Culinary Shangri-La

Written last Dec. 8, 2010, before BusinessMirror's Christmas party. Hardly made it really...bagal ko kasi magsulat...but thank God everything went well ;)

True to its description in James Hilton’s novel Lost Horizon, where it was depicted as a utopia Buddhist priests have discovered to be the secret of prolonging life, Shangri-La Restaurant in Quezon City is that rare establishment that one rarely reads about in society pages but has been catering to Manila’s top personalities and in-the-know food enthusiasts for the past 28 years.

The Chinese restaurant had served a number of Philippine presidents from the time of Ferdinand Marcos and Corazon Aquino—whose hand-written orders have been preserved—up to Fidel Ramos, Joseph Estrada and President Benigno Aquino III.  It is also a favorite of celebrities, including broadcasters Ted Failon and Korina Sanchez, just to name a few.

Among the countless recognition that Shangri-La has received is a plaque of recognition that former Vice President Salvador Laurel presented to the restaurant when it hosted a dinner for the Laurel family. It has also been awarded by the Office of the Mayor as the cleanest and most hygienically safe restaurant facility in the city.

The restaurant even had the distinct honor of serving Pope John Paul II during his visit to Manila for the World Youth Day in 1995.

“We were one of the few who was able to serve the Pope,” boasts Emmanuel R. Garcia, Shangri-La Restaurant finance officer. “’Yung ginamit niya na utensils and the plate, we were actually able to preserve them.”

The restaurant started on December 5, 1982, as Carvajal Restaurant but its owner decided to close the restaurant. “That’s when Mr. Ramon A. Syhunliong, president and general manager of Shangri-La, got into the picture,” Garcia explains. “Being a businessman, he wanted a place with good food and ambiance where he could entertain his friends.”

After nearly 30 years, Shangri-La is undeniably one of the most successful restaurant ventures in the country today. At present, the restaurant could comfortably accommodate around 700 guests in its dining area, which is subdivided into three sections—all named after flowers. Peony, located in front, is devoted to walk-in guests and small groups, while Lily, at the back, and Plum, on the second floor, are for functions and reservations.

“That’s also one of our strengths; we are designed to serve a large number of guests. If you are 100 people, like wedding or baptismal, wala ka nang problem from the venue, utensils, decoration, pupuntahan mo na lang and no hassles. Our target market is definitely the big crowd, families and group of friends,” Garcia says.

To read my full article please click the link :http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/home/life/4780-culinary-shangri-la

Prince of Persia (BM-10/09/2010)

(Kian and I met at SOFITEL for a feature on  Octoberfest...chatted and at the end of the day I ended up setting a date with him, to feature his baby, Persia Grill. This was actually one of my favorite interviews, there is more to Kian than being a PBB ex-housemate, a model and a celebrity and the Prince of Persia ;p)


Do check out the link: http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/home/life/2300-prince-of-persia

There’s more to Persian cuisine than kebabs, and that’s what Kian Kazemi, more known as a Pinoy Big Brother Season 2 housemate and Trip na Trip host, has proven with Persia Grill.

“This is actually my brainchild. Since I was a kid, I’ve always had the passion for food because my mom, Charito, cooks a lot. She’s an expert chef though she didn’t have any formal training. My dad was the one who taught her Persian cuisine,” explains Kazemi.

With the goal of introducing the range of Persian food to the Filipinos, Persia Grill was born. From its first branch on Valero Street in Salcedo Village, Makati City, which opened in 2007, the restaurant has expanded by opening three more restaurants—on Legaspi Street in Makati City, SM Megamall Megastrip, and at the Sky Garden SM North Edsa.

“Persia Grill is inspired by family recipes, all original Kazemi recipes. It’s all our own creation, from the sauce to the bread, it’s like a science, trial and error, and we put together different resources, ingredients. Basically it worked out because all of us in the family has passion for food,” explains the Filipino-Iranian entrepreneur.

