Champagne sales lose fizz to virus
Champagne sales plunged last year as coronavirus lockdowns stymied tourism and shut bars, hotels and restaurants, its trade association said Tuesday......»»
Globe closed on an additional P1.16-B in tower sales
Globe Telecom, the Zobel Family’s telecommunications company, disclosed that it closed on the sale of another 91 cell towers to Frontier Towers to raise approximately P1.16 billion in cash......»»
Reflecting on Your Business Wins
We’ve taken a look at moments of setbacks before, now let’s have a look at moments of triumph that have served as beacons of further hope that your business will be successful and personal validation, reminding us that our efforts and sacrifices are not in vain. These hard-earned victories, whether they manifest as surpassed sales […].....»»
Fishers lose Laguna lake share to private developers
The share of small fisherfolk in the 9,200-hectare Laguna de Bay has been lowered to 53 percent after the Laguna Lake Development Authority increased private operators’ allocation to 47 percent......»»
Philippine food firms’ sales hit $133 million in Dubai fair
Philippine food companies generated $133 million worth of export sales from a food trade show held in Dubai last month, according to the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions......»»
Traffic enforcer in viral ‘kotong’ video may lose job
Traffic enforcer in viral ‘kotong’ video may lose job.....»»
Xinhua world economic news summary at 0900 GMT, March 18
BEIJING -- Global new energy passenger car sales are predicted to exceed 39 million units by 2030, said a report obtained during the China EV100 Forum 2024 concluded Sunday in Beijing. That will mark a penetration rate of almost 50 percent, rising from the nearly 20 percent in 2023 with the sales of over 13 million units, according to the report issued by China EV100, a new energy vehicle (NEV) industry think ta.....»»
Tell it to SunStar: OK lah, Singapore! Champagne problems?
Tell it to SunStar: OK lah, Singapore! Champagne problems?.....»»
Lakers ready for business after historic NBA Cup win
The champagne was flowing after LeBron James and Anthony Davis inspired the Los Angeles Lakers to the first-ever NBA Cup crown, but the celebrations were shortlived with the season’s main goal still ahead. “We made history,” James said after he and Davis led the Lakers in a dominant 123-109 victory over tournament darlings Indiana in.....»»
How Hong Kong became a fencing powerhouse and cheered up a city
Hong Kong is one of the smaller Asian Games teams by population, but when it comes to fencing the city is a regional heavyweight with ambitious medal hopes. Edgar Cheung won gold at the Covid-delayed Tokyo Games two years ago -- Hong Kong's first Olympic fencing title and first Olympic gold in any sport in a quarter of a century. It turned Cheung into a celebrity overnight and prompted parents across the Chinese territory of 7.5 million people to rush and sign their children up for fencing classes. Cheung's historic win in the foil competition was a much-needed dose of good news for a city mired in social unrest and pandemic gloom at the time. With more funding and public attention as a result, Cheung and his team-mates now hope to stamp their mark on the Asian Games in Hangzhou when they open on Saturday. Despite a strong record at recent editions, including eight medals in the sport in 2018, Hong Kong is yet to win fencing gold at the Asian Games. "No matter for individual or team events, I hope we can (win gold at last)," the softly spoken Cheung, 26, said. The city will have 24 fencers, 12 women and 12 men, at the Games. Another gold-medal contender is 29-year-old Vivian Kong, who is ranked number two in the world in women's epee. There is also Ryan Choi, who along with Cheung was part of the Hong Kong team that won bronze in the men's team foil at the world championships in July. Cheung said the Hong Kong team have "improved greatly" since the 2018 Games in Jakarta. The left-hander, who has recovered from a recent wrist injury, told AFP he wanted to "prove to our competitors they need to beware of us". - Pathway to success - Fencing in the city stretches back decades, to when Hong Kong was a British colony, with its amateur fencing association founded in 1949. The city had occasional success in the early 2000s, but it was the 2010 Asian Games, where Hong Kong fencers won seven medals, that first established them as a regional powerhouse. Local organisers made efforts to popularise the sport, bringing classes to schools and community hubs in the past two decades -– that is where Cheung had his first taste of fencing. Fencers also benefited from a reform to Hong Kong's pipeline for discovering and training talent which allowed Cheung to devote himself to the sport full-time when he was 17 