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PANGAKO SA’YO

After 15 years, the iconic serye turns to TV - with a more daring DANIEL and KATHRYN

DAWN, RICHARD & BEA

The Love Affair The choices they make

Spreading their wings

JAMES & NADINE

From struggling dreamers to superstars

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FROM ALL ACCESS TEAM Your TFC All Access is back this season as it goes all-out digital with more pop-up surprises and juicier articles from back home!

We kickoff with an insider’s look at the hottest love teams today: CharDawn gamely talk about their comeback movie and their rekindled love affair; the JaDine fever hits America as the Philippines’ hottest sweethearts shoot their first teleserye in California; while the drama classic Pangako Sa ‘Yo is given a new spin for today’s generation with Teen King and Queen KathNiel leading the cast. PLUS! An early Christmas treat from StarKargo!

Be the first to know, on the go, with the digital edition of TFC All Access!

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exclusive Details

PanGaKo sa’Yo

After 15 years, the iconic serye turns to tv - with a more daring DANIEL and KATHRYN

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DAwN, RICHARD & BEA

THE LovE affair

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SpREADINg THEIR wINgS

JaMes & naDine

From struggling dreamers to superstars

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contents

Pangako sa’y0 one great promise

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THE CHOICES THEY MAKE

Richard Gomez, Dawn Zulueta and Bea Alonzo, stars of Star Cinema’s The Love Affair,​talk about what they do when they reach that ‘fork in the road’,​and why they chose the path they’re​taking

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The jadine chemistry

39 Pre-Fall 2015 Trend Report 41 Star Destinations 44 Choose your cleanse 45 Detox diaries 46 Dressing up Adobo 50 Theme’s Up TFC ALL ACCESS V o l u m e

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THE CHOICES THEY MAKE STAR CINEMA MOVIE: THE LOVE AFFAIR

Richard Gomez, Dawn Zulueta and Bea Alonzo, stars of Star Cinema’s The Love Affair,​talk about what they do when they reach that ‘fork in the road’,​ and why they chose the path they’re​taking

Story courtesy of StarStudio Magazine August 2015

By Maridol Rañoa-Bismark

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ove, like life, is a choice and a risk. You choose who to love, who to cling to, and what path to take.

In Richard Gomez and Dawn Zulueta’s case, there were no ifs and buts. Dawn followed her heart when she put her showbiz career on hold for a while to start a family with her husband, Davao del Norte Rep. Anton Lagdameo.

Richard married then fellow commercial talent (they met during a shampoo commercial shoot), actress, host​and politician Rep. Lucy Torres-Gomez from Leyte’s​Fourth district,​in 1998. As her chief of staff for a period of time, Richard made sure he used heart and mind in helping run Lucy’s office.

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Bea learned a lot when she survived an accident on the set where the boat she was riding capsized. “If you put your heart and soul into something, you can learn it. I always thought I could never do it.

I underestimated myself. Sometimes, there are things in life that you should never be afraid to try.

You might surprise yourself in end when you realize how strong you are.”

​“When I help Lucy, the bottom line is, I make sure it’s good for her.

Second, it should be beneficial sa mga tao na tinutulungan, especially her constituents.”

Richard and Dawn have since proven they did make the right choices. Dawn has her husband’s full support in her career because he knows acting is her passion,​ and that the CharDawn (Richard-Dawn) loveteam is as strong as ever, more than a decade after it was born.

“I’m working because I love it. My husband allows me, as long as I manage my time well,” she says.

Dawn need not grab any project that comes along. She can take her sweet time and follow her heart’s desire as an actress.

“It’s not like as if, if I don’t work, I won’t be able to eat. I won’t be able to send my

children (Ayisha, four and Jacobo, six) to school. Siguro, that’s why it’s easier for me to make decisions. I’m able to think more of what I really wanna do, as compared to you’re just accepting and accepting work na you’re afraid na what if tomorrow, I’m not offered again?”

Dawn considers herself lucky that she can choose roles she can sink her teeth into because “not everybody enjoys this kind of freedom.” That’s why she’s extra careful about projects she takes on. Like most people who have earned their stripes in showbiz, Dawn feels freedom and responsibility are inseparable.

Richard agrees. “You have to also pick the right project eh. Hindi pwedeng bahala na whether we’ll take it or not.”

Richard and Dawn think about many things—their age, stature in the industry, their loved ones, their fans—in choosing projects.

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The right choices

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“There are some projects na siguro exciting. I’d like to do it, pero di na nababagay sa akin in terms of my age, my stature. These things I need to consider, because it affects my family, my loved ones,​eventually. So these are decisions I steer clear of,” Dawn reveals.

She and Richard sit down and discuss an offer before accepting it. It’s a mutual thing—​the result of long years of great teamwork​(they were first teamed up in a softdrink commercial, after which they were cast in the 1991 movie Hihintayin Kita sa Langit. After taking time off to raise families and pursue other projects, their loveteam was revived in 2012’s blockbuster drama hit, the TV series Walang Hanggan; they last teamed up in the 2014 movie She’s Dating the Gangster).

“I ask Dawn’s opinion, kung ito ba ang gusto mong gawin, mga ganu’n. Marami

kaming kailangang pag-usapan,” adds Richard. He reveals they have turned down three or four projects they feel won’t fit them.

But when the offer to do The​Love Affair came along, helmed by director Nuel Naval, ​ Richard and Dawn thought it was high time to bring back that old spark between them onscreen.

When asked about the theme of the story, Dawn declares: ​“This project is something our fans would enjoy more. I’m talking about the CharDawn fans, because we play a husband and wife who truly love each other.

Nagkaroon lang ng problema sa buhay nila and they’re trying to work it out.”

In the same breath, she relates that she plays the role of a cheating wife, who went astray for a reason to be revealed in the movie.

Decision point

Completing the cast of the movie is Bea Alonzo.

She enters the picture via Richard, a typical family man at the crossroads of ​his ​ life.

Bea’s role, that of a lawyer who meets Richard’s character when both have just come from a broken relationship, is extraspecial to her not just because of its intensity.

“I haven’t done any role that required any challenging physical activity like sailing. This is the first one. I had fun learning how to sail.” Bea had dedicated herself to learning to sail, yet during production, the boat she was on ​capsized,​and she was rushed to the emergency room twice after the vessel hit her badly. Luckily, Bea recovered and learned the value of “not giving up.”

“I’m still alive. No harm done. It’s part of the process,” she says.

And like all worthwhile processes, it’s something Bea knows she had to go through.

Along with the experience of working with respected stars like Richard and Dawn, Bea knows it will make her wiser and better—first as a person, and second, as an actress whose projects are worth every moviegoer’s hardearned money.

Bea feels the weight of decision-making on her young shoulders. “I am at the point wherein every decision I make really matters—be it personal or a decision for my career. I am no longer a teenybopper,​nor a veteran actress. I still have a lot to work on.”

As she moves forward with her life and career, Bea will have to make tougher choices and more serious decisions—and one day, she will prove herself ready for them.

Richard Gomez (with The Love Affair co-star Dawn Zulueta in second photo from the top): A lot of times you have to make painful decisions, pero if it is will be for the good, ok na rin. You stumble, you stand up and you learn. Bottom: Bea Alonzo plays a lawyer whose life journey makes her realize that one need not depend on anybody for their happiness. On her own, the actress goes down on her knees when she feels down. “I pray. I offer it to God. I ask for guidance. I cry. It’s not bad to cry. Then I get up and look for ways to fix it.”

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Endless Love Gush, sigh and fall in love all over again as we profile the most ROMANTIC love teams in recent screen history

BY GAY ACE DOMINGO Photography by Jojit Lorenzo • Styling by Eric Pe Benito • Hair and makeup by Bambbi Fuentes Grooming by Richard Pili • Special thanks to Chesa Salas and Ivan Cruz

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“It’s so easy to go in and out of scenes because Richard and I have a shared rapport. We’re very comfortable together.”

Story courtesy of StarStudio Magazine February 2012

— Dawn on her special onscreen connection with Richard

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Richard & Dawn

5 movies together Why they’re a great love team:

They’re a talented and extremely good-looking pair with amazing chemistry. More than 15 years after Hihintayin Kita sa Langit, viewers are still delighted to see these stars together.

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richard gomez & dawn zulueta

ichard and Dawn were among the most soughtafter stars and commercial endorsers of the 1990s.

Richard was one of the prized contract artists of Mother Lily Monteverde’s Regal Films. The actor had done movies with the biggest actresses, such as Vilma Santos (Kapag Langit Ang Humatol), Maricel Soriano (Inday Bote), and Sharon Cuneta (Kahit Wala Ka Na). Dawn, meanwhile, was the “it-girl” at Viva, doing projects with action stars Robin Padilla, Bong Revilla and Fernando Poe, Jr. and dramatic performers like Christopher de Leon.

Dawn and Richard were first paired in a soft drink commercial. It was Reynafilms producer Armida SiguionReyna, a.k.a. Tita Midz, who saw the great potential of casting the tall, dark and handsome Richard and the statuesque and beauteous Dawn in a motion picture. So in 1991, Richard and Dawn starred in Hihintayin Kita sa Langit, the first big film of director Carlitos Siguion-Reyna. Based on Emily Bronte’s novel Wuthering Heights, Hihintayin… had scenic locations set in Batanes, lush photography by award-winning director of photography Romeo Vitug, a grand musical score by maestro Ryan Cayabyab, and passionate scenes between Richard and Dawn.

In a newspaper article published in 1993, Richard confessed that he was very thrilled when he and Dawn had their first onscreen kiss. “It was a very dramatic scene and I just got carried away,” he recalled.

By the time shooting was done, the two had become a real-life couple. The honesty of their emotional performances earned for both Dawn and Richard acting recognition; Richard won a Best Actor award from the Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino while Dawn was named FAMAS Best Actress.

Richard and Dawn dated for about two years. Within that time, they did three more films, including Saan Ka Man Naroroon, which was another epic drama produced by Tita Midz and directed by Carlitos. Unfortunately, the romance waned and Saan Ka Man… was not as warmly received as Hihintayin... Tita Midz said that the stars’ LQ affected promotions (Richard and Dawn did not promote the movie together) and consequently, the box-office receipts. Saan Ka Man Naroroon, however, did one good thing: it gave Richard his second Urian Best Actor trophy.

Richard and Dawn broke up and had relationships with other partners. In December 1997, Dawn wed businessman Anton Lagdameo in New York. In April 1998, Richard married commercial model-now-Congresswoman Lucy Torres in the latter’s hometown of Ormoc.

Richard and Dawn would make another movie, the 2003 Metro Manila Film Festival entry Filipinas. This time, the former partners played siblings—children of an ailing mother portrayed by their love team “ninang” Tita Midz.

To this day, Hihintayin Kita sa Langit remains to be the movie that defined Richard and Dawn as a love team and as individual stars. It continues to enthrall audiences. It inspired the production of 2007’s The Promise which had Angel Locsin and Richard Gutierrez essaying roles similar to Richard and

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Dawn’s. Film critic Butch Francisco praised Hihintayin… as a film “that one cannot help but fall in love with.” Even Richard’s wife Lucy admits that she tries to catch the film whenever it is shown on Cinema One. Asked why their love team still captures people’s imagination, Richard told StarStudio, “Some people say that we look good together onscreen. Siguro ’yun ang magic namin.”

Both tall and gorgeous, Dawn and Richard could very well be among Philippine cinema’s best-looking tandems. On the set of their newest project, the teleserye Walang Hanggan, they could send onlookers into kilig mode as their characters Marco and Emily would stare into each other’s eyes and profess love.

Walang Hanggang is the duo’s comeback project after eight years. In spite of the lull, there was no need to break the ice.

“We remained friends after we broke up,” explained Dawn. “It’s so easy to go in and out of scenes because Richard and I have a shared rapport. We’re very comfortable together.”

She’s right. We witnessed that special connection when we asked them to pose for the exclusive photo you see on this page. Richard was effortless as he rested his head on Dawn’s lap. She whispered something in his ear and he chuckled softly in reply. Time stood still; it seemed like there was no one else in the room except the two beautiful stars. We immediately understood what Tita Midz, veteran actress and producer, meant when she declared to another writer, “In all my years in the business I have not seen anyone who can beat the chemistry of Dawn and Richard. No one.”

Hihintayin Kita sa Langit was a huge success, thanks to the smoldering chemistry of then real-life lovers Richard Gomez and Dawn Zulueta. (Opposite page) Dawn and Richard reunite in the teleserye Walang Hanggan.

