Le Petite Camille

I'm not much of a foodie. But from time to time I get invited to lunch or dinner and I must confess that when friends invite it breaks my heart to not join in on the fun. I really do watch what I eat, but sometimes the urge to binge just takes over me...

Pomelo Salad

Over the Lenten season, my friends decided it was a good time to catch up on stuff. So on Monday of Holy Week, Sarita, Mother June, Fides and myself all converged at Greenbelt for another of those long lunches that seem to bring out our gregarious inner selves. We all met at Le Petite Camille on the second level of Greenbelt 5. As it turns out, my friend Sarita met with its owner, George Yang at this resto that serves Vietnamese fusion cuisine.

Spring rolls

The interiors are unpretentious and brightly lit - what better to enjoy the food presented enticingly on their serving dish! The dishes were light and fresh and had a Filipinized version of Viet cooking. Now, that ain't exactly a bad thing because we all know that Vietnamese food, though tasty, may not necessarily be healthy for you. We all enjoyed our meals while the attentive staff moved in and out of our periphery to make sure that we were served well and that we needn't ask for anything that was part of our meal.

Fried rolls

We started with spring rolls served in rice wrapper. The rolls were light and fresh. The shrimp was steamed to perfection and the dip had just the right amount of heat in it. The greens were crisp and the vermicelli in it was springy to the bite. We also ordered the fried version which had a different dip altogether that was a mixture of nam pla and vinegar with bits of bird's eye chilli on it. Soooo goood!

Tofu with veggies

Then came the Tofu with veggies and pomelo salad. The julliened veggies were sauteed and cooked but still crunchy while the salad had slivers of almonds on the top for added crunch and a little nutty flavor. The Asian dressing was tangy and had the right amount of citrus on it. the salad would have been a meal in itself. I had the urge to eat all of it.

Braised catfish

The braised catfish came in a clay pot and was drenched in a sweet- sour oyster sauce and minced chives. Now I normally don't like the fishy/almost slimy taste of  catfish. It isn't one of my favorites. This dish though, was quite a surprise. It was soft and flaky and I'm guessing it was the chives that eliminated the odd texture and flavor of the catfish. I seemed to me like cream dory... which was nice!

The pork  was covered in a sauce that almost seemed like it was barbequed. It was tender and had none of the gaminess one would expect from a viand like this. Charred on some areas (which I enjoy), the meat was not as oily and the caramelized onions and tomatoes were a perfect garnish.

We decided to skip dessert. I thought it would be a light lunch... Guess I was wrong!?!

Philippine Design Part 2

When you see chic homes with uber-stylish furnishing,  a crop of designer names come to mind. Very often these designers are Filipinos who have literally carved out a name in the home design niche internationally. At the recent Manila FAME Show some new names have sprung up from out of nowhere and added a new breed of design aesthetics to the already rich and famous ones.

Budji Layug's booth

I just happen to have taken in a lot of ideas (and photos) of the show-stopping design booths. It's ironic though that the booths who have so graciously agreed to allow picture taking are the stand-outs while those who had the "don't copy my design mentality" were rather... uhhhm... mediocre?

Kenneth Cobonpue's chair and swing settee

In any case, I've decided to give more space and photo ops for the designers whose works have led the Philippines out into the global market as a result of their practical and stylish designs and also for reasonable price ranges that have made them quite popular in the international scene.

Kenneth Cobonpue - His designs can run up to the hundreds of thousands but when you really think about it,  your furniture speaks volumes about your personality and your style. His furniture designs are, quite literally, museum pieces. Never has modern design been so comfortable and practical and yet this eye-catching. He has chairs that seem as though they have been knitted and some stools that have individual cork pieces in the seat that cradle one's derrier and molds according to its shape. A seat becomes a flower in full bloom. While a settee is suspended in a cocoon of circular wires. Everything is so minimalist it can stand alone as an accent piece or you can group them together in a shabby-chic vignette.

Budji Layug's imposing day bed in bamboo

Eric Paras - his designs are so free and organic. I wouldn't be surprised to find his pieces in a posh resort somewhere near the beach. Warm tones of wood and woven  bamboo are enhanced by soft lighting in amber glow. And yet, his wood furniture don't seem to have a weighty feeling to it. His ceramic and terra cota pieces are both functional and whimsical.

