Southern Living: 2014 September

SOUTHERNliving September 2014 Volume 8 | Issue 13

A NARRATIVE THREAD

7.25 x 10.indd 1

9/1/14 2:02 PM

CONT ENTS 32 COVER STORY The country’s embroidery capital keeps its craft alive by teaching it in schools

SOUTHERN living GROUP PUBLISHER BEA J. LEDESMA BRAND AND COMMUNITY EDITOR DIANNE PINEDA ASSOCIATE MANAGING EDITOR CRISTINA MORALES EDITORIAL ASSISTANTS MARAH S.D. RUIZ, DENISE DANIELLE ALCANTARA CREATIVE DIRECTOR NIÑA MUALLAM GRAPHIC ARTIST DANICA CONDEZ

SEPTEMBER 2014 02 HEALTH Shoes harmful to one’s health aren’t called killer heels for nothing

10 SPACE A photographer’s minimal home serves as his hideaway from noise and clutter

04 BEAUTY A man’s easy guide to looking good

14 SOUTHERNER A designer’s sartorial translation of emotions

06 FIXTURE The small world view of vintage ads

17 FEATURE Upcycled accessories fashioned after the wonders of the ocean

Cover photo by Geric Cruz

EDITOR’S NOTE Back to basics In the far flung town of Lumban, an ageold craft in danger of extinction is brought back to life once again. The community is known for its rich tradition of embroidery as they are masters of precision—every curve and pattern they make on the piña fabric is not by some technical blueprint, but by pure instinct. Today, the craft is passed on to the town’s young inhabitants.

The real experience of fashion does not lie in its fast route from the stores to our closets. Somewhere along the way, our connection to the art of making clothes was lost in a hurried, assembly-line process of mass production, in fast fashion.

This issue, we take a deeper look at the intricate ways of the craft, from the long hours spent on conceiving a design up

until the final finishing touches made by hand. Young designer Roy Back creates a language of minimalist clothing to express man’s varied emotions. Dennis Lustico, a designer for 15 years, stays true to his vision and translates it in modern ways.

RTW pioneer Jean Goulborn and rising designer Milka Quinn put themselves in a man’s shoes, showing that fashion knows no bounds, least of all those drawn by gender. We revisit famous characters in Philippine literature and interpret how they would dress up today.

Trends come as fast as they go. But if there is one thing that stays true, it is the lasting affinity to the art of the garment that is shared by designers, makers, and the ones who wear it.

Talk to us on Facebook and you just might win a special prize from us.

Visit www.facebook.com/southernlivingmagazine now. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter at @slivingph. We’d love to hear from you.

SOUTHERN living

01

CONTRIBUTORS WRITERS BEVERLY DALTON, SEPTEMBER GRACE MAHINO, CHINGGAY LABRADOR, MARBBIE TAGABUCBA, AJ ELICAÑO, SOPHIA AVELLANA, CHRISTEL BONCAN-CONSTANTINO ILLUSTRATOR PATRICIA ESPINO STYLISTS EDLENE CABRAL, GABBY CANTERO HAIR AND MAKEUP MARK FAMILARA, JOYCE PLATON, CAMILLE VILLARUEL PHOTOGRAPHERS SAM LIM, JOSEPH PASCUAL, EDRIC CHEN, GERIC CRUZ, ARTU NEPOMUCENO, CYRUS PANGANIBAN, GABBY CANTERO COPY EDITOR SEPTEMBER GRACE MAHINO PROOFREADER NAZRI NOOR EDITORIAL CONSULTANT RIA FRANCISCO-PRIETO BOARD CHAIRPERSON ALEXANDRA PRIETO-ROMUALDEZ FINANCE ADVISOR AND TREASURER J. FERDINAND DE LUZURIAGA LEGAL ADVISOR ATTY. RUDYARD ARBOLADO HR STRATEGY HEAD RAYMUND SOBERANO VP AND CHIEF STRATEGY OFFICER IMELDA ALCANTARA SVP AND GROUP SALES HEAD, INQUIRER GROUP OF COMPANIES FELIPE R. OLARTE SALES DIRECTOR MA. KATRINA MAE GARCIA-DALUSONG KEY ACCOUNTS SPECIALIST ANGELITA TAN-IBAÑEZ ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES ABEGAIL GINAGA, ANDIE ZUÑIGA, SARAH CABALATUNGAN, RAM DANIEL TAN SALES SUPPORT ASSISTANTS RECHELLE ENDOZO, MARA KAREN ALIASAS PRODUCTION MANAGER NOEL CABIE PRODUCTION ASSISTANT MARICEL GAVINO FINAL ART SUPERVISOR DENNIS CRUZ FA ARTIST JR LAROSA

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

HEALT H

OFF THE WRONG FOOT

For workwear that requires some lift, opt for a wider heel and a more manageable height that won’t drastically change the arch of your foot.

TEXT CHINGGAY LABRADOR

Flats You can walk in these shoes a lot longer and they may seem like the comfortable answer for occasions that require you to dress up, but spending all day in flats can be harmful, too.

With soles that are as flat as pancakes, your feet lack cushioning from the shock that continued walking can bring.

On one hand, this well help train you to work the muscles of the feet; on the other hand, there may be a tendency to overdo it, thus causing injury. Having your feet trapped in tight, closed-toe shoes could also lead to bunions and hammertoes.

Rx: Look for a pair that provides arch support, or get a pair of Dr. Scholl’s inserts to add some extra cushioning in your shoe.

If you’re susceptible to bunions, pads can help realign toes.

Beware of the dangers of wearing high heels before you put your foot out the door ILLUSTRATION DANICA CONDEZ

You can strut down the city streets in your highest heels or opt for a more comfortable walk in your best flip-flops.

Whatever shoe choice you’re making may be keeping your feet looking pretty, but chances are they’re also doing them some kind of disservice. Get behind the good, the bad, and the ugly on your favorite footwear and know that your toes can enjoy both fashion and comfort.

High heels They may make your legs look leaner, but they’re also putting a huge strain on your lower back.

Good posture doesn’t just involve your spine—even the way your feet are positioned can impact your stance.

Elevating your heels brings weight to the balls of your feet, pushes your hips forward, puts your spine out of alignment, and gets you off balance. You could be hyper-extending your knees just to compensate for this misalignment and, oftentimes, you’re dumping a lot of weight on your lower back as well, which could cause pinched nerves.

Rx: Save the five-inchers for cocktail parties and make sure to pack a pair of flats to change into after a few short hours.

Trainers They’re designed to get you to pound the pavement for as long as possible with their scientifically accurate cushioning.

This would work when you’re running a marathon, but people who live in their trainers are missing out on a key aspect of footwear: being able to work the feet. Getting too comfortable dampens the communication lines between your brain and your feet. Running shoes are also designed to have you in constant forward motion, putting less emphasis on the heel, which could be damaging too.

Rx: Be mindful of your footwear choices. Trainers are great when you’re at the gym or on a walking tour, but don’t forget to air your feet and give yourself a chance to work all of their muscles with a regular pair of shoes.

SOUTHERN living

02

SPECIAL FEAT URE

ARCA South

Artist’s Perspective

ALL SYSTEMS GO IN ARCA SOUTH Ayala Land’s newest business district in Taguig shifts focus to new ways of living.

With the unparalleled success of Makati City and Bonifacio Global City as key growth centers in the Philippines, Ayala Land presents ARCA South, a central business and lifestyle district south of the metro—the emerging destination for inspiring urban change.

Gateway to Progress Through Ayala Land’s Php 80B investment on the former Food Terminal Inc. (FTI), the country’s leading real estate developer puts you at the center of everything, championing lifestyles of fluidity and ease in a contemporary district. With prime accessibility, ARCA South connects you to superhubs Makati City via South Luzon Expressway and Bonifacio Global City via C5. 74 hectares of a mixed-use

The Veranda from Central Garden Artist’s Perspective

DOVE FEATURE.indd 3 7.25 x 10.indd 1

development presents a quality of life with myriad opportunities for growth: best estate practices, diverse retail options, residential developments, and a highly networked intermodal transport system.

Visionary Urban Destination ARCA South brings together access, variety and efficiency through intuitively planned environments. Buildings integrated with green spaces are constructed purposefully for efficient district planning and pedestrianization. Refreshing streetscapes and generous urban gardens encourage social interaction and diversified land uses for business, retail, and entertainment.

