AU G U S T 2 0 1 9 ISSUE 31
BA R | C U I S I N E | A R T | P O P -U P | E V EN T S
Easy like Sunday brunch
SU N DAYS | 10:30AM - 2 :30 PM Price per person: P1,800 Children aged 10 and below: Free of charge For reservations, please contact reservations@manilahouseinc.com or +63 917 816 3685
August 2019
M H | TA BL E OF C O N T E N T S
The Leopard (Il Gattopardo, 1963) by Luchino Visconti
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E D I T O R ' S PAG E
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NEWS Benefits, Privileges, and Partnerships
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CLU B RU LES
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MEET OUR TEAM Nova Linatoc
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MH INTERVIEW Rick Santos
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ON SHOW Artists In Residence
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SPOTLIGHT Enter The Dragon Now Showing: The Leopard Shaken or Stirred? New York State of Mind
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FOOD A Taste of Mindanao All Bottled Up COCK TA I L HOU R Drink of the Month I N C A SE YOU M IS SE D I T Federalism: Are We Ready? More Than A Sniff: Glenmorangie Single Malt Whisky Tasting
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MEMBERS' CORNER Big Five
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R ETA I L COR N ER
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C A L E N DA R OF E V E N T S
MH | E D I T O R ’ S PAG E
Past, Present, Future
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lbert Einstein once remarked that “For us physicists, the distinction between past, present and future is only an illusion, however persistent.”
Meanwhile, Jean-Baptiste Alphonse Karr, the French critic, journalist and novelist, noted that “plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose”—the more things change, the more they stay the same. If time is illusory, so is change, and in many ways we explore this idea with the many talks and events we have lined up at Manila House this month. The convergence of past and present is conveyed magnificently in Luchino Visconti’s 1963 cinematic masterpiece, The Leopard (Il Gattopardo), based on the novel of the same name by Giuseppe Tomasi de Lampedusa, one of my all-time favorite books. Set in an Italy caught between the old aristocratic society and the emerging republic, the movie— worth watching if only for the sumptuous ballroom scene— screens on Tuesday, August 27 at 5PM. The future brings with it Artificial Intelligence and all its implications on the way we live, study and conduct business, Kevin Chin, an Australian entrepreneur who founded the global conglomerate Arowana—and lives on his private jet, essentially—sees AI as the future. He jets into Manila House on Monday, August 5. And asks the salient question: in the age of AI, will you become victor or victim? As for preserving the past for the sake of the future, Eddie Jose has built up a reputation as a master conservator of the sacred and ancient arts of East Asia. Paintings on silk and paper, centuries-old, are expertly and painstakingly restored by him and his team—the ministries of culture of Himalayan kingdoms have him on speed dial—so that future generations may continue to contemplate them. He talks about his journey as a Filipino conservator on Tuesday, August 20.
Bambina Olivares
Director of PR and Arts, Culture, and Education Programs
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Photo by: Ramon Tan Mangila - Pix Republik
H OUSE G U EST WH O Ken Pavés Hollywood Hairstylist
WHAT Ken Pavés and RGPI Media Luncheon WH E N June 27, 2019
Best In-House Magazine PHILIPPINES BEST BRAND AWARDS 2018
Editor Bambina Olivares Content Community Manager Angeli Chin Graphic Designer Joseph Concepcion
O N TH E COVE R A serene corner along Bonifacio Dining
Editorial Advisers Anton San Diego Vicki Aldaba
Benefits, Privileges, and Partnerships
MH | N E W S
For information, please contact membership@manilahouseinc.com or events@manilahouseinc.com
CENTRE MÉDICALE I N T E R N AT I O N A L E 10% Discount for Manila House Members on CMI Prime Health Essential Packages Additional 10% discount for Senior Citizens and PWDs
KERRY SPORTS X MANILA HOUSE PROMO
T H E B AT T E R Y
The Penthouse
We have partnered with The Battery in San Francisco to offer Manila House Members a special discount of 10% off the Best Available Rate to those wishing to book and stay at the hotel adjacent to this exclusive private members club. Accommodation at this chic 14-suite luxury boutique hotel includes a spacious penthouse suite and roof terrace. As hotel guests, Manila House Members will be considered Resident Members of The Battery, and as such will have access to the club’s facilities during their stay. About the Hotel All accommodations feature hardwood floors with meticulously curated furnishings by Ken Fulk. A state of the art suite of amenities includes: 60” HDTV with connectivity across all devices, Geneva sound system, and complimentary WiFi. Bathrooms feature natural stone tile, a large tub,walk in shower, and amenities by Malin+Goetz. The Battery’s minibars are stocked with a full liquor selection, mixers, and snacks chosen with an eye towards locally produced and unexpected treats. The hotel offers 24 hour front desk assistance. Accommodation is subject to availability. Reservations must be coursed through Manila House via membership@manilahouseinc.com or events@manilahouseinc.com The Battery 717 Battery Street San Francisco, CA 94111 USA + 1 415-230-8000 thebatterysf.com
Manila House Members can avail of special discounted rates for annual membership at the luxurious two-level Kerry Sports Club within Shangri-La at the Fort
LIFESCIENCE The LiveWell Annual Care Program from LifeScience is a 12-month health package that is much more than your usual medical check up. For a whole year, you'll have access to consultations, in-depth testing health wellness activities, your very own Care Team, and a health plan designed especially for you. Manila House Members enjoy a special discount on the introductory price of P127,230 by using this exclusive promo code: MHLIVEWELL.