A graduate of Hotel Restaurant and Institution Management Degree in De La Salle, College of St. Benilde, Kazemi admits that he owes his success in the food business to his parents, saying that entrepreneurship probably runs in his blood.

“I never expected it to be so fast,” he shares, “after college kinuhanan nila agad ako ng pwesto. Before, my friends would just kid around that I should put up my own resto since Persian food is very rare. I got training from my parents and with my OJT [on-the-job training]. It was a humbling experience, motivating me to be my own boss.”

The Kazemi family’s efforts have paid off since Filipinos are slowly embracing Persian cuisine, which was once described as “an orgasmic burst of flavors that tickles one’s taste buds.” While similar with Mediterranean cooking, Persian cuisine is diverse, with each province of Iran (formerly known as Persia) having its own dishes, culinary traditions and styles that are truly distinct.

Despite his showbiz commitments, Kazemi says he stays hands-on with Persia Grill’s operations. He actually develops new concepts inspired by his travels in Trip na Trip.

“I budget my time. On the days that I’m here, I go from one branch to another, checking if there are problems or if they need anything. My parents cover for me when I’m away,” he says.

“I want us [Persia Grill] to be a household name and a solid brand, that when you crave for Persian food, kebabs and other dishes close to your hearts, we are the place to go. And you don’t have to go that far. That’s what we want to incorporate to the people, plus good food and value for money,” he adds.

Promising a great casual dining experience, Persia Grill has lived up to expectations as its fifth branch in Pasong Tamo is about to open soon.

Guest favorites

The restaurant, as described by Kazemi, is an extension of the Kazemi home, from the recipes to the interiors. His father, Ali Reza Kazemi, personally designed Persia Grill with his collection of antique Iranian artifacts, musical instruments like the sitar, as well as Persian carpets.

Persia Grill’s menu offers a variety of dishes. Whether you’re a vegan, a meat lover or even on a tight budget, there’s a dish that could satisfy your hunger.

“We have dishes that not everyone has on their menu, or if we do have a dish similar to others, ours have the Kazemi family touch. Recipes from my mom and dad modified, kasi we all have a say when it comes to the flavor and quality of the food,” boasts the Pinoy Big Brother housemate.

“We use Persian rice here in the resto, the ones with long grains. We cook it in a certain way that it gives out more flavor and texture. Not like the traditional ones that we have that’s sticky,” he stresses.

Among the crowd favorites is the biryani, whether it be lamb, chicken or beef. It’s definitely a full meal, served with real Basmati rice and vegetable salad.

The Peshgahz, served with pita bread and four dips of your choice, definitely warms up the appetite. One could also try the hummus (velvet chickpea, tahini and garlic dip) and salad oliveyeh, a combination of Potato, chicken, egg, mayonnaise, lemon and olive oil.

Grilled lamb chops with dolmeh is recommended, as well. The especially marinated lamb chops served with mixed vegetables and steamed long-grain Basmati rice and veggies compliments well the dolmeh, which is a bell pepper stuffed with rice, ground beef, Persian herbs and spices served with pita bread and yogurt.

Vegans could order the grilled vegetable sandwich or the vegetable mousaka, served with pita bread and yogurt. Made of eggplant, onions, tomato and chickpeas, meticulously cooked in olive oil, the dish is quickly becoming a favorite even among meat lovers.

Persia Grill isn’t about Iranian cuisine only. “We also have Filipino favorites that we also created. Chicken barbeque, that’s also one of our best sellers,” boasts Kazemi.

The popular kebab, though, remains one of its specialties. Served with grilled tomato, yogurt dip plus our special garlic sauce, “they’re all combined and we make like a salsa. It’s a mix that compliments each other,” he adds.

Kebab meals include the Chelo Kebab combination, two skewers of grilled beef kebab, chicken tikka or morg (breast fillet) and the Chicken Roullete, chicken breast marinated in yogurt, rolled and stuffed with bell pepper and mushrooms.

Fish choices are also available, ranging from grilled blue marlin, tuna belly and Norwegian salmon.

