Innholdsfortegnelse for Sep-20 i Tatler Philippines

TATLER HONG KONG On the cover of Tatler Hong Kong are property tycoon Cecil Chao and his daughter Gigi. The duo discuss rebuilding their relationship after Cecil sparked a global media storm in 2012 by publicly offering US$65 million to any man who could convince Gigi, once described as the “most famous lesbian in Asia”, to marry him. tatlerhongkong.com TATLER INDONESIA Justin Lim, the director of the multi-pronged, globe-spanning Hemera Group, talks about pivoting his businesses in Southeast Asia in response to the coronavirus pandemic. He is planning to open Covid-19 testing labs in Indonesia and glove and mask factories in Malaysia, among other projects. tatlerindonesia.com TATLER MALAYSIA On the cover of Tatler Malaysia’s September issue is acclaimed rug designer Omar Khan, whose creations can be seen in luxury hotels…

BAMBINA OLIVARES This author, journalist and branding and media strategist has made Manila her home after living in eight cities abroad for 30 years. Her byline has appeared in many publications globally, including the New York-based fashion newspaper of record, Women’s Wear Daily. In this issue, she chats with the founders of the revered publishing house, Assouline in It’s a Long Story (p.22) MARK WILLIAMS & SARA HIRAKAWA Husband-and-wife team Mark Williams and Sara Hirakawa first met while attending the Rochester Institute of Technology. Their photographs have appeared in Vanity Fair, Harper’s Bazaar and Rolling Stone. They have shot numerous high-profile actresses and TV stars, including Jennifer Lawrence, Nicole Kidman and Oprah Winfrey. For Tatler, the couple photographed South African model and writer Maye Musk, who is also the mother…

Jessica Wilson An international romance is nothing new for Jessica Wilson and fiancé, Moritz Gastl. The brand manager behind Sunnies Face first met Gastl in the Netherlands during the fall of 2011. After successfully working on their relationship long-distance (with Wilson in London and Gastl still in the Netherlands), the pair had settled down together in the Philippines for six years before Gastl proposed by the shores of Papua New Guinea last year. What followed was a frenzy of exciting wedding planning. The venue? Austria. The date? 2020. While the current year has brought an unforeseen pause to many exciting events around the world, Wilson and Gastl remain relaxed about rescheduling. “I wouldn’t say [rescheduling] has been stressful or difficult. Aside from the fact that I have been loving the…

Most chefs will tell you that they grew up loving food and began their culinary journey at a young age. The same is true for chef Jordy Navarra, except he did not grow up aspiring to be a professional in the industry. Eating and enjoying food was always an integral part of his happy memories in life, yes, but it was only after he learnt more about the ins and outs of the brutal, cutthroat and brilliant world of food that he says he got hooked. His fascination with culinary culture, cooking techniques, produce and farming is what he says still drives him today. Toyo Eatery has been on Asia’s 50 Best restaurants list for two years running, and is one of the country’s top dining destinations, while Panaderya Toyo…

4 AWAY Premiering this month is Away, a Netflix original series created by Andrew Hinderaker, starring Academy Award winner Hillary Swank. The ten-episode inaugural season follows American astronaut Emma Green embarking on a treacherous mission to Mars. netflix.com 5 THE MET’S BALCONY BAR Experience virtually The Metropolitan Museum of Art New York’s Friday concerts through its Facebook page. Enjoy performances from ETHEL, one of the most acclaimed string quartets, with its signature cutting-edge repertoire plus surprise collaborations with guest artists. metmuseum.org 8 CAROUSEL Catch New York Philharmonic’s 2013 production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Carousel until the 8th of September only. Starring Kelli O’Hara and Nathan Gunn, the musical is available for streaming at Lincoln Center’s YouTube channel. Tune in daily to watch out for more archival footage of world class…

Since Gary Graham’s eponymous label (now called GaryGraham422) debuted in 1999, he has been known for reimagining vintage textiles into modern outerwear carried by stores like Dover Street Market and the now-shuttered Barneys New York. “I’ve always been very attracted to jacquards and tapestries,” he says. “I started collecting them whenever I would go on antique trips to upstate New York with my partner Sean Scherer. I saw them as textile paintings, in a way. Most of them came from France and Belgium and I’ve been told they were woven for the tourist industry in Europe.” This fall sees the 2010 CFDA/ Vogue Fashion Fund finalist collaborating with Joyce Hong Kong on a unique capsule collection of cocoon coats and printed slip dresses using surplus and vintage fabrics, where patriarchal…

