Indholdsfortegnelse for March 2025 i Tatler Philippines

The Lunar New Year is a time of renewal and reflection. It celebrates life’s lessons while anticipating the gifts of the coming year. The Year of the Wooden Snake imbues 2025 with the promise of wisdom, intuition and strategic growth. This auspicious year charts a course for transformation and bounty for all. In harmony with the spirit of prosperity, HSBC celebrated its upcoming 150th year in the Philippines with the spectacular Lunar New Year celebration Fortunes Unfolding. Held on January 22 at the prestigious Shangri-La Makati, the evening was a feast for the senses that blended rich tradition with world-class entertainment. The festivities began with guests savouring delectable treats before partaking in the Lo Hei Yee Sang ceremony. Tossing vibrant raw fish salad high, attendees symbolised the collective hope for…

Female empowerment thrives where vision and community unite. The Asia Gender Network (AGN), spearheaded by the Asian Venture Philanthropy Network (AVPN), has anchored its mission on this philosophy, creating a vibrant community of changemakers working towards sustainable change for women and girls across Asia. By fostering collaboration and leveraging each member’s unique strengths, AGN mobilises financial, intellectual and human resources to address critical gender equity challenges in the region. This vision was at the heart of the recent gathering hosted by Tatler Philippines and AGN, which convened leaders committed to advancing this impactful cause. Expressing her gratitude at the event, AVPN CEO Naina Subberwal Batra said, “AVPN Asia Gender Network was designed to bring women philanthropists from across Asia together to highlight how women’s economic empowerment is good, not just…

The kitchen witnesses one’s daily rhythms and vividly portrays the life and stories within its walls. From the practicalities behind how the space is organised to the purposeful selection of its gadgets and features, each detail reveals something about its keepers. The discerning home dweller desires and deserves nothing less than the highest standard, and for decades, they have placed their trust in premium appliance brands Sub-Zero and Wolf. As Sub-Zero introduces two new refrigeration collections and Wolf debuts enhancements to its ingenious ovens, their shared dedication to elevating the kitchen into a state-of-the-art space continues this well-warranted legacy of excellence. “Our commitment to producing superior preservation solutions that offer dependable performance and innovative design remains at the core of everything we do,” says Jim Bakke, president and CEO of…

“Fun!” she mutters as she hurries to her third outfit change. Senator Risa Hontiveros is enjoying this break from politics, which has been nerve-wracking since the new year, particularly for her. Just emerging from, but not entirely out of, the maelstrom brought about by her Senate Bill No. 1979, also known as the Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Bill, she values this afternoon as a welcome distraction. But not distracting enough to forget the top item on the agenda. “I’m so sad thinking of the prospect that the Bill will not get the support of a Senate majority,” says one of the only two opposition leaders in the Upper House. SB 1979 will require all schools to implement comprehensive sex education for students aged 10 to 19, from upper primary through secondary…

Over his long, illustrious career, Mark Nicdao has celebrated numerous milestones. From mounting his first solo exhibition in 2022 to joining a diverse roster of contemporary visual artists at Asia Now Paris Art Fair and being selected as the portrait photographer at the royal wedding of Prince Abdul Mateen and Princess Anisha Rosnah of Brunei, he has brought Filipino portraiture to the forefront. For 2025, he adds another breakthrough to his impressive record—having his photographs shown by the J Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles. “These are all huge milestones for me, and I couldn’t put any comparisons between them… They were products of pure hard work—being mostly quiet, delivering and enjoying it without trying too hard—and sheer luck,” he says. Featuring five prominent Filipino figures dressed in Puey Quiñones…

The story begins with a wooden boat and a dream. On April 25, 1956, Florentino Das, a humble cabin boy, reached the shores of Siargao after a harrowing 5,000-mile voyage from Hawaii. Joy and excitement filled his heart as he endured the fierce winds, loneliness and many dangers of the sea to reach this moment. As he descended from his small boat—the Lady Timarau—he cried, jumped and threw his hands up in excitement, but to the frightened locals, he appeared to be a marauding pirate and in panic, they hurriedly locked themselves in their homes. After wandering through, he found a local teacher who sent a wire to the Philippine Navy. When the latter received the news, Das was finally celebrated for his incredible feat and was called “The Filipino…