Olivia D'Aboville - she has staged exhibition at the Ayala Museum of  her art pieces fashioned out of found objects. Her highly creative designs capture the imagination as she turns obscure items into objet's art. For the FAME show this year, she came up with lighting fixtures that have very fine, organic shades done in delicate fibers. Her floor candle holders have a mixed medieval and modern feel to it.

Olivia D'Aboville's chandeliers in organic fibers

Silahis Arts and Crafts - I've always know that this store has great ethnic collections and baskets which are sold in their Intramuros outlet. I never knew they participated in trade shows like Manila FAME. Imagine my surprise when I saw their booth on the show. I admire their twist on certain items like a basket weave swing (duyan) which they turned into a lunge chair. No, it doesn't swing this time around but still a comfortable chair where you can just snuggle up with an afghan and a good book on a rainy day. their pieces are easily affordable too...

Leroy New - a new stalwart in Philippine design. Young and aggressive in his design outlook, his lighting fixtures are made of wires twisted into almost grotesque shapes. Definitely accent pieces for the avant garde home where a minimalist room is highlighted by a single art piece. Sure, why not the lights? His works are also at Galleria Duemila in an exhibit entitled "Monstrosities."

Leroy New's lamps

I also want to tell you about an emerging art form in the Cordilleras: Bamboo carving! The highland tribes are known for huge hardwood carvings. A new breed of carvers from Baguio and Bontok have formed a group that does carving on a more sustainable material. They have to adjust to the bamboo's long fibers, though. They will carve out images on the bamboos segments and cut out the long filaments to delineate a form or figure. Their group has been given permission to use the white haunted house in Baguio city near the mall area.

Bamboo carver in traditional bahag

I had a lot of fun viewing the exhibits this year... wonder if i'll get invited to the next one. Keeping my fingers crossed!

Philippine Modern Design 1

Gilt crafts from Chrysara

Perhaps the best platform to showcase our local products is the Manila FAME Show which exhibits the best products that meet international standards. It was started by Ms Mina Gabor who was formerly director of CITEM (eventually, she was appointed Tourism secretary). Now it's Ms Rosvi Gaetos who's running the show.  It was one idea where a group of manufacturers were lumped together in one show to promote their products to foreign buyers. It took off, bigtime!

Chrysara's santo collection

Now, FAME shows are held twice yearly,  once in summer and another one towards the last quarter. Some of the buyers I have met in the recent tour I handled have been coming to Manila for at least ten years. And they have not stopped visiting Manila yearly. So while I had the opportunity, I took a peek at what was being offered at the site. I wasn't disappointed. It wasn't long before I started purchasing small items for myself.

Joyce at her showroom

Ok,I might show some bias here... I found out some producers and manufacturers are long-lost friends. Whaddaya know? So let me give you readers a run-down of the showcases I found really interesting. Friend or not, at least I'm on-the-spot in the booths that really blinged me...

Joyce Makitalo's jewelry collection

CHRYSARA - alright, I confess, I worked for them for a few months and then I had to resign as liaison officer to clients as I had a back problem that needed bed rest for two months... and therapy for two years...  Tita Alice Reyes (of Ballet Philippines) produces some of the best items that are given the antique treatment and/or aged look. You'll find their items on the racks of Neiman Marcus and some of the top stores worldwide. They have a wide collection of curios from religious icons and saints to gilded mirrors and lamps. I actually went in to see Sarah Upton entertaining buyers. Tita Alice wasn't there yet but I did get approval to  take photos...

Joyce Makitalo's neckpiece

JOYCE MAKITALO - many years ago, when I worked as gallery specialist at Ayala Museum I had a fun working relationship with YOY ORTIZ. Joyce is her daughter. It caught me by surprise that Joyce actually remembered me. I had a hard time approaching her because I mistook her for someone else... Joyce was kind enough to set the record straight. She was a little girl who would take up art classes at the museum when summer came around. It's nice to know that those art lessons paid off! Joyce is now known as a jewelry designer. Her pieces are both chunky and eye-catching fashion accessories often seen in international fashion magazines. Her accent pieces are the type worn by Hollywood royalty like... Katy Perry perhaps?

cocktail rings from Joyce Makitalo

BETIS ARTS AND CRAFTS - I met Leslie Mendiola while on a culinary tour of Pampanga. Their workshop cum showroom was one of the stops during our visit there. So I was not surprised to find they had  2 showrooms at the FAME show. They are known worldwide for quality pieces of wooden furniture utilizing   Filipino craftsmanship with a mix of Italian technology. Their inlaid chairs and tables, beds, settees and coromandel screens have an unmistakable stamp of luxe and comfort and their price ranges reflect that... Gold leafed dog bed, anyone? Seriously, though, their designs have a little rococo blended in with some vibrant touches of red and/or  mustard lacquer and gold leafing. Perfect for sprawling mansions and lanais...

