Northern Living: 2018 September-October

Discourse Issue 2018

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CONT ENTS 18 COVER STORY The Toqa girls on the politics of fashion

12 SPACE JJ Acuña’s studio mixes aesthetic sensibilities with domestic practicality

Cover photo by Borgy Angeles 26 EATS Salamangka brings craft coffee, beer, and cocktails to Eastwood

DISCOURSE ISSUE 04 FIXTURE

30 RECIPE A favorite rainy day staple gets a healthier spin

10 FEATURE

32 THE GET A rocking carabo toy handmade from rattan

The origins of fake news

Dutch students are losing touch with their native language

EDITOR’S NOTE Context clues

Communication is a tricky thing. More than speaking the same language, having good syntax and vocabulary, and sound grammar, it’s also about tone, timing, and context. Am I saying the right thing at the right time? Is this offensive or acceptable? Is this verified? Informed?

In this issue, we explore the intricacies language and communication have taken, from the importance

of one’s native tongue in an increasingly global society, to the physical manifestations of messaging.

We see this in how architect JJ Acuña translates purpose and flow into the physical space of his studio/home, as well as with rising designers Isabel Sicat and Aiala Valdovino of Toqa. Featured on the cover, the Toqa girls demonstrate the intricacies of dialogue between politics, fashion, and ideals.

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OUR DIGITAL COVER

STORYTELLING AND CONTENT CREATION MANAGER CHARMAINE CHANCO SENIOR CONTENT CREATOR KRYZETTE PAPAGAYO JUNIOR CONTENT CREATORS KATHERINE ALAMARES, HONEY BAUTISTA, HANNA SORBITO, APEC STA. ANA, ANGELA VILLAFUERTE, LEO ANGELO VITUDIO KEY ACCOUNT OFFICER SARAH CABALATUNGAN GRAPHIC ARTISTS DANA CALVO, MARIANEL DIMAANO, PATRICK ECHEGOYEN, KRISTINE PAZ, MEL ANGELO VILLAFLOR

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STARBUCKS COFFEE, EDSA SHANGRI-LA HOTEL, AYALA MUSEUM, LOPEZ MUSEUM, VALLE VERDE COUNTRY CLUB, SALON DE MANILA, AND FULLY BOOKED.

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A TIMELINE OF LIES

says French communications expert Pascal Froissart from University of Paris 8.

Tracing the long history of fake news This existed long before Trump became TEXT OLIVIER THIBAULT/AFP ILLUSTRATION GRACE DE LUNA the 45th president of the United States in 2017 and way ahead of the emergence of In capital letters and with an exclamation social media. mark, “FAKE NEWS!” may have been Here are some examples through history. popularized by Donald Trump in hundreds of his tweets, but the concept has existed Dubious Byzantine “anecdota” Early versions of fake news are found in for centuries.

For the US president, the term refers to the sixth-century Anecdota of prominent what he claims are lies masquerading as news Byzantine scholar and writer Procopius, says Harvard University historian Robert Darnton. in the mainstream “Fake News Media.”

Generally, it means “false news released in Known as secret history in English, these the media with full knowledge of the facts,” texts contain “dubious information” on the

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but wrapped up with: “Of course the entire story given above is a pure fabrication.”

It is around this time the term “fake news” seems to have appeared, says US journalist Robert Love in the Columbia Journalism Review.

Pharaonic fibs It was a period “when a rush of emerging French researcher Francois-Bernard Huyghe technologies intersected with newsgathering finds traces of fake news even further back practices during a boom time for in time, during the period of the Egyptian newspapers,” he says. pharaohs before the birth of Christ.

For example, Ramses II’s claimed victory Operation INFEKTION over the Hittite people at the battle of Kadesh During the Cold War a calculated Soviet towards 1274 BC, which is celebrated in tactic was the “deliberate spreading of bas-reliefs and Egyptian texts, was in reality false information to influence opinion and a “semi-defeat,” he says. weaken an enemy,” in this case the West, The real success was “that of propaganda, according to Huyghe. of the sculptors and scribes,” Huyghe says.

An emblematic case was the KGB’s Operation INFEKTION, aimed at Half-true “libelles” making people believe that HIV/AIDS In 18th century France “libelles” were short was a biological weapon created in US satirical or controversial texts that mixed army laboratories. truth and fiction in an “early form of fake It started with the publication in an news,” historian Robert Zaretsky, from the obscure Indian newspaper in 1983 of an University of Houston, tells AFP. anonymous letter making such claims, One item published in London in 1771, which were eventually spread more widely. concerning scandals in the French court, even warned readers that some of the Media hoaxed content is “at the very most plausible” and In late 1989, as the communist regime of some an “obvious falsity.”

