Soul BGC: 2015 December

Y O U R G U I D E T O T H E H O M E O F P A S S I O N AT E M I N D S

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DECEMBER

2015

AGE OF ENLIGHTENMENT By pressing people to come to terms with the gay Filipino identity, publishing polymath Paolo Lorenzana leads this generation towards a more openminded and accepting era GOING EVERYWHERE The blueprint for the perfect holiday situation according to three Bonifacio Global City denizens

ORIGINAL EXPERIENCE An industrial gastronome space is incubating an indulgent-meetsorganic concept to cater to palates

ARTISTIC MERIT Why the Philippines is becoming an important market for high-end European furniture brands

HERBALIFE

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BUZZ

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SANTA’S COMING TO TOWN

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Bonifacio Global City warmly welcomes the most anticipated time of the year Despite the drizzly weather, lampposts wrapped in twinkling Christmas lights and a fully decorated stage warmly welcomed BGC Holiday on Nov. 25. The launch signifies the opening of a series of events, namely BGC Impromptu, BGC Artmart, and Passionfest, that Bonifacio Global City will be holding this season.

After remarks from the BGC management, the crowd was serenaded by world-class choirs in festive colors of red and

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yellow. A fun surprise created a jolly atmosphere as the red curtain revealed Santa Claus, who later on gave away Santa hats stuffed with colorful Christmas cookies and three golden stars. The giveaway served as a free ticket to Santa’s main attractions including Santa’s Mail Station, Santa’s Meet and Greet, and the Christmas Carriage Rides. A night that put the holiday spirit into full-swing, exciting the crowd for more treats and merriment to expect this coming Christmas season.

CHRISTMAS COMES EARLY IN BONIFACIO GLOBAL CITY

GET A MOVE ON The city bus system adds a new feature that conveniently fits in your schedule Moving a little closer to a smoother and more efficient commute, the BGC Bus System adopts a practical feature to save precious time and make the journey enjoyable. In partnership with Globe Telecom, the Bus Information System now consists of information decks, similar to what you can find in airports, to provide near realtime information of bus arrivals in the main terminal and 01 02

bus stops. The main terminal screens displays the status of up to four buses per route while the bus stops specify the two closest buses per route. This upgraded feature offers residents and commuters ample intervals to manage their schedule and ensure no time is wasted. Soon, the Bus Information System will be rolled out into smartphones for people to identify available buses per station—a welcome new addition in a city with an ultimate transport plan.

INFORMATION DECK AT THE MAIN TERMINAL BUS STOP DISPLAY

HOLIDAY WATCH

A Christmas Symphony at Bonifacio High Street happening on Dec. 19 at the Amphitheater. The show will feature The Manila Symphony Orchestra and the Ateneo Choir conducted by Ryan Cayabyab.

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EXPECT A NIGHT OF GOOD MUSIC AND EXTRAORDINARY PERFORMANCES

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CONTENTS

BUZZ

Ramping up the holidays with transport systems and festive events

NATURE’S BEST

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This restaurant is going au naturale with its own take on organic food

CHR

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An e good does

Illustration by Valerie Ong

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EDITORIAL STAFF GROUP PUBLISHER BEA J. LEDESMA CREATIVE DIRECTOR NIMU MUALLAM MANAGING EDITOR ERIC NICOLE SALTA GRAPHIC ARTIST MONA YEENA TAN EDITORIAL ASSISTANT LOREN DIMAANO STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER PATRICK SEGOVIA

GROUP HR HEAD RAYMUND SOBERANO VP / CHIEF STRATEGY OFFICER IMELDA ALCANTARA SVP AND GROUP SALES HEAD (INQUIRER GROUP OF COMPANIES) FELIPE OLARTE AVP FOR SALES MA. KATRINA MAE GARCIA-DALUSONG SALES KEY ACCOUNTS SPECIALIST ANGELITA TAN-IBAÑEZ SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES ALETHEIA ORDIALES, ABBY GINAGA ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES ANDIE ZUÑIGA, SARAH CABALATUNGAN, CHARM BANZUELO, LIZA JISON SALES SUPPORT ASSISTANTS RECHELLE ENDOZO, KAREN ALIASAS BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS MAAN D'ASIS PAMARAN, ROMEO MORAN, THOMAS NEIL WAGAN, JAY DOMINGO, MIKA REYES

