Inquirer RED: 2017 April

A Story in Full

Christine Allado

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EDITOR’S NOTE

CONTENTS

It’s How You Play The Game

BARED 4 The water therapy your skin needs

We all have our own paths to forge, whether we are aware of it or not. I can honestly say I don’t know what my purpose in life is, but I do know that trying to make people and my surroundings more aesthetically pleasing makes me happy. At a very young age, our cover subject Christine Allado knew she loved to sing, and now (still at a very young age), she is fulfilling that dream. During the shoot, I was amazed by her professionalism. She came on time, with extra clothes in tow (in case what we pulled out didn’t work) and such a positive attitude that the shoot was a happy breeze.

I went home happy about our magazine and whom we feature because we put the spotlight on people with interesting stories. Not because they have a large Instagram following (that rarely ensures that their covers will sell anyway) or they were born to such privilege, but because they are winning in the game called life. Most importantly, we feature them because they inspire.

I often ask my kids what they want to be when they grow up. I remember my son saying he wanted to be a clown. Surprised, I asked him why, and he said it’s because he wants to make people laugh.

At the end of the day, I hope to show you a way to live fully and hope Red gets to be part of that journey.

ACQUIRED 6 Empires that delve into the

world of fine jewelry

ADMIRED 8 Christine Allado sang her way into Hamilton and In the Heights

ATTIRED 12 Fresh from head to toe

DEVOURED 17

Outrageous delicacies worth trying on your next trip

ART 22

Hong Kong’s art scene needs more than just Art Basel

EMPOWERED 24

Bringing the keg experience to local beer culture

FINANCE 26

Why millennials are spending

more on experiences

On the cover:

Dress, Alice McCall, LCP;

earrings, Whisenhunt, Cura V,

Power Plant Mall.

Photography Joseph Pascual

@riarecommends

Group Publisher Bea J. Ledesma Editor in Chief Ria Prieto Creative Director Nimu Muallam Copy Editor September Grace Mahino

Contributing Writers Bambina Olivares-Wise,

Olivia Sylvia Estrada, and Manny del Rosario

Contributing Photographer Joseph Pascual

Editorial Assistant Tisha Ramirez Staff Photographer Patrick Segovia Account Executive Liza Jison

Board Chairperson Alexandra Prieto-Romualdez SVP and Group Sales Head, Inquirer Group of Companies Pepito Olarte AVP, Sales Ma. Katrina Mae Garcia-Dalusong Head of Operations and Business Development Lurisa Villanueva Business and Distribution Manager Rina Lareza Sales Inquiries Email: sales@hip.ph Telephone No: +63 (2) 403 8825 local 239

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Want to see the other issues of Inquirer RED Magazine? Check out inquirer.net/red Inquirer RED Magazine is a monthly luxury magazine published by Hinge Inquirer Publications.

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WORDS RIA PRIETO ART NIMU MUALLAM

A Sparkle in Time

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From creating timepieces to fashioning fine jewelry

ACQUIRED

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Contrary to popular belief, there’s a difference between the wristwatch and the bracelet. While the latter adorns an outfit, the former completes it: a practical item that boasts long histories of craftsmanship, tradition, and change.

But the two can breed as well. This partnership in style and function gave birth to brands that have an extensive range of contemporary pieces catering to meticulous tastes. Here are a few names that have leapt from making their signature watches to forging fine jewelry.

1. Chopard Founded by Louis-Ulysse Chopard in 1860, Geneva-based Chopard uses fine materials such as real stones and 18K gold for every piece. Its product catalogue consists of the most sought-after luxury pieces, such as the Happy Diamonds collection and Immortal Peacock earrings.

2. Piaget George Piaget popularized ultra-thin watch movements from La Cote-aux-Fees, Switzerland in 1984 and went on to grow his business into a celebrated fine jewelry line. Piaget’s style epitomizes old world glamor with its proprietary Rose designs and the Limelight Embroidery Motif ring, a classic piece of 18K white gold, set with one brilliant-cut blue topaz, four pear-cut purple sapphires, and 273 brilliant-cut diamonds.

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3. Tiffany’s Since its launch in 1984, Tiffany’s has gradually become a staple on everyone’s wishlist. Its elegant and feminine designs are garnished with only the rarest, most precious gems and diamonds. Some of its best pieces feature exceptional stones, like a vivid 45.44-carat, cushion-cut center green tourmaline, vibrant sapphires, tsavorites, and diamonds.

4. Van Cleef & Arpels France-based Van Cleef & Arpels is the brainchild of master jewelers Estelle Arpels and Alfred Van Cleef,

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and is most notable for its floral and aviary themes. Their gem-setting style, known as Mystery Setting, is also a favorite among its high-profile clientele. The classic Van Cleef details, like the undulating lines, and abstract motifs, are best embodied in the Lune d’eau Between the Finger ring.

