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Condo Living LOV I N G T H E S K Y- H I G H L I F E S T YL E

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d piRE s ins Es iTEm EOd By g d gOl and

Striking S to r e yS

Bold and unapologetic design reign supreme

Lavish Lofts

Tour around two units that defy the rules of design

The Agenda

Live the best life with the latest in Baguio and Metro Manila

Designer Challenge

A modern Canadian cabin vs. a chic Turkish unit

Condo Living Editor

Suki Salvador

Creative Director

Mel Patrick Kasingsing Associate Editor

Patricia Herbolario Writer

Janina H. Bautista

Editorial Coordinator

Ria Lasco

Multimedia Artist

Reann R. Erilla Final Artist

Juan C. Banayat Jr. Photographers

Miguel Abesamis Floyd Jhocson Kieran Punay Ed Simon Contributors

Uzel Alconera Vincent Coscolluela Greg Mayo Suki Salvador Vice President - Magazine And Print Business Maite Tamparong-Uy Group Publisher Erica Luna Editorial Admin Associate

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Executive Vice President Archie Carrasco Operations Admin Associate - Sales & Marketing Angela Jacob Sales Group Advertising Director Maite Tamparong-Uy Business Development Director Ryan Ros Calmante Advertising Sales Support Head James Leonard Cruz Sales Implementation Supervisor Mike Cabbo Key Accounts Senior Key Account Managers Carmelli Daet, Kathleen Amante, Chattie Saludo Key Account Managers Bianca Bernardo, Moi Busto Direct Accounts Direct Account Executives Fons Martinez, Borj Sandoval, Krissa Manuel, Xer Villanueva

Inside O C TO B E R

That’s So Me: The Lush Life 2 Geodes 3 Leather 4 Gold

Sales Support Advertising Traffic Assistant Eunizel Carbonell

Paperbag

Marketing Communications Marketing Manager Niko de Leon Brand Marketing Associate Lauren Lopez Public Relations Associates Angela Jacob, Mikko Abello

5 Kuysen Furniture Luxe furniture from all around the globe in one showroom 6 Gucci DĂŠcor The high fashion brand enters your home

Sari Yap Founder and CEO J. Tiu Chairman Lorraine Belmonte Founding Creative Director

Designer Challenge 8 Oh, Canada A modern take on the Canadian cabin by Jesy Cruz

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10 Turkish Delight Primea Design Group gets inspiration from Hagia Sophia

Neighbors 12 Asian Haus Isabel Antonio designs for a German who chose Manila as his home 16 Something Different An eclectic and industrial unit

by MN Design Studio

Dine-in 21 Brunch Crush A romantic tablescape for two

Agenda 22 Metro Manila 24 Baguio

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THE LUSH LIFE

The best luxe pieces for a hint of lavishness in your space Produced by Janina H. Bautista | Assisted by Patricia Herbolario Photographed by Miguel Abesamis, Kieran Punay, Ed Simon of Studio 100 and Vincent Coscolluela

Photo courtesy of Crate and Barrel

There are easy ways to lay luxury in your space. Some condo dwellers crowd their homes with premium furniture pieces and statement artworks. In design, there are elements and pieces that will always radiate opulence. This month, we give you some of the finest furniture and accent pieces you can infuse in your space to achieve a luxurious unit. But remember, having a comfortable space to live in is perhaps the best luxury there is.

1 Agate on base (P5420), available at Pietro Collection 2 Be Who We Are Blue rug (P38,558), available at CB2 3 Mirrored box with agate (P1155), available at Pietro Collection 4 Mother Amazon dining chair (P24,768), available at CB2 5 Cosmic Galaxy pillow (P2204), available at CB2 6 Geode slice (P5513), available at CB2 7 Brown agate coaster (P2230), available at Harver Hill 8 Marble pillow (price available upon request), available at Phoenix Home 9 Malachite candle (price available upon request), available at La Maison

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Geodes

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Geodes are earth minerals formed through volcanic rocks or hollow remains of wildlife burrows that formed as crystals, consider them a stylish accident of nature.

They are rough on the surface but have sparkling microcrystals inside its hollows.

Geodes make good eye-catching accents with the glitz and sparkle they bring 2

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Leather is a bold statement, may it be in fashion or interiors. Pieces made with leather are generally are durable and high-quality, as they also resist stains.

