Innholdsfortegnelse for Volume 1, 2021 i Lifestyle Asia

Combining style, comfort, and space, the RX is the first luxury crossover SUV to wear the Lexus badge proudly. It also happens to be the most popular model sold by Lexus Philippines. The combination of sharp lines with rounded edges gives the RX an aggressive yet sensual stance, and makes the car look compact and agile. The sharp shoulder lines and raked pillars create a visual statement that is one of the hallmarks of the badge. The RX comes with a panoramic sunroof, door handle illumination, LED headlights, and customizable 20-inch alloys. A 3.5-liter V6 direct-injection engine mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission powers the vehicle. One of the things I appreciate with Lexus cars is the smooth ride, thanks to the Adaptive Variable Suspension, which continually adjusts shock absorber…

Last December, after nine months of being locked down in Manila during the pandemic, I was ecstatic to finally get the chance to travel to one of my favorite islands in the country—El Nido, Palawan. The last time I visited the island was in 2018 when I joined the Tao expedition and sailed on a Parao (a local sailboat), from Coron to El Nido. That journey took all of five days and is probably one of my most memorable experiences to date. Punctuated by vistas of majestic limestone formations, vibrant sunsets and crystal clear, blindingly blue waters, the trip was breathtaking and I clearly remember docking in El Nido with sun-kissed skin and a grateful heart. Named by Conde Nast as one of the “Best Island Beaches in the World,”…

“As long as we have good health, good food, and basic necessities, we are good” Going back to abandoned passion projects was a popular pursuit over the pandemic, with many forced to spend more time at home. For Cecile Zamora, the woman behind Chuvaness.com, it meant a continued immersion in her many passions. One such undertaking is Zamora’s love of turntablism, and those visiting her home will find an entire DJ booth in her living room. Custom-made by E. Murio, the booth is one of her new favorite additions to her house, allowing her to refine her skills while concerts and shows are still prohibited from being staged. To resemble the thrilling ambiance in bars and clubs, she ordered a special light projector from London, adding a beautiful strobe effect…

Our living spaces speak volumes about us, and the way we design and curate them reflect how we want to feel at home. And for chef and restaurateur Happy Ongpauco-Tiu, what she wants embracing every room of her house is positivity. Describing it as “modern tropical,” her own home design is bright, warm, and playful. She extends these traits to her newest venture, My Happy Home, a store for her curated home finds. It opened last year and has been enjoying a fruitful and positive reception since then. There is a “mish mash of themes and motifs to cater to every home and lifestyle,” Ongpauco-Tiu says of her new store. She worked with interior designer Chat Fores, who is known for eclectic design sensibilities. “She wanted to showcase the variety…

On New Year's Eve, all roads lead to Casino Español de Cebu. It is a well-honored pilgrimage for a hundred years, save for the Second World War. During the last day of the year, most members and their families gather for the solemn celebration of the Holy Eucharist officiated by Monsignor Achilles Dacay for the annual blessings to bid farewell to the old and welcome the new. The babies and toddlers, the teenagers and their respective gangs and the caringly-assisted frail and the fragile, head for home for an early repass. After rest and sleep (hopefully), they will be wakened as the calendar changes dates. As the sun sets, los miembros gather back at the hotspot for cocktails of locally loved cervezas, sangria, y Vinos de España. They are paired…

Windows and displays are ephemeral, a fleeting sight that would soon be replaced. If these creations are by Chito Vijandre and Ricky Toledo, losing such a beauty without immortalization would be even more of a pity. “We put a lot of effort in concept, design, sourcing, and assembly and yet after one season, you have to take them down to make way for the next,” says Vijandre, one-half of the creative duo behind Firma and AC+632. “It’s almost so sad to see them being dismantled so aside from recording them digitally, there was a need to document the whole process from the study trips and travels to the inspirations, the research, the design process and actual mounting.” This need has led to their book, The Art of Window, Display, and…

During one of the first few weeks of the year, my friends and I decided to go on a quick weekend road trip to Tagaytay. The popular city down south is just perfect for those impromptu getaways, being within a relative stone’s throw away from Manila. After quickly calling Anya Resort Tagaytay to book my favorite garden suite and messaging Tony Boy Escalante for a nice dinner at Antonio’s, we were set. Friday came and it was just perfect—bright and sunny but not so hot. We left the metro around 10am, which was enough of a time allowance to make it to Anya by lunch. In just under two hours, we were greeted by Tagaytay’s refreshing weather and fresh air, signaling the start of our recharging weekend. ON THE WAY…

Since she was little, Pie Alvarez has had an admiration for interior design. This appreciation for what makes a home beautiful is one of the factors that fueled the former San Vicente, Palawan mayor’s personal pandemic project—the renovation of her apartment. “It took about 45 days to start and finish all construction, interiors, and, of course, the finishing touches to finally make it a home,” Alvarez shares. She worked with Pauline and John Sac, her good friends who run the design firm 50/53A & Co. “What matters most to me is that they get me, my style, my vibe and they really listen to my needs, and ideas,” she explains. “ HOME IS TRULY WHERE THE HEART IS ” Last year, PIE ALVAREZ had her apartment renovated into a wonderful…

