Innholdsfortegnelse for September 2020 i Lifestyle Asia

Six months have passed, and we are still under quarantine restrictions. It’s September, which means that the holiday season in the Philippines has officially begun. But the virus is still out there, and the future looks bleak with the number of cases still rising in the country—not to mention the fact that we’ve officially entered a recession that will most likely last until the end of 2021. As we count down the days to Christmas, will we be hearing joyful songs in the malls and on the radio? Will we still be in the mood to celebrate and exchange gifts this year? In this month’s issue of Lifestyle Asia, we want to encourage you to keep your head up. Optimism is a powerful philosophy. So this September, we are launching…

Miguel Mapa and Natasha Abela were friends in high school but got closer in college when they were both students at Ateneo de Manila University. Together for ten years, Miguel proposed on a Sunday, after Natasha’s hospital duty at dinner in their favorite place. “He made me choose where to eat but little did I know he already reserved a special area in the restaurant for us,” she says. As their dinner was about to end, they started speaking about their relationship before Miguel got down one knee and asked her to marry him. “It was the perfect moment,” she says. Miguel and Natasha had the ceremony in the same church where their respective parents got married on February 29, a leap year date. “Yes, we will be celebrating our…

At the backstage of Maria Grazia Chiuri’s Dior 2121 Cruise Collection, Creative Director Peter Philips explained the philosophy of his chosen make-up look. The show, which took place in Lecce, at the heart of Puglia, eschewed dramatic intensity for a fresh, clean look that matched the surroundings. “For this young woman with ultra-natural beauty, I favoured a luminous and transparent complexion as well as a slightly underlined, subtly intensified eye,” he says. LIPS “To obtain a natural plump effect, lips were prepped with DIOR LIP SUGAR SCRUB 001, which smoothens them, then heightened using DIOR LIP MAXIMIZER 001 PINK, and I blotted the shine with a tissue.” NAILS “Nails were enhanced with a natural shade in DIOR VERNIS MUGUET.” HAIR Hair was either left natural, or covered with a small…

The timeless craft of watchmaking is a perpetual pursuit for engineering brilliance and design-function balance. As horology enthusiasts patiently await each style evolution and technical reinvention, Patek Philippe brings forth a majestic triumvirate that expresses its brand ethos in the most elegant manner possible—merging the worlds of what was and what will be. MINUTE REPEATER TOURBILLON In its world debut at the “Watch Art Grand Exhibition Singapore 2019”, the Minute Repeater Tourbillon was part of a select group of limited edition timepieces. The striking open architecture is a sight to behold, as the reworked structure encourages the wearer to admire its beauty inside and out. Its rose gold case proves to be quite special, with a broad polished bezel as well as white-gold intarsias engraved with foliage motifs in the…

Lately, mornings start with daydreaming about an annual European trip that had to be canceled like all 2020 plans. The best thing about fashion is its ability to take you to many places, even from the comforts of your own home. In some ways, watching online fashion shows from favored design houses did the the trick. And it provided the much-needed escape from the ongoing pandemic. Watching the runways of the Men’s Spring/ Summer 2021 shows from my computer, top brands and designers offered luxurious suggestions—or fantasies, perhaps—of what could be perfect looks when the time comes and jet setting returns as a lifestyle again. DIOR City Summer Chic Kim Jones’ latest men’s collection for Dior evokes a palpable brightness and a feeling of joy. There are tasteful pops of…

The effervescent, nothing-dampens-her-positive-mood Karla Reyes is a force to be reckoned with. And this is simply not due to her illustrious culinary family background. No, it is definitely more than that. A proud descendant of a seasoned lineage of local restaurateurs, Karla's great-grandmother Lola Asyang—the Mother of Philippine Cooking—founded the fabled The Aristocrat, a pioneer of Filipino cuisine. This restaurant along The Boulevard is a great leveler. Customers fromall walks of life would dine in the same familiar halls, where extended families celebrated their milestones. Entire clans welcomed their OFW relatives after years-long contracts abroad. It was where Makati and Alabang ladies of style and substance would lunch whenever they were in the area of Old Manila. Successful business executives would make loyal pilgrimages for this was their home during…