Persia Grill even offers “business meals,” which range from P120 to P170.

“Most of our ingredients are imported and we have to do special orders. We are particular with the quality of the ingredients. In order to maintain consistency with taste we have suppliers and sometimes my dad flies in and out of Iran to have stuff,” says Kazemi

“We also deliver within the area, soon we’re going to expand this service and cater to every area. We also cater and do gatherings. We could set up your place with the Persian vibe and all, depending on your budget,” he adds.

Marianne Tocmo

Photo by: Nonie Reyes

Secondhand Rose (08/14/2010)

http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/home/properties/280-secondhand-rose

Marianne Tocmo

They have stayed at the same spot for 25 years and what started as a simple thrift shop has become a stable and profitable venture for its owners, bringing unique home furnishings for its regular customers.

“We started 1987 dito sa floor namin sa Makati Square. Kami ang one of the pioneer tenants sa Makati Square,” says Jacqueline Paredes, one of the owners of Segunda Mano, a thrift store at the Makati Cinema Square.

Even without any formal business background, Paredes decided to go into the furniture and home décor business in 1985—with a store on Reposo Street in Makati. She said she got the idea and the training from an uncle who had containers imported from the US. Two years later, she was invited by her friends to get a spot at Makati Cinema Square.

“We are an association; we divide the rent and have our own stalls and inventory records. Walang central manager,” she explains. “Ang set-up dito is by corner, by areas. Marami kaming owners, originally we were eight. Now we have tenants, like ’yung mga money changer and nagbebenta ng gems.”

The shop is definitely a collector’s haven with different unique and imported items on display and up for grabs for reasonable prizes. Chandeliers, which Paredes said are Segunda Mano’s bestsellers, start at P3,000, while drop lights cost around P1,000 on average. Paintings, ceramics and china may also be included on your shopping list once you visit the store. Arrays of sculptures and figurines are also for sale.

Paredes said her clients are varied. Some go for newer items, while others want antiques. But she stressed that many of the items are hard to find, such as the narra furniture, which are not as common now as before.

But what caught my eye is a collection of Louis Vuitton bags—in good shape and good prices.

“That’s Dick Evanghelista’s area. He’s more into fashion, designer bags and antiques. He’s also a tenant in the store,” Paredes said, adding that the store counts on many fashion designers as clients, since these customers tend to look for very specific pieces. That’s why even if the shop also has its off-season—usually before the enrollment period and bouncing back during the holidays—they count on these regulars to pick up the slack in sales.

It’s not easy for a business to survive for 25 years. In the case of Segunda Mano, Paredes attributes this longevity to pure hard work and the joint efforts of the tenants to continuously come up with new items from friends, referrals and garage sales in villages.

Still true to its former name, which was Segunda Mano Swap Meet, the thrift shop still does swap deals from customers, thus providing more variety to the products, which are priced according to product quality, source and condition.

“Importante na alamin mo din ’yung price ng product mo sa labas. Dapat at least half siya ng price ng bago or ng kaparehas niya ng design or structure. Hindi dapat mas mahal,” Paredes said. “Our edge here is karamihan naman kasi sa items namin dito eh hindi makikita sa mga ordinary stores or shops. They’re all unique, original and most of them are imported.”

Asked for advice to young entrepreneurs, she said it’s important to know the business, especially in a business like thrift shops. She said one has to know how to dispose such items. “Kasi kami based on experience, alam na alam na namin kung ano ang mura at kung paano mag-mark-up,” she said. “Dapat alam din nila ’yung product. Kung saan galing, at dapat may basic knowledge ka on valuables.”

Small is Beautiful (BusinessMirror-08/14/2010)

http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/home/properties/288-small-is-beautiful

by Marianne Tocmo

It literally translates to “cultivated in a pot,” but the bonsai is much more than that. For the hobbyist, this traditional art is an exercise of effort, patience and ingenuity, while for the viewer these dwarfed trees help create a perfect setting for contemplation.

