Northern Living: 2018 November-December by Hinge Inquirer Publications

Host Issue 2018

FORESIGHT

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CONT ENTS 16 COVER STORY Kim Jones ushers in the postinfluencer era

26 SERVICES Spaces for hosting parties outside home

Cover photo by Borgy Angeles 32 EATS Filipino favorites redefined at this restaurant in Morato

HOST ISSUE 04 TABLE

Holiday cakes make a case for the perfect Noche Buena centerpiece

24 SERVICES Private chefs and caterers to call for a holiday feast

10 GIFTS

36 RECIPE

Personalized gift boxes for those who can't get enough of food

An Asian take on fried chicken

EDITOR’S NOTE Bursting at the seams

’Tis the season for overflow: the overflow of food, of company, and of stories. But while it’s the time to indulge in all the things that make us happy, it doesn’t mean we have to totally let ourselves go. This issue is as much a preview of Northern Living’s new direction as it is a reminder to stay mindful as we revel in our celebrations. We can have our cake or enjoy private feasts, and we can also give back to those

who have given us love this year through carefully chosen gifts and wastefree celebrations. Likewise, our cover subject, digital creative and entrepreneur Kim Jones shows us how to masterfully meld the often wasteful world of fashion with sustainability through her e-commerce platform The Fore. We hope you find within these pages the inspiration and information you need this season.

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Northern Living is published by Hinge Inquirer Publications. 4F Media Resource Plaza, Mola corner Pasong Tirad Streets, Barangay La Paz, Makati City. Visit www.facebook.com/ nolisoli.ph now. Follow us on Instagram at @nolisoli.ph and Twitter at @nolisoliph. We’d love to hear from you. Email us at nolisoli@hinge.ph. For advertising, email sales@hinge.ph. This magazine was printed responsibly using recycled papers with biodegradable inks.

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ONLINE

TASTE TEST In our YouTube series, Nolisoli.ph explores

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cities and cultures through food

GROUP PUBLISHER BEA J. LEDESMA SENIOR MANAGING EDITOR ERIC NICOLE SALTA ASSOCIATE MANAGING EDITOR PAULINE MIRANDA EDITORIAL ASSISTANTS ZOFIYA ACOSTA, AMIERIELLE ANNE BULAN, JILL CHUA, YAZHMIN MALAJITO, CHRISTIAN SAN JOSE CREATIVE DIRECTOR NIMU MUALLAM ART DIRECTOR EDRIC DELA ROSA JUNIOR DESIGNER TRICIA GUEVARA STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS AND VIDEOGRAPHERS ARGYL LEONES, JAVIER LOBREGAT, SAMANTHA ONG, JP TALAPIAN CONTRIBUTORS WRITERS GRAI ALVAR, AUDREY CARPIO PHOTOGRAPHERS BORGY ANGELES, JEEB BALDONADO ILLUSTRATOR DANICA CONDEZ STYLISTS GRAI ALVAR, QUAYN PEDROSO MAKEUP PAM ROBES HAIR CATS DEL ROSARIO PROOFREADER OLIVER EMOCLING COPY EDITOR PATRICIA ROMUALDEZ 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 C. ALCANTARA SVP AND GROUP SALES HEAD FELIPE R. OLARTE AVP FOR SALES MA. KATRINA MAE GARCIA-DALUSONG HEAD OF OPERATIONS AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT LURISA VILLANUEVA

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FIND YOUR FREE COPIES OF NORTHERN LIVING AT

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

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SPECIAL FEAT URE

HOW TO GET MORE THAN WHAT YOU GIVE With this banking program, some of the best things in life do come free, just in time for Christmas TEXT SEPTEMBER GRACE MAHINO

Deposit accounts can seem like a cut-and-dried business: You put in money, you gain interest on it by small increments. Withdraw an amount, and it can feel as if your account almost went back to square one. Any significant gain takes a considerable length of time to come in, and getting to enjoy your nest egg can feel like an eternal waiting game. And in no other time does this crunch feel extra tight when it’s the holiday season and the price of everything rises. BPI’s Preferred Banking changes this game. The program allows you to have more value for the money you’ve earned and worked hard for. Starting with having dedicated relationship managers, clients receive trusted financial advice, catered specifically to their needs and financial capabilities. This perk helps a client learn how to make their money grow. Asset and wealth management also becomes easier, with their relationship manager guiding them through any sudden changes in the economic market. Investment won’t feel quite like the high risk game it tends to be, especially with the free wealth management seminars given to clients. Other money-saving Preferred Banking benefits include special rates on loans, foreign exchange conversions, and comprehensive travel insurance; a higher withdrawal limit; and a higher payment limit. Signing up for Preferred Banking can also save one time, as a practical perk is priority queuing on the BPI's "A Life Preferred" program lets its new clients enjoy premium Gifts such as an overnight stay for two at partner merchant Fairmont Hotel's Gold Room.