with his parents' blessing. Cheung's final bout at the Tokyo Olympics drew hundreds of fans who crowded into a Hong Kong mall to watch the live broadcast, popping champagne corks after he emerged victorious. Days later, then-city leader Carrie Lam announced more funding for elite Hong Kong athletes, including an expansion to the fencing hall at the institute where Cheung trains. Fencing schools reported a spike in applications, although observers say interest has since tapered off somewhat. - Warning for star man - Gregory Koenig, who previously coached in his native France and also Taiwan, began working with Hong Kong's fencers five years ago and has developed a close relationship with Cheung. He had a warning for Hong Kong's star man, who has slipped to seventh in the men's foil world rankings. "When you're Olympic champion it's very hard because everybody has an eye on you and everybody's fighting hard against you," Koenig said. He said he told Cheung: "You have to understand that many people fight all their life to reach the goal you've already reached." "Okay, do you think you reached the maximum level and you want to stop here? Or are you still motivated for more?" Koenig says he told Cheung. "He told me, 'No, I really want to put my name in the history of fencing.'" hol/pst © Agence France-Presse The post How Hong Kong became a fencing powerhouse and cheered up a city appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Beauty takes the spotlight
Beauty enthusiasts were drawn to a “new light” on the night of 7 September as Rustan’s The Beauty Source, the Philippines' foremost destination for opulent beauty, proudly introduced its annual Beauty Addict event. “See Beauty in a new light” came the invitation, and the retail hub renowned for curating the world’s most prestigious beauty brands in makeup, skincare, fragrance and personal care products, welcomed guests to its revamped Beauty Hall. The transformed space boasts of world-class interiors and cutting-edge retail architecture, providing the perfect backdrop for the most coveted and luxurious beauty brands. The occasion raised the bar for luxury retail and reaffirmed Rustan’s dedication to only choose the best products for its affluent customers. Excitement meets elegance The big day welcomed luxury beauty brands, such as CHANEL, Clarins, La Prairie, Anastasia Beverly Hills, Tom Ford, MAC, La Mer, Clé de Peau Beauté, Shiseido, Hermes, Diptyque, Maison Francis Kurkdjian, L’Occitane, Grown Alchemist, Malin+Goetz, L:a Bruket and many more. The ribbon-cutting ceremony was graced by Rustan’s chief executive officer Zenaida Tantoco, president Donnie Tantoco and executive vice president Anton Huang, accompanied by the radiant Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray. The evening was further elevated with captivating performances by the Halili Dance Group and the Manila String Machine Orchestra, with Bea Tantoco. As the night unfolded, guests reveled in a special afterparty with live music from Renee Dominique and renowned local DJs. The open dancefloor beckoned, while the champagne bar, sponsored by the Philippine Wine Merchants, and delectable hors d’oeuvres by Margarite Forés ensured a night to remember. Exclusive beauty gifts and selfie contest For the early birds, a prized two-sided Beauty LED Compact Mirror was given away to the first 100 visitors at Rustan’s Beauty Hall. With LED lights that mimic sunlight, this attractive mirror has both conventional and magnifying mirrors. Sharing event selfies on social media accounts qualified the selfie-savvy participants for the competition, which gave the chance to win the prized “Best Selfie Award,” which came with a hefty P10,000 Rustan’s The Beauty Source shopping spree. Glamour all the way to November From 8 to 17 September, Rustan’s offered a one-week promotion with exclusive discounts and rewards to keep its customers happy. With the Beauty Addict Holiday Gift with Purchase promotion, which is active until 30 November, Rustan’s continued the celebration throughout the holiday season. A Kate Spade New York Make It Pop Floral Jewelry Box was given out to Beauty Addict members with a minimum purchase. Rustan’s introduced the Beauty Addict Holiday Raffle, with the big prize being a three-night vacation for two in the romantic city of love — Paris, France — to heighten the anticipation. The winner will also receive KrisFlyer miles from Singapore Airlines to use on a Business Class Saver Award ticket to Paris, France. Every P2,500 spent at Rustan’s Beauty Source rewarded Beauty Addict members one entry into an electronic drawing. Every Metrobank card transaction give cardholders two entries. Promo ends 30 November. The post Beauty takes the spotlight appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
History on tap: Brussels serves beer museum to thirsty visitors
