Philippine Tatler (May 2019)

o be crowned Miss Universe is to be crowned the most beautiful woman in


the world. For some, it is a lifelong dream. For others, it is an opportunity that

comes along by happenstance. For Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray, it was

a means of acquiring a platform that would bolster backing for her charitable

causes. Not the typical pageant candidate—she had no affiliations with any

beauty camp, and was often told she was neither Filipina enough nor fierce

enough—Gray sought to break the mould the world insisted she fit best in. All

eyes were on her when she stepped out in the resplendent “Adarna” gown done


in collaboration with designer Mak Tumang, wowing audiences with her much

lauded lava walk. But the striking figure she cuts is only part of who she is, for

it is her heart that makes her truly deserving of the crown. Gray is a woman

of purpose; she puts effort into building better futures for children in impov-

erished areas, helps raise awareness for HIV, and lends her voice in support of

social justice and equality for all.







PhiliPPine TaTler: What was your to join in the future, but I really didn’t have

childhood like? any interest in pageants at that time. It wasn’t
CaTriona Gray: I was born in Cairns in until I was 21 that the world of pageantry
the state of Queensland, Australia and am an opened up to me. A close friend had joined
only child to a Filipino mother and a Scottish- a national pageant, and while watching, I

Australian immigrant father. Because of realised that it allowed beauty queens to
my dad’s work as a civil engineer, we moved have a platform in society and I began to
around the country a lot when I was a kid. consider combining the charity work that I
As a result, I was rather shy. My parents helped was doing with the pageantry aspect. I was
coax me out of my shell by enrolling me in a lot never motivated by the possibilities of having
of extracurricular activities, which was how a career in pageantry, but by the opportunity
my love for performing and music developed. to do more for my charity.
Aside from singing, dance, and drama lessons,
I also got into martial arts when I was eight
years old, and I earned my black belt by the PT: When and with whom did you begin full-
age of 12. It was a wonderful childhood that on pageant training? What are some of the
cemented the close relationship that I have difficulties you encountered and what were
with my parents to this day. some of the greatest lessons you learnt early on?
CG: I joined Binibining Pilipinas in May 2017
and started training right away. My training was JUNGLE
FEVER
PT: What was your introduction to the world gradual, with time allotted weekly for the paserela (opposite)
of beauty pageants? Did you foresee that you walk and public speaking, both of which I studied Her new
would make a career out of it? under my mentor Carlos Buendia Jnr. I was an signature lava
CG: My mum was already an avid fan of Miss independent candidate, which means that I was walk was well-

Universe when I was a little girl. She would not affiliated with anyone from a “beauty camp.” received, even
by supermodel
always tell me that I could win if I ever decided I never experienced any difficulties, but there were Tyra Banks


.
philippine tatler may 2019 149

“I want to be remembered as a relatable and




purposeful queen. I feel like beauty queens—or



any public figures, really—can be so influential



when people feel they can relate to them and see




themselves in them”








a lot of naysayers who would pinpoint my lack of level of difficulty because in the Philippines, all the
camp and previous national title as my downfall. candidates are trained.
But I surrounded myself with my own team, found
a family in them, and went on to pursue my dream Pt: What was your state of mind as you
of representing the Philippines in Miss Universe. prepared to compete in Miss Universe? What
were some of the greatest sacrifices you had to
Pt: What inspired you to try out for Miss make while doing so?
World Philippines 2016? Can you share some CG: I was very hands-on and knew what I wanted
memorable moments from this experience? How for my journey to Binibining Pilipinas 2018 and
did it feel to win, and what impact did it have on Miss Universe. I took on a leadership role within
the way you saw your life moving forward? my team and did a lot of things that weren’t
CG: My best friend who introduced me to expected of me, but that came as a result of my
pageants entered Miss World, and pageant creativity and willingness to proudly represent the
fans and “experts” were quick to categorise me Philippines. Every step of the way, I felt extremely
into a specific mould. I was told that my look grateful for each opportunity.
wasn’t Filipina or fierce enough to make it into
Binibini. I’ve since realised that there is no Pt: Did you reach out to any of our previous
mould that determines your success in national Miss Universe winners for advice?
pageants—or any endeavour for that matter. The CG: I actually didn’t. For me, there isn’t one true
amount of support I received was overwhelming formula to winning pageants. Every girl has a

and truly rewarding. I grew so much from the different story.
experience and now, looking back, my experience
participating in a different pageant system was a Pt: You are very close to your family. How
very helpful training ground that allowed me to supportive were they of this venture?
come back even stronger in my second foray into CG: Very—just as they’ve been for every one of
Philippine pageantry. my ventures since I was young. Every step of the
way, they were there to give me support, love,
Pt: How did it feel to place in the top five at the and guidance.
international level [Miss World]? How different
is it competing on an international level as Pt: What was the atmosphere like on the days
opposed to a national one? leading up to the finals? Was it easy for you to
CG: Placing third runner-up out of 120 contestants befriend your fellow contestants? Outside of

LADY IN at my first pageant was definitely an achievement. rehearsals, fittings, and other pageant duties,
WHITE Bringing pride to my country is a wonderful feeling were you given opportunities to bond and get
(opposite) that really characterised that experience for me. I to know each other?
A dreamer by was also able to see my charity project come into CG: The atmosphere was charged with nerves
nature, she has fruition through the opening of the Young Focus and anticipation in the last few days leading to
always believed
that the Child Care Plus Centre in 2017. Competing at an the final competition. My 2018 Miss Universe
universe has international level was challenging in that it was sisters are an amazing group of women, who all
bigger things in a completely new experience for me. What may contributed to the very supportive and uplifting
store for her surprise people is that nationals is at a different atmosphere I experienced behind the scenes as



150 philippine tatler may 2019
.





“Participating in pageants empowers me in every



facet of being a woman, especially by coming



together with other ladies... while crossing the




barriers of culture, standards, race, and beliefs”








we would all help and encourage each other. I do that anymore—at least for now. My life has
was very close to Denmark and Sweden and a lot been thrust into the public eye, so I definitely
of our fellow ASEAN neighbours. have to make many adjustments. But character-
wise, I still feel I am the same girl.
Pt: the designs you wore during the Miss
Universe competition really captured Pt: What do you miss the most about living
everyone’s attention, especially due to the away from home? Also, what are the most
stories that accompany each one. Can you exciting things about living in New York?
share how you conceptualised your looks CG: I love living on my own in a vibrant,
and how you worked with Mak tumang to fast-paced city. I know that this year, I am not
translate your ideas into the gowns? just going to explore New York as a place, but
CG: I love working with Mak because we learn, grow, and discover myself as a person.
collaborate. I gave the colour of the gowns But while I’m away, what I miss is the feeling
and he knows I love symbols that pay of being able to walk around like an ordinary
homage to the Philippines. From there, he person back home.
conceptualised “Adarna” and “Mayon.” It was
his workmanship, creativity, and vision that Pt: What about your duties as Miss Universe
really made the gowns come to life as the iconic excites you the most? Which among the
dresses they now are. causes you back do you hope to do more for?
CG: It would definitely be working to further