Adding this material to your space can give it a cool and masculine vibe Photo courtesy of West Elm

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Izzy black leather pillow (P8219), available at CB2 Leather pouf chair (P10,977), available at CB2 Curator black leather stool (P12,632), available at CB2 Cassina Gueridon side table (price available upon request) available at Furnitalia 5 Bernhardt Elka lounge chair (P146,800), available at MAV 6 Quilted black storage box (P1100), available at CB2 7 Victor leather mirror (P9874), available at CB2 1 2 3 4

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1 Vabia Mayfair table lamp (P49,030), available at Kuysen 2 Matt black and gold table lamp (P28,500), available at Interior Source 3 Regatta Jar (P8520), available at Pietro Collection 4 Brass symmetrical object (price available upon request), available at West Elm 5 Bernhardt Jet Set round chairside table (P62,800). available at MAV 6 Kaiser blue vase (P2410), available at Pietro Collection 7 Gold planter (P1935), available at West Elm 8 Gold Furniture set (P59,405), available at Pietro Collection

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Gold

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Gold has long been the symbol of wealth.

It is associated with success, grandeur, and opulence. To incorporate this element to your space without going over the top, put in golden furniture pieces and accessories in varying shapes, sizes, or textures

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Kuysen is your one-stop shop for the best furniture pieces Produced by Patricia Herbolario Photographed by Keiran Punay of Studio 100

When buying furniture, there is only one rule: buy the best quality piece you can afford. A pricey piece of furniture is not only an icebreaker when you have guests over or an investment, these pieces can be a new family heirloom.

With the level of quality these branded furniture have, they can surely withstand the test of time, and the pressures of wearand-tear. And, how can we not mention the fact that these pieces look gorgeous?

Locally, Kuysen is one of the brands that exclusively supplies some of these top-shelf furniture brands. They have recently renovated their showroom in Makati and it is definitely worth a visit. The showroom has a distinct industrial look that harmoniously works together to showcase each piece from each brand under the Kuysen Furniture portfolio.

Housed inside Kuysen’s showroom are global brands that shake the industry in their own right. Names like Desalto, Living Divani, Pedrali, and Zanotta can be seen in the store. If you’re looking for living room pieces, there’s Alivar and Baxter. If you have enough space in your balcony, you can get a specialized textile chair from Paula Lenti. For lighting fixtures, there’s Vibia and Santa&Cole. You can consider it a Bergdorfs of furniture and home accessories, each brand carried is curated by the Kuysen team.

Where: Ground floor, Eton Residences, Legazpi Street, Legazpi Village, Makati City Stalk them: @kuysenofficial

In photo: Reflection mirror from Porro by Pierro Lissoni Bauhaus armchair from Baxter by Draga & Aurel Balancing boxes side table from Porro by Design Front Organique black coffee table from Baxter by Draga & Aurel Liquid small red table from Baxter by Draga & Aurel

PA PE R B AG

GO GUCCI OR GO HOME Patterns and prints galore

Written by Patricia Herbolario Photos courtesy of Gucci Décor 6

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More and more fashion brands are extending their lines to the home sector and for this we are thankful. This means more choices to adorn our homes with, from accessories to furniture.

Just recently, Gucci launched their home collection, Gucci Décor.

Gucci’s Creative Director Alessandro Michele intended Gucci Décor to be a flexible and personal approach to decoration, bringing an accent of Gucci’s contemporary romanticism into the home.

Gucci Décor’s premier collection features a variety of eclectic home accessories inspired by motifs from the catwalk. Striking colors, bold prints, and fierce animal images anchor the whole collection, making it perfect for eclectic spaces out there. Gucci Décor has statement pieces from dining chairs, throw pillows, trays, and many more that home fashionistas will surely love.

There are also porcelain pieces produced by Richard Ginori, a renowned Florentine company founded in 1735. Ginori’s expertise in porcelain and Michele’s penchant for style resulted in a wonderful selection of scented candles, and incense holders that will surely wow your guests.

Remember, having style should not be limited to your ability to dress well but also in how you dress up your home, which is the ultimate extension of yourself. Gucci Décor is available in Gucci flagship stores.

Where: Greenbelt 4 and Shangri-la East Wing

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DESIGN DESTINATIONS Small spaces inspired by the big and bold world Written by Patricia Herbolario Travelling is one of the the best things money can buy. With seat sales and hostels making travel more accessible, you don’t need a huge budget to explore a different culture. Whether you’re a backpack adventurer or a business class regular, the experience of being somewhere else is priceless. You get to see architectural marvels, be it religious mosques or one of Zaha Hadid’s structures.