An integrated basement parking frees the streets, increasing walkability, while bike lanes diminish traffic and promote alternative transport. Through a centralized operation system; traffic lights, water, power, and security management are adapted well to the needs of the community.

Flash For ward to Innovation Alveo Land’s prime community in ARCA South, The Veranda, rises on a 12,988-sqm parcel of land. This fourtower condominium development offers studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom units within the district’s private and exclusive portion. A breakthrough in real estate

development, Alveo Land’s Aeroflux System revolutionizes living in the metro as it creates breathable and naturally illuminated spaces. An iconic bifurcated building design creates an atrium and a central landscaped garden, maximizing air circulation and natural light dispersion.

Alveo Land Corp. sets the benchmark for innovation in Philippine real estate today.

Armed with sharper foresight, unparalleled excellence, and total commitment, Alveo Land Corp. finds the means to provide the most innovative homes to make you live well. Alveo Land is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ayala Land. For more information, visit www.alveoland.com.ph, email info@alveosales.com.ph, or call (632) 8 48-510 0 ( Met ro Ma n i la) a nd 1-800-10-8485100 (outside Metro Manila).

Visit our showroom at the Alveo Corporate Center, 728 28th Street Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City (Beside One Parkade) Ayala Land, Inc. is the registered owner and developer of The Veranda with project completion date on Q4 2018. TLTS No. ENCRFO-14-08-026 issued August 29, 2014. Broker’s License No. Rufino Hermann S. Gutierrez PRC-REBL No. 0004771

4:34 PM 9/11/14 4:20

BEAUT Y

FOR MEN ONLY

Shave, cut, and groom like a man TEXT BEVERLY DALTON ILLUSTRATION PATRICIA ESPINO

Even if it’s just a T-shirt paired with jeans, deep down (even if they won’t admit it), men take the time to curate this simple a look in say, maybe five or 10 minutes. What more if they’re wearing a suit?

When it comes to grooming though, five minutes may not cut it, especially when they’re trying to impress. Sure, women take more steps to get ready for the ball, but men, too, have their own beauty regimen; they just don’t want to call it that.

Grooming transcends gender, and there’s no shame in taking down notes on how to man up when it comes to hygiene. Here are some grooming tips for men, especially when it’s time to suit up. (Surprisingly, women can also get some lessons from the dudes, particularly in shaving.)

Facial hair Bringing out the razor daily isn’t always the answer. Shaving causes slight trauma to the skin, so doing it every

day is a no-no. Besides, that 5 o’clock shadow actually looks good. Instead, try exfoliating daily. This softens the skin and unclogs pores, too. Lotion is also good after shaving, but moisturizing before the razor hits the skin can prevent ingrown hairs and bumps.

If growing a beard, a goatie, or a ’stache is your thing, shampoo it every day just as you would the hair on top of your head. Trim regularly, too. Tip: Don’t trim while your beard or ’stache, is wet because wet hair is longer.

Eyebrows Grooming the brows may seem like a girl thing, but in reality, it’s not. Brows need as much TLC as the mustache.

But don’t ask for tips from a woman— most of the time, women have their brows threaded or waxed. For men, plucking is better, as threading or waxing gives the brows a really clean shape that makes them look “done,” and that’s when things start to look girly. Leave some stray hairs behind.

SOUTHERN living

04

Sideburns These face-framing layers may have had their heyday in the ’70s, but if done right, sideburns may have a resurgence this new millennium.

Up until the last days of disco, the thicker the sideburns, the better. But today, keeping them narrow might gain you more friends. Don’t let them grow wider than an inch; like with your facial hair, trimming is key.

Hair Most men’s haircuts have been the same since forever. Whether it’s a Jew-fro like Bob Dylan’s or wavy like Conan’s, make sure to get a trim every month, not unless you want long hair like Brad Pitt’s in Legends of the Fall. Don’t forget to neaten the back of your neck, too.

For those with receding hairlines, here’s a tip: keep the front trimmed and swept across your forehead. If you go too long, the strands will look stringy.

7.25 x 10.indd 1

9/9/14 1:15 PM

FIXT URE

FOR SALE

Vintage ads that aim to sell more than just the product TEXT DIANNE PINEDA ILLUSTRATION DANICA CONDEZ

Before there were ad boards, censorship regulations, and the term “politically correct” came into existence, the golden age of advertising in the 1960s and earlier all conveyed the same message: that it is a man’s world. Everything from home appliances, cigarettes and cars to clothing, soda, and cleaning products suggested either false claims or biased perceptions, particularly on the relationship between men and women. For instance, Sprite and Coke both claimed in their dated ads that parents should start making their babies drink soda, saying that this gives them the right amount of sugar and helps them integrate into society early on. Cigarette posters overtly encouraged men to smoke as it adds to their sexual appeal, while cleaning products proclaimed that women who kept up the house also got to keep down their weight.

While sexism in TV, print, and digital ads are still persistent in this age, the situation back in the day revealed far more skewed views on gender stereotypes and social attitudes. In the pre-Civil Rights period in the US, major brands were none too subtle about portraying women as nothing but objects of the male gaze, as playthings whose

sole purpose is to tend to the house and rear children. One of the most common themes of such ads was a list of standards that women were meant to achieve in order to be considered beautiful: great skin, a small waist, and a glamorous figure.

In the 1920s, the soap brand Palmolive put a statement on a poster that people will find offensive today: “Most men ask: ‘Is she pretty?’ Not ‘Is she clever?’” The Kellogg’s PEP ad, which shows a woman wearing an apron and holding a feather duster with her husband behind her, exclaims, “So the harder a wife works, the cuter she looks!” Car ads for Volkswagen and BMW, on the other hand, used to sell cars that were good for women who could only do “simple driving.” In another blatant example, a shoe brand shows a topless female model lying on the floor looking at a man’s shoe with the slogan, “Keep her where she belongs.”

These ads form part of our history and mark the traces of a bygone era where several forms of bigotry were abundant.

The echoes of sexism, racism, and miseducation, the time of their making, and a particular society’s general mindset show how things have changed over the years—or surprisingly, how so much still remains the same.

SOUTHERN living

06

7.25 x 10.indd 1

4/7/14 4:27 PM

CR AF T

ABSTRACT MIND

Graphic inkblots make a lasting imprint on a canvas tote TEXT DANICA FAMILARA PHOTOGRAPHY PATRICK SEGOVIA

What you’ll need:

Canvas fabric (1/2 meter) Scissors Pins A piece of poster board, or corrugated cardboard, roughly the size of your tote A box cutter A ruler A pen or highlighter Double-sided tape or poster tape Black fabric paint Paintbrush

Directions:

CANVAS TOTE

1. Cut out a piece of the fabric that is 33 inches by 31 inches.

2. Fold the canvas in half, with the fold at the bottom.

3. For the straps, cut two 16 inch straps.

4. At the top, fold the canvas down one inch from the edge, pin it, then repeat on the other side.

5. Then sew about .5mm from the edge, removing pins as you go along.

Remember to double stitch at the beginning and end.

6. After finishing the top fold stitches, sew the sides of the bags together.

7. On the bottom corners of your bag, pinch the corners and then sew across.

Sew about 3 inches across the corners.

Repeat on the other bottom corner of the bag. This gives your bag more volume.

8. Sew on the straps. Then flip it inside out, and put on a design.

INKBLOT DESIGN 1. Measure the width of the board and mark halfway using the pen and ruler.

2. Cut the line precisely. Be sure not to cut the board all the way through.

3. Place around 4-6 strips of tape on the board. Once done, slide the board inside the bag. Make sure the center of the tote matches the center of the board.

4. Start painting with desired design. Paint only on one side of the tote.

5. Fold the bag in half.

6. Open and let the tote dry. Once dry, run a hot iron over it for a few minutes to make sure the paint has set.

SOUTHERN living

08

SPECIAL FEAT URE

SUNTRUST HORIZONTAL OMNIBUS

7.25 x0811 10.indd 2014 SOLI1AUGUST INSIDE.indd 19

9/2/14 5:32 3:29 PM

SPACE

STILL LIFE

Frank Hoefsmit nurtures calmness in his home TEXT MARBBIE TAGABUCBA PHOTOGRAPHY JOSEPH PASCUAL

Pop culture depicts a creative’s abode in artful clutter: textured walls mounted with frames of both past works and inspirations, stacks of books accumulating into mini tables on the floor.