Love Story SIXTEEN years ago, the leading man came down from the silver screen to woo and wed his No.1 fan. Today, the romance endures for Richard Gomez and Lucy Torres…

By GAY ACE DOMINGO Photography by FILBERT KUNG

R

ichard Gomez, actor and sportsman, and his wife Lucy Torres-Gomez, Representative of the Fourth District of Leyte, were married on April 28, 1998 at the Parish of Saints Peter and Paul in Lucy’s hometown of Ormoc, Leyte. They have one child, Juliana, who is now 14 years old.

The couple’s love story is the stuff of romantic movies. As a teenager, Lucy had a big crush on Richard after she saw him in his first film Inday Bote where the former McDonald’s service crew member played Maricel Soriano’s leading man. Lucy collected pictures of Richard, which she posted on her bedroom wall. The teenage girl also meticulously cut magazine and newspaper articles about the handsome actor, which she compiled in scrapbooks. The two finally met in 1993, when they starred in a Lux shampoo commercial. But she had a boyfriend then, and he had a girlfriend as well.

For the next five years, Richard and Lucy continued making Lux commercials together. Richard would call Lucy occasionally, especially right before they’d shoot the TVC to rekindle the friendship.

Story courtesy of Working Mom Magazine February 2015

Young bride

In May 1997, when they were both free to date, Richard began courting Lucy. He called her everyday on the phone and paid surprise visits to Ormoc. Their courtship was very short. Richard says, “She became my girlfriend in September. By December, nagpropose na ako. Then we got married in April.” He was 32; she was 23. Richard smiles at how he was able to win Lucy’s hand at her young age. “Bagets, di ba?” he chuckles.

Asked if he would have preferred a longer courtship, Richard’s answer is quick and clear. “No,” he says. “Given a choice, I would have married her earlier. Lagi ko ‘yung sinasabi sa kanya. We’re having so much fun. It’s nice to be together.”

In April 2013, Richard and Lucy marked their 15th wedding anniversary with a simple renewal of vows at the same church where they got married. Unlike their grand wedding that had three receptions and hundreds of VIP and celebrity guests, the couple’s 2013 celebration had no fanfare. Richard was in a polo shirt and slacks while Lucy wore a grey above-the-knee dress.

Perhaps the only major thing about the anniversary was a special show mounted by their friend, TV host Willie Revillame, for the people of Ormoc.

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‘Little dinners’

Both Richard and Lucy describe their marriage and family as “easy and relaxed.” The way they celebrated their 15th wedding anniversary is typical of the simple and laidback lifestyle they choose to lead.

For instance, Lucy reveals that they’re “not big on big parties.”

She explains, “Our preference is a gathering where everyone can talk to each other… My thing about big parties is that you spread

yourself so thin trying to hop from one table to the next.

And I don’t want any of the guests to be left out. If you make the group small, the chances of interaction are better. Quality ba… quality always.”

What the Gomezes are “big” on is dining, whether in the comfort of their home in Makati City or in a restaurant. Using his smartphone’s Trip Advisor app, Richard likes looking up places where they could eat or buy food from. “Little dinners” is what Lucy calls these get-togethers.

“It’s nothing planned. We could be at home and then one of us will say, ‘I feel like eating Japanese food today.’

Or, ‘I want Chinese.’ This is on a regular day, ha.”

The family shares their love for food with friends, who they invite to join them. Lucy discloses, “We see whoever is available or whoever is in the house. It’s not unusual for Juliana to come home with six friends or Richard to arrive with a whole volleyball team in tow.”

While Lucy admits she hardly cooks (it is Richard who whips up a feast in the kitchen), she says she relishes preparing the table for get-togethers. “But with Richard’s lifestyle, it’s kind of hard because he’s very spontaneous.”

Family rituals R ichard and Lucy’s only child, Juliana, is now 14 years old. “Grade 8 na siya,” Richard says of Juliana. “Ang bilis ng panahon.”

Their teenage daughter is inclined to sports. She likes volleyball and fencing.

In mid-2014, Juliana entered a fencing competition and won second place. Because of sports training held after school hours, the young girl usually comes home at 8p.m. Lucy shares that Juliana would wake up around midnight and come to their bedroom.

“Normally, I’d urge Juliana to return (to her room) and sleep because she needs to wake up early for school,” says

Lucy. “But I let her spend time with us.” Richard would whip up a meal in the kitchen for the three of them or the family would go out and eat at a restaurant that would still be open.

Lucy believes that like marriage, building parent-child ties also takes effort. “Now I see that an hour-and-a-half of the three of us together may be short, but it is important.

I know that when Juliana grows up, she will appreciate our ‘midnight snacks’ because she will realize that these events don’t happen naturally.

“I feel na more than the big moments, it’s the mundane that you will remember. And I hope Juliana will also see it that way.”

Through the years, Lucy has learned that flexibility is key to making their marriage click. Her congressional schedule is more or less set, with definite breaks in between sessions. Richard’s TV/film work and sports endeavors, however, can alter at a moment’s notice.

Thus, family plans and activities need to adjust to these sudden changes.

Lucy cites, for instance, what happened late last year when they were planning a family holiday. She, Juliana and Richard were all set to fly to the U.S. when Richard had to join the country’s volleyball delegation to the Asian Beach Games in Phuket, Thailand. The actor, a member of the national volleyball team, was the chief of mission of our Asian Beach Games delegation.

“Basta, his sports always gets in the way of the plan,” says Lucy. “Minsan nagugulo-gulo na ang booking. So what I realized is that if we want to go anywhere, I really just have to get the tickets and then it happens. If we wait until the last minute to book our flight, it might not push through because anything can happen.”

photos from richard and lucy’s instagram accounts

Last-minute changes

Precious moments

That is exactly what Lucy did in November 2013. She bought tickets for Richard, herself and Juliana. Lucy and Juliana left ahead together with friends that included Bench honcho Ben Chan, and stylists Noel Manapat and Ton Lao. Lucy had Richard’s ticket re-booked and he caught up with them in Mexico after the tournament.

Lucy got what she wanted—precious bonding time with her loved ones. “I really needed that,” she says of their almost one-month sojourn in Mexico and New York. “Coming from a very difficult year after super typhoon Yolanda happened, it was all bugbog sa work for me. It was time for us to recharge and spend some time as a family. I treasured each moment because I knew that by the time we got back to Manila, we would be leading our busy lives—Richard’s work, my work and Juliana with school.”

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18 days apart

There’s an important sidelight to this trip. Ever since they got married, Lucy and Richard had never been apart for more than a few days. “Siguro the longest was one week when he was training abroad,” says Lucy. But last November, they did not see each other for 18 days. “Tagal din,” says Richard.

Lucy declares that she really kept count to ease her longing.

“I’m sure hindi niya alam na 18 days kaming di nagkasama,” she says of Richard. “Next time bibilangin ko pa kung ilang oras. Ang hirap pala.” During that time, she realized how difficult it was to be away from her husband and that she could only imagine the emptiness OFWs need to endure. Lucy was so relieved and happy to finally see Richard that she documented their reunion with an Instagram photo that had the caption, “Finally reunited after 18 days. I so missed you.”

Richard agrees that it isn’t easy to be without his family. “When you come home to your room, wala kang kasama. Wala kang kausap.” To stay in touch, Richard communicated with Lucy and Juliana via Face Time.

Team Gomez

Another unique aspect of Lucy and Richard’s marriage is their effort to serve the people of Ormoc.

Their major endeavor remains the post-Yolanda rehabilitation of Ormoc City.

Ormoc was one of the most badly hit areas by typhoon Yolanda in November 2013. For more than a year now, Lucy, with Richard’s help, has been spearheading efforts to bring the city back to its feet. “We’re still in the rebuilding stage,” reports Lucy. “I don’t think it (rehabilitation) is something that can be completed in two or three years’ time. It’s a work in progress.”

One of the big breakthroughs is the distribution of motorized fiberglass fishing boats to fishermen who lost their source of livelihood. Since the project was launched in early 2014, almost 600 fishermen have been given fishing boats as of October 2014. Many of the donors are their friends and associates in entertainment, media, and politics who the couple tapped for funding. “Sila ang pinakamadaling tulungan,” Richard says of the fishermen. “You give them a boat and after that, they can fish again. Donors easily relate to the project. Every other week, we try to distribute about 50 boats.”

The dreamer and realist

Richard affirms that working on initiatives enhances their relationship. “It strengthens our partnership,” he says.

“We’ve always made a good team,” states Lucy, who lists planning, marketing, and organization as among her husband’s strong skills. “He’s very practical. I’m more of a dreamer. He makes me realize that to fulfill dreams, you need to see what realistically 18

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can be done.”

Lucy also reveals that Richard is good at sizing up people and can spot a “wolf in sheep’s clothing.” She says, “Nababasa niya kapag bolero ang isang tao. Kunwari we meet with someone who says, ‘Oh yeah, this is what we can do for the district.’ Nakikita ni Richard if the person’s words are just big, but there’s no substance.

He has had more dealings with people. I, on the other hand, grew up very sheltered. So I think everybody is nice and kind. Richard knows that it is not that way, especially in politics. Richard is very much a defender and a protector that way.”

The little things

But more than sharing her advocacies, it’s the little things that Richard does that she truly appreciates. “Kunwari even if I have to leave early and he came home late from taping, he will never just say goodbye. He will really stand up to take me to the car. Then, he’ll go back to sleep. He’s a gentleman that way.”

She reveals that when Richard wakes up before she does, he arranges big pillows around her body so that she feels cocooned.

“It’s either I snuggle with him or he’s the one spooning me.

Sometimes, naka-sandwich ako between him and Juliana. When Richard wakes up—and he usually wakes up ahead of me—iniipit niya ‘yung pillows around me so that I feel there’s still somebody beside me kahit wala na.”

Lucy describes Richard as someone “dependable and easy to live with.” While Richard Gomez the actor delivers emotionally charged performances, Richard the husband actually steers clear of any drama. When conflicts or disagreements arise, husband and wife talk it out without raising voices. “We don’t shout at each other or say things that we don’t mean. We’re very mature in our discussions and yet we don’t mince words,” says Lucy.

“Between the two of us, hindi kailangang maging ma-pride,” says Richard. “Our line of communication is very open. When we have a problem, we talk about it to solve it.”

Future perfect

If Lucy had already thought of Richard as her ideal man before she married him, that perception has become clearer to her now.

She explains, “Before, when I had a crush on Richard, I saw him as everything I wanted in a partner physically. But when I fell in love with him and spent time with him, I saw that he’s very much my Prince Charming in his ways. He is always looking out for me, making sure I’m safe.”

For Richard, the formula to a successful marriage starts even before walking down the aisle. While the friendship between him and Lucy was developing when they were making the series of TVCs, he realized that she was the right one for him. And he was 100 percent sure about it. “I did not have a single doubt in my mind and heart,” says Richard. “And that’s what I always tell friends who are getting married—bago ka ikasal, dapat buo ang desisyon mo.

Otherwise, baka magkaproblema ang relationship. If there are thoughts like ‘Magiging mabait naman ito,’ or ‘Sana mahalin niya ako,’ or ‘May gusto pa akong iba,’… mag-isip-isip ka muna.”

The future remains bright for this couple. “I look forward to the next 10, 20 years and beyond with Richard,” says Lucy. “There are still so many things we want to do, so many places we want to see.

It’s nice to have dreams and knowing you have someone to share these dreams with.”

Richard’s view may be more pragmatic and simple, but it sums up their partnership perfectly: “I always think we’ll be relaxed and happy as a family. Personally, I want to live an easy and happy life.

Ganuon lang.”

I’ve got Sunshine It’s a lazy Saturday afternoon, and Dawn Zulueta-Lagdameo spends it doing what she loves best: bonding with the kids

By Rhia Diomampo-Grana Photography by Sara Black

Story courtesy of Working Mom Magazine March 2013

fashion styling by em millan assisted by bianca virino makeup by lala flores hair styling by janet de rama produced by leah nemil-san jose special thanks to yasmine hidalgo, maryann sta. ana, and vivian recio shot on location at sofitel philippine plaza manila

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Jacobo was really excited to see the mini golf-course, and immediately picked up the club and started to play. Ayisha wanted to learn, too! When Dawn called them and said it was time to go, his face fell. Dawn immediately sensed his disappointment. “Okay, you

can putt one before we go,” she says, her voice firm but full of understanding. He flashed a huge smile, putted the ball, and they walked away from the course hand-in-hand.

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he cover shoot at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza brings fond memories for Dawn Zulueta-Lagdameo. “When I was young, my mom used to bring us here to sleep over, and we’d swim in that pool down there,” Dawn beams, as we take in the scenic view and cool breeze from the 11th floor suite. Today, she comes full circle. She is the mom, and her children are playing at her feet.

