Northern Living: 2016 February

February 2016 Volume 10 | Issue 6

ODE TO FORM

2016 0202 NOLI FEB COVER.indd 1

04/02/2016 5:54 PM

Untitled-2 1

1/27/16 6:32 PM

CONT ENTS 18 STYLE A collection of prints and patterns

10 COVER STORY Within a shared space, a family’s art coexists

Cover photo by Everywhere We Shoot 22 EATS Bread made from scratch is king in this new nook

FEBRUARY 2016 03 HEALTH Delving into the soup trend

06 FIXTURE Keeping tabs on water use

04 BEAUTY The open secret of charcoal’s beauty benefits

07 MARKET Affecting style in the bedroom

05 CRAFT Quaint book tassels that make a mark

28 THE GET Music as edification

EDITOR’S NOTE A Sense of Belonging We build communities to live and be among like-minded people.

We create different groups in all aspects of our existence—from where we live to where we work, even where we pray.

Our behavioral patterns differ in various social activities. There are standards to be followed, culture and traditions be considered.

In a recent trip to Baguio, I met Kidlat Tahimik who is an advocate of a new movement against Western standards and techniques to understand human behavior: Sikolohiyang Pilipino or Filipino Psychology. Even if there are common psychological patterns among humans across the globe,

according to psychologist Virgilio G. Enriquez, there are still manifestations that are heavily influenced by culture.

In this study, they discovered that kapwa (“shared identity”) is the core value common among Filipinos and the root of our different perceptions and social behavior. It is a unique way of associating ourselves with others as opposed to the Westerners’ individualistic point of view.

Our tight-knit family values and the concept of bayanihan are both unique to the Filipino community.

The concept of kapwa has thrived after over three centuries of colonial rule and we should continue to preserve it to understand our every triumph and adversity.

NORTHERNliving 2016 0204 NOLI FEB INSIDE.indd 1

Northern Living is published by Hinge Inquirer Publications. 4F Media Resource Plaza, Mola corner Pasong Tirad Street, Barangay La Paz, Makati City. Visit www.facebook.com/ northernlivingmagazine now. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter at @nlivingph.

We’d love to hear from you.

Email us at nliving@hip.ph.

For advertising, email sales@hip.ph.

This magazine was printed responsibly using recycled papers with biodegradable inks.

01

04/02/2016 6:35 PM

FEEDBACK

YOUNG BLOOD

NORTHERNliving

Hello Northern Living, Just when my friends and I were talking about picking careers, I chanced upon your magazine and I got my answer with the word multipotentialite. I think it’s pretty apt that your magazine talked about new careers in January, let alone this year. Thank you so much!

January 2016 Volume 10 | Issue 5

Cecile Arevalo

START UP

GROUP PUBLISHER BEA J. LEDESMA MANAGING EDITOR DENISE DANIELLE ALCANTARA EDITORIAL ASSISTANTS LEX CELERA, PRISTINE L. DE LEON RENZ NOLLASE CREATIVE DIRECTOR NIMU MUALLAM GRAPHIC ARTIST MAYSIE LECCIONES STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER PATRICK SEGOVIA CONTRIBUTORS WRITERS CHARLIE CARBUNGCO, OLIVIA ESTRADA, CHINGGAY LABRADOR, MEG MANZANO, INA AMOR MEJIA, KAT PATINO-MARQUEZ ILLUSTRATORS MARTIN DIEGOR, REESE LANSANGAN, STYLISTS EDLENE CABRAL, INA AMOR MEJIA HAIR AND MAKEUP CHUCHIE LEDESMA, BULLET REYES PHOTOGRAPHERS INA AMOR MEJIA, EVERYWHERE WE SHOOT, CENON NORIAL III COPY EDITOR PATRICIA ROMUALDEZ PROOFREADER SEPTEMBER GRACE MAHINO EDITORIAL CONSULTANT RIA FRANCISCO-PRIETO CUSTOM ASSOCIATE MANAGING EDITORS PAM BROOKE CASIN, ANGELA VELASCO EDITORIAL ASSISTANTS TJ BILLONES, PAM CARLOTA, PAULINE MIRANDA, CHRISTELLE TOLISORA RICA ERLANO ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES SHANNA MALING, INA MATEO, GENE PEREZ GRAPHIC ARTISTS ROI DE CASTRO, KATRICE MONTES, YAYIE MOTOS, JAYCELINE SORIANO PRODUCTION MANAGER JAN CARIQUITAN PRODUCTION ASSISTANT MARICEL GAVINO FINAL ART SUPERVISOR DENNIS CRUZ FA ARTIST KRISTINE MAY PAZ