Nicolae Ceausescu tottered in Romania, images were published of mutilated Rags, fabrications bodies dug from mass graves near the Sold in the streets of France during the town of Timisoara. same period, “canards” were popular news They were said to be victims of the regime’s sheets that often carried made-up news, for security forces. The pictures went around the example, reporting around 1780 the capture world, galvanizing public opinion against of an imaginary monster in Chile.

Ceausescu, who was executed by the end of The word has moved into the English the year.

But the corpses turned out to be of people language to mean an unfounded rumor who had died from illness or accidents or story.

Elaborate hoaxes designed to sell before the unfolding revolution.

The repetition of false reports by newspapers emerged in the US press in the other media was what Huyghe called an 19th century.

The New York Herald, for example, gave “autointoxication” in his 2016 book on in 1874 an account of a bloody escape of disinformation, La Desinformation: Les wild animals from the Central Park Zoo Armes du Faux. —AFP purported behind-the-scenes scandals of the reign of Emperor Justinian, Darnton says.

They were kept secret until Procopius’ death and contrasted with his official writings about the ruler.

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SHAKESPEARE IN TROUBLE Dutch fret about English on campus

TEXT CHARLOTTE VAN OUWERKERK/AFP ILLUSTRATION EDRIC DELA ROSA

The growing popularity of English as a medium of instruction at Dutch universities is ringing alarm bells among local lecturers and students, with some now even calling for government intervention.

As Shakespeare’s mother tongue spreads in lecture halls across the country’s 14 universities, the Dutch education department is finalizing a proposal to deal with the matter.

Britain’s exit from the European Union (EU) next year has only accelerated the phenomenon, with international students flocking to the Netherlands, which provides an ideal base for those wishing to study in English within the EU. Some 90 percent of the Dutch population speaks English, to the envy of many of its less Anglo-competent neighbors.

To add to the attraction, many local

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“We must preserve all European languages and cultures.

Dutch students no longer master their native tongue.”

universities are much cheaper than their British or US-based counterparts.

English usage is particularly dominant at master’s degree level.

Some “65 percent of bachelor’s degrees are in English while 15 percent of master’s degrees are in Dutch,” education ministry spokesman Michiel Hendrikx tells AFP. That some 85 percent of all master’s degrees are presented in English riles the largest teachers’ association, whose acronym BON stands for “Better Education Netherlands” in Dutch.

“The Dutch language is gradually disappearing from campuses,” laments BON’s chairman Ad Verbrugge, stressing the “seriousness” of an “unprecedented situation in Europe.”

“Languicide” Pressed by heated debate from campus to parliament, the Dutch Education Ministry will soon publish a letter “with the minister’s position on the subject,” Hendrikx says.

This follows a report in February by the Royal Dutch Academy for Arts and Sciences (KNAW), which blasted the Netherlands for “failing to properly protect and uphold the quality of Dutch as a language and overestimating the importance of English.”

“Universities are forced to offer courses in English to remain in the race” for international students in Europe, says Verbrugge, a philosophy professor at the University of Amsterdam.

“We are witnessing a ‘languicide,’” he tells AFP. “We always advocate diversity but here we’re killing a minority language.”

“We must preserve all European languages

and cultures...Dutch students no longer master their native tongue,” he adds.

Lawsuit Verbrugge and BON have now launched a lawsuit against two Dutch universities they accuse of killing the Dutch language through the “Anglicization” of courses.

The eastern Twente University and the southern University of Maastricht offer two master’s degree courses in psychology exclusively in English.

BON called it an “impoverishment of the teaching quality and a dangerous abandonment in the learning of the Dutch language.”

“We must call the universities to order because they’re violating the law,” which states that all lesson and exams must be in Dutch, the union says.

An exemption can only be made when the subject matter was directly related to a different language such as English, for instance in international business management studies.

BON says the effects of such a language policy can even be seen in the labor market.

Young expatriates graduating in English at Dutch universities are often tempted to remain in the Netherlands, which has a flourishing economy and pleasant living environment, thus taking jobs from local graduates, it says.

Verbrugge says BON was unsure whether the lawsuits would be successful “but at least we’ve raised the issue for discussion.”

