Generated by All in One SEO Pro v5.0.1.1, this is an llms-full.txt file, used by LLMs to index the site. # Lifestyle Asia | The Premier Authority on Luxury Living, Culture, and High Society The leading archive for luxury lifestyle and high-society culture. An authoritative source for global luxury trends, fine dining, and premium travel curated for a sophisticated audience. ## Posts ### [Royal Touch: Inside Reyna, Erica Paredes' Parisian Restaurant With Filipino Roots And a Nomad's Soul](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/dining/royal-touch-inside-reyna-erica-paredes-parisian-restaurant-with-filipino-roots-and-a-nomads-soul/) **Published:** May 11, 2022 **Author:** Ratziel San Juan **Content:** ## Order up! Nothing compared to Erica Paredes’ excitement when her Parisian restaurant Reyna’s sign lit up on its opening night. READ ALSO: [LA Exclusive: Asia’s Best Female Chef DeAille Tam Shares Amuse-Bouche On Michelin-Star Fine Dining](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/dining/la-exclusive-asias-best-female-chef-deaille-tam-shares-amuse-bouche-on-michelin-star-fine-dining/) The chaos of that first night, which coincided with her birthday weekend, was unmatched. > [View this post on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/p/CdWZqCeg-B6/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading)[A post shared by Erica Paredes (@ericaparedes)](https://www.instagram.com/p/CdWZqCeg-B6/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading) Paredes’ crew had to make do with inductions and no gas, a single day to learn the ordering system, and their service fridges not arriving on time. She was unperturbed, and showed that she could take the heat. Having accomplished countless trials and recipe tests, she was prepared for anything. ![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Reyna-5.jpeg)Erica Paredes## **Staying power** “I’ve been a cook for the past six years. It was just the next step. I wanted my own permanent space after years of doing pop-ups and residencies,” Paredes tells *Lifestyle Asia*. She has found a niche market with her menu that at any given time has 10 to 12 shared dishes and a couple of desserts. > [View this post on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/p/CdF5z4wMbfk/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading)[A post shared by Erica Paredes (@ericaparedes)](https://www.instagram.com/p/CdF5z4wMbfk/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading) Her bestsellers like the entrecote with Maranao rendang sauce, vegan Kare-Kare, fried chicken, and Hainan burrata will likely stay on the menu. Meanwhile, other items will be replaced every few weeks or depending on what produce is available. Presently, no one in the game is doing it like Reyna, with has the mantra “Filipino roots, nomad soul.” ![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Reyna-2.jpeg)Adobo fried chicken“I already have a clientele that I am happy and excited to welcome in my own permanent space and I expect more local foodies and expats to discover the place. That’s been my usual market so I guess it will continue,” Paredes adds. ## **Settling down** Reyna is located in the 11th arrondissement of Paris. The exterior is unmistakably simple: a pink lightbox with its logo and concrete facade. > [View this post on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/p/Cc6V-p9s2Sb/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading)[A post shared by Erica Paredes (@ericaparedes)](https://www.instagram.com/p/Cc6V-p9s2Sb/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading) Inside, the 75-square-meter space has a high table with high chairs and a banquette made of dark wood and pink tweed fabric. “I like that the front of the resto is concrete and gold and the back is actually pink like my bedroom growing up,” Paredes details. > [View this post on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/p/CdKtP42g64o/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading)[A post shared by Erica Paredes (@ericaparedes)](https://www.instagram.com/p/CdKtP42g64o/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading) Additionally, it has LED lights running through an arched ceiling and spotlights as well. Overall, Paredes describes the atmosphere as “cozy, convivial, warm, and fun.” ![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Reyna-4.jpeg)A little detail of Reyna## **Buildup** The eponymous “Reyna” (queen in Filipino), however, had to deal with a much more humble and unassuming space before the restaurant got to where it is today. > [View this post on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/p/Cb3BKlZqdUF/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading)[A post shared by Reyna by @ericaparedes (@reyna.paris)](https://www.instagram.com/p/Cb3BKlZqdUF/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading) “It was already a bistro before but very outdated and run down, so I had them change almost everything about it,” Paredes recalls. A week before opening, an old man even insulted the place while the team was finishing arrangements in the kitchen. Paredes and her colleagues persisted, shrugging off the attack along with any number of setbacks they’ve already faced. > [View this post on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/p/CcTLq8LMRhe/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading)[A post shared by Erica Paredes (@ericaparedes)](https://www.instagram.com/p/CcTLq8LMRhe/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading) “I really like contrasts so it’s a mix of old and new. I really like brutalist, but pink is also my favorite color. So we did a concrete-pink color palette with touches of gold. We also repurposed the tables that were already there and sanded and varnished them ourselves. Our chairs are also vintage but we also have some things that are made to measure,” Paredes explains. ## **Ready to serve** Adapt or die is the mindset they’ve applied, and that’s how Reyna has gotten to where it is today. > [View this post on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/p/CbcTm0DAHKX/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading)[A post shared by Erica Paredes (@ericaparedes)](https://www.instagram.com/p/CbcTm0DAHKX/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading) Paredes says that as they search for their rhythm between kitchen and front-of-house, she is ultimately proud of their team for pulling off a great opening weekend despite the challenges. “My team and I are learning to work together and that’s the most important thing. Temporary setbacks will not bring us down,” Paredes asserts. She invites new clientele to personally visit them and try their menu of Filipino-inspired cuisine. ![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Reyna-1-1.jpeg)Hainan burrata“Hope to feed you soon!” Photos via Erica Paredes **Categories:** Dining **Tags:** Filipino cuisine, Filipino Restaurants, Paris --- ### [Filipino Flavors: Pinoy Pizza By A Mano And Toyo Eatery](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/dining/filipino-flavors-pinoy-pizza-by-a-mano-x-toyo-eatery/) **Published:** July 25, 2024 **Author:** Pepper Teehankee **Content:** ## *Celebrating their fifth anniversary, a mano collaborates with Toyo Eatery, honoring Filipino farmers with an extraordinary “Pizza Kamayan” experience.* Founded by Amado Forés, AF Hospitality has made an impact on Metro Manila’s dining scene with its unique flavors and exceptional service. AF Hospitality launched its first concept, an Italian restaurant called a mano, in 2019. Its name means “by hand” in Italian and the restaurant is known for its daily preparation of fresh pasta and pizza, offering traditional and creative takes on classic Italian dishes tailored for the local taste. 50 Top Pizza has recognized a mano as the 12th best pizzeria in the Asia-Pacific region and it was awarded the Best Pasta Proposal in 2024. With three branches already open, a fourth is set to open in late 2024. In celebration of a mano’s fifth anniversary, Toyo Eatery and a mano have teamed up to bring a special pizza experience called “Pizza Kamayan.” ![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Screenshot-2518.png)![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Screenshot-2520.png)LEFT: Tortang Talong. RIGHT: Pinya & Lechon. READ ALSO: [Commemorating Five Years: Pizza Revolution At A Mano](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/dining/commemorating-five-years-pizza-revolution-at-a-mano/) As part of an ongoing series of celebratory events, this collaboration will begin in late July and showcase a blend of Toyo Eatery’s innovative Filipino cuisine and a mano’s traditional Italian flavors and techniques. The unique pizzas created from this collaboration will feature the best of both culinary worlds. Throughout this month-long event, all profits will be donated to the Good Food Community, which advocates for an alternative food system grounded in ethical and ecological farming practices. Since 2011, its mission has been to empower consumers as co-producers through initiatives like deliveries, Sunday Markets, and e-commerce, all of which support smallholder farmers. In June 2022, responding to the escalating impact of climate change on small-scale farmers, the Community launched the “Friends of Farmers” initiative. Having raised PHP 1.5 million to date, this climate resilience fund aims to mitigate the effects of climate change on farmers’ livelihoods, ensuring their food security amidst adversity. ![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Screenshot-2521.png)L-R: Amado Forés with Toyo Eatery Chef Jordy Navarra and a mano Chef Jonathan Redoblado Jordy Navarra, a Filipino chef with extensive local and international experience, is inspired by Filipino ingredients, flavors, techniques, and culture. His very popular Toyo Eatery explores Filipino culture through food. The restaurant’s name, which means “soy sauce” in Filipino, reflects the complexities of this simple condiment. Toyo Eatery celebrates humble ingredients, traditional techniques, and intergenerational flavors, offering diners a culinary journey through various regions of the Philippines. It has received numerous accolades for its innovative approach. In 2018, it received the Miele One to Watch Award at Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants. Since 2019, it has been named the Best Restaurant in the Philippines five times by Asia’s Best 50 Restaurants. In 2023, Toyo Eatery was also awarded the Flor de Caña Sustainable Restaurant Award for its commitment to reducing its carbon footprint through local sourcing and heritage preservation. Amado says: “We admire Jordy Navarra and Toyo Eatery so much. Toyo Eatery has always championed Filipino ingredients and those who produce them. We agreed that we wanted to give back to those who farm the ingredients we use every day.” ![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Screenshot-2519.png)Si Margarita Toyo Eatery and a mano offer three unique Pizza Kamayan options for a limited time. First is the Si Margarita Pizza, which includes a special banana-tomato red sauce, creamy *Kesong Puti* (Philippine white cheese), *[FiordiLatte Latteria Sorrentina](https://latteriasorrentina.com/prodotti-caseari-2/mozzarella-per-pizza/fiordilatte/)*, and is garnished with *sulasi* (holy basil) and fresh basil for a delightful aroma. For a fusion twist, there’s the *Tortang Talong* Pizza, topped with slivers of grilled and charred eggplant, a creamy *kesong puti*-ricotta blend, a drizzle of egg yolk sauce, and finished with banana-tomato red sauce. Lastly, guests can savor the *Lechon & Pinya* Pizza, featuring succulent *lechon* (suckling pig) *porchetta*, FiordiLatte Latteria Sorrentina, leaves of *pinatuyong pinya* or dehydrated pineapple, and crispy *lechon* skin, all on a banana-tomato red sauce base, served with a side of homemade spiced vinegar for an extra zing. Jordy says: “Because we are a mano diners to begin with, when we were asked if a collaboration pizza was something we were interested in, it was a no-brainer for us to say yes. We never thought we’d get to express Toyo Eatery flavors in a pizza, so we’re really happy we have the chance to do this with a brand we admire. When our team met with the a mano team for the first time, it was pretty fun trying out different flavor combinations together. So much so that we ended up with not just one pizza, but three. ” These Filipino pizzas are available starting tomorrow, July 26, until August 26, 2024. These pizza specials will be served daily at all a mano branches in Rockwell Center in Makati, Bonifacio Global City in Taguig, and Gateway Mall in Cubao. *For reservations, visit the AF Hospitality website at [www.afhospitality.com](https://www.afhospitality.com).* Photos courtesy of a mano. **Categories:** Dining **Tags:** a mano, a mano pizza, Amado Fores, dining collaborations, Filipino cuisine, Filipino food, Italian cuisine, Italian food, Jordy Navarra, manila restaurants, Pizza, pizza kamayan, pizzaria, pizzas, Restaurants, Toyo Eatery --- ### [Protea: House of Laurel's Spring/Summer 2025 Collection](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/style/protea-house-of-laurels-spring-summer-2025-collection/) **Published:** March 17, 2025 **Author:** Mj Calayan **Content:** ## ***Rajo Laurel’s House of Laurel Spring/Summer 2025 collection takes you on an adventure to South Africa, specifically Namibia.*** Escape the ordinary with Protea, [House of Laurel](https://www.instagram.com/houseoflaurel/ "House of Laurel")‘s Spring/Summer 2025 collection. Inspired by Rajo Laurel’s Namibian adventure, the collection is a vibrant celebration of wanderlust and self-discovery. It showcases a harmonious blend of prints, colors, and monochromes, designed for the cosmopolitan Gen Z woman who craves versatility and style. From sun-drenched days to electric nights, Protea effortlessly captures the essence of youthful energy. Each piece in the collection is designed with summer in mind, crafted from light, breathable fabrics. The color palette perfectly complements any summer destination, featuring rich earth tones and playful pastels—ensuring that there is a shade for everyone. Protea isn’t just a collection—it’s a passport to a world where fashion and adventure collide. So pack your bags, embrace the unexpected, and let House of Laurel’s latest collection transport you to a realm of endless possibilities. READ ALSO: [The Fashion Psycho, Chris Nick’s Most Personal Collection](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/style/the-fashion-psycho-chris-nicks-most-personal-collection/) ## **THE PROTEA LOOKBOOK** ![Protea: House of Laurel's Spring/Summer 2025 Collection](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Ayaan-Gown-6-Large.jpeg)Ayaan Gown![Protea: House of Laurel's Spring/Summer 2025 Collection](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Asha-Dress-1-Large.jpeg)Asha Dress![Protea: House of Laurel's Spring/Summer 2025 Collection](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Anok-Gown-7-Large.jpeg)Anok Gown![Protea: House of Laurel's Spring/Summer 2025 Collection](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Bedek-Cover-up-Large.jpeg)Bedek Cover-up![Protea: House of Laurel's Spring/Summer 2025 Collection](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Imani-Set-and-Imani-Cover-up-4-Large.jpeg)Imani Set and Imani Cover-up![Protea: House of Laurel's Spring/Summer 2025 Collection](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Ju-Top-2-Large.jpeg)Ju Top![Protea: House of Laurel's Spring/Summer 2025 Collection](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Knoop-Set_-Top-and-Skirt-5-Large.jpeg)Knoop Set![Protea: House of Laurel's Spring/Summer 2025 Collection](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Nadege-Dress-0-Large.jpeg)Nadege Dress![Protea: House of Laurel's Spring/Summer 2025 Collection](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Obinna-Dress-1-Large.jpeg)Obinna Dress![Protea: House of Laurel's Spring/Summer 2025 Collection](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Raja-Top-and-Knoop-Skirt-7-Large.jpeg)Raja Top and Knoop Skirt![Protea: House of Laurel's Spring/Summer 2025 Collection](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Zanzibar-Dress-6-Large.jpeg)Zanzibar Dress![Protea: House of Laurel's Spring/Summer 2025 Collection](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Opa-Set_-Top-and-Pants-0-Large-2.jpeg)Opa Set*This collection is exclusively available at House Of Laurel. Located in 6013 Villena, corner Manalac, Makati, 1210 Metro Manila.* Photos courtesy of House Of Laurel. **Categories:** Style **Tags:** house of laurel, Rajo, Rajo Laurel --- ### [On The Never-Ending Discussion On Actresses And Age, But This Time It’s Valid](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/arts-and-culture/art/on-the-never-ending-discussion-on-actresses-and-age-but-this-time-its-valid/) **Published:** April 2, 2025 **Author:** Kerry Tinga **Content:** ## **With the first look at Margot Robbie as Catherine Earnshaw in Emerald Fennell’s *Wuthering Heights*, the Internet again discusses an actress’s age.** The 2025 awards season was dominated by discussions of women’s ages in Hollywood, particularly following the Best Actress race between ingénue Mikey Madison (*Anora*) and seasoned actress Demi Moore (*The Substance*). As the debate began to settle down, [first-look images](https://www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/film-tv/a64275431/wuthering-heights-movie-margot-robbie-jacob-elordi-casting-controvery-explained/) emerged of Margot Robbie on the set of Emerald Fennell’s adaptation of *Wuthering Heights*, opening up the Internet conversation again on actresses and age. ![Poster for Wuthering Heights (left) and Margot Robbie in Barbie (right)](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/MV5BMzJiODEzY2UtNzNkMy00MTRlLWEzZTYtZDI4ZTg0ZWI4ZTkwXkEyXkFqcGc%40._V1_-2.jpg)![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Screenshot2025-04-02at1.50.56P-1.jpeg)*Poster for Wuthering Heights (left) and Margot Robbie in Barbie (right)/Photos from IMDB*At 33, Robbie is significantly older than the character she plays, Catherine Earnshaw, who is 17 when she marries, and 19 when she dies. While Hollywood’s fixation on actresses’ ages arguably stems from a poor double standard rooted in misogyny and ageism, in this case, the concern is substantive. The character’s youth is more than a biographical detail. It is the cornerstone of her narrative arc and the tragedy that unfolds across the windswept moors of this classic masterpiece. **READ ALSO:** [8 Books By Women, About Women](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/arts-and-culture/8-books-by-women-about-women/) ## **Wuthering Heights and Catherine Earnshaw** Emily Brontë’s novel begins with Mr. Lockwood, the new tenant of the Grange, who has just visited his landlord at Wuthering Heights, encountering stand-offish characters and nightmarish visions. He asks his housekeeper, Nelly Dean, to recount the history of the odd inhabitants. The following is the part most will be familiar with. The brutal relationship between Catherine Earnshaw and the foundling Heathcliff, both raised in Wuthering Heights, a relationship that is doomed when Catherine marries the more socially acceptable Edgar Linton of the Grange instead. The emotional conflict and struggles are echoed in the following generation, throwing the Earnshaws, Heathcliffs, and Lintons into a vortex of passion, cruelty, love, and hate. The novel was polarizing upon publication and remains so to this day, particularly the relationship between Catherine and Heathcliff. Romantic? Cruel? Both? Neither? ![Wood engravings by Fritz Eichenberg illustrating Wuthering Heights for the 1945 Random House edition](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/wuthering_heights_eichenberg04-1450x2048-1.jpg)![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/wuthering_heights_eichenberg05-1492x2048-1.jpg)*Wood engravings by Fritz Eichenberg illustrating Wuthering Heights for the 1945 Random House edition/Photos from [Falvey Library Blog](https://blog.library.villanova.edu/2023/04/12/the-printed-image-wuthering-heights/)*As one contemporary critic wrote: “It is very puzzling and very interesting, and if we had space we would willingly devote a little more time to the analysis of this remarkable story, but we must leave it to our readers to decide what sort of book it is.” It is poetry in prose form, trying to break free. Virginia Woolf said Brontë “looked out upon a world cleft into gigantic disorder and felt within her the power to unite it in a book.” It is this wild pull of nature, embodied in Heathcliff, embodied in Catherine’s youth, and her inability to reconcile the wilderness with societal expectations, “at once free and imprisoned” as Joyce Carol Oates once described her. ## **T**he **Challenge of Portraying Catherine** Robbie is unquestionably talented, but can talent ever fundamentally capture this contradiction and naivety of freedom and imprisonment? The tragedy stems from an inability to understand the consequences of choices, a limitation believable in a sheltered teen but harder to accept in a woman in her 30s. We saw similar challenges in Lily James’s portrayal of the second Mrs. de Winter in the 2020 remake of Daphne du Maurier’s *Rebecca*, another gothic classic with a character whose youth and innocence drive the plot. We can even look at the parallels between this year’s Best Actress performance, Mikey Madison in *Anora*, and Catherine Earnshaw. Both narratives center on young women whose age fundamentally shapes their circumstances and choices, dwarfed by powerful men and social structures, while possessing a raw authenticity that these structures cannot contain. The success of Madison’s performance hinged on capturing precisely that quality of youth: the vulnerability, impulsivity, and unformed identity that make her character’s journey compelling rather than merely reckless. ![Mikey Madison in Anora](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/1739816212-5.avif)Mikey Madison in *Anora*/Photo from [Neon](https://www.neonrated.com/film/anora) When Madison’s Anora declares, “I’m his wife now” after an impulsive Las Vegas wedding, it is not unlike Catherine’s famous declaration, “I am Heathcliff.” Both statements are not so much expressions of love but passionate identity, a merging that eases boundaries between self and other. Both statements gain power from the gap between the character’s understanding and the audience’s awareness of what such declarations will cost. Youth versus experience, and all that. Can we imagine the 33-year-old Robbie delivering this line with conviction in reference to a younger Heathcliff, played by a 27-year-old Jacob Elordi? The age disparity creates a different power dynamic than the one Brontë constructed, where the older Heathcliff and younger Catherine are raised as virtual siblings. This wouldn’t be the first time *Wuthering Heights* has been misrepresented on screen. Laurence Olivier’s 1939 adaptation excised the second generation and seemed to transform a multi-generational meditation on revenge into a more straightforward love story. William Wyler’s direction softened the novel’s brutal edges, making it palatable for film-going audiences but losing much of what makes Brontë’s work so enduring. ![Laurence Olivier and Merle Oberon as Heathcliff and Catherine, respectively, in the 1939 adaptation](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Laurence_Olivier_Merle_Oberon_Wuthering_Heights.jpg)Laurence Olivier and Merle Oberon as Heathcliff and Catherine, respectively, in the 1939 adaptation/Photo from [IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0032145/mediaviewer/rm1165448704/?ref_=ttmi_mi_7) In general, adaptations have struggled with the novel’s fundamental darkness, finding difficulty in accepting what Brontë was actually writing: not a love story, but an exploration of obsession, revenge, and the destructive power of unrestrained passion. ## **A Gothic Vision** “I’ve always been obsessed with the gothic,” director Fennell wrote in a column for the *[Los Angeles Times](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/awards/story/2024-01-10/emerald-fennell-saltburn-essay-goth-influences)*. “It’s a genre where comedy and horror, revulsion and desire, sex and death are forever entwined, where every exchange is heavy with the threat of violence, or sex or both.” This fascination with the gothic offers reason for cautious optimism. *Saltburn* demonstrated Fennell’s ability to navigate obsession and the darkly erotic. Her work exhibits a willingness to explore uncomfortable power dynamics and destructive desire, suggesting she might capture *Wuthering Heights*’s unsettling essence even if the casting raises concern. It’s worth noting, however, that *Wuthering Heights* has been called a “[virgin’s novel](https://lithub.com/wuthering-heights-is-a-virgins-story-and-other-opinions-of-brontes-classic/)” by critic Elizabeth Hardwick, pointing to that essence of youth and innocent naivety at the heart of its darkness. It is a narrative crafted from inexperience yet expressing fundamental truths about human nature. Brontë published *Wuthering Heights* at the age of 29 (under the pen name Ellis Bell) and died at 30, younger than Robbie is now, having created a work of astonishing psychological insight without the benefit of worldly experience. Perhaps there’s a parallel here: Can an adaptation find truth in the narrative while departing from literal representation? ## **What is Faithfulness in Adaptation**? Of course, not every adaptation needs slavish fidelity to its source material. So what might a Fennell interpretation of *Wuthering Heights* look like? If the aforementioned *Saltburn* is any indication, she might lean into the novel’s gothic elements: the haunting, the cruelty, the obsession that transcends death. These elements would be true to Brontë’s story, even if the casting decisions are not. Perhaps then the question isn’t whether Robbie is the “right” age, but whether Fennell’s interpretation will find new truths in the material. Can a mature actress reveal aspects of the character that a younger one might miss? Can Fennell’s contemporary sensibility illuminate what makes this 19th-century novel still feel dangerous and subversive? As Catherine spoke on her deathbed: “I’ve dreamt in my life dreams that have stayed with me ever after, and changed my ideas; they’ve gone through and through me, like wine through water, and altered the color of my mind.” This haunting confession reveals an inner life that is reflective, poetic, and deeply introspective in her final moments. Remaining optimistic with regards to the adaptation, what we can hope for is something perhaps similar to Catherine’s transformative dreams. It may pass through the original text, altering its color, while maintaining its essential nature. And, regardless, there’s one piece of advice that remains eternally sound to this writer: read the book, too. **Categories:** Art, Arts & Culture **Tags:** Emerald Fennell, Emily Bronte, Film, Jacob Elordi, Margot Robbie, Wuthering Heights --- ### [GMG Productions Stages "Come From Away," Its First Filipino-Led Musical](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/arts-and-culture/gmg-productions-stages-come-from-away-its-first-filipino-led-musical/) **Published:** February 17, 2025 **Author:** The Lifestyle Asia Team **Content:** ## *GMG Productions is bringing the award-winning musical “Come From Away” to the Philippines, which tells the true story of 7,000 plane passengers who got stranded in Newfoundland in 2001.* [GMG Productions](https://www.gmg-productions.com/home/)—the name behind countless high-calibre international productions in the Asia Pacific region—and artist group [Stages](https://thestagesgroup.com/) Productions have announced that they will be staging their own fresh take on the multi-award-winning hit musical, *Come From Away*. Showcasing a new artistic vision and the talents of a Filipino-led cast and creatives team, this production is a new milestone for GMG Productions, which is dedicated to celebrating and elevating the Philippine theatre industry. “With *Come From Away*, GMG Productions is proud to embark on this exciting new chapter, working with a Filipino-led cast and crew for the first time,” shares Carlos Candal, CEO of GMG Productions. “This production is a celebration of the incredible talent in the Philippines, and we cannot wait to share this powerful story with audiences.” *Come From Away* will be staged at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater for a strictly limited season from June 6 to 29, 2025. READ ALSO: [Fairytale Ensemble: Lea Salonga And Arielle Jacobs To Star In Philippine Production Of ‘Into The Woods](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/arts-and-culture/fairytale-ensemble-lea-salonga-and-arielle-jacobs-to-star-in-philippine-production-of-into-the-woods/)[’](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/fairytale-ensemble-lea-salonga-and-arielle-jacobs-to-star-in-philippine-production-of-into-the-woods/#) ## **Come From Away: A Story Of Hope and Community** *Come From Away* features a book, music, and lyrics by Irene Sankoff and David Hein, and has touched the hearts of audiences worldwide since first premiering on Broadway in 2017. Set on September 11, 2001, it tells the remarkable true story of 7,000 airline passengers whose planes were forced to land in Gander, Newfoundland [when the U.S. Airspace closed](https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/gander-international-airport-canada/index.html "after the U.S. Airspace closed") due to the 9/11 attacks. Despite the fear and uncertainty that gripped the world at the time, the residents of Gander [opened their homes](https://www.911memorial.org/connect/blog/lend-hand-do-what-you-can-remembering-generosity-gander "opened their homes"), offering warmth, generosity, and hope to strangers from all walks of life. ![The upcoming "Come From Away" marks GMG Productions' first time working with a Filipino-led cast and crew](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/CFA-MNL-CAST-Large.jpeg)![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/CFA-MNL-CREATIVES-Large.jpeg)The upcoming “Come From Away” marks GMG Productions’ first time working with a Filipino-led cast and crewThe musical gained widespread acclaim for its heartfelt storytelling, powerful songs, and portrayal of the relentless human spirit during a time of crisis. Shortly after its premiere, it won the Tony Award for Best Direction and was nominated for Best Musical. It has also won multiple Olivier Awards, including Best New Musical, Best Theatre Choreography, Best Sound Design, Outstanding Achievement in Music, and the Drama Desk Awards for Outstanding Musical and Outstanding Book of a Musical. *The Chicago Tribune* called it “a show you should see right now, for the benefit of your own spirit,” while *[Time Out](https://www.timeout.com/london/theatre/come-from-away-review "Time Out")* described it as “a totally, soul-feedingly wonderful musical.” *[The Daily Beast](https://www.thedailybeast.com/review-how-come-from-away-makes-a-broadway-musical-out-of-911/ "The Daily Beast")* hailed the show as “a celebration of the best of humankind and an uplifting piece of art for our times.” “This show offers more than just a night at the theatre; it’s an inspiring celebration of humanity and people coming together,” says Candal. “It’s a story that Manila audiences will not only relate to but will also find profoundly uplifting, especially in today’s unpredictable times.” ## **Filipino Talent At The Forefront** The musical brings together an all-star cast of Philippine theatre legends, whose collective achievements have left a mark on local and international stages. The ensemble of 15 performers includes Cathy Azanza-Dy, Caisa Borromeo, Garrett Bolden, Mikkie Bradshaw-Volante, Becca Coates, Steven Cadd, Mayen Cadd, Rycharde Everley, Topper Fabregas, Sheila Francisco, Carla Guevara Laforteza, Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo, Gian Magdangal, George Schulze, and Chino Veguillas. ![The Filipino-led cast of the "Come From Away" Manila production](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/CFA-MNL-CAST-ALL.jpg)The cast of the “Come From Away” Manila production “*Come From Away* is the perfect vehicle to showcase home-grown talent as the musical requires versatile actors to play different characters,” shares Audie Gemora, founder of Stages Productions. “Let me tell you, we have assembled the best of the best Philippine theater has to offer. The energy surrounding this production is through the roof! This is going to be epic.” Michael Williams is set to direct *Come From Away*, with Rony Fortich as musical director. “This show is a testament to the power of community—how kindness, resilience, and human connection bring hope even in the darkest times. I’m thrilled to work with some of the most talented artists in Philippine theater to bring our passion and storytelling to this incredible production,” Williams expresses. ![The Filipino-led creative minds leading the "Come From Away" Manila production ](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/CFA-MNL-CREATIVES-ALL.jpg)The creative minds leading the “Come From Away” Manila production They are joined by Delphine Buencamino (Choreography), Harry Tabner (Lighting Designer), Luke Swaffield (Sound Designer), Kayla Teodoro (Production Designer), Myrene Santos (Hair and Makeup Designer), Hershee Tatiado (Costume Designer), and Joel Goldes, the dialect coach from *Come From Away*’s original Broadway production. Together, this world-class creative team blends Filipino and West End talents, staying true to the show’s spirit while highlighting local artistry. *Tickets for Come From Away will be officially available on February 22, 2025 through TicketWorld. Theatre fans can also enjoy early access through UnionBank of the Philippines, GMG Productions’ official 2025 season bank sponsor and pre-sale partner, or join the GMG Come From Away waitlist at* [*www.gmg-productions.com*](https://www.gmg-productions.com/)*. The pre-sale period runs from February 18 to 21, 2025.* *Stay updated on upcoming productions by visiting* [*www.gmg-productions.com*](https://www.gmg-productions.com/) *or following @gmg.productions on* [*Instagram*](https://www.instagram.com/gmg.productions/?hl=en)*,* [*Facebook*](https://www.facebook.com/GMG.Productions/)*,* [*X*](https://x.com/GMGProds?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor)*, and* [*YouTube*](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxCnNjaq2p-z0Qph4BtO_-Q)*.* Photos courtesy of GMG Productions. **Categories:** Arts & Culture **Tags:** Broadway Musicals, come from away, GMG Productions, manila musicals, manila musicals 2025, musicals, musicals 2025, musicals manila, musicals to watch, Performing Arts, Theater --- ### [“Combo On The Run" Sheds New Light On The Iconic Eraserheads](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/arts-and-culture/combo-on-the-run-sheds-new-light-on-the-iconic-eraserheads/) **Published:** March 24, 2025 **Author:** Pilar Gonzalez **Content:** ## **In the new Eraserheads documentary, boys grow up, look back, and reaffirm music’s ability to bring people together.** *Warning: This article contains certain snippets from “Combo on the Run.”* In the wake of a harrowing pandemic and the political tensions surrounding the 2022 presidential elections, the Eraserheads reunited for the first time in over a decade to perform their *Huling El Bimbo* concert. To this day, it remains the biggest concert ever held in the Philippines, with approximately a quarter of a million attendees. All roads, from past to present, lead back to that single euphoric evening—which is the beating heart of the recent Eraserheads documentary, *[Combo on the Run](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8y8wZuufWtg "Combo on the Run")* (aptly titled after a song from their first studio album, *[Ultraelectromagneticpop!](https://genius.com/albums/Eraserheads/Ultraelectromagneticpop "Ultraelectromagneticpop!")*). ![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Eraserheads-Credit-WEU-Event-Management-Service-HERO%402000x1270.jpg)The Eraserheads (Marcus Adoro, Ely Buendia, Buddy Zabala, and Raimund Marasigan) at their 2022 Huling El Bimbo reunion concert/Photo by Drew009 via [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Eraserheads-Credit-WEU-Event-Management-Service-HERO@2000x1270.jpg "Wikimedia Commons") As expressed in the film: “A band could not possibly solve a country’s problems. But what they *can* do is offer a momentary reprieve for two to three hours.” Directed by Diane Ventura, *Combo on the Run* sheds new light on one of the country’s greatest bands, including the immensity of their contributions to the alternative rock scene; the earth-shaking fame that came at the height of their careers in the 1990s; and of course, the schism of their disbandment. ![Eraserheads Combo on the Run poster](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/482987977_17860207257366626_3119041838035977601_n-1.jpg)Photo via Instagram [@eraserheadscomboontherun](https://www.instagram.com/p/DG2ppqNzl1p/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== "@eraserheadscomboontherun") READ ALSO: [Coming To The Big Screen: The Most Anticipated Movies Of 2025](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/scene/the-most-anticipated-movies-of-2025/#) ## **Combo On The Run Sorts Fact From Fabrication** Rumors, speculations, and hearsay about the reasons behind the Eraserheads’ split have circulated for years, rehashed and distorted like a message in a game of telephone. In *Combo on the Run*, the band sets the record straight, each member giving their own account of the events that gave way to their rise and separation, letting audiences form their own opinions as they piece it all together. ![Eraserheads Combo on the Run](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/471877881_1179402537235539_8135873546618899516_n.jpg)Photo via Instagram [@eraserheadscomboontherun](https://www.instagram.com/p/DEHi1TVTL8z/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== "@eraserheadscomboontherun") The documentary gives an unflinching look into the band’s journey, refusing to sugarcoat the bumps and issues they faced. The perfectly-timed candor of these sound bites even got the theatergoers laughing on more than one occasion. ## **Chronicling The Rise Of Rockstars** *Combo on the Run* gives audiences what they love: a classic underdog story. Four college boys in the University of the Philippines Diliman form an unlikely group of upstart musicians. Was it really a dream team? Not exactly. Lead vocalist and guitarist Ely Buendia admitted that when he posted a call for potential band members, he wasn’t all too impressed by Marcus Adoro (lead guitar), Raimund Marasigan (drummer), and Buddy Zabala (bassist); but it was humorously noted that they were the only ones who showed up—and the rest, as we know, is history. ![The album cover of Eraserheads's "Ultraelectromagneticpop!"](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/https___images.genius.com_ceaa811a4bec4a0a89398bf0da49842a.702x702x1.jpg)The album cover of Eraserheads’s “Ultraelectromagneticpop!”/Photo from [Genius](https://genius.com/albums/Eraserheads/Ultraelectromagneticpop "Genius") It feels like a cliché to say that the road to fame was paved with obstacles, but that’s exactly how it was for the young musicians, from experiencing a steady stream of rejections to submitting a poor recording of their first album. Thankfully, people eventually took notice of their potential, landing them performances at the popular [Club Dredd](https://eraserheads.fandom.com/wiki/Club_Dredd) and a chance to release *Ultraelectromagneticpop!* in 1993. As one interviewee states, the songs on the album were unlike anything he’d heard before in the Filipino music scene. They were fresh, playful, and indicative of the newly-acquired artistic freedom that came after Martial Law. The young musicians were eager to capture the milieu, describing experiences of the Filipino youth with a relatable charm and zest that drew listeners in. ![Raimund Marasigan, Ely Buendia, Marcus Adoro, and Buddy Zabala Eraserheads Photo from Every Eraserheads Photos ](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Eraserheads-old-photo2.jpg)Raimund Marasigan, Ely Buendia, Marcus Adoro, and Buddy Zabala/Photo from [Every Eraserheads Photos ](https://eraserheadsphotos.blogspot.com/2015/05/eraserheads-old-photos.html "Every Eraserheads Photos ") The Eraserheads gained a large and devoted following, landing them spots in movies and commercials; taking them on whirlwind tours around the country and abroad (complete with groupies and wild crowds); and even winning them the [Viewer’s Choice Award for Asia](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZiceFXPnAx0 "Viewer's Choice Award for Asia") at the 1997 MTV Video Music Awards for their beloved song [“Ang Huling El Bimbo.”](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lajnSJZpI34 ""Ang Huling El Bimbo.”") The band and their collaborators recalled tours in countries like Japan and Singapore, with crowds of foreigners ecstatic over their music—showing just how much the band transcended cultural and language barriers. Their influence can still be felt today, [inspiring young musicians](https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/04/16/23/this-gen-z-band-gets-inspiration-from-eraserheads "inspiring young musicians") within and beyond the alternative rock scene. ![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/484091750_122168084936284553_2464335609858967868_n.jpg)The Eraserheads on one of the covers for Rolling Stone Philippines’s maiden print issue/Photo via Instagram [@rollingstoneph](https://www.instagram.com/p/DHFgDoyv-gG/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== "@rollingstoneph") ## **What Are Friends For: Exploring The Dynamics Of A Band** A band is a delicate, living thing, tied together by a web of complex relationships. The members of Eraserheads make it clear that they were united by a shared taste in music, but not much else. They go as far as stating they were never “friends,” but simply professional collaborators. The band disbanded in 2002 after releasing a series of successful albums, aware of the growing distance between them. ![Eraserheads](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Eraserheads-old-photo14.jpg)Photo from [Every Eraserheads Photos ](https://eraserheadsphotos.blogspot.com/2015/05/eraserheads-old-photos.html "Every Eraserheads Photos ") The schism between the members only became wider as their artistic philosophies and personal interests clashed. Yet in 2008, the band got together after receiving an offer most couldn’t refuse, performing their very first reunion concert. The situation wasn’t ideal, especially for Buendia, whose mother passed away after a battle with cancer just two days before the event. To make matters worse, the lead vocalist collapsed from cardiac arrest in the middle of the concert, and was rushed to the hospital to recover. The band went their separate ways before reuniting for a 2022 concert. By then, they were far from the young men they once were: but they had baggage to unload and tensions to overcome. Adoro, in particular, was also [facing public scrutiny](https://www.philstar.com/entertainment/2022/09/27/2212529/marcus-adoro-breaks-silence-over-alleged-abuse-ahead-eraserheads-reunion) after his daughter Syd Hartha and ex-partner Barbara Ruano accused him of physical and emotional abuse. Buendia refused to work with him unless he sought professional help and forgiveness, which he did (though it’s an ongoing pursuit, since his daughter has still cut ties with him). ![Eraserheads Huling El Bimbo Concert](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/478007957_17968439222834498_367490079499231623_n.jpg)Photo via Instagram [@hulingelbimboconcert](https://www.instagram.com/p/DF424rDSNeO/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== "@hulingelbimboconcert") Adoro was evidently changing his ways, so the band continued preparations for what would be a defining moment in Philippine music. In the end, it was music that brought them together, just as it had in the very beginning—accompanied by the knowledge that things change, and life’s too short to hold onto the past forever. *Combo on the Run* poses a platonic “will they, won’t they,” making audiences wonder if the Eraserheads will ever be friends while interrogating the parasocial obsession that puts so much emphasis on the necessity of friendship within a band. Did they ever care about each other? Would it have made a difference in their journey? Does any of that really matter? The documentary gives no definite and explicit answer to these questions, letting them sit long after the credits roll. But as the montage towards the end shows us—clips of band members stating they may never be “best friends” juxtaposed with photos and videos of joyful karaokes, dinners, outings, and tours spent together—it’s never too late to start again. *The theatrical run of “Combo on the Run” was initially set for March 21 to 23, 2025, but has since been extended for another week due to persistent public demand.* **Categories:** Arts & Culture **Tags:** alternative rock, combo on the run, documentaries, documentary, eraserhead documentary, Eraserheads, filipino music, filipino musicians, Movie Review, movie review 2025, Movies, movies 2025, Music, opm, philippine music --- ### [The Refresh: Lifestyle Asia Welcomes Guests To La Dolce Vita](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/scene/the-refresh-lifestyle-asia-welcomes-guests-to-la-dolce-vita/) **Published:** April 5, 2025 **Author:** The Lifestyle Asia Team **Content:** ## **Lifestyle Asia ushers in a fresh new era with a summer party celebrating cover star Rocio Zobel and the magazine’s grand return to print.** A tropical oasis awaited guests at the Garden Pavilion of the Grand Hyatt in Bonifacio Global City, as people gathered to celebrate an exciting new chapter in *Lifestyle Asia*‘s history: [a print comeback ](https://sarisari.shopping/ "a print comeback ")marked by the launch of its first quarterly issue under new editorial leadership. More than a new look, the heritage media brand is also adopting a fresh voice and direction for a new generation of readers. Titled “La Dolce Vita,” the summer soiree is a nod to both *Lifestyle Asia*‘s initials (LA) and the brand’s new tagline, “Welcome to the Good Life.” ![Grand Hyatt Garden Pavilion Lifestyle Asia](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/49.jpg)![Grand Hyatt Garden Pavilion Lifestyle Asia](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/13-2.jpg)![Grand Hyatt Garden Pavilion Lifestyle Asia](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/48.jpg)![Grand Hyatt Garden Pavilion Lifestyle Asia](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/14-3.jpg)![Grand Hyatt Garden Pavilion Lifestyle Asia](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/17.jpg)Inside La Dolce VitaREAD ALSO: [Spring Awakening: Rocio Zobel And The World She Is Cultivating Back Home](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/people/lifestyle/spring-awakening-rocio-zobel-and-the-world-she-is-cultivating-back-home/ "Spring Awakening: Rocio Zobel And The World She Is Cultivating Back Home") ## **La Dolce Vita** Made possible through the sponsorship of Ploom and Havaianas, La Dolce Vita was emblematic of the thrilling refresh with its vibrant decor, inspired cocktails and food, live performances, and curated mix of guests—including the next wave of Filipino tastemakers and creatives who reflect the magazine’s evolution. ![Adriana Gonzalez Martine Velasco Robyn See Justin Uy Lifestyle Asia](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/16.jpg)![Christelle Dychangco Bea Elizalde LIfestyle Asia](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/15.jpg)![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/24.jpg)![Jeff Cole Inez Lebron Alia Hortaleza Nico Pumaren Lifestyle Asia](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/5.jpg)![Kai Yulo Ina Kole Monica Concepcion Lifestyle Asia](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/9.jpg)![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/LA-April-2025-La-Dolce-Vita-event-IGP-Landscape.jpg)![Paolo Vera Andy Presyler Bea Elizalde Lifestyle Asia](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/23.jpg)Adriana Gonzalez, Martine Velasco, Robyn See, Justin Uy; Christelle Dychangco and Bea Elizalde; Andrew Solon, Philip Liechtenstein, Jessi Singson, and Ayni Nuyda; Jeff Cole, Inez Lebron Cole, Alia Hortaleza Pumaren, Nico Pumaren; Kai Yulo, Ina Kole Tengco, and Monica Concepcion; Archie Carrasco (CEO and Chairman of AGC Power Holdings Corp.), Apples Aberin (Vice President for Lifestyle Media Brands under One Mega Group, Inc.), and Randolf Palanca (Vice President for Business Growth & Strategic Partnerships); Paolo Vera and Bea ElizaldeThe new *Lifestyle Asia* pays homage to its heritage while embracing fresh perspectives from emerging entrepreneurs, artists, and young leaders making their mark across various industries. Taking a multidimensional approach to luxury, it centers around five key sections of the magazine: Self (wellness and potential); Style (personal expression through fashion and living); Experiences (engaging with the world through wine, food, and travel); Currents (the world we actively curate in business, technology, and politics); and Culture (transcending the individual to finding meaning as a community). ![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/2-2.jpg)![Monica Concepcion Ina Kole Marga Preysler Lifestyle Asia](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/7-1.jpg)![Bianca Jimenez Connor Wen Lifestyle Asia](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/4-1.jpg)![Justin Uy Robyn See Lifestyle Asia](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/8.jpg)![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/LA-April-2025-La-Dolce-Vita-event-IGP-Portrait.jpg)![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/10-2.jpg)![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/LA-April-2025-La-Dolce-Vita-event-IGP-Portrait-3.jpg)![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/LA-April-2025-La-Dolce-Vita-event-IGP-Portrait-2.jpg)Sophia Solidum and Jelene Eduardo; Monica Concepcion, Ina Kole Tengco, Marga Preysler; Bianca Jimenez and Conner Wen; Justin Uy and Robyn See; Gabby Velasco and Jaime Jalandoni; Toff de Venecia and Kerry Tinga; Kristian Tinga and Otto Devantier; Janelle Sy and Kyle Tinga This holistic vision acknowledges that for today’s generation, luxury transcends its typical denotations, becoming a personalized journey of freedom and discovery. ## **Introducing A New Era** The program began with the introduction of Kerry Tinga—who was appointed Chief of Editorial Content last January—by Apples Aberin, Vice President for Lifestyle Media Brands under One Mega Group, Inc. ![Apples Aberin](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/19.jpg)![Kerry Tinga](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/20.jpg)Apples Aberin, Vice President for Lifestyle Media Brands under One Mega Group, Inc. and Kerry Tinga, Lifestyle Asia Chief of Editorial Content Tinga took the stage to deliver a rousing speech that thoughtfully articulated her vision for the publication. “Thank you so much to everyone for being here, for what I’m calling the official refresh party of *Lifestyle Asia*,” she expressed. “I really hope that *Lifestyle Asia* is both a guide and a thoughtful meditation on living the good life: whatever that means to you, you’ll hopefully find it within the pages of our issues and website.” ![Kerry Tinga with Lifestyle Asia's new editors (left to right): Monica Concepcion, Paolo Vera, Alexandra Tan, and Maxine Alindogan](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/12-3.jpg)Kerry Tinga with Lifestyle Asia’s new editors (left to right): Monica Concepcion, Paolo Vera, Alexandra Tan, and Maxine Alindogan To quote her editor’s letter for the newest issue: “Luxury is the freedom to discover and pursue what ignites our passion, to curate a life that resonates with our individual spirit. Luxury is personal, and the possibilities endless. With this new direction, we’re not prescribing the good life, but inviting you to discover your good life.” ![Cover star Rocio Zobel and Chief of Editorial Content Kerry Tinga with COO of One Mega Group, Inc. Ramon Galicia, Vice President for Lifestyle Media Brands Apples Aberin, Editorial Director Yvette Tan, and the Lifestyle Asia editorial team: Managing Editor Chino Hernandez; Wellness Editor Alexandra Tan; Beauty Editor Monica Concepcion; Food and Travel Editor Maxine Alindogan; Business, Politics, and Technology Editor Paolo Vera; and writers MJ Calayan and Pilar Gonzalez ](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/34.jpg)Cover star Rocio Zobel and Chief of Editorial Content Kerry Tinga with COO of One Mega Group, Inc. Ramon Galicia, Vice President for Lifestyle Media Brands Apples Aberin, Editorial Director Yvette Tan, and the Lifestyle Asia editorial team: Managing Editor and Digital Editor Chino Hernandez; Wellness Editor Alexandra Tan; Beauty Editor Monica Concepcion; Food and Travel Editor Maxine Alindogan; Business, Politics, and Technology Editor Paolo Vera; writers MJ Calayan and Pilar Gonzalez. The new Chief of Editorial Content also introduced her dynamic editorial team, including Wellness Editor Alexandra Tan; Beauty Editor Monica Concepcion; Food and Travel Editor Maxine Alindogan; Business, Politics, and Technology Editor Paolo Vera; and Managing Editor Chino Hernandez. Tinga ended her speech thanking the editorial team, One Mega Group, Inc., and *Lifestyle Asia*‘s partners for their invaluable work in making a daring vision a reality. ## **Cover Star Rocio Zobel Launches Lifestyle Asia’s Refresh** The main highlight of La Dolce Vita was the reveal of the first cover personality under *Lifestyle Asia’s* new era. This was none other than Rocio Zobel: the 22-year-old who embodies the young, bold, and inspired direction of the media title as it strives to cater to a new batch of society readers and personalities. ![The cover of Lifestyle Asia's April 2025 issue featuring Rocio Zobel](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/01-LA-2025-April-Cove-without-barcode-and-pricer-Large.jpeg)The cover of Lifestyle Asia’s April 2025 issue featuring Rocio Zobel The exclusive cover story offers an intimate look at the young Zobel’s contemplative vision for her future as she returns to Manila to build her dreams and honor the home where her family’s legacy took root. Rocio’s parents Iñigo and Maricris were also present during the launch to support their daughter, proudly holding up copies of the new issue. ![Maricis Zobel and Inigo Zobel](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/LA-April-2025-La-Dolce-Vita-Article-Photos-Portrait.jpg)Proud parents Maricris and Iñigo Zobel ## **An Evening Of Refreshing Delights** Guests donned their best summer nights attire, which fit perfectly against the lively tropical backdrop enhanced by elegant furnishings and accessories from W/17 Home and Artifeks, portable lamps from Design Story, elegant rugs from Decoliving, and lush tropical plants from Spruce Designs, styled by Decorum by MIL. ![Every detail was picture perfect thanks to Lifestyle Asia's partners W/17 Home, Artifeks, Design Story, Decoliving, Spruce Designs, and Decorum MIL](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/13-1.jpg)![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/14-2.jpg)![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/15-2.jpg)![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/16-2.jpg)Every detail was picture perfect thanks to Lifestyle Asia’s partners W/17 Home, Artifeks, Design Story, Decoliving, Spruce Designs, and Decorum MILPloom enhanced the La Dolce Vita experience through a relaxing lounge area evoking a Mediterranean escape, where guests could sit back in sophisticated comfort. ![The Ploom Lounge at La Dolce Vita](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/50.jpg)The Ploom Lounge at La Dolce Vita Partygoers also indulged in an array of Cuban-inspired canapés prepared by Grand Hyatt BGC’s exceptional culinary team. These were paired with signature cocktails featuring 1800 Tequila, including refreshing margaritas and palomas that fit the theme, care of Premier Wine and Spirits. ![A sweet delight from Farmacy of the Wildflour Hospitality Group](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/60.jpg)A sweet delight from Farmacy of the Wildflour Hospitality Group Those with a craving for something sweet headed to the special ice cream cart from Farmacy of the Wildflour Hospitality Group to grab some tasty scoops. ![Guests enjoying refreshing cocktails featuring 1800 Tequila, care of Premier Wine and Spirits](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/20-1.jpg)![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/19-1.jpg)Guests enjoying refreshing cocktails featuring 1800 Tequila, care of Premier Wine and SpiritsA crowd-favorite was the AMP Band, which filled the space with the sound of Latin and big band jazz, helmed by the smooth vocals of band leader Mel Villena. ![Mel Villena AMP Band](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/11-1.jpg)![Mel Villena AMP Band](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/10-1.jpg)![Mel Villena AMP Band](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/21-1.jpg)![Mel Villena AMP Band](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/22.jpg)The AMP Band played swinging jazz hits that got everyone grooving throughout the eventThe night capped off on a high note as guests left the party in abuzz with excitement, holding a copy of the new issue and delighting in the stylish flip-flop giveaways from partner Havaianas—perfect for their next beach trip. ![Havaianas completed the event with vibrant giveaways for guests](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/57.jpg)![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/28.jpg)Havaianas completed the event with vibrant giveaways for guestsAs Lifestyle Asia presents a whole 360-media experience as it embarks on this thrilling chapter. From quarterly print to digital content, as well as event activations, it reaffirms its position as the definitive voice of luxury lifestyle in the Philippines while embracing contemporary sensibilities and finding relevance within a new, growing audience. *Lifestyle Asia Vol. 1 2025 “Refresh Issue” is available through digital platforms* *(E-Magazine Subscription through Lifestyle Asia’s website and [Readly](https://im.readly.com/products/magazine/lifestyle-asia "Readly")), e-commerce ([Sarisari.shopping](https://sarisari.shopping/ "Sarisari.shopping"), Shopee, and Lazada) and print (selected Fullybooked and National Bookstore outlets).* ## Frequently Asked Questions ### What is the “La Dolce Vita” event by ? “La Dolce Vita” is a summer soirée hosted by to celebrate the magazine’s print comeback and the launch of its first quarterly issue under new editorial leadership. The event marked a fresh direction for the publication, embracing a multidimensional approach to luxury. ### Who were the key figures at the “La Dolce Vita” event? The event featured cover star Rocio Zobel and Chief of Editorial Content Kerry Tinga. Other notable attendees included Apples Aberin, Vice President for Lifestyle Media Brands under One Mega Group, Inc., and the editorial team: Managing Editor Chino Hernandez, Wellness Editor Alexandra Tan, Beauty Editor Monica Concepcion, Food and Travel Editor Maxine Alindogan, and Business, Politics, and Technology Editor Paolo Vera. ### What was the theme of ‘s “La Dolce Vita” event? The theme “La Dolce Vita” is a nod to both ‘s initials (LA) and the brand’s new tagline, “Welcome to the Good Life.” The event featured vibrant decor, inspired cocktails and food, live performances, and a curated mix of guests, reflecting the magazine’s evolution. ### Where was the “La Dolce Vita” event held? The event took place at the Garden Pavilion of the Grand Hyatt in Bonifacio Global City, providing a tropical oasis setting for guests to celebrate the magazine’s new chapter. ### What is the significance of the “La Dolce Vita” event for ? The event signifies a fresh new era for , marking its return to print and the launch of a new editorial direction. It reflects the publication’s commitment to embracing fresh perspectives from emerging entrepreneurs, artists, and young leaders, and centers around five key sections: Self, Style, Experiences, Currents, and Culture. **Categories:** Events, Scene **Tags:** april 2025, april 2025 launch, Brand launch, la dolce vita, la launch, Lifestyle Asia, lifestyle asia april 2025, lifestyle asia launch, Rocio Zobel --- ### [‘What Happens Later’ Trailer: Meg Ryan's Rom-Com Comeback with David Duchovny](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/scene/what-happens-later-trailer-meg-ryans-rom-com-comeback-with-david-duchovny/) **Published:** September 1, 2023 **Author:** Kim Luna **Content:** ## *The queen of rom-coms is making a charming return to the genre in ‘What Happens Later’ alongside David Duchovny.* Get ready for a dose of rom-com nostalgia as the beloved [Meg Ryan](https://instagram.com/megryan?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) returns to the genre in *[What Happens Later,](https://instagram.com/davidduchovny?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==)* alongside the ever-charming [David Duchovny](https://instagram.com/davidduchovny?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==). [Bleecker Street’s](https://instagram.com/bleeckerstfilms?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) upcoming love story, based on Steven Dietz’s play *Shooting Star*, promises a heartwarming reunion between two former flames, all set against the backdrop of a snowed-in airport. And guess what? Meg Ryan not only stars in the film but also takes on the director and[ co-writer ](https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/meg-ryan-what-happens-later-david-duchovny-b2401873.html)roles. READ ALSO: [Peak Entertainment: 4 Most Lavish Movie Theaters In The World](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/living/entertaining/peak-entertainment-4-most-lavish-movie-theaters-in-the-world/) ![Official poster of Meg Ryan's comeback movie](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/IMG_6067.jpg)What Happens Later movie official poster/Photo via Instagram @whathappenslatermovie ## Rom-Com Revival In *What Happens Later,* Ryan shines as Willa, while Duchovny joins her as Bill. ![Duchovny holding a book](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/IMG_6068-1.jpg)David Duchovny/Photo via Instagram @davidduchovny The second-in-a-lifetime meet-cute unfolds as their flights become grounded due to a snowstorm, kicking off the story. Willa is the “magical thinker,” and Bill, well, he’s the “catastrophic one.” As they reunite, sparks fly, and so do their old annoyances, bringing back memories from decades ago. But here’s the twist: As they delve into the riddle of their shared past and compare their lives to the dreams they once held dear, they start to wonder if this reunion is more than just a coincidence. Could it be something enchanted? The synopsis promises that *What Happens Later* was crafted to recapture the same cheeky magic that Ryan brought to ’90s rom-coms. If you’re a fan of her iconic roles in Nora Ephron’s classics like *When Harry Met Sally, You’ve Got Mail,* and *Sleepless in Seattle,* you’re in for a treat. This film marks Meg Ryan’s return to the rom-com scene, and not only as an actress but also as a director and writer – her first foray into the rom-com genre. ![Meg Ryan poses. She's directing her comeback film "What Happens Later"](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/IMG_6069.jpg)Meg Ryan/Photo via Instagram @megryan Exciting news! The [trailer](https://www.instagram.com/reel/CwkYen3M6jF/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) for Meg Ryan’s comeback film, *What Happens Later*, is now available online. The screenplay, penned by Dietz, Ryan, and Kirk Lynn, promises a delightful and heartwarming journey. Mark your calendars for October 13th when *What Happens Later* will make its grand theatrical debut. Love is in the air, and we can’t wait to see what happens next! Banner photo via Instagram @whathappenslatermovie. **Categories:** Scene **Tags:** Director, Film, Film Director, Films, love, love story, Movie, movie industry, movie theater, Movies, romance, romantic, Theater, Theatre, writer, writing --- ### [The Uninvited: "Tinder Swindler" Claims He'll Attend This BGC Birthday Party, But The Celebrant Says Otherwise](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/scene/events/the-uninvited-tinder-swindler-claims-hell-attend-this-bgc-birthday-party-but-the-celebrant-says-otherwise/) **Published:** April 27, 2022 **Author:** Ratziel San Juan **Content:** ## *An unfortunate slight.* Shimon Hayut, who rose to global infamy as Simon Leviev in the documentary *The Tinder Swindler*, has invited people through video to attend the birthday party of Benchmark Group Holdings chief executive officer Cecile Zamora. READ ALSO: [Very VIP: Bryanboy Flies To Marrakech For ‘Inventing Anna’ ](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/very-vip-bryanboy-flies-to-marrakech-for-inventing-anna-themed-birthday/)[Themed](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/people/lifestyle/very-vip-bryanboy-flies-to-marrakech-for-inventing-anna-themed-birthday/)[ Birthday](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/very-vip-bryanboy-flies-to-marrakech-for-inventing-anna-themed-birthday/) The lifestyle personality had solicited Hayut’s video invitation through the personalized message platform Cameo. What she didn’t expect, however, is that he would invite himself to the party in Bonifacio Global City (BGC). “I want to invite you all on April 27, at 8:00 pm…in BGC at Cecile’s birthday… Save the date, it’s gonna be amazing. And I’m gonna be there,” Hayut said in the video he sent to Zamora. She told the [media](https://philstarlife.com/geeky/565656-the-tinder-swindler-birthday-video-greeting) that this is false, even asking Hayut to clarify in the video that he will not be attending her celebration. “I don’t even know why he said that,” Zamora said. > [View this post on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/p/B9S2LuBB9h2/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading)[A post shared by Cecile Zamora (@chuvaness)](https://www.instagram.com/p/B9S2LuBB9h2/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading) The birthday celebrant chose to avail Hayut’s personalized video message services due to the limited options in Cameo. She also added how the “Tinder Swindler” has been recently trending and she finds him hilarious. Zamora doesn’t expect Hayut to gatecrash the party, saying she is not his crowd nor a socialite. ## Back in business Hayut’s [profile](https://www.cameo.com/simonleviev), which includes his alternate name Simon Leviev and even the “Tinder Swindler” label, has over 1,000 followers and 150 five-star reviews. ​​Interested customers can avail his services for personal use (around P7,800) or for business (around P41,700). Hayut is an Israel-born convicted fraudster who used dating apps to meet women through whom he would establish lines of credit and loans in their names, leaving them to shoulder the bills. Netflix has announced that *The Tinder Swindler* has become the platform’s most-watched documentary. It gained 166 million hours of viewing time within its first 28 days alone. “Posing as a wealthy, jet-setting diamond mogul, he wooed women online then conned them out of millions of dollars. Now some victims plan for payback,” reads the documentary’s synopsis. Banner Photo by [Good Faces Agency](https://unsplash.com/@ingoodhands?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText) on [Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/s/photos/tinder?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText) **Categories:** Events, Scene **Tags:** BGC, Bonifacio Global City, Tinder Swindler --- ### [The Mead Kings Celebrate a Milestone in Their Marriage](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/people/mead-kings-celebrate-milestone-marriage/) **Published:** July 20, 2018 **Author:** Aubrey Alejo **Content:** We all know of the Mead King’s extraordinary love story. Their names caught many people’s attention in 2016 when car enthusiast and business tycoon Ian King, revealed herself as Angelina Mead King through her Instagram account. She was already 5 years married with model Joey Mead King then. Their relationship has been tested by time, changes, and challenges, and has truly inspired many and continues to do so. Yesterday, the couple celebrated their “car anniversary”, the day a year ago when Angie gave her wife a rare mustang as a present. **RELATED READS**: [The Tale of Two Wives: Inside the Marriage of Angie and Joey Mead King](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/people/the-tale-of-two-wives-inside-the-marriage-of-angie-and-joey-mead-king/) https://www.instagram.com/p/BlX31LbnX6\_/?hl=tl&taken-by=angiemeadking The glorious Stang is a ’67 Eleanor that’s number 7 in the build. Angie specifically ordered the car in automatic transmission because according to her, Joey is lazy and would just wants to put her car in *drive*. For the exteriors, Angie had it blacked out. She chose a flat black paint with a matte clear finish, smoked lights and black wheels. On the day of reveal, Joey was all tears and screams. The model seemed as if she couldn’t help herself from all the excitement and extreme joy she felt. Even after a year, people all over Instagram gushed over the gesture of Angie to Joey. Watch the full video of the surprise here: **Categories:** People **Tags:** Angelina King, Angelina King Cars, Angie King, Angie King Cars, Cars, Joey King, Joey Mead King, Luxury, Luxury Cars, Mustang --- ### ["Light Blue Forever” Brings the Sensations of the Mediterranean Breeze](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/self/light-blue-forever-brings-the-sensations-of-the-mediterranean-breeze/) **Published:** November 22, 2021 **Author:** Jeronne De Villa **Content:** ## *Dolce & Gabbana’s latest pair of fragrances is an ode to the spirit of eternal love* Gracing our olfactory senses is the latest entry in Dolce & Gabbana’s acclaimed Light Blue fragrances, which was released last September 2021. Evoking the uncanny zest, warmth and sparkle of the Mediterranean coast, Light Blue Forever consists of a duo of refreshing fragrances for both him and her, an apt combination when it comes to encapsulating the spirit of eternal love in a bottle. ### **A whiff of the sea** Dolce & Gabbana places the next chapter of its Light Blue fragrances at the noses of two world-class perfumers of different formulating philosophies. The Light Blue Forever Pour Femme was crafted by no other than celebrated master perfumer Olivier Cresp, the creator of the original Light Blue Eau de Toilette. Cresp developed an exciting twist to the Light Blue Forever Pour Femme in evoking a sunny, sensual, and feminine fragrance resembling long summer days by the Mediterranean Sea. The fragrance begins with a duet of crisp Granny Smith apple and tangy Calabrian lemon top notes, extracted using the traditional “sfumatrice” technique. This then grows into a zesty combination of sun-drenched orange blossoms and white flowers and musk, and is finished off with a signature trail of Virginia cedar and cashmere woods. ![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/dolce-ia1.jpg) “I think the new Light Blue Forever Pour Femme has added a new dimension that is more inclusive of different identities and multigenerational audiences. I think that the overall addictive sensation, shaped around warm and multisensorial notes, is more encompassing, without crossing into gourmand territory,” stated Cresp, whose veteran nose has developed many iconic Light Blue fragrances throughout the years. The next chapter of the Light Blue Pour Homme story will be told by innovative perfumer Shyamala Maisondieu, who brings a novel approach to the Dolce & Gabbana trademark series. With a new interpretation of freshness for men, the Eau de Parfum blends intensity and light to create a scent that is both generous and addictive. Opening the fragrance is a duo of cold-pressed grapefruit zest and Italian bergamot that instantly transports the senses to the citrus groves of Capri. The fragrance then evolves with a note of invigorating violet leaf combined with the refreshing azure of ozonic accord. A woody base grounds the scent as magnetic white musks and earthy tropical vetiver sustains the fragrance’s allure, creating an irresistible and enduring sensuality in a sharp play of contrasts. ![Image gallery image](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/dolce-ia2.jpg)![Image gallery image](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/dolce-ia3.jpg) “Everything about it is new and special, to be honest, as it uses a combination of really distinctive captives and naturals at a high level. The formula creates a very special contrast of freshness versus sensual warmth, a contrast which you notice as soon as you spray it.” shared Maisondieu, who took inspiration from the Light Blue Universe’s three main pillars which are citrus notes, fresh aquatic marine notes, and woody notes. Continuing the unmistakable legacy of the Light Blue fragrances is the duo’s bottles maintain the iconic silhouettes of the cult classics, which takes shape through the reinvention in drawing in the shades of radiant turquoise and luminous blue, as inspired from the sparkling hues of the Mediterranean. The duo of complimenting bottles are embellished with gleaming gold accents, evoking the dazzling Mediterranean sun rays as they shimmer on the waves. ### **Where the water touches the sky** ![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/dolce-ia4.jpg) As directed by Steven Brahms, this chapter of Light Blue Forever takes place in Capri before the soaring Faraglioni cliffs—an iconic setting of the campaign’s love story. Featuring Bianca Balti and David Gandy, this new chapter bathes the couple in a trinity of charming atmosphere, shimmering light and turquoise waters; encapsulating the spirit of eternal love. The images, shot by the Morelli brothers, share this atmosphere of warmth and intimacy, capturing in time the cherished moments of everlasting forever love. *Learn more about Light Blue Forever at its* [*official website*](https://www.dolcegabbanabeauty.com/perfumes/light-blue-foreve)*. For the latest updates on Dolce & Gabbana, follow them at their official*[ *Facebook*](https://www.facebook.com/DolceGabbana) *and* [*Instagram*](https://www.instagram.com/dolcegabbana) *pages.* **Categories:** Self **Tags:** Dolce & Gabbana, Fragrances, light blue forever, mediterranean --- ### [Areal Art: Kenneth Cobonpue Uses His Lifelong Fascination With The Circus As Inspiration for his New Lighting Collection](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/living/areal-art-kenneth-cobonpue-uses-his-lifelong-fascination-with-the-circus-as-inspiration-for-new-lighting-collection/) **Published:** July 16, 2021 **Author:** Mica Cruz **Content:** ## ***In Limbo, the designer’s newest aerialist-themed lighting collection, he conveys the message that design is “one big show.”*** READ ALSO: [*Design As An Insignia: A Talk With Kenneth Cobonpue, Budji Layug And Royal Pineda*](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/people/design-as-an-insigna-a-talk-with-kenneth-cobonpue-budji-layug-and-royal-pineda/) Kevin Cobonpue’s Cebu-made *functional art* pieces are acquired by markets across the globe. As seen in lodges in Rwanda to hotels in Barcelona and restaurants in [Tokyo](https://www.kennethcobonpue.com/projects/asia/) to[ celebrity homes i](https://www.instagram.com/p/BhwNm_rlLD_/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link)n Los Angeles—Cobonpue’s contemporary designs makes refined statements through the use of locally sourced natural materials. > [ View this post on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/p/CQih2FiHZK2/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading)[A post shared by Kenneth Cobonpue (@kennethcobonpue)](https://www.instagram.com/p/CQih2FiHZK2/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading) While his designs are constantly on the radars of those with a keen appreciation for art and craftsmanship, Cobonpue considers his influential career an extension of his childhood. “My work is always about fantasy and about bringing you into my imagination,” the multi-awarded designer shares. “To another world of fantasy, playfulness, and I want every piece of mine to tell a story.” As the son of Betty Cobonpue, a renowned furniture designer and founder of Cebu’s Crafts of the Islands Incorporated, his upbringing deeply honed his passion for design and technique. Betty invented a patented method for working with rattan by laminating the delicate vines that would emerge into a structural shape. Even though his first mentor on innovation and technique was his mother, Cobonpue digs deep into his own curiosities to birth designs that “are not for the faint of heart.” > [ View this post on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/p/BR2TcPYjVBg/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading)[A post shared by Kenneth Cobonpue (@kennethcobonpue)](https://www.instagram.com/p/BR2TcPYjVBg/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading) In his newest collection, Limbo, Cobonpue uses his lifelong enchantment with the circus and its performers as the source of its inspiration. “The performers always exude beauty and grace even under pressure, and the things they do always fascinated me,” the 53-year-old explains.” And so I wanted to capture these arealists mid-flight. As if I could take a snapshot of what they were doing, capturing the movement in a certain second.” ## **An experimental process** The Limbo collection merges intricately made life-size sculptures with functional lighting fixtures. In Chandelier, the sculpture molds to appear as if it’s swinging on the ceiling fixture. While in Trapeze, the human-shaped mold is holding on to two lamps in each hand. ![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Limbo-Collection-Kenneth-Cobonpue-Chandelier.jpg)Chandelier from the Limbo Collection (Photo courtesy of Kenneth Cobonpue)Cobonpue says that since Limbo’s conceptualization, it took years of trial and error runs to perfect the manufacturing process. He shares that the first hurdle was creating each sculpture’s shape, which was crafted using store mannequins. Together with his team, Cobonpue cut up each figure to situate them in contorted positions. Once the mold’s place is finalized, the craftsmen hand weave gossamer wires and a lattice pattern around. “For every piece, we have to cast, measure, conduct metalwork, weave, weld, and even enhance shapes,” the industrial design graduate summarizes. Due to the complexities of the production process, Limbo was winded down to three lighting pieces, “there were supposed to be five,” Conopue reveals. “There was a juggler, and there was a hoop aerialist.” Fortunately, he and his team aim to release the aerial hoop piece still and are currently working toward the technology to bring it to life. ## **Livelihood of workmanship** After years of experimentation, it now takes six weeks to manufacture one Limbo piece. Every step of the process requires the meticulous workmanship that only trained hands can provide. “In the beginning, we hired Cebuano men who weren’t able to go to school. We took them off the streets by working with a foundation,” Cobonpue shares about his team of craftsmen. ![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Limbo-Collection-Kenneth-Cobonpue-Acrobat.jpg)Trapeze from the Limbo Collection (Photo courtesy of Kenneth Cobonpue)“It took them quite a while to learn \[furniture making\], so we paid them while they were learning. Now, they’ve learned how to build quite fast.” He adds that the same craftsmen make his brand’s pieces up to this day, and this is now their sustainable livelihood. Given the Limbo’s dramatic and niche feel, the designer did not expect the collection to sell in large quantities. However, he’s pleased that the collection is “actually doing very well.” With that, it seems that stepping into his imagination continues to manifest thought-provoking pieces of functional art. With his circus fascination as an inspiration source, Cobonpue shares that Limbo conveys that “design is one big show.” **Categories:** Living **Tags:** Cebu furniture, funcitional art, Handmade funiture, kenneth cobonpue, Limbo Collection, Philippine furniture --- ### [The Time Capsule: 160 Years of Louis Vuitton Style & Influence](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/style/the-time-capsule-160-years-of-lv-style-and-influence/) **Published:** October 19, 2017 **Author:** Sammie Masigan **Content:** [Louis Vuitton](https://lifestyleasia.ph/event/louis-vuittin-solaire/), eponymous in its own right, has something grandeur to offer yet again straight from its 160-year-old playbook. Checking off Hong Kong, Bangkok, and Berlin from their list, Louis Vuitton has announced the opening of its ***Time Capsule*** exhibition in ION Orchard, Singapore. ![1080x1470_SINGAPORE_timecapsule](https://lifestyleasia.ph/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/1080x1470_SINGAPORE_timecapsule-368x500.jpg) Running from October 18 until November 5, the “Time Capsule” will flaunt a hand selected collection of pieces dug straight from the Louis Vuitton archive. ![senatus_OCT4Lv](https://lifestyleasia.ph/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/senatus_OCT4Lv-550x367.jpg) ![senatus_lNKCrY](https://lifestyleasia.ph/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/senatus_lNKCrY-550x367.jpg) The exhibition starts by transporting you back to 1854, the pivotal year where Vuitton first established his travel luggage business in Paris at 4 Rue Neuve des Capucines. ![senatus_kHWEyz](https://lifestyleasia.ph/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/senatus_kHWEyz-550x367.jpg) ![senatus_aDKgyP](https://lifestyleasia.ph/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/senatus_aDKgyP-550x367.jpg) From there, landmark innovations on technology and design in this day and age are told through the eyes of the luxury house. [![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/senatus_5prVdz.jpg)](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/senatus_5prVdz.jpg) [![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/senatus_EgiJ3z.jpg)](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/senatus_EgiJ3z.jpg) [![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/senatus_IAgXrR.jpg)](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/senatus_IAgXrR.jpg) [![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/senatus_iOlTYM.jpg)](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/senatus_iOlTYM.jpg) The latter includes a demonstration of fine leatherwork skills by French artisans, to a visual timeline focusing on the five key aspects: Codes of the House, Journeys around the World, Elegance and Beauty in Motion, Louis Vuitton and the Arts and Magic Malle. > [An interactive exhibit with beautiful archival pieces ✔️ can’t believe I just spent less than 24 hours in Singapore ? but it was worth it! If you’re in the area make sure to stop by the #LVTimeCapsule exhibit to learn about the journey from 1854 to the present day ✨ #LouisVuitton](https://www.instagram.com/p/BaYljvcglAd/) > > A post shared by Mari Jasmine (@mari\_jasmn) on Oct 18, 2017 at 2:22am PDT [![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Screen-Shot-2017-10-19-at-1.58.36-PM.jpg)](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Screen-Shot-2017-10-19-at-1.58.36-PM.jpg) [![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Screen-Shot-2017-10-19-at-1.58.50-PM.jpg)](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Screen-Shot-2017-10-19-at-1.58.50-PM.jpg) [![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Screen-Shot-2017-10-19-at-1.59.00-PM.jpg)](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Screen-Shot-2017-10-19-at-1.59.00-PM.jpg) [![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Screen-Shot-2017-10-19-at-2.00.53-PM.jpg)](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Screen-Shot-2017-10-19-at-2.00.53-PM.jpg) [![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Screen-Shot-2017-10-19-at-2.01.38-PM.jpg)](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Screen-Shot-2017-10-19-at-2.01.38-PM.jpg) [![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Screen-Shot-2017-10-19-at-2.06.25-PM.jpg)](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Screen-Shot-2017-10-19-at-2.06.25-PM.jpg) [![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Screen-Shot-2017-10-19-at-2.18.22-PM.jpg)](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Screen-Shot-2017-10-19-at-2.18.22-PM.jpg) Some of the distinguished guests from the Philippines in attendance were *Mari Jasmine & Janine Gutierrez*. Also in attendance was South Korean model and actress *Lee Sung-kyung*. ![senatus_qV2ziW](https://lifestyleasia.ph/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/senatus_qV2ziW-550x367.jpg) To merely describe the experience would not give LV’s ***Time Capsule*** the justice it so rightfully deserves. Therefore, we highly suggest that you do yourself a favor and book the next flight to Singapore to experience it yourself. **Categories:** Style --- ### [American 'Idol': AMAs Awards BTS With Its First Favorite K-Pop Artist Title](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/scene/events/american-music-awards-amas-bts-first-favorite-k-pop-artist/) **Published:** November 22, 2022 **Author:** Ratziel San Juan **Content:** ## ***They call them “artist”—Favorite K-Pop Artist, that is.*** The American Music Awards (AMAs) has recognized BTS with its inaugural “Favorite K-Pop Artist” [award](https://www.theamas.com/2022/11/winners-announced-for-the-2022-amas/). READ ALSO: [Smooth Like Butter: BTS Is First Music Act To Consecutively Win IFPI Global Recording Artist Of The Year Award](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/scene/smooth-like-butter-bts-is-first-music-act-to-consecutively-win-ifpi-global-recording-artist-of-the-year-award/) The K-pop boy group also won in the Favorite Pop Duo or Group category. > .[@BTS\_twt](https://twitter.com/BTS_twt?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) wins the first [\#AMAs](https://twitter.com/hashtag/AMAs?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) for Favorite K-Pop Artist!!! Congrats! 🎉 [pic.twitter.com/cCEFQ7eXfe](https://t.co/cCEFQ7eXfe) > > — American Music Awards (@AMAs) [November 21, 2022](https://twitter.com/AMAs/status/1594519081834909696?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) In total, BTS claimed two AMAs this year. The group has since thanked the award-giving body as well as their fans for their latest accolade. “We won Favorite Pop Duo or Group and Favorite K-Pop Artist at the AMAs tonight! Thank you for all the love and support #BTSARMY! Thank you #AMAs!” > We won Favorite Pop Duo or Group and Favorite K-Pop Artist at the [@AMAs](https://twitter.com/AMAs?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) tonight! > Thank you for all the love and support [\#BTSARMY](https://twitter.com/hashtag/BTSARMY?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)! > Thank you [\#AMAs](https://twitter.com/hashtag/AMAs?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)! [pic.twitter.com/Unzko1OpZU](https://t.co/Unzko1OpZU) > > — BTS\_official (@bts\_bighit) [November 21, 2022](https://twitter.com/bts_bighit/status/1594533144900034563?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) In last year’s AMAs, the boys won Artist of the Year. Banner Photo by BTS via [Twitter](https://twitter.com/AMAs/status/1594519081834909696/photo/1). **Categories:** Events, Scene **Tags:** AMAs, American Music Awards, BTS, K-pop --- ### [Checking-Off Her List: Mikaela Lagdameo-Martinez On Her Weekly IGTV Series And Opening A Private Members Lounge](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/arts-and-culture/checking-off-her-list-mikaela-lagdameo-martinez-on-her-weekly-igtv-series-and-opening-a-private-members-lounge/) **Published:** September 22, 2021 **Author:** Mica Cruz **Content:** ## ***“I also deeply appreciate the time and energy they set aside for me. Now more than ever, time is precious—so it really means a lot to me.”*** In December 2020, model, entrepreneur, and lifestyle blogger [Mikaela Lagdameo-Martinez](https://linky.ph/mikaela/) began an IGTV (Instagram TV) series, “[Saturday Night Life With Mikaela](https://www.instagram.com/mikaelamartinez/channel/).” Now with 40 episodes, the series follows a talk show format where Martinez casually catches up with family, celebrity friends, and influential people on her contacts list. READ ALSO: [*Lasting Purpose: For Jill Lao, Fashion Serves To Clothe, Protect, And Communicate*](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/style/lasting-purpose-for-jill-lao-fashion-serves-to-clothe-protect-and-communicate/) “Speaking, hosting was one of my biggest fears & insecurities so much that I would have to decline \[hosting projects\] because my heart would beat out of my chest,” the 36-year-old shares. “For years, I’ve been praying for strength and courage to help me get over it.” > [ View this post on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/p/CTmLoHkPJSE/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading)[A post shared by Mikaela Lagdameo Martinez (@mikaelamartinez)](https://www.instagram.com/p/CTmLoHkPJSE/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading) Martinez’s prayers were answered when she woke up one morning and felt the urge to call her friend and former Magic 89.9 radio jock [Andi Manzano-Reyes ](https://www.instagram.com/andimanzano/)to be her first guest. When Manzano quickly accepted her invitation, Martinez knew recording the weekly series would be something she’d look forward to as she could share other people’s stories instead of her own. > [ View this post on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/tv/CIasHTdloJB/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading)[A post shared by Mikaela Lagdameo Martinez (@mikaelamartinez)](https://www.instagram.com/tv/CIasHTdloJB/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading) “It was about catching up, highlighting the life of a friend, and honestly, it’s been such a blessing in my life. Just hearing all their stories and what they’ve been going through, what they’ve learned, it’s been so encouraging,” the mom of three adds. ## **Real talk** The topics she talks to guests such as actress Iza Calzado, beauty queen Kylie Verzosa, fashion designer Patty Ang, and multi-hyphenate Solenn Heussaff revolve around personal anecdotes and how each of them has been dealing with the persisting pandemic. > [ View this post on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/tv/CNfLSnUlszH/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading)[A post shared by Mikaela Lagdameo Martinez (@mikaelamartinez)](https://www.instagram.com/tv/CNfLSnUlszH/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading) When asked who her favorite guest has been so far, the entrepreneur finds it difficult to choose because each conversation “hits her differently.” “But I have to say the one with my husband Chucho Martinez and my brother Andre Lagdameo…but gosh, all! Just so much learning every time!” she says with enthusiasm. The #SaturdayNightLifeWithMikaela episode with Chucho involved their life experiences together and marriage advice. At the same time, the conversation with Andrei offers encouragement and the importance of taking risks to pursue your goals. > [ View this post on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/p/CM4UaH0h8Dz/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading)[A post shared by Mikaela Lagdameo Martinez (@mikaelamartinez)](https://www.instagram.com/p/CM4UaH0h8Dz/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading) Martinez shares that although the public platform reaches thousands of viewers, the live conversations with her friends and family extend to deeper topics. “I also deeply appreciate the time and energy they set aside for me. Now more than ever, time is precious—so it really means a lot to me,” she muses. ## **Pandemic realizations** Aside from overcoming fears and insecurities, the pandemic also gave Martinez a chance to give back to those in need. “I did donation and distribution drives for several months, and that really didn’t give me any time to worry,” Martinez says, recalling the first lockdown in June 2020. > [ View this post on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/p/CRdG5jRBwiO/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading)[A post shared by Mikaela Lagdameo Martinez (@mikaelamartinez)](https://www.instagram.com/p/CRdG5jRBwiO/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading) “But honestly, I didn’t mind just being at home because I feel like I got to accomplish all the things I’ve been putting off like redecorating, some renovations, decluttering, \[everything\] like that. \[My family and I\] spent a lot of time together getting into new hobbies as well. ## **A new venture** Beyond maintaining a weekly live IGTV series and taking care of Noelle, Tyler, and Maxen, her three young kids, Martinez recently opened the rooftop spot [*Calor Membership Lounge* ](https://www.instagram.com/calormembershiplounge/)in Makati. “\[My husband and I\] just wanted a place where family and friends could come together anytime just to watch the sunset, enjoy delicious food, have a drink, sing songs, and jam together,” Martinez says. “We love entertaining—so this was just the perfect idea. Sadly the pandemic hit, but I hope that it all works out as we just opened.” > [ View this post on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/p/CT_EepTv518/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading)[A post shared by Mikaela Lagdameo Martinez (@mikaelamartinez)](https://www.instagram.com/p/CT_EepTv518/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading) Last Monday, the Lounge officially opened and fulfills her husband Chucho’s dream of having “a place of his own.” “Instead of holding his meetings elsewhere, he thought, ‘why not?’ Building something from nothing into something just amazes me,” she says with enthusiasm. Martinez adds that she’s also proud of coming up with the Membership Lounge’s name, as “Calor” is her husband’s nickname to his childhood friends. > [ View this post on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/p/CJ8YRE0ryfc/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading)[A post shared by Calor Membership Lounge (@calormembershiplounge)](https://www.instagram.com/p/CJ8YRE0ryfc/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading) Located in Paseo De Magallanes, Calor Membership Lounge is a three-story penthouse that features a main lounge, seven VIP rooms, and a complete stage with lights and sounds. “We have a beautiful roof deck overlooking the skyway and the rest of the Metro. It’s just beautiful,” Martinez says. Banner photo from [@mikaelamartinez ](https://www.instagram.com/mikaelamartinez/)on Instagram. **Categories:** Arts & Culture **Tags:** Andi Manzano, Calor Membership Lounge, Iza Calzado, Kylie Verzosa, Mikaela Martinez, Patty Ang, Saturday Night Life With Makela, Solenn Heussaff --- ### [Go Love Yourself: Bring Out Your Inner Confidence And Divine Energy Through Portrait Photoshoots](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/self/beauty/go-love-yourself-bring-out-your-inner-confidence-and-divine-energy-through-portrait-photoshoots/) **Published:** November 27, 2022 **Author:** Mawi Fojas De Ocampo **Content:** ## *This photographer shows you that you are more than enough just as you are*. According to photographer [David Suh](https://davidsuhphotography.com), “I help everyday people unlock their potential and find new, exciting ways to find confidence and empowerment through portraits. Let’s reshape the way we think about photos of us: It’s for us first, and then for others second.” He continues, “Imagine a space where you feel in control of your confidence, your movement, and your moment. A space that allows you to for once not feel ashamed, judged, or nervous about being in front of the camera, but instead, excitement, passion, and empowerment. I will be your sherpa to that space.” > [View this post on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cjjmrd3DNAO/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading)[A post shared by David Suh (@davidsuhphoto)](https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cjjmrd3DNAO/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading) Suh’s website says, “The moment David starts guiding you into poses, you will become a different person in front of the camera.” The photoshoot session includes the following: Welcome Packet that includes a welcome letter, style guide, beauty guide, and pricing menu–a comprehensive guide to prepare you for your photoshoot. Style Consult with the studio manager to help you plan your dream photoshoot. The website [says](https://davidsuhphotography.com), “We take care of you from start to finish. From planning your shoot with 4 outfits to getting you pampered in our makeup seat, we remind you that you are the star of the show.” > [View this post on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/reel/CcRpdPsDokC/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading)[A post shared by David Suh (@davidsuhphoto)](https://www.instagram.com/reel/CcRpdPsDokC/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading) Professional Makeup and Hair Artist to “pamper you and bring out your most confident self.” “From your own private make-up room and bathroom to a dream team to help celebrate you in a beautiful photography studio, we make sure we curate a safe space for you to bring out your divine energy,” according to the [website](https://davidsuhphotography.com). Fully Guided Photoshoot with David, the best part of the entire experience which has been described by some as “a therapy session, a workout, or confidence booster.” Because David guides clients through each pose and even shows how to do the pose, there is no guesswork. The [website](https://davidsuhphotography.com) also shares, “Be ready to have your mind blown as David bring out your inner model within minutes by guiding you through every single movement and pose. It’s up to us to show you how photogenic you are. Watch out – you’ll be exhausted at the end of your 2-hour shoot!” > [View this post on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/reel/ChWGst9jEVJ/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading)[A post shared by David Suh (@davidsuhphoto)](https://www.instagram.com/reel/ChWGst9jEVJ/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading) Reveal Session is when the client sees and chooses the images for purchase! Each image comes with both a printed and digital copy. [Adam Mosseri](https://www.instagram.com/mosseri/), CEO of Instagram shares, “Love the shots and your space, thank you!” Banner photo via Instagram [@davidsuhphoto](https://www.instagram.com/davidsuhphoto/). **Categories:** Beauty, Self --- ### [A Light Sadly Goes Out: Lisa Marie Presley Passes Away At 54](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/scene/a-light-sadly-goes-out-lisa-marie-presley-passes-away-at-54/) **Published:** January 13, 2023 **Author:** Alon Garcia **Content:** ## ***The singer, songwriter, philanthropist, and daughter of the King of Rock and Roll has died following her hospitalization.*** Lisa Marie Presley was brought to the hospital on Thursday, January 12. She died later that day, at only 54 years old. [According](https://apnews.com/article/health-lisa-marie-presley-priscilla-elvis-los-angeles-4cbc26cfe1a7bf0b41f21f0f0f6c677b) to a spokesperson for the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, they received a report of a woman in full cardiac arrest at Presley’s address. Paramedics arrived six minutes later and performed CPR. When it was determined that she had signs of life, she was taken to a nearby hospital. Her mother, Priscilla Presley, [confirmed](https://people.com/music/lisa-marie-presley-dead-at-54/) her passing in a statement to *People* magazine, saying “It is with a heavy heart that I must share the devastating news that my beautiful daughter Lisa Marie has left us. “She was the most passionate, strong and loving woman I have ever known. We ask for privacy as we try to deal with this profound loss. Thank you for the love and prayers. At this time there will be no further comment.” Presley recently attended the Golden Globes to celebrate the nominations *Elvis* received and to support actor Austin Butler, who portrayed her father in the biopic. Butler thanked the Presley family in his acceptance speech, saying “Thank you for opening your hearts, your memories, your home to me. Lisa Marie, Priscilla, I love you forever.” ## **Tributes** Messages for Presley and her family came pouring in light of the news. Grammy-winning songwriter Diane Warren expressed her sorrow at the “horrible news,” sending “love and prayers to Priscilla and Lisa Marie’s children right now.” > Oh no. This is such horrible news. The entire world is sending love and prayers to Priscilla and Lisa Marie's children right now. May it give you stregnth. > > — Diane Warren (@Diane\_Warren) [January 13, 2023](https://twitter.com/Diane_Warren/status/1613716023735373826?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) Smashing Pumpkins’ Billy Corgan wrote, “There is heartbreak and then there is sorrow. This would be sorrow and on more levels than I can count.” > There is heartbreak and then there is sorrow. This would be sorrow and on more levels than I can count. Please send your prayers out for her family and children at this difficult time. I truly cannot find the words to express how sad this truly is. RIP [@LisaPresley](https://twitter.com/LisaPresley?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) [pic.twitter.com/Iac6b1gbIt](https://t.co/Iac6b1gbIt) > > — William Patrick Corgan (@Billy) [January 13, 2023](https://twitter.com/Billy/status/1613726722444107776?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) Singer and actress Leann Rimes hopes “she is at peace in her dad’s arms,” adding that there has been “too much grief in just a couple of years,” within Presley’s family. > lisa marie presley… how heartbreaking. i hope she is at peace in her dad’s arms. my heart goes out to her family. too much grief in just a couple of years. [\#riplisamarie](https://twitter.com/hashtag/riplisamarie?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) [\#LisaMariePresley](https://twitter.com/hashtag/LisaMariePresley?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > > — leann rimes cibrian (@leannrimes) [January 13, 2023](https://twitter.com/leannrimes/status/1613718776771661824?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) Brian Wilson, co-founder of the Beach Boys, remembers Presley as “someone so young and full of life.” > It’s hard to take when someone so young and full of life passes on. I feel so bad about Lisa Marie and I wish the best for her children and her family. Love & Mercy, Brian [pic.twitter.com/1yTTlDqPKv](https://t.co/1yTTlDqPKv) > > — Brian Wilson (@BrianWilsonLive) [January 13, 2023](https://twitter.com/BrianWilsonLive/status/1613734969515413504?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) ## **Life and legacy** Born on February 1, 1968, Lisa Marie was the only child of Elvis and Priscilla Presley. Following her father’s death when she was only nine years old, she became a joint heir to his estate alongside her grandparents. Presley pursued her music career, producing three albums and making her own mark in the industry. Her debut album, *To Whom It May Concern*, reached No. 5 on the *Billboard* 200 chart. The lead single, “Lights Out,” has mentions of her family background, taking on a darker tone. She was also a dedicated philanthropist who oversaw the Elvis Presley Charitable Foundation. The EPCF aided homeless families by providing them with rent-free housing, child day care, counseling, and other tools that would help them break the poverty cycle. A mother of four children, Presley recently [penned](https://people.com/music/lisa-marie-presley-was-destroyed-by-son-benjamins-death-grief-essay/) an essay in honor of her son, Benjamin Keough, who passed away in 2020. > Hi. In honor of it being National Grief Awareness Day , I wrote an essay about Grief which was posted today on People. I thought I’d post it here in the hopes that anyone who needs to hear all of this it helps in some way. > > > — Lisa Marie Presley (@LisaPresley) [August 31, 2022](https://twitter.com/LisaPresley/status/1564770074619043840?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) “It’s a real choice to keep going, one that I have to make every single day and one that is constantly challenging to say the least… But I keep going for my girls,” she wrote. Banner photo via [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/p/BkSlepEBj7X/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link) @lisampresley. **Categories:** Scene **Tags:** Lisa Marie Presley --- ### [Glow Essentials: Supporting Women In Their Journey Towards Confident Beauty](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/self/beauty/glow-essentials/) **Published:** November 17, 2022 **Author:** Mawi Fojas De Ocampo **Content:** ## *Together with She Talks Asia, Bobbi Brown Philippines hosted a panel discussion to empower women with its mantra “Confident Beauty, Powered by You.”* Hosted by Nicole Andersson, the discussion topics encompassed inclusive beauty, body positivity, and women empowerment which were led by She Talks Asia co-founders Lynn Pinugu, Bianca Gonzalez, and Iza Calzado. The compelling conversations also included keys to confident beauty such as transforming our struggles into our strengths, understanding the importance of boundaries by learning how to say no, and learning the value of self-awareness. ![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/BB-Square.jpg)She Talks Asia co-founders Lynn Pinugu, Bianca Gonzalez, and Iza Calzado Apart from the enlightening and insightful talks, guests enjoyed an afternoon of discovering Bobbi Brown’s Glow Essentials. READ ALSO: [Confident Beauty: Bobbi Brown Empowers Women Through Compelling Conversations](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/scene/confident-beauty-bobbi-brown-empowers-women-through-compelling-conversations/) The Glow Bar pampered guests with some of Bobbi Brown’s well-loved classics for confident, glowing beauty: The **Vitamin Enriched Face Base** is the best-selling multivitamin-enriched moisturizing primer that instantly nourishes, plumps, and preps skin with healthy hydration to improve the look of foundation. ![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/BOBBI-BROWN-Base-1.jpg) According to the brand, it is “full makeup prep in one step, blending the performance of a primer with the cushion of a face moisturizer.” Infused with 25 skincare ingredients including Cordyceps—providing a plumper and more radiant look instantly and over time, the **Intensive Serum Foundation** is tone-perfecting, buildable coverage gives skin a seamless, even look. The best part? Coverage lasts for up to 12 hours! ![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/BOBBI-BROWN-Intensive-Serum-1.jpg) After a full day out and about, you can indulge in the **Soothing Cleansing Oil** that melts away makeup and pollution while deeply nourishing the skin, and leaving you glowing for hours. ![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Bobbi-Brown-Cleansing-Oil-2.jpg) Guests also loved being shade-matched by Bobbi Brown beauty artists at the custom engraving station where their Intensive Serum Foundation was personalized through name engraving–a much appreciated personal touch. ![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/BB-Square-2.jpg)Event host Nicole Andersson Since 1991 Bobbi Brown Cosmetics changed the face of beauty with its powerful message “Be Who You Are” and a natural look to match. The brand continues celebrating women’s confidence, beauty, and power through inclusive beauty for all. To learn more and to stay updated on upcoming events, follow [@bobbibrownph](https://www.instagram.com/bobbibrownph/) on Instagram. Bobbi Brown is located at Rustan’s Makati, Rustan’s Shangri-la, Rustan’s Alabang Town Center, SM Mall of Asia, and SM Megamall. Photos courtesy of Bobbi Brown Philippines. **Categories:** Beauty, Self **Tags:** Bobbi Brown, Glow Essentials --- ### [To Aging Well: Brad Pitt Enters the Skincare Industry With a Genderless Range](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/self/beauty/to-aging-well-brad-pitt-enters-the-skincare-industry-with-a-genderless-range/) **Published:** September 23, 2022 **Author:** Mica Cruz **Content:** ## ***“Something we discussed \[in founding Le Domaine\] was this headline of ‘anti-aging.’ It’s ridiculous. It’s a fairytale. But what is real is treating your skin in a healthy manner,” the Oscar winner says.*** Brad Pitt’s got a lot going on these days. After making his debut as a sculptor in Finland just this week, the A-lister is making a name for himself in the skincare industry. The Perrin family co-founded the line of genderless products with organic wine growers. In fact, apart from producing films, Pitt also creates wine. The Perrins are his partners in making Château Miraval Côtes de Provence Rose. READ ALSO: [Art Club: Brad Pitt Makes His Debut As A Sculptor In A Finland Museum](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/arts-and-culture/art-club-brad-pitt-makes-his-debut-as-a-sculptor-in-a-finland-museum/) ![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Screen-Shot-2022-09-23-at-2.58.22-PM.jpg)The company’s formulas are of 96 to 99 percent natural origin ingredients. However, the compounds they don’t contain are “blacklisted,” such as silicones, microplastics, animal ingredients (vegan), and parabens.Named “Le Domaine,” the company aims to help its users [“age well,”](https://edition.cnn.com/style/article/brad-pitt-skincare-le-domaine-intl-scli/index.html?utm_term=link&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twCNNi&utm_content=2022-09-22T12%3A45%3A02) regardless of gender or skin type. While speaking to *Vogue*, Pitt says the idea was in the works for so long that he’s forgotten how it originally started. ## **Steeped in creativity** “I remember reading about the health properties of grape skins as something we wanted to investigate. But the initial idea, right from the beginning, comes back to this place,” the Academy-Award winner says in the [interview](https://www.vogue.co.uk/beauty/article/brad-pitt-skincare-le-domaine/amp), referring to Miraval’s soil, where the product’s ingredients are grown. ![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/photo_2022-09-23_14-45-51-2.jpg)Le Domaine’s “The Serum.” “It’s just steeped in creativity, and it’s so fertile. We make olive oil, truffles, and honey here. Reinforced concrete began here. Reinforced concrete! That’s insane!” The brand’s products offer refillable packaging in line with Le Domaine’s dedication to sustainable beauty. At the same time, its formulas are of 96 to 99 percent natural origin ingredients. However, the compounds they don’t contain are “blacklisted,” such as silicones, microplastics, animal ingredients (vegan), and parabens. ![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Screen-Shot-2022-09-23-at-2.59.23-PM.jpg)The brand’s products offer refillable packaging in line with Le Domaine’s dedication to sustainable beauty.## **Embracing the years** Pitt adds that although he’s from the film industry, looking younger for longer often counts, and he’s not one to run away from aging. “It’s a concept we can’t escape, and I would like to see our culture embracing it a bit more, talking about it in those terms,” the 58-year-old tells the publication. “Something we discussed \[in founding Le Domaine\] was this headline of ‘anti-aging.’ It’s ridiculous. It’s a fairytale. But what is real is treating your skin in a healthy manner.” Images from Le Domaine’s [website](https://le-domaine.com/en-gb) and [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/ledomaine.skincare/) page. **Categories:** Beauty, Self **Tags:** Brad Pitt, Le Domaine, Skincare --- ### [Black Is Back: Blackpink's Lisa Attends the 2023 Celine Show In An All-Black Ensemble](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/style/black-is-back-blackpinks-lisa-attends-the-2023-celine-show-in-an-all-black-ensemble/) **Published:** February 15, 2023 **Author:** Pilar Gonzalez **Content:** ## *The K-pop singer wore her punkiest Celine outfit to the French luxury brand’s “La Collection du Palace” show.* The widely-loved member of the K-pop group Blackpink sported an edgy yet sophisticated ensemble to Celine’s fall menswear show in Paris last February 10. Wearing black [from head to toe](https://www.wmagazine.com/fashion/blackpink-lisa-celine-fur-coat-bra-top-no-pants-outfit), she exuded the “rock and roll” vibe that’s become a core part of the brand’s fashion under artistic director Hedi Slimane, who’s punk sensibilities shined throughout the event. One would expect as much, since Slimane has created outfits [for rock icons](https://www.theguardian.com/fashion/2023/feb/12/hedi-slimane-celine-show-revives-early-00s-hedonism-for-tiktok-age) like David Bowie and Mick Jagger. READ ALSO: [Inclusive Spirit: Blackpink’s Rosé In Global Launch Of Tiffany Lock Featuring Its First All-Gender Jewelry Collection](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/style/tiffany-co-blackpink-rose-lock-collection/) ![Blackpink Lisa Attends the 2023 Celine Show](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/330420390_190914540211282_6236078140523517392_n.jpg)Photo via Instagram @lalalalisa\_m ## **Born to Be Punk** The show was hosted in Paris’ famous underground club, La Palace, and accompanied by music from the proto-punk band “Suicide.” Dressed in a sleek black jumper (tactfully undone to reveal a sheer-paneled black bra), furry black coat, and black knee-high boots, Lisa’s outfit was certainly in line with the event’s aesthetics. She did, however, carry a leopard-print shoulder bag from the brand to add some contrast to the overall look. Since she missed Celine’s womenswear show in Los Angeles, most of the pieces that comprised her iconic outfit were taken from the aforementioned show. Besides being a Global Ambassador for Celine since 2020, she’s also been a long-time fan, having worn many of the brand’s pieces years before her ambassadorship. ## **Star-Struck** Given the immense popularity of Blackpink, it’s no surprise that [hundreds of fans flocked to social media](https://www.allkpop.com/article/2023/02/blackpinks-lisa-trends-worldwide-as-she-attends-celine-winter-2023-fashion-show-in-paris'), all of them anticipating her appearance in the Celine Show, which created a lot of buzz online. The street outside the event [was even closed](https://www.theguardian.com/fashion/2023/feb/12/hedi-slimane-celine-show-revives-early-00s-hedonism-for-tiktok-age) to accommodate the arrival of Lisa, as well as [other notable celebrities](https://fashionista.com/2023/02/lisa-blackpink-celine-mens-winter-2023-front-row) who attended the show like Ava Phillippe, Wiz Khalifa, Pete Doherty and Catherine Deneuve. As expected, dozens of dedicated fans went as far as to wait outside the venue for her arrival—and they weren’t disappointed, as the talented star wowed everyone in attendance on that special evening. Banner Photo via Instagram @lalalalisa\_m. **Categories:** Style **Tags:** Blackpink, Celine, Celine Show, Fashion, Lisa, Lisa Blackpink, Paris --- ### [Meeting Needs: Rick Owens, Fashion’s ‘Lord of Darkness,’ Has Released Children’s Wear](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/style/meeting-needs-rick-owens-fashions-lord-of-darkness-has-released-childrens-wear/) **Published:** October 28, 2022 **Author:** Mica Cruz **Content:** ## ***The kids around him inspired the “Babygeo” collection, from his colleagues’ babies to his own grandchildren, three-year-old Nicée and one-year-old Petra.*** Rick Owens, the American-born, Paris-based designer whose gothic style dubbed him fashion’s “[The Lord of Darkness](https://www.highsnobiety.com/tag/rick-owens/),” has released a whole collection of children’s wear. ![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Screen-Shot-2022-10-28-at-4.04.06-PM.jpg)The kids around him inspired the “Babygeo” collection, Owens’ new category range. From his colleagues’ babies to his own grandchildren, three-year-old Nicée and one-year-old Petra. READ ALSO: [Hype Tribute: Louis Vuitton Partners With Dover Street Market Ginza To Release Virgil Abloh Archive Pieces](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/style/hype-tribute-louis-vuitton-partners-with-dover-street-market-ginza-to-release-virgil-abloh-archive-pieces/) ![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Screen-Shot-2022-10-28-at-4.02.16-PM.jpg)The range includes functional wear to keep kids warm in colder seasons, such as puffer vests and draped hoodies. In Owns’ signature black-and-white aesthetic, T-shirts, drop-crotch sweats, and socks also make up the line. However, a pop of color is seen in the two-tone sneakers shaded in cream and bright orange. ![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Screen-Shot-2022-10-28-at-4.02.08-PM.jpg)“After 20 years of working together, babies are entering our lives in a big way,” the designer said in a press release. “Like the furniture and clothes we make, it has always been about furnishing our world and meeting our personal needs in the most harmonious way possible… making things for our babies is our new chapter.” Images from Rick Owens. **Categories:** Style **Tags:** Babygeo, Children's wear, Fashion, Rick Owens --- ### [Leisure Wear: Harlan + Holden Emphasizes Versatility And Work-From-Home Comfort In New Capsule Collection](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/style/leisure-wear-harlan-holden-emphasizes-versatility-and-work-from-home-comfort-in-new-capsule-collection/) **Published:** May 19, 2021 **Author:** Lifestyle Asia Team **Content:** ## ***The label’s creative director, Alessandra Facchinetti, built the line starting from its comfortable sneakers.*** READ ALSO: [*In His Own Words: Felipe Oliveira Baptista Celebrates Kenzo Takada, The Genius Who Conquered Paris*](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/scene/in-his-own-words-felipe-oliveira-baptista-celebrates-kenzo-takada-the-genius-who-conquered-paris/) Harlan + Holden just introduced a new collection that is meant to reflect the way we want to dress today. Called “Theraphy,” the line is focused on comfort, versatility and one-step dressing. The brand, which started in Manila in 2015 but now oversees its 20 stores around the region from its Seoul headquarters, describes Therapy as being for work-from-home go-getters. ## **Comfort living** Harlan + Holden creative director Alessandra Facchinetti was first given the collection’s sneaker as a starting point. ![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/1-HH_Crop-Cuts-Tank_Pink-_-Wide-Poplin-Shorts_Pink.jpg)Pink Crop Cuts Tank and Pink Wide Poplin Shorts![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/2-HH_Crew-Tee_Salvia-_-Cigarette-Pants_Salvia.jpg)Salvia Crew Tee and Salvia Cigarette Pants“Its modern shape, airy lightness and stamped clear sole proclaiming an intention inspired me to think of clothes full of ease and versatility that would complement this comfort-inducing shoe,” says Facchinetti, who has joined the label last year after [stints at Gucci, Valentino, and Tod’s](https://www.businessoffashion.com/community/people/alessandra-facchinetti). The celebrated Bergamo-born fashion designer continues to describe the collection as representing a new era of the way we live, what we are looking for in clothes, how these pieces serve us. “The silver lining of the last year, if there is one, is that we have refocused our energy and time toward doing the things that make us most happy and fulfilled and I hope the Therapy collection in some small way will help us on that journey,” the 48-year-old says. ## **All-day dressing** Lightness, breathability, and versatility are the key values of the Therapy shoes, which are available in black, dark green, white, and nude. It is meant to be comfortably worn from leisure activity to leisure activity throughout the day, with its insole made from double-layer Therapy Lite memory foam. ![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/3-HH_Crop-Cuts-Tanks_Sea-Green-_-Poplin-Kilt-Skirt_White.jpg)Sea Green Crop Cuts Tank and White Poplin Kilt Skirt![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/4-HH_Therapy-Shoes_Black_Men_s.jpg)Black Therapy Shoes for MenThe same approach is used for Harlan + Holden’s new men’s and women’s pieces. One-step dressing is reflected in new elasticated details on the collection’s shirts, dresses, shorts, trouser waists, and jacket back panels. Calm tones of baby blues, dusty pinks, soft yellow, mint green, and cappuccino nudes are mixed with light cottons, which is a key fabric for the collection. ## **Freedom of movement** New short sleeve shirts double up as light cover-ups in the men’s collection, which mixes leisurewear and new uniform separates. It makes liberal use of bermuda shorts as a way to emphasize comfort and freedom of movement. In the women’s line, the Crop Cuts Tank cotton bra, elastic waisted shorts, and stretch viscose leggings are its key pieces easy. ![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/5-HH-Relaxed-Drill-Shirt_Khaki-_-Drill-Chino-Shorts_Khaki.jpg)Relaxed Drill Khaki Shirt and Khaki Drill Chino Shorts![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/6-HH_Therapy-Shoes_White.jpg)White Therapy ShoesMade from crisp cotton poplin for a light but structured silhouette, the Crop Cuts Tank features a flattering scoop neckline and exposed cut details. This can be paired with either the Wide Poplin Shorts or a Poplin Kilt Skirt. *For more information, visit harlan + holden’s [website](https://harlanholden.ph/) or [Instagram account](https://www.instagram.com/harlanholden/).* **Categories:** Style **Tags:** capsule collection, comfort wear, harlan + holden, leisure wear --- ### [CFDA 2022 Fashion Awards: 10 of the Best Dressed Celebrities](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/style/cfda-2022-fashion-awards-10-of-the-best-dressed-celebrities/) **Published:** November 8, 2022 **Author:** Mica Cruz **Content:** ## ***The Kardashian-Jenners arrived wearing Thierry Mugler, Dolce & Gabbana, LeQuan Smith, and Khaite.*** The[ CFDA Fashion Awards](https://cfda.com/cfda-fashion-awards) honors the “best and brightest in American design” annually. This year, the ceremony, held in New York, [awarded](https://www.vogue.com/slideshow/cfda-awards-2022-fashion-live-from-the-red-carpet) singer Lenny Kravitz as the 2022 Fashion Icon and the United Nations with the Environmental Sustainability Award. At the same time, reality star and business mogul Kim Kardashian took home the CFDA’s first-ever Innovation award for her shapewear brand SKIMS. The Kardashian-Jenner clan was in attendance (sans Kourtney), wearing Thierry Mugler, Dolce & Gabbana, LeQuan Smith, and Khaite to show support***.*** READ ALSO: [LACMA 2022: 15 Best Looks From The Art And Film Gala](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/scene/events/lacma-2022-15-best-looks-from-the-art-and-film-gala/) > [View this post on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/reel/CksBeRBjgqU/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading)[A post shared by cfda (@cfda)](https://www.instagram.com/reel/CksBeRBjgqU/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading) Other notable looks were from celebrities such as Vanessa Hudgens in Vera Wang, Katie Holmes in Jonathan Simkhai, and Ugbad Abdi in Michael Kors. See the looks below. ## **Vanessa Hudgens in Vera Wang** > [View this post on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/p/Ckro0amsMW3/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading)[A post shared by 🔮Vanessa Hudgens🔮 (@vanessahudgens)](https://www.instagram.com/p/Ckro0amsMW3/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading) ## **Katie Holmes in Jonathan Simkhai** > [View this post on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/p/CkrkWmdJDfF/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading)[A post shared by JONATHAN SIMKHAI (@jonathansimkhai)](https://www.instagram.com/p/CkrkWmdJDfF/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading) ## **Kylie Jenner in Thierry Mugler** ![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Screen-Shot-2022-11-08-at-6.02.05-PM.jpg)Image from @kyliejenner.## **Christina Ricci in Rodarte** > [View this post on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/p/CkrqP5lpShY/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading)[A post shared by RODARTE (@rodarte)](https://www.instagram.com/p/CkrqP5lpShY/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading) ## **Khloe Kardashian in LeQuan Smith** > [View this post on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/p/Ckr9_lOSxOO/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading)[A post shared by Pobitro (@pobitroduniya)](https://www.instagram.com/p/Ckr9_lOSxOO/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading) ## **Ugbad Abdi in Michael Kors** > [View this post on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/p/CksWq6asRg0/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading)[A post shared by Eclair Magazine (@eclairmagazine)](https://www.instagram.com/p/CksWq6asRg0/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading) ## **Kendall Jenner in Khaite** > [View this post on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/p/Ckr6eyfIuj2/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading)[A post shared by Maria♡ (@kendallssun)](https://www.instagram.com/p/Ckr6eyfIuj2/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading) ## **Irina Shayk** in **Partow** > [View this post on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/p/CksjC4AD5Dm/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading)[A post shared by fashion\_alert (@fashion\_alerta)](https://www.instagram.com/p/CksjC4AD5Dm/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading) ## **Tinashe in Christian Dior** > [View this post on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/p/CksSgJ3Kj3I/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading)[A post shared by team tinashe baby (@fiercenashe)](https://www.instagram.com/p/CksSgJ3Kj3I/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading) ## **Kim Kardashian in Dolce & Gabbana** > [View this post on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/p/CkshHfQskT7/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading)[A post shared by By R (@by.r.lb)](https://www.instagram.com/p/CkshHfQskT7/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading) Banner image from @JonathanSimkhai on Instagram. **Categories:** Style **Tags:** CFDA, Dolce & Gabbana, Kendall Jenner, Khloe Kardashian, Kim Kardashian, Kylie jenner, Michael Kors, Vera Wang --- ### [Tale of the Token: This Filipino Crypto Success Story Started With a Pair of Bored Punks](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/arts-and-culture/tech/tale-of-the-token-this-filipino-crypto-success-story-started-with-a-pair-of-bored-punks/) **Published:** March 7, 2022 **Author:** Ratziel San Juan **Content:** ## Meet the Pinoy crusaders traversing the uncharted world of NFTs. Collegemates Alfred Someros and Karl Ruelan are crypto stars whose origins sound like the logline of a sitcom called “Bored Punks.” Not too long ago, they were just that. READ ALSO: [Virtual Tokens: What Are NFTs And How Do They Go Beyond Acquiring Art?](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/arts-and-culture/tech/nft-token-ownership-explained/) Like others their age, Someros and Ruelan squandered their youth in lazy afternoon hangouts with friends as they enjoyed junk food and the latest mobile game together. ![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Co-founders-Alfred-Someros-and-Karl-Ruelan.jpeg)Co-founders Alfred Someros and Karl RuelanNow they’ve earned enough from playing the same game to host their very own networking event in the presidential suite of a five-star hotel in Manila. “You’re probably wondering how I got into this situation,” the movie cliché-turned-[meme](https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/record-scratch-freeze-frame) goes. This is the same chaotic energy that possessed Someros and Ruelan when they turned their passion for online gaming into an unexpected but sound investment. ## **Play to win** They would first research the world of non-fungible tokens (NFTs), which to the crypto-illiterate would have as much marvel and mystery as the deepest, darkest ocean trenches. These tokens, however, are simply just digital assets that can be sold or traded in a very competitive online market, the partners illuminated. Having early on studied the ins and outs of NFTs, beginnings and developments included, Someros and Ruelan grew into learned scholars of the still-nascent crypto industry. Their big break “unofficially” came when they initially offered 7,640 Avatar-based NFTs that they would later sell out for 25 matic each within a month after the official release. They soon found themselves finishing top 3 in OpenSea World Rankings in the Polygon Network, where they successfully resold their BPOS NFT for over P510,000 each. At the time, this was one of the highest-registered NFT profits ever made among Filipino investors. The University of the Philippines college buddies lost count after scoring one crypto hit after another. World domination seemed to be the logical next step, but they decided that helping out their people would be just as cool. > [View this post on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/p/CYrSNCiv5Xl/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading)[A post shared by Bored Punks of Society (@boredpunksoc)](https://www.instagram.com/p/CYrSNCiv5Xl/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading) ## **Tutorial mode** Someros and Ruelan turned their attention to creating their own Filipino community. Here, they could advise others on financial literacy, especially making wise or strategic investments in the NFT world. Through the fanbase they built from previously sharing online gaming tips, they gained a platform where they could share their crypto knowledge gained from firsthand experience. Further solidifying their audience’s trust is their respective backgrounds in organizational management and as a mechanical engineering major. > 💡 Did you know? > > QR Codes are being used to steal money from you? > > Read the article and look at how fraudsters use QR codes for illicit profit and what to watch out for when scanning a QR Code: [pic.twitter.com/IMV6eOaXFb](https://t.co/IMV6eOaXFb) > > — Bored Punks of Society 🇵🇭 (@boredpunksoc) [February 22, 2022](https://twitter.com/boredpunksoc/status/1496073978167042052?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) “We wanted to help other Filipinos learn about NFTs and how casual gamers can actually go on a much deeper level and engage others to earn a respectable living,” Someros explains. Bored Punks of Society, fittingly enough, became the moniker of their community-driven social movement and club. Their mission: “educating, thriving, and spreading the beauty of cryptocurrencies, metaverse, investing, and financial literacy to the mass through onboarding and NFTs.” > [View this post on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/p/CXgx9b3vYrZ/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading)[A post shared by Bored Punks of Society (@boredpunksoc)](https://www.instagram.com/p/CXgx9b3vYrZ/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading) According to their chief marketing officer, they wanted to help create more success stories for others by breaking down what is still considered a “gray area” among Filipinos into everyday terms. Indeed, others had success in replicating theirs. In one instance, a friend who was invited to mint Bored Punk of Society art for only P3,000 was able to sell the same work for an estimated P500,000. ## **Endgame** Fast forward to today, the Bored Punks can both unfreeze the frame and, in continuation of the meme, proudly say: “Yup, that’s me.” Their Filipino NFT movement has grown to recruit over 18,000 members and 50 educators. Meanwhile, their brand holds prestige recognized in the local and international NFT scene, as proven by over 75 brand partners and affiliates offering perks and discounts. ![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Bored-Punks-of-Society.jpeg)Bored Punks of SocietySomeros and Ruelan toast cocktails with the likes of Michael Pacquiao, LA Aguinaldo, and Kiyo during their first exclusive event for key investors, partners, and influencers. At Conrad Manila’s presidential suite, they are able to feel the physical fruits of their digital labor. The crypto space is very much real and growing, the Pinoy crusaders have proven. And thanks to them, the path to prosperity doesn’t seem so dark and deep. Banner Photo via Bored Punks of Society **Categories:** Arts & Culture, Tech **Tags:** cryptocurrency, NFTs --- ### [Met Gala 2022: This Year’s Sequel Theme and Where to Watch the Red Carpet](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/scene/events/met-gala-2022-this-years-sequel-theme-and-where-to-watch-the-red-carpet/) **Published:** May 2, 2022 **Author:** Mica Cruz **Content:** ## ***The 2022 theme is a sequel to last year’s exhibit.*** The annual Met Gala, also known as fashion’s[ biggest night](https://www.eonline.com/news/1328542/met-gala-2022-everything-to-know-about-fashions-biggest-night), is happening on May 2 (May 3 in the Philippines). Right on schedule, the event is on the first Monday of May since it started in 1995. Only off-schedule last year, due to COVID (except in 2020, when the ball was canceled completely), the 2022 Gala is back with the theme “In America: An Anthology of Fashion.” RELATED READ: [The First Monday In May: Our Favorite Met Gala Looks Over The Years](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/the-first-monday-in-may-our-favorite-looks-over-the-years/) ## **Part two** If that seems familiar, it’s because the theme is the second installation of the Met’s ​​curator in charge of the Costume Institute, Andrew Bolton’s exhibit honoring American fashion. Last year, the Gala was titled “In America: A Lexicon of Fashion.” > [View this post on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/p/CTx9S93lTen/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading)[A post shared by BFA (@bfa)](https://www.instagram.com/p/CTx9S93lTen/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading) With last year’s similar theme, celebrities wore looks inspired by American figures and references. Billie Eilish wore a Marilyn Monroe-inspired Oscar de la Renta gown, while Gigi Hadid channeled Jessica Rabbit in Prada. > [View this post on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/p/CTyEI4QllHy/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading)[A post shared by BFA (@bfa)](https://www.instagram.com/p/CTyEI4QllHy/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading) Grimes, who appeared in many[ best-dressed lists](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/red-carpet-recap-in-a-met-gala-held-in-the-middle-of-a-pandemic-celebrities-toggled-the-spectrum-from-safe-to-three-outfit-extra/), wore Iris Van Herpen in a look she described as “Dune-Esque”—referring to Frank Herbert’s American sci-fi novel *Dune*. Past themes have included: a tribute to Alexander McQueen (2011), fashion in the age of technology (2016), and religious iconography (2018). ## **Closer look** According to Bolton, what makes the new exhibit different is the closer look into the US’ contributions to fashion. While Lexicon offered an expansive view, Anthology will be more specific. “The stories really reflect the evolution of American style, but they also explore the work of individual tailors, dress-makers, and designers,” Bolton told [*Vogue*](https://www.vogue.com/article/met-gala-in-america-an-anthology-of-fashion). > [View this post on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/p/CTyJKmCqMYI/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading)[A post shared by Gigi hadid (@cloudgigihadid)](https://www.instagram.com/p/CTyJKmCqMYI/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading) “What’s exciting for me is that some of the names will be very familiar to students of fashion like Charles James, Halston, and Oscar de la Renta, but a lot of the other names really have been forgotten, overlooked, or relegated into the footnotes of fashion history.” > [View this post on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/reel/CcoDbVzMsW-/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading)[A post shared by The Metropolitan Museum of Art (@metmuseum)](https://www.instagram.com/reel/CcoDbVzMsW-/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading) He adds that the “main intention” of the annual exhibit is to spotlight these talents, of which many are women. ## **Where to watch** This year’s sting of co-chairs, who help with event planning, are actress Regina King, *Hamilton* creator Lin Manuel Miranda, and actor couple Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds. In 2021, Gen Z trendsetters were enlisted to co-chair, namely Billie Eilish, Timothée Chalamet, tennis star Naomi Osaka, and American poet Amanda Gorman. > [View this post on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/p/CbnzNhOPf04/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading)[A post shared by The Metropolitan Museum of Art (@metmuseum)](https://www.instagram.com/p/CbnzNhOPf04/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading) While we can expect the Anna Wintour-approved guest list to include regulars like Rihanna and Lady Gaga—we can never be too sure who makes each year’s roster. To see who arrives (or doesn’t), you can live stream the red carpet through [*Vogue’s* platforms](https://www.vogue.com/article/where-to-watch-met-gala-livestream-2022?utm_campaign=aud_dev&client_service_id=31193&utm_social_type=owned&utm_brand=voguemagazine&service_user_id=1.78e%2B16&utm_content=instagram-bio-link&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=social&client_service_name=vogue&supported_service_name=instagram_publishing), including Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. This year, it’s hosted by Vogue editor at large Hamish Bowles, Vanessa Hudgens, and actor and TV personality La La Anthony. In the Philippines, the stream will begin at 6 A.M. on May 3. Banner photo from @metmuseum on Instagram. **Categories:** Events, Scene **Tags:** Andrew Bolton, Anna Wintour, Billie Eilish, Gigi Hadid, Grimes, MET Gala, Met Gala 2022, MET Museum --- ### [Pen Tech: Montblanc Is Reviving Its Historical Writing Instrument With 14 Carat Gold](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/arts-and-culture/pen-tech-montblanc-is-reviving-its-historical-writing-instrument-with-14-carat-gold/) **Published:** August 18, 2022 **Author:** Mica Cruz **Content:** ## ***The black or ivory options are crafted from hard ebonite rubber and includes a rollerball and ballpoint options.*** Originally made in the 1910s to 1920s, Montblanc created a writing technology achievement with the [“Rouge et Noir Baby.”](https://www.montblanc.com/Search/Index?textSearch=rouge+noir+baby&siteCode=MONTBLANC_PH&langId=) During this time, the pen’s design removed the need for dipping its nib into an inkwell. In the “Baby” range, which measured only six to eight centimeters, it became one of the world’s first leakproof and travel-sized pens. > [View this post on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/p/CgwegX_ugZu/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading)[A post shared by Montblanc (@montblanc)](https://www.instagram.com/p/CgwegX_ugZu/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading) READ ALSO: [Double Duty: Balenciaga Reveals A Handbag-Speaker Hybrid Collaboration With Bang & Olufsen](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/style/double-duty-balenciaga-reveals-a-handbag-speaker-hybrid-collaboration-with-bang-olufsen/) #### **On preference** As it’s been 110 years since the pioneering writing instrument was released, the German luxury goods company is giving it a revival. The fountain pens come in two colorways for a price range of $465 to $795 each. The black or ivory options are crafted from hard ebonite rubber and equipped with a 14-carat gold nib. > [View this post on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/p/CgtJB8bKZrS/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading)[A post shared by Montblanc (@montblanc)](https://www.instagram.com/p/CgtJB8bKZrS/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading) In tribute to their heritage, the Montblanc emblem is featured in the cap top. The collection includes a rollerball or ballpoint option for the instrument types depending on your preference. Banner image from @montblanc on [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/montblanc/). **Categories:** Arts & Culture **Tags:** Montblanc, Pen, writing --- ### [Family Portrait: A Previously Missing Masterpiece By Titian Sells For $22 Million in Auction](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/arts-and-culture/art/family-portrait-a-previously-missing-masterpiece-by-titian-sells-for-22-million/) **Published:** July 9, 2024 **Author:** Pilar Gonzalez **Content:** ## *Entitled “The Rest on the Flight Into Egypt,” the painting went missing for seven years before an art detective found it, and now stands as the most valuable Titian piece ever sold in auction.* A painting by the legendary Italian master Titian recently sold for $22 million during a Christie’s Old Masters Part I auction in London. This marks a new record for the Renaissance artist, exceeding the sale of his $16.9 million piece [“A Sacra Conversazione”](https://www.sothebys.com/en/auctions/ecatalogue/2011/important-old-master-paintings-sculpture-n08712/lot.156.html) in a 2011 Sotheby’s auction, reports Maxwell Rabb of [*Artsy*](https://www.artsy.net/article/artsy-editorial-titian-painting-breaks-artist-record-christies). ![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Screenshot-2425.png)“The Rest on the Flight Into Egypt” (18 ¼ x 24 3⁄4 inches, oil on canvas)/Photo from the Christie’s [website](https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-6490833?ldp_breadcrumb=back) Entitled [“The Rest on the Flight Into Egypt,”](https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-6490833?ldp_breadcrumb=back) the 18 ¼ x 24 3⁄4-inch oil painting depicts the Virgin Mary with her husband Joseph and an infant Jesus. With bucolic surroundings, it depicts the family experiencing a moment of respite during a trip to Egypt. As [Christie’s writes](https://www.christies.com/en/stories/titian-rest-on-the-flight-into-egypt-3cabe9063aa4498a8a6bd9ee8ea502fc) in a press release, it references[ a Biblical account](https://udayton.edu/imri/mary/f/flight-into-egypt.php) where Joseph receives a warning about King Herod of Judea’s plans to kill the young Christ, and decides to take his family to Egypt for their safety. READ ALSO: [Missing Masterpiece: What To Know About The Recently Stolen Amorsolo Painting Worth Millions Of Pesos](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/arts-and-culture/art/missing-masterpiece-what-to-know-about-the-recently-stolen-amorsolo-painting-worth-millions-of-pesos/) ### **Coveted, Stolen, and Found** The painting holds a storied past, as it was once passed down from one aristocrat to another—including Archduke Leopold Wilhelm of Austria. Napoleonic troops took it from its home in Belvedere Palace during the French occupation of Vienna in 1809, bringing it to Paris before it later returned to Vienna in 1815 (Napoleon’s fall). ![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Screenshot-2426.png)The portrait for scale/Photo from the Christie’s [website](https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-6490833?ldp_breadcrumb=back) Scottish landowner and art patron Hugh Andrew Johnstone Munro became the next owner of the piece until his death. Christie’s then sold the painting to John Alexander Thynne, 4th Marquess of Bath, in an 1878 sale. The marquess hung it in the State Drawing Room of his home, Longleat House, where it remained until someone stole it in 1995. It went missing for seven years before heirs of the estate contacted prominent art detective Charles Hill, offering a £100,000 reward, according to Margaret Carrigan of [*Artnet*](https://news.artnet.com/market/titian-sells-for-a-record-22-million-2507972). In 2002, Hill found the painting without its frame and inside a plastic bag in a London bus stop, likely as an exchange for the reward; the painting finally returned it to its rightful owners in Longleat. ![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/1200px-Siberechts-ViewovLongleat.jpg)A painting of the Longleat Estate, “A View of Longleat” (1675) by Johannes Siberechts/Photo via [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Siberechts-ViewovLongleat.jpg) “As the next chapter in the Rest on the Flight into Egypt’s story is written, I am pleased with the outcome \[of the sale\]; which will support our considerable long-term investment strategy at Longleat to build on the vision and legacy of my ancestors for the benefit of future generations,” expresses Lord Bath, a descendant of the 4th Marquess and inheritor of the Longleat estate, in a feature by [*Artnet*](https://news.artnet.com/market/titian-sells-for-a-record-22-million-2507972). ### **A Look at Titian** Tiziano Vecellio, who adopted the pseudonym “Titian,” is one of the most gifted Renaissance artists. A child prodigy, he moved to Venice to pursue art at the tender age of 10. Here, he became the apprentice of Giovanni Bellini, one of the Italian city’s leading painters at the time. ![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Self-portrait_of_Titian.jpg)A self-portrait of Titian/Photo via [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Self-portrait_of_Titian.jpg) Though experts do not know who commissioned “The Rest on the Flight Into Egypt,” based on dating and knowledge of the artist’s life, he had likely painted it very early into his artistic career when he was just in his late teens or “barely 20 years old,” as [Christie’s writes](https://www.christies.com/en/stories/titian-rest-on-the-flight-into-egypt-3cabe9063aa4498a8a6bd9ee8ea502fc). The earliest records of the painting are in the first years of the 17th century, in the collection of Venetian spice merchant Bartolomeo della Nave. The auction house describes the artist’s earlier works as “intimate in scale,” with a more deliberate application of paint compared to the expressive brushwork of his later years. “For one so young, he shows quite the grasp of sentiment and humanity. Both Joseph and Mary look pensive, reflecting a slight foreboding in the air,” Christie’s states in [a press release](https://www.christies.com/en/stories/titian-rest-on-the-flight-into-egypt-3cabe9063aa4498a8a6bd9ee8ea502fc). “The white swaddling cloth on the latter’s knee, from which her son has momentarily been freed, alludes to the shroud with which Christ’s body will be wrapped for burial years later.” “This picture has captured the imaginations of audiences for more than half a millennia and will no doubt continue to do so,” shares Orlando Rock, chairman of Christie’s UK, according to a feature by Jack Guy of [*CNN*](https://edition.cnn.com/2024/07/03/style/titian-masterpiece-auction-price-scli-intl-gbr/index.html). Banner photo from the Christie’s [website](https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-6490833?ldp_breadcrumb=back). **Categories:** Art, Arts & Culture **Tags:** Auction, auction house, Auction News, auction news 2024, christie's old masters sale, Christie's, master artists, old masters, painting, Paintings, The Rest on the Flight Into Egypt, Titian --- ### [Seeing Red: A Series on Bernardo Pacquing’s Experiences in Lockdown Opens the New Year for Silverlens Galleries](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/arts-and-culture/art/seeing-red-bernardo-pacquings-experiences-in-lockdown-opens-the-new-year-for-silverlens-galleries/) **Published:** January 25, 2022 **Author:** Lifestyle Asia Team **Content:** ## *Referred to as the red paintings, the huge monochromatic diptychs signal a new phase in the artist’s oeuvre.* Silverlens Galleries’s 2022 with “Disquietude,” a show by Bernardo Pacquing. The series was shaped by the precarity and separation the artist lived through while in in lockdown in another country. READ ALSO: [Royal Strokes: The Biggest Collection Of Prince Charles’ Watercolor Landscapes Is Exhibiting In London](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/arts-and-culture/royal-strokes-the-biggest-collection-of-prince-charles-watercolor-landscapes-is-exhibiting-in-london/) Referred to as the red paintings, the huge monochromatic diptychs signal a new phase in Pacquing’s oeuvre as it breaks away from the textures and colors that defined his practice in the past. ![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Pacquing-Silverlens-1.jpg)![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Pacquing-Silverlens-2.jpg)Bernardo PacquingMost notably, red is used as the dominant color for the first time. It is a particular shade of crimson, dark as venom or the night. In some, it looks like the red of flesh wounds where feeling is numbed beyond recognition because of torn nerve endings. Another canvas has the shade of weathered red seen in temples, the color used by ancient religions to ward off evil spirits. Within each work are glimpses of lighter colors layered earlier in the process of abstraction with spots of orange, yellow and even gray peeking through. ![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Pacquing-Silverlens-3.jpg)Born in Tarlac in 1967, Pacquing graduated from the University of the Philippines College of Fine Arts in 1989. He was twice awarded the Grand Prize for the Art Association of the Philippines Open Art Competition (Painting, Non- Representation) in 1992 and 1999. He is also a recipient of the Cultural Center of the Philippines Thirteen Artists Award in 2000, an award given to exemplary artists in the field of contemporary visual art. Pacquing received a Freeman Fellowship Grant for a residency at the Vermont Studio Center in the United States. ![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Pacquing-Silverlens-4.jpg)A 15 piece series of smaller framed collages smothered in layers on layers of glossy red are also included in the show. Bereft of a working space and access to materials, Pacquing used these oil-on-cardboard compositions to build and assemble works that gestated full- term into the larger canvas groupings found in the show. ![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Pacquing-Silverlens-5.jpg)Bernardo Pacquing’s abstract paintings and mixed-media assemblages have been widely exhibited in the country and overseas. His public art commissions can be found in Luzon and Mindanao as well. *“Disquietude” runs at Silverlens Galleries until February 12. For more information, visit [Silverlensgalleries.com](https://www.silverlensgalleries.com/exhibitions/2022-01-14/disquietude).* Text by JOYCE ROQUE and photos courtesy of SILVERLENS **Categories:** Art, Arts & Culture **Tags:** Art, Bernardo Pacquing, Filipino artist, Filipino Artists, Lockdown art, Silverlens Galleries --- ### [The Comedian: Duct-Taped Banana By Maurizio Cattelan Could Fetch Over $1M At Auction](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/arts-and-culture/going-bananas-the-duct-taped-banana-by-maurizio-cattelan-could-fetch-over-1m-at-auction/) **Published:** October 28, 2024 **Author:** Pilar Gonzalez **Content:** ## *Artist Maurizio Cattelan’s viral (and infamous) duct-taped banana piece, “Comedian,” is going under the hammer again, and may fetch over one million dollars.* Maurizio Cattelan’s famous [“Comedian”](https://www.sothebys.com/en/buy/auction/2024/contemporary-evening-auction-2/comedian "“Comedian”") is heading to auction once more. The piece, composed of nothing but a banana duct taped onto a wall, drew worldwide attention when it sold for $120,000 at Art Basel Miami in 2019. Now, it could sell for even more than that (over one million to $1.5 million, specifically) in the Now & Contemporary Evening Auction of Sotheby’s New York on November 20, 2024. The piece will also be going on a [world tour](https://www.instagram.com/sothebys/reel/DBpM6zbviGk/) across ten different cities—including New York, London, Hong Kong, Taipei, and Tokyo—from October 28 to November 8, 2024. READ ALSO: [New Personal Record: Ronald Ventura’s “State of Bloom” Sells For $4.7M](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/arts-and-culture/art/new-personal-record-ronald-venturas-state-of-bloom-sells-for-4-7m/) ### **Just A Banana…** Cattelan purchased the original or first banana for “Comedian” from a market for around $0.30, reports Luke O’Neil for [*The Guardian*](https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2019/dec/06/maurizio-cattelan-banana-duct-tape-comedian-art-basel-miami). He then had it duct taped onto the wall, with instructions to replace these simple materials in every installation, adds Oscar Holland of [*CNN*](https://edition.cnn.com/2024/10/25/style/banana-artwork-maurizio-cattelan-comedian-auction/index.html). The Sotheby’s piece in particular is number two from an edition of three, plus two artist’s proofs. ![Maurizio Cattelan's "Comedian"](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Screenshot-3057.png)Maurizio Cattelan’s “Comedian”/Photo from the Sotheby’s [website](https://www.sothebys.com/en/buy/auction/2024/contemporary-evening-auction-2/comedian "website"). Unlike your average banana, “Comedian” attracted large crowds throughout Art Basel Miami Beach, as well as international attention through social media and other notable publications like [*The New York Times*](https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/08/arts/design/a-critics-defense-of-cattelan-banana-.html). Artist David Datuna even ate another installation of the piece that was supposed to be sold to a museum for $150,000—a daring statement done without the permission of Cattelan, but one that aligned with Datuna’s work of making big, site-specific statements or performances, as he explains to Jordan Hoffman of [*The Guardian*](https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2019/dec/11/david-datuna-120000-banana-interview-art-basel-miami). Then in 2023, the piece made headlines once more while it was held at the Leeum Museum of Art in Seoul, South Korea, as an student from Seoul National University took the banana off the wall and ate it because [he “was hungry.”](https://edition.cnn.com/style/article/student-eats-maurizio-cattelan-banana-art-south-korea-intl-hnk/index.html) In a way, Datuna and the student’s stunts were sobering (and kind of hilarious) reminders of the piece’s ephemeral nature. Cattelan himself admitted in a [*Vogue*](https://www.vogue.com/article/the-120000-art-basel-banana-explained-maurizio-cattelan) interview with Elise Taylor, that people do not buy the banana itself, but rather, the concept behind it. “In this case, you aren’t actually buying the work itself—it’s a banana. It’s going to rot. What are you buying, then? The certificate of art. Essentially you bought the idea rather than the object,” he explains. Despite the ubiquitous nature of its elements, “Comedian” is not something one can easily get their hands on. Renowned British artist Damien Hirst attempted to get an edition of “Comedian” in 2020, according to Anny Shaw of *[ The Art Newspaper](https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2020/08/19/damien-hirst-offers-to-swap-any-work-for-viral-duct-tape-bananabut-maurizio-cattelan-says-no "Anny Shaw of The Art Newspaper")*, but was turned down by Cattelan (even if he offered to swap it with a piece of his own). Thankfully, friend and curator Francesco Bonami, made his own version of the work as a consolation prize for Hirst. ### **…Or Is It?** [Conceptual art](https://www.tate.org.uk/art/art-terms/c/conceptual-art) has always been a hotly debated topic (especially when it comes to pieces that utilize everyday objects anyone can buy). As its name suggests, the genre is often more concerned with the ideas behind a work and the ways in which viewers interact with it, rather than the finished piece, which leads many to question what exactly constitutes art and defines its value. !["Comedian"](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Screenshot-3058.png)“Comedian”/Photo from the Sotheby’s [website](https://www.sothebys.com/en/buy/auction/2024/contemporary-evening-auction-2/comedian "website") The simplicity of “Comedian,” which borders on ridiculous, is likely what Cattelan meant to achieve. The Italian artist has made a name for himself through [satirical pieces](https://daevasdesign.com/maurizio-cattelan-satirical-creativity/) with a tongue-in-cheek kind of humor. Take his piece “America,” an 18K gold-cast toilet that he initially had installed into a restroom at the Guggenheim museum, encouraging visitors to use it. “Its participatory nature, in which viewers are invited to make use of the fixture individually and privately, allows for an experience of unprecedented intimacy with a work of art,” writes the museum in [a statement on the piece](https://www.guggenheim.org/exhibition/maurizio-cattelan-america). “Cattelan’s toilet offers a wink to the excesses of the art market but also evokes the American dream of opportunity for all—its utility ultimately reminding us of the inescapable physical realities of our shared humanity.” ![Visitors at the 2019 Art Basel Miami](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/129173303_102841664962642_4006998880859988572_n.jpg)Visitors at the 2019 Art Basel Miami/Photo via Instagram [@cattelanbanana](https://www.instagram.com/p/CIX_w_ZAZJE/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== "@cattelanbanana") Likewise, perhaps the “Comedian” is just what its title implies: the catalyst for a good laugh. Viewers— with their jabs, ridicules, guffaws, and expressions of astonishment — become a part of the piece, which pokes fun at itself each time it sells for exorbitant prices. “Comedian” shows the world how people ascribe value to certain objects — and if it all seems very arbitrary, maybe that is the point. Banner photo from the Sotheby’s [website](https://www.sothebys.com/en/buy/auction/2024/contemporary-evening-auction-2/comedian "website"). **Categories:** Arts & Culture **Tags:** Artists, Auction, auction 2024, Auction News, auction news 2024, banana, comedian, conceptual art, maurizio cattelan, Sotheby's, Sotheby's Auction, Sotheby's New York --- ### [Seminal Work: Piet Mondrian’s ‘Composition No. II’ Breaks a Record With $51 Million Sale](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/arts-and-culture/art/seminal-work-piet-mondrians-composition-no-ii-breaks-a-record-with-51-million-sale/) **Published:** November 17, 2022 **Author:** Mica Cruz **Content:** ## *It was auctioned alongside works of other legendary artists, such as Paul Gauguin, Claude Monet, and Pablo Picasso.* A rare painting of Dutch artist Piet Mondrian, “Composition No. II,” was sold for $51 million on Monday. The 1930 piece is a new record for Mondrian, who’s known for pioneering [neoplasticism](https://www.tate.org.uk/art/art-terms/n/neo-plasticism)—an abstract painting style that uses horizontal and vertical lines and primary colors. “Composition No. II” was part of the Sotheby’s Modern Evening Auction in New York. It was auctioned alongside works of other legendary artists, such as Paul Gauguin, Claude Monet, and Pablo Picasso. READ ALSO: [You Can Do It Too: Royal College Of Art Launches Virgil Abloh Scholarship For Black British Students](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/scene/royal-college-of-art-virgil-abloh-scholarship-black-british-students/) Julian Dawes, Sotheby’s Head of Impressionist & Modern Art in the Americas, told *ABC News* about the importance of the Mondrian Piece. “Composition No. II embodies everything you could want from a Mondrian,” he [said](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-11-16/piet-mondrian-paintings-sothebys-auction/101659484). “It is a seminal painting that is both crucial to the development of modern art and emblematic of the enduring appeal of the modern aesthetic.” > [View this post on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/reel/Ck-LkQuA1_M/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading)[A post shared by Sotheby’s (@sothebys)](https://www.instagram.com/reel/Ck-LkQuA1_M/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading) Before November 14, “Composition No. II” was last on the auction block in 1983. It was sold to a Japanese collector for only $2.1 million (or $6.3 million in current times). Dawes told *Forbes* that in the eighties, the art market was “vastly different and far less global and competitive”[ than today](https://www.forbes.com/sites/carlieporterfield/2022/11/15/heres-why-this-piet-mondrian-painting-sold-for-51-million-more-than-twenty-times-the-last-time-it-went-to-auction/?sh=2d4eef4a4374). Banner image from Sotheby’s. **Categories:** Art, Arts & Culture **Tags:** Abstract Art, Piet Mondrian, Sotheby's, Sotheby's New York --- ### [Future Flight: These New Cabin Designs Include Floating Furniture, Sustainable Materials, and a System Called Cordillera](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/travel/future-flight-these-new-cabin-designs-include-floating-furniture-sustainable-materials-and-a-system-called-cordillera/) **Published:** June 17, 2022 **Author:** Lifestyle Asia Team **Content:** ## *The Crystal Cabin Awards just wrapped up, giving every a glimpse into tomorrow.* For the first time in three years, [the Crystal Cabin Awards](https://www.crystal-cabin-award.com/)—which honors ingenuity and innovation in aircraft interiors—were held in person once again. READ ALSO: [These First-Class Airplane Cabin Concepts Are Shortlisted For Awards](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/travel/manifest-these-first-class-airplane-cabin-concepts-are-shortlisted-for-awards/) Among the big winners of the 2022 edition is Teague and Nordam’s “Elevate,” which bagged the Cabin Concept award. This makes use of floating furniture to give a passengers of premium tickets a bigger feel for space. This design attracted the most media attention leading up to the ceremony. ![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Crystal-Cabin-Awards-1.jpg)“Elevate” “This visually arresting design uses floating furniture attached to wall braces to give a freer, more organic and more immersive feel than comparable premium accommodation concepts for singleaisle aircraft,” reads the announcement from the Crystal Cabin Awards. “The key driver behind the approach was to offer the privacy and exclusivity of the wide-body premium experience to narrow-body airliner passengers.” The aim was to give passengers in single-aisle cabins a genuine sense of space ownership, while offering airlines the same seat capacity. Elevate’s other features include lower weight, resulting in lower fuel burn, as well as simpler components that are easier to maintain. Another winner is a system developed by Swiss company Caeli Nova. Their design allows airlines to open direct routes over mountain ranges by extending the time aircraft can fly at high altitude after a decompression incident from 22 to 180 minutes. ![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Crystal-Cabin-Awards-2.jpg) Interestingly called “Cordillera,” the system would lead to an anticipated annual savings of $500m and 1.2 million tonnes of CO₂ for airlines. The Crystal Cabin Awards says that this is a “potential game-changer for airlines that have until now had to circumvent high terrain such as the Himalayas, Rockies or Andes. One route that would become widely available using Cordillera is airway L888, which crosses the Himalayas and is 30 minutes quicker than other routes between Europe and parts of Asia.” Another design honored at the event is “SpaceChiller” by Collins Aerospace, which won the Passenger Comfort category. ![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Crystal-Cabin-Awards-3.jpg)“SpaceChiller”“This personal refrigeration unit for individual passengers or larger areas of the aircraft cabin eschews traditional air-cooling technologies, offering customers cooled snacks and drinks within arm’s reach was long considered difficult to implement,” reads the announcement. While it was conceived for premium tickets, the system can also scaled in size as required. This enables airlines to provide self-service catering areas for passengers without encroaching on flight attendant workspaces or passengers’ personal space. For the Sustainable Cabin category, the top honor went to Swedish manufacturer Diab in cooperation with AkzoNobel, Rescoll and Roctool. Their “100% Recyclable Panels for Cabin Interiors” made use of a thermoplastics manufacturing process. ![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Crystal-Cabin-Awards-4.jpg)“Fire Resistant Cargo” “Among the aspects that particularly impressed the jury were overall reduction in life cycle cost and lower environmental impact by facilitating recycling of cabin elements,” says the Crystal Cabin Awards. “The process developed by Diab and its partners is not only more eco-friendly but also faster than methods using adhesive films.” Other awardees included a fire resistant cargo container by Safran Cabin as well as Anuvu coop. Southwest Airlines’s “Dedicated Space.” This gives a five-fold increase to personal bandwidth while in flight. **Categories:** Travel **Tags:** Caeli Nova, Collins Aerospace, Crystal Cabin Awards, Crystal Cabin Awards 2022, Diab, Teague and Nordam --- ### [Theatrical Delights: The Most Anticipated Broadway Shows Opening This 2023](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/arts-and-culture/theatrical-delights-the-most-anticipated-broadway-shows-opening-this-2023/) **Published:** February 23, 2023 **Author:** Pilar Gonzalez **Content:** ## *From a stage adaptation of “Life of Pi” to a new Cinderella story from Andrew Lloyd Webber, performing arts enthusiasts have plenty to look forward to.* Theater is making a strong comeback in 2023 with a wide array of captivating Broadway productions lined up for the year ahead. This growing roster of shows features fresh titles, revivals, and adaptations of existing intellectual properties that aim to enthrall audiences. READ ALSO: [The First Shadow: Netflix Announces ‘Stranger Things’ Stage Play](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/arts-and-culture/the-first-shadow-netflix-announces-stranger-things-stage-play/) Whether you plan to visit New York in the coming months or simply enjoy staying updated on the latest and greatest that Broadway has to offer, below are some highly-anticipated performances to look out for: ## **Life of Pi** *Life of Pi* began as a [highly-acclaimed novel](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4214.Life_of_Pi) by Yann Martel in 2002. The book—which tells the tale of a 16-year-old boy stranded on a lifeboat with a Bengal tiger—was eventually adapted into a hit[ feature film](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/life-of-pi-2012) in 2012. The story’s [second and newest iteration](https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/22/theater/live-performances-nyc-spring.html) has taken the form [of a musical](https://www.lifeofpibway.com/), adapted for the stage by Lolita Chakrabarti. Its 2021 West End production has received a total of five Olivier Awards, which gives audiences a good idea of the quality they can expect from the production. Hiran Abeysekera, who played Pi in the London production, will reprise the role in the Broadway musical directed by Max Webster. No real Bengal tigers will star in the production, of course; instead, an intricate tiger puppet designed by Finn Caldwell and Nick Barnes will take center stage. Previews for *Life of Pi* will begin on March 9, and the production will officially open on March 30 at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theater in Manhattan. ## **Room** Much like *Life of Pi*, *Room* was also originally a [novel](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/31685789-room#SocialReviews) written by Irish-Canadian author Emma Donoghue. In 2015, it got a successful [film adaptation](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/room-2015) starring Brie Larson. The book tells the story of a mother and son who are held captive in a small room for years. Now, the somber yet hopeful tale has been adapted for the stage [as a musical](https://roombroadway.com/). While it [adds songs and theatricalized moments](https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/22/theater/live-performances-nyc-spring.html) to the original narrative, its themes of imagination and perseverance remain. The production’s musical numbers are composed by Scottish artists Kathryn Joseph and Cora Bissett, with Bissett also taking the helm of director. Previews for *Room* will be held starting April 3, and the production will officially open on April 17 at the James Earl Jones Theater in Manhattan. ## **Back to the Future: The Musical** Another film IP that’ll be getting a [musical adaptation](https://www.backtothefuturemusical.com/new-york/) is 1985’s widely-popular *Back to the Future.* The production made waves in London’s West End, and [promises to be a sci-fi spectacle jam packed with 80s nostalgia](https://edition.cnn.com/2023/01/02/entertainment/broadway-shows-opening-2023-cec/index.html). The musical stays faithful to the plot of the original movie, but is enhanced with a set of impressive solos and extended dance sequences for the enjoyment of theatergoers. Performances for *Back to the Future: The Musical* are set to begin on June 30, while the production will officially open on August 3. ## **Bad Cinderella** Broadway isn’t quite complete without a thrilling musical from the mind of Andrew Lloyd Webber. His long-running and critically acclaimed production, *Phantom of the Opera*, is set to [close on April 16](https://edition.cnn.com/2022/11/29/entertainment/the-phantom-of-the-opera-broadway-longer-extension/index.html). This presents the perfect opportunity for a new story to unfold. His latest creation, *Bad Cinderella*, brings a fresh twist to the classic rags-to-riches fairytale. Rather than being a delicate princess-to-be, Webber’s Cinderella is a [strong-willed heroine](https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/22/theater/live-performances-nyc-spring.html) who’s not afraid to get dirty. Previews for *Bad Cinderella* will begin on February 17, and the production will officially open on March 23. ## **New York, New York** What better way to celebrate the beauty of New York than to watch a play about the iconic City of Dreams. That’s exactly what [*New York, New York*](https://newyorknewyorkbroadway.com/)—a new Broadway musical inspired by [Martin Scorsese’s 1977 film](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0076451/)—can offer to its audience. Taking place in New York after World War II, the story centers around a group of young artists who dream of making it big in the city. The production will feature most of the original music from the 1977 film, including its titular song. However, it’ll also be [adding a few new numbers and an extensive cast](https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/22/theater/live-performances-nyc-spring.html). The musical is written by David Thompson and Sharon Washington, and directed by Susan Stroman. It also features a score by Kander and Ebb and additional lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda. Performances for *New York, New York* are set to begin on March 24, while the production will officially open on April 26 at the St. James Theater in Manhattan. ## **A Doll’s House** Oscar-winning actress [Jessica Chastain](https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/22/theater/jessica-chastain-dolls-house-broadway.html) has been cast to star in [*A Doll’s House*,](https://adollshousebroadway.com/) a new adaptation of [Henrik Ibsen’s historical three-act play](https://www.britannica.com/topic/A-Dolls-House) of the same name. [The story follows](https://edition.cnn.com/2023/01/02/entertainment/broadway-shows-opening-2023-cec/index.html) Nora, a mother and wife who finds herself straining under the weight of societal expectations. The play’s script, written by Amy Herzog, will bring a [fresh relevance](https://www.thehudsonbroadway.com/whatson/a-dolls-house/) to the revolutionary feminist themes that made Ibsen’s play so monumental. Previews for *A Doll’s House* will begin on February 13, and the production’s official opening will be on March 9. ## **Prima Facie** Suzie Miller’s award-winning play [*Prima Facie*](https://primafacieplay.com/)—which quickly sold out in London—is coming to Broadway. Starring Jodie Comer (who is best known for her role in [BBC’s *Killing Eve*](https://www.npr.org/2022/03/01/1083775575/jodie-comer-on-how-killing-eve-has-changed-her-life)) the play tells the story of Tessa, a sharp-witted and intelligent barrister who specializes in cases of sexual assault. However, everything that the young lawyer once knew is put into question when she becomes a victim herself; now, Tessa must [“confront the lines where the patriarchal power of the law, burden of proof, and morals diverge.”](https://primafacieplay.com/the-play/) Performances for *Prima Facie* are set to begin on April 11, while the production will officially open on April 23 at the Golden Theater in Manhattan. Banner Photo from *New York, New York*‘s official poster via [Broadway Direct](https://broadwaydirect.com/new-musical-new-york-new-york-announces-spring-2023-broadway-run/). **Categories:** Arts & Culture **Tags:** Art, Artists, broadway, Broadway Musicals, international stage plays, Musical Theatre, musicals, Performing Arts, Theater, Theatre, Theatre Plays --- ### [Return Of The King: Acclaimed Filipino Rock Opera Ballet "Rama, Hari" Makes Its Epic Comeback](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/arts-and-culture/return-of-the-king-acclaimed-filipino-rock-opera-ballet-rama-hari-makes-its-epic-comeback/) **Published:** August 22, 2023 **Author:** Pilar Gonzalez **Content:** ## *“Rama, Hari,” the Ramayana-inspired rock opera ballet from the minds of five acclaimed National Artists, will be returning to the stage this September.* When *Rama, Hari* was last re-staged in 2012, it won 14 Philstage Gawad Buhay Awards. This comes as no surprise, considering that it’s the brainchild of five of the country’s National Artists. With direction and choreography by Alice Reyes, music by Ryan Cayabyab, lyrics and libretto by Bienvenido Lumbera, production design by Salvador Bernal, and English translations by Rolando Tinio, one can expect no less. READ ALSO: [Ballet Legends: The Magic Of Encantada](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/arts-and-culture/ballet-legends-the-magic-of-encantada/) ![The 2012 re-staging of "Rama, Hari"](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Rama-Hari-2012-Production.png)The 2012 re-staging of “Rama, Hari”/Photo courtesy of Alice Reyes Dance Philippines Now, the highly-acclaimed Filipino rock opera ballet makes its grand return this September with new talents in its roster of amazing collaborators. These include artists from Alice Reyes Dance Philippines and the CCP’s Professional Artist Support Program. Dance trainees from Guang Ming College, Philippine High School for the Arts, De La Salle College of Saint Benilde, and other independent performers will also be participating in the performances. ![Monica Gana as Sita and Ronelson Yadao as Rama](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Screenshot-1143.png)Monica Gana as Sita and Ronelson Yadao as Rama/Photo courtesy of Alice Reyes Dance Philippines This year’s re-staging is presented by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, in partnership with the Metropolitan Theater and the Cultural Center of the Philippines, and with the generous support of Birch Tree. Shows will take place at the Metropolitan Theater from September 15 to 16, followed by performances at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater on September 22 to 23. ## **Rama’s Journey** *Rama, Hari* is a modern adaptation of the beloved Sanskrit epic, [*Ramayana*](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Ramayana-Indian-epic). It’s also the country’s first OPM (Original Pilipino Music) and dance theater masterpiece. The story follows the journey of Prince Rama—the reincarnation of the god Vishnu—as he saves the world and his love, Princess Sita, from the clutches of the evil demon king, Ravana. ![The fight between Ravana (L) and Rama (R)](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/1280px-Fight_between_Rama_and_Ravana_2.jpg)The fight between Ravana (L) and Rama (R)/Photo by Gita Press Gorakhpur via Wikimedia Commons The epic has been retold for centuries through traditional performances around South and Southeast Asia. Popular examples include the [*Kecak*](https://www.baligoldentour.com/kecak-dance.php) dance in Bali and [*Ramlila*](https://ich.unesco.org/en/RL/ramlila-the-traditional-performance-of-the-ramayana-00110) in northern India. In making *Rama, Hari*, the five Philippine National Artists added elements and touches that would resonate with Filipinos. Playing the role of Rama is musical theater star Arman Ferrer, with Vien King alternating. Ronelson Yadao and Ejay Arisola will perform as their dance counterparts. Karylle Tatlonghari, Shiela Valderrama-Martinez, and Nica Tupas will alternate in the role of Rama’s wife, Sita. Monica Gana and Katrene San Miguel will perform as their respective dance counterparts. ![Arman Ferrer as Rama](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Screenshot-1146.png)Arman Ferrer as Rama/Photo courtesy of Alice Reyes Dance Philippines ![Karylle Tatlonghari as Sita](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Screenshot-1145.png)Karylle Tatlonghari as Sita/Photo courtesy of Alice Reyes Dance Philippines *Rak of Aegis* star, Poppert Bernadas, will resume the role of demon king Ravana. Los Angeles-based theater actor, Mathew San Jose, will be alternating with Bernadas. Richardson Yadao and Tim Cabrera will be playing their dance counterparts. ![Poppert Bernadas as Ravana](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Screenshot-1144.png)Poppert Bernadas as Ravana/Photo courtesy of Alice Reyes Dance Philippines Meanwhile, Paw Castillo and Jon Abella do double duty as Monkey Army General, Hanuman, and Rama’s brother Lakshmana. ## **Attention to Detail** Alice Reyes wove dancers and singers within *Rama, Hari*’s music score, instead of separating them, to create a holistic staging. She also incorporated various elements from different forms of Asian theater, such as shadow play, hand props, and traditional Indian dance movements. “My instinct \[…\] was to interpret it in the rock opera ballet medium, with the idea of translating it into very human and contemporary terms,” wrote Reyes in her 1980 choreographer’s notes. ![Nonoy Froilan and Alice Reyes in Rama, Hari](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Nonoy-Froilan-and-Alice-Reyes-in-Rama-Hari.png)Nonoy Froilan and Alice Reyes in *Rama, Hari*/Photo courtesy of Alice Reyes Dance Philippines “I felt this would be a good way of introducing this classic to our Filipino audiences, most of whom may not be as familiar with the story as their Asian brothers,” she continued. Composer Ryan Cayabyab created a score that married Southeast Asian musical influences with Western ones. This resulted in an eclectic mix of “Filipinized” music for local audiences. Bienvenido Lumbera’s subtle touches on language further enrich the overall performance. For example, there’s his use of elevated diction for the protagonist and Filipino slang for the demons. Finally, the English translations of Rolando Tinio, as well as the stylized set designs of Salvador Bernal, complete these elements to form a show unlike any other. *For more information, season subscriptions, and ticket reservations, you may email ardancephilippinesinc@gmail.com. You can also check out Alice Reyes Dance Philippines at @ARDancePh on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.* **Categories:** Arts & Culture **Tags:** Alice Reyes, Alice Reyes Dance Philippines, Arts and Culture, Ballet, ballet shows, Bienvenido Lumbera, Dance, dance performance, india, Rama Hari, Rama Hari 2023, ramahari, Ramayana, Rolando Tinio, Ryan Cayabyab, Salvador Bernal --- ### [Limang Daan: Ballet Philippines Honors 500 Years Of The Filipina's Courage And Resilience](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/scene/ballet-philippines-closes-54th-season-with-limang-daan/) **Published:** March 5, 2024 **Author:** Mawi Fojas De Ocampo **Content:** ## *Ballet Philippines, the country’s first resident company of the Cultural Center of the Philippines showcases its 54th season ender with an original production, “Limang Daan,” aptly premiering on International Women’s Day.