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MH | C L U B R U L E S
Attention All Members DRESS CODE Members and Guests are asked to be respectful of the occasion and time of day and to dress appropriately, and that includes footwear. Flip-flops are not allowed at any time. W E E K D AY S
ANNUAL DUES You may have overlooked the payment of your annual dues. Please be reminded that outstanding dues must be settled.
Ladies and gentlemen may not wear shorts at any time. Gentlemen may not wear vests (singlets) at any time.
Members with accounts in arrears risk temporary suspension of their membership.
Workout apparel (except shorts) is allowed as long as a cover-up or hoodie or sweatshirt and proper footwear is worn. Gentlemen are required to wear trousers when dining at The Grill or Anahaw.
Please be informed that from July 1, 2019, a 2% interest will be levied on outstanding dues.
WEEKENDS Casual wear is allowed, including shorts, for both ladies and gentlemen. Gentlemen may not wear vests (singlets) at any time. Gentlemen may wear shorts when dining at The Grill or Anahaw. NO CARD, NO SERVICE We would be grateful if you would inform your guests that they will be unable to order food and beverages without you, as the Member, present at the Club. 3
Your Membership Card (RFID card, once available) must be presented when ordering. We reserve the right to refuse service to guests of Members ordering from our dining outlets without the Member present.
Please do not hesitate to contact our Finance Department for any queries you may have regarding your account. You may email accountsreceivable@manilahouseinc.com. RE:MEMBER REFERRAL AND R E WAR D S PRO G R AM Refer a friend, family member or business associate for membership to Manila House and we’ll reward you! Our membership is open to adults aged 18 onwards. For more information, please call +63 917 816 3685 or email membership@manilahouseinc.com.
MH | M E E T O U R T E A M
Get to Know: Nova Linatoc
Humorous, patient, and always looking at the positive side of things, Nova always welcomes Members with a smile at the Avenue Bar How did you end up joining Manila House? I studied Food & Beverage in MIHCA. I worked at night and attended training during the day. My dream is to work on a cruise ship, but before that, I want to gain experience first. Luckily, a friend of mine who works in Manila House told me about the job. I applied, and the rest is history! What's the best thing about working in the Avenue Bar? At first, I didn’t want to be assigned at the bar. As a newbie I was under the impression that I should be in the dining since that is what I was trained for. Eventually, I got to learn new things about working in a bar, which I value. It’s not just about serving drinks since the bar itself has so much more to offer. Which bar chow do you recommend the most?
My dream destinations are Maldives & Santorini. These two exotic destinations need no explanation! My favorite hobbies are watching movies, reading books, and eating out The drink I enjoy the most is a classic mojito!
You can never go wrong with our mushroom sisig. Whenever a guest orders it, the entire bar would smell it too. It smells so good because I love mushrooms! How would your best friends describe you? They’d say I’m confidently beautiful with a heart—with a dash of naughty! Haha! But honestly, I guess they would say I’m a source of positive energy.
D I RECTO RY
Reservations +63 917 816 3685 reservations@manilahouseinc.com
Banquets +63 917 816 3671 banquets@manilahouseinc.com
Member Relations +63 917 657 2073 membership@manilahouseinc.com
etail R +63 917 809 4896 retail@manilahouseinc.com
PR and Arts, Culture & Education Programs +63 917 829 0819 events@manilahouseinc.com
Call us: +63 2 958 5007, +63 2 478 7163, +63 2 478 7165, +63 2 478 7176, +63 2 826 3196
Manila House Private Club, Inc. 8th Floor, Net Park Building, 5th Avenue, Bonifacio Global City 1632, Taguig City, Philippines www.manilahouseinc.com Manila House Private Members Club @manila_house
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MH | I N T E R V I E W
Rick and Bonnie with their rugby loving brood: Ryan, Reed, and Rand
Rick Santos
Santos Knight Frank has been reaping award after award for excellence in the real estate industry. And there's no better authority on the spectacular growth of the Philippine market than its Chairman and CEO Rick Santos How did you end up in the property sector? I did my graduate thesis on the “Spatial Implications of Information Technology on Office Location Theory” that looked into the outsourcing revolution. It gave me the passion to pursue real estate especially in the Philippines where, a decade later, the BPO phenomenon would dramatically change not only the commercial real estate landscape but also the economy in general with the expansion of the middle class.