5. Cartier Cartier is arguably the world’s most famous jewelry house due to its affiliation with the royal family. It caters to the wealthiest and most prestigious clientele. The Parisian brand was founded by Louis-Francois Cartier

in 1847 and has since produced some of history’s most iconic pieces, such as a 6.5-inch diamond bracelet, which sold for over $7 million.

6. Harry Winston Harry Winston is an American brand founded in 1932.

Every piece showcases a unique and elaborate design that speaks of durability and elegance. The brand has also used historical gemstones such as the Jonker, the Lesotho, the Taylor-Burton, and the legendary Hope Diamond. Their Ruby and Diamond Necklace has 31 rubies and 186 pear-shaped brilliant diamonds, set in platinum and 18K yellow gold.

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ADMIRED

ON TO EVER AFTER Christine Allado is living her dream story as Hamilton’s Peggy Schuyler WORDS OLIVIA SYLVIA ESTRADA PHOTOGRAPHY JOSEPH PASCUAL

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Filipina West End actress Christine Allado doesn’t believe in pure luck.

Yes, getting cast in the West End run of the Broadway hit Hamilton is a lucky break, a start for getting her name on the map. She’ll tell you a slightly different version of how she got that break, however: “It was a long time coming. You say luck but [I say] it’s about working hard, being at the right place at the right time, and never stopping.” Her story did not begin with the curtain rise, either. “I have been on this career path since I was 14. I grew up in a family of musicians, so I guess I started singing when I was a fetus,” Allado jokes.

Her story isn’t of someone chasing a passion blindly. While she was in college, Allado, then a business administration student, got the chance to work in Hong Kong, which prompted her to take an academic break.

“I told my dad I would come back.” She eventually moved to London, leaving behind good grades and an arguably more practical career path. “I was top four in a class of 500,” she notes. “I even got a scholarship.” What she risked for the chance to sing on stage wasn’t for nothing.

Allado wasn’t an overnight success; she slowly built her career, by becoming a theater regular. “I’m a West End Wendy,” she says, with a slight accent gained from years of living in the UK. Recognition first came when she starred as Vanessa in Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Tony Award-winning In the Heights. Work soon became entwined with life and Allado happily says she’s looking to buy a home in London. She’s in it for the long haul, with an investment to boot.

While success took its time coming, her story breaks away from the usual portrait of an artist: there were no hungry nights, no sad stories of struggling for art’s sake. What Allado always had is a practical approach to the stage. Despite the cheery songs, the dance numbers, the eye-

catching costumes, and the imaginary story lines, it’s still a business to her that must be approached with the discipline of a professional. “My parents taught me to be practical and to approach each day with the proper work ethic.” She quips, however, that she’s not as perfect as she desires. “A friend once commented how I am the laziest go-getter. I know that’s a paradox, but there are days when I just stay home,” she says. “But when it comes to working and rehearsals, I always put in the hours.” This is why she maintains that success is always more than just luck. As the old adage goes, luck is for those who make it.

Allado’s old promise to her parents to come back eventually happened.

Eight years after she had left, she comes home now accompanied with a part in Hamilton and a busy schedule, as rehearsals are set for September.

“I have been overwhelmed by the support and the love that everyone has shown me,” she says. This trip was supposed to include a vacation to Boracay, but it has transformed into Allado stopping every so often to share her journey to a wanting audience. There is a certain surprise in the way she notes how everyone she’s met is proud of her.

Her story, as of the moment, is how a woman who sings about fairy tales is also living her own fairy tale. Performing at the Royal Albert Hall, at Trafalgar Square, and doing a duet with Andrea Bocelli (one of the most nerve-wracking points of her career, she claims) are achievements Allado didn’t see herself doing when she was seven. “When I first got the part in In The Heights and Broadway World first interviewed me, I literally said that it feels like a fairy tale.”

It’s a bit ironic that despite having music in her bones and the early promise of her talent and the possibilities that came with it, Allado didn’t foresee where singing could take her—and especially not fame. It’s

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Top and skirt, both Finders Keepers, LCP; shoes, Charles & Keith, Greenbelt 5; earrings, BaubleBar, BaubleBar.com.

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STYLING RIA PRIETO MAKEUP OMAR A. ERMITA FOR MAC COSMETICS HAIR JAN EDROSOLAN

Dress, Alice McCall, LCP; earrings, Whisenhunt,

Cura V, Power Plant Mall.

common for artists to claim that they never got into the business because of it, that the pursuit is about being able to do what they love the most, and in Allado’s case, it’s not a disingenuous statement. “When I was younger, I was a Disney baby,” she admits. “I used to sing Part of Your World. It sounds cheesy but that song for me was how it all started. I wanted to be part of this world.”