Family time

“I rarely work on weekends,” says Dawn. This cover shoot is a rare exception. “The only reason we’re doing this shoot on a Saturday is because that’s the only time the kids are free. Otherwise, this would have been scheduled on a weekday.”

Weekends are strictly family time, when she plays with the kids and has dinner with relatives. In fact, after the shoot, they will go to her in-laws for their weekly family dinner. She and her husband Anton will cook Korean barbecue. “Anton likes to cook, and he’s a really good cook! His favorite cuisines are Japanese and Korean. He also knows a little bit of French and Italian. I’m just like his apprentice,” she says.

She and her husband like to take mini-vacations together. They had spent the weekend in Hong Kong last January to celebrate Anton’s birthday. “We like to shop. He is probably the only guy I know who loves shopping as much as I do. He’s a good companion. He’s like a girlfriend in that way,” she laughs.

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whenever we go on vacations, it’s always with the kids. So we promised each other we’d do just-us vacations more often—not just once a year,” she says.

Sanctuary in the south

The Lagdameos already have their summer planned—they’ll have fun in Davao. “It’s going to be a different experience for Jacobo and Ayisha. They can play with the animals, swim everyday if they want to, play with the kids there. There’s so much space for them to run around and do what they want.”

Dawn has always had a soft spot for Davao. She and Anton lived there for about seven years in the early part of their marriage. But they had to relocate to Manila since their work and the kids’ schools are here.

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It takes two

now, until both of them are available.

Family and showbiz keep Dawn preoccupied. And she’s not exaggerating when she says, “My only luho is reading the newspaper—and sometimes, even that, I don’t even get to do!” she laments.

But no matter how busy she gets, she makes sure she has seven hours of sleep. “I always try to figure that into my sked.

Anytime that is compromised, I make the necessary adjustments. I cannot allow myself to run ragged with the schedule so when the kids need me, I can be there for them,” she says.

Dawn admits though that the trickiest part in raising a girl and a boy their age is that they are always at each other’s throats. It’s always a test of patience, but she has learned to take it in stride and not sweat the small stuff.

“Sometimes, I go nuts!

They argue about the littlest things—who stays in the middle when they sleep with us during weekends,” relates Dawn. As the referee, she figured the best way to resolve it is through ‘Jack en Poy.’ “The thing is, Ayisha only knows one—stone kung stone, paper kung paper, kaya palaging talo!” she laughs.

Whenever the two fight, Dawn takes this as an opportunity to teach them about reaching a compromise, and to explain to Jacobo that he should be more giving and considerate of his little sister. To teach them about sibling relationship, Dawn lets them watch the cartoon show Charlie and Lola (it’s about a brother and his younger sister). “I’m hoping they’d pick up something from that show,” she says, smiling.

The kids fight, as all kids do, but they love playing with each other. At the shoot, they are inseparable. Jacobo even spreads butter on his little sister’s toast, and shows her how to play golf.

Her best role

Dawn has reaped a lot of great successes in life. But asked about her proudest achievement, she tells you, without batting an eyelash, it’s her two kids.

“I had a very difficult time getting and staying pregnant.

I never thought it would ever happen. I already gave up on the possibility, until it came as a miracle. That’s when I realized my strengths. I never knew that I had that courage within me,” she muses.

Since she had a condition called Reproductive Autoimmune Failure System (RAFS), she had to have daily treatments that were so painful. She used to be afraid of needles, but because she wanted so much to have kids, she found the courage to inject herself.

“Motherhood changed me because it made me prayerful.

It made me hang on to God,” she shares. “Now, every time I’m faced with a problem or something that perplexes me, makes me feel discouraged, I just keep reminding myself of the most important thing to me… I’m a mom. The whole world can go crumbling down right now. It doesn’t matter.

The thought that I’m a mom gives me comfort, happiness and contentment.”

Busiest year

Dawn is gearing up for her busiest year yet. It is the first time that she’ll be working during the campaign season, so she needs to shuttle back and forth from Manila to Davao.

She has already started taping for ABS-CBN’s new soap Bukas na Lang Kita Mamahalin, topbilled by Gerald Anderson. And of course, her schedules get more hectic as election day gets closer. Her husband is seeking reelection as congressional representative of Davao del Norte.

She confirms there are movies lined up for her and Richard Gomez. But these will have to be put on the backburner for

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Happy thoughts

The simplest things help Dawn escape and destress on her busiest days 1. Creating works of art. “I love painting with water color, sketching, and doing beadwork. I want to learn dressmaking.”

2. Dancing ballet. “I danced even when I was pregnant with Ayisha. But I had to stop on the fourth month because my pregnancy became delicate.”

3. Reading. “I fancy fashion books (e.g., Coco Chanel and Vogue coffee table books). I love biographies and books about near-death experiences.”

4. Food. “Eating what I want without feeling guilty—that really makes me happy! I like chicharong bulaklak, ice cream, sinampalukang manok, popcorn (not the microwaveable kind but the one from Greenbelt Cinema), yema, and sapin-sapin. Just looking at the colors make me happy, then I get from all corners.”

5. Beauty treatments. “Going to Facial Care, Marie France, and the salon relieves my stress.”

6. Meeting up with girl friends. “I like to have lunch or merienda with them then come home a little buzzed and go to sleep.”

7. Playing Scrabble and crossword puzzle.

“Sometimes, I meet up my friends online or just find a random opponent.”

8. Kids. “It’s overpowering. No matter how tired I am, seeing their smiles—that’s the best talaga.”

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estiny’s Child

With a candor that takes even herself by surprise, Bea Alonzo finally spills the stories that have never been told

By Arnel Ramos Photography by SARA BLACK Styling by PAM QUIñOnes Makeup by juan sarte Hair by nante alingasa

Story courtesy of StarStudio Magazine November 2011

Bea Alonzo was not yet 10 when she realized she was different. She didn’t look like her cousins, her halfbrother James, or her mom Mary Ann. It was an irony of her childhood that Phylbert Angelli Ranollo stuck out when what she wanted most was to blend in.

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ea was born on October 17, 1987 and raised in Ususan, Taguig, a place that, she recalls, had a lot of tambays. It was not the most ideal of environments: Bea grew up without knowing her biological father or having a permanent home. For most of her childhood years, she lived with relatives in the family compound, or would stay with her mom and her mom’s second family.

Her mother only told Bea that her father was British. It was from him that she got her height, her fair skin (which earned her the childhood nickname, Tisay) and the strange color of her eyes. The way she looked not only made Bea different; it also made her the center of attention whenever she ventured outside the compound to play. She made a scene without meaning to.

In the middle of crowded malls, people would stop and stare. At a public pool in Laguna where she went swimming with her cousins, the others would go home at the end of the day darker than before.

Bea never did. “Lahat ng mga bata, pagdating ng hapon, ang iitim na nila. Ako namumula,” she recalls. Her fair skin would turn red, then peel. Even in her own family, she was always the one who was different, strange, set apart.

“Pinagtitinginan ako kasi nu’ng bata ako, mestisahin talaga ako, as in mukha akong foreigner. Mukha akong anak ng foreigner talaga.”

Another thing Bea seemed to have inherited from her British father was the cool disposition and the so-called “stiff upper lip.” Nothing bothered her, not even the absence of her father whom she would later learn was an Englishman named Philip Fagestrom (Mommy Mary Ann, then 19, met him in Macau where she worked for a time). Bea thought that her father’s absence was a regular fact of life that she just had to live with. She had the same attitude toward that as she did toward the other things in her life. “Hindi siya itinago sa akin ng nanay ko. I didn’t know that it wasn’t normal. Hindi kasi ako palatanong nu’ng bata. Ngayon lang ako naging madaldal. Tahimik lang talaga ako nu’ng bata ako.”

Mommy Mary Ann confirms this:

“Opposites kaming mag-ina eh. Ako kasi, talakera, siya tahimik lang.”

The life she lived

But life in that family compound in Taguig was less than ideal. They were poor and her mother had taken up with another man who did not always welcome Bea. Sometimes she had to make the rounds of her relatives’ houses. She went to whoever would take her in. “Kung sino ‘yung puwedeng magpakain sa akin, ‘yung puwedeng magpa-aral, doon na,” she says.

When Bea stayed with her maternal grandmother Luzviminda Dublon Escalante, or Lola Minda— where her Tita Carmen, sister of her lola, also lived, Bea had to take on household chores. Bea recalls: “Siyempre, pinapatira ka, eh kaya ikaw ‘yung gagawa nu’ng mga gawaing bahay. At an early age, I had to do my own laundry.”

Which was probably well and good, since she didn’t have enough uniforms to wear to school: all she had were two blouses and one skirt. She had to wash the blouses every day. “Ginagamit ko ‘yung palda ko na pang-dalawang araw.

Mapapagalitan kasi ako (dahil) sa detergent at tubig (na magagamit) kapag araw-araw kong nilalabhan ‘yung palda,” shares Bea. “Tapos paplantsahin mo pa ‘yun.”

Bea would also become nanny to her Tita Carmen’s infant child, an arrangement that persisted until the child was two years old. Tita Carmen had seven children. “Marami siyang anak, eh. Kaya marunong akong mag-alaga ng baby.”

Her mom’s partner at the time was not what you would call ‘fatherly’ to Bea. He worked as a customs broker while Mommy Mary Ann, or MeAnn, was a plain housewife. “Since he was the one working, he didn’t want me to be in their house,” Bea recalls. “Pero kapag naba-blackmail siya ni Mama, ‘yung dad ni James, du’n ako sa kanila nakatira. My mom always had to choose between me, my brother, and him. Hindi ko kinayang i-resent si Mama kasi actually, naaawa ako sa sitwasyon niya. She was not treated well, but she had to stay (with him) kasi wala naman siyang trabaho. Wala siyang matatakbuhan.”

THE REAL HER Bea (opposite page), at one year old with her Mommy Me-Ann. “Kalbo ako nu’ng bata,” shares Bea. “Nag-start tumubo yung hair ko pero when I was 4, curly siya.” (Top to bottom) Bea at various ages—even as a child she was already showing signs of being “maarte.” Recalls Bea’s mother: “Mahirap lang kami pero never siyang nagkamay (kapag kumakain). Nu’ng bata yan, hindi kumakain ng isda. Lilipad na ‘yan sa kakakain ng manok.”

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pangako sa’yo

one great promise Story courtesy of StarStudio Magazine June 2015

a memorable tV classic—the one that launched the teleserye as a solid, successful concept 15 years ago—is given a new spin for today’s generation, sweeping viewers up again in the thrill of romance that is brave, daring, powerful, and lasting By maridol rañoa-Bismark With additional interviews by tinna s.

Bonifacio and Jerry Benedict C. rosete photos courtesy of star Creatives ad prom

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t’s a familiar story that has always captivated hearts. A poor girl falls in love with her young senyorito. His parents move heaven and earth to tear them apart.

The lovers defy all odds to stay together. In so doing, they make viewers excited, and cry with them in a never-ending quest for love and happiness.

The plot is familiar because it is the spine of Pangako Sa ‘Yo—a Philippine-made TV drama first aired in 2000 and which, in a span of two years, went on to be introduced in other countries like China, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Cambodia and Singapore, and as far as Africa. Pangako Sa ‘Yo—with its lush orchestral music and location shots that gave it the feel of a full-length film—set the benchmark for other television dramas that followed. It made stars out of its young leads, namely Jericho Rosales and Kristine Hermosa, and icons out of Eula Valdes, Jean Garcia (who played the lead roles of Amor Powers and Claudia Buenavista, respectively) and 26

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Tonton Gutierrez, who starred as Eduardo Buenavista, the man caught between the two women.

It has all the classic elements of a captivating tale: a universal theme, the search for identity, vengeance, forgiveness, and a love story with shades of the classic story Romeo and Juliet.

“It’s a great, great love story,” says Star Cinema Managing Director Malou Santos, who was instrumental in bringing it to the screen 15 years ago. “It’s a tale of two love stories na sobrang brave: the love story of Amor and Eduardo, and the love story ofof I s s u e

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Yna and Angelo, love na lahat eh nakakarelate and at the same time, filmic ang pagkakagawa. First time na nagbigay ng ganoong putahe ang ABS-CBN, and I think na the characters na inilagay namin doon sa kuwento ay very, very powerful.”

There were also elements of the Cinderella story in it. “Mahirap ‘yung babae, mayaman ‘yung lalaki. Istorya siya ng isang babae na nanggaling sa hirap, na na-i-prove ‘yung sarili para maging successful. Kuwento rin siya ng isang babaeng nagmahal, nagtiwala, binasag, nagsikap, naging successful, gumanti,” says Star Cinema Creative Head Olivia ‘Olive’ Lamasan, who directed the pilot week of the original serye when it first hit TV screens.