Dance is said to be one of the purest forms of artistic expression. Communicating using one’s body and conveying emotions through movement transcends barriers and has long been celebrated in all corners of the world. In the Philippines, the home of some of the most naturally artistic and gifted individuals, the professional dance scene is active and thriving. When it became apparent that the current health crisis we are experiencing will be in for a long haul, dance, like most in the performing arts world, was one of the first asked to close and will more than likely be one of the last called to open. With the current pandemic stifling artists’ creativity, not to mention their means of livelihood, one wonders how the local professional dance community is coping…

With a beautiful family, a wonderful home, and an outstanding career in the construction industry, Mike Lagman has spent much of his life building great relationships and well-planned edifices. He and his wife are well-known figures in the social scene, beloved members of many circles and favored additions of exclusive occasions. Yet even amidst a comfortable and healthy lifestyle, Mike admits that the novel coronavirus served as a great equalizer, having surprised friends and family and forcing them to revisit old habits and create new ones. “I felt bewildered at first; it was a complete shift in lifestyle. Adapting to this ‘new normal’ was a gradual process that let me navigate through different challenges and obstacles along the way,” Mike reflects, brimming with hope. “During lockdown, I’ve come to realize…

Months leading to its commencement, everything that Cecile Geiger needed for the fair was ironed out to her specifications—and of course, the requirements set forth by Maison & Objet. “Most designers and brands prepare for a very a long time for the event. Some of us devote longer periods for conceptualization and creation of prototypes. Then, there is also the production of the actual items to be displayed,” she shares. “Apart from that, there are logistical concerns such as how to get the items to the venue, and how to make sure that they get there unharmed,” she continues. Geiger is a French metal sculptor who is inspired by nature. She keeps a studio in Beurizot in Côte-d’Or. “Every time there is a design exposition like Maison & Objet, the…

Miguel Jayme and Mela Garcia were teenagers when they met at Antioch. “We are 3 years apart and when I was in high school, that age gap was considered huge! And so I had always seen him as one of the older leaders, and to him, I had always been one of the younger ones,” says Mela. After their university years, they would bump into each other on nights out and enjoy flirting (“One of our favorite ways to flirt was to go to the bar for some shots together”) but only as friends. Their first real spark happened during one of those Laboracay parties, which incidentally happened to be the first and last Laboracay they had ever gone to. They were together for five years when they were going…

Anthony Young and Erin Torrejon met when during their teenage years. “He’s the first cousin of one of my best friends, Magsy. We met one time when I was hanging out in her house,” says Erin. Together for 13 years, Anthony proposed during their anniversary trip to Japan. “Prior to the trip, my friends were telling me it was possible he would propose, but since he did it on our last day, I already wasn’t expecting it,” says Erin. On their last full day in Tokyo, they visited the Shinjuku Goyen National Garden, and Anthony proposed on one of the bridges. The wedding was originally going to take place at St. Benedict in Sta. Rosa with the reception at Angelfields, but because of the Taal Volcano explosion, they decided to…

It was a busy day as I traipsed all across town a few months ago to fulfill all of my work appointments. I had a photo-shoot and interview in the morning, followed by a Belo Beauty Event for lunchtime, and then another photo-shoot and interview in the afternoon. I barely had time to catch my breath. I arrived at Ayala Malls at the Bay for the Belo event in time to hear Dr. Vicki Belo describe the Belo Luminovitaglow facial as something that is like fertilizer to the skin. “It uses NCTF (New Cellular Treatment Factor) that has 59 vitamins and minerals that are good for your face. If you want plants to grow, put fertilizer. If you want your skin cells to stay healthy, put NCTF. The Belo Luminovitaglow…

While it may seem like skincare and makeup are the last things we should be thinking about right now, I’ve realized that these “frivolous matters” have become just as essential to me as food and water in these past few months of quarantine. More than what it does for me, which is essentially to beautify and lend me a youthful glow, they have also helped me take charge of these blended days. A feat that has allowed me to deal with moments of extreme worry, anxiety, and hopelessness, emotions I never had to deal with all at the same time. Of course, our current situation is unique, unlike any other we’ve experienced in the past. Practically the entire world has stopped in these several months, with most of us locked…

