Innholdsfortegnelse for April 2022 i Lifestyle Asia

Home is where the heart is—an idea bolstered by the pandemic. Before COVID, a home was just a place to sleep for many people. But millions around the world were forced by lockdown restrictions to adapt and exist within their spaces. Some were lucky to have wide spaces to work with, some had the luxury of having nature around them and some, like condo dwellers, had to maximize where they live. The pandemic has transformed the idea of a home in more ways than one. People had to work, exercise, learn how to cook, and do all activities at home. There was also a migration, people started to move out of the metro to bigger spaces near the beach or somewhere closer to or within nature. Suddenly properties outside of…

After Carlo Calma and his design firm received back-to-back recognition for their projects in the World Architecture Festival and Concrete Construction Awards, they didn't spend the better part of a year celebrating. Rather, they immediately went back to the drawing board. To whittle away at all the work cut out for them. The success of Carlo Calma Consultancy Inc.’s Cagbalete Sand Clusters, Museum for Architecture + Residences, and Infinity House were just the beginning of a lasting legacy. Since then, they've been busy on ongoing projects of private, secondary, and vacation beach homes. Their clientele had realized the importance of having homes to escape to, whether it’s during lockdowns or the simple occasion of having a nomad office somewhere isolated. On top of a resort project in San Vicente inspired…

Willie So and Janina Paredes are both triathletes and met each other while running. “Not to mention we also have the same coach which made everything easier and more fun,” says Paredes. Together for four years, So worked with Paredes’ mom and sister on the engagement. “He set it up by having my mom tell me there was a patient who needed to be checked in the optical to make sure I looked good and dressed well,” says Paredes, who is an optometrist. He then set up their condo’s function room to be ready for the proposal. “When it was time to go, my mom suddenly took a detour saying we needed to sign a few papers with the condominium admin, and once we entered the function room, where he…

“I use the metaphor of the magical mirror to approach the phantasmagorical power of fashion” It’s one thing after another for Gucci these past few weeks. After making a comeback to Milan Fashion Week with its Exquisite collection, the Italian fashion house has launched a collaboration with Adidas as well as its star-studded Love Parade campaign. Presented at the Gucci Hub in Milan, the F/W 2022 line was done in a hall of mirrors to underscore the inspiration behind the pieces. “In the 13th century, Vincent de Beauvais’ Speculum majus endorses the mirror as an essential knowledge instrument. Through the mirror, it is, in fact, possible to reach a transparent and exact comprehension of reality,” Gucci creative director Alessandro Michelle beings to explain. “Its reflective capacity would make it possible…

Macallan recently released the world's oldest whiskey to date, an 81-year-old single malt. Named "The Reach," the whiskey was distilled beginning in 1940, during World War II. There are only 288 bottles for sale and retails for $125,000 or almost P6.5 million. In 2018, the Scottish distillery released a 60-year-old bottle, which would be sold for almost $2 million in the auction a year later. With that amount, you might wonder why is whiskey more valuable the longer it's aged. According to Glenlivet's, another top Scottish distillery, brand ambassador Craig Bridger, the longer the scotch is in the barrel, the more of it evaporates. He explains to Insider that by the 21-year mark, 30 to 40 percent of what's in the barrel is gone. The natural part of the process…

Do you remember the last major fête you threw? COVID-19 has put a stop to all of our party planning dreams for two years now, and only now are we seeing a slight resurgence in a person braving the outside world to see friends and reach for something that equals our old lives, no matter how impossible that seems. Yoli Ayson is one of those people. The society doyenne threw a shindig with her bosom buddies Agile Zamora and Beging Soriano. Other than being close friends, they saw the opportunity to celebrate their January birthday. The location of choice was at the Grand Hyatt Garden Pavilion, due to its open space. “It’s an open location, so we knew we would be safe,” says Ayson. All their friends were excited to…

My design journey has been long and far from straightforward. It has meandered like a serpentine river or a winding path. It has led me to things both planned and fortuitous, and brought me to far away places for a good part of my life. I could trace the beginnings of what has become a lifelong passion all the way back to my childhood. I have always loved beautiful things and enjoyed looking at furniture and interiors. At a young age I also had the opportunity to travel. This exposure further nurtured my love for all things beautiful. Going to museums also developed in me an appreciation for the visual arts. But what really ignited my love for design was my art class when I was a sophomore in high…