* [Ballet Philippines](https://www.ballet.ph) (BP) closes its 54th Season with an original production, *[Limang Daan](https://www.ballet.ph/limang-daan/)*. Written by librettist and award-winning filmmaker, Moira Lang, the full-length ballet features the Filipina’s 500-year journey, highlighting her challenges, struggles, and pain, weaving together the past and the present. *Limang Daan* is choreographed by Ballet Philippines’ artistic director [Mikhail Martynyuk](https://www.ballet.ph/learning-and-training/meet-misha/), with music by Erwin Romulo, and costumes by renowned designer JC Buendia using traditional Philippine garments. Ballet Philippines says that the performance “brings poignant vignettes of a woman’s life through dance” and that “*Limang Daan* is a tribute to the beauty, wisdom, and fortitude of Filipino women.” READ ALSO: [Backstage with Ballet Philippines: An Intimate Conversation With Principal Dancers Jemima Reyes And Ian Ocampo](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/arts-and-culture/backstage-with-ballet-philippines-an-intimate-conversation-with-principal-dancers-jemima-reyes-and-ian-ocampo/) In addition, BP shares, “Limang Daan follows a series of cross-generational heroines who mirror one another through their shared experiences of pain, suffering and transcendence. The full-length ballet aims to spark a compelling conversation on the struggles Filipina women have endured throughout our country’s rich but complex history.” ![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Limang-Daan-Poster-Resized-scaled.jpg) ## **500 Years of Resilience** BP invites all to watch *Limang Daan*: “We’re excited to share more about this groundbreaking production that delves into 500 years of Filipino women’s resilience, expertly written by award-winning filmmaker Moira Lang. It interweaves tales of present-day challenges faced by Ana, a Filipina nurse in New York, with historical narratives of Cordilleran women and a non-binary Babaylan in the Visayas. The production encapsulates the essence of our diverse heritage through dance, offering a powerful and evocative experience.” Kathleen Liechtenstein, president of Ballet Philippines, welcomed the media to her home, presenting an epic *Limang Daan* menu which she cooked and prepared herself. The dishes featured both local ingredients such as *tultul*, the precious heritage salt of Guimaras as well as intriguing international treasures like Sri Lankan true cinnamon and the Cambodian black pepper or *kampot*, that comes in black, white, and red varieties. ![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/LA-2024-March-Ballet-Philippines-Article-Photos-1.jpg)Bola Bola: Pipinito, Lumpia Ubod, Itlog Maalat, Molo![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/LA-2024-March-Ballet-Philippines-Article-Photos-5.jpg)Sabaw: Paho Manila, Tultul Guimaras![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/LA-2024-March-Ballet-Philippines-Article-Photos-7.jpg)Barako Coffee![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/LA-2024-March-Ballet-Philippines-Article-Photos-9.jpg)Sri Lankan True Cinnamon Tea![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/LA-2024-March-Ballet-Philippines-Article-Photos-11.jpg)Panyam-is: Zen Dessert, Lanson Fadriga, SalabBeyond the gastronomic delight, guests indulged in an impromptu performance from Lauren Liechtenstein, Kathleen’s daughter who awed with her captivating rendition of “I Feel Pretty” from *West Side Story*. The evening of epic proportions culminated with a peek into *Limang Daan* through a compelling performance introducing the main characters and heroines of the season ender. ![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/LA-2024-March-Ballet-Philippines-Article-Photos-10.jpg) The four-minute performance featured Jemima Reyes as Maria Clara, Ian Ocampo as Crisostomo Ibarra, Regina Magbitang as Ana, Eduardson Evangelio as Amihan, Gia Gequinto as Gawani, Peter San Juan as Padre Damaso, and Ramona Yusay as Mother Superior. ![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/LA-2024-March-Ballet-Philippines-Article-Photos-8.jpg)Regina Magbitang as Ana, Eduardson Evangelio as Amihan, Gia Gequinto as Gawani, Jemima Reyes as Maria Clara, Mikhail Martynyuk (BP’s artistic director), Ian Ocampo as Crisostomo Ibarra, Peter San Juan as Padre Damaso, and Ramona Yusay as Mother Superior ## **Transcending Disruptive Influences** In an exclusive interview Kathleen tells *Lifestyle Asia*, “*Limang Daan* is a time-bending narrative of 500 years of Philippine history and legacy.” She elaborates that the performance is a “transcendental way of showing history by characters, situations, in one stage” featuring dimensional stages telling the story era by era, while melding the messaging together. She adds, “The characters show that the DNA of the Filipino is uncompromised, even with the colonial and disruptive influences per era.” Meanwhile, on Ballet Philippines’ original and creative endeavor through *Limang Daan*, Kathleen emphasizes, “In any culture and in any art form there should be a time and space for it to absorb new things–or else it will become a dinosaur and die.” She explains, “We’ve had several foreign artistic directors, and Misha (referring to BP’s artistic director Mikhail Martynyuk) for instance, as a Russian, has brought in the much needed dimension of technicalities on how a dancer should dance. He spends hours on the tilt of the head, the flick of the finger. A *pas de deux* is a whole class–it’s not just a rehearsal or an exercise, that’s a whole class, in order for stamina to be omnipresent for a dancer. He also teaches the dancers gymnastics. These are things of joy that we appreciate very much and are a part of the growth of Ballet Philippines. As we go on, we try to inject new repertoire.” ![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/LA-2024-March-Ballet-Philippines-Article-Photos-4.jpg)Ballet Philippines’ artistic director Mikhail Martynyuk, and president Kathleen Liechtenstein, with librettist Moira Lang, and composer Erwin Romulo ## **Ballet Brigade: Merging two art forms** Kathleen continues, “It really is no secret that we are trying to reach out to the young people. Last year we began Ballet Brigade, our outreach program to reach out to the isolated ethnic groups of the Philippines such as the Kalingas and the Aetas. We danced ballet for them and they danced for us. They were absolutely gorgeous. Their eyes were glowing and they were so beautiful and graceful.” She paused and pondered for a while before saying, “Perhaps such grace comes from being immersed in nature.” The company shares, “Ballet Philippines headed north to Kalinga for a cultural outreach that saw the merging of two time honored art forms–ballet and traditional northern dances. It was an enriching exchange that manifested the power of dance to entwine, empower, and enlighten.” ## **The power and purpose of dance** Kathleen believes there must be a way for ballet to be meaningful not just for our audience but also for the community at large. Furthermore, she shared that the goal is not to disrupt and influence but rather to give a glimpse of the beauty of ballet. In addition, the company is open to offering scholarships, and invited the members of the Kalinga and Aeta communities to watch and experience the December show last year, *Christmas Fairytales*. Moreover, she strongly believes in the power of dance and ballet, its potential to positively influence today’s youth so they may aspire for a purposeful role in society in the future. Kathleen concludes, “Ballet is universal. You just need to be open to the experience of watching a different discipline.” Her eyes widen and light up with hope and joy as she declares, “I’m so positive about Ballet Philippines, as we jump into the next 50 years and more!” *[Limang Daan](https://www.ballet.ph/limang-daan/)* premieres on International Women’s Day on March 8, 2024 at 8:00 PM (Gala) followed by two shows on March 9 and 10, 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM. For inquiries and ticket purchases, please visit [ballet.ph](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeJh_sABgZzlHAuVPifRR2Ep65sHGjKM7wEgD1Jzh9mZRhFzA/viewform). Photos by Willy Saw. **Categories:** Scene **Tags:** Ballet, Ballet Philippines, Dance, Filipina, International Women's Day, Limang Daan, Philippine Performance Arts --- ### [Breaking Waves: Luxury Boutique Hotel Honors Diamond Anniversary Of France And Philippines Through Art](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/arts-and-culture/hotel-anniversary-france-philippines-art/) **Published:** January 9, 2023 **Author:** Ratziel San Juan **Content:** ## ***Admiral Hotel Manila-MGallery has participated in the 75th anniversary of France-Philippines diplomatic relations by hosting an event***. The affair known as “Art on the Bay” celebrated art in all forms. It involved creative expressions through visuals, music, dance, fashion, and culinary arts. READ ALSO: [French Connection: Everything Planned To Celebrate 75 Years PH-France Relations](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/arts-and-culture/french-connection-everything-planned-to-celebrate-75-years-ph-france-relations/ "French Connection: Everything Planned To Celebrate 75 Years PH-France Relations") It took place at the said hotel’s exclusive rooftop indoor dining venue, Admiral Club Manila Bay. The building’s al fresco rooftop bar, Coconut Grove, also hosted guests. The latter kicked off the event with sunset cocktails and pass-around canapes. These included the likes of empanada caviar, bulalo summer, and kinilaw with fresh double cream. DJ Agnes then turned up the music to complement the panoramic view of the Manila Bay sunset. ![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Matthieu-Busschae%CC%88rt-General-Manager-of-Admiral-Hotel-Manila-MGallery.jpeg)Matthieu Busschaërt, General Manager of Admiral Hotel Manila – MGalleryTwo-time World Hip Hop Dance Champion UPeepz followed up. Performers from the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) and Alice Reyes Dance Philippines then took the stage. The event proceeded with a four-hands dinner at Admiral Club Manila Bay. Here, executive chef and Cuisinier de France Cyrille Soenen collaborated with guest chef and restaurateur Antonio “Tony Boy” Escalante of Antonio’s Group of Restaurants. The powerhouse culinary duo teamed up to serve a menu of Filipino and French flavors. Their servings included Chicken and Pork Inasal Pâté en Croûte, Lapu-Lapu and Fish Quenell, Crispy Veal Sweetbread, Beef Tenderloin, and Local Guava Ice Cream with Kougin amman. ## **Sensorial journey** Taking it a step further, the Admiral Hotel team, together with partners, made the guests’ dining experience a “sensorial journey.” It accomplished this by simultaneously presenting art pieces that highlighted Filipino and French talent. “We curated the dishes to ensure we highlight both Filipino and French cuisine with our own styles. And match them with every piece of art being presented in between the five-course dinner,” Soenen said. Specifically, the accompanying showcase included a video projection of silk and textile art by Filipino-French Olivia D’Aboville, along with many performances across a range of disciplines. ![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Violin-solo-performance-by-Billy-Hung.jpeg)Violin solo performance by Bill Hsu“I am more than proud that we were able to showcase the masterpieces of Olivia D’Aboville, Albert Andrada, and performances directed and choreographed by Redha Benteifour,” Admiral Hotel general manager Matthieu Busschaert said. He expressed gratitude for the “good relationship” they have with the Embassy of France and the CCP. In fact, the event was made possible in partnership with the embassy and the cultural center. “It was such an honor to have art enthusiasts, friends, and partners gathered in one roof. And pay homage to the French-Filipino art and culture in this kind of setting,” Busschaert concluded. Photos via Admiral Hotel Manila – MGallery. **Categories:** Arts & Culture **Tags:** Admiral Hotel, Art, MGallery --- ### [Strings Of Gold: Two Spectacular Concerts At MiraNila](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/arts-and-culture/strings-of-gold-two-spectacular-concerts-at-miranila/) **Published:** September 10, 2024 **Author:** Pepper Teehankee **Content:** ## *The MiraNila Heritage House & Library will be presenting two concerts featuring the talents of cellist Damodar Das Castillo, pianist Mariel Ilusorio, and the Manila Symphony Junior Orchestra.* The [MiraNila Heritage House & Library](https://www.miranila.org/) will be presenting two concerts at heritage home MiraNila. The first concert is **“Strings of Gold: Send-off Concert of Cellist Damodar Das Castillo”** on September 19, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. at the Main Hall of MiraNila. ![The MiraNila Heritage House and Library](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/MIRANILA-1.jpeg)![The MiraNila Heritage House and Library](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/MIRANILA-2.jpeg)The MiraNila Heritage House and LibraryVirtuoso concert pianist and Julliard-trained Mariel Ilusorio will accompany the famed cello prodigy, Damodar Das Castillo. Ilusorio will be playing on MiraNila’s newly-restored Steinway 1904 grand piano, considered rare in the Steinway & Sons catalog. At the onset of MiraNila’s construction in 1929, owner Francisca Tirona Benitez and architect Gregorio Paredes, her cousin who trained alongside National Artist Juan Arellano in Philadelphia, conceived the idea of showcasing this instrument with its unusual rococo-style feet. They positioned the piano on an elevated platform at the bottom of an elegantly winding staircase, allowing the expanse of the living room to foreground the graceful setting. The repertoire presents a blending of classical music for cello by Bach and Chopin, with popular classical pieces by Nicanor Abelardo, Henry Mancini, and Richard Rogers. READ ALSO: [Musical Minds: CCP Cultivates Next Generation Of Filipino Artists](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/arts-and-culture/musical-minds-ccp-cultivates-next-generation-of-filipino-artists/) ![LEFT: Damodar Das Castillo. RIGHT: Mariel Ilusorio.](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/DAMODOR-DAS-CASTILLO.jpeg)![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Mariel-Ilusorio.jpeg)LEFT: Damodar Das Castillo. RIGHT: Mariel Ilusorio.The evening concludes with a cello concerto by Dvořák, one of the numbers that allowed Damodar to make his mark on the international competition circuit. Damodar established his reputation at age seven. Guided and inspired by his cellist father, he joined the Manila Symphony Junior Orchestra as its youngest member in 2015, rising to become its most frequently featured soloist. A two-time Ani ng Dangal Awardee in Music, Damodar went on to garner top prizes in prestigious international competitions, including The Young Musician in Tallinn, Estonia, in 2019; the International Anton Rubinstein Competition Cello Junior in Dusseldorf in March 2020; the Young Ludwig Youth Music Competition Age Group 2 in Berlin in September 2020; and the Musica Goritiensis International Music Competition Category C in Gorizia, Italy, in July 2021. Damodar is currently enrolled in pre-college at the Mozarteum University Salzburg under Prof. Barbara Lübke-Herzl. He was recently offered a scholarship to further his studies under Prof. Valentin Radutiu at the Carl Maria von Weber College of Music in Dresden. Standard Insurance Company, under its Chairman Ernesto T. Echauz, has been Damodar’s constant supporter, gifting him with a cello handcrafted by Master Luthier George Gerl, a winner of the 2012 German Musical Instrument Prize. Mariel Ilusorio is a virtuoso concert pianist and a seasoned music educator. She studied at the Juilliard School of Music in New York, the Oberlin Conservatory of Music in Ohio, and the State Academy of Music and Theater in Hannover. Top prizes came her way in piano competitions under the tutelage of Stella Brimo, followed by studies and performances in the United States, Germany, France, Switzerland, Italy, South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Indonesia. After 26 years, Ilusorio returned to the Philippines. She concurrently serves as an organizer of concerts and recitals and is in the faculty of the UST Conservatory of Music, St. Scholastica’s College of Music, Philippine High School for the Arts, and Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Manila. The second concert at the same venue will be **“Strings of Gold: The Manila Symphony Orchestra Returns Triumphant from Europe”** on October 1, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. ![The Manila Symphony Junior Orchestra](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Screenshot-2769.png)The Manila Symphony Junior Orchestra Last July, the Manila Symphony Junior Orchestra (MSJO) received the gold prize in addition to the Grand Prix in the 13th Bratislava International Youth Music in Slovakia. Only two companies were awarded the Grand Prix in Bratislava this year: the Afrikaanse Hoër Meisieskool Pretoria from South Africa for their choir, and the MSJO from the Philippines for their orchestra. In the same month, the MSJO journeyed to Mozart’s Vienna and garnered the top prize at the prestigious 2024 Summa Cum Laude International Music Festival, a reprise of their golden win of 2021, besting 140 orchestras from 33 countries. The repertoire for the second “Strings of Gold” concert will include classical works for strings by Josef Suk, Antonio Vivaldi, and Antonín Dvořák, as well as popular classics by Andrea and Ennio Morricone, Harold Arlen, Ryan Cayabyab, Conrado del Rosario, BINI, and Benny Castillon, among others. The Manila Symphony Junior Orchestra (MSJO) is the string orchestra training program of the MSO Foundation. The junior orchestra is composed of the most advanced students of the MSO Music Academy and other qualified students ages nine to 26 years old. To date, several MSJO members are enrolled in leading music schools in the United States and Europe, such as the Juilliard School in New York, Cleveland State University, the Hochschule für Musik Hanns Eisler in Berlin, and the Mozarteum University in Salzburg. The MSJO is principally supported by Standard Insurance Inc., under its corporate motto “In Pursuit of Excellence.” Join them in these conversations and celebrate the triumphant return from Europe of the MSJO on Tuesday, October 1, 2024. The House opens at 5:30 p.m. and the program promptly starts at 6:00 p.m. Guests are requested to kindly wear soft-soled shoes as these are kinder to old floors. “Strings of Gold” is presented by the Benitez-Tirona MiraNila Foundation in partnership with the Erehwon Center for the Arts and Gallery MiraNila by The Blue Leaf, with support from the Bizu Groupe. *For the general public: Limited seating tickets for “Strings of Gold” are available on a first-come-first-save basis. Text Robeen Manalo at 0927 277 6335 for tickets. MiraNila Heritage House & Library is located at 26 Mariposa Street, Brgy Bagong Lipunan Crame, QC (find us on Facebook: MiraNila Heritage House and Library).* Photos courtesy of Benitez-Tirona MiraNila Foundation. **Categories:** Arts & Culture **Tags:** Concert, concert news, Concerts, concerts 2024, Das Castillo, filipino musicians, manila symphony junior orchestra, Manila Symphony Orchestra, Mariel Ilusorio, miranila, miranila heritage house, MSJO, MSO, Music, music concerts, strings of gold --- ### [Europa: Blending Filipino Talent With European Elegance](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/arts-and-culture/europa-blending-filipino-talent-with-european-elegance/) **Published:** January 16, 2025 **Author:** The Lifestyle Asia Team **Content:** ## *Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra Concert IV is kickstarting 2025 with “Europa,” featuring beloved classical European compositions and the talent of renowned violinist Aylen Pritchin.* The Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra (PPO)—the country’s leading music ensemble—kickstarts the new year with the fourth installment of its 40th concert season, dubbed *Europa*, on January 17 at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater in Makati City, under the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP). ![An official poster for "Europa" as part of the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra's 40th concert season](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/POSTER-PPO-Forte-Concert-IV-Europa.jpg)An official poster for “Europa” as part of the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra’s 40th concert season *Europa* features the talent of one of the world’s most sought-after violinists Aylen Pritchin, who’s known for his versatility in contemporary music performances of both period and modern instruments. The performance spotlights the elegant and diverse sounds of European classical music, including the works of master composers Zoltan Kodály, Peter Tchaikovsky, and Antonin Dvořák. ![The Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/The-Philippine-Philharmonic-Orchestra-Large.jpeg)The Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra READ ALSO: [Today’s Visionaries: CCP Announces Its 13 Artists Awards 2024 Recipients](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/arts-and-culture/todays-visionaries-ccp-announces-its-13-artists-awards-2024-recipients/ "Today’s Visionaries: CCP Announces Its 13 Artists Awards 2024 Recipients") ## **Revisiting The Classics** Under the baton of PPO music director and principal conductor Maestro Grzegorz Nowak, the concert will open with Kodály’s “Dances of Galánta,” bringing audiences on a melodic journey to Hungary. A homage to the composer’s hometown, the 1993 folk-inspired masterpiece “Dances of Galánta” allowed Kodály to display his extensive skills as an ethnographer and musical pedagogue through its spiritual tunes. ![Maestro Grzegorz Nowak](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Maestro-Grzegorz-Nowak-Large.jpeg)Maestro Grzegorz Nowak Pritchin will also perform Tchaikovsky’s “Violin Concerto No. 1.” This masterpiece was a successful display of Tchaikovsky’s burning love for Russia through its majestic canzonetta. When he finished composing the piece, he intended it to be performed by Leopold Auer and Karl Davydov in a concert at the Russian Musical Society in St. Petersburg in 1879. But the performance didn’t push through after the musicians declared it too difficult to play. For years after its composition, the concerto gained a reputation as unplayable (following failed attempts by Iosif Kotek and Emile Sauret), until violinist Leopold Damrosch successfully performed it in a New York concert in 1879. ![Violinist Aylen Pritchin](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Violinist-Aylen-Pritchin-for-PPO_s-Concert-IV-EUROPA.-1-Large-1.jpeg)Violinist Aylen Pritchin The concert will conclude with Dvořák’s “Symphony No. 8,” a composition celebrating the beauty of nature. The surroundings of Dvořák’s country house in Vyoská, Russia, inspired his masterpiece in 1889. In merely 18 days, he completed the symphony’s sketch and finished its scoring in Prague. With its striking and colorful thematic ideas, Dvořák’s Symphony No. 8 premiered in 1890 as part of his induction into the Czech Academy of Science, Literature, and the Arts. Through PPO’s 40th concert season, titled *Forte*, the CCP continues to honor its commitment to showcasing and promoting world-class Filipino artistry while providing unique cultural experiences to its audiences. The concert season runs until April 2025. “*Europa” will take place on January 17, 2025 at 7:30 pm in the Samsung Performing Arts Theater, Makati City.* *To purchase PPO’s 40th concert season subscription and other inquiries, you may email salesandpromotions@culturalcenter.gov.ph or call the CCP Box Office at +63931-033-0880.* *For more updates on PPO’s future performances, follow the CCP and PPO’s official Facebook and Instagram accounts. You may also visit the CCP website at [www.culturalcenter.gov.ph](https://culturalcenter.gov.ph/ "www.culturalcenter.gov.ph") for news on future concerts, masterclasses, workshops, and other events.* Photos courtesy of the CCP. **Categories:** Arts & Culture **Tags:** CCP, Concert, concert iv europa, concert news, Concerts, concerts 2025, Cultural Center of the Philippines, europa, Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, PPO --- ### [How Martine Velasco Reimagines Desire in Her Debut Show](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/arts-and-culture/how-martine-velasco-reimagines-desire-in-her-debut-show/) **Published:** June 24, 2025 **Author:** Kerry Tinga **Content:** ## **The 27-year-old artist talks to *Lifestyle Asia* about her debut exhibit, “Desire Forms,” which explores and evokes the contradictory nature of desire.** In Ancient Greek, according to [C.S. Lewis](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29938407-the-four-loves), four words roughly translate to the English word “love.” There’s *storge* (familial love), *philia* (friendship as a form of love), *agape* (selfless love or charity), and finally, *eros* (sensual or romantic love, and from which the word “erotic” is derived). It’s this last form that offers perhaps the most complex understanding of human love, longing, and desire. In *[Eros the Bittersweet](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/150255.Eros_the_Bittersweet)*, classicist Anne Carson writes that the Greek concept of *eros* denotes “want,” “lack,” and “desire for that which is missing.” “The lover wants what it does not have,” Carson continues. “It is by definition impossible for him to have what he wants if, as soon as it is had, it is no longer wanting.” In this sense, the artist and her audience become a pair of lovers, forever reaching toward connection and understanding. Art exists in the gap between. “A lot of my thinking around this exhibit has emerged from Anne Carson’s treatise on desire, *Eros the Bittersweet*, which characterizes it as a simultaneous experience of pleasure and pain,” explains artist Martine Velasco, whose debut solo exhibition *Desire Forms* opens at The Crucible Gallery this month. “Using this thesis as a framework, I wanted to explore the more paradoxical and enigmatic side of desire, depicting it in a way that’s removed from stereotypical crudeness.” ![Martine Velasco Desire Forms at Crucible Gallery](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Screenshot.webp) For her exhibition, the 27-year-old artist has created works in both painting and sculptural media that embody this understanding of desire’s contradictory nature. Art that makes us feel the bittersweet nature of longing rather than simply observing it. READ ALSO: [In Our Stillness: Sa Tahanan Co.’S Echoes Of Home](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/arts-and-culture/in-our-stillness-sa-tahanan-co-s-echoes-of-home/) ## **From Mother’s Palette to Personal Practice** “I was introduced to art primarily by my mother, who was a talented painting hobbyist,” Martine shares with *Lifestyle Asia*. “There wasn’t a pivotal moment as much as a natural aptitude that I developed over the years. Although I have been drawing and painting since I was very young, I first considered professions in the fashion and creative writing industries. I did not consider a serious career in art until about halfway through college.” This natural aptitude led Martine to complete a B.F.A. in Studio Art from New York University, where her focus was on drawing and printmaking. These traditional two-dimensional media would soon give way to something entirely different. “When I was younger, I wasn’t as interested in sculpture, which is ironically one of my primary mediums now,” she says. “Naturally, I’ve spent quite a bit of time expanding my skill set, but it’s a rewarding process that really motivates me as an artist. Other hobbies I’ve developed, such as jewelry making and sewing, have also informed my foray into the 3D world.” After graduating, Martine returned to Manila and began developing her latest practice: transforming found objects into art. Her collecting process became almost ritualistic as she wandered through family gardens and provincial properties, searching for materials that others might classify as waste, but that she recognized as carriers of history and energy. ![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/DSC4027-scaled.webp) “Nature has played a larger role in my practice since moving back to Manila,” Martine says, “Not only in terms of material and subject matter, but also through the philosophy of nature-based theologies. Further educating myself on the cultural foundations of our country has profoundly enriched my work.” This development toward found objects and natural materials has also led to developments in her artistic practice and understanding of how art engages with memory, place, and meaning. “I take inspiration from mythology, relics, and folk practices, combining elements of my ancestral history with personal motifs to create intentional objects that engage with the psyche,” she adds. ## **Inside the Garden of Pain and Pleasure** This connection to nature and found objects became the foundation for how Martine would approach the concept of desire itself. Perhaps no allegory for desire is more enduring than the garden, echoing since the slither of a snake and a bite of an apple in Eden. For Martine, the garden isn’t merely metaphorical, but also the literal source of both her materials and her conceptual framework for *Desire Forms*. ![Martine Velasco](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/DSC3866-scaled.webp) “I’m interested in the histories of material objects,” she explains. “I think there is a special unnameable quality to objects that have been exposed to certain energies, objects that hold sentimental value.” She prefers aged and discarded objects, items that she views as repositories of memory and meaning. “It brings me a lot of joy to give objects a new life, and, in the process, redefine what constitutes waste.” This methodology extends Carson’s understanding of desire as existing in gaps and absences, allowing her to explore the subject in a way that transcends cultural taboos and stereotypical representations, without relying on the human form. ![Martine Velasco](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/DSC3828-scaled.webp) “The concept of desire can be warped in a culture dominated by dogma. I wanted to approach it from a more nuanced perspective, where the human form is completely omitted and the focus becomes these moments of intimate connection, colors that energize the body, the tension of contrasting materials,” she explains. The cicadas she grew up hearing in her family’s garden become ethereal paintings of mating bugs, radiating with intense colors that transform biological function into something transcendent. Meanwhile, her sculptures embody the material contradictions that define her practice: constructed from salvaged, weathered objects yet emanating organic sensuality, their ruggedness undercut by unexpected grace. This approach allows her to create what she calls “intentional objects that engage with the psyche.” These are works that bypass literal representation to access something deeper about the nature of longing and desire itself, yielding layered meanings where new significance builds upon the accumulated history of discarded materials. ## **“Desire Forms” at The Crucible Gallery** *Desire Forms*, running at The Crucible Gallery from June 24 to July 6, 2025, features 10 pieces that demonstrate the artist’s unique approach to desire’s complexities. The exhibition includes five paintings from a series she’s been developing since 2022, alongside five new sculptures created specifically for the show. What visitors encounter are not traditional desire representations, but an exploration of how longing feels. The works themselves embody what Martine identifies as the defining characteristic of her practice: duality. “I’ve found that there always seems to be an element of duality in my work,” she explains. “It has manifested in the literal form of twin or oppositional figures, as well as the more figurative sense, like through material/textural contrast and symmetry.” In *Desire Forms*, this duality becomes the vehicle for exploring Carson’s understanding of desire as simultaneously pleasure and pain, the wanting and the longing. ![Martine Velasco](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/DSC4065-scaled.webp) But Martine’s interests extend beyond simple oppositions. “Concepts that exist between or outside of the binary of duality also interest me, including transformation, paradoxes, and divinity,” she adds. And this exhibition finds its depth in those spaces of transformation and paradox, creating the very conditions Carson describes for *eros* to exist. Like the triangular relationship between lover, beloved, and the essential gap between them, Martine’s work positions itself between artist and audience, requiring that space for meaning to emerge. Or, if not meaning, emotion. “I’m not necessarily after a moral or message,” she says. “I’m more interested in whether my audience forms an emotional resonance with the works. I feel that is more true to the nature of desire itself, which tends to resist a fixed definition.” *“Desire Forms” will be on view at [The Crucible Gallery](https://www.facebook.com/cruciblegalleryph/) on the 4th Level, Building A, SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City from June 24 to July 6, 2025.* **Categories:** Art, Arts & Culture, Lifestyle, People **Tags:** 2025 art exhibits, art exhibition, art exhibitions, art news, art news 2025, Artists, desire forms, Exhibition, Exhibits, Filipino Artists, martine velasco --- ### [Lakbay: Voices Of The Philippine Diaspora ](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/arts-and-culture/art/lakbay-voices-of-the-philippine-diaspora/) **Published:** January 28, 2025 **Author:** The Lifestyle Asia Team **Content:** ## **The Art House brings together the unique visions of nine Filipino diaspora artists in “Lakbay,” an upcoming exhibition that pays tribute to the life and works of pioneering modernist painter, Nena Saguil.** Founded in 2019 by Carlo Pineda, [The Art House](https://arthouseph.com/ "The Art House") is a boutique multi-platform dedicated to fostering community engagement, cultural exchange and authentic connections within and beyond the creative ecosystem. Its upcoming art exhibition, *Lakbay: Voyages into the Absolute with Nena Saguil*, is testament to this purpose, born out of a desire to bring something refreshing and compelling to the local art scene. *Lakbay* is one part creative record of the global experiences of Filipino creatives, and another part tribute to the life and works of Nena Saguil—a pioneering Filipino modernist painter who shaped abstract art in the country and beyond. ![Lakbay Nena Saguil diaspora](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/IG_Square_POSTER_1080x1080-Large.jpeg) The show will take place during National Arts Month with a vernissage on February 8 and the public viewing from February 9 to 12, 2025, in partnership with the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB), British Council, and Discovery Primea. The Makati hotel’s mezzanine will be housing never-before-seen pieces from Saguil alongside works of international Filipino artists who, like her, have ventured beyond the country and experienced a diasporic reality. READ ALSO: [Capture And Release: Finding Meaning In Life’s Mundanities](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/arts-and-culture/capture-and-release-reframing-and-preserving-a-moment/) ## **Lakbay: Bridging Experiences Of The Global Filipino** A graduate of the University of Philippines School of Fine Arts (and recipient of its Award of Excellence), [Nena Saguil](https://ateneoartgallery.com/artist/nena-saguil) established herself as an inimitable voice in Philippine abstract art, being one of its earliest and most influential practitioners. [Five years](https://awarewomenartists.com/en/artiste/nena-saguil/) after graduating university, she left the country to pursue further studies in Paris—where she received multiple grants—and continued her creative practice there for forty years. In 1974, Saguil was inducted into the roster of 12 Outstanding Overseas Filipinos, and in 2006, she was posthumously awarded a Presidential Medal of Merit for her outstanding contributions to the field of art. ![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/saguil-nena-untitled-1975-1-aware-women-artists-artistes-femmes.jpg)![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/saguil-nena-untitled-1978-aware-women-artists-artistes-femmes.jpg)![Untitled works from the 1970s by Nena Saguil](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/saguil-nena-untitled-1975-2-aware-women-artists-artistes-femmes-Large.jpeg)Untitled works from the 1970s by Nena Saguil/Photos from the AWARE [website](https://awarewomenartists.com/en/artiste/nena-saguil/ "website")There are many other Filipinos who have shared, and continue to share, similar experiences with the late artist: creativity abounds within the archipelago, and in an increasingly globalized world, our local talents travel to other shores in order to hone and broaden their skills. *Lakbay* is a conversation between nine of these creative minds as they react, reflect, and respond to the life, praxis, and works of Saguil. The event is also another big step for The Art House in its mission of uplifting and promoting Filipino talent across oceans and artistic genres or expressions, encouraging creators, audiences, collaborators, and art enthusiasts to engage in meaningful conversations on Philippine culture, heritage, and identity. “I’ve always been an avid collector of Nena Saguil’s artworks. For Art Month, we wanted to present a different proposition—something new and fresh. We were keen on bringing audiences stories and experiences not usually found in the local art market,” shared Pineda in a press statement, who currently stands as the group’s founder and CEO. ![Carlo Pineda, founder and CEO of Art House](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/VICQ26-08038-Large.jpeg)Carlo Pineda, founder and CEO of The Art House He continued: “Our activities, whether it be through public art, explorations in materiality and sustainable art, or reflections on digital art like NFTs, are always about creating collective journeys and conversations. While others might want to gatekeep the artists from collectors, we like to build spaces where both can interact, connect, and be part of one open, inclusive ecosystem or community. We’d like to think that our work as a platform helps to revitalize the patron-artist relationship.” ## **The World From Their Eyes: Artists Of The Exhibition** One of Saguil’s preoccupations as an artist was the cosmic, and our relationship to the larger universe beyond. So it makes sense that *Lakbay* honors the stories of Filipino artists who come from all walks of life, their diverse backgrounds creating a rich and layered conversation on what it means to be a Filipino away from home. ![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/%C2%A9-Christian-Vagt_Lizza_May_David_1536x1024-highres-Large.jpeg)![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/ARTIST-PORTRAIT_Racso-Jugarap.jpg)![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Portrait_Marissa-Gonzalez.jpeg)![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Portrait_Wayne.jpg)![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/PORTRAIT.jpeg)![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Potrait_Jaclyn-Reyes-Large.jpeg)![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/viber_image_2025-01-20_11-06-52-935-Medium-edited.jpeg)![The nine Filipino diaspora artists featured in Lakbay: Lizza May David, Racso Jugarap, Marissa Gonzalez, Wayne Forte, Rose Cameron, Jaclyn Reyes, Jana Benitez, Kulay Labitigan, and Kim Cruz](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Portrait_Kulay-Labitigan-Large.jpeg)![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Portrait_Kim-edited.jpg)The nine Filipino artists featured in Lakbay: Lizza May David, Racso Jugarap, Marissa Gonzalez, Wayne Forte, Rose Cameron, Jaclyn Reyes, Jana Benitez, Kulay Labitigan, and Kim CruzParticipating talents include Jana Benitez (United States), Rose Cameron (United States), Kim Cruz (United States), Lizza May David (Germany), John Wayne Forte (United States), Marissa Gonzalez (Switzerland), Rasco Jugarap (Belgium), Kulay Labitingan (United Kingdom), and Jaclyn Reyes (United States). Each of them were handpicked by The Art House—part of a consolidated list between Pineda and Marika Constantino, who serves as the exhibition’s curator—for their talents, accomplishments, and unique voices based on the recommendations of industry insiders and extensive research. ![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/David_In-a-Hurry_2016_110x145cm_0126-Medium-edited.jpeg)![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Brecia-MARISSA-GONZALEZ-Large.jpeg)![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Resonansiya-Brown-ROSE-CAMERON-Large.jpeg)![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/viber_image_2025-01-20_11-06-47-450-Large.jpeg)![A preview of works from some of Lakbay's featured artists: "In a Hurry" by Lizza May David; "Brecia" by Marissa Gonzalez; "Resonansiya Brown" by Rose Cameron; Untitled piece by Jana Benitez; "Infinite Landings (Phase 3)" by Jaclyn Reyes; "Madame" by Wayne Forte](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Reyes_Infinite-Landings-3_The-morning-arcs-where-moonlit-edges-bend-Medium-edited.jpeg)![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/1738-Madame-2023-59x29-ac-FT.jpg)A preview of works from some of Lakbay’s featured artists: “In a Hurry” by Lizza May David; “Brecia” by Marissa Gonzalez; “Resonansiya Brown” by Rose Cameron; Untitled piece by Jana Benitez; “Infinite Landings (Phase 3)” by Jaclyn Reyes; “Madame” by Wayne Forte“The diasporic experience, which may be consciously or unconsciously manifested in their artworks, is a common linkage with the artists in this exhibition,” wrote Constantino in her curatorial statement. “In Saguil’s words, ‘\[…\] Your “roots” will always be expressed in anything you do, the Filipino in the artist will always show up in his work; it will show even through his own insecurity. I think we are too conscious of being “Filipino.” The important thing is sincerity \[…\] Therefore, one must free oneself – within one’s self.’ Whether it’s metaphorical, philosophical, literal or figurative terms, there is much to be gleaned from Saguil’s uncompromising and authentic stance.” ## **Showcasing A Country’s Talent** All nine of the artists from the initial list agreed to be a part of *Lakbay*, as Pineda detailed during a special preview, indicative of their enthusiasm to reconnect with their motherland and gain a better understanding of the local art market. The show will not only aid in cultural exchange and engagement, but also benefit the Nena Saguil Foundation, which chose the works for exhibition. “With every exhibit or activation we do at Art House, there is a giving back component that forges a stronger sense of community and cultural engagement within the ecosystem,” Pineda added. Benjamin, the nephew of Saguil, was present during the press preview, and thanked The Art House for the opportunity to not only share his aunt’s works, but also tell the ongoing story that she was an inextricable part of. “It really would have been a dream come true for her, if she was around. The Philippine art community is progressing, and the other side of the world—Europe and the United States—allows artists to showcase an experience that’s unique: being in a different culture while still maintaining your character as a Filipino,” he expressed. *“Lakbay: Voyages into the Absolute with Nena Saguil” will run from February 9 to 12, 2025 at the mezzanine of Discovery Primea, located at 6749 Ayala Avenue, Makati. For more information about ART HOUSE visit, [www.arthouseph.com](https://arthouseph.com). For updates, follow on Instagram [@thearthouse\_](https://www.instagram.com/thearthouse_/?hl=en "@thearthouse_") .* Photos courtesy of The Art House and Before Deadlines (unless specified). **Categories:** Art, Arts & Culture **Tags:** 2025 art exhibitions, 2025 exhibition, 2025 exhibitions, art exhibition news, art house, art news, art news 2025, Arts and Culture, Filipino Artists, filipino diaspora, nena saguil, The Art House --- ### [Festive Luxury: 4 Of The World's Most Valuable Christmas Tree Set-Ups](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/scene/festive-luxury-4-of-the-worlds-most-lavish-and-valuable-christmas-tree-set-ups/) **Published:** November 25, 2024 **Author:** The Lifestyle Asia Team **Content:** ## *From a towering Christmas tree bedecked with $11 million in fine jewelry to a $4.2 million “tree” of pure gold, these four festive centerpieces have taken holiday decor to the next level.* Christmas has always been the season for cheerful, sparkling decorations. Many people tend to bring out their very best ornaments, crockery, cutlery, crystals, and the like for the festivities, ensuring that they provide the very best experience to their loved ones. Businesses, malls, and luxury hotels do something similar for the season, yet they are known for taking it to a whole new level, especially when it comes to setting up a Christmas tree — undoubtedly the beating heart of the holiday ambiance. Rather than the usual vibrant orbs and stars, think fine jewelry and precious metals. If you’re curious to know which tree setups have made history as some of the most extravagant and valuable in the world—or if you’re looking for some opulent inspiration—here are four record-breaking centerpieces to marvel at. READ ALSO: [Christmas Cards: UNICEF Partners With Manuel Baldemor To Create Limited-Edition Collection For Charity](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/arts-and-culture/art/unicef-christmas-cards-partners-with-manuel-baldemor-to-create-limited-edition-cards-for-charity/) ## **$15 Million Christmas Tree at Kempinski Hotel Bahia** In 2019, a $15 million Christmas tree at the Kempinski Hotel Bahia broke records as one of the most expensive of its kind. It wasn’t the tree itself that was particularly valuable, but rather, the ornaments that adorned its branches. The hotel spared no expense to deck it out with ornaments created by celebrity designer [Debbie Wingham](https://www.instagram.com/debbie_wingham/?hl=en). ![The $15 million Kempinski Bahia Christmas tree in 2019](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/75379774_179473559918312_8357969933215005726_n.jpg)The $15 million Kempinski Bahia Christmas tree in 2019/Photo via Instagram [@kempinskibahia](https://www.instagram.com/p/B6I-mQAoc7y/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link "@kempinskibahia") The tree featured decor with millions worth of jewels, including pink, red, white, and black diamonds, as Cecilia Rodriguez of [*Forbes*](https://www.forbes.com/sites/ceciliarodriguez/2019/12/11/is-this-15-million-christmas-tree-the-most-expensive-in-the-world/) reports. Also included were 3D-printed chocolates and other sweet treats in the shape of peacocks, feathers, perfume bottles, and ornate ostrich eggs, adds Amy Woodyatt of [*CNN*](https://edition.cnn.com/style/article/expensive-christmas-tree-intl-scli/index.html). ## **$11 Million Christmas Tree at Emirates Palace** Next is another star tree that earned the Guinness World Record for “Most Expensive Christmas Tree Decorated” in 2010. Costing around $11 million at the time, the tree served as the holiday centerpiece at Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi. [According to the records](https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/most-expensive-christmas-tree-decorated), it measured 43.2 feet in height and featured an impressive 181 pieces of jewelry. ![The $11 million Christmas tree at Emirates Palace in 2010](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/most-expensive-christmas-tree-decorated-header.jpg)The $11 million Christmas tree at Emirates Palace in 2010/Photo from the Guinness World Records ## **$4.2 Million Gold Disney “Christmas Tree” Piece at Ginza Tanaka Jewelry Store** While not necessarily a tree, Japanese fine jewelry brand Ginza Tanaka’s creation served as the store’s tree ornament in 2012, wowing both visitors and the media with its appearance and value. Smaller than the other “trees” in this list (7.9 feet), the Ginza Tanaka piece embodied the business with its material: 40 kilograms (88 pounds) of pure gold, as [*Reuters*](https://www.reuters.com/article/lifestyle/gold-christmas-tree-for-a-mere-42-million-in-tokyo-idUSBRE8AL09W/) states in a report. ![The $4.2 million pure gold Disney Christmas tree at Ginza Tanaka in 2012](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Screenshot-3105.png)The $4.2 million pure gold Disney Christmas tree at Ginza Tanaka in 2012/Photo from the [University of Tohoku](https://www.tohoku.ac.jp/japanese/newimg/newsimg/news202100709_01.pdf "University of Tohoku") The magical piece also showcased the silhouettes of 50 beloved cartoon characters from Disney, including Mickey Mouse, Tinkerbell, and Cinderella. “Right now gold is over 4,400 yen per gram. We used pure gold and had an expert craftsman form each Disney character by hand,” explained Tomoko Ishibashi, a member of the marketing department of Tanaka Kikinzoku Jewelry (which runs the Ginza Tanaka jewelry store) to [*NBC News*](https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/4-2-million-christmas-tree-ones-made-gold-disney-characters-flna1c7216377) in a 2012 feature. ## **$700,000 Swarovski Christmas Tree at the Pavilion Kuala Lumpur** Swarovski, a leading creator of fine jewels and crystals, also had quite the show to give at Malaysia’s premier shopping mall, Pavilion Kuala Lumpur, back in 2015. Its 75-foot [Swarovski Christmas Tree](https://www.pavilion-kl.com/experience-a-sparkling-christmas-with-pavilion-kl/) was the tallest indoor one in Asia. ![The $700,000 Swarovski Christmas Tree at the Pavilion Kuala Lumpur in 2015](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/11220459_10153376882463440_3603129122399519654_n.jpg)The $700,000 Swarovski Christmas Tree at the Pavilion Kuala Lumpur in 2015/Photo from the Pavilion Kuala Lumpur [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=10153376882463440&set=pcb.10153376884858440 "Facebook") The towering decorative piece sparkled with more than 3,000 crystal strands—a total of around 175,000 individual crystal pieces—which were valued at around $700,000 (RM3 million) at the time. The tree’s accents and overall look was also inspired by the brand’s stunning [Christmas Collection](https://www.harpersbazaar.com/fashion/models/interviews/a12999/miranda-kerr-swarovski-holiday-collection/) with Australian model Miranda Kerr in 2016. Banner photo by Reuben Teo via [Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/photos/christmas-tree-with-baubles-fmEgx4QalQU "Unsplash"). **Categories:** Scene **Tags:** Christmas decor, christmas decorations, christmas tree, Christmas trees, expensive, most expensive, most expensive christmas trees, most valuable --- ### [Hometown Glory: How Stefano Ricci Upholds "100% Made in Italy" Philosophy in His Designs](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/style/stefano-ricci-italian-luxury-suits-shirts-tie-for-men/) **Published:** September 4, 2019 **Author:** Katherine Alamares **Content:** Among the wealthiest communities in Florence is Fiesole, an architectural landmark with stunning views, monasteries, and ruins from the Roman times. Italy’s rich families live here, including [Stefano Ricci](https://www.instagram.com/stefanoricciofficial/), a maestro who works with a group of artisans to turn materials like crocodile leather and handprinted silk into the finest suits, ties, and accessories. Ricci solemnly upholds his “100% Made in Italy” philosophy, certifying the stellar quality of his creations. **RELATED READS**: [7 Millennials and Young Society Who Started Their Own Fashion Label](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/style/millennials-and-young-society-own-local-fashion-label/) ![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/stefano-ricci-9-1024x1024.jpg)Light two-button jacket and classic sneakers. (Photo from Stefano Ricci)## Italy as the center The “Made in Italy” philosophy goes beyond the source of materials and the production process. Ricci’s company preserves the culture and heritage of his beloved home Italy. Among his efforts is the acquisition of Antico Setificio Fiorentino. It is a historic mill with antique handlooms that produced fabrics since the late 1700s. For the brand’s 40th and 50th anniversary, they staged shows in Uffizi Gallery and Sala Bianca of the Palazzo Pitti. Italy highly regards the former as an important museum, while the latter is where the first-ever fashion show in Italy was held. **RELATED READS**: [Get In Shape With Sophisticated And Luxurious Activewear](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/style/sophisticated-luxury-sportswear-for-gym-workouts/) ![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/stefano-ricci-8-1024x1024.jpg)Inside the store in Italy. (Photo from Stefano Ricc)## Bringing Italy to Manila STEFANO RICCI opened its first store in the country at Solaire Resort & Casino. Figures of the Royal Eagle welcomes new clients, the emblem of the brand symbolizing honor, power, and pride. Charles Baudelaire’s poem “L’Homme et la Mer” inspires one of the collections. The poem is about explorers with a passion for yachting. To bring this to life, silk ties, formal suits, and sportswear take on shades of blue, reminiscent of the Tuscan sea. To add interesting contrast, there are pops of orange and syrah red on the rest of the designs. The vivid colors and the exquisite quality of the brand’s style pieces suit the most dashing gentlemen. *Read the full story written by Gelo Dionora in Lifestyle Asia’s September issue titled, “Discovering Passions.*“ **Categories:** Style **Tags:** Stefano Ricci --- ### [Terno 80: Eight Decades Of Philippine Design And Art Patronage](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/style/terno-80-eight-decades-of-philippine-design-and-art-patronage/) **Published:** October 18, 2024 **Author:** Pilar Gonzalez **Content:** ## *The upcoming retrospective “Terno” pays homage to beloved tastemaker Maritess Pineda, capturing her eight decades of patronage for Philippine art and design*. For 80 years, Maritess Pineda has not only been among the country’s most well-known style mavens, but also a staunch supporter of Philippine arts and design. People will often find her attending a wide array of art or fashion events when she’s not hosting her own as one of the founders of the popular [ArteFino Fair](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/arts-and-culture/artefino-fair-2024-kapamana-shares-the-collective-stories-of-philippine-heritage-craft-and-legacy-through-new-voices/)—a platform for showcasing beautifully-made and proudly-Filipino products for the public—as well as the Friends of Manansala Foundation. To celebrate her milestone 80th year, [Art House](https://www.instagram.com/thearthouse_/?hl=en) will be mounting a retrospective show that will capture her eight decades of patronage for the country’s arts, culture, and fashion scenes. From October 24 to 27, 2024 at the Southcourt of the Power Plant Mall, *Terno: Celebrating a Legacy Forged from Design and Art* will bring together eight contemporary artists as they reflect and respond to eight masterful designs that have marked milestones in the life of the patron. ![Carlo Pineda, Steve de Leon, Patis Tesoro, Maritess Pineda](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Carlo-Pineda-Steve-de-Leon-Patis-Tesoro-Maritess-Pineda-scaled.jpg)Carlo Pineda, Steve de Leon, Patis Tesoro, Maritess Pineda “It felt more meaningful and purposeful to come up with an exhibit than to throw another party,” reflects Maritess in a statement. “It was important to have an activity that would tell the story of Philippine art, heritage, and design. We were also thinking of something that could evolve in the coming years, maybe into a book or a larger exhibit.” READ ALSO: [Life Within: The Intricate Garments Of Alvin Florentino](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/arts-and-culture/art/life-within-the-intricate-garments-of-alvin-florentino/) ## **Terno: A Pairing, A Symbol of Philippine Identity** The concept of *Terno* was hatched after poring over Maritess’s extensive archive of gowns by masters of Philippine fashion. Couture creations by [Ramon Valera](https://www.dlsaa.com/honors-and-awards/awardees/valera-ramon-o) (the renowned National Artist for Fashion Design who was close friends with Maritess’ parents), Steve de Leon, and Patis Tesoro served as key inspiration for mounting an art show, showcasing the use of heritage fabrics. ![A Ramon Valera gown that Maritess Pineda wore on her 18th debut](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Ramon-Valera-Debutant-Gown-scaled.jpg)![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/DSC08434-scaled.jpg)A Ramon Valera gown that Maritess Pineda wore on her debutContemporary reimaginings of the national dress by BAYO Atelier, Len Cabili, Jor-El Espina, Rajo Laurel, and Cora Manimbo were also chosen to represent a creative revolution in everyday Philippine wear. “These gowns or dresses were also chosen because they were a part of my life’s milestones,” Maritess adds. ![Pieces by Patis Tesoro and Steve de Leon](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Patis-Tesoro-Terno-scaled.jpg)![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Steve-de-Leon-8-scaled.jpg)Pieces by Patis Tesoro and Steve de Leon“It was my mother who shaped me and my preferences in fashion. She would keep her clothes in *baúls* \[trunks\]. She never discarded them,” she elaborates during a press gathering. “When we started to look through her collection, we discovered all these beautiful gowns and dresses. That’s really where it all began. At some point, people were borrowing my gowns for their books, shows, and exhibits.” ![The stunning details on the three archival pieces from Maritess Pineda's collection](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Ramon-Valera2-scaled.jpg)![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Patis-Tesoro5-1-scaled.jpg)![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Steve-de-Leon7-1-scaled.jpg)The stunning details on the three archival pieces from Maritess Pineda’s collection## **Merging Contemporary Art and Fashion** Art House then paired these design pieces with contemporary artists from its roster.These include 0270501, Enon de Belen, Alvaro Jimenez, Ronna Manansala, Anina Rubio, and Melissa Yeung-Yap. Patis Tesoro and Jo Ann Bitagcol were also invited to partake of the creative exercise. Their works as both artists and designers are renowned for their distinctive use of heritage fabrics. For Terno, Patis will showcase never-before-seen studies of her artwork, all done on local fabrics. Meanwhile, Jo Ann will apply her signature photo prints on fabrics as a response to Len Cabili’s intricately embroidered dresses. ![An art piece for the exhibition by Ronna Manansala and a photography piece by Jo Ann Bitagcol](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/viber_image_2024-10-05_17-42-39-721-edited.jpg)![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/viber_image_2024-10-09_11-47-10-135.jpg)An art piece for the exhibition by Ronna Manansala and a photography piece by Jo Ann Bitagcol“My mom \[Maritess\] has always been a supporter of Philippine fashion and art. Her journey as a patron of both presented us with a beautiful proposition to blend fashion and art in one space,” explains Carlo Pineda, the founder of Art House. “The concept aligns with ART HOUSE’s ethos for showcasing local talent, culture and heritage. It also zooms in on materiality, which is the use of heritage fabric.” ## **Honoring Heritage Today** In Terno, indigenous weaves like [*abaca*](https://fabriclore.com/blogs/fabric-wiki/information-about-abaca-fabric?srsltid=AfmBOopJyROm1VttaKbXGN21Yj_kb7XgeB0QglK09m3zGs8MRa8awzZp)*,* upcycled fabrics, [*t’nalak*](https://www.thetextileatlas.com/craft-stories/tnalak-weaving-philippines), [*inabel*](https://www.stii.dost.gov.ph/1808-inabel-the-timeless-art-of-weaving-stories-in-threads)*,* [*binakol*](https://anthillfabrics.com/collections/binakol)*,* [*piña*](https://www.sfomuseum.org/exhibitions/pineapple-pina-philippine-textile), and banana fibers serve as the canvas for both the designer and artist. It’s a fitting choice, given Maritess’ long standing relationship with Filipino traditional crafts. ![More archival pieces from Maritess Pineda's collection, from Cora Manimbo and Jor-el Espina](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/VICQ07-03563.jpg)![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/VICQ03-03346.jpg)More archival pieces from Maritess Pineda’s collection, from Cora Manimbo and Jor-el Espina“My exposure to fashion and the friendships I’ve made with designers from an early age led me to dedicate myself to the preservation of local heritage,” Maritess shares. “Through the years, we have seen how designers have re-imagined the Philippine dress as something you can wear everyday. They have also found a way to utilize local fabrics in their contemporary designs.” ![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Len-Cabili-scaled.jpg)![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Cora-Manimbo-scaled.jpg)![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Alvaro-Jimenez-scaled.jpg)![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Patis-Tesoro-scaled.jpg)![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Ronna-Manansala-with-Maritess-Pineda-scaled.jpg)![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Steve-de-Leon-with-Maritess-Pineda-scaled.jpg)Len Cabili; Cora Manimbo; Alvaro Jimenez; Patis Tesoro; Ronna Manansala with Maritess Pineda; Steve de Leon with Maritess Pineda“The show inspires the audience to regard our very own heritage fabrics through the eyes of two different disciplines, and in different eras,” Carlo expounds. Terno honors the national dress as a fundamental part of Philippine identity. But more than that, it also endeavors to tell the story of Philippine creativity and its ecosystem through a new lens. *Terno: Celebrating a Legacy Forged from Design and Art will happen from October 24 to 27 at the Southcourt, Powerplant Mall. The exhibit will then move to the ART HOUSE Gallery at JMP Bldg Jose Cruz Street Brgy Ugong Pasig City. For more information, follow ART HOUSE (@thearthouse\_) on Instagram.* Photos courtesy of Before Deadlines. **Categories:** Style **Tags:** 2024 art exhibitions, 2024 exhibitions, art events, art events 2024, art house, Exhibit, Maritess Pineda, terno, terno 80 --- ### [Celebrating Diversity: Stephanie Zubiri Launches First Book ](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/scene/chalky-the-chameleon-stephanie-zubiri-celebrates-the-launch-of-her-first-childrens-book/) **Published:** November 5, 2024 **Author:** Pilar Gonzalez **Content:** ## *Veteran journalist and editor Stephanie Zubiri commemorated the launch of her first children’s book, “Chalky the Chameleon,” through a fun afternoon that celebrated love and diversity.* Having started her writing journey at 16, Stephanie Zubiri is a celebrated and seasoned editor and journalist who continues to share authentic stories that her readers can connect to and feel inspired by . Recently, she celebrated the launch of her very first children’s book *Chalky the Chameleon* through a relaxing and fun party at Vestido Manila in Makati. The event also commemorated the one-year anniversary of [Soulful Feasts](https://open.spotify.com/show/1sqO76DG1fo9OQJxS2Ad57 "Soulful Feasts"), Zubiri’s 360-degree wellness platform as a holistic wellness advocate. ![Seasoned journalist and editor Stephanie Zubiri](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/SCOTT-A-WOODWARD-IMG_3407-6-Large.jpeg)Seasoned journalist and editor Stephanie Zubiri has launched her first children’s book Aptly entitled *Kaleidoscope: A prism of infinite possibilities*, the event highlighted the beauty of living with intention and purpose, as well as accepting one’s most authentic self—in the spirit of the titular protagonist of her book, *Chalky the Chameleon*, who goes on a journey of self-discovery that represents the experiences of children on the spectrum as part of an autism awareness campaign. “Today is one big celebration, but it also aims to promote a life of purpose. It’s important to me that I share with the world about Soulful Feasts and its message of Soulful Living,” Zubiri shared during a speech. “I’m also so excited for everyone to dive into the colorful story of *Chalky the Chameleon* and to spread the word about neurodiversity and the magic that radiates from within! In fact, the story is for everyone, young and old; it’s a journey of self-discovery and a reminder to allow ourselves to shine.” READ ALSO: [Legends, Freaks, Icons: Tim Yap’s Shake, Rattle, And Ball](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/scene/legends-freaks-icons-tim-yaps-shake-rattle-and-ball/ "Legends, Freaks, Icons: Tim Yap’s Shake, Rattle, And Ball") ### **Chalky The Chameleon: Celebrating The Vibrancy Of Neurodiversity** *Chalky The Chameleon* is one in a series of four children’s books, all celebrating neurodiversity. As part of an autism awareness campaign and the publishing arm of Soulful Feasts, the book celebrates children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and is about a little chameleon who has no color. His name is Chalky, and he sets off on a journey to discover the rainbow within himself. The objective of the book is to raise awareness for early detection and early intervention. ![ Vico Cham and Stephanie Zubiri](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Vico-Cham-and-Stephanie-Zubiri_1-Large.jpeg)Vico Cham and Stephanie Zubiri The advocacy is a personal one for Zubiri, as her youngest son Max is on the autism spectrum. Thanks to early detection and diagnosis of his condition, as well as the involvement of amazing therapists, he has done a full 180. “Max is a great example for early detection and early intervention,” Zubiri happily expressed. “He firmly advocates for himself and is very proud of his journey.” ![Vico Cham and Jun Cham](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Vico-Cham-and-Jun-Cham-Large.jpeg)Vico Cham and Jun Cham For this first installation, Zubiri collaborated with Vico Cham, a talented and multi-awarded artist on the autism spectrum, who filled the book with his endearing illustrations. “Chalky and I have something in common. We are both unique and differently abled,” he explained. “This story reminded me to believe in myself and prove to the world that Chalky and I can achieve our dreams!” ### **Teamwork and Creativity for a Cause** Design For Tomorrow, headed by CEO and Chief Creative Strategist, Ric Gindap, generously designed the book, pro bono, and GA Printing, who really believes in the cause, produced a high-quality product and at such an affordable cost. ![Copies of "Chalky the Chameleon"](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Soulful-Feasts-7-Large.jpeg)Copies of “Chalky the Chameleon” “Creativity and design are powerful tools to educate, uplift, empower, and inspire. When we first met Stephanie, she spoke with such drive and passion about her advocacy—not just to ignite important conversations on neurodivergence, autism, and ADHD, but also to celebrate and amplify the voices of those who are isolated because they are different or misunderstood,” expressed Gindap. “This was the genesis of the Chalky project—a charming story about acceptance and love. We felt that this kind of initiative needed to be supported, and it was truly a pleasure to collaborate closely with Stephanie on the design and publishing process.” There are 500 limited-edition hardbound copies, which are being sold at Php 1000. All proceeds of the hardbound edition will support Project Inclusion Network and Best Buddies Philippines and will be used to cover the printing of the softbound copies, which is only going to be sold at Php 250 per book. Best Buddies, Philippines (BBP) not only creates social events for children on the spectrum, but also neurodivergent persons, including down syndrome individuals, to help them socialize and integrate in this world. Meanwhile, Project Inclusion Network helps find job placements for and promotes inclusivity for neurodivergent and differently abled people. ### **An Afternoon of Soulful Feasts** Present in the event were Zubiri’s loved ones, participants of her Soulful Feasts workshops and Women’s Circles, her fellow practitioners, friends and influencers in the wellness space, and members of the media, all of whom got to indulge in a pleasant afternoon that placed well-being front and center. ![The afternoon celebration was filled with delicious yet wholesome treats and music](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Soulful-Feasts-Fat-Seed-Cafe-Roastery-Large.jpeg)![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Soulful-Feasts-Health-Wraps-by-Isabels-Large.jpeg)![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Soulful-Feasts-92-Large.jpeg)![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Soulful-Feasts-Vestido-was-transformed-isses-and-Smiles-Events-by-Paula-Leido-Flowers-by-Ginger-Large.jpeg)![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Soulful-Feasts-Some-Love-Wine-was-on-Free-Flow-Large.jpeg)![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Soulful-Feasts-DJ-Honey-Love-on-Vinyl-Large.jpeg)The afternoon celebration was filled with delicious yet wholesome treats and musicFalling in step with the DNA of Soulful Feasts and the central theme of creating awareness around neurodiversity, healthy and delicious nibbles from Isabel’s were served together with luscious 100% organic, vegan, refined sugar- and gluten-free desserts by Simply Healthy Manila and The Little Spatula. ![Stephanie Zubiri and her guests: Hindy Weber-Tantoco; Issa Litton and Bianca Reinoso; Issa Pressman and Rosanna Ocampo-Rodriguez; Jay Sarmiento, Rex Atienza, Scott Woodward; Jo Ann Bitagcol; Kelly Misa-Fernandez, Sanya Smith, Jo Ann Bitagcol; Marga Tupaz and Michelle Aventajado; Mikaela Martinez; Rosanna Ocampo-Rodriguez and Xandra Rocha Araneta; Ana Garcia Zubiri, Allana Montelibano, Manuel Zubiri, Audrey Tan Zubiri, Stephanie Zubiri, Vicky Zubiri, and Scott Woodward](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Hindy-Weber-Tantoco-and-Stephanie-Zubiri-Large-1.jpeg)![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Issa-Litton-and-Bianca-Reinoso-Large-1.jpeg)![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Issa-Pressman-Stephanie-Zubiri-Rosanna-Ocampo-Rodriguez-Large-1.jpeg)![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Jay-Sarmiento-Rex-Atienza-Stephanie-Zubiri-Scottward-Large.jpeg)![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Jo-Ann-Bitagcol-and-Stephanie-Zubiri-Large-1.jpeg)![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Kelly-Misa-Fernandez-Sanya-Smith-Jo-Ann-Bitagcol-Stephanie-Zubiri-Large.jpeg)![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Marga-Tupaz-Stephanie-Zubiri-Michelle-Aventajado-Large.jpeg)![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Mikaela-Martinez-Large.jpeg)![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Rosanna-Ocampo-Rodriguez-Stephanie-Zubiri-Xandra-Rocha-Araneta-Large.jpeg)![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Ana-Garcia-Zubiri-Allana-Montelibano-Manuel-Zubiri-Audrey-Tan-Zubiri-Stephanie-Zubiri-Vicky-Zubiri-Scott-Woodward-Large.jpeg)Stephanie Zubiri and her guests: Hindy Weber-Tantoco; Issa Litton and Bianca Reinoso; Issa Pressman and Rosanna Ocampo-Rodriguez; Jay Sarmiento, Rex Atienza, Scott Woodward; Jo Ann Bitagcol; Kelly Misa-Fernandez, Sanya Smith, Jo Ann Bitagcol; Marga Tupaz and Michelle Aventajado; Mikaela Martinez; Rosanna Ocampo-Rodriguez and Xandra Rocha Araneta; Ana Garcia Zubiri, Allana Montelibano, Manuel Zubiri, Audrey Tan Zubiri, Stephanie Zubiri, Vicky Zubiri, and Scott WoodwardLovely pét-nat sparkling natural wines by Some Love Wine were on free-flow. For those who were in need of a mid-afternoon energy-boost, the freshly-brewed coffee and matcha from Fat Seed Café + Roastery were a hit while they shopped Pure Culture beauty products or indulged in a tarot reading by Ana Santiago of Soul Tribe Philippines, oracle readings by Kimi Lu, and Reiki by Erika Siy of Golden Lightcodes and Celine Veloso of HealUrWay. DJ Honey Love brought the joyful, kaleidoscopic, psychedelic tunes on vinyl and Kisses and Smiles Events by Paula Leido along with Flowers by Ginger created nothing but positive and fun visual vibes. ### **More to Come** A dedicated storyteller, Zubiri has more titles underway via Soulful Feasts, which is focused on the publishing of meaningful things. The second installation, *The Very Clumsy Octopus*, about an octopus who has a wonky tentacle is set for release next year. Then there’s *The Artsy Fartsy Spider*, a story about a spider who has ADHD. And finally, *The Bird Who Can’t Sing*, celebrates the community who are hard of hearing. Zubiri is also working on a cookbook for next year and a collection of essays. *Chalky the Chameleon is now available for purchase on Shopee. You can grab your copy through bit.ly/chalkythechameleon and via https://ph.shp.ee/se2C8Md. Follow the illustrator of Chalky the Chameleon (#chalkythechameleon) on Instagram @vicosartismgallery.* **Categories:** Scene **Tags:** Book Launch, Books, chalky the chameleon, children's book, neurodivergent, soulful feasts, steph zubiri, stephanie zubiri --- ### [A Five-Day Sojourn of Renewal With Stephanie Zubiri](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/self/a-five-day-sojourn-of-renewal-with-stephanie-zubiri/) **Published:** November 13, 2025 **Author:** Mj Calayan **Content:** ## **This Thanksgiving, the JW Marriott Maldives Kaafu Atoll invites guests to embark on a transformative wellness residency with Stephanie Zubiri.** Nestled in the turquoise waters of the Maldives, the **JW Marriott Kaafu Atoll** is setting the stage for a profoundly personal journey this **November 25 to 29, 2025.** “Soulful Journeys: The Inner Odyssey,” a five-day wellness residency, promises more than just relaxation: it offers a chance to reconnect with your body, mind, and spirit. Guided by [Stephanie Zubiri](https://www.instagram.com/stephaniezubiri/?hl=en "Stephanie Zubiri"), award-winning author, journalist, and wellness facilitator, guests will explore practices that blend psychology, energy work, and mindfulness, all curated to help reclaim the authorship of one’s own story. ![A Five-Day Odyssey of Gratitude and Renewal With Stephanie Zubiri JW Marriott Maldives Kaafu Atoll](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/SCOTT-A-WOODWARD-IMG_3666-Large.webp)Stephanie Zubiri Each day of the residency is thoughtfully designed to guide participants through a thematic rhythm, from shedding old energies and finding calm, to celebrating gratitude, awakening vitality, and finally integrating these experiences into daily life. Beyond group practices, personalized sessions such as archetypal mapping, energy readings, and soul conversations enable intimate exploration and reflection, ensuring that every guest leaves not just rested, but transformed. ![A Five-Day Odyssey of Gratitude and Renewal With Stephanie Zubiri](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/JW-Marriott-Kaafu-Atoll-Island-Resort_Spa_Sunrise-Large.webp)JW Marriott Kaafu Atoll READ ALSO: [Gen Z Is Now On Food Supplements: A Quick Guide](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/self/gen-z-is-now-on-food-supplements-a-quick-guide/ "Gen Z Is Now On Food Supplements: A Quick Guide") ## **An Alchemical Journey Through Mind, Body, and Spirit** From the moment guests arrive, every day of Soulful Journeys is curated to guide a deep inward exploration. The residency unfolds like a personal odyssey: **Renew** The journey begins with a gentle shedding of old patterns and energies. Through shamanic drumming, root chakra meditations, and mindful movement, participants are invited to release what no longer serves them and make space for new beginnings. **Calm** The second day slows the pace, centering the mind and grounding the body. Himalayan breathwork, self-chakra alignment, and guided meditations offer moments of stillness—an invitation to breathe, reset, and reconnect with the present. ![A Five-Day Odyssey of Gratitude and Renewal With Stephanie Zubiri](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/JW-Marriott-Maldives-Kaafu-Atoll-Island-Resort_Yoga-Large.webp)You can unwind and recenter yourself with an amazing view of the ocean **Gratitude & Abundance** Thanksgiving Day is celebrated as a heart-opening ritual. Guests engage in reflective exercises, mindful movement, and breathwork designed to cultivate appreciation and invite abundance into their lives. It’s a day to honor what is, while opening oneself to all that’s possible. **Invigorate** Midway through the journey, energy is awakened and vitality stoked. Dynamic breathwork and Kriya Yoga sessions help participants reconnect with their inner fire, leaving them invigorated and fully present in their bodies. ![A Five-Day Odyssey of Gratitude and Renewal With Stephanie Zubiri](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/JW-Marriott-Maldives-Kaafu-Atoll-Island-Resort_couple_in_villa_pool-Large.webp)Relaxation, in whatever form, is the utmost priority of JW Marriott Kaafu Atoll **Integrate & Close** The final day brings a sense of closure and reflection. A communal Gratitude Circle and intention-setting session enable guests to anchor their experiences in daily life and journal insights, centering on newfound wisdom before departing. ## **Personalized Pathways with Stephanie Zubiri** Beyond these collective experiences, Soulful Journeys offers intimate, one-on-one sessions tailored to individual exploration. **Oracle Card Reading** A 40-minute intuitive session offering insights into your current emotional landscape and guiding the soul’s path. **Soul Conversation** A 60-minute dialogue rooted in Jungian psychology to illuminate patterns, confront challenges, and deepen self-understanding. **Energy Reading & Soulful Alchemy** A 90-minute immersive experience using Reiki-inspired techniques and chakra attunement to rebalance your energetic field. **Archetypal Mapping & Soul Conversation** A 90-minute deep dive blending archetype exploration and guided reflection to map the energies shaping your life story and reimagine your personal narrative. ![A Five-Day Odyssey of Gratitude and Renewal With Stephanie Zubiri](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/JW-Marriott-Maldives-Kaafu-Atoll-Island-Resort-Spa-by-JW-aerial-Large.webp)The stunning JW Marriott Kaafu Atoll Each practice, whether shared in a group or explored privately, is designed not just to relax, but to transform. Guests leave with tools, insights, and rituals to continue their journey of renewal, gratitude, and self-discovery long after the sun has set in the Maldives. *For guests looking to book their stay and experience this transformative retreat, please contact jw.mlejm.reservations@marriott.com or visit[ jwmarriottkaafuatoll.com](https://jwmarriottkaafuatoll.com " jwmarriottkaafuatoll.com").* --- *Photos courtesy of* Stephanie Zubiri ## Frequently Asked Questions ### What is “Soulful Journeys: The Inner Odyssey” at JW Marriott Kaafu Atoll? It’s a five-day wellness residency held at JW Marriott Maldives Kaafu Atoll, guided by Stephanie Zubiri, blending psychology, energy work, and mindfulness practices to help guests reconnect with body, mind, and spirit — and reclaim authorship of their own story. ### Who is Stephanie Zubiri? Stephanie Zubiri is an award-winning Filipino author, journalist, and wellness facilitator. She leads the Soulful Journeys residency, guiding guests through group practices and one-on-one sessions rooted in Jungian psychology, energy healing, and archetypal exploration. ### What does each day of the Soulful Journeys residency focus on? The five days follow a thematic arc: Renew (releasing old patterns through shamanic drumming and root chakra meditation), Calm (breathwork and grounding), Gratitude & Abundance (heart-opening rituals), Invigorate (dynamic breathwork and Kriya Yoga), and Integrate & Close (a communal Gratitude Circle and intention-setting). ### Are there one-on-one sessions available at Soulful Journeys? Yes — guests can book personalized sessions including a 40-minute Oracle Card Reading, a 60-minute Soul Conversation rooted in Jungian psychology, a 90-minute Energy Reading & Soulful Alchemy, and a 90-minute Archetypal Mapping & Soul Conversation. ### How can I book the Soulful Journeys wellness residency at JW Marriott Kaafu Atoll? Interested guests can reach out directly via the JW Marriott Kaafu Atoll website at jwmarriottkaafuatoll.com or contact the resort through their official email to inquire about availability and rates. **Categories:** Self, Wellness **Tags:** JW Marriott Kaafu Atoll, stephanie zubiri --- ### [How Effort Has Become The New Luxury](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/arts-and-culture/how-human-effort-has-become-the-new-luxury/) **Published:** January 9, 2026 **Author:** Pilar Gonzalez **Content:** ## **AI makes creativity feel “effortless,” and that’s the problem. More and more premium brands are seeing it too; now, they’re setting themselves apart through human-made works that signal taste, quality, and cultural relevance.** If you look at nearly every trend or movement that has defined luxury since the concept first emerged, you’ll find the [scarcity principle](https://www.wealest.com/articles/scarcity-principle#:~:text=The%20scarcity%20principle%20is%20based%20on%20the,to%20react%20against%20losing%20freedom%20of%20choice**) at its core. Popularized by American psychologist Robert B. Cialdini, the principle holds that something becomes more valuable as it becomes rarer. Rarity, after all, breeds demand, which in turn confers a sense of exclusivity: something special, something not everyone can find or attain. To be a luxury is to be the figurative needle in a haystack. While the ease and convenience of modernity may appear to epitomize comfort, it’s really just pushing us in the opposite direction. As instantaneous automation becomes ubiquitous, human-made effort, once taken for granted, is emerging as the coveted, contemporary marker of quality and taste. And yes, today’s leading names in luxury or premium products are taking notice and seizing this as an opportunity to make a statement through their marketing. READ ALSO: [Savor The Word, Swallow The World](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/dining/doreen-fernandez-edilberto-alegre-exploding-galaxies-savor-the-word-swallow-the-world/) ## **Nothing New, But Something Refreshing** Brands blurring the lines between art and marketing is no new phenomenon. But today, generative AI has seeped into almost every corner of our landscape, accessible enough that anyone can churn out “content” in vast numbers with, at best, mediocre and soulless results (see the recent [Coca-Cola Christmas advertisement](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yy6fByUmPuE) as a shining example). At worst? Well, we call it [“slop”](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/arts-and-culture/the-word-of-the-year-that-told-us-everything-about-2025/) for a reason. People, being people, naturally tire of it all. And so the cultural pendulum swings to the next extreme, toward the things we’re seeing less and less of: distinctly human works, things evidently born from effort, craftsmanship, and careful thought. Rimowa might’ve been among the first to get the ball rolling, though we hadn’t quite realized how significant this move was. I recall the first time I saw the luggage brand’s [holiday advertisement](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t48M8Lv-K4Y) about two years ago. Crafted by [Parallel Studio](https://parallelstudio.tv/work/rimowa-gifts-for-the-journey-ahead "Parallel Studio") with illustrator [Vincent Mahé](https://www.instagram.com/vincentillustrator/ "Vincent Mahé"), it was a charming 2D animated piece that brought a warm, handmade intimacy to their products, infused with a whimsy that transcended mere showcase. Instead, smooth lines, eye-catching colors, and well-designed characters translated what the maison’s various bags meant to different people across an assortment of travel scenarios. It’s marketing built on simple yet deeply thoughtful observations about connection and the everyday. ![How Human Effort Has Become The New Luxury](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/0f3121c416567e44ea939a4a0b4efda7b41cbf8b-1536x864-1.webp)![How Human Effort Has Become The New Luxury](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/63e7c3b9db959e2d4755e9dc843351413b22392c-1536x864-1.webp)![How Human Effort Has Become The New Luxury](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/cb2f8784f564de12b9be1e652082df3c49597b39-1536x864-1.webp)![How Human Effort Has Become The New Luxury](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/eca1f7a29e6836a9f53961a9b4d5fe02057c0299-1536x864-1.webp)![How Human Effort Has Become The New Luxury](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/3cdc6569223fe250bb5b8f1fa770854f4fda59ad-1200x1523-1.webp)Stills and behind-the-scenes character designs for Rimowa’s “Gifts for the Journey Ahead” holiday campaign animations/Photos courtesy of [Parallel Studio](https://parallelstudio.tv/work/rimowa-gifts-for-the-journey-ahead "Parallel Studio")In July 2025, Ralph Lauren surprised everyone with its series of charming, needle-felt stop motion advertisements for Wimbledon by artist [Andrea Love](https://www.instagram.com/andreaanimates/)—compelling visual nods to both its historic motifs and [tennis in pop culture](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/arts-and-culture/the-challengers-effect-how-one-sexy-tennis-movie-became-a-cultural-obsession/). Towards the end of 2025, more big brands began joining the bandwagon of releasing meticulously made, big-budget advertisements that embraced “traditional” artistic expressions, with creative teams proudly showcasing their processes. Messy, unfinished, bare bones, behind-the-scenes snapshots and reels are no longer hidden and relegated to archives, becoming previous artifacts in themselves: proof that these works were made, not generated. > [@ralphlauren](https://www.tiktok.com/@ralphlauren?refer=embed "@ralphlauren")Game, set, match. Elegant courtside [\#RalphLauren](https://www.tiktok.com/tag/ralphlauren?refer=embed "ralphlauren") style meets the thrill of an animated @wimbledon match, reimagined by @Andrea Love. [\#RLTennis](https://www.tiktok.com/tag/rltennis?refer=embed "rltennis") [\#Wimbledon](https://www.tiktok.com/tag/wimbledon?refer=embed "wimbledon") [\#Wimbledon2025](https://www.tiktok.com/tag/wimbledon2025?refer=embed "wimbledon2025") > > [♬ original sound – Ralph Lauren](https://www.tiktok.com/music/original-sound-7521061743859157815?refer=embed "♬ original sound - Ralph Lauren") Apple came out with “A Critter Carol,” a happy little festive advertisement featuring an ensemble of adorable, Jim Henson-esque forest animals singing and happily using its latest iPhone 17 to capture the moments that matter. “In this handcrafted film,” the company opens in the video’s YouTube description, going the extra mile by posting a “ The Making of The Apple Holiday Film” feature to highlight the work that went into the piece. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-avONMmQtlI Porsche followed suit, releasing “The Coded Love Letter”: a 2D short (also by [Parallel Studio](https://www.instagram.com/parallel_studio_/)) that not only references the brand’s heritage and journey thus far, but also highlights the deeply personal aspects of using their products through subtle yet stunning storytelling, much like what Rimowa did. And yes, the studio also [posted a carousel](https://www.instagram.com/p/DTKvCXgDSv1/?img_index=1 "posted a carousel") that championed the work poured into every frame, from storyboarding to 3D rendering. ![How Human Effort Has Become The New Luxury](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Screenshot-2026-01-08-at-2.37.26-AM.png)![How Human Effort Has Become The New Luxury](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Screenshot-2026-01-08-at-2.37.10-AM.webp)Storyboards and process stills of Porsche’s “The Coded Love Letter” by Parallel Studio/Photos courtesy of [Parallel Studio](https://parallelstudio.tv/work/porsche-the-Coded-Love-Letter "Parallel Studio")Entering 2026, Hèrmes USA gave its website a delightful revamp through gorgeous, iconographic illustrations by Paris-based artist [Linda Merad](https://www.instagram.com/lindamerad/reels/) and animations by motion designer [Kit Klein](https://www.instagram.com/kit__klein/). The brand didn’t stop there: in [a recent private dinner](https://www.instagram.com/p/DSkxRYREoms/?img_index=6 "a recent private dinner"), it projected the 2D animated film it specially commissioned [Dune Studios](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DR1w0n4ko3X/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== "Dune Studios") to make, winged horses flying across a starry sky on the wall, overlapping artworks by muralist and painter [Chafa Ghaddar](https://www.instagram.com/chafaghaddar/ "Chafa Ghaddar"). ![How Human Effort Has Become The New Luxury](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Screenshot-2026-01-08-at-2.33.43-AM-edited.webp)![How Human Effort Has Become The New Luxury](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Screenshot-2026-01-08-at-2.34.08-AM.webp)Linda Merad’s illustrations in the newly-redesigned Hèrmes website/Photos courtesy of [Hèrmes](https://www.hermes.com/us/en/ "Hèrmes")## **Returning To Your Roots** There’s no denying that luxury and craftsmanship have always gone hand in hand. It’s a relationship that sits at the core of most, if not all, of the brands discussed above. As automated content grows increasingly homogenized, it’s only natural that prestige names would look inward, returning to the values that define them. More of these brands will likely continue the momentum, “rebelling” against the monotony of AI-driven output through marketing that favors intention over efficiency. In doing so, they respond to a growing audience appetite for work that persuades through originality, emotional resonance, and all the small yet precious details that make up the very best aspects of the human experience. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How is the scarcity principle influencing luxury brand marketing in 2026? The scarcity principle dictates that assets become increasingly valuable as they become rare. With the ubiquity of instantaneous generative automation, meticulously handcrafted marketing campaigns have become scarce commodities, serving as premium markers of corporate taste, prestige, and cultural stewardship. ### Which luxury houses have transitioned to traditional animation for their digital assets? Prestige houses such as Rimowa, Porsche, and Hermès have commissioned specialized creative studios to develop custom 2D animations and hand-drawn illustrations. These artistic expressions deliberately diverge from digital standardization to reintroduce visual intimacy and narrative craftsmanship into high-end retail media. ### Why are behind-the-scenes production process reels vital to luxury identity? Behind-the-scenes reels and physical storyboard documentation serve as un-generatable proof of authentic human authorship. By sharing messy, unfinished developmental archives, premium labels highlight the deliberate human effort and intellectual capital required to construct their creative narrative. ### How did Ralph Lauren incorporate stop-motion artistry into its brand strategy? Ralph Lauren partnered with needle-felt artist Andrea Love to develop custom stop-motion campaigns for its historic Wimbledon collection. This tactical collaboration used tactile, analog art techniques to reinforce the fashion house’s long-term alignment with legacy heritage motifs and elite sporting history. ### What long-term changes are emerging in luxury consumer expectations regarding media? Luxury consumers are demonstrating an increasing fatigue toward homogenous, algorithmically driven content production. High-net-worth audiences are prioritizing narrative intention, emotional depth, and tangible creative execution, driving brands to favor artistic collaboration and specialized artisan processes over high-volume automated distribution. **Categories:** Arts & Culture **Tags:** Art, Arts and Culture, Luxury, luxury 2026, marketing --- ### [5 Places In Metro Manila That Make Work Feel Effortless](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/living/5-places-in-metro-manila-that-make-work-feel-effortless/) **Published:** April 11, 2026 **Author:** Mj Calayan **Content:** ## **A curated guide of cafés, libraries, and co-working spaces designed for focus, creativity, and everything in between. Because sometimes, a new environment is all it takes.** When I first got this job and learned that the work arrangement was hybrid, I wasn’t quite sure how I would adjust to working from home. Fresh out of college, I had grown accustomed to pulling all-nighters in libraries and study halls—spaces that, for me, became synonymous with focus and productivity. Law school only reinforced the habit. I found myself drawn to studying anywhere but my condo, often feeling stifled when confined within the same four walls for too long. Over time, the demands of both work and academics made one thing clear: I thrive in environments that feel open, a little dynamic, and distinctly separate from where I rest. Because as convenient as working from home sounds, sometimes your bed is a little too close, your fridge a little too accessible, and your attention span… nonexistent. A change of scenery can do wonders—suddenly you’re more focused, a bit more inspired, maybe even pretending you have your life together. So if you’re like me and need that gentle push (or a full-on escape) to get into the zone, here are five spots around Metro Manila where you can settle in, soak up the atmosphere, and actually be productive—yes, even with an iced coffee in hand. READ ALSO: [Vienna Waits For You: A Guide To Exploring The Capital Of Austria](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/travel/vienna-waits-for-you-a-guide-to-exploring-the-capital-of-austria/) ## **The Filipinas Heritage Library** Studying inside a museum already feels like a bit of a main character moment—but a library inside a museum? That’s next level. For anyone who feeds off their surroundings, the [Filipinas Heritage Library](https://www.instagram.com/filipinasheritagelibrary/) is indulgent in the best way. Tucked within the Ayala Museum, the space is quiet and inspiring enough to make you take your to-do list a little more seriously. > [@supnetgenghis](https://www.tiktok.com/@supnetgenghis?refer=embed "@supnetgenghis")study diaries: library edition 📚 found a new study spot in makati — the filipinas heritage library at the ayala museum ✨ quiet, clean, and actually feels like a place where you want to study. – fast wifi – lots of sockets (no fighting for outlets) – super peaceful + not crowded – comfy space to lock in for hours they also offer a student rate for ₱150 from 10am–6pm, which is honestly so worth it @FHL @Ayala Museum [\#studytok](https://www.tiktok.com/tag/studytok?refer=embed "studytok") [\#studywithme](https://www.tiktok.com/tag/studywithme?refer=embed "studywithme") [\#library](https://www.tiktok.com/tag/library?refer=embed "library") [\#makati](https://www.tiktok.com/tag/makati?refer=embed "makati") [\#fyp](https://www.tiktok.com/tag/fyp?refer=embed "fyp") > > [♬ original sound – Chen – Chen](https://www.tiktok.com/music/original-sound-Chen-7621903627405937421?refer=embed "♬ original sound - Chen - Chen") For ₱300, you get access to the library’s collections and facilities, plus Wi-Fi and charging—everything you need for a solid work session. But really, it’s the atmosphere that carries it: calm, cultural, and the kind of place that makes productivity feel a little less forced and a lot more aesthetic. ## **Zone Offices BGC** A co-working space is always a good idea when you need to get out of your apartment. It’s like an unofficial office—same productive energy, minus the office politics. You’re surrounded by people working just as hard as you are, but you don’t actually know them, which somehow makes it easier to focus. It’s that ideal “third space” for working and studying, where the vibe alone kind of forces you to be productive. One of the most well-known in the metro is [Zone Offices](https://www.zoneoffices.com/) in BGC. With flexible options like hot desks, private offices, and meeting rooms, it works whether you’re flying solo or need a more structured setup. Day passes start at around ₱450, inclusive of high-speed Wi-Fi, charging, and access to lounge areas. But really, it’s the clean, modern space—and the quiet buzz of people deep in their own grind—that makes it feel like you’ve got your life together, even just for the day. > [@zone.offices](https://www.tiktok.com/@zone.offices?refer=embed "@zone.offices")Need a workspace but not ready for a monthly plan? Zone Offices is a penthouse coworking space in BGC you can try without a membership. With flexible day passes, you can work for a few hours or stay all day. 