Greeting May with sunshine and happiness
“Singleness of purpose is one of the chief essentials for success in life.” —John D. Rockefeller
The universe has spoken to me through cosmic energies, with the Virgo sun and moon rising in the month of May. My subconscious has been going through a spiritual transit, which has stumped my mental journey. But thanks to a day by the sea and in the sun at Tali Beach, I feel I am able to jumpstart this May with sunshine and happiness.
Tali Beach in Batangas has always been my healing place. During the pandemic, my family spent most months at our beach house, where we were able to stay active and healthy in the ocean. It was also my haven for journeying to my new chapter of singlehood. It was wonderful to spend the Labor Day holiday with the same gang who also made Tali our pandemic home.
We were joined by Tatler Homes cover girl Julie Boschi, whose lovely Bahamas resort–inspired home is in their latest issue. Filled with pieces that have been carefully collected through the years, the house, which features Julie’s feminine natural design, takes center stage. The warmth and ease of the breezy place is felt in every corner, with personalized touches like her daughter Isabella’s hand-painted mural in the guest room, and antiques from her family generations ago.
The Tatler Homes issue also features other sustainable homes and interesting design places. I was happy to tour Julie’s home before heading back to watch the Miss Universe Philippines Pageant.
Through the invitation of good friend Mags Cue, whose store Mags Nationwide is the official dress of the Miss Universe Philippines, I attended the Gala Night at Okada Manila. The night was both the Miss Universe Philippines Charity Gala and the National Costume competition. All proceeds from the event were for the benefit of Caritas Foundation, Hope for Change, and JCI Manila, all working toward empowering education.
Pageant faves
The entries for the National Costume were mind-blowing and intricately detailed. The candidates were all so impressive and in fighting form. As I write this column, the Miss Universe Philippines coronation is being held. My sources within the pageant tell me that the front runner is Ahtisa Manalo of Quezon Province. If she takes home the crown, this will be the highlight of her 17 years of pageantry, having dreamt of this moment since she was 10 years old. Other front-runners are Yllana Aduana of Siniloan, Laguna; Chelsea Fernandez of Sultan Kudarat; Katrina Llegado of Taguig, and Amanda Russo of Pasay. May the most gorgeous Filipina win to represent us in Thailand, for Miss Universe 2025.
Before the Charity Gala Night, I quickly passed by the launch of the flagship store of Samsonite Black Label at Solaire Resort Manila. The new concept store at The Shoppes at Solaire carries the most luxurious collection of craftsman-made bags and cases for today’s modern travelers. Samsonite marks a new milestone with the opening of its latest standalone Black Label store in the Philippines. (Visit Samsonite Black Label at The Shoppes at Solaire, 1 Asean Avenue, Entertainment City, Tambo, Parañaque City, open daily from 11 a.m. to midnight. For more information, visit ssilife.com.ph or follow @ssilifeph on Instagram.)
With a 115-year track record of creativity and craftsmanship, Samsonite remains a key player in the luggage market. In 2005, the company reemphasized the premium it places on style and refinement by launching Samsonite Black Label.
The launch event gathered a stylish and well-traveled crowd who explored the world of Samsonite Black Label. Guests were taken through a curated display of standout collections such as the sleek Metanova, vintage-inspired Streamlite, elevated Richmond II, ultra-light Lite-box, and tech-savvy Proxis.
Since the debut of Black Label in 2005, Samsonite has continued to push the boundaries of luxury travel gear, offering collections that cater to fashion forward, retro-classic, and business travelers alike.
Concert tour
This May, the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra (PPO), the premier orchestra of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), is set to make history with a nine-city tour across the United Kingdom. (For tickets and more information, visit imgartists.com. For more details on the other CCP events, check out the CCP website at culturalcenter.gov.ph and its official social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.) Under the baton of internationally acclaimed Maestro Grzegorz Nowak, the PPO will showcase its world-class talent in some of the UK’s most renowned concert halls.
From May 13 to May 24, PPO will perform in different cities in the UK. Please check their website for more details. The PPO will be joined by esteemed soloists, including cellist Wen-Sinn Yang; violinist Diomedes Saraza Jr., who also performs as PPO’s concertmaster and artist-in-residence; pianist Mark Bebbington; and composer Jeffrey Ching. Audiences can expect breathtaking performances of classical masterpieces such as Mendelssohn’s Symphony No. 4 “Italian,” Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake Suite, Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5, and more.
“Performing internationally allows the PPO to showcase Filipino artistry on the global stage. This tour is also a way to connect with our fellow Filipinos in the UK and introduce our rich musical heritage to international audiences,” said CCP president Kaye Tiñga.
The PPO’s grand finale at Perth Festival of the Arts in Scotland marks the culmination of a tour that not only highlights Filipino excellence in classical music, but also strengthens cultural ties between the Philippines and the UK.
This highly anticipated tour is made possible by IMG Artists, a leading global talent management agency in the performing arts.
Founded in 1973, the PPO has grown into the country’s leading symphony orchestra, dedicated to promoting both Filipino composers and classical masterpieces. Apart from its regular concert seasons, the PPO is deeply committed to music education, bringing orchestral performances to schools, communities, and cultural institutions across the Philippines.
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