Today marks the first day of the metro’s electronic weekend , as CEL Manila 2009 opens its doors to techies from all over the city. The 3-day consumer electronics exposition by Summit Live! shows no sign of slowing down, with an impressive turnout of over 60 exciting brands and exhibitors.
The effect of such a gathering can be quite overwhelming—as I discovered upon entering the World Trade Center in Pasay City, where the exposition is being held. Computers, cameras, cars, and even a mini plane flank you on either side; screens are flashing everywhere; the smell of newly packaged technology pervades the air-conditioned space. In short, it is any electronics enthusiast’s idea of heaven.
What surprised me, however, was the variety of products (and promos) found at the site. While the phrase “There’s something for everyone,” may sound a bit trite, it certainly applies to this particular exhibit. It’s got gadgets and gizmos a-plenty, to be sure, but even a non-techie like me could spot some cool deals from the spread. Here are my 5 top finds from CEL Manila 2009.
1. Philips pampering session. Only at CEL Manila 2009 will you find appliance brand Philips giving away salon time! Visit the Philips section on the left side of the exposition and get your hair styled for free using the brand’s personal care products. While you’re in the chair, you can even sip on a fresh fruit juice or smoothie made with one of the new aluminium series blenders.
If you don’t feel like getting your hair done, you can still check out Philips’ top-of-the-line wares. Notables include an electric induction cooker the size of a weighing scale, the line of SalonShine hairdryers with attachable diffusers (great for taming curls), and the innovative InfraCare, a contraption which claims to ease aches and pains using infrared light.
2. Canon Ixus cameras at big discounts. When I spotted the huge Canon booth in the center of the exposition, I made a beeline for the Ixus camera, which I heard has amazing resolution even at maximum zoom function; plus, it comes in really pretty colors. For any of you who are big fans of Ixus—and know more about the brand than I do—here’s a piece of good news: it’s on sale! At CEL Manila 2009, the Ixus 95 IS, already the least expensive model, is selling for PHP3,000 less than its actual price (from P19,950, it's now P16,950). The most expensive model, the Ixus 980 IS, has also slashed its prices and is available for over PHP8,000 less than its original tag (from P27,950 to P19,000). That’s a whopper discount!
3. iPod innovations. If there is one gadget I can’t live without, it’s got to be my beloved mp3 player. So it was a no-brainer for me to visit the Apple booth for a little game of iPod-spy. The new Nano instantly grabbed my attention. Super-slim, vividly-colored, with a larger screen and—get this—a video camera, the reinvented model was to die for! Although the exact prices were unavailable, a saleslady informed me that the 8GB Nano would cost roughly P8,000, with the 16GB version around double the price. Early Christmas gift, anyone?
Shortly after, I happened upon the small Memorex stall, its main feature being the Singstand. Essentially a microphone stand, the Singstand functions as an “iPod karaoke.” Its microphone speaker system lets you sing along to your iPod or any other mp3 device with a headphone jack as the music blasts from speakers built into the base. You can even have a duet since the device is equipped with 2 microphone plugs!
4. Digital picture frames by Royal Cavalier. Want to display all your best photos without cluttering your space with picture frames? Royal Cavalier’s digital picture frames should do just the trick. All you have to do is save your photos into a memory stick and feed them into one of the frame’s connecting ports—the images will show up one by one, like alternating screensavers. The digital frames also house videos, so you can play your favorite clips as if they are moving photographs! But be warned: these Royal Cavalier’s creations will set you back a pretty penny. The mini frame, the size of a large laptop screen, costs P7,500, while the new ultra-slim frame, the size of a standing corkboard, costs P20,000.
5. Big bargains at Oakley and Reef. In a slightly hidden section to the right of the main stage is a mini-bazaar of Oakley and Reef products. The moment I saw the words “Up to 70% Off” I was intrigued. Oakley shirts sell for P600, Reef slippers for as low as P200, and racks of signature board shorts, jeans, jackets, and bags for both men and women are just waiting to be purchased at deeply discounted prices. If you’re in need of some garment-oriented retail therapy in the midst of such a techie-driven exhibition, this is definitely the place to go.
I know I said I had a list of 5, but here’s a bonus I just had to share. Korean automobile manufacturer KIA had a little something to show at CEL Manila’s car corner: the Soul, an urban crossover with artistic paint detailing on one side of the vehicle. It’s not the usual thing you find at a gadget convention, but it’s fabulous, nonetheless!
To see all these and more, drop by CEL Manila 2009 at the World Trade Center, Financial Center Area, Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue corner Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City. There’s just two more days to go!
(Photos by Steph Castillo)