Pt: What, for you, is the most challenging different causes and using my platform and
aspect of any beauty pageant? How does voice to positively impact people’s lives. I will
participating in such pageants help empower always be passionate about education and
you as a woman? HIV/AIDS, but any organisation whose work is
CG: Having the necessary mental toughness— devoted to good is something that I’ll be willing
or mental fortitude—because there are so many to lend my voice and efforts to.
external and internal pressures. Participating
in pageants empowers me in every facet of being Pt: How do you hope to change the world as
a woman, especially by coming together with Miss Universe? What kind of queen do you
other ladies, empowering and uplifting each want the people to remember you as?
other, and learning from one another while CG: I want to be remembered as a relatable
crossing the barriers of culture, standards, race, and purposeful queen. I feel like beauty
and beliefs. queens—or any public figures, really—can be
so influential when people feel they can relate CAT IN
Pt: HowdiditfeeltobecomeMissUniverse?How to them and see themselves in them. So that’s The CITy
xxx xxxxx xxxxx xxx xxxxxxx but since making the decision to join again in themselves in me and my story; so that when I the fast-paced
She looks
my wish: to show people the real Catriona
hasyourlifechangedsincewinningthecrown?
forward to life in
in hopes that they can see some aspect of
CG: I never dreamed of being a beauty queen,
Big Apple,
where she feels
May of 2017, I have worked every week. My life
do take part in working with different causes
she will get
has drastically changed. I used to lead a simple
and organisations, people will feel like they too
to know and
life; I would do my own grocery shopping and
have the potential to leave a positive impact
understand
move around on my own in Manila, but I can’t
153
.
philippine tatler may 2019 on their communities. herself more

The











Artists























to Watch



















The Philippine art scene continues to thrive

with the staunch support of collectors and
the growing interest of enthusiasts. This has

inspired a new generation of artists, with their
own unique vision and style. Philippine Tatler
rounds up the individuals 40 and under, who

are making themselves known both locally and
internationally, and whose works show the

diversity of talent in the country


Words JEANNA LANTING

PAULO VINL UAN, 39






Educated at the University of the Philippines and the Pratt
Institute, this New York-based artist’s pieces are often
exhibited at Finale Art File and Silverlens in Manila, as well
as in galleries in Singapore and Hong Kong. His works are
complex in theme and are presented creatively, showing a
clear and strong narrative despite his experimental style.








.
philippine tatler may 2019 155

LUI MEDINA,38





What sets her work apart is
how she uses landscapes as
the framework for her pieces,
rather than its subject matter. She
experiments with form and figure
to explore how topography can be
easily moulded into other objects.
She mainly uses graphite for her

work, and has exhibited locally and
abroad in countries like Indonesia,
Taipei, and Singapore. Medina also
recently finished a residency at
Fusion Inaudita in Italy.

FAYE PAMINTUAN,24






She constantly travels between the two places she calls home—Manila and
Texas—and this change in energy and surroundings has greatly infl uenced
her works. Pamintuan’s paintings are highly colour-centric: she begins
her process by making gestural stains with acrylic paint on her canvas to
dictate the piece’s main theme. She graduated magna cum laude from UP

Diliman’s Fine Arts programme with a major in Painting in May 2018 and
continues to exhibit her work in galleries throughout the metro.




156 philippine tatler may 2019
.

RICKY AMBAGAN, 38





Armed with an old school style of oil painting,

Ambagan’s works evoke a sense of nostalgia in his
audience. While inspired by memories from his childhood
in conceptualising his pieces, he admits that his art style
has grown over the years. Starting out as an abstract
artist, he later evolved into an impressionist who fi nds
more satisfaction in the academic way of painting. He has

won numerous art competitions locally and his works have
also been exhibited in Art Trek Singapore.





.
philippine tatler may 2019 157

COSTANTINO ZICARELLI, 35





His work has evolved from oil paintings and mirror installations that
centre on the dark side of pop culture into elegant graphite drawings and
wooden assemblages that make references to science-fi ction. Zicarelli’s
pieces have been displayed both here and abroad, in Kuala Lumpur and
Brooklyn among others. He has won his fair share of accolades, including
the CCP’s Thirteen Artists Award in 2012 and the Ateneo Art Awards’
Fernando Zobel Prize for Visual Arts in 2017. The latter granted him a
residency at Liverpool Hope University last year.









158 philippine tatler may 2019
.

CIANE XAVIER, 31





Originally from a small town in southern
Brazil, she has lived in 14 diff erent
countries since her teens. The constant
movement shaped what she calls
the identity loss and reconstruction
that is apparent in her work. Xavier
experiments with silicone and
expendable foam among other kinds of
materials to create pieces that use pop
culture to refl ect on the boundaries of
today’s society. Though a self-taught
painter and sculptor, she studied
interior design at the Philippine School
of Interior Design and her work has
appeared at Provenance Art Gallery and
Vinyl on Vinyl.



























KRISTA NOGUERRAS, 31




In creating her sculptures, she finds intimacy in
the process of working by hand. Her primary
medium is clay, but she also experiments with
metal and other found objects to create her
pieces. Her work explores themes of femininity,
sensuality, and mental health while observing
different cultures. She has exhibited with
Artinformal and J STUDIO, among others, and
recently finished a month-long artist residency
at T U Collab in Singapore.






.
philippine tatler may 2019 159

RYAN VILLAMAEL, 32




Fresh out of college, he worked as an assistant for three diff erent artists while trying to fi gure
out his own creative path. The use of paper as his medium was born of necessity rather
than desire as it was more affordable than paints or sculpting materials. Through working
with paper, Villamael realised that though the material was simple, it was just as expressive
as the more typical mediums. These days, he experiments with other materials like metal
and mirrors. He worked on a special exhibition for the recent Art Fair called Behold A City.
Villamael’s work has also been exhibited in Japan’s Biwako Biennale and Thailand’s MAIIAM
Contemporary Art Museum, among others.











































































RENZ BALUYOT, 29






Though he often works with traditional
painting media such as oil and acrylic on
canvas, he has experimented with rust
to serve as both a material and subject.
Thus, it is fi tting that his work centres on
bringing awareness to the issues that plague
the country. Baluyot has had exhibitions
in Singapore and Hong Kong as well as
fellowships and residencies in Osaka and
Vermont. This exposure has added to his
artistic knowledge and has helped him
create works that spark meaning and hope.



.
philippine tatler may 2019

ISOBEL ANGELI FRANCISCO, 30






She graduated with a degree in Humanities from the Ateneo but took
no formal application courses in fi ne arts, save for an Introduction
to Drawing class. Francisco was drawn to digital art, for which she
exhibited in 2011, but after her computer broke down, she learnt how
to paint with oils on her own. Her works are driven by music, with
a curated playlist for certain situations she fi nds herself in. She has
staged exhibitions around Metro Manila and in Hong Kong.





.
philippine tatler may 2019 161

JAPPY AGONCILLO, 24






With acrylic and spray paint, Agoncillo breathes life to any surface he considers
a canvas. His strong illustrative style commands attention as his murals
to exude a high energy. His works are inspired by comic books and fi lms,
particularly by cinematic masters like Quentin Tarantino and Ridley Scott. He
belongs to FOBB, a Filipino art collective based in New York, and has exhibited
there as well as with Tarzeer Pictures in Manila. He has also painted murals in
cities like LA and Mumbai.





162 philippine tatler may 2019
.

