Indholdsfortegnelse for August 2023 i Tatler Philippines

SINGAPORE When swimmer Yip Pin Xiu won Singapore its first gold medal at the Beijing Summer Paralympics in 2008, it turned out to be only the beginning of her journey to becoming her country’s most decorated Paralympian. Yip, who competes in the S2 category for the physically impaired, specialises in the backstroke event. Her medal haul includes five golds and one silver at the Paralympics; five golds and two silvers at the World Championships; and a gold and two bronzes at the Asian Para Games. Her influence extends past sport—Yip served as a nominated member of parliament from 2018 to 2020, working to address issues such as sport and inclusion, workplace harassment and sexual violence on campus. In 2022, she was given the inaugural President’s Award for Inspiring Achievement by…

COME ON, BARBIE There’s no other way to put it: the influence of the doll who has been a style icon since the Fifties is staying with us for a while and keeping the world bubblegum pink. If you are not over the Barbie live-action movie (we’re not), proudly and unapologetically add a few pieces in this cheery shade to your wardrobe. THE BLOW UP It’s time to talk about the hero bags of this season—roomy carryalls or supersized totes. There is a multitude of variations on the market, but our favourites feature ultra-soft leather and uber-relaxed shapes which give you the freedom to carry them in a variety of ways and instantly exude a laid-back style. OVER AND OVER—AGAIN Pre-fall fashion has brought a renewed focus on bottoms, with…

Hedi Slimane, image director of Celine, has often set the fashion world abuzz with his distinctive rock ‘n’ roll flair. Making its debut at The Wiltern Theatre in Los Angeles, the Celine women’s 2023 winter collection was no exception, showcasing the designer’s inspired vision for the French Maison. Coined after Wilshire Boulevard and Western Avenue, the two thoroughfares intersecting its location, The Wiltern, is a blue-green terracotta complex recognised as one of the finest examples of art deco architecture in the United States. Its steel-reinforced concrete façade features narrow windows and vertical neon signs that illuminate the marquee, while the interiors boast opulent murals, decorative plaster and tile work together with the auditorium’s centrepiece: an art deco sunburst ceiling. Through several transformations, the theatre has thrived as a prominent music…

The Japanese are the original quiet luxury fans, and Tatler loves how Patek Philippe’s limited-edition World Time Reference 5330G-010 Tokyo 2023 fuses innovative watchmaking with Japanese flair, breaking new ground with an automatic date display that adjusts itself backwards or forwards when the wearer switches time zones. The patented differential system turns the date hand forwards when the outer train moves and backwards when the inner train moves. The plum purple dial and midnight blue strap with contrasting plum stitching pay tribute to Japan’s paired-back yet elevated aesthetic sensibilities. TREND This season, let’s set time in precious stones—quite literally…

The botanical wonderland of the Château de Bagatelle in Paris was in full bloom earlier this year, transformed by Chaumet into an enchanted secret garden to celebrate its latest high jewellery collection, Le Jardin de Chaumet. Among the guests were actresses Song Hye Kyo, Gao Yuan Yuan and Jessica Alba. All eyes, though, turned to singer-actor Cha Eun Woo. Forsaking flowers and pocket squares, he chose to accent his dapper suit with two dramatic black Encres transformable brooches from the maison’s Ondes et Merveilles collection, made of white, rose and yellow gold, set with turquoise, mother-of-pearl, Grand Feu enamel and brilliant-cut diamonds. TREND Ditch the sparkling whites and add a pop of colour to your ensembles this month…

TATLER PHILIPPINES Sundance award winner Kayla Abuda Galang shared the pressures of being an Asian American filmmaker, and how she hopes to parlay her recognition into better representation across the industry. TATLER INDONESIA Mixed martial artist Jeka Saragih has made remarkable strides in UFC’s lightweight division. He etched his name in history by becoming the first Indonesian fighter to reach the final of Road to UFC, after knocking out Ki Won Bin in the semifinals. He spoke to Tatler about the challenges he has overcome and how he hopes to continue along the path to success. TATLER MALAYSIA AMI 2021 honouree Pamela Tan chatted to Tatler about her move from architecture to art, and her desire to represent the diversity of the Malaysian people through her work. TATLER HONG KONG…