This season, luxury brands are straying from the somewhat brutalist look of perfectly chiseled brows, angular contouring and slap-matt lips. Instead, they’re opting for a babydoll-inspired face with soft rosy cheeks, candy-stained lips and a bright complexion. With quirky packaging to boot, it’s a welcome reminder that make-up should be—above all else—fun. GUCCI Gucci Beauty’s latest collection keeps to the brand’s vintage-kitsch modus operandi with delicately carved gold-and-turquoise packaging that recalls memories of sneaking into your mum’s vanity case. The Poudre De Beauté Éclat Soleil, a soft and silky bronzing powder, is housed in a deep compact, and the Rouge à Lèvres comes in a nostalgic set of shades inspired by the Golden Age of Hollywood. DOLCE & GABBANA Feel the Sicilian summer sun on your skin with Dolce &…

The biggest rough diamond ever discovered was the Cullinan diamond in Botswana. Found in 1905, it weighed 3,106 carats and was cut into nine separate stones, many of which are set in the British Crown Jewels First discovered by British gemmologist Arthur Charles Davy Pain in 1951, Painite is thought to be the rarest gemstone on Earth. Until 2001, only three examples of the deep red jewel were known to exist Known as the “stone of heaven”, jade was more valuable than gold and all other gems in imperial China Scientists believe Neanderthals created and wore the world’s first jewellery using eagle claws 130,000 years ago…

Swiss watch brand Hublot has collaborated with Milan-based car company Garage Italia to create the Big Bang Millennial Pink. This dusty-pink watch comes with a fabric strap that’s been photographed on Hong Kong singer-songwriter and actor Kenny Kwan. Proving that pink’s not only for girls, Kwan, who is known for his appearances in A Chinese Tall Story (2005), New Police Story (2004) and Jian Xia Qing Yuan (2011), wears his timepiece with a coral-coloured suit. You go, Kenny. Swiss Made Franck Muller’s latest wristwatch celebrates Switzerland, the watchmaker’s home country. Limited to just 50 pieces, this ticker’s openworked movement comes in bright red and is housed in a hand-polished titanium case complete with white enamel coating. Wear with a white alligator strap. London Calling Backes & Strauss has collaborated with…

Annie Darling Watches & Jewellery Director of Tatler Asia Congratulations to Patek Philippe, which announced the opening of its new ten-storey manufacturing facility this summer. To celebrate, Patek has launched a limited-edition stainless-steel Calatrava, referencing the symbol of the 12th-century Calatrava Knights of Spain and Portugal, which retails for US$28,351. The commemorative 40 mm timepiece is made from stainless steel (not unlike the new manufacture) and comes with a beautiful blue dial that features a carbon-style texture. Only 1,000 pieces will be made, so get yours—quick!…

CASE Made using Rolex’s patented Oystersteel or white gold, the Oyster case ensures waterproofing to a depth of 300 metres (1,000 feet). This is thanks to the case’s Triplock winding crown, which was introduced by Rolex in 1970. The crystal is made of virtually scratchproof sapphire and, on the Submariner Date, is fitted with a Cyclops lens at 3 o’clock for easy reading of the date. MOVEMENT Equipped with Calibres 3230 and 3235 respectively, the Submariner and Submariner Date incorporate Rolex’s Chronergy escapement, which improves the watch’s energy efficiency. Made of nickel-phosphorus, the Chronergy is resistant to magnetic fields. The blue Parachrom hairspring, manufactured by Rolex, is up to ten times more precise than a traditional hairspring, which protects the movement against shock. Rolex-designed Paraflex shock absorbers are also fitted…

“I’m inspired by what the Philippines can be if we all work together to make it better and give it all the help we can give” In 10 years, Ramon Ang expanded San Miguel Corporation’s exposure from food manufacturing and beer brewery to power and energy, infrastructure, oil refining and real estate. But for this president and chief operating officer of the company since 2002, the direction he wants to take is not just all about business. “I want to leave our country better than when I found it, one where more Filipinos take part in, and benefit from, economic growth. All our work in San Miguel is geared towards achieving that—our investments in manufacturing capacities across several regions nationwide; our infrastructure projects that aim to unlock the economic potential…