📍29th Floor, Arthaland Century Pacific Tower, 5th Ave. cor. 4th Ave & 30th St., Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City, Metro Manila, Philippines 🕘 Weekdays: 24 hours (except holidays) | Holidays and Weekends: 10:00am-7:00pm cowork coworkingspacesph coworkphilippines coworkingcommunity freelancers bgccoworkingspace [\#bgcworkspace](https://www.tiktok.com/tag/bgcworkspace?refer=embed "bgcworkspace") [\#fyp](https://www.tiktok.com/tag/fyp?refer=embed "fyp") [\#fypage](https://www.tiktok.com/tag/fypage?refer=embed "fypage") [\#freelancer](https://www.tiktok.com/tag/freelancer?refer=embed "freelancer") [\#bgcworkspace](https://www.tiktok.com/tag/bgcworkspace?refer=embed "bgcworkspace") BGC [\#bonifacioglobalcity](https://www.tiktok.com/tag/bonifacioglobalcity?refer=embed "bonifacioglobalcity") > > [♬ original sound – Zone Offices – Zone Offices](https://www.tiktok.com/music/original-sound-Zone-Offices-7595116629290126088?refer=embed "♬ original sound - Zone Offices - Zone Offices") ## **Gourmet’s Cafe Manila** Inside the Ramon Magsaysay Center is [Gourmet’s Cafe Manila](https://www.instagram.com/gourmetscafe1989rmc/)—and don’t be fooled by the name. It’s more than just a café; it doubles as a quiet, library-like space that’s perfect for getting work done. Tucked away from the usual city chaos, it has that understated, almost secret-spot energy that makes you want to stay a little longer than planned. ![ Five Spots to Work Outside in Metro Manila](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/465707512_17973099095794945_7094019110445441740_n.webp)![ Five Spots to Work Outside in Metro Manila](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/468410861_17976016046794945_4618878897245459415_n.webp)The exterior and interior of Gourmet’s Cafe Manila/Photos from Instagram [@gourmetscafe1989rmc](https://www.instagram.com/gourmetscafe1989rmc/#)Beyond the usual coffee and comfort food, what really sets it apart is the calm, studious atmosphere. There are shelves of books, plenty of seating, and a kind of quiet that feels intentional rather than forced. It’s ideal for days when you want the comfort of a café but need the focus of a library—no pressure, no rush, just enough structure to help you actually get things done. ## **Three Squares Cafe + Bar** Located inside Design Story at The Alley at Karrivin Plaza along Chino Roces, [Three Squares Cafe + Bar](https://www.instagram.com/threesquarescafebar/) is more than a typical café, but also the creative detour you didn’t know you needed. The space is set within a design-forward showroom, so you’re surrounded by beautifully curated furniture and objects that instantly nudge you into a more inspored headscape. The atmosphere is calm but intentional, with every corner feeling thoughtfully styled, almost like you’re working inside a mood board. Whether you’re there to answer emails, sketch ideas, or just pretend you’re being productive while soaking it all in, it has that subtle effect of making creativity feel a little more effortless. ![ Five Spots to Work Outside in Metro Manila](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/473034168_18030759194609362_192594604424723861_n.webp)![ Five Spots to Work Outside in Metro Manila](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/651113792_18079238891609362_6576446246364957229_n.webp)The vibes inside Three Squares Cafe + Bar/Photos via Instagram [@threesquarescafebar](https://www.instagram.com/threesquarescafebar/#)## **Silverlens Den** Think art galleries inspire creativity? Silverlens Galleries raised the bar with [Silverlens Den](https://www.instagram.com/silverlensden/), a café space inside the gallery itself. More than just a café, it feels like an extension of the gallery’s creative atmosphere. Surrounded by rotating exhibitions and a calm, curated interior, the space naturally slows you down in the best way. It’s quiet without being sterile, inspiring without trying too hard—perfect for working, thinking, or pretending you’re the type of person who casually brainstorms in art spaces on a weekday afternoon. > [@coffeearchitect](https://www.tiktok.com/@coffeearchitect?refer=embed "@coffeearchitect")[\#NewCafeAlert](https://www.tiktok.com/tag/newcafealert?refer=embed "newcafealert") — Visited this hidden cafe inside an art gallery and found out they serve coffee from Type A! ☕️🪙 They’re also work and study-friendly! ⌂ SILVERLENS DEN ⚲ 2263 Chino Roces Ave. Ext., Makati City ⌚️11am – 6pm tue-sat only 🛜 Free WiFi 🔌 outlets available 🚻 Restroom 🅿️ Customer Parking [\#SilverlensDen](https://www.tiktok.com/tag/silverlensden?refer=embed "silverlensden") [\#coffeearchitect](https://www.tiktok.com/tag/coffeearchitect?refer=embed "coffeearchitect") [\#makaticafe](https://www.tiktok.com/tag/makaticafe?refer=embed "makaticafe")[\#cafeph](https://www.tiktok.com/tag/cafeph?refer=embed "cafeph") > > [♬ BAD BUNNY MONACO SLOWED – allaboutmusic](https://www.tiktok.com/music/BAD-BUNNY-MONACO-SLOWED-7298234705748200197?refer=embed "♬ BAD BUNNY MONACO SLOWED - allaboutmusic") --- *Banner photo from* Instagram [@silverlensden](https://www.instagram.com/silverlensden/#) --- ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How much does it cost to work at the Filipinas Heritage Library and what is included? Access to the Filipinas Heritage Library, located within the Ayala Museum, costs ₱300. This fee covers access to the library’s collections and facilities, and includes essential work amenities like Wi-Fi and charging ports. ### What kind of workspace options does Zone Offices in BGC offer for remote workers? Zone Offices provides a structured co-working atmosphere with options ranging from hot desks and private offices to dedicated meeting rooms. A day pass typically starts at around ₱450 and includes high-speed Wi-Fi, charging ports, and access to modern lounge areas, making it an ideal choice for those who want the energy of an office without the typical corporate politics. ### Which locations are best suited for someone looking for a “creative” or “inspired” atmosphere? For a more inspired headspace, Three Squares Cafe + Bar and Silverlens Den are the top choices mentioned. Three Squares is located within a design-forward furniture showroom at Karrivin Plaza, offering an environment that feels like a curated mood board, while Silverlens Den is a café situated inside an actual art gallery, allowing you to answer emails and brainstorm while surrounded by rotating contemporary art exhibitions. ### What are the best co-working spaces in BGC for remote workers? Zone Offices in BGC is among the most established co-working options in the area, offering hot desks, private offices, and meeting rooms. Day passes start at approximately ₱450, inclusive of high-speed Wi-Fi, charging, and access to lounge areas in a clean, modern environment. ### Are there cafés in Manila where you can work inside an art gallery or museum? Yes — Silverlens Den is a café situated within Silverlens Galleries, surrounded by rotating contemporary art exhibitions, while the Filipinas Heritage Library is housed inside Ayala Museum in Makati. Both spaces offer quiet, creatively charged environments suited to focused work. **Categories:** Living **Tags:** Gourmet’s Cafe Manila, Silverlens Den, The Filipinas Heritage Library, Three Squares Cafe + Bar, Zone Offices BGC --- ### [Cultivating Creativity: Philanthropic Organizations Supporting Philippine Arts And Culture](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/arts-and-culture/uplifting-creativity-5-philanthropic-organizations-that-support-philippine-arts-and-culture/) **Published:** October 1, 2024 **Author:** Pilar Gonzalez **Content:** ## *These five organizations have launched various philanthropic programs and projects that aim to enrich, preserve, and cultivate the country’s arts and culture scene.* The arts and culture scene of any country plays a vital role in nation-building. They are, after all, forms of self-expression and heritage that make up the identity of a people or community. The Philippines, in particular, is an archipelago that’s brimming with creativity, talent, and art forms that deserve to be recognized, preserved, and most importantly, championed for future generations. Luckily, a number of organizations have spent years dedicated to doing just that, assisting artists across a variety of disciplines through philanthropic programs and projects that aim to enrich the creative landscape of the country. If you’re searching for organizations to follow and support, here are five whose philanthropic efforts continue to yield a more vibrant arts and culture scene: READ ALSO: [Cultural Catalyst: Kaye Tinga Envisions A Creative Renaissance By Making The Arts Accessible To All](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/archive/cultural-catalyst-kaye-tinga-envisions-a-creative-renaissance-by-making-the-arts-accessible-to-all/) ## **Cultural Center of the Philippines** The [Cultural Center of the Philippines](https://culturalcenter.gov.ph/) (CCP) has long been one of the country’s most active and prolific organizations when it comes to promoting the Philippine arts. In fact, many of the country’s [exceptional creative talents](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/arts-and-culture/gawad-ccp-para-sa-sining-2024-celebrating-philippine-artistic-excellence/) found a second home in the organization, [starting their successful careers](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/arts-and-culture/la-asks-behind-the-scenes-with-the-gawad-ccp-para-sa-sining-2024-awardees/) within its walls. ![The CCP is also staging masterclasses under Progetto Puccini 2024, which aims to hone Filipino opera talent and take them to the global stage](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/460246945_926964662798663_1387751047976487439_n.jpg)The CCP is also staging masterclasses under Progetto Puccini 2024, which aims to hone Filipino opera talent and take them to the global stage/Photo via Instagram [@culturalcenterph](https://www.instagram.com/p/DAGSGpMxZ8q/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) From special training programs to public platforms that provide more exposure for emerging talents, the CCP’s commitment to the local arts and culture scene is evident in everything it has been doing over the past 55 years. A more specific example of its efforts is the CCP International Scholarship program, which helps talented young artists across different disciplines by providing them with broader, international opportunities to develop their craft. Its most recent scholars are [four music practitioners](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/arts-and-culture/musical-minds-ccp-cultivates-next-generation-of-filipino-artists/) who are currently honing their skills in prestigious universities abroad. ![CCP Scholars Aidan Baracol, Mark Kenedy Rocas, Adrian Nicolas Ong, and Lizzie Bett Estrada](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/CCP-Scholar-Aidan-Baracol-2048x1491-1.jpeg)![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/CCP-Scholar-Mark-Kenedy-Rocas-scaled-1.jpg)![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Screenshot-2431.webp)![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Screenshot-2430.webp)CCP Scholars Aidan Baracol, Mark Kenedy Rocas, Adrian Nicolas Ong, and Lizzie Bett Estrada/Photos courtesy of CCPThe organization also provides resources and space for its resident companies to thrive. These include Tanghalang Pilipino, Philippine Ballet Theatre, Ballet Philippines, Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, Philippine Madrigal Singers, and the Ramon Obusan Folkloric Group. ## **Metrobank Foundation, Inc.** For more than 40 years, the [Metrobank Foundation, Inc. (MBFI)](https://www.mbfoundation.org.ph/) has been funding and launching programs for the visual arts as the corporate social responsibility arm of the Metrobank Group. Its founder, Dr. George Ty Siao Kia, was an appreciator of the arts himself, and wanted to create a platform that would uplift Filipino creativity. ![Through MADE, Filipino artists get the opportunity to receive cash incentives, scholarships, and residencies that would help them develop their crafts](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Screenshot-2922.png)Through MADE, Filipino artists get the opportunity to receive cash incentives, scholarships, and residencies that would help them develop their crafts (Pictured: “Last Trip” by Mark Justiani)/Photo courtesy of Metrobank Foundation Among its flagship programs is the [Metrobank Art & Design Excellence](https://www.mbfoundation.org.ph/art-design/about-the-metrobank-art-design-excellence-made/) (MADE). The visual arts and design program began in 1984 (formerly known as the Metrobank National Painting Competition and Young Painters’ Annual), with the aim of recognizing the talent and hard work of young Filipino artists and promoting Philippine art culture. !["MANAnahi" by Raffy Napay](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Screenshot-2921.png)“MANAnahi” by Raffy Napay To date, nearly 500 artists have launched their careers and honed their skills through MADE. Its yearly competition not only provides cash incentives to support their work, but also residency and scholarship opportunities. Many of these artists have become prominent figures in their respective disciplines. They include Elmer Borlongan, Yeo Kaa, Mark Justiniani, Jan Leeroy New, and Alfredo Esquillo, to name a few. MADE also hosts workshops, an artistic development program, partnerships, and community outreach programs to further nurture the crafts of Filipino artists so they can continue building on the nation’s rich cultural heritage. In doing so, the foundation stays true to its tagline “Excel. Engage. Empower.” ## **Museum Foundation of the Philippines, Inc.** The Museum Foundation of the Philippines, Inc. (MFPI) is a non-stock, not-for-profit membership and volunteer organization that works to preserve and promote the country’s artistic and cultural heritage. It provides funding support for a variety of special projects for museums across the country, including the renovation of the National Museum of Natural History. ![Art in the Park 2023](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/336561758_141947138538698_4541346336202816333_n.jpg)![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/336788331_740972907610713_5426261389660341040_n.jpg)Art in the Park 2023/Photos from the Museum Foundation of the Philippines, Inc. [website](https://museumfoundationph.org/art-in-the-park-2023/)MFPI does all of this through special fundraising programs and events, including conducting lectures and cultural study tours in the Philippines, as well as holding the highly-anticipated [MaArte fairs](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/scene/fostering-heritage-6-must-visit-fashion-brands-at-maarte-fair-2024-is-a-must-visit/). It was also the pioneering body of the [Art in the Park](https://museumfoundationph.org/art-in-the-park/) fair from 2007 to 2013 (which is now handled by Philippine Art Events). ![The MaArte Fair is an annual fundraising market that showcases local artistry while raising funds for MFPI's various cultural projects](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/457733581_18448876369046271_6235520651186777744_n.jpg)![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/458089514_18448876315046271_1785356502762320095_n.jpg)The MaArte Fair is an annual fundraising market that showcases local artistry while raising funds for MFPI’s various cultural projects/Photos via Instagram [@maartefair](https://www.instagram.com/p/C_Xbw8YTPBT/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== "@maartefair")MFPI’s other notable projects include supporting the printing of significant cultural books like *Habi: A Journey Through Philippine Handwoven Textile*, *Making Museums Work: A Zero-In Handbook*, and *Printing of Rara: Art and Tradition of Mat Weaving in the Philippines by Elmer I. Nocheseda*. The organization also contributed to the restoration of Juan Luna’s “La Bulaqueña” work housed at the National Museum, as well as the donation of Tagbanua and Maranao antique artifacts to the National Museum of Anthropology. ## **PHINMA Foundation, Inc.** The [PHINMA Corporation](https://www.phinma.com.ph/) began in 1956, when its founders Ambassador Ramon V. Del Rosario Sr., Don Filemon C. Rodriguez, and Ernesto Escaler were spurred to create an organization that would help in nation-building through competitive and well-managed business enterprises. In 1986, the [PHINMA Foundation, Inc.](https://www.phinmafoundation.org/) (PFI) was born from this endeavor, helping projects that align with the PHINMA group’s businesses, as well as its focus on education, the arts, and health. ![PETA and Ballet Philippines are among the cultural organizations that have received endowments from PHINMA Foundation, Inc. (LEFT: A scene from PETA's "One More Chance: The Musical." RIGHT: Jemima Reyes as The Sylph in Ballet Philippines' "La Sylphide.")](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/458412220_1071350817955065_2109248790440328991_n.jpg)Photo via Instagram [@petatheater](https://www.instagram.com/p/C_h-LbASHJd/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== "@petatheater")![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/452495646_479574334714532_3845755606034736044_n.jpg)Photo via Instagram [@balletphilippines](https://www.instagram.com/p/C9wqgk8zp1x/ "@balletphilippines")PETA and Ballet Philippines are among the cultural organizations that have received endowments from PHINMA Foundation, Inc. (LEFT: A scene from PETA’s “One More Chance: The Musical.” RIGHT: Jemima Reyes as The Sylph in Ballet Philippines’ “La Sylphide.”)The foundation supports like-minded organizations that share its mission in bettering the lives of Filipinos. This includes providing financial assistance to various sectors like the culture and arts. The foundation [provides grants](https://www.phinmafoundation.org/pfi-grants/) to artists and art institutions that preserve Filipino identity and heritage. Some groups that have benefited from PFI’s endowments include Ballet Philippines and the Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA). On top of its grants and sponsorships, the PFI also gives scholarships to students across a wide range of disciplines to further their livelihood opportunities. ## **Ayala Foundation, Inc.** Founded in 1961 by Colonel Joseph McMicking and Mercedes Zobel-McMicking, the [Ayala Foundation, Inc.](https://www.ayalafoundation.org/who-we-are/) has been one of the country’s oldest, pioneering corporate foundations. As the social development arm of the Ayala group of companies, it “envisions communities where people are creative, productive, self-reliant, and proud to be Filipino,” as it writes in its website. ![Inside the Filipinas Heritage Library](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/FHL-Photo-Shoot-164-scaled-1.jpg)Inside the Filipinas Heritage Library/Photo from the Ayala Foundation [website](https://www.ayalafoundation.org/program/filipinas-heritage-library/) Their programs span a multitude of sectors, including community development, corporate citizenship and volunteerism, leadership development, and of course, [arts and culture](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/arts-and-culture/). ![CENTEX introduces educational opportunities to underserved students, allowing them to flourish in the fields of dance, music, and the visual arts](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/CENTEXIML_AFIAnnualReport2022Day1-0367-scaled-1.jpg)CENTEX introduces educational opportunities to underserved students, allowing them to flourish in the fields of dance, music, and the visual arts/Photo from the Ayala Foundation [website](https://www.ayalafoundation.org/program/centex/ "website") Under its arts and culture projects is the [Ayala Museum](https://www.ayalafoundation.org/program/ayala-museum/ "Ayala Museum")—one of the most prominent private museums in the country, which has shared Philippine history, art, and heritage to a wide audience. There’s also the [Filipinas Heritage Library](https://www.ayalafoundation.org/program/filipinas-heritage-library/ "Filipinas Heritage Library"), a beautiful space that archives significant contemporary and rare books about the country, and continues to be a leading research hub for students, scholars, and the general public. As part of its leadership development, its [CENTEX program](https://www.ayalafoundation.org/program/centex/) has also helped the arts and culture scene by providing underserved students with quality education, allowing them to thrive in artistic fields like the visual arts, [dance](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/arts-and-culture/nurturing-young-talents-american-ballet-theatre-returns-for-a-show-in-support-of-filipino-youth/), and music. Banner photo from the Ayala Foundation [website](https://www.ayalafoundation.org/program/filipinas-heritage-library/). ## Frequently Asked Questions ### What are philanthropic organizations supporting Philippine arts and culture? Five major organizations leading efforts are the Metrobank Foundation, Museum Foundation of the Philippines, PHINMA Foundation, Ayala Foundation, and the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP). These groups serve as the primary backbones for funding, archiving, and showcasing Filipino creativity. ### What specific programs or grants do these foundations offer to local artists and cultural workers? The Metrobank Foundation runs the MADE (Art & Design Excellence) competition, providing grand awardees with up to ₱500,000 in prizes and residency scholarships. The PHINMA Foundation provides endowments to major groups like PETA and Ballet Philippines, while the Ayala Foundation manages the Filipinas Heritage Library and the Ayala Museum to provide research and exhibition support. ### How do these organizations help preserve indigenous Filipino traditions and vanishing crafts? The Museum Foundation of the Philippines funds significant publications like Habi (handwoven textiles) and Rara (mat weaving) to document dying techniques. The Ayala Foundation uses its CENTEX program to give underserved students training in traditional and classical arts, ensuring that cultural knowledge is passed down to the next generation. ### in what ways do these groups bridge the gap between private wealth and the development of public art spaces? The Bonifacio Art Foundation (BAFI) transforms private urban developments into public art hubs like the BGC Arts Center and The Mind Museum. Similarly, the Ayala Foundation maintains public-facing spaces like the Ayala Museum, allowing private corporate resources to fund world-class galleries accessible to the general public. ### How can emerging Filipino artists apply for support or collaborate with these philanthropic institutions? Artists can enter the annual MADE competition (usually opening in the first quarter of the year) or apply for fellowships through the Asian Cultural Council (ACC) Philippines. For those in performing arts, PHINMA and CCP offer various grants and residency opportunities, while BAFI accepts volunteer and internship applications for community-led art projects in BGC. **Categories:** Arts & Culture **Tags:** editor's note, Lulu Tan-Gan, October 2024 Alpha, October 2024 editor's note --- ### [Cheers To Silver: Celebrating 25 years Of Marriage, Family, And Beautiful Memories](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/scene/cheers-to-silver-celebrating-25-years-of-marriage-family-and-beautiful-memories/) **Published:** November 18, 2024 **Author:** Mia Borromeo **Content:** ## *Czarina Ablaza-Syquia and Dr. Jose Fernando (Jofe) Syquia mark their Silver Wedding anniversary with a grand celebration.* A 25th wedding anniversary is nothing short of remarkable, especially in this age of instant gratification. It is a testament to true love and commitment. Loving couple [Czarina Ablaza-Syquia](https://www.facebook.com/czarina.syquia/ "Czarina Ablaza-Syquia") and her husband, the orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Jose Fernando (Jofe) Syquia, celebrated this wonderful milestone last October 23rd, exactly a quarter of a century to the day that they first tied the knot, at the very same church in Santuario de San Antonio. ![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/viber_image_2024-11-17_17-59-58-783.jpeg) *Czarina and Jofe Syquia with their children Amanu, Azi, Agu, Azia, and Alfonso Syquia* READ ALSO: [An A-List Celebration: A Star-studded turn out for Dr. Aivee Teo’s Birthday and the Aivee Clinic’s 15th anniversary](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/people/lifestyle/an-a-list-celebration-dr-aivee-teos-birthday-celebration/) ## A Family Affair The milestone celebration commenced with a solemn mass officiated by Jofe’s younger brother, the Reverend Father Jocis Syquia. “It was especially meaningful to have our renewal of vows with close family and friends to witness it,” shared Czarina. ![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/viber_image_2024-11-17_18-02-33-741.jpeg) *Czarina Ablaza-Syquia with youngest child and only daughter Azia. Both are wearing cameo-encrusted tiaras designed by Jun Jun Ablaza.* ![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/viber_image_2024-11-17_18-03-36-568.jpeg) *Dr. Jofe Syquia with sons Amanu, Azi, Agu and Alfonso* Twenty-five years ago, the then-young bride wore a traditional white gown with embroidery and lace by Ben Farrales who had also designed the groom’s elegant Barong Tagalog for the wedding. Fast forward to their silver wedding anniversary when Czarina donned a blush pink creation by Steve de Leon, paired with a cameo encrusted tiara designed by her brother, Jun Jun Ablaza. The couple was joined by their five children: Azia, Alfonso, Agu, Azi, and Amanu. ![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/viber_image_2024-11-17_18-08-01-628.jpeg) *Original wedding photo of Czarina and Jofe, both wearing Ben Farrales* Immediately after the intimate church service, the celebration continued at the ballroom of the Manila Polo Club, again the very same venue where the Syquias’ original wedding reception took place back in 1999. This time around, a playful twist was added to the reception with a Bridgerton-themed dinner party, “inspired by my favorite Netflix series at the moment,” said Czarina with a smile. ![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/viber_image_2024-11-17_18-26-30-617.jpeg) *The Syquia children at church: Amanu, Azi, Azia, Agu, and Alfonso* In honor of their 25 happy years of togetherness, the couple invited exactly 250 guests, among them members of the diplomatic core such as HE Ambassador Constance See of Singapore and HE Ambassador Tull Traisorat of Thailand. Also in attendance were some of Czarina’s closest friends from childhood and high school: Peggy de Villa, Marita Pe Benito, and Governor Nina Ynares. ![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/viber_image_2024-11-17_18-30-30-072.jpeg)![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/viber_image_2024-11-17_18-13-33-867.jpeg)![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/viber_image_2024-11-17_18-15-36-205.jpeg) *Tess Syquia, Beth Syquia, and Angeli Ong; Letty Syquia; Minnie Mamuric and Rizal Governor Nina Ynares* ## Bridgerton Vibes As they stepped into the ballroom, they were welcomed by enchanting melodies played by a string quartet that set the tone for a romantic and festive evening. Twenty-five formal dining tables were spread across the reception hall which Jun Jun Ablaza had transformed by embellishing the space with candlelight, swathes of silk, feathers, and strings of pearls, alluding to the fantasy and romance of Bridgerton. ![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/viber_image_2024-11-17_18-24-28-713.jpeg) *The ballroom all set for the celebration* Adhering to the theme, several guests wore frothy tulle or lace numbers, foremost being Czarina’s mother, the fun-loving Consul Mellie Ablaza in a beautiful layered ivory tulle gown by Jo-Ann Bitagcol and Jofe’s mother, Letty Syquia in a beige-toned lace gown and pearl strands. Meanwhile, some were dressed in empire-cut gowns reminiscent of Bridgerton’s Regency era. Spotted among them were lovely ladies Marivíc Vazquez, Suzette Hahn Lopez, and Mimi Tan who went the extra mile to follow the evening’s motif. ![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/viber_image_2024-11-18_17-03-41-015.jpg)![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/viber_image_2024-11-17_18-15-22-243.jpeg)![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/viber_image_2024-11-17_18-13-45-518.jpeg)*Jun Jun Ablaza; Mimi Tan; Cónsul Mellie Ablaza in Jo Ann Bitagcol* The wonderful dinner was conceptualized by multi-awarded chef, Margarita Fores. It commenced with a delightful chestnut *passato*, followed by pan-seared Chilean seabass topped with champagne cream and salmon roe; grilled US Angus short rib with porcini nuggets and asparagus spears; and capped by an elegant white chocolate tiramisú *croccante* adorned with grappa-infused poached strawberries and silver leaf shavings. ![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/viber_image_2024-11-17_18-16-00-760.jpeg) *Multi-awarded Chef Margarita Fores* A four-tiered cake with delicate fondant icing was accompanied by flutes of champagne. The towering all-white confection certainly brought back memories of the Syquia’s wedding celebration 25 years prior. ![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/viber_image_2024-11-17_18-22-54-165.jpeg) *The towering anniversary cake* As the evening unfolded, guests were invited to dance to the music of a powerhouse band that permeated the ballroom with an uplifting energy befitting the silver anniversary festivities. Czarina and Jofe were overjoyed with the camaraderie of cherished friends and family who gathered together to commemorate their important milestone. ![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/viber_image_2024-11-17_18-38-44-697.jpeg)![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/viber_image_2024-11-17_18-39-26-403.jpeg)![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/viber_image_2024-11-17_21-49-52-705.jpeg)![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/viber_image_2024-11-17_21-58-09-558.jpeg)![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/viber_image_2024-11-17_21-44-32-593.jpeg)![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/viber_image_2024-11-17_21-46-11-912-1.jpeg) *Carlo Rojas; Michele Sison; Cónsul Helen Ong and Marian Ong; Charisse Chuidian and Connie Haw; Kyla, Sheila, and Teddy Kingsu; Nini Licaros, Marivic Vazquez, Dean Decker, and Glecy Mojares* ![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/viber_image_2024-11-18_11-58-42-541.jpg)![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/viber_image_2024-11-17_22-11-27-831.jpeg)![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/viber_image_2024-11-17_21-59-30-093.jpeg)*Mags Cue and Carlo Rojas; Alice Samson and Fortune Ledesma; Noel and Duday Tuason, Carolyn TanYu* ![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/viber_image_2024-11-17_18-35-00-485-1.jpeg)Ann and Rene Puno![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/viber_image_2024-11-17_18-35-14-012-1.jpeg)Thai Ambassador Tull Traisorat and Nikki Tang![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/viber_image_2024-11-17_21-53-12-169.jpeg)Suzette Hahn-Lopez and Ruby Chua![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/viber_image_2024-11-17_22-50-48-887.jpeg)Letty Syquia and Consul Mellie Ablaza at Santuario de San António church![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/viber_image_2024-11-18_11-07-08-623.jpeg)JC Buendia, Jo Ann Bitagcol, and Dr. Anthony Cumagun![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/viber_image_2024-11-18_10-59-23-666.jpeg)Connie Haw, Tim Yap, Tessa Prieto, and Irene Nubla![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/viber_image_2024-11-17_21-54-21-102.jpeg)*Mme. Eva Fischer Mellbin, Marian Ong, Helen Ong, Maru Go* ## Silver Anniversary Reflecting on their 25-year journey as a married couple, Czarina fondly paid tribute to her husband, “Papa Doc is a perfect husband. He loves me very much and is a very good provider. He \[makes\] time for the family even if he is a very busy orthopedic surgeon. And I love him for that… We make God the center of our family and our children have solidified our marriage,” she said. Jofe was all praises for his wife as he responded, “Czarina is very thoughtful. I am the serious type and she is the one who puts balance in my life and in our family life…She is always concerned about my welfare and the welfare of our kids. I love her very much.” ![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/viber_image_2024-11-17_22-18-55-086.jpeg) *Dr. Jofe and Czarina Syquia share an affectionate toast* Adding to the celebration’s excitement, the couple surprised their guests with a special raffle before the night drew to a close. Twenty-five lucky names were drawn, each of whom was gifted with a piece of jewelry, a meaningful keepsake of the Syquia’s shared joy and gratitude to loved ones who marked this unforgettable moment in their life journey. Cheers to Czarina and Jofe and to another 25 years of enduring love! All photos by JC Tee and Kristian Marquez. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### Who is the couple celebrating their anniversary, and where did the event take place? The couple is Bong and Rossana Rocha. Their silver wedding anniversary celebration was held at the Manila Polo Club, a venue known for its elegance and long-standing history with the family. ### How did the couple’s children participate in the event to honor their parents? Their children—Bianca, Selina, and Luis—played central roles by delivering heartfelt tributes and performances. They shared personal stories of their parents’ dedication, emphasizing the family’s strong bond and the example of love set by Bong and Rossana. ### What was the overall theme or aesthetic of the anniversary party? The theme centered on “Silver Elegance,” reflecting their 25-year milestone. The venue was transformed with shimmering silver accents, mirrored surfaces, and lush white floral arrangements to create a sophisticated, timeless atmosphere. ### Who were the key designers or planners involved in creating the couple’s looks and the event’s atmosphere? Rossana wore a stunning custom gown by Patty Ang, while the event’s breathtaking transformation was executed by renowned event stylist Gideon Hermosa, known for his grand and meticulous floral designs. ### What personal messages or life lessons did the couple share regarding a successful marriage? The couple emphasized that the secret to a lasting marriage is mutual respect, constant communication, and keeping God at the center of their relationship. They noted that navigating high society requires staying grounded in family values and supporting each other’s personal growth. **Categories:** Scene **Tags:** 25, Czarina Ablaza-Syquia, Dr. Jose Fernando (Jofe) Syquia --- ### [Stay Fresh With These 5 Perfumes Fit For The Philippine Summer ](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/self/stay-fresh-with-these-5-perfumes-fit-for-the-ph-summer/) **Published:** March 13, 2025 **Author:** Mj Calayan **Content:** ## ***Combat the unpleasant effects of heat and humidity this summer by selecting the ideal perfume for you.*** Summer in the Philippines means heat and humidity will once again torment everyone not in an air-conditioned room. Sweat becomes the biggest enemy, often making it hard to feel confident and stay fresh when heading out. Sure, you can use perfumes to smell your best, but in this climate, it’s essential to choose a scent that works in high heat. When choosing a summer scent, avoid heavy and intense perfumes. Steer clear of fragrances with notes of tobacco, moss, musk, vanilla, leather, or spices, as these can feel overpowering and unpleasant in hot weather. Instead, opt for fresh, light fragrances. Coconut, mint, soft florals, citrus, and salt are ideal for summer, as they complement hot and humid weather, keeping you smelling fresh all day. To help you find your signature summer scent, we’ve curated five perfumes perfect for the hot season. READ ALSO: [Soft And Supple: 5 Facial Oils For Your Skin Care](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/self/beauty/soft-and-supple-5-facial-oils-you-can-add-to-skincare/) ## **The Coast In A Bottle**: **Maison Margiela Replica Beach Walk** Maison Margiela’s Replica is the fashion house’s renowned perfume brand, capturing its unique fashion experience into a single bottle. One standout scent is [Beach Walk](https://rustans.com/products/maison-margiela-paris-replica-beach-walk-eau-de-toilette?srsltid=AfmBOooCbh3bhN0KiTdZxQrS-KH6ZGdjNGvLtrBngM6MBGabG8S7-07i), which evokes the feeling of hot sand between your toes, the salty ocean air, and the nostalgic scent of sunscreen. It features top notes of bergamot, pink pepper, and lemon, creating a fresh and light fragrance. ![Stay Fresh With These 5 Perfumes Fit For The PH Summer ](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/maison_margiela-_0007_2742218-Large.jpeg)*Replica’s Beach Walk / Photo via Rustan’s [website](https://rustans.com/products/maison-margiela-paris-replica-beach-walk-eau-de-toilette?srsltid=AfmBOooCbh3bhN0KiTdZxQrS-KH6ZGdjNGvLtrBngM6MBGabG8S7-07i "website")* ## **Sea On-The-Go: Jo Malone Wood Sage & Sea Salt** Carry the scent of the sea with Jo Malone’s [Wood Sage & Sea Salt](https://www.jomalone.com.ph/product/25946/32241/colognes/wood-sage-sea-salt-cologne?_gl=1*1i0lkcr*_up*MQ..*_gs*MQ..&gclid=Cj0KCQjw4cS-BhDGARIsABg4_J1dfuPsHvGkoSKQuXzhe_of5bblVljJv89RkscmOf_HQOlw3ZBjUl0aAnMFEALw_wcB&size=100ml). This fragrance exudes “nothing but good vibes” and “that girl” energy, offering a carefree and happy feeling. With notes of salty air and earthy sage, it transports you to a place of peace and tranquility. ![Stay Fresh With These 5 Perfumes Fit For The PH Summer ](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/jo_sku_L41501_1000x1000_0-Large.jpeg)*Jo Malone’s Wood Sage & Sea Salt / Photo via Jo Malone’s [website](https://www.jomalone.com.ph/product/25946/32241/colognes/wood-sage-sea-salt-cologne "website")* ## **Memories Of Summer: Jo Loves Pomelo A Fragrance Parfum** Jo Malone CBE, the founder of Jo Malone and current founder of Jo Loves, drew inspiration from her childhood to craft Jo Loves’s [Pomelo A Fragrance Parfum](https://rustans.com/). The perfume evokes her fondest memories of going to the beach, fresh linen sheets, and sparkling water. Its rich grapefruit citrus scent is infused into these elements, creating a sharp yet refreshing fragrance. ![Stay Fresh With These 5 Perfumes Fit For The PH Summer ](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/JOBYLOVES-_0000_3048309-Large.jpeg)*Jo Love’s Pomelo A Fragrance Perfume / Photo via Rustan’s website* ## **Luscious Nectar: Tom Ford Bitter Peach** Tom Ford’s [Bitter Peach](https://www.tomfordbeauty.com/product/bitter-peach-eau-de-parfum) perfectly encapsulates the luscious sweetness of ripe fruit with a touch of sensuality. Juicy peach and blood orange create a captivating sweetness, while davana oil infused with rum adds depth. Finally, a surge of patchouli completes the fragrance, evoking a rich, sensual allure. ![Stay Fresh With These 5 Perfumes Fit For The PH Summer ](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/tf_sku_T94101_2000x2000_1-Large.jpeg)*Tom Ford’s Bitter Peach / Photo via Tom Ford’s [website](https://www.tomfordbeauty.com/product/bitter-peach-eau-de-parfum "website")* ## **Fresh Aroma: Diptyque Eau de Minthé Eau de Parfum** Nothing is more refreshing than a whiff of cooling mint. Diptyque’s Eau de Minthé Eau de Parfum exudes an aromatic freshness that sets it apart. At its core, the fragrance enhances the lively floral notes of geranium, while patchouli adds a captivating depth. ![Stay Fresh With These 5 Perfumes Fit For The PH Summer ](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Diptyque_EaudeMintheEaudeParfum._1296x-Large.jpeg)*Diptyque’s Eau de Minthé / Photo via Adora’s website* Banner photo by Mareefe via [Pexels](https://www.pexels.com/photo/two-yellow-sunflowers-with-clear-glass-bottle-with-cork-lid-932587/ "Pexels"). ## Frequently Asked Questions ### What perfume notes are best for hot and humid weather? In hot, humid climates, go for light, fresh notes like citrus (bergamot, grapefruit), aquatic or sea salt tones, green herbs (mint, sage), and soft florals. They bring brightness and coolness that won’t feel overwhelming in heat. ### Why avoid vanilla, leather, and heavy musk in summer perfumes? Those deeper, richer notes tend to feel heavy and cloying when the heat amplifies them. They can overwhelm the senses and lose freshness—skipping them helps fragrances feel cleaner and more wearable during sweltering days. ### How long do perfumes typically last in the Philippine summer? You can expect light summer-friendly perfumes to last around 3 to 5 hours on skin in high humidity. Eau de Toilette or lighter scents often fade faster, so reapplication or carrying a travel atomizer helps maintain scent. ### What are application tips to make perfume last in heat and humidity? Apply on moisturized skin, especially at pulse points (wrists, neck, behind knees), layer lightly (spray clothes or scarf), avoid rubbing wrists together, store perfume in cool/dark places, and consider misting two sprays rather than one heavy burst. ### Can fruity and citrus perfumes feel too sweet or cloying in hot weather? Yes, if they lean heavily on sugary or tropical fruit notes, they might feel sticky in high heat. The trick is choosing perfumes where fruit is balanced with green, aquatic, or soft woody/ambery bases to prevent them from becoming overwhelming. **Categories:** Self **Tags:** Diptyque, Jo Loves, Jo Malone, Maison Margiela, Replica, Tom Ford --- ### [Meet Edith Head, Hollywood's Costume Queen With 8 Oscars](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/arts-and-culture/meet-edith-head-hollywoods-costume-queen-with-8-oscars/) **Published:** August 30, 2025 **Author:** Chino Hernandez **Content:** ## **To honor legendary costume designer Edith Head, we look at ten of her films and the wardrobes that shaped not only their stories, but also fashion and cinema as a whole.** Before the couturiers of Paris and New York became household names, people looked to the movies for fashion inspiration. Designers like Gilbert Adrian and Orry-Kelly dressed the actresses of the 1930s and ’40s, ultimately defining the era with their iconic movie-star glamour. In the 1950s, no costume designer reigned more supremely than Edith Head, who helmed the costume design department at Paramount Pictures, and whose remarkable career spanned over five decades. Her influence extended far beyond the studio gates. Head’s popularity made her the top choice of Hollywood’s most notable stars, including Grace Kelly, Audrey Hepburn, and Elizabeth Taylor, with many of their iconic on- and off-screen outfits designed by her. Head’s resume between 1949 and 1978 resulted not only in a remarkable body of work but also [35 Academy Award nominations and eight wins](https://www.oscars.org/collection-highlights/edith-head "35 Academy Award nominations and 8 wins")—making her still the most awarded woman in the awards’ history. And rightfully so. She defined an era, with many of her creations remaining influential to this day. ![Edith Head with her eight Academy Awards for Costume Design](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/44896728_10155671580066406_4895812218320322560_n.webp)Edith Head with her eight Academy Awards for Costume Design/Photo courtesy of The Academy’s [Facebook page](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10155671580056406&id=83574526405&set=a.212963591405 "Facebook page") Yet her journey to becoming Hollywood’s most celebrated costume designer was far from glamorous. In the early 1920s, she began a humble career at Paramount as a costume sketcher, but her creativity and talent quickly shone through as she designed for films of the silent era. By 1938, she secured her place as one of cinema’s leading talents and was appointed Chief Costume Designer at Paramount, becoming the first woman in Hollywood to oversee a major studio’s costume department. She held the position until 1967, when she moved to Universal Pictures (likely to continue her collaboration with Alfred Hitchcock, who had transferred there in 1960). Even after her move to Universal, it was her decades at Paramount that defined her legendary status. As she [famously said](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0372128/quotes/ "famously said"), “If it’s a Paramount film, I probably designed it.” And she was right to be proud: her tenure at the studio made her one of the most prolific costume designers in history—so prolific, in fact, that at times she couldn’t even recall which films she designed for. Edith Head passed away in 1981 from a bone marrow disease, but she lives on. Her legacy is cemented in both Oscar gold and the vibrant films that showcase her talent. In modern pop culture, her iconic look (marked by a signature bob and dark sunglasses) inspired the creation of Edna Mode, the beloved costume designer from *The Incredibles* who was modeled after her. To honor her brilliance, we look back at 10 great Edith Head films and explore how her costumes elevated the overall quality of the motion picture. ## **All About Eve (1950)** Fresh from an Oscar win for the previous year’s *The Heiress* (1949), Edith Head won her second and third Academy Awards in 1950 for *Samson and Delilah* (Best Color Costume Design) and *All About Eve* (Best Black-and-White Costume Design). The latter, which also won that year’s Best Picture prize, has since remained a classic. It tells the story of Margot Channing (Bette Davis), an aging Broadway star whose life is turned upside down when her seemingly meek superfan-turned-assistant, Eve (Anne Baxter), begins trying to steal her life and career. Head meticulously crafted costumes that captured the many spectrums of New York high society and the theater world. From Davis’s impeccably tailored dark ensembles (which fit her fussy diva persona like a glove) to Anne Baxter’s frumpy assistant coats and dresses, *All About Eve* is a masterclass in women’s wear and power dressing. ![Bette Davis as Margot Channing in All About Eve, alongside a sketch by Edith Head, showing the updated gown](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2a4344f7-74b7-4203-b47c-90813839c418.Jpeg.webp)![Bette Davis wears an Edith Head creation in All About Eve](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Bette_Davis_in_22All_About_Eve22_1950.webp)Bette Davis as Margot Channing in *All About Eve,* alongside a sketch by Edith Head, showing the updated gown/Sketch photo courtesy of [MutualArt](https://www.mutualart.com/Artwork/All-About-Eve/BFDDCFADECE36F35 "MutualArt")The most iconic piece is Davis’s brown evening gown with fur trimming, worn in the famous party sequence, which was [a happy accident](https://www.screenchic.com/post/story-of-a-dress-all-about-eve "a happy accident"). The dress had been rushed due to time constraints, and when Davis tried it on the night before filming, it was far too large. While Edith Head feared director Joseph L. Mankiewicz would be furious, she and Davis chose to embrace the mistake, pulling down the sleeves and transforming it into the unforgettable off-shoulder gown we see on screen today. ## **Sunset Boulevard (1950)** Despite the massive success of Billy Wilder’s *Sunset Boulevard*, Edith Head was surprisingly overlooked during the Academy Awards for her work on the film (though she did win two Oscars that same night anyway). Still, her creations are striking and impeccably suited to the film’s story. She collaborated closely with actress Gloria Swanson in dressing Norma Desmond—the fading silent film star, deluded yet determined to make a grand Hollywood comeback with the help of Joe Gillis (William Holden), a struggling young screenwriter. The two begin a doomed love affair in Norma’s decrepit house of horrors, and it isn’t long before her mind starts to unravel even further. ![Gloria Swanson in looks from Sunset Boulevard, designed by Edith Head](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/w1500_2900115.webp)![Gloria Swanson in looks from Sunset Boulevard, designed by Edith Head](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/w1500_48530071.webp)Gloria Swanson in looks created for *Sunset Boulevard,* designed by Edith Head/Photos courtesy of [Kinorium](https://en.kinorium.com/40783/gallery/backstage/ "Kinorium")*Sunset Boulevard* was considered shocking at the time for its dark portrayal of Hollywood. Swanson, a leading figure of the Silent Era, was praised for her vanity-free performance as a forgotten movie star. While her work deserves full credit, Edith Head must also be acknowledged. The costumes she designed for the actress helped create one of the most iconic characters in cinema history. Norma had to be luxe and dramatic, yet also strange and deranged, as though her wardrobe were relics from the 1920s, the height of her fame. Together, Swanson and Head nailed this vision with opulent furs, metallic gowns, and iconic turbans—everything you’d imagine a 1920s movie star would desperately cling to. It’s gorgeous, character-driven work. ## **A Place in the Sun (1951) In the 1951 classic *A Place in the Sun*, Elizabeth Taylor’s character, socialite Angela Vickers, is introduced in a stunning Edith Head creation: [a white evening gown](https://www.screenchic.com/post/story-of-a-dress-a-place-in-the-sun-elizabeth-taylor "a white evening gown") adorned with flowers across the bodice. When the film premiered, the dress became as much a sensation as the movie itself, quickly turning into one of the most copied prom and wedding gowns of the decade, reproduced by department stores across the United States. Though Head earned no royalties from this boom in popularity, she was rewarded with another Academy Award for her work on the movie. ![Edith Head's sketch for the iconic Elizabeth Taylor white dress used in A Place in the Sun](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/b987c0_35b0b8e9b2944a3fb7d8741e3ccb6b25mv2.webp)![Elizabeth Taylor and Montgomery Clift in "A Place in the Sun"](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/b987c0_65d16e11ba3d4462b779d2a7d38ab985mv2-1.webp)Edith Head’s sketch for the iconic Elizabeth Taylor white dress used in *A Place in the Sun/*Photo courtesy of [ScreenChic.com](https://www.screenchic.com/post/story-of-a-dress-a-place-in-the-sun-elizabeth-taylor "ScreenChic.com")The film, based on the 1925 novel *An American Tragedy* by Theodore Dreiser, is often considered one of the greatest ever made. It stars Montgomery Clift as George Eastman, a poor young man whose job with a wealthy uncle introduces him to the world of high society. Eager to embrace this new life, he begins courting the glamorous “It-Girl” Angela Vickers, while neglecting (and ultimately betraying) his meek girlfriend, Alice (Shelley Winters). How far will George go to preserve his perfect new existence? Will he cast Alice aside, even fatally, especially when she reveals she’s carrying his child? The film ventures into dark territory, exploring themes of murder, the corrupting lure of the American Dream, and the destructive power of wealth. It is a masterpiece—one made even richer by its impeccably dressed characters. ## **Roman Holiday (1953)** *Roman Holiday* was the very first collaboration between Edith Head and Audrey Hepburn, who was making her feature film debut. Hepburn plays Princess Ann, a young royal from a nameless European country who, weary of her duties while on an official tour, decides to escape and explore Rome for a day. By chance, she meets a young American named Joe Bradley (Gregory), who promises to show her around town. What she doesn’t know is that Joe is actually a journalist hunting for an exclusive scoop. The result is a romantic comedy for the ages, filled with delightful, lighthearted moments, timeless iconography, and a landmark performance that introduced the world to Hepburn’s charms. ![Simple, understated looks from Roman Holiday](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/w1500_41794584.webp)![Simple, understated looks from Roman Holiday](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/w1500_50265495.webp)Simple, understated looks from *Roman Holiday*/Photographs courtesy of [Kinorium](https://en.kinorium.com/43731/gallery/ "Kinorium")What’s impressive about *Roman Holiday* is Edith Head’s restraint. By this point, she was at the top of her game, designing extravagant gowns for Hollywood’s biggest stars. Yet the plot of the film, spanning only two days, didn’t give Head much to work with. Still, she made every costume count. We first see Hepburn in a beautiful formal ball gown; then a silk night dress fit for royalty; followed by an everyday Italian-inspired ensemble made up of a white blouse, poodle skirt, and scarf (perfect for her Roman adventure); and finally, that elegant white lace dress for the film’s finale. Four understated yet unforgettable looks in a work that spans almost two hours? Success. Edith Head walked away with yet another Academy Award, proving that her eye for subtle costumes was just as sharp as her flair for bold, glamorous designs. READ ALSO: [The 10 Most “Loverly” Audrey Hepburn Movies](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/arts-and-culture/the-10-most-loverly-audrey-hepburn-movies-to-watch/ "The 10 Most "Loverly" Audrey Hepburn Movies") ## **Sabrina (1954)** While Audrey Hepburn and Edith Head worked well together on *Roman Holiday*, their later collaborations were far less harmonious—and it all started with *Sabrina*, arguably [the most controversial film](https://www.okcmoa.com/edith-heads-controversies/ "the most controversial film") in Head’s career. After finishing *Roman Holiday* and just before production on *Sabrina*, Hepburn traveled to Paris to shop for her character’s wardrobe. There, she discovered a budding French designer named Hubert de Givenchy and quickly fell for his modern, elegant style. Hepburn purchased her now-iconic white floral *Sabrina* gown—along with several other ensembles—using her own money, and brought them back to Hollywood for the film. This caused a major stir at the studio, as Head was known to be fiercely protective of her credit as Paramount’s chief costume designer. Because she approved Givenchy’s dresses for the film, the sole costume credit went to her. The pieces from *Sabrina*—most famously the Givenchy-designed necklines that came to be known as “The Sabrina Neckline”—ignited an international craze, inspiring countless imitations by dressmakers around the world. Riding that wave of popularity, Head received another Oscar: this time for designs that weren’t entirely her own. This left Givenchy publicly snubbed and understandably bitter. To be fair, she did contribute to the film—Sabrina’s pre-transformation wardrobe and a few casual looks—but can we really say the Oscar was for that? ![Hubert de Givency designed Sabrina's sophisticated French wardrobe, while Edith Head created her simple, chauffeur's daughter ensembles](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/w1500_50115056.webp)![Hubert de Givency designed Sabrina's sophisticated French wardrobe, while Edith Head created her simple, chauffeur's daughter ensembles](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/w1500_50115065.webp)Hubert de Givency designed Sabrina’s sophisticated French wardrobe, while Edith Head created her simple, chauffeur’s daughter ensembles/Photos courtesy of [Kinorium](https://en.kinorium.com/44815/gallery/promo/ "Kinorium")Scandal aside, *Sabrina* really is a costume designer’s dream movie. It’s a modern Cinderella story set in Long Island, where we follow the titular character, a chauffeur’s daughter who is madly in love with David Larrabee (William Holden), the boss’s wealthy but useless younger son. Sabrina is then sent off to Paris to learn how to cook for the family, but ultimately transforms into a sophisticated lady after befriending a kind baron who teaches her the ways of the world. Upon returning to New York, she has one mission: to win David’s heart. However, older brother Linus (Humphrey Bogart) cannot let that happen. David is engaged to another woman, and their union would bring in millions for the family’s company. Linus resolves to take care of the Sabrina problem by trying to romance her himself. Society balls, swoon-worthy dates, and luxe office buildings give the characters of *Sabrina* the chance to dress up in beautiful clothing. Regardless of the controversy, no matter who designed what, the costumes are so iconic that the film still deserves to be celebrated as a collective triumph. ## **Rear Window (1954)** Future Princess of Monaco Grace Kelly was a vocal champion of the Hollywood designer. Both were contract players at Paramount Pictures, so it was inevitable they would meet—especially since Head often worked closely with Alfred Hitchcock, who in 1954 had found a new “Hitchcock Blonde” muse in Kelly. Their collaborations over the years produced both cinematic masterpieces and unforgettable fashion moments. Beyond the screen, Kelly continued to wear Head’s creations, even accepting her Best Actress Oscar for *The Country Girl* in a mint green satin gown by the designer—now regarded as one of the greatest Oscar dresses of all time. ![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/print-of-original-costume-sketch-by-edith-head-of-grace-kelly-for-rear-window-6297.webp)![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/w1500_48497847.webp)A sketch by Edith Head for *Rear Window*/Photo courtesy of [Chairish.com](https://www.chairish.com/product/999544/print-of-original-costume-sketch-by-edith-head-of-grace-kelly-for-rear-window "Chairish.com"); The same dress used for the film, as seen in a promotional photograph with Grace Kelly/Photo courtesy of [Kinorium](https://en.kinorium.com/44775/gallery/promo/ "Kinorium")Their collaboration in *Rear Window*, Alfred Hitchcock’s nail-biting thriller about a wheelchair-bound photographer (James Stewart) investigating a neighborhood murder from his apartment, is pure fashion gold. Kelly plays Stewart’s socialite girlfriend, whose involvement with him entangles her in a horrific chain of events. It’s a great film—and an even better excuse to see Kelly in some of the most elegant Edith Head creations ever put on screen. From her black-and-white cocktail dress to her casual lime green tailored suit, the outfits in *Rear Window* look like they belong in the shop windows of Bendel’s during the 1950s. Were they appropriate for a murder mystery? Definitely not. But who cares? It’s Hollywood glamour. ## **White Christmas (1954)** 1954, as you can probably tell by now, was a banner year for Edith Head despite the Givenchy scandal. Her gift for beautiful design was on display in numerous other films, including a personal favorite of mine, *White Christmas*—the holiday musical featuring the songs of Irving Berlin, often considered the unofficial sequel to 1942’s *Holiday Inn*. What makes *White Christmas*’s wardrobe so special isn’t just the luxe gowns and playful stage costumes worn by the two female leads, but the fact that—for the first time—it truly showcases Edith Head’s remarkable talent for menswear design. Danny Kaye, in particular, is dressed in moveable, tailored suits, trousers, polos, and even handmade shoes that not only make him look impossibly dapper, but also enhance his dance performances. These are clothes designed to move with the performer. The standout: a sleek grey suit paired with matching grey suede shoes, which mark one of the finest menswear moments of the 1950s. ![Impeccable garments designed by Edith Head for White Christmas](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/J2PwJgm.webp)![Impeccable garments designed by Edith Head for White Christmas](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/iseu8Ln.webp)![Impeccable garments designed by Edith Head for White Christmas](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/ZDEC9H9.webp)Impeccable garments designed by Edith Head for *White Christmas*/Photographs courtesy of [BlueScreen.net](https://www.bluscreens.net/white-christmas.html "BlueScreen.net")For those who haven’t seen it, *White Christmas* tells the story of two army buddies: Bob Wallace (Bing Crosby) and Phil Davis (Danny Kaye), who, after World War II, become a famous nightclub act. When they find themselves at a snowless Vermont inn—owned by their former general and just days before Christmas—the boys, along with two charming performing sisters (Rosemary Clooney and Vera-Ellen), take it upon themselves to stage a musical extravaganza to help their kindhearted old commander. It’s the classic “let’s put on a show” plot, but that hardly matters when the songs are this good, the performances this charismatic, and, of course, the clothes are such a treat for the eyes. ## **Vertigo (1958)** If you thought the costumes in *Roman Holiday* were subtle, wait until you see *Vertigo*. I won’t go too deep into the plot—because for those who haven’t seen it, it’s best experienced with as little knowledge as possible (though fair warning: slight spoilers ahead). What you need to know is that Kim Novak plays dual roles, and her characters are defined as much by their wardrobes as by their actions—a testament to Edith Head’s impeccable costume storytelling. ![Edith Head Vertigo suit](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/tumblr_inline_ne49u9quCJ1rown8a.webp)![Kim Novak in Vertigo](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/vertigo_0.webp)A sketch of the iconic grey *Vertigo* suit, alongside the real thing worn by Kim Novak in the film/Photos courtesy of [Oscars.org](https://www.oscars.org/news/classic-costumes-vertigo "Oscars.org")Her first role, Madeleine, is memorably dressed in an elegant, tailored gray suit: a choice that emphasizes her mystery and cool detachment. Novak reportedly hated the suit, finding its fabric stiff and its fit restrictive. She pleaded with Hitchcock to change it, but he refused—and rightly so. Novak later conceded that the discomfort it caused her ultimately ended up serving the performance, making Madeleine appear not only reserved but also uneasy in her own skin. Her second character, Judy, is the opposite: warmer, looser, and dressed in more form-fitting, colorful outfits that signal her softer, approachable nature. Today, the costumes of *Vertigo* are often remembered as quintessentially elegant, and they are. But part of their reputation also comes from the tendency to romanticize anything from Hollywood’s golden age, especially in films directed by the Master of Suspense. What truly makes them brilliant, however, is not their elegance but their purpose: Edith Head’s costumes are narrative instruments, deliberately used to sharpen the film’s central themes of identity and desire. ## **What a Way to Go! (1964)** We’ve spoken about subtlety on this list, and we’ve talked about classic elegance—but have you seen Edith Head go completely bonkers maximalist? Well, I have—and that’s thanks to *What a Way to Go!*: the most underseen film on this list, but one that deserves a lot more attention because it’s funny, well-performed, and incredibly stylish. Luckily, it’s available to watch for free on [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5UQGixflwk "YouTube")! ![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/b987c0_0245fb1b3bf64bb0b887a87f04facd2bmv2.webp)![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/b987c0_a8f4f03c983b41c1b9684d3213b57453mv2_d_3959_5047_s_4_2.webp)Outrageously maximalist costumes from *What a Way to Go!/*Photos courtesy of [ScreenChic.com](https://www.screenchic.com/post/the-colorful-and-campy-style-of-what-a-way-to-go-edith-head "ScreenChic.com")The film follows Louisa May Foster (a charming Shirley MacLaine), who, after trying to give away her $200 million fortune to the military, explains to a psychiatrist why she’s so unhappy: she’s had four husbands, all of whom became incredibly wealthy, only to die in bizarre accidents she believes were caused by a curse. Sounds dark, but it’s actually a wickedly funny comedy, bursting with great fashion moments. Shirley and Edith Head—working with an unlimited budget from 20th Century Fox (Head was loaned out from Paramount for the project)—were given free rein to go wild. Think: leather gowns, fur-drenched ensembles, endless trains with hand-painted details, the biggest wigs and hats you’ll ever see, and diamonds dripping everywhere. It’s glorious, campy fun that earned Head yet another one of her 35 Oscar nominations. This time, she shared it with veteran costume designer Moss Mabry, who handled the men’s wardrobes. ## **The Sting (1973)** By the 1970s, Head was still hard at work—this time at Universal—where she continued to create striking costumes for late Hitchcock films and big-budget disaster movies with sprawling ensemble casts. It was truly the twilight of her career, yet the legendary costumer still had one more Oscar win left in her. Surprisingly, her final victory did not come from a film overflowing with elegant gowns and dresses, but from a picture centered on menswear. ![Paul Newman and Robert Redford looked dapper in The Sting, thanks to Edith Head](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/w1500_149895.webp)![Paul Newman and Robert Redford looked dapper in The Sting, thanks to Edith Head](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/w1500_149898.webp)Paul Newman and Robert Redford looked dapper in *The Sting,* thanks to Edith Head/Photos courtesy of [Kinorium](https://en.kinorium.com/65782/gallery/ "Kinorium")Head dressed, whom she called “two of the most handsome people in the world,” Paul Newman and Robert Redford, in *The Sting*, George Roy Hill’s Best Picture-winning caper. They play Henry Gondorff and Johnny Hooker, respectively, two grifters who combine their skills for the heist of a lifetime. The contrasting personalities of the characters gave Head a perfect opportunity to play with clothing: Newman’s Henry is slick and cunning, while Redford’s Hooker is rugged and street-smart. The result? Menswear moments worth remembering. Head’s sharply tailored suits, custom hats, dashing tuxedos, and pin-striped ensembles rank among the finest men’s clothing ever seen on film during the 1970s. **Categories:** Arts & Culture, Style **Tags:** Audrey Hepburn, Bette Davis, Cinema, Edith Head, Grace Kelly, Old Hollywood --- ### [JP Campos & Gerard Alzate’s Nāda Is Leading A Quiet Revolution In Wellness](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/people/jp-campos-gerard-alzates-nada-is-leading-a-quiet-revolution-in-wellness/) **Published:** September 2, 2025 **Author:** Paolo Vera **Content:** ## **In a city that never quite slows down, JP Campos and Gerard Alzate are quietly challenging the tempo through *nāda*, a serene yoga studio and specialty cafe tucked into the heart of Poblacion.** Tucked away on the fifth floor of an unassuming building in Poblacion, Manila’s go-to district for nightlife and noise, is *[nāda](https://www.instagram.com/nada.concepts/?hl=en "nāda")*, a minimalist multi-concept space that merges a meditation studio with a specialty coffee bar and six-seater speakeasy-style omakase counter. It sounds improbable. And yet, from the moment the elevator doors open, there’s a palpable shift: warm lighting, soft tones, ambient music, and the distinct feeling that time has finally paused. “We wanted to create a safe space where people are encouraged to slow down and connect with a sense of peace and quiet,” co-founder JP Campos explains. “We lack access to nature in Manila, so this is our version of that grounding and tranquil escape—right in the middle of the city.” More than just a wellness studio or cafe, *nāda* is an intentional reimagining of how space, ritual, and community can intersect. It is a soft rebellion against overstimulation, born from two different yet harmoniously aligned passions: JP’s deep training in yoga and mindfulness, and co-founder Gerard Alzate’s lifelong love of coffee. ![Gerard Alzate and JP Campos](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/1-1.webp)Nāda co-foudners Gerard Alzate and JP Campos ## **When Coffee And Yoga Meet** Before *nāda*, JP led brand marketing at Google while teaching yoga on the side, a practice that began as a personal passion and quickly became a grounding force in his life. Gerard, on the other hand, discovered his love for coffee while attending college in Philadelphia. “I started noticing how these tiny rituals—the way a barista pulled a shot, or how a regular came in and always ordered the same pour-over—created this sense of rhythm and community,” he says. It was only natural that the two friends would eventually bridge their disciplines into a single space that encourages mindfulness in every form. “The way I brewed my morning coffee started to feel like its own kind of meditation,” Gerard says. “And JP saw how the breath, the present moment, could tie all of that together.” That quiet synergy became *nāda*. READ ALSO: [From Dorm Room To Dev Shop: How Two College Friends Created First Mate Technologies](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/people/how-two-college-friends-created-first-mate-technologies/ "From Dorm Room To Dev Shop: How Two College Friends Created First Mate Technologies") ![Inside nāda, the multi-concept space that merges a meditation studio with a specialty coffee bar](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/1-copy.webp)Inside nāda, the multi-concept space that merges a meditation studio with a specialty coffee bar ## **What’s In A Name?** The name itself encapsulates their vision: *nāda* is a Sanskrit word meaning “vibrations of sound,” but it also means “nothing” in both Spanish and English. The duality is intentional. “The main offering of our space is *nāda* yoga, which uses sound baths and meditation as tools for self-inquiry,” JP shares. “But we also wanted to create a space where doing ‘nothing’ is not only accepted, but encouraged. It’s about tuning out the noise and tuning into yourself.” Whether it’s through guided breathwork, a meticulously prepared matcha, or simply sitting in silence between sliding pocket doors, *nāda* is designed to help you hear what you normally drown out: your intuition. To translate that philosophy into a physical space, JP and Gerard partnered with Studio Yang, ensuring every design choice fostered a sense of calm and curiosity. Neutral tones, natural textures, and a deliberate absence of clutter make up the interior. “We were very mindful not to overstimulate the nervous system,” JP explains. “Even the lighting and the contours of the furniture are meant to soothe.” The layout is also modular: Studio Yang designed sliding doors that allow the space to shift depending on the offering. It can be closed off into quiet corners or opened up into one cohesive flow for collaborative events. And while the architecture is minimalist, the experience is anything but. “One of our non-negotiables was that the space had to be both accessible and transportive,” Gerard adds. “People step in from the chaos of Poblacion and feel like they’ve been lifted out of the city.” ![The specialty coffee bar at nāda](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2-copy.webp)The specialty coffee bar at nāda ## **Stillness As Ritual** While yoga and coffee might seem like separate worlds, at *nāda*, they are two sides of the same coin. “Everything here is breath-centric,” JP says. “Even the way we brew coffee is meditative.” Guests are encouraged to try it all: take a vinyasa or sound bath class, sip a specialty tea or coffee at the cafe, and end with a quick bite at their speakeasy-style omakase bar. Each experience, no matter how simple, is treated like a ceremony. That sense of ritual extends to the curation of offerings, too. The team is deliberate about sourcing ingredients, rotating pastries seasonally, and crafting beverages that reflect their ethos of slowness. “We’ve had to make tough calls—retiring popular menu items that weren’t operationally sustainable,” Gerard admits. “But we always find ways to balance creative integrity with commercial viability.” ![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/4.webp)![Founders Gerard Alzate and JP Campos left their respective careers to pursue their passions at nāda](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/LA-September-2025-CURRENTS-Nada-Concepts-Article-Photos.webp)Founders Gerard Alzate and JP Campos left their respective careers to pursue their passions at nāda## **A Community That Holds Space** Despite, or perhaps because of, its quiet, *nāda* has drawn a loyal and deeply engaged community. The space has welcomed everyone from first-time meditators and elderly guests to children and working professionals seeking respite. The offerings are kept intentionally accessible and inclusive, with teachers trained to guide newcomers gently through each practice. “We often approach classes assuming it might be someone’s first time,” JP explains. “That mindset helps us stay welcoming and present.” And the impact goes far beyond the studio. Many guests have shared stories of personal transformation: overcoming insomnia, managing anxiety, even finding relief from physical pain. “People dealing with mental and emotional challenges have told us that coming to *nāda* brought them peace they didn’t think was possible,” Gerard says. “It’s a reminder that we’re doing something meaningful.” The brand has also attracted a surprising range of collaborators, partnering with names like UNIQLO, Aesop, TOQA, and The Collective, brands that share a commitment to mindfulness, aesthetics, and intentionality. READ ALSO: [From Duty To Purpose: How Jaime Cojuangco Found His Way Forward](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/people/from-duty-to-purpose-how-jaime-cojuangco-found-his-way-forward/ "From Duty To Purpose: How Jaime Cojuangco Found His Way Forward") ![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2.webp)![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/3-1.webp)The space’s centerpiece is nāda yoga, a practice that harnesses sound baths and meditation as pathways to self-discovery (left); Studio Yang designed the space with intention, crafting every detail to inspire both calm and curiosity (right)## **Learning As They Go** Running *nāda* hasn’t been without its challenges. Neither JP nor Gerard had previous experience in operating a wellness studio or cafe, and every day has been a masterclass in adaptability. “We’re both learning as we go,” JP says. “Whether it’s managing logistics or navigating customer experience, we’re constantly adjusting.” With a lean team, everyone wears multiple hats, which makes moments of stillness even more precious. “It’s ironic—we created a space about slowing down, but the backend is nonstop,” Gerard laughs. “Still, we wouldn’t have it any other way.” As *nāda* approaches its next chapter, JP and Gerard dream bigger—but not faster. Plans include deeper brand collaborations, live ambient music performances, and new offerings rooted in Eastern healing traditions like Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine. They also hope to bring in more teachers and host pop-ups with other coffee and tea artisans around Metro Manila. There’s even talk of inviting yoga mentor Janet Stone for a special series, an homage to the roots of JP’s practice. But at its core, *nāda* will always be about creating a space for people to reconnect—with themselves, with each other, and with the quiet truths that often get drowned out in the noise of everyday life. “Our idea of success isn’t scale,” JP says. “It’s knowing that even one person walked in, slowed down, and left feeling a little more whole.” And in a city that rarely stops to breathe, that might just be revolutionary. *This article was originally published in our September 2025 Issue* --- *Photography by* Kim Montes **Categories:** Lifestyle, People, Self, Wellness **Tags:** Gerard Alzate, JP Campos, nāda, Wellness, yoga --- ### [Please Stop Doing These Things At A Movie Theater](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/arts-and-culture/please-stop-doing-these-things-at-a-movie-theater/) **Published:** August 3, 2025 **Author:** Chino Hernandez **Content:** ## **I’m sorry if I sound like a Karen, but there are just some things you shouldn’t be doing inside a movie theater, from snapping pics of the screen mid-movie to eating your extra-pungent takeout.** I simply hate it when I go on Instagram stories and see someone posting clips from a theater screen of a movie *they’re literally still watching*. Don’t get me wrong—I love that you’re finally out, back in theaters, and doing your part in the great cinematic resurrection post-pandemic. But come on. I haven’t seen *Sinners* yet, and I definitely don’t need your spoilers (or your thirst traps of Michael B. Jordan). Frustrated by this ultimate movie theater peeve of mine, I turned to Google to see if anyone else shared my pain. Unsurprisingly, I found an article on the subject by writer Tres Dean, recently published on *GQ,* titled [“Stop Taking Photos of the Movie Screen During the Movie. No, Seriously, Knock It Off](https://www.gq.com/story/stop-taking-photos-of-the-movie-screen-during-the-movie "“Stop Taking Photos of the Movie Screen During the Movie. No, Seriously, Knock It Off”").” Fueled by Dean’s righteous rage, I decided to take a closer look at this behavior—and a few other offenses that drive me nuts. Because as a cinephile, the movie theater is my church. Please respect it. READ ALSO: [Steak At The Movies: Wolfgang’s Premiere Lounge Says, Wine Not?](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/dining/steak-at-the-movies-wolfgangs-premiere-lounge-says-wine-not/ "Steak At The Movies: Wolfgang's Premiere Lounge Says, Wine Not?") ![A movie theater is for enjoying art and entertainment, not for a photo shoot/Photo courtesy of Tima Miroshnichenko via Pexels](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Photo-by-Tima-Miroshnichenko-scaled.webp)A movie theater is for enjoying art and entertainment, not for a photo shoot/Photo courtesy of Tima Miroshnichenko via [Pexels](https://www.pexels.com/photo/cartoon-movie-showing-on-theater-screen-7991579/ "Pexels") ## **Stop Taking Photos Of The Screen** As Dean put it in his article, taking photos of the screen while the movie is still playing is incredibly rude. Not just to the filmmakers who deserve your full attention while you watch their art, but also for the people around you trying to stay immersed, and the folks at home who haven’t seen the movie yet. Honestly, it’s such a weird flex to post that you’re *in the middle* of a movie. I get it—sharing things online is now second nature. But maybe pulling out your phone in the theater is a step too far. Trust us: no one cares that you’re watching *Wicked* the first day of release. ## **Social Media And Texting Should Be Done Outside** While we’re on the subject of phones, let’s take it a step further. You came to the movie theater as a paying customer, so enjoy the film in front of you. This is *not* the place to be doom-scrolling through TikTok, watching Instagram stories, or replying to your never-ending group chat. If you can’t survive without your phone for two hours, then maybe the cinema isn’t for you—and that’s okay! Not everyone’s a movie person. But please, don’t ruin the experience for the rest of us. If you’d rather consume “content” (I hate that word) in a different way, there’s a screen waiting for you at home. Cinema is not “content.” ![The cinema is not your living room. Respect it and those who are in it/Photo courtesy of Samuel Ragen-Asante via Unsplash](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/samuel-regan-asante-Geepgu8bCas-unsplash-scaled.webp)The movie theater is not your living room. Respect it and those who are paying to be in it/Photo courtesy of Samuel Ragen-Asante via [Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/photos/city-of-new-york-city-during-night-time-Geepgu8bCas "Unsplash") ## **The Movie Theater Isn’t Your Living Room** I cannot tell you how often I’ve seen people treat the movie theater like it’s their living room. It’s honestly gross when someone takes their shoes off mid-movie. Trust us, nobody wants to smell your feet. I once saw someone prop their bare feet on the empty seat in front of them. Wild. Are we just forgetting basic social etiquette now? Movie theaters aren’t just shared public spaces—they’re temples of art, meant to be respected by both the creators and the audience. So act like it. Pick up your trash after the film, don’t wipe your grubby fingers on the seats, and for the love of cinema, keep your shoes on. READ ALSO: [The Challengers Effect: How One Sexy Tennis Became A Cultural Obsession ](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/arts-and-culture/the-challengers-effect-how-one-sexy-tennis-movie-became-a-cultural-obsession/ "The Challengers Effect: How One Sexy Tennis Became A Cultural Obsession ") ## **Pepper Lunch Is Not For The Cinema** I learned this one the hard way—because I was the culprit of the crime. One random afternoon, I decided to rewatch *Anora* on the big screen right before the Oscars. I hadn’t eaten and was starving, so I grabbed some Pepper Lunch takeout and brought it into the theater—terrible idea. The smell was loud. Everyone around me gave me the stink eye, and honestly? I deserved it. From that day on, I realized: if you absolutely must bring food into the theater, maybe go for something that won’t perfume the entire room. Think Potato Corner discreetly tucked away in a paper bag—or better yet, stick to the classics: popcorn and an ice-cold Coca-Cola. And if you’re craving beef? Hit up [Wolfgang’s Premiere Lounge](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/dining/steak-at-the-movies-wolfgangs-premiere-lounge-says-wine-not/ "Wolfgang’s Premiere Lounge") instead. They’ll serve you a steak dinner during the movie without making you smell like one. ![Be a ghost at your local movie theater: silent and pleasant/Photo courtesy of Billy Aboulkheir via Unplash](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/billy-aboulkheir-7d94sU14YXA-unsplash-scaled.webp)Be a ghost at your local movie theater: silent and pleasant/Photo courtesy of Billy Aboulkheir via [Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/photos/a-ghost-sitting-in-the-middle-of-a-row-of-red-seats-7d94sU14YXA "Unplash") ## **Silence Please!** We get it. Some things are inevitable. You bring your toddler to the new *Despicable Me* movie, and they suddenly burst into tears because something unexpected happens. Fine. That’s normal. That’s parenting. But when the noise is unnecessary and avoidable, that’s where the problem starts. For example, don’t try to explain the plot to your friend while it’s still unfolding. Don’t blurt out loud commentary nobody asked for—you’re not Roger Ebert. And most importantly, don’t you dare pick up that phone call mid-movie. If you need to say something, just step outside for a minute. You do it when you need to pee—and hopefully, you’re not peeing in the aisles, right? **Categories:** Arts & Culture **Tags:** Cinema, etiquette, movie theater --- ### [Rosanna Periquet Stepping Into Work-Life Balance](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/people/lifestyle/rosanna-periquet-stepping-into-work-life-balance/) **Published:** August 1, 2025 **Author:** Kerry Tinga **Content:** ## **Rosanna Periquet proves that having multiple passions doesn’t mean spreading yourself thin. It means finding the rhythm that lets each part of your life strengthen the others.** My mom always told me: “You are your nana.” That’s how Rosanna Periquet decides to describe herself, akin to her 87-year-old grandmother, Maribel Ongpin, founder of the HABI Philippine Textile Community. An odd start for a profile on someone young, but she quickly clarifies. “She is 87, but she is always on the go. She fills her days to the brim, and that’s me,” Rosanna continues, laughing. “My mom is always like, ‘Where did you get that, trying to be everything to everyone?’ She says I have a hard time saying no.” And while she adds that learning to say no has been a New Year’s resolution three years in a row, that particular trait of hers has worked in my favor. When I initially called Rosanna about featuring her, someone who balances corporate work, civic duty, and entrepreneurship, she confessed that she honestly didn’t know how she manages. But that difficulty saying no? It meant she said yes to this conversation, yes to carving out time in an already impossible schedule, yes to sitting down and trying to articulate something she’s still figuring out. ![Rosanna Periquet](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/1.jpg)Dress, JOS MUNDO; Shoes, CARIÑOSA I put my phone in front of her to record, and asked her for her name and age to start. “Rosanna Periquet, 29.” It’s an interesting age. Old enough to have accumulated some wisdom and shake off youthful delusions, but still with so much ahead. It’s an age when you might have thought you’re supposed to have things figured out, but also when you realize that “figured out” might be a myth altogether. For Rosanna, 29 looks like this: a full-time corporate career in leasing, a position as the youngest Kagawad in her barangay, and the co-founder of a shoe brand that transforms traditional Filipino textiles into something thoroughly modern. The brand is named [Cariñosa](https://www.instagram.com/carinosa.ph/?hl=en "Cariñosa"), after the traditional dance of grace and timing, of moving in careful circles without losing direction. It requires knowing when to lead and when to follow, when to reveal yourself and when to remain artfully concealed behind the fan. What Rosanna does follows a similar rhythm of careful choreography between all facets of her life. READ ALSO: [Andres Muhlach: Moving With Intention ](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/people/lifestyle/andres-muhlach-moving-with-intention/ "Andres Muhlach: Moving With Intention ") ## **First Steps** **For Rosanna Periquet** “It was my first big girl move. You know what I mean?” While Rosanna now serves as the Kagawad for [health and physical fitness](https://allure.ph/wellness/move-better-live-better-10-physical-fitness-benefits-that-you-will-actually-feel/ "health and physical fitness") in her barangay, her first foray into civic work came through the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK). It is the council that provides a platform for youth civic engagement and governing programs for residents 30 and under. In college, she had written her thesis on CENTEX schools and their teacher training programs, imagining a career in NGO work or social enterprise. When the opportunity to run for SK “fell into her lap,” as she describes it, it filled that part of her. ![Rosanna Periquet](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/3-1.jpg) “It also gave me some time to figure out what type of career I wanted,” she adds. “I think, right out of college, it’s very rare to know exactly what you want to do. It’s very daunting and intimidating because there are so many opportunities. So, it gave me some time.” The two years she spent focused full-time as SK Chairman, she was managing a team of nine. From there, the transition to, or rather addition of, corporate life came easily. “I really like structure,” she says. “I knew I wanted to be in a corporate environment eventually.” She landed a role in leasing and retail development at Ayala Malls, a role that required both analytical thinking and creative problem-solving. But what surprised her was discovering how much a structured environment actually demanded flexibility. “There’s a constant need to be agile and you really need to be able to adapt,” she reflects. “I think being open to change is something that I was really taught there because it’s an industry where there are demands for you to to evolve. It taught me to think outside the box. At the same time, there is still structure.” ![Rosanna Periquet](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/5.jpg)Dress, ARAW THE LINE; Accessories, GOLDEN MONSTERA; Shoes, CARIÑOSA ## **A Pandemic Pivot** When the pandemic hit, her civic work became more urgent and meaningful than ever with vaccination programs, health initiatives, and generally supporting her community through an unprecedented crisis. Meanwhile, corporate life was shifting too, with remote work and a demand for both immediate action and deeper reflection. It was all about learning how to adapt–taking established ways of doing things and finding new approaches that worked for a changed world. At that moment, Rosanna found herself thinking more about her family’s legacy, particularly her grandmother’s decades-long dedication to promoting Filipino textiles through HABI. That world of artisans and craftspeople, with emphasis on tradition over trends, had always felt adjacent to her life. But during those pandemic months, she became curious about bringing it closer, making it contemporary, adapting it for a changed world. The spark came through her discussions with her friend, Nina Magbanua, who was interning at a Marikina-based shoe brand. “Let’s do business together,” Rosanna suggested, almost on impulse. Who hasn’t chatted with a friend and tossed around the idea of starting something together? But Rosanna and Nina actually did the thing. ![Rosanna Periquet](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/6.jpg) Dress, ARAW THE LINE; Shoes, CARIÑOSA The concept crystallized around a simple question, which she articulates: “How can we make this modern? How can we make people our age wear textile and find it cool and current.” For someone who learned she could successfully manage competing priorities during one of the most challenging periods in recent history, adding a creative venture was a natural evolution. Different aspects of her life could fuel, rather than drain, each other. Community work had taught her about collaboration and serving others’ needs. Corporate life had shown her the importance of systems and sustainability. Now she was ready to see what happened when she applied those lessons to something that honored the past while creating something entirely new. *Read the full story in our July 2025 e-magazine by subscribing to [Lifestyle Asia’s digital access ](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/emag/ "Lifestyle Asia's digital access ")and purchasing your copy at [Readly](https://sk.readly.com/products/magazine/lifestyle-asia?q=lifestyle%20asia "Readly").* --- *Photography by* AYA CABAUATAN*, assisted by* JHAY-R BAYLON AND JR GUIYAB *Creative Direction* PAOLO TORIO *Stylist* QUAYN PEDROSO*, assisted by* BRADLESS GOMEZ. *Hairstylist* JEFFREY PALOMPON *Makeup Artist* TATS DIONISIO *Associate Producer* MAE TALAID. **Categories:** Lifestyle, People **Tags:** August 2025, Lifestyle Asia, Rosanna Periquet --- ### [Khaiba: A Fresh Take On Filipino Fare With A Middle Eastern Touch](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/dining/khaiba-a-fresh-take-on-filipino-fare-with-a-middle-eastern-touch/) **Published:** July 12, 2025 **Author:** Maxine Alindogan **Content:** ## **Chefs Nouel Catis and Sonny Mariano join forces in an unexpected and limited-time collaboration, reimagining Filipino classics with nuanced Middle Eastern flair** It’s the last few days to catch this [one-of-a-kind tasting menu](https://www.instagram.com/khaiba.mnl/ "one-of-a-kind tasting menu") at the Balmori Suites’ Chef’s Table. Brought to life by Tasteless Group, *Khaiba* takes its name from the Arabic word expressing “surprise” or “shock*.”* Fittingly, it also echoes the Tagalog word *kakaiba,* meaning “unexpected” or “different”—the perfect invitation to a dining experience that puts a refreshing spin on the Filipino dishes we all know and love. ![Chef Sonny Mariano and Chef Nouel Catis](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/AP_Khaiba_June-11-2762-Large.webp)Chef Sonny Mariano and Chef Nouel Catis READ ALSO: [Unlayering AzukiToyo: A Filipino Take on a Japanese Dessert](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/dining/unlayering-azukitoyo-a-filipino-take-on-a-japanese-dessert/) ## **A Savory Start** The Plate offerings, led by Chef Sonny Mariano, highlight how commonly used Middle Eastern spices and ingredients can actually balance, enhance, and blend with flavors of traditional Filipino fare. Nothing feels overpowering, everything is thoughtfully layered. “Most are based on my favorite Filipino classics,” Chef Sonny shares. “It makes me happy, and I just want to share that feeling with the diners.” ![Khaiba](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Ensalada-Large.webp)Plate: The Ensalda Starting off with the *Ensalada*, a clever play on textures and flavor. Eggplant carpaccio, *burong* *mangga* (pickled mangoes), chickpeas, and papaya *tinapa* form a surprisingly harmonious whole— familiar yet delightfully offbeat. ![Khaiba](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Bibingka-Large.webp)Plate: The Bibingka The *Bibingka*: sourdough *bibingka* paired with clotted cream, date honey, and a rich *adobo* liver pâté. The inclusion of dates, a staple in Middle Eastern cuisine, brings an indulgent sweetness that reimagines the beloved *kakanin* in a brand-new light. ![Khaiba](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Tuna-Kinilaw-Large-1.webp)Plate: The Tuna Kinilaw For the *Tuna Kinilaw,* *sumac*, a crushed red berry widely used in Middle Eastern cooking, is infused into the vinaigrette. Combined with GenSan tuna and an *atchara* sorbet, it gives the dish a refreshingly tart lift. ![Khaiba](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Laing-Baba-Ghanoush-Large-1.webp)Plate: Laing Baba Ghanoush The *Laing Baba Ghanoush* is a nod to both traditions. *Laing*, eggplant, and *tahini* (a traditional sesame paste) are served atop a crisp papadum. *Papadum* is an Indian cracker known for its delicate crunch and ability to carry dips and spreads. The result: an earthy, creamy bite where *laing* is the undisputed star. ![Khaiba](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Jamon-at-Pandesal-Large-1.webp)Plate: Jamon at Pandesal *Jamon at Pandesal*: A fried pandesal stuffed with *daqoos* (a tomato-based Middle Eastern sauce), jamon, and garlic *labneh* (fermented milk yogurt). Tangy, savory, and globally influenced, the dish is grounded by the comforting neutrality of *pandesal*. ![Khaiba](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Alimasag-at-Kalabasa-Large-1.webp)![Khaiba](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Beef-Sinigang-Large-1.webp)Plate: Alimag at Kalabasa; Plate: Beef SinigangIn *Alimag at Kalabasa* and Beef *Sinigang*, ingredients like *kaffir oil*, prunes, and mashed *gabi* are used with restraint. They don’t steal the spotlight—instead, they enhance the essence of each dish. ![Khaiba Lamb Shank Kaldareta](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Lamb-Shank-Kaldaretajpg-Large.webp)Main: The Lamb Shank Kaldereta The Mains continue this cross-cultural dialogue. The *Lamb Shank Kaldereta* is done tagine-style—Northern-style *kaldereta* with almonds, apricots, and figs, finished with basmati rice sourced from the Cordillera region. Smoky and indulgent, it’s a dish that perfectly bridges Filipino and Middle Eastern flavor profiles. ![Khaiba Miso Prawns](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Miso-Prawns-Large.webp)![Khaiba Chicken Inasal](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Chicken-Inasal-Large.webp)Main: The Miso Prawn ; Main: The Chicken InasalThe Miso Prawn, cooked with white miso and *Mafti* shrimp sauce, delivers deep umami. And for chicken lovers, the Chicken Inasal doesn’t disappoint: *sinamak-*marinated, with *Zaatar-*crusted (Middle Eastern spice blend) chicken skin and an *ensalada* on the side. The mains are rooted in Filipino flavors, but thoughtfully layered with global influences. Middle Eastern spices and ingredients are introduced subtly, making each dish feel right at home. ## **The Sweet Finish** The dessert course, curated by Chef Nouel Catis is a showcase of his creative DNA. The visionary patisserie behind the Dubai chocolate shares: “This is my first time curating a dessert menu in tandem with a celebrated chef, specifically for Filipino diners. What makes it special is that this menu reflects my culinary beliefs—cultural storytelling, innovation, and creating dessert experiences that feel both personal and progressive.” ![Khaiba](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Halo-Halo-Large.webp)Dessert: The Halo Halo Inspired by the Burj Khalifa, the Halo-Halo is indulgent and architectural: soft-centered ube cheesecake, heirloom *pinipig*, *phyllo* crisps, and a *pandan*-evaporated milk sauce infused with real vanilla bean. ![Khaiba Dessert: The Habibi Cake](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Habibi-Cake-Large.webp)Dessert: The Habibi Cake The Habibi Cake, available as a 4” whole cake, is a tribute to home. Inspired by his mother’s recipe, it features rich *tsokolate* layers, Davao chocolate frosting, pistachio diplomat cream, a side of Nutella, and a *kunafa* crunch—an ingredient Chef Nouel often weaves into his creations. From *Honey – Mangga Please* to *Habibi* – *I’ve Come from Dubai* and the *Dubai Chocolate Profiteroles*, each dessert brings together bold flavors and playful storytelling. Refined but never rigid, Chef Nouel’s work is proof that tradition and modernity can, and should, coexist. ![The team behind Khaiba](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/AP_Khaiba_June-11-3107-Large.webp)The team behind Khaiba *Nakak(h)aiba* sums it up best. This collaboration between Chef Nouel and Chef Sonny isn’t just a mix of Filipino and Middle Eastern flavors—it’s a fresh way of looking at Filipino comfort food. The kind that surprises you, but still feels like home. **Categories:** Dining **Tags:** Dining, Filipino food, food, khaiba --- ### [Creative And Authentic: Chef Miko Calo Is Back With A Menu That Is True To Her Nature](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/dining/chef-miko-calo/) **Published:** October 27, 2024 **Author:** Mawi Fojas De Ocampo **Content:** ## *The acclaimed chef brings her newfound confidence to the table–with an all-female team–and a menu that unleashes her authenticity.