To the question of what the world looks like from where she’s standing, Allado says, “I don’t know where [I’ll be] going. Obviously [performing at West End] is not going to be forever, but it’s still too early to see where it will go. I won’t stop, though.” The best moments for her, aside from performing? “I get to visit cities because of my work, and that already feels like a vacation. The best place I’ve been to is Formentera, which is the virgin counterpart of Ibiza.” How is Lin-Manuel Miranda in person?

“He’s the nicest and most hardworking person you would meet in theater.”

Has she ever been starstruck? “I met Tom Hiddleston. I didn’t know what to do at first. I took a photo and he started a conversation. I’ve also met

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Benedict Cumberbatch.” It’s definitely not a bad view from where she is.

Allado looks forward to bigger things not just for herself but also for theater worldwide. Hamilton, for example, comes at a crucial time: a time to review history in the light of the alt-right/Neo-Nazi movement and continuing issues of institutionalized discrimination. “Theater practices colorblind casting a little bit more so I hope Hollywood gets to catch up,” she says, adding that she had dealt with getting rejected for certain roles due to the color of her skin.

She’s past those rejections, of course, with so many other things to focus on; she tells people good-bye, “See you in London.” Allado has witnessed how theater can captivate people, and of its importance in the digital world, she says, “Nothing will ever compare to live theater. It was one of the first ways we entertained and kept ourselves occupied, and it will never go away.” It’s a lot like how she describes her life at present: “Being there in the theater and watching something with your own eyes... it’s magical.”

CREATIVE DIRECTION NIMU MUALLAM

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ACCESSORIES

STYLING RIA PRIETO MAKEUP OMAR A. ERMITA FOR MAC COSMETICS HAIR JAN EDROSOLAN

Hermès, Greenbelt 3

Small Wonders Lightweight bags for heavy impact

Chloé, Adora, Greenbelt 5

BVLGARI, Greenbelt 4

Lanvin, 8 Rockwell

CREATIVE DIRECTION NIMU MUALLAM

Bottega Veneta, Greenbelt 4

Gucci, Greenbelt 4

Balenciaga, Greenbelt 5

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Tod’s, Greenbelt 4

Saint Laurent, Rustan’s Makati

Givenchy, Greenbelt 4

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ATTIRED

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Foreign Accents Play with hues and textures in unexpected places PHOTOGRAPHY PATRICK SEGOVIA

Clockwise from top: Top, Satisfy, Univers, One Rockwell; jacket, Paul Smith, Greenbelt 5; necklace, Maison Margiela, Univers, One Rockwell. Top, Paul Smith, Greenbelt 5.

Sunglasses, Orlebar Brown, Linda Farrow boutique, City of Dreams.

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MODEL IGOR GARCIA OF ELITE MANILA STYLING TISHA RAMIREZ GROOMING CATS DEL ROSARIO OF AT EAST

Clockwise from top: Top, Satisfy, Univers, One Rockwell; sunglasses, KRISVANASSCHE, Linda Farrow boutique, City of Dreams; shorts, Calvin Klein, SM Aura Premier. Sneakers, Paul Smith, Greenbelt 5. Button-down, Florentino, Adora, Greenbelt 5; jacket, Calvin Klein, SM Aura Premier.

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EXPLORED

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Ten Things I Loved About Morocco

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And why it should be your next destination WORDS AND PHOTOGRAPHY MANNY DEL ROSARIO

1. The landscape Taking what I thought would be a grueling eighthour bus ride to the Sahara Desert turned out to be a breathtaking experience. Much of Morocco’s landscape is mountainous, with slopes that gradually transition into valleys and plateaus. I’ve never seen anything like it before, so stopping for photos and taking it all in are a must.

2. Souk shopping I surprisingly enjoyed what most people have told me is a pain in the ass. An advertising chum even warned me about the horrors of haggling. He found it “stressful and a den full of scum and villainy.” I don’t agree with him at all because haggling is part of the shopping experience. If agreeing on a price isn’t working out, just leave; the salesperson will come running after you. Just make sure you enter a souk with a proper guide because one wrong turn and before you know it, you’re lost in that labyrinth.

