Red 16 february02092014

MICH DULCE Holds Her Head High

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FEBRUARY 2014

Editor’s Letter FRESH NEW AND UP AND COMING

PHOTOGRAPHY JO ANN BITAGCOL

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February is quite an exciting month, one about letting go of the past and looking forward to the future. More than Valentine's Day, I have to admit the Chinese New Year is one I am very enthusiastic about. Since I normally over-promise during the new year, it gives me a month to reassess my resolution and make it more realistic, which happens on Chinese New Year.

So after I snip off at least ten strands of hair, which symbolizes letting go off old and bad karma, I am reinvigorated and feel like I can conquer the world. I also look forward to my husband’s birthday, which happens a couple of days from Valentine's. This year, I plan to throw him a surprise dinner with a maximum of 12 guests. Normally by Valentine's I am too tired to think of anything, but I do look forward to the flowers he sends me. We have dinner at home with the kids, for fear of traffic, and just watch movies together as a family.

How do you spend your February? We came up with a few ideas for you: Get to know Mich Dulce (page 18), a colorful character that keeps things exciting with her avid passion for learning.

Invest in a Maureen Disini, a young budding designer that will surely go big. Learn about the birthplaces of the greatest artists on our travel section (page 26). Read the stories on this season’s designer prints (page 10) and use them for your personal style.

And with us, applaud Isa Lorenzo, a proponent of Filipino contemporary artists (page 30).

Ria Prieto

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Contents admiRED /18

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Mich Dulce Holds Her Head High

ON THE COVER: Hat, Mich Dulce; dress, vintage, model's own ON THIS PAGE: Hat, Mich Dulce; dress, vintage, model's own

8 10 18 24 26 29 30

art The humor and wit of Tammy David's photographic eye attiRED The new season starts awash in designer prints admiRED Mich Dulce speaks her mind inspiRED Creativity blooms within this square white space exploRED Traversing the origins of artistic geniuses inquiRED What's your favorite one-hit wonder? empoweRED Isa Lorenzo

Editor-in-chief Art Director Associate Editor Copy Editor

Ria Prieto Nina Muallam Mara Santillan Miano September Grace Mahino

Contributing writers

September Grace Mahino, Ginggay Joven-dela Merced, Nina Mendoza Tammy David, Noel dela Merced, Shaira Luna, Roy Macam

Contributing photographers External Relations Officer

Sophie Villanueva

Board Chairperson

Alexandra Prieto-Romualdez

Vice President, Advertising Pepito Olarte Business Development Manager Lou Gonzales Sales and Marketing Manager Cathy Bautista-Pumarega

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BETTER THAN ROSES Timeless pieces for your loved one on Valentine’s Day

Jewelmer Joaillerie’s Spring/Summer 2014 collection is a show of the brand’s leverage in innovation and keeping up with the times. The collection, launched last October at the Jewelmer Gala featuring fashion greats Patrice Ramos Diaz, Randy Ortiz, Rhett Eala, Ivarluski Aseron, Francis Libiran, JC Buendia, Jun Escario, Albert Andrada, and Jojie Lloren, revolves around the theme “l’accessoire dans tous ses états” or the accessory in all its states. It is a brilliant manifestation of the importance of accessories in a woman’s wardrobe — the pieces that enhance and complete a woman’s style. Creative Director Gaelle Branellec says, “Jewelry is the highest form of accessory, and we want to bring the power and impact of accessories in all our creations to the center of the public consciousness.”

The Via Rosa collection is a more contemporary execution for the modern Jewelmer Joaillerie woman. A successful, established woman may acquire it for herself as reward for her growing career. A quintessential gentleman may offer it as a gift, a show of his admiration for the woman with fine taste and an appreciation for things much longer-lasting than a bouquet of flowers.

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Jewelmer is an international luxury brand that was born out of a commitment to the world’s most lustrous South Sea pearls and exquisite fine jewelry that showcases the creative harmony of French design and Asian sensibilities. Established in 1979 by a French pearl farmer and a Filipino entrepreneur, Jewelmer has grown globally to represent a world of rarity and enduring elegance. Jewelmer is available at the Manila Peninsula Hotel, Makati Shangri-la Hotel, Glorietta 4, Greenbelt 5 and Alabang Town Center.