Not this one. When fashion photographer Frank Hoefsmit answers to the clamor of the town for business, the Boracay-based Belgian calls a one-bedroom at The Fort his second home, and it is the exact opposite of what you’d expect from an artist’s personal space.

Here, his own photographs are nowhere in sight; he intimates he doesn’t stay happy with them long enough to display them. He doesn’t work at home either. “I like the thought of going to ‘the office,’” he says, referring to his studio.

“You need one space in your life that feels like home,” Hoefsmit reasons. “A place of safety, nurturing, and peacefulness. Peace is most important because you can only be free when there’s peace.”

He usually finds that in the familiar, cocooning comfort of compact spaces in European cities. In Manila, to maximize his place, the curating eye of the lensman went to work.

He likens the process to photography: “When composing an

image, you include, exclude, and highlight elements to focus on the subject.”

Walls painted a soothing light green complement the four types of bare wood found on the floor, the kitchen, and on the Scandinavian Mid-Century furniture in the living and dining rooms and bedroom. Lamps and vases shaped like succulents impart a glow in every corner; there are no dark spaces here, whether big or small. Tables are see-through to stay functional without breaking the illusion of space. Pops of vibrancy come from a tray of fresh tropical fruits and two paintings of the female visage, one iconic, one symbolic.

In the living room, a sectional sofa is placed diagonally, detached from the wall to draw the eye to the overlooking verdure. By the window is a bench seat customized to match the sofa, concealing the other half of the split airconditioner—a problem that initially made him want to give up the space. It is now his favorite spot, where he looks out to the Manila Golf and Country Club turf and the treetops of Forbes Park and Dasmariñas Village. Sitting there, Hoefsmit feels detached from the city while still in the middle of it all, the Makati skyline—and work, chaos, and everything in between—just past the greenness.

SOUTHERN living

10

7.25 x 10.indd 1

8/22/14 5:21 PM

SPACE “You need one space in your life that feels like home,” Hoefsmit says. “A place of safety, nurturing, and peacefulness.

Peace is most important because you can only be free when there’s peace.”

SOUTHERN living

12

7.25 x 10.indd 1

5/30/14 9:47 AM

SOUT HERNER An apparel company scouted Roy Back when he won a design competition as a third year student at the De La Salle College of St. Benilde. He will debut his new collection in a private showcase this October.

DOUBLE TAKE

An elusive young designer redefines urban attire with precise techniques and underlying meanings TEXT DIANNE PINEDA PHOTOGRAPHY EDRIC CHEN OF AT EAST JED ROOT

Fashion week has just ended, and as always, the afterparty was anything but restrained. In a night club on the top floor of the W Tower off Bonifacio High Street, Roy Back ushered in a motley crew of stylists, a makeup artist, a host for a Korean fashion TV show, and this writer.

Once inside, music was blaring as sweaty bodies swayed to French music, and every now and then, Back would nod at or shake hands with an acquaintance as we walked closer to the table where his indescribably hip model friends were. It was as if he had a dizzying energy that attracted people, and he has assimilated himself so seamlessly into the crowd that no one would guess he wasn’t originally from this town.

Born in Korea, Back moved to the Philippines when he was 15, following his father who had an architecture business in Manila. “I got a bit of a culture shock, aside from the difficult language,” Back recalls, laughing. “I got in a lot of trouble for greeting people with the bad words someone taught me as a way of saying ‘Good morning.’”

Despite some of the hardships he experienced adjusting to a new home, Back soon found himself liking the friendly and laid-back atmosphere here; he now even speaks Tagalog almost like a true local, crude expletives and all.

At 25, he now works as a designer for a well-known apparel company. Fashion design was always an early interest, and he describes his discovery of it as serendipitous, for reasons only he knows. His aesthetic has underlying elements that

polarize the basic colors of black, gray, and white with intricate details and complicated tailoring, all resulting in metropolitan, futuristic garb. His look is synonymous with play and function: a jacket that can be worn in three ways, unconventional menswear pieces.

Back may have an ultra-contemporary look but his inspirations are far from cold-blooded and staid. He shares, “I like the minimalist, clean look, but when I design, I express different emotions.” For his graduation show, in fact, he presented suits made with countless inner layers of black and white, with piping details reminiscent of the recurring mathematical cycles of a bio-rhythm. “The idea was to show how lines go up or down, to depict feelings of sadness or joy.”

For his new collection “Tears,” the designer once again culls his inner psyche to create pieces that center on a reflective, almost melancholic motif. “It’s about how you get hurt from the outside and even within friends and family, when there’s lying. It’s actually sad.” His reluctance to divulge details only reveals a prospective body of work that is sure to have his signature youthful sensibility and experimental, contemporary flair.

Before he goes back to Korea for good this November, Back stays up all night bleary-eyed, this time not because of a wild soiree, but because of urgent work at hand and the designs he has in mind, which keep on going and going.

SOUTHERN living

14

7.25 x 10.indd 1

8/11/14 12:16 PM

SOUT HERNER

“As a designer, I want to work more in art than RTW. I want people to realize that what they wear every day are not ‘just clothes.’ I want them to see the purpose behind them—even if it’s just a shirt, people have worked on that shirt; so many things went into making it. I want people to think there’s meaning in my garments. What everyone does has meaning. They’re not just clothes; they’re art.”

HAIR AND GROOMING CAMILLE VILLARUEL.

SOUTHERN living

16

FEAT URE

A SEA-GREEN REVOLUTION

SOUTHERN living

17

FEAT URE

A trained biologist with a flare for the unexpected, Ken Samudio trains his eye on the coral reef for inspiration TEXT AJ ELICAÑO PHOTOGRAPHY ARTU NEPOMUCENO

The narrative of a mainstream professional quitting his job and making it big in the arts is not a new one, but accessory designer Ken Samudio makes it his own. He uses materials and inspirations that, like his story, are at once familiar and slightly off-kilter, and this has paid off. As someone who entered the fashion world in 2009 with no fashion education background, yet took only five years to receive international acclaim, he has come a long way from where he started.

As with many things, Samudio’s fashion career was born from equal parts passion and necessity. “When I was working the regular 9-to-5 corporate job—and I also worked as a biologist part-time—my doctor told me to give up work because I have diabetes,” he recalls.

“I’m from the south and I worked up north, and the travel time was taking its toll on my health. What he suggested was I start a business.

“I started selling vintage designer clothes,” he continues. “My clients on Multiply were magazine editors, and they’d ask, ‘Why don’t you start making accessories that will go with these clothes?’ So I did headpieces, and the next day, someone asked to buy the entire collection. It was Mariel Rodriguez.” Samudio gained a regular customer in the model and TV host along with much-needed help in networking among celebrity circles.

His next milestone came in 2011, when he became a finalist in the Preview Emerging Fashion Talent Awards.

“That’s when I started doing accessories,” he says. “I have two labels: the first was Matthew&Melka, which is the one I started [in 2009]—Matthew is my son, Melka, my niece. It was mostly headpieces, and then I started doing hats. Then [Preview] asked me to do an autonomous label, Ken Samudio, and that’s when I started doing accessories like earrings and necklaces.”

A Biology major, Samudio’s background shows through his work. He is determinedly environmentally conscious: making beads from upcycled water bottles and vegetable dye, for example, and also using scrap leather, recycled glass, and local materials like bamboo and abaca. “I wanted to romanticize, to put a story behind it,” he explains. “The people who work for me are single moms; a lot of them have husbands who don’t have work. This is not your typical fashion label. I try to help people who are in need, and I try to use sustainable

materials. That’s going to be my signature.”

Samudio’s style and advocacy have played big parts in helping him stand out. In 2012, he was included in Meg magazine’s “30 Under 30: Movers and Shakers” list as an environmentally conscious designer. Last February, he exhibited at the International Fashion Showcase of London Fashion Week. More recently, he was selected

by Vogue Italia for their Vogue Talents 2014 list, and has been recognized by the Natori Fashion Fund.

Accordingly, Samudio’s perspective on fashion— as with his success—is both globally informed and rooted in his homeland.“People abroad don’t just buy designs because they look good; they want the story behind them,” he says. “I wanted to let them know that the Philippines is not just a third-world country, [something] I hear a lot as a designer.

