PHOTO: (L-R) SMEG Italy Export director for Asia Matteo Lupi, Ayala Museum senior director Mariles Gustilo, Italian Ambassador to the Philippines Marco Clemente, Mondo Cucina Inc. (MCI) president Ton Concepcion, and Mondo Cucina creative director Karen Concepcion.
The prestigious Ayala Museum provided the perfect venue for the celebration where guests were first transported to Italy via a delightful indoor garden installation then ushered to view a great Philippine masterpiece.
It was an anniversary celebration like no other and perhaps one that only an iconic global brand can pull off. To celebrate sixteen successful years in the Philippines, SMEG, the world-famous Italian brand, successfully transformed the halls of The Ayala Museum into a lush Italian garden playfully adorned with SMEG appliances like an art installation reminiscent of the Emilia Romagna region.
As guests were ushered into the venue, they were transported to this garden installation, aptly named “A Garden of Kitchen Delights by SMEG” filled with lemon trees, flowers and verdant greens that came alive with the striking colors of SMEG appliances showcased as functional pieces of art. The intricate planning and amazing attention to detail involved in creating the delightful SMEG indoor garden installation says so much about the brand’s commitment to outstanding design and quality.
From the awe-inspiring garden tour, guests were then ushered to an exclusive preview of a great Philippine masterpiece — Juan Luna’s long-lost artwork, “Hymen, oh Hyménée.” Interestingly, the flowers featured in the SMEG indoor garden were inspired by the flowers that are strewn on Luna’s masterpiece; thus, the transition from the garden installation to “Hymen, oh Hyménée” flows smoothly, as if one is a part of the other.
The Ayala Museum – known to be one of the country’s leading private museums – along with Juan Luna’s intriguing masterpiece, are complementary elements to celebrate this milestone for SMEG whose history and roots are deeply steeped in Italian art and design excellence.
This is the same passion for excellence and outstanding customer service that has guided Mondo Cucina Inc. (MCI), the company behind SMEG in the Philippines. It’s the driving force that has catapulted the brand to prominence among the country’s premium condominiums, property developers and discriminating customers.
The night’s guest list was truly an indication of SMEG’s success in the local market, with no less than the Italian ambassador to the Philippines, His Excellency Marco Clemente, and SMEG Export director for Asia Matteo Lupi gracing the event. Business leaders from the Italian Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines’, and stalwarts from the country’s property development, design and architecture industries were also present to celebrate with MCI and SMEG.
For the past sixteen years, SMEG has been changing the Philippine skyline through partnerships with premier developers such as Ayala Land Premier, Rockwell Land Corporation, Shang Global City Properties, Inc., RHK Land, Phil Realty and Holdings Corporation, AlphaLand Corporation, and many more. This has resulted in close to 50 buildings and 10,000 condominiums across Metro Manila, Cebu and Davao, all having SMEG kitchens.
To give thanks to its partners for making sixteen successful years happen, SMEG and MCI treated its guests to this unforgettable celebration. Throughout the night, guests were treated to unlimited drinks from the Botanist and Rémy Martin featuring a selection of SMEG products, complemented by delectable cuisine and wines from Northern Italy, and decadent desserts from The Daily Knead while the renowned Manila Philharmonic Orchestra serenaded them in the background.
“Mondo Cucina’s mission is joy through excellence,” shares Ton Concepcion, MCI’s founder and owner. “We believe that this can be achieved by handling all our customers’ needs in a seamless manner – from shopping for kitchen appliances to delivery, installation and after-sales service. They only have to talk to us. That is how we bring joy.”
The 16th anniversary celebration reaffirms SMEG and MCI’s deep gratitude to its partners and its commitment to continue this tradition of excellence moving forward by helping enhance the lives of its customers through its world-famous premium appliances that double as functional pieces of art.
“I’m truly grateful for the strong partnerships SMEG and Mondo Cucina have built throughout these years. But it doesn’t end there as we remain even more inspired and committed to give only the best to our customers and partners,” concluded Concepcion.To know more about SMEG Philippines, visit https://smegphilippines.com/ and follow its social media accounts, on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/smegph) and Instagram (@smegphilippines).