Claire Marcelo

BOARD CHAIRPERSON ALEXANDRA PRIETO-ROMUALDEZ FINANCE ADVISOR AND TREASURER J. FERDINAND DE LUZURIAGA LEGAL ADVISOR ATTY. RUDYARD ARBOLADO HR STRATEGY HEAD RAYMUND SOBERANO VP AND CHIEF STRATEGY OFFICER IMELDA ALCANTARA SVP AND GROUP SALES HEAD, INQUIRER GROUP OF COMPANIES FELIPE R. OLARTE

I really like Northern Living’s fresh aesthetic and modern style.

AVP FOR SALES MA. KATRINA MAE GARCIA-DALUSONG SALES SUPERVISOR POLO P. DAGDAG KEY ACCOUNTS SPECIALIST ANGELITA TAN-IBAÑEZ SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES ABBY GINAGA, THEA ORDIALES ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES ANDIE ZUÑIGA, SARAH CABALATUNGAN, CHARM BANZUELO, LIZA JISON SALES SUPPORT ASSISTANTS RECHELLE ENDOZO, MARA KAREN ALIASAS MARKETING ASSISTANTS ERLE VIRGILIA MAMAWAL, JANNELLE TURIJA CLARIZEL ABANILLA GRAPHIC ARTIST LEE CACES

@nlivingph @nlivingph www.facebook.com/ northernlivingmagazine nlivingph@hip.ph

AVAILABLE ON DIGITIGAL NEWSSTANDS

Share your thoughts on our latest issue through comments on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, and get a chance to win this tote bag.

Call 403-8825 to claim your prize.

NORTHERNliving 2016 0202 NOLI FEB INSIDE.indd 2

FIND NORTHERN LIVING AT

STARBUCKS COFFEE, EDSA SHANGRI-LA HOTEL, VALLE VERDE COUNTRY CLUB, SALON DE MANILA, AND FULLY BOOKED FOR EVERY MINIMUM P1,500 SINGLE RECEIPT PURCHASE OF ANY BOOK.

02

02/02/2016 11:21 PM

HEALT H

SOUP UP YOUR DIET PLAN

Before going all-liquid, check the facts behind the latest trend to hit the detox bandwagon TEXT CHINGGAY LABRADOR ILLUSTRATION MARTIN DIEGOR

Loading up on liquids isn’t a new concept to those who’ve tweaked their diet in the name of going healthy or dropping a few pounds. The cold-pressed juice and green smoothie fad has now become a staple among detox regulars, but concerns of spiking-sugar levels weigh heavy on their minds. The solution?

Another healthy liquid alternative that nixes high sugar levels while delivering all the good stuff.

Cleansing your system with a healthy mix of fresh soup may not eliminate the toxins in your system, but it can be good for giving your digestion a bit of a break. Of course, a souping diet also doesn’t equate to a menu of hearty, creamy chowders or easy-tocook canned soups, either. A soup cleanse will have you stripping down to the bare necessities, going pure, light, and brothy for the most part.

U.S. companies such as SoupCleanse and Soupure prescribe nutrient-rich concoctions that go from savory to sweet. They’ve begun to follow the juice trend in coming up with menus that blend different flavors and types of soup to match the body’s needs.

The combinations of soups they offer are carefully crafted by nutritional experts and chefs to provide

a healthy dose of nutrients minus the high glycemic content of juice.