“My inspiration is the coral reef system of the Philippines. I’ve always been fascinated with the ocean, the water,” Samudio adds. This fascination takes form in striking, quirky pieces that draw inspiration from natural forms and the sea; there is an edge of strangeness that accentuates the craftsmanship and beauty that went into his work. “I combine unexpected materials,” he says. “I don’t want my pieces to be too ‘pretty.’ I thread metal chains with cotton thread, and then add porcelain and unexpected industrial materials.

“My design philosophy is not just to make beautiful things, but to know the impact of those designs on the environment,” Samudio continues. “I have the biggest respect for designers like Monique Péan, who recycles diamonds from old jewelry and uses conflict-free diamonds from sustainable mines. [Designers shouldn’t] just make beautiful things, but respect the environment and spread the message of loving it through [their] work.”

With his distinct aesthetic, his clear and consistent advocacy, and his rapidly growing audience, Samudio seems destined for very big things, indeed. Yet even as he works on upcoming projects and prepares for more international engagements, he remains grounded and authentic. “Everything is still handmade. I don’t outsource: I started with one employee, and then it grew to eight. Whatever I want to do, I can have it done the following day,” he explains. “Right now, I’m only doing it very small-scale. I don’t want to grow too fast; I want to do it little by little.”

SOUTHERN living

18

FEAT URE “My design philosophy is not just to make beautiful things, but to know the impact of those designs on the environment,” says Ken Samudio (below).

SOUTHERN living

19

COV FEAT ER STORY URE

Button-down shirt, P19,998, and trousers, P21,998, both Carven, Shangri-La Plaza Mall.

SOUTHERN living

20

COV ER STORY

THE NEW GENTLEMAN SOUTHERN living

21

FEAT URE

With a focus on non-restrictive dressing, Dennis Lustico changes the rules for the stylish 21st century man TEXT SOPHIA AVELLANA PHOTOGRAPHY EDRIC CHEN OF AT EAST JED ROOT

In an industry where young, fresh-faced, and talented How has Philippine men’s fashion evolved in the past sartorial sensations whose fast trajectories to fame define few years? Are Filipino men more adventurous in the fashion landscape, one designer manages to hold his terms of style? place. More than 15 years since his initial foray into Compared to the ’90s, Philippine fashion for men has fashion, Dennis Lustico is still very much a major force changed tremendously. The new generation in particular with his signature current dress interpretations and clean, is embracing change and edginess. I like that people are luxurious silhouettes. And if there is something that is not following the classic way of dressing, especially those immediately apparent with Lustico, it’s his instinctive who are connected to or are in the fashion industry. I ability to create formal wear that shows off the woman’s like what they’re doing—having fun and experimenting best assets: with a revealing cut here, a striking detail with different things so we learn. there. But what keeps his career What type of fabric are you fresh and evolving is his unflinching experimenting with now? desire to take a risk, as seen in his “Designing for men Right now, I like stretch because venture as an accessories and bag allows me to be more open it’s the most practical fabric in designer who plays with whimsical the world. It’s a low maintenance materials such as precious stones and to adventure and new that’s not restricting. You natural materials. Recently though, things. Since I’m not doing material can move a lot in it; you can travel Lustico has taken on yet another task—creating a new style for the menswear design full time, with it. I like anything from stretch to jerseys to neoprenes; there are a modern man. As if in deviation it’s an avenue for me to lot of new fabrics in the market to from his women’s wear, his vision fulfill my design fantasy— experiment with. for the opposite sex is more loose, New kinds of fabric pose a oversized, and laid-back, finding not to make money.” challenge so I love experimenting a way to the future while giving a with it. I study the behavior of the nod to the past. Here he defines the fabric, and come up with a design new man: someone who’s open to change, experimental, low maintenance, and without that shows off its best properties. I want to make the restriction. Even though it may be his unconscious slip, best out of what is in the market in terms of supply. this definition is very much like who Lustico is, and What are your current sources of design inspiration? how he always wants to be.

Music, especially hip-hop, inspires me a lot now. I like the artists, for example, Chris Brown. It’s just like the How would you describe your menswear designs?

It’s different designing for men and women. Designing ’80s music I grew up with: it’s electric. for men allows me to be more open to adventure and Fabric itself is an inspiration for me. And since I’m new things. Since I’m not doing menswear design full into physical activities now, I am learning to appreciate time, it’s an avenue for me to fulfill my design fantasy— more how fabric works when worn. not to make money. I’m not forced to do it so it allows me to experiment with very edgy designs that have a lot What makes a stylish man? of texture. I like pieces that are oversized and fall away Stylishness cannot be acquired. I believe one is born from the body, something very edgy and very ’80s. with it. I see people dressing effortlessly—the way they

SOUTHERN living

22

7.25 x 10.indd 1

8/26/14 6:32 PM

FEAT URE

“Don’t be a fame whore because fashion is 100 percent work— it’s not about any other thing.

If you want to be able to get the respect from other people, you have to work—a lot.”

SOUTHERN living

24

7.25 x 10.indd 1

8/27/14 1:11 PM

FEAT URE

Dennis Lustico’s menswear designs for the Ayala Style Origins show included sporty, hip-hop looks made of stretch fabrics.

carry their pants; the way they would match a shirt with their pants; the way they would match rubber shoes with anything formal—they have it in them. I have seen several men who are gifted with this one. They don’t follow a trend.

How can one be more stylish?

I like mixing old material and new material: a woven white polo shirt with stretch pants or maybe a T-shirt with formal pants. Just mix the old with the new. This is not a huge step to make for Filipino men since we like classic and conservative looks, so this is safe. You can try pairing formal pants with an edgy top so people can see that you’re a conservative guy yet you’re willing to embrace the future.

maintenance pieces right now. I like practical pieces that clients will be able to match with whatever they already have in their closet. I would say my design aesthetic now is wearable but luxurious; casual wear with luxe and edge. I would love to go into ready-to-wear, but not ready-to-wear formals.

What can we expect from you in the coming months?

I will be joining Manila FAME again in October, for Fashion Philippines under Josie Natori. We are a group of 10 designers and we will be showing pieces that use local or modern fabrics that show the aesthetics of resort fashion in the Philippines. This is from Oct. 16 to 19.

What does one need to sustain a career in the fashion industry that constantly evolves and discovers new talent?

Despite being in the industry for more than 15 years, You have to have a lot of discipline, and you must learn to make good decisions. You have to learn to what challenges do you still face as a designer?

It has always been a challenge for any designer to weigh things and ask people for advice if you’re faced make his designs available abroad. I think it’s every with several choices or decisions. You have to ask help local designer’s dream to go abroad and make it there from friends to be able to weigh things over. Also, the somehow. There’s a movement now in CITEM to follow curiosity has to be there the whole time. You have to Movement 8—the furniture organization—that we be able to challenge yourself every now and then—or want to experiment on with apparel. We want to export constantly. Your ambition to be good—that flame inside our designs and our pieces. Hopefully, makita ko ’yan in you—always has to be there. my lifetime.

Fashion is one of the biggest industries right now.

How has your own design aesthetic evolved through What do you need to make it in the fashion industry?

Study hard. Do your homework. Don’t be a fame whore the past few years?

There is a difference between what I do for my clients because fashion is 100 percent work—it’s not about any and what I do for my shows. Nowadays, my direction other thing. If you want to be able to get the respect is towards the young market. I’m into wearable, low from other people, you have to work—a lot.

SOUTHERN living

26

COV ER STORY

STYLING EDLENE CABRAL. HAIR AND MAKEUP CAMILLE VILLARUEL.

27

SOUTHERN living

FEAT URE

LITERARY CONSTRUCTS Fashion and fiction meet as Filipino designers reimagine characters from Philippine literature in modern-day garb TEXT DIANNE PINEDA ILLUSTRATION ARCHIE CAYAMANDA

Philippine literature has provided a unique setting for Filipinos to make sense of their complex reality.

Myths verbally passed down through generations explained the creation of the world, poetry enriched the souls of the romantic, while riddles and folksongs filled the community’s need for entertainment. Embellished epics told thrilling adventures of tribes, sultans, and warriors. Fables were used to teach morals. The weary Filipino, burdened by three centuries of Spanish colonization, found himself drawn to an imagined world where the oppressed are saved by heroes, and the good can triumph against the bad. Here, designers reconstruct periods in our literary history by suspending their beliefs to create a contemporary look for some of the Philippines’ most loved and hated fictional characters.