Through the incredible breakthroughs that science has gifted the realms of beauty, the most wonderful ingredients were introduced to many enthusiasts. La Prairie’s elite group of experts, whose exemplary work on Caviar Premier and Caviar Absolute, paved the way to luxurious and effective skin experiences that many have since been trying to imitate. Caviar Premier’s rich blend of biomolecules, including lipids, proteins, peptides, DNA, carbohydrates and their building blocks, such as amino acids, nucleotides and sugars is mixed with Caviar Peptide that has been designed based on the amino acid sequence of a specific caviar protein. Caviar Absolute’s meticulous process which isolates the two most abundant ingredients in caviar—caviar oils and caviar proteins, includes a delicate process to ensure the integrity of the fragile molecules. Caviar Premier grants skin an…

Subdued in timeless shades of black and white, In Good Company presents wardrobe essentials thoughtfully designed and infused with the fine craftsmanship of the atelier, be it in tailoring or drape work. Modern sensibilities call for muted pieces that breathe and feel good against the skin. Form and function blend harmoniously through the fabric of each stylish piece, paying homage to the contemporary woman. Oversized and soft structured cues offer much-needed comfort while drenched in a delicate touch of luxury. Dress easy in everyday staples with a modern twist and let your taste for sophistication emanate with a sublime glow wherever you go. IN GOOD COMPANY is located at the 2nd Level of SM Makati, R1 Level of Powerplant Mall in Rockwell, and in its pop-up store in SM Aura…

Capturing Swiss precision at its finest, groundbreaking innovation, and the relentless pioneering spirit, Omega and Alinghi’s dynamic collaboration pays homage to the exhilarating sport of sailing. Exhibiting the much-adored qualities of both brand leaders, the Speedmaster Dark Side of the Moon Alinghi is a horological keepsake that showcases brilliance in both luxury and functionality. Raynald Aeschlimann, President and CEO of Omega, enthuses, “The new watch is about two great Swiss brands combining their passion for innovation and sailing. To match Alinghi’s state-of-the-art boat creation, we’ve harnessed some truly impressive technology, along with the best materials and a very original design concept.” Thoughtful in the creative process, the luxury watchmaker designed the timepiece to reflect the agile nature of the vessels that fly seamlessly through the open waters. The Calibre 1865…

It has been eight months since the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) changed the country―and the world. Amid the chaos, art became a welcoming respite for many because of its power to unite, inspire, and connect with others even in times of crisis. Hoping to continue bringing joy and hope to many art appreciators and collectors, Léon Gallery is getting ready for its next big auction this September. THE MAGNIFICANET SEPTEMBER AUCTION Called the Magnificent September Auction 2020, the pieces in the event include the works of masters and contemporary artists. “This coming auction, we are very fortunate that we will be representing the first major work by Pam Yan Santos. We have exquisite works by Romulo Olazo from 1980, (Fernando) Amorsolo from the best period which is from the 1920s,…

“If there is one thing I realized during this time, it is the appreciation and gratitude for the simplest things and the bountiful blessings—like being healthy and safe.” Before the advent of COVID-19, events were aplenty and at each gathering, Tina Cuevas was a stalwart. Dressed to the nines and armed with a selfie stick, it wasn’t unusual to see her holding court amongst her similarly turned-out cohorts. “Staying home 24/7 for the past months has been a full 360 from my pre-quarantine life—which was a kind of life that is surrounded by people in my workplace and attending social events and gatherings almost every day,” she says. And then the virus struck, the nation went on lockdown, and everything that was normal suddenly changed. Surprisingly, Tina had already isolated…

“At this moment in time, profit for my business is no longer important. What matters is to be able to give jobs to my staff so they can provide for their families.” It comes as no surprise that the food sector would be one of the hardest-hit industries by the new age lifestyle imposed by the novel coronavirus. Dine-in activities have come to a full halt, with many businesses laying off people and an alarming increase in food wastage especially in the first few months of the quarantine. Happy Ongpauco-Tiu, who for decades has grown her culinary empire and expanded it to several avenues, has her thoughts deep on her family and wishing how the setting could have been more ideal. Her family and their health, after all, will always…