Many Dutch students agree, saying they did not understand the value of “pretending to be English in front of a lecturer who is just as equally Dutch.” —AFP

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SPECIAL FEAT URE

METROPOLITANDREAMS Experience the comforts of suburban life but with all the energy of the city in Suntrust Asmara TEXT GISELLE BARRIENTOS

The north is a mecca of dynamism and energy for the modern go-getter.

A hotspot for urban growth as well as recreation, it has evolved into a place where young professionals go to chase the lifestyle of their dreams. Nevertheless, life in the north can have its fair share of hard times: the never-ending hustle, the constant buzz, the congestion, and the traffic are all challenges in making the north the home of your dreams.

But that perfect balance of life and work isn’t out of reach with Suntrust Asmara. A sanctuary in the north with units ranging from a 24 sqm. studio to a 50 sqm. three-bedroom abode, Suntrust Asmara lets the modern dream-chaser enjoy the best of northern living while being able to keep an eye on the prize.

Nestled in the heart of New Manila, the 8,459 sqm. development is surrounded by the best that Quezon City has to offer: malls within a stone’s throw away, an abundance of food parks nearby, and

the best medical centers and universities.

Young professionals and students alike can also find reprieve from the weekday grind with the city’s robust nightlife.

Of course, being constantly on the go means needing a rest every now and then.

Within Suntrust Asmara, you can find ways to take a break from the chaos of the city. A three-story-high Sky Garden within each of the development’s three towers provides the space for the young professional to take a moment and breathe. Aside from the refreshing sight of the greenery that’s integrated into the façade, a dose of self-care is made possible by the pool, the in-house gym, and the lounge in the gazebo that lets you soak in the sun on a well-deserved rest day.

With the nonstop action of city life, finding comfort within its buzz can seem to be impossible, but truth be told, it is well within reach. One just has to know the right place to live out their metropolitan dreams.

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SPECIAL FEAT URE Artist's render of the spaces to be featured in Suntrust Asmara

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SPACE Filipino architech and interior designer James Acuña’s 100-sqm studio in Hong Kong

SPACE ENCOUNTER

Hong Kong-based architect and interior designer James Acuña takes us on a tour of his design studio/home TEXT CHRISTIAN SAN JOSE PHOTOGRAPHY ABDELA IGMIRIEN AND ADAM KHUEL

It is refreshing—as much as it is a privilege— to see and live in spaces that deviate from the sea of mobile houses and tiny apartments in cramped cities like Hong Kong. Architect and interior designer James Acuña knows this all too well.

He is the editor of the design blog Wanderlister+, and the founder of JJ Acuna / Bespoke Studio, whose clientele includes some of Asia’s best restaurants, like the Tate Dining Room and Bar in Sheung Wan by Vicky Lau and Little Bao in Bangkok by May Chow.

Living in Hong Kong for the last 13 years and working as a manipulator of space in the world’s least affordable housing market,

Acuña designed his 100-sqm boutique studio to double as many things: a place to work, a library of ideas, and ultimately, an extension of home.

We caught up with Acuña at his spacious quarters located at the industrial district of eastern Hong Kong to talk about mixing aesthetic sensibilities and domestic practicality.

Take us through your creative process when designing your space.

Well, when I first got it, it was just one big empty space. The biggest question in my head was, “How can a design studio space

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SPACE Among his prized possessions are his collections of books, Filipino art, and ornamental plants

“I want to make spaces that make people better after spending time in there. No matter who that may be.”

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be a place to work, a place to receive guests, a place to generate ideas, a place where inspiration can occur?” I didn’t want too many walls, but I did need a lot of zones for different types of programs.

The idea is to create anchors within an open plan to help define the use and aesthetics of that part of the floor plan and space. The living area has a big built-in bookshelf, the meeting area is underpinned by a 20-yearold American maple dining table made in Massachusetts, and so forth.

So now if you walk around the studio, each zone has a very unique personality, even if it’s a generally open plan.

What were some considerations you had in mind while putting the plan together?

Basically, I just wanted to create a studio space that was very comfortable for friends, collaborators, and designers to come in and ideate in different ways. I wanted it to feel easy, flexible, and textured. There’s collaborative areas like the living room and dining room, an introspective reading area for one, a meditation area, and typical working area with a nice timber desk.

existing structures we turned into storage, but in general, the space was pretty much a tabula rasa. The most difficult thing I think was re-plumbing the space for the open kitchen and pantry area and installing a new powder room and shower. Just to make it more homey and domestic because, after all, it’s a multi-use loft. And doing everything within a reasonable budget and completing the whole project from design to turnover in about six weeks.