Sightseers who flocked to a grand reopening of the refurbished Brussels stock exchange building this weekend were invited to chase the visit down with a side order of Belgium's top tipple -- beer. The 90-million-euro ($96-million) makeover of the Bourse, once a temple to capitalism, tempted in passers-by from the cafe bars of the capital's old town. Thanks to the new "Belgian Beer World", they did not go thirsty. Belgian beer culture is listed by UNESCO as part of the "Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity". It is a source of pride for many locals and a big draw for tourists from around the world. But, even though beer is ubiquitous here, the Brussels scene lacked a focal point for visitors or -- if you're a jaded glass-half-full drinker -- a promotional vehicle for Belgium's vast global booze industry. Traders moved out of the 1868 neo-classical Palace de la Bourse or Beurspaleis in 2014, and the Belgian exchange has now merged with former competitors in Paris and Amsterdam to form Euronext. So, when the city refurbished the historic building, the brewers were on hand to stand their round and sponsor a fitting modern beer museum and roof top bar for their star export. - Trappist monks - On Saturday, when the refurbished Bourse reopened to the public, 11,000 people passed through to see the trading hall, and 566 -- including a tourist from as far away as Singapore -- stopped by Beer World. "A lot of interesting interactions, features that involve the participants, all the visitors," said the tourist, who gave his name as Su. "I believe that all the beer drinkers, if they wish to have a good understanding about the whole process, about the history of the beer, it's definitely a place for them to visit." Opening the center this week, Brussels mayor Philippe Close acknowledged that, beyond the culture of beer, the museum is "a way to support a huge economic sector." Belgium has at least 430 brewers, from mighty AB Inbev -- which pours a third of the planet's pints -- to tiny Trappist monasteries that sells one eagerly sought-after batch of ale per year to patient punters on a waiting list. The trade federation, Belgian Brewers, estimates that its members employ 6,900 people directly and support 50,000 more jobs in a country of only 11.5 million. Some 70 percent of Belgian beer is exported, not just to neighbours in Europe's beer-drinking north, but around the world. Tickets for the Beer World are a hefty 17 euros -- but it does get you your first drink in the rooftop bar -- with its vast selection drawn from the 1,600 types of beer the country has to offer. Belgian brewers are not as conservative as their German and Dutch neighbors. The sour, bubbly lambic and gueuze styles -- "Brussels Champagne" -- are Belgium's own, but many beers including the big brands like Jupiler or Stella Artois are based on the Czech and German Pilsner style. There are even Scotch ales in thistle-shaped glasses, allegedly introduced to entertain General Montgomery's British Second Army when it arrived in September 1944. And of course younger small-scale brewers have begun making hoppy Belgian pale ales to rival the best of the US craft beer explosion. - Great complexity - Beer World administrator Charles Leclef -- a 30-year veteran Flemish brewery operator -- told AFP that the city wanted to capture the "playful" side of the everyday tipple, not to incite heavy drinking. "We're not the biggest producer in the world, far from it, but we're perhaps the most creative, with beer of great diversity of flavor, great complexity," Leclef boasted. In the museum, visitors can wander inside a virtual fermentation tank, with immersive screens taking them inside the process of turning hops, malt, yeast and water into national pride. In Germany, the law forbids any but these four ingredients, but Belgian brewmasters are free to experiment with spices and infusions and even fruits like cherry or raspberry. Museum visitors can pull taps to signal their favorite flavors and "virtual waiters" will print out a suggestion on a beermat to be ordered later at guests' leisure. mad-lob/dc/pvh © Agence France-Presse The post History on tap: Brussels serves beer museum to thirsty visitors appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Julia Montes naki-join na sa mundo ng TikTok, viral ang first-ever dance cover
WOW naman! Meron na ring TikTok account ang aktres na si Julia Montes! Ang kanyang verified account ay mayroon nang halos 173,000 followers at mahigit 433,000 likes, as of this writing. Nag-upload na rin siyempre ng ilang videos si Julia. Unang-una riyan ang kanyang dance cover sa kantang “Pink Champagne” ng musical artist na si The post Julia Montes naki-join na sa mundo ng TikTok, viral ang first-ever dance cover appeared first on Bandera......»»