Jose Luzuriaga Alvarez III and Tara Lane’s love story goes beyond the initial spark of attraction. Theirs is a love that requires time to grow. “We knew each other since our high school days, but we were not friends at the time,” says Jose. “We reconnected in 2014 during summer break. I have had a crush on her ever since.” They started testing the waters and got to know more of each other. “He would ask me out on dates, but I only said yes to having lunch with him twice: once in 2015 and then again in 2016,” shares Tara. However, this chapter of their lives fizzled out, and they started seeing other people afterwards. Fate decided to let their paths cross again in 2020. Their friends planned a…

She greets me at a VIP salon at the Tiffany Landmark on Fifth Avenue wearing a ready smile, striped shirt and sans makeup. She is a sight to behold, carrying that “quiet luxury” sweeping the fashion scene. We got down to the task at hand, but before that, I told her that I enjoyed reading Cartagena Grace, which she co-wrote with Johanna Ortiz. The book also featured the wedding of Marianna Zobel-Aboitiz. “I am glad you liked it !” she said. Santo Domingo was a former Vogue editor and is highly looked up to by international fashion and society cognoscenti for her impeccable tastes and style; her entertaining prowess has been chronicled in books and magazines. She is one of the very few women who have been asked by Tiffany…

The creative community has traditionally been getting the short end of the stick. It could be said that in the absence of a proper enabling environment, a creative would have to continuously strive and forever struggle to thrive. Not anymore. Through Republic Act 11904 or the recently enacted Philippine Creative Industries Development Act (PCIDA), Filipino creatives now have the opportunity to proliferate and achieve a more sustainable and productive future for themselves and their careers. At the forefront of this movement is Pangasinan’s fourth district representative, Christopher “Toff ” de Venecia. A creative force himself—theater director, producer, writer, and former child actor—he shares, “At the height of the pandemic, arts and creativity were deemed as non-essentials, and creative freelancers were revealed to be very much vulnerable.” He recalls various sectors…

Two testimonials from Japanese friends and a quick Google search—were the only things I needed to zero in on my next food adventure. Penang, Malaysia and Tainan, the former Dutch colony of Taiwan, were in the running. Still, the moving image and call of Fukuoka’s sweater weather tempered with a balmy bowl of bold-flavoured Hakata ramen, where it originated from, was just too hard to ignore. As if the image were not enough of an appeal, we were welcomed by a cloud cover and the unique aroma of the ramen broth (which to some reeks of wet socks, but to me smells of a very potent bone soup) as we hit the streets armed with our luggage, looking for our hotel. The photos that hung outside the restaurant’s walls didn’t…

He left his home country to follow his love halfway across the globe. It was not just a decision but a commitment which Alex Van Hagen, a Dutch photographer, kept until his death on the morning of June 16, 2023, four months after the love of his life, Maurice Arcache, passed away. He was 75. Van Hagen was the epitome of loyalty through the ups and downs of their turbulent relationship. He could not explain why he stayed with Arcache through thick and thin save for the simplest of answers: “I just loved him that much.” They met more than half a century ago, at a party in Van Hagen’s home city, The Hague, at a club. That meeting would start a life of more clubbing, partying and having fun…

RETRO RENDEZ-VOUS A cool-girl’s favourite, independent French label Rowen Rose has become the newest name on Linda Farrow’s collaboration list. The six-piece collection draws inspiration from the vibrant atmosphere of 1970s St Tropez, capturing the essence of the classic South of France style and deploying a warm colour palette in its designs. The packaging, adorned with red and white stripes, offers a nod to the iconic umbrellas of the era, evoking a sense of nostalgia and a longing for an idyllic past while maintaining a fresh, modern feel. FOREST CALLING Stella McCartney is adding more new vegan materials to its line-up, debuting its first bag crafted from Bananatex as a part of its autumn 2023 collection. Made from Abacá banana plants cultivated in the Philippines that are grown without the…

