Dead Hunger: Disorder Revisited

Old meets new in this reimagining of social issues that continue to affect artists today.

After more than a decade, Andres Barrioquinto revisits an old collection to bring back dark yet amusing experiences from his younger, more naïve past in Dead Hunger: Disorder Revisited exhibit. Five pieces from the collection have been turned into better and bolder paintings and pieces of sculpture.

Barrioquinto is the latest artist to have a designer toy made at Secret Fresh Gallery. The past artists who had designer toys made there included the likes of Mark Justiniani, Lynyrd Paras, Jason Montinola, Joy Mallari, Luis Lorenzana, Geraldine Javier, Gen Paul Martin, Romeo Lee, Iya Consorio, Bree Jonson, Yeo Kaa and National Artist for Visual Arts Benedicto “BenCab” Cabrera.

In Dead Hunger, Barrioquinto’s experience, artistic sensibilities and fierce passion shine through. Taking cue from his younger self, he offers another perspective through charming yet unnerving depictions of the various personas in the art scene.

In the reimagined version of Artist for Sale, a fuzzy, glowing creature with a single eye and two pairs of limbs has a winding key on top of its head. On the other hand, Birch Tree portrays the artist as a human-cow hybrid. The creature is milking itself, showing that artists can become milking cows mainly used for others’ benefit.

The two Andres Barrioquinto toys come in a limited edition of regular and customized (hand-painted, one-of-a-kind) designer toys.

(Secret Fresh is located at the Ronac Center on Ortigas Avenue, Greenhills, San Juan City.)

A secret dinner prepared by eight hands

Makati Shangri-La Manila launched the Eight Hands Dinner, an original concept featuring an exclusive, one-of-a-kind dining experience. VIP guests were involved in a mysterious gastronomic affair that stimulated all the senses — sight, hearing, smell, taste and sensation — from start to finish.

Area manager of Philippine Shangri-La properties and general manager of Makati Shangri-La, Manila Alain Borgers said, “We created Eight Hands for you, our top clientele and valued partners, to show our gratitude for your never-ending support and patronage. Allow us to give back through this one-of-a-kind experience.”

Some members of the press were invited by Borgers and communications director Patti Javier to this dinner. Everything prepared by the “eight hands” was superb. What’s also fun about Eight Hands is those who have eaten the special dinner get to put their handprints on the kitchen’s wall!

“Eight Hands” refers to the hotel’s four culinary chefs who come together to create a discerning menu of authentic cuisines from the countries of their origin. Each dish was prepared by the collaborative effort of Makati Shangri-La, Manila’s master chefs: executive Japanese chef Wataru Hikawa, Chinese sous chef Lam Ling Kui, executive sous chef Gilles Galli and executive pastry chef Romain Renard.

Upon arrival, I already was gobbling up sumptuous appetizers such as those to-die-for abalone tarts and seared scallops topped with oyster sorbet and caviar. The meals prepared were a true foodie’s dream.

“These chefs harnessed their finest culinary knowledge to bring you this extraordinary and rewarding dining experience from Makati Shangri-La. We hope to continue this intimate dinner with our valued partners in the near future,” Borgers added.

Trust me, this is a must-try gastronomic experience. Get a group of 10 and book this unique dining experience!

(For more information, call 813-8888, e-mail [email protected] or visit www.facebook.com/MakatiShangrila and @MakatiShangriLa on Twitter and Instagram.)

Crazy over Mango

The season’s hottest looks from internationally-renowned label Mango have arrived!

The brand’s Autumn/Winter 2015 collection was headlined by supermodels Kate Moss and Cara Delevingne. The catwalk queens have something in common as they wear the anthology of covetable pieces from the brand’s ‘70s-inspired collection.

Reliving the heady decade of the flare, fringe, floral and fur, but with all the modern riffs, Mango Woman took cues from the season’s hit trend — boho. Its equally stylish Mango Kids line also carried the throwback theme.

Guests got to shop at Mango’s newest multi-concept store at 1880 Avenue Building, Orchard Road in Eastwood City where the collection was unveiled. On display were printed and textured ponchos and capes, luxurious chiffon kaftans, flowing maxi dresses, bell-sleeved blouses, and the ultimate ‘70s apparel — flared jeans.

Mango country supervisor Kelly Santos said, “We’ve got Kate and Cara on board, and a strong style-forward collection that we predict will be well received. Of course, we were very excited to finally present it, and we can’t wait to see Mango shoppers here in the Philippines wearing these pieces.” 

(The Autum/Winter 2015 collection is available at the Mango stores nationwide.)

Amazing ‘little women’

GapKids has partnered with ED, Ellen DeGeneres’ new lifestyle brand, to launch GapKids x ED, a limited edition apparel collection launched in over 25 markets around the world.

The GapKids x ED global campaign features six young girls who excel in skateboarding, drumming, robotics and entrepreneurialism, by being true to themselves, regardless of naysayers or outdated stereotypes. These girls, Alexey, Relz, Ryann, Bellatreas, Torrae and Asia, who range from ages seven to 12, star in the anthem film and campaign images, which all provoke a feeling of strength, empowerment and pure enjoyment. The print ads, launched in August across the US, Canada, United Kingdom, China and Japan, as well as select international franchise markets, feature the hero campaign “selfie” image of Ellen with the six girls. In addition to print, the campaign spans outdoor, mobile, direct, social, in store and digital.

Gap Philippines also has its own GapKids x ED heroes featuring seven young girls who exhibit talent in painting, photography, gymnastics, golf, tennis, and softball. Young painters Amanda Francisco and Maxine Eduque are on the list. Amanda exhibited her artworks in a group show at LRI Design Plaza. Rocio Trillo focuses her lenses in capturing fashion at a young age of 11. Mia Gosiengfiao won a gold medal at the 2014 Philippines Cup and Prime Cup in Singapore in gymnastics. Annyka Cayabyab is a young golfer who won last year’s Future Champions of Golf International Junior Golf Championships held in California. The other two are competitive tennis player Yana Po and softball player Martine Francisco, who’s a part of the Asia Pacific-Team 2015, Little League Softball World Series and Philippine team that competed in the 2015 Asia-Pacific League Girl’s Fast-Pitch Softball Regional Tournament in Guam.

DeGeneres said, “I know from my own experience that nothing makes you feel better than being who you are and celebrating what makes you unique. I think if we shine a light on real girls doing incredible things, that will encourage other girls and boys to do incredible things. This opportunity to partner with Gap and my new lifestyle brand, ED, is the perfect way to celebrate girls just for being who they are; and to encourage them to unleash their passions — whether it’s Math, soccer, singing, dancing, or simply singing while dancing in their bedroom.”

In the Philippines, the limited edition collection will be available at Gap Shangri-La Plaza and Central Square, Bonifacio High Street in Taguig City.

(For more information, visit www.gap.com.)

(Follow me on Instagram @pepperteehankee.)