You guys are so lucky.
When I was growing up, there weren’t many cool places to dine in.
During the early ’90s, the Mandarin Oriental’s Tivoli was the place to go.
At that time I was a lifestyle writer at the Philippine Daily Globe. Of course I couldn’t afford it!
I do have fond memories of Tivoli during the ’90s: once when my friend Tonyboy de Leon treated me and Jenny Gonzales to a fancy dinner. Another time, when Inno Sotto and Richard Tann invited me for dinner.
So special were those occasions, I even remember what I wore.

So, when the Mandarin Oriental’s Director of Communications, Charisse Chuidian invited us to try The Tivoli’s new dishes, I couldn’t say no. Lunch was served at The Tivoli’s Roxas Room, named after former President Manuel Roxas

We met the Mandarin Oriental’s Food & Beverage Director, Peter Pysk and The Tivoli’s Executive Sous Chef Remi Vercelli—dying to know if there is a rat under that hat

And then we were told to order anything on the menu!
I’m a simple girl, so I started with bread and butter, which came in the form of a cone

The Tivoli is known for steaks—of course I had to have that. This was my US ribeye

with the best side of hot and bubbling potatoes au gratin

The rest of the guests went crazy with foie gras, such as Tivoli Foie Gras Terrine and pickled mushroom salad

Sauteed duck foie gras, asparagus, mango and green papaya chutney

US beef tenderloin Rossini with potato Sarladaise

Some of the braver souls ordered Australian kidney a la dijonnaise vol au vent

Others on the menu: Grilled Australian lamb chops

Steamed Dover sole paupiette with seafood stew and lobster broth

Chicken “dodine” stuffed with dried fruits, braised cabbage

We ended with lots of very unique desserts, care of their new Executive Pastry Chef Darren Harding

These you have to try: Baked espresso tart with Baileys Mascarpone ice cream

One of the guests was celebrating his birthday—Scott Garceau’s birthday cake was a work of art

You can buy a larger version of this at the Mandarin deli on the ground floor

And finally, I’ll never forget the chocolate bomb they served us—Tivoli’s signature dessert.
Hot chocolate is poured over a chocolate ball to reveal surprise fruits of strawberry and basil.
Don’t miss this!

Aside from the ala carte menu, a good way to try as many of Tivoli’s dishes is through a degustation menu that highlights The Tivoli’s specialties—available in three or six courses, at PHP1,980+ and PHP3,180+ respectively.
The Business Lunch menu—a three-course menu consisting of an appetizer buffet or soup, a main course from five choices, and dessert—provides a smart option for diners who have an hour for lunch.
This weekly-changing menu is offered from Monday to Friday and is priced at PHP 1,818++.
An option to avail of two courses is priced at PHP 1,518++, while the Salad and Appetizer buffet, a favorite of ladies who lunch, is at PHP 869++.

The Tivoli is open for lunch on Monday to Friday and dinner on Monday to Saturday.
For more information call 750-8888 or email momnl-tivoli@mohg.com.

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

When I first met Lani Cayetano in 2007, I knew her as the wife of Senator Alan Peter Cayetano—or the woman behind the man

Through the years I’ve gotten to know her a little better, and got to like her

I like that she has remained simple—she is never garbed in designer labels—even with her change in stature

Since 2010, she has been the beloved, respected, and hardworking Mayor of Taguig.

When she’s not cutting ribbons, she is working behind the scenes to make Taguig a better place

Very recently, I found out that students in Taguig public schools enjoy free head-to-toe school uniforms, shoes and other school supplies, apart from the free education.
AS a mom, I find these so touching, knowing that many parents in Taguig needn’t worry about their kids going to school.

For me, it sounds unreal! I really want Lani for President or First Lady!!
This year the Taguig notebook was extra special IMO, because my sister Ana was asked to design them for free.
Each Taguig public school student gets a set of these for the school year

Here’s the back and front cover. Try to spot Mayor Lani at the bottom of the back cover

I like them so much, I asked Lani if she could spare some for my readers, and she sent me a box!
To make the giveaway extra special, I packed them in five faux-leather train cases from Korea

I added some CarbTrim iced tea mixes—a great weight management solution

And threw in a couple of random Mich Dulce x BENCH hair accessories (items may vary) and a Botong Francisco x FREEWAY mousepad. The train case also comes with a removable shoulder strap.

Here’s how to join:

1) You must have a Philippine address.
2) Must have a Twitter or Facebook account.
3) Share this story by clicking on the Tweet or Like button at the bottom of the entry.
4) Register HERE for the electronic lottery.
5) Deadline for entries is on Friday, July 26, 2013 at 11 PM.
6) Winners will be chosen via electronic lottery and posted on this blog.
7) Winners will be emailed for verification.
8) Prizes may be shipped or picked up, depending on winners’ location.