3. Staying in a riad A riad is a traditional Moroccan house or palace with an interior garden of mostly orange trees and with a fountain in the middle. A good number of them have been converted into small and intimate boutique-type hotels with stylish rooms and impeccable service. Resist booking at a touristy hotel chain and go for a riad instead, because finding the perfect place can be a rewarding experience. I stayed at the Palais Riad Lamrani in Marrakech and the Palais Faraj Suites in Fes. 4. Camping in the Sahara Desert A must if you have the time to do so, as it is an experience you won’t soon forget. Temperatures vary from day to night: dry heat during the day

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and freezing cold during the evening. Spend time getting to know the staff, especially when they play music around a raging bonfire. Chances are you’ll barely understand each other, but it’s a trippy experience under the right circumstances.

Also, make sure you get up early to see the sunrise because the colors are breathtaking and all of it is Instagram gold.

5. Riding a camel If memory serves me right, most of my companions weren’t too excited with the idea of a camel ride in the Sahara, but we quickly changed our minds once we laid eyes on those animals. We took a 30minute ride into the desert, had tea in the middle of nowhere, and proceeded to take photos of each other for an hour under the baking sun. And if you haven’t guessed it, this too is Instagram gold.

6. That bright clear blue sky I’ve never seen anything like it.

7. Food While the variety of tagines and kebabs were delicious, one dish stands out from the rest. Book a table at Ruined Garden in Fes and order the Roasted Chicken Volubilis. A hot, sweet and sour dish marinated in whole grain mustard, fish sauce, grape juice, and fresh mint, this Roman recipe dates back to 2500 BC and is served by their

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charming staff without the formality. This dish deserves to be world-famous.

8. Colors It is almost impossible to take a bad photo anywhere in Morocco. I’ll bet even Stevie Wonder could point a camera phone anywhere and take a good photo. The sheer amount of color visually bombards you the moment you step into this sunbathed country. You see it in their art, textiles, spices, pottery, and in the mismatched clothes worn by the women who prefer contrast and gaiety over drab simplicity.

9. Hammam massage This is worth trying if you have no issues being naked in front of a complete stranger. Upmarket hotels and riads offer private hammams to their guests. There are also public hammams scattered throughout the cities, but I recommend using the hotel facilities instead, as they’re probably more sanitary and will save you from the horror of being massaged by a big hairy man.

10. My traveling companions These are the secret ingredients to a good trip.

I was lucky to be with 14 other people who were fun to be with and game for just about anything. That alone helped make this trip worthwhile.

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DEVOURED

Daring Dishes

Can your stomach handle these unusual delicacies?

WORDS TISHA RAMIREZ

Each country has its own rituals and customs,

enjoyed by tourists and natives, is also a reminder

common insects in Thailand. These ants along with

especially when food is involved. Dishes considered

of what the country has endured.

their eggs are used in a variety of Thai dishes such

a delicacy to some cultures might be unusual

to others.

seasoned with salt, sugar, and garlic. Depending

tree leaves making them taste of fresh lime. Because

Fugu, Japan. Fugu or pufferfish is considered a

on the way it is seasoned, it can be eaten as either

of their natural acidity, they can take the place of

delicacy in Japan despite it being poisonous. Its

a savory or sweet treat. The head and body of the

lemon juice or vinegar in some dishes. In Thailand,

intestines, ovaries, and liver contain tetrodotoxin,

spider contains a white meat, while the stomach

vendors sell these ant eggs in banana leaves as an

and one pufferfish has enough of it to kill 30

consists of a brown paste of organs and eggs.

on-the-go snack.

train for two or three years to receive a fugu-

Snake wine, Vietnam. Known as a natural medi-

Termites, Namibia. At the beginning of the

preparing license.

cine, this wine is made by fermenting a cobra in a

The tarantulas are deep fried in oil and

people. Because of the risks involved, chefs must

The fish is usually sliced paper-thin and eaten

bottle of rice or grain liquor. Months of fermenta-

raw, as sashimi. Those who have tried it say that it

tion in the alcohol cancel out the snake’s poison,

tastes a bit like chicken and its texture is gelati-

making the wine safe to drink. To enhance its

nous. If you are ever in Japan and want to try the

flavor, herbs and spices can be infused. When it

dish yourself, make sure to see the chef ’s certificate

comes to its medicinal properties, snake wine can

before you order.

be used to treat health conditions like back pain and rheumatism.

Tarantula, Cambodia. Poverty-stricken Cambodians during Khmer Rouge rule initially

Ant Eggs, Thailand. Weaver ants, known for weav-

stumbled on this crunchy snack. Fried tarantulas,

ing leaves together to build a network of nests, are

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as soups and stir-fry. These insects munch on fruit-

rainy season, when crops have yet to be pro-

duced and supplies are running low, locals of Africa turn to termites as another source of

food. With the use of nets, they are harvested when they take flight during migration.

Before the termites are cooked, they

are washed and their wings are removed. Once added to a pan, they are covered with boiling

water. When the water has evaporated, butter is added and the termites are fried. Once they are slightly roasted, they taste of crunchy peanut butter.

