cii newletter

summer issue
LIFE AN D ST YLE FRO M COMMUNITY INNOVATIONS
Contents
Health and Beauty:
Get gorgeous. Find out the latest in health
and beauty news today…
Fab Abs for the Summer
Look your hottest this summer
Shopping:
The best and the brightest of treasures for her,
him and for your home found only at Ayala malls
For Him
Soothe your skin problems away with these
grooming essentials
For Her
Make a splash wherever you go with these chic finds
Again, the summer holidays have come to lull us back into
planning lazy days in the sun with fun-filled activities with
family and friends.
Live the Life
We at Community Innovations have tried to include as many
fresh, fun ideas for you and your family to try in this month’s
newsletter.
Lead the High-Rise Life
We are quite pleased to bring you a sneak peak at the
lifestyle of our chosen community, The Columns Legazpi
Village. This includes a few practical tips from the
reknowned interior designer, Isabel Asuncion. We have
also lined up features on Sousako Japanese Restaurant
and their gastronomical delights. For the entertainment
mongers, we have brought to you what’s in store for us
this summer in the music and film industries. We also have
great tips on getting fit this summer; and Fab Finds let’s
you in on the latest accessories and products around town.
Lastly, we also bring you Nami, a destination choice that
may give you something to dream about in planning your
next vacation trip.
With these summer tidbits in mind, we hope you will be more
inspired to make the most of your time out with family, friends
and neighbors. Let’s welcome this summer season with
newfound energy and a fun-filled attitude to truly make our
holidays a memorable one. Have a great one everybody.
This season’s guide for the life you lead
The new community with a distinct lifestyle
Nami Boracay Beckons
A luxurious seaside hideaway for beach lovers
Dining:
Tickle your taste buds pink as you get to know
more about the best restaurants in town…
The Best-Kept Sushi Secret
Satisfy your cravings at the latest hot spots in town.
Culture:
Chic in the city. Your definitive guide to what’s
hip and hapenning around he metropolis.
Listen
The hottest tunes for your every mood
See
Beat the heat with these summer flicks
Read
Great summer reads that refresh the mind and spirit
Dining:
g
Tickle your taste
a buds pink as you get to know more about the best restaurants in town
dining
culture
health&beauty
shopping
live the life
THE BEST KEPT
SUSHI SECRET
D
o you sometimes get tired of crowded
malls and restaurants? Do you want to
try a unique dining destination that’s far from
hundreds of mall-goers? If you answer yes to
both questions, then head on over to Legazpi
Village and uncover the hidden treasure known
as SouSaku Japanese Restaurant.
SouSaku in English means “New Idea”, and since you’re in the lookout for
something new, then this restaurant is definitely worth the trip. Upon entering
SouSaku’s cozy dining area, you’ll immediately get a sense of its charming
appeal. But don’t be fooled by the modest surroundings because there is more
to SouSaku than meets the eye. With part owner and Master Chef Seiji Kamura
at the helm, the dishes served at SouSaku are nothing short of extraordinary.
“My staff and I go to the market every morning so that everything is fresh. And
our Hamichi fish is even flown from Japan once a week. Freshness is very
important in a Japanese restaurant,” says Mr. Kamura.
There is truth to what Mr. Kamura says. All of SouSaku’s meals taste fresh and
best of all, they are of first-rate quality. The grilled guindara, which is served
best with a creamy miso sauce, is soft and tender while the fried tofu is a
My staff and I go to the market every
morning so that everything is fresh. And
our Hamichi fish is even flown from
Japan once a week. Freshness is very
important in a Japanese restaurant.
different experience in itself because it’s eaten with a pinch of salt. The classic
ebi tempura is crisp and golden brown, and there’s even a special asparagus
and bacon tempura. And if you want something that will cool your palate, try
the chilled Japanese soba with dipping sauce. It will make you forget about the
summer heat outside. Of course, SouSaku has other house specialties but we
suggest that you save these for your next visit.
You’ll most probably go back to SouSaku because besides its delicious and
generous servings, everything on its menu is reasonably priced. But because
SouSaku is not located in any mall and not even along the main thoroughfare,
only the loyal and regular patrons know about it. Word-of-mouth and the
affordability of SouSaku have helped lure customers in the past. But in order to
attract more customers, especially new clientele, Mr. Kamura and his business
partners have made big plans. Starting this month, you can learn more about
Japanese Sake at the event, “Wine, Sushi and Sake at SouSaku”, and together
with your colleagues, you can enjoy a night of relaxation after a hard day’s
work at “SouSaku by Night”.