Maria Makiling by Xernan Orticio Maria Makiling is believed to be a diwata (forest fairy) who protects Mount Makiling in Laguna. The townspeople believe her to be

a perpetually young, beautiful woman, and she often features as the topic of several superstitions.

Mundane matters such as a sparse harvest, or travelers losing their way on the mountain were blamed on the fairy. Xernan Orticio, known for his structural, sporty, and clean-cut designs, interprets Maria Makiling in a long white dress, with details resembling a banig, a traditional Filipino mat used for sleeping.

Padre Damaso by Rajo Laurel One of the most infamous characters in Jose Rizal’s controversial Noli Me Tangere is Padre Damaso, a Spanish member of the clergy whose ways differ wildly from what he preaches.

This villain is often depicted as a balding, overweight priest to represent the overindulgence and corruption of the Church.

Celebrated designer Rajo Laurel gives life to this sinister character with a full collared shirt and cassock, mixing medieval motifs with today’s modern edge.

SOUTHERN living

28

Don Juan by JC Buendia Three princes set out to catch the Ibong Adarna, a fabled bird whose song can cure their ailing father, the King of Berbanya. Don Juan, the youngest and the king’s favorite, is described as an easygoing yet righteous man who succeeds in the mission despite his brothers’ machinations. JC Buendia, a designer with a fascination for royalty, aptly remasters the image of Don Juan. He envisions a modern man in effortless and casual menswear, representing Don Juan’s relaxed and playful aside.

Lola Basyang by Vania Romoff Short stories form avenues for the elderly to teach valuable lessons to children. The most famous storyteller in Philippine literature is Lola Basyang.

She appears in author Severino Reyes’ anthology as an imaginary teller of fairy tales and myths. Vania Romoff retains the traditional component of Filipina wear with the panuelo (scarf ) and bell-shaped sleeves made of translucent piña fabric, paired with streamlined pants.

FEAT URE

SOUTHERN living

29

7.25 x 10.indd 2

9/16/14 9:50 AM

SPECIAL FEAT URE

FULL-TIME BEAUTY

Two young women find time to take care of themselves as they try to save the world TEXT DIANNE PINEDA PHOTOGRAPHY SARA BLACK

Sometimes taking care of oneself, whether it’s skin or body care, can take a backseat after career, household or other projects. Yet there are still women who can have it all while still looking and feeling great.

Samantha Ramsey and Nikki Dela Fuente have been involved in outreach programs since they were teens. Now at ages 20 and 21 respectively, Ramsey and Dela Fuente are continuing their goal of taking care of others—while still finding time to take care of themselves.

Dela Fuente works at a social enterprise which enables her to do what she loves most: giving back. She shares, “I get to meet strong women who work hard for their livelihood.”

Dela Fuente takes her demanding schedules all in stride. “I want to do important things while still having time for myself.” As for her beauty regimen, Dela Fuente believes it’s about keeping an effortless but careful approach. “I keep my hair short so it’s easy to style, but I make sure I use the

7.25 x 10.indd 3

right shampoo and conditioner to keep it healthy,” she says. Keeping a healthy skin also matters to Dela Fuente, “I always use products that are mild and hypoallergenic to keep my skin away from harmful chemicals.

Ramsey, on the other hand, is an Economics junior at a university in the US. Looking fresh while keeping up with school work, social entrepreneur activities and personal life is a requirement for her as she meets a lot of people. “I like interacting with people, and hopefully making a difference in their lives,” she says. She keeps a simple beauty regimen but she pays attention to keeping it real and natural. “I don’t wear a lot of makeup but I make sure I take it off every night, cleanse and then moisturize. It’s about having a positive outlook as well.”

These two confident and multitasking women, who live busy lives as they reach out to others, make the perfect examples of women who are beautiful inside and out.

Effortless Beauty

“I like to keep my hair short, because I’m a very low maintenance girl.”

—Nikki Dela Fuente

“I just make sure I remove my makeup every day, and moisturize.”

—Samantha Ramsey

Both girls go for easy-to-maintain hair and Dove Daily Hair Vitamin is their choice product for real care and beauty.

9/16/14 9:50 AM

COV ER STORY

SOUTHERN living

32

COV ER STORY

THREAD OF LIFE

SOUTHERN living

33

COV ER STORY

In an Old World town tucked in Laguna, a tradition often lost to progress and urban migration finds itself flourishing TEXT DENISE DANIELLE ALCANTARA PHOTOGRAPHY GERIC CRUZ

The small, serene town of Lumban in Laguna is the generation to generation and living on until today. embodiment of every child’s drawing of a quaint Former President Ferdinand Marcos’ regime was bungalow sitting against a backdrop of lush green considered the golden age of the embroidery industry mountains, sprawling rice fields, and a body of in Lumban: everybody had jobs because of the influx of water. This rural area is adjacent to the more famous orders for custom-made formal wear from government municipality of Pagsanjan and sits between the Sierra officials and the Marcoses themselves. The late president Madre mountain ranges and Laguna de Bay. Its existence decreed officials to wear traditional Filipiniana in all is not common knowledge among those who reside in public events. And of course, the First Lady Imelda the metro, with visitors just passing Marcos was known for her ternos, by on their way to either Caliraya some of which were embroidered in In the wake of computeror Pagsanjan Falls. It also gets Lumban. generated industries that overshadowed by nearby towns such Today, gone are the glory days as Paete and Liliw, which are known of when workers had to beat one can do the job faster, for their woodcarvings and slippers. deadline after another, when good Gordovez says the town problems like a lack of burdareros But if you take the chance to (embroiderers) still existed. Gordovez stay instead of passing by, you’ll remains unfazed, still reassures, however, that “there is discover the curious little dress proud of their age-old no truth to the perception that the shops lining the highway that are embroidery industry is dying.” In the town’s source of livelihood and techniques that enable the wake of computer-generated pride as the embroidery capital of them to make products industries that can do the job faster, the Philippines. with careful precision and Gordovez says the town remains “Lumban holds around 29,000 unfazed, still proud of their age-old people and 70 percent of the attention to detail. techniques that enable them to make population is dependent on products with careful precision and embroidery jobs,” shares Marivic Gordovez, chairperson of the Lumban Embroidery attention to detail. She adds, “Nothing beats handmade Association Multipurpose Cooperative. The town’s embroidery from Lumban.” The prevalence of machines existence can be traced back to Spanish colonization does not daunt the burdang kamay tradition, since most in the 1600s, which ingrained the craft of embroidery fashion designers of today still choose to have some of their designs hand-embroidered in Lumban. Big names within the townspeople.

Just like old colonial towns, a stone church is located in the local fashion scene such as Patis Tesoro, Rajo in the middle of the pueblo with a big plaza in front of Laurel, Paul Cabral, and Betina Ocampo reach out to it. “Religion is very strong in Lumban. The people are Lumban embroiderers. very generous to the church, especially when there are Monica de Ramos, popularly known as “Anda Manik,” church activities that needed funding,” says Gordovez. is the oldest living burdarero in Lumban and testament With religion used as a strategy to colonize the to the town’s dedication to the craft. “I started learning Philippines, missionaries and lay persons also brought how to embroider at the age of seven,” she shares. Now with them cultural practices to educate locals. Among 84, she can still embroider place mats and napkins for these practices, embroidery is the strongest legacy that her most loyal customer, Patis Tesoro. “I have 23 other the Franciscan nuns left behind, passed down from siblings, and we all know how to embroider. Our mother

SOUTHERN living

34

A woman meticulously fills designer OliverTolentino’s pattern onto piña fabric sourced from Aklan.

COV ER STORY

SOUTHERN living

35

COV ER STORY Embroidery is an individual activity, but the women of Lumban congregate to entertain themselves with the latest gossip.

taught us. When there are big job orders, we would all help out: we would stay up all night, lamay as we call it here, to finish the job hastily.”

Sadly, embroidery is not as popular as it was during the ’60s and ’70s as today’s generation lacks interest in it. “Back in the day, my playmates and I would spend an hour or two in the afternoon outside our houses, embroidering. Now, the kids go straight to computer shops after school,” Anda Manik laments. But with the effectivity of K-12 education system in full swing this year, the government prescribed embroidery to be included in the curriculum of public schools.

