bambina writes

Brief Encounter

So there I was at an airport terminal, somewhere in the Middle East, en route to Europe to see the man. I scanned the coffee shop, staffed naturally by Filipinos, hoping to park myself at a table and keep myself awake for the next three hours with a cup of java. I heard an accent that was unmistakably - for want of a better description - Manila-NuVo-Embassy-by way of Boston University.

Rafe Rocks Manila

As far as homecomings go, Rafe Totengco's is pretty hard to beat.

Accessories designer Rafe Totengco, known for blending uptown sophistication with downtown edge, has taken his aesthetic to the Philippines.

"I was blown away with the reception I got from customers, who came in droves to congratulate me, shower me with affection and support," New York-based Totengco said about the launch party.

Mini-Me to the Max

So tonight I was cooking chicken drumsticks and thighs marinated in what we refer to at home as my "special sauce" - sesame oil, soy sauce, garlic and whatever else I feel like adding, be it lime juice and ginger or five-spice powder.

Recently I fiddled with the recipe a bit, using chicken breasts and skipping the garlic.

In the Taff Ten Again*

WWD today released a new Top Ten List, this time ranking the countries by the percentage of residents surveyed who say they buy designer brands.

And guess what? The Philippines is ranked 8th, with 26 per cent.