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER MOBY ARAGONES BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATE KYLA ARCE SOCIAL MEDIA ASSOCIATE JEANNE PINEDA

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS GABBY CANTERO, SAM LIM, RONAN CAPILI

MARKETING

EXECUTIVE BOARD CHAIRPERSON ALEXANDRA PRIETO-ROMUALDEZ IGC CHIEF INVESTMENT OFFICER J. FERDINAND DE LUZURIAGA IGC DEPUTY CHIEF FINANCE OFFICER ATTY. RUDYARD ARBOLADO

MARKETING ASSOCIATES ERLE VIRGILIA MAMAWAL, JANNELLE TURIJA MARKETING GRAPHIC ARTIST LEE CACES, JR LAROSA DISTRIBUTION

CIRCULATION SUPERVISOR FOR FREEZINES VINCE OLIQUIANO DISTRIBUTION SPECIALIST INOUE AURELIO SUBSCRIPTION SPECIALIST JOAN MATIENZO DISTRIBUTION ASSISTANTS NANCY BAYBAY, ANGELA CARLOS-QUIAMBAO SUBSCRIPTION ASSISTANT MAY ANN DAYANG MERCHANDISERS ROSITO SUBANG, JR., RONIL ANO-OS, RAMON BRIONES CUSTOM PUBLISHING SALES SUPERVISOR POLO DAGDAG ASSOCIATE MANAGING EDITORS PHOEBE CASIN, ANGELA VELASCO EDITORIAL ASSISTANTS PAULINE MIRANDA, PAMELA JEAN CARLOTA, TJ BILLONES, CHRISTELLE TOLISORA, RICA ERLANO SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE SHANNA MALING ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES GENE PEREZ, INA MATEO GRAPHIC ARTISTS ROI DE CASTRO, TEJ TAN, YAYIE MOTOS, JAYCE SORIANO, JANINE ALCANTARA PRODUCTION PRODUCTION MANAGER NOEL CABIE PRODUCTION ASSISTANT MARICEL GAVINO FINAL ART SUPERVISOR DENNIS CRUZ FINAL ART ASSISTANT KRISTINE MAY PAZ

REVOLUTION FROM WITHIN Diversity is something that this city prides itself on. No matter the age, race, gender or species (I’m looking at all the cuddly pets casually strolling down the streets) you’d be hard-pressed to find someone not representing a certain community. Representation is one thing, however, going beyond that and proffering a voice is a whole different thing. And frankly, that’s why the likes of Paolo Lorenzana who lives and works here is a good thing not just for BGC but for the Philippines too. His work with Team, a quarterly journal tackling gay issues and portraying the community not unlike ones you’d find in mainstream titles, pushes the discussion to a larger audience. The range of progressive communities thriving in this enthusiastic city might be the spark to create more dynamic ecosystems, moving from tolerance to acceptance. Inside the Team headquarters, I marvel at how such a modest space, at times humming with heads that self-initiate large-scale and forward-thinking ideas, is a result of past experiential heft. How fascinating it is to look at the scale of what one voice can make to an entire community.

BUSINESS AND DISTRIBUTION MANAGER RINA LAREZA

ERIC NICOLE SALTA MANAGING EDITOR

REFINED REVELATION

RISTMAS AISLE

edible Christmas die basket that sn’t involve fruits

Team's Paolo Lorenzana opens up about being gay in this day and age

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CITY CHIC

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CALENDAR A. SIMBANG GABI BHS Park December 15-24, 6-7PM B. A CHRISTMAS SYMPHONY BHS Central Amphitheater December 19, 7PM C. CHALK THE WALK BHS Park December 19-20, 4-6PM Mind Museum Activities D. LET THE STARS TALK TO YOU Space Shell, Universe Gallery December 6, 13, 20, and 27, 5-6PM

E. MAKERSPACE MEET-UP December 13 and 30, 10AM-5PM F. MINDMOVING STUDIOS: FROZEN SCIENCE Demonstrations on ice, snow and other cool things Thursdays-Sundays, 2-4PM G. A CLOSE ENCOUNTER WITH WILDLIFE Life Gallery December 6, 13, 20, and 27, 10:3011:30AM

Pair comfort and practicality for a contemporary ensemble

GOT SOMETHING ON YOUR MIND? Let us know your thoughts and e-mail us at info@bgc.com.ph We would love to hear from you!

