life in receipts

The spell is working oh-oh!

2011-07-31T20:38:00.009+08:00

Alphabeat's album 'The Beat Is' was released late 2009, but I guess it's gotten buried in my playlist that it was only a few weeks ago that I got to really listen to it. Result: a belated obsession with its first track. I've been playing it multiple times every day for the past week, and I'm still not over it. The song is incredibly catchy, and from the video, you could see that the band is genuinely having fun and taking joy in what they're doing. Plus, they're always styled spectacularly well.

I've loved Alphabeat ever since they came out in 2007, I think, and they're just getting better. Below are videos of '10,000 Nights' (my favorite Alphabeat song ever) and 'What is Happening' (my favorite video). Enjoy!

R. M. de Leon: Very Abstract and Hyper Figurative

2011-07-29T17:57:00.008+08:00

After a year of blogging inactivity, I return to urge you to visit the art exhibit of a brilliant artist friend.

Last night, R. M. de Leon opened his fifth major solo exhibit at the Altro Mondo Gallery in Greenbelt 5. I thought it was a stunning presentation of very confident and masterful paintings. There was playfulness in the cartoon characters exploded into near-obscurity and abstraction, but there was depth of thought, too.

The photos below hardly do the works any justice. The scale, when you see them in person, matter in experiencing this art. Do visit if you have the chance.

Altro Mondo's facade

'Landscape with Animal Ears'

'Pink Anemones with Bell Overture'

'Red with Two Goofys,' 'Red with Dopey,' 'Red Flag and Dwarfs' Feet'

'Bashful'

'Brute Force 1 & 2'

Never Let Me Go

2010-07-05T22:47:00.007+08:00

My friend Wanggo reminded me about this novel when, a few weeks ago, he sent me the trailer of its forthcoming film adaptation.

(Watch the trailer here)

Wanggo reminded me that I was the one who urged the novel upon him, and how he wept upon reading it.

I've just finished re-reading Kazuo Ishiguro's fine work today, and I think I must have been a zombie when I read it the first time. I did want to burst into tears this time from unbearable sadness. From something unsettling and weird that also only feels familiar, the story becomes one of deep pathos that truly hits close to home. Never Let Me Go is the work of a master at the peak of his game.

A Weekend in Accessories

2010-07-04T14:42:00.003+08:00

My dream is to have a completely inconspicuous and self-effacing wardrobe. Clothes that speak only of simplicity. Of other things--fun, perhaps, and a bit of frivolity--I would like the accessories to speak.

Hat, Topman; Glasses, Wisdom in Archaeology, Powerplant Mall; Socks and bow tie, Celio

Patrik Ervell

2010-06-14T02:57:00.005+08:00

Patrik Ervell is, for me, one of the best new menswear designers around. He combines subdued palettes with mildly quirky proportions and excellent styling. The clip above is the featured animation on his website's landing page, which I think is breathtaking.

Staring at the page nonstop, I couldn't help wishing I were the guy there, wearing all those wonderful clothes.

My Summer in Shoes

2010-05-28T22:22:00.011+08:00

Three pairs are unassuming. One said Pop!

Pure simplicity from Zara

The impossible to keep clean: Camel suede boots from 5CM

A bit of levity in the intense, serious election season: pink suede loafers from Kartel

Full circle: Pure simplicity from Zara

The New Old Reliable

2010-05-28T18:45:00.014+08:00

Azuthai Restaurant in Pasay Road is barely two years old, but it already feels like an old reliable. The taste level and service--both excellent--had been largely invariable on each of my visits there. They say a good dining experience makes you want to do two things at once: to replicate it exactly and to share it immediately with people who are dear to you. I'm happy I got to do both recently with my friends Kate, whom I was with when I first tried the place; and GP, a good friend who has not been there.

Azuthai is a worthy addition to the family of restaurants that includes Milky Way (Filipino), Tsukiji (Japanese), Cirkulo (Spanish) , each of which is distinguished in its cuisine and is housed in the same building.

Come to think of it, the mayor, if he knows his food, should accord that building the privileges of a major landmark.

Shrimp Cake

Glass Noodle Salad

Duck Curry

Kale with Crispy Pork

Phad Thai

My excellent dinner companions

Consumerism, I Missed You

2010-05-24T10:50:00.002+08:00

So this is what I was up to the past few months, volunteering for the Aquino presidential campaign. I didn't know it would take up so much of my life! But it's all worth it when you feel like you're fighting for your country's soul. It's so sweet when your candidate wins.

Now that it's over, I'm personally putting all talks of politics on hold. It's time to lighten up once again. Consumerism, I missed you! Music, art, books and clothes--you have my attention back.

Kings of Laidback

2010-04-06T22:41:00.005+08:00

Thanks to upstart concert promoter Intercept! and indie label Kindassault, I had the pleasure of watching one of my favorite acts, the Kings of Convenience perform live last week. The guys were charming and funny, and most of all, they sounded terrific. Very close, in fact, to their recordings.

I went with only two important requests in my head, and while "Cayman Islands" came after just a few songs, I would go home not having heard "Homesick." But what do you know? They reserved that for the very last song of their encore. Thank you, guys.

Anyway, now that the two above entities are in existence, I kind of want to start a petition for them to bring in Phoenix. One can always dream.

UJ T-000

2010-02-20T19:08:00.006+08:00

I have three more pairs of them skinny fit tapered T-000 jeans from Uniqlo, but I still don't think I have enough. I do really need more.

Bespoken Wonderful

2010-02-18T16:32:00.009+08:00

If you don't know the label Bespoken yet, now is a great time to do so. Their A/W 2010 collection--which I'm completely posting below--is my favorite of the show season so far. The clothes have a perfect balance of nonchalance and thoughtful polish.

Meanwhile, here is what The New York Times's Eric Wilson, who celebrates the brand's price point here, tells us about the label's pedigree:

Bespoken was started by a group of young cool kids that includes the brothers Paulo and Carlos Gonçalves and the brothers Liam, James and Sam Fayed (whose family owns Harrods, Turnbull & Asser and the Hôtel Ritz in Paris, where they first showed their line in June, and lots of other fancy things). The Fayed brothers apprenticed with the English shirtmaker as teenagers, giving them a taste for fashion and an inspiration for the name of their collection.

All photos from GQ.com

Quiet Time

2010-02-04T18:46:00.006+08:00

I think this is minimalism done exactly right. Simple and sleek, its surprise is only seen sideways.

Best Instant Coffee Ever

2010-01-25T15:18:00.002+08:00

I never thought it possible, so when I was given this packet of Starbucks Via, which promised to "taste like a freshly brewed cup of Starbucks coffee," I was sceptical at the very least.

Two sachets later, I am pleased to announce that the Starbucks Via delivers. It is aromatic, flavorful and full-bodied: everything I want my coffee to be.

Thanks to my friend Lai for making me try it. Now I wonder when Manila will have this.

Contra

2010-01-14T18:10:00.006+08:00

Filled with charming, delightful and quirky songs, Contra proves Vampire Weekend's debut album was no fluke. What a promising start for music this 2010.

Here is the wonderful music video of "Cousins," the first single from Contra.

Qualities

2010-01-14T14:30:00.006+08:00

New year, new Moleskines. This year I went with the 3-pack of simple brown paperback notebooks, so that my notes will be more organized.

I stuck this on the first page of each notebook to remind me of the qualities I want to strive for. (I found the phrase years ago in an essay in Adam Gopnik's wonderful book, Paris to the Moon.)

Happy New Year, and I'm Off!

2009-12-30T22:53:00.005+08:00

Friends, I'm sending you my warm New Year's greetings a bit early. In a few hours, I'll be heading to chilly Hong Kong to welcome 2010 while browsing my favorite shops, and hopefully scoring some good finds.

I still haven't really contemplated the past year yet, but I'm thankful I'm still around, and I have friends and family to celebrate and commiserate with, when things are good or bad.

Meanwhile, I look forward to 2010 with promises of hope and change. I wish us all more celebrations, less challenges, and because this space is called 'Life in Receipts,' I have to wish us all more memorable purchases and a beautiful year in style.

