Innholdsfortegnelse for Apr-20 i Tatler Philippines

TATLER HONG KONG In 2016, the Hong Kong-based filmmaker Craig Leeson focused the world’s attention on the pollution caused by single-use plastics in his documentary A Plastic Ocean. His latest project, The Last Glaciers, presents an equally startling view of the real-life impact of global warming on the world’s ice caps. hk.asiatatler.com SHANGLIU TATLER Bai Yunfeng, the representative director, president and CEO of China Boqi Environmental Solutions Technology (Holding), discusses how his company, which focuses on new energy and local desulphurisation projects, is merging high technology with environmental protection. shangliutatler.com TATLER INDONESIA Despite her global success from collaborations with Chris Brown, French Montana and Juicy J., cover star Agnez Mo, born Agnes Monica, has remained true to her roots and refuses to live up to anyone’s expectations besides her own.…

The three-day weekend adventure started off on a high note with April cover subject Jacques Christophe Branellec f lying his private chopper to bring guests to the family’s pearl farm on The Flower Island Resort in Palawan. The guests included Tourism Secretary Berna Romulo-Puyat, broadcast journalist Karen Davilla, actor Dawn Zulueta, and columnist/ TV host Tessa Prieto-Valdes. Together with the Tatler Philippines team, the weekenders were given an exclusive tour of the island, with Deputy CEO and Executive Vice President of Jewelmer Jacques Christophe again taking the helm. He personally toured everyone around, introducing their local community of workers who welcomed the guests with a lively song and dance number, and walked them through the technical stages of producing a single South Sea pearl. He knows the ins and outs…

“I like the relationship a woman cultivates with herself when she applies make-up. Her relationship with time changes instantly, whatever the place or the moment. Like a pause for breath, an instant of self-care, I see this beauty ritual as an essential gesture. A gesture that is naturally in keeping with Hermès’ idea of beauty and the art of living,” said JérÔme Touron, creative director for Hermès Beauté. Established in 1837, Hermès has long had beauty at the forefront of its many métiers, through which craftsmanship is held to the highest standards and respect for the environment is of utmost importance. Each lipstick shade—there are 24 all in all, 10 matte and 14 satin—in the Rouge Hermès collection is sourced from the maison’s impressive archive of leather and silk swatches,…

TAKING FLIGHT Taiwanese jeweller Cindy Chao, who is celebrating her company’s 15th anniversary this year, has had her 2008 Black Label Masterpiece I Ruby Butterfly Brooch inducted into the permanent collection of the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris. IN THE ROUGH Louis Vuitton has unveiled its latest purchase: the world’s second-largest rough diamond, Sewelô. About the size of a tennis ball, the 1,785-carat blackened stone is the largest rough diamond ever found in Botswana and recently made its international debut at the brand’s Place Vendôme store in Paris. LOVE LETTERS Paying tribute to the late American artist Cy Twombly’s swirling calligraphy, Graff’s high jewellery collection Inspired by Twombly features glittering loops of diamonds that are handset by the maison’s master craftsmen and women. ON LOOP A jewellery piece that…

Two of the most iconic timepieces in existence came into being within a span of five years in the 1970s—the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak and Patek Philippe’s Nautilus. Both were inspired by aquatic motifs: the former, vintage diving helmets; the latter, ships’ portholes. Both were the brainchildren of the late, great Gérald Genta, the most important watch designer of the 20th century. And pivotally, both featured integrated bracelets, eschewing the standard lug and springbar set-up affixing most watch straps, and instead seamlessly uniting case and bracelet. They defined and dominated a new market sector occupied by high-priced, exquisitely crafted, sporty steel timepieces. As historian and head of complications at Audemars Piguet’s manufacturing facility, Michael Friedman researches the evolution of the watchmaker’s complex movements. “The 1972 stainless-steel Royal Oak created an…

36 This 36mm case is larger than most women’s wristwatches, but it allows for a more detailed dial. Proof that bigger’s always better 1989 Since its debut in 1989, the Premier collection has been used by Harry Winston to demonstrate the maison’s different artistic crafts. The collection’s distinctive diamond-set lugs at 12 and 6 o’clock recall the arched entrance to the brand’s Fifth Avenue Flagship boutique in New York ROSE GOLD The soft but rich intensity of rose gold enhances this watch’s overall presence, which is further elevated by romantic shades of lilac, rose, and cream. Now that’s hard to resist MICROMOSAIC A special type of mosaic that uses unusually small pieces of glass or enamel-like material, micromosaic is the technique behind this captivating depiction of a peacock, an animal…