When Camille Lhuillier closes shop at Palacio de Memoria as general manager, she retires at her San Miguel Village home in Makati. Although she returns to the same address daily, any accompanying visitor could easily mistake her house for the Amazon halfway across the globe. Pops of green connect each room to the other. A hanging light resembling a bird is perched atop, while a monkey fixture sits not too far away in the powder room. Meanwhile, a wall of dark green subway tiles matching the rest of the house adorns the master bath. “I call the house ‘tropical luxe.’ Because it’s like very high-end, tropical, but it’s very luxurious as well. It’s really fun. We wanted moments that were different from each other but living in the same space,”…

Architect Cathy Saldaña is of note in her field not just for the path she paved in a male-dominated profession for girls much like her childhood self More than just being a role model to look up to, she has become a mentor who asks fellow women to walk with her in leading the way to a better tomorrow. ADDRESS OF PROGRESS “We need more women in the difficult and more technical areas of design and construction. As I enter a meeting, say for Transport Planning, all heads around me are male. Yet you find so many ladies in Interiors, in fine jewelry design, and furniture detailing. We need to strip ourselves of the bias and niches,” Saldaña tells Lifestyle Asia. The architect hopes that more young girls will see…

JENNI EPPERSON The interior stylist points out a gift from her husband, Tom, as her favorite thing in her home. "[It's] an original Slim Aarons photograph entitled 'Poolside Gossip,'" Epperson shares. "The iconic 1970 photograph of California society women enjoying a leisurely day by the pool at the Kauffman House. In the foreground, two women are locked in conversation by a sparkling turquoise swimming pool, cocktails in hand, overlooking a few leggy friends and the idyllic purple mountains of Palm Springs." The piece greets everyone from her home's entryway, "this photograph puts a smile on my face. It reminds me of how fun it is to be around nature with people you love while dressed to the nines." AMINA ARANAZ-ALUNAN A pair of tropical lounge chairs she purchased in 2018…

DIOR Dior’s new line ABCDior uses its Mitzah scarf collection prints to design functional homeware pieces. The pattern, designed by creative director Maria Grazia Chiuri, is turned into plates, stationery, and candle holders. The French house also reinvents its signature toile de Jouy motif for the collection. Initially, the pattern was used to upholster Dior’s first boutique, “Colifichets,” in 1947. AARDE Pauline Moscoso-Sorrell founded the homegrown brand. She started the venture as someone who fell “in love” with ceramics in Japan. After getting inspiration from quaint ceramic stores owned by the same families for generations, she launched Aarde in 2018. So far, Aarde, which translates to “of the earth,” has released four collections from different origins. First, The Ochre Series is made with handmade Filipino stoneware. Second is Series II,…

It's all about sustainable solutions, says Ignite Impact Fund founder Maoi Arroyo. “It’s very easy, when you go to a coastal community to tell people to stop dynamite fishing because you’re ruining the corals which is the heritage of humanity and your grandchildren,” Arroyo says. “They’re just going to look at you and say, ‘What are we going to feed our children tomorrow?’” Mere prohibition is not enough to alleviate extreme poverty and protect our country’s rich marine environment in coastal communities. Not replacing destructive fishing practices with better means of livelihood just perpetuates the cycle. Finding these sustainable solutions is currently one of the focus of Ignite Impact Fund, a social impact investment firm which aims to make meaningful investments. “The net present value of our marine biodiversity in…

TJ Young and Dianne Sadian first met in their shared office in 2014. Both in marketing at the time, they were stationed at different buildings and would see each other once in a while during meetings. “Back then, we were just colleagues and friends, nothing more than that,” says Sadian. By 2016, they were working in the same building, and that’s when they started to get to know each other. “That’s [when] our friendship began, we found that we had quite a few common interests in shows and movies and that he was really easy to get along with but we were just friends,” she says. According to Sadian, he had a reputation of being a jokester in the workplace. In 2018, things started changing. “During a trip with some…

Korean dramas are rife with actresses with soft, bouncy skin, with faces that give you the urge to prick their cheeks with a needle-like you would a pincushion. The bounce gives the perky illusion of youth, as in the skin you had as a child, except this time you are an older woman. In the Philippines, that specific trend hasn’t made its way yet here; the current preference is firmed tone skin. Thanks to pioneering advances by The Aivee Clinic, it hasn’t been an impossible task. The brand has been consistent in providing top-of-the-line innovated machines for skin tightening in the Philippines. For many years now is known to provide reliable treatment for whatever skin needs you have. Their latest cutting-edge technology is the launch of Aivee Sofwave™, whose launch…