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What is it about real estate that keeps you challenged and motivated? Working in a country like the Philippines with so much potential has been a constant inspiration, driving me to do what I do. At my company, we have a front-row seat in the world of development and are able to advise private and institutional investors who shape the city skyline. Most importantly, we’re proud to contribute to job generation through my company’s direct hires and our work with BPO companies, where each of the 1.5 million BPO jobs supports three to four indirect jobs.
MH | I N T E R V I E W
Rick with his wife Bonnie
Why is the Philippine property market especially resilient? Is it true that there’s never been a property bust in the country? The Philippines continues to be an attractive location for investments due to a variety of factors. We have strong macroeconomic fundamentals and interest among investors remains high. With the median age at 24 years old, the favorable demographics of the Philippines is the “secret sauce” that drives the BPO sector to invest and expand in the Philippines. If you had P1 billion to invest in property, would it be in commercial property or residential property? If residential, would you buy a home or a condominium? Commercial and residential properties provide attractive yields if you have the right location. Is it true that demand far exceeds supply in places like Forbes Park and Dasmariñas Village? Prices in premiere residential locations such as Forbes Park and Dasmariñas Village have risen dramatically due the limited supply. Based on our annual study, prices in Forbes Park saw the biggest jump in values by 100% over the course of five years.
What would you advise someone wanting to buy their first home? Location is always key. Factors such as the neighborhood, security, accessibility, and infrastructure developments will impact not only your property’s value and but also whether you’re comfortable with your new address. Another is property management. Look for a place with a professional property management service provider who can efficiently take care of the day-to-day operations and increase or preserve the value of the residential property. Have any of your children expressed an interest in following you and getting into real estate? As a family, Bonnie and I have exposed the kids to rugby and other sports advocacies more than real estate. My eldest son, Ryan, is now on his second year in Harvard as the rugby team’s vice-captain, while Reed and Rand play for the International School Manila varsity rugby team and help expand the Makati Mavericks Sports Foundation, our grassroots youth rugby program. As parents, it’s important to let your kids discover what they’re passionate about. Whatever their career decisions in life, Bonnie and I will always be there to support them. 6
MH | O N S H O W
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Jayson Oliveria, Hahahaha. 72 x 60 in. Oil
Carlo Ricafort, Untitled, 78 x 50 in. Oil
Gerardo Tan, After Merry-Go-Round, 96 x 72 in. Oil
Arvin Flores, Kierkegaardian Rave On, 60 x 70 in. Acrylic
MH | O N S H O W
Artists In Residence Our August exhibition Meet the Residents brings together seven of the country’s foremost contemporary artists under the curation of multi-media artist Gerardo Tan Gerardo Tan photographed by MMU
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he work of Maria Cruz becomes tantalizingly compelling in bridging the critical machinations of the world down to its symbolic currency without loss to both formal excellence and conceptual complexity. Paradox and contradiction are two inspirational cherubs sitting on each side of the artist’s shoulders that guide the aesthetic of Manuel Ocampo into fits of hysteria and humor, providing us with an impossible vision of a nightmare reality that looks like the here and now, whilst jousting against the hazy reasoning of the tired and accepted norm, the convention of mediocrity, the moral defeat of the lazy plenty, and the poverty of suspicious taste. Arvin Nogueras’ deft calligraphic imagery blurs the high from the low, from graffiti to abstraction, from sound to language, from surface to structure, away from the boundaries of the body to the social environment, affecting how we read visual signs as codes of interactive meaning akin to the performing magic of cave paintings, effectively picturing the politics of expression and its force. To focus solely on the punchline provided by Jayson Oliveria’s works, one would miss the elaborate set-up of visual gags cum artistic deconstruction of the sign turning away from the chain of the narrative, not to say that it isn’t funny, but where, as floating signifier the image offers freedom from content and allows a liberating context for the viewer, the comedy of errors in the reading that ensues is unique in its formal attack using crop and isolation flirting along minimalist abstraction as if it was situational comedy, which is a high form of interactive creative intuition rather than rehearsed acting.