FRANGIPANI EL NIDO This minimalist boutique hotel is adorned with gorgeous rattan pieces from homegrown Philippine furniture brand E Murio. But your eyes will surely be drawn to the suite’s floor-to-ceiling windows, which lovingly frame the island’s sparkling waters and jagged limestone formations. LAGÙN HOTEL EL NIDO Aside from the eclectic interiors by Cecille Ravelas and local design work by Palawan’s Jama Mapun indigenous tribeswomen, the real highlight of this town hotel is its roof deck pool, which boasts a majestic karst mountain backdrop that epitomises El Nido. MAREMEGMEG BEACH CLUB Built into the jungle behind it, this well-appointed cliff side beach resort designed by Eric Lopez offers the best of both worlds—unadulterated ocean views from its chic rooms as well as direct access to one of El Nido’s most…

As an archipelago of over 7,641 islands at the junction of several tectonic plate boundaries, the Philippines is especially susceptible to natural disasters. It ranked 3rd in the 2018 World Risk Index of most disaster-prone countries, while the World Bank estimates that we lose US$3.5 billion in assets each year due to typhoons and earthquakes. Ominously, the 2019 Global Peace Index ranked the Philippines as having the world’s highest vulnerability to natural hazards brought about by the effects of climate change. The events of 2020 have put some of those vulnerabilities into sharp relief—with Taal Volcano (Batangas province) violently stirring to activity on 12 January, and the international public health emergency that is COVID-19 (Novel Coronavirus), which is still unfolding. Taal’s eruption resulted in days of travel disruptions and the…

PAOLO PINEDA At a young age, Pineda was encouraged by his father, a photo journalist, to learn the art of photography. A self-taught lensman, he honed his knowledge and skills for the craft and was soon recognised for his talents. His works have graced multiple publications with a focus on fashion editorials. See how this in-demand fashion photographer captures Jacques and Mia Branellec in “A Place in the Sun.” (p.166) MEDAL ELEPANO Medal is one of the few female lifestyle and events photographers you will see in Metro Manila. She has been photographing mostly food, portraits, and events for the past 17 years, having her work published in several magazines, cookbooks, and coffee table books. Her personal work are mostly about food and travels, two of her passions in life…

Perplexed. Provoked. These sum up the common audience reaction to the exhibition Arte Povera: Italian Landscape, curated by Danilo Eccher, at the Metropolitan Museum of Manila, which runs till the end of this month. With an experimental approach in making life and everyday objects integral to art, Arte Povera or Art of the Poor was meant to raise questions and provoke reactions. “Many of the visitors leave with a big question mark as to whether they appreciate this movement; as such, the exhibition succeeds in its purpose,” says Tina Colayco, MET president. With the support of the Embassy of Italy in Manila, Security Bank Corporation, and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, the museum presents 12 works by 12 artists of the movement that arose between the late ’60s and early…

What makes your organisation unique? We are the first and the biggest company offering an app-based motorcycle ride-hailing service in the country. Our platform connects our partner-bikers with potential passengers so the bikers can provide convenient, fast, and affordable rides that are monitored. Both the biker and the passenger are insured. Please tell us about some of your accomplishments in the last two years? We have successfully professionalised the habal-habal (motorcycle taxi) service, making it safer, more reliable, and affordable for our customers. As a testament to how we are helping frustrated commuters move through traffic, our app has been downloaded more than 1.5 million times. Any interesting fact or story about yourself or your organisation you’d like to share? I grew up in Singapore where things are very straightforward…

MINIATURE PAINTING Mother-of-pearl serves as the decor for numerous métiers d’art designs and Arceau Équateur’s dial features a whimsical miniature painting of two yellow-feathered birds 54 Watchmakers are able to highlight their expertise in artisan crafts by producing timepieces with highly decorative dials. The face of each Arceau Équateur takes 54 hours to create 12 We all want our timepieces to have an air of exclusivity about them and limited-edition watches add something invaluable to any collection. There are only 12 Arceau Équateur timepieces—good luck getting yours! PINK SAPPHIRES From deep-red rubies to forest-green emeralds, coloured gemstones are very much in vogue. Although the best-known sapphire variety is cornflower-blue, the jewel comes in a range of hues. Sixty pink sapphires adorn this timepiece’s bezel Hermès is an illustrious name in…