Calorie counters are quick to jump on the “souping” bandwagon because a diet comprised of broths fashioned out of vegetables, herbs, and some fruits stand to offer much less calories than your regular entrée or appetizer. Math-wise, the equation works: less calories equals more relative “weight” dropped.

That said, going on a crash diet and giving up your standard mix of carbs, proteins, vitamins, and minerals may not be as healthy as it seems in the long run, especially when you consider sustainability and overall nutrition.

Soup is a way to soothe the soul when you’re having a sniffle or are down with the flu, and embarking on a souping diet will likely help you feel lighter on your feet. If your main goal, however, is to maintain a nutritious diet that satisfies your palate in terms of flavor and texture and to nourish your body fully, it is much safer to consult a nutritionist about a fully balanced menu before embarking on an ultrarestrictive liquid diet.

NORTHERNliving 2016 0202 NOLI FEB INSIDE.indd 3

03

02/02/2016 11:21 PM

BEAUT Y

CARBON FIXATION

The beauty benefits from going black TEXT OLIVIA ESTRADA ILLUSTRATION REESE LANSANGAN

The obsession with achieving beauty and perfection can seem ridiculous at times. Take, for example, the way charcoal became the it ingredient in skincare products a few years ago and still persists as a soughtafter component in anything, from shampoos to facial masks.

Until now, women fanatically seek out this black substance that is usually neglected after barbecues.

“Carbon” and “activated charcoal” appear on different skincare labels as major companies create new ranges of products dedicated to the ingredient.

But the question remains: Is charcoal worth the hype? Science and historical accounts verify that it is. Long before masks turned black and nose strips started smelling like burnt wood, charcoal was a noted medical cure for poison intake and drug overdose. It’s also been used in cleaning agents and odor-eliminating packets. That’s why your grandmother kept that plastic bowl of black bits at the back of the fridge.

The power of charcoal is rooted Essentials: in something very simple. When wood is burned to become charcoal, it transforms into one of the most basic substances in the world: carbon. An element found in all organic compounds, carbon attracts and binds Supermud Clearing Treatment, GlamGlow, with toxins and other foreign The SM Store, SM Megamall. bodies in its environment as it eliminates them. Translated to skincare, it’s a miracle formula.

From blackheads to various impurities, charcoal will absorb any substance that is not organic on the area where it is applied.

Charcoal clears up the skin and thus helps it absorb moisturizers and other skin-aiding substances.

It’s advised that you should follow Clear Improvement Active Charcoal up your charcoal cleanser with a Mask, Origins, SM Megamall. vitamin-packed toner or a cream with a rich blend of antioxidants and vitamins.

Until dermatologists and scientists come up with another miracle ingredient for our skincare products, expect the market to be Dark Angels Cleanser, Lush, in the black.

Shangri-La Plaza Mall.

NORTHERNliving 2016 0202 NOLI FEB INSIDE.indd 4

04

02/02/2016 11:21 PM

CR AF T

BETWEEN THE LINES

Easy and chic tassel bookmarks every discerning reader should have TEXT, STYLING AND PHOTOGRAPHY INA AMOR MEJIA

TASSEL BOOKMARKS

What you’ll need: Yarn of your choice Thick printed card scraps of your choice Separate piece of thick card about 3 inches wide and 2.5 inches tall Small puncher Scissors

Directions: 1. Cut the printed card into a rectangle to form the bookmark.

2. Punch a hole through the topmost center of the card.

3. Loop the yarn around the separate piece of card lengthwise, about 40 to 50 times, depending on how chunky you want the tassel.

4. Cut another piece of yarn and tightly knot the top of the loop.

Don’t cut the string.