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

Is Manila ready for another tonkatsu brand?
Ginza Bairin is the latest tonkatsu restaurant to open at the new Glorietta 2.
What sets it apart is heritage that goes back to 1927, when the first Ginza Bairin opened in the now-posh district of Ginza in Tokyo.

It was founded by Mr. Nobukatsu Shibuya, who formulated the first tonkatsu sauce, prior to the invention of Bulldog sauce. Watch this:

Last Tuesday we got to meet the founder’s grandson, Mr. Masaya Shibuya, who was in town to open the first branch in Manila. At right is Mr. Tetsuya Oyabu of Ginza Bairin Japan.

We started off with a bowl of ligtly salted edamame

and got acquainted with the sauces on the table

Grind your own sesame seeds

Add the special sauce

Also on the menu is this unique-looking gyoza

Eel katsu

Kushi katsu with meat and onion inside

Meet my lunch: a sampler set of prawn, rosu, and hire katsu. The price is surprisingly affordable (around Php 475) for this and unlimited unlimited Japanese rice, fresh cabbage salad and dressings, miso soup, seasonal tsukemono (Japanese pickles), and genmaicha (Japanese brown rice tea).
All teishoku (set meals) also include a serving of seasonal fresh fruit.

Ginza Bairin uses only the freshest meat using Japan-approved quality standards.
For its Kurobuta Tonkatsu, it uses Black Berkshire pig—prized for its marbling, juiciness, flavor, and tenderness. For frying, they use only cottonseed oil, a healthier alternative with zero trans fat.
The panko (breadcrumbs) used to coat the katsu is imported from Japan, made from an exclusive, in-house recipe especially made for katsu.

International Head Chef Yoshijiro Miyakozawa flew in to Manila to train the Philippine chefs the Ginza Bairin way

Now you can enjoy authentic katsu in three delicious ways:
First, as tonkatsu, or pork cutlet

Secondly, as Bairin Katsu Sando, or hire katsu sandwich

Third, as katsudon, particularly the Ginza Bairin Special Katsudon, often hailed as “Number One Donburi in Japan.
It combines tender hire katsu, Japanese rice, special sauce, and farm-fresh eggs.

From a small store in Ginza, Tokyo, Ginza Bairin has branched out to Honolulu, Singapore, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Seoul, and now in Manila.
And for Scott Tan, Philippine Managing Director, Ginza Bairin is a passion project. “I recall eating at Ginza Bairin as a young, katsudon-obsessed boy on family trips to Japan. Ginza Bairin pioneered the katsu house as we know it—and today, I am deeply honored to have been chosen by Shibuya-san to be part of his family’s legacy.“

From L-R: Mr. Yukio Hayashi (Ginza Bairin Philippines head chef), Scott Tan and Jimmy Tan of Ginza Bairin Philippines, Mr. Masaya Shibuya (President of Ginza Bairin), Mr. Yoshijiro Miyakozawa (Ginza International Head Chef), and Mr. Tetuya Oyabu, also of Ginza Bairin.

Ginza Bairin is at the Ground Floor, Glorietta 2, Palm Drive, Ayala Center, Makati City.
For inquiries and reservations, call 553-7350.

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

“The one artist whose work I would collect if I could is the abstract painter Mark Rothko, though I am not a collector by any means. I tend to like art where it is—in museums, or in public spaces. I don’t need to own it.”
— Comme des Garçons CEO Adrian Joffe in How To Spend It.

Photo: Lea Crespi

When Jappy Gonzalez, Managing Director of H&F Retail Concepts, which owns Comme des Garçons in the Philippines, asked me to interview Adrian Joffe—also known as the husband of CDG founder Rei Kawakubo—what I really wanted to say was, “I don’t need to interview him. I just want to shake his hand (and Instagram him, hehe).”

Truth to tell, I was really nervous about the one-on-one interview that was supposed to happen at Univers in One Rockwell.
But when Joffe’s jetlag started to kick in mid-afternoon, it was decided that he should rest instead so he can join us for dinner that night.
I sighed in relief that the interview was canceled. I took my time getting dressed. Then the rain started to pour.
I thought that if I left the house at 6:30 PM, I would make it safely in time for the 7:30 dinner at Lusso in Greenbelt 5.
But I still had to pick up Mich Dulce in Ortigas.
Traffic was a bummer. Mich and I chatted in the car while I played Candy Crush to keep sane.
This was the traffic on EDSA.

Mich said we would be lucky if we made it there at 8:30 PM.
Then we heard a siren. An ambulance was trying to inch its way out of the traffic. We seriously felt bad for the patient and prayed for him or her.

On the other hand, we had a way to get out of traffic! We followed “Zachy” until we were halfway out of EDSA, only to get stuck again. But God is good! We made it to Lusso at 9 PM in time for salmon sinigang.
This special menu—your the usual Lusso offering—was prepared by Margarita Forés.