Gan Advanced Osseointegration Center (GAOC) remains at the forefront of the Philippine dental industry. In 2024, the company celebrated its milestones by bringing together more than 700 guests who participated in the dental clinic’s journey. The year-end event at the Solaire Grand Ballroom featured celebrity and employee performances, special annual awards and raffle prizes. Hosted by Robi Domingo and GAOC vice president for Communications Dr Abby Robles, the programme started with a heartfelt message from GAOC chief transformation officer Armi Malaluan; she praised exemplary staff members who went above and beyond their duty. The crowd included business key players Tony Tan Caktiong, Lorenzo Tan, Stanley Ng, Steven Tan and Philip Jun Cuazon, as well as celebrities Lovi Poe, Jasmine Curtis, Dolly de Leon, Rico Blanco and more. For his part,…

1 |THE ITCHYWORMS GOOD TIME SHOW Returning from their successful Japan tour, the Itchyworms will again light up the stage alongside special guests, The CompanY and the Manila String Machine. Fans and concertgoers can expect to hear the band’s greatest hits, such as Akin Ka Na Lang, Beer, Di Na Muli and Gusto Ko Lamang Sa Buhay. Newport Performing Arts Theater, Pasay City. 1-23 | ANINO SA LIKOD NG BUWAN IdeaFirst Company’s first foray into live theatre, Anino Sa Likod ng Buwan, tells a story of politics, friendship, love, lust and betrayal. Set in the early Nineties, the play by Jun Robles Lana follows a husband and wife amidst an armed conflict between the Philippine military and the communist resistance. PETA Theatre Centre, Quezon City. OPENS 7 | LIWANAG SA…

One afternoon in late November, Tatler was found enjoying some unscheduled leisure time in the sun at Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Gardens, deep in the New Territories, speculating as to the location of our interviewee. As the two-hour mark approached, we received word that the interview was on hold to “see if the bird would fly”. In some cases, we might have asked to reschedule. But in this case, we’d have waited hours more—after all, it’s not every day you have the opportunity to speak to Dr Jane Goodall, and if she wants to wait for the possible release of a convalescent black kite, we’re happy to sit tight. Renowned ethologist Goodall was in Hong Kong, as part of her regular trips around the world with the Jane Goodall Institute…

They were so sure of what they wanted; but in the end, their house turned out to be more than what they had bargained for: grander than their vision and even farther from where their imagination initially took them. “It wasn’t supposed to be this grand a scale,” she says. “The entire property is 4 hectares but the residential space we wanted to develop was so much less than a hectare, actually 700 sqm. We originally wanted a 250 sqm house on a 700 sqm lot. It was architect who suggested that we do it this way. After we talked to him, the project blew up ten times!” Their architect of choice was Royal Pineda of Royal Pineda+ Architecture•Design. He has always espoused the Modern Filipino style, and took on…

Sipping a local glass of carménère in a Santiago bar, we were suddenly hit by the dizzying realisation of the magnitude of the adventure we were about to embark on: an Antarctic expedition cruise. The trip had been almost a year in the planning—Antarctica is categorically not somewhere you rock up to on a whim. Heading to the end of the Earth begins with a 48-hour journey from Asia—and that only gets you to Patagonia, which is still 6,000km from the final destination. Guests usually embark from Ushuaia in Argentina or Puerto Williams in Chile on a 48-hour crossing of the notorious Drake Passage, a terrifying 800km stretch of seriously turbulent seas, featuring waves that can measure up to 12 metres, with stomach-emptying results. Some will tell you that crossing…

In celebration of Women’s Month, we invite you to reflect on women's undeniable impact on shaping the world and on their accepting the challenge of continuing the work to be done. We are witnessing movements, power shifts and societal changes that reflect women's collective strength. However, the fight for equal pay, reproductive rights, safety and representation is still ongoing. We are excited to feature Senator Risa Hontiveros on our cover this month! Senator Hontiveros is a remarkable advocate for social democracy in Philippine politics, passionately championing women’s rights and tirelessly working to uplift some of society's most vulnerable, including women and children. She stands as a beacon of integrity and hope in a political landscape that can sometimes feel challenging. Her steadfast commitment to justice and support for marginalised communities…

The Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Philippines gathered its partners and friends for a Thanksgiving dinner aptly called Pasasalamat to highlight its vital role in promoting the country as a premier global tourism destination in 2024. More than just a celebration of collaboration, the event gave guests a look at how far the tourism sector has gone. In 2024, the TPB recorded PhP 11.3 billion in sales leads, a stunning 44.8 per cent increase from 2023. Its strategic partnerships with global media outlets and influential personalities such as American actor Timothy Granaderos, Filipino-American Hollywood star Nico Santos, Korean actor Kim Ji Soo and American pop-rock duo LANY also resulted in over PhP 1.44 billion in media value. The TPB’s participation in the Internationale Tourismus-Börse (ITB) Berlin and World Travel Market in…

“The turn of events, honestly, surprised me. I didn’t dream of a new position,” humbly says Lourdes Gutierrez-Alfonso, president of Megaworld, recalling the moment she learnt she would take over the role once held by the visionary business leader Dr Andrew Tan. At that time, Gutierrez-Alfonso was already happy and content as Megaworld’s chief operating officer, and more so, grateful to have witnessed the company grow, having been a part of it for over three decades. But armed with a strong faith in God and the invaluable lessons she learnt from Tan, her mentor, Gutierrez-Alfonso gladly embraced the new journey. What was daunting for her were not the functions of being president. “I had big shoes to fill,” she says, for her predecessor’s achievements in the business world were no…

Searching for just the right restaurant can be an ordeal. Cravings can change at a moment’s notice, and factors like convenience can sway decisions. However, The Mall | NUSTAR Cebu is making the search easier. It hosts a veritable collection of restaurants that can sate any adventurous foodie. Combining a casual dining atmosphere with upscale, elevated interiors, The Mall | NUSTAR Cebu offers the world’s cuisines right within your reach. ABACA BAKING COMPANY A place to relax, unwind and watch the hours pass with friends and family, Abacá Baking Company (ABC) is a casual dining place with comforting classics. Its baked specialities, flatbreads and pasta, made with ingredients sourced from local farmers, make ABC a beloved brunch destination. The salmon eggs benedict is a must-try, a refreshing twist on a…

HEALTHY OPTIONS The recognisable green apple scores a milestone as it opens its 35th store at the Greenhills Mall. The interiors, designed by French firm Stories, embrace the warmth and greenery of nature. Spacious paths guided by cobblestone-inspired floors lead into a space modelled after an outdoor market, where health and wellness products are on full display. The self-checkout counters are a first for Healthy Options, allowing you to be in and out as quickly as a summer breeze. Mayor Francis Zamora led the ribbon-cutting ceremony welcoming this new branch, joined by founder and CEO Romy Sia and COO Belle Sison. healthyoptions.com.ph MANILA DOCTORS HOSPITAL Its promise of being “with you every step of the way” has been well-kept. Since its founding in 1956, the Manila Doctors Hospital has continuously…

KAREN DAVILA Journalist, television news anchor and UN Women National Goodwill Ambassador Dear younger Karen, You can do it. You will get there. I am so proud of you for dreaming big and working hard toward your goals. It’s not going to be easy, but life never is. Nothing will be served to you on a silver platter. You’re tougher than you think and have something truly special: an unshakable passion for storytelling and expressing ideas—concepts and truths that need to be told. Where you channel your creative energies, magic happens. Right now, there may be doubts creeping in. There might be moments when you question whether you’re enough or on the right path. Trust me when I say you are exactly where you need to be. The road won’t…

With over 85 restaurants worldwide, a booming social media presence, and binge-worthy television and digital shows, Gordon Ramsay has earned every stripe, clearly defining his reputation as a culinary juggernaut. Aside from his many more casual outlets, his eponymously named establishment in Chelsea, London, has impressively maintained three Michelin stars since 2001. Ramsay also has two stars at Le Peressoir d’Argent in Bordeaux, France; and 1 star at both Pétrus, London and Gordon Ramsay au Trianon in Versailles. He recently added to his restaurant empire by opening Gordon Ramsay Bar & Grill in the Philippines and has just paid us a visit on an Asian-tour while filming for a new upcoming Netflix special. Tatler sat with him for a face-to-face interview to ask deep questions about his take on the…