5. Cut through the bottom part of the loop to free the yarn from the card.

6. With another piece of yarn, tie a knot around the yarn, just below the top knot to form the tassel.

7. Gently finger comb the tassel to smooth any tangles in the yarn.

8. Cut excess or protruding yarn at the bottom, making the length as uniform as possible.

9. Knot the top of the tassel through the punched hole.

NORTHERNliving 2016 0202 NOLI FEB INSIDE.indd 5

05

02/02/2016 11:21 PM

FIXT URE

RESERVATION FOR PRESERVATION Water conservation begins in our own homes

TEXT KAT PATIÑO-MARQUEZ ILLUSTRATION MAYSIE LECCIONES

Water service interruptions have been occurring more frequently in Metro Manila. It seems there hasn’t been a month where the city’s access to the water supply doesn’t get restricted. But above all the troubles generated by the persisting water cutoffs, there is a more threatening issue at hand. The country is experiencing a severe drought predicted to last throughout February, with dry spells lasting until May for some regions.

Despite the government’s water conservation efforts, more needs to be done to avoid immense damage to the country. With the supply priority given to Metro Manila, many of the neighboring regions are already experiencing troubling conditions from the shortage. So how exactly can the rest of us contribute to allow the supply to be spread out?

Reducing water usage in our homes can play a big role in helping the reservation of the water supply. As we unknowingly use a lot of water when doing our daily chores, here are a few methods for conserving water while doing everyday tasks.

Gather water Instead of using a hose to wash your car, gather water in a bucket and use a cloth to wipe away the suds.

For chores like washing clothes and dishes, try using the double- basin method: gather water in two basins (or in the case of washing dishes, in two sinks) then use the first basin for cleaning and soaping and the second one for rinsing. Similar to the first point, this method prevents the excess running of water. By using only the right amount, a lot of water can be conserved, especially when this is practiced every day.

Don’t let water run Don’t leave the tap on while you’re brushing your teeth, shampooing, or soaping. Only turn on the faucet when it’s time to rinse. Even letting the water run for a few extra seconds every day can add up to a lot of water wasted. Try going further by collecting only the amount of water you’d need in a glass for brushing your teeth. Meanwhile, for showering, try using a water drum and tabo.

Do double duty When you can find the opportunity, try doing different chores at once. For example, when you need to wash your car, bathe your dog, and water your plants, why not do them all at the same time?

Direct the run-off water from washing your car to your grass or plants. Similarly, you can bathe your dog in the garden to help water the lawn in the process.

Garden while it’s cool Water your garden and plants early in the day or in the evening when the weather is cooler. When you water during the hottest time of the day, the water you use evaporates faster and doesn’t reach the roots of the plant effectively. On a similar note, using cold water (not ice water) would be even better. If you want to go a step further, leave a water drum out during rainy days to gather rainwater. You can then use this to water your garden.

NORTHERNliving 2016 0202 NOLI FEB INSIDE.indd 6

06

02/02/2016 11:21 PM

M ARKET

RULES OF INTIMACY Keeping the personal in the comforts of one’s dwelling PHOTOGRAPHY PATRICK SEGOVIA

1. Antler, P6,655, Harver Hill, Robins Design Center.

2. Jack paper weight, P1,350, Harver Hill, Robins Design Center.

3. English pear and freesia scent diffuser, P5,000, Jo Malone, Greenbelt 5.

4. Light bulb lamp, P4,500, f1rst, LRI Design Plaza.

5. Bed frame, P69,104, Harver Hill, Robins Design Center.

6. Pillow, P1,950, Habitat, Bonifacio Global City.

7. Pillow, P950, f1rst, LRI Design Plaza.

8. Rug, P1,850, Habitat, Bonifacio Global City.

9. Slippers, P1,150, Muji, Greenbelt 3.

5

2

7

3

ROBINS DESIGN CENTER

6

SHOT ON LOCATION HARVER HILL,

4 1

8

9

NORTHERNliving 2016 0202 NOLI FEB INSIDE.indd 7

07

02/02/2016 11:21 PM

A SEAMLESS LIFESTYLE

The perfect abode for you is now in the North

Untitled-2 1

2/3/16 11:07 AM

SPECIAL FEAT URE

Artist’s rendering of Asmara’s Sky Garden

The urban dweller is spoiled with choices: whether you’re deciding on dinner at a Japanese restaurant or a fun activity on a Friday night, there are just too many experiences that the city has to offer. On the outset, the same could be said about settling down: Manila’s areas are constantly being revamped and sold as the “new city center.” But at the end of the day, every one seeks a home that will welcome them in comfort without compromising their every day needs.

