Innholdsfortegnelse for September 2021 i Lifestyle Asia

“It is also a reminder that our past and our challenges do not define us, but strengthen us” About 31 months ago, I was writing my very first editor’s letter. The letter was about partly imparting the new brand essence and core of Lifestyle Asia. “The new Lifestyle Asia aims to give powerful, optimistic and relevant messages by narrating stories of inspiring beacons in Philippine society, who live life the way they envisioned it to be, enriching their lives and the life of others—this is a meaningful life,” I wrote then. We’ve set forth that renewed brand meaning and we’ve come a long way in inculcating this in our pages and in the lives of our readers. For Volume III, we highlight a life full of meaning with stories of…

There are many reasons not to open a restaurant—in fact, any business with a physical location at all—during this time: the Covid-19 pandemic is still here, cases are still rising, variants quietly lurking, and the country is technically still in lockdown, which means people are at home, not out like they used to be. For Raintree Hospitality Group, however, the opportunities outweigh the challenges—at least for their newly-opened resto, Farmer's Table. “We saw a unique opportunity and took it,” says Anabella Wisniewski, chairman of the hospitality group. “It became more meaningful during the pandemic as we are able to help alleviate the plight of many struggling people through job creation and at the same time help lift the low morale of the community through a new and vibrant project.” Located…

Years ago, Sara Black was a full-time photographer, working in a starkly different industry filled with celebrities and cameras. Today, she finds herself living a decidedly slower, more contemplative life as a meditation and energy coach. “I can’t really identify one monumental shift, it really happened gradually over time,” Black admits. A couple of health scares—breast cancer, which turned out benign, and a multiple hip fracture from triathlon training—allowed her to realize that she was living a life in disharmony and imbalance. “And that provoked me to go seeking for peace, true joy and a deeper experience of love.” GUIDE FROM BEYOND That search led her to Rishikesh, at the foothills of the Himalayas in Northern India, a year after her triathlon accident. Black frequented the city, considered to be…

LA PRAIRE PURE GOLD COLLECTION Gold This brand never fails to amaze me with its new innovative ingredients. Now, it’s Gold. La Prairie has developed a new and exclusive Pure Gold Diffusion System designed to provide immediate radiance. The Pure Gold Diffusion System works in a three-peak action sequence. Upon application, they immediately penetrate the skin and initiate nourishment and revitalization. Finally, a steady release of the replenishing active ingredients attached to submicron gold particles completes the sequence. Once released, they penetrate into the skin in a delayed infusion. This is to ensure that optimal levels are maintained in the skin and further support long-term reconstruction. This product will provide immediate radiance, leaving skin enriched, revitalized, and replenished. MARIO BADESCU HYALURONIC DEW CREAM Hyaluronic acid They say that hyaluronic acid…

GLASS LIPS Transparent lipgloss or lip oils are key products when you want your lips to look moisturized in their natural color MIRROR SKIN Your skin's quality takes center stage here. Instead of heavy concealers, all you need is clean skin and your favorite highlighter or skin illuminator NATURAL SEPARATED EYELASHES Instead of the usual routine of elongating eyelashes, separate them with a mascara wand brush for effortlessly sultry eyes ILLUMINATED EYES When you swipe on a shimmer-infused eye product, it adds that essential glow this K-Beauty trend calls for MATTE MAUVE Instead of swiping on lipstick, K-Beauty gurus gently dab on products for a subtle and refined flair…

Beyond the majestic Chocolate Hills and the abundance of tarsiers in lush forests, Bohol is home to marvelous destinations that make it worth visiting again and again. From the luxurious hotel resorts, diving sites, to the bars and restaurants offering dishes with creative takes on local flavors, the island of Panglao is the destination of those desiring an unforgettable escape away from the bustle of city life. FINDING SERENITY Alona Beach in Panglao is a crowd favorite for its white sand, stunning reefs, azure blue waters, and rocky cliffs. Home to many hotels and restaurants, the beach offers a delightful experience. It is a well-known scuba-diving and snorkeling spot but because it sits near a “house” reef, tourists can witness marine life even without diving equipment. Starting with the largest…

“Many people say my artwork is social realism, yes in a way because I paint from photos I take, but I also re-write a part of the person's story... which is why I like to paint people that I don't know” A browse through Solenn Heussaff’s Instagram conveys the many hats she wears: mother, wife, artist, actress, fitness fanatic, brand ambassador, and business owner. But that's just the tip of the iceberg of what she wants to become. “I just want to keep growing and learning. I am excited to see what I am capable of doing," she shares. In the middle of the pandemic we are all living through, Heussaff finds the drive to broaden her horizons by knowing that humans have the capabilities to adapt. The 35-year-old has…

With an abundance of places to visit and experiences to have, it is easy to feel enthused and chase after life’s numerous adventures. Daniel Miranda is one to tread a thrilling path through his promising career in kart racing. “Growing up, I’ve been very active. I like the adrenaline. I like the rush,” he says. He recounts the story of his father Martin Miranda, who is also a karter, motocross rider, and drag-racer, teaching him and his brother the basics of racing. “I was not scared of the speed,” recalls Miranda, who was then 12. Although his father was initially hesitant, he eventually supported his son’s newfound passion. From pursuing a career in kart racing, Miranda found himself swept in new roles he is proud to take: a loving partner…

