PORTFOLIO

What’s on & Expat August 28 - September 3,2005
Lifestyle

An emerging beauty destination
By Loraine Balita

The country's tourism personalities and beauty connoisseurs gathered on August 17 for an evening of amazing finds at Rustan's Essenses: An Amazing Beauty Destination held at the 2nd level of Gateway Mall in Quezon City.

Featured were Essenses' best sellers from its cosmetics and toiletries division.Tourists seeking the best brands need not look far. Rustan's Essenses offer the world's mega brands with prices comparatively lower to those in other countries. The Estee Lauder group, La Prairie, Sisley, Chanel, Dior, Awake, L'Occitane, Phyto, Dermalogica, Murad, La Mer, Laura Mercier and Nars convened to put together an array of products from hair care to nail care.

Special packages were designed for the clients through a combination of the brand's scientific process and Essenses' pampering style.The progam is a strong support to the Department of Tourism's efforts to make Manila a beauty and wellness destination.

As of June, tourist arrivals reached 217,250, a 16.8% increase from last year's 186,044. As DOT tries to develop more tourist spots, the program formalized Essenses' efforts to be a destination of choice for balikbayans and tourists alike.

Gracing the evening's affair with their presence were former Tourism Secretary Gemma Cruz Araneta; Philippine Convention and Visitor's Corporation Deputy Director Rosvi Gaetos; Westin Philippine Plaza Director of Sales and Marketing Rose Libongco, Air Philippines Senior Vice President Patty Chiong and Travel Time host Susan Calo Medina with Secretary of Tourism Ace Durano as the guest of honor.For more information on the "Essenses: The Ultimate Beauty Destination" program, please contact Bermin Tiu of Rustan's Cosmetics & Toiletries Division at 844-0872.