Beverages

What do you like to drink? Here are my fave beverages.

Evian is the most popular brand for water while DP is served at the best establishments, airlines and parties. Jamba Juice is popular in California and has become an alternative to a light meal since everything is osterized. Pearl Vodka is so pure and good that the more commercialized vodka manufacturers have come to respect this very elitist brand. Then there's Voss water, the water that celebrities, moguls and hip hotels require when they want to project a certain coolness to everything they consume.

Glossies in Our Lives

In this day and age, media has taken over almost everything. One of the most famous and convenient forms of reading would be magazines. There are hundreds and thousands of them that cater to all kinds of readers and consumers. Magazines are published to serve niche markets making them more personal and unique in creative design and editorial materials. The magazines above are my five most favorite global glossies. These collector's items have become so sought after even as back issues because of the trends and styles of that period or season.

Innovations in concepts, photography and graphic design have helped this industry tremendously. Thus, attracting a younger and broader market in the global arena.

Travel has made the magazine a 'must have' since books can be too tedious to read and bulky to carry. These glossies have also made people aspire to have better or improved lifestyles by using the magazine as a benchmark or inspiration in their everyday social circuits.

Fly High

From the top:

Singapore Airlines' meal

Singapore Airlines - First Class

Emirates - First Class

Appetizer on Thai Airways

Virgin Atlantic's A340-600


Every time the ground crew of your airline suddenly tells you of the good news that you have been upgraded for free is like winning the lottery jackpot. We’ve all heard and personally suffered those horrific in-flight experiences where flying has become a stress induced process of getting to one’s destination. But not since the 90’s has the airline industry become so dynamic and wide-ranging in market share and especially in its products and services both on the ground and in the air. From the no frills budget airlines to the premium global standard airline brands, more and more people are finding their preferred ways to get to their destinations mostly without having some new story as a benchmark to the most-horrible-flight-ever category.

It is with the jet set that service, ambiance, cuisine and reputation become the benchmark and most importantly the reason for the growing market to continue flying with such super airlines.

For a select few, flying in First Class can become an experience in itself. Even before you leave your house, you can check-in via the internet, get picked up by a luxury limousine and get whisked away to the lounge where a dedicated staff will attend to your every whim as well as check-in, immigration. Airline lounges compete against each other in trying to get you relaxed and ready for what will even be a more relaxing 12 hour flight. Little perks such as these go a long way and may even be the cause to the betrayal of the favored passenger to a particular airline.

Once in the cabin, Mimosas, canapés, shrimp cocktails and caviar are served from the finest china to the most eye catching glassware and silverware. Once in-flight, signature pajamas and an exclusive vanity kit are issued for your perusal. Singapore Airlines provide Salvatore Ferragamo products while Philippine Airlines provide Bulgari kits. The flight attendant who calls you by your preferred name would ask you what kind of dining style you would like to have all throughout the flight. From 10 course dining to on-the-go meals, passengers can choose from a variety of culinary delights created by the most sought after chefs from around the world. Some airlines even have a chef exclusive to its forward galley complete with skillets, toasters and rice cookers for the freshest meals in the sky. Gone are the days of those green eggs for breakfast or the sauce drenched beef dish that’s blast frozen with chemical preservatives.

Sky Nannies are provided by Gulf Air for passengers who would need assistance in keeping their children busy while they relax during the flight. They will outline a schedule of meal times for your children, organize activities and teach them a thing or two on being a frequent flyer such as how to clear the ears to avoid pressure pain. Thank God for them since flying with children 10 rows before you can push everyone’s buttons to the detriment of the enjoyment of your flight. And for those who seek personal pampering, facials and massages are offered by Virgin Atlantic Airways to those who would like to arrive refreshed and revived. This is perfect for those who lack sleep and need to look their very best upon arriving in your final stop.

The ultra-luxe sleeper suites or “cocoons” become the piece de resistance of all airlines, for they spend millions on making sure that their seats are the best, smoothest, most comfortable and most ergonomic seats in the sky. Emirates Airlines has electronic doors and dividers to shut out the rest of the cabin for extreme privacy. Singapore Airlines recently launched the widest seats together with the largest LCD screen for movie-like entertainment. Qatar Airways and Virgin Atlantic Airways provide lounges for meetings or socializing purposes. Keeping in touch with the world below is just as easy as being in your own office as internet, business software, satellite phones and fax machines are typically provided for those who don’t have time to relax.