BPI Phone Banking facility and in all BPI branches. Another one of Preferred Banking’s game-changing aspect is its “A Life Preferred” program, where new BPI clients can take advantage of premium gifts and luxury experiences. No need to wait for interest to grow just so you and your loved ones can enjoy some of the good things in life, especially with the holidays so near. Depending on their deposit or investment, new depositors can enjoy a variety of products from the program’s curated collection of luxury items from its partner merchants. From a tasting menu for two at the 2018 Miele One to Watch recipient Toyo Eatery to premium European-designed accessories from Casa Bella and eGCs that are valid in hundreds of merchants nationwide, “A Life Preferred” offers immediate rewards for being financially savvy by signing up with BPI Preferred Banking. With the holidays fast approaching, it will be a smarter option to make your hard-earned money work for you. Get on this gravy train and live a prosperous life that you truly prefer.

"A Life Preferred" program runs until December of 2018. For a list of participating merchants, visit www.alifepreferred.gift/catalog.

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TABLE

SWEET TALK

A Christmas table is not complete without a cake or two TEXT CHRISTIAN SAN JOSE PHOTOGRAPHY JP TALAPIAN

“Let them eat cake!” Marie-Antoinette is believed to have said this line to the starving masses during the French Revolution. But there is little proof to tie her to this. The closest reference is a line in Jean JacquesRosseau’s Confessions written in 1767 wherein “a great princess” said “Qu’ils mangent de la brioche!” (“Let them eat brioche!”) to her subjects. However apocryphal, this rumor has tarnished the last queen of France’s reputation (posthumous) and in turn that of the humble cake’s. This holiday season, let your guests eat cake (willingly) with this selection of confections that even Marie-Antoinette can’t say non to.

01 Flourless Wonder Made with bittersweet Belgian chocolate, Dessert du Jour’s flourless chocolate truffle torte is a simple but flavorful cake that lends itself to a plethora of decorating possibilities. Add fruits or pipe on some whipped cream to personalize it—or better yet, just have it on its own. Dessert du Jour by Mara de la Rama instagram.com/dessertdujourbymara

02 Roll With It Family-owned dessert shop La Brazorria de Lasevil has mastered the classic brazo de Mercedes with their Brazo de Remedios, based on a 50-year-old heirloom recipe. Apart from the original custard filling, there’s also matcha, salted egg, ube con pastillas, queso de bola, chocolate, and sugar-free brazo. La Brazorria de Lasevil labrazorriadelasevil@gmail.com instagram.com/labrazorriadelasevil

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03 Good Bakes Sweets don’t have to be exclusive to cakes. Add variety to your spread with these cookies by Cy Ynares, a.k.a. The Bald Baker. They come in 10 flavors, from the classic chocolate chip to a “compost” cookie which combines sweet and salty bits into one. The Bald Baker thebaldbakerph.com

02 04 A Feast For the Eyes Taking cues from German pastries, Rebecca Disini’s Le Nöel has hints of nutmeg, glühwein (mulled wine), cloves, aniseed, and cinnamon in its layers of silky, gluten-free chocolate genoise and milk chocolate mousse. The glazed mirror cake makes for an eyecatching centerpiece. Ooh La La by Rebecca Disini www.rebeccadisini.com instagram.com/rebpepperflakes

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TABLE 05 Two-in-one Treat Chef Miko Aspiras breathes new life into the queso de bola with a bibingka-inspired entremets filled with salted egg mousse and queso de bola cheesecake. Workshop The Grid, R2 Level Expansion, Power Plant Mall, Makati City 944-6541 07 Break with Tradition What is Christmas without the traditional bibingka? Chef Gel Salonga’s take on the simbang gabi staple has all the things we love about the rice cake and more: the creamy kesong puti, the savory itlog na maalat, silky coconut cream, and the sweet latik which pulls it all together.

