SMART Infinity Brings Les Misérables to Manila + A Trifecta of Treats

"Look down, look down, don't look them in the eye!"

Actually, I'm going to look you in the eye and tell it to you straight, SMART Infinity is bringing Les Misérables to Manila, this March 2016! 

Cameron Mackintosh's acclaimed new production of Boublil and Schonberg's legendary musical finally lands here, and SMART Infinity users are offered FIRST DIBS to ticket purchasing and a 10% discount, from September 29 to October 29, 2015.

Non-Infinity users still have a chance to enjoy privileges of course, just subscribe to Plan 5000 or Plan 8000 and you get two (2) VIP Orchestra tickets, a Samsung Galaxy Note 5 and your choice of PAL Mabuhay Miles/Purple Card/Switch gift cards plus a free download of the entire soundtrack of Les Misérables via Spinnr. This offer is also available when members opt for the latest Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge+.

A theatrical showcase, fancy phones and shopping/travel - if that doesn't make an Infinity subscriber special, I don't know what else will.

According to Julie Carceller, Head of SMART Infinity, "SMART Infinity has always been about the unique lifestyle it provides befitting the most discerning clientele. In a nutshell, it's all about the eloquence and grandeur of the world of privileges it brings along with the best and latest handheld devices."

She's talking about the Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge+ and the Samsung Note 5 of course.

"The latest Samsung devices, the S6 Edge Plus and the Note 5 have arrived in style via SMART Infinity. We want our subscribers to know that we are pairing the latest devices with options that address your chosen passion." offered James Chi, marketing manager of SMART Infinity.

And speaking of passion, Julie Carceller invited National Artist, the master of Philippine contemporary art no less, Bencab onstage to demonstrate how art and technology can merge seamlessly in true SMART Infinity style. Seeing him onstage, drawing Sabel, a recurring character in his body of work, was breathtaking. I was in awe the entire time and couldn't peel my eyes off the screen.

Completing the trifecta of unparalleled perks available to SMART Infinity subscribers is TRAVEL. 

The SMART Infinity travel tradition allows its members uninterrupted connectivity and data usage while enjoying travel perks, such as getting as much as Php46,000 worth of PAL Mabuhay Miles for  Plan 5000 and Plan 8000. 

These miles can be used for travel to PAL destinations such as Singapore, Japan, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Melbourne, San Francisco, LA or London OR for upgrades to business class. 

Miles are transferable too. Plus, more good news! By December 1, Philippine Airlines will be flying to Cairns, Australia and Auckland, New Zealand from Manila.

*For Plan 5000 and Plan 8000 get the the Note 5 or Edge+ for free plus SSI Purple Gift Cards/Switch Gift Cards/PAL Mabuhay Miles. Note that Plan 8000 gets both the Note 5 or Edge+ for free.

Visit the SMART Infinity website to see the latest plans, exclusive experiences and perks available to subscribers.

Chicago Live, Thanks to Smart Infinity

When my friend Maymay and I went to the Gala Night of Chicago the Musical at The Theatre at Solaire, we knew we were in for a treat, thanks to Smart Infinity, and what a treat it was!

I personally loved Chicago the Movie, with Renee Zellweger, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Richard Gere, so it was fun and thoroughly entertaining to see it on stage, ala Broadway or the West End, right here in Manila.

One more fantastic thing about the musical? The all-Filipino orchestra, headed by Robert Billig, the musical’s conductor who joined “Chicago” three months into its original run in 1975.

I later found out that it only took four masterful hours for 14 Filipino musicians to get “All That Jazz” together and come out sounding like a well-acclaimed “Chicago” stage orchestra, at the Theatre – Solaire.

“A four-hour rehearsal, yeah, that’s all we were allowed. I knew from the very beginning [that we’re well covered with the Filipino talents we found] as soon as we played the overture. We met for four hours together on Tuesday (Dec. 2) and that was it! We did the dress rehearsal the following day and the opening that night (Dec. 3). So they came a long way in two days, pulling this show together,” said Billig.

Billig performed with 14 Filipino musicians he selected from 25 submitted video auditions prior to “Chicago’s” Manila debut.

Unlike other musicals, “Chicago” weaves its band into the story and Billig gets to be part of the performance alongside its touring cast led by Terra MacLeod (Velma Kelly) and Bianca Marroquin (Roxie Hart) who have performed for Manila media and members of Smart Infinity since the start of the musical’s Manila run last December 3.

There's the Filipino orchestra right behind Velma and Roxie's lawyer, Billy Flynn

“The ongoing run of ‘Chicago’ is part of the realization of the premium mobile lifestyle that complements the experience our members get from Smart Infinity. The experience of seeing the longest-running Broadway musical in Manila is really a big takeaway for our members,” said James Chi, marketing manager at Smart Infinity. 