WANT YOUR EVENT TO BE INCLUDED IN THE BGC CALENDAR? Simply e-mail soulbgc@hip.ph at least a month in advance with details of the event, location, and date, and we'll include it in the upcoming issues! bonifacioglobalcityph

GET WIRED!

@bonifacioglobalcity

HAPPENINGS

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The annual Passionfest rekindles Filipino tradition in the city

For security, medical, & safety emergencies like stuck in elevator, fire, car/motor accidents, health collapse, injury, etc.

0917844-HELP The Bonifacio Estate Services Corporation (BESC) welcomes feedback from the BGC community. You may call BESC through: TRUNK LINE + (632) 816-2372 COMMUNICATION CENTER 24/7 EXT. 2222 (63) 917-816-BESC LOBBY RECEPTION 24/7 EXT. 2000 LIFELINE EMERGENCY AMBULANCE (63) 935-119-4041

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2/F Bonifacio Technology Center 31st Street cor. 2nd Avenue Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City

THE FORCE OF FURNITURE

A finer appreciation for design is landscaping the metropolis into an aesthetically pleasing development, but how does this phenomenon translate to personal spaces?

WRITER LOREN DIMAANO PHOTOGRAPHER GABBY CANTERO

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01 DRIADE COSTES CHAIR, SANTA & COLE DIANA FLOOR LAMP, MOROSO DEW POUF, MOROSO SHITAKE STOOLS, MOROSO HEXXED SIDE TABLES, AND MOROSO SHADOWY CHAIR 02 DRIADE NEMO CHAIR, FORMER NELSON BOOKCASE, DRIADE TENOCHTITLAN CANDLE HOLDER, AND DRIADE ROOT VASES 03 LORENZO TURCHI 04 MICHAEL CACNIO SCULPTURE 05 MOROSO GENTRY SOFA, MOROSO TAKE A LINE FOR A WALK ARMCHAIR, AND MOROSO ALESSANDRA ARMCHAIR

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On the corner of 39th and 10th Streets, passersby turn their heads towards well-curated designs filling the storefront of Casa Bella Home and Living.

Just opened in August, the second multi-brand furniture store in Manila houses high-end Italian and Spanish designer furniture—like illustrious brands Moroso, Kettal, and Santa & Cole—that mixes the right balance between design and durability. But because of the growing number of European furniture brands finding themselves in local shores, Casa Bella, which started six years ago, has had to constantly innovate for a market that is discovering its identity.

“We really study and research in finding the most exclusive brands that can give something that isn’t in the market,” says sales manager Lorenzo Turchi, who cites Henge as a classic example. “It’s one of the few remaining Italian companies that has a 100 percent handmade production. They use only the rarest materials from brass to cappuccino marble.”

Owner Joseph Tay adds that in design, balance must exist.

“Design is very emotional at both the brand and designer levels. The process is a fusion of emotional creativity and careful calculation of dimensions, shapes, and materials that achieve high functionality.”

However, it isn’t only introducing pioneering brands that Casa Bella is focused on.

Turchi also underscores the impact of design from a macro scale down to a micro standpoint, and even to achieving a form

of happiness. “Furniture, home design, and real estate drive the economy. Because the economy grows, people have more money, and they invest in homes. The home is really what you work for and the place where you want to raise your children so it’s important to have that kind of environment,” he says.

Despite being only in the country for six months, Turchi has observed though that some people “are not brave enough, preferring to stay with safe colors... Architecture is pioneering and upgrading a lot so design just as well should, too.”