Lumban National High School requires an embroidery course to be taken by all students, starting in seventh grade. “We learned embroidery in school,” says Justin Baduel and Samantha Gazmin, aged 13 and 12 respectively, both daughters of burdareros. “I learned it at school, but I would always observe my parents embroidering at home,” says Gazmin. “I try to help my mother whenever there are rush jobs,” Baduel adds.

“It is important that children nowadays know the importance of embroidery in our town,” Gordovez explains, emphasizing that children need to realize it’s embroidery that keeps the town alive. Even if fishing and farming are also some of the town’s sources of income, embroidery continues to make a big difference in Lumban’s economy. Especially in times of disaster,

when crops are scarce and the fish gone, embroidery has always been the best alternative. “It’s good that almost all of us have at least basic embroidery skills.”

Embroidery is in the bloodstream of every citizen of Lumban, and they are known for their ethnic and traditional styles. They also have the skill to embroider directly onto the piña cloth without following a pattern; they embroider based on instinct or by following the strands of fiber on the cloth. But they are open to learning more techniques. The fashion designers push the burdareros to try new techniques with different designs they want to transpose on cloth, and sometimes on different media as well. “Our recent client, Betina Ocampo, hires us to embroider on different types of cloths, thicker than piña or jusi, which is really challenging for us,” Gordovez shares. Even men are not exempt from the work. “There are cases when the husbands are better at embroidering than the wives,” Gordovez says.

To appeal to the new generation, the local cooperative is not stopping anytime soon in thinking of ways to modernize the age-old tradition. “Every Filipino should have at least one set of Filipiniana in his closet,” Gordovez says. With the continuous patronage of local fashion designers, in time, the locals of Lumban will be back on the map as some of the best embroiderers, not only in the Philippines but in the world.

SOUTHERN living

36

Place your business in the heart of Alabang Discover a better way of working in Alabang. With the largest network of flexible office space, on-demand meeting facilities, business lounges and virtual offices across Philippines we allow you to focus on your commercial plans not your floor plans.

If you need an office all of the time, or just a part time business address or just meeting space. Regus can provide the flexible workplace which leaves you free to conduct your business the way you want.

Reserve your space today!

Regus Filinvest One Alabang 9/F Filinvest One Building, Northgate Cyberzone, Alabang-Zapote Road corner Northgate Avenue, Filinvest City, Alabang, Muntinlupa, Philippines

+632 451 8243 regus.com.ph RE4113_REG_Advert_NCO Passay and Alabang N&S LIVING MAG 7.25X10"_PH_EN_FEB14 V2 V1.indd 1 7.25 x 10.indd 1

31/03/2014 13:21 4/2/14 2:30 PM

COV ER STORY Marivic Gordovez has been president of the local cooperative since 2008 (right). Men and the disabled are also capable of this 400-hundred year old stitching technique (below).

Calado is one of the many types of embroidery that are distinctly Filipino (below, right).

SOUTHERN living

38

COV ER STORY Daisy Teramos is one of the best burdareros using the ethnic style of embroidery (right).

Anda Manik smiles for the camera as she finishes a table napkin for Patis Tesoro (below). After the embroidery process, the cloth is stretched using a bastidor to make sure that it will not shrink when washed (below, right).

SOUTHERN living

39

SPREAD.indd 2

9/11/14 2:34 PM

SPREAD.indd 3

9/11/14 2:35 PM

FEAT URE

SOUTHERN living

42

FEAT URE

SOUTHERN living

43

COV ER STORY

“I learned it at school, but I would always observe my parents embroidering at home. I try to help my mother whenever there are rush jobs.”

SOUTHERN living

44

ST YLE

A GENTRIFIED AESTHETIC Unisex clothing proves that fashion isn’t restricted by gender, definition, or norm

PHOTOGRAPHY CYRUS PANGANIBAN STYLING EDLENE CABRAL

On Milka: Cardigan, P2,590, Zara, Glorietta 3. Turtle-neck top, P4,550, Massimo Dutti, Greenbelt 5.

Trousers, P1,950, Mango, Alabang Town Center. Oxfords, P2,190, Stradivarius, Glorietta 2.

On Jean: Cable-knit sweater, P3,990, and slip-ons, P2,990, both Zara, Glorietta 3. Trousers, P4,950 Massimo Dutti, Greenbelt 5.

SOUTHERN living

45

ST YLE

Overcoat, P2,790, and pullover, P1,190, both Stradivarius, Glorietta 2.

Button-down shirt, P2,250, Mango, Alabang Town Center.

SOUTHERN living

46

ST YLE

Blazer, P3,990, trousers, P2,990, and slip-ons, P2,990, all Zara, Glorietta 3. Top, P295, Stradivarius, Glorietta 2.

SOUTHERN living

47

ST YLE

MAKEUP JOYCE PLATON OF SHU UEMURA. HAIR MARK FAMILARA. MODELS JEAN GOULBOURN AND MILKA QUIN.

Blazer, P2,295, top, P1,495, and trousers, P2,195, all Bershka, SM Aura Premier.

Oxfords, P2,190, Stradivarius, Glorietta 2.

SOUTHERN living

48

ST YLE

Overcoat, P6,990, and slip-ons, P2,990 both Zara, Glorietta 3. Button-down shirt, P2,750, Mango, Alabang Town Center. Trousers, P4,250, Massimo Dutti, Greenbelt 5.

SOUTHERN living

49

ST YLE

Pullover, P5,450, Massimo Dutti, Greenbelt 5. Button-down shirt, P2,250, Mango, Alabang Town Center.

SOUTHERN living

50

7.25 x 10.indd 1

2/28/14 4:28 PM

ST YLE

Pullover, P1,190, Stradivarius, Glorietta 2. Button-down shirt, P2,250, Mango, Alabang Town Center.

SOUTHERN living

52

ST YLE

On Jean: Jumpsuit, P2,990, overcoat, P8,990, and slip-ons, P2,990, all Zara, Glorietta 3.

On Milka: Jumpsuit, P3,750, Mango, Alabang Town Center.

Oxfords, P2,190, Stradivarius, Glorietta 2.

SOUTHERN living

53

M ARKET

1

2

4

3

6

5

7

8

PARED-DOWN PERFECTION

Get timeless pieces with minimum investment for maximum return

1. Sunglasses, P1,250, Mango, Alabang Town Center.

2. Jacket, price available upon request, Armani Exchange, Power Plant Mall.

3. Bag, P15,950, Tory Burch, Shangri-La Plaza Mall.

4. Sustainable Fashion and Textiles by Design Journeys, P1,729.19, National Book Store, SM Southmall.

5. Shoes, price available upon request, Reiss.

6. Sweater, price available upon request, Lacoste, Greenbelt 3.

7. Wallet, P5,650, Lacoste, Greenbelt 3.

8. Watch, price available upon request, Armani Exchange, Power Plant Mall.

SOUTHERN living

54

SPECIAL FEAT URE

ALL-AROUND ENTERTAINMENT Level up your home theater experience with Sharp AV Rack

it also serves as an instant sound system. With its 6,000-watt Peak Music Power Output (PMPO) audio power, the Sharp AV Rack is sure to fill the room with superb sound, making sure you never miss a thing from your favorite shows.

And not only does the Sharp AV Rack provide a great sound system for your TV, it also allows you to listen to listen to your favorite tunes through its USB multimedia function. You can also enjoy local radio programs on air through its built-in AM/FM tuner.

With this AV Rack’s sleek design, easy-to-use features, and multifunctionality, Sharp once again provides a perfect solution for those looking for cost-effective ways to enjoy a complete, high-quality entertainment experience at home.

S

o many people can spend hours end watching their favorite TV series or movies, especially during weekends or holidays.

And while it’s great to watch your favorites on any TV, even the biggest and clearest TVs won’t satisfy if the audio quality isn’t up to par.

Sharp’s AV Rack is not your ordinary TV rack. Aside from being able to carry TVs up to 42-inch (with up to 40kg load capacity),

SHARP (PHILS.) CORPORATION Km. 23 West Service Rd., South Superhighway, Alabang, Muntinlupa City Tel. No.: (+632) 842-0525 to 29 Fax No.: (+632) 842-0530 Toll Free No.:1-800-1-888-4952 Website: www.sharp.ph

CEBU LIVING

SOCIAL

From the same company that brought you Northern and Southern Living, Hinge Inquirer Publications reveals another magazine with a new voice and a fresh point of view. Cebu Living is a quarterly magazine that discusses the way of life from the perspective of Cebuanos, highlighting people of substance: captains of industry, philanthropists, entrepreneurs and game changers—people who are shaping the future of Cebu today.

