GAITA FORES
Takes a Bite
www.inquirer.net/red
DECEMBER 2014
Editor’s Letter hunT AnD GAThER I don’t like being in the kitchen. In fact, I hardly enter it. But I do love discovering new restaurants with my husband. I’ve realized the most memorable experiences I’ve had was always around a table. Whenever we travel, we hunt for amazing dishes and try different cuisines, and when we are at home, one of my favorite times is sharing a meal around the table. Hunting (for delicious food) and gathering (guests for a meal) are also the foundations on which our cover subject Gaita Fores has built her culinary career and legacy, though she isn’t one to shy away from the kitchen. After bringing authentic Italian flavors closer to home through her restaurants, Gaita now looks forward to introducing to the world what Philippine cuisine has to offer—and we think it’s high time. Shared meals are more than just food on the table, though. They’re experiences made more memorable by the details: the plates in which each dish is served, the music playing, the drink that caps off dinner. Hindy Weber-Tantoco and Blue Carreon know more than just a thing or two about entertaining at home, and they share their favorite things that make it cozier in our inquiRED section. Sometimes, the best accompaniment to food, especially when it’s just you enjoying it, is a good read: you fill your mind as you fill your tummy. Manny Del Rosario of Toby’s Estate shares his favorite coffee table books that can be enjoyed with, what else, a good cup of coffee, and maybe a delectable crepe. Simple yet also kind of indulgent, it’s an experience you can gift to yourself (or to someone you care for) in the midst of the mad rush of the season.
@riaprieto: Uni, meeny, miny, moe #Tokyo #fotd
Ria Prieto
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Contents admiRED /10
Gaita Fores
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Takes a Bite Photography Cyrus Panganiban Creative direction Ni単a Muallam Styling Ria Prieto Makeup Apple Faraon of MAC Cosmetics Hair Rochelle Lacuna
This page: Maureen Disini's #shelfie Photography Patrick Segovia
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squaRED An aesthete's beautiful space admiRED Gaita Fores' sweet success attiRED Bundling up in winter's most winsome coats inquiRED Blue Carreon's and Hindy Weber-Tantoco's favorite things exploRED If Antigua's walls could talk desiRED Bedside reading as recommended by Manny Del Rosario empoweRED Seamlessly combining art and commerce
Editor in Chief Ria Prieto Art Director Ni単a Muallam Copy Editor September Grace Mahino Associate Editor Meg Manzano External Relations Officer Sophie Villanueva Social Media Assistant Angela Manuel Go Contributing writers Pristine de Leon, Ash Mahinay, Mara Santillan Miano,Trina Razon Contributing photographers Sara Black, Johann Bona, Artu Nepomuceno, Cyrus Panganiban, Patrick Segovia Contributing Illustrators Danica Condez, Sainte James Tan
Board Chairperson Alexandra Prieto-Romualdez Group Publisher Bea Ledesma SVP and Group Sales Head, Inquirer Group of Companies Pepito Olarte Sales Director Ma. Katrina Mae Garcia-Dalusong Business and Distribution Manager Rina Lareza
A WhiFF oF LiGht Luminosity and femininity find themselves astir in a bottle of perfume WO RDS PRIS TIN E DE L EO N
Paying homage to the hours before dusk with its new fragrance collection, Jour d’Hermès Absolu, Hermès delicately captures the elusive quality of light. In the year 2012, the brand released the first Jour d’Hermès line. Its fragrances then evoked the first bloom of flowers at early dawn, as the scents were initially conceived to be for the woman in the morning. In its latest line, richer and deeper aromas assert themselves. Jean Claude Ellena, chief perfumer to the house of Hermès, suspends the sensuous aura of noon with Jour d’Hermès Absolu. Within the bottle transpires a playful dance of floral fragrances: lilies, roses, sweet peas, and apricot, laced with the livid essences of jasmine and gardenias. All
Jour d’Hermès Absolu available at Greenbelt 3, Rustan's Makati, Rustan's Shangri-la Edsa
floral elements intermingle to create the pure yet alluring air of femininity. As Ellena intimates, “I wanted to express the essence of femininity with flowers and nothing but flowers.” According to designer Pierre Hardy, since fragrances are in a state of evanescence and abstraction, he fashioned a bottle that would give shape to the exquisite scent. The design was derived from the classic lantern bottle. It sports a square base, which eventually yields to the upper portion’s gentle curves—the figure reminiscent of the natural feminine contour. The container then reveals the tint of an amber-colored rose. Launched last September, Hermès introduces more than a bottle of perfume; it conveys the figure of the woman carrying the essence of light.