This August 2013 Metro magazine features my Comme des Garçons collection, with a photoshopped Amazon that doesn’t look like me, hehe.

I owned my first Comme des Garçons in 1985. My dad bought me a sweater at Matsuya Ginza, which I wore through 1995.
“When I grow up, I want to wear Comme des Garçons everyday,” I told my husband many years ago.
Now in my 40s, that dream is coming true. I’m lucky to have a husband who supports it.

So you can imagine what it means for me to meet the husband of my idol, Rei Kawakubo. That’s the second best thing to meeting Rei Kawakubo herself or maybe Junya Watanabe.
The first thing I did upon arriving was to make sure I shook Adrian’s hand.
But my hand wouldn’t stop shaking as I force-fed myself with salmon sinigang.
This was our table: Thelma San Juan, Mich Dulce (in bridal wear), Dr. Gerard Henson, Adrian Joffe, Margarita Forés, Tara Santos</em>

Jim and Mavis Fuentebella

Also there, at left: CDG Philippines Manager Joan Cantemprate, Remo Hallauer of Comme des Garçons Paris, Agnes Desiderio, Suzy Calma
Seated at right: Dr. Tere Henson, Raymond Ang of Rogue magazine, H&F Retail Concepts Press & Communications Officer Mano Lotho, H&F’s Erik Posadas
Standing: Jappy Gonzalez and Ed Calma

After soup, my hand was still shaking. I decided to step out with Mich Dulce while the others started the main course. Lehcon is my favorite food on earth—but I couldn’t get myself to eat.
Mich spotted Ely Buendia with his friends outside Lusso. The last time I saw Ely was at the Smart Music event, where I ambushed him with my camera.

“Sorry for the ambush,” Mich apologized for me. “But we needed proof we were at the event.”
Not too long after, Adrian Joffe stepped out to talk to us. Finally we had him to ourselves!
I thought it would be brilliant to take a picture of Adrian with Ely, because it will probably never happen again.

Those who know me well know I rarely take pictures of myself with celebrities, but this time, I just did.
I know I look like a mamaw, but thank you Tara Santos for the pic!!

Adrian was so nice, he agreed to a shoe shot, with me, Mich Dulce, and Jappy Gonzalez. His are the Nike trainers.

We went back for dessert. I had the fried suman and mangoes, which were delish.
No longer on interview-mode, I got to ask him some Comme-related questions, but no personal ones about him or Miss Rei.
Dinner ended around midnight and for me, it was magic. Towards the end I actually forgot he was Rei Kawakubo’s husband. He is such a lovely, lovely person.
I got home at 1:30 PM on Cloud 9. Sleep was impossible so I took a tranquilizer. The tranquilizer was so potent, I slept again the following day after my workout.

Such an honor to have met the CEO of the one brand I truly love. Pardon me for gushing, but Lola Rei chose well.
All the guests were behaved. Most of the pictures were taken after dinner and not during.
Here’s Remo Hallauer of Comme des Garçons Paris with Adrian Joffe after dinner.
Guys, you should all dress like this.

Thanks again to Jappy for inviting us. Thanks for a wonderful evening.

Comme des Garçons MANILA is at
Unit 102, Ground Floor, One Rockwell East Tower, Makati City, Philippines
Tel : +63 2 8693528

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

Jun-Jun Sta. Ana took the scenic route on his way to becoming a visual artist.
First, he studied dentistry. Then, he became a window dresser.
After his first show as a visual artist, Jun-Jun realized, “Oh, I have some talent.”

Jun-Jun comes from a family of dentists, so his parents naturally hoped their son would be one too.
But Jun-Jun hated school and made other plans for his life.
As an artist he considers himself “self-taught.” He also describes himself as an artist who has to work all the time, “or else I feel guilty.”
Several shows and recognitions after his first exhibit, Jun-Jun has found his niche in the art world.

Jun-Jun, who is a member of the Chicago Artists’ Coalition, creates art and images ranging from installations to mixed media work and digital images.
One of his more popular works consists of a series of portraits of Chicago men, found and enlisted as portraiture subjects through various gay networking phone apps such as Grindr.

His upcoming show at the Nova Gallery, which opens on August 1, 2013, is dubbed Autobiography.
It consists of 125 photographic prints, all shot using an iPhone 4.
Jun-Jun will also feature several assemblages.
“The images were taken in Chicago, Manila, New York, Baguio, Indiana and Silay,” says Jun-Jun, who describes his exhibit as a “travelogue.”

“Though there’s no overriding theme or subject that governs the exhibit’s visual narrative, it’s evident that the artist’s devotion lies on the city. The photographs, mostly in black and white, pay homage to the city’s chaos, commotions and constancies,” says a review of the photographs, which are rendered in archival and pigment inks on paper.