“It is in the dynamic process of trusting oneself and being open to advancing one’s design education that one can be a wise furniture buyer,” says Tay. Understanding home design is not just a matter of rearranging furniture but it also extends to permanence. Inheriting a home or furniture is a practice that is no stranger to the national culture.

But purchasing an item that stands the test of time, Turchi says, must carry a personal context. “In every brand there are some pieces that even if it gets old, you’ll never get tired of it. Buy something that you know will never get old for you, something that’s important to you.”

CASA BELLA HOME AND LIVING IS LOCATED AT G/F MDI CORPORATE CENTER, 10TH AVENUE CORNER 39TH STREET, BONIFACIO GLOBAL CITY, TAGUIG CITY | 994-8254

DESIGN

HERBALIFE

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THIS PAGE 01 THE RESTAURANT'S OPEN KITCHEN 02 FAUX GRAS CHICKEN LIVER PATE 03 ADAÄM & YVES OWNER SEAN GO

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NEXT PAGE 01 CORNELIUS VANDERBEEF AND PINK FLOYD 02 A STATIONARY SWING CHAIR ADORNS EACH BOOTH 03 BROOKLYN BOROUGH AND TUNA TURNER

BACK TO CREATION

Who says you can’t indulge in comfort food without committing a sin?

WRITER ROMEO MORAN PHOTOGRAPHER SAM LIM

When the rising crop of new restaurant concepts all point one way, how do you stand out and add a new edge to the game?

Sean Go, the 25-year-old former fashion stylist and firsttime restaurateur behind Adaäm

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& Yves, has figured out how to enter the steadily expanding comfort food arena without being just another run-of-themill contender: go organic and healthy. It’s a little amusing, as the industrial-inspired restaurant shares a home with another comfort food place and even

takes a parallel approach to the items on their menu. The dishtinguishable difference is that Go’s food is sustainable, local farmers benefit, the batter is all natural, and the array of meat is chemical-free.

It’s a simple tweak to the formula, albeit not without its

ADAÄM & YVES IS LOCATED AT G/F ICON PLAZA, 25TH STREET CORNER 5TH AVENUE, BONIFACIO GLOBAL CITY, TAGUIG CITY | 801-6084

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risks and corresponding rewards; on paper, the ideas of “comfort food” and “healthy eating” don’t exactly seem to jive together.

After trying it once, however, it’s easy to see that this plan’s got legs.

“It’s a burgeoning market here in Manila, and we feel like we want to be part of that team or the pioneering group of restaurants that would offer it here,” says Go on the decision to go green. “The people in general in Bonifacio Global City are open-minded [especially when] trying out new places, so that was one of our bigger reasons [for setting up here.] I would want them to come in and have zero expectations and then be pleasantly surprised, even amazed at how they would love organic food, how they would love the dishes they’ve never tried before.”

You will know what he’s talking about when you actually try the food. The approach really is the same as similar restaurants—other places would have things like huge servings of steak, corned beef, and other meat dishes. Adaäm & Yves subverts your expectations by substituting it with either different (like the Road Runner, an ostrich steak which tastes like a regular steak, but leaner) or better options (such as the Cornelius Vanderbeef, corned beef made out of local wagyu).

“If you say organic or healthy

food, your first assumption would be it doesn’t taste as good,” says Go. “So making our menu and filling it up with comfort food or breakfast food, it would actually draw attention and people in.”

Does the experiment work? It seems to be a matter of taste, but it’s safe to say that Adaäm & Yves largely pulls it off. Pink Floyd, the cheekily named red rice arroz caldo is just as good as the typical yellow you’d usually have. Tuna Turner, their tuna loin appetizer with zesty lemon, is a great reintroduction to a staple fish favorite while the aforementioned wagyu corned beef is an absolute treat for meat lovers.

On the other hand, it could get a little disconcerting sometimes.

For example, their Brooklyn Borough dish is an organic take on chicken and waffles featuring roast free-range chicken and buckwheat waffles that go with a muscovado syrup; the waffles are good, but it just feels weird not to eat fried chicken with them.