And it can also be a profitable pastime. History books trace the art of bonsai cultivation at least 1,700 years to China and from there it traveled to Japan, where, according to Forbes magazine, “it became a pastime of the elite seven centuries ago. It was practiced as an esoteric art, its rules passed down by masters to apprentices, the trees themselves passed down over generations of privileged owners.”

How privileged? Forbes reported that in 1981, a prized 250-year-old juniper was sold in Japan for a whopping $2 million.

Bonsai has since taken root in many countries, including the Philippines, where it was featured in a recent flora and fauna show. According to bonsai cultivator Boyet Dagusan, the bantigi, an evergreen shrub, is a favorite among local bonsai enthusiasts. “Kasi ’yan ang magandang puno—madami siyang drift wood, maliit ang dahon, nasa kanya na lahat. ’Pag nag-show ka, lahat ng criteria andyan na,” he explains.

He also considers the sampaloc and molave as ideal for bonsai. “Piliin mo ’yung maliliit na dahon at ’yung trunk niya may porma at konting liko. Huwag ’yung diretso na medyo mataba na, kasi ’di mo na siya mawa-wire, ’di mo na mababaluktot,” he adds.

Pangasinan-based Dagusen has been cultivating bonsai for almost 12 years and has entered—and won—various bonsai competitions. He advises first-timers to look for their own plant and not settle for the semifinished ones found in nurseries as this may be costly.

The bantigi, he says, can be found in beach areas or where corals can be found.

Here he shares other techniques for creating an award-winning bonsai.

Leaf trimming. Selective removal of leaves or needles from the bonsai’s trunk and branches is essential. A common aesthetic technique in bonsai design is to expose the tree’s branches below groups of leaves or needles (sometimes called “pads”). Leaf trimming is the most common activity used for bonsai development and maintenance, and the one that occurs most frequently during the year.

Wiring. Wrapping copper or aluminum wire around branches and trunks allows the bonsai designer to create the desired general form and make detailed branch and leaf placements. When wire is used on new branches or shoots, it holds the branches in place until they lignify (convert into wood).

“’Yung material mo, pagkatanim mo, ilagay mo sa shade. Kapag may isang dangkal ng tubo saka mo ilalagay sa direct sunlight. Ngayon kapag medyo malago na ’yung sanga niya, pwede na siyang i-wire,” explains Dagusen.

“’Yung tamang pag-wa-wire dapat may first branch ka, second branch, back branch, front at may apex siya para mabuo siyang bonsai. Hindi pwedeng basta-bastang pakapalin ’yan—dapat may space ’yan based on your wire design.”

Wires are also used to connect a branch to another object (e.g., another branch, the pot itself) as tightening the wire applies force to the branch. Some species do not lignify strongly, and some specimens’ branches are too stiff or brittle to be bent easily. These cases are not conducive to wiring, and shaping them is accomplished primarily through pruning.

Watering. 

With limited space in a bonsai pot, regular attention is needed to ensure the tree is correctly watered. Sun, heat and wind exposure can dry bonsai trees to the point of drought in a short period of time. While some species can handle periods of relative dryness, others require near-constant moisture. However, watering too frequently, or allowing the soil to remain soggy, promotes fungal infections and root rot.

“River sand dapat ’yung lupang gamit sa bonsai. Kasi ’pag river sand, tumatagos agad ’yung tubig ’di tulad ng garden soil. Sa garden soil kasi, kada dilig mo, kapag tumatagal tumitigas, akala mo na-absorb na ’yung lahat ng tubig pero umaapaw na lang ’yung tubig at ’di naman nakakarating sa ilalim,” he says.

“Pag naka-wire na, umaga at hapon lang ’yung dilig. Kailangan busog siya sa tubig. Twice a month mo siyang bigyan ng fertilizer. ’Pag umuulan kahit huwag ng diligan. Kapag summer naman, three times a day mo siyang didiligan. Kasi ’yung pot niya maliit lang at medyo malaki ’yung puno mo, madali niyang ma-absorb ’yung tubig.”