Carlo Ricafort is a virtuoso on jazzy compositions of line, shape, and color which he renders with a smooth vibe of stylistic quotations from art history (ab-ex, pop, surrealism, etc.) highlighted by a counter-cultural clash of post-colonial wit and irony, rending painting as a cartoon effigy, if not a Trojan virus, for the protests of a radical minority. Gerardo Tan’s conceptual mix is a potent brew of objective anti-realism, intuitive chaos and chance compositions, a skillful rejection of academic interpretation through a discourse on mechanical reproduction, applied commentaries on technology and cultural obsolescence, material entropy and the persistence of memory, and so on so forth, to which his crosspollination into various media becomes an artistic tactic on the critique of consumption, and abstraction as an engaged but silent refusal against the oppressive majority. Arvin Flores' painting ensues, intercepts, echoes, with varying temperatures and gravity, an interchangeable palette of colors tripping on techno electronic nouveau where invention acts as a paradigm shift between mood fragments and comical recesses that push the limits of the expansive terrain of the imagination, as windows to infinite expression, re/creating forms as pattern, time lapses to inform the present. - Arvin Flores Meet the Residents Exhibition Opening Saturday | August 3 | 6PM The exhibit runs throughout the month of August 8
MH | S P O T L I G H T
Enter The Dragon An expatriate Filipino talks about his journey as a master conservator, devoted to the restoration of rare and precious East Asian artworks
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ddie Jose is the world’s go-to expert for the conservation and restoration of the sacred and ancient arts of Japan, China, Bhutan, and Korea, often executed on fabric and paper rendered fragile by time and exposure to the elements.
until October 2010, astounding audiences at the Rubin Museum of Art in NYC, the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco, the Musée Guimet in Paris, the Museum of East Asian Art in Cologne, and the Museum Rietberg in Zurich.
After training for more than a decade under the tutelage of Japan’s most respected master restorers, in 1989 he became the first non-Japanese national to receive a certification from the Bunkacho, the Japanese Agency for Cultural Affairs, allowing him to restore Japanese national treasures. He has been integral to creating and managing blockbuster exhibitions of East Asian art, such as The Dragon’s Gift: The Sacred Arts of Bhutan. Showcasing sacred objects from Bhutan’s monasteries, it debuted in the Honolulu Academy of Arts in February 2008 and toured the world
This month at Manila House, he regales us with his experiences as a conservator, providing a glimpse into the world of a restorer, complete with the tools of the trade, as well as eight actual paintings he has restored. He will also discuss art collection and management.
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ENTER THE DRAGON A Filipino Master Conservator and His Journey Tuesday | August 20 | 6PM Members: FREE | Guests: P500
ABOUT EDDIE JOSE Master Conservator Ephraim “Eddie” Jose has been operating in the US and abroad since the early 1980’s. Heir to the art conservation traditions of Japan, his primary training consisted of apprenticing in two of the top national studios for over a decade. Jose specializes in restoring and mounting Asian works on paper and fabric, and is at the forefront of Himalayan Thangka conservation efforts. From 1990-95, he served as Chief Conservator for Asian prints and paintings at the Honolulu Museum, and is the founder of Druk Foundation for Art Preservation and the Thangka Conservation Center, Thimphu.
MH | S P O T L I G H T
Now Showing: The Leopard
One of the greatest Italian movies of all time, directed by one of the greatest directors of all time, The Leopard (Il Gattopardo) by Luchino Visconti, starring Burt Lancaster, Claudia Cardinale, and Alain Delon, was released in 1962 and continues to captivate audiences with its magnificent portrayal of a society—and an aristocratic class—in a state of flux and stasis as the march towards change and modernity advances. The Manila-based Italian director Paolo Bertola gives a brief commentary on the movie, followed by a Q&A
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The Leopard was written by the only man who could have written it, directed by the only man who could have directed it, and stars the only man who could have played its title character. The first of these claims is irrefutable, because Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa, a Sicilian aristocrat, wrote the story out of his own heart and based it on his great-grandfather. Whether another director could have done a better job than Luchino Visconti is doubtful; the director was himself a descendant of the ruling class that the story eulogizes.
But that Burt Lancaster was the correct actor to play Don Fabrizio, Prince of Salina, was at the time much doubted; that a Hollywood star had been imported to grace this most European—indeed, Italian—indeed, Sicilian— masterpiece was a scandal.” - Roger Ebert, 2003
TU ESDAY | AU G UST 27 | 5PM | I NTRAM U ROS Members: FREE | Guests: P500 For reservations, please contact events@manilahouseinc.com or +63 917 816 3685 Presented in partnership with the 10
MH | S P O T L I G H T
Shaken or Stirred? You can ask James Bond. Better yet, you can ask David Bromige, co-founder and creative director of Martin Miller’s Gin at an exclusive Gin Masterclass
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istilled in England, blended in Iceland, and enjoyed by gin lovers all over the world, Martin Miller’s Gin is a modern premium spirit made the traditional way. In creating his gin, the traditionalist in Martin Miller demanded he make a gin that “tasted of gin” and not, in his words, “of some highly flavoured confection”. To this end, he insisted on only employing the methods and techniques of the “ traditional ” gin makers—sticking rigidly to their tried and tested methods and their classic range of botanicals.
