Metro Channel hosts Joey Mead King, Raul Manzano and Anton BarrettoCebu's A-listers such as Margie Lhuillier, designers Philip Rodriguez, Jun Escario and OJ Hofer, and Miss Earth 2008 Karla Henry-Ammann gathered in “Summer Soul,” a midsummer night filled with great food, cocktails and music, for Metro’s launch as the country’s first multi=platform lifestyle super brand available in print, online and now on television.

With the theme #KeepCLAMandSavetheSeas, the festivities were led by Metro Channel hosts Joey Mead King of “Women of Style” and Tim Yap of “Tim’s Table” as guests arrived at the Crimson Resort in Mactan. The benefit party kicked off with a sunset cruise overlooking the Cebu skyline.

Also in attendance were ABS-CBN Lifestyle Ecosystem head Paolo Pineda, Metro Channel head Lala Lazaro, Metro Channel hosts Raul Manzano of “EIC on the move." Anton Barretto of “Metro Home,” Tricia Centenera of “Driven” and Maggie Wilson-Consunji and Marc Nelson of “Beached.”

Aside from launching the local programming of Metro Channel, the event also served as a benefit gathering as guests adopted a total of 50 clams and raised funds to keep the local seas alive for future generations.

In December 2016, 100 tridacna or giant clam juveniles were brought to Crimson Resort’s marine reserve for a safe and protected area to grow and develop.

As part of the protected reserve, the giant clams are monitored monthly by the resort’s marine biologist to ensure optimal environment for growth and eventual reproduction. Metro put these clams up for adoption during the “Summer Soul” event to help sustain the project.