“Just like the successful local runs of other world-class stage spectacles like ‘Cats,’ ‘Mamma Mia,’ ‘The Phantom of the Opera,’ and ‘Wicked,’ bringing ‘Chicago’ to the Philippines is again a very special treat for our subscribers,” said Julie Carceller, Department Head of the Smart Infinity Business Group at Smart. 

For details the “Chicago” run, visit www.ticketworld.com and www1.smart.com.ph/infinity/Chicago.

Smart Infinity is also the first to launch iPhone 6 and iPhone6 plus last November 14. New Infinity subscribers have the option to get the iPhone 6 (64GB) or the iPhone 6 Plus (16GB) with an additional P5,000 worth of GCs or bill rebates compliments of Smart Infinity starting on their fully consumable Prestige Plan 5000. On the brand’s fully consumable Premium Plan 8000, new subscribers can choose to receive two 16GB units of the iPhone 6, or an iPhone 6 16GB plus a MacBook Air. New sign-ups at P3500 per month, or the Aspire Plan come with a 16GB iPhone 6.

Roxie and Velma in Manila!

Lucky folks who attended the #SmartInfinityChicago press launch last September 16 were treated to a teaser showdown between Terra Macleod and Bianca Marroquin who play Velma Kelly and Roxie Hart, respectively, in the hit stage musical, “Chicago.” 

“Just like the successful local runs of other world-class stage spectacles ‘Cats,’ ‘Mamma Mia,’ ‘The Phantom of the Opera,’ and ‘Wicked,’ bringing ‘Chicago’ to the Philippines is again a very special gift for our subscribers,” said Julie Carceller, Department Head of the Smart Infinity Business Group at Smart. 

“Aside from allowing Smart Infinity to keep its unmatched tradition of bringing over all the world-class, must-watch musicals, it also gives us the opportunity to provide not only the best mobile service but also the most delightful experiences to our subscribers,” added James Chi, Marketing Manager of Smart Infinity Business Group. 

To complete the ‘Chicago’ experience, a suite of special-edition ‘Infinity Music Plans’ is being offered by Smart Infinity. The Infinity Music Plan 3500 comes with two complimentary orchestra VIP tickets to ‘Chicago,’ along with two Misfit Shine fitness tracking gadgets, one ‘Chicago’ album and 30 songs monthly to go with the call, text and data subscription already bundled with the plan.

Meanwhile, Plan 5000 comes with either a Samsung S5 or iPhone 5s, two orchestra VIP tickets, a ‘Chicago’ album, and 30 songs monthly along with call, text and data.

Finally, Plan 8000 provides a free Macbook Air, two orchestra VIP tickets, a ‘Chicago’ album, and 30 songs.

This much awaited show is open to the general public of course! 

Set for a local stage run in December, 'Chicago', featuring its American cast, will run from December 2 to 21, 2014 at The Theatre at Solaire in Parañaque City. Tickets are now available via Ticket World from Php1,750 for Balcony seats to Php7,500 for Premium Gold seating.

‘Chicago’ is presented in Manila by VISA and Smart Infinity, in cooperation with Solaire Resort and Casino.

If you'd like to see ‘Chicago’ and enjoy the premium Smart Infinity experience, contact +632 8488806 or visit the Smart Infinity Chicago page HERE.

Smart Infinity Brings Chicago to Manila!

Smart Infinity, the premium postpaid brand of wireless leader Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart), is bringing ‘all that jazz’ to Manila with the hit Broadway musical ‘Chicago’ this December 2 to 21, 2014.

As a special treat, tickets to the said six-time Tony Award-winning musical will be made available first and exclusive to Smart Infinity subscribers until September 8, after which, ticket selling is opened to the general public. 

Also, from now until 8 September 2014, every new Smart Infinity plan will come with VIP tickets to the musical, on top of the gadgets and services that come with every subscription.

“Just like the successful local runs of other world-class stage spectacles ‘Cats,’ ‘Mamma Mia,’ ‘The Phantom of the Opera,’ and ‘Wicked,’ bringing ‘Chicago’ to the Philippines is again a very special gift for our subscribers,” said Julie Carceller, Department Head of the Smart Infinity Business Group at Smart.

“Aside from allowing Smart Infinity to keep its unmatched tradition of bringing over all the world-class, must-watch musicals, it also gives us the opportunity to provide not only the best mobile service but also the most delightful experiences to our subscribers,” added Carceller.

To complete the ‘Chicago’ experience, a suite of special-edition ‘Infinity Music Plans’ will be offered by Smart Infinity.