What elements were you keen on including?

I thought [that] even though it [was] an open plan, we still needed to create private/public zones without having to build obtrusive partitions. We were able to achieve this by creating glass and metal grid dividers for the space, as well as incorporating satin curtains in a blush tone.

The glass and metal dividers help create a room within the open plan, and the curtains, when closed, help give more privacy from one space to another.

When designing and putting together the space, I was really into Italian Memphis design of the ’80s, so there were a few cool touches like the black-and-white granite stone slab for the powder room area, two vintage Tonon Italia chairs from the late ’80s, the Memphis-style coffee table in black marble and electroplated brass designed by Jaime Hayon for &tradition in the living area. Natural materials like the oak flooring, rattan chairs, timber sofa, and maple dining table kind of ground the high-style Memphis aspects of the design.

What was the inspiration behind its design?

My own art and my books were the main impetus for the design. I collect a lot of books on architecture, art, and design, and I have tons of Filipino art from different galleries. So when planning the studio’s design, I basically planned the location of the bookshelf first for the display and exhibition of these special items, and then the rest fell into place after that. I also loved the natural daylight—it faces southwest—so I get a lot Tell us about the decor and the accents.

Wherever I travel I tend to buy art, especially of good light here.

Filipino art, or books, or even random things Were there any hurdles you came upon like crystal rocks, spirits, and ceramics. So even though there’s space, I try really hard designing this studio?

The studio’s windows needed updating not to clutter them and give every object because there were leaks and there were some room to breathe. I also wanted tropical plants

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at home, so I’ve got my monsteras, my birds of paradise, the yucca plant, lucky bamboos, and succulents keeping me company and cleaning the air.

Speaking of Filipino art, of which artists are you a fan?

Right now my favorite Filipino artists are Jel Suarez, Dina Gadia, Alan Balisi, and of course, the late Roberto Chabet. I also love Arturo Luz. Someday, I hope to afford his works.

Satin curtains in blush tones were added to create divisions in lieu of concrete walls.

How is this studio different from the one in Manila?

Our Manila studio is slowly coming together.

There have been hiccups, so it all looks a bit corporate at the moment. But when there’s time and opportunity in the coming year, we hope to make it look as homey as we have it in Hong Kong.

If you could live somewhere else, where would it be?

I think it’s funny to think that finally in my life I’m living in two cities I really love, Hong Kong and Manila, and I don’t see myself actually living anywhere else. At present, I’m completely content, happy, and aligned with being a citizen of both places. I’m just having fun, working, and operating in both these cities. It’s a dream for me. But I also don’t mind staying in Sydney either. I love Australia, and I love Australian design. I like what’s going on there at the moment from a style perspective.

What is your signature style and how does it manifest in this space?

I think my style is trying to balance all kinds of projects with a considered and more humanistic approach to planning and design.

How can a home be more than a home? How can a home support our lifestyle, dreams,

and aspirations, or how can a workplace or a place to eat be an extension of one’s domestic space—meaning a space where someone can feel like they can come back to it again and again and be themselves?

These days, I’m really concerned with the quality of life and making sure that we treat our clients and the people who use our spaces with respect. I want to make spaces that make people better after spending time in there. No matter who that may be. So I think my signature style may be in the way that domesticity or the domestic environment feeds into a lifestyle space and vice versa. You see that from my studio.

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SPECIAL FEAT URE

SUMMER DREAMS

Embrace summer nostalgia wherever your flip-flops take you

Imagine yourself sipping fresh coconut juice while walking by the sea, with the sun warming your face, and soft sand beneath your feet.

Summer living may seem like an elusive fantasy to city dwellers with tight schedules that keep them locked within the metro. But what if there was a way to take the beach with you anywhere, anytime?

Live the eternal vacay vibe with a pair of Havaianas, the world’s favorite flip-flops brand.

Its latest collaboration with young and vibrant Filipino fashion label Neon Island, is just the thing to make you live your summer dream.

Known for its quirky take on hand-drawn tropical prints and retro aesthetic, Neon Island was founded in 2013 by best friends Aira Medina and Chi Gibbs. With its 100 percent Philippinemade pieces that match the lifestyle of the fun, modern, confident, and adventurous woman, this independent label has worked with some of the country’s top brands for special collections, and now adds a global company to that list.