For newlywed couples in search of the perfect start together, the three tower condominium development of Suntrust Asmara offers an ideal location without the high price. You’re off to a good start with this smart investment along E. Rodriguez—just a short drive away from Quezon City’s top schools, a short walk to the MRT Kamuning Station and the LRT Station, and conveniently near St. Luke’s Medical Center. Easy access to commercial centers along Commonwealth Avenue and Katipunan Avenue assures you a well-balanced lifestyle.

Untitled-2 2

Privacy and space are also promised through Asmara’s special design: only 15 to 16 units are found per floor.

Your unit will soon turn into your family’s home, providing both privacy and shared spaces for everyone.

A breath of fresh air can also be had at Asmara’s Sky Garden which is a threestorey storey high open space building feature. It is eco-friendly because of the various “greens” that will be grown there which will purify the air as well as beautify the common areas. It provides a good view of the metropolis and also serves as an extension of the homeowner’s unit, where one can relax and share some bonding time with family members. Meanwhile exercise can easily be incorporated in the lap pool and jogging path.

Suntrust Asmara is another premiere condominium community from Suntrust Properties Inc. which promises love in its most practical manner: a home where everyone can relax and flourish, a location that lets the urban resident thrive, and amenities that assure a balanced lifestyle.

2/3/16 11:07 AM

COV ER STORY

NATURAL CONNECTION

NORTHERNliving 2016 0202 NOLI FEB INSIDE.indd 10

10

02/02/2016 11:21 PM

COV ER STORY

How a family’s different strokes draw from a shared affinity for art

GROOMING BULLET REYES STYLING EDLENE CABRAL

HAIR RUDOLF MAKEUP CHUCHIE LEDESMA OF MAYBELLINE NEW YORK

TEXT MEG MANZANO PHOTOGRAPHY EVERYWHERE WE SHOOT

“‘Yong sharpener, madalas hindi mo makita kung nasaan,” describes Mona Santos of their current living situation. Up a rather steep flight of wooden stairs sits a studio inhabited by three generations of artists: Mauro Malang Santos, his son Soler and Soler’s wife Mona, and their three children credited for often misplacing said sharpener: Luis, Carina, and Isabel.

Despite growing up in a household incredibly lined with canvasses, the “three thieves” (“Actually, ako ‘yong kumukuha ng sharpener dahil sa work ko with pencils,” admits Isabel, referencing her work Scheibchenweise, a piece comprised of 160 boards meant to chronicle certain episodes) all initially chose to dabble in things other than what their lineage would suggest. “I don’t know if it was intentional that they didn’t take up art,” intimates Mona. Luis took up business management, Carina considered words her primary currency, Isabel drifted into European studies—a course that would bring her to Munich and acquaint her with art, leading to an ongoing love affair with it. Similar instances surround the two older siblings. Luis was consumed more with music’s rhyme and reason and eventually found himself residing in the province of art he said he would escape from. “Nabasa ko ‘yong influences nila [from other musicians to art], and ‘yong chain of influences snowballed from there.” Carina, who enjoys her reputation as a Renaissance woman given her presence in art, design, and literature, also “didn’t ever consider art” growing up. Whether it was an unconscious rebellion from their heritage or an escape from their perceived normalcy of their parents’ professions (“To us, it was really trabaho lang,” recalls Luis) the Santos siblings didn’t prove to be immune to the art world’s gravitational pull.

Today, the studio that was once their grandfather’s is now the sacred space for the theme that threads through each member: the compulsion to create.