Main showroom of Betis Arts and Crafts

Now if only I had the moolah...

Lamps and mirrors from Betis Arts and Crafts

Manila FAME Part 2

The next tour day was a Saturday, 16 March, and the theme for this particular day was still on Philippine art but the focus was on the history of art in the country. I had a group of eight guests, foreign buyers all of them and a representative from CITEM who was there mainly to evaluate the program and also to enjoy the tour.

Our first stop was at the National Museum (Hall of Masters) where our guests were to have a tour of the galleries and marvel at the creations of our patriots and visual artists from the Hispanic to the American period. As it turns out, we were not scheduled until three pm on that day and so our guide was not there to meet us so I conducted the tour at the Hall of Masters. As I was winding up commentary of the Spoliarium and parted the guests to continue on the Assassination of Governor Bustamante, our guide Jess was standing in front of the mural. I then introduced him and allowed him to conduct the rest of the tour interjecting from time to time on certain aspects which he may have left out... or forgotten...

Major changes have been undertaken at the National Museum since the restoration of the two adjacent buildings.So each of the rooms at the former Senate building is now dedicated to a particular era of visual arts works that have been collected over the years. These are significant art pieces which have defined a particular period in our development as a nation. Ergo, It would take more than a whole day (for serious art lovers, at least) to admire the artworks hanging on these hallowed halls.

Eventually, the Agriculture building (which is currently the Department of Tourism) will be taken over the museum as the Museum of Natural History. But I digress,  the  GSIS has so unselfishly turned over to the Museum some of the paintings which they have collected over the years. The most controversial (and most expensive painting of Juan Luna y Novicio) which they have acquired is now in the gallery which lumps together all of their paintings. Parisian Life is now in the museum for the public to view and enjoy.

After our visit to the National Museum, the next stop was at Galleria Duemila owned by Sylvana Diaz. Italian by birthright, but married to a Filipino, Sylvana has been living in Manila and is one of the country's renowned art dealers. Sylvana's husband is visual artist Ramon Diaz of the multi-talented and beautiful Diaz family; (Gloria Diaz and Rio are his sisters). Illiach Diaz is their son. Such a good-looking family with great genes also has great talent to boot. Their gallery is located at Loring Street in Pasay City where guests were treated to home-made ensaymada and iced tea. 

Leroy New's contemporary works are now on exhibit in the gallery. Incidentally, Leroy New is also an exhibitor at the FAME show where some of his works are featured. Leroy's market is for the hip and moneyed. His works feature a collection of grotesque  mixed media installations collectively entitled "Monstrosities"... colorful, unique and also quite expensive... No wonder Lady Gaga likes his designs!

Our next stop was at Albert Avellana's at 2680 F.B. Harrison, Pasay City where a series of old colonial style homes at the Chin Compound were converted into showrooms to feature art collections of Albert. I've known him since my days at Alliance Francaise. He has an extensive collection of contemporary art that spans a wide price range covering every budget. Incidentally, he has three homes within the compound where the artworks are displayed. Everything is for sale. 

Eric Paras' showroom, on the other hand, has his collection of household items that is just distinctly rich and luxurious. He covers the lifestyle genre quite well offering one of a kind designs from cutlery to vases to china and boudoir items. All of them very chic and surprisingly some items offer mid-range price points.

Eventually, merienda was served at Albert's showroom where sotanghon, suman, dried mangoes, pan de sal, balut and drinks were served.Almost a fitting end to a busy and interesting afternoon. Traffic was nearly a stand-still when we got to the SM Mall of Asia area. There was the Pyro-musical Competition that evening and guests were given an added bonus...

Manila F.A.M.E. Show (Part 1)

 

I had a great opportunity to meet some of the buyers of Philippine made products at the Manila F.A.M.E. Show. It's actually a trade show that brings to the fore only the best of Filipino manufacturers and their products in one venue. The idea was the brainchild of former CITEM director and Tourism secretary Mina Gabor and then the idea clicked and eventually foreign buyers started arriving yearly. The event grew bigger each year and now they have exhibits twice a year One in summer and another towards the last quarter.