“When they see something, an Ann Ong, they would really be fascinated” Untarnished, unassuming, and undulating. Jewelry designer Ann Ong has an understated presence that draws the eye without yelling for attention. The same can be said of her portfolio of handmade pieces that continue to collect intrigue in distant points of the globe. Having established her name and brand, Ong still takes every opportunity to present in fashion shows worldwide. Risks are all part of the game. And she’s ready to take them for her country at any given moment. ORIENTAL PEARL “When I started my journey, I really made it a point to be in the global arena, to compete in the global market. That Filipinos, we can compete and we can deliver. So I’m happy to always…

Doctors Aivee and Z Teo are best known for being the couple behind a series of luxe, cosmetic dermatology clinics in the country and in Singapore dubbed as The Aivee Clinic. They, however, have become household names for so much more than their business. Their family’s well-documented adventures and daily pursuits offer aspirational content to their followers who have gotten to know them beyond what they do for a living. From their travels, fun vacations, and even their growing pack of giant poodles, people have grown to love the Teos and their kids. There’s 14-year-old Kenz, Kenzo who’s 10, and nine-year-old Kelicia who’s also their only daughter. IN THE LIMELIGHT “The home can not be dark—we do not like dark interiors” “I would say that out of the three kids,…

“Through each move, we have edited and curated all the pieces that have meaning for us” In middle school, among many friends whose homes made an impression, the house of a classmate, Betina, was one that is always remembered. From memory, the house was a minimalist, high-concept dwelling, with art pieces that stood out in sharp relief. There was a lot of glass. For someone used to a home with a lot of clutter, this was the first residence that stood out. Betina is the eldest daughter of Ricco and Tina Ocampo, entrepreneurial tastemakers who have left their name on most everything worth knowing: from retail brands to restaurants, the Ocampos have influenced us in ways that, if you are unknowing, you probably don’t realize. That house visited in early…

Designers follow the creative path for different reasons. Some want to create tangible versions of what they picture in their minds, while others fall in love with the technical process. For Kenneth Cobonpue, it was both. As the son of Betty, the furniture designer who invented a patented technique for working with rattan, he grew up around craftsmanship. Betty would read bedtime stories to her son despite her busy schedule without fail. After hearing fairy tales before falling asleep, Cobonpue would dream and wake up the following day inspired to create. "We were manufacturing out of our house. Every time I woke up, it was all there. So I learned how to build things from all the craftsmen who were around me," he shares. "And so it was very natural…

Carl DeGuzman and Patricia Limcaoco met when they were studying at Stanford University. “We were both members of the Pilipino American Student Union,” says Limcaoco. Together for 10 years, DeGuzman proposed while they were both on vacation in El Nido, Palawan, in January 2020. To keep everyone safe, all guests were required to present proof of COVID-19 vaccination and proof of negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours prior to attending the wedding. The wedding weekend took place in San Francisco. They started with a welcome cocktail reception at the Conservatory of Flowers in Golden Gate Park, for all their guests who were coming from out of the Bay Area. “San Francisco had late-springlike temperatures in February that winter weekend which made all the outdoor activities enjoyable,” says the couple. This…

If there is one thing we can unanimously agree on, it’s that we all want a taste of the luxuries in life. Whether we are still finding our footing in the world of adulthood as young professionals, or have garnered multitudes of titles and accolades across various industries, the end-goal in life is simple: to lay back on our home couch carrying the eternal feeling of freedom, comfort, and contentment. Real estate developers SMDC and Federal Land, Inc. believe in this joint future we are all building towards, and have now set a new standard for luxury living with The Estate Makati. Situated on Ayala Avenue’s row of luxury apartments, this high-rise now proves to be the prime choice for those seeking for luxury and comfort in the years to…

“We designed our clinical space with the patient’s psyche and behavior in mind” No one likes going to the dentist: it’s a chore most of the time. At best all you need is a cleaning (or in dental terms, oral prophylaxis), and even that means lying with your mouth gaped open for an uncomfortable amount of time. Enter Zentistry. The brainchild of Dr. Sonny Torres Oliva, the clinic uses scientifically based principles with a focus on elevating a patient’s dental experience. According to chief operating officer Dr. Cara Gonzalez, Zentistry practices the Sensory Remodeling Technique: the idea that the brain is capable of rewiring and creating new associations to previous experiences when reinforced with new experiences. All your bad memories at the dentist might slowly melt away after enough sessions…