06 A Hybrid for the Holidays The density of a carrot cake can be too overwhelming for some. This is why Ginny Roces de Guzman of Tilde Hand Craft Café decided to add a New York cheesecake in between layers of carrot cake. Topped with cream cheese icing, candied carrots, and pistachios, this cake will have carrot cake cynics converted. Tilde Hand Craft Café GF EW Connection Bldg., 5417 Matilde cor. Gen. Luna Sts., Poblacion, Makati City 771-2764

Chef Gel Salonga instagram.com/baker_gel_salonga

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08 A Healthy-ish Alternative to Dessert Cakes are not for everyone—especially for those with dietary restrictions. Chrisha’s Kitchen provides low-calorie and sugar-free options with their keto-friendly line of cakes. Indulge in a decadent cake made with high-fat Bordeaux chocolate topped with a creamy ganache that uses 85 percent dark chocolate. They also make an almond or cashew flour sans rival cake using only isomalt as sweetener. Chrisha’s Kitchen 0908-8663350 instagram.com/chrishas.kitchen

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TOPPED WITH A BOW

These gift box shops help you craft the perfect gift TEXT JILL CHUA ILLUSTRATION TRICIA GUEVARA

Online shops on Instagram challenged the norm of generic gift-giving with their curated gift boxes—pre-selected items placed in a pretty box—and all for good reason. Instead of the run-of-the-mill holiday presents we’ve all grown accustomed to, each box is carefully crafted to ensure that it matches the recipient’s personality. Try considering these personalized gift boxes meant especially for your foodie loved ones.

01 Apéritif Apéritif started out by designing grazing tables in 2016 before venturing out to the graze box (finger foods that are condensed in a box) business. Their well-known boxes come in two variants: savory and sweet, both including a mini bottle of wine. They also have a luscious chocolate-coated designer strawberry box. aperitifph.myshopify.com 0917-8448558

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02 Raw Bites Raw Bites sources healthy snacks from different parts of the world which you can get through a monthly subscription. Their natural and GMO-free snacks ranging from chips to beverages are gluten-free, vegan, organic, and have no refined sugars and preservatives. They’re also offering special Christmas gift sets without the need to subscribe. Their pop-up booth is located at the ground floor of Greenbelt 3 until Jan. 2, 2019. rawbites.com.ph 0917-8392268

03 Happynest Happynest curates gift boxes containing handpicked items that revolve around a theme. Your busy tita who can’t seem to get through a day’s work can indulge in this gift box containing the following: a bottle of wine, a soy candle, room spray, premium nuts, and chocolate truffles. They also work hand in hand with you to help you come up with a customized gift box for the holidays. instagram.com/yourhappynest yourhappynestph@gmail.com

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04 Whisk For your relatives who love their greens, Whisk specializes in products and gift sets composed of salad dressings, dips, and sauces. Since 2011, they have been creating their own line of preservativefree products. Aside from their curated boxes, you can also choose to fill your own box with your chosen salad dressings, jams, nuts, and finishing salt. instagram.com/ilovewhisk 0917-6532636

05 Amazing Graze PH Hosting successful dinner parties at home inspired the owners of Amazing Graze to turn it into a home-based graze box business. Their curated boxes are dominantly made of savory bites including, but not limited to, cold cuts, six types of cheeses, crackers, nuts, fruits, and a bottle of wine, which you can get in a small or large box. You can also ask them to skip the wine if you want to have more cheese. instagram.com/amazinggrazeph 0917-8874242

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MADE TO MEASURE

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Digital creative Kim Jones navigates the new landscape of fashion TEXT AUDREY CARPIO

PHOTOGRAPHY BORGY ANGELES

Kim Jones is the anti-influencer. Sure, she’s got all the signifiers of being an influencer, and a highly successful one at that—followers in the upper six figures, front row seats at the most coveted fashion shows, and high-profile collabs with legacy brands. A career built on being liked, in the quantifiable sense of double taps and thumbs up. Jones inhabits this rarefied space, one in which she is an industry leader yet clearly quite uncomfortable with the moniker. “It’s such a capitalist term,” she says, “coined because your job is purely to promote, to manipulate, and even exploit someone’s purchasing decisions. I hate that.” She prefers the term “digital creative” (more on that later), but most recently Jones calls herself an entrepreneur, having launched an e-commerce platform called The Fore.