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Inquirer RED invades fashion designer Maureen Disini’s residence WO RDS MEG MA N Z A N O PH OTO G RA PH Y PAT RICK S EG O V IA
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The designer's Valentino heels, Polite Society clutch, and Carven shoulder bag
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aureen Disini is best known for her sartorial sensibilities (relishing her leave from the world of publishing, Disini forayed into fashion design and found herself pleasantly consumed with the art). But as her newly renovated space and office proves, Disini’s taste extends far beyond art of the garment kind. Exhibit A presents itself within seconds of the team’s arrival: a long acrylic dinner table coupled with equally invisible chairs, French windows decorated with Jake Verzosa’s “The Last Tattooed Women of Kalinga,” and covetable coffee table books ranging from Charles James and Valentino to Monocle’s Guide to Good Business. “When it comes to entertaining at home, I rely on the eucalyptus candle—it relaxes me, plus it easily sets the tone for the evening,” says Disini. “That, and good food!” As one conversation piece is unearthed after another (“I’m in a rock stud state of mind with Valentino’s heels,” admits the fashion designer), her aesthetic subtly comes to fore. Citing basics as a daily imperative,
Disini reveals an affinity for items that are incredibly versatile. “I’m fond of using pieces again and again. Later this month, I’m off to Germany and Paris for a buying trip, and I’ve already set aside three things for my everyday essentials: Chanel teardrop dangling earrings, a Harry Winston ring, and my Hermès leather cuff.” With a design philosophy that translates to her jewelry, interiors, and of course, her storied craft, Disini presents herself as a likely candidate for several more forays in the future. •
on the radar
Co-LoVe W O R DS P R I ST I NE D E LE O N
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Givenchy’s Pretty Woman
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The house of Givenchy has found itself a new muse. For its Spring/Summer 2015 collection, actress Julia Roberts dons two of the French brand’s most iconic ensembles: black and white separates involving a tuxedo and a chemise dress. Givenchy’s artistic director Ricardo Tisci remarks that Roberts’ versatility as an actress blends well with the brand and its penchant for playing on both masculine and feminine styles. The 47-year-old actress makes her appearance stripped bare of makeup and her iconic smile. It’s part of the plan, Tisci affirms. As the stripped down aesthetic highlights the quality of refinement and maturity that have always marked the brand’s designs.
A Surreal Collaboration In celebration of Valentino’s flagship store in New York, the brand teamed up with decorative arts company, Fornasetti. The two Italian powerhouses launched its limited edition capsule collection consisting of sunglasses, eyeglass cases, silk scarves, porcelain plates, trays, and wooden stools. Where functionality is upstaged by the items’ strikingly imaginative forms, the objects convey an artistic representation of each of the five senses. The designs marry the surrealistic monochrome illustrations of Piero Fornasetti with Valentino's signature crimson hues and its classic camo patterns.
A Gathering of icons In its 160th year, Louis Vuitton celebrates the undying legacy of the LV monogram by enlisting six exemplary iconoclasts to reimagine its timeless logo. Karl Lagerfield, creative director of both Fendi and Chanel, designs his creations following the idea of a punching bag. Artist Cindy Sherman creates a camera messenger with nine embroidered patches. Industrial designer
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Marc Newson constructs functional backpacks complete with fleece. Architect Frank Gehry gives sleekly sculpted curves to his creation. Shoe designer Christian Louboutin applies his signature red tinge and bows and finally, Rei Kawakubo, founder of Comme des Garçons, styles the intriguing “Bag with Holes.”
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KARL LAGERFELD
of Colors and Light Fashion designer Paul Smith renders his playful reinterpretation of Anglepoise's classic Type75 table lamp. Invented by car designer George Carwardine, the first Anglepoise lamp has come to be regarded as a modern masterpiece. Aptly dubbed to have had a “minor miracle of balance,” it has the ability to assume and sustain a wide range of positions without having to be clamped. This year, Smith lends a playful medley of colors to the mechanical apparatus. Shades of olive, fuchsia, cornflower, and lime now brighten the brand’s stunning new special edition—each stroke of color marking a unique element of the lamp’s design.