SouSaku may be off the beaten track, but it’s waiting to be found. And it’s also
Legazpi Village’s best-kept secret that needs to be shared with others.
Special thanks to Mrs. Bingbing Lopez-Santos
and Mr. Seiji Kamura.
SouSaku Japanese Restaurant
2/F Valuepoint Building
227 Salcedo Street,
Legazpi Village, Makati City
Tel. 812-4922
Mondays to Saturdays
11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
5 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Culture
Chic in the city. Your definitive guide to what’s hip and happening around the metropolis
dining
culture
health&beauty
shopping
live the life
L I S T E N
The hottest tunes for your every mood
Mood Food: Aural Delicacies…
by Various artists
Soundsgood
The Chillout Project:
Sisters of the Sun
Putumayo Presents Asian Lounge
by Café del Mar
Galaxy Records
by Various Artists
EMI Philippines
Mood food tries to plot your day. It grasps your
daily situations and moods quite accurately. From
waking up—albeit a very beautiful, whimsical
waking up—to rush hours to coffee breaks and
to cocktails, Mood food can give your routine a
little jig and make your life seem like a movie.
There are some tasks however, like morning rush
perhaps, which already has a very stressful vibe
that you want to contradict. But who says you
can’t use the relaxing bedtime song other than
what is suggested, right?
The younger generation who have a penchant
for classical music will enjoy listening to Paul
Schwartz’ Aria 3, Metamorphosis, third in the
popular Aria series that updates opera with
contemporary beats. In Aria 3, Schwartz is
inspired by Ovid’s poem Metamorphoses and
evokes pieces by Handl and Monteverdi. With
ambient and jungle tracks mixed with the sound
of a live orchestra and vocals by Rebecca Luker,
Aria 3 will have you feeling spiritual in no time.
Here is a record perfect for intimate dinners
and cocktail conversations. Asian Lounge fuses
perfectly Eastern elements like language and
instruments with Western beats resulting in a very
cosmopolitan, very upscale urban sound. It is not
distracting unlike other Asian (or “World Music”)
inspired records with hard sell instrumentation
(Bamboo xylophones, anyone?) and off-putting
foreign language. Instead, Asian Lounge is quiet
in its mysticism, giving off that mysterious vibe
often associated with the East. And like many
concept records, the premium is on the songs
rather than the artists.
S
E
E
Beat the heat with these summer flicks
The Da Vinci Code
Mission: Impossible 3
Breaking and Entering
Stars: Tom Hanks, Audrey Tautou,
Ian McKellen, Alfred Molina
Stars: Tom Cruise, Billy Crudup,
Ving Rhames, Jonathan Rhys-Meyers,
Keri Russell
Stars: Jude Law, Juliet Binoche,
Robin Wright Penn
The Da Vinci Code weaves a dramatic story
of murder and mayhem in the Louvre museum.
This controversial film is actually pegged on Dan
Brown’s bestselling novel of the same title. It’s
probably known by now that The Da Vinci Code
book caused quite a stir in the Catholic world
ever since its author insisted that its plot is based
on actual facts. In both the book and the movie,
the Opus Dei organization is depicted as an evil
society that will do anything—including commit
murder—to get rid of the secrets that lie hidden in
the art works of Da Vinci. Tom Hanks, who plays
the intelligent Harvard professor Robert Langdon,
must solve such cryptic and hidden puzzles in
order to clear his name and expose the truth.
The third installment of the Mission: Impossible
franchise is set to wow audiences the world
over this May. Tom Cruise reprises his role of
Special Agent Ethan Hunt and teams up with
Ving Rhames who returns as Luther Stickell on
the big screen. Academy Award winner Philip
Seymour Hoffman plays the bad guy in this
action-packed film and from the looks of this allstellar cast, this movie is going to be a fun ride
in the summer just like its predecessors.