ZEAN CABANGIS


Despite his work being abstract in nature, there
is a sense of familiarity to Cabangis’ pieces as
they are based on landscapes from his travels.
He places heavy lines and planes to redefi ne
the spaces and structures in the images he
portrays to create new and imagined places.
In the Philippines, his work has been exhibited
in galleries across the metro like Artinformal
and Secret Fresh and has also had his work
exhibited in Art Basel Hong Kong and in galleries
in Singapore. He was also an artist-in-residence
at the Southeast Asia Art Group Exchange
Residency in Indonesia in 2011 and received the

Thirteen Artists Award from the CCP in 2015.











LILIANNA MANAHAN, 33





The outcome of her work is often perceived to be
whimsical, but as Manahan herself says, there is
more to relate to the longer one looks. A graduate
of Industrial Design from the University of the
Philippines and Foundation Studies in Art and
Design at the Central Saint Martins College, she
works with metal and ceramics to create her pieces.
She won the Rising Talents Award at the Maison
et Objet Asia in 2014 and has had exhibitions with
Silverlens, Finale Art File, and Salcedo Auctions.



.
philippine tatler may 2019 163

MELISSA LARA,26





Influenced by old photographs from the
‘40s and ‘50s, her works evoke a sense of
nostalgia for a bygone area. Lara’s pieces
are reminiscent of vintage fashion portraits
and moments captured on camera but are
instead drawn and painted by hand. She
names artists like Constantin Brancusi, Helen
Frankenthaler, and Kees Van Dongen as
her inspirations, as well as photographers
Richard Avedon and Vivian Maier.




































TAMMY DE ROCA,24





Though her fi rst professional art training
started when she entered University of
the Philippines’ Diliman’s Studio Arts
programme, her interest in art and
dedication to the hustle started long
before that. Her work explores the
textures of ocean currents as a form of
meditation and is heavily infl uenced by
Elaine Navas’ bodied and strokes as well
as seascapes from her travels. De Roca
has had her work exhibited in Mono8

Gallery, Vinyl on Vinyl, and Manila House.








164 philippine tatler may 2019
.

JC JACINTO,34





He graduated with a Fine Arts
degree from the University of
the Philippines, Diliman with a
Painting major and participated

in a residency project with
ARTHUB Abu Dhabi in 2014.
Throughout his career, Jacinto
has exhibited in numerous
galleries within Metro Manila,
including Artinformal, West
Gallery, and even Art Fair
Philippines. Apart from Abu
Dhabi, his work has also
been featured in Art Stage
Singapore last year, where
he explores the autonomous
nature of rocks and minerals.



.
philippine tatler may 2019 165

YEO KAA, 29





She graduated with an Advertising degree from the College of the Holy Spirit
in Manila and trained in Fine Arts during her time there. Kaa uses acrylic for
her paintings and resin for her sculptures, and her works have often explored
dark themes like depression and anxiety. This may come as a surprise as her

pieces are bright and candy-coloured. These days, though, she fi nds that
she cannot contain her joy and paints about it, too. Kaa’s work has been
exhibited at Art Fair Philippines, Art Basel Hong Kong, as well as in galleries
in Switzerland and Shanghai.






166 philippine tatler may 2019
.

SID NATIVIDAD,30




A graduate of Far Eastern University,
Natividad also took up an Intensive
Drawing and Painting programme at
the Florence Academy of Art. Critics
say his works evoke a sense of maturity
and restraint that is rarely seen among

local artists, making him one of the most
promising realist painters of his generation.
Being a free diver, water is close to his
heart. Thus, it seems only natural then that
this is one of the themes he successfully
explores in his works.
















































CHELSEA
THEODOSSIS, 27




Her works are easily identifiable with their
cool and restrained colour palettes which
have become crowd favourites. The subjects
of her works are usually objects that one
encounters in their daily lives that are painted
with dramatic lighting and are visualised in a
way that captures borrowed time. Her work
has been exhibited in Ysobel Art Gallery,
Provenance Art Gallery, and The Metro
Gallery, among others.



.
philippine tatler may 2019 167

ISKO ANDRADE, 23





Even at a young age, Andrade has shown prowess in creating hyper-realistic
paintings. His works are rendered in sepia with subtle contrasts of light to
display the intricate details of his subjects, resulting in pieces that evoke a

sense of nostalgia. Apart from having held exhibitions around Manila, he was
also the grand prize winner of the 2015 Philippine National Oil Company Art
Awards for the Oil on Canvas category and received a special citation for the
2018 Metrobank Art Awards.






168 philippine tatler may 2019
.

ENZO RAZON, 24





He lived in the States for fi ve years before moving back to
Manila where he grew up in. Razon co-founded Tarzeer
Pictures, a photography gallery and creative agency that
specialises in documentary short films. As an artist, he
works on a variety of media: photos, ink drawings, videos,
installations, and paintings. His works have been exhibited
around Manila, and was part of the recent group exhibition,
In The Near Distance, at Leon Gallery.




























JESSE ESPLANA,30




This visual artist hails from Marinduque and is also a
trained chef. He is self-taught in his craft, and fi nds
inspiration from music, poetry, and films. Esplana is
also inspired by the masters he admires, particularly
Amadeo Modigliani and Paul Gauguin. The narratives
of his works are expressive as they are abstract and
surreal. Aside from exhibitions, he has also won
several national art competitions and was shortlisted
for the Philippine Art Awards in 2017 and 2018.

























































.
philippine tatler may 2019 169

JEI SUAREZ,28




With the collages she creates, Suarez is
able to explore the past through the objects
she collects and re-arranges. The emotional
hold in the details of these found objects is
what moves her to create, as well as being
inspired by textures, shapes, and patterns
in her surroundings. Suarez’s exhibition at
West Gallery last year, Traces By Which We

Remember, was re-mounted for the Ateneo Art
Awards and here she received the Embassy
of Italy’s Purchase Prize through Ambassador
Giorgio Guglielmino. She has also exhibited in
Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Singapore.





























KRISTINE
CAGUIAT,30





When asked to describe her works,
Caguiat finds that they are very
mercurial. Her pieces can either
be vibrant or sombre, depending
on her mood for the moment.
She uses diff erent materials for
her collage pieces as she fi nds
meaning in the process of putting
broken pieces together to create
something new, and enjoys using
graphite on paper. Kristine is
mostly self-taught and has grown
from experimenting with various
media but graduated with a degree
in Information Design from the
Ateneo and took a short course on
illustration at The Slade School of
Fine Art in London.



170 philippine tatler may 2019
.

WAWI NAVAROZZA, 39





This multimedia artist is popular for her photographs, which speaks more of her
ability to visually direct an image than to document what is before her. Such is
evident in her tableaus, portraits, still life photographs, and installations. Navarozza
has had a wealth of exhibitions both locally and abroad, including (but not limited
to) the National Museum of the Philippines, Art Basel Hong Kong, and the

Singapore Art Museum 8Q, and has also published two books which have been
launched in Paris and New York.



.
philippine tatler may 2019 171

moments
in time
Carmen
Guerrero-Nakpil
at her home in
Donada, Pasay
City, circa 1947

C



































Carmen M

Guerrero-

Nakpil

was born a

feminist and
embraced this
A
via her writings,

particularly

“Woman
Enough,” an

essay on the E

Filipina that

became a salvo
for feminism,

writes her

daughter,
Gemma Cruz-

Araneta, in this

poignant article

on her mother
whom she

fondly misses N

ly in life, Carmen Guerrero-Nakpil learnt “…the

bvious kind of feminism by being the youngest and


in a family of dominant, lordly males.” Her father,

as “a gallant of the old school,” treated her with

partiality simply because girls were not expected


grades than boys, or keep their word and their

ampered upbringing did not prepare her for the

la (February 1945) during which she lost the love


el Cruz, my father, as well as her childhood friends

ial possessions.