It’s a noble attempt that should still be tried, though. It’s a delectable experience that nobody is excluded from; Adaäm & Yves has made sure that the nature of the food they use don’t carry the usual connotations. “We don’t want to be elitist about it,” assures Go. “Just because we’re organic, it doesn’t have to be too expensive.”

Just the way nature intended it to be.

AVIDA

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What trends are you seeing right now?

What’s happening at the moment is very much the single origin. The slightly 01 lighter roasts, the acidity levels are being pushed onto people.

Exposing people to single origins is very good; that’s 03 In time for the holidays, a global coffee brand is looking hoping everybody understands the complexities of coffee to change your festive drinking habits—no tongue flavors from different countries. insurance required The new brew methods are also fantastic. It’s showing WRITER AND PHOTOGRAPHER ERIC NICOLE SALTA people that you don’t have to PHOTOS 01 AND 04 COURTESY OF COSTA COFFEE spend thousands on espresso machinery; you can filter, drip, pour over, you can AeroPress You could say Is Manila a viable market for coffee at a much lower cost. master of coffee Costa Coffee?

And also the whole cold Gennaro Pelliccia Without a doubt. You’re not brewing movement. The last has expensive taste. a typical tea-drinking nation one I tried is a nitrogenated In 2009, Pelliccia insured his as there are in many parts 04 cold brew in Singapore, which tongue at Lloyd’s of London of Asia. That already is a big is absolutely phenomenal; the amounts more frequently. Don’t for a whopping GBP10 million giveaway because you already method gives a new dimension be afraid to experiment or make in an effort to uphold the have the palate for it. Because mistakes. Start with more coffee closely guarded recipe of Costa of the drinking culture and the of mouth feel. when you’re brewing rather than Coffee’s blends as well as retain third-wave movement coming What are some things people less coffee. More coffee with less its relaxed, well-serviced, and in, you’re becoming a lot more do wrong with their coffee water as opposed to the other interactive character in any discerning. Like the rest of the that they don’t realize? way around because if you use international setting. At an world, you understand the real Not buying the right or fresh less coffee and more water, you exclusive coffee masterclass spectrum of coffee. coffee beans. If you think over extract [which draws out at Costa Coffee’s Bonifacio that you can buy a large pack bitter notes].

Global City branch, Pelliccia Do you believe that the of coffee and leave it in your discussed the differences of beans drinking experience goes cupboard for a long time, you’ve 01 GENNARO PELLICCIA grown from Colombia, Kenya, beyond the drink itself?

02 PELLICCIA SAYS THAT THE BEST and Indonesia, demonstrated I’ve learned more than ever before made the first mistake. Find a WAY TO STORE COFFEE IS IN AN local supplier that actually sells cupping, a tasting method to coming here to Southeast Asia AIRTIGHT CONTAINER AND PUT IT IN THE REFRIGERATOR OR FREEZER establish good coffee from bad that it’s very important. You love an origin you enjoy. Coffees 03 COSTA COFFEE BGC coffee, and facilitated the entire your social media. So being in the from various parts of the world 04 THREE TYPES OF ARABICA COFFEE BEANS WERE USED DURING THE have different flavors. Source process to developing more right environment is critical to MASTERCLASS - COLUMBIAN, KENYAN, your coffee and buy small refined tastes. the actual coffee experience.

AND INDONESIAN

RAISE A CUP

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COSTA COFFEE IS LOCATED AT G/F, ONE WORLD PLACE, 32ND STREET, BONIFACIO GLOBAL CITY, TAGUIG CITY | 351-6618

CULTURE

SUNLIFE

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COLUMNS

FULL OF CHEER In praise of the thrills the holidays bring, these BGC workers ring in the coming season with musings on all things wistful and wonderful ILLUSTRATOR ELYOO DELA CRUZ

“Holidays are best spent with family. For me, it was the perfect time to bond with my grandmother. When I was a kid, I would usually stay at her house during school break and help her prepare her best Filipino dishes.

Morcon, caldereta, paella, and ube were staples.

I’d even help her harvest ube at the backyard and grind it afterwards. Being her lone grandchild at the time, on Christmas Eve, I would play as her little elf, helping prepare the vast collection of utensils for next day’s feast.