Cheers,
Morx

A Topman Blazer

2009-12-17T20:48:00.010+08:00

Blue slim-fit Topman blazer with white piping detail. I got it last October with Christmas as pretext. An early present to self, I said. The truth is, RTW jackets never fit me, and this one did.

This is me feeling dandy-ish.

The Festive Feeling

2009-12-07T00:23:00.009+08:00

'Tis the season for fun, frivolous purchases. Mine are

A hat

And a plaid (or is it madras?) bow tie.

And this is me with both

Shirt, Ted Baker. Pants, Uniqlo. Shoes, Generic Surplus. Hat and bow tie, Topman.

Worn with the shirt, the tie almost disappears. I liked the effect.

This outfit made me want to go to a party exactly like that in the video of "Dancing in the Moonlight" by Toploader. The song and the super fun video will always be favorites of mine.

Generic Surplus

2009-12-07T00:08:00.004+08:00

"Generic" and "surplus" are bad words, as far as I'm concerned. But when put together, it's a truly admirable shoe brand.

The Generic Surplus website says it best: "the foundation of Generic Surplus is proven shapes and clean, simple, refined lines. Creating classic American footwear to complete a look or to be worn everyday as a personal standard."

I got this pair of pointy grey Oxfords at Trilogy a month ago, and I've been wearing them almost every day. They are wonderful to the feet and go with almost everything I wear.

History!

2009-11-15T13:55:00.002+08:00

When I watch boxing matches, it is usually with eyes averted, and only Manny's fights. 7 titles in 7 weight divisions = history. Thanks, Manny!

My First Artwork: "Unfinished Business"

2009-11-04T21:12:00.010+08:00

This artwork on my desk is my first art purchase ever. Who better to support than a talented artist friend? Her name is Kate Santos and this piece is called "Unfinished Business," part of a series called "Hearsay." And how appropriate. You can get lost in it if you stare long enough at the swirl of quotation marks, much like when you follow a wildly morphing rumor that keeps getting passed on. If I were to speak like an art critic, I'd say: Ms. Santos senses the "method"--hence the orderliness of the prime element--in the seeming madness of rumormongering, and transcribes this with precision in her work. The effect is of encountering a vortex; one is inevitably pulled in.

In other words, it's hypnotic.

Photo by Brendan Goco

Above is Kate continuing the series with a large scale graffiti on a wall outside of a bar called Ludos along Timog Avenue.

Aside from making art, Kate also bakes fantastic cookies, but that's reserved for another post.

+J: The Queue

2009-10-19T13:53:00.006+08:00

For this

I would have gone through ten times worse than this

Manila, you desperately need Uniqlo.

And Ms Sander, bravo.

RIP Irving Penn

2009-10-11T22:43:00.003+08:00

Goodbye, Mr. Penn. You'll be sorely missed.

The Bright Tie Looks

2009-10-07T03:11:00.008+08:00

Wearing a bow tie in this jeans-and-t-shirt city without self-consciousness can be a challenge when strangers don't even bother hiding their "amusement." But I went ahead and bought this bright striped piece anyway in a moment of boldness. Which means I have to summon enough confidence to wear it. To minimize my self-consciousness, I've decided to wear it set against completely spare backdrops. No colors, no frills, completely casual. The bow tie stands out and I still manage to look somehow "normal."

Look 1:

Black pique shirt, black cardigan, dark denims, chunky white shoes

Look 2:

White shirt (sleeves rolled and untucked), dark denims, white hightops

Success!

2009-09-20T21:10:00.003+08:00

I proclaim my visit to the Manila International Book Fair at the SMX Convention Center yesterday a smash success. The National Bookstore booth was practically giving away Oxford University Press editions of classics, pricing them at P80 each. Here's my loot: The Bible, Herodotus' Histories, Boswell's Life of Johnson, Pater's Renaissance, Wilde's Major Works, Henry James' Wings of the Dove and Portrait of a Lady and Austen's Emma.

The best things in life can sometimes be almost free.

Girls, "Album"

2009-09-16T04:37:00.003+08:00

A week to go before the release of Album, the debut CD of San Francisco-based duo, Girls. I've been a fan since I discovered their music videos on Youtube--surreal vignettes of the careless, reckless life of American youth. Listen, I'm not kidding when I say they're fantastic.

FP Laptop Bag

2009-09-16T01:14:00.002+08:00

Planning to replace my old heavy laptop with something lighter, but first I had to find a nice bag to put it in. Now I know. The Fred Perry Twin Tipped Laptop Bag is instant love.

I Gotta Feeling

2009-09-12T22:33:00.001+08:00

Awesome.

A.P.C. Sustain

2009-09-09T19:31:00.005+08:00

Okay, so $260 for a bottle of perfume is quite much, but there's only 300 bottles of them in this world, and sandalwood and patchouli are wonderful scents. And it's A.P.C. Enough said.

Here's the text from Material Interest:

There's a reason that A.P.C. hasn't offered a scent before now: Owner Jean Touitou found the very idea "vulgar" and "gross." But after meeting a girl in L.A. who blends essential oils, the man found it in his heart to offer up Sustain, a combination of 12 oils in an odd but compelling wooden sculpture surrounding a glass bottle. (Think postmodern pepper mill and you're close.) We got our hands on the only tiny vial of the stuff in the city, and the predominant notes of patchouli and sandalwood seemed to hit the summer-into-fall mood perfectly. We didn't quite catch the smell of a guitar case lined in bright velvet and scattered with rose petals that was the apparent inspiration, but the unisex scent's moniker does pay a nominal tribute to rock—it's named for a guitar-effects pedal. And maybe also for its creator's new fixation: Touitou's former distaste is now an "obsession" bordering on "addiction." You've been warned.

Sango!

2009-09-04T16:43:00.003+08:00

I'm not a fan of working lunches, because meals really deserve everyone's full attention. But in the few instances that I had to stay at my workspace for lunch, Sango's yakiniku rice burger has been my foolproof option. Uncomplicated and extremely tasty, it makes you forget about the unpleasant feeling of having to work through lunch. With a glass of Coke, perfect.

Aldo Accessories

2009-08-27T17:55:00.003+08:00

Got these bowties from Aldo last weekend. The gray's easy, but I'm still figuring out what I can wear with the striped one... Hmmm...

Golden Silvers

2009-08-25T21:51:00.005+08:00

Golden Silvers is the band, and their album, True Romance, is what I've been listening to nonstop for three weeks now. Fantastic. Watch the videos below to find out just how good they sound and how stylish they look.

Today

2009-08-20T15:13:00.002+08:00

Tie and polka dot shirt, Giordano Concepts. Cardigan and shorts, Uniqlo. Shoes, Topman. Watch, Lego.

G is for GaGa

2009-08-12T22:56:00.006+08:00

I can't believe my luck. Just when I thought I wouldn't be able to see Lady GaGa's concert last night, my boss asked me at the 11th hour to accompany her daughters and their friends to the concert. I readily agreed, of course, and imagine my delight when I found out I'd be seated in the 8th row. Unbelievable.

What can I say? She was outrageous, hilarious and a truckload of fun. She said in one of her spiels that when she was asked if she had a d**k, she said yes and in fact it was bigger than "yours." I'd say she definitely has a pair of 'em balls attached to it as well. This girl defines chutzpah.

I got to "meet" her after the concert, which means she walked into position for a group photo and we were hustled out. (Above is a stolen shot I got as she was entering the room. This lady wears "tanggas" as if they were pajamas, to be sure.) I think she might be sincerely nice; the kids I was with got to hug her and be hugged in return.

All in all, the most fun night I've had all year. Thank you, Mells, for the ticket.

Shoes: Mark Ronson for Gucci

2009-08-06T13:55:00.005+08:00

I just nearly had a heart attack. If there's any justice in this world, these shoes will find their way to my shoe closet one day. Can't wait. I really, really want.