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YOUNG SOPHISTICATE

She’s the woman who got Mosaic clothes flying off the shelves last season. Designer Maureen Disini’s brand is growing rapidly, with an impressive clientele composed of celebrities, brides and top-notch influencers both in the Philippines and abroad. She shares with RED Magazine how she finds inspiration right in her own atelier: “This is my favorite spot at work. I’ve been collecting fashion books since [I was in] design school, and I had to make sure I had references to Grace Kelly, Jackie Kennedy and Princess Diana’s personal styles. I love how this Arturo Luz sketch complements this Liliana Manahan sculpture.

This blue coral, I got from W17, and the china are pieces I stole from my mother at home. And, since I travel around a lot, I tried to learn a few languages through books including Spanish, Japanese, some French and Italian.”—MSM For inquiries and appointments, email maureen@maureendisini.com

P H OTO G R A P H Y TA M M Y D AV I D

Designer Maureen Disini’s creative space

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BRIGHT NEW WORLD The new Tod's collection heralds a new direction for the luxury brand

D-Cube Bauletto Mini satchel; Cuoio Gomma T115 TT Maxi Frangia heels; Men's Mocassino Fondo Light TD Loafer in Blue Suede.

Tod's is available at Greenbelt 4 and Rustan's Tower, Shangri-La Plaza Mall.

Under the guidance of Tod's new creative director Alessandra Facchinetti, the brand reaches new heights with the use of modern technology. From the traditional handsewn process, Tod's has now branched into using machines to create laser-cut accessories, elevating production quantity without compromising the luxurious and refined quality that it is known for. "Made in Italy" remains imbedded in the Tod's DNA, with the leather selected from and processed in the country's best tanneries, and the craftsmanship backed by years of research.

Fachinetti's first designs for the brand debut in the Spring/Summer 2014 collection, which sees some of Tod's hallmark pieces in new forms and colors: The Gommino driving loafer in stripes and spots, and the leather moccasin in two-tone color contrasts of cream with navy, yellow with cream and pale blue with black. The new Ballerina Gommino comes in two styles, one fringed and the other with an ankle strap, and in bright red, pink and cream.

Fringe looks to be the defining element of the new summer style, appearing not only on Tod's high heels and flat sandals but also on some of its bags, such as the leather Bauletto.

Contrast stripes are another one, prominent on the Sella Bag, the Shopper and the classic Bauletto. Geometric panels also look to be in, seen on both the slouchy Bucket and the more structured D-Cube Bag. Rounding out the collection are the distinctive leather belts, bracelets and patterned silk scarves in shades complementary to the rest of the selection, which embody the season's spirit of relaxed luxury.—SGM

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SHE QUIPS

Wit fuels young lenswoman Tammy David

David's "Crown and Country" is a visual study of pageant culture in the Philippines

People in the arts and media industry know Tammy David as someone who can make anyone laugh five seconds into the conversation. “[She is] quick-witted. [Her] smarts and sense of humor come through not just in her words and actions, but in her photographs,” Isa Lorenzo tells.

Aside from her freelancing, David manages all online content for Silverlens Galleries. “We always love having her around.”

She started out as a writer. At 16, she wrote for 2bU!, the youth lifestyle section of the Philippine Daily Inquirer. “I got paid more whenever I would submit my text with photos,” David recalls. She wanted to take better pictures, hence she joined workshops, took internships, read books, signed up for portfolio reviews and attended photo festivals here and abroad. “Writing helped me value context in my images, especially as a documentary photographer. And like writing, one of the things that help me improve in photography is to read more.” Soon enough, she began getting less writing and more photography assignments. She shrugs, “I guess my pictures are better than my articles.” Today, almost 15 years after her incidental transition into photography, David’s works have been exhibited in Manila, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Hanoi, Jakarta, Seoul, Hamburg and London. She has also been awarded twice as one of the special artists of the ASEAN-Korean Multimedia Competition.