“As a restaurateur, there is such an enormous high I get from our turning an empty space into something people would want to go to and spend their time in and celebrate with friends and family at,” says Abba Napa. The Co-Founder and Creative Director of The Moment Group, who has overseen the rise of concepts like Manam, Mecha Uma, Ooma, and Mo Cookies, says the most exciting part of being in the food business is developing the restaurants and their menu, along with branding and design. Born to a family of restaurateurs, Abba saw how hard and time consuming it was and initially wanted no part of it. “I actually wanted to be a secret spy and chase bad guys in a Maserati around Eastern Europe, or be an…

Rachel Renucci-Tan and her husband Patrick Renucci were happily living successful lives in Paris when Typhoon Yolanda was ravaging the Philippines. “We saw the images on TV of Yolanda really destroying the province of Leyte, and I realized we had to do something,” says Rachel, “we couldn’t just sit there and stare at the Eiffel Tower and sip champagne.” Feeling like they had to do something, they left everything behind and moved to the Philippines. Their efforts were initially to help the province recover. During that period, they observed the abundance of rice fields, but lack of proper facilities. “We decided to help uplift the rice farmers of Leyte, help them recover from poverty brought about by Typhoon Yolanda,” says Rachel, “and then to produce world-class rice for the Filipino…

Jay Laurel and Kyla Olives met 12 years ago while playing baseball and softball. “Because of our shared passion for competition and a never-ending thirst for improving ourselves, sports have always played a big part in our relationship,” shares Kyla. Today, they spend most weekends playing golf with the Laurel and Olives families. Jay proposed in Ilocos, after which the couple decided they didn’t want to have a long engagement, and thus started planning the wedding right away. “We both believe that the recipe for a successful wedding is for the love of the couple to really shine through because it carries the whole mood of the wedding,” says Kyla, “that along with the right mix of the people, good friends, great music, good food, and a lot of booze.”…

Just like that, September is upon us. The holiday season is looming—Christmas is coming, and surely not even COVID-19 can stop people from celebrating. September is also a time of reinvention, slowing down after the summer months to recharge and return anew to cap off the year. And since we’re still spending most of our time at home, there’s no better time to take care of ourselves, glowing and looking your best yet. Here, we’ve gathered a round-up of the best skincare practices to achieve holiday-ready skin, along with some of the best products to achieve it with. 1 EVEN IT OUT While we’re all indoors, take this time away from the sun (and its dreaded UV rays) to reverse some of its damage. Dark spots and uneven skin tone…

It has been six months since the world, as we had known it, shifted on its axis. With the advent of COVID-19, rules were imposed to enforce lockdowns to stop the spread of the virus. This meant work from home for non-essential workers, and non-essential businesses were shut down. This included the retail sphere: going to the mall, an important place of gathering for Filipinos, suddenly became a forbidden activity. In the first three months of the year, there was a 0.7% contraction of the economy, followed by 16.5% in the second quarter, as the economic effects of the stay home order became known. We are now officially in a recession, the first in three decades. Ayala Land posted a 70% income decrease with the dearth of construction and foot…

LA MER THE EYE CONCENTRATE With triple the Concentrated Miracle Broth, this fast-absorbing treatment helps transform the delicate eye area with essential energy and healing hydration to reduce the look of dark circles and lines in 21 days. It contains Lime Tea Concentrate, an antioxidant powerhouse, to help prevent future damage before it begins. LA MER is located at Rustan’s Makati and Rustan’s Shangri-La Plaza CLINIQUE MOISTURE SURGE 72-HOUR AUTO-REPLENISHING HYDRATOR This refreshing gel-cream has been enhanced to give skin the power to rehydrate itself. It delivers an instant moisture boost that keeps skin twice as hydrated for 72 hours, even after washing your face. Its advanced hydrator is its Auto-Replenishing Technology blended with caffeine to help trigger skin’s own rehydration system. It also contains Hyaluronic Acid fragments and Activated…