Both her parents and two elder brothers
survived, but they were all destitute. She
was a war widow at 22, with no income and
two babies to feed. But, like the proverbial
Phoenix, she rose intrepidly from the ashes
of war, that was probably why she wrote
“Woman Enough” (December 1951), her first
essay on the Filipino woman.
Unwittingly, “Woman Enough” became a
salvo for feminism. The Philippine Quarterly,

one of the first glossies, asked Mrs Nakpil to
contribute to its March 1952 issue, women’s
month. She wrote “The Filipino Woman,”
a more serious piece which delved into the
historical roots of why Filipinas are women
enough. “She has a long, unburied past,” said
Mrs Nakpil intriguingly. “There have been three
men in her life—her Asiatic ancestor, the Spanish
friar, and the Americano. Like Chekhov’s ‘The
Darling,’ she echoes all the men she has known
in her person…” That made the Filipino woman
heterogeneous and unpredictable.
In pre-colonial times, native women were
autocratic matriarchs who could inherit, lead in
battle, rule with their husbands or by themselves,
and become priestesses and oracles. When the
Spaniards arrived, they were smitten by the
“hedonistic little pagan, beautiful but unchaste
…well-dressed …very clean and very fond of

perfume…” However, “…like a jealous lover, the
Spaniards destroyed all evidence that might


174 philippine tatler may 2019
.

ProVINCIaL
Lass
(inset) Taking a
refreshing dip
on the way up
to Baguio for
a newspaper
conference;
(opposite)
A precious
baby picture

176 philippine tatler may 2019
.

“It is a badge of maleness…



but the reality is that, as the



epigram produced by Justice



George A. Malcolm, the



Filipino woman is the best




man in the Philippines”










remind her of her former state.” During colonial
times, women were classed with infants and idiots,
and could not do anything without their husband’s
or parents’ consent. Fortunately, they remained
tough-minded especially among the women of
lower classes; many were forced by economic
necessity to continue their ancient aggressive role.
To her American “lover,” the Filipino woman
was appreciative, imitative, and glad to be
educated. Only after 27 years of “indoctrination,”
there were 40 physicians, 53 dentists, 562
pharmacists, and thousands of school teachers.
In 1937, women achieved suffrage. During the
Japanese occupation, the Filipina proved she was
woman enough to depend on herself.

Mrs Nakpil’s explanation of the Filipina’s attitude
towards men is fantastically amusing. Men belong to
the lowest caste as suitors, so courtship is an ordeal;
but once married, the Filipina no longer wants to
be attractive to men, her husband included, so she
lets herself go and becomes dowdy. She lives only to
please her husband and in exchange for his nominal
protection, she sublimates her drive by pushing him
up the social and corporate ladders. Nagging is her
favourite occupation and a mere mention of divorce
means her husband no longer loves her. THE GanG’s
Traditionally, the Filipina is virtuous and shy all HErE
(mahinhin), but her religiosity is an assertion of Carmen
femininity rather than a quest for spiritual values. Guerrero
Her beauty “…is a subtle compound of Malay, (leftmost) was
Chinese, and Spanish strains flavoured by half invited to a
a dozen others and characterised by a peculiar picnic by
Baby Quezon
and pervasive softness of feature and figure… (fourth from left),
In comparison, European women are beefy, who died in

American women mannish, and other Asiatic an ambush
women too flat-featured.” shortly after


.
philippine tatler may 2019 177

In her time, the Filipino woman was “sorely “It is a badge of maleness…but
confused and uncertain;” but Mrs Nakpil
predicted that in a few more generations, the reality is that, as the epigram
Filipinas would, “…crystalise into a clear, pure,
internally calm, symmetrical personality with
definite facets in the predictable planes.” But produced by Justice George A
when that happens, the prescient Mrs Nakpil
warned, “ …the Filipino woman will have lost the Malcolm, the Filipino woman is
infinite unexpectedness, the abrupt contrariness,
the plural predictability which now make her
both so womanly and so Filipino.” the best man in the Philippines”
Like today’s feminists, Mrs Nakpil despised
Maria Clara and wondered how a heroine so
over-stuffed with stereotyped virtues and
whose tragedies are ascribable only to fate, create a woman who is pliant, and submissive,
became the apotheosised ideal of Filipino but also strong and noble. She must have no
womanhood. In a stinging essay, “Maria desires except that which he alone can satisfy.
Clara” (This Week, December 1956), she There are two sets of laws, a double standard.
called the heroine of Noli Me Tangere, “the “The woman has no right to be anything but
greatest misfortune that has befallen Filipino saint and angel, but he is entitled to be wicked

women in the last 100 years,” through no and depraved.”
FIERCE fault of Jose Rizal. There is no evidence Mrs Nakpil shows us the penumbral
AND that he tried to enshrine Maria Clara as the vaudeville between reality and the male-
FEMININE
Christmas ideal Filipina. In fact, Rizal admired those fabricated myth because “… the Filipino woman,
with close 20 audacious young women of Malolos who in general, is aggressive, vigorous, and madly
friends Mariles opened a school against all odds. In his letter ambitious. There is no limit to her intelligence
Cacho- to them, he said that had he known about or her capabilities. She is determined, ruthless,
Romulo them earlier, the heroine of his novel would and disposed to take infinite pains… There seem
and Lupita
Kashiwahara; have been different. to be more women smugglers, tax evaders, and
(opposite) In “Myth and Reality” (1962) Mrs Nakpil influence peddlers; they commit more than their
Carmen argued that the Filipina is the creation of share of illegal acts and are indirectly responsible
Guerrero- the Filipino man. So, what is he like? “The for official corruption.”
Nakpil, Filipino male does not believe in the equality Mrs Nakpil concluded that the built-in
head of the of sexes. He holds that woman is both release for the blinkered clash between myth
Technology
Resource inferior and superior…The Filipina as myth and reality is the systematic infidelity of the
Centre, must cling, but never badger. She must be Filipino male, the “querida [mistress]” system,
circa 1981, humble and modest to the point of self- concubinage. “It is a badge of maleness…but
taken when effacement… But the Filipina is unwilling the reality is that, as the epigram produced by
her second to be imprisoned in this myth.” A boy soon Justice George A Malcolm, the Filipino woman
husband,
Angel Nakpil, learns that it is not enough just to be male, is the best man in the Philippines.” She is
had just died expounded Mrs Nakpil. Such a man must woman more than enough.