Here's the text from Material Interest:

More surprising than a Mark Ronson-designed shoe? The fact that there hasn't been a Mark Ronson-designed shoe before. Gucci has tapped the DJ and producer, one of its most high-profile fans, to collaborate with Frida Giannini on several styles of Gucci Ronsons for the brand's upcoming series of sneakers-only pop-up shops, the first of which comes to NYC this October. The three styles the brand is previewing include a chukka, a deck shoe, and a more traditional sneaker, which, with their bright colorways and preppy styling, call to mind the footwear of another of Ronson's favorite lines, Band of Outsiders. It's a smart move, we'd say, to push limited editions with one of the few guys left with the cred to make them must-have. Avid kick collectors will no doubt want them all—but since a new style will be released at each new pop-up on the tour (currently planned to include London, Berlin, Paris, Hong Kong, and Tokyo), they'd better have a few frequent-flier miles at the ready.

My New Desk

2009-08-03T17:16:00.010+08:00

Yesterday, I finally got this longer and more spacious desk in dark wood from Dimensione for my room. My old desk, back from when I was in grade school, was crummy and couldn't accommodate a laptop, an open book and an open notebook placed side by side. But now there's enough space for them plus more; I just have to roll my chair from one to the other. I can envision a lot of engrossed reading and research at my new desk.

On my desk...

An improvised study lamp

Sharp pencils in a champagne flute

A miniature disco ball, souvenir from a company party years ago

A vase from a friend's Boracay wedding reception. It travelled so far, I thought it needed a place of honor, although it hasn't contained flowers since.

My trusty dictionaries, without which my desk is not complete

Old and yellowing speakers, salvaged from the PC years. I really need to get an iPod dock.

This inexplicable book, which I've never really read, but which I keep in hand because I might just want to become a genius one day.

Manila Design Week 2009

2009-08-03T16:06:00.004+08:00

My good friend Nico at Team Manila is inviting everyone to participate in Manila Design Week beginning this Saturday.

According to the event's website, Manila Design Week 2009 gathers all graphic designers – local and international, established and up and coming – to celebrate the emerging graphic design scene in the country today. The first of its kind in the Philippines, it aims to bring Philippine Graphic Design into the mainstream. More than that, Manila Design Week 2009 aims to establish the Philippines as a major hub of Graphic Design and creativity in the region, if not the world.

I'm looking forward to the Public Art Project in Bonifacio High Street, the Design Dialogue in Greenbelt MyCinema and The Cubao Experience in Cubao X.

Visit their website for the complete schedule of events. See you all!

New Shoes!

2009-07-30T15:53:00.003+08:00

New shoes are always a happy thing.

These Fred Perrys were a planned purchase during my HK trip. Love love love the turquoise accents. I know I'll be wearing them to death.

While this red pair with wingtip details from 101 New York called to me while strolling at the mall. The price was apt for an impulse buy. Sure to punch up a monochrome outfit.

Usefully Muji

2009-07-23T15:27:00.003+08:00

Sleek pen,
unfussy pen case,
unlined
recycled-paper notebook,
and

a seriously adorable polka
dot umbrella.

The Should-Haves

2009-07-22T11:12:00.014+08:00

Ties at A.P.C.

Short-sleeved jacket in a shop at Park Lane

Should have gone for it and got them. Now there's just regret.

Uniqlo, Head to Toe

2009-07-22T10:21:00.010+08:00

Picked up a few basics in Uniqlo last weekend. My favorites are the dark skinny denim, which fit like a dream, and the bedroom slippers, which are wonderful on the feet. The fine gauge cardigan and the white shorts I looked for at the ladies' section, because they fit.

Clouds

2009-07-21T21:46:00.003+08:00

I'd love to sleep on one some day.

Scent: DKNY Men

2009-07-21T21:25:00.004+08:00

Found this while browsing the Duty Free kiosks at the NAIA departure area. The combination of citrus and musk is just right. I think it smells really good.

Now my Acca Kappa 1869 has an alternate.

Dear Youngest Federer

2009-07-13T20:50:00.002+08:00

This August, you will come along and tennis will be less important. Majors will become minor. Trophies will become teething rings. And your father's perfect life will, somehow, get even better.

What a moving video. I hope Federer's child sees this when he/she grows up.

The Greatest Ever

2009-07-07T09:30:00.003+08:00

After sharing the top spot with Pete Sampras at 14 grand slams for a month, Roger Federer is now alone with 15. He is also back at number one, which Rafael Nadal took along with the Wimbledon crown last year.

The Wimbledon final last Sunday was incredible; the final set alone featured 30 games--four games more than two sets that went to tie-break combined. It was incredible because Andy Roddick produced the best match of his life--he was frankly the better guy on the day--and could have been on the brink of winning it. But it was even more incredible that Federer came back and stole it. The one time Federer was able to break the Roddick serve in more than four hours was at the very last second, which was also match point.

I couldn't be any happier these days.

'Savile Rogues'

2009-06-30T17:35:00.003+08:00

These guys are extending and bending the venerable traditions of Savile Row, while being excellent tailors still. Here's how.

Photo from moreintelligentlife.com

From T Magazine: "Form Follows Fun"

2009-06-25T17:11:00.009+08:00

I won't be designing furniture soon, but it's always inspiring to read about talented designers in any field achieving a breakthrough. In the recent T Magazine design and living issue, there's a wonderful feature on bright under-40 stars from this year's Milan Design Week. My favorites are BCXSY and Maarten De Ceulaer.

Sayaka Yamamoto and Boaz Cohen, BCXSY

The logo for BCXSY — a name derived from the initials of its partners, Boaz Cohen, 31, and Sayaka Yamamoto, 25 — features silhouettes of the two designers surrounded by a wreath of light bulbs. Bright ideas are BCXSY’s forte. Its Swing Lamp, a swing illuminated from within, appeared on the cover of the spring 2008 issue of T Design even before it had found a manufacturer. (It’s now produced by Slide.) This year, the Israeli-born Cohen and the Japanese-born Yamamoto — who met as students at the Design Academy Eindhoven and set up shop in that Dutch city — showed their Change! collection at the design emporium Spazio Rossana Orlandi. These pieces, made of carved and coated polyurethane foam blocks, ‘‘play with lightness and heaviness,’’ Cohen explained, and gave the designers the chance ‘‘to sketch in 3-D.’’ But, he added, ‘‘the sketches are the product.’’

Philippe Malouin

When Philippe Malouin moved to Europe to study design at the École Nationale Supérieure de Création Industrielle and later at the Design Academy Eindhoven, the Canadian transplant was struck by his sudden reduction in living space. ‘‘I am interested in the idea of living with less,’’ said Malouin, 26, who was inspired to cram as much function into a single design as possible. For a student project for Hermès, he devised a bag that could also be used as a stool; his Hanger Chair, which can be used to hang a jacket or can be hung itself for storage, is going into production this year. For the Milan fair, he took standard shelving brackets, inexpensive and available at most hardware stores, and designed a series of clip-on accessories, including a lamp, a bench and a vase. Such pieces expand the use of the system and eliminate tabletop clutter, while making Malouin a sort of Dieter Rams for the D.I.Y. set in the process. ‘‘I just wanted to make well-designed pieces that people can afford,’’ he said.

Alessandra Baldereschi

Before studying industrial design at the Domus Academy in Milan, 34-year-old Alessandra Baldereschi studied art, and never recovered. ‘‘I think about projects as image,’’ she explained. She loves embellishing a straightforward form, as she did with the Soufflé chair for CoinCasa — a clear plastic cover stuffed with colorful cushions — or with her collection of ‘‘four seasons’’ wood cabinets, shown here, for Skitsch. Baldereschi’s minimalist, white-lacquered design features ornate knobs — far more than are functionally necessary — on the doors. She called her first cabinet Winter (it had mother-of-pearl knobs), and Skitsch liked the piece so much that it asked for Spring, Summer and Fall. The designer, who was recruited by Skitsch’s co-art director Cristina Morozzi, searched the Internet for knobs in ‘‘elegant and precious’’ materials, including hand-painted ceramics and glass. Baldereschi loves the ‘‘hybridization’’ of plain and fancy. ‘‘I’m romantic,’’ she said.