Repotting. 

Bonsai are repotted and root-pruned at intervals dictated by the vigor and age of each tree. Bonsai are often repotted while in development, and less often as they become more mature. This prevents them from becoming pot-bound and encourages the growth of new feeder roots, allowing the tree to absorb moisture more efficiently.

Specimens meant to be developed into bonsai are often placed in “growing boxes,” which have a much larger volume of soil per plant than a bonsai pot does. These large boxes allow the roots to grow freely, increasing the vigor of the tree and helping the trunk and branches grow thicker. After using a grow box, the tree may be replanted in a more compact “training box” that helps to create a smaller, denser root mass which can be more easily moved into a final presentation pot.

Outdoors. 

Most bonsai species are outdoor trees and shrubs by nature, and they require temperature, humidity and sunlight conditions approximating their native climate all year round. The skill of the gardener can help plants from outside the local hardiness zone to survive and even thrive, but doing so takes careful watering, shielding of selected bonsai from excessive sunlight or wind, and possibly protection from winter conditions (e.g., through the use of cold boxes or winter greenhouses).

Indoors. 

Tropical and Mediterranean species typically require consistent temperatures close to room temperature, and with correct lighting and humidity many species can be kept indoors all year. Those from cooler climates may benefit from a winter dormancy period, but temperatures need not be dropped as far as for the temperate climate plants and a north-facing windowsill or open window may provide the right conditions for a few winter months.

Design in the City (BusinessMirror-10/02/2010)

http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/home/properties/1991-design-in-the-city

Her newlywed clients wanted a home interior that’s minimalist and “low-maintenance.” She gave them not only that but a sleek, urban contemporary home perfect for their busy lifestyle.

Located in Santa Cruz, Manila, this 149-sq-m, three-bedroom condo unit in Le Ben Mar Bldg. II was designed to maximize space and project an urban aura.

“When I design, I get to know my clients—what they want and what their lifestyle is like,” says interior design consultant Kerstin Calubad.

“I started the design way back in February and worked on it for two months. Everything was changed except for the flooring. The kitchen was demolished; all the existing closet units and existing tiles were all changed. I wanted the design to be sleek, so there’s a lot of chrome finishes, a lot of glass and mirrors,” she explains.

The unit, modern and minimal, boasts an oversized mirror framed with wengue that clads the left side of the wall upon entrance; opposite to it is a contemporary console table that doubles as shoe storage with a touch-lock mechanism.

Further into the living room is a custom-made L-shaped sofa furnished with chocolate brown and turquoise throw pillows amid a predominantly neutral interior.

But what highlights the room is the cantilevered travertine piece with an illuminated niche to hold sculptural pieces alongside pictures of the couple. Right next to this is a storage unit in wengue veneer that not only houses the everyday accumulation of all sorts of things but also kitchenware, which will prove to be helpful due to its proximity. In line with the minimal style is the dining set that is in clear glass with chrome legs.

The original layout of the master bedroom was oppositely flipped with the bed to the left and the closet to the right to solve the presence of a post that is no longer noticeable.

“In a condo, you’re definitely concerned with space; I mean storage space is very important. So in the bedroom, I made sure that there’s a lot of storage space. Behind the leather-padded headboard are storage units. There’s also a concealed storage space behind the bedroom’s mirror, and they’re quite happy with that,” explains Calubad.

A chartreuse color was chosen as the accent color as this has refreshing properties to the eyes. Across the bedroom is a flat-screen television flanked by a minimal closet system clad with wengue veneer.

The toilet and bath of the master bedroom is clad with a linear, textured tile that runs right across an angled wall that provides the sense of continuity, thus also making the angled wall less noticeable. A vanity mirror with a storage unit behind it was used in both the common and master toilet and bath with a quartz-stone vanity top to eliminate worries of water seepage.