There are also wonders the world crafted on its own, such as majestic Iceland’s ice caves and Banff’s Lake Louise.

The world is a big place and your unit, no matter where you are or how many square meters it is, is a tiny pocket of space in the world that is dedicated just for you. This makes the decision to customize it to something you can truly call your own a wise investment.

While there are different design styles out there to choose from, you can also have a space inspired by different countries. After all, each country has their own look and style. In this Designer Challenge, see how designers craft a 33-square meter unit for two jet-setting clients.

D E S I G N E R

Canada is rich in flora and fauna, this is translated in the space through an eclectic rug with floral prints and animal patterns

OH, CANADA Jesy Cruz designs a hockeyinspired unit for a young lawyer 8

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Maple, hockey, and poutine: three things that are part of the Canadian identity. The friendlier part of North America is a boiling pot of European cultures and First Nation traditions. A country proud to be a nation of immigrants, this unit draws its design and inspiration from the philosophy of combining different materials and textures to come up with a cohesive space.

Living in this space is Tim, a 26-year-old junior lawyer at a corporate law firm. After making the big decision of buying a condo, he has a compact 33-square meter condo he wants to convert into his home. With a high-pressure job, he wants a space that is comforting and peaceful. An eligible bachelor, Tim wants something different from the usual industrial, mancave look.

Off the court, he plays hockey to destress. Tim is a big fan of the Canadian Rockies, the main inspiration of this unit’s design.

The designers kept the colors toned down and simple. White, gray, and cream are the primary colors used for the studio unit.

Accents of red, taken from Canada’s flag, was used as a primary accent hue, giving the space a clean unique look. A combination of metal, glass, wood, and fabric was used to give the space a unique modern eclectic look.

Since it is a small space, the designer decided to have an open floor plan with all of the areas harmoniously existing with each other. There is ample space for the client to entertain, rest, and pull an all-nighter if needed.

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The wooden wall panel behind the TV is inspired by a hockey shaft. Meanwhile, the couch seamlessly steals its shape from a hockey goal and the coffee table is a geometric puck. Below: To steal that cabin feel, the designer incorporated a lot of wooden accents in the space

About the Designer Jesy Cruz is the recipient of a number of design awards including BluPrint Design Competition 6 (Grand Winner for Furniture Design), BluPrint Avid 5 - 5th Annual Visionary Design Competition ( Finalist), and PhilConstruct 2013 Estilo De Vida Interior Design Competition (1st Runner-Up). He graduated from the University of Asia and the Pacific with a bachelor’s degree in Entrepreneurial Management and later on took up Interior Design at the Philippine School of Interior Design. Jesy is currently a design consultant for his family’s construction company Email: jesychristopherc@gmail.com Co N D o

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The intricate carvings, patterns, and gold embellishments flourish in the bedroom to express the majestic vibe of Turkish architecture without compromising comfort and usability. On the left of the bedroom is a study table that doubles as a vanity and side table. A domed ceiling with an intricate carving is remnant of the famous dome of Hagia Sophia

TURKISH DELIGHT A modern adaptation of Turkish architecture

Sophia is a 26-year-old female condo dweller, and is a Junior Art Director for an advertising agency. She wants her first home to be a sanctuary of relaxation and wellness, and a space to entertaining guests. Astonished from what she saw in her recent vacation, Turkish architecture has become her inspiration for her 33-sqm bachelorette pad. One of her favorite destinations in her trip to Istanbul is the Hagia Sophia, which serves as the main inspiration of the space.

Turkish design elements are heavy on prints and patterns, which can make a room cramped. The designers stayed true to the form but opted for white as an anchor color to create the illusion of a more open space and accented it with emerald green and gold, giving a warm luxurious vibe. Throughout the space are gold trimmings, intricate carvings, iconic ogee arches, and intricate Machuca tiles. These elements are present and dominant in Turkish architecture and design.

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A tufted banquette seat is located in the living area with built-in shelving units showcasing her collection of books, shoes, and souvenirs from her travels giving her more storage. Adjacent is the dining space with customized accent chairs and an extendable dining table to provide more space when accommodating guests.

Top right: In the bathroom, intricate navy Machuca tile flooring is a great contrast to the gold trimmings on the bathroom enclosure and Mandala-inspired mirror

Since the space is limited, the design firm combined the kitchen, living and dining as a flexible area for entertainment.