The photographs in this story are from three of David’s photo stories: “Crown and Country” is a visual study of pageant culture in the Philippines. “Size Matters” is about fat rights activists in America and “It takes an Island” is a series of self-portraits. David noticed that she is obsessed with how people perceive beauty and body issues — that is usually the common theme of her personal work. “People remember these images and it’s always a good feeling that your work leaves an impression, so I like these photos,” she says. “I’m grateful that I found stories or personal projects that I genuinely loved working on and that got great feedback. I can only wish the same for all photographers.”

David gets her inspiration from material she finds online: Profiles of people, odd news items and images she finds on Tumblr. She keeps up with the times; she is active on Twitter and Instagram, and her posts frequently

TOP: "Size Matters" is a series on fat rights activists in America.

LEFT: "It takes an Island" is a selection of selfportraits that revolve around David's favorite theme: The perception of beauty and body issues.

For more information on David's work and portfolio, visit www.tammydavid.com.

come with hilarious puns and captions. “I come across a topic, do a lot of online research, then start taking pictures to see if it has potential. Sometimes I put together my pictures and see if there’s a common theme, then edit, then shoot some more.

My photography is a lot of editing in that sense, I add and subtract.” And because of Silverlens, she is most of the time surrounded by art, both from here and abroad.

When asked what her dream photoshoot is, she quips, “I might as well put it out there: A portrait sitting with James Franco or Michael Fassbender!” Then adds, “But in all honesty, and as cheesy as it sounds, I’d like to think I’m already living the dream since I get to do what I love.” If given the chance, however, she thinks it would be great to move to London to assist one of her favorite photographers — the awarded portrait and landscape photographer Nadav Kander.—MSM

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Delving into the world of prints of Spring/Summer 2014 through the collections of five fashion designers, both novel and renowned W O RD S N I N A M E N D O Z A

DIANE VON FURSTENBERG DvF’s SS14 collection is elegance personified, with the twist of animalistic prints done in black and white as well as in solid and bold colors.

From shirt dresses to crop tops, the wide range of designs is definitely an oasis, hence the name given to the collection.

PRABAL GURUNG With Marilyn Monroe as his poster girl, Prabal’s collection shows elegance and strength. He opted for pattern layering that shows different takes on the rose. Bright colors were infused with the basic black and white in sizable coats, pencil skirts and off-the-shoulder necklines reminiscent of the 1950s. He is creatively daring with his use of screen-printed PVC as a coat and skirt and of plastic thread in his skirtsuits. He says of his collection, "I like the idea of femininity with bite".

DKNY Described as urban chic, DKNY brings back the '90s with its take on jean jumpers and rompers and its use of jersey fabric and baseball caps. The black and white paisley print is showcased in a swimsuit and a dress while the classic DKNY logo is embellished all over several garments, a trademark of the brand. Fabrics such as gauze, nylon and neoprene are present while prints are done in mostly bold hues of contrasting colors.

TANYA TAYLOR Described as "feminine, sophisticated and intelligent", Tanya Taylor's SS14 collection features strong and vivid colors with structured silhouettes. Stripes are present in a profusion of bright Crayola colors on one or two panels of a few outfits while floral prints are featured on fabrics such as organza and silk. The vibrancy of the ensembles displays a youthful aura that is simplistic yet artistic in its creation.

JEREMY LAING With the mantra "Work on paper, work on fabric" in mind, Jeremy Laing's impressive repertoire of functionally voluminous and unisex designs form his SS14 collection. He made prints showcasing abstract designs reminiscent of sweeping brushstrokes on a canvas, in a beautiful mirage of color combinations. He employed vertical stripes in most of his black and white pieces, as well as geometric shapes in see-through fabrics that are tailored expertly.

devouRED Cupcakes by Sonja is available at Power Plant Mall.

For inquiries, call (632) 915 2936 or email info@ cupcakesbysonja.com

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SWEET NEED NOT BE SERIOUS RED Magazine sits down with Cupcakes by Sonja’s Sonja Ocampo to discuss the ongoing innovations of her brand and her sincere love for dessert

What do you like to drink with your dessert?

Coffee.

What was the weirdest ingredient you ever put in your products?