“It took tons of blood, sweat and tears, and decades of uphill climb before it became the success story that it is now” Some rags-to-riches stories may be hard to believe, but all never fail to inspire. Like the story of the visionary billionaire Andrew Tan. Besides being in the real estate and liquor industries, his conglomerate AGI also holds a majority of shares in Golden Arches Development Corp, the company responsible for the nationwide Philippine franchise of McDonald’s fast food chain. Who would have thought that behind these big businesses is a man whose father was a factory worker in Mainland China. When his family migrated to the Philippines, he had to work as a part-time tutor so he could afford to send himself to university. If Tan’s life…

“It’s so difficult to be a Filipino, but it is with this sense of Filipinoness that has been my truism as a writer” “At 95 I am still writing, searching and hoping,” says the multi-awarded, National Artist for Literature Francisco Sionil José, who continues to climb three flights of stairs every day to his private alcove in the Solidaridad Bookshop in Manila. “In writing I’ve always tried to be true to myself first and foremost. This is the greatest challenge that I think any writer or artist faces. It is very difficult to do so, and all too often one must be a hypocrite—but one must realise that hypocrisy itself is the need for virtue.” The prolific writer, best known for The Rosales Saga, an epic opus that spans 100…

Even though he lived a good part of his young life abroad, or maybe because of it, designer and artist Budji Layug developed a Filipino sensibility in design. His signature style, Modern Filipino, undergoes transformations and adaptations to achieve a freshness in every project he undertakes. The recipient of the first Haligi ng Dangal Award for Design by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), Layug has collaborated with the architect Royal Pineda to form BUDJI+ROYAL Architecture+Design, which is behind seminal works like the New Clark City and the Cebu International Airport. Through it all, from project to project, Layug has stayed true to his Filipino aesthetic and love of nature. You are always seen wearing a hat. What is the story behind that? In my youth, I…

CAPELLA BANGKOK The highly anticipated Capella Bangkok sits at the centre of the historic Charoenkrung district—a riverside enclave that is currently undergoing a creative rebirth. Once the hotel opens in October, guests can check into villas with expansive views of the river as well as dine at Côte by celebrity chef Mauro Colagreco, whose restaurant Mirazur in France topped The World’s 50 Best Restaurants list in 2019. capellahotels. com/bangkok RAKXA BANGKOK Thailand is one of Asia’s best wellness destinations, and you don’t need to leave the city to enjoy a full-fledged retreat. Come December, Rakxa, an integrated wellness and medical retreat, will open its doors in Bangkok. Nestled in the city’s preserved ‘Green Lung’ along the Chao Phraya River, the wellness destination will offer programmes conceived by world-class medical doctors…

So here’s the pitch: a woman arrives in Paris from South America. A lawyer and model, she is striking and glamorous. She meets a dashing Morocco-born Frenchman making a name for himself as an art director in fashion and advertising. He is drawn to her taste and elegance; she is impressed by his creativity and, a decidedly un-French trait, his “enthusiasm”. Starting out as friends, they become husband and wife, and eventually launch a publishing company that turns the tables on the world of coffee-table books. The story of Assouline is, if you’ll forgive the pun, one for the books. It could well be a rom-com with a literary theme come to life, where the characters are so suave and attractive and polished, their homes and boutiques so exquisitely designed,…

Today was my grandfather’s 40th day in heaven. During the Mass celebrated for this occasion, the priest said that letting go is done in three parts. That helped, though it is only now that I am coming to my own understanding of each phase of letting go, even as I am still grieving. GRATITUDE Through the last 40 days, I have found myself grateful for being surrounded by family and friends. They have made the grieving process more bearable; and through shared stories, I have learnt more about my Lolo than I ever thought I knew. God works in mysterious ways and showing just how great a man my Lolo was one of them. To many he was “The Boss” who always looked after his employees, a tycoon with a…