I've had the the marvelous chance this year to be invited to guide for a tour of Manila with an emphasis on the art and architecture and the design aesthetic of the Philippines. Naturally, the group on my first day  had a keen sense of style and cultural awareness. Buyers know what they want to purchase and they instantly know if an item is potentially going to sell or not. Two representatives from CITEM were with us, Jenny and Weng, who were evaluating the merits of the activity in relation to the event.

The tour organizer is Charisse Aquino Tugade, who introduced me to the group and we did some spiels before the bus started rolling. Our first stop was the National Museum History of the Filipino People. Enroute to the first stop of course, I had to introduce our National hero Jose Rizal to our guests. We finally got to the Museum and met our guide Carol who lost no time in showing us around the halls. 

As in any other tour, there always seem to be not enough time to cover the ground. Before we knew it, we were at San Agustin. Unfortunately, weekends at San Agustin are usually packed with weddings. I failed to make them linger in the church to admire the World Heritage Site. But admire, they did, even if they stayed only for a short time.

Then, it was a visit to Casa Manila. We toured the rooms even if there was an on-going ceremony at the patio of the archetypal house. We went to each and every room and spent a good forty minutes at the site. We even had to exit via the stairway to White Night Hotel which is another house in the Plaza San Luis Complex. 

We then visited the last stop which was the Bayleaf Hotel. As expected, the Skydeck's 360 degree view took all the guests breaths away. If you haven't been there, now's the time to go since not a lot of people have discovered it yet. This was where Charisse introduced the guests to Philippine tobacco,San Miguel beer, and Filipino food!

The guests were sold on the idea of trying the food: Quesong Puti fondue with crostini,

Pinakbet,

Caldereta,

Laing,

Torta'ng Talong

and Sisig.

To cap off the meal, a bottle of Tanduay Rum was opened. Before we knew it, it was time to head back to SMX. 

A long day it was... but it was great sunset view as we motored to the Mall of Asia Complex.

Second Quarter Activities 2013

I have been swamped with tours all over the Metro That I haven't even topuched my computer since I got back from Coron (btw, that was my last entry before this). Usually I would rattle off activities for the second quarter even before the  first one had ended.

clouds over Coron Island

So here's my feeble attempt to get something in before I disappear again.

March - is of course Graduation season. So to all the Graduates, my congratulations for a job well done. Hug your parents! They did you a lot of good by putting you through school. Thanks them and tell them you love them. While you're at it... thank your teachers too...

image from clipart*

Happily for the young ones, it is also officially the end of a long and tedious school year. Time for vacation and this year is no different. Some have filed for vacations leaves since January to have a week off for Holy Week (25-31 March). If you haven't booked for any destination yet... too late! However you can still enjoy a Visita Iglesia in MetroManila while the others have hied off to cooler if not more exotic destinations in our 7,107 islands. I miyself, might have to do a church tour in Laguna if plans push through.

image from www.boston.com*

April - the height of the summer season. Usually this time of year,  the DZMB radio station stages their annual summer festival.  

image from www.lakbaylente.com*

The Aliwan Festival is a week long celebration of activities from beauty pageants, to drum and bugle corps competitions to the colorful street-dancing competitions of entries from all over the different regions of the Philippines. It is held at the Star Theater complex right next to the CCP. This year, it will be held on the second week of Apri (8-13). Enjoy Food, Fun and Fiesta !

Malcapuya Island, Coron

May - is the month of flowers. The month is usually offered to the colorful rituals surrounding the veneration of the Blessed Virgin Mary. There are celebrations of the Flores de Mayo (literally, flowers of May) where little girls dressed in white offer prayers to the Blessed Virgin and in between decades of the rosary flower offerings are made as songs are sung in Her honor.

local orchids from Coron

There is also the Santa Cruzan. This is the best women-empowered festival  wherein which different women in the Holy Bible are represented by pretty maidens in the local communities as they parade in biblical inspired creations of local designers. The religious procession is actually a re-telling of the role of women in the bible and culminating in the search for the Holy Cross of Jesus which was spearheaded by Queen Helen (Elena) and her son Constantine (Constantino). Eventually, Helen became a saint and her son later to be known as Constantine of the cross as they were believed to have found the cross in which Jeus was nailed to.

image from science city of munoz.com*

So wherever you are with whatever budget and whoever you're with... it's possible to go somewhere and still have more fun in the Philippines!