The comeback

The show was so successful and became so iconic that for the longest time, it remained in the pantheon of local television, with no talk of reviving it or bringing it back.

Everyone seemed content in letting it have its own place among TV’s classic television dramas. If they were to bring it back at all, the timing and other elements, such as the casting, obviously had to be right.

Then in early 2014, the Kapamilya Network’s president, Charo Santos-Concio, pushed the plans forward. Santos recalls that she was asked one day: ‘Malou, I challenge you now to do a remake of Pangako Sa ‘Yo. I am asking you, can you do ‘Pangako Sa ‘Yo in 2015?’

Santos accepted the challenge. It would be the same story, but with certain changes that would make it relevant to today’s viewers.

“Ngayon, ‘yung brainstorming is more difficult because we have to consider ‘yung utak ngayon ng bagong henerasyon,” explains Santos. “Nag-evolve na kasi ang tao 15 years ago, so doon kami hirap,” says Santos. “Maintaining the art.”

Part of the effort of ‘maintaning the art’ was to bring in elements that have been part of the first version of the series.

Lamasan, who directed the pilot week 15 years ago, was now part of the think-tank of the show (the pilot will still be directed

by Lamasan). Rory Quintos, who was one of three directors of the original show, would be helming this new version. Dado Lumibao, who was a writer of the original show, will now be one of its directors as well.

These decisions ensured creative continuity from the first generation Pangako Sa ‘Yo to the second. At the same time, they were going to introduce certain changes to the material to make it more relevant and interesting.

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Santos was aware of how big a challenge this was for the team. “Ako, conscious ako because I want to challenge naman the thinking. Para sa akin, paano mo ito iibahin sa pagkaka-kuwento mo 15 years ago?

So kinausap ko ang bawat isa na we have to be different from your Pangako Sa ‘Yo in the past.”

The casting was a very important element in achieving that continuity from past to present. According to Lamasan, people were constantly asking them if they planned to do a remake.

They wanted to, but were worried about the casting. “Nu’ng time na ‘yon wala pang nararapat at wala pa kaming naiisip who’s going to play Amor, at kung sinong artista ang magpaplay sa character ni Claudia, dapat magaling na artista din, so kumbaga ang casting na ito ay napag-isipan.”

It was a question that obsessed them constantly. “We were thinking, ‘Paano ba, sino ba ang gaganap?’ Ako, personally, I was saying that it could be a vehicle to launch a loveteam, a new loveteam. Parang si Malou (Santos) naman was also in agreement.”

The key was to make everything feel real and the characters—as well as the actors who would play them—had to be relatable to this generation.

“Conscious ang buong creative team. Kasi before, 15 years ago, ang tema ng paggawa ng teleserye mas melodramatic,” says Santos. “Dapat conscious ang buong production team, conscious lahat ang mga artista na dapat real, that anybody can relate to Amor’s character, anybody can relate to Yna and Angelo sa panahon ngayon. Nilagay namin sa panahon ngayon (na ang tanong ay) ‘If in case si Amor ay nabuhay sa panahon ngayon, sino siya?

Kung si Yna ay ngayon nabuhay, sino si Yna?’ (Importante) ‘yung mas makakaconnect ang mga tao sa now, more of now, and what’s happening now.”

With ‘now’ being such an important part of the equation, one of the most crucial decisions was the casting of the two young leads.

Enter Daniel Padilla and Kathryn Bernardo—a young tandem with a massive following, with a Midas touch that sets projects, endorsements, and magazine covers afire.

Daniel and Kathryn had done other shows, like Princess and I, and Got to Believe, and several movies, including the blockbuster hit, Crazy Beautiful You, together. “Nakikita namin na sila lang ang puwede,” says Santos. “Sa kanila lang

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puwedeng ibigay ang programa, kasi sila ang idolo halos ng bagong henerasyon. So both of them, they are already ripe for this vehicle.”

The addition of KathNiel, or so the loveteam is fondly called, was key in getting the current generation of viewers to embrace the show the way the original audience did.

“Number one, they are the number one love team. And the kind of following they have is something we have not seen in a long time,” observes Quintos.

When Santos saw the trailer of the new version, she had the same reaction that she did when viewing the one that the JerichoKristine tandem did years ago.

“Ako talaga, when I saw the teaser of KathNiel, napapa-smile ako the way I smiled before nu’ng nakita ko ‘yung teaser ni Kristine and Echo, parang binubuhay sa amin ‘yung same intensity ng pagmamahal.”

Aside from the draw of KathNiel is a story that almost every viewer can relate to. “Lahat sila, yung masa, sila ang manonood. At ‘yung mga audience na ‘yon, parang naghahanap sila ng someone na parang nasa estado ng buhay nila. At sila, nakaka-relate sila pag inaapi, kasi ganoon din sila. (Magiging) feeling nila, naapi (rin) sila,” says Lumibao.

He believes the new approach to characterization, showing more of the backstory—plus the story’s clear messages of empowerment, love and hope—will prove too inspiring to resist. “Gusto nila (audiences) ‘yung character na kahit inapi, lalaban ‘yan in the end. Kasi ‘yan ang gusto nilang mangyari. Na nakikita nilang may taong lumalaban. At itong taong ito, kaya niya pala umangat ang buhay niya. So kaya din namin ‘yon.”

Lamasan says that at the end of the day, there is only one goal for everyone involved.

“Siguro hindi conscious (decision) na ‘Okay, as we do this, we have to replicate or do better than the first.’ I think in the heart of every creative person, in our hearts as the creative team, the goal would always be to just do our best and to tell a very good story.”

Now, we begin to witness the unraveling of the new Pangako Sa ‘Yo on primetime TV—indeed, one great promise to give today’s viewers; a modern story that will inspire them to dream and aspire, to fight for what is right, and to fall in love again; and for the not-so-young, to take on yet another chance to relive the experience, while being enchanted and enthralled at the magic of it all.

a promise of love

Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel padilla have been making big strides forward in their Tv-movie portrayals. Now, they take the biggest step ever in their young careers as they prepare for the challenge of playing the lead roles in one of the most iconic series ever on philippine television. are they up to it? They and their creative collaborators answer the important questions By maridol rañoa-Bismark

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ans just love them. Every time Daniel Padilla and Kathryn Bernardo are seen together, hoards of young Filipinos go into paroxysms of kilig punctuated by adoring screams. Such is the popularity of Kath-Niel, considered the hottest pairing in recent Philippine show business.

The love team started in 2011 when Daniel and Kathryn were paired in the youth-oriented TV show Growing Up. This was followed by two very well-received television series, Princess and I and Got to Believe. Their movie credits include an appearance in Sisterakas and in the horror film Pagpag, along with several romantic flicks built around their tandem: Must be Love, She’s Dating The Gangster and Crazy, Beautiful You. Their chemistry, popularity, and the loyal support of their fans make them an ideal choice to play the star-crossed young lovers, Angelo Buenavista and Yna Macaspac in the modern retelling of Pangako Sa ‘Yo. According to Rory Quintos who directed

the original and again this new version, the young couple has what it takes to make the new Pangako just as successful as the original.

She believes it’s what will make the new show a success because the Kath-Niel tandem will draw two different generations of viewers.

“The older generation who watched the original Pangako Sa ‘Yo, they’re eager to watch it again to see siguro the changes compared to the old one.”

The prospect of filling the shoes of Jericho Rosales, the original Angelo Buenavista, and Kristine Hermosa, who played Yna Macaspac, both excites and overwhelms the young stars.

“Nagulat ako nang malaman ko ‘yun,

dahil siyempre grabe yung ‘Pangako’, di ba,” says Daniel. “Talagang grabe ang kasikatan ng ‘Pangako Sa ‘Yo’. Sobra akong thankful na kami ni Kathryn ‘yung nakuha na gaganap sa role. Mahirap pero kakayanin po natin kasi ‘di naman ako umuurong sa challenge.”

Kathryn says practically the same thing. “Napakalaking challenge kasi alam naman natin na yung original ’Pangako’ is the teleserye of all teleseryes. Nakakanerbyos, pero exciting din. Napaka-iconic po talaga ng characters, pero ang masasabi ko lang, ibang atake naman po ang ibibigay natin. Ibang Yna (at) KathrynKathryn din

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ang makikita nila, mas mature hindi na patweetums.”

According to the young stars, they are being given workshops and a lot of coaching by the directors, to help them prepare for what’s coming.

Dado Lumibao, one of the series’ original writers believes Kathryn and Daniel will adequately fill in the shoes left by the original Jericho-Kristine tandem.

“Ay, definitely,” he says. “I knew them, I worked with them, I saw them in their growing-up years, ‘yung napaka-awkward at merong discomfort. Then after Princess and I (the first show he directed them in), I made a movie with them (Must Be Love) and somehow, ‘Ay, parang nagma-mature’ and after that, ‘yung mga ibang pelikula nila, ‘yung Got to Believe na soap, parang naelevate na nila. Ang challenge na lang dito is to really make them very different from the roles or the characters or performances nila dati. That’s why now, parang ang challenge sa amin (is to present) ibang Kathryn, ibang Daniel.”

How do they plan to deliver that? Explains Direk Dado: “Well, for one, we are really very conscious about the way they act, the way they tackle their roles. Hindi na ito ‘yung teeny-weeny whatever. For example, they will see a more sensual Kathryn. Si Daniel, iba din. Hindi na siya yung bagets, but someone who is more of a man. Hindi na siya boy. In his last movie (Crazy Beautiful You), naglevel up na siya, but we want to push it some more. May ibibigay pa siya, ang dami pa.”

Four years into their love team, the pair has learned to work well together and shows no signs of boredom with each other. Both expressed commitment to the love team and support for each other’s career.

“Pangako ko kay Kathryn na gagalingan ko para sa kanya.” exclaims Daniel.

They also promise their fans that they will see a totally different Kathniel this time around.

“Mas mature po ‘yung Kathniel na makikita nila rito. Basta abangan po nila kasi marami silang bagong makikita hindi lang sa amin ni Daniel kundi sa buong show,” promised Kathryn. “Ang pangako po namin, mamahalin din nila ‘yung characters namin dito na sina Yna at Angelo gaya ng pagmamahal nila ‘yung sa original. Pangako po namin sa fans na hanggang andiyan sila, andito kami para mapasaya sila.

Gagawin namin ang lahat para worth it ang mapanood nila.”

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Above: Daniel Padilla and Kathryn Bernardo kick their acting careers up a notch with their portrayals as Angelo Buenavista and Yna Macaspac in Pangako Sa ‘Yo. The two young actors are expected to level up in their acting in their new show—and both intend to deliver on that promise.

Daniel says: “Pangako ko kay Kathryn na gagalingan ko para sa kanya.”

Right: Jodi in a light moment. Now that the cameras have started rolling, though, she is all seriousness when it comes to her work. She is, after all, playing the new Amor Powers. As a woman, Jodi has a never-say-die spirit that the failure of her marriage and the challenges of single motherhood can’t break. In this respect, she is as tough and empowered as the character she plays.

Left: Kathryn is one very busy young actress, so she doesn’t always have time to cook or prepare meals for her family. But as part of the preparations for her role as the gentle and sweet Yna Macaspac, the 19-year-old actress reportedly took up cooking lessons, stretching the range of her talents beyond acting in front of the camera. Food and cooking—as those passionate about them know—are two ways that someone can express their love for family, a trait that Kathryn shares with her character.

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Photo by CELWYN ABASOLO (Olivia M. Lamasan)

Left: Star Cinema Managing Director Malou Santos says she felt this was the right time to bring Pangako Sa ‘Yo back to the small screen.

“Kasi naniwala kami na ang isang programa na na-launch 15 years ago na sobrang minahal not only in the Philippines but worldwide halos, ay kailangang ibalik sa tamang panahon, at ang feeling ko, particularly, ang feeling namin ni Olive (Lamasan) na ito ang tamang panahon.”

Below: Star Cinema Creative Head and director Olivia ‘Olive’ Lamasan (with sun visor, in gray), who directs the pilot of the show, with the teleserye’s staff and production crew during a break in their location shoot all the way up north, in Benguet. Before they began shooting, the team scouted various locations to find the best that would be most appropriate for the kind of milieu they wanted to create.

The modern story will inspire viewers to dream and aspire, to fight for what is right and to fall in love again. It will make the young-at-heart relive the experience and the wonderful feeling of being in love and fighting for what they strongly believe in.