Upon entry, one is greeted with the living and dining area.

Both are anchored by rich and boldly colored seating to add a pop to the white color base of the unit. Deeper in the unit is an L-shaped counter; a pocket is created in the kitchen area for the client who loves to cook for her guests. A pair of iconic ogee arches will welcome you upon entering the bedroom area from the living room, ogee arches are a key feature in Turkish architecture.

Undoubtedly, the sophistication and elegance brought

by Turkish architecture fits the lifestyle of an active woman deserving a tranquil and majestic sanctuary fit for royalty.

About the Designer Elegance and versatility is what Primea Design Group continually follows in designing sublime spaces with equally beautiful interiors. Their goal is to recognize every client’s desire to have warm, inviting and relaxing interiors, without compromising functionality and comfort. They want clients to experience the design, and not just to appreciate it. The DEsign Group recognizes the value of collaborative effort with efficient and highly competitive professionals in the industry. They design by taking inspiration from nature, different cultures, and everyday life, this leads them to explore a variety of design approaches.

Left to right: Angelica Pacete, Mark Jeff Pecayo, IDr. Genevee Alfaro, IDr. Karl Angelou Dioso, Hershey Rose Chua Email: primeadesign@gmail.com Co N D o

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Asian Haus Inside a German businessman’s Bali-inspired loft in Central Makati Written by Janina H. Bautista | Photographed by Greg Mayo 1 6

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Air-circulation is important in any space. In the living area, electric fans are installed for fresher air

Making the most out of the high ceiling, large lighting fixtures sourced from Thailand were added. These c o n lantern-like d o l i v i nlamps g 1 7 and the orange sectional sofa are the main highlights of this home

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If you’re blessed enough to buy a loft unit, accentuate the high ceiling with interesting light fixtures

The second floor hallway serves as Helmut’s mini gallery. At the end is a working pinball machine, one of the client’s many interesting collectibles. Right: The kitchen was designed to look industrial as requested by Helmut. He chose the materials and textures used, which resulted in a raw and masculine space. The appliances were perfectly fitted in and storage for pans, plates, and wine were installed

The beauty of the Philippines has captured the eyes and hearts of many foreigners. Many expatriates are assigned to work for a brief time in the Philippines, while some visit for a taste of our culture and catch a glimpse of our scenic beaches. But there are others, those who have fallen in love with our part of the world, have migrated in for good. One of them is German businessman Helmut Sima who moved to the Philippines 11 years ago.

“I decided to live in the Philippines because of the people here.

I am very happy to live here and I will continue living here. I see Philippines as my home,” says Helmut.

Prior to migrating, Helmut lived in Spain where he managed a software company that he sold. He is now retired, but oversees a lot of businesses. He owns the largest cacao plantation in Panay, Iloilo and also has several real estate properties in El Nido, Palawan as well as in Phuket, Thailand. At the moment, he is developing Karuna El Nido, a group of Bali-style villas in Palawan.

Helmut recently moved out of his one-bedroom condo in Makati. “For half a year, I looked at every loft unit in the market and didn’t see anything I like,” he shares.

That is, until he found this one. Upon entry, one thing noticeable is the unit’s openness. Securing a corner unit, the space boasts of a stunning 180 degree view of Manila. Helmut sees planes landing and taking off on one side while he sees the Manila pier on the other.

“Placing curtains is useless, why would I? Whatever I put in the windows will cover the view,” he adds.

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Having visited so many countries, Helmut cites Asia as the one that truly caught his eye and his heart, this explains why he wanted the interiors to be anchored on Asian design. However, to keep the space from looking dated and traditional, Helmut wanted some industrial details incorporated in the design.

With no design background, Helmut had some ideas on how he wanted the space but actualizing them on his own would be, according to him, “lunatic”. Luckily, four months ago, Isabel Antonio and her team previously designed one of Helmut’s condo units in Pico De Loro, so he called her again to design this loft. Isabel is the contractor and manufacturer of AQM Interior Design Services.

The two encountered several difficulties during the loft’s renovation, most were concerns with the building’s admin and policies. “It was all hard no for everything. We had to bargain a lot, go through a lot of approvals and consultation,” Isabel shares. One of the major changes was transferring the stairs from the right most of the unit to the left. Helmut wanted to transfer it to the left, so it won’t obstruct the view. They installed an acrylic spiral staircase sourced from China that was supposed to match an allglass walkway on the second floor hallway. However, it was denied by the building’s admin. As the renovation went along, they were forced to adjust the ideas they had for the unit.

