LOCAL

The people who make this city shine

Cheyelene Fontanilla meets the founder of Dear Hong Kong

In 2014 Oskar Valles embarked on a mission to find one person from every country in the world residing in the city. Considering there are almost eight million people living in Hong Kong, it was no easy feat. Years later, however, it is now a published bilingual photo book, the result of over 100 interviews done by a team of volunteers led by Valles. What began as a passion project is now a real, tangible collection of stories about Hongkongers from all walks of life and from all over the globe.

What is at the heart of this book? The beauty in the differences that set us apart and the common thread that ties us all together as people. In interviewing one person from every nationality that can be found in Hong Kong, Valles and his team, which includes Aggie Lam and Bradley Aaron, have highlighted the true extent of diversity that walk this city’s streets.

In a world that’s wracked with prejudice, Dear Hong Kong boldly strives to break stereotypes, evoke empathy and promote what we stand to gain from each other’s differences. This is done through honest, vulnerable storytelling and intimate photographs as well as translations. Every feature is translated into both English and Chinese, which was key for Valles when he was working to publish these stories. He wanted these accounts of people from all over the world, who chose to make Hong Kong their home, accessible to more than just the expat community. “This book is for locals,” he says.

The untold stories of people from 150 countries who became Hongkongers. A book about humanity, diversity and identity.

– Oskar Valles

Zeroing in on one particular story, Dr. Michael Manio from the Philippines is a member of the faculty of medicine at The University of Hong Kong (HKU). He was also the founder of the Domestic Worker Empowerment Project (now named EmpowerU), a civic organisation under HKU that gives free lectures and training workshops to migrant domestic workers. The programme has 700 students and with education and cultural understanding at the forefront of it, it has transformed many domestic workers’ lives in Hong Kong. Dr. Manio is just one of the several written about in this book.

Others include business magnate Allan Zeman, cinematographer Christopher Doyle and model/activist Harmony Ilunga. As for Dr. Manio, there’s some sound advice in his Dear Hong Kong feature that encapsulates one shared aspect of the human experience: “Don’t let small minds persuade you that your dreams are too big.”

Where to buy it

Available at Bookazine and online,

shop.dearhongkong.org

HONG KONG LIVING

Hike of the Year

Hong Kong Trail

Running through five country parks on Hong Kong Island, this 50-kilometre trail consists of eight sections, some more challenging than others. Boasting views of the city that are best enjoyed on these clearly marked paths, this trail begins at the Peak Tower on Victoria

At a whopping 45,000 square feet, SuperPark is a very aptly named venue. A selfproclaimed “smorgasbord of activities”, there are three main sections packed to the brim with different games and things to run through, climb, ride and interact with. The Adventure Area includes a tube slide, a Ninja Track, a Pedal Car Track and trampolines. The Game Arena has Superbowling, Superpinball and Street Basketball. Last but not least is the Freestyle Hall which has trampolines, climbing walls, skate ramps, punching bags for boxing and more – making SuperPark the perfect spot to run wild. Combining medical expertise and groundbreaking technology, EstheClinic is a new generation of beauty clinics that offer pain-free, non-invasive aesthetic treatments. All of EstheClinic’s treatments use cutting-edge technology to stimulate cells or collagen, leaving your body and skin to do the rest. The family-run business originated in France and also specialises in other body and skin treatments, such as acne and stretch marks removal. EstheClinic’s innovative cosmeceutical methods have earned itself Best Beauty Treatment this year. K11 MUSEA sits on the water’s edge of Tsim Sha Tsui at Victoria Dockside. It’s more than a building with shops and restaurants – it’s got art installations and design elements that provides an experience beyond this city’s typical day at the mall. The very name itself, K11 MUSEA, derives from the muses in Greek Mythology. This mall’s muses are architecture, furniture, art and nature. Best of all, it has something for everyone. The Donut Playhouse has a three-floor indoor mega slide for the kids and it’s only a hop away from Legoland Discovery Centre. There are places for afternoon tea, a garden rooftop with coffee shops and spectacular views of the Hong Kong skyline.