Edgar “Injap” Sia comes off as a man of few words and precise actions; his previous interviews (on film or paper) are a testament to this. He speaks with care and weight to his intentions. As the mind behind one of the country’s most successful food chain, Mang Inasal, many look to him for inspiration. He is credited as the youngest billionaire in the Philippines, having made the 2011 Forbes magazine list of 40 richest persons in the country at the age of 34. As a young man, Sia initially pursued architecture at the University of San Agustin in his hometown of Iloilo. Gearing to focus more on business, he jumped at the opportunity to lease a 250-metre space at Robinsons Mall Carpark-Iloilo in 2003. This was the beginning of…

Can you describe your organisation? MFT Group of Companies is a private equity group that adheres to the principles of restructuring corporate blueprints of Family Legacy businesses. MFT Group’s investments span a wide range of industries around the world in established and growth-oriented businesses alike. It has forged its entry into global markets, fuelling the expansion through finance, healthcare, and food and beverage interests. What motivates you? Family businesses are a major force in the Philippine economy, representing around eight in 10 of all companies. These businesses embody a goal of prosperity both for the firm and the communities it serves. Seeking new perspectives to achieve strategic goals during generational transitions motivates me to do what I do, knowing that we play important roles in cultivating human capital, financial…

On paper, the bios of Alessandro Sartori and Jerry Lorenzo could not read more differently. Sartori is the 54-year-old artistic director of Ermenegildo Zegna, one of Italy’s largest tailors with more than a century of history. Long before his formal education at the Istituto Marangoni Milan, he created his first suit, a sharp blue number, at the age of 15 in the hopes of impressing his family. “It took six months to make, and it was a complete disaster—I can’t look at it now because it’s full of mistakes, but I thought it was beautiful at the time,” he says, chuckling at the memory. Lorenzo, on the other hand, is the designer behind eight-year-old, Los Angeles-based streetwear label Fear of God, beloved by the likes of Kanye West, who sported…

FIGHTING SPIRIT Boss debuts an easy-breezy capsule with British heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua for Fall/Winter 2020, including ten pieces from jersey trousers to logo hoodies that can be worn out and about or while working from home. Every piece features motivational quotes from Joshua like “One more hour, one more day”—wise words for difficult times. IN HIS SHOES A feature-length documentary directed by renowned Italian filmmaker Luca Guadagnino dedicated to Salvatore Ferragamo’s family history and life’s work has been selected for the 77th Venice Film Festival and will be released globally this month. Salvatore, Shoemaker of Dreams, which took three years to produce, delves into the fashion brand’s archives with the help of the Ferragamo family and never-before-seen tape recordings. “It is an honour that a director of Luca…

The “T” in Tiffany could very well stand for “timeless” as the brand has proven itself to have withstood the test of time. For nearly 200 years, the artisans of Tiffany & Co have been creating jewellery with designs that exude elegance and endurance. Its branding has been consistent, starting with its trademark shade of blue that it has successfully owned. Yet, Tiffany also adapts to current trends. Three of its collections created a buzz for being so currently stylish and versatile. The Paper Flowers collection appeals to those looking for casualness and femininity. Released in 2018, Paper Flowers is Tiffany & Co’s first collection by chief artistic officer, Reed Krakoff. “This collection is about stripping away all of the rules associated with fine jewellery,” the designer said. “Luxury shouldn’t…

Rolex is a Swiss luxury watchmaker based in Geneva, but the company was actually founded in 1905 by Hans Wilsdorf and Alfred Davis in London Louis Cartier created the first pilot’s watch in 1904 for his aviator friend Alberto Santos-Dumont, who needed a timepiece that allowed his hands to remain free for controls while flying Made in 1505 by German locksmith Peter Henlein, the Pomander is thought to be the oldest known watch in the world Last year, more than 21 million Swiss watches were exported to collectors worldwide, for a total wholesale value of US$2.4 billion…

1922 Rolex launches the Submarine, which marked the first step in Rolex founder Hans Wilsdorf’s efforts to create a completely sealed watch case. 1926 The Oyster case is patented. Hans Wilsdorf called the watch “Oyster” because, “like an oyster, it can remain an unlimited time underwater without detriment to its parts”. 1927 Learning that Mercedes Gleitze, a young secretary from Brighton, England, was preparing to swim across the English Channel, Hans Wilsdorf asked her to carry an Oyster watch to demonstrate it was completely waterproof. 1953 The Oyster Perpetual Submariner is born. The first divers’ wristwatch waterproof to a depth of 100 metres (330 feet), it featured a rotatable bezel that allowed divers to monitor their time underwater, helping them manage their oxygen reserves. That same year, French underwater photographer,…