“Neon Island ♥ Havaianas is a match made in heaven!” Medina says of the collaboration, adding that she had always hoped to see Neon Island prints featured on Havaianas flip-flops.

“Aira and Chi’s colorful and energetic approach perfectly suits Havaianas, and we are very happy to be collaborating with them,” adds Havaianas Philippines exclusive distributor, Anne Gonzalez.

The limited edition collection comes in Havaianas’ well-loved silhouettes, and features punchy prints that look great no matter the destination. Affirms Gibbs, “We’d definitely wear both pairs to the beach, but they are perfect for the

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city and for poolside lounging as well.”

Both styles evoke summer nostalgia: The Top style comes in black, making Neon Island’s Fizzlepop print stand out, while Slim highlights the contrast between the fashion label’s eccentric Aurora print and the softness of pinks and golds.

A specially designed bag complements both pairs, rounding off the perfect tropical look while helping you tote your stuff in style.

Neon Island ♥ Havaianas are must-haves for those who want to live in sunshine, no matter the season.

Neon Island ♥ Havaianas flip-flops, retail price at Php 1, 399 for Top, and Php1, 499 for Slim.

Available at Havaianas.ph Zalora.com.ph, Rustan’s (Alabang Town Center Gateway, Makati, and Shangri-La Plaza), CommonThread (Greenbelt 5 and Power Plant Mall), and select All Flip-Flops

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COV ER STORY

Silver Shark Swim, Toqa. www.toqa.tv

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At the heart of the inexhaustible and exhilarating energy of Toqa, designers Isabel Sicat and Aiala Valdovino are challenging norms one island at a time TEXT OLIVER EMOCLING PHOTOGRAPHY BORGY ANGELES

Isabel Sicat and Aiala Valdovino, founders and designers of the rising sport resort brand Toqa, have just emerged from the lake. Under the shade of talisay trees, they scour through bags of clothes, looking for their next outfits. They’ve been trying different looks on top of their silver swimsuits. Sicat puts on a pair of black trousers with a somewhat reptilian shine, while Valdovino takes a blue ensemble. Valdovino is not satisfied with her look. She looks around until she sees the Toqa jumpsuit they asked me to wear before the boat ride to Taal Volcano.

She wants to wear it for the next layout.

I give Valdovino a quizzical look. I am confused. Do they expect me to strip to my underwear right here, right now? At least, I have to get on the boat. Valdovino gives me

a pair of trousers and points to the nearby sari-sari store, where curious onlookers have flocked watching our team as if we are some crew from a local TV station. I nervously approach the small crowd. When I hear an affirmative answer in a distinct Batangueño accent, I get in, take off the jumpsuit, and put on the trousers with haste.

So, this is Toqa? The question is, at first, directed to the pants. They’re plain and not as garish as the ones I’ve seen on their website. A quick adjustment of the garter and buckle on the waistband transforms the loose-fitting to waist-hugging. Then, it has evolved into a meditation on the Toqa girls’ creative process.

When making clothes, Valdovino likes to work as she thinks. Sicat, on the other

On Aiala: Big Visor, Basahan Top, On Isabel: Drifit Knit Top, all Toqa

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hand, likes to think about an idea before putting her hands to work. The same goes for moving to a new place. “I’m the type of person who moves to a place I’ve never been to before,” Valdovino says. “I do research,” Sicat quips. But at the shoot today, both girls exhibit a flair for creative spontaneity.

At one moment, we’re just hiking. Then the next, Sicat is already climbing a rock formation to join some black goats. Or maybe Valdovino is crouching down to get her face closer to the natural steam of the volcano that hasn’t been active since 1977.

This is the tenacious, bold, and youthful spirit of Toqa.

It was in February of this year when Sicat and Valdovino, both Rhode Island School of Design alumnae, presented their first collection at the inaugural Manila Biennale in Intramuros, but the brand’s idiosyncratic proposition of island wear has captured the attention of both local and international media. “In the young fashion scene of Manila, Philippines, emerging brand Toqa very much holds the baton, following the footsteps of peers like Carl Jan Cruz,” reads an online article from fashion magazine Dansk.

Toqa is unapologetic in its sexiness. Its tendency to reveal skin springs from the indefatigable confidence of both the clothes and the wearer. The intrinsic allure of a Toqa garment, whether the slinky Tang-dyed (yes, the powdered juice drink!) swimsuit or the loose-fitting Hades mesh top, is founded in the sultry climate of its natural habitats: the Philippines and Hawaii.