With the couple’s hectic work schedules, it is but expected that the third room of the unit be converted into a home office. The area has come alive with the cantilevered table tops in ducco white with white glass tops flanked by a light gray cabinetry that create a clean and soothing palette, suited for stressing work environment.  On the wall are six black-and-white framed pictures from different parts of the world, taken by the designer herself.

“Traveling helps a lot, with work and in designing.  Since I travel quite often, I get inspired by different places. Because every time I visit somewhere new, there’s always something unique about it, when I have a project, I think back and think if you can incorporate this and that,” shares Calubad.

Now on her second year at the Philippine School of Interior Design and getting ready for the board exam, the young interior-design consultant points out the importance of hiring an interior designer for one’s home.

“Interior designers are trained to maximize the space, to ensure that form and function are both served. They also give advice not only from the design schools but also from experiences. It takes the load off the person when he/she has an interior designer,” she explains.

“Both city people and working from 9 in the morning to the wee hours of the night, this urban-minimalist interior was catered to their fast-paced lifestyle that can hardly accommodate domestic duties. Clean lines in chrome, glass, travertine stone and wood create a simple and modern interior that still maintains that warmth needed for any home,” she says. 

Marianne A. Tocmo

(Photo by Roy Domingo)

A Play of Color (BusinessMirror-11/02/2010)

(Do check out this link: http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/home/properties/1992-a-play-of-color )

Saffron, sunflower, chartreuse, avocado, sage, cerulean, turquoise, indigo, cornflower, midnight, heliotrope, aubergine, cerise, tomato, sang de boeuf, cinnabar, persimmon and cinnamon. Surely, these are not common colors one can find in a typical box of Crayola. But for the members of the Philippine School for Interior Design (PSID) Advanced Class 2010, these unique hues posed a design challenge, which they passed with, er, flying colors. The students’ graduating exhibit, dubbed Caleidoscope, proved that colorful design need not be as gimmicky as you think.

Held at Athena Building in Eastwood City, Libis, Quezon City, the exhibit focused on the four Cs—color, character, cause and cost—to create 18 classy, creative and cost-efficient interiors.

“A tricky part of design is bringing together different elements to bring about something uniquely beautiful that is also cohesive and well-thought of. This is something that the class has been able to do with Caleidoscope,” said PSID president and administrator Rosario Yujuico. “Color, character, cause and cost are melded to create a vivid sense of passion, personality, purpose and practicality.”

The booths, specifically structured to be an exact replica of a part of a house—bathroom, bedroom, living room, lanai and kitchen—were designed according to each team’s preferred theme and assigned color.

The booth designs range from the traditional to the contemporary and even futuristic. The interior-design students have also incorporated movies (Breakfast at Tiffany’s), artists (Lady Gaga), television series (Gossip Girl and Sex and the City) and places (Santorini Island and French provincial) to their creative concepts, thus creating a different vibe for traditional rooms.

The exhibit was more than a display of innovative and original pieces as the students played with unique colors and gave the usual hues a fresh new twist. For the viewers, they also provided color tips that people could actually use for their own homes. 

Marianne Tocmo

Mr. Fix It (BusinessMirror-11/06/2010

Mr. Fix It: Entrepreneur Derrick Tan introduces a product every home should have. 

Check out this link: http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/home/properties/3362-mr-fix-it-entrepreneur-derrick-tan-introduces-a-product-every-home-should-have

Who says men are the only quick-fix experts? Home disasters like pipe leaks, broken closets or even wall cracks used to mean major drama for most women, even for the domestic divas. House emergencies involving tools or nails definitely fall under the men’s forte.

But not anymore. Magna Prime Distribution Corp. promises to give consumers a helping hand with their quick home fixes with Handy Fix, the first adhesive and sealant product in the country that can bond and seal all construction and household needs.

“Our product’s tag line is ‘Ang First Aid ng Bahay mo, Bonds all, Seals all.’ This is the only one in the country na pwedeng pandikit sa lahat, bakal, yero, semento, plastic, rubber, etc. Handy Fix can also be used on sealing joints, cracks, sa mga lababo, wall, expansion joints, pwede din sa bubong,” boasts Derrick Tan, CEO of Magna Prime.