Though things have changed and even if my grandmother can no longer cook because of old age, these memories give me a warm, fuzzy feeling. That’s why every time I go home for the holidays, I ask my parents to relax while I prepare, the best way I could, grandma’s dishes for our family.”

THOMAS NEIL WAGAN EXTERNAL RELATIONS HEAD, IBM

“When going on a holiday, I prefer to visit the beaches of our islands. I’d like to claim I’m a beach bum. I love the feel of the sand in my feet and hearing the relaxing sound of the ocean waves, seeing the calming blue water and sky all while sipping a refreshing mango shake or mojito. Waking up with an ocean view makes me forget all the worries and stresses in the metro. A perfect getaway for me will always be a trip to an island.”

DR. JAY DOMINGO NUCLEAR MEDICINE CONSULTANT, ST. LUKE’S MEDICAL CENTERGLOBAL CITY

“I’m a city girl through and through so my ideal holiday destination would be my favorite city in the world, Madrid.

It is often overlooked for Barcelona, but it is a city with its own charm. I studied in Madrid for a semester and it wasn’t love at first sight. It lacks the grandeur of Barcelona and the tradition of Sevilla, but it grows on you. Madrid is a city that doesn’t force itself on anyone, but rather waits for those who wish to discover its rich history and art. Pay a visit to the Prado Museum or even the Retiro Park and you’ll find that one visit is insufficient. There were times when I thought I knew the city like the back of my hand, but Madrid always managed to surprise me. Finally, if there’s one thing the Madridleños taught me, it is to relax and simply enjoy myself and that I believe is how all holidays should be spent.”

MIKA REYES MEN’S CATEGORY MANAGER, ZALORA

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SECURITY BANK

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COVER STORY

OF GRIT, GRAVITY, AND LIGHT Editor Paolo Lorenzana talks about gay life in the contemporary Filipino setting WRITER MAAN D’ASIS PAMARAN PHOTOGRAPHER GABBY CANTERO GROOMING BULLET REYES

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FIT FLOP

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COVER STORY

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PREVIOUS PAGE 01 PAOLO LORENZANA AT HOME THIS PAGE 01 LORENZANA WITH CREATIVE ASSOCIATE INA JACOBE 02 COLLECTION OF BOOKS 03 CLASSIC PIECES DOMINATE HIS WARDROBE 04 PREVIOUS TEAM ISSUES 05 MORE BOOKS ON THE SHELF 06 HIS DOG KERRY

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He smilingly compares his public “coming out” to something as heartfelt as 100 gay guys tweeting about the Miss Universe pageant. Paolo Lorenzana, publisher of gay magazine Team, also associates his coming out with the Bench billboards on EDSA he produced that featured gay relationships and the 100 Happy Gays online campaign he too orchestrated for the clothing brand.

As far as “I am gay” announcements go, this was as public as it can get, and it even caught the attention of his parents. “For my dad, I guess the last straw was my magazine. He had gotten word of it–maybe somebody told him or maybe he read the articles in the newspapers. He meets me for lunch, then goes, ‘I saw this magazine. So, you’re really gay.’ I just said yes, and that was that.”

There was opposition from both his parents, he candidly shares. His father

asked whether he really tried to ‘straighten myself out,’ given that he had never seen Lorenzana in the company of girls. “There was this really sad argument he had, saying that being touched by someone who was gay may have affected me, that I might have gotten it through osmosis,” he says shaking his head.

His mother was more proactive, setting him up with a therapist (who supposedly “used to be” gay, Lorenzana digs). “This guy goes, ‘maybe the relationship you had with men as a child were not healthy, so this is what you are looking for as an adult.’ I told him that is not the case because there are people who had really bad parents who are not gay,” he chuckles. Since then, his gender has not been talked about as much.

All these have happened fairly recently, and this will be the first family Christmas he will celebrate after coming out–he’s been celebrating it as a gay guy ever since, just not out. “As in talagang waving a

rainbow flag to my relatives,” he grins. “It’s going to be interesting, but I am ready to put my foot down and laugh about it if they are willing to.”

