Make your own Havaianas 2009

"Make Your Own Havaianas 2009"

Sun.Star Davao, Oct. 3, 2009

“Havaianas!” - that’s what my eldest daughter Anicka enthusiastically replied when I asked what she wanted as her prize for winning first place in a recent school contest.

We were about to head off to one of the Havaianas outlets in the city when I received a text message from superb PR man and event organizer Gatchi Gatchalian reminding me to attend the “Make Your Own Havaianas” activity at the Atrium of Gaisano Mall of Davao. I totally forgot about the invitation!

Gatchi said that my Havaianas Fast Pass entitled me to two free culture pins and a pair of Havaianas. Yipee! I had an instant gift for my daughter.

When we arrived at GMall, there were throngs of people lining up raring to personalize their Havaianas slippers into works of contemporary flip flop art. Good thing, we had a Fast Pass and there were no kilometric queues for us.

With virtually all the hues of the most coveted Havaianas collection available as palette, there were hundreds of possible combinations of soles and straps for men and women, in the popular top and slim styles.

“The three-day event had around 6,000 walk-in guests with 3,500 pairs sold”, says mompreneur Marga Montemayor-Nograles. She and her gorgeous cousin, Tisha Ang, own and manage Martish Marketing, the distributor of Havaianas in Southern Mindanao.

“All 3,500 pairs had different creative embellishments from the sleek Swarovski crystals which unleashed every Havaianaticos’ inner chic to lifestyle pins that range from peaceful Yoga poses to funky and vintage tellies,expressing their inner soul”, shares Marga.

“The culture pins were the most in-demand and allowed all Havaianaticos to parade their Filipino pride. These pins featured symbols such as wide-eyed tarsiers, vibrant vintas, colorful jeepneys, Philippine maps, sorbetero carts and Noypi logos”, she adds.

Aside from Anicka and me, there were a lot of moms, dads, kids and even cool grandparents excitedly choosing their custom-made soles, straps and pins. The well-loved global footwear really transcends all ages.

And, definitely, the most anticipated “Make Your Own Havaianas” annual event is a fun family bonding activity one should not miss!

Catch a glimpse of the design possibilities at www. havaianasphilippines.com/MYOH.

E-mail the author at mom.about.town.dvo@gmail.com. Visit www.momabouttowndavao.blogspot.com.