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Provenance Art Gallery, 2F Shangri-La at the Fort, Main entrance 30th Street, corner 5th Avenue

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Solar Energy

SHIELD YOUR SKIN FROM THE SUN EVEN WITHOUT THE SHADE

Kiehl’s Facial Fuel Sunscreen This multitasking sunscreen offers SPF 15 protection from skin-damaging UV rays while moisturizing your skin. With ingredients like vitamin C and E, chestnut extract, and soy, this sunscreen helps the skin resist effects of environmental stress. It’s also a facial recovery accelerator, making the skin feel refueled, reenergized, and revitalized.

Kiehl’s, Greenbelt 5

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Perricone MD Photo Plasma Using this weightless moisturizer is a good way to protect your skin from UV rays if you are someone who often forgets to put on sunscreen. It’s an oil-free moisturizer that creates a barrier against pollution, extreme weather, and chemical irritations. It also has SPF 30, which protects the skin from UVA and UVB damage.

Perricone MD, Rustan’s Makati

SUNLEŸA G.E. Soin solaire global anti-age This anti-aging suncare product offers SPF 30. It also prevents wrinkles, sun spots, dehydration, and sagging skin.

After four weeks’ use, you can expect diminished fine lines and skin that feels smoother, firmer, and younger-looking.

Sisley, Rustan’s Makati

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Retail Specialized, Art Democratized

Provenance Art Gallery, 2F Shangri-La at the Fort, Main entrance 30th Street, corner 5th Avenue

Raul Francisco of Provenance Art Gallery

Raul Francisco takes a different route in expanding business In Raul Francisco’s case, the adage “Once bitten, twice shy,” doesn’t quite apply. At the age of 40, he candidly confesses to “losing everything” after his first retail venture Central Maquillage was forced to close down, a casualty of the 1997 Asian currency crisis.

“I had to rebuild everything all over again,” he recalls. “It was a horrifying journey as I’d felt so burnt out by retail.”

His entrepreneurial spirit took hold once more, though, and together with his wife Joanna Preysler, he ventured into retail once again, opening Carbon in 2001. “That took off. It was in Greenbelt, which was being repositioned at the time. Then we rolled out another concept, which we called Tint. We never really wanted to roll out a lot of stores, maybe because I was being cautious.

“My idea was to stay small and tight. With the influx of overseas brands in the market, I felt that if you don’t do something different, you’ll get swallowed up by the tsunami of foreign brands; you just have to look at the local retail scene now to know what I mean. And the foreign brands still continue to come in, so the landscape has

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completely changed. If you don’t have the muscle, like Bench or Penshoppe, who are going regional now…people who couldn’t adapt or adopt new business models pretty much got hurt.”

The same fate might have awaited Carbon and Tint had they failed to adjust to the new market realities. “We had to think differently.

We did the Joanna Preysler boutique then opened Eterno. We said, let’s go upmarket and change our business model.”

Indeed, he poses an important question: “How do you out-H&M H&M? How do you out-Zara Zara? You can’t. So the idea was to go upmarket and target a small niche. That was strategically planned: to build relationships with this small niche of people who could actually afford to buy P150,000 bags. That’s a very select market. From there, we sort of migrated those customers back to Carbon. [First] they trust you with their bags, now it’s on to clothes, and now to art, with Provenance Gallery.

“You have to look at and connect the dots differently. Instead of the shotgun effect, so to

speak, we did target shooting. We’re like Davids in a sea of Goliaths. It’s a challenge, but it’s fun.”

Francisco and Preysler took the same maverick approach to selling art. It’s a bit of a spanner into the retail mix, with Provenance Gallery opening 18 months ago. He admits that, strictly speaking, they are neither gallerists nor dealers, although the couple has been collecting art for years.

“The plan with the gallery was to create a platform for Filipino contemporary art on a global scale. Being in a mall within a luxury hotel, you have Filipinos, you have tourists, you have all the expats in the area…you get a lot of foot traffic here. We’re not an underground incubator type of gallery that’s like this secret destination. In fact, a lot of people frown upon promenade galleries like ours, being a gallery in the mall. But I think that if you talk to the artists, [you’ll find out] they want to be viewed by a wider audience, not just a select few. If you look at it more democratically, we’re bringing art to the people.

“It’s not about the [sale]; it’s about being able to show and being appreciated, from students all the way to serious collectors. I guess even when it comes to art, we’re trying to change the game.”

