Celebrating the friends who shape our lives
There is something extra special about a dinner that exists purely to celebrate gratitude. No grand occasion, no obligatory speeches—just good friends around a well-laid table, holding space for each other. That was the spirit behind our recent Friendsgiving Dinner, hosted by Lifestyle.INQ editor Ria Prieto, together with writer Juana Yupangco, and I.
It was our Filipino interpretation of an American tradition—reimagined with warmth, humor, and the generosity that naturally unfold whenever Filipinos gather.
A tradition reimagined
Thanksgiving traces its origins to 17th-century New England, where Native Americans shared with early European settlers a harvest meal in a gesture of peace. Over the centuries, it has evolved into one of the most cherished and uniquely American holidays, punctuated with a feast of turkey, pies, parades, and the collective pause to reflect on blessings (and strangely enough, watching a game of American football).
But throughout the diaspora of Filipino migrants who have either worked, lived, or studied in the United States, we have slowly embraced the sentiment behind Thanksgiving: not necessarily for the turkey nor the trimmings, but for the meaning.
In a country where the citizens are able to show gratitude and thanks despite any situation, it is not surprising that we have woven Thanksgiving into our own holiday tapestry.
Balikbayans have brought this tradition home, swapping roast turkey with lechon, cranberry sauce for Mang Tomas sauce, and pumpkin pie with whatever cake or pie that is currently trending or a favorite. And we locals have welcomed with open arms this opportunity to gather loved ones around a table. What remains constant, however, is the heart of the occasion: gratitude for life’s graces, big and small.
Our Friendsgiving Dinner was created in exactly that spirit—not as a replica of an American holiday, but as an expression of love and connectedness that feels distinctly Filipino.
A table for friendship
The evening unfolded at Leon Gallery, whose walls of art provided an atmospheric backdrop—elegant, storied, and intimate. Each detail of the night was shaped by one of us, a collaboration that mirrored the very friendships we were celebrating.
Ria, who elevates hosting into an art form, designed the tablescape with her signature restraint: low arrangements of greens and driftwood, thoughtfully accessorized with coconuts and local vegetables for guests to bring home and enjoy in their own kitchens, candlelight glinting off silver and brass vessels, and dark damask linen that covered the grand 40-seater rectangular table. Her vision was one of quiet sophistication: nothing overdone, nothing loud, and yet, a visual feast.
Juana, with her impeccable eye for art, curated the room with some of Leon Gallery’s most beautiful pieces, making the space nothing short of breathtaking. Though we’ve been friends for over a decade, I only recently learned that she graduated with a degree in History of Art from University College London—a path encouraged by her father, Mr. M, who once told her she would use this knowledge at dinner parties. And on this evening, she truly did. Juana chose works that echoed the themes and colors of the night—connection, texture, memory. Our shared love for art has long been a language within our circle, and having her shape the visual mood of the gathering felt like an anchor to our collective identity.
My contribution to the evening lay in the ambience. I have always believed that God is in the details. From the signing of the guest book that will one day hold memories of future Lifestyle.INQ dinners, to thoughtful place cards, and the gentle ritual of lighting candles. Most of all, I curated the music: a woven mix of soft jazz, Manila nostalgia, and the songs that have quietly become the soundtrack of our lives. Music is, after all, the invisible architecture of a gathering; it holds the room, nudges the energy, and softens people into themselves.
To complete the sensory indulgence, Chef Jessie crafted a menu that was both familiar and celebratory of Filipino cuisine and ingredients. Each course was meticulously put together to imbibe warmth, tradition, and sophistication. One of the highlights of the evening for me was the Pako Salad that was plated like a wreath with a rich, bold salted egg and calamansi dressing. Chef Jessie even mentioned that the Pako ferns came from the Sierra Madre region, which we, as Filipinos, have to protect. Only a veteran like Chef Jessie, who has had years of experience and knowledge, can make something so simple into a show-stopper.
Our wine sponsor, AWC and Winedrop Philippines, complemented the meal with Lapis Luna Sauvignon Blanc, Lapis Luna Pinot Noir, and Clarendelle Bordeaux. One thing they made sure of was that our glasses were never empty.
Chef Jessie also prepared Filipino-inspired hors d’oeuvres to welcome guests. Banquet manager Joel Manalili thoughtfully chose to place them on the cocktail tables instead of having them passed around, sensing that our intimate group would enjoy helping themselves at leisure. His quick read of the room made the service feel natural—and it worked perfectly.
The heart of the gathering
Though the table was exquisite, the food delicious, and the wine generous, the true essence of Friendsgiving was the quiet gratitude beneath it all. We reflected on the friendships that have shaped us—the mentors, confidantes, co-conspirators, and steadfast supporters who remind us of who we are. For me, Ria and her husband Paolo hold a special place; they are, quite literally, the reason my husband and I found each other. Their gentle matchmaking changed the course of my life. Juana and her husband Rick, are woven just as deeply into our family’s story—now godparents to our youngest daughter.
This Friendsgiving acknowledged how intertwined our lives have become, how our families have grown beside each other, and how every season—work, motherhood, reinvention, celebration—is more meaningful when shared.
Gratitude, after all, is more than an emotion; it is recognition. Friendsgiving allowed us to honor the people who help us become our best selves—those who listen, encourage, and understand the dreams we entrust only to a few.
A new era of lifestyle and design
There was also, subtly, something symbolic about this dinner. As three women—an editor and two writers—we now find ourselves shaping a new chapter in lifestyle, culture, and design. Our work, both together and individually, reflects a shift toward storytelling that is human, dynamic, and personal. It celebrates the lived experience, the emotional undercurrent of beauty, and how design improves daily life.
Friendsgiving felt like both a celebration of the past and a gentle nod to what is emerging—a collective intention to create work that is real, relevant, and quietly elegant. The night then closed the way all memorable evenings do—unhurried, heartfelt, with laughter that lingered.
As a final flourish, we raffled off Nomad Caviar tins, gave everyone a très chic Lifestyle.INQ umbrella, and a tote, which was intentionally given for guests to pick the centerpiece clean of all the vegetables and fruit! (I think this practice may be the most Pinoy thing about our meal).
Together, all these served as a luxurious yet lighthearted reminder that life’s best indulgences are meant to be shared.
Counting blessings
We also extend our deepest gratitude to the Lifestyle.INQ team, who worked tirelessly behind the scenes—capturing the best photographs and reels, crafting exquisite centerpieces, and coordinating every detail to ensure that our guests enjoyed an experience that was thoughtful, seamless, and memorable. Their dedication makes it possible for us to present the very best for others.
In the end, Friendsgiving was not defined by tradition, nor by the trappings of a holiday adopted from abroad. It was defined by the people at the table. By the years of friendship. By the trust, laughter, art, and conversations that have sustained us.
It was, simply, a gathering of friends—and perhaps the most meaningful ritual of all. Warmest Friendsgiving wishes to everyone!
The small touches
- Guest book: “Be My Guest: The Memorable Events Guestbook” by Printworks from rustans.com
- Placecards: Temu
- Candles: Flying Tiger or AC+632
- Caviar: Nomad Caviar Philippines
- Wines: AWC and Winedrop Philippines