A heady exuberance is closely linked to Le Palace in Paris. Originally built as a theatre dance hall in the 17th century but better known as a nightclub since 1978, this Parisian spot famously welcomed the beau monde to its lavish parties, masked balls and live performances, earning its rep as the French equivalent of New York’s legendary disco nightclub, Studio 54. Among its regulars was a young Hedi Slimane, who began to frequent the club at 16. Regarding the iconic club as a sentimental place that triggered his future as a couturier, Celine’s French designer and creative director celebrated his 50th birthday party there in 2018. In recent news, he also chose Le Palace as the setting of his men’s winter 2023 show for the fashion house earlier this…

RETURN OF THE KING To revive the classic style of the King Seiko; the Japanese brand introduces two new timepieces inspired by the iconic 1965 KSK. Powered by the slimline Calibre 6L35, a slimmer frame, and a choice of a silver or black dial while sporting the King Seiko signature, the SJE089 and SJE091 are the definitions of simplistic beauty. A SEAWORTHY COMPANION To celebrate 75 years of Omega’s oceangoing icon, the Swiss brand has created seven iconic models that speak volumes about the standard of dive tech. The Aqua Terra Worldtimer stands out with its 43mm case, a blue dial with a picturesque representation of Earth, and a matching bracelet or blue rubber strap. Perfect for the nautical wanderer, this timepiece covers every central location, so you never lose…

AISLE READY The Vela halo engagement ring by Hearts on Fire features a gentle, curving design. Pavé-set accent diamonds surround the halo and band, embracing a central diamond. Slightly tilted, the accent diamonds make the centre stone appear larger, brighter and bolder. With understated elegance, Vela showcases Hearts on Fire’s skill at crafting halo rings that enhance a centre diamond’s sparkle through a flow of accent diamonds in a modern yet timeless style. UNDER THE SEA Tiffany’s latest Blue Book high jewellery collection Out of the Blue reinvents Jean Schlumberger’s fantastical designs. Conceived by artistic director Nathalie Verdeille, the sea-inspired collection includes a striking brooch that evokes a jellyfish’s diaphanous grace. Moonstones and sapphires in flowing 18-karat gold tentacles capture the billowing movement of its limbs. Ethereal and luminous, the…

Asia is home to some of the world’s oldest civilisations, and its diverse cultures have long told tales of tradition that are cherished and passed down through generations. Culinary traditions, in particular, continue to be shared and taught, connecting families and communities with each other, and their past, through good food. Today, the guardianship of these traditions is a challenge underscored by the relentless march of modernity, particularly in Asia’s frenetic restaurant scene. But herein lies the culinary paradox—can the forward-thinking spirit of innovation be the champion of tradition? We asked five chefs in Asia, each with their own distinctive cuisine to share, how they do just that. “My cuisine is where old meets new,” explains executive Chinese chef Jayson Tang of Man Ho Chinese Restaurant in Hong Kong. “I…

METALLIC ACCENT The Monete coffee and side tables by Gallotti&Radice are functional items that stand out like works of sculpted art. They come in three distinct finishes. Apart from the glossy lacquered metal versions in black green and oxide red, the third iteration features hand-burnished metal that appears naturally spotted, ensuring that each product made is unique and exclusive to the user. Available at Gallotti&Radice ROSE BLUSH Reimagining a classic design by Poul Henningsen in 1958, the Pale Rose Collection by Louis Poulsen purveys a stunning interplay of light and colour. One of the pieces in the series is the PH 2/2 Question Mark Pale Rose Table Lamp. Instantly recognisable by its curved stem in brushed brass and its layers of mouth-blown glass in a subtle pink hue, this eye-catching…