23/03/2017 8:22 PM

Indiana series by Minotti

ACQUIRED

Lounge Act Have the best seats in your own house

When designing a space, consider how the mood flows from one room to another, from indoors to outdoors. With designs by Rodolfo Dordoni, Minotti’s artistic director, putting together a living space no matter your aesthetic preference becomes easier, as Minotti has chairs that are ideal for small spaces and sofas that can act as centerpieces of living rooms. With the way the collections are designed, putting disparate items together can still create a seamless look and flow in any space.

Freeman Seating System The Freeman Duvet is the epitome of softness, as its seat cushions have a core insert made of polyurethane that is wrapped in memory foam padding and then finally covered with a layer of soft down. If you plan to use the Duvet for reading and relaxing, a headrest and lumbar cushions can be put in place for more support.

Made for more intimate gatherings and moments of relaxation, the Tailor offers a more dynamic way to decorate a space. These are one-piece seats with topstitching that give a more graphic feel. Unlike the Duvet, the seats are outfitted with wing backrests and armrests covered with polyurethane foam. Not only do these wings add support but they also give the Tailor a visual lightness, complementing the other elements of the Freeman Seating System.

Creed Collection The Large armchair has a curved backrest but with bigger proportions. The front of this chair sits

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on fixed legs made of solid Sucupira wood stained with a Mink-colored finish. What makes this seat different is that the back rests on a curved metal support with a glossy, light bronze-painted finish.

Another option for lounge areas is the Lounge little armchair. It has slender turned legs that come in two finishes: solid Sucupira wood stained with a Mink finish or solid ash with open-pore mokalacquered finish.The height of this chair was designed specifically to match Minotti’s lounge tables.

Minotti Outdoor Collection Ideal for a patio setting, the Indiana series emphasizes the quality of solid iroko, a warm and versatile wood that can be sculpted to reveal different shapes. The series consists of different pieces from sofas to ottomans, all with intricate, handcrafted dovetail joints and finishing details that are available in both natural iroko and a dark brown-stained finish. The pieces in this series are raised off the floor through aluminum caps inserted into the wooden base. Backrests and armrests, which are available in Bamboo, Stone, and Moka colors, are covered with macro woven polypropylene webbing.

Creed Lounge Little Armchair

Creed Large Armchair

Minotti, GF Unit 106 and 107 Fort Victoria, 5th Avenue corner 23rd Street, Taguig.

WORDS TISHA RAMIREZ

Freeman Seating System, Duvet, and Tailor

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Minotti, GF Unit 106 and 107 Fort Victoria, 5th Avenue corner 23rd Street, Taguig.

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Art for Art’s Sake

Calls for Hong Kong to get more creative WORDS AARON TAM PHOTOGRAPHY ANTHONY WALLACE AND PHILIPPE LOPEZ/AFP

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Hong Kong saw a creative surge when Art Basel came to town, but there was a push for a more permanent change to the visual landscape of the city better known for its business hustle than its art scene. Asia’s largest art fair unveiled its first preview on March 21 and boosted Hong Kong’s artistic credentials since it first launched in the city four years ago.

A vibrant, wide-ranging “art week” of free exhibits and events has grown up around the fair. But for the rest of the year, some feel the city puts too much emphasis on selling, rather than viewing, with the focus on commercial galleries rather than publicly accessible shows. Hong Kong currently lacks a world class art museum, and marquee exhibitions rarely make a stop in the southern Chinese city.

“Everything is about the (commercial) gallerieseverything is about it being expensive and if you can afford it,” said Nadia Cuvelier, 22, who works in event production and grew up in Hong Kong.

“There’s a couple of walls and a few murals, but it’s so contained.”

Freelance photographer Jaffa Ho, in his 50s, agrees. “Seeing more art would be better-Hong Kong would have more culture and innovation, more joy and an atmosphere of creativity,” he said.

sculptor Anotony Gormley’s internationally renowned “Event Horizon,” a touring outdoor exhibition of shadowy, life-size male figures, which

Red Tape The highest profile public art show to come to Hong Kong in recent years was British

were scattered around the city, some perched on its towering rooftops. It was a landmark show and a big hit with the public, but organizers

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say Hong Kong needs to reduce the red tape.

While it does have a specific arts body, the Hong Kong Arts Development Council (HKADC), observers say a more efficient approach to holding public exhibitions is needed.It took six monthstoreceive approval for the Gormley show and one statue required multiple applications to several government departments, Hong Kong-based coordinator Levina Li-Cadman told AFP. She likened the procedure to applying for a full building extension. Cities like London and New York have their own public art departments to streamline the process, she added.

Hong Kong art commentators say authorities are too cautious, for both political and practical reasons. With concern growing in the semi-autonomous city that Beijing is tightening its grip, artists installed a digital light display running down Hong Kong’s tallest building in 2016.

