Ladurée, home of the original French macaron, recently opened an outlet in the Philippines and set a record first-day sales in Asia. Filipinos who had travelled to Paris and tasted the sweet macarons during the trip most likely trooped to the opening of Laduree’s outlet in Rockwell Center, Makati on Aug. 28.
Laduree sold 5,667 pieces of macarons, at P150 apiece, during the opening day, setting a new record for Laduree’s stores in Asia. Total sales amounted to an astounding P850,000, easily surpassing the P350,000 first-day sales achieved by Laduree’s boutique in Hong Kong.
Mark “Jappy” Gonzalez, managing partner of H&F Retail Concepts Inc., the local group that brought Homme et Femme and Univers, was also the one behind Ladurée’s arrival in the Philippines. Jenniffer B. Austria
Lopez Museum finds a new home
The distinguished art collection of the Lopez family will soon have a new home, according to the top executive of the group’s real estate unit.
Rockwell Land Corp. president Nestor Padilla said the Lopez Museum, currently located at Benpres building in Ortigas, would be transferred to Rockwell Center, Makati, just a few steps away from The Proscenium Residences. Rockwell Land is the real estate arm of the Lopez Group.
The Lopez Museum, whose collection of books, manuscripts and maps remains unrivaled in the country, will occupy two floors for visual arts and performing arts.
The museum is well known for its collection of paintings by old masters, Juan Luna and Felix Ressurreccion Hildago, as well as works by National Artists Carlos “Botong” Francisco, Vicente Manansala, H.R. Ocampo, Cesar Legaspi and Arturo Lopez. Jenniffer B. Austria
Rockwell ventures into beach resort
Speaking of Rockwell Land Corp., the property arm of the Lopez Group, is close to acquiring a beach resort in Cebu province.
Rockwell Land president Nestor Padilla said the company had plans to bring its Aruga Hotel brand to Mactan Cebu.
“We are bullish about Cebu, especially with the airport project. At this point, we will want to make sure we have the right components for the project,” Padilla said.
This will be the first beach resort project of Rockwell Land, which started operations in 1995 with the redevelopment an old thermal power plant complex into an upscale mixed-use community now known as Rockwell Center in Makati City. Jenniffer B. Austria
Salalima writes a new book on telecom
Globe Telecom Inc. chief legal counsel and senior advisor Rodolfo Salalima, one of the country’s telco pillars, has written a new book titled “Telecommunications in the Information Revolution.”
Salalima’s book aims to help ordinary readers comprehend current technologies on telecommunications, broadcasts and disruptive innovations. “I hope that this may help influence others in understanding these technologies or contribute in the utilization of these technologies not only as tools for better social networking and communications but also, for nation building and growth,” Salalima said.
The book is a compilation of the law and jurisprudence on telecommunications and of insights on the evolving language and fundamental issues of the Internet revolution. “We now live in the era of ‘digital freedom of expression ‘ characterized by the obtrusive, invasive and seemingly omnipotent Internet and some other current or emergent technologies whose use can make or unmake individuals, societies, corporations and governments,” Salalima said.
Salalima is the president of the Philippine Chamber of Telecommunications Operators; chief legal counsel and spokesperson of Globe Telecom; and vice chairman of the International Telecommunication Union Council working group for the amendment of the ITU Constitution and Convention, where he represents the Asia-Pacific region. Darwin G. Amojelar