Because of the problems and revisions, the renovation lasted for almost a year. Three months into the process, Helmut already moved in the unit to oversee the renovation. “For me, the worst case scenario is to come in here with the unit 100 percent done, I’ll like nothing, and will have too many things to change,” Helmut explains. Throughout the renovation process Helmut was very hands on and detailed. All of the furniture pieces, which Isabel customized, were made exactly according to Helmut’s specifications. “He’s very specific. He even gave me exact measurements for the cabinets, room height, down to the size of his toothbrush!” the designer laughs.

“As much as possible we wanted to make it for really fit him because at the end of the day he’s the one who’ll be staying here. It’s very him, everything,” Isabel concludes.

By the dining area is a large cylindrical drum instrument from Mindanao, Helmut describes this as his tribute to the Philippines Below: Helmut’s bed is made from aged teak wood that is about 50,000 years old. All of the furniture’s sizes and proportions are exactly created to the owner’s specifications Below right: The whole loft is driven by teak wood furniture that came from Indonesia.

All the doors in the unit are made from narba wood from Malaysia, which Isabel painted over for a kamagong look

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“This is one of our favorite projects because you rarely get a client that will let you do what you want,� shares Mauro. Right page: The designer cites each project as an artwork, and each space is a mix of everything. He encourages everyone to avoid being limited by a particular definition of one design style

FAUX R E A l?

The faux plants were installed because (let’s admit it) maintaining real ones is not really for everyone

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Something Different

MN Design Studio’s two-word brief resulted in a bold and unapologetic space Written by Patricia Herbolario | Photographed by Ed Simon of Studio 100 Assisted by Janina Bautista

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Mauro shares to invest in finishings and construction over accessories because it is the main shell of your home

An unexpected material palette of wood, steel, and shiny surfaces co-exist with the loud tropical colors of yellow and turquoise

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“Her only instruction was ‘something different’ and we took it from there,” shares Mauro Nepomuceno, principal designer of MN Design Studio when asked about the client brief on their latest project. The client, in her 20s, spotted the design studio’s work on social media and immediately wanted to work with them on her 60-something square meter unit.

Mauro admitted that the twoword brief was, in two words, “very vague.” Not knowing much about the client, the designer put on his detective hat and started sleuthing on his client’s social media accounts. “You can read people on their Facebook,” adds the designer.

The client is a female triathlete and an avid Funko Pop collector, these helped the design studio in creating a design for the client.

After submitting the 3D perspectives to the client, the only revision Mauro got was for the space to have less of the color yellow; other than that, the design was approved. However, with easy to work with clients come hard to please building admins.

Since Mauro and his team did push themselves to create something out of the box, some executions were quickly dismissed as no-nos. The design studio and their contractor managed to work around it.

There were many changes in the unit, starting with the wall between the kitchen and the living room that was taken down.

The stairs were made narrower and got a landing midway for a better flow to the powder room the client requested on the second floor. And the loft’s main wall was replaced with a slanting one.

Mauro admits that this is definitely something he and his team has never before. “Not not our usual but if you have a chance to do something different, why not?” the designer adds.

They say first impressions last, and this condo is definitely made for a lasting impression. Entering the unit, you walk through

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A slanted wall gives a better vantage point of the overall space, whichever floor you’re viewing from

Nowadays, most condos are simple and minimal, almost afraid to have some personality.

This unit is not one of them

a dark hallway with a painted floor pattern. To your left is a replicated elevator door cage, to your right is a pegboard to hang wheels, tools, and a light bike on. Entering deeper in the unit, your eyes are treated to a variety of colors, lines, shapes, and textures. How do you make two houndstooth chairs, a painting with Mickey Mouse on it, and a gigantic wall planter work in a unit? Courage, something the design studio an extra supply of while making this unit.

The kitchen and the dining area are combined for when the client wants to entertain guests. The kitchen has a low rise breakfast bar with the appliances fitted in the teal cabinets. Diagonal wooden accents race through the ceiling, giving the area a sense of movement. Utilizing slant lines is one of the ways the designers added a sense of dynamism to the space.

If you take a seat on one the houndstooth chairs, you are treated to a view of the whole unit with all of its elements harmoniously working together. Hanging above the living area are mixed-but-matched lighting fixtures. Just across, the slated loft wall gives you a peek of the bedroom. Mauro shares that a straight wall on the loft makes it impossible for one to see the upstairs from the first floor and vise versa.