* “More than an inspiration, the food I’ve created for this residency is the first step to the direction I’ve set out to do for myself,” [Chef Miko Calo](https://www.instagram.com/miko.calo/) declares, referring to her [all-women](https://www.instagram.com/p/DBA_wVLTq38/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) team’s takeover at Sage Bar in Makati Shangri-La. She is the very first chef offered a residency at the luxury hotel–and rightly so, having already made her mark in Manila’s culinary scene. ![Grounded in French culinary discipline, Chef Miko Calo mastered her craft after a year at École Grégoire-Ferrandi Paris, seven years with Joël Robuchon Paris, London, and as junior sous chef in Singapore. Her approach stems from the rigorous standards she encountered during her time in the Robuchon kitchen. ](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/MIKO-miko-calo.portrait.2-scaled.jpg) *Grounded in French culinary discipline, Chef Miko Calo mastered her craft after a year at École Grégoire-Ferrandi Paris, seven years with Joël Robuchon Paris, London, and as junior sous chef in Singapore. Her approach stems from the rigorous standards she encountered during her time in the Robuchon kitchen.* Miko’s education includes the Certificat CCIP Ecole Supérieure Cuisine Française Intensive Professional Program from Ferrandi Paris in 2009 to 2010. Before taking the helm as head chef and owner in [Metronome from 2019 to 2024](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/dining/in-memor-yum-an-ode-to-the-food-spots-that-are-no-longer-with-us/ "Metronome from 2019 to 2024"), Miko sharpened her skills in renowned establishments in Europe and Asia. These include L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon and Restaurant Joël Robuchon in Singapore, Commis, L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon in London, and Stagiere, La Table de Joël Robuchon in Paris. ![Chef Miko Calo leads an all-female team with an exciting new menu that is true to herself / Danielle Tensuan, Joan Dolina, Gorgina Gorospe, Miko Calo, Reeya Gloriani, and Bianca Aragon](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/MIKO-CALO-BANNER-All-Female-Team-1-HIGHRES-scaled.jpg) *Chef Miko Calo leads an all-female team with an exciting new menu that is true to herself* / *Danielle Tensuan, Joan Dolina, Georgina Gorospe, Miko Calo, Reeya Gloriani, and Bianca Aragon* Some noteworthy collaborations since 2022 encompass a Six Hands Dinner with Chef Romaine Dupeyre and Chef Adrien Castillo of Racines, Hong Kong; “Queens” with Chef Erica Paredes of Reyna, Paris and “Her” with Chef Pam Pichaya Soontornyanakij of Potong, Bangkok both held in Metronome, Manila; “Filipinas” with Chef Johanne Siy of Lolla, Singapore and Chef Margarita Forés of Lusso, Manila which took place at both Lolla, Singapore and Lusso, Manila; a Four Hands Dinner with Chef Stephane Duhesme of Metiz, Manila; “Roots” with Chef Jordy Navarra of Toyo Eatery, Manila and Chef Bruce Ricketts of Mecha Uma, Manila held in Metronome; and a Four Hands Dinner with Chef Bettina Arguelles of Sofitel Manila, which was also hosted by Metronome. [READ ALSO: Superb Collaboration: A Four Hands Finale Featuring Culinary Geniuses Chefs Chele Gonzalez and Miko Calo ](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/dining/superb-collaboration-a-four-hands-finale-featuring-culinary-geniuses-chefs-chele-gonzalez-and-miko-calo/) ## **Creativity Unleashed** On how this residency in Makati Shangri-La is different from her previous endeavors and collaborations, she reveals, “Collaborations have allowed me to be creative but I also had to take into consideration what my collaborator was creating. My previous endeavors had brand parameters and expectations that I had to adhere to. While this menu, I basically did what I wanted to do.” ![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Miko-Savory-Sable-21174-scaled.jpg) *Savory Sablé (black bean-cacao sablé, black pepper-pecorino sablé, taba ng talangka sablé)* Elaborating further, Miko shares that the cuisine is rooted in technique, personal experience, and a newfound confidence. In addition, guests can expect fun, indulgent, and familiar flavors. ![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Miko-Calo-Boudin-Etag-_.jpg)![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Miko-Calo-Egg-CeEpes_3-1.jpg)*Boudin & Etag (boudin noir a la royale, etag, pork jus, shallots, chives, almonds) and Eggs & Cepes (soy marinated 64 egg, sautéed cépes mushrooms, wasabi, potato purée)* She continues, “The conceptualization process was just really me pushing myself to do what’s been in the back of my mind for a long time now.” ![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Miko-Calo-Duck-Foie-Gras_3.jpg)![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Miko-Calo-Gambero-Rosso-Caviar_1.jpg)*Duck Magret & Foie Gras (miso-cured duck breast, braised leeks, pickled red radish, foie gras gastrique) and Gambero Rosso & Caviar (poached gambero rosso, baeri caviar, capellini, chives, tomato water)* Makati Shangri-La’s general manager, Jonathan Reynolds, shares the reason behind their invitation for this residency, saying that their partnership with Chef Miko Calo came about quite organically. They initially reached out to local celebrity chefs they can feature at Sage. ![Potato & Butter (potatoes, butter, milk)](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Miko-Potato-Butter-21503-scaled.jpg) *Potato & Butter (potatoes, butter, milk)* Miko shared that she had been looking for a venue where she could continue creating her unique cuisine while supporting her team of chefs. What started as an idea for a wine nights or a pop-up evolved into a full residency. ![Chef Miko Calo's Pigeon & Kamias whole Brittany Pigeon, kamias glaze, caramelized onions, shallot crisp, potato gratin](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Miko-Calo-Pigeon_1.jpg) *Pigeon & Kamias whole Brittany Pigeon, kamias glaze, caramelized onions, shallot crisp, potato gratin* Jonathan says, “During our first meeting, Miko mentioned that she felt good when she saw our message, felt like perfect timing for her—everything just aligned!” Furthermore, he believes that Miko is a prominent figure in the Philippine dining scene, sharing, “Chef Miko’s residency at Makati Shangri-La fits perfectly with our commitment to developing new and inventive and dining options. This is actually the first of a several launches we have planned across the next eight months.” ![Chef Miko Calo's Peach & Durian (peach coulis, peach jam, durian espuma, elderflower savarin)](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Miko-Calo-Peach-Durian_2.jpg) *Peach & Durian (peach coulis, peach jam, durian espuma, elderflower savarin)* On what makes this offering different and exciting, Jonathan says that for the first time, Makati Shangri-La, Manila has partnered with a local chef for a residency. While they typically feature guest chefs from their sister properties abroad for food festivals lasting about two weeks, this collaboration marks an exciting new direction. ![Chef Miko Calo's Chocolate & Orange (chocolate namelaka, hazelnut praline, hazelnut chantilly, hazelnut crocanti, candied orange peel, paté sablée)](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Miko-Chocolate-Orange-21238-scaled.jpg) *Chocolate & Orange (chocolate namelaka, hazelnut praline, hazelnut chantilly, hazelnut crocanti, candied orange peel, paté sablée)* Jonathan shares, “Known for her expertise in French culinary techniques infused with global and local flavors, Chef Miko curates an extraordinary dining experience that blends international flair with local inspiration, celebrating the richness of our local culinary scene.” He reveals enthusiastically, “Guests can look forward to an extraordinary dining experience featuring a one-of-a-kind menu crafted by Chef Miko specifically for this residency. Each dish reflects her signature fusion of French techniques and vibrant global flavors, perfectly paired with signature cocktails by award-winning mixologist Arcadius Rybak.” ## **A Passion For Beverages** Speaking of Arcadius. This menu has another aspect to be explored: the signature drinks he created. On how the partnership came to be, Arcadius shares, “This collaboration was born out of a shared vision to create a unique dining experience that highlights the best of Filipino flavors with a modern twist. Both Makati Shangri-La and Chef Miko Calo have a strong commitment to showcasing local ingredients, and I saw an opportunity to bring my expertise in mixology to complement their culinary excellence.” ![Beyond cocktails, Arcadius Rybak hopes that guests "discover something new about Filipino ingredients and leave with a greater appreciation for the artistry of mixology.”](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/MIKO-ARCADIUS-1-scaled.jpg) *Beyond cocktails, Arcadius Rybak hopes that guests “discover something new about Filipino ingredients and leave with a greater appreciation for the artistry of mixology.”* Born and raised in Poland, Arcadius cultivated his love for culinary arts as a young child, frequently dining with his parents. His education includes studying in Hotel Management in Poland, participating in an exchange program in Greece, and working in resorts on Corfu Island. He then discovered his passion for beverages by working in the bar department. After going home to Poland to continue his education, he took another exchange opportunity at the prestigious culinary school, Lenotre in Paris. Since then his experience spanned Europe and Asia: the 16th century boutique hotel Langshott Manor in the UK where he worked alongside talented chefs from three Michelin star restaurants to five star hotels; the Covent Garden Members Club in the UK as assistant general manager; Zuma where he oversaw the beverage program in Hong Kong, Bangkok, and Phuket; Rosewood Hotel Hong Kong as bar director for their flagship opening, managing all beverage elements in the rooms, residences, nine F&B concept outlets, while focusing on the cocktail bar, DarkSide. ## **Multiple Accolades** Both Zuma and DarkSide received multiple awards under his leadership from awarding bodies such as Asia’s 50 Best Bars, The Bar Awards, The Asian Club and Bar Awards, Drinks World, Foodie Forks, Stelliers Awards, The World’s 50 Best Bars, Time Out Hong Kong Best Bar Awards, Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Awards, among others. Arcadius has also participated in high-profile events like the F1 in Monaco, managing the beverage side of things, and a Fashion TV beach party in Monaco. ![The award-winning mixologist, Arcadius Rybak, is known to infuse the unexpected in his creations](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/MIKO-ARCADIUS-2-1-scaled.jpg) *The award-winning mixologist is known to infuse the unexpected in his creations* Known for creating a sense of surprise and fun, Arcadius replaces familiar ingredients with unexpected substitutes featuring similar profiles like lipstick for a waxy texture, plankton for matcha notes, hay for complex tea aromas, and Hinoki cypress for a citrus kick. After Hong Kong, Arcadius moved to the Philippines with his family to start an F&B consulting agency with his wife, called Good Vibes Only. They are currently working on several projects in the Philippines and Asia. ## **A** Shared Vision When asked what excites him the most about this partnership, Arcadius says, “Collaborating with Chef Miko Calo is a thrilling experience because of her deep understanding of Filipino flavors and her dedication to refining them into something extraordinary. Watching her using French techniques with local flavors is something that reflects my style. Working with such a prestigious venue as Makati Shangri-La also offers the perfect setting for these drinks, elevating them in a way that truly honors Filipino ingredients and craftsmanship.” ![Arcadius Rybak joins Chef Miko Calo during her residency at Makati Shangri-La until December 14, 2024](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Miko-Arcadius-2-scaled.jpg) *Arcadius joins Chef Miko Calo during her residency at Makati Shangri-La until December 14, 2024* Arcadius adds that in order to develop the signature drinks to complement this menu, he spent time understanding the elements of Miko’s dishes–both the flavors and the story behind each one. The drinks were crafted to enhance and echo these flavors without overpowering them, focusing on balance and harmony. They aimed for each cocktail to stand on its own yet seamlessly blend with the menu. ## Presenting Filipino flavors in a new light He elaborates on what makes the line-up unique and special, saying, “The drinks incorporate Filipino ingredients in ways that highlight their versatility and elevate them in a globally inspired style. He enthuses, “We’ve created a lineup that is not only true to local flavors but also reflects innovative techniques and a contemporary aesthetic. This blend of tradition and innovation makes each drink memorable I believe.” On what he loves about local ingredients, Arcadius shares, “The richness of Filipino ingredients is truly inspiring, and I wanted to celebrate their unique flavors while presenting them in a new light. Showcasing these local elements also aligns with my goal of promoting Filipino culture,ingredients and people behind each ingredient on an international stage.” He believes the Philippines has so many natural treasures that are not given due value compared to international ingredients. For those trying the signature drinks for the first time, Arcadius encourages guests to approach them with curiosity. Each one is crafted with a story behind it, rooted in Filipino heritage yet presented in a modern context. On the learnings he gained while curating the drinks for Miko’s menu, he reveals, “One of the biggest discoveries was the untapped potential of local ingredients when combined in unconventional ways. It’s been fascinating to see how traditional flavors can be reimagined with innovative techniques and unique pairings, bringing out new dimensions in taste and experience in simple ways.” ## **A Warm Invitation** Arcadius is thrilled to offer his new creations, saying, “I’d like to invite everyone to experience these signature drinks as part of a journey into Filipino culture and flavor. This collaboration is more than just cocktails; it’s a celebration of local ingredients and the creativity that goes into elevating them. We hope to inspire others to appreciate and explore the richness of Filipino cuisine and mixology.” Miko shares how excited she is to have been given the opportunity to create a new menu and serve dishes that are more personal. She says, “Makati Shangri-La in particular was a big part of mine and my family’s special meals growing up. Also, to be given a chance to work alongside an internationally known brand as a Filipina chef is an honor.” When asked if there have been any “aha moments” or significant experiences, Miko sums up the residency journey so far, saying: “No aha moments. I’m just really happy to be cooking with my team again. And I believe it comes out in the food that we are making.” As a warm invitation to all, Miko says, “Come and allow me to reintroduce myself to you if I’ve cooked for you before. If I haven’t had the honor of cooking for you before, I’d like to introduce myself to you through this menu.” Jonathan says, “Join us for a one-of-a-kind dining where Chef Miko’s mastery of French techniques meets vibrant local flavors. Experience a residency that brings creativity, passion, and unforgettable flavors!” *Miko Calo at Makati Shangri-La runs until December 14, 2024. Reservations are available for dinners only from Monday to Saturday. Call +632 8813 8888 or email dining.makati@shangri-la.com to book your table.* Photos courtesy of Makati Shangri-La, Manila. **Categories:** Dining **Tags:** Chef Miko Calo, Makati Shangri-la, Miko Calo --- ### [Fukui: The Most Interesting Japanese Region You’ve Probably Never Heard Of](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/travel/fukui-the-most-interesting-japanese-region-youve-probably-never-heard-of/) **Published:** March 11, 2025 **Author:** Mariane Perez **Content:** ## ***Discover a rich tapestry of experiences in Fukui, where tradition, history, and craft thrive. From dinosaur encounters to serene temples and exquisite cuisine, this hidden gem offers a wealth of unforgettable adventures for the discerning traveler.*** “Where are you going again?” friends and family would ask me, even after I had already told them I was heading to Fukui, Japan. Their reaction was expected, as this picturesque locale rich in culinary delights and natural splendor, has yet to be discovered by mainstream travelers. That in itself is part of the appeal for those seeking uncharted tourist territory, or a more intimate encounter with Japanese culture. ![Leaves changing color in Autumn in Fukui Japan](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Screen-Shot-2025-02-28-at-4.30.50-PM.png)Leaves changing colors in Autumn in Katsuyama City, Fukui / Photo courtesy of JNTOLocated on the coastline of the Sea of Japan, the area is famous for its fresh seafood—such as Echizen crabs in winter, Fukui *amaebi* shrimps in the summer, and a year-round bounty. Its Wakasa beef, a local brand of premium *wagyu*, and its sake are not to be missed. It is also home to the Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum, considered one of the best in the world, as well as the centuries-old Eiheiji Temple. A mélange of artisanal crafts—from lacquerware to pottery and even knife smithing—are still practiced in the area, and continue to be revitalized through modern innovations. Guests can even try their hand at these traditional arts through special workshops and tours. ![Cherry blossoms bloom in Katsuyama City in Fukui Japan ](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/cherry-tree_Katsuyama-Hoda-2.jpg)Cherry blossoms bloom in Katsuyama City, Fukui / Photo courtesy of JNTOBoth cozy and dynamic, Fukui is truly a remarkable destination rich with history and culture. Nestled between the sea to the west and mist-kissed mountains to the east, its majestic landscape is a nature lover’s dream. And while it’s a worthwhile destination on its own, its accessibility to tourist hotspots like Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto, makes it an inspired addition to any Japan itinerary. [READ ALSO: Japan In A Heartbeat: When Wanderlust Wins](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/travel/japan-in-a-heartbeat-when-wanderlust-wins/ "READ ALSO: Japan In A Heartbeat: When Wanderlust Wins") ### **Getting to Fukui & the Courtyard by Marriott Fukui Hotel** With the extension of the Hokoriku Shinkansen line to Tsuruga in Fukui, it has become even easier to visit this up-and-coming region. The trip via bullet train takes less than three hours from Tokyo Station, and goes through a scenic route of Japan’s countryside. If you prefer a more direct approach, a flight from Haneda Airport in Tokyo to Komatsu Airport in Fukui takes a little over an hour. While in Fukui, one can choose between traditional inns, or modern hotels like the [Courtyard by Marriott Fukui](https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/kmqcy-courtyard-fukui/overview/ "Courtyard by Marriott Fukui"). As the tallest building in the prefecture, the hotel offers a spectacular view of the city, ready to be explored. The rooms are remarkably spacious, with a cozy, minimalist feel. Breakfast features a delightful mix of Western comfort food and traditional Japanese cuisine. ![The view from the hotel, Courtyard by Marriott in Fukui Japan](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/IMG_7059-2-scaled.jpg)![The cozy guest rooms at Courtyard by Marriott Fukui, in Japan](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/IMG_7012-2-scaled.jpg)The Courtyard by Marriott Fukui features spectacular views of the city, as well as guest rooms that are cozy and modern ### **Ancient Bones: The Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum** A few minutes from the hotel is the JR Fukui Railway Station, which, via the WOWRIDE IKOSSA Fukui GO, takes you to the dinosaur museum. The special bus features extended reality (XR) technology, with virtual windows showcasing scenes of dinosaurs roaming the countryside, or even interacting with the bus. ![The main hall at the Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/IMG_7019-2-scaled.jpg)The main hall at the Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur MuseumUpon arriving at the [Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum](https://www.dinosaur.pref.fukui.jp/en/), visitors are greeted by an egg-shaped structure designed to mimic the rolling hills of the surrounding area through innovative technology. Designed by renowned architect Kisho Kurokawa, the museum was built near the original excavation site where dinosaur fossils were first found. At this site, six new dinosaurs, like *Fukuiraptor* or *Fukuisaurus*, and one new bird species unique to Fukui were discovered. ![The Fu](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/IMG_7016-2-scaled.jpg)![The Fukuiraptor is a unique species discovered in Fukui](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Fukui-Portrait-Photos-15.png)A life-sized diorama depicting dinosaurs from the Mesozoic era; The *Fukuiraptor* is a unique species discovered in Fukui ![The Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum's central rotunda](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/IMG_7017-2-scaled.jpg)The central rotunda at the Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum As visitors explore the large dome, they will be transported to the dinosaur era. Massive fossils and realistic dinosaur animatronics fill the exhibition hall, set amidst dioramas and other depictions of prehistoric creatures. A special viewing room takes you back in time, from the present to 120 million years ago in Fukui. Finally, cap off your educational trip with a special dinosaur-themed meal at the museum’s restaurant. ![A video installation at the Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum in Japan](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/IMG_7020-2-scaled.jpg)A video installation featuring the evolution from dinosaur era to the modern times in Fukui ### **Journey Into Zen: Eiheiji Temple** A trip to Fukui is also a journey into tranquility, and a way to nourish the soul. Perhaps nowhere is this more evident than in [Eiheiji Temple](https://daihonzan-eiheiji.com/en/), a 13th century monastery. Nestled deep within cedar-covered mountains, the complex comprises more than 70 buildings, connected by walkways and punctuated by pocket gardens and towering trees. ![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Black-and-Yellow-Stripes-Landscape-Thank-You-Note-Card-4.png)Eiheiji Temple in Fukui is located deep in the mountains on the western coast of JapanThe name Eiheiji translates to The Temple of Eternal Peace in English. Established in 1244 by Dogen Zenji, the father of Soto Zen Buddhism in Japan, the famed temple remains a working monastery where more than a hundred monks reside. ![One of the inner courtyards at Eiheiji Temple, a monastery with more than 70 buildings in Fukui Japan](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Black-and-Yellow-Stripes-Landscape-Thank-You-Note-Card-1.png)One of the inner courtyards at Eiheiji Temple, a monastery with more than 70 buildingsOur group was fortunate to visit Eiheiji Temple on December 8, a Buddhist holiday known as Bodhi Day. While there was a mild flurry of activity, the atmosphere remained serene. We climbed the stairs to explore the various halls, rewarded with stunning glimpses of Fukui’s natural beauty. A highlight is Sanshokaku, a reception hall with ceilings adorned with striking paintings of Japanese flora and fauna. ![The Shanshokaku Hall at Eiheiji Temple](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/A%C2%A9Daihonzan-Eiheiji_3.jpg)The Shanshokaku Hall at Eiheiji Temple / Photo courtesy of JNTO![The ceiling of Shanshokaku hall features 230 paintings of Japanese flora and fauna in Fukui Japan](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Black-and-Yellow-Stripes-Landscape-Thank-You-Note-Card-2.png)Shanshokaku Hall’s ceiling features 230 paintings of Japanese flora and fauna### Connecting with Tranquility: Hakujukan Inn Surrounding Eiheiji are numerous accommodation options, and the modern *ryokan* [Hakujukan](https://www.hakujukan-eiheiji.jp/en/index/) being highly recommended. This quaint inn is an elegant study in contrasts, embracing tradition through its aesthetic and adherence to Zen while offering all the amenities of a contemporary establishment. Gazing out the window through Japanese paper screens, guests are rewarded with a view of the pristine Eiheijigawa River. ![The entrance facade of Hakujukan in Fukui Japan](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Fukui-Landscape-Photos.png)The entrance of Hakujukan Inn in Fukui ![The gorgeous view outside Hakujukan in the Fall in Fukui Japan](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Fukui-Landscape-Photos-2.png)The gorgeous view outside Hakujukan Inn in the Fall The establishment also has an open-air *onsen* (or public bath), allowing guests to relax in its warm waters. Visitors may also join the monks in prayer during morning service at the Eiheiji Temple. ![Guest rooms at Hakujukan in Fukui Japan](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/20201116_hakujukan_26_amvxto.jpg)The serene guest rooms at Hakujukan are a mix of Eastern traditions and Western elements![The open-air bath at Hakujukan allows guests to relax in its warm waters in Fukui Japan](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/20201116_hakujukan_28_ceohi9.jpg)The open-air bath at Hakujukan, where guests can relax in its warm waters Dining at [Restaurant Suisen](https://www.hakujukan-eiheiji.jp/en/restaurant/ "Restaurant Suisen") in Hakujukan is a pleasurable experience that introduces travelers to a variety of Japanese gastronomic delights. During our stay, dinner was a multi-course meal featuring seafood, vegetables, grilled meats, tofu and soup. Breakfast was equally delicious, served as an array of delicate plates, including warm congee and a selection of side dishes. ![A Dainomono dish of grilled chicken, tofu, mushroom and vegetables at the Hakujukan dinner in Fukui Japan ](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Fukui-Portrait-Photos-5.png)![A selection of sashimi was part of the traditional dinner at Hakujukan](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Fukui-Portrait-Photos-4.png)Grilled chicken soup with tofu and vegetables; A selection of sashimi was part of the traditional dinner at Hakujukan ![A kaiseki dinner at Hakujukan features a variety of dishes and a wealth of flavors](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/20201116_hakujukan_21_qcoztl.jpg)A *kaiseki* dinner at Hakujukan featured a variety of dishes and a wealth of flavors / Photo courtesy of JNTO### **Cultural Wonders: Echizen’s Great Buddha and the Katsuyama Castle Museum** Another Buddhist landmark is the [Echizen Daibutsu](https://enjoy.pref.fukui.lg.jp/en/spot/spot-10/), or the Great Buddha of Echizen. The statue is considered the largest seated Buddha in Japan, and is situated in a complex that also houses the country’s tallest pagoda. It is flanked by four towering Bodhisattva statues, along with more than a thousand smaller statues lining the walls of the serene hall. ![The Echizen Daibutsu complex ](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Screen-Shot-2025-02-28-at-4.39.46-PM-2.png)The Echizen Daibutsu complex / Photo courtesy of JNTOThe Daishizan Seidaiji Temple complex was built in 1987 by Katsuyama businessman Kiyoshi Tada. Incidentally, he was also instrumental in establishing the nearby [Katsuyama Castle Museum](https://enjoy.pref.fukui.lg.jp/en/spot/spot-92/). ![The Great Buddha of Echizen Daibutsu, surrounded by hundreds of smaller statues in Echizen Daibutsu Fukui Japan](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/IMG_7027-scaled.jpg)![A stone line stands guard at the entrance of the Great Hall of the Echizen Daibutsu in Fukui Japan](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Fukui-Portrait-Photos-6.png)The Great Buddha of Echizen Daibutsu, surrounded by hundreds of smaller statues; A stone lion stands guard at the entrance of the Great Hall Katsuyama Castle, the tallest in Japan, features breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding cities. With its traditional architecture, and the idyllic fields and mountains surrounding it, gazing out from its observation deck feels like stepping back in time. Visiting in late autumn, we saw the Hakusan mountain range dotted in vibrant hues of crimson and marigold, shrouded in a silver veil of mist. ![Katsuyama Castle Museum in the fall in Fukui Japan](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Fukui-Portrait-Photos-8.png)![Sachihiko are half-fish half-tiger. This one sits at the top of Katsuyama Castle Museum in Fukui Japan](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Fukui-Portrait-Photos-7.png)Katsuyama Castle Museum in the Fall; Sachihoko, mythical creatures which are half-tiger and half-fish, are depicted on castle and temple rooftops as they are believed to guard against fire![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Fukui-Landscape-Photos-3.png)A panoramic view of the Hakusan mountains and surrounding lands from the observation deck of the Katsuyama Castle MuseumThe building also houses artifacts dating back up to 700 years. Visitors can explore an impressive collection of samurai armor and swords, calligraphy, and embroidery from the Qing Dynasty of China. ![A vintage kimono on display at the Katsuyama Castle Museum in Fukui Japan](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Fukui-Portrait-Photos-10.png)![Samurai armor, among other artifacts, can be seen at the Katsuyama Castle Museum in Fukui Japan](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Fukui-Portrait-Photos-9.png)Vintage kimonos and samurai armor, among other artifacts, can be seen at the Katsuyama Castle Museum ### **Flavors of Fukui: Ichimonme and Europa-Ken** Enjoying local food is certainly a highlight of any trip, and the culinary scene at Fukui does not disappoint. A 13-course *omakase* dinner at [Ichimonme](https://www.instagram.com/machisushi.ichimonme/?hl=en) was an immersive experience. The cozy sushi spot seats a little over a dozen people, with trained sushi chefs meticulously preparing every dish with grace and precision. ![Ichimonme in Fukui, Japan](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Fukui-Portrait-Photos-13.png)![The chefs at Ichimonme train for years before becoming qualified to serve omakase sushi dinners in Fukui Japan](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Fukui-Portrait-Photos-14.png)At Ichimonme in Fukui, Japan, the chefs train for years before becoming qualified to serve omakase sushi dinnersThe restaurant also boasts the freshest seafood, purchased from the local market that very morning and displayed on a wooden tray for customers to see. The chefs then transform into artists, carefully selecting fish and ingredients, as if painting with a full palette. The result: *nigiri* that captivates the taste buds. ![Mackerel nigiri over red vinegar rice in Fukui Japan](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Fukui-Portrait-Photos-11.png)![For the omakase, chefs choose the finest fish from a display to craft each nigiri](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Fukui-Portrait-Photos-12.png)Mackerel *nigiri* over red vinegar rice; For the *omakase*, chefs choose the freshest fish from a wooden display to craft each piece of sushiThere were exceptional courses featuring favorites such as salmon, shrimp, and tuna. The salmon egg *nigiri* burst with briny flavors, while the *tamago* was sweet and fluffy. Expanding one’s palate was part of the experience with the introduction of seasonal ingredients. These included gizzard shad, which had a fishy richness; torched sea bream served with lemon and salt; and bluefish, with its rich, buttery flavor. Served over red-vinegared rice and paired with sake, it was an enriching meal. ![Grilled bluefish, with gizzard shad nigiri in the ](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Fukui-Portrait-Photos-16.png)![Hayaseura sake, from a local Fukui brewery](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Fukui-Portrait-Photos-17.png)Grilled bluefish and gizzard shad sushi; The omakase dinner was accompanied by sake from local Fukui brand HayaseuraFor those who prefer heartier fare, nothing is more comforting than Sauce Katsudon at Europa-ken. This is Fukui’s regional take on the Japanese favorite, where juicy pork cutlets are dipped into sauce while still hot. This variation was created by Europa-ken’s founder more than a hundred years ago, inspired by his travels to Germany. ![Sauce Katsudon at Europaken in Fukui Japan](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Fukui-Landscape-Photos-4.png)Sauce katsudon at Europaken ### **Haute Cuisine: Soba Yamaya and Sake Tasting at ESHIKOTO** Fukui’s gastronomy is an homage to the seasons, epitomizing *omotenashi*, the Japanese concept of mindfulness and hospitality. This philosophy is also reflected in the country’s tradition of haute cuisine, called *kaiseki-ryori*, where a series of the most exquisite morsels are served one-by-one in small, elegant plates. With a focus on using ingredients at their peak freshness, *kaiseki* serves as a microcosm of the larger environment. They also showcase the culinary artistry of the chefs, as Japanese cuisine emphasizes enhancing natural flavors rather than overpowering them with seasonings. ![Soba Yamaya at Eshikoto complex in Fukui Japan ](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Screen-Shot-2025-02-28-at-4.39.10-PM.png)Soba Yamaya at the ESHIKOTO complex / Photo courtesy of JNTOWithin the ESHIKOTO complex is Soba Yamaya, where lunch is served with a view of the surrounding hillsides. The space blends modern architectural lines with exposed natural wood beams. The meal began with *goma-dofu*, a tofu-like dish paired with sesame, wasabi and miniature flowers.This was followed by a delightful array of flavors and textures, from *dashi* egg rolls to tangy seafood dishes. ![A selection of delectable morsels at Soba Yamaya in the Eshikoto complex](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Fukui-Portrait-Photos-21.png)![Grilled sea bream with gingko seeds](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Fukui-Portrait-Photos-20.png)A plate of delicious morsels— egg roll, mushroom mousse with strawberry, inara sushi, and ayu or sweetfish; Grilled sea bream with gingko seeds The bonito fish served rare with chili vinegar sauce offered a piquant balance of acidity and sweetness. It was followed by perfectly grilled sea bream, its skin so crispy that the contours of its scales were visible, while the meat remained soft and buttery. Next came a plate of seafood and vegetable tempura, leading up to the main attraction— the cold buckwheat soba. ![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Fukui-Portrait-Photos-23.png)![Shrimp, mushroom and lotus root tempura](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Fukui-Portrait-Photos-24.png)Goma-dofu, a tofu look-alike, is served with wasabi and sesame; Shrimp, mushroom, and lotus root tempura ![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Fukui-Landscape-Photos-8.png)Juwari soba, made of buckwheat, is served with a daikon radish and dashi sauceLocated in the middle reaches of the Kuzuryu River, ESHIKOTO is also home to Hareya (a bakery), Anshukuen ESHIKOTO (an auberge), and Ishidaya ESHIKOTO (a sake store). It can be said that the latter started it all, as the complex was founded and is run by the Kokuryu Sake Brewing Company. At their shop, one can sample a selection of *sake,* or rice wines. A highlight of the experience was the refreshing sparkling sake, which was sweet and bubbly like champagne. There was plum wine, or *umeshu*, as well as their classic sake, which was bright and clean-tasting. ![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Fukui-Portrait-Photos-18.png)![Sake barrels decorate the shop at Eshikoto](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Fukui-Portrait-Photos-22.png)A curated selection of sakes for the tasting session; Sake barrels are a nod to the origins of the ESHIKOTO complex, which was founded by the Kokuryu Sake Brewing CompanyIt is no surprise that Fukui is home to numerous sake breweries, as the region is known for its exceptionally pure waters. These waters originate from the Hakusan mountain range, where melting snow flows into the rivers and rice fields, creating the perfect conditions for sake production. ### **French Flair: Dining at La Clarté** The concept of mindfulness towards the land’s bounty seems second nature to Fukui’s culinary minds. At upscale French restaurant [La Clarté](https://www.instagram.com/la_clarte_kagura/?hl=en) KAGURA in Tsuruga City, chef-owner Hikari Matsushita artfully adjusts her menu to reflect the nuances of seasonal produce. Her ‘drinkable salad’, for instance, is a flavorful soup made from 10 vegetables, varying on what is fresh and available. ![Chef Hikari Matsushita, who is likewise the owner of La Clarté, putting the finishing touches to her dishes](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Fukui-Landscape-Photos-10.png)Chef Hikari Matsushita, who is likewise the owner of La Clarté, putting the finishing touches to her dishesShe began with a cauliflower spring roll, followed by a seasonal salad topped with a special egg and ham that she personally cured. Her scallop ceviche was sweet and tender, while the amatriciana pasta was a savory marvel finished with smooth Buffalo mozzarella. ![Scallop ceviche with local Fukui tomatoes](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Fukui-Portrait-Photos-25.png)![Seasonal salad on Ann upcycled glass plate](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Fukui-Portrait-Photos-27.png)Scallop ceviche with local Fukui tomatoes; Seasonal salad on an upcycled glass plateThen came an extraordinary main course: Wakasa beef grilled to perfection and served with red wine, mustard, and *shoyu* sauce. The beef was everything good beef should be —melt-in-your-mouth tender, with a buttery texture and a burst of that coveted umami flavor. ![Wakasa beef with wine, mustard and shoyu sauce](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Fukui-Portrait-Photos-26.png)![Cheesecake at La Clarte in Tsuruga Fukui](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Fukui-Portrait-Photos-28.png)Wakasa beef with wine, mustard, and shoyu sauce; Dessert was a creamy cheesecake The atmosphere at La Clarté KAGURA is elevated yet relaxed. Chef Hikari graciously explains each dish upon serving. She also shared that the restaurant used to be a tailoring shop, which explains the sewing machine décor. Additionally, some of her glass plates were upcycled from the former display cases that once lined the walls. ### **Culinary Treasures: The Origins of Miso and Kelp** It is worth noting that Fukui has long been synonymous with exceptional food and high-quality ingredients. In the 8th century, its southern region was designated as a *miketsukuni*, or “imperial food province”, tasked to supply food to the emperor and the palace court. Today, traditional Japanese cuisine or *washoku* has been recognized by UNESCO as part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This designation honors its deep respect for nature and sustainability, as well the skills and customs associated with it. One indispensable part of this cuisine is *miso*, or fermented soybean paste, so versatile that it is used in everything from soups to stews. ![A variety of miso at the Komego miso shop](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Fukui-Portrait-Photos-31.png)![Miso demonstration](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Fukui-Portrait-Photos-32.png)A variety of miso at the Komego miso shop; Our miso sommelier torches the miso onigiri made during classFounded in 1831, the [Komego](https://www.komego.com/en/) *miso* shop prides itself on being the official provider of *miso* to Eiheiji Temple. Here, we had the privilege of learning about the history of this ingredient, and even tried our hand at preparing our own miso soup for lunch. The factory offers visitors a peek into the *miso*-making process, as well as the opportunity to learn about the different kinds of *miso*, which vary depending on its components and length of fermentation. ![Japanese lunch with miso soup, rice ball, salad, chicken and more ](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Fukui-Landscape-Photos-5-1.png)After the factory tour, lunch consisted of the miso soup and onigiri made during the demonstration, alongside other delectable bitesAnother essential ingredient in Japanese cooking is kelp, or *kombu*. It plays a key role in many local dishes, often boiled to make *dashi-kombu* stock and sometimes used as a topping. Tsuruga City in Fukui, located near the coast, is a major producer of this prized product. *Kombu* is typically harvested in Hokkaido, where the rich, nutrient-filled waters allow it to grow large and healthy. ![A selection of different kinds of dried kombu at Okui Kaisedo in Fukui](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Fukui-Portrait-Photos-33.png)![Extremely rare kombu kelp, which has been aged for 35 years at Okui Kaisedo in Fukui](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Fukui-Portrait-Photos-35.png)A selection of kombu kelp at Okui Kaiseido, including a rare variety that has been aged for 35 years (right)Established in 1871, [Okui Kaisedo ](https://okuikombu.com/)continues this tradition, creating premium variations of this essential ingredient. The taste varies depending on the cape from which the kelp was harvested, and the length of aging, resulting in a wealth of umami flavors. The shop is also known for producing the labor-intensive *oboro kombu*, which involves softening the kelp in vinegar before shaving it into tissue-thin strips by hand. ![Kelp is aged in special rooms at Okui Kaisedo in Fukui Japan](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/a%C2%82%C2%A4a%C2%83%C2%A1a%C2%83%C2%BCa%C2%82%C2%B7a%C2%82%C2%99c%C2%94a%C2%83%C2%8Fa%C2%A5%C2%A5ao%C2%95ae%C2%B5%C2%B7c%C2%94%C2%9Fa-%C2%82ae%C2%98%C2%86a%C2%B8%C2%83e%C2%94%C2%B51.jpg)Kelp is aged in special rooms at Okui Kaisedo / Photo courtesy of JNTO![An expert at Okui Kaisedo shaving tissue-thin sheets of oboro kombu by hand in Fukui](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Fukui-Landscape-Photos-12.png)An expert at Okui Kaisedo shaving tissue-thin sheets of oboro kombu by hand### **Art of the Table: Ryusen Hamono and Kinkori Shikkiten** Food, of course, cannot be prepared without the tools of the trade. At [Ryusen Hamono](https://ryusen-hamono.com/en/), the traditional techniques of knife-making have been refined and handed down from generation to generation. Knives produced at this artisanal shop are sharp enough to cut paper in midair or slice the thinnest slivers of vegetables with one hand. They are sought after by chefs worldwide, not only for their sharpness, but also for their beauty and usability. ![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Fukui-Portrait-Photos-36.png)![Knives, of varying grades, at Ryusen Hamono in Fukui](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Fukui-Portrait-Photos-34.png)Ryusen Hamono steak knives, with its signature ripple pattern, spotted at La Clarté; Knives of varying grades at Ryusen HamonoAdditionally, the blades feature a delicate water pattern reminiscent of moiré fabric. The design is produced by folding different types of metal to create layers, much like the process of creating croissants. Naturally, given the nature of the material, this process is extremely difficult and requires immense skill. Furthermore, these mesmerizing ripples are tied to the brand’s name—“*Ryu*” means dragon in Japanese, while “*sen*” refers to spring water. Visitors to the nearby factory can even try their hand at crafting these gorgeous implements. ![Ryusen in Fukui creates Echizen Uchihamono or blades](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Fukui-Portrait-Photos-37.png)![A blacksmith intently polishing a knife at Ryusen Hamono in Fukui](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Fukui-Landscape-Photos-9.png)Ryusen Hamono in Fukui creates *Echizen Uchihamono* or blades, which are crafted at their factory Fukui is also known for traditional crafts, boasting a long history of elegant lacquerware production. [Kinkori Shikkiten](https://craftinvitation.jp/en/spot/kinkorishikki/) is a prime example, offering visitors not only the chance to shop for these beautiful items but also to participate in workshops where they can paint their own. The workshop is led by the gentle-mannered Mr. Kinkori, who hand-mixes the resin paints and patiently gives step-by-step instructions on applying the thick pigment to wooden bowls. Interestingly, the lacquer—derived from the sap of the *urushi* tree—hardens with humidity, making this craft particularly well-suited to Fukui’s coastal climate. ![Mr. Kinkori demonstrates how to apply lacquer onto wooden bowls in Fukui Japan](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Fukui-Portrait-Photos-29.png)![This vibrant shade of cobalt lacquer was specially developed by Mr. Kinkori](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Fukui-Portrait-Photos-30.png)Mr. Kinkori demonstrates how to apply lacquer onto the wooden bowls, particular this vibrant cobalt blue shade that he especially developed and is exclusive to his shop Next to the nearly century-old Kinkori Shikkiten is the decidedly modern [SAVA! STORE](https://www.instagram.com/savastoreshop/ "SAVA! STORE"). This well-curated shop offers a selection of locally made items such as eyeglasses, fabrics, food, pottery, and more. These products are both trendy and innovative, and with an emphasis on sustainability. Among them were earrings crafted from the plastic cast-offs from eyewear manufacturing, as well as handmade recycled paper. ![Sava! Store carries a curated selection of innovative and trendy products designed and crafted in Fukui Japan](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Fukui-Landscape-Photos-13.png)Sava! Store carries a curated selection of innovative and trendy products designed and crafted in Fukui ### **Rediscovering Tradition: Mikuni Minato and Yuraku Ryokan** Fukui is also a place where gentle waves of nostalgia seep in. Here, a slower pace of life amid vast stretches of nature harks back to simpler times. In the small port town of Mikuni Minato, historic tea houses made of wood and stone stand. Upon entering one such enclave—the cozy Takeyoshi—we were treated to a traditional *shamisen* performance by Ms. Naganuma as we sipped freshly made matcha. ![Shamisen teahouse Takeyoshi located in the historic port town of Mikuni Minato in Fukui](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Fukui-Portrait-Photos-39.png)![Shamisen teahouse Takeyoshi located in the historic port town of Mikuni Minato in Fukui](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Fukui-Portrait-Photos-38.png)Shamisen teahouse Takeyoshi, located in the historic port town of Mikuni Minato, provides guests with an authentic Japanese matcha experience![Ms. Naganuma of Takeyoshi teahouse delivered a captivating traditional shamisen performance](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Fukui-Landscape-Photos-14.png)Ms. Naganuma of Takeyoshi teahouse delivered a captivating traditional shamisen performance One bus ride later, we found ourselves at [Yuraku](https://awaraonsenyuraku.jp/), a traditional *ryokan* run with sincerity and warmth. Here, guests can experience local life, donning *yukatas* and sleeping on *tatami* mats. Situated in the Awara hot spring area, the *onsens* are prized for their rejuvenating qualities. ![The zen garden at Yuraku ryokan in Fukui Japan](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Fukui-Landscape-Photos-15.png)The zen garden at Yuraku ryokan / Photo by of Belden Yniguez of JNTOThe *kaiseki* meals at this establishment were top-notch. We enjoyed the famed Echizen Gani crabs, which were sweet with a juicy, soft texture. Dinner included an array of fresh *sashimi*, steamed fish, noodles, tofu, pickles, and more—a feast for both eyes and palate. Breakfast at this *ryokan* was also a multi-course affair, beginning with a nourishing selection of vegetables, seafood, pickles, and soup. ![Succulent Echizen crabs were part of the kaiseki dinner at Yuraku](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Fukui-Portrait-Photos-40.png)![A boatload of fresh seafood sashimi accompanied our crab dinner at Yuraku](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Fukui-Portrait-Photos-41.png)Succulent Echizen crabs were the highlight of the kaiseki at Yuraku, which also featured a boatload of fresh *sashimi* ### **Fukui: A Place of Good Fortune** Steeped in history and tradition yet outfitted with all the cosmopolitan comforts, Fukui is a modern explorer’s paradise. It is a place endowed with the luxury of time and space; a respite from the hectic pace of modern life where one can recharge and revel even in its sensorial wonders. Here, nature dazzles, shifting its colors and textures from the greens and sakura pinks of spring to the fiery hues of autumn and the pristine white of winter. ![Autumn in Lake Kuzuryu in Fukui Japan](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Screen-Shot-2025-02-28-at-5.20.08-PM.png)Autumn in Lake Kuzuryu / Photo courtesy of JNTOIt is also here that I had some of the most memorable meals of my life—nourished by the graciousness of the land and the ocean, and, of course, by many generous and talented hands. ![Tojinbo, a one-kilometer stretch of basalt cliffs facing the Sea of Japan, is one of Fukui's most popular scenic spots ](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Screen-Shot-2025-02-28-at-5.21.07-PM.png)Tojinbo, a one-kilometer stretch of basalt cliffs facing the Sea of Japan, is one of Fukui’s most popular scenic spots / Photo courtesy of JNTOAfter a fun, but whirlwind week in Fukui, I felt truly blessed and lucky to have met its warm-hearted people and to have explored its diverse attractions. Perhaps it’s no coincidence that Fukui translates to English as “a place of good fortune.” I can only hope that I’d get the privilege to return to this hidden gem, and discover more of its unique treasures. Special thanks to the Japan National Tourism Office, Prixm, and Wondertrunk. *Banner photo of Maruoka Castle courtesy of the Japan National Tourism Office. Travel photos by Mariane Perez* **Categories:** Travel **Tags:** Buddhism, Courtyard by Marriott Fukui, Craft, Dinosaurs, Echizen Daibutsu, Eiheiji Temple, Eshikoto, fine dining, food, Fukui, Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum, Hakujukan, hotels, Ichimonme, japan, Japanese food, Kaiseki, Katsuyama, Katsuyama Castle Museum, Kelp, Kombu, La Clarte, Lacquerware, Mikuni Minato, Miso, omakase, Rokyo, Ryokan, Ryusen, Sake Tasting, Shinkansen, Shopping, sushi, Tourism, Tsuruga City --- ### ["Dear Evan Hansen" Arrives In Manila In September 2025](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/arts-and-culture/tony-award-winning-dear-evan-hansen-arrives-in-manila-in-september-2025/) **Published:** March 28, 2025 **Author:** The Lifestyle Asia Team **Content:** ## *The Tony Award-winning, coming-of-age musical about belonging and self-acceptance is finally making its way to the Philippines for the first time.* It’s official: the critically-acclaimed musical Dear Evan Hansen is making its way to Manila. Today, GMG Productions confirmed the run of the United Kingdom (UK) touring production of *Dear Evan Hansen*, bringing one of the most celebrated musicals of the past decade to Filipino audiences for the first time. The highly-anticipated production is set to run this September 2025 at The Theatre at Solaire. ![Dear Evan Hansen musical Manila poster](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/DEHPH-Key-Visuals-4x5-Large.jpeg) “Filipino audiences have been asking for Dear Evan Hansen for years, and we’re beyond excited to finally bring this production to Manila,” shares Carlos Candal, Chief Executive Officer of GMG Productions. “The story, music, and message of Dear Evan Hansen resonate so deeply with so many people, and we can’t wait for Filipino fans to experience it live.” READ ALSO: [Global Dance Sensation “Burn The Floor” Comes To Manila In July 2025](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/arts-and-culture/global-dance-sensation-burn-the-floor-comes-to-manila-in-july-2025/#) ## **You Will Be Found: A Story That Speaks To A Generation** *Dear Evan Hansen* tells the story of titular character Evan, a socially anxious high school student longing for a sense of belonging. He finally gets the human connection he seeks when a letter, meant to be a writing exercise, reaches a grieving couple whose son took his own life. ![Dear Evan Hansen musical Manila](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Dear-Evan-Hansen-4-photographer-credit-Marc-Brenner-Large.jpeg) This small misunderstanding spirals into something far bigger than he ever imagined as he faces an impossible decision: tell the truth and lose everything, or embrace a lie that brings him closer to the life he has always dreamed of—but carries its own set of repercussions. As the story unfolds, Evan navigates the complexities of truth, human relationships, and self-acceptance in a world that often feels isolating. ![Dear Evan Hansen Musical Manila 2025](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Dear-Evan-Hansen-3-photographer-credit-Marc-Brenner-Large-edited.jpeg)![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Dear-Evan-Hansen-5-photographer-credit-Marc-Brenner-Large.jpeg)![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Dear-Evan-Hansen-1-photographer-credit-Marc-Brenner-Large.jpeg)The UK production of *Dear Evan Hansen* is produced by ATG Productions, Gavin Kalin Productions, and Nottingham Playhouse. Featuring music by the Emmy, Grammy, Tony, and Oscar-winning duo Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, and a book by Steven Levenson, *Dear Evan Hansen* has been recognized as one of the most impactful musicals of the past decade. ## **Praise For Dear Evan Hansen** It has won four Tony Awards, including Best Musical; the Olivier Award for Best New Musical; and the Grammy Award for Best Musical Theatre Album. “*Dear Evan Hansen* has thrilled audiences on both sides of the Atlantic since it first premiered in 2016. Evan’s powerful story grips and moves people told through a captivating script and musical score,” shares Director Adam Penford. “This exciting UK and International tour production offers the opportunity to reexamine some of its contemporary themes and present this brand-new version to more people.” ![Dear Evan Hansen Musical Manila 2025](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Dear-Evan-Hansen-2-photographer-credit-Marc-Brenner-Large.jpeg) *Dear Evan Hansen* earned praise for its powerful themes and performances, with [*The New York Times*](https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/01/theater/dear-evan-hansen-cast-change-taylor-trensch-review.html) calling it “a breathtaking knockout of a musical,” and [*The Washington Post*](https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/theater_dance/dear-evan-hansen-the-trail-of-a-musical-comet/2017/06/06/bff6d580-4579-11e7-98cd-af64b4fe2dfc_story.html) hailing it as “one of the most remarkable shows in musical theater history.” Critics have also praised the UK tour production, with WhatsOnStage raving, “Voices you could listen to for forever,” Birmingham Mail calling it “truly breathtaking,” and Nottingham Post declaring it “one of the most relevant, compelling, thought-provoking musicals I’ve seen… and it’s also hugely entertaining.” *Dear Evan Hansen will run this* ***September 2025*** *at the Theatre at Solaire, with the Manila season presented by GMG Productions.* ***Tickets will officially go on sale on April 15, 2025 exclusively via TicketWorld.*** *Theatre fans can also enjoy early access through UnionBank of the Philippines, GMG Productions’ official 2025 season bank sponsor and pre-sale partner, or join the GMG Dear Evan Hansen waitlist at* [*www.gmg-productions.com*](https://www.gmg-productions.com/)*. The pre-sale period runs from April 8 to 14, 2025.* *Stay updated on upcoming productions by visiting* [*www.gmg-productions.com*](https://www.gmg-productions.com/) *or following @gmg.productions on social media.* Photos by Marc Brenner, courtesy of GMG Productions. **Categories:** Arts & Culture **Tags:** Broadway Musicals, Dear Evan Hansen, GMG Productions, manila musicals 2025, Musical, musical theater, musical theater manila, musicals, musicals 2025, musicals manila, Performing Arts --- ### [Trattoria Treats: An Authentic Slice Of Italy Arrives In Quezon City ](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/dining/trattoria-treats-an-authentic-slice-of-italy-arrives-in-quezon-city/) **Published:** January 27, 2025 **Author:** Pilar Gonzalez **Content:** ## **A newly-opened Italian “trattoria” serves authentic Neapolitan pizzas, calzoni, insalatas, and gelato within a charming space that feels both modern and nostalgic.** In Italy, a “trattoria” is a dining establishment that’s more casual than the “ristorante” (which is usually formal and upscale), typically a small, comfortable family-owned spot associated with hearty meals and heirloom recipes. Now, Filipinos can get a taste of this Italian institution through the newly-opened [Trattoria e Dolci](https://sn.solaireresort.com/dining/trattoria-e-dolci) at Solaire Resort North, which evokes the spirit of its namesake establishment through warm interiors and quintessentially Italian design that feels sophisticated while remaining accessible. ![Inside Trattoria e Dolci](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Photo-1-Trattoria-e-Dolci-Interior-Large.jpeg)Inside Trattoria e Dolci ![Photos by Pilar Gonzalez](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/photo_2025-01-27-1.53.46%E2%80%AFPM.jpeg)![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/photo_2025-01-27-1.53.42%E2%80%AFPM.jpeg)Photos by Pilar GonzalezOf course, what is a trattoria without the deliciously simple yet well-executed dishes that make it a go-to spot for brunches, lunches, afternoon snacks, and everything in between? READ ALSO: [Home Of The Handmade: A Singapore Bakery Brings Its French Delights To Manila](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/dining/home-of-the-handmade-tiong-bahru-bakery-brings-its-french-delights-to-manila/) ## **Trattoria e Dolce Gives Us A Taste Of Italy** The beating art of Trattoria e Dolci are its pizzas. The beloved bread dish is ubiquitous in Italy, a staple food that makes for quick, filling meals, as Sandro Alessandrini, director of Food & Beverage at Solaire Resort North, tells *Lifestyle Asia* in an interview. Beyond pizza, the restaurant also offers a selection of delicious insalatas (salads), calzoni (a “folded” pizza dish with more stuffing), and salami and cheese platters, made with authentic Italian ingredients. ![Neapolitan-style pizzas and insalatas lie at the heart of Trattoria e Dolci's offerings](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Photo-2-Trattoria-pizzas-Large.jpeg)Neapolitan-style pizzas and insalatas lie at the heart of Trattoria e Dolci’s offerings “The food is as close as you can get to \[the ones\] in Italy,” Alessandrini adds. “They’re classic recipes. The tomato sauce that we use, the Parma ham, the mortadella (a type of cold cut), *spianata piccante* (a spicy salami), and the cheeses, most of them are from Italy.” Pizzas come in red and white sauce varieties, from the classics like Margherita, *Funghi* (mushrooms), and *Quattro Formaggi* (four cheeses), to the restaurant’s signature “Trattoria” — an appetizing blend of mortadella, burrata, and ground pistachios, which is a definite must-try. ![Pizzas and calzoni are made in traditional brick ovens from Naples, Italy](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Photo-3-Ortolana-pizza.jpg)Pizzas and calzoni are made in traditional brick ovens from Naples, Italy Guests can watch their baked delights come to life with an open kitchen showcasing the pizzaiolo in action. All pizzas and calzoni are made using traditional brick ovens from Naples, Italy, which lend them those signature, lightly-charred spots found in authentic Neapolitan pizzas. While the restaurant doesn’t have pasta (at least for now), its menu is a streamlined one brimming with a fine selection of dishes for both intimate gatherings and solo dining excursions. ## **La Dolci Vita** The “Dolci” part of the restaurant’s name refers to the other half of its appeal: an entire bar on one side of the space offering 30 handcrafted gelatos and indulgent gelato-based desserts to complement each meal, all served from a bespoke Italian gelato counter. Here, one will find some locally-inspired flavors featuring tropical fruits like mango and banana, alongside the traditional favorites like vanilla and pistachio. ![The "Dolci" section of Trattoria e Dolci serves an assortment of sweet gelato treats](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Photo-4-Dolci-Gelato-Bar-Large.jpeg)The “Dolci” section of Trattoria e Dolci serves an assortment of sweet gelato treats Accompanying desserts is a beverage list consisting of cocktails, non-alcoholic beverages, and coffee made with the Venus Bar— a vertical, “hand-made” coffee machine from [Victoria Arduino](https://www.eurosam.sk/en/znacky/victoria-arduino/#:~:text=This%20vertical%20coffee%20machine%20was,%2C%20elegance%2C%20grace%20and%20femininity.) that pays homage to older models from the 1960s. ![Gelato from Trattoria e Dolci](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Photo-5-Dolci-Gelatos-1.jpg)Gelato from Trattoria e Dolci Speaking of the 1960s, while the soft curves and sleek lines of the restaurant’s interiors give it a more modern feel, there is something undeniably nostalgic about its other design elements. A working jukebox is fixed in a corner of the space, with music from artists like U2, Michael Jackson, Sade, and Fleetwood Mac at the guests’ disposal. ![Elements like the restaurant's Victoria Arduino coffee machine and working jukebox lend it a nostalgic feel](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/photo_2025-01-27-1.53.36%E2%80%AFPM-edited.jpeg)![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/photo_2025-01-27-1.53.34%E2%80%AFPM.jpeg)Elements like the restaurant’s Victoria Arduino coffee machine and working jukebox lend it a nostalgic feelThe cream-colored, speckled terrazzo flooring is reminiscent of those found in old Italian homes, Alessandrino comparing it to the one in his grandmother’s house. He also explains the common use of tiled walls in Italian houses, especially in kitchens, which were easier to clean after cooking compared to wooden ones—this aspect is also present in the restaurant, further enhancing its homey atmosphere. Comfortable seating arrangements and an alluring color palette tie everything together, inviting guests to take it slow and relish in the experiences that make life sweet—things the Italians certainly know a thing or two about. *For more details, reservations, and inquiries about Trattoria e Dolci, visit the Solaire Resort North website at* [*sn.solaireresort.com*](https://sn.solaireresort.com/)*, or contact them at +63 02 8888 8888 or via email at sn.reservations@solaireresort.com to book a table.* Photos courtesy of Solaire Resort North (unless specified). **Categories:** Dining **Tags:** Dining, dining 2025, dining news, dining news 2025, Italian cuisine, italian restaurant, italy, Pizza, Solaire Resort North, trattoria e dolci --- ### [Shattering Records: At Salcedo Auctions’ Marquee Event The Well-Appointed Life Auction Of The Year](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/arts-and-culture/art/shattering-records-at-salcedo-auctions-marquee-event-the-well-appointed-life-auction-of-the-year/) **Published:** September 21, 2022 **Author:** Mawi Fojas De Ocampo **Content:** ## *Records were shattered as collectors vied for blockbuster lots with National Artist Vicente Manansala’s “Vendors” from 1978 leading the way while Ronald Ventura’s “Beasty Eyes” from 2021, matches the bid at P17,240,000*. Salcedo Auctions expresses its “utmost gratitude as it announces the outstanding results of the recently concluded The Well-Appointed Life sale, with National Artist Vicente Manansala’s “Vendors” from 1978 leading the way.” ![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Small-Vendors-Manansala.jpg)Vicente Manansala’s untitled (Vendors), a 1978 oil on canvas, soared to P17, 240, 000The auction house adds, “Soaring to P17,240,000, the vibrant oil on canvas exceeded its pre-sale estimate of P12-14 million. Close on its heels was Ronald Ventura’s goth piece from 2021, ‘Beasty Eyes’ which matched Manansala’s price.” ![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Beasty-Eyes-Ronald-Ventura-Small.jpg)Ronald Ventura’s “Beasty Eyes” from 2021 sold for Php 17,240,000 to match the winning bid for Vicente Manansala’s untitled (Vendors)World records were once again set across various categories and artists, enthralling buyers and art enthusiasts who followed the biddings. Those on the floor for the live bidding broke into applause as the sale for Ramon Orlina’s two glass sculptures from the Tower Club Collection closed at a staggering P7,592,000 each. Just as exciting was the feverish bid for master abstractionist Romulo Olazo’s works. In a tour-de-force showing, the artist’s 48 x 48 inch “Diaphanous 71719” achieved P11,680,000 while his 42 x 84 inch “Diaphanous B-CXIVIII” climbed to P14,016,000, setting new world records for both size and overall price. ![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Diaphanous-B-CXIVIII-Romulo-Olazo-Landscape-Small.jpg)Romula Olazo’s “Diaphanous B-CXIVIII” climbed to P14,016,000As the premiere resource for Juan Luna y Novicio’s works, Salcedo Auctions is “especially pleased to announce a new record for a work on paper based on size, with the artist’s ca. 1887 water color, “Reclining Warrior” selling for P2,102,400.” ![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Small-Reclining-Warrior-Juan-Luna-y-Novicio.jpg)Juan Luna y Novicio’s “Reclining Warrior” sold for P2,102,400Other superlative results included Mauro Malang Santos’ “Yellow Vendor” selling at an astonishing P11,096,000; two 1957 early works from Ang Kiukok’s Bananas series (from the Rufus Phillips collection) selling at a combined total of P9,110,400; and BenCab’s 12 x 11 ½ inch 1969 “Mother and Child” achieving P3,270,400. ![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Small-Yellow-Vendor-Mauro-Malang-Santos.jpg)Mauro Malang Santos’ “Yellow Vendor” sold at an astonishing P11,096,000The brand shares, “Expect the Philippine art market to again adjust its prices based solely on Salcedo Auctions’ verifiable and realistic results as the undisputed barometer of the Philippine art market.” ![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Richie-Lerma-Landscape.jpg)Salcedo Auctions Chairman Richie Lerma at the recently concluded “The Well-Appointed Life” live and online sale.More exciting events are lined up for the auction house’s fourth quarter calendar, which promises to deliver more surprises still. For updates, visit [salcedoauctions.com](https://salcedoauctions.com) and follow [@salcedoauctions](https://www.instagram.com/salcedoauctions/) and its subsidiary [@gavelandblock ](https://www.instagram.com/gavelandblock/)on Facebook and Instagram. **Categories:** Art, Arts & Culture **Tags:** Salcedo Auctions, The Well Appointed Life --- ### [Remembering Pitoy: A Gala Tribute at the M Museum](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/scene/remembering-pitoy-a-gala-tribute-at-the-m-museum/) **Published:** July 6, 2025 **Author:** The Lifestyle Asia Team **Content:** ## **The Metropolitan Museum of Manila’s first Annual Fundraising Gala honored Jose “Pitoy” Moreno’s legacy through fashion, philanthropy, and the enduring power of human connection.** Held on June 28, “Remembering Pitoy,” the first annual fundraising gala of the [Metropolitan Museum of Manila](https://metmuseum.ph/) (the M Museum), commemorated the closing of the *Timeless: J. Moreno* exhibition, which celebrated the legacy of Filipino fashion designer Jose “Pitoy” Moreno. The exhibition itself was launched in February to coincide with what would have been Pitoy’s 100th birthday. Fashion, at its highest expression, is a form of social architecture that creates the conditions for beauty to flourish and find meaning. Pitoy understood this instinctively, which is why the event felt less like a closing ceremony and more like a reunion of family and friends. His former muses, models, brides, and patronesses graced the event, and their presence transformed the evening into a living memoir. READ ALSO: [Fashion’s Living Archives](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/style/fashions-living-archives/) ![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Entrance-1-scaled.webp)![The entrance to the "Timeless: J. Moreno" exhibit at the M Museum; and the set-up of the "Remembering Pitoy" gala ](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Setup-scaled.webp)The entrance to the “Timeless: J. Moreno” exhibit at the M Museum; and the set-up of the “Remembering Pitoy” gala The gala was spearheaded by a dedicated committee chaired by Tina Colayco, President of the M Museum; Doris Magsaysay-Ho, Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees; and Fe Rodriguez, trustee. It was also supported by the creative team of Tina Ocampo and Maricris Floirendo Brias. ## **An Enchanting Evening at the M** The evening’s concept, envisioned by designer-artist Tony Gonzales, transformed one of the M Museum’s galleries into a theater. Floating paper panels created screens for a unique video presentation, with video production by Enzo Razon, Dinesh Mohani, and Gio Panlilo of Tarzeer Pictures. ![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Pitoy-scaled.webp)![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Dinner-scaled.webp)![Visual presentation at the "Remembering Pitoy" gala Pitoy Moreno](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/A-scaled.webp)Visual presentation at the “Remembering Pitoy” galaA four-course dinner was served, created by celebrated chef Gilbert Pangilinan of Kai. Guests dined on long tables topped with an inspired detail: Pitoy’s original sketches silkscreened onto banana paper. The table runners proved so charming that many guests rolled them up like precious keepsakes. This little spontaneous act would have delighted Pitoy, who always understood fashion’s power to create personal meaning. “Pitoy often said that true beauty lives not only in design, but in how we connect with one another,” reflected Doris Magsaysay-Ho, co-chairman of the organizing committee. “Tonight, through your presence, your support, and your stories, you’ve proven that true.” ![The tables were adorned with original sketches of Pitoy Moreno M Museum](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Table-scaled.webp)![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/A-1.webp)The tables were adorned with original sketches of Pitoy MorenoThe evening included a performance by the University of the Philippines (UP) Manila Choir, who celebrated the “Manila sound” of the ’70s, ending with the beloved classic “Bongga Ka ‘Day.” The song even explicitly mentions a Pitoy Moreno outfit as the epitome of class. The choice was both nostalgic and prophetic, acknowledging how deeply Pitoy’s name has become embedded in Filipino cultural and fashion consciousness, suggesting true elegance transcends any particular era. ## **Pitoy and His Legacy of Philanthropy** Perhaps most moving was the gala’s recognition of Pitoy’s philanthropic spirit through the presence of seven former scholars he had supported at his alma mater, the UP College of Fine Arts. Issay Rodriguez, Marian Garcia, Neil Grantoza, Ariel Santillan, Jeana Marie Jose, Carlito Camahalan Amalla, and Digo Acuzar all created artworks inspired by Pitoy’s designs. Their creations were displayed in The M’s foyer and made available for purchase to benefit the museum. “In remembering Pitoy, we remember his spirit of philanthropy,” said Fe Rodriguez, co-chairman of the organizing committee. “Early in his career, it had already become important to him to give back, and give back he did, establishing a scholarship fund that sent talented and deserving students to study at the UP College of Fine Arts, as well as the College of Medicine.” This circle of giving, from Pitoy to his scholars, from his scholars back to the museum, and from the museum to future generations through fundraising efforts such as the gala, embodies the kind of cultural ecosystem that sustains artistic legacy beyond any single exhibition or event. ![A last look inside "Timeless: J. Moreno" exhibit M Museum](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Inside-1-scaled.webp)![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Bridal-2-scaled.webp)A last look inside “Timeless: J. Moreno” exhibit“To all of you who made this evening possible–your presence, your generosity, and your continued support–thank you,” said Tina P. Colayco, president of the M Museum and co-chairman of the organizing committee. “You honor us by standing with Pitoy and The M tonight.” The proceeds from the evening will support the M Museum’s exhibitions, educational programs, and cultural preservation efforts, ensuring the institution’s nearly 50-year mission continues to reach students, teachers, and communities across the country. --- *Photos courtesy of* The Metropolitan Museum of Manila (The M Museum). **Categories:** Art, Arts & Culture, Events, Scene, Style **Tags:** m museum, Metropolitan Museum of Manila, Pitoy Moreno, tina colyaco --- ### [The Rebirth of Lorde with Her Latest Album, "Virgin"](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/arts-and-culture/art/the-rebirth-of-lorde-with-her-latest-album-virgin/) **Published:** July 5, 2025 **Author:** Anya Lagman **Content:** ## **Composer and longtime devotee Anya Lagman on why Lorde’s most vulnerable album yet marks a radical artistic rebirth.** As a longtime Lorde devotee still emotionally tethered to her 2017 sophomore album and masterpiece, *Melodrama*, I approached her latest release, *Virgin*, with anticipation and trepidation. For those less familiar with Lorde’s evolution, she’s been defying pop conventions since bursting onto the scene as Ella Yelich-O’Connor in 2013 with *Pure Heroine*. But it was *Melodrama* that cemented her reputation as one of music’s most compelling storytellers. Her follow-up *Solar Power* leaned into a psychedelic pop aesthetic that she herself described as her “[weed album](https://www.dazeddigital.com/music/article/53746/1/lorde-thought-solar-power-would-be-an-acid-album-turns-out-it-is-a-weed-one).” While I appreciated the refreshing and different sound, part of me continued to cling to the raw emotional intensity that first made me fall in love with her music. Now, four years later, she’s answered our prayers with the *Melodrama*-esque single, “What Was That.” First, we fans might wonder: Is she just making *Melodrama* 2.0? But the album isn’t what you think. *Virgin* presents a raw, introspective, and honest version of Lorde. In a way, we’re virgins to this side of her. And so is she. This is Lorde 4.0. ![Lorde](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Screenshot.webp)Album cover of *Virgin*/Photo courtesy of Lorde’s [Official Website](https://www.lorde.co.nz/) Lorde went all out with her album cover and isn’t afraid to reveal anything, especially with the NSFW insert photo from her vinyl that shook the internet. Some might call it vulgar, but she’s allowing listeners to see right through her, both literally and figuratively, down to her very bones. As someone with [synesthesia](https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/24995-synesthesia), Lorde even described the color of *Virgin* as “[transparent](https://www.nylon.com/fashion/lorde-virgin-fashion-gray-white-transparent).” She’s laying it all out on the table entirely out of her own free will. READ ALSO: [When Music Became The Best Marketing Luxury Brands Could Buy](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/arts-and-culture/when-music-became-the-best-marketing-luxury-brands-could-buy/) What also makes this album especially interesting is that it’s the first time Lorde has released an album as a single woman. Throughout her years in the public eye, she’s always been in relationships. But this is the “virgin” side of Lorde that we’ve never seen before. She’s never truly been alone. Until now. For the first time, she can ask herself honest questions about her femininity, gender identity, and her relationships with intimacy and her eating disorder. Here’s my breakdown of the album and why I think *Virgin* is worth a listen. ## **“Hammer”** On first listen, the album feels like peeling back the layers of an onion and getting down to the core. The deeper you go, the more raw it feels. You might think the opening track, “Hammer,” is just a vibey song (a 2025 version of “[Green Light](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMK_npDG12Q)“). But she quickly challenges that assumption with the line: “Some days I’m a woman, some days I’m a man.” Her music video is an ode to liberation: to being single, exploring identity, and embracing sexuality. From carefree summer days by the lake with friends to letting loose in a nightclub, she pushes the boundaries even further with shots of herself bare in a fishnet. Like capturing a rare species, it makes the rebirth of a new Lorde. She is emerging, becoming, and revealing the rawest version of herself. ## **“What Was That”** You might think “What Was That” is just another *Melodrama*-style track (not that I’d complain). But to Lorde, it’s “[the sound of my rebirth](https://www.businessinsider.com/lorde-what-was-that-lyrics-meaning-explained-2025-4).” It’s the antithesis of *Melodrama*. As she describes it, the song is the sound of a fresh breakup, her decision to stop taking birth control, and her internal battle with an eating disorder. There’s also a sense of nostalgia. Maybe it’s Lorde revisiting the *Melodrama* world one last time, reliving that life just enough to step outside it and ask herself, “What was that?” We, too, must wake up from this fever dream and hear what she’s trying to say. A lot has changed since 2017. So while “What Was That” might give us a nostalgic taste of *Melodrama*, don’t get comfortable. There are still more layers to go. ## **“Shapeshifter”** “Shapeshifter” opens with an obscure beat that makes you wonder: Is this Lorde as a [Powerpuff Girl](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f7MiaSr-0ug&ab_channel=ThePowerpuffGirls)? Then, as more musical elements are layered in, you start to think: Or, is this Lorde in the style of [The Poster Service](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wrsZog8qXg&ab_channel=SubPop)? But maybe that’s what she wants you to think. Throughout the track, Lorde shapeshifts through identities, leaving herself confused and untethered. Amidst all the trials and tribulations, she’s tried not to give herself to anyone, not to get too attached, convincing herself (and us) that she’s “not affected.” But the more she repeats it, the more it’s clear she’s lying through her teeth. As the song nears its end, a creeping bass synth builds, growing heavier and more intense, mirroring her unraveling. All she wants is to “fall.” And by the final note, it’s clear: she’s affected. ## **“Man of the Year”** It’s the song Lorde calls her [proudest on the album](https://www.attitude.co.uk/culture/music/lorde-man-of-the-year-484094/), and it is her response to society’s relentless questioning of her gender identity. She rejects labels and instead crowns herself “Man of the Year.” The song begins stripped back, almost *Solar Power*-inspired, but gradually builds in intensity. By the final third, it bursts into an explosion of emotion, signalling the birth of a new Lorde. In the closing moments of the music video, she’s lying in the dirt like a newborn. She’s been reborn, and she’s afraid no one will love her for who she truly is. ## **“Favorite Daughter”** This track bounces back as an upbeat, happy-go-lucky song, at least on the surface. It feels like listening to someone fake a smile for so long that you start to see how exhausting it is for them. Eventually, you feel exhausted from watching them pretend. While Lorde reflects on the pressure of being a young, accomplished Grammy winner, the song is still deeply relatable to listeners. At its core, it’s a conversation with her mother about the pressure to become something great, not just for ourselves, but for our parents. And often, that pressure isn’t even what they place on us; it’s the weight we put on ourselves. ## **“Clearblue”** “Clearblue” is the core of the metaphorical onion: raw, vulnerable, and so emotional that it stings. It stands out as a purely a cappella track, built from her vocals alone: a vocoder-like harmony of inner voices and silent pauses that make you feel like you’re frozen in fear. It sounds like a reenactment of her taking a [pregnancy test](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clearblue) after unprotected sex. She’s terrified, living on the edge, yet there’s a strange sense of liberation from the layered vocal effects that sound like moans. It feels naked, vivid, and overflowing with emotion. Even if you haven’t experienced it, you can’t help but feel it deeply. ## **“GRWM”** This is Lorde’s attempt to play it cool, stay unattached (like in *Shapeshifter*), and embody what she calls a “[f\*ckgirl](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ndPn-pznykE).” She describes the drums as “bombastic,” yet the harmonies remain mellow and *Pure Heroine*-esque. But through this song, it feels like she’s coming to realize that ever since her debut album, she’s been trying to prove to herself and the world that she’s older, more mature than her age. Yet in all that effort, it seems she still isn’t fully convinced. ## **“Broken Glass”** When writing a song so personal, it’s easy to be too on-the-nose and to the point where listeners might miss the deeper meaning and assume she’s simply stating that she has an eating disorder. But it’s tasteful for Lorde to mask her struggles in a synth-heavy, upbeat pop song like “Broken Glass.” I imagine she wanted a track that she could dance to, a way to shake off the pain in a nightclub. It almost hurts listening to a song that sounds happy but shouldn’t be. But Lorde understands the power of contradiction. Just like so many people who put on a brave face while struggling inside, this song captures just that. And maybe that’s where listeners can find comfort: in their pain, on the dance floor, right alongside her. ## **“David”** “David” feels like a slow descent back to reality, a gentle unraveling from the dreamlike world Lorde has built throughout the album. It’s like watching the denouement of an indie biopic about her life, as if you’re sitting in a movie theater beside her, reflecting on her journey, her career, and the loss of self that came with being told what to do and how to be. But the tension creeps in. The distorted synthesizer gradually builds until it releases the last burst of energy. And suddenly, we’re left with nothing but Lorde asking herself, “Am I ever gonna love again?” It’s the only moment on the album where she feels truly alone, her voice laid bare against a hammer-heavy keyboard. It’s a question she seems to shout into the void. And we’re left waiting for the answer, perhaps for another four years, or until the next album arrives. ## **The Final Verdict** In a world flooded with mass-produced, TikTok-driven songs, we hear an artist who isn’t trying to chase the next big hit or fuel the next *Brat* summer. She tells stories only she can tell. These aren’t songs strictly made to be the soundtrack of a TikTok video, but ones that ask us to slow down and listen to what she has to say. We all know how harmful the music industry can be, especially for artists who rise to fame at a young age. But Lorde has nothing to hide when it comes to the battles in her personal life. She has the strength to turn that pain into storytelling, into a journey you can feel. Even if we don’t know her personally, even if we only know her as Lorde and not Ella, there’s a genuine connection here that long-time fans will deeply appreciate. She’s still here: not selling out, not chasing trends, but making music for herself, and hoping that we’ll embrace *Lorde 4.0* right along with her. --- *Anya Lagman is a 23-year-old award-winning Filipina composer, producer, and pianist based in Los Angeles and Manila. Her work has been featured in the Emmy-winning series Scavengers Reign and Common Side Effects. She has collaborated with ensembles such as the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, and Manila Philharmonic Orchestra, with performances across the US, the Philippines, and Switzerland. Anya graduated summa cum laude with a degree in Composition from the University of Southern California’s Thornton School of Music.* **Categories:** Art, Arts & Culture **Tags:** Lorde, Music --- ### [Birth Of The Innocent: JM Saycon Revisits And Reinvigorates The Classical ](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/arts-and-culture/birth-of-the-innocent-jm-saycon-revisits-and-reinvigorates-the-classical/) **Published:** December 2, 2024 **Author:** Pilar Gonzalez **Content:** ## *JM Saycon’s “Birth Of The Innocent” feels at once classical and contemporary, exploring the inherent innocence of youth, as well as the wisdom and strength of women throughout history.* In his latest solo exhibition—and the first as an exclusive artist of gallery [Art Underground](https://www.aumanila.com/)—JM Saycon explores youth and motherhood in a way that honors history while bringing something new to the table. Entitled *Birth of The Innocent*, his collection of hyperrealistic works consists of oil and acrylic paintings of marble busts that are so finely rendered, one might think they are photographs. ![Works from "Birth Of The Innocent" by JM Saycon ](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/JM-Saycon_2_36-x-36-in_OAC_2024-Large.jpeg)![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/JM-Saycon_1_30-x-24-in_OAC_2024-Large.jpeg)![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/JM-Saycon_2_30-x-24-in_OAC_2024-Large.jpeg)![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/JM-Saycon_1_36-x-36-in_OAC_2024-Large.jpeg)Works from “Birth Of The Innocent” by JM Saycon Bursting forth from their canvases, these statues stand stark against plain grey-white backgrounds, ensconced within shining foil sheets folded into different forms, each one becoming a part of each bust. Faces of women and little girls abound, their expressions serene and sage as they stare off knowingly into the distance. READ ALSO: [Olan Ventura X Ronson Culibrina: A Vibrant Showcase Of Fragmentation And Fusion](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/arts-and-culture/art/olan-ventura-x-ronson-culibrina-a-vibrant-showcase-of-fragmentation-and-fusion/) ## **Creating Marble Out Of Canvas** Saycon’s pieces feel both familiar and new, three-dimensional forms akin to classical marble statues in museums, yet wholly distinct through their aluminum foil structures and two-dimensional formats. It comes as no surprise that these techniques of his have garnered widespread acclaim and attention, even beyond the Philippines, with foreign viewers and collectors flocking to his exhibitions in awe of his mastery over hyperrealism. ![JM Saycon in his workspace](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/JM-Saycon-2.jpeg)JM Saycon in his workspace After graduating with a degree in advertising from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Saycon began building a promising career as an artist, collaborating with institutions like Art Underground while joining numerous competitions and exhibitions. *Birth Of The Innocent* is a culmination of his past efforts, yet also a new chapter to what looks to be a promising art career. ![Close-ups of the impressive details in JM Saycon's works](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/photo_2024-12-02-4.32.27%E2%80%AFPM.jpeg)![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/photo_2024-12-02-4.32.28%E2%80%AFPM.jpeg)![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/photo_2024-12-02-4.32.29%E2%80%AFPM.jpeg)Close-ups of the impressive details in JM Saycon’s works“We were able to bring his work to Madrid, and also Fukuoka, Japan,” explains Deseree Mapandi, gallery manager of Art Underground. “There’s been great traffic. Viewers are very amazed with how finely painted they are. The pieces have really captured the international market, and we’re already in the process of holding another show in Madrid because of how good the reception was.” ![JM Saycon](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/JM-Saycon-1-Large.jpeg)JM Saycon It usually takes months for Saycon to finish a single piece—from gathering inspiration to setting up reference materials, sketching, and painting. “It really takes a long time, though getting all the details right really makes me happy,” Saycon tells *Lifestyle Asia* (the writer has translated sections of the interview from Tagalog to English). ## **Birth Of The Innocent: An Ode to Women And Children** *Birth of The Innocent* is partly a tribute to Saycon’s late mother, who passed away during the COVID pandemic. The care he put into it, and the elements of her maternal spirit, are evident across many of the pieces. Women with kind, gentle expressions are focal points of the collection, while babies or little girls also capture the imagination with their sweet, innocent poses. ![Women and children are the chosen subjects of JM Saycon's latest collection of works](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/JM-Saycon_3_48-x-36-in_OAC_2024-Large.jpeg)![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/JM-Saycon_1_36-x-36-in_OAC_2024-Large-1.jpeg)![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/JM-Saycon_1_48-x-36-in_OAC_2024-Large.jpeg)Women and children are the chosen subjects of JM Saycon’s latest collection of worksUsually, busts are made to honor powerful or influential figures, from military leaders of bygone empires to today’s presidents. Through his latest collection, Saycon is honoring women and children in a similar fashion, highlighting the beauty of their innocence, purity, wisdom, intelligence, and compassion. “I really believe in gender equality,” Saycon shares. “Everyone deserves the same rights; women are being recognized, and should continue being recognized, in this day and age.” ## **Homage to History** Saycon pulls inspiration from a myriad of sources—though in *Birth of the Innocent*, specifically, the influence of history and the humanities is prominent. Marble busts pay homage to classical works, evoking the spirit of artists like Michaelangelo and Gian Lorenzo Bernini. Aluminum foil is not just a fresh, playful nod to today’s era in these paintings: Saycon uses it as a symbol of preservation, much in the same way we use the material to protect and extend the shelf life of consumable goods like food. ![JM Saycon uses foil not just as a captivating element, but also a conceptually compelling one that emphasizes the importance of preserving history ](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/JM-Saycon_2_48-x-36-in_OAC_2024-Large.jpeg)JM Saycon uses foil not just as a captivating element, but also a conceptually compelling one that emphasizes the importance of preserving history “I’m really into history and the humanities; I watch a lot of documentaries about these topics,” the artist explains. “But I notice that some of us tend to forget about history or the past; we don’t take care of its legacies, so that’s why I wanted to create pieces that would remind viewers to look back.” Perhaps this is also what draws many people, myself included, to Saycon’s works: with such limited space, and with nothing but brushes, paint, and canvas, he can capture a space—even a part of art history—while injecting it with something novel. Not everyone has the resources to bring home a whole marble bust, but Saycon’s works may just be the next best thing, which is exactly what makes them so alluring. *Birth Of The Innocent runs at Art Underground until December 5, 2024. Art Underground is located on the second floor of Mabini180, 180 Mabini St, San Juan, and is open from Monday to Saturday, 10:00 A.M. to 7:00 P.M.