Here, a jolly little bichon-scottie pup named Noah

runs from one sister to another, insisting on his inclusion in family matters (this cover shoot was not exempt). The space, though shared, isn’t consumed with the imperative of collaboration. There exists no hint of conscious coupling or drawing from one another’s works, no thorough group planning of what one is to paint or tackle, and definitely no illuminative homages to the patriarch. With a belief fostered (by Malang himself ) on refraining from copying his father’s art, Soler, together with Mona have made it clear that their children’s dance of discovery with visual narratives is to remain entirely their own. “When I first tried to paint, I was like ‘Paano ba ito?’ and our mom was like, ‘Basta gawin mo lang.’ They learn from doing stuff, not from instruction.” Soler and Mona’s parental supervision only extends to ticking off painting items from the grocery list. “[There are] specific colors of paint na ubos na pala and we’d know who used it all up because iba sila lahat ng color palette…so we’d do the buying and they’d just get from there,” Mona says, laughing.

Asked whether any of them felt the responsibility of creative practice given their last name, Luis says, “The obligation is to my own idea or artistry. There’s no pressure [from] the family, and whenever asked that, iniisip ko kung meron nga ba dapat.”

Versed in the language of creativity and ancestry after growing up with Malang as a father, Soler also prefers to focus on the art itself. “Ingatan mo ang work mo at mahalin mo ang trabaho mo…

Walang pilitan. Maghanap ka ng sarili mong style.”

With the rare privilege of growing up surrounded

by Vicente Manansala, Ang Kiukok, and H.R. Ocampo, a group with whom he considered himself a salimpusa, the father to Luis, Carina, and Isabel, husband to Mona, and son to Malang, is in the best possible company. But all that is still not enough to overshadow his love for art, nor is the reason he continues to reside in its realm.

NORTHERNliving 2016 0202 NOLI FEB INSIDE.indd 11

11

02/02/2016 11:21 PM

COV ER STORY

There exists no hint of conscious coupling or drawing from one another’s works, no thorough group planning of what one is to paint or tackle, and definitely no illuminative homages to the patriarch.

NORTHERNliving 2016 0202 NOLI FEB INSIDE.indd 12

12

02/02/2016 11:21 PM

COV ER STORY

NORTHERNliving 2016 0202 NOLI FEB INSIDE.indd 13

13

02/02/2016 11:21 PM

COV ER STORY Carina Santos “My medium is more of collage and putting stuff together, so it’s more a rearrangement. It’s another way of telling a story without overtly saying this is what I’m saying. I always find it hard to start from scratch.”

Isabel Santos “Gumawa ako dati [ng painting] and niregalo ko sa lolo ko. Eh ‘di ba my lolo paints so parang naalala ko lang na sabi niya, ‘thank you.’

Now that I think of it siguro, natawa lang siya,” Isabel jokes.

“He probably thought, ‘How cute. Nice try.’”

Luis Santos “Medyo drawn out ’yong creative process ko; mayroon akong notebook and kung may idea ako, ili-list down ko—para akong may bank of ideas. ‘Yong ibang shows, mga two years ko pa siya naisip and ‘yong process mismo ng painting, medyo matagal.”

NORTHERNliving 2016 0202 NOLI FEB INSIDE.indd 14

14

02/02/2016 11:21 PM

COV ER STORY

Soler and Mona Santos “Sina papa, ‘yong approach nila sa art is really visual, I don’t think they do it consciously; they find something they like and for some reason, they have this compulsion to recreate it. My mom, for 20 years, flowers lang.

My dad naman, he always likes to try new things. He really likes to play or he finds something in so many unexpected places so siya ‘yong mas malaro. ‘Yong mom ko kasi, may pagka-O.C. so kailangan sure siya, and then she’ll do it precisely—she has an image of what she wants the finished product to be like. My dad is more [into] happy accidents,” explains Carina.

NORTHERNliving 2016 0202 NOLI FEB INSIDE.indd 15

15

02/02/2016 11:21 PM

COV ER STORY

“The obligation is to my own idea or artistry. There’s no pressure [from] the family, and whenever asked that, iniisip ko kung mayroon nga ba dapat.”

On Carina: Long-sleeved shirt with pullover, P2,195, Topshop, SM Megamall. On Isabel: Dress, model’s own.

On Luis: Denim shirt, P2,650, Topman, SM Megamall.

On Soler: Long-sleeved shirt, P2,950, Debenhams, Shangri-La Plaza Mall. On Mona: Knit pullover, P1,995, Dorothy Perkins, Shangri-La Plaza Mall.