178 philippine tatler may 2019
.



the




SKY’S the













LIMIt























On a trip to Nepal, Pierre Lamunière is granted

exclusive access to the nation’s only billionaire,

Binod Chaudhary, who talks about his family,

the future of his company and his love for his country




F orty years ago, I bought a second-hand Binod Chaudhary and he would go on to form



Nepal’s largest multinational company, becoming
Volkswagen van and, with my wife,
the first and only Nepalese on Forbes’ World’s
drove out of Switzerland. We crossed
the unstable and at times dangerous
Billionaires List.
Copper Floor was his first venture outside
lands of Turkey, Iran, and Afghanistan.
Our destination was Nepal.
This relatively small country has
a conservative background, his passion for
always drawn the attention of the world, whether the family business. Although he came from
pop music and his business acumen made the
for the majesty of the Himalayas, the fascinating happening place a success ahead of its time.
story of Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing The place was popular with the hippie crowd,
Norgay, the first men to reach the top of the world, but also by many members of the royal family.
or the legacy of the Gurkhas, those soldiers known Among them, Prince Dhirendra, the son of the
as the bravest of the brave. then king of Nepal, became a close friend and
In the 1970s the Kathmandu Valley was a was very helpful in a country where personal
favourite destination for Western backpackers relations play such an important role.
and an iconic place for the hippie movement. I didn’t come across Chaudhary in those
Ravi Shankar’s music, yoga, and meditation along heady days in Nepal, but years later Binod
with fresh air and free marijuana were part of a Chaudhary invited me, with my son Michel,
magical cocktail. Walking through Nepal’s capital the publisher of the Asia Tatler titles, to spend
by night, we could easily have encountered the three days with him in Nepal. I was really
fashionable, 20-year-old, long-haired man who had happy at the opportunity to return to the
just opened Copper Floor, a nightclub frequented country after more than four decades and talk
by tourists and locals alike. That young man was with this intriguing character.







180 philippine tatler may 2019
.

Peak Performer
Binod Chaudhary, chairman of
the Chaudhary Group,
is Nepal’s only billionaire

PROMISING START instant noodles brought home by Nepalese families arriving
Binod Chaudhary is 62 years old, but meditation and from Bangkok. Chaudhary flew to Thailand and convinced
trekking have kept him looking younger. His steely-eyed the owner of the famous Wai Wai noodle brand to build a
gaze is softened by a bursting smile and he radiates charm, collaboration with him outside the Land of Smiles. It was
self-confidence, and vitality. In one of the world’s poorest a masterful move. Today Wai Wai is Nepal’s most famous
countries, Chaudhary has succeeded in building a business export, sold in 36 countries, and claiming a 28 per cent market
with a wide array of interests ranging from noodles to share in India and 53 per cent in Nepal.
hospitality, home appliances, construction, and banking.
Together these make up the Chaudhary Group, the only BONDS AND BUSINESS
multinational conglomerate headquartered in Nepal. On our first evening in Nepal, we are invited by our host to his
“I passionately love my country,” says Chaudhary, “but I am home in Kathmandu for a private dinner. The large, modern,
also proud of my family’s roots.” His grandfather was raised white house is big enough to accommodate the whole family
in the Indian state of Rajasthan but moved early to Nepal, when Binod and Sarika’s three sons, Nirvana, Rahul, and
invited by the ruling families to start doing business there. Varun, visit their parents. Each of them is responsible for part

In those days, Kathmandu hardly had shops or markets, with of the Chaudhary Group’s 16 business divisions. A statue of
most business conducted from people’s homes. Chaudhary’s the Hindu deity Ganesh reclines in the elegant living room,
grandfather would hire porters to carry clothes and fabrics while the walls are peppered with a collection of paintings and
around to find customers. He was also invited, with a small photos of the family.
group of reliable merchants, into the palace courtyard to Sarika exudes a quiet strength that balances the
display the latest saris for the royal family. hyperactivity of her husband. “She has always played an
“We are Marwadi,” says Chaudhary proudly. Marwadi important role in the family,” says Rahul. “There are so many
people are one of the oldest trading communities from sacrifices to being the wife of a tycoon, but she is the guardian
Rajasthan and have a strong entrepreneurial spirit. “We are of our traditions and our values come from her.”
hard-working, thrifty, and reliable. By tradition, the whole
family is involved in the business and ready to take hardship.
We have been blessed. Most of the successful business families “ When I have a vision I can be

in South Asia are Marwadi; the Birlas, the Mittals etc, all come
from the same few square miles.” very obstinate. I never give up.
Chaudhary’s father enlarged the family business. He opened
Arun Emporium, the first department store in Nepal, and I love to make dreams
started to import a large range of products from India, Japan
and Europe. become reality”
The young Chaudhary had wanted to become a chartered
accountant, but when he was 18 his father became ill and all
of a sudden he had to take the reins of the family business. “I After the couple met, Binod’s father was at first against a
would have liked to study further but I was required to do my marriage because Sarika belonged to another caste. But he
duty,” says Chaudhary, “so I did.” came to like the dependable young woman and in the end gave
This worked for Chaudhary and entrenched in him a his blessing on the condition that the wedding take place in

conviction: “Entrepreneurs can be made stronger by business Delhi. He was concerned that the family would be ridiculed by
schools, but most of their skills and talent are inborn; they can the community had it taken place in Kathmandu. And so
succeed with or without these schools.” it went.
While Chaudhary respected his father’s legacy, as fresh Also attending dinner at the Chaudhary home were a
blood in the business he had his own dreams and wanted to number of other guests, among them Kaan Terzioglu, the
do things his own way. “My father was a simple and humble CEO of the telecom operator Turkcell. He had come to Nepal
businessman. He would not indulge in power games and as to finalise a joint venture with the Chaudhary Group—the
a consequence he was left out of many business ventures by launch of a new telecom company, CG LifeCell. “I have
those who knew how to get the right connections.” been dreaming of this venture for almost 25 years but the
While the father and son had much in common, a quotation conditions were not in place,” says Chaudhary. “When I have
on the first page of Chaudhary’s autobiography, Making It Big, a vision I can be very obstinate, but patient. I never give up. I
reflects one difference: “You have to sacrifice something to love to make dreams become reality.”
gain something else, my father told me. That is one piece of We had learned that our friend Caroline Scheufele, owner
fatherly advice I could never accept. I want everything from and creative director of luxury watch and jewellery brand PhotograPhy: Pierre LamuniÈre; Chaudhary grouP
life, not one thing at the cost of another.” Chopard, was also in Nepal. She was travelling with Petra
The young Chaudhary dreamed of travel, music, and Nemcova, her brand ambassador, and Chaudhary invited
Bollywood movies, but he put all his energy into growing them to join the party. Nemcova, a well-known model, is the
the business, developing new ideas, and discovering new founder of the Happy Hearts Fund. The charity’s mission is to
ventures. The turning point came during a conversation with rebuild safe and resilient schools in areas affected by natural

a friend who worked for a travel agency. He had noticed on disasters. She launched her initiative after a personal tragedy.
the luggage belts at Kathmandu airport the large quantities of She had been in Phuket with her fiancé, British photographer


182 philippine tatler may 2019
.