It’s tradition for them to have a clannish get-together for the holidays, and Lorenzana is thinking about gearing up with a T-shirt he found on Instagram that says, “Oo, tita, bakla ako.”

Tongue-in-cheekiness aside, he says he had a happy childhood as the youngest of eight kids, six of which are boys. He once smuggled a big duffle bag of My Little Pony toys that he borrowed from a busmate named Fleur and his brother caught him. “I just told him that I was babysitting them for a friend.”

High school and college proved to be more challenging.

“Growing up closeted is never easy. I did try to date and I had crushes on women, but I think it was more of admiration rather than wanting to get into her pants. Regulation gay guy woes when growing up?

Nadaanan ko yan.” He even

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had a girlfriend; they lasted for only a week because he was bothered by her perfume.

“Who gets bothered by perfume, right?” he quips.

His final leg on the road to acceptance happened when he was already working in publishing. He met a guy at a junket and they started exchanging Facebook messages.

“When we eventually went out, I really knew that I was gay when I finally kissed a man. It felt right for the first time in my life when it comes to romantic feelings.”

Lorenzana is currently single and when asked about the dating scene in the country, he plays with his hair and asks back, “what dating scene?” He recounts an interview he had with an expat who observes that there is no legit dating scene here, only hookups from apps like Grindr and Tinder.

“It is hard to meet men who are serious about relationships.”

This led him to organize events where gay men can just hang out in something other than a strobe-light setting.

“Clubbing will always be a big

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part of gay culture, but these are events where you can just be at a venue to talk with likeminded men.”

Team recently had a Coffee Grndr event to learn how to make a good pour-over, followed by one that was a semi-nude sketching session.

Here, Lorenzana met a closeted young gay guy who says it feels like a safe space for him. “We want to keep doing things like these, there are so many possibilities,” he adds.

These activities tie in with his magazine where he puts out stories that give voice to today’s Filipino gay guy. “One of the favorites that we came out with was titled Wife, and it was about a guy who had just come back from the US after a long marriage to a foreigner. We are open to contributions and it’s not just about the coming out stories. I would like to think that Team is a post-coming out magazine where you are out there, asserting yourself in other aspects such as career, family, mentorship, and love.”

He also encourages contributions to Team. “If you want to write, whatever age you are, as long as your story is not offensive and especially if it is unique, a voice we haven’t heard, we welcome it.”

His apartment unit and the office where he puts the magazine together are located in Bonifacio Global City (BGC), and he says he likes it here. It is a good mix of neighborhood and urban playground, he describes.

“Malinis dito, for the most part. I only hope people would learn to pick up their dog’s leavings. Those are toxic!” He cocks an eyebrow.

“I’d like to think that BGC is accepting of the gay community because the residents are educated and more traveled, and are more likely to be open to seeing two gay guys walking around holding hands.” He actually knows of gay couples that have decided to settle in BGC, revealing that there is a sizable gay community in the area, composed of those in civil unions or have been together for seven years. “It’s very inspiring,” he smiles.

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SHOPPING

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If t jus he sh t d oe sur oesn’ doesn e to t cu ’t be t it fit an the , th d PH OT nex ese a ba OG e s tb d RA est ible ket o PH ER Ch del f fr PA rist igh uit TR ma ts a s ICK s g i re SE GO ft

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ITEMS 01, 03, 07, 08, 09, 10, AND 12 AVAILABLE AT MARKETPLACE; ITEMS 02, 04, 05, AND 06 AVAILABLE AT HEALTHY OPTIONS; ITEM 11 AVAILABLE AT MARKS AND SPENCER FOOD

HERBALIFE

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FASHION

ON TRACK

Add some urban cool to your holiday wardrobe with a functional mix of stylish and sporty pieces

PHOTOGRAPHER RONAN CAPILI STYLIST EDLENE CABRAL GROOMING BULLET REYES MODEL RENAN OF ELITE MANILA SHOT AT UNIT 27 APARTMENT BAR + CAFE