Dubbed as the “Ultimate Adhesive and Sealant,” Handy Fix is a formulated polymer, rubber-like, flexible, single component, moisture cure, and is engineered for bonding and sealing needs of the construction and automotive industry. It has good structural bonding even on vibrating parts and has high elasticity.

But what’s good about this product is that you don’t have to be an expert to use it—no complicated instructions, no stains and no other compound tools needed—which is why it is the ideal mate for the single women who live independently. It’s as easy as gluing paper together.

“The beauty about Handy Fix is may body siya, hindi malulusaw sa tubig unlike the water-based ones that we have in the market today. Handy Fix caters to all purposes in the house. It helps you save up, since you can do the minor fixes yourself,” Tan explains.

“Kung gusto mo siyang pandikit, nipisan mo lang, two to three minutes tuyo na. You don’t have to worry even if your surface is damp. If you want to use it as sealant, it’s ok since it blends, is elastic and fills up the space, though you’re joining different materials,” he adds.

Handy Fix is recommended for its solid composition; it does not have solvent, isocyanates or water ingredients, thus it does not crack over the years and is mold-resistant—perfect for bathrooms and kitchens.

“You have 10 minutes if you want to reposition the product. After one day, permanent na talaga ’yan, for a lifetime,” Tan promises.

Handy Fix is proven safe and nontoxic as it does not emit any undesirable odor and has been issued by the Japanese government a green certificate.

Aside from being eco-friendly, what makes the product stand out is that you can cover it with paint and jazz it up so as not to make the fix obvious.

It is ideal for bonding metals, plastics, timber, ceramic, concrete, mortar, glass, mirror and other inorganic materials. Its durable, elastomeric properties make it ideal for interior and exterior bonding and sealing applications, as it has excellent stability and resistance to weathering.

“The market is responding really well, since this is a very affordable product because it’s multipurpose. People should be educated with the right sealants and adhesive to use,” Tan says.

The product is positioned for the do-it-yourself market and is available in shops like Handy Man, Wilcon, Ortigas Home Depot, MC Home Depot—even National Book Store— as well as hardware stores nationwide. 

Marianne Tocmo

At Home in the City (BusinessMirror -12/04/2010)

(The story was written by me for the BusinessMirror Sunday Issue (12/04/2010) 

Please do check the link :http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/home/properties/4508-at-home-in-the-city

Photo by Nonie Reyes

To mark its 19th year in the business, Focus Global Inc. recently opened its second design center at Greenbelt, Makati City. Showcasing the latest modern contemporary pieces from Ethan Allen, as well as cutting-edge kitchen designs from SieMatic and state-of-the-art appliances from Sub-Zero and Wolf, in 12 distinct setups, the 330-sq-m display area is manned by professional design consultants who provide complimentary design assistance to fit the style and budget of its customers.

“We are confident that, just like our flagship design center on Pioneer Street [in Mandaluyong], this show room will be nothing but a success,” Focus Global president Stephen Sy said as he welcomed guests at the opening.

Established in Manila in October 1991, Focus Global Inc. is the exclusive distributor of 12 of the most trusted consumer, home furnishings and needlecraft brands.

Its latest show room, located on the ground floor of The Residences at Greenbelt, features nine themed rooms showcasing Ethan Allen furniture and accessories, as well as three working kitchens highlighting products from SieMatic, Sub-Zero and Wolf.

“Ethan Allen has this campaign where we can help you as much or as little as you want because we carry the major pieces—from the bed to the night tables up to the little accessories, for example, the lamp or mirror. We’re all interior designers here so we have complimentary design services for our client. We could make design proposals that would fit your taste, budget and lifestyle,” explained Paula Grace Monzon, interior designer of Ethan Allen.