AFter DeCADeS oF PurSuinG her PASSion For FooD,
GAitA ForeS MAkeS tWo WorLDS CoMe toGether in A SWeet AnD FuLFiLLinG CuLinAry AFFAir admiRED WO RDS PRIS T IN E DE LEO N
PH OTO G RA PH Y CYRu S PA N G A N IBA N
“eventually, i’d just make excuses to invite friends and have a chance to cook for them.”
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G
aita Fores’ culinary expedition does not exactly follow a linear pattern. It’s not the typical plot with an exile and a return, but rather, a merging of the places where she comes from and where she has been to. Hailing from a family surrounded by local Bacolod flavors and sweets from sugar mills, Gaita simultaneously delighted in the local fare while nurturing a fascination for Italian cooking as a child. Now, having encountered the sweetest of both worlds, she merrily asserts that all her culinary triumphs began with an innocent love for food. “As a child growing up, every summer was spent pretty much there in the sugar mill. I guess I was always surrounded by sweet and yummy things.” Gaita had little need of formal induction into the world of cuisine. In her youngest years, much of the idle hours were spent watching her family’s cooks and majordomos turn local produce into what would be a modest culinary feast. Beyond the home, going to groceries served as her habitual adventure. “It’s really funny because I loved going to the Unimart Supermarket,” she recounts. “I loved walking through the pasta section and looking at all the shapes that were available.” Apart from the familiar spaghettis and linguinis, there were the little alphabet-shaped pastas she was fond of eating with butter and cheese. One could almost say her latter years were spent recreating that childhood favorite. Her 11th year marked the start of a larger cultural exploration. At the prime of the martial law years, her family migrated to New York. “We left Manila in December, so even just the shock of winter weather and having to start riding public transportation at 11 years old were a real kind of culture shock.” The initial jolt of their migration was thankfully short-lived. What quickly followed was the delight of encountering the things that New York had to offer. A celebrated melting pot of different cultures and cuisines, the city presented her with a host of different flavors: Italian, Jewish, Asian, Japanese, Ethiopian, Polish, Spanish, and French. “It was a real immersion to global food culture,” she attests. Eventually, however,
simply being a spectator patronizing the state’s inexhaustible variety of culinary fare proved a little unfulfilling. She wanted not merely to marvel, but to participate in the fête. Her foray into the profession began with nothing too sudden or flamboyant. At that time, she was working for Valentino, surrounding herself with everything Italian—from folks to food to fashion. “I enjoyed my work at Valentino. I loved the clothes and I loved that scene in New York, but somehow, it was the cooking that really appealed to me,” she shares. Kindling a greater fondness for Italian cuisine than Italian clothes, she began cooking meals and hosting dinners just to satisfy her passion. “I would cook at my grandpa’s house upstate,” she shares. “Eventually, I’d just make excuses to invite friends and have a chance to cook for them.” When the family decided to return to Manila in 1985, the move prompted her to rethink what she would do to make a living. Though saddled with the uncertainties of youth, 1986 brought her the promise of a childhood dream fulfilled. “I asked my mom if I could maybe find a cooking course in Italy that would at least let me see for myself if that was the field that I really wanted to do. I found myself a place with a Signora in Florence, and I guess that’s pretty much what started my work with Italian food.” Needless to say, the experience was an education of all sorts—not just on the country’s cuisine but on the rich Italian culture. “I would do the class with Signora in the morning. There were some days when part of the class [meant] going to the market and cooking whatever we found. And then, I also [studied] at a language school in the afternoon,” she narrates. Upon returning to the Philippines, she put to use her culinary knowledge and earned her stripes by way of working at Alta Via 1, the family’s Italian restaurant. To prove her mettle, Gaita sought to keep the flavors as authentic as she can remember, gathering locally grown herbs from gourmet farms or cultivating them herself. With the knowledge, the experience, and the skills, Fores decided it was high time for a solo act. Cooking up authentic Italian flavours, she did small catering jobs for a decade, paving