Nacho Carbonell

The 28-year-old Spanish designer Nacho Carbonell is, at heart, a storyteller — and one with a vivid imagination at that. For ‘‘Craft Punk,’’ the Design Academy Eindhoven graduate brought a heap of discarded Fendi leather scraps to life in a series of beastly creatures (some of which could be ridden or sat upon). His womblike papier-mâché Evolution chairs and benches — handmade from the newspapers that accumulated in his house — are his retreat from information overload. Such ideas are not so much a statement about the environment (though he insists that ‘‘waste’’ is as good a material to work with as anything you could pick up in a store) as they are an attempt to imbue inanimate design objects with an emotional core. For the coming Design Miami/Basel fair, he is making a chair out of leaves and sawdust. ‘‘It’s a chair with a goal,’’ he said: ‘‘It wants to become a tree.’’

Maarten De Ceulaer

‘‘I can’t just design something for no reason,’’ Maarten De Ceulaer said. Instead, the Brussels-based 25-year-old graduate of the Design Academy Eindhoven looks for ‘‘a simple, strong, basic concept.’’ His Leather Collection, designed for Nina Yashar’s Nilufar Gallery, explores the dynamism of the modern nomadic lifestyle. Suitcase-like storage components — each one tailored to the kind of clothing it’s meant to contain and evocative of luxurious travel accessories by companies like Hermès and Louis Vuitton — can be reconfigured and transported from room to room. ‘‘I have a big wardrobe in my house,’’ De Ceulaer explained, ‘‘and it’s too big to move. I wanted something more flexible.’’ De Ceulaer, who often works at home, is currently looking for someone to make his Nomad Light Molecule, an electrified ‘‘mother’’ light with detachable, battery-powered ‘‘children.’’ He added, ‘‘I try to find the right people to make the designs. That’s how I learn the most as a designer.’’

Simon Macro and Marcus Beck, Freshwest Design

Since founding Freshwest in 2005, 34-year-olds Simon Macro and Marcus Beck — fine-art graduates and childhood friends who work two minutes from the beach in southwest Wales — have designed everything from a water-blue acrylic ‘‘pool’’ table to a medicine cabinet. No strangers to limited editions (Beck made bespoke furniture, and Macro worked for the mad-genius designer Thomas Heatherwick), the two were surprised last fall when the C.E.O. of the Dutch company Moooi spotted their bamboo-scaffolding-inspired Brave New World Lamp, shown here, and wanted to produce it. In Milan, Moooi also exhibited Freshwest’s Lazy Chair, which collapses when you get near it, and then slowly rights itself. ‘‘It’s almost a psychology experiment,’’ Macro said. ‘‘Everyone reacts differently to it.’’ Gone are the days when the duo checked the surf reports before they checked their e-mail, but success has its upside. ‘‘It’s exciting,’’ Beck said, ‘‘to make some of these crazy ideas we have.’’

Company of We

2009-06-25T15:31:00.006+08:00

There can never be too many places that sell stylish and well-priced stuff, so something like Company of We is always welcome. The write-up on this company in Material Interest goes:

Just because something seems too good to be true doesn't mean it isn't. So it goes with Company of We, a new menswear label that sells just-fashiony-enough versions of your closet essentials—nearly all for under $100. "It's like walking into Jeffrey and finding everything 80 percent off," says We's Jayzel Samonte. Dubious, we kicked the tires on these pieces, and they do hold up. But deals like a Dior Homme-esque snagged vest for $98 or a perfect pair of Bastian-like pleated city shorts for $78 do beg the question: How? The other half of the equation, designer Christopher Crawford, assures us that the answer is nothing more untoward than cutting out the middleman—and applying a little elbow grease. "The reason we can do this is because we don't wholesale," explains Crawford. "And I'm a pack-my-own-boxes kind of boy."

Visit the online store to see the great stuff that We sells.

Oh, and doesn't Jayzel Samonte sound suspiciously like a Pinoy name?

My childish watch

2009-06-22T19:04:00.004+08:00

Thanks to Buddha's recent post on Trilogy, I found out that my dream Issey Miyake watch was being sold just two blocks away from my office. Of course I had to see it. It was a dream to behold, but the P22K price tag promptly woke me up.

Magically, my other "essential" watch was being sold there, too, and at a price that's great for an impulse buy. I'm delighted to be wearing its bright and happy colors right now.

Issey, I will have you, too. Please still be there in a month or so.

P.S. The meatball pasta and fish and chips from the Trilogy canteen are really good.

My Killers: June Edition

2009-06-22T10:45:00.004+08:00

They kill me: look from Hyden Yoo and shoe from Kanye West for Louis Vuitton.

Photos from Chuvaness

At Last

2009-06-08T16:07:00.003+08:00

Yahoo! Sports

I'm so happy, I'm completely drained. From now on, I will no longer feel nervous for Roger when I watch his matches. Everything that comes after last night is extra.

Crowns and Oranges

2009-05-30T22:01:00.006+08:00

This poetry anthology contains a poem of mine, the first time I've been published outside of La Salle's literary folio. Being a "published poet" doesn't mean much around here, but I had a proud smile when I saw this in Powerbooks today.

Tale of Two Coffees

2009-05-29T16:31:00.004+08:00

Good thing Crema e Gusto was out of stock when I went to Lavazza. Because that made me try the Club variant, which according to the helpful barista, is single-source 100% Arabica exclusively from Latin America.

The Club is--and I cannot say this enough--fantastic. Smells terrific, and has a hundred different great flavors in it. Smoky, nutty, some sort of sweetish. It's the best coffee I've ever brewed for myself.

iPod Classic 120G

2009-05-29T16:29:00.003+08:00

Finally got to replace my old 30G iPod with this 120G one. No more editing my play list before syncing, hooray!

Guest Blog: Corinne on a Dinner at Terrace, Greenbelt 5

2009-05-29T16:19:00.007+08:00

My friend Corinne shares her thoughts on a dinner at Terrace at Greenbelt 5, which, by the way, serves really excellent food. Anyway, here is her entry:

22 May 2009

The first line of The Verve’s "Bittersweet Symphony" reverberates. “Cause it's a bittersweet symphony, this life. Trying to make ends meet, you're a slave to money then you die.”

This was my mantra as I welcomed 2009. And, the hypnotic global phenomenon called recession did not help at all.

But tonight, I allowed myself to be pulled back to earth. Tonight, I spent precious and irrevocable time with people who are close to my heart. Unlike any other gimmick nights, tonight we were not out to people watch nor to be seen.

We were just a group of 3 friends, out to enjoy great food, interesting conversations, and terrific company. Oblivious to passers by, oblivious to other diners of The Terrace, we ate, drank wine, laughed, and shared stories. (Once in a while though, servers would get in our bubble. Impressed with their impeccable service, we would willingly let them in).

It was indeed as if we were situated in the comforts of our homes, like a snug and cozy space of a terrace.

Tonight was a life experience captured by this receipt that's definitely one for the ledger.

A Thing of Note

2009-05-18T17:48:00.005+08:00

I just recently discovered this jotting pad produced by Star Paper at the neighboring school supplies store. At just P40 a pad, it's a steal considering the excellent paper quality. Today, I thought of injecting some "glamor" into my daily office tasks by making my own little letterhead with it. The result, I think, is surprisingly good. Also, I'm really liking the Goudy Old Style font I used.

I think I'm gonna write somebody a note now.

Today's Lunch

2009-05-16T16:19:00.003+08:00

Rice, chicken yakitori and shiitake mushroom

Simple, austere, perfect.

Things I'm Listening To

2009-05-11T18:09:00.010+08:00

Actor by St Vincent

The music of St Vincent (aka Annie Clark, formerly of Polyphonic Spree) is one of the best things I've discovered this year. Her voice remains low key and pretty all throughout, but the music is by turns lush and gorgeous then explosive and violent. There's range and complexity aplenty in this superb CD.

The Law of the Playground by The Boy Least Likely To

The music of The Boy Least Likely To is instantly beguiling in its seemingly childish simplicity, but the tension comes from the themes explored in this duo's lyrics. The result is wonderful.

Set Yourself on Fire by Stars

Okay this album is four years old, but Stars is one of my all-time favorite bands, and this is their best album. It contains "The Big Fight," which when I first heard, slayed me no end.

Love vs Money by The-Dream

As far as R&B goes, this is really solid. Great beats and grooves all around.

Fantasies by Metric

I've been listening to this album nearly every day for three weeks now. It's so catchy, electric and cool, I can't stop.