In November of 2018, 16 leaders in the Southeast Asian retail, hospitality, and F&B sphere were invited by Tatler Asia to Koh Kood, Thailand for its first-ever sustainability forum. Representing the Philippines and their own companies were Jacques Christophe Branellec, the EVP and deputy CEO of Jewelmer, and Mia Arcenas-Branellec, fashion designer and CEO of her eponymous brand. Having been married since November 2017, they are united by the same passion for nature, life, and sustainability. Attending the forum together marked another step in Jacques Christophe and Mia’s sustainability journey as they continue to stand at the helm of their respective businesses. “We met like-minded people and learnt so much from each of them,” shares the couple. “It was an experience that enriched our own knowledge and practice.” Joining the…

CREATING A LEGACY OF FAITH DONNIE TANTOCO President, Rustan Commercial Corporation “My parents drilled in me that a business cannot exist purely for the purpose of profit. My lolo [grandfather], parents, and elders taught me that a business’ first and foremost role is to be a force of good; and secondly, an engine of profit, which is a resource that sustains and enables a business to do well while doing good. “Rustans Group and Sta. Elena have cultures and track records that truly, purposefully, and systematically put our employees first as the main stakeholders and the reason for all that we do. “Our social mission is to create and preserve jobs. During bad times we share the pain, we protect jobs. We never cut back on training and development. And…

Of all the questions you could’ve asked of a responsible human being in the 21st century in our collective journey to attain a more sustainable, conscientious lifestyle, why did it have to be this one: would you ever give up travel in the name of climate change? We are all now acutely aware of the real-life impact on this fragile planet we inhabit of what once seemed like harmless, everyday habits. So we gave up fast fashion. We gave up single-use plastic bags and water bottles. We gave up straws. But must we really give up travel, a subject that only in recent times was considered a noble pursuit of the global-minded citizen? Actually, when I was asked that question a few weeks ago, it was rather uncomplicated from a…

1 LIGHTS OUT A powder room essential, the Alphalux Pendant Lamp of Wilcon Depot is both rustic and industrial, a flexible decorative accent in any home. Available at Wilcon Depot. 2 STYLE STATEMENT With its champagne finish, the Tasha aluminium accent table is a shoo-in as an elegant side table and decor. Available at Ethan Allen. 3 ON DISPLAY Made out of solid pine wood, these hand-painted wooden dolls by Alexander Girard, which are featured at CWC Interiors, adds instant humour and culture in anyone’s abode. Inspired by the designer’s personal collection of folk art, each wooden doll figure packs a lot of character. Available at CWC Interiors. 4 TAKE A SEAT The Zanotta Oliva armchair features an open shell shape filled out with a soft seat and back and…

CHINA Qi Junyuan Founder and CEO, Teambition Helping people collaborate more efficiently Qi’s first entrepreneurial venture, a website that allowed patients to consult doctors online, failed partly because of the challenges posed by working collaboratively with his team. As a result, he set up Teambition, a cloud-based collaboration tool that allows colleagues to work together seamlessly. With customers including Huawei and Xiaomi, the company was acquired by Alibaba in early 2019. Lucy Liu Co-founder and president, Airwallex Running a fintech unicorn in her 20s At just 26, Airwallex co-founder Liu has already led her start-up to unicorn status. The cross-border payments company provides technology to facilitate international transactions in foreign exchange markets, and recently closed a US$100 million Series C funding round. This February, Airwallex announced a global partnership with…

The tragic opera in three acts, Lucia di Lammermoor, by the Italian composer Gaetano Donizetti, enrapt the audience when it premiered on the local stage at the Cultural Centre of the Philippines. The story was familiar territory—unrequited love, a beautiful woman turning mad, and the death of the two main characters (among others). These are the stuff Filipino classic novels, films, and soap operas are made of. The main character, the soprano Melody Louledjian, was not only beautiful but came with a glowing reputation. The male lead, however, was the main attraction. On stage was the brilliant Phil-Am tenor Arthur Espiritu, an artist of international calibre. His strong voice filled the halls and walls of the Main Theatre; his delivery of angst and pain of a man engulfed in personal…

