“Whatever we plant in our subconscious mind and nourish with repetition and emotion will one day become a reality.” —Earl Nightingale

Whether life as we know it is a grand adventure or currently an uphill battle, it is crucial that we always try to fill ourselves with the right positive mindset that will allow us to reach the full purpose of our existence. By boosting our mental health and well-being through self-care and meditation, we are better able to see the journey that lies ahead of us.

We all have the capacity for growth and change—it just takes the courage to open yourself up to new opportunities and pathways, and to let go of the things dragging us behind.

As I continually explore this newest chapter of my life, I find myself becoming more grounded in and surrounded by love. I am filled with excitement and celebration, and every day feels like a new delightful blessing, one where I can get all glammed up and socialize with people I truly value.

If you have ever seen any of my pictures, there is no doubt that I am a certified lover of hats. So I was ecstatic when my good friend Bambina Olivares invited me to check out one of the newest exhibitions at The Metropolitan Museum of Manila, “The Hat of the Matter.” The show is an examination of hats and headwear as wearable and conceptual art through a uniquely Filipino perspective, all curated by Bambina herself.

According to her, “Today, hats are as much expressions of personal style as they are vessels of creativity, experimental canvases for artists to explore the intersection of art, fashion and utility. As headpieces, they encompass the functional to the theatrical, the fantastical to the conceptual, showcasing unfettered creativity whilst embodying a multitude of issues and attitudes that invite closer consideration, such as climate change, power structures, colonialism and collective memory, income inequality, global supply chains, gender roles and female empowerment.”

‘The M’

There are two more exhibits available to see at The Metropolitan Museum of Manila, now nicknamed The M. As you enter the new museum on the ground floor, you first take in superstar artist Ronald Ventura’s show-stopping large-scale pieces, both along the alleyway fronting the building as well as in the ground space gallery. Titled “Quick Turn on Hyper Highways,” the exhibition dovetails with Ventura’s obsession with sports cars and speed, which he expressed with an astounding kinetic energy.

In the third floor south gallery is a beautifully curated exhibition, “Korea: A Land of Hats,” that showcases Korea’s centuries-old hat culture that reached its apogee during the Joseon dynasty. It’s a very special exhibition that will delight fans of K-drama as well as history and culture buffs.

After more than two years of hiatus, The M soft opened its new art spaces in Bonifacio Global City last month. The M’s new home is designed by the New York-based Filipino Colombian architect Carlos Arnaiz of Caza. To see these stunning exhibitions, preregister online at least a day before your visit, as walk-ins are not allowed. The M will open fully to the public in February 2023.

The museum is especially grateful for the generous support of Bench and Ben Chan. They would also like to thank JJ Atencio, Chrysara Nest, Silvana Diaz of Galleria Duemila, Tina Fernandez of Artinformal Gallery, Dr. Patrick Flores, Rod Libunao, Masaeco Inc., Jonathan Matti, Lisa Nakpil, Ambeth Ocampo, Oz Gallery, Jaime Ponce de Léon, Annie Sarthou, Silverlens Gallery, Vargas Museum, Jun Villalon of Drawing Room Gallery, Vogue Philippines, Bea Zobel, and last but not the least, yours truly.

Gaming industry leaders

While I was enjoying a wonderful romantic vacation in Japan, I missed the 15th Inside Asian Gaming Power 50 black tie gala dinner, held in the City of Dreams ballroom last Nov. 4. Inside Asian Gaming (IAG), Asia’s premier B2B print and digital gaming magazine, hosted a grand dinner to showcase the 50 most influential and prominent Asian gaming industry leaders and executives.

Compiled since 2008, the annual ranking is judged by a small hand-picked judging panel of esteemed industry experts chaired by IAG vice chair and CEO Andrew W. Scott. This gala was the first to be held outside of Macau after 14 years, in line with this year’s theme: “New City, Fresh Beginnings.”

Presented at the four-course dinner were Scott, managing editor Ben Blaschke, and AVP of sales and business development Jadeson Ho. Part of the tablescape was an edible nipa hut chocolate creation that was indeed a conversation piece that night.

Present from the gaming industry included Geoff Andres, property president of City of Dreams Manila; Premium Leisure and Entertainment president Armin Raquel Santos and wife Anna; Solaire’s Tom Arasi and wife Sandra; Travellers International/Newport Resorts Kingson Sian; and Okada’s Joemer Perez.

The glamorous black tie gala dinner rotates yearly among integrated resorts across the APAC region. I was just glad that City of Dreams’ Charisse Chuidian shared with me photos during our nice dinner at Haliya, Nuwa Hotel, a few days after the event. Wish I could have made it to the event, but I was having too much fun traveling back to Japan after two years!

Annual Christmas bazaar

This past month, several friends celebrated their birthdays, and so I hosted an impromptu dinner in my place to showcase the new Christmas décor arranged by Designer Blooms. I love that the shop has a free service to decorate the Christmas tree with a minimum purchase. At the party, we enjoyed Woomera Wines sponsored by San Miguel Corp.

Of course, hosting and decorating always calls for more shopping, especially with Christmas just around the corner! After two years of absence because of the pandemic, Noel Bazaar is finally back, and I was so happy to be part of their opening day festivities.

GMA Kapuso Foundation and Inquirer Foundation are the beneficiaries of this annual Christmas bazaar, and the head of Noel Bazaar and president of Cut Unlimited Mayose Gozon-Bautista is just delighted to reopen this charitable project.

Noel Bazaar starts this weekend in Okada Manila’s Crystal Pavilion, and will move to the Filinvest Tent, Alabang, on Nov. 18 to Nov. 20; the World Trade Center on Nov. 25 to Nov. 30; and back to Filinvest Tent, Alabang, on Dec. 16 to Dec. 18. Come shop and check out the different items to fill up that Christmas list this year. For queries, message them at Noel Bazaar’s Facebook and Instagram.

Keep moving forward! Keep celebrating life and keep your heart on your intentions. If we strip ourselves of all distractions and insecurities, we can more easily brave our struggles and come out the strongest and most complete version of ourselves.

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