HEART EVANGELISTA The multi-hyphenate star attended many couture shows, including Fendi, Elie Saab, Viktor and Rolf, and Balmain at Paris Fashion Week. During her January trip, Evangelista also shared that it was her first time taking on fashion week without her trusted stylists. However, she did well on her own by formulating looks by David Koma, Chanel, Zuhair Murad, and Filipino designer Mark Bumgarner. VICKY BELO Fashion week regular and celebrity dermatologist Dr. Vicky Belo brought actress and artist Solenn Heussaff to Fendi’s F/W show in Milan. Belo was also accompanied by her husband, Dr. Hayden Kho. In the eventful week, Belo stuck to elegant pieces by Gucci, Louis Vuitton, and Fendi, of course. She wore edgy Dust of Gods jackets over gowns, styled by Pam Quiñones of Qurator Studio…

“There was a need for it, and we heeded the call” Like all professions, the beauty salon industry was one of the hardest hit during COVID 19. According to Piandré Salon general manager Andrea Zulueta Lorenzana, they had never closed for more than two days. The business has been around since 1987, which means it has seen some very heady days in Philippine history. “We were open during the coup in the 80s, during all major economic recessions and all major weather disasters,’ says Lorenzana. “This was the first time that we had to close so it hit us hard.” To stay afloat, Piandré pivoted to doing home service for clients. This worked for a while, but as new variants reared their ugly heads, Lorenzana and her team noticed that…

“Stephanie makes me believe in the possibilities of the future” Stephanie Kienle Gonzalez has just come out with her first book, which is published by Rizzoli New York. Titled Embracing Natural Design: Inspired Living, the book is described as a showcase of stylish homes that blend artisanal craftsmanship with a fresh naturalistic design approach. “Throughout the pages of this book, I share the personal spaces in which I have spent hours passionately working, entertaining, and relaxing,” Kienle Gonzalez writes in the introduction of the 224-page tome. Beautifully photographed, the residences featured demonstrate a thoughtful layering of classic and modern furnishings, showing how to bring sustainable elements into your living space. By employing the use of organic forms, stone and wood pieces, and natural weaves with texture, such as seagrass, caning,…

Ryna Brito, under 30 and overachieving, launched her own domestic boutique charter airline to provide travel experiences that go the extra mile around the Philippines. Sunlight Air officially departed in December 2019, unaware that COVID-19 loomed just beyond the horizon. “Everybody knows that the tourism industry is badly hit by the pandemic, so I guess I can say that operating and launching an airline just 3 months shy from the onset of the pandemic can be quite the challenge, even crazy for some,” Brito tells Lifestyle Asia. PILOT EPISODE The airline was prepared to fully operate in a non-pandemic world. Then all domestic flights were halted in March 2020 to contain the coronavirus spread. Consequently, their estimated time of arrival kept getting pushed back until one day, it became unclear.…

Located at The Farm at San Benito, a medical wellness resort in Batangas, Pinky Tobiano built her vacation home to be one with nature. As a busy chemist and CEO of Progressive Laboratories, philanthropist, wife, mother, and tablescape enthusiast, it's where she can recenter. “It means unstoppable success to the people living in the home” “The Farm is the perfect place for me because of their philosophy, and the people are truly warm and very hospitable. The place has a magic of its own. I can relax, meditate, and work very well here. It has the highest energy vortex, which allows you to commune with nature,” Tobiano tells Lifestyle Asia. “The Farm is best for people with auto-immune challenges and fibromyalgia because they offer so many treatments from Colema to…

Atfter returning to Manila from the Dubai World Expo 2020, Ito Kish tells us how exhausting the 10 days in the exhibition were. Despite the long days roaming around the over 1,000 acres site, it was a fulfilling excursion. After all, the event , which is held every five years, was delayed due to the pandemic. The past two years living in a pandemic have been a rollercoaster for the interior and furniture designer. In January 2020, he just got back from trips to New York, Paris, and the Netherlands. Then, he was tapped to curate Manila Fame that October. And in March, on the night lockdown was announced, he launched his eponymous store that is open by appointment only. "But as we went along, things were starting to change.…

"We are entering a digital world, and 5G is in play right now,” Sherwin Hing begins, barely containing his enthusiasm. He is barely skimming over the enormity of that statement, as he is putting in his share of building blocks and scaffoldings to get Filipinos game-ready, as executive chairman of Alliance Towers, Inc., a major player in one of the most bustling industries in the world today—Passive Telecommunications Tower Infrastructure. Hing can afford to sit back for a bit and happily report that his company is delivering work as scheduled, and now that business has slowly begin to normalize, work can only get better for them. Only a few industries can report growth over the lockdown, like Alliance Towers (ALT Global Solutions then) can because they didn’t take a break…