ABOUT DAVID BROMIGE David Bromige is the co-founder and creative director of Martin Miller’s Gin. His early career involved owning his own design agency with a client base of super premium brands. It was his wealth of experience and extensive knowledge of the drinks category, that led him to develop new products for top drinks companies such as Diageo, Pernod Ricard and William Grant & Sons.
Martin Miller’s Gin was born in London in 1998 when in a small establishment of Notting Hill. Appalled by the lack of quality gin at that time and wanting to encourage a younger audience into the gin fold, Martin Miller with co-founders David Bromige and Andreas Versteegh decided to create a unique gin, no matter the time, money or effort invested to get it. In England in 1998, the botanists and citrus trees they had selected from all over the world were distilled for the first time—and so, the soul of Martin Miller’s Gin was born. 11
Alongside Martin Miller’s Gin, its original parent company, The Reformed Spirits Company was behind the development of such brands as Fever-Tree Tonic Water which launched in 2004. The year 2000 saw the launch of an Icelandic vodka, Polstar, which rapidly became the fastest growing vodka in the UK. Polstar was sold to William Grants in 2002, which later became Reyka Vodka; and in 2009, they created the world’s first clear cream liqueur, Triibe. Together with his co-founders, Bromige has been instrumental in propelling Martin Miller’s Gin to the forefront of the gin category as one of the leading super premium gins in the world today.
MH | S P O T L I G H T
Gin Masterclass with David Bromige of Martin Miller's Gin Martin Miller’s Gin G&Ts and canapÊs will be served
What makes Martin Miller's Gin unique?
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It was the first super premium gin of the modern line market.
its elaboration, two 2 In separate distillations
are carried out between the citrus and botanical ingredients to achieve a unique clarity and freshness.
was the first gin mixed 3 Itwith water from Iceland,
one of the purest waters in the world and key to the exceptional characteristics of the product.
only 12 years of 4 With history it is one of the most awarded gins in the world.
was not created with a 5 Itcommercial objective but
with the desire of Martin Miller and David Bromige to develop the best gin in the world.
FRI DAY | AU G UST 2 | 6PM Members: FREE | Guests: P500 For reservations, please contact reservations@manilahouseinc.com or +63 917 816 3685 Presented in partnership with
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MH | S P O T L I G H T
New York State of Mind Looking for a pied-à-terre in New York City? Two expert realtors guide you through the process of finding the right apartment in the Big Apple
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ora Ephron, the essayist and novelist known for her dry wit, wrote an article last year in the New Yorker, in which she likened finding an apartment in Apthorp, the Beaux-Arts building in the Upper West Side, after her divorce from the journalist Carl Bernstein of Watergate fame, to falling in love all over again. In February, 1980, two months after the birth of my second child and the simultaneous end of my marriage, I fell madly in love. I was looking for a place to live, and one afternoon I walked just ten steps into an apartment on the Upper West Side of Manhattan and my heart stood still. This was it. At first sight. Eureka. Ten steps in and I said, “I’ll take it.”
There are many benefits of owning real estate in New York City. Whether it be steady appreciation, increasing rents, and/ or a place to come when you visit, owning a NYC property can be a great addition to your investment portfolio. Aaron Graf and Maryann Peters, of LG Fairmont, present an exclusive discussion on the process of investing in New York City Real Estate. www.lgfairmont.com New York State of Mind Wednesday | August 21 | 5:30PM Members: FREE | Guests: P500 13
ABOUT AARON GRAF AND MARYANN PETERS Aaron Graf is the founder and CEO of LG Fairmont, a NYC-based real estate brokerage. Maryann Peters, is the top real estate advisor at the firm. The firm specializes in sourcing low risk/high reward property investments for its clients around the world. LG Fairmont is known for its efficiency and discretion. Aaron and Maryann have advised clients, including a number of Manila House Members, on over a thousand real estate transactions totaling over a billion dollars in the New York City area. Aaron holds an MBA from Columbia University.