* Photos courtesy of Art Underground (unless specified). **Categories:** Arts & Culture **Tags:** 2024 art exhibitions, Art, art exhibition, art exhibition 2024, art exhibition news, art underground, birth of the innocent, Exhibition, Filipino artist, Filipino Artists, jm saycon --- ### [Life Within: The Intricate Garments Of Alvin Florentino](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/arts-and-culture/art/life-within-the-intricate-garments-of-alvin-florentino/) **Published:** October 10, 2024 **Author:** Pepper Teehankee **Content:** ## *“Life Within,” the third solo exhibition of Alvin Florentino, explores aspects of the human experience through ornate paintings of children’s clothing pieces.* Filipino artist Alvin Florentino is getting recognized more and more these days. He created a stir at the last Art in the Park when his paintings were immediately bought and people wanted more, but there were only two available. ![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Alvin-Florentino.jpg)Alvin Florentino READ ALSO: [](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/arts-and-culture/)[New Personal Record: Ronald Ventura’s “State of Bloom” Sells For $4.7M](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/arts-and-culture/art/new-personal-record-ronald-venturas-state-of-bloom-sells-for-4-7m/) He recently had his third solo exhibition called [“Life Within” at J Studio](https://www.instagram.com/p/DAUdShRz9qR/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== "“Life Within” at J Studio") where he showcased a dozen 24 x 18 inch works and two 4 x 3 foot works. All 14 were sold. His paintings depicted clothing of children. Looking at these closely would show very detailed work reminiscent of icing on a cake. The artist has had two solo exhibitions in the past — “Narrative Threads” in 2016 and “Clash of Nature” in 2017. He has also joined several group exhibitions including those at the Affordable Art Fair in Singapore in 2014 and Art Jakarta in 2015, and was part of a group show at Galleria Camay in both New York and Hong Kong in 2019. !["Bloom" by Alvin Florentino](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Screenshot-3004.png)“Bloom” Born in Sorsogon in 1990, Alvin studied at EARIST Manila (Eulogio “Amang” Rodriguez Institute of Science and Technology), which awarded him an Outstanding Student Award of the College of Architecture and Fine Arts. He is a multi-awarded artist who has won several accolades including the Grand Prize at the *Araw ng Kagitingan* Painting Competition in 2008. He was also a Grand Prize Winner in the calendar category and a finalist in the watercolor category at the Shell Student Art Competition in 2012, and a Grand Prize Winner at Metrobank Art and Design Excellence Painting Competition (oil/acrylic category) in 2013. He has been a finalist in several other painting competitions as well. !["Fair"; "Brave"; "Soft"; "Hope"; "Integrity"; and "Gentle" by Alvin Florentino](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Screenshot-3002.png)![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Screenshot-3003.png)![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Screenshot-2998.png)![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Screenshot-3000.png)![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Screenshot-2999.png)![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Screenshot-3001.png)“Fair”; “Brave”; “Soft”; “Hope”; “Integrity”; and “Gentle”Art critic Philip Paraan writes on the exhibition notes: “He invites us to look with a soft poetic gaze at colorful clothes of young children as human portraits. Through these paintings, he not only asserts their bodily presence but their threatened existence and possibly how we can avert it. In the details of these items of clothing, he provides a mysterious, coded yet readable statement and profile the legible identities of each wearer and their fragile nascent states that radiates not just beauty but such unquestionable essence and ‘life within.’ These colorful clothes may be immediately ghostly and poignant in appearance, but they do reveal some expressive means that evoke hope, faith, enthusiasm and promise that are able to come into terms with the current quandaries of our troubled humanity.” Whatever these paintings may convey, they are truly a joy to look at. *J Studio is located at Pasillo 18, La Fuerza Gate 1 Compound, 2241 Chino Roces, Makati City. Email* [*jstudiogallery2017@gmail.com*](mailto:jstudiogallery2017@gmail.com) *for inquiries.* Photos courtesy of J Studio. **Categories:** Art, Arts & Culture **Tags:** alvin florentino, art exhibition, art exhibition 2024, art exhibitions, Filipino Artists --- ### [2021 Recap: 8 of Our Favorite Fashion Collaborations, 'Swaps,' and ’Hacks' of the Year](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/style/2021-recap-8-of-our-favorite-fashion-collaborations-swaps-and-hacks-of-the-year/) **Published:** December 13, 2021 **Author:** Mica Cruz **Content:** ## ***The list includes Tiffany & Co.’s week-old collaboration with Patek Philippe, which already has pieces auctioned for 100 times its retail price.*** Whether it’s to tap a new market for themselves or further heighten their luxurious image, fashion brands have been collaborating with not only each other but with companies outside their realm. After all, there hasn’t been a shortage of disruptive collaborations throughout this year. READ ALSO: [Good Game: 4 Of This Year’s Gucci Collaborations, From Fashion Collections To Gaming Consoles](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/style/good-game-4-of-this-years-gucci-collaborations-from-fashion-collections-to-gaming-consoles/) But has the fashion industry been pushing “collabs” too much? According to global sales, the market size was valued at $110.64 billion despite the pandemic last year. And in a report by [*Business Wire*](https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211111005638/en/Global-Luxury-Fashion-Market-2021-to-2026---Key-Players-Include-Armani-Burberry-and-Chanel-Among-Others---ResearchAndMarkets.com), it will grow to $153.97 billion by 2026. Even though great fashion is subjective, numbers don’t lie. In line with this, here are some of our favorite fashion collaborations, “swaps,” and “hacks” of the year. The eight examples are just some proof that creativity will always find a way to thrive despite a persisting pandemic. ## **Gucci x Balenciaga** To mark Gucci’s centenary year, the two [Kering](https://www.kering.com/) brands dubbed their partnership as “The Hacker Project.” Instead of marketing the collaboration as a seamless merging of Gucci and Balenciaga’s design elements, the former’s creative director Alessandro Michele aimed to “contaminate” the latter’s classic pieces. > [View this post on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/p/CWX_tNaN-up/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading)[A post shared by Gucci Official (@gucci)](https://www.instagram.com/p/CWX_tNaN-up/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading) The idea birthed a collection of unapologetically monogram and logo-centric garments, shoes, bags, and leatherwear. ## **Rick Owens x Dr. Martens** The American designer is known for his dark sensibility and inclination to a gothic-grunge aesthetic, while Dr. Martens is a 74-year-old British brand famous for its functional footwear styles. One of their collaboration’s highlights is Owens’ take on DM’s 1460 Bex boot, where he incorporates pentagram lacing just like from designs in his own footwear line. ![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/DM-x-RO.jpg)Rick Owens’ take on Dr. Martens’ 1460 Bex boot / Photo from drmartens.com## **Patek Philippe x Tiffany & Co.** Here’s the newest collaboration on the list as it just launched last week, and it made headlines yesterday with its special “Tiffany Blue” Nautilus for Patek Philippe’s 170th anniversary. The watch auctioned for over $6 million or 100 times its retail price. In addition, according to Thierry Stern, Patek Philippe’s president, “there is a secret on every piece,” which added more intrigue for watch enthusiasts, collectors, and bidders. > [View this post on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/tv/CXJGwI_lV8F/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading)[A post shared by Tiffany & Co. (@tiffanyandco)](https://www.instagram.com/tv/CXJGwI_lV8F/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading) ## **Paul Smith x Mini Cooper** Who says fashion has to stop at your wardrobe? [Paul Smith and Mini Cooper’s partnership ](https://www.mini.com/en_MS/home/automotive/ministrip.html)showed us what two British heritage brands could do for a more sustainable (and stylish) automotive industry. With a theme titled “Simplicity, Transparency, Sustainability,” Paul Smith reimagined the car company’s well-known MINI Cooper SE. They utilized 3D-printed recycled plastic and rubber, while parcel shelves are made of cork and door handles constructed from wound-climbing ropes. ![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/PS-X-MC.jpg)Paul Smith’s sustainable design for Mini Cooper’s MINI Cooper SE / Photo from paulsmith.com## **Louis Vuitton x Fornasetti** Although their collection offers everything from clothing to accessories, we consider its bags the highlights—especially since Louis Vuitton rarely offers their iconic designs for reinterpretation. “Exploring the Fornasetti archives had the excitement of an archaeological dig, searching for and finding drawings from the past to give them a new life for Louis Vuitton—for now, and the future,”[ LV’s artistic director Nicolas Ghesquière](https://www.lifestyleasia.com/sg/style/fashion/louis-vuitton-fornasetti-bag-collection-2021-guide/) said. The collaboration incorporated Fornasetti’s prints into LV’s Petite Malle, Keepall Bandouliere 45, and Capucines MM. > [View this post on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/p/CSbhxA8pWqp/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading)[A post shared by JESSICA Magazine (@jessicamagazinehk)](https://www.instagram.com/p/CSbhxA8pWqp/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading) ## **Kai x Gucci** Here’s another Gucci collaboration we consider noteworthy—their collection inspired by Kai, the Teddy Bear. It’s named after Kim Jong-in or Kai of K-pop group EXO, [Gucci’s first Koren Global Brand Ambassador](https://nightcityclothing.com/blogs/blog/exo-s-kai-the-first-korean-to-lead-as-gucci-s-global-brand-ambassador-here-s-why). The collection of menswear, womenswear, handbags, footwear, and accessories aims to take you back to your childhood with its playful designs. Gucci x Kai reminded us that even the world of high-fashion isn’t that serious—no matter your age, there’s always room to have fun. > [View this post on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/p/CMgGuOBp0Kh/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading)[A post shared by KAI GUCCI (@kai.gucci)](https://www.instagram.com/p/CMgGuOBp0Kh/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading) ## **Fendi x Versace** Although it’s technically not a collaboration, since the two brands communicated that it’s a “swap,” it’s worth adding to our list of fashion partnerships of the year. If you consider the term “collab” saturated at this point, Donatella Versace and Silvia Venturini Fendi broke the trend by designing for each other’s brands instead of working together. > [View this post on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/p/CXCQ2SgBVda/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading)[A post shared by EXPS🦋|Luxury Personal Shopper| (@luxurystyletransformation)](https://www.instagram.com/p/CXCQ2SgBVda/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading) In the Versace family palazzo in Milano, Fendi and Versace showcased [“Fendace,”](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/style/on-fendance-donatella-versace-and-silvia-fendis-sunday-showdown-was-a-creative-swap/) where each house’s show was split into two segments. The designers never created pieces outside their respective families’ fashion brands, but it happened out of their “love for each other.” ## **Louis Vuitton x NBA** Last year, Louis Vuitton announced a three-year creative partnership with the National Basketball Association (NBA). “This collection celebrates the cultural contribution of basketball and its diverse characters, and the idea of relatability as a force of unity,” LV’s men’s artistic director Virgil Abloh said before his [unprecedented passing](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/scene/gone-too-soon-virgil-abloh-meanswears-biggest-star-passes-away-at-41/) last month. > [View this post on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/p/CH10DA9nny7/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading)[A post shared by 20s 🇰🇷 ㅈㅅ (@suungjuuun)](https://www.instagram.com/p/CH10DA9nny7/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading) Under Abloh, the collaboration unified French craftsmanship and American sports with emblems of the two institutions through clothing and accessory lines. Banner photo from @zkdlin on Instagram **Categories:** Style **Tags:** collaborations, Fashion collaborations, Fendi, Gucci Collaborations, Louis Vuitton, Patek Philippe, Tiffany & Co., Versace --- ### [Game Face: Adidas Launches Sportswear Label With Jenna Ortega As Face](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/style/adidas-sportswear-label-jenna-ortega-face/) **Published:** February 10, 2023 **Author:** Ratziel San Juan **Content:** ## ***On Wednesdays, we wear Adidas.*** Adidas has launched its first new label in five decades. READ ALSO: [What Would Wednesday Wear: ‘Wednesday’ Looks Ranked By Jenna Ortega Herself](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/scene/what-would-wednesday-wear-looks-ranked-jenna-ortega/) Coined “[Adidas Sportswear](https://news.adidas.com/sportswear/adidas-launch-new-label--sportswear--with-actress--advocate--producer-and-style-icon--jenna-ortega/s/8bdaa3d1-0a64-4642-97b3-14920bfcb508),” the label will feature activewear for everyday movements and occasions. Jenna Ortega joins the brand as the face of its new label and “All That You Are” campaign. “The way I express myself. Whether this is vocally or aesthetically is something I personally put a lot of energy into. As I know how much power it can have in inspiring others. Embracing all that I am and all that I stand for continues to be a journey and through new experiences. I am learning and discovering more sides to myself,” Ortega said. The AVRYN (shoe) and Tiro Suit (tracksuit), in particular), front the new sportswear line. “I am a huge advocate of expressing all your different pursuits, passions, and traits, whether that is through what you do, what you wear or what you champion – which is why I was so excited to work with Adidas on this new label,” Ortega concluded. Banner Photo by Adidas via [website](https://news.adidas.com/sportswear/adidas-launch-new-label--sportswear--with-actress--advocate--producer-and-style-icon--jenna-ortega/s/8bdaa3d1-0a64-4642-97b3-14920bfcb508). **Categories:** Style **Tags:** Adidas, Jenna Ortega --- ### [Holiday Surprises: Taupe By Chef Francis Tolentino Pops Up At The Balmori Suites](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/dining/taupe-by-chef-francis-tolentino-pops-up-at-the-balmori-suites/) **Published:** November 25, 2024 **Author:** Pepper Teehankee **Content:** ## *Taupe by Chef Francis Tolentino Unveils an exclusive Chef’s Table Experience, “A Tribute to Local Ingredients,” at The Balmori Suites.* [Taupe by Chef Francis Tolentino](https://www.instagram.com/taupedining/?hl=en "Taupe by Chef Francis Tolentino") offers an extraordinary culinary experience with its pop-up at The Balmori Suites in Rockwell, Makati City. This exclusive offering showcases à la carte dishes that combine the finest Filipino ingredients with global flavors, highlighting the chef’s innovative approach to modern cuisine. Each dish is a testament to his mastery of blending local traditions with international techniques, creating an experience that is both familiar and re-imagined. Building on his success with Taupe in Bonifacio Global City, Francis embarks on creating exciting dishes at The Balmori Suites, bringing modern cuisine to an intimate setting. The Balmori pop-up offers a deeper sense of sophistication. ![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Chef-Francis-Tolentino.jpg)Chef Francis Tolentino READ ALSO: [Storied Noodles: Celebrating A 100-Year-Old Pasta](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/dining/storied-noodles-celebrating-a-100-year-old-pasta/ "Storied Noodles: Celebrating A 100-Year-Old Pasta") The menu at The Balmori pop-up features two types of à la carte offerings: the best of the signature debut menu and Balmori exclusive creations. The signature debut menu showcases timeless dishes like the 36-hour Kurobuta and the *Uni* & Blue Crab starter combination. For guests wanting something unique, the Balmori exclusives present special creations only available at this location, including the Sous Vide Smoked Pork Chop and Scallops and *Osciètre* Caviar Pasta. ![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Black-Truffle-Pasta.jpg)![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Burnt-Coconut-Tuna-Soup.jpg)![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Cauliflower-Corn.jpg)![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Tiger-Prawn-Pasta.jpg)Black Truffle Pasta; Burnt Coconut Tuna Soup; Cauliflower & Corn; Tiger Prawn PastaThis holiday season, Taupe by Chef Francis Tolentino was actually given an extended run until January 5, 2025 due to the number of diners that came for the pop-up. They will be offering a special Christmas menu to celebrate the season’s festive spirit. This exclusive holiday offering includes a selection of dishes that capture the warmth and joy of Christmas. One of these dishes will be lobster pasta with pistachio cream. As the year draws to a close, guests can enjoy a unique experience at Balmori, with a spectacular New Year’s Eve countdown celebration, complete with a front-row view of the fireworks display to ring in the New Year in style. The holiday menu will be served starting December 3, 2024. ![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Garlic-Roasted-Chicken.jpg)![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Peach-Berries-Salad.jpg)![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Scallops-Oscietre-Caviar-Pasta.jpg)![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Sous-Vide-Smoked-Pork-Chop.jpg)![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Seabass.jpg)![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Brioche-Butter.jpg)Garlic Roasted Chicken; Peach & Berries Salad; Scallops & Oscietre Caviar Pasta; Sous Vide Smoked Pork Chop; Seabass; Brioche & ButterTo make the most of the holiday season, Taupe is hosting weekend events in collaboration with Philippine Wine Exchange, showcasing an exquisite selection of wines and champagnes that perfectly complement the flavors of the menu. Taupe’s new Afternoon Café offers a perfect escape, featuring a special collaboration with Single Origin for an array of coffee creations that highlight classic, Balmori-exclusive brews and coffee cocktails. Kuysen and Paola Lenti have also teamed up to provide the perfect al fresco setting, with beautifully designed furniture that enhances the café experience. This new offering promises a relaxed yet refined space where guests can indulge in exceptional coffee, fine wines, and champagnes. Set within the luxurious and elegant ambiance of The Balmori Suites, Taupe’s pop-up at The Chef’s Table offers an ideal environment for intimate gatherings, special occasions, or simply an indulgent escape to celebrate the holiday season in style. Reservations are recommended for this limited-time offering, running until January 5, 2025. Operating hours for Taupe at The Balmori Suites are: **Tuesday – Sunday: 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. (À la Carte) | 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. (Afternoon Cafe)** **6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. (À la Carte, except Wednesday)** **Wednesday: 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. – Nostalgia Tasting Menu (by reservation only)** **Holiday Schedule:** **December 24, 2024 : 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. | December 25, 2024 : 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.** **December 31, 2024 – 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 a.m. | January 1, 2025 – Closed** *For inquiries or reservations, call or message (0961) 1974987. Check out [www.taupedining.com](https://www.taupedining.com/).* **Categories:** Dining **Tags:** chef francis tolentino, dining event, dining events, dining events 2024, dining pop-ups, francis tolentino, Pop-up, pop-up restaurant, taupe, taupe dining --- ### [Gallery By Chele Explores The Tree Of Life](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/dining/gallery-by-chele-explores-the-tree-of-life/) **Published:** February 21, 2025 **Author:** Pepper Teehankee **Content:** ## *Gallery By Chele presents its new menu “The Tree Of Life,” which redefines what the ever-versatile coconut can do.* José Luis “Chele” Gonzalez is the driving force behind [Gallery by Chele](https://gallerybychele.com "Gallery by Chele"). Born in Torrelavega, Spain, he received his culinary degree from Arxanda in Bilbao. Stints at some of the world’s most renowned restaurants—including some three Michelin Stars and World’s 50 Best Restaurants such as Nerua, El Bulli, Arzak, Mugaritz, and El Cellar de Can Roca, to name a few—have honed his approach to cooking into an entire philosophy that revolves around his passion for travel, together with his deep respect for local culture, flavors, and cooking techniques. ![Chef Chele Gonzalez](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Chef-Chele-Gonzalez-Large.jpeg)Chef Chele Gonzalez READ ALSO: [Gallery By Chele And Huset: A Taste Of The North Pole](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/dining/gallery-by-chele-and-huset-a-taste-of-the-north-pole/) He first came to the Philippines on a whim and served in the kitchens of some of the country’s top hotels such as Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts and Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila. Eventually, he decided to put his distinct approach to cooking to the test and set up Gallery Vask, which went on to become one of the Philippines’ most acclaimed restaurants, garnering two back-to-back accolades in Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants’ prestigious annual list. Chele’s philosophy now finds its ultimate expression in Gallery by Chele, inside both the kitchen and Stvdio Lab, the restaurant’s hub for creation and innovation and its research and development kitchen. ![Lutong Bahay (Binakol); Patapulpo; Tamales; and Uni Crisp with pomelo, cacao nibs, and alamang Tree of Life menu](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Lutong-Bahay-Binakol-Large.jpeg)![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Patapulpo-Large.jpeg)![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Tamales-Large.jpeg)![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Uni-Crisp-with-pomelo-cacao-nibs-alamang-scaled.jpg)Lutong Bahay (Binakol); Patapulpo; Tamales; and Uni Crisp with pomelo, cacao nibs, and alamangAfter a highly successful Cacao menu, Chef Chele Gonzalez, executive sous chef Carlos Villaflor, and the team at Gallery by Chele present “The Tree of Life” tasting menu, showcasing the infinite possibilities of coconut. “The Tree of Life” refers to the coconut tree, which takes a central role in Filipino culture due to its abundance in the islands and its versatility. Almost every part of the coconut tree can be utilized, whether it is for building shelter or turning its various parts into clothing or tools for daily utilities such as a broom or *bunot* (floor scrubber). The fruit that is available all year round is used in preparing food and beverages. At Gallery by Chele, the coconut has become one of the most important ingredients in their cuisine. Over the years, Gonzalez, Villaflor, and team have developed several techniques and elaborations on how to integrate this tropical fruit into their dishes. Its versatility as an ingredient makes the coconut essential not only to Gallery, but also in the culinary landscape of the Southeast Asian region. From coconut water and milk, to sugar and syrup, and to different fermentations like vinegar, alcohol, and *nata de coco*, they utilize every part of this tropical fruit in a variety of ways, which resonates with their drive for sustainability. ![Wagyu and Buko Salad Tree of Life menu](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Wagyu-Large.jpeg)![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Buko-Salad-Large.jpeg)Wagyu and Buko SaladChele has always acknowledged the significance of the coconut in Asian cuisine, but its more traditional applications might not have always coincided with his culinary ideologies. “The coconut can sometimes be very heavy and can be overpowering in the mouth,” he admits. But, with the research and development they have done for the menu, Gonzalez was able to express the flavors of coconut in more innovative ways. “We were able to incorporate the coconut in ways that were very fine, subtle, and elegant. We tried our best to make the style and flavors seamless, making it a more beautiful and exciting journey for those who will experience it.” The Tree of Life menu takes diners on a journey through the immersive dining experience that Gallery by Chele has become known for. Guests are given a tour around different locations within the restaurant, along with interesting sips and bites that the team has developed in their Stvdio Lab, before they are led back to their table where the multi-course meal will be served. Gonzalez’s culinary philosophy has always centered on redefining luxury through local ingredients, and coconut is a prime example of this approach. For this new tasting menu, he and his team not only showcase the different parts of the fruit that can be used for various purposes, but also the interesting flavors and textures that were conjured using the different applications. ![Nata de Coco; Grouper Pilpil; Blinis and Ikura; Coconut Sago Tree Of Life menu](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Nata-de-Coco-Large.jpeg)![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Grouper-Pilpil-Large.jpeg)![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Blinis-and-Ikura-Large.jpeg)![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Coconut-Sago-Large.jpeg)Nata de Coco; Grouper Pilpil; Blinis and Ikura; Coconut SagoOne of the menu highlights is *nata de coco*, a Filipino delicacy made from coconut water, which undergoes a process of fermentation and pasteurization that turns the clear liquid into a thick, jelly-like mass. He also had a *blinis* and *ikura* (salmon roe) starter where the *blini* (Russian pancake) takes a crunchy crystal-like form and is topped with coconut foam and *ikura*, producing a bite filled with texture and flavor. Then there is *pil pil* – a classic Basque way of cooking where fish (usually cod) is gently poached in olive oil and served with an emulsion sauce made from the olive oil and the cod’s natural juices, forming a thick gelatine-like consistency. Chele uses local *lapu-lapu* (grouper) and adds coconut cream to the sauce. ![Coconut Roquefort and Kamote Camembert tree of life menu](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Coconut-Roquefort-and-Kamote-Camembert-Large.jpeg)Coconut Roquefort and Kamote Camembert Wait until you try the creative cheeses made by Chele and his team. This includes a previously introduced *kamote* (sweet potato) camembert and a new coconut Roquefort cheese, which is as good as it sounds. These are just some of the exciting ways the Gallery team is showcasing their mastery of the ingredient in the Tree of Life menu. *The Tree of Life tasting menu comes in six or ten courses and is currently available at Gallery by Chele located at the 5th floor of CLIPP Center, 11th Avenue corner 39th Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. Message or call (0917) 5461673 for inquiries or reservations.* Photos courtesy of Gallery by Chele. **Categories:** Dining **Tags:** Chef Chele, Chele Gonzalez, Gallery by Chele, gallery by chele new menu, new menu, new menu 2025, new menu launch, new restaurant menu --- ### [These Brands are Changing the Game in the Beauty Industry](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/self/beauty/beauty-bar-new-brands-changing-game-in-industry/) **Published:** May 15, 2019 **Author:** Katherine Alamares **Content:** Women are constantly seeking for the latest beauty products to add to their regimen. From skincare essentials to makeup, women desire for products that would deliver and enhance results. To respond to this demand, beauty brands from across the globe continue to refine their formula and even their packaging. There is a shift from creating products with complicated labels to straightforward and easy to use ones. One of these companies is Beauty Bar which presented the newest independent brands that can change the game in the beauty industry. ![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/3-5-1024x682.jpg)**The Inkey List** skin care essentials.## The changing trends Makeup and skin care may be treated as an indulgence at present. In the past, it was a necessity in early Egyptian, Greek, Roman, and Chinese times. In Egypt, nature was the primary source for skincare. Ostrich eggs, milk, dough, and plant extracts like aloe vera created body oils and scrubs. The oils work to diminish fine lines, wrinkles, and stretch marks. Even Queen Cleopatra became famous for bathing in sour milk. Similar materials and method applied for the Chinese. They used seaweed and jellyfish as natural cleansers. For skin lighteners, they used Songyi mushroom. It is also an ingredient used in modern creations. In cosmetics, Greeks and Romans favored a natural look with their makeup. This sets them apart from Egyptians who desired elaborate eye looks using black galena and green malachite. Queen Cleopatra became the epitome of eternal beauty in these times with her signature eyes smeared with kohl. From hair dyes to perfumes to facial and body creams, beauty essentials continue to improve considering the changing trends across the world. The industry is responding with an explosion of innovative products that not only deliver results but packed in Instagram-worthy containers without complicated description labels. ![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/1-5-1024x682.jpg)**Fancy Handy** Pineapple Face Mask, Starfish Sleeping Cream, and **Patchology** Aquaflash Jar.## The young, independent brands With the influx of creative makeup and skincare products, Beauty Bar collaborated with international beauty brands to bring them into the country. These brands and companies offer beyond natural, cruelty-free, and effective products. These are a combination of smart, straightforward, and easy-to-use essentials. The five brands are *Patchology*, *Fancy Handy*, *BOD* (Body on Demand), *The Inkey List*, and *Lilo Lolo*. *Patchology* targets the needs of women who would like to quick special treatments to refresh puffy eyes, hydrate dry lips, and skin. The products range from eye and lip gels to face masks to intensive foot peel treatment. *Fancy Handy* makes skincare routine simple and fun. Hand creams, moisturizing stick, face scrub, and clay masks are packed in lovely shapes of pineapple, banana, starfish, and tomato. Having these delightful products makes your routine even exciting to do. ![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/5-3-1024x682.jpg)**Body on Demand** Mermaid Bath Salt, **Fancy Handy** Starfish Sleeping Cream, and **Patchology** Cloudmasque Jar.*Body on Demand* targets boosting of body confidence with their 3-minute “anti-Spanx” regimen, de-bloating 20 minute-bath salts, glitter body scrubs, and mermaid shimmer sorbet. There are also vegan tanners that can give you a sun-kissed glow and remove cellulite from the skin. ![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/7-1-1024x682.jpg)**Lily Lolo** Natural Lipstick and Mineral Blush.*Lily Lolo* prides itself in creating natural makeup. Their products have no synthetic fillers, silicones, perfumes, and parabens; only BUAV approved. ![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/4-5-1024x682.jpg)Face and eye products with complicated packaging are long gone from the industry. *The Inkey List* packs its products with straightforward labels and descriptions. From the ingredients to the benefits, the packaging already informs the user of its product at a glance. These new independent brands are part of the game changers in the industry. Companies continue to enhance their products to meet the beauty demands and expectations of women. After all, obtaining a flawless skin and confidence in your body starts with finding and experimenting with beauty essentials that work for you. **Categories:** Beauty, Self **Tags:** Beauty Bar --- ### [Goodbye PNoy: Former President Noynoy Aquino, Whose Time in Office was Marked by Both Prosperity and Disaster, Dies at 61](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/people/goodbye-pnoy-former-president-noynoy-aquino-whose-time-in-office-was-marked-by-both-prosperity-and-disaster-dies-at-61/) **Published:** June 24, 2021 **Author:** Jacs Sampayan **Content:** ## ***Both his candidacy and his six-year term bannered his “Daang Matuwid” battle cry.*** READ ALSO: [*To Live Everything With No Fear: Maria Ressa Continues To Fight For Truth Amid Legal Battles And A Global Pandemic*](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/people/lifestyle/to-live-everything-with-no-fear-maria-ressa-lifestyle-asia-september-2020/) News broke this morning that former President Benigno Aquino III has passed away on Thursday morning at Capitol Medical Center in Quezon City. He was 61 years old. [According to a report Rappler](https://www.rappler.com/nation/updates-death-former-philippine-president-noynoy-aquino), Aquino has been suffering from different illnesses for two years, and has been undergoing dialysis for months. He also underwent a routine heart procedure in 2019, so says his [former spokersperson Abigail Valte](https://www.rappler.com/nation/noynoy-aquino-in-hospital-routine-procedure-but-alright). No cause of death has been shared, nor an official statement from his family has been released as of this writing. Many politicians and public personalities have expressed their condolences and own version of a tribute to the 15th President of the nation. This included [Manila Mayor Isko Moreno](https://twitter.com/IskoMoreno/status/1407891203601833985?s=20), [Foreign Affairs Secretary Teddy Boy Locsin](https://twitter.com/teddyboylocsin/status/1407868946720595972?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1407868946720595972%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.rappler.com%2Fnation%2Fupdates-death-former-philippine-president-noynoy-aquino), [Senator Nancy Binay](https://twitter.com/SenatorBinay/status/1407892592876916738?s=20), journalist [Ces Drilon](https://twitter.com/cesdrilon/status/1407877066209460227?s=20), and Deputy Speaker [Loren Legarda](https://twitter.com/loren_legarda/status/1407883237540593666?s=20). ## **“Daang Matuwid”** Born in Sampaloc, Manila in February 8, 1960, Benigno Simeon Aquino III was a fourth-generation politician. His mom, Corazon Aquino, served as the 11th President of the country after People Power. His dad, Ninoy Aquino, was a Senator and direct foil to the man his wife took over office from. Many felt that the elder Aquino was set for the presidency himself until his assassination in 1986, which was one of the sparks of the movement that deposed the then-dictatorial government. Noynoy, as he is popularly known, first entered politics in 1998, running and winning a congressional seat, representing Tarlac’s second district. He was reelected twice, in 2001 and 2004. Afterward, he ran for the Senate in 2007 and placed sixth, winning a full term. > PNoy was a pragmatic man who did the best with the cards that life had dealt him. He inspired us with his unexpected humility. May his legacy continue to lead others to the right path. > > — Isko Moreno Domagoso (@IskoMoreno) [June 24, 2021](https://twitter.com/IskoMoreno/status/1407891203601833985?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) After the death of his mother in 2009, Aquino cut short his six-year Senatorial term to run for [president in the 2010 national elections](https://web.archive.org/web/20120730012235/http:/thediplomat.com/philippines-election-2010/candidate-profiles). Being a first time Senator, he originally had no intention of running for higher office, but changed his mind because of an apparent public clamor. This included [a signature drive](https://news.abs-cbn.com/nation/08/27/09/noynoy-president-signature-drive-launched) that mimicked the same call for his mother to run against Ferdinand Marcos in the 1986 snap elections. Aquino’s campaign was bannered under the idea of “Daang Matuwid,” a direct contrast to the corruption allegations against the incumbent President, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, and a few of his rivals in the race. He ended with more than 15 million votes, six million more than second placer Joseph Estrada, who was ousted from the presidency in 2001. Aquino also beat real estate tycoon-turned-politician Manny Villar, Gilbert Teodoro, and preacher Eddie Villanueva. ## **Controversies and challenges** Aquino assumed office on June 30, 2010, taking over from Arroyo, who happened to be his former professor in Ateneo. At his inaugural address, he talked about a “[no wang-wang](https://lawphil.net/statutes/presdecs/pd1973/pd_96_1973.html)” policy, which discouraged the use of blaring sirens for other means other than president/vice-president motor cars, and first respondents—although he did not use it himself. As with past Presidents, Aquino has had his share of controversies. A couple of months after he was sworn in, eight Hong Kong citizens were killed by a disgruntled former policeman who held them hostage in a bus by Quirino Grandstand. This obviously soured relations between our country [and the Chinese government](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-pacific-11067310), who says that their rescue was bungled. > I was the reporter assigned to cover PNoy’s campaign in 2010. I had a front row seat to how crowds met him as they barnstormed around the country. Oftentimes I had to find means to catch up with his campaign team. RIP PNoy. [pic.twitter.com/WKVas05hXe](https://t.co/WKVas05hXe) > > — Ces Oreña-Drilon (@cesdrilon) [June 24, 2021](https://twitter.com/cesdrilon/status/1407877066209460227?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) Many also criticized the handling of Aquino’s [administration of the relief operations](https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/352359/news/nation/after-4-months-pnoy-apologizes-for-slow-govt-response-to-yolanda-victims) for Typhoon Yolanda, one of the most powerful in recorded history and claimed the lives of more than 6,000 in the country alone. This continued to be a talking point in the last Presidential elections, where this issue was [continuously raised against Mar Roxas](https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/721279/yolanda-reveals-roxas-failure-as-leader-manager-binay-camp), who was the Liberal Party candidate and who was also DILG secretary under Aquino. During his term, Aquino also faced accusations for evading responsibility in the Mamasapano massacre, [which lead to the death of 44 operatives](https://philnews.ph/2015/03/25/pres-aquino-trying-to-evade-liability-mamasapano-incident-sen-santiago/). But in his six years in office, Aquino [had a solid economic record](https://www.manilatimes.net/2016/02/07/supplements/the-achievements-of-president-benigno-aquino-3rd/243587), wherein the country had a standing of being an emerging economy. Our growth was, at one point, was second only to China in Asia. This rise, critics however point out, is not felt by too many of our people, with more than a quarter of us then still living under the poverty line. It was also in the Aquino administration that the Philippines brought [China to the Permanent Court of Arbitration](https://globalnation.inquirer.net/159903/aquino-ph-discuss-arbitral-ruling-china), with the former contesting the latter’s nine-dash line claim. ## **Quiet life** Since leaving office, Aquino retired to his family’s Times Street, Quezon City-home, and largely lived outside of the public eye. Among the few times he was seen or heard of was when he joined [protests against the burial of Marcos](https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2016/11/07/1641344/citizen-noy-attends-anti-marcos-rally) in the Libingan ng mga Bayani. The next year, in 2017, he also took part [in a march to the People Power Monument](https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/02/25/17/aquino-joins-people-power-monument-protest-warns-of-history-repeating) as part of the 31st anniversary of the movement that toppled Marcos. That same year, however, criminal charges were filed against Aquino by Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales still in connection with Mamasapano. He was also indicted in a billion-dollar criminal case that involved state funds in 2018. > [pic.twitter.com/wqSFq3ED8J](https://t.co/wqSFq3ED8J) > > — Marvic Leonen — maroon check (@marvicleonen) [June 24, 2021](https://twitter.com/marvicleonen/status/1407877518862872576?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) Aquino was never married nor had children, but was last in a relationship with Valenzuela councilor [Shalani Soledad until 2010](https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/169668/news/nation/noynoy-s-girlfriend-being-groomed-for-congress). He also previously dated the likes of [Liz Uy](https://web.archive.org/web/20101114124206/http:/newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20101113-302969/Yes-Aquino-dating-his-stylist-Liz-Uy), [Grace Lee](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benigno_Aquino_III#cite_note-86), and [Bernadette Sembrano](https://web.archive.org/web/20090831043615/http:/newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20090813-220050/Sorry-Josh-Tito-Noy-has-a-girlfriend). Messages and posts with “RIP PNoy” continue to pour [all over social media](https://twitter.com/search?q=%22RIP%20PNoy%22&src=trend_click&vertical=trends). Supreme Court Associate Justice Marvic Leonen, who was named by Aquino to his position in 2012, [wrote in a statement](https://twitter.com/marvicleonen/status/1407877518862872576/photo/1) that he learned a lot from the Head of State. “I knew him to be a kind man, driven by his passion to serve the people, diligent in his duties, and with an avid and consuming curiosity about new knowledge and the world in general,” Leonen writes. “It was an honor to have served with him. He will be missed.” **Categories:** People **Tags:** Aquino, Corazon Aquino, Former president, Ninoy Aquino, Noynoy Aquino, President Benigno Aquino III, Tribute --- ### [Love Wins: The 'OneLove' Armbands That FIFA Banned Have Sold Out](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/scene/love-wins-onelove-armbands-fifa-banned-sold-out/) **Published:** November 28, 2022 **Author:** Ratziel San Juan **Content:** ## ***These armbands are making love, not war.*** After FIFA banned “OneLove” armbands at the World Cup in Qatar, the accessory suddenly experienced a [spike](https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/sports/onelove-anti-hate-armbands-sell-out-after-fifa-world-cup-ban-2022-11-23/) in sales. READ ALSO: [Style Solidarity: Pride-Themed Fashion Pieces That Hopefully Make A Real Difference](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/style/style-solidarity-pride-themed-fashion-pieces-that-hopefully-make-a-real-difference/) These armbands represent solidarity against different forms of discrimination. After all, homosexuality is illegal in Qatar. > "Denying us the armband is the same as denying us a voice. We stand by our position." > > Germany make a powerful statement after being denied the chance to wear the OneLove armband at the Qatar World Cup. [pic.twitter.com/ny7xwQknO1](https://t.co/ny7xwQknO1) > > — ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) [November 23, 2022](https://twitter.com/ESPNFC/status/1595410203469484035?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) Previously, FIFA threatened multiple European team captains with yellow cards if they wore the armbands. This would represent their support of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, plus (LGBTQIA+) community. “The big boom came actually with the World Cup coming up and for sure the statement of FIFA to not allow these captain bands on the field, “said Badge Direct BV chief executive officer Roland Heerkens said. The Netherlands-based company that makes the armbands announced that these have sold out after shipping 10,000 pieces. Most of these came from the past two weeks alone. > 10 European Football associations had planned to wear the One Love armband. Threats to sanction players for wearing messages in support of human rights and equality is the latest example of FIFA failing to fully uphold its own values and responsibilities. [pic.twitter.com/650vyUBisw](https://t.co/650vyUBisw) > > — Amnesty International (@amnesty) [November 24, 2022](https://twitter.com/amnesty/status/1595804056634941442?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) The “OneLove” bands originally came out in 2020 as part of the Royal Dutch Football Association’s inclusiveness campaign. These feature a heart-shaped rainbow flag with the number “one” in the middle. Banner Photo by KNVB Shop via [website](https://www.knvbshop.nl/en/knvb-one-love-supply-band.html). **Categories:** Scene **Tags:** FIFA, World Cup, World Cup 2022 --- ### [Fairest Of Them All: Rebecca Disini, As Reflected In Her Mirror Cakes](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/dining/rebecca-disini-mirror-cakes/) **Published:** September 7, 2022 **Author:** Ratziel San Juan **Content:** ## ***There is a shortage of baking-related phrases to accurately describe Rebecca Disini.*** Her career was not a “piece of cake.” She was never satisfied with “bread and water,” nor accepted to herself, “that’s the way the cookie crumbles.” Moreso, her brand of artisanal mirror cakes known as “Ooh La La!” would not have grown to its commercial success today if she had settled for “half-baked” and “cookie-cutter.” Disini has been told all her life by all sorts of people that she cannot do things. That her life plans were just “pie in the sky” for someone like herself. Too young, too old, too female, too anything. She is unapologetically all of those things. And a “smart cookie,” to boot. ![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/LA-2022-September-Inarticle-ImageRebecca-Disini.jpg)Photo by JV Rabano## **From scratch** The key for Disini was that everyone has to start somewhere. From scratch, definitely, but at least enough to get the pin rolling. Ooh La La! By Rebecca Disini, now based in Makati, actually had more modest beginnings. All its founder had back then was a dream to share her passion for French pâtisserie. “\[And\] so, I started my homemade-to-order mirror cake business in November 2016. We work out of a relatively small kitchen, but I feel that it actually lets us focus a lot of love and care on every cake we make,” Disini said. From there, her line of entremets (mirror cakes) were born. These consist of six regular varieties as well as seasonal offerings. The mainstay mirror cakes are Les Trois Chocholat (Three Chocolate), L’Amour Rouge (Strawberry and Raspberry), Le Mimosa (Champagne Bergamot), Le Matcha (Green Tea Matcha), Le Café Noisette (Hazelnut Coffee), and Obsession du Chocolat Noir (Dark Chocolate Tiramisu). ![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/LA-2022-September-Inarticle-ImageRebecca-Disini2.jpg)Photo by JV Rabano## **Mirror image** The common ingredient in all of these is the grit it took for Disini to get to where she is today. Before coming home to the Philippines in 2016, Disini had worked and studied worldwide—which she admitted was not as fun as it sounds. She earned Grand Diplomas at Le Cordon Bleu in both Paris and London, studied Food Styling at the Culinary Institute of America in New York, and then took Marketing Management at De La Salle University. Disini cooked for dignitaries and heads of state as executive chef at the British High Commission in Singapore, developed multimillion-euro food service products as regional chef for Unilever in Malaysia, and created award-winning products for leading fast food chains and supermarkets on behalf of Newly Weds Food Asia Pacific. At all stages, she never stopped hearing about the things she supposedly cannot do. Thus, her mirror cake business reflected the image of a woman who dared to resist her doubters. She persisted with her passion, authentically and undeviatingly. ![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/LA-2022-September-Inarticle-ImageRebecca-Disini3.jpg)Photo by JV Rabano## **Just desserts** Of course, her entremets needed more literal ingredients, as well. “We pride ourselves on \[using\] top-caliber ingredients, and the pandemic really had a huge impact on my business plans, as sourcing became practically impossible. It made me realize what matters most to me—providing a stable income for my staff and never compromising on quality for our customers,” Disini said. This realization has brought her to new adventures in unfamiliar places, sacrificing convenience in pursuit of culinary excellence. “Sometimes, ingredients take me—and my family—to places we’ve never imagined going to,” Disini posted. Her journey might take her to Belgium today and the Philippines later, but who knows what tomorrow will bring? If life was anything like her prized cakes, it would reflect a future that is, at once, clear and enticing. *To order, email with complete details (including first and last name, mobile number, and the date you need the cake) at oohlala@rebeccadisini.com. For more information, visit RebeccaDisini.com or Rebecca Disini’s social media pages (@rebpepperflakes).* Photos by JV Rabano. **Categories:** Dining **Tags:** Cakes, Mirror Cakes, Rebecca Disini --- ### [Fifth Wall Fest: Movement-Minded Creatives Come Together](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/arts-and-culture/fifth-wall-fest-movement-minded-creatives-come-together/) **Published:** October 16, 2024 **Author:** Mawi Fojas De Ocampo **Content:** ## *Once again, FIFTH WALL FEST gathers creative minds focused on movement through its 2024 iteration, “Edition V: The body is home.”* It is that time of the year when [FIFTH WALL](https://www.fifthwall.ph/?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaYV-1FP_t_XaHiTxMAhxtvm_NtgB1r7gkSUabmsi1Ki8VwQ_1TonC9Bu2Y_aem_Vea7FfFrE6md0DYkG8EJWw) brings together movement-minded creatives for the FIFTH WALL FEST. This year, it is titled “Edition V: The body is home,” and runs from October 19-20. It will be held at the self-dubbed “FIFTH WALL HOUSE” at 35 Broadway Avenue, corner 9th Street, New Manila, Quezon City. ![Fifth Wall Fest 2024 Edition V](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Fifth-Wall-Landscape-scaled.jpg)### **Wh**o is behind the FIFTH WALL? It was during the pandemic when founder, [Madge Reyes ](https://www.instagram.com/madgereyes/)launched the festival as an “at home” festival for dance films. It has since expanded over its four iterations, evolving into a multidisciplinary movement platform. Madge is an advocate of dance beyond the stage. Furthermore, she is a former Ballet Philippines soloist and Asian Cultural Council Fellow. Additionally, she continues to instill her practice as a performing artist who meanders between physical and digital platforms. Moreover, she is an independent dancer, choreographer, filmmaker, and programmer who is committed to presenting dance through non-traditional means. This brought her to establishing FIFTH WALL, the country’s pioneering international movement platform. ![](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Fifth-Wall-Founder-Madge-Reyes-scaled.jpg)The Fifth Wall founder, Madge Reyes The platform shares that FIFTH WALL is an extension of her work, holding space for movement “that is crafted for the unconventional stage–meeting and bridging gaps through performance, film, exhibition, discussion, and more through its annual gathering, FIFTH WALL FEST.” ![Dose of Pleasure with Alvin Collantes](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Fifth-Wall-3-Dose-of-Pleasure-with-Alvin-Collantes.jpg)![Otmo with Alexander Whitley Dance Company](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Fifth-Wall-5-Otmo-with-Alexander-Whitley-Dance-Company.jpg)![Tryst (Daloy Dance Company](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Fifth-Wall-9-Tryst-Daloy-Dance-Company-1.jpg)*Dose of Pleasure with Alvin Collantes; Otmo with Alexander Whitley Dance Company; Tryst (Daloy Dance Company* READ ALSO: [LA Asks: Behind The Scenes With Gawad CCP Para sa Sining 2024 Awardees](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/arts-and-culture/la-asks-behind-the-scenes-with-the-gawad-ccp-para-sa-sining-2024-awardees/) According to the company, “FIFTH WALL is the Philippines’ pioneering international movement platform dedicated to the presentation of dance through multidisciplinary experimentation. FIFTH WALL FEST is held annually every October with pop-up events throughout the year.” Furthermore, the festival has added a diverse range of art forms and experiences for its audience. These include films, performances, multimedia installations, and movement workshops. ![ABT Studio Company Tours the Philippines (with Madge Reyes & Quintin Cu-Unjieng)](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Fifth-Wall-1-ABT-Studio-Company-Tours-the-Philippines-Madge-Reyes-Quintin-Cu-Unjieng-scaled.jpg) *ABT Studio Company Tours the Philippines (with Madge Reyes & Quintin Cu-Unjieng)* ### What is the fifth wall? They add, “The ‘fifth wall’ is the imaginary barrier that guests pass once they exit a venue after a cultural experience and return to their everyday lives. With this namesake in mind, FIFTH WALL revolves around the idea of moving beyond the fifth wall in the hopes of reaching out to audiences, old and new, for a boundless celebration of *dance from all angles®*.” ![Abutan man tayo ng house lights (Apa Agbayani)](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Fifth-Wall-2-Abutan-man-tayo-ng-house-lights-Apa-Agbayani-1.jpg)![Rebirth (Lyle Nemenzo Sacris)](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Fifth-Wall-6-Rebirth-Lyle-Nemenzo-Sacris.jpg)*Abutan man tayo ng house lights (Apa Agbayani); Rebirth (Lyle Nemenzo Sacris)* Madge shares why this fifth iteration holds a special place in her heart, “Each iteration of our festival has been a step forward, but Edition V feels particularly special. It’s more than a milestone; it’s a reflection of how far we’ve come, and a celebration of the body as home—not just as a place but as a feeling that exists within and between us.” ![The Available Body (Alvin Collantes)](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Fifth-Wall-8-The-Available-Body-Alvin-Collantes-scaled.jpg)*The Available Body (Alvin Collantes)* ### **Breaking the fifth wall** Additionally, FIFTH WALL FEST presents a twist on its original “at home” format. The festival will be held at the historic residence of Narcisa ‘Doña Sisang’ V. Buencamino-de Leon. As the president of LVN Pictures, she helped define the first golden era of Philippine cinema. Her home was once the set for *Giliw Ko* (1939), and will be transformed into the FIFTH WALL HOUSE. Indeed, it is an unconventional venue that will offer a unique experience for the fifth edition’s audience. Moreover, it is set to break the fifth wall by “blurring the lines between artist and audience, stage and seating, body and home.” ![Table For One, Please (Samantha Shay)](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Fifth-Wall-7-Table-For-One-Please-Samantha-Shay-1.jpg) *Table For One, Please (Samantha Shay)* Furthermore, the audience is welcome to explore and wander as well as participate in the guided walking tours. The tours are led by Archivo 1984, which will focus on Filipino film history. The audience can look forward to discovering how each room in the house, including the garden, highlights the festival’s central theme, “the body is home.” ### **Edition V highlights** FIFTH WALL co-production and debut: “Anok”, a vegetative puppet show by Mark Salvatus, and a yet-to-be-named tactile large-scale photographic piece by Wawi Navarroza New works by Corinne De San Jose (sound installation), Micaela Benedicto (sculpture), Tarzeer Pictures (visual installation) ![DuEls (Jonas Åkerlund)](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Fifth-Wall-4-DuEls-Jonas-Akerlund-1.jpg) *DuEls (Jonas Åkerlund)* Asian premieres of the films: “DuEls” (Jonas Åkerlund with Damien Jalet & Erna Ómarsdóttir) and “Table For One, Please” (Samantha Shay). Plus the movement workshop “Dose of Pleasure” by Alvin Collantes with Hideki Ito FIFTH WALL x Saan Saan exclusive scent “Quiet On The Set” ### **Local and international works** **Performances**: ((( O ))), Daloy Dance Company, Mari Dance, Somatosonic, crwn, Fiasfud **Visual Arts**: Aze Ong, Lyle Nemenzo Sacris, Renzo Navarro **Films**: FIFTH WALL Competition winner and shortlist selection, “Abutan man tayo ng house lights” (Apa Agbayani), NOWNESS Asia selection, “Bayadiya” (Antonio Lantong Dagoc Jr., Miko Reyes, David Loughran and Gab Mejia) **Workshops**: Alexander Whitley Dance Company (VR; supported by the British Council), MAGIS Creative Space (Movement) **Food:** Auro Chocolate Cafe, Jabroni’s Pizza, Rebel Bakehouse, nawwTy’s kitchen, and Fiasfud ### **A festival for all, even pets** The platform shares that one purchased ticket will grant participants access to all programs within the premises, including films, performances, multimedia installations, and movement workshops that explore the idea of home as both a physical location and a state of being. They elaborate, “With something for everyone, FIFTH WALL welcomes individuals of all ages, and even their pets, to the exploration.” ### **Practical information for attendees** The FIFTH WALL FEST shares the following information to guide attendees: The festival is designed to be enjoyed by attendees of all ages, making it a family-friendly event. Children (age 12 and below) can enter for free. However, a select number of performances and screenings may have age restrictions, and attendees will be notified in advance. Pets are also welcome on the festival grounds, provided they are on a leash and are cleaned up after their owners. While outside food and drinks are not permitted, there will be a variety of vendors inside the venue offering food and beverages. Cash payment will be accepted but cashless payments are encouraged. Additionally, street parking is available at your own discretion. The closest mall/pay parking area from the venue is Robinsons Magnolia. FIFTH WALL FEST tickets are available at [fifthwall.helixpay.ph](https://fifthwall.helixpay.ph/). Registration for workshops can be added for free during checkout. Regular sale goes on from October 1-17. Walk-ins are welcome if space permits. For more details, visit fifthwall.ph/festival or follow [@fifthwall.ph](https://www.instagram.com/fifthwall.ph/) on social media. Terms and conditions apply. The festival is supported by the British Council, Search Mindscape Foundation, Steps Scholarship Foundation, Steps Dance Studio, and Samsung. In partnership with NOWNESS Asia, Tarzeer Pictures, Archivo 1984, and Saan Saan. Special thanks to Aputure Philippines, Minsan Studio, Helix Pay, Guijo Studios, nawwTy’s kitchen, and Kodawari. Photos courtesy of FIFTH WALL FEST. **Categories:** Arts & Culture **Tags:** Edition V The Body Is Home, fifth wall, Fifth Wall Fest, Movement --- ### [Remedy Skin Solutions Launches A More Personalized Approach To Pigmentation](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/self/remedy-skin-solutions-cosmelan-pigmentation/) **Published:** September 4, 2026 **Author:** Mj Calayan **Content:** ## **For dark spots and melasma that seem to have a mind of their own, the new Cosmelan offers a doctor-guided approach that does more than just adding another brightening product to your routine.** For Dr. April Geraldez-Rivera, founder of [Remedy Skin Solutions](https://www.instagram.com/remedy.ph/), pigmentation is more than a skin concern she sees in her clinic—it’s one she has lived with herself. The board-certified dermatologist and founder of Remedy Skin Solutions has dealt with melasma for the past 15 years, trying different products and undergoing various laser treatments along the way. “I really tried a lot of products, a lot of lasers,” she shared during Remedy Skin Solutions’ recent launch of the new Cosmelan. “This is the one that has truly worked for me.” It was a fitting place to begin the conversation. At the event, Remedy introduced Cosmelan, a professional depigmentation treatment that takes a doctor-guided approach to concerns such as hyperpigmentation, melasma, sunspots, and age spots. READ ALSO: [Louis Vuitton Turns Its Iconic Monogram Into Makeup](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/self/louis-vuitton-monogram-into-makeup-nicolas-ghesquiere-pat-mcgrath/) ## **Cosmelan: More Than Just A Treatment For Dark Spots** During the launch, the conversation around pigmentation wasn’t just about finding a product that promises brighter skin. For many Filipinos, pigmentation concerns can feel frustratingly familiar: a dark spot fades, then returns, melasma lingers, and with medium to deeper skin tones being more prone to visible pigmentation, managing discoloration often calls for a more careful and personalized approach. Pigmentation can stem from several factors, including sun exposure, hormonal changes, inflammation, and individual skin characteristics. This also explains why two people dealing with what looks like the same dark spot may require entirely different approaches. Cosmelan was introduced as a professional treatment protocol designed to address hyperpigmentation, melasma, sunspots, and age spots, featuring an evolved formula that also includes Melaphenone: a patented pigment-inhibiting molecule designed to target the source of dark spots and help regulate the processes that contribute to their recurrence. The treatment also supports overall skin quality, with anti-aging benefits that address concerns beyond uneven skin tone. With more than 30 years of clinical history and over one million patients worldwide, Cosmelan arrives in the Philippines as part of Remedy Skin Solutions’ doctor-led approach to skin care. ![NEW Cosmelan at Remedy Skin Solutions](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Copy-of-IMG_5177-Large.webp)Sidney Yap trying out Cosmelan ![NEW Cosmelan at Remedy Skin Solutions](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Copy-of-IMG_4799-Large.webp)Remedy Skin Solutions Founder, Dr. April Geraldez-Rivera ## **From The Clinic To Your Everyday Routine** The launch also highlighted how Cosmelan doesn’t end with a single visit to the clinic. At Remedy Skin Solutions, the process begins with an assessment of the patient’s skin and pigmentation. A doctor then establishes an appropriate treatment plan before the professional protocol begins. From there, patients continue with a structured home-care and sun-protection routine under medical guidance. For the founder, continued care is an important part of managing pigmentation, particularly for medium to deeper skin tones. Aggressive treatments can lead to irritation or further pigmentation, which makes a carefully managed treatment plan especially important. Ultimately, the Cosmelan launch was also a conversation about moving away from the trial-and-error cycle that many people with persistent pigmentation know all too well. Rather than simply chasing the next brightening product, the treatment is made to understand the patient’s skin, carrying that care from the clinic into their everyday routine. ![NEW Cosmelan at Remedy Skin Solutions](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/IMG_4896-Large.webp)A Cosmelan pack ![NEW Cosmelan at Remedy Skin Solutions](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Copy-of-IMG_5056-Large.webp)Remedy Skin Solutions makes sure your experience with Cosmelan is worth it **Cosmelan is now available at Remedy Skin Solutions and is exclusively distributed in the Philippines by Healthspan Philippines. Remedy Skin Solutions has clinics at One Uptown Residence in BGC and Vertis North in Quezon City, along with Skin Bar by Remedy at Greenhills Mall in San Juan City.** --- *Photos courtesy of* Remedy Skin Solutions --- ## Frequently Asked Questions ### What is Cosmelan? Cosmelan is a professional depigmentation treatment designed to address pigmentation concerns such as hyperpigmentation, melasma, sunspots, and age spots. Cosmelan takes a comprehensive approach that includes professional treatment, personalized home care, and sun protection. ### What skin concerns can Cosmelan help address? Cosmelan is designed to address pigmentation concerns, including hyperpigmentation, melasma, sunspots, and age spots. It also supports smoother, healthier-looking skin. ### How does Cosmelan approach pigmentation treatment? The process begins with a clinical assessment, where a doctor evaluates the patient’s pigmentation and identifies contributing factors. From there, an appropriate treatment plan is established, followed by a professional in-clinic protocol and a structured home-care and sun-protection routine. ### Why is a personalized approach important when treating pigmentation? Pigmentation can be influenced by factors such as sun exposure, hormonal changes, inflammation, and individual skin characteristics. A personalized, doctor-guided approach allows the treatment plan to respond to the patient’s specific skin concerns while providing guidance throughout the process. ### Where is Cosmelan available in the Philippines? Cosmelan is available at Remedy Skin Solutions and is exclusively distributed in the Philippines by Healthspan Philippines. Treatment begins with a clinical assessment and continues through a personalized home-care protocol. **Categories:** Self **Tags:** aesthetics, beauty, clinics, cosmelan, pigmentation, Remedy Skin Solutions, skin clinics, Skincare, Wellness --- ### [How Gloria Steinem Left Her Mark On The Language Of Women’s Equality](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/arts-and-culture/how-gloria-steinem-changed-womens-equality/) **Published:** September 4, 2026 **Author:** Julianna Cabili **Content:** ## **American writer, activist and community organizer Gloria Steinem spent her life challenging the rules that shaped women’s lives.** Gloria Steinem died on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, at her home in New York City, according to a [statement](https://www.instagram.com/p/Dc0dotLOqUN/?hl=en) from her foundation, closing out a career that spent six decades pushing feminism from the margins into the center of American life. She was 92. READ ALSO: [Yayoi Kusama Has Died, But Her Universe Remains Open](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/arts-and-culture/yayoi-kusama-artist-dies-at-97/) ![Gloria Steinem in her New York home feminist women's equality](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/gloria-steinem-home.webp)Gloria Steinem in her New York home/Photo via Instagram [@gloriasteinem](https://www.instagram.com/gloriasteinem/) ## **The Story Underneath** Steinem’s rise began in journalism, where she often turned reporting itself into the story. In 1963, she took a job as a Playboy Bunny to document how the club actually treated women behind the glamour, an assignment that made her quite the controversial household name. By 1972, she’d co-founded *Ms. Magazine*, the first major publication written, owned, and run by women, giving the movement a place to debate itself in full public view. She had a way of making an argument land in a single sentence. “In my heart, I think a woman has two choices,” she once said. “Either she’s a feminist or a masochist.” The line traveled well beyond the rooms where she first spoke it, and it captured how she approached her work. ![An issue of Ms. Magazine from August 1976](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/gloria-steinem-ms-magazine.webp)An issue of *Ms. Magazine* from August 1976/Photo via Instagram [@gloriasteinem](https://www.instagram.com/gloriasteinem/) ## **Redrawing The Table** Her activism reached into reproductive rights, the Equal Rights Amendment, and the basic question of whether women belonged in rooms where power actually got distributed, from newsrooms to Congress. She’s credited with coining the phrase “reproductive freedom,” a term she spent years making concrete. Even marriage, an institution she’d criticized for most of her life, became something she reconsidered. When she married David Bale in 2000, she explained the change directly: “We spent 30 years in the United States changing the marriage laws,” she said. “If I had married when I was supposed to get married, I would have lost my name, my legal residence, my credit rating, and many of my civil rights. That’s not true anymore.” ![Gloria Steinem delivers a speech in the 1970s](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/gloria-steinem-speech-seventies.webp)Gloria Steinem delivers a speech in the 1970s/Photo via Instagram [@gloriasteinem](https://www.instagram.com/gloriasteinem/) ## **A Vocabulary Left Behind** President Obama awarded her the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2013, crediting her work with expanding respect and opportunity for women worldwide. Hillary Clinton, responding to her death, called her one of the architects of the entire structure of women’s equality. Steinem kept working into her nineties, hosting gatherings called “Talking Circles” at her New York brownstone, and writing until the end. The movement she helped build now speaks in a vocabulary she had a hand in inventing. --- ## Frequently Asked Question ### When did Gloria Steinem die? Gloria Steinem died on Wednesday, September 2 at her home in New York City, according to a statement from her foundation. ### How old was Gloria Steinem when she died? She was 92 years old. ### What is Gloria Steinem best known for? Gloria Steinem is best known for co-founding *Ms. Magazine* in 1972, the first major publication written, owned, and run by women, and for becoming a leading voice of American feminism through decades of writing and activism. ### What did Gloria Steinem do before she became a feminist icon? Gloria Steinem began her career as a journalist, most notably going undercover as a Playboy Bunny in 1963 to expose how the club treated the women working there. ### What causes did Gloria Steinem champion? Gloria Steinem advocated for reproductive rights, the Equal Rights Amendment, and greater representation for women in positions of power, from newsrooms to Congress. She’s also credited with coining the phrase “reproductive freedom.” **Categories:** Arts & Culture **Tags:** activism, arts & culture, feminism, gloria steinem --- ### [A Love Letter To Libraries](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/arts-and-culture/a-love-letter-to-libraries-and-their-importance/) **Published:** November 16, 2025 **Author:** Pilar Gonzalez **Content:** ## **Quiet, steadfast, and perhaps the last bastions of reliability in today’s world of misinformation and AI-driven systems, libraries are far more than places that hold books.** When I try to recall some of the fondest memories of my grade school days, most of them were spent in our school’s small but welcoming library. White tiles, brown shelves, the smell of wood and paper, soft couches, and pillows. Well into adulthood, I still find myself dreaming about these images and sensations on some nights. For a young girl who didn’t know much about the world, the library was a space of both comfort and possibility. It mirrored the effect of the books it held, carrying me through the stories and knowledge of hundreds of minds without ever leaving that safe haven of quiet. Granted, it was a private space funded by tuition money, but the significance is just as true for public libraries —even more so, given how essential they are to the communities they serve. ![A Love Letter To Libraries](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/7210703d-ebaf-4946-90c5-36ac38f0c6ab.webp) Throughout the decades, especially since the rise of the internet, the role of libraries has often been called into question. In places where fascist or authoritarian regimes impose strict censorship, their importance and security have never been more crucial. Anyone whose life has been touched by a library, even in the smallest ways, knows that they’re far more than physical spaces, though they’re still too often reduced to the image of old librarians shushing patrons or dusty shelves. So why, exactly, do these places matter when you can just type a question into ChatGPT and be done with it? READ ALSO: [When Everything Is Short, Does It Still Pay To Linger?](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/arts-and-culture/when-everything-is-short-does-it-still-pay-to-linger/) ## **An Unparalleled Third Space** You can say whatever you want to defend the superiority of the internet and AI, but there’s one thing these digital tools cannot provide: a [“third space”](https://courier.unesco.org/en/articles/third-places-true-citizen-spaces) for anyone who needs it. For those unfamiliar with the term, it refers to a location that’s neither home nor workplace, but a place where one can relax, socialize, and build community. Libraries can certainly serve as workplaces for students and professionals, but that’s only a fraction of the bigger picture, and this versatility is exactly what makes them unparalleled third spaces. Over the years, they’ve evolved to host all kinds of communal activities, from [speed dating](https://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/03/fashion/03dating.html) to book clubs. They remain peaceful, inclusive points of convergence for people from all walks of life. In these zones, children experience the joy of being read a story aloud; a teen who can’t afford all the novels in a fantasy series can simply check them out for free; a mother might rediscover a book of nostalgic recipes she thought lost to time; and lifelong learners gain access to vast amounts of human knowledge, free of paywalls or barriers. ![A Love Letter To Libraries](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/d9cdf2d1-4d6a-49fb-ad59-49eed96c8b67.webp) I recall the hushed conversations I shared with grade school classmates over a wooden table in our library, flipping through a gigantic coffee-table book compiling famous artworks from around the world, each of us pointing out details we found funny or weird (the many butts present in Hieronymous Bosch paintings were particular favorites). I remember slow afternoons when classes ended early, the days of rushing to the library, lying on bean bags, and devouring novels about goddesses, princesses, and wizards. Reading day was always fun, with librarians offering lollipops for every book we borrowed and, as a treat, letting us check out *three* books instead of the usual two. Computers were there for research, but we sometimes got away with playing dress-up games, much to the chagrin of the library’s custodians. ![A Love Letter To Libraries](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Catalogue_of_collections_1922_141210738.webp) It was the library—and, of course, the English teachers who worked tirelessly to make school a little more bearable for the wandering minds of their wards—that instilled in me a deep love for knowledge and reading. These may sound like the cliché ramblings of a nerd, and maybe they are, but I get a bit misty-eyed thinking about a reality where I was never surrounded by this kind of environment. Somewhere out there is a kid, an adolescent, a college student, a full-grown adult, searching for [answers to burning questions](https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/13/learning/what-role-do-libraries-play-in-your-life.html) and companionship through the words of the many humans who came before them. A book, a self-education, could change the entire trajectory of a person’s life for the better. What would the world be without that sort of community and freedom? ## **What The Internet Just Can’t Teach You** I’ve heard a few arguments—some explicit, some implied—about the library’s place in today’s society, many of which revolve around the sheer volume and accessibility of information. With the rise of AI, all the knowledge and data on the internet is at your disposal, compressed and regurgitated with a few commands. And really, there’s a grain of truth to that. You can access Google or ChatGPT anytime, from anywhere with Wi-Fi, on any device. As a writer, I spend most of my time researching through a browser. “Going to the library” just isn’t something people can do on a whim, especially if they lack the resources to travel to one or need answers immediately. In the Philippines, where most of the population grapples with a failing educational system and the underprioritization of public infrastructure—including libraries, which are often considered last in line behind projects like flood control (even those are neglected)—this issue is compounded. ![A Love Letter To Libraries](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/fa1b6275-de4f-4f23-bdc2-aa2ab0cc0076-scaled.webp) The digital landscape isn’t the enemy; in fact, it democratized knowledge to an unprecedented degree. Yet we should still consider the quality of that knowledge and the benefits of accessing it through other means, including tangible or physical ones. It’s also worth remembering that many public libraries provide computers and internet access, not just books. Believe it or not, there are things the internet can’t teach or provide. Niche topics, for example, can’t be reliably answered by someone on Reddit saying, “Trust me on this.” ChatGPT can streamline information from countless online sources—but the accuracy of those sources still requires careful cross-checking at best, and at worst, some are outright misinformation. “The explosion of information online hasn’t sidelined librarians. It’s only made them more essential at a time when too few of us know how to distinguish real news from the fake variety,” writes Jennifer Howard in her essay “The Complicated Role of the Modern Public Library.” ![A Love Letter To Libraries](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/f2b19c32-7a47-485c-8754-a7708cf4d4ac-scaled.webp) When I set out to write about the [evolution of the *barong* Filipino](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/arts-and-culture/the-power-of-style-barong-filipino-president/) in relation to our Philippine presidents, or the state of [film restoration in the Philippines](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/arts-and-culture/resurrecting-the-reel-chronicling-film-preservation-in-the-philippines/), what ultimately aided me were library books. Topics I once thought too specific or too obscure were all there in print. It was almost comical: me standing by the library counter or OPAC, thinking, “Surely they don’t have a book about this specific concern,” only to have a librarian—or the search results—confirm that they did indeed have exactly what I was looking for. And in its typical analog fashion, a library teaches you to slow down and savor the act of searching for answers: looking through alphabetical lists, moving along the shelves to find the right book code or title, and delightfully stumbling upon books you weren’t searching for, but that you actually needed. I can trust the information they present, for the most part. Unlike online posts, these works aren’t the products of someone casually sharing their opinion. Researchers, writers, and scholars spent countless hours conducting field studies, interviews, and reviews of related literature before having their work vetted by editors and published. Those are safety nets you rarely get in the process of sharing information on the internet. It’s not perfect, but it’s as close to the truth as we can get. And with libraries that work to keep their systems and collections as updated as possible, this is a priceless resource. ## **Libraries In Manila To Visit** And with all that said, you might be wondering: are there any good libraries in Manila? The answer is complicated. The Philippines, in general, is far behind other countries when it comes to providing comprehensive, high-quality public libraries (for reasons I’ve already mentioned in the last section). Still, there are a few trying to do the good work, and more private ones that still remain accessible to the public. Here are a few you can consider visiting. ## **Quezon City Public Library** Quezon City’s public library, save for minor fees, is completely free and hosts a variety of activities for the public, alongside providing other resources like computers. Location: Gate 3, City Hall Compound, Quezon City Website: ## **National Library Of The Philippines** Also free for public use, it features an expansive collection of Filipiniana materials, on top of spaces for studying and research. Location: 1000 Kalaw Ave, Ermita, Manila Website: ## **Ortigas Foundation Library** Hosts a collection of over 36,000 Filipiniana books, photographs, periodicals, and more, perfect for those into all things Philippine history. Location: 2nd Floor, McKinley Parking Building (above Unimart Supermarket), Club Filipino Avenue, Greenhills Shopping Center, San Juan Website: ## **Reading Club 2000** While not a library in terms of space, the Reading Club 2000 lets people take home books free of charge. It’s always open, situated by the ancestral house of its founder Hernando Guanlao. Everyone is welcome, and encouraged to do their part, like sorting books or giving some of their own in return if they can. It’s a heartwarming spot that really opens itself up to whoever wants knowledge, regardless of their background, and has helped underserved members of the community gain access to information without demanding anything in return. Location: 1454 Balagtas Street, Barangay La Paz, Makati Website: ## Frequently Asked Questions ### Why do libraries still matter in the age of AI and the internet? Libraries offer what digital tools cannot: a physical third space open to all, access to vetted and peer-reviewed knowledge, and a community anchor for people across income levels. Unlike AI-generated content, library collections are curated, fact-checked, and free from the reliability concerns that plague much of the online information landscape. ### What is a third space and why are libraries considered one? A third space is any location that is neither home nor workplace — a communal environment where people can relax, socialize, and build community. Libraries qualify because they are inclusive, publicly accessible, and host a wide range of activities beyond reading, from book clubs to children’s storytelling sessions. ### What are the best public libraries to visit in Manila? Notable options include the Quezon City Public Library in City Hall Compound, the National Library of the Philippines on Kalaw Avenue in Ermita, the Ortigas Foundation Library in Greenhills San Juan with over 36,000 Filipiniana materials, and Reading Club 2000 in Makati — a community book-sharing initiative founded by Hernando Guanlao. ### How do libraries help combat misinformation? Libraries provide access to published works that have undergone editorial review, fact-checking, and scholarly vetting — processes largely absent from social media and AI-generated content. Librarians also play an active role in information literacy, helping patrons distinguish credible sources from unreliable ones. ### What is the state of public libraries in the Philippines? Public libraries in the Philippines remain underfunded and underbuilt relative to other countries, often deprioritized in infrastructure spending. While institutions like the National Library of the Philippines and the Quezon City Public Library offer free public access and digital resources, comprehensive nationwide library coverage remains an ongoing challenge. **Categories:** Arts & Culture **Tags:** Books, Culture, libraries, libraries philippines, opinion, public libraries, reading --- ### [Reflections on Rafael Manuel's "Filipiñana": Sound, Silence, And Social Order](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/arts-and-culture/filipinana-film-rafael-manuel-reflection/) **Published:** September 4, 2026 **Author:** Kerry Tinga **Content:** ## **A reflection on Rafael Manuel’s Filipiñana film, its use of sound and silence, and the social order contained within its country club.** Rafael Manuel’s *Filipiñana* has taken a circuitous route home. The filmmaker’s feature debut premiered at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival, where it received the World Cinema Dramatic Special Jury Award for Creative Vision. After screening at the Berlinale and traveling through the international festival circuit, it returned as the closing film of this year’s Cinemalaya, where I finally watched it. After being seen and discussed abroad, the film returned to the country held, however strangely, within its frames. Set over one day, *Filipiñana* follows 17-year-old Isabel (Jorrybell Agoto) on her first day as a tee girl at an exclusive country club. When Dr. Palanca (Teroy Guzman), the club’s president, leaves a golf club behind, her attempt to return it takes her farther into the property. The film moves, borrowing Manuel’s own word, deliberately. The camera often remains still while people cross the frame or perform their appointed routines. At the driving range, golfers stand in a row and swing together, or one after another. Their synchronization reminded me of a chorus line from the movie musicals once central to Philippine popular cinema. The composition appears ready for music to swell. But it never really does. Instead, we hear clubs cutting through the air and the sharp contact of a ball being struck. Thwack. Almost like a cartoon. Sprinklers turn across the grass. Golf balls knock against one another as they are washed, manually, of course. Sounds that might disappear into another film’s background become the rhythm here. READ ALSO: [How To Dress A Filipino For The Berlinale Red Carpet](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/style/how-to-dress-filipinana-for-the-berlinale-red-carpet/) ## **Watching With Our Ears** Most moving images we encounter today seem to begin on mute. On social media, sound is treated as more intrusive than sight: an image occupies my screen, but a voice or song enters everybody else’s space. Yet this has not taught us to look more closely; it has simply made images easier to scroll past. ![Filipiñana film rafael manuel](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Filipinana_Main-Still-1-1-scaled.jpg)Isabella is played by Jorrybell Agoto/Film still courtesy of Kino Lorber official website Without music telling me how to feel, I couldn’t immediately decide whether the golfers’ synchronized movements were beautiful, funny, or threatening. Film scores usually resolve that uncertainty, preparing us for danger (think *Jaws*) or letting us surrender to the sweeping overtures of romance (think *Dr. Zhivago*). But *Filipiñana* withholds those instructions, leaving us to decide how its images should be understood. Before the screening, Manuel spoke about the Filipino experience of waiting for change. That waiting is present not only in the film’s deliberate pace, but also in the emotional resolution it continually postpones. He explained that he structured *Filipiñana* like a song, thinking in verses, choruses, and interludes. He invited us to watch it with our ears. Like a song, he said, the film might enter the body and move us toward some small action. The golf course had been producing a kind of music all along. Music also travels physically through the film. A group of musicians moves around the country club, welcoming guests, accompanying a dance class, and playing during a celebratory meal. At one point, they become lost on the golf course and ask for directions to the ballroom. The moment is humorous. Once directed, they place their hands on one another’s shoulders and form a line. It’s then that we understand that they’re blind. They begin to resemble the film’s soundtrack made visible. They orient everyone else, announcing an arrival or telling dancers how to move, yet they’ve been left without the directions they need. Music in cinema usually arrives without requiring us to consider who produced it. Here, it has bodies. Like the country club’s beauty, it’s revealed as labor. Their blindness also made me question my own way of seeing. I had watched them on screen several times before understanding something fundamental about how they experienced the space. I had looked at them without fully seeing them. ## **The Choreography Of The Country Club In *Filipiñana*** The same could be said of the country club. Golf is tied to the Philippines’ colonial history. Manuel has pointed out in previous interviews that early courses were established on American military bases and later taken over by local elites. The game transforms large expanses of land into private recreation, requiring water and continuous labor to preserve their green surfaces. ![Filipiñana film cinemalaya](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Filipinana_Still-3-scaled.jpg)Film still courtesy of Kino Lorber official website The course becomes a miniature social order. Isabel, as a tee girl, is forbidden from entering land that her work helps sustain. Caddies carry players’ bags and are told that the available drinking water is reserved for guests, even as sprinklers continue turning across the grounds. During a heat wave, Isabel and another tee girl hover outside an air-conditioned office, trying to catch some of the cool air within. Returning Dr. Palanca’s golf club gives Isabel temporary permission to move through the country club. One is an object she has been tasked to return; the other is an institution teaching her where she belongs. Isabel and Dr. Palanca come from the same province, but shared origins cannot undo the distance established by wealth and power. In its silence, I return to how little the film tries to speak on our behalf. It does something more difficult and more demanding: it leaves us to look and listen for ourselves. When the film ended, no line of dialogue echoed in my mind; it was the sprinklers turning across the grass. --- *Photos courtesy of* [Kino Lorber](https://kinolorber.com/film/filipinana?srsltid=AfmBOoqdsbMMf5PnRDh30824PBY2r7vI-_hiyEUPKkHkTm6bQjXuzDXB) official website **Categories:** Arts & Culture **Tags:** cinemalaya, Filipiniana, Filipino Films, Film, film 2026, Films, films 2026, Rafael Manuel --- ### [Margarita Signature Caterer Introduces "Select" For Every Kind Of Gathering](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/dining/margarita-signature-caterer-select-menus/) **Published:** September 2, 2026 **Author:** Leila Antonio **Content:** ## **The new offering, *Select*, features curated Filipino, Asian, Western, and Italian menus for corporate events, intimate gatherings, and celebrations.