Indholdsfortegnelse for November 2025 i Tatler Philippines

HOPE TAKES CENTRE STAGE This November, the Tatler Ball shines a light on World Vision, an international non-profit organisation with over 65 years of service in the Philippines. As this year’s beneficiary, discover how it champions a mission to transform the lives of vulnerable children, their families and communities. From pioneering rescue efforts to long-term education and livelihood programmes, World Vision embodies care in action—rooted in faith and human dignity. GET READY WITH ME Before the chandeliers light up and the bubbles flow, there are rituals, routines and quiet moments of preparation. In this series, Tatler Ball guests reveal how they glam themselves up for the much-anticipated charity gala of the year. STICKING POWER What was once cast aside as waste is now a world-class invention redefining sustainability. Filipino engineer…

For two nights only, the Grand Ballroom of Shangri-La The Fort, Manila was transformed into the country’s most exciting dining room. Off Menu Philippines returned for its fourth edition on September 12 and 13, bringing together 17 celebrated chefs—including, for the first time, an international guest chef, Barry Quek, from Whey in Hong Kong. The sold-out weekend drew 800 guests eager to taste dishes found nowhere else. Since its launch in 2022, Tatler Dining’s flagship festival has built a reputation as the ultimate culinary playground: a space where chefs step out of their restaurants, collaborate across styles and serve creations made exclusively for Off Menu. This year, seven teams were formed, each tasked with designing an exclusive dish that would push boundaries while showcasing the Philippines’ prosperous dining scene. The…

The inaugural edition of Fashion Aid Philippines’s The Grant unveiled its Top 20 finalists’ works across fashion, accessories and object (lifestyle) design at Centro de Turismo Intramuros last from October 2 to 9, in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry’s Malikhaing Pinoy initiative. The showcase’s opening night served as a culmination of the months-long competition, where selected finalists received scholarships from the diplomatic circle. Japan-East Asia Network of Exchange for Students and Youths (JENESYS) programme recipients from the Embassy of Japan were Joanah Lee Villanueva, Hazel Roldan and Angela Chavez. Kristina Leanne Basilio received a scholarship to the Limkokwing University of Creative Technology, courtesy of the Embassy of Malaysia. winner, Deya Tsyna, who also received PhP1 million cash prize and an exclusive opportunity to showcase her work at…

In the Philippine art and design scene, Wynn Wynn Ong represents an exceptional level of craftsmanship. For 18 years, she had produced 16 distinct collections, before retiring in 2019, with her last exhibit, titled Sa Dagat At Bundok held at the Metropolitan Museum of Manila. Yet, true artistry rarely stays quiet. After a six-year break, Ong returns with Distillation, a retrospective exhibition, coinciding with the 25th anniversary of the Yuchengco Museum. This exhibit seeks to celebrate her artistic legacy, while introducing her work to new audiences and providing an immersive platform for reflection, appreciation and dialogue around jewellery as both adornment and art. Initially, Ong resisted the idea of another exhibit. “I actually had no plans to make a return to the scene nor to revisit my work. My tribute…

AYALA LAND PREMIER Rising amid Dela Rosa Gardens, Ayala Land Premier’s Laurean Residences is set to add to the Makati skyline. It incorporates the interconnectedness the city is known for through amenities managed by Ayala Land Hospitality. Pools, function halls, retail spaces—as well as the spa, yoga room, gym and wine lounge—encourage holistic lifestyles. Designed by Joyce Wang and her eponymous firm, the project features familiar and cultural motifs, from local handwoven textiles to the avian heritage of the city. ayalalandpremier.com HOTEL OKURA This holiday season, Hotel Okura is embracing the concept of okurimono, the art of gift-giving elevated to a more personal level to better express gratitude and sincerity. One can experience a rich variety of celebrations that emphasise Japanese elegance with Filipino hospitality. At Yawaragi, guests can enjoy…

After one of the hottest summers I can remember, I embarked on a new adventure that would take me to the opposite extreme: The Northwest Passage, from Alaska to Greenland. As soon as we boarded the Lindblad–National Geographic Resolution, it felt as if the noise of everyday life had been left behind. We would quickly learn how silence and patience would be key to this adventure and the rewards that came with it. Our expedition leaders warned us not to expect close encounters, as most Arctic animals remain wary of boats and humans because they are still hunted to this day. In this remote area of the world, wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, which makes them all the more memorable. Respecting a distance that would prevent them from feeling threatened…

Welcome to November, and welcome to the month of the Tatler Ball. As I write this, we are preparing to celebrate our 24th anniversary and to say thank you to our friends, advertisers and supporters. This year, our beneficiary is World Vision, whose aim is to end malnutrition and provide livelihood integration in communities. Last year, we were able to raise over PhP20 million for the Connect:Ed, Tech for All Campaign of Her Legacy Project, a testament to the generosity and commitment of our community. This year, we aim to match that or even go beyond to help our countrymen, confident that we can count on your support. On the cover is this generation’s certified ‘It’ girl, Rocio Zobel. The youngest daughter of Ińigo and Maricris Zobel has been featured…