The Nova Gallery is at Warehouse 12A La Fuerza Compound, 2241 Chino Roces Avenue, Makati City.
Opening night is on August 1, 2013 at 7 PM with cocktails until 10 PM.
The exhibition will run until August 22, 2013.

To see more of his work, go to http://www.artmajeur.com/junjunsa/

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

Preview magazine’s Portfolio Project is a venue where experienced or up-and-coming designers, hair and makeup artists, photographers, graphic designers, and other fashion creatives can house their bodies of work.
Preview has been at the forefront of discovering up-and-coming fashion talent, from the Preview Fashion Talent Awards, the annual Creative It-List, its Ten Names You Need To Know.

In line with this, Preview invites all creatives upload their professional portfolios to Stylebible.ph.
The project aims to provide a platform that will help emerging artists showcase their talents, be easily recognizable and searchable.
Aspiring talents in the fields of fashion design, fashion writing, graphic design and illustration, fashion styling, hair, makeup, and photography can simply upload their best work in this online fashion portfolio.
Each artist gets their own page, where anyone (think: potential clients, interested collaborators, Preview editors, etc.) can have a look. Contact details are posted as well.
To top it off, all contributors to the project have their names arranged both alphabetically and by profession, giving readers easy access to locate the person or service they need.

To know more, go to http://www.stylebible.ph/preview-portfolio-project/

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

Fans of The Secret Life of the American Teenager may recognize Renee Olstead who plays Madison Cooperstein in the teen drama. Well, the teenager is now a young lady.

This protégé of David Foster is also a very talented jazz singer.
Watch her perform in David Foster and Friends back in 2008

After guesting in Chris Botti’s concert in Manila last December 2012, Renee comes back this August 30, 2013 for a special dinner show at the ballroom of Fairmont Makati.
A Love That Will Last: Renee Olstead Live in Manila is produced by Hi-Definition Radio Inc., the company behind Radio High 105.9/FM.

Renee Olstead started her career at the age of six when she appeared in a Levi’s Jeans TV commercial in 1995.
Acting assignments followed, such as a guest appearance on the TV series Touched By An Angel, roles in feature films (End of Days, The Insider, Space Cowboys, 13 Going On 30), and the TV series Still Standing and The Secret Life of the American Teenager.

In 2004, her self-titled debut album under Warner Brothers peaked at number one on the Billboard jazz charts.
Her rendition of Summertime got her a Grammy nomination in 2004, while her romantic ballad, A Love That Will Last was prominently featured in the movie, Princess Diaries 2: The Royal Engagement.
She has performed on Oprah and with legends like Wynton Marsalis, Vinnie Colauita, Billy Childs and John Clayton.
Now at 24, Renee is busy with her music and TV career while also writing for the Huffington Post and Buzzmedia.
She recently released the single, She’s Got Your Name—a song she co-wrote with producer/musician Tommy King.

To know more about Renee Olstead Live in Manila, call the HDRI hotline at 706-1580.
For tickets, call Ticketworld at 891-9999 or click HERE.

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

Out of more than 1300 entries to last week’s promo five winners were electronically chosen via Random.org.

These train cases will go to:

Cherry Santos of Novaliches, Quezon City
Marloe Uy of Camputhaw, Cebu City
Anne Vera Candelaria of Mandaluyong City
Fabico Anton of Tandang Sora, Quezon City
Kristina Viray of Antipolo City

Inside: Special notebooks illustrated by Ana Maria Zamora for Mayor Lani Cayetano of Taguig, CarbTrim weight management mixes, Botong Francisco x Freeway mousepad, and Mich Dulce x BENCH accessories

Winners, please check your email about getting your prizes.
Thanks very much and watch for my next giveaway!

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

Ayala Museum, with the support of the Japan Foundation-Manila, presents the I Love Kusama exhibition at its Ground Floor Gallery and Third Floor Glass Lane this July 16 to September 1, 2013.
As part of its education component, Ayala Museum has invited Mr. Akira Tatehata for a one-time lecture on 10 August, 2013 at 4 PM, Ayala Museum Ground Floor Lobby.

Don’t miss this opportunity to listen to one of the world’s leading experts on Yayoi Kusama.

Payment Options:
1) Bank Deposit (BPI Savings)
Deposit payments can be made to Ayala Foundation, Inc., Account # 0011-1490-14.
Please send deposit slips to either Joy Pena or Carla Munoz at education@ayalamuseum.org to confirm your attendance.
Participants availing of the discounted rate must include a copy of their valid ID in their email.
Deadline for payment is on August 7, Wednesday.

2) Direct payments may also made at the museum’s front desk. Last day for reservations will be on August 7, 2013.
Please be reminded that on the day itself, reserved tickets claimed after 4 PM will still be accepted, however the remaining reserved seats will be offered to walk-in guests.