The Infinity Music Plan 3500 comes with two complimentary orchestra VIP tickets to ‘Chicago,’ along with two Misfit Shine fitness tracking gadgets, one ‘Chicago’ album and 30 songs monthly to go with the call, text and data subscription already bundled with the plan.

Meanwhile, Plan 5000 comes with either a Samsung S5 or iPhone 5s, two orchestra VIP tickets, a ‘Chicago’ album, and 30 songs monthly along with call, text and data.

Finally, Plan 8000 provides a free Macbook Air, two orchestra VIP tickets, a ‘Chicago’ album, and 30 songs.

“We are thrilled to introduce Broadway’s killer hit ‘Chicago’ with our newest array of Infinity Music Plans. This continues our commitment to re-invent the premium mobile lifestyle with the most rewarding experiences to complement Infinity’s VIP network and renowned aftersales services,” said James Chi,marketing manager at Smart Infinity.

‘Chicago,’ featuring an All Star American cast, will run from December 2 to 21, 2014 at The Theatre at Solaire in Parañaque City.

‘Chicago’ is presented in Manila by VISA and Smart Infinity, in cooperation with Solaire Resort and Casino.

If you'd like to see ‘Chicago’ and enjoy the premium Smart Infinity experience, contact +632 8488806 or visit the Smart Infinity Chicago page HERE.

Introducing the Smart Bro Dashboard!

If you are a Smart Bro Prepaid user, life will get a little more easier for you with the Smart Bro Dashboard!

The newly launched breakthrough portal allows Smart Bro Prepaid subscribers to:

- know your number (because goodness knows how difficult it is to memorize a new number haha)
- check your load
- register to promos
- track your usage
- view your Facebook and Twitter accounts, and
- protect yourself from unwanted charges with Smart Bro Load Protect

How to access this?

New subscribers: just plug in your Smart Bro Plug-it or connect to your Smart Bro Pocket Wifi and open your browser and the dashboard will automatically pop out. 

Existing subscribers: dashboard will appear upon expiration of bucket or zero balance. Or just access it through smart.com.ph/brodashboard

For more on the Smart Bro Dashboard, click HERE.

Belle Mama at Rustan's

Maternity dressing has never been an issue for me. Then again, I pretty much stayed at home when I was pregnant, and only ventured out to run errands and meet friends. I didn't have to worry about dressing up - I wore harem pants, boyfriend denims, peasant tops, A.P.C. and Alexander Wang tees and baby doll dresses my entire pregnancy.

But expecting moms with a more feminine style would probably prefer these pieces from Belle Mama, a maternity line available at Rustan's, and designed by Hindy Weber-Tantoco of Culte Femme:

Wrap Dress Php1550

Draped dress Php1450 - also comes in black

Maxi dress Php1950 - also comes in khaki

Belle Mama also offers basic tees and tank tops to accommodate a growing belly.

Belle Mama is exclusively available at Rustan’s Makati, Edsa Shangri-La and Alabang Town Center.

Culte Femme Summer 2011

It's getting so hot these days, I would rather stay indoors with the AC on, at full blast. It's so hot, I have seriously considered dipping into our calamity stash and eat canned food, than venture out to do our groceries. Of course, I had to nix that idea because I am a responsible wife and mom, and visions of my mother telling me to eat "real" food has been seared into my brain.

So what's a girl to do? Ah! Think fashion! Hahaha! I've decided to bring out all my heat friendly clothing, like printed cotton pants, linen shirts and white cotton tops. That should handle it. We can also take it a step further and channel all that energy fighting the heat and meet it head on with lots of clashing prints. That'll be fun!

Nope, we don't need to spend serious moolah on SUNO NY to flawlessly execute print on print to perfection. Because look at what Culte Femme has in store:

printed cardigan Php1650, tube romper Php1450, wrap-around belt Php795

printed dress (worn as a top) Php1750, printed skirt Php1250

polka dot bustier Php1450, high-waist shorts Php1250

graphic-print romper Php1450

draped dress (used as a top) Php2450, polka dot shorts Php1150

So summer-y and fun. Not to mention, such tasteful prints, for sure you'll look cute and not like a crazy lola (although that is actually cute too) diba?

Culte Femme is designed by Hindy Weber-Tantoco and is exclusively available at Rustan’s Makati, Edsa Shangri-La, Alabang Town Center and Gateway.

Episode 11:

SELLING

It was a one-of-a-kind journey into the quest and vision of famed home-grown clothing brand Plains & Prints and celebrated designer Rajo Laurel at the recent launch of their R+P Spring-Summer 2011 collection.

Episode 10

STYLING



Rajo Laurel + Plains & Prints make the ideal synergy for a perfectly styled collection. Watch how styling and editing are integral elements in completing the line.