“Practice makes perfect!!!”—Alex Prieto
That is the iconic quote that hangs over the driving range at Manila Golf Club, placed there by champion golfer Alex “Poplex” Prieto, my late father.
Although not his original saying, the three exclamation points after the line is typical of Poplex. My father was so enthusiastic about the importance of practicing your swing, your stance, and your strokes. His discipline and skill on and off the golf course were passed on to his kids, grandkids, and everyone he had mentored all these years.
This year’s Thanksgiving celebration was extra special because it was also Poplex’s birthday in heaven. It would have been his 88th birthday, and we had all been planning on playing our annual family golf tournament in his name. We will surely continue that tradition and keep his golfing legacy alive. Our family will honor him again on his 40th day, which falls exactly on Christmas Day.
Prestigious honor
Last Thursday was also the Thanksgiving dinner hosted by the Gamboa family in celebration of their restaurant’s most recent award. Tsukiji Restaurant was recently honored as one of Tatler Asia’s Best 100 Restaurants Asia. My Assumption BFF Popsie Gamboa invited me to their intimate dinner celebration with chef J Gamboa, Malu Gamboa-Lindo, and the rest of the clan.
Tsukiji’s prestigious honor was given during a ceremony in Bangkok, attended by the Gamboa family and restaurateurs and chefs from all over Asia. This accolade comes at a momentous time as Tsukiji celebrates its 35th anniversary, marking over three decades of excellence in Tokyo izakaya-style cuisine.
The Gamboa family expresses heartfelt gratitude to their parents, Nards and Julie Gamboa, along with their partners, Yusuke and Minnie Katayama, for founding Tsukiji in 1989 at the Milky Way Building. Their vision was to bring authentic Tokyo izakaya-style cuisine to Makati, and this award is a testament to that dream.
Special thanks go to the Tsukiji team, particularly Liza and Bok, who have been part of the journey since 1962, as well as the entire team led by chef Oka. Sincere gratitude also goes to all their guests throughout the years.
Newest showroom
In spite of unfortunate events, we still have much to celebrate. My good friends Goldy and Kenneth Hing recently inaugurated their ultra-modern building, The Tile Gallery. This go-to destination for premium surfaces, furnishings, and fixtures, recently opened its newest showroom in San Juan, offering a curated collection of world-class brands in design and interiors. The Tile Gallery’s new presence in San Juan reinforces its brand mission to continue bringing the finest selection of luxury brands to the local market.
Founded in 2005 with brothers Kenneth and Raymund Hing at its helm, The Tile Gallery was initially established to meet the country’s growing demand for high-end ceramic, homogeneous, and porcelain tiles from all over the world. The showroom houses some of the finest brands in luxury interiors, from surfaces and tiles to furniture and bathroom fixtures.
The Tile Gallery building (Gallery 7, 191 A. Mabini St. San Juan or its other showroom at Bel-Air 2, 221 Nicanor Garcia St., Makati. You may also email inquiry@tilegallery.com.ph, follow @thetilegalleryph, or visit tilegallery.com.ph.) has several floors of home essentials like Olivari premium door handles from Borgomanero, Italy; Atlas Concorde luxury porcelain tiles with cutting-edge ceramic solutions; Meridiani furniture collections with sophisticated Italian craftsmanship; Ideagroup and its revolutionary bathroom furniture, and Kos-Zucchetti luxury taps, mixers, and bathing products. My favorite products include WaterCandy, an award-winning shower with hydrotherapy massage, and Quadrat Pool Relax, a free-standing tub that doubles as a relaxing mini infinity pool.
At the well-attended opening, guest of honor was architect Michael Vincent Uy, a Filipino Milan-based architect who is reshaping the design landscape here and abroad. At the helm of his rising portfolio, his notable works include Il Foyer at Teatro Alla Scala and luxury villas in Lake Como.
Lovely evening
Dec. 1 is upon us! That means Christmas is in full swing. Kicking off the key holiday season with a spectacular illuminated Christmas tree, Tiffany & Co. celebrates the season with aplomb. One lovely evening last week, market director Patrick Da Silva welcomed guests to Greenbelt 3 to officially witness the momentous light-up.
Alongside Da Silva and Mariana Zobel de Ayala of Ayala Malls management, seven of the countries’ most popular talents graced the event—James Reid, Sarah Lahbati, Michelle Dee, Liz Uy, Kylie Versoza, Tim Yap, and Jasmine Curtis-Smith.
This spectacular tree boasts the brand’s iconic Bird on a Rock design as a tree topper. First introduced in 1965, the Bird on a Rock design maintains its timeliness as it has for the past 60 years. The base of the tree features 480 backlit glass prisms. It took an entire week to assemble the tree after arriving from Milan, Italy. This event is the very first for Tiffany & Co. here in Southeast Asia.
This weekend is the mecca of bazaar shopping. In Rockwell, there is Artefino at The Fifth at Rockwell. There are curated gifts for everyone’s Christmas list. Each product supports a community and is proudly Filipino.
Over at the BGC area is the Bench/Katutubo Pop-Up Market. Apart from all the one-of-a-kind designer outfits, Katutubo also has so many gift ideas as well as Bench products.
Today, Dec. 1 is the last day of the Designers’ Holiday Bazaar. For 10 years, sisters Sofia and Bea Zobel have celebrated this bazaar to highlight the great work of Filipino communities. They are working closely with Ayala Foundation and Steps Scholarship Foundation to help many bright and talented children go to school.
With this in mind, I was happy to shop at the DHB at Glorietta Activity Center and quickly fill up my Christmas list! Let’s all spread love this holiday season! INQ
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