In ten years, the Filipina CEO Circle (FCC) has grown from a small yet feisty group assembled by founders Marife Zamora, Carol Dominguez and Sharon Dayoan to over a hundred members from a broad representation of industries. The feat called for an excellent anniversary celebration at the Bonifacio Hall of Shangri-La The Fort, Manila, toasting to the spirit of camaraderie, empowerment and promise cultivated in this organisation and felt strongly by its allies. Upon opening, the Bonifacio Hall’s doors revealed an elegant venue awash in blue and purple lights—an ode to the event’s theme, “LIT: Lead, Inspire, Thrive”, and the hottest part of a flame. This, too, was a call-back to FCC’s mission since 2015 to strengthen the ranks of Filipina corporate leaders and carry the fire forward. Matching the…

The hallowed halls of Manila’s venerable University of Santo Tomas (UST), a bastion of academic rigour, tradition and history, played host on 30 September to an investiture of singular significance, a ceremony befitting a true titan of industry. Alice Eduardo—president and chief executive officer of Santa Elena Construction and Development Corporation—was conferred the honorary degree of Doctor of Commerce, honoris causa. Eduardo’s odyssey began years ago, as a commerce student roaming UST’s very halls, armed with little more than ambition and an unshakable sense of purpose. She would go on to build not only bridges and roads, but also pathways of opportunity, structures of stone and steel entwined with the invisible scaffolding of dreams. Under her leadership, Santa Elena has become one of the Philippines’ pre-eminent infrastructure firms, stretching its…

There’s a common saying: when your health declines, everything else in life takes second place. And yet, when things are fine, taking care of one’s well-being is often ignored. That’s where MakatiMed Wellness Center comes in. Located on the seventh floor of Ayala North Exchange Tower 1, this facility is dedicated to deliver premium, personalised and easy-access healthcare services to those in need. Inaugurated in 2020, this standalone wellness hub offers a warm and welcoming environment that is distinctly more comfortable and relaxed than at a typical hospital. Besides being a safe and nurturing space, the MakatiMed Wellness Center provides services including health screening such as laboratory procedures, primary care consultation, mammography and breast ultrasound, 2D echocardiogram and electrocardiography (ECG), vaccine administration, comprehensive eye exam, medical acupuncture, pap smear, bone…

“My very first trip to Dubai was as a tourist,” Uno Adventure and Holidays General Manager Maria Javier recalls. Landing in 2007, she only planned a short trip to visit and accompany her then pregnant sister. “While I was there, my sister, without telling me at first, began sending my résumé to different companies.” At her sister’s urging, Javier found employment in a travel agency, transforming her brief visit into a year and a half immersion in world-class travel operations. When she returned to the Philippines in 2009, Javier founded Uno Adventure and Holidays, drawing upon the knowledge she absorbed during her time in Dubai. Aside from the technical aspects, she found out that the true measure of excellence in running a travel agency lay in personal interaction. “Travel, for…

Tiffany & Co has launched a stunning exhibition in Bangkok dedicated to the legendary creations of Jean Schlumberger. The storied American jewellery house has brought his most breathtaking creations to the Thai capital, offering a unique opportunity for a rare glimpse into the mind of one of 20th century’s most visionary designers. Some items in Bangkok’s cultural calendar transcend exhibition openings, and Tiffany & Co’s latest presentation is one such rare event. Jean Schlumberger, the French maverick who spent three decades at Tiffany & Co, possessed an unparalleled ability to transform nature’s wonders into wearable art. This exhibition doesn’t simply display jewellery—it invites visitors on an intimate journey through the designer’s unique perspective, carefully curated across five distinct rooms, each telling its own chapter of his extraordinary story. A LEGACY…

In an alternate life, Jigger Cruz could well be flipping burgers at a fast-food joint in the United States. Instead, he is in the thick of preparing for that rarest of things in a mid-career artist’s life: a major solo museum exhibition at the age of 41. Not that he wouldn’t have been any good as a short-order cook. Or a cleaner. Or house-sitter. Or as a nursing home attendant, a job Cruz himself held in the few months he spent in the US as a struggling artist. He happens to be one of those people—affable, polite, well-read, a bit self-effacing, with a good sense of humour—who has the enviable knack of doing well in whatever he chooses to do. He paints, he sculpts, he makes music, and he has…

It was an evening of milestones as Belo Medical Group marked its 35th anniversary and the first year of Belo NEXA, its flagship clinic at One Ayala. The star-studded event celebrates how far Belo has come, and where it’s heading next. What began three decades ago as Dr Vicki Belo’s dream to make Filipinos feel confident in their own skin has evolved into a global benchmark for medical aesthetics. With the rise of Belo NEXA (a 737-square-metre space complete with 12 treatment rooms and four operating theatres), the brand reaffirms its place at the forefront of science-backed beauty. Hosted by Nicole Andersson, the celebration also introduced new faces in the Belo NEXA family, including plastic surgeon Dr Tristan Catindig and craniofacial specialist Dr Dax Pascasio, one of only two experts…