Paris via Siberia

2009-05-11T10:31:00.004+08:00

I'm dreaming of belle epoque Paris via Russia these days, much like the narrator of Dreams of My Russian Summers, Andrei Makine's dreamy, deeply perceptive and sensuous novel about memory and imagination.

Meanwhile, here is where I thank Timmy and Mells for generously hosting us two weekends ago in this beautiful house in Tali Beach. I read a chunk of this book there while enjoying their hospitality. I find that reading takes on another dimension of pleasure when you do it somewhere scenic.

I loved my room, too.

The office is a beach

2009-04-27T15:34:00.004+08:00

I love the fall of daylight in the smoking area

Or maybe not. But if, like me, you work in a less corporate environment, you can go to work in summery attire without getting a memo from HR.

Perfect Weird-Weather Music

2009-04-23T12:02:00.006+08:00

The weather this week has been distressingly unpredictable. One minute it's hot, the next it's pouring, then it's hot again. To keep my sanity, I listen all day long to The Sea and Cake. The band's music--consistently excellent but never too demanding--helps me maintain my equilibrium. Below are the CDs I have by them. Try looking for their songs. You'll love them.

One Bedroom (2003)

Everybody (2007)

Car Alarm (2008)

The Biz (1995)

The Fawn (1997)

The Sea and Cake (1995)

Glass (2003)

Oui (2000)

11th April 2009, La Union

2009-04-13T18:25:00.002+08:00

Sunset over LaUnion

My friends surfed while I had hotdogs and beer. It was perfect.

10th April 2009

2009-04-13T17:49:00.004+08:00

At the Marcos Musuem...

The dictator on his wedding day

Good intentions or sheer ambition

Drafting a speech

Rant of a deluded and fallen dictator

In Vigan...

Calle Crisologo

A beautiful ruin

Full moon over Vigan

A night scene

9th April 2009, Laoag, Ilocos Norte

2009-04-13T17:07:00.014+08:00

Lighthouse at Cape Bojeador

Commemmorative plaque

A window in the lighthouse

Stairs

Spiral staircase inside the tower

Internal workings

The light in the lighthouse

A view from the very top

The windmills at Bangui

Just pretending to be lost

Self-portrait on sand

View from the viaduct

8th April 2009, Laoag, Ilocos Norte

2009-04-13T15:14:00.004+08:00

A tableau of things I can't live without.

Spent the entire afternoon at the hotel coffee shop. Finally finished Sophie's Choice. Enjoyed a big chunk of the April issue of Vogue. Consumed a pot of coffee. The cigs, I didn't count.

My friends thought I was foolish to travel 9 hours just to sit and read, but vacations like this are the only times I could have uninterrupted time for reading. It feels positively luxurious to indulge in it.

Travel Companions

2009-04-12T21:06:00.006+08:00

I read the magazine cover to cover during the trip. I'm not a fan of Beyonce, but I admire her will, determination and work ethic.

The stories I've finished in Jhumpa Lahiri's second story collection, Unaccustomed Earth, are utterly brilliant. I can't wait to finish the book.

7th April 2009, Manila

2009-04-12T20:31:00.004+08:00

I'm not good at travelling light, but for the four-day road trip that took me and my friends to Laoag, Pagudpod, Vigan and La Union, I managed to pack everything I needed in this surprisingly roomy bag. And I managed to leave my laptop at home. Fantastic.

3 Watches I'll Ever Need (I Think)

2009-04-02T11:02:00.003+08:00

Patek Phillippe Calatrava 5120G, for dressy days

Issey Miyake "Twelve" watch by Naoto Fukasawa, for casual days

Lego, for when the day is otherwise cheerless

John Legend Live in Manila

2009-03-27T17:36:00.009+08:00

First, many thanks to my friend Len for the free ticket.

Legend's thick, gravelly voice is a great instrument in itself, but that coupled with the piano: wonderful.

The man certainly has the moves...

...and is a great crowd-pleaser.

For his encore, Mr. Legend changed into a tux and looked very dapper indeed.

Len even found a way to finagle a meet-and-greet pass for me. Which meant we said hi to the artist and had a group photo taken with him. Now I wonder if I'll ever get to see that photo.

Spelling Bee

2009-03-23T16:17:00.003+08:00

Last Friday, I had an immensely entertaining time at this musical: The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee being staged at the Carlos P. Romulo Theatre in RCBC Plaza.

Audience participation was provided by celebrity attendants, Lea Salonga and Jett Pangan, which was cool. Nothing ponderous here, just plain but smart fun.

It runs till the 4th of April, so if you have nothing to do in the next two weekends, you might want to see this.

A Yellow Ruin

2009-03-23T15:47:00.004+08:00

My first pair of these Topman shoes got ruined in the first wash. I tried washing them again, but the staining just got worse. This pair in the photo is actually my second in less than a month (bought in a panic after the first disaster). I washed this second pair last week (with Dove soap, because I thought the first pair might have reacted to strong detergents) and because someone told me it's exposure to the sun that causes them to become yellow, I dried them indoors.

And yet look at them now.

I have other pairs of white canvas shoes, which are less prone to yellow staining, so I'm inclined to think that it's the particular fabric of these shoes. (I wore them today with the excuse that these yellowish shoes have acquired some "character.")

However, if you have some foolproof technique in cleaning white shoes, I would love to hear it. Thank you.

The Final Set

2009-03-09T16:03:00.004+08:00

There are no words. I think I had goosebumps the entire concert--25 songs + a break long.

Thank you, Smart, for the tickets.

Fantastic Looks: Men's Collections Fall '09

2009-03-07T17:29:00.007+08:00

And these are selected looks that I love from the 2009 men's Fall collections, in alphabetical order. (Click on images to enlarge.)

3.1 Phillip Lim (especially the droopy sheer sweater, left)

Band of Outsiders (the db jacket, center, is on my projects list)

Dries van Noten (notaby the sleeveless gray jacket, the blousy sweaters, and that sleeveless gray whatchamacallit with cowl neckline)

Hutson (Thank God the Mr & Mrs tandem of Obedient Sons and Daughters are back.)

Marni (Great styling.)

Neil Barrett (Mr. Barrett nailed the quirky-but-accessible look in this collection. All the assymetries, excesses and contrasts work in the looks below.)

Raf Simons (Those contrast sleeves slayed me.)

Shipley and Halmos (What do you call this color--old rose? I really love it.)

Winners: Men's Collections Fall '09

2009-03-07T16:32:00.014+08:00

It took me almost the entire week to view all the Fall '09 collections available on men.style.com. An activity that is at once exhilarating, inspiring and exhausting. These are my top 3 favorites. (Click on images to enlarge.)

Burberry Prorsum

I love every single piece of garment in this collection, and all the accessories. Even the signature Burberry checks looks cool again. And take a look at those cummerbunds. They should be ridiculous. Instead, they are just cool.

Jil Sander

The shapes of the jackets--curves!--in Raf Simons' collection for Jil Sander are amazing. And the use of color reminiscent of abstract paintings is wonderful.

Hermes

Vibrant colors in a sea of neutrals. Literally, a standout.

And because I've never had personal contact with an Hermes shoe in my life, I was floored when I noticed the color on the heel in the photo below. Okay, "floored" is an understatement. The truth is, I fell crushingly in love.

All images from men.style.com

Plug: Kryolan Store

2009-02-25T14:39:00.009+08:00

Manila finally has a Kryolan Professional Makeup store, thanks to my friend Che. She knows that many makeup artists and showbiz personalities have had to source the brand from abroad before, so she brought it here.

If you know girls who are deeply interested in makeup, you might want to mention this to them.

Kryolan
3F Il Terrazo
35 Tomas Morato corner Scout Madrinan
Quezon City

'Round the Shoes

2009-02-25T14:19:00.008+08:00

I got this pair of shoes last Sunday. All my outfits this week revolve around it.

*White canvas shoes from Topman

Lolo Dad's Brasserie

2009-02-25T13:56:00.007+08:00

Life is always so much brighter after a good meal, which is what I had last Friday at Lolo Dad's with my friend K.