One can easily dismiss the unit as overwhelming but for some strange reason, it works. Nowadays, most condos are simple and minimal, almost afraid to have some personality.

This unit is not one of them. It’s bold, it’s unapologetic, and it’s really something different in the best sense possible. “It’s maarte, but we pushed how far we can really go with condos with this one,” shares Mauro.

Blind SpoT The designer installed curtains in the loft’s glass wall for privacy

On the second floor, the owner can retreat to a monochromatic space, a break from the first floor’s play on colors. The walls of the bedroom are given depth with individually-made wooden diamond cut-outs

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Many of Manila’s parties invite the who’s who of social media. But sometimes, the best parties don’t require an extensive guest list and neither does it need to be in fancy lounges. Sometimes, it’s in the comfort of your own home with that one person that matters the most to you. Brunch is the new dinner date, and dressing up your table is just as important as dressing up on a first date.

This month’s trend forecast for entertaining is all about intimate brunches. Here’s how you can set a blissful brunch for two

Brunch is the new romantic Written by Patricia Herbolario Photographed by Vincent Coscolluela Styled by Uzel Alconera Assisted by Janina Bautista

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While a tablecloth and a placemat can protect your table from accidental damages and stains, it’s okay to let your table shine every now and then and go without fabric protectors

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Statement shirts are so out but statement plates everything right now. Layer them with other plates to make that statement pop

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Matte cutlery are all the rage now, these black ones also come in gold and silver It’s okay to buy a set of plates but to give your table some personality, mix and match some pieces like how we did here with the drinking glass and the bright dip bowl. It makes your table less boring and expected, and more interesting

Where: West Elm Estancia Mall, Capitol Commons, Meralco Ave., Pasig City Stalk them: @westelmph Items used from West Elm: Alta mug in light gray (P495), Bread plate (P417), Yellow dip bowl (P297), Fishs Eddy Brunch plate (P750), Alta cereal bowl in gray (P495), Alta dinner plate (P595), Pure Hurricane drinking glass (P695)

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METRO MANILA New food and fitness destinations around the city

Produced by Janina H. Bautista | Photographed by Ed Simon, Miguel Abesamis, and Floyd Jhocson of Studio 100

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The newest gastropub in Makati

From the chef that brought you Antonio’s in Tagaytay, restaurateur Chef Ian Padilla now offers you the newest gastropub in the metro—the Common Table. Inside is one long center table where anyone can sit and share the rest of the table with other diners for that a sense of community. “It’s similar to French and Western pubs where everyone faces each other, whether standing up or seated and they could just mingle and enjoy their time,” says Common Table’s sous chef Chef Rache Rodis.

The menu showcases a variety of international cuisines. From French, Japanese, to Western and Korean cuisine, the gastropub offers an eclectic approach to each. They also serve classic and signature cocktails and liquors for everyone to enjoy.

Where: 2/F, Forbes Tower, Valero St., Salcedo Village, Makati City Stalk them: @CommonTableSalcedo

indUSTRiAl loFT

More popularly known as flame-grilled sushi, Aburi Salmon (P390) is a deconstructed sushi dish. Avocado is added for a fresh taste, together with tobiko, nori, and furikake. Above: The caramelized Lemon Tart (P320) is spring on a plate sprinkled with candied nuts and drops of caramel sauce

“We wanted the space to be styled with black steel and wood for a relaxed ambiance,” shares Chef Ian

FlY We i g HT gYM Boxing for everyone

Flyweight Gym takes boxing to the next level with their fun and kickass workout sessions. Founded by fitness enthusiast Lorenzo Tañedo, the boxing gym was created for everyone to enjoy the sport.

Flyweight gives customers a Rocky Balboa moment in each session with the hip music blasting in the background and dramatic lighting in the all-black studio. Each participant is assigned to a bag to spar with. Each workout runs for 45 minutes and includes various bodyweight exercises for a whole body workout. It is a great way to release negative tension.

After throwing countless hooks and jabs, you walk out sweaty and tired, yet fulfilled and empowered.