FAMILY MAN (From top) 1 Binod Chaudhary with his family; 2 A young Chaudhary at
the start of his career; 3 A scene in Kathmandu from Pierre Lamunière’s visit in 1976;
4 Michel and Pierre Lamunière flank Chaudhary in Nepal; 5 The wedding of
Chaudhary’s son Rahul to Surabhi Khaitan in Jaipur in 2015
1

2 3









































4 5

1


2 3






























BUILDING BRIDGES 4
(From top) 1 Shashwat Dham,
the Shiva temple built by the
Chaudhary Group
in Nawalparasi;
2 A secluded helicopter
landing spot on Mount
Everest; 3 Petra Nemcova
and Binod Chaudhary;
4 Chaudhary and his wife,
Sarika, with spiritual leader
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar












184

Simon Attlee, on 26 December 2004, when the tsunami NEPAL FROM ABOVE
struck. She spent hours stranded in a tree but survived the The following day Chaudhary organises a helicopter trip over
disaster, wounded but safe. Attlee wasn’t so lucky. His body Mount Everest. The weather is beautiful, but the pilot tells us
was identified 10 days later. that danger is never far away. The winds can change quickly
Chaudhary’s entrepreneurial brain never stops. During the and fog banks are always moving around.
party he went from one guest to another proposing new ideas, The first stop is Tenzing-Hillary Airport, reputedly the
whether it was discussing the final details of the telecom world’s most dangerous. It serves the town of Lukla, which
deal with his Turkish partner or investigating a possible marks the starting point of the trek to Everest Base Camp.
partnership with Nemcova and her initiatives in Nepal. The sloping runway is just 460 metres long and is limited
Giving back to the community is a key concern of on one side by a wall and on the other by a cliff, making any
Chaudhary, who established the family’s philanthropic wrong move extremely dangerous. Chaudhary admires the
Chaudhary Foundation in 1995. After a terrible earthquake professionalism of the pilots. “Like in business, to survive they
struck Nepal in 2015, killing almost 9,000 people and have to take quick and sometimes risky decisions,” he says.

injuring 22,000, not only did the Chaudhary Group distribute When he was 16, Chaudhary stood in front of the Taj
thousands of Wai Wai noodle packages to the desperate Mahal Palace hotel in Mumbai, a very exclusive destination
population, but the Chaudhary Foundation also spent US$2.8 at the time. He was impressed by the grandeur of the place
million responding to the disaster and joined hands with and wanted to go in. But the family friend escorting him was
Alibaba’s Jack Ma and other major donors to build 10,000 reluctant. “Don’t go,” he told him. “They will throw you out.”
homes and 100 schools. Ironically, 30 years later Chaudhary took over 50 per cent
The foundation is active in education, health, and social of the Taj Samudra in Colombo, part of the same Taj group, in
projects. One project, for example, involves creating a fine arts order to bail the hotel out of serious financial difficulties. It
and craft village to re-energise old, traditional crafts, engaging was a highly risky move. He had no experience in the sector
women in them, and thereby creating jobs and preserving the and Sri Lanka was torn by civil war. Nobody wanted to invest
traditional artisanal skills of the country. there. But his instinct was right and chance was on his side.
During the course of the evening, Chaudhary has a new The situation improved dramatically.
idea for Scheufele. Perhaps Chopard could design and sell
jewels internationally that are produced by local artisans, he
suggests. The project box never closes. “ You may be smart and sharp,

but there is no substitute for
TREADING FINE LINES
The Nepalese entrepreneur is a master of relationship-building
and has an incredible talent for connecting with people experience and age”
who can help business initiatives or enhance his authority,
from prime ministers, including Narendra Modi of India and
Mahathir Mohamed of Malaysia, to spiritual leaders such as “It was one of the best deals I have ever signed,” says
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Bollywood stars such as Salman Khan, Chaudhary. Since then, the hospitality division of his group
business tycoons, and journalists. has become a pillar of the business and is the largest partner of
“Networking and relationship-building come naturally to the Taj Group, with properties in the Maldives, Nepal, Dubai,

me,” he says, adding that people come into his life for many and Thailand.
different reasons. “Sincere relationships always work both We continue our excursion and are now ascending in
ways, not only with powerful people but also with those the chopper along steep valleys. “I love this country,” says
who have faded away from power. It’s a question of personal Chaudhary. And it’s hard not to, given the spectacular view
connection and chemistry.” that the helicopter allows. “Look at this beautiful landscape.
The Himalayan country was traumatised in 2001 by a Geography allowed us to live with the pride never to have
terrible event. The entire Nepalese royal family, including been a colony. We only had a treaty with the British and
Prince Dhirendra, was murdered by the king’s eldest son, we supplied them with our best fighters, the Gurkhas.” The
Dipendra, who then committed suicide. This was the official Gurkhas continue to serve the British army today and have
account of the tragedy but it is something that nobody in fought in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Nepali soldiers are known
Nepal has been able to digest, including Chaudhary. for their loyalty and exceptional bravery.
Following the massacre, the country fell into civil war At the foot of the Himalayas lies India, a country Binod
between Maoist insurgents and the army. It was an extremely Chaudhary knows very well. He has close ties with Prime
dangerous time for everyone. But thanks to his neutrality Minister Modi, the largest part of his business is in India,
and his ability to make friends in the right places, Chaudhary he loves Bollywood and he chose Jaipur for his son Rahul’s
was able to survive in this terrible environment. Years later, wedding. Being an entrepreneur in Nepal is rarely an easy ride.
both Prachanda, the rebellion’s chief, and General Katawal, So, will he ever move out of the country?
the head of the army, said their troops had survived on “Never,” he answers firmly. “I had the option to move to

Wai Wai noodles because in the middle of the insurrection Singapore or London, but Nepal is my home and it will remain
only Wai Wai trucks were able to continue driving around so till the end of my life. It’s a question of identity. We will,
the country. of course, continue to develop our presence in India, which


.

philippine tatler may 2019 185

1 2









is a critical market for us, but Nepal will always be the base.
My office is walking distance from the maternity ward where
I was born. I have covered only a few metres in all my life. I
prefer to be the first and only billionaire in Nepal rather than
one of 50 in India.”
Suddenly the clouds part and Mount Everest emerges in
all its glory. The helicopter lands near a refuge for people
trekking towards the top of the world. The oxygen is sparse,
which makes us feel dizzy, and there is a slight sense of shame
at having taken the easy way to this lofty, secluded spot.


SPIRITUAL JOURNEY
Every year Chaudhary embarks on a one-week trek far from
the madding crowd. This physical challenge is now part of

his spiritual life. For years he was completely absorbed by his
frenetic business activity and left little space for spirituality.
But 13 years ago he met someone who would change his life:
the respected Indian spiritual leader known as Guruji Sri Sri
Ravi Shankar. Through his Art of Living Foundation, the guru
has millions of followers in 160 countries. 4
“In our first conversation we spoke about the Maoist
insurgency in Nepal and I could see that his interest was born
out of compassion. Soon after the meeting I felt myself drawn
to him by some unknown attraction and thoughts of the guru
kept coming into my mind,” says Chaudhary. Shankar became
closer to him and soon became the master for the entire family.
“The more you achieve in the material world, the emptier
you can feel inside,” says Chaudhary. “That’s why we all need a
master to guide us. Guruji brought me a larger vision, not only
in my personal life but also in my entrepreneurial life. Call it
destiny, but Narendra Modi had also become very close to Sri
Sri Shankar over time and he has become a strong cord that
bound me and Modi together.”