** [Margarita Signature Caterer](https://www.instagram.com/margarita.signaturecaterer/?hl=en) has introduced *Select*, a new collection of curated catering packages for corporate events, intimate gatherings, birthdays, and other celebrations. Available as Cocktails, Heavy Cocktails, or Buffet packages, it features Filipino, Asian, Western, and Italian menus, including familiar favorites from CIBO. Founded by the late chef and restaurateur Margarita Forés, Margarita Signature Caterer has built its name across almost four decades through personalized menus and close attention to each occasion. In 2025, the next generation of the family stepped forward to lead the wider group, with Margarita’s son Amado Forés becoming President and CEO of CIBO and her niece Mercedes Forés taking on the role of Chief Operating Officer of CIBO and Margarita Signature Caterer. READ ALSO: [Amado And Carmela Forés On Building A Life And Legacy Through Food](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/people/a-seat-at-the-table-with-amado-and-carmela-fores/) ![Mercedes Fores](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Mercedes-Fores-COO-of-CIBO-and-Margarita-Signature-Caterer-1-scaled.jpg)Margarita Signature Caterer COO Mercedes Forés Mercedes formally introduced *Select* at a launch attended by event coordinators, agencies, corporate partners, and longtime collaborators of the catering company. The new offering continues the standards established by Margarita while providing a simpler way to plan gatherings. “*Select* is a new way to work with us, built for a different kind of occasion. Curated buffet spreads and pass-arounds across Filipino, Asian, Western, and Italian [menus ](https://mega-asia.com/lifestyle/dining/)with options that make planning simple, but never limited,” shared Forés. “But easier planning does not mean a different kitchen, or a different standard. It’s the same quality of ingredients. The same attention to detail. The same level of service you’ve always known from us.” ![Launch of Margarita Signature Caterer Select](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/MSC-Select-Launch-6-1-scaled.jpg)Guests try the buffet at the launch of Margarita Signature Caterer Select ## **What Margarita Signature Caterer *Select* Brings To The Table** *Select* begins with three service formats. Cocktails includes five pass-arounds and dessert, while Heavy Cocktails adds a starch for a fuller standing spread. The Buffet package is designed for seated gatherings, with three pass-arounds, a salad, two starches, two mains, and two desserts. Each format also includes a welcome drink. Clients can choose among Filipino, Asian, Western, and Italian menus. Packages start at ₱1,250 per guest for Cocktails, ₱1,800 for Heavy Cocktails, and ₱2,500 for Buffet, with minimum bookings applying. *Explore the offerings of Margarita Signature Caterer Select below.* ### **The Filipino Menu** The Filipino menu draws from familiar local flavors, with selections suited to standing events and seated celebrations. The welcome drink is Pandan Iced Tea. Pass-around options include Bicol Laing Crostini, Tortang Talong Lumpia, Palabok Chicharon Curls, Bicol Express Cups, Grilled Mais Dip, and Ilonggo Chorizo Croquetas. Dessert options include Cebu Broas with Salted Egg-Dulce de Leche and Mango and Nata de Coco Pudding. For those opting for Heavy Cocktails, the available starches are Pork Belly Pancit, Garlic Rice, and Steamed Rice. For those opting for the full Buffet, the salad is Pinoy Ensalada, while main options include Chicken Inasal Skewers with Kare-Kare Satay Sauce, Garlic Butter Roast Pork Ribs, and River Cobbler “Bistek Tagalog.” ![Margarita Signature Caterer Introduces "Select" For Every Kind Of Gathering](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Filipino-Buffet-2-scaled.jpg)The Filipino buffet option features comforting classics and well-loved Filipino dishes. ![Margarita Signature Caterer Introduces "Select" For Every Kind Of Gathering](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Filipino-Pass-Arounds-1-scaled.jpg)Filipino menu pass arounds ### **The Asian Menu** The Asian menu brings together fresh, savory, and comforting dishes inspired by flavors from across the region. The welcome drink is Thai Lime Tea. Pass-around options include Bonito and Anchovy Mousse on Crostini, Sweet Chili River Shrimp Wonton Cups, Salmon Teriyaki Mousse with Grissini, Prawn Toasts, Stir-Fried Tofu Krapao on a Rice Cracker Crisp, and Fresh Thai Spring Rolls. Dessert options include Miso Caramel Vanilla Panna Cotta and Mochi Donut. For those opting for Heavy Cocktails, the available starches are Pad Thai, Udon Carbonara, Chahan, and Bagoong Fried Rice. For those opting for the full Buffet, salad options include Thai Green Mango and Pomelo Salad and Wakame and Toasted Sesame Salad. Mains include Roast Beef Belly Gyudon, Miso Béchamel Baked Cobbler with Cauliflower, and Boneless Chicken Katsu with a choice of Green Curry, Laksa, or Soy Sesame Sauce. ![Margarita Signature Caterer Introduces "Select" For Every Kind Of Gathering](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Asian-Buffet-1-1-scaled.jpg) ![Margarita Signature Caterer Introduces "Select" For Every Kind Of Gathering](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Asian-Pass-Arounds-1-scaled.jpg) ### **The Western Menu** The Western menu offers familiar, crowd-friendly dishes for working lunches, parties, and other gatherings. Welcome drinks include Calamansi, Peach, and Mint Iced Tea. Pass-around options include Guacamole Tostada, Grilled Cheese Triangles with Homemade Tomato Jam, French Onion Dip, Carnitas Vol-au-Vent, and Mushroom Cream Cheese Cups. Dessert options include Churritos with Chocolate Sauce and Cheesecake Squares with Olive Oil. For those opting for Heavy Cocktails, the available starches and sides are Baked Potato Gratin and Butter-Glazed Vegetables. For those opting for the full Buffet, the salad is Caesar Salad. Main options include Six-Hour Braised Roast Beef with Au Jus, Roasted Pesto Cream Cobbler, and Grilled Chicken with Chimichurri. ![Margarita Signature Caterer Introduces "Select" For Every Kind Of Gathering](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Western-Buffet-1-scaled.jpg) ### **The Italian Menu** The Italian menu brings together familiar CIBO favorites, with options for events of different formats and sizes. Welcome drinks include Classic, Peach, and Mint Iced Tea. Pass-around options include Arancini, Truffle Honey Ricotta Dip, Potato Chips, Spinach Dip, Mushroom Dip, Chicken Liver Pâté Dip, and Mozzarella Sticks. Dessert options include Bomboloni, Maritozzo, and Tiramisù Croccante. For heavier spreads, guests can choose from pasta dishes such as Farfalle alla Genovese, Spaghettini Tartufata, Penne al Telefono, Bolognese alla con Panna, Lasagna Classico, Linguine alla Ghiotta, and Spaghettini alla Romana. Pizza options include Prosciutto di Parma, Salamino Piccante, Margherita, Five Cheese, Gamberetti, Napoletana, and Parmigiana. For those opting for the full Buffet, salad options include Insalata Pacifica, Insalata di Mare, Insalata del Sole, Insalata Nizzarda, and Insalata Verdure. Main options include Fried Chicken Wings, Roast Pork Ribs, Roasted Chicken, and Filetto Pomodoro. ![Catering ](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Italian-Buffet-1-scaled.jpg) ![Catering Select](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Italian-Pass-Arounds-1-scaled.jpg) --- *Photos courtesy of* Margarita Signature Caterer --- ## Frequently Asked Questions ### What is Margarita Signature Caterer Select? Select is a collection of curated catering packages for corporate events, intimate gatherings, birthdays, and other celebrations. It offers a streamlined alternative to fully customized event catering. ### What catering packages are available through Select? Select offers three formats: Cocktails, Heavy Cocktails, and Buffet. Each package includes a different combination of welcome drinks, pass-arounds, starches, mains, salads, and desserts. ### What cuisines are available on the Select menu? Clients can choose from Filipino, Asian, Western, and Italian menus. The Italian selection includes familiar dishes from CIBO. ### How much do Margarita Signature Caterer Select packages cost? Packages start at ₱1,250 per guest for Cocktails, ₱1,800 per guest for Heavy Cocktails, and ₱2,500 per guest for Buffet. Minimum bookings and additional charges may apply. ### How can I book Margarita Signature Caterer Select? Visit **margaritasignaturecaterer.com**, email **signaturecaterer@margaritafores.com**, or call **+63 917 120 9031** for inquiries and bookings. **Categories:** Dining **Tags:** catering, Dining, dining 2026, margarita signature catering, margarita signature catering select --- ### [Alex Eala Is Off To A Strong Start At The 2026 US Open](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/people/alex-eala-2026-us-open-tennis/) **Published:** September 3, 2026 **Author:** Mj Calayan **Content:** ## **Fresh off her historic WTA 500 title, Alex Eala brings her winning momentum to New York as she begins her 2026 US Open campaign with a dominant first-round victory.** Yesterday, [Alex Eala](https://www.wtatennis.com/players/330332/alexandra-eala/matches#main-content) officially began her bid for the 2026 US Open. Coming off her historic WTA 500 title at the Mubadala DC Open in August, the Filipina tennis star arrives in New York with plenty of momentum, and an even bigger opportunity ahead of her. After making history with her breakthrough title, Eala now sets her sights on an entirely different level of competition: a Grand Slam. The US Open is one of tennis’ four biggest tournaments, and a deep run—or perhaps even a title—would mark another monumental chapter in what has already been a career-defining year for the 21-year-old. READ ALSO: [Who Is The Filipino Designer Behind Alex Eala’s New York Street Style?](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/style/who-is-filipino-designer-atelier-carlene-alex-eala-new-york-street-style/) ## **How Is Alex Eala Doing So Far At The US Open?** Before the fiery competition officially began, Alex Eala first had a little fun on the court. The Filipina tennis star teamed up with her good friend and fellow tennis pro Iva Jovic for a lighthearted exhibition match—only this time, they brought their dads along for the fun. The two played doubles alongside their fathers, offering a wholesome and playful moment before the intensity of the US Open officially got underway. ![Alex Eala 2026 US Open](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/789325381_18335855386261184_7652921263790195657_n-Large.webp)Alex Eala and her dad, Mike Eala, playing tennis at the exhibition game ![Alex Eala 2026 US Open](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/787451068_18335855437261184_6064283831562322060_n-Large.webp)The exhibition game ended with Iva and Alex smiling as they enjoyed their time on court with their dads before officially starting the US Open But once it was time for the real competition to begin, Eala quickly switched gears. Just like poetry in motion, Eala delivered a commanding performance in her opening match against American tennis pro Mary Stoiana. The Filipina star swept her opponent in straight sets, 6–1, 6–2, making quick work of her first US Open challenge. ![Alex Eala US Open](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/789013097_18335855449261184_1900921910078678690_n-Large.webp) From the opening serve, Eala appeared firmly in control of the match, showcasing the confident and aggressive game that has made her one of the sport’s most exciting rising stars. She won an impressive 78% of points on her first serve while also putting Stoiana under constant pressure, finishing the match with 23 receiving points won. The decisive victory gave Eala the perfect start to her US Open campaign—and, more importantly, continued the momentum from her historic WTA 500 title in Washington just weeks earlier. ## **Hopeful Success For The Next Rounds** Following her first-round victory, Eala will look to carry that momentum into the next stage of the tournament as she faces Ukraine’s Oleksandra Oliynykova, currently ranked World No. 46. With both players hoping to advance deeper into the draw, the upcoming match presents another important test for the Filipina tennis star. Fresh off a dominant opening performance, Eala will undoubtedly be hoping to build on her strong start and continue the momentum she has carried throughout an already career-defining season. As the competition heats up, all eyes will be on whether she can keep her US Open campaign alive and inch closer to another historic milestone. ![Alex Eala US Open tennis](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/785748315_18335855413261184_8469163633233917084_n-Large-1.webp) --- *Photography by* Owen Reynoldson, *courtesy of* [Alex Eala](https://www.instagram.com/alex.eala/) --- ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How is Alex Eala doing at the 2026 US Open? Alex Eala started her 2026 US Open campaign with a dominant first-round victory over American tennis player Mary Stoiana, winning in straight sets, 6–1, 6–2. ### Who did Alex Eala beat in her first match at the 2026 US Open? Alex Eala defeated American tennis pro Mary Stoiana in the first round of the 2026 US Open. ### What was Alex Eala’s score against Mary Stoiana? Alex Eala won her opening match against Mary Stoiana with a score of 6–1, 6–2. ### Who will Alex Eala play next at the 2026 US Open? Following her first-round victory, Alex Eala is set to face Ukraine’s Oleksandra Oliynykova, who is currently ranked World No. 46. ### What tournament did Alex Eala win before the 2026 US Open? Before the 2026 US Open, Alex Eala won her historic WTA 500 title at the Mubadala DC Open in August 2026. **Categories:** People **Tags:** 2026 US Open, Alex Eala, filipino athletes, Sports, Tennis --- ### [The Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra Announces Its New Concert Season](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/arts-and-culture/philippine-philharmonic-orchestra-2026-season/) **Published:** September 3, 2026 **Author:** Leila Antonio **Content:** ## **Titled *MODULATIO*, the eight-concert season runs from September 2026 to April 2027 and culminates in the PPO’s return to the rehabilitated CCP Main Theater.** The Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra 2026–2027 concert season will take audiences through music from different periods and traditions before ending with a long-awaited homecoming. Titled *MODULATIO*, the PPO’s 42nd concert season comprises eight performances led by music director and principal conductor Grzegorz Nowak. The orchestra will present celebrated masterpieces alongside contemporary compositions, including world and Philippine premieres. The season also gathers Filipino and international soloists. Its featured musicians include pianists Martin Garcia García, Mario Galeani, and Natasha Paremski; harpist Vien Ignacio; and violinists Kaycee Galano, Diomedes Saraza Jr., Ju-Young Baek, and Dmytro Udovychenko. READ ALSO: [Should We Still Dress For The Theater?](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/arts-and-culture/should-we-still-dress-for-the-theater/) ![Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra 2026 MODULATIO](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/PPO-SEASON-42.jpg)## **When And Where To Watch The Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra 2026-2027 Season** *MODULATIO* opens with *Dacapo* on September 25, 2026, at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater. The rest of the PPO’s new season will unfold as follows: - *Elegance* — October 16, 2026, Metropolitan Theater - *Bolero* — November 6, 2026, Samsung Performing Arts Theater - *Destiny* — December 4, 2026, Samsung Performing Arts Theater - *Genesis* — January 15, 2027, Samsung Performing Arts Theater - *Resilience* — February 12, 2027, Metropolitan Theater - *Visions* — March 12, 2027, Metropolitan Theater - *Al Fine* — April 16, 2027, Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo, CCP Main Theater All performances begin at 730 PM. The final concert will mark the PPO’s return to the CCP Main Building, which temporarily closed in 2023 for a three-year rehabilitation. The project was designed to preserve the landmark’s architecture while updating its structural systems and performance facilities and improving accessibility. After presenting its concerts at venues around Metro Manila during the closure, the orchestra will conclude *MODULATIO* back on its home stage. *For more information visit [www.culturalcenter.gov.ph](http://www.culturalcenter.gov.ph).* --- ## Frequently Asked Questions ### What is the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra’s new concert season? The Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra’s 42nd concert season is titled MODULATIO. It comprises eight concerts featuring celebrated masterpieces, contemporary works, and world and Philippine premieres. ### When is the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra’s 2026–2027 season? The PPO’s 42nd concert season runs from September 25, 2026, to April 16, 2027. All performances begin at 7:30 p.m. ### Where will the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra perform? The PPO will perform at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater, Metropolitan Theater, and Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo, also known as the CCP Main Theater. ### Who are the featured soloists in the PPO’s MODULATIO season? The featured soloists include pianists Martin Garcia García, Mario Galeani, and Natasha Paremski; harpist Vien Ignacio; and violinists Kaycee Galano, Diomedes Saraza Jr., Ju-Young Baek, and Dmytro Udovychenko. ### When will the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra return to the CCP Main Theater? The PPO will return to the CCP Main Theater for *Al Fine* on April 16, 2027. The concert concludes MODULATIO and marks the orchestra’s return to the CCP Main Building following its rehabilitation. **Categories:** Arts & Culture **Tags:** 2026 season, CCP, Cultural Center of the Philippines, Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, PPO --- ### [The Tarzeer Grant For Photography Gives Artists Space To Develop New Work](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/arts-and-culture/tarzeer-grant-for-photography-2027-philippines/) **Published:** September 3, 2026 **Author:** Kerry Tinga **Content:** ## **The inaugural grant provides funding for both the production and exhibition of new photographic projects.** Before there can be a photograph, there must be light. The medium takes its name from Greek words meaning “drawing with light,” but its art extends beyond the physical process of making an image. Meaning enters through the photographer’s decisions and continues in how the finished work is presented. And while a photograph can be taken in an instant, a photographic project develops over a much longer period. The inaugural Tarzeer Grant for Photography 2027 supports that sustained work, providing artists with the resources to produce a project and subsequently present it to the public. Selected recipients will receive a total grant of ₱300,000. Of this amount, ₱200,000 will serve as a project fund for producing the work in 2027, while ₱100,000 will support its presentation in an exhibition at Tarzeer Pictures. READ ALSO: [Filipino Drag Queen Portrait Heads To London’s National Portrait Gallery](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/arts-and-culture/jan-mayo-exhibits-drag-queen-in-waiting-at-national-portrait-gallery-2026/) ![Tarzeer Grant for Photography 2027](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/TZP-Photography-Grant-Poster-02SEP2026-1.jpg) “The development and presentation of image-based work are the core of our program at Tarzeer Pictures. Last year, we launched the TARZEER GRANT FOR SHORT FILMS and awarded four projects which are currently in production,” the Tarzeer Pictures team shares with *Lifestyle Asia*. “The TARZEER GRANT FOR PHOTOGRAPHY is part of this continuous effort to support the ambitions of artists and projects.” The first edition welcomes individuals working across all modes and forms of photography. This broad scope recognizes that photography can transcend a single method or definition, giving artists room to reconsider how images are made and encountered. “Opening the first edition to individuals working across all modes and forms of photography excites us, and we hope that this scope creates inroads toward new voices, ideas, and possibilities for photographic work,” the team adds. *Applications are open until October 15, 2026. Deliberations will take place in November, with the selected projects announced in January 2027. More information is available through the [Tarzeer Pictures website](https://tarzeerpictures.com/process/grantforphotography-2027).* --- ## Frequently Asked Questions ### What is the Tarzeer Grant for Photography 2027? The Tarzeer Grant for Photography 2027 is an initiative supporting the development and exhibition of new photographic projects. ### How much funding does the Tarzeer Grant for Photography provide? Selected recipients will receive ₱300,000: a ₱200,000 project fund for production and a ₱100,000 exhibition fund. ### Who can apply for the Tarzeer Grant for Photography? The inaugural edition welcomes individuals working across all modes and forms of photography. ### When is the application deadline? Applications for the Tarzeer Grant for Photography 2027 close on October 15, 2026. ### When will the selected photography projects be announced? Tarzeer Pictures will deliberate on shortlisted projects in November 2026 and announce the selected projects in January 2027. **Categories:** Arts & Culture **Tags:** art grants, photography grants, tarzeer, tarzeer grant for photography, tarzeer pictures --- ### [Nora Makes Underwear The Main Event With “Warm Girl”](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/style/nora-underwear-launches-warm-girl-collection/) **Published:** September 3, 2026 **Author:** Julianna Cabili **Content:** ## ***Warm Girl* expands Nora’s wardrobe with sun-warmed shades, its first bralettes, and a new dress**. Underwear is supposed to disappear the moment you put it on. Instead, most of us spend our days adjusting straps and peeling off waistbands. [Nora](https://www.instagram.com/wearnora_/), the buzzy new it-girl label known for its underwear and loungewear, argues that this compromise is unnecessary. Its newest collection, *Warm Girl*, makes that case. ![Nora Go-To Scoop and Plunge bralettes in Toasted, paired with the Go-To Cheeky in the same shade Nora Makes Underwear The Main Event With “Warm Girl” ](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/nora-warm-girl-underwear-orange-scaled.webp)Nora Go-To Scoop and Plunge bralettes in Toasted, paired with the Go-To Cheeky in the same shade READ ALSO: [Niche, Cool-Girl Independent Brands That Ship To The Philippines](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/style/niche-cool-girl-brands-that-ship-to-the-philippines/) ## **Nora Makes Room For More** The collection is the largest Nora has released. It introduces the brand’s first bralettes and a new everyday mini dress, both designed to be worn at home, layered under other clothes, or styled alone. Underwear is still the core of what Nora makes, but this collection adds two new categories to the wardrobe it’s building around it. *Warm Girl* fills that new range out with specific pieces. The Go-To halter dress comes in Charcoal and Butter, the Go-To scoop and plunge bralettes come in Charcoal and Toasted, and the brand’s existing underwear line extends into three new shades of Peach, Toasted, and Butter. Nora has grounded its identity on pieces that move between those uses without asking the wearer to think twice. The brand made its name on loungewear and underwear sold in eye-catching colors like chartreuse and blush pink. You’ve probably already seen a Nora set while scrolling your FYP, donned by your most stylish Instagram mutual. ![Nora Go-To Halter Dress in Charcoal](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/nora-warm-girl-black-dress-scaled.webp)![Nora Go-To Halter Dress in Butter](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/nora-warm-girl-yellow-dress-scaled.webp)Nora Go-To Halter Dress in Charcoal and Butter## **How Nora’s *Warm Girl* Gets You Dressed In Golden Hour** *Warm Girl* takes its name and its color story from a specific feeling: the hour before sunset, when the light turns gold and everything looks a little softer. The palette follows suit, landing on the new Butter, Peach, Toasted, and Charcoal shades, chosen for how easily they fold into whatever else already hangs in a closet. “*Warm Girl* is really about that feeling of being comfortable in your own skin,” explains Ana Palomo-Mabanta, Nora’s founder. “We wanted the collection to feel warm, effortless, and very Nora, while also giving our community something new to wear. The bralettes and dress felt like a natural next step for us because they extend the same idea of comfort into more of your everyday wardrobe.” ![Nora Go-To bralettes in Charcoal and Toasted, paired with the new Peach and Butter underwear shades](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/nora-warm-girl-underwear-blue-scaled.webp)Nora Go-To bralettes in Charcoal and Toasted, paired with the new Peach and Butter underwear shades *Shop the collection exclusively at* [*wearnora.com*](http://wearnora.com) --- *Photos courtesy of* Nora --- ## Frequently Asked Questions ### What is Nora’s *Warm Girl* collection? *Warm Girl* is Nora’s largest collection yet, expanding its underwear and loungewear offering with its first bralettes, a new everyday mini dress, and four new shades. ### Who is the founder of Nora? Ana Palomo-Mabanta is the founder of Nora, the Filipino-founded label known for its underwear and loungewear. ### What new pieces does Nora introduce with *Warm Girl*? It introduces Nora’s first bralettes, including the Go-To scoop and plunge bralettes, along with the Go-To halter dress. ### What colors are in Nora’s *Warm Girl* collection? *Warm Girl* features four shades: Butter, Peach, Toasted, and Charcoal. ### What is the inspiration behind Nora’s *Warm Girl* collection? *Warm Girl* is inspired by the feeling of being comfortable in your own skin and the softer, golden light of the hour before sunset. **Categories:** Style **Tags:** clothes, Fashion, fashion 2026, new collections 2026, Nora, Style, Underwear --- ### [What Health Screenings Should Women Undergo Before 30?](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/self/health-screenings-for-women-under-30/) **Published:** September 4, 2026 **Author:** Julianna Cabili **Content:** ## **With World Sexual Health Day on September 4, it’s a good time to take stock of the screenings and health checks women should prioritize in their twenties.** Your twenties move fast. Between job changes and apartment hunts, sexual health screenings often get pushed to “next month” for years in a row. It’s easy to tell yourself you’ll deal with it once things calm down, except things rarely calm down, and the appointments keep sliding further into the future. Meanwhile, your body doesn’t wait for a slower season to start changing, and some of the guidelines that apply to you right now won’t apply once you turn 30. September 4 marks World Sexual Health Day, and this occasion serves as the perfect nudge for you to stop postponing. Here’s what to get checked while you’re still in your twenties, before the big *three-oh* arrives and your body’s own guidelines start shifting. READ ALSO: [PCOS Gets A New Name: Why The Shift To PMOS Is A Win For Millions Of Women](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/self/pcos-gets-a-new-name-why-the-shift-to-pmos-is-a-win-for-millions-of-women/) ![Make time for the sexual health screenings you may be putting off](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/womens-health-fertility-testing-scaled.webp)Make time for the sexual health screenings you may be putting off/Photo via Pexels ## **Keep Up With Pap Smears** The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists [recommends](https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/committee-statement/articles/2026/07/screening-for-cervical-cancer) cytology alone every three years for women between 21 and 29. If you skipped last year’s appointment, this is the decade to fix that, since your options change once you cross into your thirties and doctors start adding HPV testing into the mix. ## **Make STI Testing Routine** The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) [recommends](https://www.cdc.gov/sti/testing/index.html) that all sexually active women under 25 get tested annually for chlamydia and gonorrhea. Once you turn 25, you don’t get to stop entirely. Yearly screening still applies if you have a new partner, multiple partners, or a partner who has an STI. HIV testing is also worth doing at least once between ages 13 and 64, and it’s easy to fold into a regular checkup rather than treating it as its own separate errand. ## **Don’t Skip The HPV Vaccine** A lot of women can assume they aged out of the [HPV vaccine](https://www.immunize.org/ask-experts/topic/hpv/) somewhere around their college years. That assumption is wrong. The vaccine is approved through age 45, and while routine vaccination targets people up to 26, your twenties are still squarely inside that window. If you never got the shot, ask your doctor about it now rather than waiting until you’re outside the range where it’s a straightforward yes. ## **Know Your Breast Cancer Risk Early** [Ask your doctor](https://www.breastcancer.org/screening-testing/mammograms/recommendations) for a clinical breast exam during your annual visit and get familiar with what feels normal for your own body so you notice changes as they happen. If breast or ovarian cancer runs in your family, mention it now rather than waiting until your forties, since that history can change when screening should start for you. ![Stay familiar with your body and speak up about changes](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/world-sexual-health-day-breast-cancer-scaled.webp)Stay familiar with your body and speak up about changes/Photo via Pexels ## **Ask About Your Thyroid And Fertility** A few things belong on your radar even without a formal screening guideline attached to them. Thyroid issues tend to surface in your twenties and thirties, and they can affect your period, energy, and mood long before anyone thinks to test for them. If children are part of your future plans, this is also the decade to ask your doctor about fertility and ovarian reserve, since that conversation is far more useful now than it is once you’re already trying to conceive. ## **Talk About Your Mental Health** Sexual health and mental health are more connected than most checklists admit. Building a relationship with a therapist, or simply being upfront with your doctor about stress, anxiety, or mood changes, tends to pay off more the earlier you start. Your twenties are a good time to normalize that conversation instead of waiting for a crisis to force it. ## **Why Women Should Build The Habit Of Getting Regular Screenings Now** You don’t need to fulfill all of this by spending an entire afternoon at the hospital, marathoning appointment after appointment. Start a simple record of your screening dates, vaccines, and family history while you’re still in your twenties, and every appointment after 30 becomes easier to navigate. --- ## Frequently Asked Questions ### What health checks should women get before turning 30? Women in their twenties should keep up with Pap smears, STI testing, HPV vaccination, breast health checks, and regular conversations about mental health, thyroid health, and fertility. ### How often should women get Pap smears in their twenties? The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends cytology alone every three years for women ages 21 to 29. ### When should women get tested for STI’s? The CDC recommends annual chlamydia and gonorrhea testing for all sexually active women under 25. After 25, yearly testing is still recommended for women with a new partner, multiple partners, or a partner who has an STI. ### When is World Sexual Health Day? World Sexual Health Day 2026 falls on September 4. ### What other health concerns should women discuss before 30? Women can ask their doctor about thyroid health, fertility and ovarian reserve, breast health, family history of breast or ovarian cancer, and mental health. **Categories:** Self **Tags:** Health, Health screenings, self, sexual health, Wellness, women's health, World Sexual Health Day --- ### [Inside RSVP LA With Cover Star Paloma Urquijo Zobel De Ayala](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/scene/paloma-zobel-de-ayala-rsvp-la-cerulean/) **Published:** September 2, 2026 **Author:** Leila Antonio **Content:** ## ***Lifestyle Asia* celebrates the launch of its September 2026 Travel and Motion Issue with cover star Paloma Urquijo Zobel de Ayala over an intimate dinner at Cerulean.** On September 1, 2026, *Lifestyle Asia* [launched its latest print issue](https://sarisari.shopping/collections/lifestyle-asia-single-issue-collections/products/lifestyle-asia-sep-2026-paloma-urquijo-zobel-de-ayala), gathering with cover star and guest of honor Paloma Urquijo Zobel de Ayala for a new edition of RSVP LA. The intimate evening brought together her friends and family, along with members of the team who helped bring the Travel and Motion Issue to life. Cerulean provided a fitting setting for the occasion. Located at The Shops at Ayala Triangle Gardens, the new seafood-first fine dining restaurant sits within one of the places connected to Paloma’s work as Creative Director of Ayala Land. Its ocean-inspired concept also reflected the issue’s exploration of place and movement. ![RSVP LA at Cerulean](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/RSVP-LA-Paloma-1.jpg) READ ALSO: [Paloma Urquijo Zobel De Ayala On Creating Places People Return To](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/people/ayala-land-paloma-urquijo-zobel-de-ayala-cover-story/) The evening began with guests mingling inside Cerulean’s flowing interiors. Everyone then gathered around the table for a special dinner prepared by Executive Chef Francis Tolentino and his team, showcasing Philippine seafood through contemporary Asian flavors. Before dessert, *Lifestyle Asia* Chief of Editorial Content Kerry Tinga spoke about the making of the September issue and the occasion that brought everyone together. Paloma followed by sharing a few words about her experience shooting the cover in Calatagan and thanking the creative team behind it. A toast marked both the issue’s release and the many people who shaped its stories. ![Pili Ani Inside RSVP LA With Cover Star Paloma Urquijo Zobel De Ayala](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/RSVP-LA-Paloma-2.jpg) READ ALSO: [Cerulean, A Seafood-First Fine Dining Restaurant](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/dining/cerulean-opens-ayala-triangle-gardens-fine-dining-restaurant/) Guests also received a selection of Philippine wellness rituals from Pili Ani, specially prepared for the gathering in honor of Paloma. Rooted in Philippine nature and wellness, the gifts reflected the values explored in her cover story and echoed throughout the evening’s setting. In her cover feature, Paloma speaks about the importance of storytelling and meaningful human interaction across the homes, hotels, and neighborhoods she helps create. Around the table at Cerulean, those ideas found another expression through food, conversation, and the members of our community. RSVP LA extends *Lifestyle Asia*’s covers beyond publishing, creating a second editorial moment around the personalities and ideas within each issue. For Paloma’s edition, it offered an intimate celebration of the places we shape, the stories they hold, and the people who give them meaning. *Check out the latest edition of RSVP LA, where we bring our community together and make room for conversation to continue around the table.* ![Cerulean Inside RSVP LA With Cover Star Paloma Urquijo Zobel De Ayala](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/RSVP-LA-Paloma-3.jpg)The table is set at Cerulean ![Francis Tolentino](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/RSVP-LA-Paloma-4.jpg)Executive Chef Francis Tolentino and his team prepare the dinner for the evening ![RSVP LA](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/RSVP-LA-Paloma-5.jpg) ![Cerulean menu](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/RSVP-LA-Paloma-6.jpg)The dinner menu ![Mariana Zobel de Ayala , Paloma Urquijo Zobel de Ayala](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/RSVP-LA-Paloma-4-1.jpg)Cover star Paloma Urquijo Zobel de Ayala reading the September 2026 issue of *Lifestyle Asia* ![Mark Ocampo Mariana Zobel de Ayala](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/RSVP-LA-Paloma-8.jpg)Mark Ocampo and Mariana Zobel de Ayala ![Aleah Yao Mark](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/RSVP-LA-Paloma-90.jpg)Aleah Sia-Yao and Mark Yao ![Clementine Comoy Dominic Bekaert](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/RSVP-LA-Paloma-91.jpg)Clementine Comoy and Dominic Bekaert ![Marga Nograles Mariana Zobel de Ayala Paloma](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/RSVP-LA-Paloma-15.jpg)Marga Nograles, Mariana Zobel de Ayala, and Paloma Urquijo Zobel de Ayala ![Kerry Tinga Apples Aberin](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/RSVP-LA-Paloma-10.jpg)*Lifestyle Asia* Chief of Editorial Content Kerry Tinga and OMGI VP for Lifestyle Brands Apples Aberin ![Cerulean](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/RSVP-LA-Paloma-7.jpg)Scallop and Crab Butter by Cerulean ![Cerulean](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/RSVP-LA-Paloma-13.jpg)Tamarind Glazed Gindara Belly Risotto by Cerulean ![Cerulean](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/RSVP-LA-Paloma-17.jpg)Uni Ice Cream Sandwich by Cerulean ![Pili Ani](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/RSVP-LA-Paloma-16.jpg)Pili Ani Wellness Ritual Set giveaways --- *Photography by* Kieran Punay of KLIQ, Inc. **Categories:** Scene **Tags:** cerulean, paloma urquijo zobel de ayala, RSVP LA, september 2026 --- ### [IWC Introduces Its First Purple Pilot’s Watch For Singapore](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/style/iwc-purple-pilots-watch-chronograph-41-singapore/) **Published:** September 3, 2026 **Author:** Mj Calayan **Content:** ## **Ahead of the Singapore Grand Prix, IWC unveils a new Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 with a purple dial inspired by Singapore’s national flower.** Ahead of the Singapore Grand Prix this October, [IWC Schaffhausen](https://www.iwc.com/ww-en) introduces a new expression of its longstanding partnership with the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One™ Team. The Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One™ Team (Ref. IW388121) arrives with a striking new detail: a deep, saturated purple dial, marking the first time the color has appeared in IWC’s Pilot’s Watch collection. ![IWC Introduces Its First Purple Pilot’s Watch for Singapore F1 Formula One Chronograph 41](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/1920_iwc_pascalkerouche_202695511.webp)George Russell and Kimi Antonelli wearing the Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula OneTM Team (Ref. IW388121) READ ALSO: [Who Is The Filipino Designer Behind Alex Eala’s New York Street Style?](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/style/who-is-filipino-designer-atelier-carlene-alex-eala-new-york-street-style/) ## **The New Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 Pays Homage To Singapore’s National Flower** The new chronograph takes its inspiration from the Vanda Miss Joaquim, Singapore’s national flower. Bred in 1893 by Armenian-Singaporean horticulturist Agnes Joaquim, the orchid serves as the inspiration for the watch’s distinctive purple dial, while its associations with resilience, boldness, and innovation echo the shared values behind the IWC and Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS partnership. ![IWC Introduces Its First Purple Pilot’s Watch for Singapore F1 Formula One Chronograph 41](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/1920_iwc_pascalkerouche_202697051.webp) Set against the rich purple surface are details in the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One™ Team’s signature green. The numerals and indices carry the team’s recognizable color, while luminescent coating on the hands and markers ensures legibility in low-light conditions—a particularly fitting detail for a timepiece unveiled in anticipation of Formula 1’s iconic night race at the Marina Bay Street Circuit. ![Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One™ Team (Ref. IW388121)](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/1920_iwc_pascalkerouche_202698402.webp)![Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS ](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/1920_iwc_pascalkerouche_2026923111.webp)Kimi Antonelli and George Russell The color story continues with a purple rubber strap fitted with IWC’s EasX-CHANGE® system, allowing for quick interchangeability at the push of a button. The release also coincides with a new Adidas collection centered on adaptive precision in Formula 1™ engineering and the sportswear brand’s performance-driven identity. ## **The Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41, Examined** The 41mm case is crafted from Grade 5 titanium, chosen for its combination of strength, lightness, resistance to heat, and corrosion resistance. At 14.5mm thick, the case is finished with a brushed surface that accentuates titanium’s characteristic silvery-grey tone. The material also has a direct connection to motorsport, where high-strength titanium alloys are used in components including connecting rods, valves, and the Halo safety structure. ![IWC](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/1920_iw388121_mood_front2.webp)Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula OneTM Team (Ref. IW388121) Powering the watch is the IWC-manufactured 69385 caliber, an automatic mechanical chronograph built around a column-wheel architecture. Operating at 28,800 vibrations per hour and equipped with 33 jewels, it offers a 46-hour power reserve. IWC’s signature vertical subdial configuration places the chronograph minutes at 12 o’clock, while a combined day-date display sits at 3 o’clock. Geneva stripes and circular graining decorate the movement, which is visible through the sapphire-glass caseback. Water-resistant to 10 bar and fitted with a convex sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating on both sides, the IW388121 balances the functional character of IWC’s Pilot’s Watch lineage with a more expressive palette. ![IWC](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/1920_iw388121_mood_back1.webp)The back view of the Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula OneTM Team (Ref. IW388121) As the fourth official team watches to emerge from the partnership, the new edition follows releases in 2022, 2023, and 2025. It will be worn by Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One™ Team personnel, from mechanics and engineers at the circuit to staff at the team’s Brackley headquarters. The Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One™ Team brings a distinctly Singaporean note to IWC’s Formula 1 story, pairing the technical character of its titanium chronograph with a dial color that’s both unexpected and immediately identifiable. --- *Photos courtesy of* IWC Schaffhausen --- ## Frequently Asked Questions ### What is IWC’s new watch for the Singapore Grand Prix? IWC’s new release is the Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One™ Team (Ref. IW388121). The 41mm titanium chronograph was unveiled ahead of the Singapore Grand Prix and features a deep purple dial inspired by Singapore’s national flower, the Vanda Miss Joaquim. ### Why does the new IWC Pilot’s Watch have a purple dial? The purple dial is inspired by the Vanda Miss Joaquim, Singapore’s national flower. Bred in 1893 by Armenian-Singaporean horticulturist Agnes Joaquim, the orchid is associated with resilience, boldness, and innovation. The release also marks the first time a purple dial has appeared in IWC’s Pilot’s Watch collection. ### What are the specifications of the IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 IW388121? The watch features a 41mm Grade 5 titanium case with a height of 14.5mm. It is powered by IWC’s 69385 automatic mechanical chronograph movement, which operates at 28,800 vibrations per hour, has 33 jewels, and offers a 46-hour power reserve. The watch is also water-resistant to 10 bar and fitted with a sapphire crystal with an antireflective coating on both sides. ### What movement is inside the new IWC Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team watch? The IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One™ Team is powered by the IWC-manufactured 69385 caliber. The automatic mechanical chronograph uses a column-wheel architecture and features a vertical subdial layout, chronograph minutes at 12 o’clock, a combined day-date display at 3 o’clock, and a 46-hour power reserve. ### Is this the first IWC Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One™ Team watch? No. The IW388121 is the fourth official team watch released through the partnership. Earlier releases include the Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 Edition from 2022, the Pilot’s Watch Performance Chronograph 41 from 2023, and the Pilot’s Watch Mark XX released in 2025. **Categories:** Style **Tags:** Formula One, IWC, IWC Schaffhausen, Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS --- ### [Olivia Rodrigo’s Daisy Chain Fields Was More Than A Music Festival](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/arts-and-culture/olivia-rodrigo-daisy-chain-fields-fundraising-advocacies-women/) **Published:** September 2, 2026 **Author:** Mj Calayan **Content:** ## **Olivia Rodrigo’s Daisy Chain Fields brought together some of music’s biggest names while raising millions for organizations supporting women and girls.** It’s been a few days since the [Daisy Chain Fields](https://www.daisychainfields.com/) festival, and people are still talking about it. Filipino-American pop star Olivia Rodrigo founded Daisy Chain Fields to inspire meaningful change through music and community. But besides the performances and star-studded lineup, the festival brought together fans for a day that felt just as much about connection as it was about music. From unforgettable live sets to the shared energy of thousands of people singing along to their favorite songs, Daisy Chain Fields showed us how a music festival can also be a space to bring people together, spark conversations, and make a good time a little more meaningful. ![Daisy Chain Fields founder and musician Olivia Rodrigo](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/daisy-chain-fields-olivia-rod.webp)Daisy Chain Fields founder and musician Olivia Rodrigo READ ALSO: [“Heathers The Musical” Is Coming To Manila This January 2027](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/arts-and-culture/heathers-the-musical-comes-to-manila-january-2027/) ## **Key Moments From The Daisy Chain Fields Music Festival** With a lineup stacked with women who’ve soundtracked years of heartbreak, rage, joy, and everything in between, Daisy Chain Fields was bound to deliver a few moments that would take over everyone’s feeds. And it did. Artists including Chappell Roan, Mitski, Doechii, Bikini Kill, Garbage, The Breeders, and more kept the festival going across generations and genres. The lineup itself was part of the fun: you could go from screaming along to a pop anthem to catching a punk legend in the span of a few hours. ![ Daisy Chain Fields Festival by Olivia Rodrigo](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/789264132_17877799050690383_4922445502391025165_n-scaled.webp)Doechii’s set on Daisy Chain Fields Festival was nothing short of iconic Olivia Rodrigo, of course, saved some of the biggest surprises for her own set. The standout had to be her performance of “Landslide” with Stevie Nicks—a moment between one of pop’s biggest stars today and the Fleetwood Mac icon who influenced her, and generations of artists. ![Stevie Nicks and Olivia Rodrigo](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/daisy-chain-fields-stevie-nicks-and-olivia-rodrigo-scaled.webp)Stevie Nicks and Olivia Rodrigo > [@rollingstone](https://www.tiktok.com/@rollingstone?refer=embed "@rollingstone")unreal. @Olivia Rodrigo and Stevie Nicks perform [\#Landslide](https://www.tiktok.com/tag/landslide?refer=embed "landslide") at [\#daisychainfields](https://www.tiktok.com/tag/daisychainfields?refer=embed "daisychainfields") festival. [\#oliviarodrigo](https://www.tiktok.com/tag/oliviarodrigo?refer=embed "oliviarodrigo") [\#stevienicks](https://www.tiktok.com/tag/stevienicks?refer=embed "stevienicks") [\#fyp](https://www.tiktok.com/tag/fyp?refer=embed "fyp") > > [♬ original sound – Rolling Stone](https://www.tiktok.com/music/original-sound-7679733386478373662?refer=embed "♬ original sound - Rolling Stone") In a full-circle moment, Rodrigo was also joined by Sarah McLachlan, who co-founded the all-women touring festival [Lilith Fair](https://www.history.com/articles/lilith-fair-festival-importance-music-industry) in 1997 to challenge sexism in the industry, a movement that inspired the young artist to start Daisy Chain Fields in the first place; with Alanis Morissette gracing the stage as well, the closing set became a crash course in women-led music history. ![ Daisy Chain Fields Festival by Olivia Rodrigo](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/789728303_17877619371690383_9104530098990888534_n.webp)Chappel Roan showed why she’s your favorite pop star’s pop star in her performance ## **The Cause Behind Daisy Chain Fields, And The Organizations It Funded** Daisy Chain Fields had a clear purpose beyond giving everyone an excuse to spend the day listening to an absurdly good lineup. 100% of the festival’s net proceeds went to 10 nonprofit organizations supporting women and girls in the United States and around the world. The causes covered reproductive rights, maternal health, economic justice, gender equity, family support, domestic workers’ rights, and protection against domestic violence. Even better, the artists agreed to perform for free so the festival’s proceeds could go directly toward its nonprofit partners. ![ Daisy Chain Fields Festival by Olivia Rodrigo](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/789033992_17877527319690383_7736415298542329890_n-Large.webp)Fans and music lovers alike showed up for a good cause Ticket sales generated $10 million, which Melinda French Gates matched with another $10 million, bringing the total raised to $20 million. The funds will support organizations including Planned Parenthood, Baby2Baby, Black Mamas Matter Alliance, the Center for Reproductive Rights, the National Women’s Law Center, and the National Domestic Workers Alliance, among others. So yes, people came for Rodrigo and her roster of admirable women artists, but their tickets ended up supporting something much bigger than a very good day of live music. --- *Photos courtesy of* [Daisy Chain Fields](https://www.instagram.com/daisychainfields) and [Olivia Rodrigo](https://www.instagram.com/p/Dcty3GrAfcY/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsi=MzRlODBiNWFlZA%3D%3D) --- ## Frequently Asked Questions ### What is Daisy Chain Fields? Daisy Chain Fields is a music festival founded by Filipino-American pop star Olivia Rodrigo. The festival was created to inspire meaningful change through music and community, bringing together artists and fans for a day of live performances while supporting organizations that work with women and girls. ### Who performed at the Daisy Chain Fields festival? The festival featured Olivia Rodrigo, Chappell Roan, Mitski, Doechii, Bikini Kill, Garbage, and The Breeders, among others. Rodrigo’s set also included appearances from Stevie Nicks, Sarah McLachlan, and Alanis Morissette. ### Did Olivia Rodrigo perform with Stevie Nicks at Daisy Chain Fields? Yes. One of the festival’s biggest moments was Olivia Rodrigo and Stevie Nicks performing Landslide together. The performance quickly became one of the most talked-about highlights from Daisy Chain Fields. ### Where did the money from Daisy Chain Fields ticket sales go? One hundred percent of Daisy Chain Fields’ net proceeds went to 10 nonprofit organizations supporting women and girls in the United States and around the world. The funds supported causes including reproductive rights, maternal health, economic justice, gender equity, family support, domestic workers’ rights, and protection against domestic violence. ### How much money did Daisy Chain Fields raise? Ticket sales generated $10 million, which Melinda French Gates matched with another $10 million. In total, Daisy Chain Fields raised $20 million for 10 nonprofit organizations, including Planned Parenthood, Baby2Baby, Black Mamas Matter Alliance, the Center for Reproductive Rights, the National Women’s Law Center, and the National Domestic Workers Alliance. **Categories:** Arts & Culture **Tags:** Daisy Chain Fields, Olivia Rodrigo --- ### [On The Menu: A Limited 12-Seat Omakase Opens At Grand Hyatt Manila](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/dining/grand-hyatt-manila-omakase-chef-yuki-anzai/) **Published:** September 3, 2026 **Author:** Kerry Tinga **Content:** ## **For 10 weeks only, Tokyo-trained Chef Yuki Anzai brings his precise approach to *Edomae* sushi to an intimate counter inside The Lounge** **at Grand Hyatt Manila.** Perhaps it’s just me, but I’ve always found there to be a sense of occasion when dining in a hotel lobby. Step into Grand Hyatt Manila and you’re met by soaring interiors, a sweeping staircase, and live music often filling the space. Now, walk up the steps to The Lounge on the second floor and something far more intimate awaits. Beginning September 9, 2026, a limited Grand Hyatt Manila *omakase* takes over the Round Bar at The Lounge. Running for 10 weeks until November 14, 2026, the residency welcomes only 12 guests per seating, with two seatings each evening at 6 PM and 830 PM. The Round Bar has occasionally hosted pop-ups or served as additional seating for The Lounge, but the Grand Hyatt team always saw the potential to do something more with it. For this residency, the granite counter has been replaced with warm wood, transforming the familiar spot into a quaint Japanese sushi counter. READ ALSO: [Your Astrological Sign, Your Table: The Manila Fine Dining Restaurant For You](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/dining/astrological-sign-fine-dining-restaurant-metro-manila/) ![Chef Yuki Anzai](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Chef-Yuki-Anzai-9-1-scaled.jpg)Chef Yuki Anzai A hotel lobby is its own kind of theater, shaped by arrivals and departures, meetings and celebrations, with countless small stories unraveling across the room. At the Round Bar, the theater draws into a smaller circle. Chef Yuki Anzai stands at its center, preparing each course as guests gather around him. Slicing the fish, shaping the rice, and applying the final seasoning all become part of the performance, while the life of the lobby continues just beyond the counter. It’s intimate yet grand, closely connected to the chef while still surrounded by the atmosphere and ceremony of one of the city’s landmark hotels. Tokyo-trained Chef Yuki brings more than 12 years of experience across Japan, the United States, and Southeast Asia. Since 2024, he has led Manila Sushi Chef, where he creates intimate *omakase* dinners and private dining experiences. Fluent in Japanese and English, he readily explains the ingredients and techniques as he works. With a near-constant smile and an easy, pleasant manner, he keeps conversation moving around the counter. The warmth complements the precision of his preparation, particularly in an experience where he’s both the culinary and physical center of the meal. ## **What To Expect From The Grand Hyatt Manila *Omakase*** *Omakase* asks diners to leave the decisions in the chef’s hands. Accordingly, Chef Yuki will not serve one fixed tasting menu throughout the residency. Each evening evolves with the seasons and best ingredients available on the day, including carefully selected seafood and produce sourced from Toyosu Market in Japan. The media preview offered a first look at Chef Yuki’s approach, and what we can say is that guests can expect a considered progression. Chef Yuki begins with lighter, more delicate flavors before gradually moving toward richer courses. Temperature is treated as an important part of that progression. Guests may choose between two expressions of the *omakase*. The light omakase includes the chef’s welcome bite, a seasonal appetizer, seasonal sashimi, five pieces of nigiri, two pieces of maki, *chawanmushi*, and dessert. The full *omakase* expands the meal with a seasonal small dish, a specialty dish, eight pieces of nigiri instead of five, an additional course, dessert, and seasonal fruit. Fine sake, wine, and champagne are also available to accompany the menu. *Explore a sample of the Grand Hyatt Manila omakase below.* ![Chef Yuki Anzai The Lounge](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Crab-seared-scallop-and-uni-with-tosazu-jelly-4-1.jpg)Appetizer of crab with seared scallop and topped with uni and *tosazu* jelly ![Chef Yuki Anzai The Lounge](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Amadai-tile-fish-nigiri-3-1-scaled.jpg)*Amadai* (tilefish) nigiri ![Grand Hyatt Manila omakase](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Shima-aji-striped-jack-nigiri-2-1-scaled.jpg)*Shima aji* (striped jack) nigiri ![Grand Hyatt Manila omakase](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Hotate-scallop-nigiri-1-scaled.jpg)*Hotate* (scallop) nigiri ![Grand Hyatt Manila omakase](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Miso-creme-brulee-2-1-scaled.jpg)Miso crème brûlée dessert ![Grand Hyatt Manila omakase](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Black-sesame-macaron-1-1-scaled.jpg)Black sesame macaron dessert *The Omakase Bar at the Round Table offers two omakase experiences. The light omakase, with seven courses, is priced at ₱5,800 per person. The full omakase, with 10 courses, is priced at ₱7,800 per person. The Omakase Bar at the Round Table is available from Wednesdays through Saturdays, with two seatings at 6 PM and 830 PM, from September 9, 2026, until November 14, 2026. The Omakase at the Round Bar is located on the second floor of the Grand Hyatt Manila, 8th Ave. cor. 35th Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. Reservations are available via their booking [link](https://www.tablecheck.com/en/grandhyatt-manila-the-lounge/reserve/message?utm_source=brand).* --- *Photos courtesy of* Grand Hyatt Manila --- ## Frequently Asked Questions ### What is the Grand Hyatt Manila omakase? The Grand Hyatt Manila omakase is a limited 12-seat Edomae sushi residency led by Tokyo-trained Chef Yuki Anzai. It takes place at the transformed Round Bar of The Lounge on the hotel’s second floor. ### When is the Grand Hyatt Manila omakase available? The omakase runs for 10 weeks, from September 9 to November 14, 2026. Two seatings are offered each evening at 6 PM and 830 PM, with only 12 guests accommodated per seating. ### How much is the Grand Hyatt Manila omakase? The light omakase costs ₱5,800 nett, while the full omakase costs ₱7,800 nett. ### What is included in the Grand Hyatt Manila omakase menus? The light omakase includes a welcome bite, seasonal appetizer, seasonal sashimi, five pieces of nigiri, two pieces of maki, *chawanmushi*, and dessert. The full omakase adds a seasonal small dish, specialty dish, eight pieces of nigiri, an additional course, dessert, and seasonal fruit. ### How can guests reserve the Grand Hyatt Manila omakase? Guests may reserve online through The Lounge, call 02 8838 1234 or 02 7918 1234, or email . Advance reservations are recommended because each seating is limited to 12 guests. **Categories:** Dining **Tags:** dining 2026, dining events 2026, events 2026, Grand Hyatt Manila, grand hyatt manila omakase, Japanese cuisine, japanese dining, omakase --- ### [OMEGA Translates The Moonwatch Spirit For A Smaller Speedmaster](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/style/omega-speedmaster-38mm-moonwatch-collection/) **Published:** September 2, 2026 **Author:** Julianna Cabili **Content:** ## **OMEGA gives its Speedmaster 38 mm case a fresh update with Moonwatch-inspired details, new colorways, gold accents, and diamonds.** The watch on your wrist signals personality the way a handbag does, and [OMEGA](https://www.omegawatches.com) is betting that a smaller watch case can carry just as much weight as a big one. The brand has extended its Speedmaster 38 mm collection with seven new references, each one nudging the line closer to the DNA of the original Moonwatch. “The Speedmaster 38 mm has always taken its cues from the Moonwatch, while keeping size, color, and simplicity in mind. With this latest update, we’ve taken the Moonwatch inspiration even further, helping to enrich the Speedmaster DNA while still retaining the refined and unique nature that the 38 mm range is known for,” explains Raynald Aeschlimann, President and CEO of OMEGA, in a statement. READ ALSO: [OMEGA Introduces A New Look For The Speedmaster Moonwatch](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/style/omega-introduces-a-new-look-for-the-speedmaster-moonwatch/) ![The OMEGA Speedmaster 35 mm with with a matte black face](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/omega-speedmaster-38-mm-with-matte-black-finish-scaled.webp)The OMEGA Speedmaster 35 mm with a matte black face ## **The Speedmaster 38 mm Collection: Smaller, Sharper, And Sportier** For a watch this size, the details matter. OMEGA rounded off the subdials, which used to be oval, giving the dial a sportier edge. The text on the face has been pared down, and the bezel has thickened up to make room for the Dot-Over-Ninety marking that longtime Speedmaster fans will recognize instantly. Each version now sits on a five-link bracelet borrowed from the Moonwatch’s own design, with center links that alternate between polished and brushed finishes depending on the model. ![The OMEGA Speedmaster 35 mm with a green aluminium ring and a yellow gold tachymeter scale](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/The-OMEGA-Speedmaster-35-mm-with-a-green-aluminium-ring-and-a-yellow-gold-tachymeter-scale-scaled.webp)![The OMEGA Speedmaster 35 mm with brown subdials, an 18-karat Sedna Gold bezel and a brown aluminium ring](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/The-OMEGA-Speedmaster-35-mm-cappucino-scaled.webp)The OMEGA Speedmaster 35 mm with a green aluminium ring and a yellow gold tachymeter scale; The OMEGA Speedmaster 35 mm with brown subdials, an 18-karat Sedna Gold bezel and a brown aluminium ring## **New Takes: A Deeper Look Into The OMEGA Speedmaster 38 mm** Underneath, the Co-Axial Calibre 3330 runs six of the seven watches, each with a date window. The exception is a black-dialed reference which runs on the Calibre 3332. That black dial comes closest to channeling the Moonwatch directly, with a matte black face, a black aluminium bezel, and Super-LumiNova-filled hands with indexes in white. A white-dialed option takes a cooler approach, setting a blue ceramic bezel and white enamel tachymeter scale against a lacquered white dial, with hands finished in a matching blue coating. A third pairs a warm grey aluminium bezel with an opaline silvery dial, where Sedna Gold hands and indexes catch the light against a mix of brown and gold tones in the subdials. Two bicolour references lean further into jewelry territory. One sets a stainless steel case against a polished 18-karat Moonshine Gold bezel, a green aluminium ring and a yellow gold tachymeter scale, all wrapped around a silvery opaline dial. The other continues OMEGA’s “cappuccino” motif within the 38 mm line, an ivory dial set off by brown subdials, an 18-karat Sedna Gold bezel and a brown aluminum ring. Then there are the two diamond-set versions, built for anyone who wants their timepiece to blend in with their jewelry. Each bezel holds 52 diamonds, totaling 1.53 carats, set against either an ice blue dial or a mother-of-pearl one, both finished with rhodium-plated hands. The result is a collection built for the person who wants heritage on a smaller scale; it’s proof that a watch doesn’t need a big case to make a statement. ![The OMEGA Speedmaster 35 mm with diamond-set bezels and ice blue or mother-of-pearl dials](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/The-OMEGA-Speedmaster-35-mm-with-diamond-set-bezels-and-ice-blue-dials-scaled.webp)![The OMEGA Speedmaster 35 mm with diamond-set bezels and ice blue or mother-of-pearl dials](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/The-OMEGA-Speedmaster-35-mm-with-diamond-set-bezels-and-mother-of-pearl-dials-scaled.webp)The OMEGA Speedmaster 35 mm with diamond-set bezels and ice blue or mother-of-pearl dials--- *Photos courtesy of* OMEGA --- ## Frequently Asked Questions ### What is new about OMEGA’s latest Speedmaster collection? OMEGA has added seven new Speedmaster references with Moonwatch-inspired details, including updated subdials, thicker bezels, five-link bracelets, and new colorways and materials. ### How is the new Speedmaster inspired by the Moonwatch? The watches borrow several details from the Moonwatch, including the Dot-Over-Ninety bezel marking and five-link bracelet design, while retaining the Speedmaster’s smaller proportions. ### What materials and colors are available in the new Speedmaster watches? The collection includes stainless steel, Moonshine Gold, Sedna Gold, aluminium, ceramic, and diamonds, with dials in black, white, silvery, ivory, ice blue, and mother-of-pearl. ### Are there diamond-set OMEGA Speedmaster watches? Yes. Two of the seven new references feature diamond-set bezels with 52 diamonds totaling 1.53 carats, paired with either an ice blue or mother-of-pearl dial. ### What movement does the new OMEGA Speedmaster use? Six of the seven watches use the Co-Axial Calibre 3330 and feature a date window. The black-dialed reference uses the Calibre 3332 instead. **Categories:** Style **Tags:** Luxury, omega, Omega Speedmaster, Omega Speedmaster 38 mm, omega watches, Style, Timepieces, Watches --- ### [Here's Why Everyone Is Using The Viral Exfoliating Glove](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/self/exfoliating-glove-korean-origins-how-to-use/) **Published:** September 4, 2026 **Author:** Mj Calayan **Content:** ## **Your loofah has some competition. The exfoliating glove has been around for decades, but TikTok is giving it a fresh moment; here’s everything to know before you start scrubbing.** Showering is arguably one of the most basic routines we perform every day. Depending on your preference, it’s pretty straightforward: wet your body, shampoo, rinse, cleanse your face, lather up with body wash, scrub with a loofah, rinse again, and dry off. It’s a step-by-step process that’s simple, efficient, effective, and for the most part, steadfast: it hasn’t really changed much over the years. Rarely does the humble shower routine get an upgrade, but lo and behold, TikTok has found a way to shake up the experience. Enter the exfoliating glove, the latest viral beauty tool promising to leave your skin smoother than ever. READ ALSO: [Face Mists 101: What They Do And Which Ones To Try](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/self/what-are-face-mists-and-which-ones-to-try/) ## **What’s A Shower Exfoliating Glove?** Before it became the TikTok-approved bath time essential that’s currently making everyone’s showers a little more intense, the exfoliating glove had already been scrubbing bodies in South Korea for decades. The version most people know today [traces](https://www.wip-news.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=4780) back to Busan in the 1960s, when a particularly coarse viscose rayon fabric imported from Italy found an unexpected purpose. The material was far too rough for a regular towel, but when used on skin softened by warm water, it proved incredibly effective at scrubbing away dead skin. And just like that, a failed towel fabric became an exfoliating tool. Koreans eventually came to call it the “[Italy towel](https://www.fnnews.com/news/201804011238337112)“—not because it came from an Italian bathhouse, but because the original fabric had been imported from Italy. From there, the humble textured cloth became a familiar part of [Korean bathing culture](https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/business/companies/20080217/italy-towel-enjoys-decades-of-boom?utm_source=chatgpt.com). You’ll find versions of it in homes and public bathhouses known as *jjimjilbangs*, where *seshin*, or full-body scrubbing, has long been part of the experience. After soaking in warm water, bathers—or professional scrubbers called *sesinsa*—use the rough mitt to work away the buildup on the skin. It sounds simple, and it is, but anyone who has ever seen those little rolls of dead skin come off knows the experience can be deeply satisfying. The glove has since made its way far beyond Korean bathhouses, eventually landing in beauty stores, online carts, and, naturally, TikTok. Yet the concept remains pretty much the same: a rough piece of fabric, some warm water, and a surprisingly aggressive approach to exfoliation. Sometimes, all it takes to upgrade a shower routine is a glove that looks harmless until you actually put it on. ![Why Everyone’s Using An Exfoliating Glove](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/698639600_17985017889006213_8888235048938651422_n.webp)Sluff is a K-Body brand co-founded by Christine Ha, a former beauty editor for international publications/Photo courtesy of [Sluff](https://www.instagram.com/sluffskin/) ## **How To Use The Glove?** Now, before you put on your exfoliating glove and start scrubbing your body like you’re trying to remove an entire layer of skin, there’s a [right way to do it](https://www.healthline.com/health/how-to-use-exfoliating-gloves). First things first: let the warm water do some of the work. Spend a few minutes under a warm shower—or soak in the bath if you’re feeling particularly indulgent—before reaching for the glove. Korean body-scrubbing traditions typically involve soaking before exfoliation, as softened skin is easier to scrub without going in with excessive force. Once your skin has softened, dampen the glove and start working through your body using gentle, controlled strokes. Your arms, legs, elbows, knees, and other rougher areas are a good place to start. Resist the urge to go full force, though. The glove is already doing the heavy lifting, and dermatologists recommend gentle pressure when using mechanical exfoliants to avoid redness and irritation. ![Why Everyone’s Using An Exfoliating Glove](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Untitled-design-Large.webp)Exfoliating gloves are one of the ways you can experience manual exfoliation at home/Photo courtesy of [Fatih Güney](https://www.pexels.com/@fatih-guney-337108406/) As satisfying as it may be to see little rolls of dead skin appear, this is also your reminder that more scrubbing doesn’t automatically mean better results. Keep the glove away from your face, open cuts, sunburn, and any areas that already feel irritated. If your skin is particularly sensitive or prone to irritation, mechanical exfoliation may be too aggressive for you altogether. Once you’re done, rinse everything off and follow up with moisturizer. Exfoliation can leave your skin feeling smoother, but it can also leave it feeling dry when you go overboard. Most importantly: this isn’t an everyday assignment. The more intense your exfoliation method, the less frequently you should be doing it. In other words, save the full-body scrubbing session for when your skin actually needs it—your body doesn’t requiring buffing within an inch of its life every morning. --- *Banner photos courtesy of* [Sluff](https://www.instagram.com/sluffskin/) --- ## Frequently Asked Questions ### What is an exfoliating glove? An exfoliating glove is a textured bath mitt designed to scrub away dead skin cells. The version commonly associated with Korean bathing culture traces its history back to Busan in the 1960s and is often called the Italy towel because the original viscose rayon fabric was imported from Italy. ### How do you use an exfoliating glove? Start by spending a few minutes under warm water to soften your skin. Then, dampen the exfoliating glove and gently scrub your body using controlled strokes. Focus on areas such as your arms, legs, elbows, knees, and other rougher areas before rinsing and applying moisturizer. ### Should you use soap with an exfoliating glove? The exfoliating process described in this article focuses on using the glove on skin softened by warm water. The textured material and gentle pressure do the exfoliating work, so there’s no need to aggressively scrub your skin. ### Can you use an exfoliating glove on your face? No. The exfoliating glove is best kept away from your face, as well as open cuts, sunburn, and areas that already feel irritated. Its rough texture can be too aggressive for more sensitive areas. ### How often should you use an exfoliating glove? An exfoliating glove is not an everyday assignment. Because it provides a more intense form of physical exfoliation, give your skin time between full-body scrubbing sessions and avoid going overboard. **Categories:** Self **Tags:** beauty routine, Exfoliating Glove, exfoliation, shower, viral beauty, Wellness --- ### [Butlak: Negros Trade Fair Marks 40 Years Of Creativity](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/scene/butlak-negros-trade-fair-september-2026-sm-aura/) **Published:** September 2, 2026 **Author:** Leila Antonio **Content:** ## ***Butlak*, the 40th Negros Trade Fair, arrives at SMX Conventions Center in SM Aura from September 22 to 27, 2026, ready to honor the region’s craftsmanship with a diverse line-up of vendors.** *Butlak*, a Hiligaynon word that translates to the rising of the sun or bloom, echoes the Negrense spirit: an amalgamation of unyielding resolve, resourcefulness, and an unshakeable faith in the promise of a new dawn. It’s the spirit that invigorated the Negros Trade Fair four decades ago, and one that still inspires it today with the arrival of its 40th edition. Returning to the SMX Convention Center in SM Aura from September 22 to 27, 2026, the fair’s 40th edition will be featuring a total of 178 brands. “We really try to bring all that the Negros Island region has to offer to the fair. We even have silk weavers from Aklan, artisans from Kanlaon, homegrown hospitality brands as well as real estate properties joining this year’s event,” explains Mary Ann Colmenares, Chairperson of the Negros Trade Fair. READ ALSO: [JC Buendia Set To Bring Effortless Glamour To Red Charity Gala 2026](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/scene/red-charity-gala-2026-jc-buendia-featured-designer/) ## **How The Negros Trade Fair Started** During the first edition of the Negros Trade Fair 40 years ago, 30 vendors from Negros Occidental gathered at the Makati Carpark to showcase local crafts, products, and wares from the region. Following the collapse of the sugar industry, sugar farm workers began harnessing their creativity through food, weaves, furniture, and the arts as a means of augmenting their livelihoods. It was at that first Negros Trade Fair that they began to see the possibility of a new sunrise for the region. “During one of the early Negros Trade Fairs, the theme was *Hope Shines in Negros*. This is the mindset that has consistently guided us throughout the 40 years of the trade fair,” Colmenares recalls. “The Negrenses have held on to the promise of a new day, and that God’s mercies are new every morning.” A shared sense of fortitude, grassroots solidarity, and economic survival soon laid the foundations for the Negros Trade Fair. It also saw the birth of the Association of Negros Producers (ANP), whose mandate is to support and empower MSMEs, artisans, and producers from the region. Negros Trade Fair President, Christina Gaston, elaborates: “Our task is to find ways for brands to grow and to drive economic growth. While ANP is the incubator, the fair is the platform. The idea of *Butlak* was anchored on how our entrepreneurs have bloomed over the years.” ## **A More Expansive And Diverse Negros Trade Fair** “We are in bloom as we celebrate our 40th,” remarks Colmenares. This year’s campaign, for instance, captures other facets of Negros beyond Sugarlandia and its landmark heritage houses. It reflects a more expansive and inclusive trade fair that endeavors to showcase the region’s creative sectors under one platform. “We are not limiting ourselves moving forward. We endeavor to embrace the other SMEs from other parts of the Negros Island Region.” According to Gaston, the integration of Negros Island has been an important driver for bringing a wider variety to the 40th edition of the Negros Trade Fair. Unlike other trade fairs, she clarifies, the selection of participating brands is largely informed by one simple mission: to build businesses in Negros. “We are interested in showcasing the brands that are from Negros; that have roots or linkages to Negros; or are helping communities or artisans in Negros.” This now includes provinces, towns, and cities in Negros Oriental and Siquijor. ## **What To Expect At *Butlak,* The 40th Anniversary Edition** The Negros Trade Fair style offerings have significantly grown, and visitors can expect new names at *Butlak*, including Camille Villanueva, StyleLoft, Pinas Sadya, Reveri by Ria Bolivar, and Hacienda Mar, to name a few. Negros, after all, is shaped by a rich weaving tradition, making it a popular resource for local fabrics, tropical fibers, and natural dyes. Over the years, Negros has also established a design DNA anchored on the intentional use of eco-friendly and sustainable materials such as abaca, bamboo, rattan, and *hablon*. These are expertly crafted into contemporary objects using time-honored techniques. This year, furniture, decor, and homeware labels such as Hacienda Crafts, Art Energy, ARTISANA, Noah, Madera Handicrafts, and NVC will be highlighted at the fair, alongside some of the region’s most exciting artists and art galleries. And we can’t forget the delicious food, which has historically been one of the main draws of Negros Trade Fair. This year, it’ll present an even larger selection of the region’s beloved flavors through iconic brands like Bob’s Cafe, 21, Chicken House, El Ideal, and Virgie’s Homemade Products, among others. These all-time favorites will be joined by new and exciting food concepts that reinforce the region’s standing as [the slow food capital](https://www.slowfood.com/insights/negros-island-destination/). As it was 40 years ago, the Negros Trade Fair continues to shape its annual celebrations around the changing of times. “We are always looking ahead with hopes that the next generation will continue what was started four decades ago,” says Colmenares. Gaston concurs and adds, “Every year is different. Each generation brings with them evolution. We look forward to more opportunities to collaborate, creating linkages for developing more products, and growing as a community. Now that Negros Trade Fair is representing a united Negros Island and Siquijor, we are eager about defining what makes the region unique and truly special.” *Butlak: The 40th Negros Trade Fair will happen from September 22 to 27, 2026, at the SMX Convention Center in SM Aura. For updates, follow @thenegrostradefair on Instagram.* --- *Photos courtesy of* Before Deadlines --- ## Frequently Asked Questions ### When and where is the 40th Negros Trade Fair happening? The 40th Negros Trade Fair, *Butlak*, will take place from September 22 to 27, 2026, at the SMX Convention Center in SM Aura. ### What does “Butlak” mean? *Butlak* is a Hiligaynon word that translates to the rising of the sun or bloom. It reflects the Negrense spirit of resilience, resourcefulness, and faith in the promise of a new day. ### What can visitors expect at the 40th Negros Trade Fair? *Butlak* will feature 178 brands showcasing the breadth of the Negros Island Region and Siquijor, including fashion, food, furniture, homeware, crafts, art, and other creative sectors. ### What food and fashion brands will be at the Negros Trade Fair? The fair will feature fashion and lifestyle names including Camille Villanueva, StyleLoft, Pinas Sadya, Reveri by Ria Bolivar, and Hacienda Mar. Food highlights include Bob’s Cafe, 21, Chicken House, El Ideal, and Virgie’s Homemade Products, alongside new food concepts from the region. ### How did the Negros Trade Fair begin? The Negros Trade Fair began 40 years ago with 30 vendors from Negros Occidental gathering at the Makati Carpark to showcase local crafts, products, and wares. It emerged following the collapse of the sugar industry, giving sugar farm workers an avenue to use their creativity in food, weaving, furniture, and the arts while finding new ways to support their livelihoods. **Categories:** Scene **Tags:** 40th negros trade fair, butlak, events 2026, Negros Trade Fair, NTF --- ### [A Matter Of Taste With Chef Cara Davis Of Hálong](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/people/chef-cara-davis-of-halong-makati/) **Published:** September 1, 2026 **Author:** Kerry Tinga **Content:** ## **Chef Cara Davis found inspiration in Mexico, but always intended to build her future in the Philippines. Hálong is where that long-held vision finally began to manifest.** Mondays are usually quiet at [Hálong](https://www.instagram.com/halong.restaurant/?hl=en "Hálong"). The restaurant closes for the day, giving the team time to rest before another week of service. This morning, however, the jangling of keys breaks the silence as Chef Cara Davis unlocks the front door for our shoot. A small pomeranian darts past her into the dining room. “That’s Roca,” Cara introduces. “She came with me from Mexico.” The five-year-old has become something of Hálong’s unofficial mascot, appearing regularly in the restaurant’s photoshoots and social media posts. In fact, Cara admits, she originally wanted to name the restaurant after her. ![Inside Hálong Makati](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/halong-cara-davis-article-september-2026-6.webp) “But my mom said, ‘You can’t name a restaurant after a dog,’” the chef explains. “She’s my business partner, and she’s the one who suggested Hálong. She’s Ilongga, and it \[*halong*\] means something like *ingat* in Tagalog, or ‘to care.’” Roca wasn’t the only thing Cara brought home from Mexico. Opened in late 2024, Hálong draws from the bold flavors and vibrant street food culture she came to love there, shaped by years spent honing her craft in some of the world’s most celebrated kitchens. Less than two years later, the restaurant was recognized with a [Bib Gourmand](https://guide.michelin.com/ph/en/metro-manila/makati-city_2329358/restaurant/halong "Bib Gourmand") in the inaugural Michelin Guide Philippines. “When I was younger, I already knew I was going to travel around the world, and then, after I was done with that, I was going to live in the Philippines,” she says. “It has always been my plan.” ![A Matter Of Taste With Chef Cara Davis Of Hálong](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/halong-cara-davis-article-september-2026-1.webp)Chef Cara Davis of Hálong READ ALSO: [Saan Masarap?: We Ask Top Chefs Where They Eat Filipino Food](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/dining/saan-masarap-where-do-top-chefs-eat-filipino-food/ "Saan Masarap?: We Ask Top Chefs Where They Eat Filipino Food") ## **The Early Years Of Chef Cara Davis Of Hálong** Born in Canada to a Filipino mother and Canadian father, Cara spent most of her childhood growing up in Toronto. She returned to the Philippines for a brief period before heading back to her birthplace at the age of six; by the time she hit 14, she decided she wanted to become a chef. Her mother encouraged her passion, and not long after, she enrolled them both in a college-level culinary program. Because Cara was still underage, the school allowed her to enroll on the condition that her mother attend classes alongside her. By day, Cara balanced high school like any other teenager. In the evenings, the mother-daughter pair headed to cooking school together, where she often ended up preparing two of every dish–one for herself and another for her mom. Cara also began working restaurant shifts, sometimes staying until close to midnight. Her mother would wait outside until she finished before driving her home. ![A Matter Of Taste With Chef Cara Davis Of Hálong](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/halong-cara-davis-article-september-2026-5.webp) After graduating high school, Cara enrolled at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York. An internship at Grant Achatz’s Alinea in Chicago introduced her to fellow young chef José Luis Hinostroza, while her first role after graduation took her to Eleven Madison Park under Chef de Cuisine James Kent, whom she still considers one of her greatest mentors. More kitchens followed in Spain and London, each adding another layer to the young chef who once imagined seeing the world before later returning home. Then, in 2017, a phone call came. Cara had been living in London for two years and was working as sous chef at Tom Sellers’ Restaurant Story when her former colleague José called from Mexico. “When we worked together, we always said we were going to open a restaurant one day,” Cara shares. “He \[José\] was doing a pop-up with Noma in Mexico. He gave me a call and said, ‘This is the place, this is where we’re going to open our restaurant.’” The idea was so compelling she resigned from her current job and shortly after moved to Mexico. ![Chef Cara Davis](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/halong-cara-davis-article-september-2026-7.webp)![Chef Cara Davis](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/halong-cara-davis-article-september-2026-8.webp)## **A New Life In Mexico** She arrived in Tulum to join José as sous chef and head of recipe development as they took over ARCA, helping transform the restaurant into the openfire, ingredient-driven destination it’s known for today. It was a chance to build a concept while immersing herself in a country and a cuisine that would leave a lasting mark on her cooking. After a couple of years with ARCA, Cara struck out on her own in Tulum, opening Lucky Bunny, a 10-seat dumpling restaurant where Asian flavors met the ingredients she came to know in Mexico (a shiitake mushroom dumpling, for instance, would be accompanied by habanero ponzu). With a limited rotating menu and a tiny kitchen, Cara made and folded every dumpling herself. Lucky Bunny lasted only a few months before the COVID-19 pandemic forced it to close. As the world reopened, Cara reunited with José, this time to open Mestixa in the space next to her former dumpling shop. They served what they described as mestizaje cuisine, not simply a fusion of Asian and Mexican flavors, but food born from the meeting of cultures. The move to Mexico was supposed to last two years. By the end, Cara stayed for seven. ## **Back To The Archipelago** Even while building a life in Mexico, Cara never stopped imagining the one she’d eventually return to. Her trips to the Philippines increasingly revolved around a farm in Cavite that her extended family had purchased. With each visit, the idea of returning to her mother’s homeland felt less distant, and before she knew it, Cara purchased the property neighboring her family’s. “I kept visiting, and I thought it was so nice,” Cara says. “We bought the lot next door, and I thought, ‘I don’t know when, but one day, this is where I want to live.’” The farm represents the kind of restaurant Cara always wanted to build. It would be influenced by the ingredients growing just outside its doors and the livestock raised on the land. After years across the Pacific, the timing felt right. She packed up once again, finally making her return to the Philippines. However, her plan of settling didn’t begin with jumping straight into the farm restaurant she envisioned. Instead, Cara opened Hálong in Legazpi Village, Makati. ![A Matter Of Taste With Chef Cara Davis Of Hálong](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/halong-cara-davis-article-september-2026-9.webp) ## **Building Hálong In Makati** “\[While building in Cavite\], I knew I needed to have something so that people would get to know our food, something closer to the city,” the chef explains. “I thought it would be risky to open so far from the city right away. Why would people go there to eat if they don’t know me? I wanted something so that people could become familiar with us, so that when we open \[in Cavite\], there would be that intention of taking that long drive.” Designed by Cara’s brother, San Francisco-based architect Matthew Davis, Hálong is grounded in Filipino craftsmanship and a welcoming atmosphere. Inside, floor-to-ceiling windows flood the dining room with natural light and provide a view of the park across the street. The furniture is distinctly Filipino from E. Murio, while an assortment of crockery by Zambales-based ceramic artist Mia Casal fill up an accent wall. Cara admits that, early on, the menu of Hálong lacked focus. It pulled from different influences and experiences; certain dishes were Japanese, others Korean, and some Mexican. It wasn’t until friend and fellow chef Stephan Duhesme of Metiz offered a piece of advice that stayed with her: lean into the Mexican flavors and make them consistent and cohesive throughout the whole menu. “Over the years, we really found our identity,” Cara says. “We focus on Mexican flavors with our own twists inspired by Asia.” ## **What’s On The Menu At Hálong?** Cara shares some of her favorite dishes on the menu with us. The Aguachile Mixto is a raw seafood dish similar to a ceviche or *kinilaw*, but featuring a spicy liquid base. She often develops dishes by starting with the sauce first, playing around with flavors, then figuring out what that sauce would pair best with. Her Aguachile Mixto features a Mandarin sriracha and is best paired with Tapioca Chips. Other personal favorites include the tostadas: a Fish Tostada featuring smoked *pampano*, Guajillo chili, and a cashew salsa macha; and a Crab Tinga Tostada featuring chive aioli, Mandarin marmalade, chipotle mayo, and carrot escabeche. She decides to cook one more dish for us, the crowd-pleaser and customer favorite: Cold Sesame Noodles. At present, it’s the only thing on the menu that isn’t Mexican. In fact, it was from her original menu, back when Hálong lacked its cohesive concept, and was taken off after they went through their identity development. Yet customers kept asking for it, so it was returned to the menu by popular demand. Coming soon, at the time of writing, is a pork char siu dish that she’s developing. Cara is stricter in enforcing Mexican flavors when it comes to her newer menu items, even if they’re Asian in origin. It’ll feature morita chilis and pickled jalapeños, served with a tortilla instead of rice (“Unless they insist on rice,” the chef relents). ![Food At Hálong](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/halong-cara-davis-article-september-2026-2.webp)Crab Tinga Tostada and Fish Tostada ![Food At Hálong](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/halong-cara-davis-article-september-2026-3.webp)Aguachile Mixto paired with Tapioca Chips ![Food At Hálong](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/halong-cara-davis-article-september-2026-4.webp)Cold Sesame Noodles ## **Finding Home In The Land’s Rhythms** During Cara’s time in Mexico, her beloved Pomeranian wasn’t the only animal in the house. There were guinea fowl, rabbits, and even a boa constrictor at one point. She laughs as she recalls the menagerie of pets that came and went over the years, and her thoughts, naturally, return to the farm. While Hálong continues to grow—including plans to formalize its tasting menu—the long-term vision has never really changed. The farm in Cavite remains the destination. For now, the property supplies only a handful of vegetables and chilies for the restaurant; most of it remains a personal space, one where Cara can step away from the city. Like Hálong, it will also be designed by her brother. We ask if the place will adopt Hálong’s name as well. The chef isn’t sure yet, but she knows what it will be: a true farm-to-table restaurant where ingredients growing in the fields and livestock raised on the land shape the menu from the very beginning. “I really just want to live there,” she says simply. It’s a dream that’s still a few years away, unnamed. But who knows? Maybe she’ll finally get to call the place “Roca.” *This article was originally published in our September 2026 issue.* --- *Photography by* Jom Ablay, *assisted by* Kimi Jan Escalante --- ## Frequently Asked Questions ### Who is Chef Cara Davis of Hálong? Chef Cara Davis is a Canadian-born chef with a Filipino mother and Canadian father who trained at the Culinary Institute of America and worked in celebrated kitchens including Alinea and Eleven Madison Park. After seven years in Mexico, she returned to the Philippines and opened Hálong in Legazpi Village, Makati. ### What kind of food does Hálong serve? Hálong focuses on Mexican flavors with Cara Davis’ own twists inspired by Asia. The menu includes dishes such as Aguachile Mixto, Fish Tostada, Crab Tinga Tostada, and the customer-favorite Cold Sesame Noodles. ### What inspired Chef Cara Davis to open Hálong? Cara had always planned to eventually live in the Philippines, but her years in Mexico deeply influenced her cooking. Hálong became a way to introduce her food to people in the city before eventually realizing her long-term vision of a farm-to-table restaurant in Cavite. ### Why is Hálong named Hálong? Hálong was named at the suggestion of Cara’s mother, who is Ilongga. The word *halong* means something like *ingat* in Tagalog, or “to care,” reflecting the restaurant’s name and philosophy. ### What is Chef Cara Davis’ vision for Hálong and her future restaurant? While Hálong continues to grow, Cara’s long-term vision is a true farm-to-table restaurant on her family’s property in Cavite. The menu will be shaped by ingredients growing in the fields and livestock raised on the land, bringing her long-held dream of living and working on the farm closer to reality. **Categories:** People **Tags:** cara davis, Chefs, Filipino chefs, food, Halong, halong makati, makati restaurants, Restaurants, september 2026 --- ### [“Heathers The Musical” Is Coming To Manila This January 2027](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/arts-and-culture/heathers-the-musical-comes-to-manila-january-2027/) **Published:** September 1, 2026 **Author:** Pilar Gonzalez **Content:** ## **The cult-favorite musical brings its wicked humor, unforgettable characters, and mercilessly catchy score to The Theatre at Solaire for a limited run.