Jalapeño!

Share with us a Cupcakes by Sonja secret.

Red Velvet was supposedly just a limited special flavor for the month.

It ended up being our number one bestseller, so we kept it!

What makes cupcakes better than most desserts?

They're chic, elegant, comforting, and cute! They are individually portioned so unlike cakes, no one has to argue about who gets the last bite. You can bring them anywhere at any time, and they're for anybody.

Ultimately, the flavor and design possibilities are endless!

How did you fall in love with baking?

I used to bake blueberry muffins with store-bought ingredients with my mom when I was a child. My biggest thrill was licking the batter off the bowl, right before they went into the cupcake pans.

How has the business changed after partnering with Anne Gonzalez?

I've learned and continuously am learning from them. They've allowed me and the business to grow creatively. By bringing in their expertise from their other retail brands, we've been able to bring cupcakes to a wider market.

How do you keep your brand fresh?

I travel and try to expose myself to different flavors and global trends.

We're also expanding our product line with new innovative flavors, like Chili Pepper, a collaboration with VL Farms and Pepper.ph. We also launched cake cups to benefit the kids of Move.org and the communities of Habitat for Humanity: Biscoff Crunch, Strawberry Tres Leches and Milk Chocolate/Hazelnut Praline.—MSM

PHOTOGRAPHY SHAIRA LUNA

What cupcake flavor makes you the happiest?

Hazelnut and Dark Chocolate

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MEN OF THE SEA Hermés’ latest scent is a brainchild of two men with opposite tastes The eleventh fragrance in the Hermessence collection, Épice Marine, takes its place in a field of expression that Jean-Claude Ellena has been exploring since 2004, but also outlines new shores for this collection. Épice Marine tells the story of a meeting between two men, Jean-Claude Ellena and Olivier Roellinger, a meeting between the perfumer from the south and the “cuisinier corsaire” (the pirate chef ). From smells to tastes, connections were established and they sustained the creative process of these two lovers of spices.

Inspired by this long-term meeting of minds, Jean-Claude Ellena brings us Épice Marine, an accord of spices, sea spray and ocean waters. Épice Marine is a wave of spices in northern seas. A blast of air that is as brisk as it is warm, stimulating and exhilarating. An incisive poem, a messenger of sea spray but also of feverish heat. A bottle and “saddle stitched” leather. Every fragrance in the Hermessence collection has its own corresponding livery drawn from the infinite variety of in-house leathers.

For Épice Marine, the spirit of the open seas lends its color to the bottle and the case thanks to a new combination: On the outside is Thalassa blue Swift calfskin, evoking the North Sea; on the inside slate is Mysore goatskin, an echo of mist and wet pebbles. Épice Marine is exclusively available at Hermés, Greenbelt 3

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ATTITUDE /‘ati,t(y)ood a settled way of thinking or feeling about someone or something, typically one that is reflected in a person’s behavior

Mich Dulce on family, feminism and dealing with the biggest mistake of her life

I N T E R V I E W M AR A S AN T I L L AN M I AN O P HOTO G RAP HY R OY M AC AM S T Y L I N G RI A P R I E TO M AK E UP M AY E S A D E L O S S AN TO S HAI R M ARK F AM I L AR A

”IF YOU HAD ME CHOOSE BETWEEN ART AND FASHION, I WOULD DROP FASHION IN A MINUTE.“

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Designer/milliner Mich Dulce hates the uppity idea of fashion, and emphasizes her vehemence with a firm tap on the table and some sneering profanity. “I hate fashion.

I can’t deal with that [sic]. I hate the word ‘fashionista’.” When she got casted in Pinoy Big Brother in 2008 and got labeled ‘The Fashionista’, Dulce exclaims that she wanted to die. “I hate that word, I think it’s the dumbest word on the planet.” She was angry, and was cursing at the cameras. “I hated PBB. It was the biggest mistake of my life, and you can quote me on that.” When people come up to Dulce and ask, “Are you that girl from PBB?”, she flips out. “Once, a cab driver asked me that and I answered, ‘Yes, but I’m talking to someone on the phone.’ Even if I wasn’t!”