Lamasan (above, and at left with Direk Rory Quintos, whose photo also appears below) reveals to StarStudio that the main difference between Pangako Sa ‘Yo then and now is that this one “is going to be more real. Mas modern siya; siyempre, it will adapt to the modern times. Tapos the emotions are real, the situations are more real.

Mas relatable, mas real ang treatment kasi ‘yon ang mas gusto ng tao ngayon.”

Dado Lumibao, one of the original writers who now codirects the new version, says this experience has brought his career full circle. He believes that the new show “will stand on its own for the present generation who hasn’t seen Pangako. I believe they will latch on to this. For those who have seen the original, I want them to say, ‘Wow, this is another experience!’”

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Story courtesy of StarStudio Magazine August 2015

On Nadine: Hot pink cropped top and skirt both by Jian Lasala. On James: Navy paisley button-down, vest, suit jacket and pants all by Francis Libiran

The JaDine Chemistry

This up-and-coming love team levels up, with a growing fan base and their very own teleserye, On the Wings of Love, to boot. StarStudio gets to know more about the boy and the girl that make up this fast-rising tandem

By Michelle Angela Orosa Carag and Chuck Smith Photography by Ria Regino Styled by Jeff Galang, assisted by Aiza Aburwela Makeup by Chuchie Ledesma for Maybelline New York Hairstyling by Rudolf Davalos Sittings Editor: Grace Libero-Cruz

J

ust a few years ago, James Reid and Nadine Lustre were still both on the lookout for that much-needed showbiz break.

Then came the offer which would ironically make both their careers beautiful: Diary Ng Panget.

For a love team’s first movie project, Diary Ng Panget did well, earning almost P120 million.

Banking on its success, the tandem—which their fans dubbed JaDine—went on to star in another Wattpad story-turned-movie Talk Back and You’re Dead with Yassi Pressman and Joseph Marco. The movie, coproduced by Viva Films and Skylight Films, grossed P79.8 million.

James and Nadine also starred in the movie Para sa Hopeless Romantic with Julia Barretto, Inigo Pascual, AJ Muhlach and Shy Carlos. The movie, another co-production venture of Viva Films and Skylight Films, was based on a book written by Marcelo Santos III. Following their contract signing with ABS-CBN in August 2014, the two also starred in a Wansapanataym series titled “My App Boyfie” in September 2014; the hashtag “My App Boyfie Pilot Episode” reportedly trended on Twitter worldwide.

Undeniable Chemistry

The on-and-off-screen chemistry of James and Nadine is undeniable, and it’s easy for people to think there’s really something going on between the two. However, they’ve been vocal about the real status of their relationship—that they’re just friends,​ and yes,​a hot l​ ove team.

“Okay na kami eh. Baka mamaya kapag dinagdagan namin ng isang factor, it might ruin everything,” Nadine says when asked if there’s a c​ hance their reel-​life love team can turn into a real-​life one. “Baka mamaya konting away lang, konting 34

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tampuhan, hindi na kami makapagtrabaho nang maayos. It’s like that. May mga nagsasabi na kahit magkaaway kami, okay lang. Pero hindi talaga eh. Mahirap mag-fake ng chemistry,​ lalo na kung negative ’yung pinanggagalingan mo tapos you have to act positively towards the person.”

Meanwhile, James explains, “Nadine and I are really just friends. We’re in a love team— we’re actors and we make people believe in love, make people feel love. That’s our job. But we’re really just friends, although the fans are very persistent. But Nadine and I are really close because we’re alike and we both came from nowhere. We learned so much about each other along the way and we depended on each other. We give each other support.”

Despite that, JaDine still appeals to many,​perhaps because they’re not forcing their chemistry. Her girl-next-door Filipina features and his handsome amboy features blend perfectly well with each other. This winning combination works, especially for their latest project. Produced by Dreamscape Entertainment Television, On the Wings of Love is set to air this month and is helmed by Antoinette Jadaone, who directed the boxoffice hit That Thing Called Tadhana.

The show is set in San Francisco, California, and also stars Nanette Inventor, Bianca Manalo and Joel Torre, among others.

Last May, James and Nadine flew to San Francisco, USA to shoot some sequences for On the Wings of Love. The show was taped abroad because it revolves around a “marriage for convenience” plotline, which many Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) can relate to. With their obvious on- and off-cam chemistry, it was easy for Jadine to put a fun twist to an otherwise complex and serious topic.

James as Clark

In the series, James plays an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) living in the United States who will be entangled in a love triangle between co-stars Arjo Atayde and Nadine Lustre.

“It’s my first time being cast as the lead star in a teleserye so it’s a big deal,” James stresses.

“I’m very nervous. It’s Direk Antoinette’s first teleserye as well. She’s really good at directing romantic comedies, so I think we have one of the best directors for the job. It’s really different. It’s more mature. We play young adults who have a lot of responsibilities.

We take care of our families and we’re the breadwinners, ​so it’s definitely more mature.”

Because On the Wings of Love is his first teleserye, James vows to work harder for the success of the show. “I want to take it really seriously so I took these workshops to help me with my character,​and the director was there to watch over us. We did a lot of exercises, like improvisation. I had to improvise and the director said I got it down perfect. So I was really happy with that.”

When asked what kind of approach Direk Antoinette used to help them internalize their respective characters, James reveals, “There’s character building. She really likes spontaneity when it comes to shooting. So you have to know your character well because TFC ALL ACCESS V o l u m e

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Gray pullover by Bench, navy sports jacket by Uniqlo and burgundy chino pants

by Topman

Yellow printed tube top by Religioso and white skirt by Kashieca

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Kilig moment caught on cam while shooting in San Francisco

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she might require you to deliver a line on the spot. And the character’s personality is far from mine—he hates his father who rejected him as a child. And he misses and loves his mother who died when he was young. Whereas for me in real life, it’s the opposite. But I was able to internalize the character enough to be able to feel for my mother and to feel enough rage for my father, which is different for me because in real life, I love my father very much. But it’s a good challenge. I feel like it helped me really move a step up in this project.”

Nadine as Lea

Nadine plays Lea, whom she describes as “mabuting anak at kapatid. She’s a hard worker. Ever since bata pa lang siya, ang dream na niya talaga,​ makarating sa Amerik​a, especially sa San Francisco,​kasi ’yung mother niya doon nag-trabaho at namatay. So, she dreams of going there to work at dalhin ’yung family niya doon for a better life.”

The show may be a romanticcomedy, but it is layered with serious scenes which require more hugot (or an emotional anchor).

Nadine says it’s fun but challenging at the same time, especially since this is her first teleserye and with the Kapamilya network at that. “Medyo mahirap kasi this is longer. Hindi naman kasi from the bottom up ‘yung shoot.

So ang hirap na kailangan alamin mo ’yung pinanggalingan mo na eksena,” Nadine shares. “It isn’t just a ​rom-com.

May drama siya, may bigat. Sobrang nahirapan din ako.”

The show also happens to be their director’s first teleserye, so Nadine likes that she gets extra help from Direk Antoinette and that there’s collaboration between them on the set. She says, “She’s very hands-on and she likes collaborations. Ayaw niya na sa kanya lang nanggagaling. Gusto niya meron ka ring nako-contribute sa character mo.”

With an exciting location and an equally exciting plot, the JaDine fans are surely up for a treat as Nadine assures them of what to expect: “Maraming kilig.

This is different; this is a new and more mature JaDine.”

On the set in San Francisco with Direk Antoinette Jadaone: She says of the pair, “Matalino, mabait, at saka willing maging baliw sa mga eksena.”

(Top) On the Wings of Love cast Nico Antonio, Bianca Manalo, Joel Torre, James Reid, Nadine Lustre, Albie Casiño, Cherry Pie Picache and Nanette Inventor. (This photo) James and Nadine with Direk Jojo Sagun, one of the directors of JaDine’s teleserye On the Wings of Love.

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shops | trend report Story courtesy of Metro Magazine July 2015

Pre-Fall 2015 Trend Report

From shearling coats to updated drug rugs, it’s looking like a good season for outerwear. A little boyish charm is also prescribed while seasoned favorites like squares and military nuances are back and a lot more chic. Pre-Fall may not be here long, but there definitely are a lot of looks and pieces that are for keeps By Ria Gamboa Get Cozy

Chloé

More than just parkas and coats, the new trend in outerwear is the drug rug. While the largely popular California surfer staple makes us want to hit the beach, this season’s Baja jacket is far removed from the recycled fiber-made hipster outerwear that exploded in the 1970s.

Getting a major upgrade, the new season ponchos come in new lengths that hit just right above the knee.

Keeping the glamour factor in check, Chloé adds tassels and tribal prints while 3.1 Phillip Lim gave it a fashion factor with a handkerchief hem.

3.1 Phillip Lim

Diane von Furstenberg

Burberry Prorsum

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DSquared2

Acne Studios

Drug rugs are notable for their stripe prints. Forget vibrant colors, the season’s Baja jacket is chic in its simplicity and clean lines.

Lanvin

If you aren’t keen on outlandish print on print, choose an anchor piece like your top or bottom and pair with leopard print accessories like a clutch or heels for a subdued take on the trend.

Altuzarra

Animal Instincts

Animal prints are always on trend so it comes as no surprise that leopard prints make it on our list of favorite looks from the season. Printed on everything from coats, tops, pencil skirts, and trousers, it’s definitely a wild Pre-Fall look. Pushing the limit with the trend, designers aren’t afraid to be matchy-matchy, just check out Altuzarra whose jacquard animal print parka was paired with a pencil skirt of the same make. On the classic end of the spectrum is Lanvin who pairs a black and white leopard print dress with deep blue gloves for a bit of color.

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Square Dance Altuzarra

While geometry in fashion is nothing new, be up-to-date when you pair your squares in mismatching prints. Whether it’s in the color combination, pattern, or both, the new way to wear squares is with a whole lot of fun.

Girls will fall in line as Pre-Fall gives you a lesson in cubism.

Whether it’s a windowpane grid or fanciful checks, squares become the defining pattern of the season. Everyone from Proenza Schouler, Dior, Lanvin, and Fendi were all in on the fun. Keeping the costume aesthetic at bay, designers held back on the color and concentrated on a palette of blacks, whites, maroons, and the occasional blues.

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Lanvin

Chloé

BOMBS AWAY

Also listed under covetable outerwear, bomber jackets follow drug rugs as a dressier option to keeping cool. Reinventing the 1980s heartthrob staple and the Amelia Earhart aviatrix look, designers looked to shearling as the jacket’s fabrication of choice.

Cropped and reminiscent of old school boleros, the season’s bomb squad is at its most glamorous.

Burberry Prorsum

ARMY LIFE

Altuzarra

Consider this the new lesson in power dressing. Forget the strict tailored coats because the season’s lady boss comes in army greens, camouflage, and parkas. The military details are all present and unlike previous seasons that simply took inspiration from the cut, the new military takes uniform dressing literary.

All the mannish details are present: Utility pockets and belts finish off the look.

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To give your look a bit of a feminine flair, pair a strict jacket with a trumpet skirt a la McQueen or with colorful stripes as seen in Diesel.

Acne Studios

Acne Studios

Chloé

Louis Vuitton

UPTOWN GIRL

Givenchy

The fabric of choice for the uptown girls who like to wear their pearls, tweed comes undone to cater to a number of style personalities outside of the classic clique. While traditional silhouettes are still present, the fabric now comes frayed and fringed, lending it a whole lot of edge and grunge.

Louis Vuitton

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Diesel

Chloé

Taking our cues from the runways, the new bombers are best paired with flared or pleated skirts for a feminine contrast.

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Alexander McQueen

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The key to keeping tweed’s prim aesthetic at bay is all in the styling: Wear with a pair of culottes or sneakers for a modern twist.

Story courtesy of Metro Magazine July 2015

Photographs courtesy of Jodi Sta. Maria, Ina Feleo, www.kimcamjones.com, jake cuenca, Sam Milby, Joem Bascon, Markki Stroem, Mikael Daez, and Meryll soriano (london)

lifestyle | travel

Left: Kim Jones and Jericho Rosales en route to Corsica from Menton on their honeymoon.

Right: Jodi Sta. Maria on holiday in Bahamas.

Star Destinations Relishing in a country’s food, culture and people; expanding one’s horizons; and gaining priceless memories, all make traveling much more appealing. We asked some celebrities about their favorite travel adventures by Jel Tordesillas Jodi Sta. Maria Jodi doesn’t have one favorite travel destination, and explains each of her travels being her favorite, with each place offering different cultures, people, and food. Her most recent travels were in the United States, with a side trip to the Bahamas. “I really enjoyed it (the Bahamas),” she shares, describing the island as “really beautiful with so many kind people.” She also shares how much she loves their food, with locals unafraid of using different spices and coconut milk.