Peak. You’ll trek through Pok Fu Lam Reservoir Road, Peel Rise, Wan Chai Gap, Wong Nai Chung Road, Mount Parker Road, Tai Tam Road, To Tei Wan and finally, ending with the famous Dragon’s Back trail. Hong Kong trail rounds off at Tai Long Wan, otherwise referred to as Big Wave Bay. Encompassing some of Hong Kong’s best waterfalls and most unique city-meets-jungle views (not to mention a manmade reservoir and other remnants of history), there is no doubt that this is Hong Kong’s Hike of the Year.

Best Indoor Entertainment Best Beauty Treatment

SuperPark EstheClinic

Best Shopping Plaza

K11 MUSEA

Best Virtual Bank

livi

Focused on building a trustworthy and secure digital first bank that brings everyday delights and rewards to its customers, livi’s goal is to build a community for those who want convenient and easy-to-use services. With the livi debit card, users get 8 percent of their cash back when they make an online purchase. There is also a Cash Rewards system as part of livi’s rewards programme where customers can shake their phones to earn rewards that can be used when spending on their next purchase. With customer service at the forefront of this business, it’s no surprise that our readers chose livi Bank as the Best Virtual Bank of the year.

Best Yoga Studio

Mindful Studio HK

Based on timeless and proven principles of Mindfulness & Yoga practices, Mindful Studio HK offers a tailored journey to explore the mind and body at your own pace. At this studio, instructors work with the client’s prevailing circumstances to tailor an optimal session that could include anything from chanting, breathing exercises and hatha yoga to meditation and relaxation. Founded by Simon Hui, a Hongkonger who grew up in Nigeria, learned yoga in India and was ordained as a Buddhist monk in Myanmar, he brings his experience and expertise to the business, earning his studio the top spot in this category for 2021.

Best Day Out

The Grounds

Just when Hongkongers were beginning to run out of things to do to stay sane during the pandemic, The Grounds, a socially distanced entertainment venue at AIA Vitality Park, came onto the scene. From outdoor cinema to wellness events, the harbourfront venue has a giant LED screen, a top-of-the-line sound system and a hi-tech stage for live performances and more.

The Grounds prided itself on a contactless system, with individual pods for guests, plus an online food delivery system in collaboration with BaseHall.

While season one of The Grounds wrapped up at the end of April, Greater Bay Media Entertainment, organiser of The Grounds promises to be back bigger than ever with a new concept.

Best Veterinary Clinic

Pets Central

With five strategically located hospitals across Hong Kong and world-class veterinarians from Australia, England, India, Scotland, Taiwan, Hong Kong and beyond, this practice has become a truly well-rounded, go-to company for pet owners. Pets Central established a Wellness and Activities Center on the roof of its Sai Kung premises for dogs to exercise after surgery and socialise with others. With 24-hour care, Pets Central is a one-stop shop that is able to diagnose and treat with exceptional service. Its other locations include Mong Kok, Tseung Kwan O, Yuen Long, North Point and Park Island.

Bank of the Year

HSBC

HSBC Hong Kong offers a range of bank accounts with 24/7 online banking services for credit cards, loans, mortgages and savings. With their incredibly popular mobile payment service PayMe as well as investment and insurance services, HSBC remains a go-to bank for Hongkongers of all ages and incomes. Its HSBC Life Well+ programme is a well-known initiative, launched to incentivise people to begin their wellness journey. Reach a certain number of steps to win an Apple Watch or “RewardCash”.

Sense of Touch is an award-winning day spa that was originally known for its painless waxing treatments in 2002. Since then, it has grown into a citywide spa with three locations across the city, including a five-star hotel spa in partnership with AIA is the largest independent publicly listed pan-Asian life insurance group with a presence in 18 markets around the Asia-Pacific region. Considering its name is in big, bold lights at the AIA Vitality Park situated at the Central Harbourfront, this insurance corporation doesn’t shy away from pushing the importance of wellness and quality of life. With a varied range of insurance products for both individuals and businesses covering medical expenses, critical illness, employee benefits and more, it wins Insurance Brand of the Year. Cookie Smiles is a social enterprise under the Edible Artists Global Academy Association (EAGAA), who supports two chosen charities per year via fundraising, offer training opportunities for the disadvantaged and provide jobs for the physically impaired.