For true privacy and exclusivity, major airlines such as Lufthansa and Singapore Airlines are offering business jets for private use. Popular in the trans-Atlantic routes, these private jets prove to be all the rage for celebrities, CEOs and heads of state. Everything from immigration to customs is done inside the aircraft for an expedited travel experience. EOS, a British based carrier takes advantage of this niche market and delivers on the promise that business travelers can fly like they used to on the Concorde but with a much cheaper ticket price and a flat seat, where even the supersonic wonder did not provide.

Just when you thought that only the rich can have such provisions, Lufthansa’s Patient Transport Compartment (PTC), offers passengers in need of medical attention on long-haul flights the best possible medical care. In a 20 square foot cabin, there’s enough room for a doctor, a nurse and a couple of relatives to care for the patient. This cabin is comparable to a modern intensive-care unit, from ECG to the respirator to the diagnostic equipment.

There are so many more products and services in the industry that keep pushing the envelope in innovation and passenger convenience that keep the ultra rich to continue flying on commercial airlines. Just when you think that all of that personal attention ends once you disembark, a concierge would be waiting by the aerobridge once the aircraft door opens to usher you to another limousine that would take you to your final destination.

Alliances such as One World, Sky Team and Star Alliance make global traveling easy with quick connections and a one ticket system that allows passengers to fly to all continents within a year with one ticket price. These tie-ups go beyond convenience, they offer more lounges, more perks and more exclusivity as these airlines realize the value of these special travelers.

Promos, mileage vouchers, upgrades and even alliances with other airlines are created to make sure that you’d fly with them again. Airline marketing strategies have become so extensive that it is important that you know what would work for you.

Shoes!

From the top:

Prada

Christian Louboutin

Manolo Blahnik

Jimmy Choo

Who doesn't love shoes?! Women are known to have this insatiable knack for these symbols of pain and beauty. But what would drive a lot of these women to spend their month's salary and grow corns for these peculiar fashion must have?

Sure, we're supposed to wear something rather than walk on the ground barefoot. But why wear killer heels? Well, perhaps it's the confidence that one gets when wearing a pair of finely shaped and constructed shoes. Or could it be the unique styles and designs that for some reason, Manolo Blahnik, Jimmy Choo and Christian Louboutin know what women will go gaga over?

Whatever it is, fashionable boots, heels, pumps, sandals, flats, mary janes and such are here to stay. Why, Imelda Marcos made a name for herself not only for her love of beauty but also because of her record breaking collection of shoes from all over the world!

Ah Spaaaaaaaa!!!

What comes into your mind when you hear the word spa? For me, it immediately means calm, serenity, relaxation and peace. In the past several years, spas have evolved to cater to all kinds of people. Just as such, it would be nice to show some of the spas that, I think, deserve a chance to be experienced and perhaps to be patronized...you'll never know?!

From the top:

Neo and Ki Spas in the Philippines: With a Budji Layug + Royal Pineda designed beachfront spa in Boracay, and a modern and chic branch at the Global City of Fort Bonifacio, and with the newest boutique spa in Greenhills called Ki (which specializes in reflexology), this group of spas cater to every client with sophistication and privacy that each client seeks in this busy metropolis. http://www.neo.ph/

The Evian Spa for women is one of the most popular in Shanghai. No other spa will flood you with Evian water in special white treatment rooms facing Pudong's legendary skyscrapers.

Any of the gorgeous spas in the Maldives. I think it's the view and wonderful people that make the spas over there truly out of this world. The underwater spa at Huvafen Fushi is the most unique in the region. www.huvafenfushi.com

La Prairie Spa in Switzerland. The most luxurious facial treatments in world are provided here in this super chic country.

Molton Brown spas in the premium lounges of British Airways worldwide. Such a convenient way to rid oneself of those horrible jet lags and stiff necks! And with a view of planes taking off, it makes the treatments here not just surreal but perfect for aviation fanatics such as myself. www.ba.com

So why don't you try out any of the spas above and have all your senses soothed. Finally, you'd be able to relate to Queen Latifah's film about last-minute hedonism which I truly adored...Last Holiday!