For more information, call 757-7117 to 21 or email museum_inquiry@ayalamuseum.org.
To know more, go to http://www.ayalamuseum.org

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

Fully Booked and Vinyl on Vinyl present Beauty is a Sanctuary: HERAKUT in Manila 2013 this August 8-10, 2013.
Hera and Akut or HERAKUT are two graffiti artists from Frankfurt and Erfurt, Germany.
Their collaboration began in 2004 when they were invited to paint at the Urban Art Festival Sevilla in Spain.
Prior that first meeting, they had only seen each other’s work in graffiti magazines.
To everyone and themselves, it was obvious that even though they both focused on character painting, their styles had nothing in common whatsoever. And that hasn’t changed one bit.

Hera and Akut yesterday at Fully Booked

Akut started doing graffiti at the age of 14 with no artistic background; the photorealism he spray paints today is self-taught. He prepares his concept with the use of a computer, high-resolution photos, and a predefined assortment of aerosol paints.
When this is all set, Akut patiently assembles his characters dot by dot with one eye on the concept, the other on the wall, while blending out everything else.

Hera in contrast thinks that preparing for a piece is like handcuffing yourself. It ties your perception to the sketch and allows no space for spontaneity, as influenced by the surrounding atmosphere or any immediate response to the wall.
Hera’s urge to paint on walls began in 2001. As a reaction to years of strict education of artistic techniques which Hera had received as a child, she now demands as much freedom as possible for intuition and spontaneity in a painting.

Two hardbound books documenting their work—Herakut—The Perfect Merge in 2009 and After The Laughter in 2011—have been published and sold more than 10,000 copies.
Experience Herakut’s art this August 8-10, 2013 at Vinyl on Vinyl and at Fully Booked, Bonifacio High Street.

August 8, Thursday at 7 PM
Beauty is a Sanctuary Exhibit Opening and Book Signing
Vinyl on Vinyl
The Collective, Malugay Street, Makati

August 9, Friday at 3 PM
Herakut mural painting
The Bridgeway, 3/F Fully Booked, Bonifacio High Street

August 10, Saturday at 3 PM
Live painting with Herakut and local artists (Anjo Bolarda, Rai Cruz, Diko)
Fully Booked, Bonifacio High Street

For more information, email

I woke up this morning to a Viber group created by a class rep from my son’s school.
I thought it was a good idea to be informed about exams, holidays, and other relevant information.
But in the few minutes that followed, my phone started to alert me on incoming Viber messages—only to find out that some parents were happily posting humorous stickers to the thread.
So I thought I would do others a favor by asking them kindly to refrain from adding stickers to keep the messages relevant.
The creator of the group responded by saying that stickers were OK because they are fun and “kunti lang naman”.
To which one of the dads replied by posting a giant LOL sticker, presumably to mock me.
Instead of engaging in useless a Viber argument, I decided to leave the group.

This is a public service announcement to sticker-happy parents, to please spare the ones who prefer to have less clutter in their lives—and in their phones.
So maybe this post will be discussed in their Viber group. Bite me.

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

My husband and I left the house at 6:30 PM in search of dinner before going to the Pet Shop Boys concert at SMART Araneta.
Spontaneously we decided on Kimpura, and while waiting for my food, I felt my age kicking in.
I was sleepy.
“I wish the Pet Shop Boys would perform in our bedroom,” my husband said.
Jeroen, who wakes up at 6 AM everyday, was feeling his age too.
But the Pet Shop Boys are already in the 50s, so maybe they were sleepy too?
Thankfully dinner was lovely. I feasted on steak, oysters and mixed fried rice. Then off we were to the concert.

Not too many people coming in when we arrived at 8-ish, so that felt kind of odd and sad.
But on our way in, I saw people from the ’80s and ’90s. Old friends who make me feel young again.
The concert crew in their neon orange jumpsuits looked so chic! I loved it already!

The venue started to fill up, but not to capacity. My cousin got us tickets to the 4th row so we were right in front of this huge screen.
I can’t even describe to you how awesome the graphics were! My Samsung S4 camera phone was the only tool I had, so it didn’t turn on fast enough for me to capture the entrance of Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe in their black dunce caps!!
Neil Tennant’s 2nd outfit is banned in many places in Metro Manila—illegal na po ang plastic straw!!

But never mind, said my Insta-friend Kat. The straws are bound to be recycled during their world tour.
Mich Dulce, Jujiin Samonte, and my sister Ana would’ve loved all the headdresses and the dancing.

I especially freaked out when Chris Lowe came out in a mirror-ball hat which illuminated the coliseum when the spot light hit it. Collective sighs from the young people behind me.