the way for the opening of what are now considered highly remarkable restaurants. There’s Cibo that opened in 1997, a casual dining concept known for offering authentic yet affordable Italian dishes. There’s Lusso which assumes an elegant old-world vibe, where the waiters are in their cotton dinner jackets and black ties, pleasantly serving high tea. The new addition to the line is Grace Park, which she describes as “a farm-to-table showcase for my most recent advocacy, which is to work with our farmers in promoting ingredients that are grown sustainably.” The restaurant similarly showcases Gaita’s work with Casa Artusi, a culinary center espousing the philosophy of modern Italian cooking. “The global market is starting to be impressed with Philippine cuisine,” Gaita remarks. “I’d like to think that maybe whatever work I’ve done has helped to let other people outside the Philippine market know and discover our ingredients and our cuisine.” While improving Italian cooking in the country and simultaneously promoting Philippine flavors across the globe, Gaita has succeeded in bridging the gap between local and foreign culinary cultures. While she has undoubtedly come full circle with her established restaurants, her culinary expedition has yet to culminate next year, when Madrid Fusión—the most important chefs’ congress in the world—will be held in Manila for the first time, also due to Gaita’s doing. “I’ve been to Madrid Fusión three times in the past,” she shares. “Every time I would go, at the back of my mind, [I said] one day, there’s going to be a Filipino chef on that stage presenting something about Filipino cuisine.” Next year, Fores will make an appearance on the stage herself, making another of her sweet visions come to life. •
CREATIVE DIRECTION NIÑA MuALLAM STYLING RIA PRIETO MAKEuP APPLE FARAON OF MAC COSMETICS HAIR ROCHELLE LACuNA
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Winter Worn Inspirational coats well worth the investment
S T Y LI NG MEG MA N Z A N O PH OTO G RA PH Y J O H A N N BO N A O F AT EA S T J ED RO OT CREAT IV E DIRECT IO N N IÑ A Mu A LLA M
Opposite page: On Kate: Trench coat, Burberry, Greenbelt 4. On Drew: Collared shift dress, Harlan and Holden, Adora, Greenbelt 5; Fur coat, Zara, Greenbelt 5. This page: On Drew: Sweater, button-down longsleeve top, and skirt all from Marc by Marc Jacobs, Greenbelt 5. On Kate: Wool coat, Zara, Greenbelt 5; gray skirt, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Greenbelt 5.
This page: Cindy Sherman bag, Louis Vuitton, Greenbelt 4 Opposite page: Gold chrome shades, Linda Farrow, LS Optical
On Kate: Poncho, Massimo Dutti, This page: Greenbeltheels, 5; assymetrical skirt, Peeptoe Zara, Greenbelt 5. Christian Louboutin, On Drew: Biker jacket, Givenchy, Rustan's Makati Adora, Greenbelt 5.
Opposite page: Artisanal chocolates, Villa del Conte, Greenbelt 5
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After hearing the cruel methods used to train the elephants to swim, photographer Jody MacDonald was convinced Rajan's story was an epic tale to tell.
Plaid coat, Tommy Hilfiger, Greenbelt 5; bordeaux leather gloves, Massimo Dutti, Greenbelt 5.
MAKEuP RIA AQuINO OF MAC COSMETICS
HAIR JAY AQuINO
STYLIST ASSISTED BY ANGELA MANuEL GO
On Kate: Shift dress and velvet coat, Massimo Dutti, Greenbelt 5. On Drew: Lilac dress, Harlan and Holden, Adora, Greenbelt 5; tweed coat, Massimo Dutti, Greenbelt 5.
Atmosphere polish, Chanel; rose gold ring, Carla Amorim, Rustan's Makati
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BLue CArreon
hinDy WeBer-tAntoCo
ILLuSTRATION DANICA CONDEZ
DESSERT PLATE I use L‘Objet Pour Fortuny plates, which have vintage Fortuny prints on them. I love the jewel tone colors and the surprise of a fabulous print after a few bites of cake! I've had the same pair of polished nickel Ralph Lauren Home bedside lamps for years. They've traveled with me from New York to Hong Kong to Singapore back to Hong Kong and now they are in Manila.
Conino Lamborghini. I like my dessert plates, much like how I like my stilettos: glamorous and Italian
NIGHT LAMP Fäe Silvergil candle. I like the soft meditative glow of candlelight. Fäe is made of beeswax so it's safe to inhale.
HOME SLIPPERS I am always in Hadleigh’s or Stubbs and Wootton slippers, especially the velvet ones.
Bare feet on warm days. I like to feel the earth, wood, and stone with my feet.
CHRISTMAS ALBuM A super old one by Lea Salonga and one from Bette Midler.
Mariah Carey. The diva makes the whole household light and happy. Her duets and backup choirs are the best!
POST DINNER LIQuOR Limoncello, always.
Crème de Cassis. It’s liquid dessert.
MIDNIGHT SNACK Sometimes, a handful of grapes, other times a macaron or two from Ladurée or Pierre Herme.
Geek yogurt with wild honey and raw nuts.