It counted down the seconds to 2047-the year the handover agreement between Britain and China guaranteeing the city’s freedoms comes to an end.

That installation was removed by the HKADC, which said it “demonstrated disrespect.” The display coincided with a highly charged three-day trip to Hong Kong by top Chinese official Zhang Dejiang.

Authorities are also hesitant about the

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A visitor peers into US artist John Baldessari’s “Beethoven’s trumpet (With Ear) Opus #133.” Below: Hong Kong Art Basel feature by Liz Thomas is Cocktails inspired by the works of Andy Warhol.

Opposite page: A man looks inside the section of

Chinese artist Zhu Jinshi’s “Boat” art installation at The Rotunda in Hong Kong.

physical challenges of installing art in the densely packed city, says art pundit John Batten. “The approach to public art is sort of like: okay it has to be safe, second it can’t get in the way,” he said.

Batten hopes the city’s new contemporary art gallery M+, which is due to open in 2019 but has been mired in delays and controversy, will be a significant public art offering. But, he says, Hong Kong also needs to change on a deeper level, including embracing more spontaneous street art and even decorative storefronts to improve the visual palette.

veloper Swire. A large-scale installation by German multimedia artist Julius Popp, in which a curtain of water droplets forms different words, was also shown at Swire’s Pacific Place mall as it says it wants to help incorporate art into everyday life.

The Hadid exhibition was brought to Hong Kong by London’s Serpentine Galleries, whose chief executive Yana Peel

says collaboration between public and private sectors is key to improve the “political and physical” space for art and idea to thrive. “It’s about partnerships-not just private, not just public-making sure that every actor in this production really champions the kind of environment which values creative and artistic endeavor,” she said.

Artistic Endeavour Sky-high real estate costs can make it hard to find space for publicly accessible art and some private sector companies are now stepping into the breach, keen to burnish their own creative credentials. One of the top shows that came to Hong Kong during Art Basel was a collection of early paintings and drawings by the late Iraqi-born British architect Zaha Hadid housed at ArtisTree-a huge space for visual and performing arts, which is part of a commercial complex owned by property de-

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EMPOWERED

Brewing Up a Storm

Ian Paradies intends to make beer culture fresh again WORDS OLIVIA SYLVIA ESTRADA PHOTOGRAPHY PATRICK SEGOVIA

Ian Paradies is brewing more than just beer; he’s set to help develop keg culture in the Philippines. Even with the bottled and canned versions we have, he believes that beer is meant to be enjoyed fresh from the tap in order to capture the genuine body of the beer. Keg and brewery culture is found in many bars and restaurants abroad, so why haven’t we caught on yet?

This question is how Paradies mustered the courage to start his own company, Napa Gapa Beverages Corp., operating under the brand Engkanto Brewery. Craft culture may be fledging here, but for him, it’s not enough. Think of a bar adorned with taps all around, which you can get a fresh pint of beer, from bubbling to the brim—this is what he envisions to be an everyday luxury.

What is beer to you?

It’s something to be enjoyed. It’s casual and meant to relax you, something you can enjoy at any occasion: in a party, at the beach, after a long day’s work. It’s something that doesn’t make you feel bad after [drinking]. You can find options that suit your palate without breaking bank.

How is beer culture here?

I would say it’s very strong. As the country continues to grow, as people earn more, there is a tendency to move away from locally distilled spirits. It’s strong, with how people see wine or beer as casual drinks that can be imbibed daily. I feel that’s where the market is heading. People are more likely to buy beer or wine at a restaurant, plus we have much more options now.

What’s one big setback going into this venture?

Psychologically, beer is ingrained into the Filipino mind to be only [one brand]. They don’t even have to look at the menu to know that it’s there. That company has done a great job, they have products that cater to different markets, but we want to change that.

We’re not competing with craft beers. Rather, we’re creating a different segment in the craft culture and a different option for enjoying beer. Price points may vary, types may vary, but craft is one big segment that’s trying to change what beer is to what beer should be.

What sets Engkanto Brewery apart from others?

We will be selling only draft beer for the time being. We won’t be bottling yet because we want to develop the brand first before anything else. We want to build up the draft cul-

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Engkanto Brewery: 952-1164, Facebook.com/engkantobrewery, @engkantobrewery on Instagram.

Brewmaster Josh Karten

Aside from their four drafts, Ian Paradies is planning to offer seasonal beers like a chocolate stout and light dalandan beer.

and I wanted to produce something of high quality, unlike big companies. I wanted craft beer but one that is affordable.

With big beer companies, for a time, they were the only ones available.

Craft beer stepped in but because of production limitations and ause of higher quality raw materials, it had to be sold at a steeper price. We want to capture the audience in between, because certain price points capture certain markets.