My Samsung S4 is really awesome by the way

And Neil Tennant sounds exactly like he did in the ’90s

One thing I find really unnecessary is when this security guard stops people from going to the front to dance or take pictures—even when the concert was about to end.
Seriously from an artist’s point of view, I don’t think the Pet Shop Boys would’ve minded at all! if more people came nearer to dance and just let go. But this annoying security guard was “just doing his job” of killing our joy!

And what is a Pet Shop Boys concert without the ’80s anthem, West End Girls?

My only letdown is that they didn’t play my favorite Pet Shop song, Love Comes Quickly

Nevertheless it was a night to remember—a feast for both ears and eyes. So worth it!!

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

Reposting this for my friend whose bag was stolen earlier tonight in a QC restaurant.
I’m really lucky my wallet doesn’t get stolen. I’ve only lost maybe two cameras since 2000.
But what do pickpockets look like? Can they look very chic or decent?
Watch the CCTV capture below. See all the wallets coming out and why you shouldn’t multitask in public places.

(Originally posted on October 15, 2012)

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

Spectrum, Raffles and Fairmont Makati’s all-day dining restaurant, in cooperation with Singapore Airlines, invites you to to Savor Singapore for a limited time only this August 10-14, 2013.
Guest Chef Muhamad Bin Mahfod from the historic Raffles Singapore will prepare authentic Singaporean favorites like Chicken Rice, Chilli Crab, Laksa, Chicken and Lamb Satay, and Prawns Curry.

Chicken Rice

Laksa

Traditional desserts like Kueh Dadar (pandan pancake with coconut filling) and Pisang Goreng (banana fritters) will be added to the festive spread.
The lunch buffet is available at Php 1,675 net per person, while the dinner buffet is at Php 1,995 net per person.
The Sunday brunch, which includes endless servings of Singapore Sling is priced at Php 3,888 net per person.
For reservations or inquiries, call 555-9840.

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

A bit of good news, and I can’t believe it happened in my lifetime.
That dreaded toilet near the airline lounges at NAIA 1 has finally been renovated!!
This used to be the toilet signs. Note the draped skirt on the female figure (read: not Yohji Yamamoto)

Imagine my surprise when I saw that they changed the signs!! My heart was racing!!
They seem to have switched the location of the male and female washrooms. The female symbol is now wearing a more normal dress

This used to be the icky green sink that looks like it goes back to the ’70s

OMG. Look at it now!!!

I can’t believe this is NAIA!!

There’s like freaking paper towels and hand sanitizer!!!

This used to be the dreaded toilet—can you smell that?

Now this is what you get—I must say, wrong choice of floor tile, where all watermarks can be seen

But hey, there’s toilet paper!!

and where this door used to look like the gates of hell

now there’s a safe place to hang your bag!

and a place to put your phone!!

So thanks to whoever did this! One kind advice though: please provide employment to more Filipinos. Perhaps a cleaning lady can be stationed at the restrooms to keep them spotless?
This is life-changing! I no longer dread using the loo at NAIA.
Now can somebody please fix the food selections? Thank you!

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

Remember this scene in Pretty Woman where Julia Roberts tries to shop at Rodeo Drive and gets treated like crap?

I guess most of us have experienced something like this at some point in our lives.
When I was a teenager back in the ’80s, I tried to buy eyeshadow in a San Francisco store and asked to look at it.
Then the sales assistant says, “But sweetie, that’s $40. Do you have $40?”
“Yes I do!” I said. (In fact, I had more.)
Wit that, I was able to buy it.
Many times I dress like a homeless person. I’ve been treated like crap at Hermés in Hong Kong, but I get what I want for the most part.

But one of my chicest friends (a Filipino) was in Italy many years ago to meet with a client who happened to be Dolce & Gabbana. During her free time she passed by a Prada store and asked to see a white bag that was on display.
“No,” said the sales assistant.
“Why not?” my friend asked.
Just no.
My friend guessed it was because the bag was white??? Even though my friend was wearing gloves at that time, they refused her the bag. She walked away very offended.

Another time my cousin Jenny went to Hermés in Paris with the intention of buying a Birkin.
The sales assistant told her they had none. So she stepped outside, and asked her European husband to try.
Jenny’s husband entered and was able to purchase a Birkin for Jenny without any problem. The bags were hidden in the back!
The thing is, Jenny and her husband had to communicate by cellphone while Jenny waited outside, because they wouldn’t sell it to her!

This day and age, there are still many places, especially in Europe, that aren’t eager to sell luxury goods to Asians.
Not even to Oprah Winfrey.
In 2005, Oprah was refused entry at Hermés Paris, even while some shoppers were still inside.
And now a more recent incident in Zurich, where a sales person gave her the Pretty Woman treatment at Trois Pommes.

