Having gone a long way since 1962, the easter and western joy of flip-flop loving fashionistas evolved from Zori designs to our favorite pastels invoking competitors to come up with not just other brands but replicas as well. These inferior imitations prodded Havaianas to launch their Are You Original? Campaign. If your flip-flips lose their shape and have straps that come off, your pair is not authentic.

The Havaianas Urban Beach Party last May 22 by Red Tag Events was hosted by Leanne Florendo & Aimil Gonzalez-Sarmiento of A.L. Amizade Marketing, Inc., the exclusive sub-distributor of Havaianas in Central and Eastern Visayas. It was the perfect excuse for Cebu to party and pledge one’s love to the original flip-flop sensation that has gained international popularity.

If the Brazilian government used Havaianas flip-flops to control inflation just like rice and beans, the Cebu society had cocktails with Havaianas on their food skewer served in Havaianas styro cups and partied at Formo with Havaianas flip-floats decked all over the Metro’s chic bar.

Furniture from Detalia Aurora contributed largely to the party’s ambiance

Thanks also to Formo chefs’ Formo’s Kristine dela Riva-Kokseng and Chef Lor Torres, you can never go wrong with your diet. The newly concocted tales of Lychee Mojitos, Mangojitos (Mango Mojitos), Virgin Lychee Mojitos and Virgin Mango Mojitos were being passed around generously enough to float Banilad Town Center. Being a non-alcoholic drinker, I prefer the Virgin drinks that has ZERO percent alcohol. Very wholesome! Thank you Formo for considering us non-alcoholics. The garlic shrimp crostinis, too, are divine!

Music from Tribo Manila, performances from Asia Pacific Capoeira Champion Jensen Go Chow and two capoeira masters from Rio de Janeiro kept us all entertained throughout the night. Even Formo/Vudu Marketing Priestess Jaja Chiongbian-Rama had to exclaim, “Does Havaianas know how to throw a party or what?”

The exclusive invite required Cebu Havaianaticos (Havaianas fanaticos) to be in their best white outfit and my eyes were dancing at how creative everyone was!

Hosts Leanne and Aimil

“Havaianas releases a new collection every 2 months. This is the “normal” practice of Havaianas to ensure that we offer the market new things often,” explains Leanne Florendo, A.L. Amizade Marketing, Inc. “Towards the end of the year, we also offer an embellished collection. That is more of a luxe collection. Because Havaianas is about fun, function and fashion, we make sure to keep in step by releasing new styles often.” I can’t wait for that limited edition Filipinas style this Independence Day month! Leanne said they are “very pinoy.”

Sarrita Pimentel and Selina Selma-Romualdez with Jaja Rama

Bli Seno and Cris Antigua

Veronica and Jay chiongbian

Diageo’s Binky Sybico and Carlo Tumulak

Selina Romualdez with Jaja Rama

The Freeman’s Rycky Pilapil and Meyen Baguio

RCTV and Alejandro’s Alexis Yap

Chezka Martinez, Ellen Adarna and Mayen Lim

RCTV Nikki Taylor and y101FM Charlene Go

Havaianas Philippines’ benevolence was made evident when they gave away gold rubber floats in the shape of, what else, but a Havaianas flip-flop. This is Havaianas’ way of thanking everyone for showing their love for their favorite flip-flops.

Leanne said, “We were really overwhelmed by the support that the fashionistas, movers and shakers and key opinion leaders gave Havaianas during the Urban Beach Party. It was great to see that Havaianas is their brand of choice. The idea really was for Havaianas to host a summer party for all of you to just to celebrate summer.” Aimil, too, expressed how amazed she was to see their friends come together to pay homage to summer and the brand of summer which is of course, Havaianas. “Everyone looked glam in white!” she said, “It truly was a great way to celebrate.” Aimil, the flip-flop goddess that she is, confesses to wearing Havaianas as her daily office wear. Do you also wear your favorite pair of Havaianas to work?

The Havaianas Urban Beach Party was one way of telling everyone that though it may seem that summer is over, “with Havaianas, it is a never-ending fun and fashionable summer.”

Havaianas flip-flops are sold at Rustan’s, July, What A Girl Wants and All Flip-Flops in Ayala Center Cebu, All Flip-Flops SM Northwing, Cebu, Republik in Banilad Town Center, Plantation Bay Resort and Spa, Maribago Blue Water Resort, Meddah Spa, and Abaca Boutique Resort. Watch out a few months from now of the official release of the Make Your Own Havaianas happening anytime in August.

Stylecebu would like to thank Atty. Jan Perez for these amazing shots. Ian Javier, too, has photos of the event. My photos at the Multiply site are nondescript compared to theirs. ♥