EMOTIONAL PLACE
We leave Mount Everest headed for Nawalparasi, 185 At dawn we begin a trek on the back of elephants. The
kilometres from Kathmandu, where the Chaudhary Group rising sun pierces the fog, lighting up the lush fields of white
has built the only integrated industrial park in the country. gramineae. There is no sound. It’s like swimming in a sea

Chaudhary has a large house there surrounded by a sprawling of cotton.
garden. He provides jobs for a large proportion of the local “Look around at this beautiful nature. That’s true luxury,”
population. Here, there is no doubt that he is the boss. His says Chaudhary. “For some people money is not the issue; they
instructions don’t meet with a reply but with execution; can buy everything—beautiful houses, expensive jewels, cars,
people listen to him with deference. and five-stars hotels. The best you can offer them is unique
During Nepal’s civil war, Maoist guerillas occupied the experiences. Bring them to the middle of the jungle or into
industrial district in search of rest and food, but nobody the mountains, far from everything, with no electricity but
was hurt. You feel that the place is a very emotional one comfortable tents with good beds and safe food. They must
for Chaudhary. come to Nepal; there are so many beautiful and unknown
Near the factories, facing a statue of his father, an places around.”
impressive Shiva temple known as Shashwat Dham has been The peaceful environment allows the conversation to flow
built by the family. It is among the most visited monuments into more sensitive areas. The Chaudhary Group is a family
in the country outside Kathmandu. It’s striking to see how business where all family members have a role to play. Each
Chaudhary is able to approach every endeavour, whether division reports to one of Chaudhary’s three sons, but overall
spiritual, charitable, or forging relationships, with the same control remains firmly in the hands of its chairman.
degree of passion, commitment, and business acumen. “You may be smart and sharp, having received a high-end
education, but there is no substitute for experience and age.
SUCCESS AND SACRIFICE That’s the wisdom of grey hairs,” says Chaudhary. “Each of
Our final stopover is the Meghauli Serai hotel lodge in my sons has received a mission in the company. I trust them,

Chitwan National Park, which is owned by the Chaudhary but it’s my role to ensure that they are well supported to
Group and managed by Taj Hotels. The place radiates serenity. compensate for any possible weaknesses. I want the business


186 philippine tatler may 2019
.

3































5
































Natural WoNders 1 Pierre Lamunière and Binod Chaudhary
at Tenzing-Hillary Airport in Lukla, reputedly the world’s most
dangerous; 2 A view over the Himalayas; 3 Taj Exotica in the
Maldives, a Chaudhary Group property; 4 Spotting rhinos near
the Chaudhary Group’s Meghauli Serai hotel lodge in the Chitwan
National Park; 5 Elephant trekking through the Chitwan Park




to stay in the family. That being said, nobody can predict to get to the top and transform this country, but I know I am
the future.” going to make a sincere effort.”
Chaudhary remains passionate and full of energy, and it’s But political leadership will come at a price. “Making

difficult to see him stepping down as the group’s chairman. But politics in South Asia will never be an easy task. There are no
there is one factor that could see him leave the business stage, rules and your opponents are capable of hitting below
and that’s politics. Chaudhary is now a member of parliament the belt.” More importantly, if elected into a leadership
representing the Nepali Congress, the main opposition party. position, Chaudhary would be forced to abandon
But it’s not in his character to remain one among the crowd. responsibility for the Chaudhary Group, the pride of his life.
“You have to live a life you will never regret. If I did You can feel his hesitation at this alongside a strong attraction
have a regret, it would be that while I was able to build a to providing political leadership. “I am conscious of the
multibillion-dollar company in Nepal, I wasn’t able to do fact that to aspire to a leadership role in politics is highly
enough for my own country.” There is passion and sincerity contentious and would be challenging, given my position in
in the way he talks. Transforming Nepal and making it a business. Look at what happened to Thaksin Shinawatra,” says
prosperous country is his ultimate dream. Chaudhary, referring to the businessman who became prime
“My country has great resources but our politicians are minister of Thailand in 2001 and was overthrown by a military
activists,” he says. “They fought the system, they fought the coup in 2006. Since then Shinawatra has lived in exile.
king, they fought the Maoists. They have spent all their lives “I can easily continue to make the business grow, but there
fighting, so they didn’t get to know how to manage resources. are thousands of family groups like ours,” says Chaudhary. “To
My country deserves to get out of poverty. I am obsessed with have the opportunity to transform my country and to change
the idea that locals can achieve their aspirations, without the fate of millions of people… that’s something incomparable.”
suffering, without being exploited. The younger generation It remains to be seen where the road will take Binod
of Nepalis reach out to me and ask me to do something to Chaudhary. But at the end of the day, it seems his father was

help our nation. This call is what propelled me to try and do right all along: at times you do have to sacrifice something to
my part through politics. I am not sure whether I will be able gain something else.


.
philippine tatler may 2019 187

ON A GOOD NOTE
Virgie Ramos invites
selected guests to witness
the unveiling of Elmer
Borlongan and Plet Bolipata’s
collaborative masterpiece

194 196 197

MAKING WAVES A LITTLE NIGHT OF MUSIC THE CROSSOVER
Filipina fashion designer Criselda Lontok The Johann Strauss Society The FILA Prime Party at Uptown Mall
launches her 2019 Summer collection at Philippines’ annual Wiener Ball served as the launch of the Disruptor
Rustan’s Makati at Makati Shangri-La II Premium

Elaine Kwok and Cathy Lee

faces







First Look



art Basel in Hong Kong


The opening of the seventh annual edition of Art
Basel in Hong Kong had the crowd of art lovers at
the Convention and Exhibition Centre abuzz. With

a stellar line-up of galleries—242 of them—and
an ambitious programme of powerful films and
hard-hitting talks, there was plenty to keep visitors
of all persuasions enthralled. The fair was divided
into seven sectors—Galleries, Discoveries, Insights,
Kabinett, Encounters, Film, and Conversations.
21 of the galleries were participating for the first
time, including powerful operators from the
US and Europe such as Richard Nagy, Galerie
Max Hetzler, Paula Cooper Gallery, and Galerie
Greta Meert. Highlights among the installations
included Lee Bul’s 10-metre-long zeppelin hanging Lauren Santo Domingo
above visitors’ heads, and Chiharu Shiota’s fleet
of life-sized rowing boats woven from yarn that
descended from the ceiling. Hong Kong Tatler
was there when the doors opened for the Private
View on 27 March, and they spotted a number
of VIPs, including Eugenie Niarchos, Lauren Lucy Fung, Carmen Yim and Elson Luk
Santo Domingo, and Monique and Max Burger.





For more photos, visit
hongkongtatler.com/events


Emily Lam-Ho













Monique and Max Burger

Ole Scheeren












Yenn Wong and Alan Lo
























190

Tillmann Lauterbach, Benjamin Sigg and Uli Sigg Jonathan Cheung








































Edward Fung and Catherine Kwai Edward Tang and Bianca Chu
Dee Poon

Eugenie Niarchos











Eleanor Lam


























Lisa Phillips and Evan Chow




































Kevin Poon and Fiona McLeish Kim Robinson




.
philippine tatler may 2019 191

FACES | ONLOOKER



Elmer Borlongan, Plet Bolipata, Gino
Heavenly Gonzales, Virgie Ramos, Jed Bolipata


Bodies



ELMER

BORLONGAN AND
PLET BOLIPATA’S

GRAND PIANO



Virgie Ramos invited a select
group of guests—less than
30, in fact—to Swatch House
to witness the unveiling

of artist couple Elmer
Borlongan and Plet Bolipata’s
collaborative masterpiece,
the St Cecilia Grand Piano.
The symbolic piece represents
the virgin martyr St Cecilia
and features thorn-filled
vines on the piano’s legs as a
representation of sacrifice.
The main programme
consisted of performances
from Jed Bolipata, but the
guests were quick to join
in on the musical fun. They
were also treated to food by
Chef Margarita Forés herself.








For more photos, visit
ph.asiatatler.com/society






Sandy Uy, Rowell Santiago, Annie Sarthou
Joanna Ampil, Matteo Guidicelli and Sheila Ramos

































Scarlet Snow Babette BenCab Vicki
Belo Aquino-Benoit and Hayden Kho Belo




192 philippine tatler may 2019
.