If there is one way to put into words how Cecile Licad summarises her enduring career, it is that she finds herself a “Missionary of Music”. From the revered Carnegie Hall in the US to the tucked-away theatres in Tuguegarao and Zamboanga, among many others throughout the country, the renowned pianist has shared her artistry with the people. Whether her audience consists of experts in classical music or ordinary concertgoers who recognise her name as one of the most celebrated Filipino artists but have never seen her or an orchestra perform live, Licad ensures that she can connect with her audience’s hearts. “It’s a responsibility for me as a musician to get out there and engage with the people, even those who are not familiar with this kind of music,…

UNTIL JANUARY 12 | CCP THIRTEEN ARTISTS AWARD 2024 RECIPIENTS’ EXHIBITION Following the successful retrospective exhibition of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) Thirteen Artists Award recipients, the batch of 2024 finally opened its group exhibition last October 2. See the compelling works of Catalina Africa, Denver Garza, Russ Ligtas, Ella Mendoza, Henrielle Baltazar Pagkaliwangan, Issay Rodriguez, Luis Antonio Santos, Joshua Serafin, Jel Suarez, Tekla Tamoria, Derek Tumala, Vien Valencia and Liv Vinluan. National Museum of Fine Arts, P Burgos Avenue, City of Manila. 19-23 | TERRA MADRE ASIA & PACIFIC 2025 Over 2,000 delegates from over 20 countries are converging in Bacolod for the Terra Madre Asia & Pacific 2025, the first-ever regional gathering of the Slow Food movement. Filled with exciting events, the gathering aims to tackle…

There are some things that should not be left to fate or chance, and our futures are counted among them. This is especially true when what’s at stake isn’t just your life, but also those who we care about most. Founded in 1875, HSBC Philippines understands the importance of moving with thoughtful intent. It has stood with the country throughout revolutions, wars and great upheavals, becoming a reliable partner through times of adversity and fortune alike. But it is not restricted to being a nation-builder: through HSBC Premier, it helps individuals, couples and new families establish the foundations of a brighter tomorrow. Earlier in March, Pramoth Rajendran took the mantle of head of International Wealth and Premier Banking. “Thanks to the team and the warmth that the Filipino people extend,…

DESIGN ALCHEMY Bvlgari’s spring-summer 2026 leather goods & accessories collection, High Craft, celebrates the Maison’s mastery of jewellery-inspired leather artistry through modern yet timeless design. Under Mary Katrantzou’s creative direction, signature icons—Serpenti, Divas’ Dream and Tubogas—are reimagined as sculptural works of wearable art. Among the season’s most dazzling highlights, the Serpenti Forever Top Handle and Dayto-Night bags radiate with the “Fireworks Crystals” workmanship, set with over 8,000 rhinestones that shimmer in nine hues. Centred on the gleaming snakehead closure, these creations embody Bvlgari’s Roman audacity, translating light and high-jewellery brilliance into quality craftsmanship. EASE & OPULENCE For pre-fall 2025, Max Mara channels the world of John Singer Sargent, whose portraits captured the individuality of Gilded Age society. Bows sketched in loose strokes, sharp peplums and floral prints lend whimsy to…

Wine o’clock came early that afternoon at Gateway Mall’s cinema in Cubao. Before the lights were set and the cameras began clicking, cast members from Heneral Luna (2015), Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral (2018) and Quezon (2025) swapped stories like old comrades reunited. Seasoned actors John Arcilla, Jericho Rosales, Mon Confiado, Karylle Yuzon, Ben Alves, Rafa Siguion-Reyna and Mylene Dizon were present, the first time for them to be together again in the same room in years. Some hadn’t seen each other since the shooting of the first film ten years ago; others slipped into easy banter as though no time had passed. Joross Gamboa, who portrayed Manuel Quezon’s trusted soldier and ever the mischief-maker, attempted to take a group photo and promptly fell over, setting off peals of laughter. Someone…

Longevity is about more than just about living longer—it’s about maintaining an optimum level of mental, physical and emotional wellness for as long as possible. In recent years, and with astonishing speed, the subject of body optimisation through emerging medical treatments has transformed from the stuff of sci-fi fantasy into promising reality. Doctors, and subsequently their patients, are optimistic that a rise in new treatments and technologies will enable people to live healthier, more fulfilling lives at any age. From functional fitness to enhance mobility to gut health programmes and medical-grade diagnostics, these wellness retreats offer more than just getaways; they offer gateways to a long, healthy and happy life. CHIVA-SOM HUA HIN, THAILAND For decades, Chiva-Som has been blending traditional healing and innovation with healthy cuisine and heartfelt Thai…