THE POWER OF LOVE

Recently, someone was telling me about how he couldn't get into the Oscar-nominated movie Everything Everywhere All at Once. The premise of the movie didn't quite appeal to him, and he abandoned the film after 20 minutes. "It's something to do with the multiverse, like everything happening all at the same time. It was too chaotic for me," he said, "I couldn't figure out what it was about."

"Well," I replied, "it does move through space and time, through a multitude of universes and a multitude of dimensions, but ultimately, at its core, it's a movie about love. And a movie about possibility."

It's as simple as that. Of course, it's also a highly entertaining film with many laugh out loud moments, incredible effects and bizarre narrative tangents, but the common thread, the primal force, that links and powers through the different universes and dimensions is love, particularly the love between a mother and a daughter.

And with love comes possibility. As commodified and hyped as the notion of love has become these days, it's still what most of us seek out in order to bring fullness and purpose to our lives. Not in the sense of finding fulfilment in another person, but in the sense of discovering the wholeness in yourself because you have given in to the possibility of love.

As the poet Edna St. Vincent Millay once wrote, "Love is not all; it is not food or drink... / Yet many a man is making friends with death / Even as I speak, for lack of love alone."

If that's too Deepak for you, then there's always a love song to remind you how universal the desire to love and be loved is. In fact, on Valentine's Day, we have a former contestant on The Voice, Ryan Gallagher, to serenade you throughout dinner and remind you how love really makes the world go 'round. Turn to page 17 for more on the very special evening we have planned for you on the day of love.

Bambina Olivares Director of PR and Arts, Culture, and Education Programs

HOUSE GUEST

WHO Jason Atherton

Michelin-starred Chef Jason Atherton of Pollen Street Social, Pig & Palm

WHAT

Private Dinner at the Rizal Room with his wife, Irha, and their daughters, Keziah, Jemimah and Athena, together with Anton San Diego

WHEN

December 30, 2022

PHILIPPINES BEST BRAND AWARDS

Editor

Bambina Olivares

Content & Marketing Manager

Arci Catalan

Graphic Designer

Emmanuel John Guevara

Content Researcher

Trina Valera

Editorial Adviser

Anton San Diego

EDITOR'S NOTE TABLE OF CONTENTS

MEET OUR TEAM

Joanne Soriano

CLUB RULES

Attention All Members

BENEFITS & PRIVILEGES Quick Getaways LifeScience X Manila House Sanivir X Manila House

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT North of the Border Portugal Calling

Gong Xi Fa Cai Nation and Nationality

Jura Duty

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

SerendipiTea Be Mine, Valentine In the Mix

Portugal Arrives in Manila: Going for Gold Part 8

The Portuguese Golden Visa Understanding the Role of the Corporate Director

New on the menu: a five-course sampler of local favorites

JOANE SORIANO Senior Cashier

A veteran member of the team, Joane Grace Soriano is a cheerful and efficient presence at Bonifacio Main Dining, manning the till, breakfast, lunch, dinner and beyond.

What do you do at Manila House?

I am a Cashier. When it's all about payments leave it to me. It is my pleasure to do my job as a Cashier.

How long have you been with the Club?

I've been working here since December 2017. It’s been five years serving the Club, building love and bonds with my colleagues and our Members like it’s one big happy playground.

What made you want to join the hospitality industry?

There are various reasons why I wanted to work in this industry, but mainly I am so used to customer service and I enjoy the compensation and benefits we receive as employees, including providing incomparable services to our clients to keep them satisfied Members of the Club.

Where do you see yourself in five years’ time?

I would love to be a team player and may see myself one of the heads managing an awesome team someday, learning and growing as a great Manager.

How do you celebrate Valentine’s Day?

I normally celebrate it with my family as they are always the first people in my heart.

What’s the perfect day off for you?

The perfect days off for me are Saturdays and Sundays as these are the days where our family can be complete, since as some of us are working during the weekdays. I find it also as the perfect time to be a hands-on mom to my son since school's out on weekends.

What I want to receive this Valentine’s is… I'm not really a materialistic person but being a complete and healthy family is always my priority.

My ultimate love song is… Never Grow Up by Taylor Swift. I can relate to it deeply as a person and as a mother.

Three things I can’t leave home without… My phone, my wallet and my passion.

Directory

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