Dulce resents that two-week television stint for one reason: She is an international brand, a lauded milliner, a feminist band frontwoman and an artist that just recently produced an attention-grabbing, controversial solo art show. She does not appreciate being remembered simply as “the girl from PBB,” and understandably so. Show business is just too small for a woman like her; Dulce speaks with such immense spunk, energy and honesty, this writer wouldn’t be surprised if she conquered the world.

“I can’t say I’m into fashion, because I don’t know anything about it except the things I like, such as vintage.” Dulce sees fashion as an art form. She does not give a damn about its jargons, runway seasons or politics. She simply loves to create. “I love making hats, but I hate the fashion part of it. I hate the business part because I’m not very good at it. I just want to make hats.”

Her venture into the industry began during a trip to London when she flew there to take over the family business. “It was like insurance or something, some huge moneymaking thing. But instead, I applied for an internship and got an offer to help make a dress. Just one dress.” She phoned her mother and dropped the bomb, “Guess what, I quit. I’m not doing your business. I’m going to study fashion.” Dulce expected her mother to be upset, but she wasn’t. “I have the most supportive mom ever,” she says proudly.

Her mother raised Dulce alone. Her father passed away when she was just five years old. “My mom is very conservative, but she is also very concerned about my happiness and well-being. She’s open-minded when it comes to things that she knows will make me a better person.” Dulce is disappointed when some people misunderstood her recent art show, “One Day I’ll Be Everything You Ever Wanted,” an ode to the contrast of Dulce’s feminist ideologies against her mother’s more traditional ones.

She states fiercely, “[Some thought] I had issues about her, but I don’t. This is what I am, and maybe the way I am now is because of what she taught me.”

Her mother was so strict, Dulce had no room to rebel. “When we had school field trips, I couldn’t even ride the bus. I had to be in a car behind the bus. I didn’t have a yaya, I had a midwife. That’s how bad it was.” Dulce’s acting nanny was the same woman who pulled her out of her mother’s stomach, and she’s still with her to this day. “She would wait for me outside of school every day. I couldn’t go out. I think that’s why I’m so interested in taboos.”

Dulce has a fondness for reading about unmentionables. “If you ask me about S&M, I can give you the whole dictionary of it,” she says matter-of-factly. She comes from a very conservative family, so when she grew older and realized that such illicit

”I LOVE LEARNING. I ALWAYS WANT TO KNOW ABOUT EVERYTHING. I WANT TO DO SO MANY THINGS.“

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worlds existed, she got obsessed and researched about them. “This is weird because I’m not interested about the sex particularly, but the weird stuff that revolves around it. I read about autobiographies, cultural movements and subcultures.” She owns a hipster handbook, books about punk, and autobiographies on strong female characters. “I love learning. I always want to know about everything. I want to do so many things.”

Months back, Dulce planned a fundraising for Yolanda. She could have just sold clothes to raise money, but she stubbornly refused. “I went, ‘I’m not going to sell stuff, I’m going to make this a huge project and raise millions.’ It speaks so much of how I am as a person.”

Go big or go home, as Dulce says. But she couldn’t lift the project off the ground, and she got upset, depressed, even. She admits that her number one flaw is that she does not take failure well.

“It’s my strong sense of competitiveness,” she admits. When she won first runnerup at the Mega Young Designers Competition in 2006, she was upset. “I was so bitter.

I really was. I always want to win. That year, the prize included a chance to move to Canada. I was like, ‘[I didn’t win] because I’m not for Canada, I’m for London!” But right now, who really cares? Once, when she was studying in Central Saint Martins, an instructor asked her to write concrete points on how she would measure her success.

She recalls writing immediately: For her brand to be sold globally. A goal achieved, and pursued continuously. Mich Dulce hats have stockists not just in London but also in New York, Tokyo, Singapore and Bangkok.

Dulce is nothing but strong-willed — she knows what she wants, and she will go out there and get it. Men must be intimidated, this writer remarks. When the topic of dating comes up, she immediately comments, rolling her eyes, “Oh my God, I am so undateable.” But Dulce admits she loves online dating, and even met a friend through it who gave her what she thinks is the best advice. “He said to me, ‘If people are intimidated by you because you’re too strong, it just means you have to date a higher kind, someone who will not be intimidated.’”