** Ready your scrunchies, grab your lunch trays, and sharpen those pencils: *Heathers the Musical* is coming to Manila. Presented by GMG Productions in association with Bill Kenwright Ltd. and Paul Taylor-Mills, the musical will make its Philippine debut at The Theatre at Solaire from January 21 to February 7, 2027. “*Heathers the Musical* is a particularly exciting addition to our season. It’s bold, irreverent and incredibly funny, with a brilliant score and a story about friendship, identity and finding your place that remains remarkably relevant,” shares GMG Productions CEO Carlos Candal in a statement. “We’re proud to bring this internationally acclaimed production to the Philippines and give Manila audiences the opportunity to experience *Heathers* live on stage. We can’t wait to welcome audiences to Westerberg High—color us stoked!” ![“Heathers The Musical” Is Coming To Manila This January 2027](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/heathers-the-musical-manila-gmg-productions-5.webp)The cast of *Heathers the Musical* READ ALSO: [Hear The People Sing As The Cast Of Les Misérables Paint Their Own Portraits](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/arts-and-culture/hear-the-people-sing-the-cast-of-les-miserables-paint-their-own-portraits/) ## **What To Know About *Heathers The Musical* Ahead Of Its Manila Run** Following sold-out runs in London, New York, and Melbourne, *Heathers the Musical* brings the darkly comic world of Westerberg High to Manila, where popularity is a matter of life and death. Based on the [1989 film](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/heathers) starring Winona Ryder and Christian Slater, the musical follows Veronica Sawyer, an ordinary student who suddenly finds herself at the top of the high school social hierarchy after being taken under the wing of the three beautiful, powerful, and impossibly cruel girls collectively referred to as the “Heathers.” But Veronica’s newfound status comes with its own complications. When a mysterious teen rebel named J.D. enters her life, she finds herself caught between popularity, friendship, love, and the increasingly dangerous pressure to keep up appearances. ![“Heathers The Musical” Is Coming To Manila This January 2027](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/heathers-the-musical-manila-gmg-productions-1.webp)(L-R) Jessica Ibadin, Liberty Stottor, and Lou Henry as The Heathers ![“Heathers The Musical” Is Coming To Manila This January 2027](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/heathers-the-musical-manila-gmg-productions-3.webp)Gerardine Sacdalan as Veronica Sawyer and Louis Hearsey as J.D. in *Heathers the Musical* The musical first premiered in Los Angeles in 2013 before transferring to New York’s New World Stages in 2014. Its 2018 London production introduced new songs and an updated script, and the show has since gone on to three West End seasons, multiple sold-out UK and Ireland tours, and a 2019 WhatsOnStage Award for Best New Musical. In 2022, the production was also filmed and streamed globally through The Roku Channel. Most recently, its 2025 return to New York’s New World Stages recorded the venue’s biggest advance sale in history and immediately extended due to demand. ![GMG Productions](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/heathers-the-musical-manila-gmg-productions-2.webp)(L-R) Liberty Stottor, Gerardine Sacdalan, Lou Henry, and Jessica Ibadin ## **The Cast Of *Heathers The Musical* In Manila** For Manila audiences, Filipino performer Gerardine Sacdalan will take on the role of Veronica Sawyer. She’ll be joined by Louis Hearsey as Jason “J.D.” Dean, Liberty Stottor as Heather Chandler, Jessica Ibadin as Heather Duke, and Lou Henry as Heather McNamara. The cast also includes Veronica Carabai as Ms. Fleming and Veronica’s Mom; Sophie Manners as Martha Dunnstock; Markus Södergren as Kurt Kelly; Beau Jackson as Ram Sweeney; John Gurdían as Ram’s Dad, Big Bud Dean, and Coach Ripper; and Reuben Browne as Kurt’s Dad, Veronica’s Dad, and Principal Gowan. ![GMG Productions](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/heathers-the-musical-manila-gmg-productions-4.webp)Louis Hearsey and Gerardine Sacdalan Rounding out the ensemble are Christian De-Gallerie, Ellouise Delooze, Caitlin Garcia, Alexander Howarth, Charlotte O’Rourke, Thomas Oxley, Tola Sokoya, and Carys Taylor. With music and lyrics by award-winning writers Kevin Murphy and Laurence O’Keefe, the show is known for its mix of slow ballads and head banger tunes, including fan favorites “Seventeen,” “Candy Store,” “Meant To Be Yours,” “I Say No,” and “Dead Girl Walking.” The Manila production is directed by acclaimed American screen and stage director Andy Fickman, with choreography by Gary Lloyd, design by David Shields, lighting by Ben Cracknell, sound by Dan Samson, and musical supervision by Jeremy Wootton and Will Joy. ## **How To Get Your Tickets For *Heathers The Musical,* Presented By GMG Productions** The popularity contest starts early. The UnionBank Presale runs from September 8 to 11, 2026, followed by the Waitlist Onsale on September 12, with both offering 10% off and early access ahead of the General Public Onsale on September 13. Audiences can join the waitlist ahead of the ticket release. The production is recommended for audiences aged 14 and above and contains haze, loud noises including gunshots, flashing lights and strobe, strong language, and mature themes including murder, suicide, sexual violence, and references to eating disorders. *Heathers the Musical runs from January 21 to February 7, 2027, at The Theatre at Solaire, Solaire Resort Entertainment City in Parañaque City, Metro Manila. Get your tickets at* [*TicketWorld*](https://premier.ticketworld.com.ph/default.aspx)*.* --- *Photography by* Pamela Raith, *courtesy of* GMG Productions --- ## Frequently Asked Questions ### When is *Heathers the Musical* coming to Manila? *Heathers the Musical* will run from January 21 to February 7, 2027, at The Theatre at Solaire in Parañaque City, Metro Manila. ### Where will *Heathers the Musical* be staged in Manila? The Manila production will be staged at The Theatre at Solaire, Solaire Resort Entertainment City in Parañaque City, Metro Manila. ### Who is in the Manila cast of *Heathers the Musical*? Filipino performer Gerardine Sacdalan will play Veronica Sawyer, alongside Louis Hearsey as J.D. Dean, Liberty Stottor as Heather Chandler, Jessica Ibadin as Heather Duke, and Lou Henry as Heather McNamara. The production also features Veronica Carabai, Sophie Manners, Markus Södergren, Beau Jackson, John Gurdían, Reuben Browne, Christian De-Gallerie, Ellouise Delooze, Caitlin Garcia, Alexander Howarth, Charlotte O’Rourke, Thomas Oxley, Tola Sokoya, and Carys Taylor. ### How can I get tickets to *Heathers the Musical* in Manila? The UnionBank Presale runs from September 8 to 11, 2026, followed by the Waitlist Onsale on September 12. Both offer 10% off and early access ahead of the General Public Onsale on September 13. Tickets are available through TicketWorld. ### What is the age recommendation and content warning for *Heathers the Musical*? *Heathers the Musical* is recommended for audiences aged 14 and above. The production contains haze, loud noises including gunshots, flashing lights and strobe, strong language, and mature themes including murder, suicide, sexual violence, and references to eating disorders. **Categories:** Arts & Culture **Tags:** events 2027, GMG Productions, Heathers, heathers the musical, manila musicals, musicals 2027, Performing Arts --- ### [Quirky Dinnerware Picks Turning Craft Into Everyday Ritual](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/living/quirky-dinnerware-turning-craft-into-everyday-ritual/) **Published:** September 4, 2026 **Author:** Julianna Cabili **Content:** ## **These dinnerware brands bring traditional craftsmanship, cultural memory, and distinctive design to the everyday table.** The most compelling objects earn their place through daily rituals, and slowly they become part of how a person understands their own space. These independent dinnerware brands have built entire identities around this idea, treating craft heritage as something to be lived with and used up. Here are six brands worth knowing, each one proof that thoughtful design and cultural memory can share the same table. READ ALSO: [Sorry, Mom, But We’re Turning Off The Overhead Light](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/living/mood-lighting-dim-spaces-gen-z/ "Sorry, Mom, But We’re Turning Off The Overhead Light") ## **Amabro Tokyo** [Amabro](https://www.amabro-online.com/) reinterprets existing genres of creative work rather than inventing new ones, running them through its own artistic lens. The Tokyo brand lives by a philosophy of folding art into daily life through tableware and colored glass goods. It also partners with storied Japanese craft regions like Arita-yaki and Hasami-yaki to pair centuries of ceramic knowledge with a modern wink. ![Amabro Tokyo Quirky Dinnerware Picks Turning Craft Into Everyday Ritual](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/amabro-tokyo-dinnerware.webp)Amabro Tokyo/Photo via Instagram [@amabro\_\_tokyo](https://www.instagram.com/amabro__tokyo/) ## **Selo Objects** [Selo Objects](https://www.instagram.com/selo_objects/) makes cutlery worth admiring before your meal even begins. This small Filipino brand produces beaded, colorful spoons, forks, and utensils that customers can decorate and personalize, turning a drawer of flatware into a small hoard of keepsakes. ![Selo Objects Quirky Dinnerware Picks Turning Craft Into Everyday Ritual](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/selo-objects-dinnerware.webp)Selo Objects/Photo via Instagram [@selo\_objects](https://www.instagram.com/selo_objects/) ## **Anthill Fabric** Anya Lim founded [Anthill Fabric](https://www.instagram.com/anthillfabric/) in Cebu on a simple principle to put people before products. The brand trains weavers across indigenous, rural, and working-class communities throughout the Philippines, keeping traditional weaving techniques alive and profitable for the people who practice them. Their Bilao collection takes the round, flat woven tray that Filipino households have long used for winnowing rice, and turns it into brilliantly colored trivets, placemats, and coasters, giving an old form a new job at the table. ![Anthill Fabric Bilao Quirky Dinnerware Picks Turning Craft Into Everyday Ritual](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/anthill-fabrics-coasters-bilao.webp)Anthill Fabric/Photo via Instagram [@anthillfabric](https://www.instagram.com/anthillfabric/) ## **Soos Atelier** Amsterdam gave rise to [Soos Atelier](https://www.soosatelier.com/ "Soos Atelier") on the belief that the table is where people actually gather. The brand sums up this philosophy as “the art of socializing.” They make ceramics alongside stainless steel tableware, and its silver pieces stop conversation mid-sentence. People handle this tableware, pass it around, and keep coming back to it. ![Soos Atelier Dinnerware](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/soos-atelier-dinnerware.webp)Soos Atelier/Photo via Instagram [@soosatelier](https://www.instagram.com/soosatelier/) ## **Built Editions** [Built Editions](https://www.builteditions.nl/) pairs Dutch design sensibility with Indian craftsmanship. The Dutch studio Site Practice designs the collection, and artisans across India produce it, including lacquerware turners who work in centuries-old traditions. The dinnerware carries real heft and color loud enough to anchor a whole table. Here, craft functions as a genuine creative partnership, not a supply chain. ![Built Editions Quirky Dinnerware Picks Turning Craft Into Everyday Ritual](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/built-editions-dinnerware.webp)Built Editions/Photo via Instagram [@built.editions](https://www.instagram.com/built.editions/) ## **Ichendorf Milano** [Ichendorf Milano](https://www.ichendorfmilano.com/) has shaped glass since the early 20th century. German in origin and Italian by address, it still hand-blows tableware alongside leading Italian designers. Its animal-shaped tumblers, jugs, and pitchers—cast as owls, ducks, squirrels, and turtles—have become a house signature. The brand crafts these pieces from sturd borosilicate glass, carrying just enough mischief to never feel precious. ![Ichendorf Milano ](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/ichendorf-milano-dinnerware.webp)Ichendorf Milano/Photo via Instagram [@ichendorfmilano](https://www.instagram.com/ichendorfmilano/) --- ## Frequently Asked Questions ### What are some independent dinnerware brands worth knowing? Amabro Tokyo, Selo Objects, Anthill Fabric, Soos Atelier, Built Editions, and Ichendorf Milano are independent brands that bring craft and cultural traditions into everyday tableware. ### Which dinnerware brands combine traditional craft with modern design? Amabro Tokyo works with Japanese craft regions such as Arita-yaki and Hasami-yaki, while Built Editions pairs Dutch design with Indian craftsmanship. Ichendorf Milano also combines hand-blown glassmaking with contemporary design. ### Which brands make tableware inspired by Filipino craft? Selo Objects and Anthill Fabric bring Filipino craft into the home. Selo Objects creates colorful, customizable beaded utensils, while Anthill Fabric turns traditional woven forms into pieces such as trivets, placemats, and coasters. ### What types of tableware do these independent brands make? The brands create a range of tableware, including ceramics, cutlery, utensils, glassware, trivets, placemats, and coasters. Amabro Tokyo makes ceramics and colored glass goods, while Soos Atelier makes ceramics and stainless steel tableware. ### How do these dinnerware brands keep traditional craft relevant? Amabro Tokyo works with established Japanese ceramic traditions, Anthill Fabric supports Filipino weaving communities, and Built Editions collaborates with Indian artisans. Ichendorf Milano continues hand-blown glassmaking while giving its tableware contemporary forms. **Categories:** Living **Tags:** crockery, dinnerware, home essentials, Homeware, Independent brands, Interiors, living, quirky dinnerware --- ### [Where To Eat Vegan Food In Manila When You’re Over Salad](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/dining/vegan-plant-based-restaurants-manila/) **Published:** September 2, 2026 **Author:** Mj Calayan **Content:** ## **Who says vegan food is just salad? These restaurants are serving plant-based versions of everything from *sisig* and *silog* to burgers, tacos, ramen, and more.** The Philippines is a country rich in flavorful and interesting dishes. There’s the world-renowned *adobo*, the beloved *lumpiang shanghai*, the crowd-favorite *sinigang*, and, of course, the highly debated distinction between *caldereta*, *afritada*, and *menudo*. But as delicious and diverse as Filipino cuisine can be, it’s not necessarily the most vegan-or vegetarian-friendly. Let’s be honest: as a country, we love our meat. But that doesn’t mean everyone does. More people are choosing to cut back on—or completely forgo—meat, opting instead for vegetarian or fully plant-based diets. Whether you’re grabbing lunch or dinner with a vegan or vegetarian friend—or are one yourself—we’ve rounded up some restaurants in Manila where you can get your plant-based fix. READ ALSO: [A Bowl Of Comfort: Where To Get Good Sinigang In Manila](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/dining/where-to-get-good-sinigang-metro-manila/) ## **Cosmic** Filipino comfort food, but make it plant-based: [Cosmic](https://www.instagram.com/cosmicphilippines/?hl=en) does exactly that. From classic breakfast *silogs* to beloved *pulutan* dishes like *sisig*, the restaurant gives local favorites a plant-based makeover, so you can still enjoy the flavors you know and love, minus the meat. *Cosmic has multiple branches across Metro Manila, including Alabang, Makati, and Kapitolyo* ![Vegan Restaurants Serving Plant-based food Manila](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/cosmic-2-scaled.webp)![Vegan Restaurants Serving Plant-based food Manila](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/cosmic-1.webp)Plant-based *longsilog* and *sisig*/Photos courtesy of [Cosmic](https://www.instagram.com/cosmicphilippines/?hl=en)## **Green Bar** [Green Bar](https://www.instagram.com/GreenBar_Cafe) is proving that plant-based dining is so much more than just salads. The restaurant champions sustainable, cruelty-free meals with a menu of dishes you’d normally find at your favorite non-vegan spot, whether that’s savory indulgences like burgers and tacos or sweet treats like cakes and donuts. *Green Bar is located at 106 Aguirre, Legazpi Village, Makati* ![Vegan Restaurants Serving Plant-based food Manila](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/green-bar-1.webp)![Vegan Restaurants Serving Plant-based food Manila](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/green-bar-2-scaled.webp)Plant-based pastries and breakfast burrito/Photo courtesy of [Green Bar](https://www.instagram.com/GreenBar_Cafe)## **Corner Tree Café** A longtime favorite among Manila’s vegetarian diners, [Corner Tree Café ](https://www.instagram.com/cornertreecafe/?hl=en)offers a globally inspired menu that proves meat-free food can be incredibly satisfying. Expect a mix of vegetarian and vegan dishes, with plenty of options to choose from depending on what you’re craving. *Corner Tree Café is located at 2nd floor, 5782 Felipe, Poblacion, Makati City, 1210 Metro Manila* ![Vegan Restaurants Serving Plant-based food Manila](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/corner-tree-cafe-1.webp)![Vegan Restaurants Serving Plant-based food Manila](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/corner-tree-cafe-2.webp)Plant-based spaghetti and *sinigang*/Photo courtesy of Corner Tree Café## **Wabi-Sabi Noodle House** Vegan ramen? Yes, please. At [Wabi-Sabi Noodle House](https://www.instagram.com/wabidashsabi/?hl=en), you can get a comforting bowl of ramen without the usual meat-based ingredients. It’s proof that even one of Japan’s most famously meaty dishes can get a plant-based spin. *Wabi-Sabi Noodle House has multiple branches across Metro Manila, including Makati and Quezon City* ![Restaurants Serving Plant-based food Manila](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/wabi-sabi-1.webp)![Plant-based food Manila](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/wabi-sabi-2.webp)Vegan ramen and pho/Photo courtesy of [Wabi-Sabi Noodle House](https://www.instagram.com/wabidashsabi/?hl=en)## **Wild Cafe Bar** What started as a humble food truck has grown into a full-fledged vegan restaurant. [Wild Cafe Bar ](https://www.instagram.com/wildcafebarph)brings an exciting twist to plant-based dining, serving creative dishes that show just how much you can do with vegetables, grains, and other meat-free ingredients. *Wild Cafe Bar is located at 5903 Matilde, Poblacion, Makati* ![Plant-based food Manila](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/wild-1.webp)![Plant-based food Manila](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/wild-2.webp)Vegan Chickpea Tuna Toast and Classic Cheese Burger/Photo courtesy of [Wild Cafe Bar](https://www.instagram.com/wildcafebarph)--- *Banner photos courtesy of* [Green Bar](http://instagram.com/GreenBar_Cafe) --- ## Frequently Asked Questions ### Where can I eat vegan food in Manila? You can find vegan and plant-based dishes at restaurants such as Cosmic, Green Bar, Corner Tree Café, Wabi-Sabi Noodle House, and Wild Cafe Bar. ### Are there vegan Filipino restaurants in Manila? Yes. Cosmic offers plant-based versions of Filipino comfort food, including classic silogs and sisig. ### Where can I get vegan ramen in Manila? Wabi-Sabi Noodle House offers a vegan take on ramen for those looking for a comforting, meat-free bowl. ### Is vegan food limited to salads? Not at all. Green Bar, for example, offers plant-based versions of dishes like burgers and tacos, along with sweet treats such as cakes and donuts. ### Are there restaurants in Manila with both vegetarian and vegan options? Yes. Corner Tree Café offers a mix of vegetarian and vegan dishes, giving diners a variety of meat-free options to choose from. **Categories:** Dining **Tags:** Dining, manila restaurants, meat-free, plant-based diet, Plant-based food, Vegan, vegan food, Vegan restaurants --- ### [At Taglish, The Classic Steakhouse Gets A Filipino Makeover](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/dining/taglish-seafood-steakhouse-restaurant-opens-makati/) **Published:** August 11, 2026 **Author:** Julianna Cabili **Content:** ## **Chef Frances Tariga brings adobo gravy, *kinilaw*, *lumpia*, and a slew of Filipino ingredients into Taglish, a steakhouse built for sharing.** At [Taglish](https://www.instagram.com/taglish_makati/ "Taglish")—a new seafood-and-steak concept by Chef Frances Tariga at the dining hub of Levanto Building in Makati City—the Michelin-recognized chef takes the bones of an American steakhouse and rebuilds them with adobo gravy, taro leaves, and calamansi. Taglish sits next door to Tadhana, Tariga’s celebrated tasting-menu restaurant, trading that room’s hushed pacing for a louder and more communal setting. READ ALSO: [Where To Enjoy Your Afternoon Tea In Manila](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/dining/afternoon-tea-spots-in-metro-manila/ "Where To Enjoy Your Afternoon Tea In Manila") ![Taglish by Frances Tariga](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/taglish-food-scaled.webp)Tuna Porterhouse ## **What’s On The Menu?** A raw bar draws from all 7,000-plus islands of the archipelago. Oysters arrive freshly shucked from sources around the world, and the seafood towers stack lobster, prawns, crab, and whole market fish into a feast that looks like it’s meant to be photographed before it’s touched. Crudos and *kinilaw* round out the program, finished with native vinegars, coconut, and fermented local ingredients that pull the dishes back toward home. ![Taglish by Frances Tariga](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/taglish-fish-dish-scaled.webp) The kitchen applies the same logic to the classics that define any good steakhouse. Creamed spinach becomes Kangkong Laing with Gorgonzola, folding coconut and blue cheese into a dish that used to taste like Wisconsin and now tastes like Batangas. Mashed potatoes give way to Whipped Gabi, and the potato fritter gets swapped for a Saba Churro, crisp and caramelized at the edges. The shepherd’s pie transforms into the Humba Pie, with layers of slow-braised pork and adobo-inspired gravy under creamy root vegetables. The Lumpia Bar serves as the restaurant’s actual centerpiece. Rolls come made to order, stuffed with everything from *kinilaw* and market seafood to *sisig, kare-kare*, and *lechon*. A snack most Filipinos grew up eating cold off a party tray gets reintroduced as the main event, assembled table-side and eaten while it’s still warm. ## **A Tribute To The Islands** “Taglish is about honoring the food we grew up with while giving it the stage it deserves,” Chef Frances says. “We aren’t trying to imitate a New York steakhouse. We’re asking what a world-class steakhouse would look like if it had always existed in Manila. Every side dish, every sauce, every piece of seafood, and every lumpia tells that story.” The drinks list keeps pace with the kitchen’s ambitions. Savory cocktails sit alongside premium wines, Japanese whisky, and sake, all built to carry a table from the raw bar through the last bite of dessert without a jarring shift in tone. Chef Tariga runs the kitchen as Group Culinary Director of Mama Lou’s Hospitality Group, and Taglish marks her second collaboration with the team behind Tadhana. Where Tadhana asks diners to sit still and pay attention, Taglish asks them to order too much, share everything, and stay late. ***Explore the offerings at Taglish below, and our Crave Curated recommendations from the experience, available until September 5, 2026.*** ![Opening: At Taglish, The Classic Steakhouse Gets A Filipino Makeover](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/taglish-menu-lifestyle-asia-crave-curated-scaled.webp) ![Opening: At Taglish, The Classic Steakhouse Gets A Filipino Makeover](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/taglish-kinilaw-scaled.webp) ![Taglish by Frances Tariga](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/taglish-drink-scaled.webp) ![Taglish by Frances Tariga](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/taglish-fish-scaled.webp)![Taglish by Frances Tariga](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/taglish-food-2-1-scaled.webp)*Taglish is located at the 4th Floor “La Reserve” of Levanto Building, 389 Jupiter, Makati. For reservations, call 0998 585 0352 or book at [OpenTable](https://www.opentable.com.au/booking/restref/availability?lang=en-AU&utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAcGRvZgJleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA85MzY2MTk3NDMzOTI0NTkAAafyjjGDSe_cVQyaxwqYmAF_VZEIcFIK3dLTG6sW_0BnXZ9as0raehU-Ogzv1A_aem_l642M_xhExM72QpzP_Tx_A&utm_id=97760_v0_s00_e0_tv3&correlationId=a7cf6c5b-e671-40f6-9a3f-9607726d9347&restRef=324638&otSource=Instagram "OpenTable").* --- *Photos courtesy of* Taglish --- ## Frequently Asked Questions ### What is Taglish? Taglish is Chef Frances Tariga’s seafood-and-steak restaurant on Jupiter Street in Makati City that combines steakhouse traditions with Filipino flavors. ### Who is the chef behind Taglish? Chef Frances Tariga is the chef behind Taglish and serves as Group Culinary Director of Mama Lou’s Hospitality Group. ### Where is Taglish located? Taglish is located in Levanto on Jupiter Street in Makati City, next door to Tariga’s restaurant Tadhana. ### What type of food does Taglish serve? Taglish serves seafood, steakhouse classics, Filipino-inspired dishes, raw-bar selections, and lumpia made with a range of fillings. ### What Filipino dishes are featured in Taglish? Taglish features Filipino flavors through dishes such as kinilaw, sisig, kare-kare, lechon, laing, humba, and lumpia. **Categories:** Dining **Tags:** chef frances tariga, CRAVE, crave curated, crave curateed, Dining, food, levanto, Makati, seafood steakhouse, steakhouse, Taglish --- ### [PENSHOPPE Designer Lab Brings Filipino Streetwear Brand ABAKADA From Chicago To Manila](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/style/penshoppe-designer-lab-and-abakada-launch-streetwear-collection/) **Published:** August 30, 2026 **Author:** Leila Antonio **Content:** ## **The 23-piece limited-edition collection brings ABAKADA’s Filipino streetwear identity from Chicago to Manila as PENSHOPPE celebrates its 40th anniversary.** The PENSHOPPE and ABAKADA collaboration is bringing a Chicago-rooted expression of Filipino streetwear to Manila. Launching in October 2026, the 23-piece limited-edition collection marks the debut of PENSHOPPE Designer Lab, a new creative platform developed to bring the fashion brand closer to distinct creative voices. The inaugural collection also arrives as PENSHOPPE celebrates its 40th anniversary. Through Designer Lab, the homegrown brand will explore new perspectives in fashion through a series of limited-edition releases. READ ALSO: [Who Is The Filipino Designer Behind Alex Eala’s New York Street Style?](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/style/who-is-filipino-designer-atelier-carlene-alex-eala-new-york-street-style/) ![PENSHOPPE ABAKADA](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/ABAKA-x-PENSHOPPE.jpg-5-1-1.jpg) ## **The Story Behind The PENSHOPPE ABAKADA Collaboration** Founded by Arvin Boyon and Calvin Calma in 2018, ABAKADA began as a Filipino streetwear label in Chicago. The brand incorporates Filipino heritage, language, and cultural references into contemporary designs, building an identity influenced by both its roots and the Filipino experience. What began as a brand that operated from an apartment complex has since grown into a name whose collections sell out within hours, with a retail shop of its own, major collaborations (including one with the [Chicago Bulls](https://all-starmagazine.com/lifestyle/a-look-into-the-chicago-bulls-x-abakada-collaboration/)), and a growing roster of fans that includes sports stars like Jalen Green of the Phoenix Suns and Camryn Bynum of the Indianapolis Colts. For its collaboration with PENSHOPPE, ABAKADA brings its perspective into a collection of sporty, streetwear-inspired silhouettes. The line combines the Chicago-based label’s Filipino-rooted design language with PENSHOPPE’s accessible approach to fashion. The partnership gives ABAKADA a larger platform in the Philippines while introducing Designer Lab’s purpose: creating space for Filipino creativity and new fashion perspectives. It also reflects how cultural identity can travel across borders, taking on different expressions while remaining connected to where it began. ![PENSHOPPE ABAKADA](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/ABAKA-x-PENSHOPPE.jpg-4-1.jpg) ## **When And Where To Shop The PENSHOPPE ABAKADA Collection** PENSHOPPE Designer Lab: ABAKADA will officially launch in October 2026 through the PENSHOPPE App and select PENSHOPPE stores nationwide. Before the full release, shoppers can get an exclusive first look at select pieces during PURVEYR Fair on September 12 and 13 at the World Trade Center Tent, Pasay. These pieces will also be available for pre-order at the event. *For more information, follow PENSHOPPE social media pages on [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/penshoppe/?hl=en) and [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/penshoppe/)*, *and download the PENSHOPPE App.* --- *Photos courtesy of* PENSHOPPE --- ## Frequently Asked Questions ### What is the PENSHOPPE ABAKADA collaboration? The PENSHOPPE ABAKADA collaboration is a 23-piece limited-edition collection combining ABAKADA’s Filipino-rooted streetwear identity with PENSHOPPE’s accessible approach to fashion. ### When will the PENSHOPPE ABAKADA collection launch? The PENSHOPPE ABAKADA collection will officially launch in October 2026. ### Where can I buy the PENSHOPPE ABAKADA collection? The collection will be available through the PENSHOPPE App and at select PENSHOPPE stores nationwide. ### Can I pre-order the PENSHOPPE ABAKADA collection? Select pieces from the collection will be available for pre-order at Purveyur Fair in September 2026, ahead of the official October launch. ### What is ABAKADA? ABAKADA is a Chicago-based Filipino streetwear brand founded by Arvin Boyon and Calvin Calma in 2018. Its designs draw from Filipino heritage, language, cultural references, and the Filipino experience. **Categories:** Style **Tags:** ABAKADA, Fashion, fashion 2026, Fashion collaborations, penshoppe, Streetwear --- ### [Novèl And Jude Macasinag Find Freedom In The Non-Essential](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/style/non-essentials-prince-padilla-and-jude-macasinag/) **Published:** August 29, 2026 **Author:** Julianna Cabili **Content:** ## **For Jude Macasinag and Novèl’s Prince Padilla, the whole point is to make the kind of clothes they would miss if they didn’t exist.** [Prince Padilla](https://www.instagram.com/iamprincepadilla/) and [Jude Macasinag](https://www.instagram.com/jude.macasinag/) have known each other long enough to stop performing for one another. That much was obvious at Vestido on August 14, 2026, where the two staged *Non-Essentials*, their second joint outing after a first attempt a couple of years back. The Manchester-raised Prince, who designs under [his own label](https://www.instagram.com/novelworldwide "his own label") Novèl, was careful, though, not to frame the night as a reunion tour. If anything, it was a status report. “This event felt like a celebration of where Jude and I are right now in our careers,” Prince later stated on social media. “We’re very different designers, but what keeps us tethered is something much more fundamental: our belief in making things by hand and our undeniable pursuit of our craft.” READ ALSO: [Kelvin Morales Reads The Room In “Aura,” His First Womenswear Collection](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/people/kelvin-morales-releases-aura-first-womenswear-collection/ "Kelvin Morales Reads The Room In “Aura,” His First Womenswear Collection") ![Novèl pieces on display at “Non-Essentials”](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/prince-padilla-novel-vestido-scaled.webp)Novèl pieces on display at *Non-Essentials*/Photo via Instagram [@novelworldwide](https://www.instagram.com/novelworldwide) ## **Going Against The Grain: The Idea Behind Non-Essentials By Prince Padilla And Jude Macasinag** Jude, based in Paris but clearly still tuned to Manila’s frequency, says that “The whole idea behind *Non-Essentials* is that we’re embracing how we work without necessarily needing to comply with the market, especially here in the Philippines, where people tend to gravitate toward basics, quiet luxury, and things like that.” It’s a pointed line from a designer who, months earlier, had a piece of his own making walk the Berlinale red carpet: a gold lamé dress worn by Jorrybell Agoto at [the premiere of Rafael Manuel’s *Filipiñana* (2026)](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/style/how-to-dress-filipinana-for-the-berlinale-red-carpet/), and present at the pop-up in its full gilded splendor. Nothing here was made to be easy. “Realistically, Prince and I work on collectible, one-off pieces, and we wanted these pieces to feel like proper collectibles,” Jude says. “Some aren’t necessarily the easiest to maintain, but they’re beautiful, and we wanted to embrace that.” He’s not selling low-maintenance. He’s selling the opposite, and betting people still want it. ![“Super plissé” pleated freehand draped dress in ivory crêpe satin by Jude Macasinag](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Super-plisse-pleated-freehand-draped-dress-in-ivory-crepe-satin-with-cigaline-underskirt-and-heavy-multicolored-beaded-straps-scaled.webp)“Super plissé” pleated freehand draped dress in ivory crêpe satin by Jude Macasinag/Photo via Instagram [@jude.macasinag](https://www.instagram.com/jude.macasinag/) ## **Two Vocabularies, One Instinct** What holds the two together is hardly aesthetic. Their current output barely overlaps. Prince has drifted toward eveningwear thick with embroidery and iridescent sequins, shapes bending abstract. Meanwhile, Jude pared his silhouettes down while pushing every ounce of ambition into the surface: the finish, the hand, the details most people won’t clock until they’re standing close. “I’ve gone back to more streamlined and easier-to-wear silhouettes, but with a much more considered approach to the surface,” he says. “We’ve found a common point between our individual practices, so it doesn’t feel like we’re bringing two completely different worlds into the same space.” What connects them, Jude explains, is process, not palette. “The way Prince and I work is quite organic. Since we’ve worked together before, we have an understanding of how each of us makes design decisions, and our approaches naturally coincide,” he notes. The offering itself is split three ways, with ready-to-wear pulled straight off the rack, one-off and gone for good once sold; Prince’s pre-order pieces; and a run of what Jude calls “show pieces,” composed of garments with no commercial pretense at all. “What’s nice about the show pieces is that they’re there to demonstrate what I can do and how I can approach design when I don’t have to think about price or certain other limitations,” he says. “They were really made for the sake of making, which is something I still give myself the liberty to do.” ![Gold lamé halter paneled bias slip dress by Jude Macasinag](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Gold-lame-halter-paneled-bias-slip-dress-by-Jude-Macasinag-scaled.webp)Gold lamé halter paneled bias slip dress by Jude Macasinag/Photo via Instagram [@jude.macasinag](https://www.instagram.com/jude.macasinag/) ## **A Closet Full Of Ghosts** Threaded through the pop-up was [*Couture in the Closet*](https://www.instagram.com/couture_in_the_closet/), Jude’s venture into vintage haute couture. It’s part archive, part occasional resale, and built to fill a hole he’d noticed in the Philippines. “You don’t really find vintage haute couture here that’s still relatively accessible in terms of pricing,” he says. The pieces he’d sourced made the case on their own, like a Chanel suit that once belonged to a woman from an old noble family and a scattering of space-age Pierre Cardin that hadn’t aged so much as waited. Jude works across other people’s brands as freely as he works on his own, and he doesn’t see the two as being in tension. “I don’t have to fully rely on having my own brand to get more resources,” he says. “I can make clothes that we simply want to make and have fun creating, and hopefully the market here in Manila is open to that.” --- ## Frequently Asked Questions ### What is Non-Essentials by Prince Padilla and Jude Macasinag? “Non-Essentials” is a joint fashion showcase by Prince Padilla and Jude Macasinag, featuring ready-to-wear, one-off pieces, pre-order designs, and show pieces. ### Who are Prince Padilla and Jude Macasinag? Prince Padilla and Jude Macasinag are designers whose practices differ aesthetically but share a commitment to making things by hand and pursuing their craft. ### What kind of clothes are featured in Non-Essentials? The showcase features collectible one-off pieces, ready-to-wear garments, Prince’s pre-order pieces, and show pieces made without commercial considerations. ### What is Couture in the Closet? Couture in the Closet is Jude Macasinag’s venture into vintage haute couture, combining an archive with occasional resale and making vintage couture more accessible. ### Why did Prince Padilla and Jude Macasinag create Non-Essentials? They created “Non-Essentials” to embrace their individual approaches to fashion without having to conform to market preferences, while celebrating craftsmanship and the freedom to make. **Categories:** Style **Tags:** Fashion, fashion designers, filipino fashion designers, jude macasinag, Prince Padilla --- ### [A Bowl Of Comfort: Where To Get Good Sinigang In Manila](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/dining/where-to-get-good-sinigang-metro-manila/) **Published:** August 31, 2026 **Author:** Mj Calayan **Content:** ## **Nothing hits quite like *sinigang* on a cold, rainy day. Here are some restaurants serving creative and comforting takes on the Filipino sour soup.** There are certain foods we reach for when we’re feeling down, whether that’s due to circumstances beyond our control or simply because the weather has been gloomy lately. Everyone has their own version of comfort food, but for many Filipinos, nothing hits quite like a good bowl of *sinigang*. We’ll always have a soft spot for the home-cooked versions we grew up with, but restaurants have plenty of delicious iterations worth trying, too. We’ve rounded up some great *sinigang* spots to visit the next time you’re feeling blue or when skies are looking particularly gray. READ ALSO: [Cheese Pull, Please: Mozzarella Sticks In Manila That Are Worth The Indulgence](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/dining/mozzarella-sticks-in-manila/) ## **Sinigang na Beef Short Rib & Watermelon by Manam** [Manam](https://www.instagram.com/manamph/?hl=en) has built a reputation for putting playful twists on Filipino favorites, and its Sinigang na Beef Short Rib & Watermelon is one of those dishes that has stayed on people’s minds. The rich, fall-off-the-bone beef short rib gets a refreshing contrast from the watermelon, adding a touch of sweetness to the soup’s signature sour kick. It’s still recognizably *sinigang*, just with a little something extra going on in every spoonful. *Manam has multiple branches across Metro Manila, including Makati, BGC, Quezon City, Pasig, Mandaluyong, Manila, San Juan, and Parañaque* ![Where To Get Good Sinigang In Manila](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/481951647_18376829848112824_4409167265202358056_n.webp)Photo courtesy of [Manam](https://www.instagram.com/manamph/?hl=en "Manam") ## **Wagyu Sinigang by Made Nice** Sometimes, comfort food comes with a little bit of luxury. [Made Nice](https://www.instagram.com/madeniceph/?hl=en)’s Wagyu Sinigang takes the familiar sour soup and gives it the Wagyu treatment. The tender, richly marbled beef adds a deeper, meatier flavor to the broth, making this a bowl of sinigang for days when you want to indulge. It has all the comforting qualities you expect from the dish, with a slightly more dressed-up personality. *Made Nice is located at the Ground Floor (Unit 122) of Joya Lofts & Towers, Plaza Drive corner Amorsolo Drive, Rockwell Center, Makati* ![Where To Get Good Sinigang In Manila](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/470680905_18476596309063297_8332644910065666109_n.webp)Photo courtesy of [Made Nice](https://www.facebook.com/MadeNicePH/posts/wagyu-sinigangroasted-wagyu-vegetables-and-thick-tamarind-broth-sourness-to-your/983524693792711/ "Made Nice") ## **Kurobuta Sinigang by Mamou** [Mamou](https://www.instagram.com/mymamou/?e=f9cbe657-5672-4ea1-a35f-2d693c35455b&g=5) may be known for its steak, but its Kurobuta Sinigang deserves some attention too. Made with premium Kurobuta pork, the dish offers tender, flavorful meat immersed in the sour, savory broth Filipinos know and love. It’s rich without losing that familiar *sinigang* tang, which means you’ll want to keep going back for another bowl. *Mamou has multiple branches across Metro Manila, including Serendra BGC, Rockwell, Podium, and Ayala Malls Manila Bay* ![Where To Get Good Sinigang In Manila](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/640279431_1320057290151294_3416010468346913966_n.webp)Photo courtesy of [Mamou](https://www.instagram.com/mymamou/?g=5 "Mamou") ## **Sinigang Paella with Grilled Liempo by Neil’s Kitchen** For those who like their Filipino food with a side of creativity, [Neil’s Kitchen](https://www.instagram.com/neilskitchen/) takes sinigang somewhere completely different. Its Sinigang Paella with Grilled Liempo brings the sour and savory flavors of the beloved soup and transforms it into a paella-inspired rice dish, topped with smoky, juicy grilled pork. It sounds unexpected, but it works; you get the comforting flavors of *sinigang* in every bite, minus the slurping. *Neil’s Kitchen is located in *Westgate, Filinvest City, Alabang, Muntinlupa** ![Neil's Kitchen](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/627841063_18360245104205113_9199932674439687463_n.webp)Photo courtesy of [Neil’s Kitchen](https://www.instagram.com/neilskitchen/ "Neil's Kitchen") ## **Sinigang na Corned Beef by Sentro 1771** [Sentro 1771](https://www.sentro1771.com/) has long been serving its own takes on Filipino classics, and its Sinigang na Corned Beef remains one of its most recognizable dishes. Instead of the usual cuts of pork or beef, the restaurant uses tender corned beef that gives the soup an extra savory, slightly salty character. Paired with the sour broth and vegetables, it’s a familiar bowl of *sinigang* with a twist that still feels right at home. *Sentro 1771 has multiple branches across Metro Manila, including Greenbelt 5, One BGC, and Capitol Commons* ![Sinigang In Manila](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Sinigang-na-Corned-Beef.webp)Photo courtesy of [Sentro 1771](https://www.sentro1771.com "Sentro 1771") --- *Banner photo courtesy of* [Made Nice](https://www.facebook.com/MadeNicePH/posts/wagyu-sinigangroasted-wagyu-vegetables-and-thick-tamarind-broth-sourness-to-your/983524693792711/ "Made Nice") --- ## Frequently Asked Questions ### Where can I get good sinigang in Manila? You can try sinigang at Manam, Made Nice, Mamou, Neil’s Kitchen, and Sentro 1771. These restaurants offer different takes on the Filipino sour soup, from classic-style bowls to more creative interpretations. ### What are some unique sinigang dishes to try? Manam serves Sinigang na Beef Short Rib & Watermelon, Made Nice offers Wagyu Sinigang, Mamou has Kurobuta Sinigang, Neil’s Kitchen puts the flavors into a Sinigang Paella with Grilled Liempo, and Sentro 1771 serves Sinigang na Corned Beef. ### Where can I try Wagyu Sinigang? You can order Wagyu Sinigang at Made Nice, located at Joya Lofts & Towers in Rockwell Center, Makati City. ### Which restaurant serves Sinigang Paella? Neil’s Kitchen serves Sinigang Paella with Grilled Liempo at its Westgate, Alabang location. The dish brings the sour and savory flavors of sinigang into a rice dish topped with grilled liempo. ### Where can I try Sinigang na Corned Beef? Sentro 1771 serves Sinigang na Corned Beef and has branches in Greenbelt 5, One BGC, and Capitol Commons. **Categories:** Dining **Tags:** Dining, dining recommendations, food, sinigang, Sinigang in manila, sinigang recommendations --- ### [How To Keep Your Skin Glowing During Rainy Days](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/self/rainy-day-skincare-makeup-tips/) **Published:** August 31, 2026 **Author:** Mj Calayan **Content:** ## **Grey skies, humidity, and sudden downpours? Here’s your rainy-day beauty guide to fresh skin, makeup that stays put, and keeping your glow alive.** Over the past few weeks, bright, sunny skies have given way to dim, gloomy hues. The monsoon season brings endless rains and dark skies—casting a never-ending shadow that makes your skin look dull and lifeless. Compared to sunny days, where the light gives your skin a little boost, rainy days give the opposite effect. So today, we answer the question: how do you stay glowing on rainy days? READ ALSO: [Louis Vuitton Turns Its Iconic Monogram Into Makeup](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/self/louis-vuitton-monogram-into-makeup-nicolas-ghesquiere-pat-mcgrath/) ## ****How Should You Adjust Your Skincare Routine For Rainy Season?**** Rainy weather can make your skin feel like it has a mind of its own. Humidity may leave your complexion looking shiny, while air-conditioning, changing temperatures, and your routine can still leave it feeling dehydrated. Instead of reaching for heavier creams, keep things light by layering a hydrating serum with ingredients like hyaluronic acid under a lightweight gel moisturizer. Vitamin C also earns a spot in your morning routine, helping protect the skin from oxidative stress while giving a dull-looking complexion a little more brightness. And yes, sunscreen is still part of the equation. UV radiation can penetrate cloud cover, so a lightweight, broad-spectrum SPF remains an everyday essential, rain or shine. ![ Revitalift Hyaluronic Acid Face Serum](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/hylauronic-serum.jpg)Revitalift Hyaluronic Acid Face Serum by L’Oreal Paris[/](https://www.lorealparis.com.ph/revitalift/hyaluronic-acid-face-serum-30ml)Photo courtesy of [L’Oreal Paris](https://www.lorealparis.com.ph/revitalift/hyaluronic-acid-face-serum-30ml "L'Oreal Paris") ![Red Bean Water Gel by Beauty](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/gel-moisturizer.jpg)Red Bean Water Gel by Beauty of Joseon/Photo courtesy of [Beauty of Joseon](https://beautyofjoseon.com/products/red-bean-water-gel?srsltid=AfmBOoqaZHn69Nc_GEjduvOew5PogR4BE-6qjHhv_64pLe95iygkuy6b "Beauty of Joseon") ![Multi-active Glow Serum ](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/vitamin-c-serum.jpg)Multi-active Glow Serum by Clarins/Photo courtesy of [Clarins](https://www.clarinsusa.com/en/multi-active-glow-serum-%5Bstabilized-vitamin-c-aha%5D%C2%AE-smoothing--radiance-boosting-glow/CS01510921.html?srsltid=AfmBOopIfKGXV8JuC_JUDBEYDWGHQQ4MLrEVxmPum_Mm6BU6pccVE3kK "Clarins") ![Better Screen™ UV Serum SPF 50+ ](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/sunscreen.jpg)Better Screen™ UV Serum SPF 50+ by Kiehl’s/Photo courtesy of [Kiehl’s](https://www.kiehls.com/skincare/facial-sunscreens/better-screen%E2%84%A2-uv-serum-spf-50-facial-sunscreen-with-collagen-peptide/WW0269KIE.html?srsltid=AfmBOoraAEVLozAMAVU2VYmHYB-RuYvOH7SfcajtfScZ3WOqxCwhOaiK "Kiehl's") ## **Let Your Makeup Do Less**: **A Lighter, Humidity-Ready Routine** When the forecast involves humidity, drizzle, and the possibility of getting caught in the rain on your way to lunch, your makeup routine might benefit from a lighter touch. ### **Skin Tint** Swap a full-coverage foundation for a sheer skin tint, or simply conceal the areas that need extra coverage and let the rest of your skin show through. For color, creamy formulas can give the skin a fresh, natural-looking finish that works beautifully with softer, overcast lighting. Blend a cream blush or bronzer into your base, then add a touch of liquid or cream illuminator to the high points of your face for a little dimension. The goal is not to recreate sunshine with a highlighter, but to give your complexion a healthy-looking lift. ![Protec(tint) Daily Skin Tint SPF 50 ](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/skin-tint.jpg)Protec(tint) Daily Skin Tint SPF 50 by Supergoop!/Photo courtesy of [Supergoop!](https://supergoop.com/products/protectint-skin-tint-spf-50?srsltid=AfmBOopvzZyvuXMzDkdj4DzX7DHo6CyiQpt2kGhutXkemiXupbK5JB-S&variant=40749946011746 "Supergoop!") ![Fluid Flex Concealer](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/concealer.jpg)Fluid Flex Concealer by ISSY/Photo courtesy of [ISSY](https://issycosmetics.com/products/fluid-flex-concealer?srsltid=AfmBOopwBSLpkwGviREDIwhGTpn0K76DPe3h1Mx95neJL6_iSUy9rTLb "ISSY") ![HD Skin Face Essentials Palette With Highlighters ](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/cream-palette.jpg)HD Skin Face Essentials Palette With Highlighters by Make Up Forever/Photo courtesy of [Make Up Forever](https://www.makeupforever.com/us/en/palettes-and-kits/hd-skin-face-essentials-palette-with-highlighters-MI000020001.html "Make Up Forever") ### **Lip Color** The finishing touches deserve some rainy-day planning, too. A hydrating lip stain can keep your color in place without the sticky situation of hair repeatedly getting caught in your gloss. Instead of piling on powder, finish everything with a fine setting mist that helps your makeup stay put while keeping the overall look fresh. ![Cooling Water Jelly Tint ](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/hydrating-lip-stain.jpg)Cooling Water Jelly Tint by Milk/Photo courtesy of [Milk](https://milkmakeup.com/products/cooling-water-jelly-tint?srsltid=AfmBOoqqUkn4r6Z0mdGO2a0tR2ojWxHlKkqwfrltGvuCL0GqwMp86BgN&variant=43639856824505 "Milk") ## **Hydration, Diet, And Movement: Rainy-Day Habits For A Natural Glow** A rainy afternoon can make staying on the couch feel like the only reasonable plan, but your beauty routine extends beyond whatever is sitting on your vanity. Staying hydrated, eating a varied diet, and moving your body all support your overall health, which includes your skin. Water, tea, soups, and other beverages can contribute to your fluid intake, so there are plenty of ways to stay hydrated when an iced drink feels less appealing. And while nobody is asking you to turn a rainy day into an Olympic training session, a little movement can go a long way toward shaking off that gloomy-day slump. A quick yoga flow, some stretching, or even a short dance break between meetings can get you moving and give you a welcome reset. Sometimes, your rainy-day glow-up starts with skincare. Other times, it starts with putting on a good playlist and getting yourself off the couch. --- ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How can I keep my skin glowing on a rainy day? Start by keeping your skin hydrated without overloading it with heavy products. A hydrating serum layered under a lightweight gel moisturizer can help, while Vitamin C can add brightness to a dull-looking complexion. Broad-spectrum sunscreen should also remain part of your routine, even when the skies are cloudy. ### Should I still wear sunscreen on a rainy day? Yes. UV radiation can penetrate cloud cover, so sunscreen remains an everyday essential, whether the forecast calls for sunshine or rain. A lightweight, broad-spectrum SPF can make it easier to keep the habit going. ### What makeup works best on a rainy day? Lighter makeup can feel more comfortable when the weather is humid and damp. Try swapping full-coverage foundation for a skin tint or spot concealing, then use cream blush, bronzer, or liquid illuminator for a fresh, skin-like finish. ### How do I stop my makeup from smudging in rainy weather? Choose products designed to hold up against moisture and humidity. Tubing mascara can help prevent smudging, while a hydrating lip stain keeps color in place. Finish your makeup with a fine setting mist to help everything stay put while keeping your skin looking fresh. ### Can drinking water and exercising help with a rainy-day glow? Your beauty routine goes beyond skincare and makeup. Water, tea, soups, and other beverages contribute to your fluid intake, while a varied diet supports overall health. A little movement, whether it is yoga, stretching, or a quick dance break, can also help shake off the sluggish feeling that often comes with a gloomy day. **Categories:** Self **Tags:** beauty, glowing skin, rainy day glow, Skincare, Wellness --- ### [Opening: Goxo Brings Pop-Up To Makati Shangri-La For One Month](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/dining/goxo-makati-shangri-la-pop-up-sage-bar/) **Published:** August 29, 2026 **Author:** Leila Antonio **Content:** ## **The Michelin-selected Bar-Asador Goxo takes its Basque cooking, Filipino ingredients, and signature dishes to Makati Shangri-La for one month.** The Goxo Makati Shangri-La pop-up has begun. From August 27 to September 27, 2026, the Michelin-selected Bar-Asador is taking over Sage Bar for a month-long residency as it prepares to open its new permanent home in Rockwell. The pop-up follows Goxo’s departure from its original Salcedo Village location at the end of May. The restaurant first opened there in January 2025 as an intimate 12-seat counter concept by Grupo Pintxos, with chef and partner Albert Mendoza leading the kitchen. Its name translates to both “cozy” and “delicious,” fitting an experience where diners sat close to the kitchen and followed the progression of a prix-fixe menu. Mendoza previously described Goxo to *Lifestyle Asia* as the “playful little brother” of Bar Pintxos and Txoko Asador, its fellow concepts under Grupo Pintxos. READ ALSO: [Goxo Means Delicious: Inside The New 12-seater Restaurant In Salcedo Village](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/dining/goxo-means-delicious-inside-the-new-12-seater-restaurant-in-salcedo-village/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) ![Goxo Makati Shangri-La](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Goxo_03-1-scaled.jpg)Iberico pork on a skewer, served with grilled pineapple chutney from Goxo READ ALSO: [Opening: SHIDO Brings “Japan In Motion” To Makati Shangri-La](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/dining/shido-japanese-restaurant-opens-makati-shangri-la/) Fire sits at the center of Goxo’s cooking. The Bar-Asador combines Basque techniques and Spanish traditions with Filipino ingredients and wider global influences. The restaurant earned a place in the [Michelin Guide](https://guide.michelin.com/ph/en/metro-manila/makati-city_2329358/restaurant/goxo) Manila and Environs & Cebu 2026 as a Michelin Selected restaurant. The Guide highlights its charcoal-grilled prix-fixe menu, use of local and Spanish ingredients, and traditional dishes shaped by subtle innovation and “a Filipino soul.” For the Makati Shangri-La residency, Goxo brings familiar flavors, several new details, and dishes that have become part of the restaurant’s story. These will be served within Sage Bar’s polished setting, where diners can settle in for long lunches or late dinners throughout the month. *Goxo at Sage Bar runs from August 27 to September 27, 2026, at the Lobby of *Makati Shangri-La, Manila, at the corner of Ayala Avenue and Makati Avenue, Makati City.** *Reservations are encouraged. For reservations and more information, contact +63 927 002 4200*. --- *Photos courtesy of* Grupo Pintxos --- ## Frequently Asked Questions ### When is the Goxo pop-up at Makati Shangri-La? The Goxo pop-up runs from August 27 to September 27, 2026, at Sage Bar in Makati Shangri-La. ### Where is Goxo currently located? Goxo is temporarily located at Sage Bar in Makati Shangri-La for its month-long residency. The restaurant left its original Salcedo Village location at the end of May and will open a new permanent home in Rockwell after the pop-up. ### Is Goxo included in the Michelin Guide? Yes. Goxo is a Michelin Selected restaurant in the Michelin Guide Manila and Environs & Cebu 2026. ### What kind of food does Goxo serve? Goxo is a bar-asador concept that combines Basque techniques and Spanish traditions with Filipino ingredients and global influences. Fire and charcoal grilling are central to its cooking. ### How can I reserve a table at the Goxo Makati Shangri-La pop-up? Call or text +63 927 002 4200 or visit grupopintxos.com. Tables are limited, so advance reservations are recommended. **Categories:** Dining **Tags:** dining 2026, dining events 2026, Goxo, Makati Shangri-la, pop-ups, sage bar --- ### [ALPHA Tips: Nicole Whisenhunt’s Guide To Hosting At Home](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/living/nicole-whisenhunt-tips-hosting-at-home/) **Published:** August 31, 2026 **Author:** Lifestyle Asia **Content:** ## **The jeweler and consummate host Nicole Whisenhunt shares five ways to make gatherings feel thoughtful, personal, and memorable.** We met our August 2026 ALPHA, [Nicole Whisenhunt](https://www.instagram.com/nicolewhisenhunt/?hl=en "Nicole Whisenhunt"), at home one afternoon, shortly before she welcomed a small group of friends. It was the perfect setting to ask for her top five tips on hosting at home, drawn from the intimate, beautifully considered gatherings for which the fine jewelry designer has become known. Whether it’s the tablescape or menu, every detail is one that feels personal, purposeful, and tailored to the people gathered around her table. ALPHA is *Lifestyle Asia*’s series dedicated to accomplished figures whose experience has shaped industries, communities, and culture. Through its quick-fire profiles and practical ALPHA Tips, the series draws from the perspectives they’ve developed over the years, from the defining choices behind their work to the wisdom they bring into everyday life. READ ALSO: [LA Phones A Friend: How Should I Design My First House?](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/living/how-to-design-your-first-house-ca-design-house/) ![Nicole Whisenhunt tips for hosting at home](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/alphatipnicole-1-1.jpg) Before Whisenhunt’s guests arrived, we asked our August 2026 ALPHA to share her five top tips for hosting a memorable gathering at home. ## **Tip #1: Let your entertaining style reflect your personality.** Your table, menu, and the way you host should feel like you. Set the table and cook in a way that feels natural and comfortable to you. Entertaining doesn’t have to follow a formula. Your guests will appreciate “when you do you!” ## **Tip #2: Cook what you know.** Martha Stewart once advised never to serve guests a recipe you haven’t tried and tested, and it’s something I’ve always remembered. Save yourself the unnecessary stress and cook what you’re confident making! ## **Tip #3: Plan ahead and be prepared.** I like to plan the menu, table, and little details in advance. I was once told that the host sets the mood of a gathering. If you’re relaxed, your guests will be too. The more you can do beforehand, the more you can actually enjoy the evening with them. ## **Tip #4: Set the mood.** Lighting, music, flowers, and candles can completely transform a room. It doesn’t have to be fancy or expensive. It’s often the little details that create the atmosphere and make an evening feel special. ![ ALPHA Tips: Nicole Whisenhunt’s Guide To Hosting At Home ](https://assets.lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/alphatipnicole-3-1.jpg) ## **Tip #5: Make people feel at home.** At the end of the day, good hosting is about how you make people feel. Be generous, be attentive, and don’t worry about everything being perfect. The best evenings are often the ones where everyone feels comfortable enough to laugh and linger a little longer. --- *Photography by* Kieran Punay of KLIQ, Inc. **Categories:** Living **Tags:** alpha, alpha tips, entertaining, Home, Hosting, hosting tips, living, Nicole Whisenhunt --- ## Pages ### [Home](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/) **Published:** September 15, 2023 **Author:** Digital Media Team --- ### [Contact Us](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/contact-us/) **Published:** May 13, 2026 **Author:** Patricia Revilla **Content:** 1. Business Hours:Opens Mondays to Fridays 10:00 am to 6:00 pm 2. Location:18th Floor, Offices at the Galleon Bldg, ADB Avenue, Brgy. San Antonio, Ortigas Center, Pasig City, 1605 Metro Manila --- ### [Privacy Policy](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/privacy-policy/) **Published:** January 9, 2023 **Author:** Digital Media Team **Content:** Lifestyle Asia is owned and operated by One Mega Group, Inc. 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The right to erasure – You have the right to request tha​t Lifestyle Asia erase your personal data, under certain conditions. The right to restrict processing – You have the right to request that​ Lifestyle Asia restrict the processing of your personal data, under certain conditions. The right to object to processing – ​You have the right to object to Lifestyle Asia’ processing of your personal data, under certain conditions. The right to data​​portability – ​You have the right to request that ​Lifestyle Asia transfer the data that we have collected to another organization, or directly to you, under certain conditions. If you make a request, we have one month to respond to you. If you would like to exercise any of these rights, please contact us at our email: , call us at: (632) 8241-8970, or write to us: 18th Floor, Offices at the Galleon Bldg, ADB Avenue, Brgy. San Antonio, Ortigas Center, Pasig City, 1605 Metro Manila. **What are cookies?** Cookies are text files placed on your computer to collect standard Internet log information and visitor behavior information. When you visit our website, we may collect information from you automatically through cookies or similar technology. For further information, visit ​[www.allaboutcookies.org](https://www.allaboutcookies.org)​. **How do we use cookies?** Lifestyle Asia uses cookies in a range of ways to improve your experience on our website, including: - Keeping you signed in; - Understanding how you use our website. **What types of cookies do we use?** There are a number of different types of cookies, however, our website uses: - Functionality​ – Lifestyle Asia uses these cookies so that we recognize you on our website and remember your previously selected preferences. These could include what language you prefer and location you are in. A mix of first-party and third-party cookies are used. - Advertising​ – ​Lifestyle Asia uses these cookies to collect information about your visit to our website, the content you viewed, the links you followed and information about your browser, device and your IP address. ​Lifestyle Asia sometimes shares some limited aspects of this data with third parties for advertising purposes. We may also share online data collected through cookies with our advertising partners. This means that when you visit another website, you may be shown advertising based on your browsing patterns on our website. **How to manage cookies.** You can set your browser to not accept cookies, and ​www.allaboutcookies.org​ tells you how to remove cookies from your browser. However, in a few cases, some of our website features may not function as a result. **Protection Measures.** Only authorized NPC personnel has access to these personal information, the exchange of which will be facilitated through email and hard copy. They will be stored in a database for two years (after inquiries, requests are acted upon) after which physical records shall be disposed of through shredding, while digital files shall be anonymized. **Access and Correction.** You have the right to ask for a copy of any personal information we hold about you, as well as to ask for it to be corrected if you think it is wrong. To do so, please contact our Data Protection Officer, through the following email address: . **Privacy policies of other websites.** Lifestyle Asia’s website contains links to other websites. Our privacy policy applies only to our website, so if you click on a link to another website, you should read their privacy policy. Changes to our privacy policy Lifestyle Asia keeps its privacy policy under regular review and places any updates on this web page. **How to contact us.** If you have any questions about​ Lifestyle Asia’s privacy policy, the data we hold on you, or you would like to exercise one of your data protection rights, please do not hesitate to contact us. Email us at: Call us at: (632) 8241-8970 Or write to us: 18th Floor, Offices at the Galleon Bldg, ADB Avenue, Brgy. San Antonio, Ortigas Center, Pasig City, 1605 Metro Manila. **How to contact the appropriate authority.** Should you wish to report a complaint or if you feel that ​Lifestyle Asia has not addressed your concern in a satisfactory manner, you may contact the National Privacy Commission. Email:​ Address:​ 5th Floor Delegation Building, PICC Complex, Roxas Boulevard, Philippines --- ### [Terms and Conditions](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/terms-and-conditions/) **Published:** March 21, 2025 **Author:** Aldren Gomez **Content:** This website (this “Site”) is operated by One Mega Group Inc. (“Lifestyle Asia”, “we”, “our”, “us”) in conjunction with others pursuant to contractual arrangements. YOUR RIGHT TO ACCESS THE CONTENT ON THIS WEBSITE AND TO USE THE SERVICES PROVIDED VIA THIS WEBSITE ARE SUBJECT TO THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS SET FORTH BELOW. ANY BREACH OF THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS SET FORTH BELOW IMMEDIATELY TERMINATES SUCH RIGHTS. Please note that we reserve the right at any time to change the terms and conditions set forth below. Any changes we make will be effective immediately upon notice, which we may provide by means including, without limitation, posting notice of such changes on this website. Your continued use of this website after such notice is evidence of your acceptance of all such changes. We also reserve the right to limit the availability of this website and/or the provision of any content, service, or product described herein to any person, geographic area or jurisdiction, at any time and in our sole discretion, and to limit the quantities of any content, service, or product(s) that we may provide. You use this Site at your sole risk. You agree that you will be personally responsible for your use of this Site and for all of your activity on this Site. ## Content The content provided on this website, including any software, HTML code, data, text, graphics, images, audio and video clips, logos, icons and links (collectively, the “Content”) and any and all intellectual property rights therein are and shall remain at all times the property of Lifestyle Asia or its licensors or suppliers. You may download and use the Content for your personal, non-commercial use. You may not resell or commercially exploit the Content, nor may you download or copy Content for the benefit of a third party or use this Site or any of its Content to further any commercial purpose, including any advertising or advertising revenue generation activity on your own website. Any use of data mining, robots, or similar data gathering and extraction tools is expressly prohibited. You may not frame or utilize framing techniques to enclose any Content without the express written consent of Lifestyle Asia or its licensors. Any unauthorized use of Content immediately terminates your right to access the Content of this website. Although Lifestyle Asia strives to provide Content that is accurate, the nature of the data and other information contained on this Site is subject to frequent change. Accordingly, although Lifestyle Asia endeavors to use reasonable care in assembling the Content, the Content may not be up-to-date, accurate or complete. In addition, Lifestyle Asia cannot guarantee that technical difficulties will not occur during the uploading of the Content to your computer or that the Content will upload successfully to your computer. Descriptions or images of, or references to, products, services, persons or entities on this Site do not imply Lifestyle Asia’ endorsement of such products, services, persons or entities. In addition, portions of the Content have been contributed to this website by various third parties. The inclusion of such content does not indicate any approval or endorsement thereof by Lifestyle Asia. Lifestyle Asia reserves the right to withdraw, temporarily or permanently, any Content from this Site at any time and for any reason. Removal may be immediate and without notice. ## Where To Send Notices Of Copyright Infringement If you believe that this site has infringed upon your copyright, please notify us in writing sent to: One Mega Group Inc. 18th Floor, Offices at the Galleon Bldg, ADB Avenue, Brgy. San Antonio, Ortigas Center, Pasig City, 1605 Metro Manila; +63 2 8241 8970 ## Links To Third-Party Sites We may include hyperlinks on this Site to other websites or resources operated by parties other than Lifestyle Asia, including advertisers. Lifestyle Asia has not reviewed all of the sites linked to its Site and is not responsible for the content or accuracy of any off-site pages nor are we responsible for the availability of such external websites or resources, and do not endorse and are not responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, for the privacy practices or the content of such websites, including (without limitation) any advertising, products or other materials or services on or available from such websites or resources, nor for any damage, loss or offense caused or alleged to be caused by, or in connection with, the use of or reliance on any such content, goods or services available on such external websites or resources. ## Disclaimers THIS WEBSITE, THE CONTENT, AND ANY PRODUCT OR SERVICE OBTAINED THROUGH THIS WEBSITE ARE PROVIDED “AS IS” AND WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED. TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMISSIBLE PURSUANT TO APPLICABLE LAW, Lifestyle Asia AND ITS AFFILIATES, LICENSORS, SUPPLIERS, SPONSORS AND AGENTS DISCLAIM ALL WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF TITLE, NON-INFRINGEMENT, ACCURACY, MERCHANTABILITY, AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, AND ANY WARRANTIES THAT MAY ARISE FROM COURSE OF DEALING, COURSE OF PERFORMANCE OR USAGE OF TRADE. APPLICABLE LAW MAY NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OF IMPLIED WARRANTIES, SO THE ABOVE EXCLUSIONS MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU. Lifestyle Asia AND ITS AFFILIATES, LICENSORS, SUPPLIERS, AND AGENTS DO NOT WARRANT THAT YOUR USE OF THIS WEBSITE WILL BE UNINTERRUPTED, ERROR-FREE OR SECURE, THAT DEFECTS WILL BE CORRECTED, OR THAT THIS WEBSITE, THE SERVER(S) ON WHICH THIS WEBSITE IS HOSTED IS FREE OF VIRUSES OR OTHER HARMFUL COMPONENTS. YOU ACKNOWLEDGE THAT YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR OBTAINING AND MAINTAINING ALL TELEPHONE, COMPUTER HARDWARE AND OTHER EQUIPMENT NEEDED TO ACCESS AND USE THIS WEBSITE, AND ALL CHARGES RELATED THERETO. YOU ASSUME ALL RESPONSIBILITY AND RISK FOR YOUR USE OF THIS WEBSITE AND YOUR RELIANCE THEREON. NO OPINION, ADVICE OR STATEMENT OF Lifestyle Asia OR ITS AFFILIATES, LICENSORS, SUPPLIERS, SPONSORS, AGENTS, MEMBERS OR VISITORS, WHETHER MADE ON THIS WEBSITE OR OTHERWISE, SHALL CREATE ANY WARRANTY. YOU EXPRESSLY ACKNOWLEDGE AND AGREE THAT Lifestyle Asia SHALL HAVE NO LIABILITY OR RESPONSIBILITY WHATSOEVER FOR (I) PERSONAL INJURY, OR OTHER PROPERTY DAMAGE, OF ANY NATURE WHATSOEVER, WHETHER ARISING IN CONTRACT OR IN TORT, RESULTING FROM YOUR ACCESS TO AND USE OF OUR SITE, INCLUDING ANY CLAIM, CAUSE OF ACTION, OBLIGATION, LIABILITY, RIGHT, OR REMEDY WHETHER OR NOT ARISING FROM THE NEGLIGENCE OF Lifestyle Asia, (II) ANY UNAUTHORIZED ACCESS TO OR USE OF OUR SECURE SERVERS AND/OR ANY AND ALL PERSONAL INFORMATION AND/OR FINANCIAL INFORMATION STORED THEREIN, (III) ANY INTERRUPTION OR CESSATION OF TRANSMISSION TO OR FROM OUR SITE, (IV) ANY BUGS, VIRUSES, WORMS, TROJAN HORSES, DEFECTS, DATE BOMBS, TIME BOMBS OR OTHER ITEMS OF A DESTRUCTIVE NATURE WHICH MAY BE TRANSMITTED TO OR THROUGH OUR SITE BY ANY THIRD PARTY, AND/OR (V) ANY ERRORS, MISTAKES, INACCURACIES OR OMISSIONS IN ANY MATERIALS, OR FOR ANY LOSS OR DAMAGE OF ANY KIND INCURRED AS A RESULT OF THE USE OF ANY MATERIALS POSTED, EMAILED TO OR FROM, TRANSMITTED OR OTHERWISE MADE AVAILABLE VIA THIS WEBSITE. Lifestyle Asia DOES NOT WARRANT, ENDORSE, GUARANTEE, OR ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY PRODUCT OR SERVICE ADVERTISED OR OFFERED BY A THIRD PARTY THROUGH THIS WEBSITE OR ANY HYPERLINKED SITE, AND Lifestyle Asia WILL NOT BE A PARTY TO OR IN ANY WAY MONITOR ANY TRANSACTION BETWEEN YOU AND THIRD-PARTY PROVIDERS OF PRODUCTS OR SERVICES. AS WITH THE PURCHASE OF A PRODUCT OR SERVICE THROUGH ANY MEDIUM OR IN ANY ENVIRONMENT, YOU SHOULD USE YOUR BEST JUDGMENT AND EXERCISE CAUTION WHERE APPROPRIATE. YOUR USE OF THIS WEBSITE AND ANY CONTENT PROVIDED ON THIS WEBSITE ARE ENTIRELY AT YOUR OWN RISK. --- ### [Set Password](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/set-password/) **Published:** July 31, 2026 **Author:** Lyle Dolleton --- ### [Lifestyle Asia Digital Access](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/digital-access/) **Published:** March 21, 2025 **Author:** Aldren Gomez --- ### [Lifestyle Asia Digital Access FAQS](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/digital-access-faqs/) **Published:** March 21, 2025 **Author:** Aldren Gomez **Content:** ### Is my Lifestyle Asia Digital Access subscription refundable? No, Lifestyle Asia Digital Access subscriptions are non-refundable. Once purchased, you will have access to the digital content until your subscription expires. ### How long do I have access to my digital subscription? You will have access to the digital content for the duration of your purchased subscription period (e.g., monthly, annual). ### Can I cancel my Lifestyle Asia Digital Access subscription? Yes, you can cancel your subscription at any time prior to your next renewal date. Cancelling will prevent future renewals, but you will retain access to the digital content until your current subscription expires. ### I’ve forgotten my password. How can I reset it? You can reset your password by clicking the “Forgot Password” link on the login page. Follow the instructions provided to reset your password via email. ### Can I download the e-magazines? No, the e-magazines within Lifestyle Asia Digital Access are for online viewing only and are not available for download. ### Where can I purchase a print edition of Lifestyle Asia magazine? You can purchase print editions of Lifestyle Asia magazine at our online store: --- ### [Custom Feed Builder](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/custom-feed-builder/) **Published:** August 8, 2025 **Author:** Lyle Dolleton **Content:** Post Status: PublishedDraftPending Post Type: PostPageCustom Type Author: AllAdriana GonzalezAldren GomezArchie CarrascoaiveeAlexandra TanAlon GarciaAlon GarciaAlthea VillanuevaAmanda Leah NgAnda LagdameoAndie JavellosaAndrea LamAngela CascoAngelo de CartagenaAngelo de CartagenaAnikha ChuaAnjella AguilarAnna ChuaAnnika CañizaAntoinette PenalbaAnya LagmanAnya LimApples AberinAraw HospitalAshley MascarinaASIAN HAIRAsusAubrey AlejoPilar Gonzalez, Alon Garcia, and Mawi Fojas De OcampoAyni NuydaBam AbellonBarry ViloriaBella Javier LiamzonBianca LagmanBran ReluaoBryan U. YapCandy DizonCargillCarl CunananJ. Carlo ConsunjiCarlo TumaliuanCarlos Quijon, Jr.Carol RH MalasigCarol RH MalasigCartierCes DrilonChad LosantaCharity MarohombsarChef Patrick CoCherrie AtilanoChino HernandezChristelle Lou DychangcoChristina ZabatChristine GosiocoCocolifeThe Lifestyle Asia TeamCreative ServicesDanielle LimcaocoDevi De VeyraDigital Media TeamDoggoDon PapaDong RonquilloLifestyle Asia TeamEdu JarqueEduardo ZobelEEIElla OcampoElyse IlaganFederal LandFOODTRAY2GOfrance.ramosGab MejiaGabby AyalaGabriel DeeGelo DionoraGwen O. JacintoHann ResortsHeidi NgHerb HealthHHBeautyHiltonHolly Marie RayosIfernIllosJacs SampayanJames Luigi TanaJamie WilsonJan MacedaJanelle Cobankiat SyJanine RectoJann PascuaJaymes ShrimskiJeanette Ipapo-TuasonJeff LibananJemimah TanJen-Lyn DumlaoJennifer RiveraJeronne De VillaJerwin CezarJewelmerJo MaloneJohnnie WalkerJomae BondocJoyce RoqueJude RamirezJulianna CabiliJustine Ruth PunzalanKatherine AlamaresKathlyn Jean AbalosKatrina A. HoligoresKatya F. LichaucoKelly Misa-FernandezKenna FojasKerry TingaKim LunaKimberly QueKristine de GuzmanKristoff SisonKyle TingaRossana L. UnsonLifestyle AsiaLaprairieLar ChuaLauro Lampano IIILe MeurLeila AntonioLuna AlvarezLikha ResidencesLind BoracayLouise DanielLuis EspirituLyle DolletonMara MadridMarbee Shing-GoMarc PagdilaoMarge C. EnriquezMariane PerezMawi Fojas De OcampoMark Glen HubillaMarla S. GonzalezMartina LebronMaxine AlindoganMEGA WorldmerzMia BorromeoMica CruzMj CalayanMika LimcaocoMikel PanlilioMillie ManahanModern BrandsMonica ConcepcionMPCNainine BuenaobraNarciso RodriguezNicah CarambaNicca TapangNika LlamanzaresNovotelOme ItumOrtigas Land Corp.Owen MaddelaPaolo TorioPaolo VeraPatricia RevillaPatricia SaminPatricia Mae SuarezPatti Grandidge-HerreraPauline De MesaPaula BautistaPauline MataPaulo EdillorPdaxPeaches GarciaPepper TeehankeePerceptionsPetalierPierra Calasanz-LabradorPierra Calasanz-LabradorPilar GonzalezPipo GonzalesPorschePeewee Reyes-IsidroPublicity AsiaRamon GarciaRatziel San JuanRebecca PetersenRedge TolentinoReese Fernandez-RuizRichard FarinasRoanna AlonzoRolexRossana L. Unsonruby.jackRuby JacksRustansRye AntonioSabina GonzalezSammie MasiganSapporoSara Siguion-ReynaShaira BungcagSheila ParafinaShiseido FragrancesSari SariSingletonStephanie FerrerSuki SalvadorTechnogymTiffany & CoTony RiveraTransunionUnyx Sta. AnaVictor Consunji Development CorpVeronica GarciaWilconXiaomi XiaomiYsmael SuarezIna Yulo Stuve Category: Archive Art Arts & Culture Beauty Dining Entertaining Events History Interiors LA Crave LA Weddings Leadership Levanto, Makati Lifestyle Living People Scene Self Style Tech Travel Uncategorized Wellness Tag: – Love Yourself PH – Little Gaza – Angat Buhay – Compassion and Responsibility for Animals – Waves in the Philippines Need Water – Childhope Philippines Foundation.golden monstera"linkDestination":"none"} –> *Discover Lifestyle Asia in the format that suits you best. We offer flexible subscription options for our digital and print editions, as well as the option to purchase single issues. All transactions are handled securely and efficiently through our platform.* > > **Lifestyle Asia* is published and presented by One Mega Group, Inc. – a subsidiary of AGC Power Holdings Corp. All rights reserved.* --- ### [Bookmarks](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/bookmarks/) **Published:** June 25, 2025 **Author:** Jen-Lyn Dumlao --- ### [Latest Posts](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/latest-posts/) **Published:** June 25, 2025 **Author:** Jen-Lyn Dumlao --- ### [Where To Buy](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/where-to-buy/) **Published:** May 14, 2025 **Author:** Mark Glen Hubilla **Content:** ## Where to Buy ## Lifestyle Asia is available in the following places: #### **Order from our official online shops** [Sari Sari Newsstand](https://sarisari.shopping/)[Shopee Mall](https://shopee.ph/sarisarinewsstand) [LazMall](https://www.lazada.com.ph/shop/sari-sari-newsstand/) #### **Visit the following bookstores** National Bookstore – Rockwell National Bookstore – Glorietta 1 National Bookstore – SM Aura National Bookstore – Shangri-La National Bookstore – SM Megamall National Bookstore – Podium National Bookstore – Trinoma National Bookstore – Quezon Ave National Bookstore – SM North EDSA National Bookstore – Festival Mall Alabang National Bookstore – SM Southmall National Bookstore – Katipunan National Bookstore – UP Town Center FullyBooked – BGC FullyBooked – Greenhills FullyBooked – ATC FullyBooked – SM Southmall FullyBooked – UP Town Center FullyBooked – Katipunan #### **Download the e-mag copy** [Magzter](https://www.magzter.com/PH/One-Mega-Group-Inc./Lifestyle-Asia/Lifestyle/All-Issues) [Readly](https://im.readly.com/products/magazine/lifestyle-asia) --- ### [Thank You](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/thank-you/) **Published:** March 21, 2025 **Author:** Aldren Gomez **Content:** ## Thank You for Subscribing! You now have access to all past and future digital issues of Lifestyle Asia Magazine. Click here to start reading [e-magazine.](/emag) --- ### [Account](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/account/) **Published:** March 21, 2025 **Author:** Aldren Gomez **Content:** You are unauthorized to view this page. 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Coupon Code: ![Loading...](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-includes/js/thickbox/loadingAnimation.gif "Loading icon") Invalid Coupon Coupon applied successfully No val ![Loading...](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/wp-admin/images/loading.gif "Loading icon") Please fix the errors above --- ### [Lifestyle Asia Digital Access (Quarterly)](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/register/digital-access-quarterly/) **Published:** March 21, 2025 **Author:** Aldren Gomez **Content:** Terms: ₱275 / 3 Months First Name:\* First Name Required Last Name:\* Last Name Required Email:\* Invalid Email Password:\* Invalid Password Password Confirmation:\* Password Confirmation Doesn't Match Have a coupon? 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[Login](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/login/) **Emag Featured:** Monica Lorenzo **Emag Months:** September **Emag Years:** 2025 --- ### [October 2025 | Sofia Yulo](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/emag/october-2025-sofia-yulo/) **Published:** October 1, 2025 **Author:** Lyle Dolleton **Content:** You are unauthorized to view this page. [Login](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/login/) **Emag Featured:** Sofia Yulo **Emag Months:** October **Emag Years:** 2025 --- ### [May 2025 | Lui and LA Clavano](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/emag/may-2025-lui-and-la-clavano/) **Published:** May 15, 2025 **Author:** Lyle Dolleton **Content:** You are unauthorized to view this page. 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[Login](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/login/) **Emag Featured:** Andres Muhlach **Emag Months:** July **Emag Years:** 2025 --- ### [August 2025 | Rosanna Periquet](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/emag/august-2025-rosanna-periquet/) **Published:** August 1, 2025 **Author:** Lyle Dolleton **Content:** You are unauthorized to view this page. [Login](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/login/) **Emag Featured:** Rosanna Periquet **Emag Months:** August **Emag Years:** 2025 --- ### [April 2025 | Rocio Zobel Cover 2](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/emag/april-2025-rocio-zobel-cover-2/) **Published:** April 4, 2025 **Author:** Lyle Dolleton **Content:** You are unauthorized to view this page. [Login](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/login/) **Emag Featured:** Rocio Zobel **Emag Months:** April **Emag Years:** 2025 --- ### [April 2025 | Rocio Zobel Cover 1](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/emag/april-2025-rocio-zobel-cover-1/) **Published:** April 4, 2025 **Author:** Lyle Dolleton **Content:** You are unauthorized to view this page. [Login](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/login/) **Emag Featured:** Rocio Zobel **Emag Months:** April **Emag Years:** 2025 --- ## Glossary ### [Culture](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/glossary/c/culture/) **Published:** August 5, 2026 **Author:** Lyle Dolleton **Content:** shared traditions, beliefs, values, customs, arts, and social practices that define the identity and way of life of a community, society, or nation. --- ## Categories ### [Scene](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/scene/) **Description:** Experience the captivating moments that define luxury living. From glamorous events to social gatherings, discover the vibrant scene of society's elite. --- ### [LA Weddings](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/la-weddings/) **Description:** Explore the art of luxurious weddings that celebrate love and commitment. Discover stunning venues, exquisite designs, and unforgettable moments in celebrations. --- ### [Arts & Culture](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/arts-and-culture/) **Description:** Explore timeless stories of heritage, artistic expressions, and cultural significance. A deep dive into the world of art and culture among society's elite. --- ### [Travel](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/travel/) **Description:** Journey through the globe's most exquisite travel destinations. Uncover the art of travel that combines adventure, culture, and unparalleled luxury. --- ### [People](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/people/) **Description:** Meet the influential individuals shaping our world. Discover their stories, contributions, and how they impact culture and lifestyle in society. --- ### [Events](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/scene/events/) **Description:** Stay updated on the most exclusive events, from high-profile galas to luxury launches. Lifestyle Asia brings you the best in society and culture. --- ### [Self](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/self/) **Description:** Discover the intersection of elegance and self-care. From beauty essentials to holistic wellness tips, embrace a lifestyle that celebrates your well-being. --- ### [Wellness](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/self/wellness/) **Description:** Explore the art of well-being with expert tips on health, self-care, and mindful living. Lifestyle Asia brings you the best in luxury wellness and balance. --- ### [Beauty](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/self/beauty/) **Description:** Discover the latest in beauty, from skincare innovations to luxury makeup trends. Lifestyle Asia brings expert tips, product highlights, and wellness insights. --- ### [Style](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/style/) **Description:** Stay ahead in fashion with the latest trends, designer highlights, and luxury essentials. Lifestyle Asia brings you the best in sophisticated style. --- ### [Dining](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/dining/) **Description:** Indulge in the finest dining experiences, from gourmet restaurants to emerging culinary trends. Lifestyle Asia brings you the best in food and luxury. --- ### [Living](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/living/) **Description:** Explore the art of luxurious living, from stunning interiors to mindful lifestyles. Lifestyle Asia brings you the best in design, wellness, and home trends. --- ### [Interiors](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/living/interiors/) **Description:** Discover stunning interiors, expert design tips, and the latest trends in luxury living. Lifestyle Asia brings you the finest in home and space curation. --- ### [Entertaining](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/living/entertaining/) **Description:** Explore the world of entertaining with expert tips, trends, and inspiring stories. From luxury gatherings to casual hosting, Lifestyle Asia covers it all. --- ### [Lifestyle](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/people/lifestyle/) **Description:** Discover the latest in luxury living, from fashion and travel to wellness and culture. Lifestyle Asia brings you trends, insights, and expert inspirations. --- ### [Art](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/arts-and-culture/art/) **Description:** Discover the world of art, from timeless masterpieces to modern trends. Lifestyle Asia showcases visionary artists, exhibitions, and creative movements. --- ### [Leadership](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/people/leadership/) **Description:** Success with purpose. Explore the journeys of the visionaries, entrepreneurs, and industry icons redefining leadership and making an impact in modern society. --- ### [Tech](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/arts-and-culture/tech/) **Description:** Explore the latest in tech, from cutting-edge innovations to luxury gadgets. Lifestyle Asia brings you the future of technology and sophisticated living. --- ### [Archive](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/archive/) --- ### [History](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/history/) **Description:** Uncover the rich history and cultural heritage that shape our world. Lifestyle Asia explores iconic moments, legendary figures, and timeless traditions. --- ### [LA Crave](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/la-crave/) --- ### [Levanto, Makati](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/la-crave/levanto-makati/) --- ## Emag Featured ### [Rocio Zobel](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/emag-featured/rocio-zobel/) --- ### [Rosanna Periquet](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/emag-featured/rosanna-periquet/) --- ### [Andres Muhlach](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/emag-featured/andres-muhlach/) --- ### [Bea Elizalde](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/emag-featured/bea-elizalde/) --- ### [Lui and LA Clavano](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/emag-featured/lui-and-la-clavano/) --- ### [Sofia Yulo](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/emag-featured/sofia-yulo/) --- ### [Monica Lorenzo](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/emag-featured/monica-lorenzo/) --- ### [Mercedes Olondriz](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/emag-featured/mercedes-olondriz/) --- ### [Jessica Sy](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/emag-featured/jessica-sy/) --- ### [Nic Chien](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/emag-featured/nic-chien/) --- ### [Katarina Ortiz](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/emag-featured/katarina-ortiz/) --- ### [Audrey Lukban](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/emag-featured/audrey-lukban/) --- ### [Johanna Helmuth](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/emag-featured/johanna-helmuth/) --- ### [Martina Lebron](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/emag-featured/martina-lebron/) --- ### [Gab Mejia](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/emag-featured/gab-mejia/) --- ### [Dominique Cojuangco-Hearn](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/emag-featured/dominique-cojuangco-hearn/) --- ### [Amado and Carmela Forés](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/emag-featured/amado-and-carmela-fores/) --- ### [Missy Macuja Elizalde](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/emag-featured/missy-macuja-elizalde/) --- ### [Tasha and Bella Tanjutco](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/emag-featured/tasha-and-bella-tanjutco/) --- ### [Paloma Urquijo Zobel de Ayala](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/emag-featured/paloma-urquijo-zobel-de-ayala/) --- ## Emag Months ### [April](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/emag-month/april/) --- ### [August](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/emag-month/august/) --- ### [July](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/emag-month/july/) --- ### [June](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/emag-month/june/) --- ### [May](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/emag-month/may/) --- ### [October](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/emag-month/october/) --- ### [September](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/emag-month/september/) --- ### [November](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/emag-month/november/) --- ### [December](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/emag-month/december/) --- ### [January](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/emag-month/january/) --- ### [February](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/emag-month/february/) --- ### [March](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/emag-month/march/) --- ## Emag Years ### [2025](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/emag-year/2025/) --- ### [2026](https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/emag-year/2026/) ---