NORTHERNliving 2016 0202 NOLI FEB INSIDE.indd 16

16

02/02/2016 11:21 PM

ST YLE

FLOWERS IN THE ATTIC In a flurry of prints and patterns, two women dance to a single muted rhythm PHOTOGRAPHY CENON NORIAL III STYLING EDLENE CABRAL

On Kim: Short-sleeved blouse, P1,995, Dorothy Perkins, TriNoma Mall.

On Kyong: Long-sleeved blouse, P1,995, Dorothy Perkins, TriNoma Mall.

NORTHERNliving 18 2016 0202 NOLI FEB INSIDE.indd 18

02/02/2016 11:21 PM

ST YLE

Long-sleeved dress, P3,695, Topshop, SM Megamall.

Boots, Native, TriNoma Mall.

NORTHERNliving 2016 0202 NOLI FEB INSIDE.indd 19

19

02/02/2016 11:21 PM

ST YLE

02/02/2016 11:21 PM

2016 0202 NOLI FEB INSIDE.indd 20

20

NORTHERNliving

HAIR BULLET REYES MAKEUP CHUCHIE LEDESMA OF MAYBELLINE NEW YORK MODEL KIM AND KYONG OF ELITE MANILA SHOT ON LOCATION THE HENRY HOTEL

Dress, P3,895, Topshop, SM Megamall.

ST YLE

On Kim and Kyong: Long-sleeved top, P595, River Island, SM Megamall. Skirt, P1,275, Forever 21, SM Megamall.

Slip-ons, P1,199, Sfera, SM City Makati.

NORTHERNliving 2016 0202 NOLI FEB INSIDE.indd 21

21

02/02/2016 11:21 PM

EATS The key, according to Bern Tenchavez, is “it’s all freshly made.” Alley’s Pattycake comes with an angus beef patty and crispy onion strings sandwiched in between freshly baked potato bread.

FINDING A NICHE

Sandwiches, with its freshly baked bread, level up the comfort food game TEXT RENZ NOLLASE PHOTOGRAPHY PATRICK SEGOVIA

A true epicurean knows that good food and drinks are not served only within the marbled walls of fine dining establishments. Neither is the enjoyment of a dining experience assured by the number of courses nor the amount of cutlery on the table.

For Alley, a restaurant in The Grove, that is the goal: to draw the neighborhood in, not with fanfares of formality but with good, homemade grub.

Bern Tenchavez, one of the owners, explains that the idea for Alley began when her brother Butz noticed that “of all the restaurants he’s eaten in in Spain, what he liked the most were the ones located in alleys.”

Alley draws from this concept: Its interiors are fashioned after what an alley joint would look like in the streets of Spain. Piazza lines bathe the space with a warm glow and the graffiti alludes to refined grit.

But it is the food that pays true homage to the intimate alley restaurant’s essence. Made inhouse and from scratch under the watch of chef Thirdy Dolatre, the dishes combine their ingredients into perfect mouthfuls. In Alley, the sandwich takes the helm. Sure, the appetizer of chicharon dipped in the sweet, tangy orange and star anise vinegar may distract you at first, as the mix of salty baked chicharon and the refreshing orange dip is easily addictive, but one bite of the Breakfast in Bread or the Pattycake, and you realize that sandwiches are the stars of the show.

Crisp, freshly baked bread— Dolatre’s stint in Wildflour ensures Alley’s baked goods are of the same top quality—is turned into umami bombs with an Angus beef patty, crispy onion strings, and cheddar cheese for

NORTHERNliving 2016 0204 NOLI FEB INSIDE.indd 22

the Pattycake, and smoked bacon, fried eggs, and cheddar cheese, with a swipe of strawberry jam added in, for Breakfast in Bread.

As you reel from a delectable mouthful, there’s added delight in the knowledge that there’s more of the good stuff as Alley doesn’t scrimp on portions.

Pair the dish of your choice with one of their cocktails or a few local brews, then top off your meal with an order of the Financier for dessert, freshly baked almond cake that’s still hot enough to instantly melt the whipped maple cream.