“I have a great respect for tradition,” says Nathalie Küpfer Henares, “not just the wonderful traditions that I was lucky to learn from my French grandmother and mother, but also those I had the privilege of discovering through travel and those of the craftsmen and artisans I work with.” The founder of PORTORO Interior says it is an honor to share these traditions with her clients, particularly those for entertaining guests at home. “My great respect for craftsmanship stems from working with a number of master craftsmen on our collections and regular offerings,” Küpfer Henares says. “I have seen first-hand the way they uphold the meticulous methods and the emphasis on quality materials that have been passed on from one generation to another, yet they are open to innovative thinking…

Three masters of international design are highlighted in B&B Italia’s new outdoor collection. The new lines feature sofas, armchairs, tables, and ottoman designed by Antonio Citterio, Naoto Fukasawa, and Philippe Starck. Their different styles and perspectives have led to the creation of project areas not previously explored by the company, allowing the opportunity to continue in the search for increasingly environmentally-friendly solutions. Combined with the vision of B&B Italia, these collections uses unique and distinctive aesthetic languages. Three stories suitable for different spaces, from traditional buildings to the most extreme architectures, from private spaces to public areas, from gardens to yacht decks. While they are made for the outside, they also fit well indoors. In the Philippines, B&B Italia and Maxalto are exclusively distributed by Focus Global Inc. Call 8705-9999,…

They are known as Volvo’s in-house detectives. Yet they could also be called the Swedish carmaker’s own CSI team, with a little twist on the acronym of TV fame. The crash scene investigators of the Volvo Car Accident Research Team celebrated its 50th anniversary last year. They are ready around the clock to make sure that Volvo cars learns from real-life accidents and constantly improves its cars. “The Accident Research Team’s hard work and research allows Volvo Cars to make sure that a tragic traffic accident can lead to something good: ever safer cars,” says Malin Ekholm, head of the Volvo Cars Safety Centre. “By closely analyzing what has happened during each phase of an accident, the team provides crucial information on what can be improved on our cars.” The…

With the success of his previous works that draw attention to the rehabilitation of the Pasig River, Leeroy New continues to use his skills to further the vision. Three years ago, Pasig River Art for Urban Change was launched through a partnership between the British Council and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA). A floating performance garden—made possible via a Burning Man Global Arts grant—and nine painted pumping stations after, New shows no signs of resting any time soon. FLOWING ART Since last September, you can catch the multi-talented artist traversing the narrow walkways along the riverbank on some days of the week, painting under the heat of the sun. In vibrant colors that effectively draw the eye to his riverside canvas even from several yards away, New calmly paints…

“When in Tali, my favorite spot is always the water! Enjoying the good weather, food, and ocean while surrounded by the best company or simply sailing my way thru the waves. There are many spots in the area that are better appreciated from the water while in a boat and that unique view makes the experience even more special. Not to mention that you can get the freshest seafood in your hands from the fisherman selling from their bangka. My favorite spot to spend a wonderful weekend with friends.” -Javi Martinez “It’s everything you ever want, everything you ever need, and it's here in front of you” so goes the song from The Greatest Showman. Perhaps the greatest lesson COVID-19 has given us is to take a closer look and…

The most beautiful hamlet in France? Hmmm. You need to see to believe. Prepare to be spellbound and captivated, entranced, and fascinated. And kindly don’t tell us we didn’t warn you! Riquewihr, pronounced as ʁikviʁ, is prominently listed in the elite Les Plus Beaux Villages de France, which roughly translates to the Most Beautiful Villages of France. This most-coveted distinction is solely bestowed to a select handful of deserving vicinities in the country, given after a stringent 27-criteria classification. It is a proud achievement. Splendidly situated between the low-ranged Vosges Mountains at the Alsace Region, the storybook of a village is some 350 kilometers away from Paris. With fewer than 2,000 citizens, Riquewihr proudly possesses medieval sites and ancient monuments, which have been faithfully protected, preserved, and promoted as an…

Derek Ramsay has always been passionate about building homes. On one hand, he has been the longtime ambassador of Habitat for Humanity in the Philippines, supporting and participating in the organization’s housing advocacies for displaced communities. On the other hand, his current creative project—a four-level house in the South—is the fourth home that he has built in the last five years. “Maybe I should try to [build, style, and sell houses] as a profession. Why not?” he quips. The actor confesses that he enjoys the creative process, and that people have complimented his taste in furniture, art, and interiors. “I didn’t study [design] formally. I’m going with what people say, and I hope that they’re being honest,” he chuckles. “I realized how talented and diverse our creatives are in this…

Spanning three generations and seven decades, Jul B. Dizon Jewellery continues to be a favorite for many of Manila’s social set. Drawing inspiration from riveting stories that transpire in the worlds of nature, music, and abstract ideas, each meticulously crafted design is a marvel to look at and a treasure to be worn. And with creativity and craftsmanship inherent among the women of her family, opportunity knocked on Candy Dizon’s door. Where instead of fitting precious gems into handcrafted jewelry, she found herself renovating the family home. FROM JEWELRY TO HOMES Not an entirely new experience for her, Dizon's first attempt at a home makeover was March 2020. Stuck in New York due to the lockdown, a dear friend of hers asked for assistance in fixing her house. Expecting no…