I’ve been meaning to post about the latest issue of Wallpaper* magazine, which features an impressive piece on my adopted hometown, Manila, where I lived and worked for several wonderful years.

I always maintain that Manila is perhaps the most cosmopolitan and culturally rich cities in Asia and it’s a rare experience to see the much-overlooked Philippines given complimentary treatment in the media. For a country that has some of the most beautiful beach and cultural destinations in the world, the Philippine islands are shamefully overlooked by the Western travel press.

Add to that, the Philippines is probably the design epicenter of Asia, possessing one of the richest and diverse artistic heritages in the region, and is a hotspot of talented and innovative designers, architects, craftsmen, and creative visionaries. DC residents only have to stop by Muleh to sample the talent. Hell, at least half of the product from Crate and Barrel and Pottery Barn and most home furshining and lifestyle chains originates in the Philippines!  So pretty much all our lives have been enriched through Filipino design talent!

I was referred to the Wallpaper* piece by my pare Carlos Celdran, who was interviewed for the story as the expert on all matters Manila (and whose lively walking tours are not to be missed – check out his amazing site, Walk this Way. Here’s Carlos’ take). Last week I finally got my hands on a copy of the issue and I must say I was delighted. Wallpaper* visited Manila back in 1998 while I was working there and I remember the lengths that many of my friends went to make the publication feel welcome and illuminate the city’s very much happening scene. The resulting feature did not represent the Manila in a particularly favorable or sophisticated or even interesting light and to this day I maintain a bit of apprehension when it comes to "tastemaker" Tyler Brûlé.

So Wallpaper* returned to the Philippines and this effort is more engaging. There are a few grammatical and factual errors and the spread is a bit Locsin-heavy (Wallpaper* is all about modernism but there are a quite a few more contemporary architectural landmarks they could have checked out) but overall nice treatment. And the photos are stunning!

Check out the issue at magazine stands now and find the Wallpaper* Manila City Guide here.   And book your trip to the Philippines!

Haha. Maybe it’s the shift in the weather but I find myself grooving to an amazing Pasko collection tonight. There’s a truism in the holiday-happy Philippines that it’s completely within protocol to start playing seasonal Christmas music in September and, indeed, I imagine the shopping malls have already got the party started. This particular recording features regional musicians from all over the archipelago- Ilocos, Palawan, Davao, and Negros Oriental and Occidental - performing traditional carols, many drawing from Spanish influences but absolutely unique in their range and heartfelt beauty – rivaling the scope of Harry Smith’s Folkways Collection.

Comments

[torn]

Bravo maestro! (But is it really true they spelled it "Manilla" on the cover?)

[tiffany jewellery]

For a country that has some of the most beautiful beach and cultural destinations in the world, the Philippine islands are shamefully overlooked by the Western travel press.