Sandy Moran
and Fiona Malca





































Xyza Cruz Bacani and Barbara
Jaime Augusto Zobel Aboitiz








Camera


Flashes




XYZA BACANI
TALKS

PHOTOGRAPHY

“I was 19; it was only me
and my camera,” shares
street and documentary
photographer Xyza Cruz

Jake Lagonera Mark Rose Ferrero Bacani at the opening of
and Tony Lilles Wilson and Cara Wilson Ferrari Manila House’s Changing
the Narrative series,
staged in partnership
with FTW Foundation.
Those present at the
event took the opportunity
to ask Bacani about new
projects in the pipeline.
The fundraising event was
hosted by Jaime Augusto
Zobel de Ayala and all
proceeds were for the
benefit of FTW Foundation,
which aims to support and
empower unemployed and
underemployed Filipinos.



For more photos, visit
Ninfa Bito, Bambina Olivares, Anne Marie Saguil, Bambi ph.asiatatler.com/society
Kit Zobel, Lizzie Zobel, Isabel Caro Wilson Harper



.
philippine tatler may 2019 193

FACES | ONLOOKER



















































Myda Prieto, Marixi Prieto,
Criselda Lontok,Tessa Valdes,
Maritess Tantoco-Enriquez





Making Waves



CRISELDA

LONTOK’S
SUMMER

COLLECTION

Esteemed Filipina fashion
designer Criselda Lontok
greets the season with classic

silhouettes in lush hues for her
2019 Summer collection at Donnie Tantoco en Olbes,
ina Mohnani, Cory Quirino
Rustan’s Makati. and Linda Ley
The new Criselda Women
cruise line plays up oversized
bows, bell sleeves, and floral
designs that encourage the
modern Filipina to choose
her personal style adventure
while upholding beauty, style,
femininity, sophistication,
and strength.
Manila’s A-listers showed
off the intricate designs
on the runway in a fashion
show hosted by Linda Ley.






Naseem Moinuddin Marge Tambunting
For more photos, visit and Mehbooba Khan Yoli Ayson and Nonie Basilio
ph.asiatatler.com/society


194 philippine tatler may 2019
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Hans Montenegro, Kat Alano,
Fantastic
Maria Roda Cisnero, Amina Rasul, Sylvia Claudio

Femmes



INTERNATIONAL

WOMEN’S DAY
SUMMIT 2019


Members of the diplomatic
corps and several cause-
oriented groups celebrated
female empowerment
through the International

Women’s Day Summit 2019
at the Samsung Hall at SM
Aura Premier.
The event, organised by
SPARK! Philippines, the
Embassies of Austria and
Sweden, and the United
Nations Populations Fund
(UNFPA), held discussions
on discrimination, gender-
based issues, and standing
one’s ground in male-
populated industries.
A concurrent exhibition,
#DontTellMeHowToDress,
was staged at The Podium,
to raise awareness on the
plight of those victimised by
sexual harassment.



Ambassador Harald ictoria Gerardo For more photos, visit
and Mme. Susan Fries architorena Regalado ph.asiatatler.com/society












































Ambassador Jan Chavez-Arceo Iza Calzado and
Michel Goffi n and Cherrie Atilano Ambassador Bita Rasoulian



.
philippine tatler may 2019 195

FACES | ONLOOKER









A Little Night


of Music



THE JOHANN

STRAUSS SOCIETY

WIENER BALL

The Wiener Ball, the
annual gala of the Johann
Strauss Society Philippines
(JSSP), was held at the

Makati Shangri-La Hotel.
The evening of music and
dance started with the
Grand Waltz performed by
members of the JSSP led by
Chairman Fortune Ledesma, Betty Chua, Agnes Huibonhoa, Olga Martel,
President Olga Martel, Nick Lizaso, Fortune Ledesma,Virgie Lane
and Vice President Agnes
Huibonhoa. And then, works
by Mozart, Brahms, Lehar,
Johann Strauss I, and Johann
Strauss II by the Philippine
Philharmonic Orchestra
under the baton of Belgian
Maestro Peter Ritzen. JSSP’s
mission is to develop love for
music, dance, and the arts, as
well as foster close cultural
ties between the Philippines
and Austria while extending
financial assistance to various

charitable organisations.





For more photos, visit Vince Carlos Nene Leonor,
ph.asiatatler.com/society
and Noel Oñate Joel Cruz, Elenita Binay



Nedy Tantoco
and Patrick Jacinto



























Ting Ting Ambassador Koji Haneda Nini
Cojuangco and Art Panganiban Licaros



196 philippine tatler may 2019
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Cris Albert, Javi
Martinez, Rocio Olbes
Jake
Cuenca










































Joshua Alquillera, PK David,
Antonio Aguirre Jnr, Brazille Del
Prado, Alissa Return
The Crossover


FILA PRIME PARTY



Uptown Mall at Bonifacio
Global City was in a festive
mood for FILA Italia’s FILA
Prime Party: The Crossover.
At the event, CEO Cris Abad
Santos-Albert announced
the launch of the FILA
Disruptor II Premium and a
new collaboration with

Sachzna Melissa Shoes.
Laparan The special invite-only
event allowed the guests
to try on the Crossover,
Ravagement 2000,
Barricade XT’ 97 Low, Ray
Run, and Phyton 99 designs.
FILA’s Heritage collection
from Korea and a capsule
collection from Japan
debuted at the party as well.
DJ Katsy Lee, Raf Davis,
Kent MNL, Sachzna Laparan
also performed alongside
Droppout, Young JV, JP
Bacallan, Emmanuelle Vera,
and Rhyne.




JM Rodriguez Thou Reyes, Tim Yap,
and Ana Abad-Santos Albie Casino, Michelle Arceo For more photos, visit
ph.asiatatler.com/society


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philippine tatler may 2019 197

TATLER TAKES FIVE



LADY VICTORIA






HERVEY







The model and fashion designer, who

was recently in Hong Kong to launch her

swimsuit line, Ladyship, for Dream Cruises,
shares five of her inspirations




1 MONACO



We moved to Monaco
when I was two years old,
so for the past two years
as I’ve developed my
brand a big infl uence has
been the south of France,
where I spent most of
my childhood. I’m beach
mad and love spending
time in warm weather and
exotic tropical destinations, like
Barbados in the Caribbean.




ANYONE WHO KNOWS ME KNOWS 2 THEDUOMO

HOW MUCH I LOVE TO BE AT THE I travel a lot, collecting ideas

SEASIDE MORE THAN ANYTHING from all the cities I visit. I’m
fascinated by Roman history,
so religious vestments like
papal robes and big churches
5 inspire me with their colours
like the Duomo in Florence
and patterns.
4




MADONNA

AND U2

I grew up on them. SANT IMAGES:
They just don’t make 3
them like that any more. AMBROEUS HERVEY);
Not a lot of people know about
Sant Ambroeus in New York’s
Soho, with its vibrant atmosphere VICTORIA
and modern take on traditional

MALIBU Milanese cuisine. A hidden gem. (LADY



Being based in California for the past decade
with quality beach time in Malibu gave me the
idea of bringing out my swim line fi rst before
other clothing and accessories. I’ve created PHOTOGRAPHY: ALLAN STRUTT
two themes for the Ladyship swimwear
collection, one being more classical lines
and solid bold colours with a gold leopard SHUTTERSTOCK
logo, and then a more sparkly vibe for those
customers wanting brighter hues.


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