Timeless Tadashi

Internationally acclaimed design house Tadashi Shoji continues its global expansion with an exciting new premier boutique at the second level of Rustan’s Makati. The 80-sq.-m. boutique offers eveningwear, cocktail dresses as well as childrenswear and evening bags.

Tadashi Shoji with muses (from left) Divine Lee, Marilen Montenegro and daughter Sabie, Grace Barbers-Baja, Audrey Tan Zubiri and daughter Adriana and Zsa Zsa Padilla.

Gracing the boutique opening were muses dressed in Tadashi Shoji: Audrey Tan Zubiri and daughter Adriana, Divine Lee, Marilen Montenegro with daughter Sabie, Grace Barbers-Baja and Zsa Zsa Padilla.

The brand’s Fall/Winter 2018 collection is characterized by glitter with elaborate beading and loose silhouettes. The pieces focus on accentuating a woman’s natural curves and the dresses delicately bare the shoulders.

Global culinary talents

The Lee Kum Kee International Young Chef Chinese Culinary Challenge panel of judges. (From left) Chefs Chen Hui Rong, Kondo Shinji, Leung Fai Hung, Li Yao Yun, Lu Ching Lai, Pung Lu Tin and Jacky Yang.

Filipino chefs Elmar Ruelo of Wangfu, Joel Aroy of King Chef and John Flores of Grand Convention Centre Cebu  won bronze awards at Lee Kum Kee International Young Chef Chinese Culinary Challenge 2018 held in Hong Kong recently. The competition welcomed 42 aspiring young chefs from 17 countries where each participant created a dish in 90 minutes using designated ingredients paired with Lee Kum Kee sauces and condiments.

“This year’s contest is based on the theme of ‘Excel on Traditions Converging Global Culinary Talents,’ with participants harnessing their creativity and culinary skills to create sumptuous and delectable dishes,” said judge chef Li Yaoyun, speaking on behalf of the panel of judges composed of distinguished Chinese chefs.

Ruelo created his Stir Fry Chicken with Plum and Oyster Sauce; Aroy cooked his Pan Seared Striploin; and Flores made his Crispy Prawn in Char Siu and Scallop Sauce.

Lee Kum Kee Sauce Group chairman Charlie Lee (center) during the award presentation dinner.

The Lee Kum Kee International Young Chef Chinese Culinary Challenge is a biennial contest that promotes Chinese cuisine.  On its third edition, the competition received support from 22 culinary associations across the globe including Le Toque Blanche Chef Association Philippines, represented this year by chef James Antolin of Ikomai Japanese Restaurant and chef Fernando Aracama of Aracama Restaurant. 

During the grand award presentation dinner, Lee Kum Kee Sauce Group chairman Charlie Lee announced that the company is establishing the Lee Kum Kee Hope as Chef Charitable Foundation with the aim of lifting the group’s key corporate social responsibility program “Hope as Chef.” The CSR program supports youths from less developed regions who wish to become chefs by providing them with professional Chinese culinary training. 

Chef Joung Duck Su from Korea won the “Lee Kum Kee 130th Anniversary Best Heritage Tasting Award” as well as the “Most Creative Award.” Chef Yip Ming Wai from Hong Kong won the “Best Sauce Combination Award,” while chef Hikita Shoichiro from Japan won the “Best Presentation Award.”

Insulae Indiae Orientalis

Murillo 1749, Mapa de las Yslas Pilipinas authored by Father Pedro Murillo de Velarde S.J., engraved by Nicolas de la Cruz Bagay.

For the first time in Southeast Asia, antique map collectors will gather in Manila for a series of lectures centered on the role and importance of historical cartography of the Insulae Indiae Orientalis or the East Indies Islands through the 36th International Map Collectors Society (IMCoS) Symposium on Oct. 15 to 17 at the Ayala Museum in Makati City.

The symposium is presented by the Ayala Museum and Gallery of Prints, with the support of IMCoS and the Philippine Map Collectors Society (PHIMCOS).

Speakers include Martine Chomel Harent, former curator of the Mexico National History Museum, who will talk about the galleon trade between Manila and Acapulco from the Mexican perspective, supported by antique maps that outline the historical trade route; Ambeth Ocampo, who will discuss the emergence of the Filipino nation through displayed ancient and manuscript maps; and Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio Carpio, who will share about the pivotal role of antique maps in the controversial South China and West Philippine Sea dispute.

The symposium includes afternoon visits and special viewing of numerous collections of the Ortigas Foundation, Lopez Museum and the University of Santo Tomas Heritage Library.

International Map Collectors Society Philippine representative Rudolf J. H. Lietz.

A special exhibit at the Ayala Museum will showcase antique originals of the maps presented in the lectures.

A significant feature of the exhibit is the “Murillo Room,” which will display the largest number of Murillo maps, regarded as the “Mother of all Philippine Maps,” including the famous acquisition of Filipino technology entrepreneur Mel Velasco Velarde.

IMCoS Philippine representative and 2018 symposium organizer and exhibit curator Rudolf J. H. Lietz of the Gallery of Prints said, “I am very happy to present an exhibition of over 150 original maps and prints assembled from the collections lent by presenters from the Philippines and overseas, my personal collection, fellow members of PHIMCOS, the Gallery of Prints.”

The exhibit will be open to the public ahead of the event from Oct. 9 to 14 but will be temporarily closed during the symposium and will resume on Oct. 18 to 28.

The 36th IMCoS Symposium 2018 is a two-part event in Manila and Hong Kong. The Hong Kong part is separately organized by the Hong Kong Maritime Museum and the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Library, which will run on Oct. 19 and 20.

(For more information, e-mail [email protected], call  821-7181 (press 5 on voice prompt) or visit www.imcos-2018-manila.com and www.imcos.org. Gold sponsors for this event are Aboitiz Foundation and Unionbank. Bronze Sponsors are Mapfre Insular and Alsons Insurance Brokers Corporations. ANC is the official media partner.)

‘Mementos of Europe’

Artwork by Oscar Zalameda.

Harringtons Lifestyle Auction by HMR will hold an estate auction dubbed “Mementos of Europe” on Oct. 13, 2 p.m. at the newly acquired showroom located at PTX Zentrum, 2326 Pasong Tamo Extension, Chino Roces Ave. in Makati City.

Bidders will have access to a total of 250 lots featuring quality European furniture, silverware, decorative art and furnishings as well as artworks by Filipino masters and contemporary artists like Oscar Zalameda, Jeff Dizon, Tony Mahilum and Juvenal Sanso.

Bidding prices can start as low as P100 or as high as P1 million depending on the items and bidders. There are several “No reserve” items among the lots, which can be sold at any price. 

Harringtons GM Cila Chua said, “Whether you are a large-scale commercial buyer, a collector, an interior designer, or someone who is simply looking for new pieces for home, the curated auction will have something that suits every taste and budget. We at Harringtons by HMR are dedicated to bringing the best items at reasonable prices.”

Preview period is ongoing from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily until the day of the auction.

(For more information, call 0917-8308056 or 548-6986.)

(Follow me on Instagram @pepperteehankee.)