Where: 2/F, 8 Forbestown Road, Bonifacio Global City Stalk them: @Flyweight.ph 22

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Black boxing gloves are provided for each class participant

Se A R ed

The ultimate meat haven in Ortigas Sous-vide is a sophisticated culinary technique where vacuum-sealed food is immersed in water pan for a more precise cooking. Dishes made through this technique are usually found in fine dining restaurants, at a very expensive price. But with Seared Restaurant & Lounge, these fancy meals are made affordable. Seared offers mouthwatering sous-vide meat dishes from baby back ribs, chicken wings, burgers, to steaks and pork chops. It is a total haven for all meat lovers. The dishes are best paired with hard drinks, as they also have a bar upstairs. Seared is a chill bistro where guests may lounge comfortably at.

Upon entering the restaurant, a huge hanging table that runs up to the place’s ceiling would greet you a surprise. Its sophisticated interiors with industrial elements were crafted by interior designer Samantha Reyes.

Where: G/F Techno Point Building, Julia Vargas Avenue, Pasig City Stalk them: @SearedPH

T H e S PAc e “It’s mostly contemporary with some rustic details.

I used a lot of clean lines combined with bare and refined finishes,” says Samantha.

After devouring some meat dishes, finish the course with their Skillet S’mores (P150) made with toasted marshmallows, graham crust, melted dark chocolate and peanut butter

The Godfather (P1685) highlights all of their main dishes in one board. It comes with serving of Seared’s very own A Chops, baby back ribs and beef brisket

RigHT PicK “We provide men with choices. So our shoes, suits and even our furniture are bespoke,” says Juan Banal

TH e Fi n e g enTle M A n

One-stop shop for the lifestyle needs of a classy joe The Fine Gentleman is a one-stop shop where guys could freely go to pamper themselves and escape from the hectic city. It’s co-owned by PBA players Frank Golla and Gab Banal, actor Patrick Garcia, and worship leader Juan Banal. Their flagship service is The Gentleman’s haircut, which includes clean haircut, shampoo, hot towel, and a 30-minute halfbody massage for a really affordable price. From eyewear to shoes to suits, The Fine Gentleman caters to a wide range of guys who have specific budgets. Although, it’s not just a simple haberdashery and barbershop. They went as far as offering fashion styling, lifestyle products, furniture products, and interior design services!

There’s also a playstation corner where guys could play and hangout while waiting for their turn.

Where: Stall 5, Community Center, Suha Street, Valle Verde 1, Pasig City Stalk them: @TheFineGentleman co n d o

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BAGUIO Locals are renovating old homes into cozy dining spots Produced by Patricia Herbolario | Photographed by Mark Jacob

A Rc A’S YA R d

A museum, library, and café rolled in one peaceful space

noRTHERn MUSES

Arca’s Yard has a collection of traditional books, textiles, and statues from Benguet

There are not a lot of scenic mountain views left in Baguio, most are sprinkled with homes. Luckily, Arca’s Yard still has a great view. Located in an old home renovated into a cafe-restaurant, it is a peaceful refuge with clouds and pine trees as your background. The space doubles as a mini gallery of the owner’s collectibles and books. One of the secrets of this sanctuary is this hidden room open exclusively for the owner’s close friends.

Whites and wood take centerstage in Arca’s Yard’s interior, giveing it a cool and collected vibe, perfect if you went to Baguio for a break from Manila’s hustle and bustle.

Where: 777 Tiptop, Ambuclao Road, Baguio City

Arca’s Yard serves comfort food from different cuisines.

Their Crispy Lemon Orange (P240) and Turon Ala Mode is a must-try

BZ A H o M E A RTS c A FE Furniture atelier with a culinary twist

Owned by a mom of three, BZA Home Arts Cafe is housed inside Manuel L. Quezon’s old Baguio Home.

It is now renovated into a cozy restaurant with a rustic feel for families to enjoy. BZA is the same brand that has locally introduced 5D rhinestone art and other home arts crafts, the arts cafe was intended to be an extension of the artsy brand. The cafe also doubles as a showroom of the furniture line they are about to launch. The furniture collection features traditional French chairs with eclectic patterns, colors, and even images of iconic characters like Audrey Hepburn. One can choose to dine in the home or enjoy the cold breeze with a scenic view of Baguio.

Where: 37 First Road, Quezon Hill, Baguio City Stalk them: @bzahomeartscafe 2 4

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MoRE in SToRE!

Like their eclectic furniture? Some pieces are up for sale!

The BZA Overload (P139) monster shake is perfect for sharing Left: BZA’s Chef’s Salad (P158) serves Baguio’s freshes greens (and strawberries!) on a platter