Their charity partners include The Hong Kong Down Syndrome Association, SPCA and Splash. We’d be remiss not to mention their delectable selection of cookies, from snap cookies in strawberry, butter and chocolate flavours to crunch cookies in almond, matcha and sesame. It’s a deliciously fulfilling cause – which earns Cookie Smiles the top place for Best Social Enterprise in 2021.

Insurance Brand of the Year

AIA

Best Spa

Sense of Touch

Crowne Plaza in Kowloon East. Its treatments include facials, massages, mani-pedis as well as high-tech beauty treatments such as Emsculpt and Ultra 360, which offer non-invasive skin tightening, muscle building and fat burning.

Best Social Enterprise

Cookie Smiles

Best Coworking Space

Banyan Workspace

A stylish boutique co-working and events venue in Quarry Bay, Banyan Workspace luxurious design aesthetic belies a passionate dedication to sustainability, and it is consistently voted one of our city’s greenest flexible workspaces. Inspired by and committed to Hong Kong, it also partners with a variety of local non-profits including Plastic Free Seas, Redress, OneSky and Teach For Hong Kong. If you’re a member at Banyan, a portion of your membership fee goes to one of these NGO partners as part of Banyan’s in-house giving back initiatives. With large desks, private offices, lounges and meeting rooms decked out with luxury decor and incomparable attention to detail in its design, Banyan Workspace comes highly recommended by our voters.

Best New Private Members’ Club Best City Escape

Aqua Luna

Over time, the Aqua Luna has become a symbol of Hong Kong that is associated with the city’s one-of-a-kind skyline. The harbour cruise red-sail junk boat has been on tourists’ must-try list for years now and for good reason. Sailing through Victoria Harbour with a backdrop of skyscrapers and city lights and a drink in hand is an experience that allows you to fully soak up the beauty of Hong Kong. With a full view of all the action from a distance, you’re able to truly appreciate all this city has to offer. We’re not surprised Aqua Luna won our readers’ affections over for Best City Escape.

An online store that sells almost everything - imported, unique and popular - from skincare, food and drinks to clothes, accessories and household items.

Having started out in 2015, the local-based company has come a long way, reaching 50,000 fans. With new items daily, reliable delivery times and goods imported overseas at great prices.

whitestonehkshop.com, IG @whitestonehk_eng

Women were flocking to the quarantine centre in Penny Bay for the sole purpose of checking out hot guys from Ursus gym. This one’s self-explanatory.

Best Online Retailer

White Stone

Rumour of the Year

Covid scandals

LUOXO

LUOXO started out as an exclusive, independent circle for watch enthusiasts that was founded in 2008. The LUOXO Member Lounge, founded this year, puts privacy and comfort above all else. With an open outdoor terrace and rooftop, it’s the perfect place for members to have a glass of wine and enjoy a cigar with fellow watch enthusiasts. Other perks include access to meeting rooms, priority invitation to exclusive events and a digital safe, that keeps a record of members’ most precious timepieces in a digital vault that only the owner can access. All the information relating to these valuable timepieces will be collected by the club’s Watch Inspector, encrypted and stored. This unique club has made quite an impression in such a short time. It’s the new private members’ club to watch in 2021.

Best Neighbourhood

Sai Kung

Photo: Graham Uden

Sai Kung is a family-friendly seaside town, home to some of Hong Kong’s most beautiful beaches, from the sandy shores of childfriendly Trio Beach to the clear blue waters of Long Ke Wan. Tropical destinations are just a sampan ride away from the area’s town centre. Surrounded by lush greenery and mountain

Hong Kong Carful Group Limited is an intelligent car rental service provider. With expert knowledge of the car-rental market and an abundance of management experience, Carful is dedicated to providing the most reliable and comprehensive onepeaks, people travel far and wide for Sai Kung’s hikes. Head over to Three Fathoms Cove and explore an abandoned village and a golf course or spend your days paddling around on a kayak. There is also a tropical-themed bowling bar, Tikitiki, and plenty of alfresco restaurants and bars to enjoy a sundowner or two.

