A couple of weeks ago, I was invited by a friend of mine to lunch at the new Azumi Hotel here in Alabang. Jeanette Tuason, together with her friend, Issa Litton, have put together an event for women here in the south. Because Jeanette also has a column in PDI, it made sense for the event to be named after her column…Chicdriven.
Because I’m from the south I wanted to see what it was all about. I see the value in empowering women in any country and truth be told, I like the fact that I don’t have to leave Alabang for the event!
I met quite a few bloggers, many from the south as well, who also found merit in attending the lunch that was generously hosted by Romulo Cafe to learn more about this event which takes place during Women’s International Month at the end of March in Alabang Town Center.
Before brunch, we were given a tour of Azumi by the head of Marketing. I was impressed by the eco friendly features in the rooms and corridors of the hotel. Azumi Hotel was styled after the Japanese boutique hotels that one would frequent for business. The rooms are just the right size if you will be in town only for a few nights, and the hotel is clean, modern and minimalist. While the rooms are not as big as some other hotels, the eco friendly design and the fact that there are glass walls to open up the rooms, they feel much bigger.
I immediately thought of my SoMoms when Odette (who is in charge of sales and marketing) showed us the function room and penthouse which is adjacent to the infinity pool on the roof deck. It looked like the perfect venue to hold a #BetterMe session with Coach Pia. It’s a room big enough to accommodate the 24 SoMoms and it was bright, airy, and clean.

The Function Room is perfect for small meetings and seminars. I immediately thought of our #BetterMe sessions. (Photo Credit: Azumi Hotel)
After the tour of the hotel and the rooms, we sat down to eat brunch while Issa and Jeanette told us more about their event. Issa shared that it will be a three day event which will take place on March 28th, 29th, and 30th in the activity center of Alabang Town Center. Hooray for air conditioning because I feel summer coming on already!
Chicdrive will encompass seminars, makeovers, and all things geared to moms, women, and young ladies. There will be a mother daughter fashion show where some of the SoMoms will be modeling Guess apparel, a cooking demo by Chef Bruce Lim, and seminars will include parenting and healthy living. Of course the first day will be geared towards “all things cars,” encouraging women to take charge of their car and improve their driving skills.

Issa and Jeanette tell us a little bit about what to expect for their event at the end of the month.
Jeanette is also the lady behind Tuason Racing School. Her and her husband JP have been teaching women (and men of course) how to handle their cars on the road and make better driving decisions to keep their families safe. I was happy to attend two different workshops in conjunction with Tuason Racing School last year and found the information that they presented to the attendees valuable, especially in the harsher weather that we experience during rainy season.
Check the Chicdriven Women Empowerment Facebook Events Page for more information!