LuGGAGE Globe-Trotter. I collect them. I love how they show signs of mileage.
Rimowa. I like the matte olive green finish with the quirky printed lining. Makes me feel like I’m going on a safari.
art
the SCene A run-down of upcoming exhibits for the aspiring gallery girls WO RDS A N G ELA MA N uEL G O
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Still Moving: A Triple Bill on the Image
Runs until February 8, 2015 Singapore Art Museum
71 Bras Basah Rd, Singapore 189555
The exhibit features three co-curated exhibitions that explore the nature of the image as explored in the art of photography and new media. In Afterimage: Contemporary Photography from Southeast Asia, Time Present: Photography from the Deutsche Bank Collection, and Image & Illusion: Video Works from the Yokohama Museum of Art Collection, through non-traditional photographic techniques and new forms of visual media, cultural, political, and social landscapes are explored, as well as photography in history over time and experimental new media that have expanded the limits of representation. Cesar Legaspi: The Brave Modern
Runs until April 26, 2015,
Ayala Museum, Makati Avenue corner De La Rosa Street, Makati City
The show includes the artist’s works in Cubism from the pre-war period to the ascendancy of Neo-Realism in the 1950s and 1960s, as well as select largescale works from the 1970s to the 1980s. The intense elements of each of his works bring together an exhibit that pays homage to the world of Philippine modern art and its historical significance.
Maria Taniguchi: Group Show
January 14 to February 14, 2015
Art Informal, 277 Connecticut Street, Greenhills East Mandaluyong City
The group show features Maria Taniguchi alongside artists Nona Garcia, Martha Atienza, Lena Cobangbang, Genevieve Chua, Lou Lim, Issay Rodriguez, Catalina Africa, Patricia Eustaquio, and Lui Medina. Expect a show about landscapes in various media such as sculpture, photography, painting, and installation work from various perspectives.
Vitruvian Figure by Paul Pfeiffer 27 January to 16 April 2015 Museum of Contemporary Art and Design (MCAD)
G/F School of Design and Arts Campus, De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde
Stir Fry by Konstantin Bessmertny
950 P. Ocampo St., Manila
Runs until January 31, 2015
For the first time in Asia, MCAD presents visual artist Paul Pfeiffer’s first solo museum show that includes sculptures, video installations, and photographs. Through exposure to media, Pfeiffer works to examine the role mass media plays in the shaping of social consciousness. The title of the exhibit comes from the artist’s depiction of the stadium environment as a reflection of the larger social environment.
10 Chancery Lane Gallery, Sheung On Street, Siu Sai Wan, Hong Kong
His childhood in the Russian-Chinese border town of Blagoveshchensk says much about the “stir fry” elements presented in his exhibit: the appeal of a classic French masterpiece with the sleekness and sharpness of a modern-day samurai. Bessmertny traverses the connected and disconnected worlds between East and West within backdrops of European settings, an interesting mix of global exchanges that interweave a culture that’s both modern and traditional. Memento by Gregory Halili
January 17 to March 1, 2015
Silverlens Galleries, 2F YMC Building 2,
2320 Don Chino Roces Avenue Extension, Makati City
For the past few years, Gregory Halili has devoted himself to doing paintings on mothers-of-pearl, focusing on two subjects: “eyes” and “skulls.” With imagery that explores the cycle of life, he touches on the eye as a symbol of both human and cosmic existence: the window to the soul, as a body that transcends religion, and as a universal symbol with emotion to evoke.
Epicentre by Gus Albor
Runs until January 30, 2015 Galleria Duemila
210 Loring Street, Pasay City
True to his oeuvre, the artist pays tribute to Yves Klein’s Anthropométries through progressively minimal works of soothing grey tonalities. In this showcase, he combines two forces at work: the body and the material. With this, he presents an array of figurations imprinted by using the female body as a paintbrush.