Salad was madness, to be sure. Named wittily as "Only for the Rich," it was mesclun greens in pomegranate and molasses dresing topped with many of my favorite things: scallops, lobster, seared duck liver, jamon serrano and cured salmon.

Then we shared a ribeye. It was a perfectly seasoned and perfectly tender piece of lovely meat. The mashed potato on the side, however, could have been presented in a more appetizing manner. It reminded one of animal turd.

The warm apple tartatin with cappucino ice cream and vanilla sabayon at the end failed to put an exclamation mark to the meal. There are so many better apple pies around.

But the salad, so exquisite and perfect, will stay in the mind for a very long time.

GQ: Best New Menswear Designers in America

2009-02-13T16:16:00.006+08:00

I'm cribbing the entire GQ feature, because it's incredibly inspiring. I think all these designers are amazing. And the looks: Wow.

Benjamin Bixby

Founded: 2008, New York and Atlanta

Designer: André Benjamin (a.k.a. André 3000), 33

The philosophy: “During OutKast’s Stankonia period, I looked like I was from Mars. The music was otherworldly, and my character reflected that. I wanted to put that spirit into classic clothes, but ones that people could actually wear.”

The look: “I think the cut of Benjamin Bixby comes from comic-book characters, which I’ve been drawing since I was a kid. In comic books, the waist is always pinched, but the legs are full-cut, kind of like the Cracker Jack man.”

The influence: “In high school, in Atlanta, when Grand Puba told us to wear Girbaud jeans, I wore Girbaud jeans. Then you had this prep movement happening: Ralph Lauren, Eddie Bauer, Bass, Sebago, and Timberland. So imagine me walking through [local housing project] Bowen Homes in the morning to catch the bus, but I’m dressed like a prep. As you get older, you go back to those things.”

Save Khaki

Founded: 2006, New York

Designer: David Mullen, 48

The philosophy: “With the jeans craze, everything was being overdesigned. I thought what was missing in the market was something really comfortable with a modern fit. I think clothes should have utility, and if they happen to be stylish, then that’s great.”

The muse: “Ben Hogan, believe it or not. His khakis and cashmere cardigans made him look better than golfers do today.”

Every man should have… “A great white broadcloth shirt that can be worn pressed or wrinkled.”

Every man should also have… “A khaki trench. You can dress it up or down; it goes with everything.”

One piece of advice: “I think people need to not try so hard. Particularly men. It doesn’t take much to put yourself together.”

Robert Geller

Founded: 2006, New York

Designer: Robert Geller, 32, former partner of Alexandre Plokhov at the now defunct Cloak

The influence: “Last season I researched Prague in the ’20s and ’30s. Even today, the city has a culture where the men are masculine but still sensitive. I really wanted to show that mixture of romance and strength in my first collection.”

The hangouts: “In New York, that whole area in the depths of Chinatown. I really love Bacaro. I love Les Enfants Terribles and Broadway East.”

The soundtrack: “Hands down, the Cure: Boys Don’t Cry, especially the beginning, where you can hear the scratches. I don’t like anything that’s too produced or too polished.”

Every man should have… “A really nice winter boot. I’ve found the nicest one that exists…it’s an Austrian brand called Ludwig Reiter. The inside is lined with shearling so you can wear them through the deepest snow.”

Yigal Azrouël

Founded: 2007, New York

Designer: Yigal Azrouël, 36

The philosophy: “I love old-school American menswear. I like things that are not perfect but distressed and worn—something that has been through an experience.”

The early days: “I used to live in a basement in Queens with, like, five roommates. I would buy vintage pieces and cut a sleeve off, sew a different sleeve on—just experimenting. I started selling things to friends. And then Barneys picked me up.”

The influence: “My mom is French, and she always made me look styled, in a way. When I look at pictures of me as a kid, I see my signatures: a cool striped tee or a plaid shirt.”

Every man should have… “A cool leather jacket that you can keep forever. I made mine myself, and I’ve worn it for the past twelve years.”

Shipley & Halmos

Founded: 2007, New York

Designers: Sam Shipley, 29, and Jeff Halmos, 29

The philosophy: “We saw an opening for a fashionable guy who embraces his masculinity. A lot of people who buy our clothes are guy’s guys.” (Shipley)

The early days: Formerly one-half of the SoCal design collective Trovata, and before that, college buddies in Boulder, Shipley and Halmos started their own line in 2007.
Every man should have… “A clean white dress shirt. You can wear it with anything, at any time.” (Shipley)

Every man should also have… “An affordable suit. Ours are slim without being shrunken. And I think people really responded to the price point.” (Halmos)

The retirement plan: “Playing guitar in a metal band called War Bonnet. I’ve always wanted to go on a U.S. tour. Seeing the country from that perspective would be wild.” (Shipley)

Rogues Gallery

Founded: 2003, Portland, Maine

Designer: Alex Carleton, 39

The real-life inspiration: “I used to work at L.L.Bean. Leon Gorman, the grandson of Leon Leonwood Bean, is a true modern-day country gentleman. He’d drive a pickup truck and wear perfectly pressed L.L.Bean chinos with a tattersall shirt and tortoiseshell glasses and the Norman Rockwell haircut. He has iconic New England style.”

The on-screen inspiration: “I want to design a tweed blazer and a flannel shirt like Jack Torrance wore in The Shining.”

Every man should have… “A pair of Carhartts.”

Spiral

2009-02-10T17:27:00.003+08:00

Do you like eating at buffet places? I don't.

I like food cooked specially for me. I don't like waiting at a queue. And really, has any one dish at a buffet proved to be special? If so, I never had it.

Which is to say, for the price we paid for our buffet dinner last week at Sofitel's Spiral (a place that overwhelms you with a surfeit of mediocre food and good interior design), I'd rather have just a good entree and a good dessert at a fine restaurant, Lolo Dad's Brasserie, for example.

I wish more buffet restaurants were like Market Cafe in Hyatt, which includes drinks in its buffet, including beer and, occasionally, brut. Then, you could just forget about the food and drown yourself in the bubblies.

My Spring/Summer List

2009-02-05T16:29:00.019+08:00

1. Calvin Klein fluorescent suit. I'll never have the guts to wear this as a suit, but I can think of so many ways to wear the jacket and pants separately, to introduce a shock of color in a neutral palette.

2. Petar Petrov J-Haje white shirt. Light and airy, and the drawstring hem is a nice touch.

3. David Hart plaid neckties.

4. Louis Vuitton perforated shoes. The perfect shoes to go sockless in.

5. These looks from Opening Ceremony for Uniqlo. I love the pale colored shirts and the cropped pants.

6. Unis Ron shorts.

7. Robinson les Bains swimshorts. It's really time for non-surfers and twentysomethings (or both) to do away with the immature board shorts.

8. APC sneakers. Clean and uncomplicated.

9. Tote and flap wallet from Makr. Makr is my newfound love in leather goods. Its products are simple, functional, well-designed and most of all, thoughtful.

10. Crane & Co. personalized note cards and ACME pen, with which to write short summer dispatches to friends abroad.

25 Random Things

2009-02-02T17:22:00.002+08:00

My friend sent me this 25 Random Things game in Facebook, and I just saw Chuvaness posting hers. Here's mine, just for kicks.

1. I still don't really know how to use most of Facebook's features up to now.

2. More and more, I want to simplify my life, pare it down to essentials.

3. I thank God for Moleskine journals.

4. I have finished an entire Mamou steak (800g) plus some side dishes, by myself. (I even found space for beer afterwards.)

5. I haven't dated in years; now I completely dread it.

6. I wish I were less emotional about or less affected by tennis in general, and Roger Federer's matches in particular. It might lead to heart attack. (Nearly died during last night's Australian Open.)

7. Sleepwalking one night when I was 7 or 8, I peed into my school shoes.

8. I used to eat Jolly Hotdog and hot fudge sundae every day after school in high school.

9. My idea of a perfect bar is still Shiraz and I still miss it to this day. I also still miss Orange.

10. My favorite beverages are regular Coke (all day), coffee (during the day) San Mig Light (at night). Oh and I drink lots of water every day.

