AMERICAN heiress and media personality Paris Hilton arrives in Manila on Sunday night from Dubai. RODEL ROTONI
The heiress has landed.
Paris Hilton, reality TV star and businesswoman with 17 product lines to her name, arrived in Manila on Sunday night—unaccompanied but with another cell phone drama on the side.
Hilton said she was missing two iPhones upon landing at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia), where news cameras caught her combing through her bag looking upset.
But according to photographer Raymund Isaac, who has been documenting Hilton’s Philippine visit for her host company, the international celebrity lost the gadgets during the Dubai leg of her trip.
The alleged loss nevertheless stirred airline and airport officials into action. Gigie Baroa, the country manager of Emirates Philippines, on Monday said its crew had checked the plane and found no items left behind by any disembarking passenger on Hilton’s flight.
In 2005, hackers gained access to Hilton’s Sidekick cell phone and famously splashed the private mobile numbers of her celebrity friends online.
The latest loss reported in Manila apparently didn’t leave Hilton completely cut off—she greeted Filipino fans by tweeting “I love you!” in Filipino.
But earlier rumors that she will also have a meeting with the country’s most eligible and powerful bachelor are apparently not panning out.
Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda on Monday said President Aquino’s schedule for the week did not include any visit or courtesy call from Hilton.
“The President is concerned with matters of state,” Lacierda told reporters.
First time alone
Hilton arrived unaccompanied after spending time in St. Tropez in France and Ibiza in Spain with her sister Nicky.
She told her welcoming party at the airport that it was her first time to travel alone.
“Mabuhay Philippines! I just arrived, thousands of fans waiting at the airport when I walked in. I feel so welcomed here! Mahal ko kayo!” she said.
Hilton arrived at around 10:30 p.m. on a drizzly Sunday night at Naia, where she was welcomed by officials of real estate developer Century Properties, who tapped the celebrity to design a beachfront residential property in Parañaque City.
Despite the loss of her cell phones, Hilton kept her composure as she faced a star-struck crowd of passengers and airport personnel, the latter leaving their work stations to catch a glimpse of the glamour girl.
Wearing a yellow top over jeans, Hilton struck a pose for photographers before her security handlers parted the crowd and escorted her to the VIP lounge.
Alex Camcam, a teenage fan, said she asked her mother to accompany her to the airport just to see her idol. Before Hilton could leave Naia, Camcam managed to get her autograph.
Hilton is in the country to meet with the creative and design teams of Century Properties regarding its Azure Beach Club project, a beachfront residential property to be developed in Parañaque.
‘Beach lifestyle’
In a video released by the company, Hilton said: “I love the beach lifestyle. It’s something that I do every summer. I love going to St. Tropez, I love going to Ibiza and traveling and they have these amazing beach clubs.”
“I think something like that in the Philippines would just be incredible. I’m very excited about this project. I have a lot going on but this is something that I’m most excited about right now,” she said.
“We put our absolute trust in Paris’ abilities to fully integrate a superior lifestyle that cannot be found elsewhere in the country. This is of utmost importance to us as developers and to our clients,” said Robbie Antonio, Century Properties managing director.
Hilton spent Monday shooting a commercial for the beach club. “Cool set!” she tweeted.
She also posted her appreciation of Filipino food. “I love the food in the #Philippines! So delicious! Loves it!”
Friends Manny and Jinkee Pacquiao
Hilton will visit SM Megamall on Wednesday for the opening of a Paris Hilton store, which sells luxury handbags and accessories.
There are also plans for her to see world boxing champion and now Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao and his wife Jinkee during her five-day trip.
“Looking forward to meeting up with my friends Manny and Jinkee Pacquiao while I’m here,” she said. “They are such a cool sweet couple! Love them!”
Her itinerary also includes meet-and-greet sessions with fans. With reports from Miko Morelos and AP