Ina Feleo Recently, Ina went on an excursion to Mindanao with her relatives, and explored the islands of Butuan, Surigao and Camiguin. This was actually a reunion trip of Ina’s mom, actor-director Laurice Guillen, and siblings. “So this was also my first time to actually witness their dynamics as siblings. I got to know my titos and titas a lot more and we had a lot of laughs together,” tells the actress.

“Britania islands (in Surigao) is paradise!” she adds. “The sand is super white and the water is so clear and the temperature is perfect. Everywhere is clean. You won’t see candy wrappers or empty bottles of beer anywhere. I loved it. We all did. We

spent hours just wading in the water, taking pictures, and telling jokes and anecdotes. Its definitely a must-see!”

Jericho Rosales and Kim Jones “Traveling enriches the mind. Every time we travel, we get that kind of rare excitement to see the world and to get inspired,” explains the Bridges of Love star, who, like his wife Kim Jones, is a traveler at heart.

Their first year wedding anniversary in Amanpulo; something they planned for years before it actually became a reality, grabbed a spot in one of Jericho’s favorite travels. “Amanpulo has one of the most magical and colorful sunsets,” he reminisces.

“It’s the privacy that we enjoyed,” he says, sharing the experience of being able to go around the peaceful and isolated island.

Corsica is also an easy favorite. During their honeymoon, the couple rented a car and drove around the place. “It’s just got that very French feel, something you don’t really get in Paris,” tells Kim. “It’s very relaxed, it’s also very luxurious as well. It’s what you would really expect from the French Riviera.”

Jake Cuenca Bangkok is where Jake’s special someone resides, which is why he’s usually there

Top: Jake Cuenca is always at home in New York City. Here he is in Times Square. Right: Indie actress Ina Feleo found paradise in a recent trip to Butuan, Surigao, and Camiguin.

on weekends after a week of hard work.

Obviously having lots of experience in the country, he picks the trip to Hua Hin beach as one of his favorite memories there. “It was a really long drive… but we had a really good dinner and the beach was nice. Another good thing there was privacy.”

“For me. I would say, my love for education is the same as my love for traveling,” the actor declares. He admits having a love affair with New York, citing education as the the thing that is most magnetizing about it. “There’s always something to study, there’s always something to pick up, there’s always a short course to take... and of course, just the vibe, the people, and the fashion. As a testament to this, the actor actually recently finished a course at Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute in New York, the school of famed actors such as Jon Voight and Alec Baldwin.

He also shares enjoying going around the East Village, which he describes as the more hipster part of New York.

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lifestyle | travel Sam Milby “Don’t be a tourist, be a traveler,” advises Sam. Having practically circled the globe, he singles out Japan as one of his favorite counties. “I just love Japanese culture,” he says. “My favorite food is Japanese food,” the actor adds, citing gindara teryaki as his favorite, but also loves salmon sashimi and maki.

Fresh from Los Angeles, Sam also speaks fondly about his encounters with the Hollywood stars in this key California city.

While eating lunch with a friend one day, Sam noticed they were sitting next to Emilio Estevez (who played Coach Gordon Bombay in the Mighty Ducks franchise). As it turns out, he was a big Mighty Ducks fan when he was younger, having played hockey himself. He also recalls seeing Jamie Chung, Mandy Moore and Jimmy Kimmel.

Another traveling memory that stands out is a New York trip he had with his father three years ago. “We watched a play called Jersey Boys and we both loved it,” he recalls.

“Having that experience with my Dad... bringing him there and that whole bonding experience that we had in New York was very wonderful for me.”

Joem Bascon Being with his family, his girlfriend and loved ones are some of the things Joem loves most about traveling. “It’s also being able to have alone time and escape from my work”. Food is also at the top of his list. “I really love eating,” he confesses.

Joem tells us of visiting a virgin beach in Siquijor as the favorite memory of his latest travels. He describes the beach using superlatives “The super white sand and the sea were really beautiful and there were only a handful of people.” His trip to Batanes, however, proves to be his favorite trip, yet. He recalls how the place very much resembled New Zealand. “It was a greenfield with lots of cows,” he describes. “It’s a must visit for people.”

Markki Stroem “At the end of the day, you cannot buy experience,” Markki points out. And during his travels, experience he did. During his college days in Switzerland, traveling was something he’d do quite often, impulsively even. On a whim, he’d take off to places like London, Paris and Madrid, “I’d sleep in 42

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Clockwise from top: Ejay Falcon loves London, Sam Milby speaks fondly of Japan, Markki Stroem in Chiang Kai Chek Hall in Taiwan, Mikael Daez relaxes in Maiton Island in Thailand, and Joem Bascon in Salandoong Beach in Siquijor.

train stations,” he recalls, “with basically, the clothes on my back” Very fondly, he picks a trip to Morocco several years ago as his favorite trip so far, savoring things like the sites, the culture, and the people. “It’s like you’re in Aladdin, in Agrabah,” he relates. “You’d go to the city center and they’d have, like, snake charmers. It’s really cool.” He also recalls his encounter with a French architect he met on the trip — just hanging out with friends, and meeting new people at the designer’s eclectic residence. “The place was so nice.

It was like a mixture of French and Moroccan design put together,” he illustrates. “It’s hard to explain because it’s such a different culture.” “That’s why I love traveling, just meeting different people from everywhere and anywhere,” he adds.

Ejay Falcon Half-French Ejay shares feeling really at home in France during his first visit (for work)—a visit he also dubs as his favorite travel experience. Having never met his father, he shares having an affinity towards I s s u e

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the French, deciding that, after the Philippines, he feels most at home in this country.

In France, he recalls visiting Monaco and spotting the sites in the movie Monte Carlo.

Segueing to London, he was able to visit the iconic Buckingham Palace. Given the landmarks that he sees in his travels, it’s no wonder his travel “must-bring” is a camera.

Mikael Daez “You can send me anywhere around the world and I’ll figure out a way to enjoy that place,” says Mikael. Putting himself out of his comfort zone is something intriguing to him because he always learns so much about the place and himself, “When I’m outside the country, I’m forced to adapt and change and I learn more about myself that way.”

From his recent trip to Cambodia, he cites Koh Rong as very memorable, and describes the island as “amazing.” “Up to that point, I had always thought that the Philippines had the best beaches in the world, but when I saw that beach in Cambodia, I had to think twice.

That’s the first time that has ever happened.”

He also chronicles Maiton Island in Phuket, Thailand as amazing. “The beaches (in Koh Rong Island and Maiton Island) were just beautiful...way more beautiful than I ever would have expected it to be.”

Story courtesy of Working Mom Magazine July 2015

let’s talk | detox BEFORE ANYTHING ELSE… It is advisable that you get medical clearance first before you go into any type of cleanse.

Likewise, registered nutritionist-dietitian Rio Balane, a former dietitian consultant at the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, says that cleanses can be disadvantageous if done for a long time.

“The absence of the act of chewing may signal the brain that the mouth is not needed, and may in turn slow down metabolism.”

Choose your cleanse

Wishing for weight loss?

A liquid detox may make it happen…

By kitty elicay

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ward-winning journalist, Philippine Red Cross council member and mom of two, Rikki Kwek-Mathay, shares two kinds of cleansing methods that may help you shed the weight.

Lemonade cleanse What it is: Naturopath Stanley Burroughs created the liquid diet specifically for weight loss and cleansing, “allowing the body to heal naturally all while resting the digestive system.”

How to do it: For 10 days, consume 6-8 glasses of the juice throughout the day to fill you up. Mix 10 ounces of water with 2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice, 2 tablespoons of Grade B maple syrup and 1/8 tsp of cayenne pepper. Pair your morning drinks with 2 gallons of lukewarm water with 2 teaspoons of sea salt to flush out the “bad toxins” in your body and 44

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have herbal tea throughout the day. Have laxative tea before bedtime so expect to “go” in the morning.

After doing the 10-day detox, slowly introduce other food into your system. This is a 3-day post detox consisting of natural orange juice (Day 1), vegetable soup (Day 2) and salads (Day 3).

How it worked for her: From 135 pounds, Rikki dropped to 120 lbs in 13 days. While there were hunger pangs, she says that it wasn’t as bad as she anticipated. And even those who are acidic can benefit from this cleanse as lemon turns into alkaline once ingested by the body. She was able to keep the weight off for the next 2 years, aided with workouts in the gym.

Wheatgrass diet What it is: A diet to cleanse the colon as it is in charge of food digestion and waste secretion. The diet requires consuming this

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plant daily to promote the removal of toxins and impurities in the body.

How to do it: Drink fresh juiced wheatgrass alongside other fruits and vegetables, such as berries, bananas, spinach and apples to encourage removal of toxins.

Rikki’s wheatgrass drinks from So Easy (soeasy3daycleanse.com) came in strawberry and chocolate flavors, which she consumed as meal replacement three times a day.

How it worked for her: Rikki lost 10 pounds in the three days that she went on the cleanse.

However, she says that this will be gained back easily once you stop. For her, the main purpose of the diet was to cleanse the colon so her advice is to do it only once or twice a year. While it was a harder diet to stick to (the hunger pangs were worse), what really amazed her was seeing the removal of the mucoid plaque and retained waste as early as two days of cleansing.

photo from @pure_jus instagram

The night before

To prepare my body, I consume less solid food and drink more water. I make sure to sleep early to store as much energy as I can.

Day 1

Upon awakening, I immediately drink a glass of water and a cup of warm water with lemon slices as per instructions from Pure Jus. At 2 p.m. the hunger starts to creep in. Whenever I think of eating, I just drink more water to feel full.

Day 2

I have a slight headache, which I am told is quite common during a detox. By the afternoon, I develop a slight fever. I am told this is the effect of my body withdrawing all of the junk I’ve been consuming. The hunger is completely gone by evening.

Day 3

Detox diaries A personal account of going on a juice cleanse, which could help make up your mind

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The verdict

By ELAINE CARAG

hile I’m no virgin to dieting and juicing, there are only a few that I can sincerely say I enjoyed— and that includes a threeday juice cleanse by Pure Jus. A homebased business by Kristal Hierco, Pure Jus (pure-jus.com) offers various blends of cold-pressed fruit and vegetable juices for delivery to your doorstep every day. After hearing great reviews and seeing obvious results on my sister, who discovered and tried it first, I didn’t even think twice about

It’s a Monday, so I get ready for work after I drink half of my first juice. I go about my day as usual, with a steady level of energy. I feel relaxed and refreshed.

The lightness is amazing! At 8:30 p.m. I drink my last juice in the program then proceed to the last organic laxative tea and the warm cup of water with lemon.

signing up for the program.

Pure Jus’ three-day juice cleanse consists of six bottles of cold-pressed juices a day taken with lots of water and several organic teas. There’s absolutely no solid food or other drinks, especially caffeinated and alcoholic, allowed.

Smoking is also prohibited. To avoid any temptation to break the rules of cleansing, I scheduled mine during a weekend when I resolved to stay at home and focus on the task at hand. Here’s what happened:

I feel like a new person. I lost around 7 pounds, a most welcome result. I don’t want to risk shocking my system with a heavy meal, so I take just a salad and soup for lunch and dinner. Since then, I’ve managed to curb my cravings for chips and soda, even coffee, to a manageable minimum.

While I’ve fallen back to binge-eating since, I’m looking forward to another three days of cleansing, just to maintain a good balance in my lifestyle. I’ve decided to do it every six months to help me embrace a cleaner, healthier diet slowly but surely.

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Story courtesy of Food Magazine 2015 Issue 2

Dressing up Go beyond your usual home-cooked recipe and explore the many delicious ways to cook our nation’s most beloved dish

By Jenny B. Orillos Recipes and styling by Tina Concepcion Diaz Photography by Paulo Valenzuela

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he smell of adobo simmering in a pot is unmistakable.

The sharp notes of vinegar mellow as the meat is infused with garlic, soy sauce, peppercorns and bay leaf. It is the aroma of home where mother makes the best adobo ever.

The ways of cooking adobo is as varied as the many islands of the Philippines. Just take a look at the multitude of adobo recipes collected in The Adobo Book by Nancy Reyes-Lumen and Reynaldo G. Alejandro, in Gene Gonzalez’s The Little Adobo Book, and the best recipes from the Adobo Festival of Silay City, Negros Occidental published in Slow Food

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Adobo.

Kulinarya: A Guidebook to Philippine Cuisine has an entire section devoted to adobo. “The team recognized that adobo is not just a dish but a way of cooking in itself,” writes Glenda Barretto, chairperson of the Kulinarya project. The cookbook emphasizes that adobo is vinegar-braised wherein instead of stock or sauce, vinegar composes the cooking liquid. “The process involves many variations of braising, stewing and sometimes frying,” which enhances the flavor and texture of the adobo.