JAPANESE TRADITIONS ENBU Treat yourself to authentic Japanese kushiyaki at Okada Manila’s Japanese restaurant, Enbu. Kushiyaki is the art of turning ingredients into skewered bites of meat and vegetables. Enbu’s robata counters take centre stage, inviting guests to watch Chef Sugiyama cook up a storm using traditional Japanese cooking techniques. okadamanila.com DELI-CIOUS CHINGOLO The latest business venture of brothers-in-law Erwan Heussaff and Nico Bolzico is a beef-centric butchery-deli-kitchen offering Argentinian steak, known for its juiciness and flavours, sourced from grass-fed, hormone-free Angus cows. chingolo.ph@gmail.com REDEFINING KOREAN-BBQ OORI Experience authentic Korean fare in an elegant ambience with a homey feel. This upscale restaurant gives diners the option to indulge in traditional dishes and a premium barbecue menu of Australian Wagyu beef and Spanish-branded Duroc pork. marriot.com CLASSIC TAKE CASA BUENAS An…

DRIES VAN NOTEN X CHRISTIAN LACROIX Last September, Belgian designer Dries van Noten invited French couturier Christian Lacroix, who retired in 2009, for a one-off collaboration, in an attempt to bring beauty and buoyancy to a rather grim political and environmental moment. The result was a collection of golden ruffled hems, delicious jacquards, and splashes of feathers—the best of Van Noten’s pattern-clashing and Lacroix’s love of opulence. Expect it in stores this month. PRADA X RAF SIMONS After Belgian designer Raf Simons made dramatic exits from Jil Sander, Christian Dior, and Calvin Klein, many wondered where he might land next. The answer was revealed during Milan Fashion Week when one of fashion’s most prominent designers, Miuccia Prada, announced a joined creative-directorship with Simons starting 2 April. Unlike other collaborations, this…

Until a few years ago, the words “sustainable fashion” barely made it to dinner conversations and were reserved for political platforms. Fast forward to today. With the looming threat of climate change and an influx of younger, more ecoconscious consumers who are heavily concerned and distinctly aware of the supply chain’s environmental impact, sustainability has become more than a buzzword, sparing no category. After being exposed as the second most-polluting industry in the world, the fashion industry is having a big turnaround. We’ve witnessed high-street brands such as Forever21 and TopShop—once considered big players in retail—file for bankruptcy. Surviving retail giants H&M and Zara have churned out environment-conscious labels, which include materials like organic cotton and recycled polyester, combined with a strong push for sustainable programmes. Luxury fashion houses were…

Patrick Mouratoglou is best known for being the coach of 23-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams, but he’s also a watch enthusiast who is partnering with Zenith. “I had the pleasure of meeting Patrick for the first time at Wimbledon last year and we immediately hit it off,” says Zenith CEO Julien Tornare. “I was captivated by his story and his charisma and determination.” Besides coaching, Mouratoglou has established an eponymous foundation, which supports aspiring tennis players who don’t have the financial resources to become professional athletes. Tennis coach and entrepreneur Patrick Mouratoglou…

Jakarta has always been prone to floods, but this was something else entirely. On the first day of this year, the Indonesian capital was inundated by nearly half a metre of rain. Two rivers overflowed their banks. Drains couldn’t handle the downpour and flash floods ripped through the city. Sixty-six people were killed and 60,000 were displaced from their homes. The following month, Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency made a declaration: the floods were caused by climate change. “In addition to the increase of rainfall intensity and the continuation of extreme conditions, it turns out that the temperature of Indonesia has also significantly increased,” said the agency’s head, Dwikorita Karnawati. There is no doubt that flooding will become more frequent and more severe in the coming years. It was…

“Location, location, location.” We hear it uttered, time and again, on television programmes, in films, and even by our own real estate agents. If the property development sphere had its own version of the Ten Commandments, this catchy tricolon would most certainly be up top. It’s a simple enough concept to grasp: the value of a property varies depending on its location. Prime areas command higher prices, while areas on the outskirts are more affordable. Because of this, homeowners end up having to choose between building in proximity to conveniences or saving on costs by living further away. “In prime areas, the costs are sky-high, leaving us developers unable to pass on the promise of any savings to the communities we are building,” says Victor Consunji, CEO of Victor Consunji…