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WALLeD CitieS Finding comfort in the familiar down the road less traveled PH OTO G RA PH Y S A RA BLA CK
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WO RDS TRIN A RA Z O N
Right: Petra's The Treasury, one of the world's greatest architectural marvels, reveals itself to pilgrims after a lengthy walk through the Siq. Bottom: "A deep blue contrast to the desert landscape"
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Imagine storied walls more than five centuries old bathed in golden sunlight
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ime seems to have stood still in the city of Antigua, Guatemala. Cradled by three volcanoes, the once capital city’s high-altitude has a mild climate, earning it the deserved title of “Land of Eternal Spring.” The phrase poetically captures the Spanish colonial paradise: imagine storied walls more than five centuries old bathed in golden sunlight, city folk going about their business, strolling around on worn down cobblestones. One who has had the privilege of seeing Antigua wouldn’t wonder why it was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Despite its assumably exotic location, there’s a sense of familiarity in this colonial paradise for the Filipino traveler. Photographer Sara Black clues us in: “For a Filipino, it feels strangely familiar—it has all the colonial Spanish influences that make up a big part of our culture, but has its own distinct flair, which is very much apparent in the colorful architecture. I loved being halfway around the world and yet having it feel so familiar.” It’s funny how history plays out sometimes. Our very own historical walls show the fusion and tension between Filipino and Spanish culture while the eroding edifices of Antigua
tell a story of the strain between the Mayan and Spanish beliefs. There’s also a shared sense of resilience between the two countries, a reflection of the people who fought for their culture against an unfamiliar society. One would assume that looking at a country like Guatemala through the lens gives the traveler a different experience, but Sara disagrees. “It's not so much being photographer that creates the possibility for a different vision as all of us have a history of different experiences that causes us to see the world in different ways. I don't think there’s such a thing as an average traveler and an above average traveler—we're all just people seeking for ways and experiences to grow our souls.” •
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BetWeen the SheLVeS An art director lets us in on his literary choices
W O RDS MA N N Y DEL RO S A RIO PH OTO G RA PH Y A RT u N EPO Mu CEN O
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Spy: The Funny Years | Kurt Andersen, Graydon Carter, George Kalogerakis
Post Secret: Extraordinary Confessions from Ordinary Lives | Frank Warren
If there’s one magazine that defined the excess of the ’80s, it would have to be that deliciously vicious newsstand atom bomb called Spy. The magazine started out as satire on all things New York in the ’80s (Donald Trump, rats, supermodels, socialites, etc.) at a time when every other magazine was busy brown-nosing profilees. Spy tore them to pieces and we, the readers, enjoyed every minute of it. Spy: The Funny Years is a 50-50 split between being a narrative about the founding and history of the magazine and excerpts from the more infamous articles. It was nice to revisit the wonderful “Checks to Cheapskates” caper, where Spy sent checks for 13 cents to Adnan Koshoggi (then the richest man in the world), Donald Trump, and Rupert Murdochwho cashed them! Spy's founders managed to create articles that were hilarious, visually inspired, nasty stories that required top-notch lawyering.
It all begins with an idea Frank Warren had for a community project. He began handing out postcards to strangers or leaving them in public places with one simple instruction: “You are invited to anonymously contribute a secret to a group art project. Your secret can be a regret, betrayal, desire, confession, or a childhood humiliation. Reveal anything—as long as it is true and you have never shared it with anyone before. Be brief. Be legible. Be creative.” The response turned out to be overwhelming. Some secrets were hilariously funny and at times silly. Others were very disturbing in that they revealed long-held secrets of various abuses and even murder.
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The Playboy Book | Gretchen Edgren
ILLuSTRATION SAINTE JAMES TAN
A superb photo history of Hugh Hefner’s groundbreaking men’s magazine that began as an after-hours project in a small Chicago apartment. Playboy quickly turned into the most controversial and successful magazine of its time, a fixture on the cultural landscape and an institution as universal as Mickey Mouse.
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Letters of Note: An Eclectic Collection of Correspondence Deserving of a Wider Audience | Shaun Usher This is a favorite of mine. Letters of Note is a collection of over one hundred of the world’s most entertaining, inspiring, and unusual letters, based on the popular website of the same name. This volume features letters from Mick Jagger, President Nixon, Virginia Wolf, The Titanic, ancient Egypt, a Japanese kamikaze pilot, and the Queen of England, with her personal recipe for drop scones. The letters are beautiful and varied and well presented in the book, with a picture of each of the original letters as well as transcripts, as some of them are hard to read. I was thinking of giving this to someone as a Christmas gift last year but decided to keep it after browsing through a couple of letters. It’s that good.
The Planetary Omnibus | Warren Ellis
The Copy Book | D&AD
To a comic book fan, there is no shortage of people proclaiming the greatness of Warren Ellis and John Cassaday’s Planetary. The fact that Ellis and Cassaday took ten years to complete a mere 27-issue run (which drove me crazy!) kept it from being universally accepted in the short list of mainstream comic book masterworks composed of the likes of Watchmen and The Dark Knight Returns. Now that the series is complete and collected in this volume, that omission is no longer acceptable. Take it from me, this is one of the greatest comic books within the last 20 years and it deserves a mainstream audience.