MH | F O O D
A Taste of Mindanao Savor the coconut-based dishes of Bangsamoro cuisine with this month's specials Sangkerat Saba plantains in coconut cream
RESTAU RANTS AN D O PE RATI N G H OU RS ANAHAW Fine Filipino food in an elegant colonial-inspired setting. TH E G RI LL Cozy yet sophisticated, serving steak and seafood grilled to perfection. (Serving Lunch from 11AM - 2PM • Dinner from 5PM - 10PM on weekdays and until 11PM on weekends) BO N I FACI O D I N I N G Here, comfort food is served from breakfast and lunch through to merienda, high tea and dinner, from pasta with our own special sauces to irresistibly delicious salads and sandwich standards with our own twist. (Weekdays: 11AM - 11PM • Weekends: 11AM - 12MN) AVE N U E BAR An elegant bar that begins indoors and flows into an outdoor deck with incredible views of the BGC skyline. (Weekdays: 7AM - 12MN • Weekends: 7AM - 2AM) 14
MH | F O O D
All Bottled Up B.Y.O.B. - Bring your own bottle! We'll waive corkage for a minimum consumable fee of P2,000 per bottle* Consumables include food, mixers, and drinks. *each bottle must not exceed 750 ml
AVEN U E BAR AN D D ECK For reservations, please contact reservations@manilahouseinc.com or +63 917 816 3685 15
MH | C O C K T A I L H O U R
Drink of the Month Rain or shine, a fresh, fruit-infused cocktail is always a good idea Perfectly Justified MH dragonfruit vodka, pineapple-vanilla lemonade, aquafaba
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MH | I N C A S E D Y O U M I S S E D I T
Federalism: Are We Ready? The recent Akademyang Filipino Conversations session posed a timely question: "Should the Philippines adopt a federal form of government?"
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his critical and significant national issue was discussed by former Supreme Court Chief Justice Hilario Davide, Jr. and former Senate President Aquilino "Nene" Pimentel, Jr., who presented opposing views last Saturday, June 29 in Anahaw. Former Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Solita Collas-Monsod and DILG Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya provided commentary. Senior Associate Justice Antonio T. Carpio and former Ombudsman Conchita CarpioMorales moderated the open forum which followed, where members of Akademyang Filipino, government and Embassy representatives, media, and Manila House Members shared their thoughts and directed questions to the panel.
From left to right: Aquilino "Nene" Pimentel, Jr., Jonathan Malaya, Hilario Davide, Jr., and Antonio T. Carpio
The recommendation of top scholars for democratic countries with functioning systems or forms of government is to REFORM and REFINE rather than OVERHAUL their systems or forms of government. - Solita Collas-Monsod
ABOUT AKADEMYANG FILIPINO Akademyang Filipino is a diverse society of 100 of the Philippines’ pre-eminent achievers, who have distinguished themselves in the arts, sciences, and professions in service to the nation. Its core members are the Philippines’ National Artists, National Scientists, and Ramon Magsaysay Awardees. Its purpose is to start and sustain an ongoing dialogue among the country’s decision makers to help overcome the most crucial challenges to national development. Learn more at www.AkademyangFilipino.ph 17
MH | I N C A S E D Y O U M I S S E D I T
More Than A Sniff:
Glenmorangie Single Malt Whisky Tasting
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public holiday didn't stop whisky lovers from discovering the flavors and complexities of Glenmorangie Single Malt Whisky. Six special bottles ranging from 12 to 18 years old—including the Signet—were paired with food and savored by Members and their guests in an epic evening.
Matthieu Lerat, Brand Ambassador for Glenmorangie
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MH | M E M B E R S ' C O R N E R
Big Five
Shy Perez-Sala’s blood runs thick with wanderlust. The founder and director of SPS Travel, the Hong Kong-based boutique travel company, shares her top five destinations for travellers to include in their bucket list
My top five picks, in no particular order, offer a combination of culture and scenery, phenomenal wildlife, and amazing cuisine
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THE DOLOMITES, ITALY
ove Italy but hate the crowds? Get off those welltrodden tourist paths and stay off-the-grid at the UNESCO-listed Dolomite mountain range. Between hikes or ski runs, one can sample rich Northern Italian dishes, like blueberry venison, gnocchi topped with smoked ricotta cheese, and pasta stuffed with paté and mushrooms, at the various networks of rifugios (mountain refuge or hut), located all throughout the area. Several of these
BWINDI IMPENETRABLE FORTRESS, UGANDA A country no larger than the UK, Uganda is certainly compact but blessed with a stunning variety of ecosystems. 19
rifugios have even hosted Michelin-starred chefs. Nestled at the foot of the Dolomite peaks, the Ladin-speaking town of San Cassiano may be tiny, but packs a big punch. This charming mountain village has not only one but two Michelin-starred restaurants, some of the longest ski runs in Europe, and stunning hiking trails during the summer. And, for those who love to imbibe, the region is also home to the uniquely Italian distilled spirit called Grappa and some of the best Chardonnay vineyards in the country. This is the place where the savannahs and rainforests meet right smack in the middle of the African Equator. Uganda is also home to Africa’s largest lake, Lake Victoria, and the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Among all the African national parks, Bwindi is one of the least known, hence it has none of the crowds which frequent its more famous neighbors. However, it is one of the best places for spotting the rare and endangered Mountain Gorilla and man’s closest cousin, the Chimpanzee. The exclusive eight-room Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp, nestled deep inside Bwindi, is an ideal place to base yourselves for all these treks. And, sometimes, if you’re lucky, the wildlife will even come to you!