Since its glorious arrival in 2014, the Octo Finissimo has made its mark in the realms of horology for its groundbreaking design which blends the incredible visual artistry and the remarkable craftsmanship of Bvlgari, the Roman Jeweller of Time. Each of its 6 World-Record-holding designs reflects the pioneering spirit of the luxury brand with its excellence in both performance and execution—a testimony to the grand intention of defying norms and creating beautiful masterpieces unheard of before. More than 50 awards after, Octo Finissimo changed the world of men’s watches with new parameters for contemporary, urban watches setting new trends and new codes for ultra-thin and ultra-performing watches. Enriching the Octo Finissimo saga is the much-awaited debut of the Octo Finissimo Automatic Satin-Polished Steel, which is now offered with a polished…

Via Mare is Glenda Barretto. Glenda Barretto is Via Mare. And even beyond. The once-reluctant but principal mover in the success story of Via Mare, the restaurant, and subsequently its catering business, forever changed the playing field of Philippine cuisine almost half a century ago. Glenda and her team are staunch believers that Filipino food is at par with other international cuisines. "We have always tapped the freshest of our local ingredients and presented nothing-but-the-best Philippine fare to the global audience. And in so doing, we have tickled the curiosity of several highly-esteemed food critics to the wonders of our dishes," she revealed. "Tourists are always raring to try out our concoctions and hopefully in the age of social media, their stories and photographs may reach more and more travelers…

TRICK MIRROR: REFLECTIONS ON SELF-DELUSION BY JIA TOLENTINO “I loved watching people try to figure out if they had something to say,” wrote Tolentino in her article on personal essays. Trick Mirror was released to acclaim, thanks to her keen eye and a fresh sharp voice that examined the current political and social situations rampant in the world today. It was the kind of writing that inspired would-be writers to try and experiment with what they could produce in their writing, and made people sit up and take notice of the Filipina-American cultural commentator. HOW DO WE KNOW WE’RE DOING IT RIGHT: ESSAYS ON MODERN LIFE BY PANDORA SYKES One half of the team behind pop-culture podcast The High Low, Pandora Sykes questions today’s accepted wisdom on far-ranging topics like…

I t’s been over five months since the reality of COVID-19 hit home for us and yet everything from those days is as fresh in my mind as if they were yesterday. When I say home, I mean almost literally home as COVID hit patient number 142, my husband, Miguel. Fortunately, my family and I are all well now. Or as well as can be expected under these circumstances. Like everyone, we experienced (and continue to do so) the effects of COVID in all aspects of our lives—from our children’s education to our businesses and of course, the health of my husband. In the beginning, we did not even realize the gravity of this virus and the effects it would bring upon all of us. We thought it would just…

“This situation also made me feel very grateful and realized how fortunate and blessed I am to be able to stay at home and be with my family during these trying times.” In 2020, Sharmila Hiranand had a lot to look forward to. Her daughter Samantha was due to get married in Spain. It was going to be the first wedding in her nuclear family, and everyone was very excited. But COVID-19 threw a wrench in their plans like everyone else’s in the world. “Given the situation, we needed to postpone it hopefully for next year,” says Sharmila. “It was a huge bummer because we had already booked the hotels and the flight, sent out the invitations, and pretty much everything had been set up.” In the beginning, there was…

Tessa Prieto-Valdes knows that when restrictions are lifted, the new normal will be a strange and exciting time. “Getting our lives back on track after lockdown will be equally exciting and daunting for many of us. While we will surely find ourselves needing to embrace new ways of living and working, it’s important to stay positive and focused on our life’s purpose,” she says. Taking the time to reset and refresh has been a blessing, and according to her has provided a great opportunity for a life-changing and voluntary shift in behavior. “We need to view the lifting of lockdown as one step on the road back to how we wish to live,” says Tessa. “This extraordinary crisis has allowed everyone to recalibrate what matters to us, and to think…

After being in the retail business for 25 years as the co-founder of Plains and Prints with wife Roxanne, Erickson Farillas never thought he would get into the food business. In 2011, he stumbled into a hole in the wall restaurant in Hong Kong called Ramen Nagi. Inspiration struck; he had been searching for a long time to find a place in the Philippines that served authentic ramen. “It gave us the idea of bringing the brand home. It took two years of persuading the Japanese owners to allow us to bring it to the country,” says Erickson, “they were going back and forth to the Philippines to see if it is really a suitable market. On their third visit, my wife and I made them agree, so I guess…