I think the cover pretty much explains what this book is all about. First published in 1995, this updated version remains an important reference for anyone working in advertising. I bought the first edition of this book when I was a young art director at Ogilvy. To say that my copy was well thumbed is something of an understatement, although I wish they added more new names and faces to this updated version.
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George Lois: On His Creation of the Big Idea | George Lois Best known for his Esquire covers from 1962 to 1972, the quality of ideas George Lois presents within and the experience of reading this book make it a must-own for anyone in the creative industry. What’s impressive are his insights and his overall process that helps him find the big idea. Put this book on your shelf and pull it down when you need a kick to the brain.
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Mid-Century Ads: The Fifties | | Edited by Jim Heimann for Taschen This actually is a nice two-volume publication that showcases print ads from the ’50s and the ’60s. But what caught my eye is the volume about the ’50s, with adverts that are entertaining in their unpretentious honesty. The wonderful art direction of the work featured gives a sense of positivity and sunny feel to most of these pages, with bright colors and bold text, often in fonts I haven’t seen in many years. This was the era of pink typewriters, green kitchen cupboards, and bright yellow lounge chairs. The book actually feels like a time machine to the atomic age.
The Curious Curator: Manny Del Rosario of Toby's Estate reveals an intimate look into his personal library with books to inspire any creative native
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RICHARD BRAnSOn He’s known for his collection of novel vehicles, but the $125,000 Gibbs Aquada amphibious car is undoubtedly one of his most unique. The owner of the Virgin Group of companies used this vehicle most famously to set a new record for crossing the English channel in an hour and forty minutes, over four hours less than the original record.
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BILL GATES This American business tycoon enjoys his fair share of luxurious automobiles. As the chairperson of the largest software company in the world, it comes no surprise that his $225,000 Porsche 959 is at the top of his list—it’s one of the most technologically advanced sports cars ever introduced.
GeArinG uP Charmed, we're sure: Peugeot steadily cements itself in the field of sustainable cars WO RDS A S H MA H IN AY
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ack when Peugeot had no official presence in the Philippines, we best knew them for the exploits of their flame-spitting, turboboosted WRC (World Rally Championship) 206s and 307s piloted by hairy-chested Scandinavians with big brass balls. Fast-forward to Peugeot finally hitting our shores and, initially, the lineup felt rather…sedate. Tame. Are we not talking about the Lion brand here? Well, the French carmaker did some growing up after it left its rallying toys in the pram for the pursuit of sustainability—hence the lineup that espouses responsible performance. The discreet charm of a soundly engineered, gracefully designed, and—most importantly—frugal commuter is
something Peugeot has mastered. Think Amélie rather than Alizee. Environmentally sound does not mean boring though. Available exclusively with a range of diesel engines, the flagship 508 is perhaps the epitome of the green ideal married with desirability. Previously anathema to local motorists (Imagine! An oil burner in a premium sedan!), the acceptance of diesel motors has been boosted by advances in their technology—the HDi-series marries economy with the spritely performance we’ve been conditioned to expect from the French marque. It also doesn’t hurt that the 508 is quite a looker—it won’t only be the trees admiring you when you pass in your croissanthauling, rue-rolling, pièce de résistance. •
MICHAEL BLOOMBERG Data mogul Michael Bloomberg is an expert at speed in the financial world, and he shares the same sentiment about the way he gets around. The ultra-fast German supercar Audi R8 is able to hit a top speed of just under 200 mph and can jump from 0-62 in 3.6 seconds.
LAPO ELKAnn His family’s love for the automotive world has surpassed generations, gaining his role as a successful businessman and aficionado from his grandfather, former Fiat chairperson Gianni Agnelli. This industry figure enjoys a ride with an engine as powerful as his influence: the sensational Ferrari 360 Speedway.