“It’s a big word but I hope and pray I am able to be in a position to make a difference in my philanthropies” To say that Josie Cruz Natori has established a legacy in fashion is an understatement. Her bedazzling creations have sashayed down the runway for more than four decades, putting her name and the Philippines in the glittering, albeit competitive, global fashion design scene. Mostly hand-embroidered or embellished, her pieces continue to delight the discerning set to this day through her eponymous company, which has expanded far and wide since its inception in 1977, to include ready-to-wear clothing, fashion accessories, and home accoutrements, among others. Each piece she brings to the table radiates Natori’s distinct DNA: an east-meets-west design aesthetic and exquisite craftsmanship. But what’s next for…

“I want to be remembered as one of the Filipinos who pushed for writing more original Pinoy music” Every key he hits, figuratively and literally, is music to the ears. On top of bringing beautiful music for entertainment, Ryan Cayabyab’s goal is to promote hyper-localism, or the love for all things local. “I want to be remembered as one of the Filipinos who pushed for writing more original Pinoy music, and who pushed the idea of using the language that each Filipino songwriter is most comfortable expressing himself/herself in. On a national scale, this promotes love for Filipino music and, hopefully, love for our own products. This is the only way we can improve our craft,” says Cayabyab, who was conferred National Artist for Music in 2018. He began his…

1 MINIMALIST DAYDREAM This artisan mirror by Giorgetti brings together chic design and functionality in a truly unique way. Available in five finishes, the Amiral Leaning Mirror is a great addition to your space because of its robust look yet minimalist feel. Available at Furnitalia. 2 INTO THE FUTURE Upgrade your living space with the lustrous EOS bookshelf, which is not only functional but also pleasing to the eye. With an aluminium frame and only 8 mm thickness, it is the perfect mantlepiece to display treasured artefacts and favourite book titles. Available at Rimadesio. 3 ART AFFAIR The Baxter Selene low cabinet is more than just a place to store things. With its incredibly sophisticated and unique design, it doubles as an art piece that will surely brighten up any…

The giant pause has encouraged us to rethink the way we live, and ideally find ways to push for greater sustainability in every aspect of our lives, travel included. But what if you go beyond doing less damage or reaching net neutral and instead try to be an active part of a solution? That is the premise of regenerative development, described by Bill Reed of Regenesis Group as a way “to transform and develop a collaborative relationship with nature”. In terms of travel, this means picking hotels and experiences that play a vital role in building holistic ecosystems in their communities. “To travel in a regenerative way is more than just offsetting your carbon footprint for flights; it’s about understanding the impact your tourism dollar makes on the destination you…

As we celebrate our 19th anniversary, we cannot help but feel nostalgic about our semi-storied past. Comparing the years 2001 to 2020, we see a lot of our goals reached, as well as learning curves met. 2001 feels like eons ago. There were unique challenges then, from political turmoil (President Joseph Estrada was just ousted) to an Asian economic crisis. To embark on a society, lifestyle, luxury magazine was akin to shooting yourself in the foot. Today, we are faced with not only a national calamity but a global one. The pandemic has left us all shell-shocked and have turned all our worlds upside down. As I write this, there seems to still be no solution in the horizon. Yet we are bullish about the future. This too shall pass,…

They kept it small and safe for everyone. But Camille Lhuillier and Andrea Albani just had to say their vows in an intimate civil wedding last July attended by only 20 members of the bride’s family, while the groom’s parents joined the ceremony via Zoom. Social distancing was imposed; rapid tests were given to all the suppliers involved in the event. Such is the new normal for now. Yet, perhaps because of the intimacy, the wedding was significantly poignant. The venue was the historic seven-story Palacio de Memoria, a 1930s mansion restored by Camille and her sister Angie. The wedding was held on the first floor where the grand staircase was bedecked in pink peonies and cream-coloured roses by the events house Lille Feast by the House of Hermosa. They…