Here’s how Oprah described the incident on Entertainment Tonight:

“I was in Zurich the other day, in a store whose name I will not mention. I didn’t have my eyelashes on, but I was in full Oprah Winfrey gear. I had my little Donna Karan skirt and my little sandals. But obviously The Oprah Winfrey Show is not shown in Zurich. I go into a store and I say to the woman, ‘Excuse me, could I see the bag right above your head?’ and she says to me, ‘No. It’s too expensive.”
The saleswoman went on to suggest she look at cheaper bags. ‘I left the store but it proves that racism is still an issue.”

I follow Oprah on Instagram where she posts pictures of herself without makeup on.
When not on TV, Oprah has no problem going out like this.

The bag she was interested in was a Tom Ford bag named after Jennifer Aniston—except the one in Zurich was in crocodile and costs about $38,000.

Jennifer clearly loves the bag

Personally I don’t care for anything Tom Ford. But if I were him, I would send Oprah the crocodile bag with a nice note. (Tigilan na kasi ang crocodile bag!) Cause I love Oprah and I believe in her.

To think the store’s spokesperson had the gall to defend its salesperson against Oprah!

“This is an absolute misunderstanding,” Trudie Goetz, head of the Swiss luxury chain Trois Pommes, told Us Weekly in a statement. “Any sales person would love to sell a crocodile bag. She simply explained [to Oprah] that the bag she wanted to look at was beautiful but in a very high price range and suggested lower priced models in leather, ostrich and so forth.”
Goetz adds, “It was a misunderstanding. The staff member who welcomed Oprah is one of the hardest working and regularly deals with VIP clients. There was no discrimination.”

Well, I honestly doubt it.
When I owned a store I told my sales persons to be kind to everyone who walks through the door because some of the richest people dress like slobs. Not everyone wants to dress like a fashion statement every single day.
Bottom line: Be kind, for the person you are rude to may be your best customer.
Have you ever experienced rudeness at a store? Tell us in the comments section.

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

Can you believe it’s only my second time to travel this year?
Last time was Singapore for Valentine’s Day. And then Asiana Airlines crashed, and I lost my desire to travel.
But after my lipo I was needing some new clothes, so I asked my husband to take me to Hong Kong.
The flight going there was pretty OK, but I was scared as a cat. I was really paranoid and curled up into a ball praying the Rosary.
Towards the end of the flight I relaxed a little and sat in front of the hubby.

Can you see my Candy Crush? It really helps pass time.
We stayed at the Park Lane Hotel due to its proximity to my favorite I.T store, Frabpois, Cabane Zucca (read: chic Japanese clothes for middle-aged women like me)

Aesop is just around the corner

I love the free sampling at the entrance

At Wellcome I can get my favorite Kowloon Dairy bottled milk

Across the street is Tonkichi

There is a huge Muji not so far away

And right underneath the hotel is Ikea

and a Homeless store

But Park Lane is really a borderline hotel for me because despite its great location:
1) The wifi is free for only two gadgets
2) The TV remote doesn’t work and I need my CNN
3) My pillows smelled like old man’s saliva
4) and the server on the Club floor refused to give me a glass of water because it wasn’t in our package. (what’s a freaking glass of water for a parched throat??)

The price was right. But next time we will stay in a better place and spend a little more.
Hong Kong was sweltering hot. I had to shower two to three times a day that I nearly ran out of clothes and bras.

Luckily I caught the tail end of the sale season.
The sad thing is, I felt really old. The clothes I want to wear are hard to come by, for my age and body issues, so for the first time Jeroen and I traveled without fear of overweight luggage.

My only real fear towards the end was coming home to a typhoon which was in between Manila and Hong Kong.
On the night before our flight I prayed many rosaries and tweeted incessantly to ask about the weather at home.
As expected I developed the runs at the Hong Kong airport in anticipation of a turbulent flight.
But as soon as I settled into my seat, I spotted Ben Chan and Miguel Pastor on board plus Mons Tantoco and friends, followed by Richard Gomez, so I quickly asked, “Where’s Lucy?”
Lo and behold, Lucy was on board too, looking like a vision in COS.

Seeing Lucy made me less scared because I think Lucy is an angel and we can’t crash.
I settled into my seat and prayed many chaplets. The flight started out really smoothly but got shaky towards the middle. I prayed for mercy. Then it settled down.
I finished reading my printout of the Napoles exposé which is so juicy!!
And before I knew it, I could see the comforting Manila lights and we landed safely.

When we got out I was surprised to see Manila raining cats, dogs and the kitchen sink—considering the flight was not so bad! Cathay Pacific really rocks.
Earlier today, Cathay Pacific posted this notice on their website:

So glad I missed that and made it home, I can’t tell you. God is good!

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

Thirty years ago, brothers Serge and Yves Bensimon created a classic sneaker design that combined effortless Parisian style with a laid back, rugged, imperfect look and feel.
Parisians prefer brands with a long heritage, or with artisan and handmade elements over more generic factory-produced garments.
This affects the way they shop, creating a landscape of true Parisian fashion.
Now Bensimon sneakers, with its roots built in the European market, cover a range of styles, colors, and prints for men, women and children.

