Anthony Yupangco would rather be cooking

With his long black hair, Anthony Yupangco has the look of a free spirited man. Liberated from the conventions of fashion, our bachelor is well-suited for his role as manager of Domani International, a trendy modern furniture store. There, among the avant-garde designer chairs by Philippe Starck, Anthony, 35, supervises the showroom in Makati’s New World Hotel arcade.

Since it opened in 1995, Domani has become a major furnisher of ultra modern fittings for the most stylish homes in Manila. The store’s reputation as a source of sleek bathtubs, classy kitchen cabinets and contemporary Italian furniture was established by its owner, architect Joey Yupangco. Together, the two brothers work to transform many private houses into comfortable homes with a flair.

Before Domani, 5’10" Anthony was training to be a head chef in Mandarin Oriental Hotel. Five years into his culinary work, he had to make a decision: either go with his ailing mother to Australia for a month or let her go on her own because he could not take the time off from his job. He chose to travel with his mom. A few months later, Domani was born.

AB Psychology at La Salle and a cooking course at The Ritz Hotel in Paris put the icing on Anthony’s education.

Which living person do you admire most?

Chef Paul Bocuse. His love of and pride in his heritage greatly contributed to disseminating the international popularity of French food. Bocuse is one of the masters and the best known ambassador of French cuisine.

What film influenced your life?

Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory, a film that teaches everyone what they should learn about living in this world. It inspired me to be optimistic. As Willy says in the end, "don’t forget what happened to the man who got everything he wanted : he lived happily ever after."

Who or what is the greatest love of your life?

God. It is His will that I want to follow.

What is your greatest fear?

Dying spiritually unprepared.

What is your passion?

Food and music.

What is your most fervent wish?

To open a small intimate restaurant.

What sports/hobbies do you like most?

Collecting action figures.

Which hero of fiction can you most identify with?

The Flash, I want things done right away.

How do you start your day?

Praying the rosary.

What do you most value in your friends?

Sincerity, truthfulness and humor.

What is your greatest extravagance?

CDs, cookbooks and culinary gadgets.

What sounds do you love?

Cooking sounds.

If you could date any celebrity in the world, who would that be?

Claire Forlani from the Meet Joe Black movie. She knows how to carry herself.

Which historical character would you like to have been?

Auguste Escoffier and Cesar Ritz, both masters of their professions.

What do you consider your greatest achievement?

Making my parents happy and proud of me.

Which living person do you most identify with?

My brother Joey. He is better looking but I have the height.

Which famous quotation would you have wanted to be the author of?

My friend Louie Tengco sent me this quote by text. "Stressed is just desserts spelled backwards. It is a piece of cake."

What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?

The sudden death of my father and my mother’s illness that led to her death.

What is the quality you most like in a man?

His ability to be tender and loving.

What is the quality you most like in a woman?

A caring nature, being stylishly simple and fashionable in her shoes.

Name an embarrassing moment at work?

Not remembering the names of our clients after having talked to them for several hours.

* * *

E-mail: babycamp2@yahoo.co.uk.