It’s 2004, and Michael Leyva is sitting in the crowd at a fashion show. The ensemble that captures his attention is a marvellous terno pantsuit made of five-centavo coins, and it is none other than his older brother Brian’s entry to represent the Philippines at a competition in Paris. The younger Leyva never imagined that he’d follow in his brother’s footsteps but this special moment will forever be etched in Michael’s memory throughout the fortuitous journey ahead of him. Fast forward to 2023. Michael has just set up a new atelier at The Peninsula Manila, where he keeps Brian’s winning piece from 2004 right beside his desk. His sartorial repertoire is an extensive selection of ornate, voluminous gowns, masterfully enhanced by his flair for romanticism and embellishments. It’s been a…

PHILIP CU UNJIENG Besides being a regular Sunday columnist and the Sales Head for Direct Accounts at the Manila Bulletin, Cu Unjieng also contributes to mb.com.ph. This father to three grown boys loves how they keep him on his toes with what’s relevant and worth following, to be able to say, just like how Bob Dylan’s song goes, “I was so much older then, I’m younger than that now”. In this issue, he shares his candid conversation with the cover lady and his friend, Liza Araneta-Marcos (p. 120). MARK NICDAO Over the years, this sought-after photographer has captured some of the most influential celebrities and beautiful faces in the country. With his artistic eye and attention to details, his works have landed on the covers of some of the most…

Filipino designers were the stars of the show of the annual Vin d’Honneur at the Malacañang Palace last Independence Day. The pursuit of culture and nationalism are the driving forces of local fashion today, and these designers are some of the best when it comes to celebrating all things Filipino. Thus, it is no surprise that the government lauded their efforts and contributions to the country. The festivities began with the introduction of the diplomatic corps and some international organisations. President Ferdinand “Bong Bong” Marcos, Jr opened the programme with a speech on the country’s 125th independence, emphasising that “the Philippines is a friend to all and enemy to none”. The Papal Nuncio Charles John Brown III, dean of the diplomatic corps, also gave a speech and shared a toast…

Silverlens Gallery, located in both Manila and New York, is a distinguished name in the global art scene. It represents a roster of respected local and international artists, including contemporary photographer Wawi Navarroza, political commenter Pio Abad and Thai colourist Mit Jai Inn. Through artist representation, institutional partnerships, art consultancy and exhibition programming, Silverlens Gallery has opened an inclusive space for creatives to reach others. It lends a voice to many in the field and allows them to participate in contemporary art dialogue that may not be easily accessible otherwise. As such, it has earned rightful recognition as one of the leading modern art galleries in the Southeast Asian region. Its growth has been impressive, considering that most, if not all, of it, has been organic. Founded in 2004 by…

The dynamic skating duo awed the world with their fanciful choreography and graceful movement on ice, winning the first-ever medal for the Philippines in pairs skating at the Trophée Métropole Nice Côte d’Azur in Nice, France. But all this greatness was not achieved overnight. It took an extensive training routine, a strong bond with each other and tedious preparation. Born in Cape Coral, Florida, Isabelle Gamez has always been into skating. A bit unusual for someone living in a tropical state with no snow. At age six, her cousin (also a figure skater) introduced her to ice skating. She knew she had found what she loved doing when she stepped onto the rink. She’d spend every day begging her mother to take her back to the rink so she could…

She became an overnight celebrity. Precious Paula Nicole, the well-admired drag queen who won the first season of Drag Race Philippines, is now among the most recognisable artists nationwide. Having worked as a drag artist for years before her win, Precious often attracts attention by personifying everything but the mundane. I am bi-sexual. Outside drag, I am not feminine but also an introvert. Precious and Rodolfo [Hontiveros III] are two different people, and I love how audiences are amazed when they perceive me in drag and then out. I am two personas in one body. I chose to keep Precious and Rodolfo as two different people, two separate identities. My ex introduced Drag 16 years ago when I was still a folk dancer. At the time, he wasn’t sure what…