Thousands of Freddie Mercury’s personal items go on sale
A sale of thousands of items belonging to the charismatic Queen frontman Freddie Mercury got under way Wednesday in London, with the graffiti-covered green door of Mercury's home first to go under the hammer. The door of his Garden Lodge home in west London sold for £412,750 ($516,000) including buyer's premium and fees -- far in excess of the £15,000-25,000 estimate. Other items up for grabs at the Sotheby's auction range from manuscripts of Queen's biggest hits to furniture, paintings and knick-knacks. Among the highlights of Wednesday's "evening sale", which will be followed by two other live auctions and three online sales over the next week, is Mercury's piano. The Yamaha quarter-tail piano was bought by Mercury in 1975 and was used to create almost all of his greatest songs. It is expected to sell for £2 million-£3 million ($2.5 million-$3.75 million). Also on sale is the original manuscript for epic hit "Bohemian Rhapsody", whose 15 pages of pencil and ballpoint pen remarks reveal the different directions Mercury envisaged for the track. It also reveals that it was originally going to be called "Mongolian Rhapsody". Part of the proceeds will be donated to the Mercury Phoenix Trust and the Elton John Aids Foundation, two organisations involved in the fight against AIDS. In a message read out before the auction began by auctioneer Oliver Barker, John paid tribute to his friend. "I miss Freddie to this day. He was a wonderful friend more full of love and life than anyone I've ever met, as well as a brilliant performer whose music has inspired and thrilled millions," he said. "He was kind, generous and funny and it is a tragedy that AIDS took him from the world much too soon," he added. Auction fan Paintings by Chagall, Dali and Picasso that adorned Mercury's home, as well as the last painting he bought a month before his death from AIDS in 1991 -- an oil on canvas by James Jacques Joseph Tissot -- are also going under the hammer. The entire collection is being offered for sale by Mary Austin, a close friend and one-time fiancee of Mercury's. "Mary Austin has lived with the collection and has cared for the collection for more than three decades," Gabriel Heaton, a books and manuscripts specialist at Sotheby's, told AFP. Mercury "was not interested in having a museum of his life but he loved auctions", to the point of being a regular at Sotheby's sales, said Heaton. Austin believes the artist -- who was 45 when he died -- would have "loved" this sale, he added. Some 1,469 lots are going under the hammer at the famous London auction house, whose facade has been decorated with a huge moustache for the occasion. Many reveal another side of Mercury, including his passion for cats and for Japan -- as evidenced by his collection of kimonos and prints. Moustache comb Mercury's most flamboyant stage costumes, Hawaiian shirt and Superman tank top will also find new homes along with his personal polaroids and legendary snapper Mick Rock's shots. The finest bottles from his cellar, such as Dom Perignon champagne, are up for grabs alongside more intimate items, such as a book of personally annotated poetry and a moustache comb. Among the more playful items are a set of games including travel Scrabble, at which Mercury excelled. Before the sale, the auction house hosted the collection at a month-long exhibition, open to the public free of charge. Sotheby's estimated when the auction was announced in April that the lots would fetch at least £6 million. The auction house says it is the largest collection, by volume, of a cultural icon to go to auction since the Elton John sale in 1988, when 2,000 lots sold for a total of £4.8 million. The post Thousands of Freddie Mercury’s personal items go on sale appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Rhian Ramos graces Venice Film Festival 2023 red carpet in Mark Bumgarner
The "Royal Blood" star walked the Venice Film Festival red carpet in a custom champagne-colored gown by the notable designer. .....»»
Showstopper
Concert patrons are back with a vengeance in another sign that the Covid-19 pandemic is over and life is back to normal. Pop superstar Taylor Swift, with her ongoing 146-stop Eras Tour, leads the live band entertainment must-watch list, but other groups too are getting a share of the crowds, albeit in controversial fashion. The British band “The 1975” headlined the Good Vibes Festival in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on 21 July. It would be its last performance in the Southeast Asian country as it was banned by local authorities after frontman Matt Healy gave a profanity strewn speech on stage. Healy criticized the Malaysian government for the country’s anti-gay law that punishes homosexuality with 20 years imprisonment. Healy then kissed the band’s bassist Ross McDonald in front of the audience. The same-sex kiss breached performance guidelines, prompting the concert organizers to stop the show. The government also ordered the organizers to cancel the 3-day gig. The festival’s organizers are now demanding that “The 1975” pay $2.72 million in damages or face legal action. In China, Shijiazhuang city hosted the Rock Home Town music festival featuring Violent Champagne on 22 July. After the band’s set, its frontman Ding was detained by police for “damaging social morality” and the show organizer was fined $28,000 and suspended from hosting concerts, CNN reported. Ding had pulled down his pants during the performance, prompting his arrest and the punishment of the festival organizers. The audience egged Ding to also drop his briefs, but he kept it on. In a statement after the incident, the Shijiazhuang culture bureau reminded performers and staff to consciously abide by laws and regulations, strengthen morality, and provide healthy and positive entertainment for audiences, according to CNN. WJG @tribunephl_wjg The post Showstopper appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Mariel Padilla hindi alone sa bakasyon sa France, nakipag-bonding sa ama at kapatid
NANG mag-post si Mariel Padilla ng, “My first trip in 7 years… JUST ME. Awwww bittersweet without my kids was able to have champagne, sleep and eat. Hehehe thank you babe @robinhoodpadilla for encouraging me to have this trip.” ay hindi kami naniwala dahil alam naming may kasama ito lalo’t sa Paris, France pa ang […] The post Mariel Padilla hindi alone sa bakasyon sa France, nakipag-bonding sa ama at kapatid appeared first on Bandera......»»