It hopes to portray with honesty the Cebuano way of life, and the way Cebuanos hope to live. For subscription, call 403-8825 local 310 or log on to go.hip.ph/subscribe.

INSTAGRAM: @CEBULIVINGPH FACEBOOK.COM/CEBULIVINGPH

HALFx0910 PAGE AD2.indd 7.25 10.indd 1 Advert 2Soli.indd 1 2014 Sharp

9/11/14 1:18 4:00 PM PM 9/12/14 2:57 9/12/14

EATS Upholding the toxic-free lifestyle principle of The Wholesome Table, it enacts a completely smoke-free zone rule.

BACK TO THE TABLE The Wholesome Table knows healthy eating that’s good for the body and for the senses TEXT SEPTEMBER GRACE MAHINO PHOTOGRAPHY TAMMY DAVID

Normally, when someone exhorts you to do something, an understandable reaction would be to dig in your heels and do just the opposite.

At The Wholesome Table, though, with their manifesto for conscientious eating available for reading at every table, the idea of filling yourself with only the good stuff becomes appealing. One of the most buzzed-about new restaurants in town since it opened, it touts itself as the perfect, happy medium between perilous indulgence and a spartan-like deprivation from everything tasteful. The Wholesome Table’s claim has some gravitas, though, as owner Bianca AranetaElizalde is herself a poster child for the beautiful benefits of healthy living. “This restaurant is not so much a business as it is a commitment to a lifestyle that my family and I have been living for more than 10 years now,” she says. “We wanted to present healthy food that isn’t what Filipinos commonly think of as healthy food.”

True enough, there’s no calorie counting going on in The Wholesome Table’s kitchen, with the menu filled with dishes that anyone would love to gorge on, diet or no diet: tender, grass-fed beef strips on a bed of chewy pizza covered in tomato sauce, baked onions, roasted garlic, fresh mozzarella, and Grana Padano (Graze Land Pizza); grilled free-range chicken fillets slathered with creamy pesto sauce (Classic Pesto); eggplant layered with cheese and tomato sauce, with tofu bits added in

for some bite (Eggplant Parmigiana). There are carbs, there’s protein, but there are no toxic ingredients. Araneta-Elizalde affirms, “Healthy food isn’t restrictive, and that’s what people respond to when they eat here. They can have pork chops and french fries without feeling guilty, because the food is fresh and made from scratch using real ingredients.” Not to mention flavorful and deliciously familiar, a relief to palates more used to conventional, chemical-laden, and cheaper, faster food.

An extensive drinks menu with choices for smoothies, detox juices, refreshers, and sodas complement The Wholesome Table’s food selection. Just like with the dishes, each item here was developed with no sugar and concentrates; just raw, organic produce, in keeping with the restaurant’s agenda of making a full meal healthy from start to finish. “All superfood smoothies and juices are from my personal recipes,” Araneta-Elizalde reveals. “All the detox juices are ones we enjoy at home. The refreshers, I helped develop them with our liquid chefs.”

The restaurant evokes the feel of a country home, with the (faux) aged and cracked patina of its brick walls, the woodand-metal shelving, all the homey details and touches, such as the small Mason jars with handles in which the drinks are served. “People have been clamoring for a place like this,” she says. “They want to eat healthier, but a lot of them aren’t ready to go on full-blast vegetarian yet. I guess that’s why they appreciate us.”

SOUTHERN living

56

EATS The Wholesome Table offers a wide array of wood-fired pizza (left), local coffee (bottom, left), and preservativefree pork chops (bottom, right).

The Wholesome Table. 30th Street corner 7th Avenue, Bonifacio High Street Central, Taguig.

867-0000. www.thewholesometable.com.

SOUTHERN living

57

EATS

Millie Gutierrez’s family is one of the first Puerto Rican families to settle in New Jersey. Her father used to own a restaurant there where she helped cook and serve the dishes.

CULTURE NOOK

This small, back-alley restaurant is big on the real taste of Puerto Rican cuisine and the feel of a warm, cozy home TEXT DIANNE PINEDA PHOTOGRAPHY JILSON SECKLER TIU

“When people hear about Puerto Rico, they immediately think Jennifer Lopez or Ricky Martin,” Millie Gutierrez says, laughing. The owner and cook of Sofrito, a small dining spot in Salcedo Village, relates how, when she and her Filipino husband Jay moved to the Philippines, less was known about Puerto Rican cuisine and there were no restaurants here that offered the Latin country’s signature dishes. She realized that it could be a good chance to introduce her family’s age-old recipes and build a small, unpretentious restaurant reminiscent of a warm cantina.

Named after a mixture of garlic, cilantro, onions, ajicitos, cubanelle peppers, and other spices used as bases for Puerto Rican dishes, Sofrito is as small and intimate as it gets. A white tarpaulin bearing its name hangs outside the glass window, and wooden chairs and tables are neatly arranged in the limited space. Nothing fancy, no clichéd emblems or colors of Puerto Rico, save for the upbeat Spanish music playing in the background. But the menu is undoubtedly Puerto Rican, serving food that is both rich in flavors and history. “It’s similar to Cuban cuisine except that Cuban’s has more garlic and lemons. We’re more on the spicy side but nowhere near Mexico—that’s totally different. Ours is more flavorful. Here when you say ‘spicy’ it means ‘hot,’ but for Puerto Rican food, it’s a blending of different

spices,” she explains.

Plantains play a big part in most of the dishes in Sofrito, with green saba being the localized ingredient. The Pastelon is their own version of lasagna, with ground beef, green beans, and cheese placed in between layers of saba instead of pasta. It’s an interesting mix of flavors: the sweetness of the saba, the saltiness of the cheese, the garlicky taste of the beans, plus the guava hot sauce on the side. The Mofongo, a mashed plantain ball with crushed chicharron and garlic sauce, goes well with the carnitas (fried pork). The Boricuastyle lechon asado is a filling choice of marinated pork served with rice and beans. The homemade empanadas are remarkable, with unique variants such as guava or mango and cream cheese.

It’s easy to feel right at home in Sofrito, as the friendly couple is always up for a good conversation. They don’t just engage in trite, obligatory exchanges but also tell stories about Gutierrez’s first-time experiences in the Philippines, the things she misses back home, her husband Jay’s witty 90-year-old mother, or his memories of the simple life in Manila. Gutierrez says, “The kitchen is the focal point of family gatherings—we want Sofrito to be just like that. We just want to keep it small so we can talk to customers, get to know people.”

SOUTHERN living

58

EATS

Desserts include sugary saba and guava balls and Tres Leches Dulce (top, left). The Mofongo is a traditional AfroPuerto Rican dish (top). Gutierrez grinds green saba with chicharron to make Mofongo balls (left).

Sofrito. Ground Floor LPL Mansions, San Agustin Street, Salcedo Village, Makati City. 0917-8009570.

SOUTHERN living

59

EATS Moonshine Bar serves filling dishes to complement your drinks, like the toasted baguettes dipped in spicy tomato sauce topped with a sunny side up egg.

NIGHT ON THE TOWN

An after-work refuge that will cure your work woes TEXT DENISE DANIELLE ALCANTARA PHOTOGRAPHY GABBY CANTERO

“Work is the curse of the drinking classes,” says Oscar Wilde.

Every young professional has that unquenchable desire to hop into the nearest watering hole as soon as office hours are over.

For a few, obvious reasons: to revel after the day’s frustrations, to forget about the paperwork left undone, or to simply indulge in comfort food and drink the night away.

Moonshine Bar offers solutions for the stressed urbanites in an approachable way. “We don’t want to be too snobbish. We want people to still be comfortable but have enough privacy to wind down,” explains Renz Mediarito, marketing manager and one of the five owners of Moonshine. Unlike most speakeasy concepts sprouting around the Makati Business District, Moonshine did not intend to hide completely. There are no strict exclusivity rules and codes, just a directive to have plain old fun.

The masculine interiors, dark colored bricks and wood, and dim lighting bring you back to the Prohibition Era. Instead of serving you illegal liquor, Moonshine offers a wide array of

freshly muddled cocktails served in Mason jars. The fusion of fresh fruits, herbs, and strong liquor has a refreshing effect on the palate with a delayed kick.