And if, miraculously, there is still room left in your stomach, order a cup of Breaking Bad, Alley’s signature blend; Tenchavez warns it’s “strong and addictive. It’s the first thing you’ll look for in the morning.” Truth be told, everything in Alley is worth seeking.

22

04/02/2016 6:35 PM

Untitled-4 1

Corpad nolisoli Untitled-1 Untitled-2 1 HP.indd 4

1/13/16 6:18 PM

10/27/15 5:59 PM PM 2/2/16 6:47 5:51

EATS Clockwise from left: Kiss from a Rose is a cocktail with monin rose syrup and grapefruit juice; the Financier is an almond cake with whipped maple cream; Alley goes for an “outside, inside” look; Grilled Pork Chop.

Alley. The Grove Retail Row, The Grove by Rockwell. 117 E. Rodriguez Jr. Ave., Ugong, Pasig City.

0917-8083270. www.facebook.com/AlleyRestaurantPH.

NORTHERNliving 2016 0204 NOLI FEB INSIDE.indd 24

24

04/02/2016 6:35 PM

NOLI SOLI Ad FP.indd 16

9/30/15 2:43 PM

RECIPE

NORTHERNliving 2016 0202 NOLI FEB INSIDE.indd 26

26

02/02/2016 11:21 PM

RECIPE

PAINT IT RED

A lovely color in your classic risotto TEXT AND STYLING CHARLIE CARBUNGCO PHOTOGRAPHY PATRICK SEGOVIA

RED BEET RISOTTO WITH FLANK STEAK INGREDIENTS

1 tbsp. onion, minced 2 tbsp. olive oil 1/2 tbsp. garlic, minced 1/2 cup meat stock 1/4 cup arborio rice 3 tbsp. beetroot juice 2 beetroot bulbs 1/4 cup broccoli 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese 1 tbsp. all-purpose cream 300 grams flank steak Salt and pepper to taste PREPARATION

1. Peel the beetroot and cut them into small cubes (around 1 cm).

Set aside.

2. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, add olive oil and sautĂŠ onion and garlic.

3. Add the beetroot, broccoli, and uncooked rice.

Mix continuously.

4. Pour the beetroot juice, cream, and meat stock and stir until mixed well. When the mixture is almost dry, add more stock and let it simmer for around 15 to 20 minutes or until cooked.

5. While waiting, season the steak and start heating a searing pan.

Add olive oil and sear the steak for around 2 minutes each side. Once cool, slice into bite-sized pieces.

6. When the rice is cooked, turn off the heat and add Parmesan cheese into the saucepan for a creamier texture.

7. Place the risotto on a plate, add the steak on top, then serve.

NORTHERNliving 2016 0204 NOLI FEB INSIDE.indd 27

27

04/02/2016 6:35 PM

T HE GET

PLAYING BY EAR

Speakers that do more than amplify music TEXT RENZ NOLLASE PHOTOGRAPHY PATRICK SEGOVIA

The Beo Sound Moment is an exciting new device from Danish brand Bang & Olufsen. With its sleek designwith one side done in elegant aluminum for browsing cloud-based music and the other in touch-sensitive oak for shuffling through your playlist-the Beo Sound Moment gets to know you with every touch.

PatternPlay familiarizes itself with your listening habits and taste in music by memorizing your preferences and suggesting songs that you most likely want to hear. It also clues in on the relevant day of the week, queueing up playlists and radio programs suitable for the time of day.

The MoodWheel complements your state of mind with songs based on the color of your emotion. With time, the Beo Sound Moment stops being a machine. It becomes the reliable companion you can come home to, one that doesn’t mind if you’re late.

Available at Bang & Olufsen, 2/L East Wing, Shangri-La Plaza Mall, Pasig City.

NORTHERNliving 2016 0202 NOLI FEB INSIDE.indd 28

28

02/02/2016 11:21 PM

Untitled-1 1

2/2/16 5:49 PM

Untitled-2 1

1/29/16 1:15 PM