect Converse pairs that were once blank canvasses, now designed and personalized by their respective owners -- a different kind of self-portrait.

"'Made by you' originated from a simple truth: we all want to be our true, authentic self in this world," said Ian Stewart, Converse vice president of Global Marketing. "Fans of Chuck Taylor are the ones who have made Chuck Taylor an iconic badge of self-expression."

"It's time we celebrated them."

Check out my photos:

My own pair of Converse All-Star Blondie sneakers. I love this pair so much!

Photo wall at the New Glorietta Atrium

Designer Ulysses King with models wearing his designs

Designer Melchor Guinto with models wearing his designs

Designer Jeffrey Rogador with models wearing his designs

Program host LA Aguinaldo wears a Converse pair scribbled on by Jeffrey Rogador

One of the photos on exhibit at 'Made by you'

"Made by you" will have activations from the streets to stores to online and social media. Exhibits will be held in New York, London, Beijing, and Manila. Converse lovers have the chance to participate in the campaign. Just visit your nearest Converse store.

And if you wish to post photos of your Converse pair (or you wearing them!) on social media, use these hash tags:

#ConversePH

#ChuckTaylor

#MBYPH

What do you think of this campaign? Let Converse know by posting your comment below. - #CoffeeWithKai