MH | M E M B E R S ' C O R N E R
ST. PETERSBURG, RUSSIA As Russia’s second largest city and capital of culture, St. Petersburg is world-renowned for its well-preserved 18th and 19th century Baroque and Neoclassical heritage buildings, which led to its listing as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991. When visiting the city, indulge and spend a day (or three) at The Hermitage, the largest art museum in the world! One can even combine this with a trip to Finland’s capital of culture, Helsinki, a three-hour train ride away.
HIMALAYAS, INDIA This might very well be one of India’s best-kept secrets. In the foothills of the Indian Himalayas lies the region of Kumaon, an area known for some of the most spectacular mountain scenery in the world. It is also home to the award-winning Shakti 360° Leti by Shakti Himalaya. This Relais & Châteaux property is known for its ‘Head in the Clouds’ retreat featuring remote village walks with carefully chosen spots for meditation on mindfulness, comfortable stays at local traditional houses, healthy eating, and daily yoga practice. Guests will be accompanied by local porters and guides, a private chef and a ‘Head in the Clouds’ guru. For those who choose not to participate in the retreat, Shakti also offers trekking and camping in remote but stunning locations with the chance to spend the night in a tented camp set up exclusively to enjoy the outstanding views of the perennially snowcapped Himalayan mountain range. The trip concludes with guests staying and unwinding in one of the four luxurious pavilions at Shakti 360° Leti.
PUNTA DEL ESTE, URUGUAY Uruguay's "Miami of the South," Punta del Este is known as a playground for the prosperous and the powerful, the hip and famous, and one of the most exclusive resort towns in all of Latin America. Its scenic coastline is divided between two areas, Brava (fierce) and Mansa (tame). In 1982, the Chilean artist Mario Irarrázabal was inspired to create a sculpture of a hand of a person perceived to be drowning, to warn people of the dangers of the rough waters on the Brava side, which is more suited for surfing than for swimming. This sculpture called La Mano (The Hand), has since gone on to become one of Ururgay’s most iconic landmarks!
ABOUT SPECIAL PERSONAL SOJOURNS Crafts privately guided, tailor-made trips to all seven continents for clients located all around the world. www.sps-travel.com / shy.sala@sps-travel.com WhatsApp/Viber: +852 9830 6834 Special Personal Sojourns
@sps_travel 20
MH | R E T A I L C O R N E R
Retail Therapy AUG 17 - SEPT 16 TELA—Ethical, Sustainable Fashion Tela, which means fabric in Filipino, is a brand by 19-year-old Alyssa Lagon that sees a future where fashion meets sustainability. Growing up, she spent summers witnessing how each piece of clothing is cut, stitched, and assembled through the hard work of craftsmen. Inspired by this familiarity and love with textiles and kinship among artisans, Tela aims to share this thoughtful exchange between maker and buyer—guaranteeing only to produce a line that is within the spectrum of sustainability. Attributes of the Tela brand are either natural, thus biodegradable, recycled and/or upcycled fabrics that hope to inspire intentional buying of pieces, made with integrity and designed to last. The well-thought pieces are made for the multifaceted young modern woman of today who belongs to a culture of mindful people whose concerns extend beyond themselves. Tela believes that building a sustainable future is a collaborative effort with the community, and it starts with the smallest things such as the fabrics we wear every day. Tela launches at Manila House on August 13
AUG 3 - 16
THROUGHOUT AUGUST
Sitara Vintage
Baum Solid Parfum
L’arôma
Vibrant, elegant resort and casual wear designed to fit different shapes and sizes.
These travel-friendly solid perfumes are made with beeswax, which soothes and calms the skin.
Fancy floral, fruity, or fresh and clean, L’arôma Home Fragrance transforms the atmosphere of your space.
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Nachtmann Fine Bavarian Crystal High quality crystal glass in ornate and exquisite designs from Bavaria.
MH | C A L E N D A R O F E V E N T S
august brave new world In the age of Artificial Intelligence, will you become victor or victim?
Turn to page 23 for more details
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THU | AUG 1 | 4PM LOSING MY MIND When Dementia Strikes The onset of age brings with it the risk of dementia. Dr. Donnabelle Chu, a neurologist, talks about the loss of cognitive functioning, and what to do when dementia strikes. Presented in partnership with Centre Médicale Internationale (CMI)
Members: Free | Guests: P500
FRI | AUG 2 | 6PM SHAKEN OR STIRRED? A Gin Masterclass
SAT | AUG 3 | 6PM EXHIBITION OPENING: MEET THE RESIDENTS
David Bromige, co-founder and creative director of Martin Miller’s Gin, shows you how to make a killer martini, an unforgettable G&T and many more gin-based cocktails.