Worn up to this day on very important celebrations and formal gatherings, the barong tagalog’s ever-present magnificence that is inherently Filipino has stood the test of time. Barong tagalog, root word baro pertaining to “upper garment”, literally means “Tagalog outfit”. It was coined during the early Spanish colonial period to distinguish it as a native attire of Filipinos in contrast to the European-styled three-piece suits. Evolution in fashion throughout the centuries brought upon various modifications of the barong tagalog, and even grew in popularity nowadays on women as an alternative to the elaborate four-piece traje de mestiza known as Maria Clara. Typically, it is made of sheer lightweight woven fabric made of either piña or jusi, the former considered more precious. Piña could be an heirloom garment when properly maintained,…

STACY RODRIGUEZ When this is all over, it would be amazing to visit our vacation home as a complete family. The bigger dream would be not having to socially distance from them while we are there—to be able to carry my newborn nephew, snuggle up with my nieces and hug my parents along with the rest of the family. I also wish that those who have been kept apart from their families by this pandemic can get to reunite with their loved ones as soon as they can. NACHO TAMBUNTING As a performer, I am very much looking forward to returning to the theatre, whether it be on or off stage. I long for the day when audiences can sit in a packed house and share in the magic of…

Be it Princess Diana’s delicate fascinators or the towering feather crowns seen in Jean Paul Gaultier’s runway shows, many of the most fantastic hats created over the last several decades have one thing in common: they were made by a bald-headed man with a slanted grin, most often seen sporting a curiously askew hat and always with a mischievous twinkle in his eye. This month, British master milliner Stephen Jones celebrates the launch of a 240-page book, Dior Hats: From Stephen Jones to Christian Dior, published by Rizzoli, which documents his work for the house of Christian Dior alongside designs by Marc Bohan, Gianfranco Ferré and Christian Dior himself. With photographs by Sølve Sundsbø and text from fashion critics and historians, the book is a testament to Jones’s legacy and…

South Korean-born, Denmark-raised designer Christine Nielsen was trained under Alexander McQueen and then worked under Sarah Burton as head of design at Alexander McQueen before becoming directrice de studio at Givenchy and Balenciaga. She launched her eponymous Paris-based label Hyun Mi Nielsen in 2016, specialising in punk, avant-garde pieces. When did you first realise you wanted to work in fashion? Very early on. As a kid it was my favourite thing in the world to play dress up and draw. Who was the first designer you worked for? The most amazing designer I have ever worked for was the legendary Lee McQueen. While I was studying at the Royal College of Art and Design, I did an internship at Alexander McQueen. Many years later I returned to Alexander McQueen working…

Cartier has tapped into its mix of ambassadors for the latest Panthère de Cartier campaign, including Taiwanese actor Chang Chen. The actor has starred in martial arts films including Ang Lee’s Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000), Wong Kar-wai’s The Grandmaster (2013) and Hou Hsiao-hsien’s The Assassin (2015), which won the best director award at Cannes. He was also awarded best actor at the Osaka Asian Film Festival in 2008 for his role as a legendary board game player in Tian Zhuangzhuang’s The Go Master (2006).…

What’s special behind this year’s Master Grande Tradition Grande Complication? This piece highlights Jaeger-LeCoultre’s savoir-faire and design creativity, from our watchmakers’ exceptionally complex movements to the refined finishes of the case and dial. It is a blend of many handcrafts that dress and decorate the movement and bring this piece to life. Tell us about the movement. We constantly seek to further develop our calibres with our spirit of innovation. The Calibre 945 is one of our greatest chiming calibres with superior acoustic qualities. The sound of the minute repeater is elevated through the soldering of our patented ‘crystal gongs’ directly onto the sapphire crystal back. And the use of our trebuchet hammers results in a more amplified sound that is harmonious and clear. Tell us about your first watch.…

There’s always one watch release each year that gets collectors all hot and bothered, and that release usually comes from Rolex. Not one to disappoint, for 2020 the watchmaker has launched the new generation of its Oyster Perpetual Submariner and Oyster Perpetual Submariner Date, which are two of the coolest divers’ watch collections the world has ever seen (even the King, Elvis Presley, was spotted wearing one). And what’s more, these new Submariners don’t cost a fortune. Rolex has plenty of bank-busting timepieces that sit within the top tier of haute horologerie, but the new no-date Submariner can be yours for CHF 7,700. Launched in 1953, the Submariner was the first divers’ wristwatch that was waterproof to a depth of 100 metres (330 feet). The Submariner Date, which comes with…