One such interesting piece is the American Artisan video lift cabinet, which was featured in a living-room showcase. Constructed from the same cherry or maple Appalachian hardwoods used in the rest of the line, it is just the right piece to place the latest flat-screen TV. Watch as the TV—the cabinet can hold most 42-inch flat-panel TVs)—lifts out from the top of the cabinet at the touch of a remote. The three cabinet doors in front reveal six-inch-deep storage—the perfect size for DVDs, games, controllers and remote controls, while the left and right lower drawer fronts flip down for component storage.

Known for creating pieces that are not only beautiful and functional but lasting as well has become a trademark of Ethan Allen. The Monterey sofa is yet another piece that proves the brand’s commitment to style and comfort. This clean silhouette and brilliant Fiji White cotton upholstery is pure, unadulterated glamour. Its back cushion is plush and cozy and anything but casual, and the smaller-scaled track arm is a modern update to an otherwise classic form.

Want to add dimension and statement to your living room without compromising comfort? Then Ethan Allen’s Baldwin chair is just what you need. Whether you choose to dress it up or down—skirted or unskirted, with a knife-edge cushion or a box cushion—the transitional Baldwin is smartly scaled to accommodate all heights.

Chic, comfortable, clean, the Hudson sofa has the three Cs of modern living. With a deep frame and a stylish, contemporary track arm, the Hudson sofa is the solution for seating problems as it offers numerous possibilities to fit various living spaces. One can choose from a variety of custom fabrics and or the in-stock Saddle artisan leather. Select styles available in standard soft foam/fiber support or optional feather blend cushions.

The Avanti collection, meanwhile, which includes The Avanti sofa, combines glamour with modern and tailored design. Like a European sports car, it has strategically placed curves and all the seats have T-cushions for angular definition plus clean-lined feet and rails.

As important as your main pieces are the right accessories to complement it. That’s why Ethan Allen has a variety of choices. On top of the list is the Adventure artwork by Spanish artist Pere Salinas. Described as a bold and modern art for the connoisseur, this canvas transfer is mounted to a kiln-dried wood stretcher and is placed into a float-style wood frame. A dark recess between the image and silver-finished lead edge of the frame creates the floating effect.

Bedroom

Customize your bedroom in style with the Jensen headboard. This fully upholstered, cushioned headboard frame is offered with button tufts, diamond tufts, or smooth front styling for the ultimate in bedroom luxury. It is available in leather or fabric upholstery with optional nail head trim.

Meanwhile, the Hayward bed is a dramatic masterpiece that transforms a bedroom into a suite. The Ethan Allen exclusive bed features exposed silver-plated hardware interplaying with the floating latticework headboard in a contemporary-meets-Chinese Chippendale fashion, thus bringing into reality sensual and dreamy bedroom comfort.

An addition to Ethan Allen’s bedroom breakthroughs is the Morgan bed with panels and night tables that help create a calming place for rest and rejuvenation.

“The Morgan bed is one of the best-selling pieces that we have in Ethan Allen because of its style. Ethan Allen started with the traditional style for furniture, now we’re diversifying and is more on the contemporary look. This bed also includes the night tables,” Monzon says.

The modular, low-profile bed has side panels and two night tables that bolt to the panels. Made of vertical grained quartered ash veneers, it’s definitely a modern statement, ideal for urban living.

Dining room and kitchen

The unique X-Table, a pine trestle piece with a distressed surface finish and hand-planed look, is classic Ethan Allen, which is known for being a design authority with a modern attitude.

“This is actually a new introduction for Ethan Allen. All the finishes that we used are water-based that’s why it’s eco-friendly. It fits more on the countryside look,” explains Monzon.

Then there is the Modern Glamour Round Dining Table. Subtly traditional yet strikingly modern, this dining piece features matte-finished silver-plated ferrules on the ends of six graceful spider legs.

Integrating kitchens into living areas is one of the issues faced by many urban dwellers and which SieMatic SC10 hopes to address. Its clean and compact design offers lots of storage even for small spaces, as well as essential appliances such as a Wolf microwave, single oven, five-burner gas cooktop, modular steamer and fryer plus a built-in refrigerator and wine storage.