And finally, she reveals her aspirations on having a family. “I want kids. I’m built to have a family, to be a wife, and I don’t see anything wrong with that,” says Dulce resolutely. She believes one does not need to reject femininity to be a feminist. “That’s my take on feminism. I don’t want to be the man of the house, I just want to raise my kids really well.” Dulce tells, almost like a promise, that the only time she will be complacent about her craft is when she becomes a mother. “It's such a big part of being a woman. Why would that be a bad thing? It’s just making your own decisions.

Feminism is about the freedom of choice of what you want to do and which parts of being a female you're willing to embrace. It’s not settling for something [outside the norm], it’s just choosing what you want to do, and having the freedom to do it.”

But she raises her hands in indignation and says, “But I have the worst love life in the world!” She partly blames it on her moving around a lot: She’ll spend a few months in New York, move to London, then to Paris and Manila and back. Although as she gives this interview, Dulce is hours away from a flight to Paris where she will reside for a few years, and it will be the first time she will be staying in one city for quite a while.

Maybe she’ll settle down, maybe she won’t, but at the young age of 32 with a global brand under her belt, there is no cause for worry.

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OPPOSITE PAGE: Men's polo, Paul Smith, Greenbelt 5

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NEW SCHOOL

This private residence houses an art school that breaks all the rules AS S E E N O N W W W.C UR I O US S E T T I N G .C O M

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Maxine Syjuco comes from a family that pioneered Filipino postmodernism. Her father is known for literary hybrids and her mother is a performance artist. Her elder sister designs accessories. Art runs in their blood, and this four-story 400-square-meter dwelling serves as a depository of the family’s works.

When people hear the word “gallery,” they automatically perceive it as a big white space with paintings on the walls. But the family seeks to open viewers’ eyes to all kinds of genres, from installation art to performance art to video. The front facade, mostly glass, deftly displays the artworks and sparks curiosity among the passers-by even amid the neighboring upscale homes and large trees. The walls inside are stark-white; it is the art and lush outdoor greenery that bring color and warmth. The bathrooms are surprisingly in black, illuminated with well-placed lamps that create dimension. Everything in the house, from the furniture to the lighting to the dividers, are curated like they’re artworks in themselves.

There is an area especially allotted for her art classrooms. Curious Setting documents her passion for the craft in this interview: What do you do?

I’m a full-time artist. I run an art school for children, and I work tirelessly on my own art during the rest of the day.

PHOTOGR A PHY ED RI C CHE N

How would you define your work?

I define my work as a pilgrimage to the human soul.

The Syjuco family's gallery is a hub for creativity expressed through different mediums. Though filled with art, the expanse of glass, white walls and natural light always give the space more room for artistic expression.

Through art, I find that I’m able to claw at the many layers of “self ”— dissevering the surfaces that ultimately lead to the core of what makes us human.

What was the first art piece you ever made?

When I was 5 or 6, I sculpted a clay mug with the form of my dad’s face kneaded into it.

What time do you like to work?

From sunset to sunrise. I work best when I’m alone with my thoughts. Give me a glass of water, good music, a book or two, and I can live inside my studio forever.

Why teach kids art?

Children make the most imaginative artists. Without pretenses, they freely view the world as one gigantic playground. What better way to grow up than by realizing that the freedom to be exactly who you are is a right that we must fight for?

What’s the first thing you teach in art class?

The nonexistence of rules when it comes to art-making. I ask my students to be openhearted, open-minded, and boldly courageous in creating expressions of themselves. Life is too short to be lived with a lack of color.

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ROMANTICIZING THE ROMANTICS …And the places that inspired them W O R DS GI N G G AY JO V E N - D E L A M E RC E D P HOTO G R AP HY N O E L D E L A M E RC E D

Enter the realm of any great artist in history and you’re bound to discover an indescribable sense of beauty, an unbearable kind of pain and the unfathomable connection between the two.

