IN THE HOUSE DECEMBER ISSUE

Well, the traffic outside is gridlocked, and the malls are overflowing…

What could be more of a harbinger that Christmas is finally here than the inescapable traffic leading to the many shopping centers around the city dressed and lit up in all their holiday finery?

But let’s be honest. Crowds and traffic aside, this is, to borrow from the oft-quoted song, the most wonderful time of the year. Hectic, yes; expensive, definitely; overindulgent, absolutely; stressful, tell me about it. Yet without a doubt, utterly wonderful, bringing to a close a challenging year with the spectre of Covid almost behind us, reuniting us with friends, family and loved ones, bringing us cooler weather, and allowing us to feast and make merry with less guilt than usual. This is December, after all. Shedding those extra calories can wait till January, along with New Year resolutions to finally get fit.

We’ve got skin in the game when it comes to Christmas, as you might have noticed. The halls have been decked, so to speak, in our gold-sprayed Christmas trees, holly twirling around the pillars, and twinkling lights everywhere, for over a month now, and we’re totally here for the joys of the season. Join us in celebrating the holidays, be it over Christmas or New Year’s. Turn to pages 11- 14 to see what we have in store for you.

And deck yourselves out in elegant black and white for our New Year’s Eve Dinner and Countdown to 2023 on December 31st. Details are on page 10.

2022, it’s been quite a ride. 2023, we’re ready for you!

Happy Holidays!

HOW TO SIGN UP

Manila House Rewards is easy and convenient to access. The attached hyperlink https://manila-house.eber.co takes you to the regis tration/login page.

Bambina Olivares

The Manila House Management Team

First row from L-R: HR Manager Gladys Belarmino, Restaurant Supervisor Madelene Palconit, Restaurant Supervisor Jay-R Constantino, Facilities Manager Anthony Balicoco, IT Manager Dax Ilog, Restaurant Supervisor Niño Joseph Sanchez, Executive Assistant Marigien Nerona, and Membership Relations Assistant Manager Katharina Fogata

Second row from L-R: Sales Manager Criselda Saway, Senior Sales Manager Donna Gem Ferrer, Finance Director Vesfe Revisa, President and General Manager Jose Arcilla, Director of Sales Pinky Arceo, F&B Director Joanne Moronia, and Content & Marketing Manager Arci Catalan

DIRECTORY

Banquets +63 917 816 3671 banquets@manilahouseinc.com Retail +63 917 851 6500, +63 917 560 0201 retail@manilahouseinc.com Call us: +632 7 958 5007, +632 8 478 7163, +632 8 478 7165, +632 8 478 7176, +632 8 826 3196

Manila House Private Club, Inc. 8F, Seven/NEO, 5th Avenue, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig 1634, Philippines www.manilahouseinc.com

Manila House Private Members Club @manila_house @manila_house

House Private Club

QUICK GETAWAYS

Where to go when you need to escape from city life

For more information, please visit www.banwaprivateisland.com

UNVEIL THE SECRET OF EL NIDO: Experience Luxury in Simplicity at Lihim Resorts

In the Philippine lingua franca, Lihim directly translates to secret.

A secluded lagoon on Bacuit Bay reveals an expansive gradient of turquoise waters. Its surface sparkles like gems under rays of the sun. Some parts of the day, it is a looking glass that bares the storied underwater life of Palawan.

The luxury of experiences is something that unfolds itself at Lihim. In this well-kept secret, tucked in the depths of paradise’s last frontier, senses go on a journey where myth, magic, and mystery come to life. The curator, mastermind, director, and grand host behind all these: nature.

The exclusive experience in-property and on-location menu curated by Lihim Resorts promises to astonish.

Built in the tradition of Philippine huts, accommodations echo the warmth and brand of hospitality distinct to the country and reflect a design sensibility deeply anchored on local culture and everyday life. All sixteen villas on the property offer unparalleled views of El Nido’s storied vistas. With the opulent touch of personal butler, the team offers bespoke services tailored to cater to guests’ desires – from in-room check-in to hanging clothes in your walk-in wardrobe to organizing private parties to planning all activities within and outside of the property and to addressing every need and qualm.

For inquiries, contact Jeremy Aguilar at +63 915 104 9607 or email jeremy.aguilar@arawhospitality.com

Manila House Members now enjoy reciprocal rights at the following Clubs

DRA. KAYCEE REYES answers the MH Questionnaire

Tell us what you do. I'm a wellness expert and health advocate specializing in lasers and in Complementary & Alternative Medicine (CAM). I'm passionate about beauty and wellness and I make it a point to attend international conferences to further widen my outlook towards treating diversified skin cases. I also formerly directed the ALAGA KA project, a local cause that focuses on helping unprivileged communities to renovate their barangay health centers and include staff training. My main mission is to make people beautiful inside and out, to lessen inflammation and increase chances of longevity (as a preventive medicine practitioner).

