Yes, you heard that right! Just log on to www.ipanemaphils.com, click on Slip an Eco Tip tab and share how you can help the fight against climate change. The most helpful answer of the week wins! This promotion is open to Philippine residents only and will run until March 31, 2011.


Brazilian-born model Gisele Bundchen is the designated Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). As Goodwill Ambassador, Gisele Bundchen helps UNEP raise awareness about the major threats to our planet-- such as climate change and environmental degradation--and move people to do something to help protect the environment.

The Ipanema Gisele Bundchen’s latest summer collection, the Hot Sands Collection, supports the Instituto Socioambiental (ISA), a Socio-environmental Institute in Brazil, with its Fight Against Climate Change Central Strategy, a program that proposes that we all think about what we can do right now, in practice, to improve our lives.

Ipanema, the world’s most fashionable Brazilian flipflop brand, has launched its latest summer collection--the Gisele Bundchen Hot Sands Collection--at the SM Prestige Lounge in SM Megamall last Tuesday, February 22, 2011.


Event host Ms. Shanen Torres


Mr. Patxi Elizalde, Managing Director of ELRO Corporation

The new collection was launched via a fashion show featuring young models wearing Coco Cabaña’s summer outfits complemented by colorful, summery and stunningly beautiful flipflops from the Ipanema Gisele Bundchen Hot Sands Collection.








“The collection embodies the best of Brazil and its locals: warmth, optimism and great joy in living, a country that keeps its eyes on the future and always reinvents itself. This carefree and joyous lifestyle is the inspiration behind the collection—each piece celebrates the beauty of nature, making it the footwear to complement the sunny season of summer,” said Patxi Elizalde, managing director of ELRO Corporation. ELRO Corporation is the exclusive distributor of Ipanema in the Philippines.


Hot Sands Kirey Fem (White Gold)


Hot Sands Thong Fem (Black Silver)


Hot Sands Fem (Purple Lilac)


Hot Sands Fem (White Clear)


Hot Sands Plat Fem (White Gold)
Gift packages were given to ten lucky raffle winners after the fashion show. Models Bianca Valerio, Kelly Misa and Ornusa Cadness were also spotted at the event.


Ten lucky raffle winners


Patxi Elizalde, Bianca Valerio, Kelly Misa, Ornusa Cadness and Eugene Saw (Vice President of SM Department Stores Ladies, Teens and Bags Group)
Other mommy bloggers were also present, which made attending the event more fun and exciting. I tell you, when mommies are around, unending chit-chat abounds. LOL! We can talk about almost anything—kids, work, beauty tips, latest showbiz gossips and even cheap auto insurance--but that’s beside the point.


Tetcha, Czaroma, Lynn, Teacher Julie and Pehpot


Tina, Michelle, Pehpot and Tetcha
The Ipanema Gisele Bundchen Hot Sands Collection also supports the Instituto Socioambiental (ISA), a Socio-environmental Institute in Brazil that advocates the Fight Against Climate Change Central Strategy, a program that proposes that we all think about what we can do right now to improve our lives.

Know more about these stylish nature-themed sandals by visiting www.ipanemaphils.com. Visit also Ipanema Philippines on Facebook and send an eco-saving tip for a chance to win a free pair of Ipanema GB footwear.

Ipanema Gisele Bundchen Hot Sands Collection is available at SM Department Stores, Bambu and other leading boutiques and stores nationwide.

I got an invite from ELRO Corporation through Michelle of My Mom-Friday to attend the culminating activity of the Sandalias Festival 2010 at the TriNoma Activity Center yesterday afternoon.

This two-day event aptly themed “Step Into Some Love” allowed guests to enjoy a Brazilian style soiree while finding the perfect sole mate to match their personality and lifestyle.


Event hosts Josh Ylaya and Anna Domingo


Patxi Elizalde, Managing Director of ELRO Corporation, distributor of Ipanema, Ipanema GB, Grendha and Rider.
The Sandalias Festival once again delighted sandal lovers with a fabulous showcase of Ipanema for the eternal beach bums, Ipanema Gisele Bundchen (GB) for social-conscious women, Grendha for charmed urbane belles, and Rider footwear for the active adventurers.


Sandalias Festival 2010 brought life to the dynamic colors and styles of footwear fashion that is Ipanema, Ipanema GB, Grendha and Rider.


Steps Dance Project rendered a superb fashion-cum-dance spectacle that creatively played out tropical inspired lifestyles.
Every purchase of Ipanema, Ipanema GB, Grendha, and Rider from September 1 until 12 noon of September 26 entitles anyone to a free event pass to the Sandalias Festival. Guests enjoyed free foot or body tattoo, nail art, and foot massage. There was also a photo booth that allows guests to take home souvenir photos with exciting destinations as background.


Foot/body tattoo


Chic women were treated to free hand pampering and nail art to match their Brazilian sandals.


Tired of sole searching, guests received free foot massage from Ipanema.
Sporty guests who aced the climbing wall and the gyrating mechanical surf board, Ride ‘N Surf, took home cash prizes and gift certificates.


Wall climbing


Sporty guest attempts to conquer Rider’s Ride ‘n Surf challenge.
The ultimate attraction was the Giant Piñata, a larger-than-life flip flop with lots of freebies and goodies inside. It unleashed a great shower of prizes including gift certificates from Ipanema, Ipanema GB, Grendha, Rider and sponsors (Lay Bare, Planet Sports, Nivea Sun, magazines from Summit Media, Orly Nail Lacquer), an air ticket to Boracay from Cebu Pacific Air and a 3-day, 2-night accommodation at Patio Pacific, Fairways and Bluewater and Discovery Shores. Other sponsors were Us Girls, Essensuals by Toni and Guy and Terra Wellness Spa.


Giant Piñata
I wasn’t as lucky as the others because the only prize I got was one FHM magazine. Sigh! I enjoyed the cocktail foods, however, from Via Mare, and I was glad to see other bloggers, too, at the event.


Pehpot, Tetcha, and Salen
Just like in the past two years, the Sandalias Festival 2010 was a huge success. According to Patxi Elizalde, Managing Director of ELRO Corporation, exclusive distributor of Ipanema, Ipanema GB, Grendha and Rider in the Philippines, “Mounting the annual Sandalias Festival is part of our continuous effort to bring our brands closer to the market. This is our way of establishing an emotional connection with our patrons. We want them to not only experience our products but also be immersed in the culture and lifestyle that inspire the collection of our footwear.”

The launch of Bambu TriNoma, their third concept store which features all their Brazilian footwear brands, coincided with the Sandalias Festival. Other Bambu outlets are located in Glorietta 4, Makati City and Marquee Mall, Angeles City, plus a kiosk in Alabang Town Center.

Thank you again, Michelle, for the invite, and thank you, Cel, for being so accommodating!