Fabulous and Modern Modes of Transportation

The five best ways to travel (from the top):

1. Silversea Cruises

2. Singapore Airlines' A380

3. TGV

4. The Maglev

5. The Gulfstream 550


Ever since the Concorde landed for the last time, a lot of people, well, a lot of the rich people started asking themselves how they could get from their homes to their vacation homes in far off places in style. So many modes of luxury transportation have been promoting themselves to be the next best thing in travel.

Gone are the days of the air polluting locomotives and noisy propeller planes. Today, cruise ships like the Queen Mary 2 of Cunard and the Freedom of the Seas of the Royal Caribbean have displayed their strengths in size and luxury. As for Silversea Cruises, although much smaller and less ostentatious than her big cousins, service becomes paramount and perks like complimentary water toys such as speed boats and jet skis are provided for the less than 400 passengers. And with a crew of close to 400, the ratio of passenger and crew is 1:1! All cabins are suites designed for long voyages.

My dream is to fly First Class in Singapore Airlines' new A380 (regular commercial operations start on October 2007) simply because it's going to be the most luxurious and spacious seat/bed on the planet, plus you can go shopping at the lower deck! Now how fun and perfect is that?! Can't wait for that dream to happen!

Trains have always been a cool experience for me, probably because trains aren't as popular in the Philippines as they are in the rest of the globe. I've ridden on the Maglev when I was in Shanghai last October 2006, and even if it only lasted 8 minutes on each trip (versus an hour by taxi), I enjoyed every split second of it. It was like riding into the future...literally! The regular commercial cruising speed of the Maglev is 431 kmph! And since we are on the topic of trains, I have to mention France's Train a Grande Vitesse (TGV or Train of Great Speed), it may not go as fast as the Maglev, but the chic and modern First Class cabin interiors designed by Karl Lagerfeld and the very haute French service makes this is the modern day Orient Express.

How about having your private jet? Airbus and Boeing have successfully sold a lot of their business jets that can go as small as their B737 to as huge and palacious as the new A380. However, the Gulfstream 550 is known for its practicality...but that is if I'm a practical billionaire! Hahahahahaha!!! But seriously, the Gulfstream 550 can fly fast, efficiently and anywhere in the world where there is a considerable air strip and most importantly, in style.

Champagne and caviar dreams!!!

My Dream Resorts & Hotels

Since I was a kid, I have always enjoyed staying at hotels. The former Hyatt Terraces Hotel in Baguio, particularly the apartelle tower was one of my favorite places because it had a wrap around balcony and had a great living and dining area with two bedrooms situated on each side of the unit. But now it's just part of Baguio's history since it came down like a deck of cards during the 1990 earthquake.

Around the world, you can find the finest hotels and resorts. Some of which are known for their luxurious designs and personalized service while others are known for its exclusivity and uniqueness.

Here are five resorts and hotels that I think should be part of your list of places-to-visit-in-your- lifetime: Huvafen Fushi in the Maldives has an underwater spa and boasts jaw dropping villas, while Amanyara in the Turks & Caicos is my kind of hideaway because of its beautifully designed villas and perfect landscape. Amanjiwo is located in Borobudur, Central Java, I give it high marks for its unique design and mystical feel. The Four Seasons in Langkawi is a marriage of design and service that makes this new resort a much sought after destination. The Four Seasons in Hong Kong is perfect because of its location, design, spa, views, food and service.

There are so many more hotels and resorts that I'd like to mention, but I want to trim it down to just five. I also can't wait for the world's first Hotel Armani which will be located in the world's tallest skyscraper, Burj Dubai. And of course I should mention my brothers' hotels, namely Eagle Point Resort in Anilao, Batangas and The Waldorf Towers in New York City. We should try to pamper ourselves at least 2 times a year to places such as these so we can immerse ourselves in a lifestyle that only celebrities and heads of state enjoy.


Here are my 5 favorite hotels and resorts in the world (from the top):

1. Huvafen Fushi - Maldives www.huvafenfushi.com

2. Amanyara - Turks & Caicos www.amanresorts.com

3. Amanjiwo - Indonesia www.amanresorts.com

4. Four Seasons - Langkawi, Malaysia www.fourseasons.com/langkawi

5. Four Seasons - Hong Kong www.fourseasons.com/hongkong