Style Origin 10: Abreeza (Davao)

Davao is such a beautiful place.  The style team together with JCA productions were there for only three days and wished we could have stayed longer.  The last of the Style Origin series was held at the newly opened Ayala Mall called Abreeza.  True to the Ayala aesthetics, the mall is a design masterpiece fusing contemporary design with nature.  The spacious area is a balance of modernity and greenery which is truly work with nature.  SO many shops of all sorts in this four level multi complex mall with Robinson's Department store inside of it.  This set up is the ideal concept of shopping and space.

From a distance.

Stairway to shopping heaven.

On the right path.

SSI stores about to open soon.

Floor plan.

Just like the movies.

Mod lighting fixtures.

The activity center.

How can one resist the beauty of nature as it exists side by side with mod infrastructure.  The author couldn't help but take shots of the sight of  beautiful flora sprawling in the heart of stone.

Flower pot.

Abreeza's wonder woman Jenny Abiar.

We came to Davao in two group because half of the team was doing Style Origins Bonifacio High Street the day before.  Below are pics of the advance team:

JCA's Poly Laurito.

Junior Associate stylist Donna Gonzales Lim.

Senior Associate Stylist Reg Rodriguez.

The author.

Day 3 was when the entire team was finally complete and we heard that the Style Origin Bonifacio High Street was a complete success--we miss you Rudolph Leonor, Mikka Velasquez together with the author's fashion communcation students Teri Marcelo, Nicole Santos, Jeanne Khe and Pam Bassig.  Of course the band for this leg was Rico Blanco who did an awesome soundtrack again.  Personally, Abreeza had the biggest crowd to date since the mall that day was packed with people on all floors.  The Style Origin series by the Ayala Malls has been a great ride for JCA, tenants, suppliers, models, makeup artists, bands and not to forget the style team.  Good times, good memories and a lot of good food hahahahaha!  Touring the Ayala Mall around the country was definitely great time and fun altogether--the team wouldn't mind doing it all over again.  A superb summer celebration for both music and fashion!!!  Cheers to Style Origin.  

Hail to the Queen.  Director and birthday celebrant Jackie Aquino with BJ Santos.

Wake up.  Erin Zuluaga and Gary Dulatas.

Designer Pablo Cabahug with the Style Team and their Al Da Vinco bag finds.

Morning play.  Donna Gonzales Lim, Pablo Cabahug, Erin Zuluaga and Poly Laurito.

The author, deigner Pablo Cabahug, Poly Laurito with Abreeza's Jenny Abiar.

Style Narratives and heyrocketgirl with glowing mom to be Maj.

The guide.

Backstage alley.

Golden ABC (Regatta, Memo, Penshoppe, Forme and Oxygen)  is the earliest to arrive.

Final stages.

Boho chic as show opener from Promod.

All the single ladies.

Davao boys.

30 minutes before show time, check out the crowd.

 The author is still waiting for the pictures of the Bonifacio High Street show.  Will be posting it soon.

Ariba! Ariba!

Pampanga is known for their great cuisine and variety of restaurants.  Foodies from Manila would actually take an hour and thirty minutes road trip to pig out and take a bite of the city known for their yummy treats.  While taking a break from Style Origins, the team was off to explore for some fun and adventure.  Upon recommendation of a very good friend, Jenny Valdez (who's family hails from Pampanga), we ended up hanging out in this famous Mexican resto called Zapatas.  From the outside, the entrance seemed liked a gateway to some dungeon of sorts but when the doors opened--it was a sight to behold.  The team was welcomed by a wonderful display of brights and bold colors.  The ambiance felt like we were transported to Mexico.  Loving the big area and the festive feeling with all the greens, reds and yellows!!! Your eyes wander endlessly with interesting details all around you.  The Mexican music was the perfect ambiance to complete the entire look and feel of the place. We were so famished and decided to order almost everything on the menu--ooops!  Food kept on coming pitas, chips, Jalapenos, quesadillas, nachos, beans, fajitas with all sorts of dips--name it we had it!  And of course we had the perfect drink to match it with--frozen margarita (strawberry and lemon)!      

Lights on.

No Miss Universe here.

A bar filled with a variety of tequila-no kidding!

Dessert with no sand.

Silly chili.

Where is margarita?

Plate of plenty!

The flag is up!(literally)

Haven't had a drink in ages, this was the perfect time to get the buzz which the author has long forgotten.  No doubt Zapatas serves one of the best Margaritas in the country.  Food and drinks are super cheap you can actually have a feast and be surprised how your bill will turn out.  A must go place one shouldn't miss out on in Pampanga.  

Oh no!

The fun begins.

Another oh no!

Three's company.

Power of three.

Our hostess of the mostess,virtual Mae with all smiles!

Sparkling eyes..bzzzzzzzz!

And just when you thought we stopped at Margaritas, think again--TEQUILA!!!!!

This is it!

Happy Birthday Erin!  We love you :-)

Miss Mexico?

Phallic oh phallic...3 in 1.

Shall we dance?

This is so cute ha ha ha!

Madeleine in Mexico!

Mad hatter.

It's closing time, oh no Mae!  We'll be back!!!

We had so much fun at Zapatas and was sad to find out that they close at 10pm waaaaahh!!!  The staff was so considerate they extended thirty minutes more for us--yey!  Quite a fun and memorable night just drinking and laughing our hearts out so we vowed to return.  And two nights after we came back and here are snaps of the almost complete cast...cheers!!!

Sanya Smith and Poli Laurito.

Ornussa Cadness and Mia Ayesa.

Jairus, Mikka Velasquez and Donna Gonzales Lim.

Marx Topacio, Erin Zuluaga and Grace Tagle.

Grace Tagle, Girlie Benitez, Reg Rodriguez and Rudolph Leonor.

Marita Ganse with Sanya Smith.

Emer, the author and designer Pablo Cabahug.

Jackie Aquino with Peter Nordell.

BJ Santos with birthday girl Erin Zuluaga.

Robby Mananquil and Val de los Santos.

Donna Gonzales Lim, Dindi de Leon, Melissa Frye and Georgia.