We want to reach a much bigger market.

ture. If you have the options to drink beer bottled, canned, or draft, it’s always best to go with draft because it’s fresh: no pasteurization, non-filtered. You get it straight from the tank to the keg, so you get more flavor. Many bottled beer has to be filtered or pasteurized first [so that it’ll have a longer] shelf life.

We have have five variants to start with. The lager is our lightest beer while the rest are ales: blond, pale, IPA, and a double IPA. IPA is short for India pale ale. The name came about when Britain colonized India and would use beer for trading or for the crew to consume during journeys. Whenever they shipped ale from the UK to India, the beers would lose almost all its flavor [during the trip] so what they did was use a lot more hops. By the time the beer got to India, it still had flavor.

What got you into this business?

When I was a teenager, I used to joke that one day I would open a brewery or a distillery. I love the social aspect of drinking, and I love beer.

I was with the family business for nine years. During this period, I was assigned to Jakarta, Indonesia with my family. Upon coming back, I decided to put up my own business. I felt there was a big opportunity to open a brewery,

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What are your days like now?

Busy and jumping around. We have a partner for this, an American brewery that’s focused on the technical side. At the moment, I’m more focused on the marketing and the branding, and my wife is helping me with the branding and the launch. The great thing is I get to work with family and friends in terms of services we are outsourcing. It’s a great experience because we know each other and we’re on the same boat when it comes to how things should be done.

What’s the story behind the brewery’s name?

It’s something that the local culture can relate to. We went for the Filipino spelling of engkanto rather than the Spanish one because we wanted something related to local mysticism and folklore, and how they transformed over time. Older generations were accustomed to [telling and re-telling myths and legends]; nowadays, we don’t know them so much.

It’s the same with what we’re doing with beer: taking Filipinos back to what it was and showing them what it should be, with higher quality and different variations but still catering to every kind of market. How can we introduce change to a person who’s been drinking beer for 40 years without overwhelming him?

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FINANCE

Fight or Flight?

The invaluable allure of experiences in the age of decreasing materialism WORDS BAMBINA OLIVARES WISE ART NIMU MUALLAM

There is a new trend in consumption these days. From the ultra-rich to the millennials, people are spending more on experiences and less on stuff. As a CNBC Report noted, “The spending of the super-rich is no longer just about stuff and status. It’s more about memories and moments... and lots of home renovations.”

“Millennials think money is made for memories,” said another CNBC report. “Millennials are prioritizing their cars and homes less and less, and assigning greater importance to personal experiences—and showing off pictures of them. It’s a trend that’ s ultimately helping fuel growth of billiondollar-plus start-ups like Uber, WeWork, and Airbnb.”

It could be said that experiences nourish the soul in a more deeply satisfying way, whereas the joys of a new pair of shoes or a new outfit may be fleeting and ultimately superficial. You may indeed feel “fight” in your brand new Aquazzuras, but they’ll be of little use to you from your luxury tent in Ngororo Crater as you gaze at the wildebeest through your high-powered binoculars, watching them cross the Mara River on their annual migration towards the Serengeti. But that wonder, that elation, that spiritual high that engulfs you as you survey the splendor of Mother Nature in front of you? As MasterCard would say, “Priceless.”

Perhaps. But even when it comes to experiences, there are ways of asserting status. After all, for those who are as discerning about the labels they wear as the places they go to, even travel, gastronomic, or even cultural, experiences

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can be curated to ensure a level of exclusivity. Like going to Art Basel, but on Collectors’ Night. Or having Joan Roca cook for you and your friends at a special Chef ’s Table event. Or renting the entire Blue Train so that you and your group can make the journey to Cape Town in style and in complete privacy.

Of course it could also be argued that there is a tinge of superficiality in the curation of experiences, because there is a deliberateness at play in this manner of collecting moments and memories; they could also be seen as “servicing a lifestyle.” It’s just that the benefits-apart from bragging rightsare largely intangible, and there is no real metric for measurement. At least, not in the way, say, a Valentino dress stacks up against the high street rip-off.

And yet…stuff like fast fashion can be convenient and ubiquitous, and ultimately throwaway in quality, but experiences don’t actually have to be expensive to have any value. Sure, you may be a little worse for wear going the package tour route, and in cattle class at that, but once you get to your destination, there is still magic to discover by climbing a mountain, sampling the local cuisine, and marveling at the art in museums. And those are pleasurable activities that don’t necessarily have to cost the same price as a bespoke trip.

And anyway, there’s always Instagram to filter in the fabulousness and make your experiences seem even more fulfilling-and envy-inducing-to others. Because what is the point of experiences if you can’t document them?

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