11. I sincerely think that Aegis, the local band that gave us "Halik," "Basang Basa Sa Ulan" etc., is genius, and should be inducted to something like the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

12. I begrudge my mother for buying designer bags only for herself. (She doesn't know this, of course.)

13. This quote from Isabel Gillies sort of sums up what I also believe: "I believe in love. I believe in hard times and love winning. I believe marriage is hard. I believe people make mistakes. I believe people can want two things at once. I believe people are selfish and generous at the same time. I believe very few people want to hurt others. I believe that life can surprise you. I believe in happy endings."

14. I can be isnabero at times, but I'm more shy than isnabero.

15. I'm bad with people's names. I hide from acquaintances when there's a danger of bumping into them, because I find small talk excruciating.

16. I really want to take up pattern-making this year.

17. The four people I'd like to have an autograph of are Roger Federer, Sharon Cuneta, Nora Aunor and Dolphy.

18. For me, the perfect city to live in is somewhere where (nearly) everyone is stylish, loves eating well, and reads a lot.

19. I wish people would wear flipflops only at home, and at the beach. I wish people didn't wear Crocs, ever.

20. Another quote that speaks to me is spoken by a character in Murakami's "The Wind-up Bird Chronicle": "I do not like it when people wear the wrong thing. That is all. It is something I simply cannot--cannot--abide. I at least want the people around me to dress as well as possible.... I feel a personal, almost physical, revulsion for messy clothing."

21. I wish everyone, including myself, would be more nuanced when opinionating. Saying I love/I hate this/that is too easy.

22. I don't like travelling, as in packing, taking a plane, etc., a whole lot. I wish teleportation were a real travelling option.

23. I used to buy several magazines every month. Now I just get US Vogue, because I have an affinity with its point of view.

24. When I grow up, I want to be Oscar de la Renta.

25. Or Renee Salud. Just kidding!

"I Believe...."

2009-01-28T21:51:00.004+08:00

I have a habit of taking a contrarian point of view when there are discussions with friends about human nature. There are so many truths other than our own, even if they're hard for us to accept. It requires deepy understanding to achieve empathy towards other people.

In her essay about her failed marriage, and consequently her second marriage and her surprisingly amiable relationship with her ex-husband ("An Affair to Rememer," Vogue, February 2009), Isabel Gillies writes:

I believe in love. I believe in hard times and love winning. I believe marriage is hard. I believe people make mistakes. I believe people can want two things at once. I believe people are selfish and generous at the same time (emphasis mine). I believe very few people want to hurt others. I believe that life can surprise you. I believe in happy endings.

Ms. Gillies succintly expresses my own sentiments. If more people were as forgiving and optimistic as Ms. Gillies, I wouldn't have to argue so much about human nature.

Some Feast at Summer Palace

2009-01-28T15:39:00.013+08:00

In my family, occasions are marked with either a Chinese lauriat or a hotel buffet lunch/dinner (There's always a favored hotel at any given time, but what's annoying is it's about someone's privilege card in said hotel, rather than the food.) So it wasn't a suprprise that for our New Year's dinner last night, the family decided on a lauriat at Summer Palace in EDSA Shangri-La. (I love Summer Palace; every meal I've had there had been a real pleasure. But as yet, no lauriat except in wedding receptions.) The advance notice, though, was that this one would be different, largely because of the price tag.

Given said build up, I was quite underwhelmed when I read the menu. There wasn't an item there that was new to me. And many of the courses I've come to expect were missing: fried pigeon, crabs and the perennial starter, the cold cuts.

But then came the food.

Baked Lobster with ginger and spring onion

When my aunt saw that we were each being served individual baby lobsters, she started grumbling. The Chinese, or at least those in my family, have a tendency to be impressed with quantity, so she really wanted to be impressed with a huge single lobster than what was being served. But she was soon appeased by the maitre d', who brought the big lobster she tested during the day. It was tough, dry and not very tasty. My own little lobster was wonderful. It was cooked by the chef with an obvious love for the sea creature, letting the meat shine with just the right amount of help from the ginger, spring onions and light sauce. And the doneness was exactly right, so the meat could be pried out with very little effort.

Steamed fresh scallop stuffed in winter melon in garlic sauce

This dish is a staple in lauriats, but in the cheaper type, the scallop used is the dried variety, which hardly tastes like real scallops in its saltiness and, if undercooked, can be tough to chew. The present scallop wass fresh and ample-sized so that served by itself on the dish, didn't look diminished, but took on the beauty of a well-plated simple French dish. The flavors were familiar and yet so heightened, it felt like eating a new dish altogether.

Braised superior shark's fin

If you're a member of PETA, please don't despise me; I was brought up in a shark's fin-loving culture. In my family, it is prized above almost everything else, but I'd be the first to admit that until now, I'm still not sure if it actually prized for its taste or its perceived value. (I think the same way about caviar, which just tastes salty to me, really. Or truffles, which when comes as a supposed hint in oil, well, I don't know what it does to a dish.)

I've tried many a supposedly superior shark's fin soup, but this was the only one that deserved the superlative. When I saw the morsels in the soup, I was shocked by the sheer size of them. I'm really more used to sporadic strands of fin that you have to look hard to find among the other ingredients. In this soup, there was nothing but fin. All the other ingredients in this soup were so well incorporated into the broth that was so incredibly thick, incredibly deep and rich.

Pan-fried codfish in light soy sauce

I thought this was a really artistic dish. When the meat is good and fresh, there's hardly much one has to do with it, and this codfish commands that respect with its fatty flavors. Just a light batter whose crunchiness contrasted with the flaky tenderness of the fish. Oh and the parsley here could have been decorative but eaten with each bite of fish, gave a real bite.

Braised abalone with sea cucumber and seasonal vegetables

Veterans of lauriats would tell you that abalone is rarely served this way. They are more commonly served sliced thinly and interpersed among mushrooms and sea cucumber. Which is why when the waiter brought in this course in a huge platter, where the abalone and sea cucumber looked like rocks served on a bed of greens--I was entirely shocked. They were huge!

This one tasted more or less like the ones served elsewhere, but the sheer amount of it made it feel worth all the fuss.

Sauteed Beef with walnuts in taro basket

The superlatives end here. I really would rather have had pigeon at this point, even if I was already quite stuffed. Taro or gabi--along with kamote--is something I don't eat, I really don't know why.

Fried bihon, "Singapore style" and seafood fried rice wrapped in lotus leaves

There's some good sense in serving two carb dishes in a row just when you're about full. You get to savor all the preceding courses leisurely, and if you're still hungry, these will certainly make you feel bloated. But however good they are, you kind of do not care anymore. For me, at least the noodles were not the usual birthday noodles, and I liked the smoky curry flavor; as for the rice wrapped nicely in lotus leaves, I still think Yangzhou fried rice is better.

Steamed egg custard bun and Fried water chestnut pastry

I think Chinese dessert is a bit of an oxymoron. The simplicity of Chinese cooking methods carried over to their dessert preparation makes for uninteresting outcome. The "steamed egg custard bun" is chocolate-swirled siopao bun whose filling is a runny yellow substance that barely tastes like egg custard, and while I'm not sure what a water chestnut is and couldn't taste its essential flavor, at least the fried wrapper had a satisfying crunch.

So was the meal worth the money? You bet.

You can eat simply-cooked live seafood in the ubiquitous dampas or every other Chinese restaurant around. You can still eat the so-called prized items above in moderate portions in the same Chinese places, but they will invariably be cooked and served without care.

Of course there are still things that could've been better in this meal, especially the desserts, but it has reminded me that for all the good things to come together, you have to pay the price.

A Bit of Ruin, Lots of Cheer

2009-01-27T15:37:00.003+08:00

One of the pitfalls of having too much fun at your friends' wedding is that you forget you're wearing an off-white jacket, on which you'll discover in the morning stains of wine and others of uncertain provenance. And all you can do is hope that the drycleaners at Manila Pen, still known as the best in the business, would be able to rectify the mistake.

Meanwhile, I'd like to send my congratulations to Erwin and Angie on their very elegant and incredibly heartwarming wedding.

(Jacket by Joey Samson, from a peg by Band of Outsiders; shirt from Tyler; and bowtie from TieLine)

On Enduring Love

2009-01-20T17:49:00.004+08:00

A poem I wrote three years ago came to mind while reading Nothing But You. The title is borrowed from the Ian McEwan novel, but the poem is not inspired by the story.