ORIGINAL PENGUIN LONG-SLEEVED SHIRT, ₱3,450; ORIGINAL PENGUIN PLAID SHIRT, ₱2,450; MANGO MAN TROUSERS, ₱3,250

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01 SPRINGFIELD HOODED VEST, ₱2,950; SPRINGFIELD PULLOVER, ₱1,450; COTTON ON SHIRT, ₱599; ORIGINAL PENGUIN TROUSERS, ₱2,450 02 MANGO MAN PULLOVER, ₱1,850; COTTON ON SHIRT, ₱499; COTTON ON TROUSERS, ₱1,999; COTTON ON SNEAKERS, ₱599 03 SPRINGFIELD JACKET, ₱3,250; COTTON ON SHIRT, ₱499; ORIGINAL PENGUIN TROUSERS, ₱2,450 04 AMERICAN EAGLE OUTFITTERS DENIM JACKET, ₱3,899; COTTON ON SHIRT, ₱599; COTTON ON CAP, ₱599; ORIGINAL PENGUIN TROUSERS, ₱2,450

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HAPPENINGS

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different variations of ice creams and pastries.

A fiesta like this filled with fun activities to be enjoyed by friends and family had reminiscing on their childhood and Filipino routines.

A wacky obstacle course in the middle of High Street, booths with different games, and towards the end an arts and crafts session provided well-rounded entertainment. People even decorated their own clay pots.

Passionfest however wouldn’t be complete without showcasing the Filipinos’ resourcefulness and passion for art. Their creativity were displayed through recyclable items transformed into new and useful things, which were sold along with paintings, bags, shirts, accessories and many more.

Lastly, a Bayanihan parade capped the memorable festivities.

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DIFFERENT BOOTHS LINED UP HIGH STREET LOCAL PRODUCTS WERE ALSO SOLD PASSIONFEST IS BGC'S SIGNATURE ANNUAL EVENT FOOD TRUCKS KEPT PARTICIPANTS FILLED

DIRECTORY ADAAM & YVES Icon Plaza, 5th Ave. cor. 25th St., Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City AMERICAN EAGLE OUTFITTERS 9th Ave., Bonifacio High Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City 288-9165 CASA BELLA HOME AND LIVING G/F MDI Corporate Center, 10th Ave. cor. 39th St., Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City 994-8254 casabellahomeandliving.com

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COSTA COFFEE G/F, One World Place, 32nd St., Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City Facebook.com/CostaCoffeePH

MARKS AND SPENCER FOOD 2/F Central Square, Bonifacio High Street Central, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City marksandspencer.com

TOPSHOP B7, Bonifacio High Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City 500-0882

COTTON ON G/F Bonifacio High Street Central, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City 533-7576 shop.cottonon.com

MARKETPLACE BY RUSTAN’S Central Square, Bonifacio High Street Central, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City 958-5336

UNIT 27 APARTMENT BAR + CAFÉ Icon Plaza, 5th Ave. cor. 25th St., Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City Facebook.com/Unit27BarCafe

HEALTHY OPTIONS Bonifacio High Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City 856-3008

SPRINGFIELD bBonifacio High Street Centra;, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City 856-7576

MANGO Bonifacio High Street Central, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City mango.com

ST. LUKE’S MEDICAL CENTER Rizal Drive cor. 32nd St., Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City 789-7700

ZALORA 2/F, B7, Bonifacio High Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City zalora.com.ph 858-0702

WRITER SOPHIA REYES | PHOTOGRAPHER CHOLA TOLENTINO

MAKILAHOK SA SARI SARING SAYA The tradition of colourful music, the spirit of friendliness, and hospitality bring us back to our good old fashion fiesta. You don’t need to go out of town to experience this Filipino celebration because it is right at the heart of Bonifacio High Street where urban living is at its finest. Makilahok sa Sari Saring Saya, at this year’s Passion Fest completed the festivities with exciting games, art, and even a parade.

The inviting scent of familiar Filipino dishes such as lechon and adobo welcomed residents and visitors. Some booths gave a cross cultural food experience, by making these dishes with a twist.

The sweet call of the desserts weren’t overlooked too, having