You can’t underestimate the power of the Jungle Juice, one of Moonshine’s best signature cocktails. Its freshly muddled watermelon and cucumber mixed with gin will definitely wake your spirits as you reach the bottom of the jar.

But their drinks are just as intoxicating as their food.

The truffle mac ’n’ cheese is a rich explosion of flavors with cheddar, mozzarella, and Emmental cheeses combined with the truffle oil’s earthiness. Don’t think about dieting as you feast on the bacon-dusted fries or while making your own s’mores, as both dishes will leave you feeling a bit guilty but more than satisfied.

Moonshine also offers classic shooters for a faster hit, with cocktails such as mojitos and margaritas, as well as brewskies.

So the next time your boss gives you a scolding, think twice before you give up and head over to Moonshine instead.

Moonshine Bar. Unit 1C, Valdelcon Building, Jupiter Street, Barangay Bel-Air, Makati City.

478-7340. moonshineph@yahoo.com. www.facebook.com/MoonshineBarPH.

SOUTHERN living

60

14

h

E

SID

IN

A lik lex e M

y, m

a re

T be hos ca e w us ord e in s die don film ’t m m att ak er er

st No

SE HIRE NO EN

S

to e h is w b din fi abit eir e a a C nds s, d- n a on fi lou h Pe as cto wh o lmm ds, ims pe s b r at a n th a up elf Dio ath and it’s in nd c e le ker -an Up kno roo he old tt Bia d- in m r fu N ers C co th tu ew , p atb min e re Y ho ag g ork to a n nig s hts

E

E !

THE

FILM

ISS

U

h

.p

ag

tm

sc ou

g in liv

T

N

20

IO

AY

CT

08

M

SE

N

T E I ES IVA OR PR RIT Nliving R ER TE ORTH

OR

H

11

g in liv

ILE

ISP

UC

8

N

IC

D i,

-F

al

w

ts

an

to

fy

de

de

TO

e

IO

Lo IN

lum

IN TOUCH

Vo

CT

GU AU 14 20

SE

M DO

E July

FOrbEs

RN HE UT SO ue | Iss

e 11

N

14

su | Is

RU

20

Es rb FO

e8

D

ST

lum

ULT

U

Vo

08

&

G

14 20

g in liv

E

U

Y G NC IEN NA NJ U CU

F S O AL Y JO IM E AN R TH G U VE N YO E O UIN R SLE SC EA R RE W OU RN A TO N Y LE S E ET OW O H RT W RP S EA N OU H O SS OM LE FR

July

RN HE RT NO

RN HE RT NO

IK

AT NG EN ON pA TH TH E

M W SU AK VA H AY M E M TH LD TES TO ER E ES SA B M BE CO Y V OS ST UN IS T BE TR ITIN OU AC Y’S G T O F H O ES U R

M

A

R C

H

20 14

3

4

W he n

Vo l.

A

R

C

H

20

14

W

IN

TO

UC

H

HO

W

TO

MO

VE

IN

AN

of Ya ho o!

Ph ilip pin es

D

AB

OU

T

TH

E

C IT

Y

MA KA TI l ea JA VO NU LU AR W ME Y W. MA 2 MA KE IS SU RC H IT MA E 7 20 14 KA TI .C OM

cu ltu re

W ork is Pl ay

Th ev ibra nt an d cr ea tiv ew ork

o.

|N

M

FO rb Es

N VI ATH LL AN ON IA CO

S A ETT N D IN PA BA G P SS LA RIO IO NC RIT N IN IE S G S

O N

TS

B FIT E O N NY PR ESS OU IE W R TO IT

EN

TR IA W TH IN LO N NS ING AN TR D IAT 10 H IM yE LE AG AR TE A IN S O DA ST fC NH TO ON UG UG QU O O H W ER N O AV IN ff ES G x -R AN TE OA D RR D CU A RR

A

SW

PM

TO

11 4:

N

4 /1 28 8/

AR

1

LE

dd .in 22

NOLI SOLI Ad FP.indd 1

A COMMUNITY MEDIA SOLUTIONS COMPANY

Have your free copies right at your doorstep!

For Inquiries, call 403.88.25 local 310

ST 2014

F R

gi

c.

fin

n

itio

9/12/14 4:23 PM

FR O M

ES

LE S

BE TA AU KE TIF O U NLY L M FIV IN E U TE S RE C A O TO L OK Y FO IN KIT OD G S TO TA CH AT C EN A M KE A D K DA E O GR YS N UB D S RY

RU

IV

gu

Vo

lum

e

8

| Is su

e

12

G O C M E O

20 14

A

U

G

H

U

ST

20

14

liv in g

NO RT HE RN st

Da sm ar in PA C as NT H A A Z N

AR CH

Au

EATS

Drinks are made with the country’s tropical weather in mind. A bartender (left) mixes refreshing fruits with alcohol from the bar’s extensive collection (below, left). The Green Sting (below) is a cocktail mix with calamansi, basil, and cucumber.

SOUTHERN living

62

RECIPE

BETTER THAN TAKEOUT

This flavorful chicken recipe comes with a warning: it can be highly addictive TEXT CHRISTEL BONCAN-CONSTANTINO PHOTOGRAPHY AND STYLING GABBY CANTERO

HONEY BOMB CHICKEN WINGS INGREDIENTS

12 pieces chicken wings Peanut oil 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour CHICKEN MARINADE:

5 teaspoons apple cider vinegar salt and pepper HONEY BOMB SAUCE:

4 cloves garlic 2 pieces chipotle peppers in adobo sauce 1/4 stick unsalted butter 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar 2 1/2 - 3 tablespoons honey

PREPARATION 1. Marinate chicken wings in apple cider vinegar, salt, and pepper in a resealable plastic bag. Refrigerate for about 3 hours or overnight.

2. In a food processor, throw in the whole garlic cloves and the chipotle peppers and pulse until smooth.

Set aside.

3. When ready to cook the chicken, remove from the resealable plastic and coat with all-purpose flour.

4. In a large bottom-heavy pot, heat peanut oil over medium heat. Fry chicken wings in batches until golden brown. Set cooked wings on paper towels to drain the excess oil.

SOUTHERN living

63

5. In a large saucepan, melt the butter over low heat and mix in the garlic and chipotle pepper mixture for about 2 minutes. Add in the apple cider vinegar and honey. Whisk everything together. Transfer the chicken to the pan and coat with sauce.

T HE GET

THE ART OF SUBTLETY

Minimalist jewelry made in hushed tones speaks volumes TEXT DIANNE PINEDA PHOTOGRAPHY PATRICK SEGOVIA

When most jewelry designs seek to vie for the attention of onlookers, define one person’s status, style, or mood through adornment, or, in a more familiar purpose, “to make a statement”—Melanie Cuevas decides to go in the opposite direction.

Cuevas’ designs aim for a more minimalist effect: to complement clothes rather than overpower, to make subtle yet luxurious expressions than stand out from the crowd. “I thought of [making] pieces that can be worn alone, be worn together with other pieces from the line or be layered together with jewelry that one already owns,” Cuevas shares.

But the quietness of her pieces does not translate into lack of presence. The principle with which she fashions her jewelry is rooted in the way she views them not only as personal ornaments, but also as works of art. “People always hold more attachment and sentimental value to jewelry because it’s very personal, more intimate, more intricate, and at times, more than clothes, they are things to keep, collect, and to last,” she says.

For her debut collection called “Elements,” the former fashion magazine editor in chief took inspiration not from trends dictated by the runways but from ordinary, everyday experiences. A necklace with a clasp shaped after a common door hinge, a bar cuff derived from architecture’s softer curves.

The Hive ring, inspired by the shape of beehives, is a thin piece made of pure silver dipped in yellow gold, with a bar connecting the two hive-shaped details. In retrospect, her pieces still make a statement—that of a modern aesthetic with timeless and genderless sensibilities. She says, “I’d like to think that I’m designing for the modern man and woman, with pieces that can be worn with anything, regardless of a person’s style or gender. And I love that because my pieces are not really over-the-top, the person and his or her style are still there.”

Cova by Melanie Cuevas. Cura V at Power Plant Mall. www.vitostudio.com.

SOUTHERN living

64

7.25 x 10.indd 1

2/27/14 9:49 AM

7.25 x 10.indd 1

9/3/14 11:01 AM