MANILA, Philippines -- This Christmas, Ayala Malls encourages its customers to bring out the hero in each one of us and make a difference through a series of activities that will uplift the spirit. With this, Ayala Malls has partnered with various foundations such as Habitat for Humanity, Ninoy and Cory Aquino Foundation, Children's Hour, Hero Foundation, WWF, and Ayala Foundation to convey the message of hope and love to all. This collective collaboration encourages shoppers to be a "hero" in someone's life .
A luncheon was held at Lolo Dad's to launch this project and it was hosted by no less than Don Jaime Zobel de Ayala, his daughter Sofia Zobel-Elizalde and Ayala Land president Tony Aquino. Highlight of the lunch was the unveiling of a picture depicting the employees of Ayala Corporation.
Also present at the lunch were Karen Davila and Alex Eduque of Habitat for Humanity, Marc Nelson and Rovilson Fernandez of WWF, Emily Abrera and Evangeline Mayuga of Children's Hour, Rafael Lopa of Ninoy and Cory Foundation and Piolo Pascual and Sam Milby.
To encourage mall-goers to participate in this cause, MasterCard's "Everyday Heroes" booth, which can be found at all Ayala Malls, will offer discount vouchers to shoppers who would like to express their gratitude to their own personal life hero.
Believing that every individual is capable of making a difference in whatever field one chooses, Ayala Malls together with Star Magic and Steps Dance Studio will also produce a series of concerts to be staged at various Ayala malls. This Christmas concert series puts together voices and celebrities with stories that inspire everyone to reach for their dreams.
The series kicked off last week but you can still catch the remaining shows. There's one at the Alabang Town Center on November 26 at 6 pm (starring Sam Concepcion and Matteo Guidacelli); the Ayala Center Cebu on December 3 at 7 pm (with Sam Milby and Yeng Constantino); The Greenbelt Fashion Walk on December 7 at 7 pm (headliners are Apl De.Ap, Dulce, Gian Magdangal, Arjohn Gilbert, The Philippine Opera Company, Chorale from Pampanga and the dancers of Steps Dance Studio).
According to a statement from Ayala Malls, the shows are more than just a gathering of stars and a collection of melodies that's sure to entertain. "It's a collection of inspirations, a gathering of ideas, and a memorable show that will make the audience reflect on the possibility of defining heroism in our lives."
Italian film festival
I would like to congratulate Italian Ambassador Luca Fornari and his lovely wife Silvana Novelli for recently putting together the Italian film festival dubbed "MOVIEMOV." This festival opened with a red carpet arrival of celebrities and filmmakers from here and abroad. The glittering list included noted Italian director Dario Argento and his actress daughter Asia Argento, as well as Lisa Sastri, Ennio Fantastichini, Gianni Paolucci, Daniele Cipri, Alice Rohrwacher, Camilla Nesbitt, Claudio Cupellini, Carlo Macchitella, Franco Piersanti and Luciano Sovena.
Also present were the representatives of Asiatic Film Mediale headed by Italian Senator Goffredo Bettini and Italo Spinelli.
"The red carpet they placed at Greenbelt 5 is so beautiful and so fitting," guest Mario Katigbak remarked. "I have never seen anything like it here in Manila."
During the festival, a tribute was made to Italian directors Bernardo Bertolucci and Dario Argento and our very own Brillante Mendoza. The following Sunday, Ambassador Fornari and Silvana hosted a gala dinner at their residence to celebrate the success of Moviemov. Members of the diplomatic circle and the tastemakers of culture and the arts were on hand to celebrate.