With these variations, the cook is literally “dressing up” the dish whether using pork, chicken, lamb, seafood

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or vegetables. The Spanish word adobar means “to dress meat in vinegar or make a pickle-sauce (or marinade),” writes Felice Sta. Maria in FOOD’s adobo issue (2009).

She traces adobar to the French adouber, “to dress a knight in armor.” The Spanish adobo refers to “a pickling sauce of olive oil, vinegar, and spices,” according to Doreen G. Fernandez in The Oxford Companion to Food.

In Mexico, adobo is a paste of ground chilies, spices, herbs and vinegar, says Fernandez.

In contrast, Filipino adobo is a simple braise of meat, vinegar, garlic, rock salt, bay leaf and peppercorns (called adobong puti because of its pale color). Sta. Maria notes that by the 1930s, toyo (soy sauce) became a staple

in adobo recipes published in that era. It is attributed to Chinese and Japanese influence which uses soy sauce in its cuisine. The combination of vinegar and soy sauce deepens not only the color of the adobo but also its piquant and savory notes. The adobo becomes fuller and more complex in flavor.

Your family’s adobo recipe will always be a tried-and-tested classic, but it’s also easy and fun to explore how adobo is cooked beyond the comfort of your home kitchen. Here are five ways to cook adobo as inspired by the regional versions and enhanced by the duo of soy sauce and vinegar.

Adobong Lechon Kawali Adobong Pula

Achuete heightens the color of Adobong Pula. In this recipe, pork is marinated first in Datu Puti Vinegar, Datu Puti Soy Sauce, pepper and sugar then fried in garlic-flavored achuete oil, resulting in a reddish hue. This “red” adobo takes inspiration from Cavite and Iloilo.

Annatto seeds are heated in oil to make achuete oil (mantikang pula). In his food column, writer Ige Ramos of Cavite says that old Caviteño cooks add patis (fish sauce) in the last few minutes of cooking to make Adobong Pula even more malinamnam. The Ilonggo adobo also uses powdered achuete (or istiwitis in Ilonggo) dissolved in water.

Pork liempo is simmered as a regular adobo then broiled in the oven to get the crisp skin a la lechon kawali. It is then served with a thickened adobo sauce. The recipe takes off from the dry, twice-cooked adobo of Negros Occidental. After marinating the pork in Datu Puti Vinegar and Datu Puti Soy Sauce, it is broiled until crisp.

Another version by Chef Myke Sarthou is the adobong Bisaya of his Cebu hometown. He slow cooks the pork which has been marinated in vinegar, garlic, salt, bay leaf and pepper until the oil comes out and the pork skin turns golden brown and crunchy.

Adobong Manok sa Gata

Chicken simmered in vinegar and coconut milk is common in some areas of Laguna, Marinduque and the Bicol region. Coconut milk “helps keep the chicken moist and it makes a rich sauce,” according to Memories of Philippine Kitchens which features a chili-spiked adobo sa gata by Chef Romy Dorotan who hails from Sorsogon.

Cooks in San Pablo, Laguna use two extractions of coconut milk. The second extraction serves as cooking broth while the thicker first extraction (kakang gata or coconut cream) is added during the last stage of cooking. In Marinduque, siling labuyo, yellow ginger, green papaya and sili leaves are added to adobo sa gata.

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Adobong Pula

Mushroom and Bok Choy Adobo

Adobong Lechon Kawali

1 kilo pork belly (liempo), cut into 2-inch cubes 1/2 cup Datu Puti Vinegar 1/2 cup Datu Puti Soy Sauce 1 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper 2 tablespoons brown sugar 1/4 cup coconut oil 1 tablespoon annatto seeds (achuete) 5 cloves garlic, minced 2 dried laurel leaves

2 tablespoons vegetable oil 1 tablespoon minced garlic 2 cups fresh button mushrooms, sliced in half 1/4 cup Datu Puti Vinegar 1/4 cup Datu Puti Soy Sauce 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper 5 bunches small bok choy 1 large red bell pepper, sliced into strips 2 bunches bulaklak ng kalabasa (squash blossoms)

1 1/2 kilos whole boneless pork belly (liempo) 1/3 cup Datu Puti Vinegar 1/3 cup Datu Puti Soy Sauce 1 cup water 1 bulb garlic, pounded 2 teaspoons coarsely ground black pepper 1 cup bottled lechon sauce 1/3 cup brown sugar

Serves 6

1. Place liempo pieces in a deep bowl. Combine Datu Puti Vinegar, Datu Puti Soy Sauce, pepper and sugar and pour over meat. Mix well to let the flavors seep in.

Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to 1 hour.

2. In a large wok, heat oil and annatto seeds over low heat until oil turns a red-orange color. Remove seeds and discard. Add garlic and sauté until light golden. Remove from oil and turn up heat to medium.

3. Drain liempo and set aside marinade. Fry liempo pieces in annatto oil until golden brown. Pour in reserved marinade. Add cooked garlic and laurel leaves. Allow to boil then lower heat, cover and let simmer slowly for 45 minutes to 1 hour or until meat is tender. Serve hot with rice.

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Serves 6 to 8

1. In a wide saucepan, heat oil and sauté garlic until light golden. Add mushrooms and sauté for a few minutes.

2. Pour in Datu Puti Vinegar and Datu Puti Soy Sauce.

Season with pepper.

3. While simmering, add bok choy, bell pepper and squash blossoms. Cook just until wilted. Serve right away.

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Serves 6 to 8

1. Place liempo skin-side up in a deep saucepan and pour in Datu Puti Vinegar, Datu Puti Soy Sauce and water. Add garlic and season with pepper.

Cover pan and cook over medium heat until boiling.

Lower heat and let simmer slowly until meat is tender.

Remove meat, set aside the cooking liquid and allow the meat to cool to room temperature.

2. At this point, you may cover the meat with plastic wrap and freeze overnight before roasting in a turbo broiler at 350°F for 45 minutes or until skin blisters and looks like chicharon. Or you may roast right away in the turbo broiler or oven until skin is smooth and crackly when tapped. Remove from broiler and let it rest for 20 minutes before slicing.

3. To make the sauce, combine reserved cooking liquid, lechon sauce and brown sugar. Let simmer until sauce thickens. Serve sauce on the side.

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Adobong Manok sa Gata Serves 6

1/2 cup Datu Puti Vinegar 1 cup Datu Puti Soy Sauce 1 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper 1 kilo chicken legs 3 tablespoons vegetable oil 1 tablespoon minced garlic 1 cup coconut cream 1 red bell pepper, sliced into strips 2 to 3 finger chilies 1. Combine Datu Puti Vinegar, Datu Puti Soy Sauce and ground pepper. Pour over chicken, mixing well to let the flavors seep in.

2. Heat oil in a large saucepan and sauté garlic until light golden. Remove garlic.

Drain chicken and set aside marinade. Quick-fry chicken pieces until skin is golden.

Add reserved marinade and garlic. Let simmer over low heat until tender.

3. Add coconut cream, bell pepper and finger chilies.

Cook until sauce thickens and oil starts to separate. Serve hot with rice.

Chicken Wings with Adobo BBQ Sauce Serves 6

adobo barbecue sauce :

1 cup brown sugar 1 teaspoon ground black pepper 1 tablespoon paprika 1/2 tablespoon mild chili powder 1/2 teaspoon cumin 1 cup sweet tomato ketchup 1/4 cup Datu Puti Vinegar 1/4 cup Datu Puti Soy Sauce juice of 1 orange salt, to taste 1 kilo chicken wings 1 tablespoon paprika 1 teaspoon ground black pepper 1 teaspoon garlic powder 1 1/2 tablespoons coarse salt 2 cups all-purpose flour vegetable oil, for deep frying 1. To make the adobo barbecue sauce, combine all ingredients in a saucepan.

Cover and let simmer over low heat for 10 to 15 minutes or until sauce thickens.

Transfer to a bowl and cool to room temperature.

2. Season chicken wings with paprika, pepper, garlic powder and salt. Dredge each piece in flour and arrange on a tray. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

3. When ready, heat enough oil for deep-frying. Dredge chicken pieces one more time in flour. Deep-fry until golden. Brush each piece with adobo barbecue sauce. Serve right away.

Story courtesy of Chalk Magazine July 2015

Theme’s

Up!

The struggle is always real when planning a party. It’s time-consuming, expensive, and don’t even get started on the logistics! Taking on the responsibility can be fun and inspiring, too, if you just mix things up a bit—starting with the theme. Give your usual shindig a spin by injecting some really awesome ideas drawn from pop culture favorites! Chalk puts together four of them, along with some useful design and entertaining tips for pulling off a never-to-be-forgotten bash!

By Raphael Kiefer

akkb

Party tips

Pretty Posters Hang posters of iconic female pop stars that spell girl power, like Katy Perry, Ariana Grande, or Taylor Swift. If you’re willing to spend time looking for posters of your favorite stars, try scavenging through old issues of Tiger Beat and J14 at Book Sale, but if you want to have something printed, Photobooks Philippines (photobookphilippines.com) prints start at P300.

Balloons Get balloons in pink or purple and, if possible, find some in cute designs. You can easily get them at National Book Store or in Divisoria, but you can also try party stores around your area. The Party Shop 24/7 at Xavierville in Katipunan came in handy for this shoot!

Cupcake Wars Cupcakes are an easy fit for your Mean Girls theme, and having edible accessories lying around will mean they will disappear as the night goes, which, in this case, is a good thing! Ann’s Cuppycakes (@annscuppycakes on Instagram) serves sweets with unique designs—contact them at biabetber@yahoo.com.

Burn Book Your Mean Girls party must have a Burn Book. Fill in the first few pages and leave it lying around with a pen nearby. It can be your guestbook of sorts! It’s fun and easy to make yourself!

YouTuber Jill Cimorelli has an easy tutorial video you can watch to achieve this party essential.

Meet the Designer

Mithi Winona Lacaba Tipping Point Collective (0917) 430-5079 tippingpointcollective.com

Because Mithi is knowledgeable in graphic design, photography, and styling, set designing comes naturally to her.

Her look is very detail-oriented, but not overdone. She calls experience her school—look through her online portfolio for her impressive works in magazines, videos, advertising, and events to see what else she has up her sleeve!

Girls’ Room Get lots of pillows and, if possible, a beanbag. Make sure they’re in shades of pink to achieve the ultimate look. For a space that’ll make your friends scream “Fetch!” visit H&M Home or Typo for some girly pink pillows, or like Mr. Bean Bag on Facebook for a cool bean bag chair everyone will want to chill on!

Macaroon Munch This French dessert is colorful and delish! Plus, there’s always more room for edible accessories. Your guests will thank you after! Contact Bizu Pattiserie for the best macaroons in town at bizupatisserie.com.

Throw a girly slumber party like in Mean Girls!

Produced by Barry Viloria Assisted by Christian Carl Quides and Naomi Ornido Photography Ocs Alvarez Assisted by Kurt Alvarez Additional Text Bianca Angco, Joanh Diño, and Anna Romero Styling RJ Roque Makeup Muriel Vega Perez, Chief Makeup Artist of PAC Cosmetics, Joan Teotico, and Xy Eugenio of Inglot Cosmetics Hair JP Valera and Gilbert Monreal of Triple Luck Brow and Nail Salon Nails Maribel Gojar of Triple Luck Brow and Nail Salon Models Laurence Bautista, Jeanine Choi, Gabby Dario, Neil Dy, Carlo Escalambre, Dane Hipolito, Cam Lagmay, and Bella Ysmael

r Wars!

Throw a futuristic party à la Sta

Meet the Designer

Melanie Vicente Something Pretty Manila (0916) 779-6092 info@somethingpretty@gmail.com

On Jeanine: Cropped top, to order from Danica Familara. Skirt, Cotton On. Sneakers, Skechers. On Laurence: Pants, joggers, both Folded & Hung. Shoes, Vans. On Gabby: Knit dress, H&M. Turtleneck tunic, to order from Danica Familara. Shoes, H&M. On Neil: Hoodie, joggers, both Folded &Hung. Shoes, Saucony.

akkb Party tips Light Sabers You can’t call it a Star Wars party without the iconic light sabers.

You’ll find these in any toy store, but they only cost P150 per piece in Divisoria!

Lanterns Recreate planets with paper lanterns. Paper is economical and may be reused after. Make sure they’re hung above eye level to achieve the look.

For affordable ones that range from P50 to P120, head to DNK Party Shop at Divisoria Mall.