Multimedia artist Gerardo Tan curates an exciting and provocative group show that includes his work as well as six of his colleagues. Together they are among the country’s foremost contemporary artists.
Canapés and G&Ts will be served.
The exhibition runs through August
Members: Free | Guests: P500 Advance reservations recommended
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SATURDAYS AND SUNDAYS STEAK-CATION Steak just the way you like it! Book at The Grill for lunch or dinner and enjoy our 2kg Tomahawk steak— perfect for 4 to 6 people—at the special rate of P5,800. For reservations, email reservations@manilahouseinc.com Pre-orders are recommended. NOTE: Promo price is not in conjunction with other existing discounts and promotions. 23
MON | AUG 5 | 5PM ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE: Implications for Business Strategy Will you be victor or victim? asks Kevin Chin, AI expert and CEO of Arowana. The Australian globe-trotting entrepreneur discusses AI and its impact on our world and how we do business. Members: Free | Guests: P500
SAT | AUG 10 | 10AM-12NN JUST FOR KIDS: Pinoy Playtime August is Buwan ng Wika, the month in which we celebrate Filipino culture through traditional Filipino games. Get ready to have fun learning to play patintero, piko, tumbang preso, and more. Open to children aged 4 and above. Price: P950 per child, inclusive of fresh fruit juice and snacks
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13 TUE | AUG 13 | 6PM FINANCIAL LITERACY SERIES: Stock Market 101 As part of our new financial literacy series, Papa Securities, one of the country’s leading brokerage firms, presents a seminar on the stock market for the lay person, covering the following topics: · What is the stock market? · How do I earn from the stock market? · How do I get started? Members: Free | Guests: P500
WED | AUG 21 | 6PM TUE | AUG 20 | 6PM ART CONSERVATION: ENTER THE DRAGON An expatriate Filipino, Eddie Jose, talks about his journey as a master conservator, devoted to the restoration of rare and precious East Asian artworks. Members: Free | Guests: P500
REAL ESTATE TALK: New York State of Mind Aaron Graf and Maryann Peters, New York-based real estate advisors from the firm LG Fairmont, discuss investing in property in the Big Apple, whether it’s a small apartment for your children working and studying in New York City, or a family home you’re looking for. Members: Free | Guests: P500
TUE | AUG 27 | 5PM NOW SHOWING: The Leopard
THU | AUG 22 | 5:30PM GET CRAFTY: Members' Mixer
Banish the Thursday blues with local brews. Featuring Engkanto Beer, ARC Gin, Monkey Eagle Brewery on the house. Members: Free | Guests: P500 Advance reservations recommended
Luchino Visconti’s cinematic masterpiece about Don Fabrizio, the Prince of Salina, Sicily and the changing Italian landscape against the backdrop of Garibaldi’s campaign to unify the country screens for the first time at Manila House. Released in 1963, the movie stars Burt Lancaster, Alain Delon and a young Claudia Cardinale. After the screening, a Q&A with Paolo Bertola, an Italian filmmaker based in Manila, follows. Presented in partnership with the Philippine-Italian Association Members: Free | Guests: P500 24
Manila House Members now enjoy reciprocal rights at the following Clubs
1880
Singapore 1880.com.sg
THE AMERICAN CLUB HONG KONG Hong Kong americanclubhk.com
STR AITS CL AN Singapore straitsclan.com
TH E CIT Y S O C I E T Y Beijing, China thecitybeijing.com
TOWE R CLU B S I N GAP O RE
ART Y Z E N CLU B
TH E Q U O RU M
WO RK CLU B G LO BAL
Singapore tower-club.com.sg
Gurugram, India thequorum.club
Hong Kong artyzenclub.com
workclubglobal.com With four locations in Australia:
SYD N E Y SU PRE M E CO U RT Sydney
SYD N E Y BAR AN GARO O Sydney
B RO DY L A N D Budapest, Hungary brody.land
M O D E RN I ST
San Francisco, CA USA modernist.club
TH E CO U RT
London, United Kingdom thecourt.co.uk
SYD N E Y BARRACK PL ACE Sydney
M E LBO U RN E 287 CO LLI N S Melbourne
Please note that all requests for visits to and bookings at our reciprocal clubs must be coursed through Manila House at least three (3) days before your intended visit. Please include the dates of your visit, as well as the number of guests you wish to bring, as each club sets its own limits. We kindly remind you to wait for email confirmation that your visit has been approved before proceeding to the reciprocal club. Please refrain from calling the reciprocal club directly to announce your visit. You may also be required to present your Manila House Membership Card when you arrive at the reciprocal club.