Centuries on, the cobblestoned steps of these artists’ birthplaces reveal the foundation of their brilliance. Though the beginnings of their emotive pursuits and artistic genius may have later heightened to the level of obsessive madness, their amorous undertones – whether it be in triumph or tragedy – remain apparent.

STRATFORD-UPON-AVON, ENGLAND The birthplace of William Shakespeare At the heart of Warwickshire in England is the bewitching town of Stratford-Upon-Avon, best known as the hometown of the great poet and playwright William Shakespeare.

Just a little over 160 km from London, Stratford-Upon-Avon is about two hours away from the England capital. While trains and coach tours are aplenty, the best way is to take a nice car drive to enjoy the stunning countryside scenery.

LEFT: The path leading to the Holy Trinity Church Stratford-Upon-Avon, the resting place of the greatest playwright/poet in history, William Shakespeare FROM TOP: A meadow affront William Shakespeare’s wife Anne Hathaway’s Cottage; The famous steps of Henley Street where William Shakespeare was born and grew up; The Bard’s birthplace

The Bard’s World: • William Shakespeare’s birthplace on Henley Street – Known as the mecca for literature enthusiasts, many make the trip just to pay homage to the Bard here. This half-timbered 16th century home turned museum is filled with Shakespeare memorabilia.

• Anne Hathaway’s Cottage – A thatched cottage fashioned in Tudor-style architecture, this 12-bedroom farmhouse is where young Shakespeare is said to have wooed his wife, Anne Hathaway.

• Holy Trinity Church – Shakespeare was baptized in this church, and it later became his resting place alongside his wife Anne Hathaway, daughter Susanna, son-in-law John Hall and grandson-in-law Thomas Nash.

• Nash’s House and New Place – The place where Shakespeare retired and eventually passed, New Place was sadly torn down but the garden remains.

Nash’s House is the only entry point to this garden, the home of Thomas and Elizabeth Hall Nash, the Bard’s granddaughter.

• Royal Shakespeare Theater – A few experiences match seeing the Royal Shakespeare Company perform, the world’s premier ensemble that brings to life Shakespeare’s full repertoire. This is the ultimate must of any visit to Stratford-Upon-Avon.

DELFT, THE NETHERLANDS The birthplace of Johannes Vermeer Johannes Vermeer is one of the most formidable painters of the Dutch Golden Age. He is best known for his depiction of Dutch domesticity in the 17th century – mostly of women – set in enclosed spaces within his native Delft. Think “The Milkmaid,” “Woman With A Water Jug” and his most popular work “Girl With A Pearl Earring.”

Vermeer’s birthplace, Delft, is an hour-long train ride away from the more popular Dutch destination Amsterdam. Though Vermeer’s most celebrated works are housed in nearby The Hague, it is in Delft where the master captured his immortal portrayals through his art.

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The charming and quaint Oude Delft Canal; The old-world appeal that Vermeer made apparent in his works lingers in the streets of modern-day Delft; The impressive structures of Salzburg served as landmarks of Mozart's life.

Delft Dutch Treats: • Vermeer Centrum Delft – This museum showcases the story of Vermeer’s life and samples of his work. Particularly interesting on the second floor are the love messages from the Vermeer Exhibition where love secrets from Vermeer’s works are revealed and explained.

• Oude Kerk – The Old Church is the resting place of Johannes Vermeer. It was built during the medieval period and rings over the charming Oude Delft Canal. It is especially captivating when the canal is lined with beautiful Dutch blooms and lovely terrace boats.

• Nieuwe Kerk – The New Church majestically towers over the Markt, the square at the heart of Delft, lined with quaint shops, restaurants and cafes. A spectacular view of the entire Delft can be seen from the tower.

• Delft is a place to discover and explore. It possesses an old-world charm that makes for a relaxing and pleasant day-trip excursion.

SALZBURG, AUSTRIA The birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Although musical savant Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart spent most of his prolific years in Vienna, Paris and Prague, it is in the midst of the Salzburg hills where his music first came alive.

Tourists flock Getreidegasse 9 in Old Town Salzburg, across the Salzach River, to visit the composer’s birthplace, a yellow building named Hagenauer House. He later resided in Markatplatz just around the corner. The Mozart Memorial beacons the Mozart Square, a fitting remembrance to the musical genius.