“This is why I put up the BenCab Museum, to house this collection so it can be shared for generations to come” Though colourful and meaningful his masterpieces are, the National Artist for Visual Arts Benedicto Cabrera, or BenCab, dreams of leaving a legacy not only of them but of his prized collection of Philippine contemporary art and ethnography. “This is why I put up the BenCab Museum, to house this collection so it can be shared for generations to come,” says the award-winning artist. Established in 2009, the museum in Baguio City has since been run and managed by the BenCab Art Foundation, Inc, a non-stock organisation that supports activities related to the arts and environment. “Visitors have been enjoying the collection [at the Museum] for 11 years now.…

“I would like my legacy to be one based on excellence; of having taken what my parents started in the retail industry 68 years ago ” Her drive to excel, her entrepreneurial spirit and the way she values family above everything else are things she learnt from her parents. Zenaida R Tantoco, or Nedy to many, is the eldest daughter of Ambassador Bienvenido “Benny” Tantoco and the late Gliceria “Glecy” Rustia Tantoco who founded the retail empire, Rustan, in 1952. She currently helms the Rustan Group of Companies, which encompasses all the businesses their family built through the years. ”My eldest brother Bienvenido, Jnr [or Rico as he is fondly known] has come into his own in the development of the Sta Elena Golf Club and residential enclave in Laguna.…

It has only been a hot minute since Vera Wang posted her “backyard bling” photo to Instagram and wound up becoming the talk of the town due to her trim waist and sculpted abs. To say that she is in great shape for her age—Wang just turned 71 in June—is an understatement; she looks fantastic and feels it, too. Being quarantined in Miami with who she lovingly refers to as her “workday fashion family” pushed her to exercise more; suddenly, she is everyone’s latest fitspiration and no one believes she’s a day over 50. Her secret? “Work, sleep, a vodka cocktail and not much sun,” the fashion designer told a fan on Twitter. “It’s crazy,” says Wang, who once dreamt of becoming an Olympic figure skater (she was even inducted…

For someone who’s running a retail empire most of the week, a rejuvenating escape on weekends is essential. Such is the case for husband and wife Donnie and Crickette Tantoco, who, five years ago, have decided to start dual living. The couple spends four days in their apartment in the city and three days in the suburbs, where they built a weekend home designed with each of the family members in mind. “My weekends are all about detachment. In our city home, we rest so we can be ready to work hard again the next day. In our house in Alabang, we get deep rest, so we go back to the city fully recharged,” explains Donnie, who indefatigably helms one arm of their family-owned business, Rustan Commercial Corporation. Their second…

How does one balance sophistication and homeliness when designing a space? When we design kitchens for our clients, we always incorporate two key elements: timelessness and well-being. We use simple and consistent lines and materials that give a sense of timelessness and sophistication for each kitchen. With home improvements in full-swing nowadays, any tips on how to easily update a space? The quickest way to update a home is with movable and mobile home accessories and fixtures since it won’t require much laborious work. We have freestanding items to help increase storage capacity and organisation without losing your modern or industrial aesthetic in your space. Open structures can beautifully accentuate your area and at the same time address your storage solutions. Diesel Misfit closet cupboard and Diesel Misfit cart. Available…

As wine grows more popular in Asia, the market has blossomed from highly conservative to increasingly adventurous. Even exotic regions like Georgia and Greece are gaining favour here. Yet some famous wine areas of central Europe still get scant attention. For the sake of simplicity (and eschewing controversy), by central Europe, I mean most of what lies between France and the former USSR—Germany, certainly, as well as Austria, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Poland. That might also include the Balkans and possibly Switzerland. It’s a region with a difficult history: carved up, horse traded, fluid in identity, but rich with the syncretic potential that frequently arises in borderlands. Let’s set Germany aside because it has arguably already wooed Asian markets with its riesling, either semi-sweet and quaffable, or ultra-luxurious…