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DeLiCAte DeSSertS A neighborhood space that skilfully combines coziness with creativity W O RDS A N G ELA MA N uEL G O PH OTO G RA PH Y PAT RICK S EG O V IA
For years, the struggle to take a step away from the cookie-cutter definition of Parisian dining has remained a challenge. But with their fascination for the French aesthetic and lifestyle, along with a seemingly simple business plan in tow, Cheese Ledesma and Christine Laman have been able to achieve just that. By combining the simple and versatile crepe with tidbits of their own travels and creative experiences, they have come to create what we now know as La Creperie. Its fifth branch, La Creperie Moderne, provides a quaint approach to its name by
providing a comfortable, soulful, and energetic locale nestled amidst the tall, bustling towers of the Makati Business District, bringing to the table food that is simple but thoughtful, and global but also localized. As their largest branch, La Creperie Moderne often finds itself a favorite venue for special celebrations and events, and even craft workshops and creative gatherings. A welcome addition to the La Creperie group of restaurants is the first in-house bar that this branch holds, which they hope will become a wholesome neighborhood spot that gives its customers a
cozy place to unwind and enjoy their favorite drinks, and still have kids enjoy their favorite Nutella crepe and hot chocolate. “La Creperie has become such a personal reflection of us owners—where we have been and things we love, including things that have nothing to do with food like books, art, and music, and our ever-evolving design aesthetic and point of view,” says Christine. “The development and evolution of La Creperie has been very instinctive and organic, and we are thrilled that so many people could relate to it in some way.” •
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BehinD the CorPorAte SCene What keeps food industry prince Leo Po busy between office hours? PHOTOGRAPH Y ART u NEPOMu CE NO W O RDS MARA SANT ILLAN MIANO
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n 2011, film enthusiasts lauded his commercial contribution to the award-winning film On the Job, for which he stood as financial backer. And today, at the young age of 37, amid side projects that involve producing events and TV commercials, he is already certain of his core purpose: as the son of his father Ricardo S. Po, Leo is to “continue his legacy.� Century Pacific Food, Inc. treasurer Leo Po delves into detail about the art of business, the business of art, and everything in between.
BuSInESS BODy Listing down Po's work/life balance
“Art is a concept, an idea, a reflection of life and how people perceive it” How did they convince you to back On the Job? I’ve been old friends with Dondon [Monteverde] and Erik [Matti]. I’ve produced several commercials with them, including that of Century Tuna. At the time, I wanted to try something new, so I told Dondon that maybe we could work on something together. We sat down and pitched several ideas, when Erik said, “There’s this script I’ve been working on for a really long time and I’ve been wanting to get it done, but I haven’t had any luck.” I read the script, and I instantly fell in love with it. My contribution was more on the commercial side—finance, accounting, marketing. That's my thing. The art of it I leave [to them]. It’s in their DNA, as how business is in mine. It’s interesting how the younger generation of known lineages come together to create their own projects, too. You have to totally separate that, right? I have my day job, which is what I do for the family business in different capacities. Business is business, and there's nothing parents want more than for their children to continue their legacy to the best of their capacity. I've just been fortunate that my dad is quite successful. I owe everything that I have to my family and their success. On my own, however, I like to do these small projects. Those are my personal passions. I like music, film, and entertainment. It basically is an outlet for me. What I do at work is more of a science. Do you think those passions of yours inspire you to develop bigger things for your company? Century Tuna capitalizes a lot on show business and entertainment.
Entertainment defines the trend. It’s a reflection of what people are interested in at the moment. That’s why I produced the Century Superbods events (2006) and the Century Superbods runs (2011). I took inspiration from my history in event production. We used to have a company called Superfly. We brought in foreign acts like Kaskade—four times. We were the first ones to do it. I just apply what I learn from my passions. That’s where I am right now. My second foray into film was Kung Fu Divas (2013). It’s different. I went from edgy nailbiting thriller to fantasy comedy.
Daily need: iPad
"An essential? A pen, of course."
"I constantly follow Bloomberg."
Do you see art as a business? Art is a concept, an idea, a reflection of life and how people perceive it. It depends on your purpose, but the important part is sending a message. Sometimes, you just happen to achieve commercial success with it. In lieu of the holidays and the theme of giving, how does a food industry prince compromise the paradox of belonging to a huge corporation and also alleviating the conditions of the less privileged? It gives us a sense of pride that our products are there not just to serve as a convenient source of nutrition but also there to serve during times of need (i.e. natural disasters), by virtue of having products that are in a can, a hermetically sealed container that can endure all kinds of abuse. Also, since we sell our products at a low margin, it only goes to show that we aim not just to serve but also feed a majority of the Filipino people. •
"Oliver Peoples or Dita for eyewear, but my everyday glasses are actually Lindberg."
"A passion project with good friends and even better company"
Bedside reads: George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series