IT’S BACK TO THE ROARING TWENTIES AS FILA GOES GATSBY FOR THE 2014 POLO CUP 
Gatsby knew how to throw a party, and now FILA’s carrying the torch.
In both the 1925 book and the 2013 movie (and the many other adaptations in between), the fictional character Jay Gatsby stood for the height of opulence with his to-die-for weekend parties. With beautiful FILA Philippines CEO Cris Albert suitably impressed with the recent film (and being no stranger to opulence herself), the decision was made that FILA turn fiction into reality with a Gatsby-themed, champagne-flavored celebration. Fabulous 20’s Charleston meets exciting polo field action, and the result should be nothing less than a classic!
FILA Polo Cup 2014 hops in this January 26 at The Manila Polo Club at Forbes Park. The Low Goal game begins at 2:00pm, the High Goal game follows at 4:00pm, and the party-proper starts at 6:00pm. Renowned fashion and events director Robby Carmona will be running the show, while production design is by event-stylist Robert Blancaflor. Mr. Blancaflor’s signature is his exquisite flower arrangements, and it will be no different for the Cup.
FILA POLO CUP 2014 LIST OF WINNERS:
1. LOW GOAL
Tommy Bitong
Butch Albert
Jay de Jesus
Santi Elizalde
2. HIGH GOAL
Cole Aguirre
Iñigo Zobel
Juan Jauretche
Alfie Araneta
Familiar FILA faces Tim Yap and Fabio Ide were joined by new brand endorsers: Pinay-Swiss interior designer Jess Kienle and emerging MMA star, Brazilian Wesley Machado. Also, members of the Philippine Volcanoes will add to the excitement. FILA went all out last year in its support of the rugby team, especially when it went to represent the Philippines in the Rugby World Cup Sevens in Moscow.
With Ms. Cris Albert unmissable in the viewing stands-turned-party venue, one shouldn’t fail to notice the other half of the power pair out on the field, company President Butch Albert. This eternally youthful first couple of the company make up the driving forces behind FILA Philippines and the annual FILA Polo Cup.
Being a keen polo player, Butch will be fiercely going for a win in Sunday’s Game 1 along with team members Tommy Bitong, Santi Elizalde, and Jay de Jesus. The opposing team consists of Fred Borromeo, Sonny Borromeo, Ray Del Rosario, and Jun Juban. Game 2 will have the team of Inigo Zobel, Juan Jauretche, Alfie Araneta, and Cole Aguirre going against Mikee Romero, Tonio Veloso, Gus Aguirre, and Gaston Beguerie.
Just as in its past editions, this year’s FILA Polo Cup will be a veritable magnet for the top personalities of the season. Celebrities, media personalities, and movers and shakers from the top echelons of business and society are expected to attend.
The Gatsby-esque 20’s was also all about onstage entertainment, and FILA’s take on it is nothing short of lush and lavish, with multi-faceted performer Myra David lending a touch of jazz to the evening, along with R&B, hip-hop, and reggae artist Artstrong. Myra, whom many people know as Skarlet, remains one of the Philippines’ most loved entertainers.
Aside from the celebrities, the polo action on the field and the extraordinary theme, guests should also pay attention to the brand’s new collections. Similar to the party, FILA’s direction for 2014 is definitely retro, or in the words of FILA VP for Advertising Ms. Ana Abad Santos, the new designs are “going back to FILA’s roots.” Vintage and retro are the order of the day, and these will fit right in at their displays at the Cup, and also in the featured fashion show.
Arguably the most anticipated of these retro designs are the FILA 95 basketball shoes which all-time great Grant Hill made famous. Lavishly designed and manufactured high-cuts that impress not only on the court but on the street as well, these sneakers represent a rare, not-to-be-missed opportunity to own a classic.
As always, expect guests to go all-out with the clothes, make-up and accessories, and in this regard the Roaring Twenties with its strawboaters and tophats for the gents, and bobcuts and the flapper look for the ladies, is a veritable goldmine of period fashion. Interestingly, the invite states that required attire is “indulgence,” and as FILA parties go, expect guests to wear exactly that.
Fila shops are located at the following branches: SM Mall of Asia, SM Megamall, SM Cebu, Ayala Malls Glorietta, Ayala Malls Trinoma, Ayala Malls Pavilion, Ayala Malls Market! Market!, Ayala Malls Cebu, Ayala Malls Marquee Pampanga, Robinsons Galleria, Robinsons Ermita, Robinsons Cebu, Robinsons Iloilo, Robinsons Bacolod, Robinsons Lipa, Robinsons Metroeast, Robinsons Dumaguete, Robinsons Tacloban, Robinsons General Santos, Robinsons Ilocos Norte, Limketkai Cagayan de Oro, Island City Mall Bohol, Festival Mall Alabang, Ever Commonwealth, Ever Cainta, D’Mall Boracay, Gaisano Capital Tacloban, Gaisano Capital Ormoc, Gaisano Capital Kalibo, NCC Mall Davao, NCC Mall Tagum, LCC Legazpi
For more information about Fila, log on to www.fila.ph.
Photo gallery:
from The Web Magazine