More than just another online venue to push products, Jones has charged The Fore with a sense of advocacy, collaborating with one designer each season to create a small, focused collection sold in limited quantities. The young designers she chooses all produce with sustainability in mind, having seen the environmental and social fallout of fast fashion around the world. With The Fore, Jones finds another outlet for her unbridled creativity, while independent designers get a huge boost on the back of her popularity and fashion cred. The Fore’s debut series, a set of bright, amorphous, configurable earrings, was made in partnership with Ken Samudio, an accessories designer whose background in marine biology informs the colorful, coral-reef like pieces created using upcycled

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materials. For the second series, which was just launched in November, Jones teamed up with Seph Bagasao, another emerging talent who is starting to get noticed in international fashion circles. The pair created a customizable collection of bags made with leather and climbing rope. “I love the idea of rope because it’s very malleable, flexible,” Jones says. “We named it the Apeiron collection, which is Greek for limitless. We wanted it to tie in—pun intended—with the endless configurations that you can do with these bags.” The ability to play around, arrange, and create several iterations of a product using a few base parts has inadvertently become part of The Fore’s DNA. Launching as a digitally native brand was one of her biggest challenges. As the pieces were designed to encourage “haptic responses,” Jones realized that they needed to present something tangible to the public. She held a month-long trunk show in Rockwell, as well as a pop-up in Cebu, where the maximalist earrings did very well. Less than 10 years ago, Jones was working as a bank teller in Australia, the country where she spent most of her life. Despite her artistic inclinations and precocious independence as a child, she gravitated toward the idea of stability that a career in banking represented. Then she woke up one day and realized she was numb: “I had a quarter-life crisis. So I bought a one-way ticket to the Philippines.” In Manila, she plied the modeling and TV hosting route for years until she reached a point where again, she felt the limitations of the job stifling her. Taking matters into her own hands, she taught herself how to take pictures and use Photoshop, and put up a blog documenting her travel experiences. Today, she styles and photographs almost all of her own shoots, a kind of Cindy Sherman of the Instagram generation, accompanied by candid, self-aware, and highly intellectual essays ruminating on consumption, technology,

“I’m constantly against the grain... I’m not just a face, I have an opinion.”

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White top, Ched Studio instagram.com/chedstudio

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STYLING QUAYN PEDROSO MAKEUP PAM ROBES USING LAURA MERCIER HAIR CATS DEL ROSARIO SHOT ON LOCATION CORNELLâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S CUSTOM TAILORS

COV ER STORY

Dress, Tibi, Distinqt, Shangri-La at the Fort

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“It’s not about fitting into a box, it’s being very authentic to who I am.”

or the political climate. She wrestles, too, with the whole influencer culture and its inevitable backlash; as such, she has driven herself to be a content creator with a purpose. “Some people would think that it’s incredibly vain of me,” Jones says of her self-photography. “It has more to do with knowing everything about what I’m doing.” Her self-described “unhealthy obsession” with learning every facet of production led her to become an efficient one-woman crew (with the help of an assistant, hair/makeup artists, and a tripod). “You get this mental image of what the final output would be, and that makes me a better model, photographer, and stylist. You eliminate the need for communicating with three different parties.” Jones’ stubbornness, which she attributes to being a Leo, has less to do with needing to control the output than it does with her refusal to cede creative input. Because of this, she ends up turning down almost 90 percent of the work she is offered. “I’m constantly against the grain. Perhaps it’s because of my background and what it took to get my career to where it is, but it’s also because I don’t like conforming. I have worked hard to set myself apart. I’m not just a face, I have an opinion,” she says. “Honestly, to just be the face of something is really boring.” Thus her relationship with Louis Vuitton—which she credits her career success to—is a unique one in the industry. LV has always encouraged her to be creative, and it’s this same art of collaboration that she brings to The Fore. Last June, Jones released her directorial debut with Louis Vuitton, a one-and-a-

half minute film titled Archetype, which she conceptualized, storyboarded, produced, styled, directed, and performed in herself. All LV did was fly in the clothes. It’s a dreamy work, inspired by the woodsy enchantment of the 1975 film Picnic at Hanging Rock, and the wild woman archetype as written about by Clarissa Pinkola Estés in Women Who Run with the Wolves. But the latter’s influence is a bit more subtle than Jones going all witchy Coachella in a forest. We see her character waking up in a forest, coming to a river crossing, finding a suitcase full of oranges, gorging on the oranges, running through the forest, waking up again in the forest. The narrative is anything but linear, and as a deeply personal piece of work, the film’s themes of rebirth and awakening echo the questions that Jones seems to be asking about herself and her own continuing evolution. “It’s not about fitting into a box, it’s being very authentic to who I am. I shift directions now and then and really immerse myself in my interests,” she explains. Hence the term digital creative. “And I think film is a really beautiful intersection of all the loves of my life.” Now that she possesses an underlying foundation through her photography, she will be pursuing film heavily in the coming year. If there’s anything one should be influenced by, it’s the determination Jones has shown in carving her own path. From modest, small-town roots to becoming one of social media’s most compelling voices, Jones is changing the way we think of influencers, of fashion, of photographers, and of filmmakers, and she’s showing other women how they, too, can use their own voices to shout to the top.

