My Refrigerator Door

Its been a year of big birthday celebrations. Most of my school mates turned fifty and we've celebrated from Bacolod to Curimao, Ilocos Norte. One that stands out in my memory was a surprise birthday cruise in Manila Bay for my college friend Bia Ruiz-Ang . Her daughters did all the planning, secretly messaging all of their mother's friends for the big event. Thinking it was just a trip to the beauty salon, Bia was screaming her lungs out as she saw a boat filled with her friends from college and high school. It was truly a treat, feasting on Spanish food with a breathtaking view of Manila's skyline. Exceptionally well preserved at fifty, I believe Bia's real beauty secret is her genuine happiness in having raised her children well. Growing old is a joy knowing there's a kinder, honest and God fearing generation after you. Manila's skyline Manila Bay's famous sunset Bia and her high school friends. Bia and her college buddies. ...

Last night, at the charming Peninsula Manila, lovers and patrons of culture gathered for the launching of Fashionable Filipinas , a book about the evolution of the Philippine terno . Published by Suyen Corporation Inc.  and Slim's Legacy Project Inc. , the book is beautifully essayed by Gino Gonzales and Mark Lewis Higgins and features stunning photographs from 1860 to 1960. Events like this ignite patriotism, and nurtures love for heritage. An army of ladies wore their hearts on their terno sleeves. The book is available at Bench stores nationwide in hard cover and paperback. Reminiscent of Manila in the '50s, The Peninsula Manila's Rigodon Ballroom festooned with capiz lamps and tropical trees. Capiz lamps added a very '50s vibe. Suyen Lim-Yap in Joey Samson Liz Uy in Hannah Adrias Lucy Torres-Gomez in vintage Joe Salazar Valerie Ty in a Gino Gonzales design Candy Dizon in a heather grey jersey terno Karyl...

This is the fourth year I've been actively involved with Manila FAME. For this season, I curated the Manila Wear bridal setting for design masters Rajo Laurel , Randy Ortiz , and Rhett Eala , millennials Joel Escober and Happy Andrada , and breakthrough designers  John Herrera , Jaggy Glarino and Tony Evan . The Philippines, in the recent past has produced very inspired designs in furniture and fashion accessories. I believe, a lot of credit goes to Josie Natori , Kenneth Cobonpue and Budji Layug for leading the pack. Untiringly working with the design community are Secretary Gregorio Domingo and Department of Trade and Industry, and Rosvi Gaetos and CITEM. Kudos to the Filipino designer for persevering and for showing the world our brand of excellence. * You may also want to read my past posts about Manila FAME. http://myrefrigeratordoor.blogspot.com/2013/10/manila-fame-design-week-philippines.html http://myrefrigeratordoor.blogspot.com/2012/10/celebrating-design.h...

In the past, the Fashion & Design Council of the Philippines , of   which I am a member, has been renting an office space that it would only use for quarterly meetings and keeping files. For general membership meetings, we usually book a room in a restaurant where eating takes top priority. We've long given up our office space, saving rent money for our worthy projects instead. Last Thursday, we held our core meeting at The Office Project , a bright new concept that's perfect for a council like ours or small companies who need an office space for just a few hours. They have the conveniences of a real office - meeting nooks, wifi, printing and unlimited coffee. In this age of paperless files and the metro's traffic problems, this space is a really nifty idea. The Office Project Coworking Studio,  Unit 1C Alpha Salcedo Condominium, Bautista St., Makati 122, Makati, Philippines All the convenience of an office - wifi, printing Help yourself with un...

I love everything Japanese except perhaps sashimi. Call me unsophisticated, but I'm not a fan of raw food. I'm a big eater, I like burgers, steak and pork chops. I love cakes and all flavours of Kit Kat. In Japan, I look forward to eating wagyu, sinful bowls of ramen, and pork tonkatsu. The unlimited shredded cabbage that goes with your tonkatsu somehow diminishes the guilt of being a porky, and so I indulge. Here in Manila, the good news of the week is that Maisen , the go-to-place for tonkatsu has opened its second branch closer to my neighborhood, just across the cinemas on the third level of Megamall. I shall have my pork and eat it too. Itadakimasu! Maisen at Level 3 of Megamall I had the tenderloin katsu set, it comes with pickled cucumber, miso soup and fruits slices. "I shall have my pork and eat it too!"

I would often see Rajo Laurel 's Instagram posts of his childhood playground, Dumaguete. Tagged humorously #DIVAguete, the city boasts of blue green mountains, beautiful marine life, and the first American University in the Philippines and Asia. Last week, I was invited by a dear old friend to join her and other friends for a long weekend holiday in this tropical paradise. Located at the southern tip of Negros island, it is less than an hour away by boat to Oslob, Cebu or Siquijor Island. At a very relaxed pace, we enjoyed the cuisine, lounging by the pool, the windy boat rides, and the swim with the gentle whale sharks in Oslob. I heard Julia Roberts stayed for five days, now, I know why. A bird's eye view of Sumilon Island , 5 mins before landing in Dumaguete . Dumaguete's Boardwalk Monument to Paulinian Nuns who came to the city in 1904 Home of Dumaguete's famous Silvanas  The oldest known bellfry in the province stands next to the...