Expats in the Philippines share how our New Year’s Eve traditions compare to theirs When you’re far away from family and long-time friends, how do you ring in the new year? While living in Kuala Lumpur, we started our tradition of welcoming the New Year in a different place from the last....
Sorting out holiday wines with Australian ambassador Steven Robinson WINE PRO Australian ambassador Steven J. Robinson Merry Christmas, everyone. As this column comes out, the worst of the holidays—a.k.a preparing for it—is behind us. All that’s left to do is to enjoy great food and look...
A get-together over wine and nibbles with friends from Belgium SAY CHEESE The St. Maure de Durbuy (ashened cheese on the right) was an instant favorite The holiday season is in full swing and I have a confession to make. I’m not the biggest fan of Christmas. I know it makes me sound like a...
Touched by angels CHERUBS AND TREES In photo: Ambassador Gaschen with QC Mayor Joy Belmonte and guards of QC Female Dormitory. Cover design by Jules Vivas By this time, Christmas decorations are starting to go up in most Filipino homes. That is, if they haven’t been there since September. There...
From Berlin to Seoul TEAM PHILIPPINES All smiles as the Ambassador engaged with Team Philippines at the Embassy, immediately after her presentation of credentials After a highly productive stint in Berlin, Ambassador Maria Theresa ‘Tess’ Dizon-de Vega is now the Philippines’ top envoy to...
Indoor farming was something I first encountered in Berlin back in 2017. As only the freshest regional ingredients—preferably foraged in a nearby forest—became the trend for most Michelin-starred joints in Europe, it was only a matter of time technology entered the picture. Why leave it to...
Meet Japan’s new ambassador to the Philippines, Kazuhiko Koshikawa, who is enthusiastic about everything, including the barong Tagalog, sinigang, Astroboy, and Pikachu MERIKURISMASU The holidays have begun in the Japanese ambassador's residence Ambassador Kazuhiko Koshikawa is not the first...
PICTURESQUE The Palacio de Memoria as seen from the restaurant, The Loggia My first visit to Palacio de Memoria was on a weekend back in June when it had one of its flea market events. Antiques and art were being sold along with fine food and premium alcohol. It was Manila’s version of Berlin’s...
AREIT Inc. (AREIT), the pioneer real estate investment trust in the Philippines, is moving towards net zero operational emissions and is on track to be the country’s first carbon neutral REIT. In a statement, AREIT underscored its commitment to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG)...
After moving online last year, the Olympics of the publishing world returns, bringing in thousands of publishers and authors to Frankfurt from Oct. 20 to 24. It’s going to be the Philippines’ sixth consecutive year of participation. BLIBLIOPHILES DREAM Frankfurt book fair 2017 (AFP) I’ve long...
To this diplomat’s wife and executive coach, the key to success is nourishing your different needs as a human being CONFIDANTE TO LEADERS Matilda Ciro In a world where standards are set so high, is it possible to have it all? There’s a lot to do every single day and with only 24 hours at our...
My paternal grandmother in the Danish side of my family was a model when she was younger. She died at the age of 96 in Copenhagen around five years ago. My father still loves to mention her during our phone calls. Maybe because he’s painfully aware of how fond I am of her even though we didn’t...