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SPECIAL FEAT URE

SHOP AND STROLL

The scenic Venice Grand Canal can be your next destination for a different kind of holiday rush TEXT LYLE PENDON

The countdown to Christmas is one of the most exciting yet exhausting times of the year. This is when a long list of names pops in your mind, each with a corresponding Christmas gift to buy. Here comes the last stretch of holiday rush: a week before the annual gift-giving month commences; the final hurrah of Christmas shopping for all the last-minute shoppers. At this time, bazaars, wholesale outlets, and department stores are crowded with individuals who look for easy-to-buy, no-brainer presents for loved ones and colleagues. Admit it, not only is it displeasing to see stocks slowly depleting but also discouraging to see a large crowd lining up for the counters. For those trying to avoid these kinds of situations, the Venice Grand Canal offers a relaxing and picture-perfect alternative shopping experience. Located within its vibrant interiors are all-new retail brands that take shopping at the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most picturesque and romantic mall to a more atmospheric level. Shoppers are sure to enjoy the Christmas rush and start to see the season in a new light surrounded by European design and the waters of the Grand Canal. What comes with the aesthetically pleasing spot is the wide range selection of stores for unique, fun, and practical gift ideas.

For your bespectacled loved ones and those who want to save their eyes from the sun, take note of these stores and check out what they have to offer: Own Days What makes Japanese brand Owndays stand out from other eyewear brands is its signature minimalist yet stylish products. Get customized frames in 20 minutes starting at P1,990. You can even personalize your lens to best suit your lifestyle with features such as progressive, polarized, transition, colored, and PC lenses. GF, Venice Grand Canal

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Various choices of eyewear available at Owndays

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SPECIAL FEAT URE Light tint sunglasses for a subtle look at Sunglass Haven

Sunglass Haven Sunglass Haven invites shoppers to enjoy the best deals on the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best sports eyewear and designer sunnies from Oakley, Ray-Ban, Prada, Ralph Lauren, and Bvlgari. If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re keen on a stylish pair, this is the right shop for you. GF, Venice Grand Canal

Hearts & Arrows features elegant earpieces perfect for a timeless look

Executive Optical Check out Executive Optical, the fail-safe staple for its large collection of eyeglasses, sunnies, and contact lenses. For both first-time glasses user and patrons, they also offer free computerized eye check-up courtesy of an in-house optometrist. GF, Venice Grand Canal From bags to jewelry, N.Cat offers a wide range of fashionable accessories

For your colleagues who like to spice up their everyday look with accessories, Venice Grand Canal also offers a selection of global fashion and accessory stores: N. Cat Korean fast fashion brand N. Cat features accessories and apparel you would typically find in Myeongdong. Discover K-Pop-inspired hair accessories, cute phone cases, character socks, jewelry, and more at budgetfriendly prices. 2F, Venice Grand Canal Hearts and Arrows Taiwanese jeweler Hearts and Arrows offers luxury gifts for those in the market for high-end sentimental presents. It specializes in trademarked perfect-cut diamonds that produce a brilliant, polished, and symmetric cut. GF, Venice Grand Canal Fossil Discover the latest collections from Americana-inspired Fossil and enjoy timeless accessories for men and women. Check out the brand's signature pieces such as watches, bags, jewelry, and wallets. GF, Venice Grand Canal

Counting down the days to Christmas might leave you anxious, but as you slowly tick off your gift list, you realize that there is a less crowded and more refreshing place to spend a day of shopping. Venice Grand Canal is the ideal place to shop and stroll, where you can take pictures for yourself and purchase gifts for you to give.

For more information on the variety of shopping options available at Venice Grand Canal, call the McKinley Hill concierge (624-1971). Follow Venice Grand Canal on Facebook at facebook.com/VeniceGrandCanal/ and on Instagram @mckinleyhill_.

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SERV ICES

DINE IN

These private chefs and caterers can be the culinary backdrop of your holiday party TEXT ZOFIYA ACOSTA PHOTOGRAPHY JAVIER LOBREGAT

Social media has democratized food. It’s given an avenue for home chefs to start selling food straight from their kitchen, and for young chefs to share their experimental dishes, building careers away from the pressure-cooker demands of working for a restaurant. For the holidays, we’ve gathered a list of cooking outfits that you can find on the ’Gram. They can arrange your private dinners or provide you platters for your potluck.

