Ivan Acuña shines in Hollywood
by: Johnny Litton
From: The Philippine STAR 02/04/2006
Expressions and Impressions of Beauty
by: Johnny Litton
From: The Philippine Star 01/16/2005
Liberty in Style
By Becky Garcia
Manila Times Sunday 01/14/2004
HI! SOCIETY
By Becky Garcia
Manila Times Sunday, March 14, 2004
WHEN you have liberty, you have style. Thus was the theme at the grand launch of Liberty Stile Inc.’s elegant and modern showroom over at Reposo, Makati, which is getting to become the art and lifestyle hub of the metro. Over the last few years, furniture and art showrooms have ceaselessly mushroomed in the area, with Liberty Stile as the newest, stylish kid on the block.
Ceremonial beads at the recent opening included Mayor Jejomar Binay of Makati, famous interior designer Ivy Almario, renowned architect Willie Coscolluela, popular TV host Johnny Litton, and Dr. Martin Brooks of the Italian Embassy.
The grand cocktail affair featured a video presentation showcasing Liberty Stile’s history, its innovative products in ceramic and porcelain tiles, bathroom accessories, natural stones and glass mosaics for buildings and home use.
Top honchos in interior design, architecture, construction and real estate development graced the launch such as Arlen de Guzman, Jiro Estaniel, Johnny Hubilla, Arch. Bong Recio, Ayala Land’s Ofie Jacomina, Ruel Bautista and Richard Yap, DMCI’s Luis Pastor, architect brothers Gil and Gary Coscolluela, Arch. Royal Pineda, Eden Lin of the EDSA Shangri-La Group, J.O. Salvacion of Design Coordinates, Arch. Conrad Onglao, and Malayan Group’s Eric Mangosin. Also, there was the glamour and glitter society of Manila ever present at the affair. Guests enjoyed the short program hosted by Johnny Litton introducing the officers and directors of Liberty Stile Inc. including the chair of the board, Tom P. Batac; Dinggay R. Espiritu, president; Rodel Cruz, director; Reah Pangilinan, treasurer; and Lani Hernandez, sales and marketing manager.
Liberty’s brand partners even flew all the way from Italy to grace the launch, namely Ricchetti’s Guissepe Roviaro, Dr. Lorenzo Canella of Saime, Tony Khater of Khater s.r.l., Trend’s Giorgio Pavanetto and Allesandro Boni.
A fireworks display lit the night sky as the Liberty Stile logo was unveiled by Mayor Binay. Sumptuous food and fine wine was provided by Aqua Le Soleil while Butch Roxas’ Neoclassic Ensemble serenaded the guests. Décor stylist Susan Orendain spruced up the place in black tablecloth-covered cocktail tables, with orange tulips and Colombian roses. Guests delighted in unique buffet presentations using glass blocks and colorful ceramic tiles as food trays.
The ultra modern showroom designed by young trendsetting architect Gil Coscolluela features tiles and natural stones framed in stainless steel, simulating artworks, unique display cabinets, long granite counters, which serve as specification tables for architects and designers, and a natural stone/tile library. A garden at the rear provides a soothing backdrop for the employees-cum-refreshment lounge, complete with a state-of-the-art kitchen. All functional bathrooms in the showroom showcase Liberty’s innovative use of mosaic, granite and tile.
Liberty Stile Inc. president Dinggay R. Espiritu summarized the company’s philosophy when she said, “We want to provide a lifestyle of elegant living by fusing art with stone, glass and tile; to make the showroom a venue for design concepts, art and fashion to merge and evolve into new living styles; and at the same time, to provide a wide range of tile products, and superior technical design services tailored for any customer’s budget.”
Watch out for more creative products and special events to be held at Liberty Stile Inc. Showroom. Check it out.
Meanwhile, if you’re into the art scene, then check out the latest works of abstract expressionist Ivan Acuna. Art critics and aficionados alike recently raved over his latest series of paintings, which were on display during his one-man show entitled Metalscapes at the lobby of Century Park Hotel.
Ivan actually first made a name for himself in the art community through photography. But after years of photographing other painters’ works for their brochures and coffee table books, Ivan realized that his calling was for painting as well. Impressively, Ivan found immediate success as his first paintings quickly found its way to prestigious homes and top addresses in the country. Already, his artworks are on display at PGA Cars BMW along EDSA, Prestige Cars BMW in Makati, Azzurro, Bykes Café, Budji Layug’s showroom and One Mckinley Place, to name a few. Furthermore, Ivan’s floor-to-ceiling canvasses will soon be displayed at another car showroom in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, which houses the latest models of Lamborghini, Ferrari and Maserati.
Fresh from his successful one-man show at the Century Park Hotel, Ivan is now busy preparing for another show in Malaysia next month, this time with actor Cesar Montano.
Congratulations Ivan! Keep creating!