Best Startup

Carful

stop car rental service. With an industrial chain expansion strategy, the company provides Hongkongers with humanised car rental schemes. It continuously puts the improvement of its user experience at the top of its priorities.

Best Charity

Feeding Hong Kong

A charity responsible for getting 10 million meals to vulnerable people across the city since 2011. It is an organisation that collects high-quality, surplus food from farms, manufacturers, distributors and supplies it to local, registered charities. As a system that prevents waste, saving tonnes of food from flushing into the city’s already-full landfills, it also feeds those who might have otherwise gone to sleep hungry in a city that has so much. The company also decided to keep its food bank open throughout the pandemic, which required plenty of pivoting when it came to its operations, but the team at Feeding Hong Kong persevered to serve the city’s community. This is one of the many reasons our readers elected it to be the Best Charity in Hong Kong this year.

Best Hospital

Hong Kong Sanatorium and Hospital

Located in Happy Valley, Hong Kong Sanatorium and Hospital is a private hospital that was established in 1922. With top expertise, advanced technology, 24-hour outpatients consultation service, grand interior design and of course, a prime location and great views, it remains a highly regarded institution nearly 100 years after its opening. With private rooms and suites that span entire floors and other outstanding facilities, this hospital is still at the top of the list for Hongkongers.

Best Magazine

Hong Kong Living

Best Lash and Brow Salon

Lyla Lash Bar

A treatment so iconic it deserves its own category. Lyla Lash Bar is an incredibly stylish and comfortable beauty salon in Lan Kwai Fong that exclusively uses products from Japan. With a professional team of technicians and top-notch services at affordable prices, Lyla offers one of the best eyelash extension experiences in Hong Kong.

Best Island

Lantau

Lantau island is home to Big Buddha, Hong Kong Disneyland, Tai O, Ngong Ping 360 cable cars, a plethora of beaches and their accompanying beach bars, beautiful hiking and mountain biking trails, a huge selection of alfresco dining spots and Hong Kong’s only outlet mall. While it continues to expand and evolve with new hotels, living estates, restaurants and bars, the area still holds so much heritage. Turn to page 28 for our guide to the island.

Best Cosmetic Transformation Treatment

May16 Beaute

May16 Beaute was established by two lawyers, Astor Chan and Blanche Koo, in 2020. They exclusively introduced a Swissmade HIFU machine to Hong Kong. Sygmalift 3D can penetrate to the deepest layer of skin, yet it’s completely painless. It smooths out wrinkles, enhances collagen and tightens skin, bringing life back into excessively aging complexions. It’s painless and non-invasive. All beauticians at May16 Beaute have been extensively trained and certified to conduct these treatments.

Best Boutique Hotel

Tai O Heritage Hotel

Established in 1902 as a police station, this cliffside getaway is located in a fishing village on Lantau Island. Built under British rule, this seaview hotel has a colonial-style facade and completely refurbished, modern rooms with plenty of natural light, brick fireplaces and a quaint charm that comes with its chic decor. A location steeped in history and made better by its oceanfront views

The luxury hotel takes home the prize once again this year. Known for its unparalleled service, Rosewood has all the spoilings that you’d expect from the Best Hotel for Staycations. From 24-hour in-room dining of the South China Sea, Tai O Heritage Hotel pays such great attention to detail – so much so that it feels more like a home than a hotel. Since Tai O is a fishing village with its own rich culinary heritage, this hotel’s restaurant uses ingredients that Tai O is known for, such as shrimp paste, salted fish and preserved eggs, to create some beautiful dishes that tie the whole experience together.

Best Hotel for Staycations

Rosewood

to pet services and a fitness studio. There is a stunning infinity pool that overlooks the ocean and cityscape. With eight restaurants and 423 luxurious rooms, guests never need to leave.