The Sound Of Mozart’s Salzburg: • Getreidegasse 9 Mozart Birth House – The museum traces the family history and life in Salzburg during Mozart’s time. Visitors also experience how different operas were staged, and see some of the composer’s most important keyboards and portrait.

• Mozart’s Apartment Museum – This is the larger residence that the family moved into when Mozart was a teenager. There are four original and historic keyboards here, as well as the famous family portrait painted shortly after Mozart’s mother died.

• Statue at Mozartplatz – Erected in 1844, this was the first monument dedicated to the great composer. The perimeter of the square finds the Salzburg Museum and Mozart’s last residence where his wife Constanza lived.

• Salzburg Cathedral – Mozart was baptized here.

• St. Peter’s Church – The first performance of Mozart’s C Minor Mass was performed in this beautiful Baroque church on October 26, 1783.

•

inquiRED

4 None Blondes' “What’s Up"

—CHICO CRISTOBAL

Kula Shaker's “Govinda"

Bachelor Girl's “Buses and Trains"

—MIA TENGCO

—GABBIE TALAN

WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE ONE-HIT WONDER?

Nena's “99 Red Balloons" or Queensryche's “Silent Lucidity”

C OMPIL ED BY R IA PRI ETO

—AIMEE MARCOS

Blind Melon's “No Rain" —GIAN ROMANO

The Troggs' “Wild Thing" —ROMEO LEE

empoweRED

SHOW MASTER Artist and creative force Isa Lorenzo champions local artists for international recognition

Silverlens Galleries founder Isa Lorenzo has been successfully aiding the push to bring the Philippine art industry into the international scene. She has collaborated with top-tier contemporary artists, garnered a solid base of local and international collectors and has sent talents abroad for international recognition she believes Filipino artists much deserve. The 39-year-old is also an acclaimed photographer; her book Filipinas, a series of portraits of influential and brilliant Filipino women, became part of a UNESCO exhibition to celebrate International Women’s Month in Paris.

Tell me about your decision to pursue media and photography after medicine.

Was it a difficult leap to take, or has it been at the back of your mind ever since?

“That was a long time ago. I don't think about it much. Being a part of the UPPGH system was a very rich experience.

I would not have traded it for anything.

Building Silverlens was and is very much an application of the discipline, the patience and the consistency necessary to survive med school. It was not so much a leap but a change of focus in what I wanted to do.”

FROM TOP: Isa Lorenzo at the courtyard of the Lee Ufan Museum in Japan (photo by Rachel Rillo); Some of her personal works: Consort M (2009), White (2009) and Pawn (2010)

What is most fulfilling about curating art?

“I don't really curate the shows but participate heavily in making them happen.

It's a team effort we have. My favorite part of it is the day we hang the shows, when it all comes together. That day is the culmination of anywhere from six months to one year of planning. To see it happen is always very exciting, and we get to do this fairly often.”

Among the shows you've organized, do you have a particular favorite? Are there shows more memorable than others?

“I enjoy all the shows. I know that's such a generic thing to say, but it is true. Every show is different. Some shows are harder than others, depending on the artists and how well they are able to put forward their ideas. I am also always most excited about the shows that have yet to happen, about what is next. This is the big push all the time: To make the next one better than the last.”

How has your father influenced you?

“My father was not artistic, but he was an athlete and a farmer. He was an incredible judge of character. And so gracious.”

What are you most excited about as of the moment?

“I’m excited about going to work today… and for the Art Fair Philippines coming up, and our shows this month."

Silverlens will be featuring these artists, to name a few: Chinese artists Lin ChuanChu, Mia Lu, Jhong Jiang-Ze, Juin Shieh and Shi Jin Hua, together with Philippine artists Marina Cruz and Vic Balanon.

Tokyo's Ota Fine Arts has also given them a Yayoi Kusama exhibition. The third show is a collaboration between Christina Dy and Corinne de San Jose; the duo was last seen in ParisPhoto in November where their work was singled out as some of the best coming from Asia.—MSM

First Responder (2013)