When fate turned its back on Mj Suayan, the creative sought refuge in photography. With his camera, he survived what was probably the most heart-wrenching experience of his life: the passing of his beloved daughter. Through the images he captured, Suayan was able to transform his grief into something that is beautiful. In one of his interviews, the artist reveals that he started shooting at the streets of Manila where he met mentors who introduced him to the fashion and advertising industry. Since then, he has given editorial contributions to a spate of foreign and local magazines. Suayan confides that even up to this day, most of his works remain “experimental” and “based on his experiences”. He describes his works as pieces where dark themes are very much apparent. The…

Luxury is in the details. From the quality of materials to the intricate craftsmanship behind each creation, irreplaceable nuances like these are what set something apart and make it truly exceptional. French fashion house Celine understands this perfectly. Often regarded for its commitment to a timeless and chic aesthetic, the brand demonstrates this once again in the recently introduced and meticulously crafted Ava Triomphe. Discernibly the latest iteration of Celine’s coveted Ava shoulder bag, the Ava Triomphe incorporates the Ava’s distinctly curved silhouette and vintage spirit. Revealed on the runway in either smooth calfskin leather or Triomphe canvas, the new bag features all the same codes, materials and dimensions of its former but comes embellished with an eye-catching detail. The brand’s emblematic monogram, also known simply as the Triomphe, is…

Watch enthusiasts in Southeast Asia will surely remember the Patek Philippe Watch Art Grand Exhibition held in Singapore at Marina Bay Sands in 2019. Showcasing 467 timepieces, it was the fifth, and then-largest, grand exhibition organised by the iconic Genevan watchmaking company—after editions in Dubai (2012), Munich (2013), London (2015) and New York (2017)—and the first held in Asia. After the success of the Singapore exhibition, which was visited by almost 70,000 people over the course of 16 days, Patek Philippe decided that the next one would be in Tokyo in 2021—after the Munich exhibition, it had become tradition to organise a grand exhibition every two years. But, of course, the world stopped turning in 2020 and the showcase was postponed. Two years after it was originally scheduled—and four since…

Some child stars stay on television long enough to make us believe that we already know every aspect of their lives. But musician, actor and director Ice Seguerra says there is more to him than what the public sees on screen. The celebrity has been in the entertainment industry since he was three. He was a contestant on the “Little Miss Philippines” segment of the longest-running noon-time show on Philippine TV, Eat Bulaga, subsequently becoming one of its hosts. Since then, the names “Aiza Seguerra” and later, “Ice Seguerra” have become familiar and relevant. He appeared in over 30 TV shows and movies, including the blockbuster Okay Ka, Fairy Ko! and Enteng Kabisote series. “The thing about growing up as a child star is that you won’t realise you are…

SHREDDED DUCK MEAT SOUP Man Ho Chinese Restaurant, Hong Kong The shredded duck meat soup is a twist on a traditional Hong Kong winter warmer: snake soup. Recognising that some diners were unable to enjoy this classic dish due to supply issues and dietary preferences, chef Jayson Tang substitutes duck for snake and pairs it with an array of ingredients including chicken, fish maw, mushrooms, ginger, bamboo piths and mushroom. This adaptation aims to bring Cantonese traditions to a broader audience. PRAWN & SHELL, EGG YOLK Beta KL, Malaysia Chef Raymond Tham’s Tour of Malaysia menu at Beta is constantly evolving; but one of the innovations that transforms something familiar into a new dining experience, while maintaining the essence of Malaysian heritage, is a version of prawn noodles from Penang.…

What are you currently reading, watching and listening to? Currently reading: The Hundred-Year Marathon by Michael Pillsbury; watching: Slow Horses on Apple TV; listening to: Bruno Mars because I loved his last concert. Favorite author? Jiddu Krishnamurti. I’m a fan. What is your favourite Filipino food? Sinigang sa watermelon from Manam restaurant. What is your favourite memory as a child? Riding horses and feeding cows in our farm up north. Who is someone you admire? My maternal grandmother. She was our “mommylol” and she taught me the importance of having family get-togethers, how to make a bed with hospital corners, how to make your house a home and things like that. I really looked up to her. A famous person whom you’d like to meet in this lifetime? Stephen Sondheim.…