At 10 years old, Kelly Mi Li moved with her mother from Kunming, China to the US for better opportunities. Without a set goal for her new life, she knew that following her intuition would lead her to fulfillment. As one of the producers and cast members of Netflix’s Bling Empire, she shares how the show was conceptualized as well as the importance of the Stop Asian Hate movement and her advocacy on mental health. “Start conversations with the people around you about Asian hate crimes, racism, and discrimination” CONNECTING WITH AUDIENCES Kelly Mi Li was reading Kevin Kwan’s Crazy Rich Asians when she recognized the book’s fictional characters were similar to her actual friends. This moment provided the spark for Bling Empire, and together with Keeping Up With The…

Throughout the years, the concept of beauty has transformed to be inclusive. When Bianca Araneta Elizalde was still a commercial model, she recalls there was a distinct standard. From having straight, immaculate black hair, fair skin, a 24-inch waistline, to an extremely thin physique, beautiful women had to fit within these ideals. Fortunately, Elizalde says a lot has changed. “They're embracing different body types,” she explains. But beyond this acceptance, she perceives beauty from a self-care perspective. Wellness has become a manifestation of beauty—eating healthy translates to feeling good—something the former model and founder of The Wholesome Table strongly advocates. COMMITTED TO WELLNESS Elizalde’s journey to healthy eating began upon reading a book on nutrition. “They never taught nutrition in class,” she says. “You learn about the different food groups,…

According to Kérastase, they have a “care-first philosophy.” “We work with the best hairdressers to provide to all women the ultimate solutions to care for their hair,” it reads on their company website. “At Kérastase, we believe there is not one single interpretation of beauty but an infinity. We enhance all types of beauty, cultures, visions... and of course, all types of hair.” Since the French luxury hair and scalp brand advocates for individuality, personalized hair care through diagnosis is done to understand each woman's individual needs. It has come up with lines that highlight rare and highly concentrated ingredients that sink deep into the fibers, healing the hair from the inside out. These Kérastase Rituals revolve around the majority of hair concerns: OLEO RELAX OIL This lightweight texturizing hair…

Since its opening in 2018, The Fat Seed Café + Roastery earned a warm reception for its vibrant interiors, extensive menu appealing to different tastebuds, and creative take on coffee shops. With a name coming from the idea of a seed planted in well-nourished soil, they are committed to their mission of bringing people together. “When you're trying to create a lifestyle coffee shop, you have to have everything where you can see from start to finish,” founder and owner Bryant Dee explains. The store has to have life that no matter the background or purpose of visiting, customers will leave with a smile on their faces. “I want them to feel welcome… [the café] is kind of like a common ground for everyone.” OUTPOUR OF ART Having worked in…

A roaring flame in the form of an invisible threat has engulfed the world, leaving misery in its wake for millions of Filipinos as it pervaded the country. What once was a buoyant people now find themselves struggling to keep afloat. Offices have been closed down and life as we knew it has been shut in for an indefinite period. Searching for a sense of our old life, we’ve turned to technology to help us remain steady somehow: using technology has been crucial for us to keep our source of income from work and business, as well as a way to keep in touch with our loved ones whom we can’t visit for our own safety. This dependency on technology has revealed the human truth on the importance of our…

Cornerstone Entertainment’s president Erickson Raymundo is on Instagram at @visionerickson. His handle is more than just a cool or creative name, however, as Sam Milby shares. Everyone at the company calls him “Vision” because his leadership, management, and vision catapulted the talent management agency toward greater heights. “When you’re able to do good things and affect others positively through the work that you do, it makes you feel good. It makes you feel a sense of purpose in your life, which is important” From a talent management agency, Cornerstone has grown into a full-fledged entertainment agency. Under one roof, the company now adds concert and event production, TV & film production, a music label, a publishing arm, entertainment facilities, and digital management in their roster of services. Their strong partnerships…

While some of our interests when we were young are now long-lost memories, Drake Dustin Ibay used his childhood affinity for precious stones to launch the fine jewelry brand LVNA. “My love for jewelry started from a very young age. It started with my love for crystals and gemstones, and its metaphysical properties. It’s been a passion of mine to this day,” he shares. “In these times of uncertainty, we want to reach out our hands as well to those people suffering from sickness and poverty due to the world’s current situation” Metaphysics is a branch of philosophy that examines the relationship between mind and matter. Some of the metaphysical properties of gemstones are said to include healing, protection, and manifestation—influences that flourish through Ibay’s brand. The jeweler was prompted…

Stephanie Coyiuto-Tay knows the joy that good design brings to our living spaces. “Home furnishing is very personal,” says the co-founder of Casa Bella Home & Living and DesignStory. Over the years, she and her husband Joseph Tay have built strong relationships with clients whose design needs were the origins of the couple’s other exciting ventures. These include Fig & Vine Floral Studio, a new bar design concept at DesignStory, office furniture company ContractWorld, and Taylor Living, which offers American contemporary pieces. Coyiuto-Tay is touched deeply to know that has done a project well as this gives a deeper meaning to her work. It means that “the trust went beyond the home furnishing but to the family’s general lifestyle,” she says. Stenie, as family and good friends call her, shares…