Spec-tackle sports
Spectator sports are not without dangers. Athletes have suffered injuries in games, while fans have gotten hurt, and even died while watching in stadium stampedes. Basketball players from opposing teams have brawled and football fanatics of rival clubs have clashed during tense matches. Even team mascots have resorted to violence. In Game 4 of the National Basketball Association finals between the Miami Heat and the Denver Nuggets at the Kayesa Center in Miami on 10 June, the home team and the promoters of a pain relief spray sponsored a live skit featuring mixed martial arts champion Conor McGregor and Burnie, the team mascot, NBC News reported. The promotion during a third-quarter break was a mock fight between McGregor and Burnie. McGregor punched Burnie knocking him down and then he hit the floored mascot again. He then sprayed the mascot with the pain reliever. McGregor’s punches were apparently too hard for the man under the costume and he had to be dragged off the court and was treated before being sent home to recuperate. In golf, the danger is getting hit by a flying golf ball or, perhaps, falling from a golf cart. For player Adam Hadwin of Canada, however, another kind of mishap at the RBC Canadian Open last 11 June added to the game’s risks. When compatriot Nick Taylor sank a 72-foot eagle putt on the fourth playoff hole to clinch the title — the first Canadian to do so in 69 years — 12th placer Hadwin got so excited that he rushed to the fairway carrying an open bottle of champagne to douse Taylor in celebration. But before he could reach Taylor, Hadwin found himself embarrassingly sprawled on the grass, the champagne splashing on the ground and not on his target. A security guard thought Hadwin was a crazed fan and a threat so he tackled him, suprising Taylor, the cameramen and other golfers nearby. Fortunately, Hadwin suffered only a minor bruise from the unexpected takedown by the guard who was only doing his job of protecting the golfers. The post Spec-tackle sports appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Luxury giant LVMH touts ‘excellent’ first quarter
France's LVMH, the world's biggest luxury group, reported a jump in sales in the first quarter as China emerged from COVID lockdowns and other regions performed well. The group, whose brands include handbag maker Louis Vuitton, champagne producer Moet & Chandon, and fashion house Christian Dior, said revenue soared 17 percent to 21 billion euros ($23.1 billion) in the first three months of the year. "LVMH had an excellent start to the year, within a geopolitical and economic environment which remains uncertain," the company said, adding that it remained "both vigilant and confident". LVMH became Europe's most valuable company in January when its market capitalization soared to 400 billion euros. Its boss, Bernard Arnault, overtook Tesla chief Elon Musk as the world's richest man late last year. LVMH said its markets in Europe and Japan "enjoyed strong growth momentum" in the first quarter with "robust demand from local customers and international travelers". The United States had a steady performance while "Asia experienced a significant rebound following the lifting of health restrictions". The company said its flagship fashion and leather goods division, home to Louis Vuitton, Dior, and Celine, reported 10 billion euros in sales, up 18 percent from the same period in 2022. Hip-hop artist Pharrell Williams was appointed as head of menswear at Louis Vuitton in February, filling a spot left vacant since the death of Virgil Abloh from cancer in November 2021. LVMH said Christian Dior, which has been headed by Arnault's daughter, Delphine Arnault, since February, "continued to perform remarkably well across all its products". Its duty-free division benefited from the recovery of international travel, notably the return of travelers to Hong Kong and Macau. The post Luxury giant LVMH touts ‘excellent’ first quarter appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
French luxury group Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy sales, profit hit new highs
The maker of champagne, handbags, jewelry and other luxury goods is Europe's most valuable company, with a market capitalization that soared to 400 billion euros ($430 billion) last week......»»
Branson: Big bash after space flight
New Mexico---Champagne flowed, guests cheered and Grammy-nominated singer Khalid debuted a new single: British billionaire Richard Branson threw himself a party in the desert to mark his successful first flight into space......»»