“Hawaii is very resort and Manila is more sporty,” Valdovino says. Before their first presentation, Toqa posted a retaso outfit on a cyclist—their first model. The swimsuit for this season also borrows the form of a bodysuit because there’s no beach in Manila.

“The first collection was…” Sicat begins.

“Sprawling,” Valdovino finishes the sentence. With 35 looks presented for the first collection, Sicat says, “[It] was really

On Isabel: Silk Slip Dress, Toqa

an exuberant discovery of the sport resort aesthetic. It was sort of loud—not that [the new capsule collection] isn’t, but this is more focused.”

Shortly after the first show, they took retreat in Tagaytay. “I think there’s something like a magical energy here that reminds me of Hawaii,” Valdovino says. Since then, they’ve been visiting the nearby province when they need respite from the city, especially during the production of their capsule collection.

Hence, “it’s only fitting, I think, to do a shoot at the very beginning of that physical exploration,” Sicat says.

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On Aiala: Uniform Top, On lava rock: USB Earring, all Toqa

“Our clothes live through experience. They don’t exist just on a rack; they exist in some sort of context.”

The capsule collection still reflects on the island of Luzon during the monsoon season.

When they created the first collection, the dancefloor was a significant venue of inspiration. “But now, we spent more time in more places of structure, like airconditioned meeting rooms. Because the location and the context have changed, the clothes matured, too,” Sicat says.

Their maturation is evident in their propensity to concentrate on textile manipulation and more familiar silhouettes, like that of uniforms, this time. Even so, Toqa still exudes a frolicsome attitude with

an instinct for utility. The fabrics remain light, inconspicuous pockets abound, and the ubiquitous garter-buckle tandem eliminates the need for belts.

In this tropical milieu, Toqa does not just create island-appropriate attire. The sport resort brand’s awareness and purpose are much larger than that. “Our clothes live through experience. They don’t exist just on a rack; they exist in some sort of context,” Sicat says.

In June, the designers and some of the up-and-coming queer artists of Manila, all in Toqa, celebrated love and community at

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COV ER STORY On Isabel: Basahan Mini Bucket hat, Silver Shark Swim, Drifit Knit Sleeve, all Toqa On Aiala: Reflective Mini Visor Comfy Popstar Top, all Toqa

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YOUR GUIDE TO MANILA’S NEIGHBORHOOD HOTSPOTS, COMMUNITY GATHERINGS, AND CULTURAL EVENTS

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09/01/2018 4:21 PM

On Isabel: Hades Soft Suit, On Aiala: Basahan Noah Top, all Toqa

this year’s Pride March in Marikina. “We’re inherently social creatures, so everything we do has this element of interaction and sociability. We just use clothing as a means to move through the world,” Sicat says.

Sicat and Valdovino employ deadstock fabrics found in Manila. This, at first, is an economic decision, but it’s also a creative one. “We really get bored very quickly with things, so having a finite amount forces us to innovate on a regular basis,” Sicat says. “We like the whole metaphor of creating what’s literally deemed deadstock into something beautiful,” Valdovino adds.

On top of all that, it’s a sustainable choice. Sustainability—a buzzword that has been thrown a lot in the fashion industry to the point of saturation—is integral to

Toqa’s identity. There’s just hideous amount of waste from the seemingly glamorous industry. Hailing from the tropics, where, as Valdovino says, “we feel the effects of global warming immediately than the rest of the world.” Toqa is a platform of discourse for that and other issues they feel strongly for.

“Fashion is political. It’s inherently political,” Sicat says. “Fashion is a fun way to engage a lot of people in something stimulating and exciting, but it can also be a medium for critical discourse. I think that there is totally a way to parlay our interest and our audience into actually enacting actionable change beyond just the clothes themselves. In that way, our views are beyond just refreshing the rack every season and really affecting change in a medium that feels comfortable and new not just to us but to other people [as well].”

Toqa pursues a roving structure. Sicat and Valdovino are seizing every opportunity in Manila now (from performing in front of the camera to making uniforms for restaurants like Sidechick), but they will also survey the possibilities in Valdovino’s home base in Hawaii soon. Unlike the exhausting system of brands from the West, Toqa desires to follow an annual season—like a TV series to some degree—on different islands.