Modern catering for intimate gatherings Chefs Thirdy Dolatre, Kevin Villarica, and Kevin Navoa of Hapag Private Dining Hapag was started by three chefs fresh from culinary school: Thirdy Dolatre, Kevin Villarica, and Kevin Navoa. As the name suggests, they serve Filipino food, but the private catering service has a more experimental take on the cuisine, and they source their ingredients locally. Special mention to the laing stones, which are laing balls that are fried, battered with squid ink, and then served in a big clay pot.

Home chef platters for big parties Chef Angel Ley of Ley’s Kitchen Ley’s Kitchen is headed and manned by Angel Ley, a foodie-turned-home chef. Her signature dishes are her crab platters, whole crabs covered with coconut curry sauce or garlic, as well as noodles. Since Ley’s is a home chef outfit, expect dishes that taste like your mother’s cooking.

instagram.com/hapagprivatedining

instagram.com/leys_kitchen

Chef Lorenzo Pimentel of Soil Private Dining Soil, started by chef Lorenzo Pimentel and his brother Iñigo, has a modernist take on Filipino cuisine, focusing more on finding Filipino flavors rather than recreating classic dishes. An example of this is their duck confit, which doesn’t immediately come across as Filipino until you smell the warm gata and taste the wild mushrooms they’ve used.

Chef Rosebud Benitez of Chef Rosebud’s Kitchen Chef Rosebud’s Kitchen sells big party platters. It’s owned by celebrity chef Rosebud Benitez, a trained chef otherwise known as Chef Mom. This is her home-cooking venture, with a menu consisting of noodles, entrées, and desserts that, as her moniker suggests, have a touch of “mom” to them.

instagram.com/soilmoderndining

instagram.com/chefrosebudskitchen

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SERV ICES Las Casas Quezon City is a rare art deco houseturned-hotel and events space.

Stratos Resto Bar in Fairview, Quezon City Stratos itself is a resto bar, but they have a party space on the upper floor called Zenith. It’s a little funkier than Racket Room, and if you want, you can hire their DJ or rent their karaoke machine for your party. 214 Ilocos Sur St., Bago Bantay, Quezon City facebook.com/StratosRestoBar

For large gatherings

OFFSITE PARTY

Just because you don’t have space doesn’t mean you can’t host a Christmas party TEXT ZOFIYA ACOSTA PHOTO COURTESY OF LAS CASAS QC

Because of the rising prices of land and real estate, many people are moving into condos and apartments. One of the drawbacks of living in these spaces, however, is that they’re too small to hold gatherings. My own mother had to stop hosting parties when she moved into an apartment because she no longer had room. While Christmas parties are traditionally held at home, that isn’t feasible for those who live in smaller spaces. If you’re in this situation, don’t fret: You don’t have to give up your hosting role. Here are places where you can hold your gathering instead.

For casual Christmas parties

C3 Events Place and Restaurant Low-key and chill might sound nice, but if you’ve got a lot of guests, you'll need a bigger place. C3 Events Place is large enough that your guests can bring along their children and not have to worry about them running around everywhere. It’s part of the Cravings Group so renting out the space also comes with food from the resto. 18 Missouri St., Northeast Greenhills, San Juan City facebook.com/c3eventsplace Glass Garden Events Venue Glass Garden’s main draw is its greenery arrangement: The place is set up like a large garden dome, with a sunlit roof and vines peeking out from everywhere. 257 Evangelista St., Brgy. Santolan, Pasig City instagram.com/glassgardenph

Bonus pick: for fancier parties

Racket Room Collective Racket Room is known for being a coworking hub, but on weekends it turns into an event space. Their soothing interiors are great if you’re looking for something low-key and chill for your party, and they tie in with Hustle Café (which is right outside) for food.

Las Casas Quezon City If you’ve been raring to go to Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar in Bataan, you’ll be pleased to find out that it has a counterpart in QC—a renovated mansion formerly owned by the Juico family. This is our wildcard pick: If you want your party to be truly traditional in the literal sense, you can hold it here. The in-house restaurant is by Margarita Forés, to boot.