How do you define success?

Success is not about money, Its more about having peace at heart.

What life lessons did you derive from the pandemic?

That in life you will face ups and downs and it's okay if you have many downs, What matters is you know how to get up every time. Marvel at the simpler wonders of life. No time for other complicated things like hate. So just continue to hope for the best and strive to be good and contribute positively to our society for the future of our kids.

What’s the last movie/series you watched? Wakanda Forever. No to hate!

What book is on your bookshelf but you’ve never read? To Kill a Mockingbird.

What song can’t you get out of your head? 100 Years by Five for Fighting.

What would you like to see in the “next normal?” Innovation!

What’s your favorite thing about Manila House? Brunch and mimosas!

If you had to be quarantined (again) which country would you choose to be in?

Wherever my family is located. Preference would be by the beach or farm. Usually I go where the wind blows, as long as I'm with family!

“ Success is not about money, Its more about having peace at heart”

GIFT OF GLOW

With all the indulgences this holiday season, it's important to remember to watch our health and beauty, inside and out! Manila House together with Ancient + Brave offer this speacial holiday bundle, the perfect wellness gift for you and your loved ones

851 6500

THE #1 SINGLE MALT THE #1 SINGLE MALT IN THE UK* IN THE UK*

TERRA TECHNIQUES

Self-defense skills are lifesaving skills that serve everyone well, especially women. Member Toffy Ilagan introduced Brazilian Jiu Jitsu World Champion Caio Terra, who conducted a most useful workshop on basic survival skills, demonstrating a number of self-defense techniques in a variety of hypothetical situations

BUILDING BUSINESSES FOR BETTER LIVES

Members of both Manila House and Asia Society, alongside entrepreneurs and representatives of non-profit organizations, attended Business for Good with Nanette Medved-Po. The ensuing discussion centered around redefining success and how a business for good is made.

“Our product is not a bottle of water, it’s the idea of hope.”

True to her words, Asia Society Game Changer Awardee Nanette Medved-Po did spark hope and inspiration in the program; and a reimagining of how businesses, whether big or small, can contribute to the climate narrative against plastic pollution.

Learn more about the program here

SLÀINTE MHATH

Jura, a remote island off the West Coast of Scotland and a population of 212 people, produces the Jura Single Malt Scotch Whisky, which is a source of pride and prosperity for their community. Members and Guests learned about--- and tasted--- the three featured Jura expressions during the masterclass: Jura 12 Years Sherry Cask Edition, Jura Seven Wood and Jura 18 Years. Whyte & Mackay Single Malt Expert in Asia, Dean Rosen, led this exquisite whisky tasting experience. By the end of the night, the crowd had learned to raise their glasses and toast the way the people of Jura would, exclaiming “Slainte Mhath!”

PORTUGAL CALLING

You don’t need to be a Russian oligarch to seek citizenship or residency via investment in Portugal under the country’s popular Golden Visa scheme. An increasingly popular destination for many Filipino families considering a second passport, the Golden Visa scheme, as Vicky Magpantay-Luis, President of Golden Visa Centrale, discussed in a recent webinar, is affordable and extremely attractive. Joining her were Rosalia Torres, Head of Sales and International Markets at Arish Capital Partners, Rakesh Majithia, Chief Investment Officer at Arish Capital Partners and Laura Tique, Associate Lawyer at Pinto Ribiero Advogados, who explained the requirements, procedures, investment opportunities - not to mention the benefits of living - in the sunny European country.

DINING WITH GRATITUDE

Thanksgiving Day saw the Club packed with Members and Guests, who enjoyed the sumptuous buffet that included carving stations serving Salmon Al Horno and Sausagestuffed Roast Turkey. They ended the night with full tummies and fuller hearts!

AFFORDABLE ACCESS

The Portugal Golden Visa Program is touted as the most affordable in the European Union. Explaining the processes involved in obtaining residency - and eventually citizenship - via property investment in Portugal were Antonio Viñal, Partner, AVCO Legal, Alfredo Roca Real Estate Adviser, Golden Visa Consulting, and Hugo Lima Partner, TEPPE.

With residential property investment no longer eligible for the Golden Visa program, they offered a new development for consideration by prospective investors, T Hotel in Porto.

To watch the full webinar, visit our YouTube channel