Enduring Love

Things everywhere

not anymore remarkable

but for being

there—

simply,

not still. They meant

splendor,

once—

good but finally

only human

hearts, the intentions

they can have, then

not keep—

was it failure,

after? Mistake?

No.

It was, as when hold’s

no longer mistaken for

keep, less giving up

than in:

Let pass what must.

Or

Let us note this landscape and still love each other.

Not winter, not come.

Fall.

Go.

You, me,

we both.

We do not lose what we can not lose

and lose again.

Pre-Valentine Reading 2009

2009-01-19T19:27:00.003+08:00

Nothing But You: Love Stories from The New Yorker
Edited by Roger Angell

I have so far read fifteen of the 30-odd stories in this collection, and each story has been a marvel. Not every tale here is about romantic love, which makes it even better. Some great modern and contemporary masters, such as Cheever, O'Hara, Munro, Updike, Marquez, and Nabokov are here. And so are lesser-known writers.

Even just halfway through the book, I can already say I highly recommend it.

Afternoon Snack: Crab Cakes at Apartment 1B

2009-01-13T18:41:00.005+08:00

I forgot to take a photo of this delcious dish, which can be described thus: two hefty and moist crab cakes encrusted with crispy potato strips, and served on a bed of salad greens with raspberry vinaigrette.

What a great way to spend a solitary afternoon. Apartment 1B describes its offering as "gourmet comfort food." So comforting, you want to give the chef a hug of gratitude after.

Tigerlily

2009-01-12T15:14:00.003+08:00

I love the Tigerlily brand in Debenhams. It has some of the most adorable stuff for toddlers and kids. For Christmas, I got my goddaughter Julianna this faux fur-trimmed shrug/cardigan. Some day in the future, I hope, she will be delighted to see a photo of herself wearing this.

For warmer days, her mom can remove the fur collar and Julianna will still look chic. When it comes to style, it's good to start 'em young.

From Kyowa to... KingCom?!?

2009-01-08T18:55:00.004+08:00

Last April, a few months before the company I work for was acquired by a huge conglomerate, I waxed rhapsodic about Mister Donut Coffee in this entry, and at the same time bemoaned the condition of our coffeemaker.

Today, I am a loyal customer at Cafe Enzo and of their Lavazza Coffee. But shelling out at least P85 for a cup of coffee daily can tax the wallet in the long run. (The world being in recession mode, I want to be more prudent as well.) So I've been thinking of just buying the beans (or grounds) and brewing it myself.

Which brings me to the coffee maker pictured above. That, ladies and gentlemen, is the puny--and Kingcom? Really?--coffee maker that replaced the dilapidated Kyowa unit which I donated years ago.

Did I mention we're now a subsidiary of a huge conglomerate? Believe me, I'm in tears just typing this.

To Give and To Receive

2009-01-05T17:55:00.011+08:00

To give...

I loved shopping for presents for my goddaughters at David & Goliath, which is filled with shirts and stuff that feature irreverent and witty one-liners. For Sharlene, who's 14, I got this backpack.

It didn't occur to me that, at 14, she might no longer think that boys are "smelly" or "stupid" or "gross," the adjectives that are interchangeable according to her mood. So I was relieved to know she used the bag immediately for a Tagaytay trip after Christmas.

For six-month old Julianna, I got this shirt that says "Not Listening." I think it's just perfect for infants who are impervious to their parents' scolding.

To receive...

I'm not sure how I got the reputation for being a difficult person to find gifts for, but these two friends below gave me useful things which I love.

From Marilen, a "devil cup cap" that adds a little whimsy to the otherwise plain duo of jug and glass in my room.

And from Mona, something to keep me from littering the streets with cigarette butts.

And from myself, a pair of white shoes from Pedro. Actually an impulse buy, but Christmas is the best excuse to give yourself something, anything.

My 2008 in Receipts

2009-01-05T16:37:00.006+08:00

I'd like to wish everyone a happy new year, first of all. I hope that 2009 will be all about good things for all you.

Meanwhile, after a year's worth of receipts, invitations and mementos had been tacked onto its pages, this is how my 2008 Moleskine planner looks like. I'd like to think that I'd go back to it some day and remember my purchases and activities with perfect fondness.

And it feels nicely circular that the last receipt in my '08 planner is for my new Moleskine notebook, which I hope will be filled with good memories and new knowledge and, hopefully, some wisdom.

Again, my best new year's wishes to all!

It's Christmas!

2008-12-24T23:44:00.005+08:00

Haven't been in front of the computer much since I got back from Boracay, but I didn't want to miss sending out my holiday greetings. My Christmas wish for all of you: good health, prosperity, peace, and of course, great style.

Have a beautiful Christmas, everyone!

And I'm Off...

2008-12-17T01:11:00.004+08:00

Going to Boracay in the morning to attend my friend Annette's wedding on Thursday. I haven't seen Annette for years since our La Salle days, so I'm looking forward to catching up with her. And to get to know her about-to-be husband, whom I've never met.

It's my second time to attend a beach wedding in Boracay (last year it was also in December for my friends Criscy and Migs), but I still have no idea what to wear...

All I Want for Christmas...

2008-12-15T09:42:00.005+08:00

... is a medium-sized tool bag from The Gentlemen's League, designed by Seth Stevens and illustrated by Adam Rezak. US Vogue doesn't say, so I'm wondering how much a bespoke bag with personalized drawing will cost.

(Click on the photo to read the article and a have a clearer view of the bag.)

The Gift of Party

2008-12-15T08:21:00.006+08:00

These are the receipts I got from Astoria Plaza, The BlueFrog Wines, Rustan's Supermarket, High Top Supermarket and the friendly neighborhood beer distributor, Oliveros, for the following:

a 2-bedroom suite
16 bottles of wine
3 cases of beer
grocery items that went into the making of spaghetti in tomato sauce with meatballs and smoked cheese, calamari with garlic mayonnaise dip

Friendly neighborhood barbecuer Mang Greg delivered 100 sticks, but gave no receipt.

Anyway. Giving a party is so much easier for me than buying individual gifts for my friends. (Even if it means staying up late to chop tomatoes, squids and cheese... and taking several trips to buy ice from MiniStop to buy enough ice to cover a bathtubful of drinks.) Since I still cannot wrap my mind around the idea that "it's the thought that counts," I'm always mortified that I'll give the wrong gift. (Personally, I'm more offended by an unconsidered gift than receiving no gift at all.) Thus, I always tell friends instead of material things, I'm giving them the gifts of togetherness and merrymaking--two things we can never have enough of.

Fewer than expected went last Friday, but those who couldn't go had valid reasons, so it's fine. Those who came had a good time, by all indications. 'Til next year, friends. Thank you and merry Christmas!

New Stripes

2008-12-15T07:55:00.003+08:00

My third cardigan in a single week. Time to move on to other clothing items.

Striped cardigan from Tyler.

Party Music

2008-12-09T09:18:00.006+08:00

I've been asked to provide the music for tomorrow's company party, an easy task now that I've decided that I'd simply play the entire discography of Girl Talk aka the mashup DJ Gregg Gillis.

I was introduced to Girl Talk only this year, with the release of his CD Feed the Animals, a sonic collage that seamlessly samples over 300 songs in 15 amazingly fun tracks. I've since enjoyed all his others albums. And tomorrow, all my officemates will, too.

Today

2008-12-09T07:31:00.006+08:00

Because I'm almost always in monochrome, piling on three patterns is a personal breakthrough.

Table for One

2008-12-06T02:07:00.011+08:00

Cibo has become a default lunch place when I can't decide where to eat. And I no longer look at their menu because I always order the crabmeat pasta in tomato sauce.

Having defaults like this is great for when your date is just your own self. Just like in relationships with other people, you want to have little traditions with yourself.

Today's Lunch

2008-12-03T13:25:00.004+08:00

Pasta with tomato sauce and Italian sausage from Cafe Enzo: simple, tasty, filling and affordable.

The doggie bag: No, I didn't eat it for lunch, but I have a certain attachment to them (I think they're oddly romantic), and this one is particularly well-designed and made.