Unit 3G, Symphony Tower 1, Sgt. Esguerra Ave., South Triangle, Cubao, Quezon City instagram.com/racketroom

134 Roosevelt Ave., San Francisco Del Monte, Quezon City instagram.com/lascasasqc

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SPECIAL SPECIAL FEAT FEAT URE URE

WELCOME TO THE GOOD LIFE Get your money’s worth with this long-term multiplatform investment TEXT LYLE PENDON ART JENNY MASANGKAY

Technological advances have made life so much more convenient for us. With just a tap, a click, and a swipe, we can have the information and entertainment we want right in the palm of our hands. And with everyone plugged online, it has pushed various media platforms to evolve into their better versions: newspapers and magazines now have their digital portals, and even the radio show format has found its development in podcasts. It’s just too bad that the Philippines has always lagged behind most countries when it comes to broadband speed. Things might be looking up for our nation’s internet speed, though, as among the several internet service providers in the country, there is an exceptional name that resounds: One SKY Fiber, with its 200 Mbps download speed. What can you do with 200 Mbps? A lot. You can stream 4K videos (or ultra HD) on your device, meaning you can watch your favorite Netflix show in exceptional quality. Another thing is that multiple devices—five or more gadgets—can also simultaneously connect and download, so you and your whole family can all do your online stuff with nary a single second of buffering. Your husband can catch up on his favorite show while your son live streams

an online game and your eldest daughter downloads content. As for you, you’d be watching vlogs and cooking shows. How fast and convenient can that be? Not only does One SKY Fiber offer an ultrahigh speed connection, it also provides you a free subscription to SKYcable Gold and SKY On Demand, which are platforms where you can watch 22 HD and 96 SD channels, and your favorite ABS-CBN TV shows anytime, anywhere, using any compatible device, respectively. Since smart TVs are now staples in most households, family days can become even more exciting with movie marathons and TV bingeing sessions that won’t cost you an arm and a leg. For just P5,499 for the first six months plus free installation, having One SKY Fiber connection is a great investment for the whole family. With an ultrafast unlimited fiber internet, watching your favorite shows and downloading exclusive content have never been this hassle-free. The then time spent in buffering and waiting for downloads and streams is never going to waste now. Instead, you’ll have more quality time to spend with your family, enjoying all the movies and series episodes you’ve downloaded and purchased.

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PAINT THE TOWN GREEN

Throw a Christmas party without being a grinch to the environment TEXT AMIERIELLE ANNE BULAN ILLUSTRATION DANICA CONDEZ

Aside from being the busiest time of the year, Christmas is also the most wasteful season with the lavishly wrapped gifts, glittery cards, and extravagant decorations. Over the past years, environmental advocates have been warning the public to reduce trash from holiday parties because the Philippines has been generating almost 50,000 tons of garbage every December, according to zero-waste advocacy group EcoWaste

Coalition. It’s the time for festivity and indulgence, but it does not mean we should turn a blind eye to the environment’s concerns. So before you buy those incandescent Christmas lights, plastic tinsel, disposable plates, ribbons, and rolls of gift wrap for your upcoming party, think long-term. If you’re going to buy something you cannot reuse, find an alternative. You don’t really need to sacrifice much (or anything at all).

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Opt for reusable tableware Although the use of disposable cups, papers, and utensils in parties is an efficient and relatively cheap practice, it is still one of the biggest contributors to our growing pile of holiday garbage. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best to invest in reusable tableware instead. Aside from being able to reuse it in the future, you also have a wide variety of types and styles to choose from, including handmade ceramic plates and stainless chopsticks. Invest in organic produce For a greener Christmas experience, serve food with ingredients sourced from local farmers, which is mostly sold in markets available all over the metro. The practice of organic farming is good for the environment, since it reduces pollution and soil erosion, uses less energy, and increases soil fertility.

Festoon the venue with recycled decorations Irresponsibly discarded Christmas decorations are often the main cause of the holiday seasonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s harmful effects to the environment. Incandescent Christmas lights, for one, consume too much electricity and generate carbon emissions. It is recommended to buy LED or light-emitting diode lights instead, as they save 75 percent more electricity than incandescent ones. There are also rising alternatives to plastic decorations. These include handcrafted Christmas trees made of sturdy and fan-shaped leaves from buli palm trees, one of the largest palm trees in the Philippines, and seasonal flowers that you can display in a washable holder. Pack gifts in washable wraps That glossy gift wrap with a short shelf life does not actually do anything aside from making your present look presentable. Although gift wrap made of recycled paper is now available, it is still best to wrap those presents in pages of old magazines, fabric, bags, boxes, or even old tin cans the receiver can still use in the future.