Melanie has worked many jobs in her life, but eventually found herself designing sets as an assistant photographer. Two years into this newfound passion, she believes that she’s finally found her calling.

Space Drinks In an interplanetary party, your drinks have to be space-y, too! Unless you hire a mobile bar to mix the drinks for you, make sure you have them pre-mixed and put in a nice container that suits your theme.

Tanduay Ice Alcomix is your best bet, available at your nearest grocery or convenience store!

Booze Bar Many of these services already come with bartenders who can mix the drink on the spot. Party Shaker (partyshaker. com.ph) is one of them. Check them out on Facebook and Instagram!

Lighted Backdrop A black backdrop creates the illusion of space. Tiny lights resembling stars will bring out that interstellar feel. To keep it on point, use white instead of yellow. A dark fabric and Christmas lights ought to do the trick. To get twinkly Christmas lights and a nice, black backdrop, try visiting Divisoria to get them cheap. If not, you can always raid your mom’s décor stash!

Stellar Snacks Luckily, there’s no shortage of finger foods to choose from. Chips with cheese (cheese curls, cheese balls, cheese puffs, etc.) are great. A trip to the grocery will open a wealth of options to choose from, too!

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Curtain Call Of course, it has to shimmer and shine as the stars who inspire it. If there’s ever a time to be loud, this is it!

Visit a fabric store to source for affordable textiles to achieve the look. Ilaya St. in Divisoria is hailed as the tela haven of the Philippines, with stalls selling fabric for less than P150.

Starry Night Nothing suggests it’s a night for the stars like, well, stars. Put on your creative cap and make one or call Justine Bumanlag of SaSO Event Styling and Interiors (also a set designer in this feature!) who creates décor especially for events.

Studio Clapper Make it feel like a movie set with your very own clapper lying around. Not only will it keep your theme on point, it’ll also likely be a favorite prop for pictures. Have one custom made from The Invitation Co. (facebook.com/theinvitationco)!

Make sure you write down the name of your party on it, complete with a hashtag! See your images go viral on social media next!

Red Carpet This is absolutely necessary. You don’t need a long one, just one long enough to fit into a picture. Strong Media Corp (strongmediacorp. com) rents out red carpets for P4,900, but if you don’t want to burn a hole through your wallet, OLX.ph has red carpets you can rent for as low as P500!

On Dane: Button-down shirt, Tyler. Blazer, H&M. Pants, Sfera. On Bella: Dress, to order from Victoria Puyat. On Cam: Jumpsuit, Suiteblanco.

Shoes, cuff, both H&M. On Carlo: Blazer, Sfera.

Button-down shirt, stylist's own. Pants, Tyler.

Shoes, Sperry Topsider.

ars!

Throw a glam party like The Osc

Confetti Throw in some confetti for more glitz. You can go DIY with some foil from your nearest supplies store and cut it up into little rectangles. If you have budget to spare, buy some wine confetti poppers for only P140 at National Book Store.

Meet the Designer Aleyn Comprendio Mayad Studios (0917) 325-3879 aleyn.comprendio@gmail.com

Sweet Treats This is simple— throw an elegant table cover on any table at home. Top it with champagne, sparkling wine, and delectable sweets. Try Krispy Kreme’s Glamour Glaze donuts to add sparkle to your table. You can get one dozen for P764! To refresh yourselves, try May Sparking Red Grape Juice, only P170 at your nearest supermarket!

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The creative director for prestigious wedding production company Mayad Studios loves to get her hands dirty and create things, and her passion for design allows her to do just that. She has always dreamt of becoming a designer and her “I can do anything I set my mind to” attitude has brought her exactly to where she wants to be.

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On Cam: Bikini top, SXY. Leather jacket, skirt, both stylist's own. On Dane: Mesh jacket, to order from Rani. Pants, stylist's own. Shoes, Creative Recreation at Complex. On Carlo: Jacket, Bershka. Mesh top, H&M. Pants, Oxygen. Shoes, Skechers. On Bella: Tunic top, Randolf Clothing. Jacket, Bershka. Shorts, shoes, both H&M.

Meet the Designer

Justine Arcega-Bumanlag SaSO Event Styling and Interiors (0998) 533-2667 saso.events@gmail.com

Throw a badass party like in Taylor Swift’s Bad Blood! akkb Party tips Badass Backdrop If you’re going with this theme, many design rules can be broken.

Instead of using fabric as your curtain, for example, silver crepe paper will easily do.

Bang Bang Go to a toy store for a couple of affordable toy guns.

If you have the time, cut some pistols out of carton then draw the details by hand. That’ll make for awesome props for pictures.

Having different sizes and types of weapons lying around is a plus!

After graduating from the Philippine School of Interior Design in 1998, Justine joined her husband straight into interior styling work with a catering company. It eventually led to them putting up their own company: SaSO Greenhouse Design Studio.

Specializing in styling events, floral arrangements, and sets, as well as fabricating and renting out pieces, SaSO has become one of the go-to styling houses in the metro.

Red Cups If you’re going to put any color into this party, go with red. Cups in this color are easy to find and, as the night goes on, more and more of them will be lying around to add more color to your party. S&R has a stock of cups for only P9a stack, but Hip Closet (@hipcloset) on Instagram sells red solo cups for only P8 each!

Bucket Challenge Beer buckets are cool and, in this case, having one will fit right into the concept. Plus, you won’t have problems with serving people drinks. Don’t forget to put a towel under the bucket to keep your floors dry. Visit your nearest grocery or convenience stores for beer, or get cases delivered to your doorstep through smbdelivers.com.

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Sing Along Set the party’s mood with handwritten lyrics on the wall. All you need is paper and marker.

Don’t worry, your handwriting doesn’t need to be perfect— that’s the beauty of this kickass theme.

Seat Plan Go for chairs that are futuristic, but don’t worry about not having a whole set. Different chair designs will work just fine in this scenario. Dimensione (facebook.com/ dimensioneph) has some cool designs that’ll be perfect for your party!

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special / tips Story courtesy of Metro Home & Entertaining Vol.12 No.4

Luxe on Luxe big ideas for condo living

By Leah Puyat photographs by Jar ConCengCo shot on location at the sKy Villas model unit

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A neutral color scheme affords pops of accent colors , while ensuring a restful vibe. Mix and match design eras and styles for a bit of eclecticism, and use an accent rug to anchor the space.

CLOCKWISE: Nolan side table, P11,500, west elm. Candle, price available upon request, Grace Home.

Classic outdoor pillow orange, P995. Outdoor andrea print orange 20x20, P1,950. Outdoor honeycomb natural fiber 16x26, P2,450, all from Pottery Barn. Winston hurricane large, P8,450. Winston hurricane small, P4,450, both from Pottery Barn. Orange Candles, price available upon request. Metal jackstone, price availble upon request, all from NEST. Square mirror tray 12x12, P3,250, west elm.

Moroccan beniourin carpet, price available upon request, NEST.

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vo l . 1 2 n o. 4 | M E TR O H O M E & E N TE RTAI N I N G

special / tips Upholstered walls muffle unwanted noise. A bench at the foot of the bed is handy for seating and an extra place to set things at the end of the day. If you must have a television, choose an entertainment system that has extra storage.

Velvet pillow 20x20, P2,250, west elm. Silk channel quilt brownstone, P19,500. Mackenna paisley duvet, P6,450. Silk channel sham brownstone, P4,950. Mackenna paisley sham, P1,950, all from Pottery Barn.

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Bedroom Bedroom ceiling offers an illusion of • A cove

space and height.

• A cove ceiling offers an illusion of space and seat orheight. bench at the foot of the • A love seatas orseating bench at theasfoot of bed can be very•handy, and A loveboth bed can be very handy, seating an a place to keep things at the end ofboth the as day. placetotokeep keepthe things at theasend bedroom a of the da • It isa best keep the bedroom as a place just for sleeping and to relaxing.

But if • It is best placeajust for sleeping and relaxing. you must have television, mounting on the But i must have a television, mounting on wall saves you space.

If you choose a television wall saves space.

If youcapacities. choose a televisio cabinet, choose one with storage choose onethe with storage that can fit under bed also capaciti • Binscabinet, that can fit under the bed als add a lot of storage options.

• Bins add aitlot of storage options.to conmay seem contrary • Though it mayheadboard seem contrary to c ventional wisdom, an oversized • Though ventional wisdom, anmore oversized can actually make a room seem spa- headboa can in actually make a room more spa cious, as seen many modern hotelseem rooms. cious, as seen in many modern hotel room If you want to have a desk in your • If you want to have desk in your bedroom, many stores nowaoffer • furniture bedroom, many furniture stores slimmer and more streamlined options, in now offe slimmer andapartment more streamlined consideration of most dwellers.options, i of most dweller If pressed consideration for space, the desk canapartment double If pressed deskbed, can double as a dresser.

Or it canfor bespace, placedthe by the a dresser. Or it can be placed by the be instead of as a nightstand. instead of a nightstand.

Padded walls help with insulating help with insulating acoustics. TheyPadded controlwalls the noise levels in the room. acoustics. They control the noise levels in the room.

Outdoor Spaces Outdoor Spaces are lucky enough to have an • If you

you aredo lucky to have an apartment with not enough neglect it.

• aIfbalcony, apartment withoptions a balcony, not neglect Lots of outdoor furniture aredo quite of outdoor furniture options reasonablyLots priced, and it expands your op- are qui reasonably priced, and it expands tions for entertaining or just to enjoy your your o or just toyou enjoy you down time.tions Addfor lotsentertaining of potted plants and time.secret Add lots of potted plants and have your down own little garden. have yourhave ownalittle secret garden. don’t balcony, dress up • If you don’t balcony, dress one of your windows. canhave haveaflower• If youYou of your windows.

Youofcan have flowe ing plants one or potted herbs.

A touch nature ing plants or potted herbs. touch of nat in an urban dwelling certainly makesAyour inrelaxing. an urban dwelling certainly makes you space more space more As a parting shot, relaxing. the most important As is a parting shot, theDon’t most importan tip to remember not to be afraid. be tipyour to remember is not afraid. Don’ afraid to let personality and to lifebehistory afraidShow to letoff your personality shine through. your books andand col-life his shinea through. youreven books and lections. Have splash of Show a boldoff color, lections.

Have a splashaesthetic of a bold color, ev if it’s just one wall. A big bravura if it’s justtoone wall. Ain. big bravura aesthet bent doesn’t have be caged bent doesn’t have to be caged in.

Sky Villas is located at 1 Balete Drive Sky VillasSt., is located at 1 Balete Drive corner N. Domingo New Manila, corner N. Domingo St., City, New Manila, Quezon City, 1 Balete Dr, Quezon Quezon Balete Dr, Quezon Metro Manila.

ForCity, more1information visit City, Metro Manila.

For 416-8686. more information visit www.skyvillas.com.ph or call www.skyvillas.com.ph or call 416-8686.

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special / tips

There’s a loT To love about condo living. Clean-

ing is a snap, and you have less of a carbon footprint.

But there is also the feeling of being closed-in and confined, and storage can be a challenge. Here are some ideas to make the most of your apartment.

People who live in apartments do have a lot to be happy about. First of all, most apartment buildings are centrally located, so a local Starbucks or a beautiful mall is usually a short walk away. Weekend out-oftown jaunts do not require getting a housesitter, as the building normally has adequate security, so you just lock up and go.

But there’s also no denying the fact that many modern apartments feel like a box. And here’s where clever space planning comes in. We break down the individual rooms for some decorating tips to add a sense of expansiveness and a welcoming ease into your compact space.

living room

• Instead of committing to a matching coffee table and side table set with a sofa, you can mix it up.

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will provide a more dynamic furniture plan. Stools can double as seating or as a convenient place to rest a drink or flower arrangement.

• Add an area rug for design interest and comfort.

• A neutral color scheme with bright pops of color will keep the place restful but not boring.

• An accent wall can be added storage. Just add shelves and arrange books and souvenirs.

• A trunk can double as a coffee table and additional storage.

Dining room

• A dining room needs good acoustics so consider padded walls and a thick fabric tablecloth with foam underneath to minimize the din of conversation and clanging utensils.

• A big mirror and lots of reflective surfaces make the space feel larger and quite elegant and special as well.

• Consider a monochromatic color scheme, to unite dining and living spaces.

• Choose a buffet table with lots of cabinets so that it doubles as a service piece and storage.

aBove: Consider using console and buffet tables that have drawers or cabinets for extra storage. rIGhT: The use of dramatic light fixtures in the dining room adds visual impact. a monochormatic color scheme unites areas that are exposed to each other such as the living and dining areas.