For the love of coffee

Toby’s Estate Coffee Roasters started serving good quality coffee in a few dedicated neighborhoods here in Manila last year. The well-loved specialty coffee house now opens its biggest branch at Whitespace in Pasong Tamo, which is also set to be its headquarters in the city. This branch in Makati City has a roasting facility and a spacious area where everyone can get together, all for the love of coffee.

The company was founded by Toby Smith, who, after leaving his career as a lawyer to follow his passion for coffee, has now become a leading roaster, barista and coffee authority in Australia. Toby was present during the launch, which also happened to be his birthday celebration.

The coffee house’s new branch is bright and airy and has a welcoming space that will wake up this quiet little corner of Pasong Tamo. Cupping sessions and coffee workshops will be held regularly and the space will be offered for pop-up events in an effort to achieve this branch’s vision to eventually become a hub for the local community and the people from the coffee industry.

Following its launch, Toby’s Estate Pasong Tamo held a Latte Art Throwdown, where fellow cafe owners, baristas and coffee enthusiasts were present for a fun industry competition.

Ian Paguiligan of UCC won the evening’s most coveted prizes along with industry bragging rights. John Perry Perez of Tiong Bahru Bakery flew all the way from Singapore and won second place while Grace Ocampo of Solaire won third place.

Legaspi Village, Greenhills, EDSA Shangri-La and Shangri-La BGC will soon be served coffee from Toby’s Estate as it opens more branches in the future.

(For more information, visit @tobysestateph on Instagram.)

A showcase of tradition

The historical town of Miagao in Iloilo has taken a vital step towards ensuring the continuation of one of its most treasured heirloom industries — the hablon.

Hablon, derived from the Hiligaynon word habol, which means “to weave,” was once the biggest industry of the island of Panay. Hablon today is being produced almost solely by elderly women with little interest from the new generation in continuing the practice.

In an effort to preserve tradition and showcase the versatility of the fabric, Miagao Mayor Macario Napulan started the Hablon Festival. This festival centers on activities promoting the fabric including Little Miss Hablon, a concept of fashion designer and hablon advocate Nono Palmos.

Sixteen contestants aged seven to 10 were provided with a pack of varied patterns of hablon handpicked by Teral Inc., a design and textile house in Manila that has made direct investments into the weaving centers in Miagao. They were given the creative freedom to work with their chosen designers to create their dresses for the four segments of the show — Muslim-inspired, casual wear, patadyong and long gown.

The winners are Michaela Dyna Hernaez, Little Miss Hablon 2015; Julianne Marie Namo, first runner-up; Ma. Alexy Cala-or, second runner-up; Princess Ashley Nicole Mollenido, third runner-up; and Leiyan Loraine Fandagani, fourth runner-up.

Little Miss Hablon 2015, directed by Rockstar Events’ Alvin de Garmo, was co-produced by the Miagao local government unit headed by Mayor Napulan with the Miagao-based foundation Salakayan Inc. and Teral Inc.

The pageant, hosted by Donna Marie Mabulav with Star Magic’s Grae Fernandez and model Vince Velasco, was supported by the Department of Tourism Region 6 through director Helen Catalbas, Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog, Cosette Defensor, Gov. Arthur Defensor, lawyer Lorenz Defensor, Provincial Board member Ninfa Serag-Garin and Miagao Vice Mayor Leonardo Naldoza.

Esperienza Italiana

Makati Shangri-La’s Esperienza Italiana is a week-long festival that promises a total sensory experience of the Italian culture. The celebration will highlight three main events: Aperitivo Italiano, L’Artisan dinner by Michelin-starred chef Rocco Iannone and That’s Amore, an exclusive concert featuring the Manila Symphony Orchestra.

In Aperitivo at Sage Bar, set on Oct. 19, 21 and 23, 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., guests can experience authentic Italian tradition through good food, great wine and excellent company. As part of Aperitivo, Paul & Shark and Piquadro will showcase their latest trends on Oct. 23.

Chef Rocco Iannone will also take you on a gastronomic journey through a five-course dinner entitled L’Artisan. Demonstrating his respect for ingredients, he has created a menu of traditional Italian dishes and light classics exclusively for Makati Shangri-La, Manila. Each dish blooms with flavor when paired with premier estate family wines, which will available from Oct. 20 to 23 at Sage Bespoke Grill from 6 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. 

On Oct. 22 at 7:30 p.m., the 30-piece Manila Symphony Orchestra, along with three tenors and one soprano, will transform the Lobby Lounge into a unique Italian musical theater with That’s Amore, the repertoire consists of contemporary and classic songs illustrating the Italians’ vitality and passion for life. 

(For inquiries and reservations, call 813-8888 or e-mail [email protected].)

Sound for the senses

Guests and music enthusiasts bore witness to Bang & Olufsen’s 90th anniversary with the reveal of its Love Affair collection at Shangri-La Plaza Mall recently.

The collection featured the Danish consumer electronic company’s much-loved pieces with a rose gold finish crafted to provide elegance and entertainment quality to each home.

Regional sales manager for Southeast Asia Casper Steenkjaer said, “While white gold represents friendship and yellow gold means fidelity, rose gold represents love and is therefore the ultimate inspiration for this collection.”

The Love Affair collection consists of the recently launched BeoVision Avant 85; the all-in-one entertainment solution BeoVision 11-46; BeoRemote One; magic-touch BeoPlay A9 music system; the elegant and lightweight BeoPlay H6 headphones; and the classic, slender and straight-lined BeoLab 18 with a new walnut lamella front and a cabinet in a stunningly elegant rose golden version.

(The Bang &Olufsen showroom is located at Level 2 East Wing at Shangri-La Plaza Mall, Mandaluyong City.)

(Follow me on Instagram @pepperteehankee.)