So, when should we expect the next full collection? I ask. We are all drenched in sweat, glowing under the sun. “The next full one will…” Sicat begins. “Well, who knows though?” Valdovino interrupts.

“Opportunities present themselves in many shapes and forms.” These women are in no rush, and they’d like to fall into place organically. “Ideas are most vulnerable in their infancy. Even if you have a good idea, you need time for it to mature and be able to grow on its own,” Sicat adds.

So for now, Sicat and Valdovino, whose spirits are constantly huge and light, will continue dancing, basking under the sun, and doing everything fun in the name of Toqa.

Soon, they’ll arrive at their next destination.

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HAIR AND MAKEUP PAM ROBES USING STILA, NARS, AND LAURA MERCIER

COV ER STORY

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SPECIAL FEAT URE

CREATURE COMFORTS How to give yourself a mental and physical reboot while staying close to home TEXT HANNA SORBITO

It comes to a point where you’ve finally had enough. Sure, the cooler rainy days were something we had looked forward to back in the face of extreme heat last summer, but once the heavy rains arrived, they took the good out of our mood and affected our productivity: Despite our best intentions, traffic until dawn and soggy socks and shoes take a lot out of us and keep us from crossing things out from our to-do list.

That’s why breaking our routine once in a while is important in keeping our sanity. Bad weather and monotony do not make a good combination, so if you’re planning to have a quick escape from all the hassles of daily city life, a staycation is the way. Convenient and inexpensive, a getaway that happens not far from home might just be your best vacation ever, if planned properly.

Explore local sights that will offer you new experiences. You don’t need to go on exotic sojourns to give yourself the time and space to clear your mind. Research on local tours, food spots, ecotourism sites, showrooms, and book drives. Embrace the quirks of your hometown and get to know its culture better. Avoid rigorous itineraries and be spontaneous: Your familiarity of the place will both amuse and surprise you, given what you are yet to discover.

Unplug from your connections. Remember that your staycation is a real vacation, and being close to home does not require you to stay attached to work. Give yourself enough space to enjoy your well-deserved rest.

Spend quality time with family and friends. Squeeze in some activities that you can do at home, like playing board games, having a movie marathon, or having a baking session with kids. Appreciate the time you get to have with the people you love.

Give luxury amenities a try. A staycation at home can get stressful if you’d still be the one to prepare everything, so consider splurging on yourself as a treat. Head to a nearby hotel and pamper yourself with a sauna or gym session. Go to a fancy dinner buffet with the family, and dress up for the occasion.

Enjoy room service—who doesn’t want breakfast in bed?

If you’re already imagining vividly this badly needed escape, Holiday Inn Express Manila Newport City in Resorts World Manila offers superb accommodations. The hotel is just minutes away from Makati and Bonifacio Global City, and it takes pride in having world-class hotel facilities and amenities, including unlimited WiFi access, a 42-inch television with international channels, 24-hour coin-operated laundry and ironing facilities, and free airport shuttle service, just to name a few. Go ahead and make that booking. There’s nothing wrong in treating yourself right.

For inquiries on room availability and other concerns, call (02) 908-8600 or visit the hotel at 1 Jasmine Drive, Resorts World Manila, Pasay City. Check out their website at www.rwmanila.com for more information.

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EATS

MAGICIAN’S CRAFT Salamangka is the place to be from 7 a.m. to 3 a.m.

Four of the seven in-house infusions served in a flight called Seven Dwarves

TEXT YAZHMIN MALAJITO PHOTOGRAPHY SAMANTHA ONG

Undin, tiyanak, and duwende used to be the main characters of our grandparents’ spinechilling tales we were told when we didn’t want to sleep in the afternoon. But now, they’re the main attraction—and probably your new best friends—at this café and bar in Eastwood.

Radiant with sunlight in the morning, afire with amber LED bulbs at night, Salamangka is the newest project of the people behind 121 Grille and Restaurant.

It features your favorite pick-me-upper and after-hour drinks in their most refined and trendy form possible—craft and all-local.

At Salamangka, the aforementioned creatures are just three of their “Seven Dwarves”—their flight, served in shots, of native infusions crafted and matured in-

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DESIGN & LIFESTYLE SHOW

World Trade Center Metro Manila Roxas Blvd., Pasay City, Philippines

EATS house for one to two weeks. Infusions are the by-products of their plant plus alcohol mixtures. Undin is roasted bell pepper infused in vodka, Tiyanak is Thai chili tequila, while Duwende is dried mango rum.