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EATS Clockwise from right: Streetside Special, Pedro’s Uprising, and Trip to Quiapo; kare-kare; and etag salad

KEEPING IT IN THE FAMILY

There’s a seat for everyone at Morato’s new kitchen and bar Tiyo TEXT CHRISTIAN SAN JOSE PHOTOGRAPHY JEEB BALDONADO

Curating restaurants seem to be all the rage now. From the interiors down to the branding, dining establishments are making sure every single detail is executed to perfection. But very few actually extend this meticulousness to their menu. One of them is Tiyo. This new dining and drinking place in Tomas Morato has got it all figured out: a clear visual identity designed by the Pasigbased agency Serious Studio, a 300-sqm. area decked with custom furniture made in Pampanga, and an extensive modern Filipino menu to match. The man behind the concept, Mark Tating, is no stranger to the restaurant scene, having put up the Kapitolyo brunch place Cow and Chicken previously. Asked about his approach to Filipino food, Tating, who comes from a family of home cooks, finds that a more fitting description of

Tiyo’s menu is “plated” rather than elevated. “We wanted to modernize the dishes but not to the point that it is unrecognizable. We wanted it to still be familiar, to evoke a sense of home.” The setup also plays to that logic of eliciting a domestic feel—if not one that is anchored on the masculine perspective of home. Tiyo has a whiskey room inspired by the traditional dining room setup with the kabisera seat at the center. Despite being marketed towards elderly men—an obvious fact given that its name literally translates to “uncle”—their offerings of Filipino classics are for everyone. The plates are large enough to share, with flavors that anyone can instantly relate to despite the out-of-the-box presentation. Noting a flatness in the usual plating of kinilaw, Tating decided to incorporate some eye-catching elements with flavors

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EATS still consistent with the original recipe. These include dried espada arched over a mix of raw tuna, malasugi (swordfish), and talakitok (jack mackerel) cured with vinegar, with fresh latô on the side. Meanwhile, Tiyo’s take on the vegetable dish pinakbet pays homage to Tating’s northern upbringing, while still remaining inventive. The talong, kalabasa, sitaw, okra, and sigarilyas sticks are battered and deep fried a lá tempura and served with a bagoong dipping sauce, and, strangely, a fried alugbati vine which seems to be an ever-present decorative add-on to most dishes. Tating says this is a part of their efforts to reduce their food waste. “It’s not an angle that we initially intended, it just so happens that when we were looking into the bigger perspective to serve good food with good prices, we thought we have to also cut down on waste, since it’s a problem in the industry.” Some ingredients used in the bar come from the kitchen, like the grated coconut used in the Streetside Special, one of their signature cocktails crafted with their own infusions. Situated on one side of the restaurant, the

bar exudes a relaxed and casual vibe with mirrors, a bottle display imitating the art deco windows of Escolta buildings, and LED televisions to tie up their tito-centric interiors. “It was something I wasn’t very fond of in the beginning,” Tating says of the TV sets hanging above the bar. “But understanding our customers, I realized that what we like is not always what others will like, so some compromises had to be made. After all, this is a tito bar, and what is a tito bar without TVs?” Pianggang na Manok, a Mindanaoan specialty with burnt coconut meat

Tiyo Craft Kitchen & Bar, 2F CKB Centre, Tomas Morato cor. Scout Rallos, Diliman, Quezon City instagram.com/tiyoph

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RECIPE

HERE’S THE RUB Fried chicken coated with nutty toasted sesame oil TEXT AND STYLING GRAI ALVAR PHOTOGRAPHY JP TALAPIAN

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RECIPE

SESAME HONEY BUTTER FRIED CHICKEN INGREDIENTS

4 tbsp. chili powder 2 tbsp. muscovado sugar or brown sugar 4 pcs. chicken thigh 3 cups vegetable oil 3/4 cup rice flour 1 cup cold water 1 tsp. salt 2 tbsp. butter 1/8 cup honey 1/8 cup sesame oil 1/4 tbsp. sesame seeds PROCEDURE

Fried Chicken 1. Combine chili powder and sugar in a bowl and then set aside. This will be used as a spice rub. 2. Gently look for the loose part of the chicken skin on the thigh part. With your fingers, separate the skin and the meat to create pockets for the spice rub.

3. Start applying the spice rub in between the skin and chicken. Refrigerate for 2 hours. 4. Place a deep pot over medium heat and add vegetable oil. If a thermometer is available, let it register to 160Â°C. If not, you may opt to deep-fry a small portion of meat and test it until the oil bubbles. 5. Mix rice flour with cold water and salt. Then coat the chicken in batter and deep-fry in batches for 5 to 7 minutes until golden brown and crispy. Make sure the chicken is cooked thoroughly. Turn pieces constantly to avoid sticking. 6. Place the chicken in a dishpan with paper towels and let it cool. Sesame honey butter 1. In a saucepot over medium heat, add butter and let it slightly melt. 2. Add honey and sesame oil. Whisk. 3. Garnish with sesame.

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