“We aim to challenge the perception of Filipinos about sneakers from a footwear category that is identified with grunge and roughness to one that is sophisticated and stylish,” said Ammiel De Leon, Bensimon Philippines’ Brand Director. “The Bensimon lifestyle highlights the perfect imperfections of Paris,” he adds.

Anne Gonzalez and Ammiel de Leon

Responsible for bringing Bensimon to Manila is Terry S. A. (TSA), a renowned company that distributes Havaianas, David and Goliath, Dupe, and Pininho in Manila.
As Anne Gonzalez, President of Terry S.A., puts it, their company “is constantly on the look out for brands that have a unique point of view, are optimistic, fun, and work well with the Filipino lifestyle.”
With its solid French heritage, chic and casual ease, along with its expansive product offering, Bensimon fits right into the portfolio of brands that Terry S.A. is building.

Olivia D’Aboville and her and mother Ara

Ten years ago, Terry S.A. introduced Havaianas to the Philippines, changed the Filipinos’ approach to dressing. It also prompted an entire category of casual footwear in the market.
Although Bensimon sneakers are of a different style altogether, Terry S.A. is confident of its place in the Philippine market.
“We know this category well and believe that Bensimon sneakers will find a place in many shoe closets in the country,” Anne Gonzalez shares.

Nicole Hernandez

Look for Bensimon sneakers at Center of Gravity stores (at Forbes Town, Burgos Circle and Centris Walk), Shoe Salon (Glorietta 3, Rockwell, Robinson’s Ermita, Shangri-La Plaza Mall, Trinoma), and Shoe Thing (kids styles only, at Bonifacio High Street, Eastwood Mall, and Greenbelt 5).
Prices range from Php 2,095 to Php 2,565 for men’s and women’s lines and Php 1,295 to Php 1,795 for the children’s line.

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

Don’t judge me because I love fast food. Not everyday but once in a while I do need my fix, and most of the time it involves chicken.
I’ve been kind of obsessed with KFC lately ever since my friend Andrew told me about the line at KFC Aura when it opened.
Andrew told me about seeing three guys splitting an order of three wings (one wing per dude), with six servings of rice, and unlimited gravy.
I didn’t even know there was such thing as unlimited gravy! Andrew went on to describe the insane queue to the gravy station at KFC Aura. I wish I had seen it!

Andrew went on to describe a sign which his friend had seen out of town which actually said, “Ang gravy ay hindi sabaw.” (gravy is not soup) He didn’t have a picture, but I found a similar sign on Google Images.

So popular is KFC’s gravy, there is a 19,000-strong Facebook group dedicated to it.
My favorite KFC are three wings, rice and gravy. Recently I discovered the joys of Funshots through my kids.
As for my husband, he prefers the Zinger, which I decided to try yesterday.

Here’s the thing, I don’t like trimmings. No sauce, no veggies, just bread and meat. So I ordered mine plain.

First of all, I love this kaiser bun. Kaiser bread is marked by five segments radiating from the center of the bun, my husband says.

There is a generous portion of chicken thigh

And to my delight, an unexpected large piece of crunchy chicken skin

I ate the top bun first, followed by skin dipped in gravy, before eating the chicken. The bottom layer of bread I can’t finish.

The following day I decided to try McDonald’s version of the Zinger, called McSpicy.

The bread is OK, but I prefer the softer kaiser bun of the Zinger

Well hello there

I ordered this without dressing and veggies, so this is what I got—a less spicy chicken breast

Not bad. I decided to make a quick survey on Twitter to see what others thought:

[View the story "Quick survey: KFC Zinger or McSpicy" on Storify]

Out of 14 respondents, 10 preferred the Zinger.
Even my husband says, “The Zinger has more flavor, crunchier breading and juicer chicken. I also like the sauce/dressing much better.”
And you?

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

I wish I’d taken notes or pictures of the funny things that have appeared on our grocery list, written by the maids, of course. They run from the amusing to the baffling.
My friend, Biden, who was visiting from Canada told me this story while we were shopping at S&R at the Fort:

Her friend was shopping at S&R too when she came upon “FARMER SANCHEZ” on her grocery list.
The first thing she did was ask the S&R staff if they had any “FARMER SANCHEZ” and showed them the list.
But none of the staff had a clue.
Finally she did call the maid to ask, “Inday, ano nga ba yung FARMER SANCHEZ na nilista mo? Meron ba niyan sa S&R?”
To which Inday replies, “Opo mam, yun pung nilalagay sa spagiti.”
Ah……Farmer Sanchez…..
Meron nga naman sa S&R.

And you, can you recall any funny things found on your grocery list?

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.