The liquors with the fruits are, of course, made locally as well.

These infusions also serve as the base of the bar’s craft cocktails. Mambabarang has the raisin and gin infusion called Kibaan stirred with lime juice, cucumber slices, and mint leaves. Wakwak has Duwende, mango purée, lime juice, and mint leaves. Aswang, their own take on a Bloody Mary, has the Undin and Tiyanak infusion with lime juice, tomato juice, and Worcestershire sauce.

And for the golden libation, Engkanto

Brewery is responsible. “We were just drinking with the Engkanto guys and thought it would be nice to distribute Engkanto here in Eastwood since no one’s doing it yet,” says Salamangka owner and managing partner Jasmin Medina. They carry four variants of beer—lager, pale ale, IPA, and double IPA—and also serve it in flights.

The restaurant’s only closed for four hours a day—they open as early as 7 a.m. and then close at 3 a.m. You can have an early morning alcoholic beverage if you’re that kind of person, or opt for their craft coffee, with beans specially roasted by Jonathan Choi of Magnum Opus and Exchange Alley Coffee House.

Salamangka features your favorite pick-me-upper and after-hour drinks in their most refined and trendy form possible—craft and all-local.

Corned beef mac and cheese and Wakwak, a cocktail with dried mango and rum infusion, mango puree, lime juice, and mint leaves

Salamangka. Eastwood Citywalk 1, Bagumbayan, Quezon City. Instagram.com/salamangkamnl

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RECIPE

HOT TAKE

A healthier version of arroz caldo using black rice and turmeric TEXT AND STYLING GRAI ALVAR PHOTOGRAPHY JP TALAPIAN

BLACK RICE ARROZ CALDO 300 g chicken inasal, shredded 5. Transfer to a serving bowl and garnish with 2 tbsp. crispy garlic minced spring onions, 2 tbsp. crispy shallots soft-boiled eggs, shredded 5 to 10 pcs. calamansi chicken inasal, crispy PROCEDURE garlic, and crispy shallots, 1. Place deep cooking pot over and calamansi. medium heat. Add oil. Sauté shallots, garlic, ginger, and turmeric until fragrant.

2. Strain soaked black rice and add to the pot.

3. Pour chicken stock and fish For the garnish sauce and mix until 2 tbsp. spring onions, minced everything is incorporated.

5 pcs. soft boiled eggs 4. Bring to a boil, then add (boiled for 6-7 minutes, lemongrass. If needed, shocked in ice water) add more water.

INGREDIENTS

3 tbsp. vegetable oil 1 pc. shallot, sliced thinly 3 cloves garlic, sliced thinly 4 tbsp. fresh ginger, minced 2 tbsp. fresh turmeric, minced 4 tbsp. fish sauce 3 pcs. 6-inch lemongrass stalks, thinly sliced 8 cups chicken stock 500 g or 2 1⁄2 cups black rice, soaked for 6-8 hours

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T HE GET

ROCK-A-BYE BABY

Your child’s first lesson on local weaves and animals TEXT YAZHMIN MALAJITO PHOTOGRAPHY JP TALAPIAN

Months before a pregnant woman’s water breaks and uterine muscles contract, she wrestles against emotional and physical stressors and various moods and urges. Suddenly, there are countless things to agonize about: Can I afford this baby? Is sushi really bad for me? I need to deep clean and baby-proof this house.

That last recurring thought is also called nesting, an urge of a mother-to-be to scrub and organize every nook and cranny of her offspring’s future home to ensure safety. It was during this nesting phase that businesswoman Audrey Pastelero unconsciously started a brand that helps parents create fun spaces for their children.

“Fun Nest began when I was pregnant with my son. I went on a crazy nesting mode

fixing his nursery. One thing led to another, and now I have a brand where I sell creations inspired by my son,” says Pastelero.

One of Fun Nest’s latest pieces is the Kalabaw Rocker, handmade from flexible heat-formed and -bent rattan at a workshop in Pangasinan by a local weaving community.

One wickerwork of art takes about a day to complete. The idea came to Pastelero when she was watching craftsmen bend and weave the wood when she was having peacock chairs made. “[I also wanted] to teach my son about something closer to home,” she says, thus the carabao rocking toy.

Kalabaw Rocker comes in small and medium sizes, and in colors brown, black, and white.

Fun Nest. funnestph@gmail.com. Instagram.com/funnestph Inabel blankets from Balay Ni Atong. Balayniatong.com

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