R
E
A
If you thought this was going to be about theft,
then congratulations, give yourself a pat on
the back! Indeed this film by Academy Awardwinning director Anthony Minghella (Truly
Madly Deeply) discusses the most passé crime
of all time, although his focal point lies on
both criminal and emotional thievery. A bunch
of London residents and Johnny-come-latelys
meet in the inner-city area of King’s Cross
and start massive burglary, mostly victimizing
a landscape architect and his state of the art
offices.
D
Great summer reads that refresh the mind and spirit
The Pleasure of My Company
Half Asleep in Frog Pajamas
MondoManila
by Steve Martin
by Tom Robbins
by Norman Wilwayco
If you are a Steve Martin fan, My Company
will entertain you out of your wits. A wellwritten easy read, the novel follows the life
of Daniel Cambridge, a gentle soul whose
life is imprisoned by his utter intelligence,
obsessive
compulsiveness,
and
silly
obsessions. He reminds you of Steve Martin
in his movies—neurotic and loser-like to
a laughable, loveable extent. Incredibly
entertaining, you’ll probably finish this book
in a sitting but you’ll also probably pick it up
more often than you visit your dentist.
The stock market crashes right around Easter
weekend and Gwen, the half-Filipina main
character who is a stock broker, experiences
the worst day of her life. As most Tom Robbins
books, Half Asleep is wild, crazy, and loaded
with out-of-this-world ideas that only make
sense after long reflective pauses. This is
not the easiest book to get into—especially
with weird characters who find themselves
in weirder situations. But give Half Asleep
a chance. Once you get Tom Robbins’
groove, you’re out to have a mighty, trippy
good time.
2003 Palanca Award winning Norman
Wilwayco knows how to tug you right where
it hits the most. How? He writes in Tagalog.
While many casual readers may find this
tedious, this is probably why Mondomanila
is as affective as it is. It makes the reader
own all of Tony’s—the lead guy—feelings,
experiences and despair makes Tony’s lifechanging moments cathartic for the readers
as well. Most especially for its bittersweet
ending, Mondomanila is reminiscent of
Trainspotting.
This coupon is valid until August 2006 and is exclusively for this title only.
This coupon is valid until August 2006 and is exclusively for this title only.
This coupon is valid until August 2006 and is exclusively for this title only.
Get Gorgeous:
Find out the latest in health and beauty news today
dining
culture
health&beauty
FAB
ABS
for the Summer
Look your hottest this summer
shopping
live the life
T
he arrival of summer signifies a major dilemma
for all: you’ll either be able to frolic under the
sun and relax at the beach in a body-baringbeach-attire or you’ll hide under a shirt and a
pair of shorts instead of the mandatory swimsuit
because you’re afraid of revealing your unsightly
bulges to the world.
To look fabulous and swimsuitready for the summer, Gold’s Gym
personal fitness trainers, Aldwin
dela Chesta and Gerald “Jigs”
Tenorio teaches you how to get
fab abs.
If you don’t have time to go to the gym, don’t fret. You can do this workout right in your own
home. Before beginning with the exercises, fitness experts recommend stretching first.
1
2
3
Do 5 oblique stretches (with 5 to 15 seconds hold).
Bend your shoulders to your right until you feel the strain
on the side of your stomach and hold for 5 to 15 seconds.
Repeat 5 times. Then do this on the left side 5 times.
Do 5 cobra stretches (with 5 seconds hold). Lie on the
floor with your head facing the floor then do the prawn
position (your hands on the floor, your upper body raised
but your lower body still on the floor). Then bend your arms
until your head is on the floor. Do these stretches 5 times
(with 5 seconds hold).
Fitness experts also recommend doing 10-15 minute
cardiovascular workouts. This helps warm the muscles,
making them more flexible, thereby making your
abdominal workout more effective.
For beginners, Aldwin and Jigs also recommend
taking breathing into consideration. While doing your
exercises, exhale. Upon returning to your starting
position, inhale. The rationale for this is to help blood
circulation. Also incorrect breathing may also cause
injury and muscle strain.
Floor crunches
• Lie on an exercise mat or preferably on a gym bench with your
knees bent and hands behind the head.
• Lift your upper body off the floor or bench using your upper back
and shoulder blades.
1
• Do 20 (or more) repetitions of the floor crunch. Never allow your
chin and chest to touch.
Bicycle twist
• Lie down in the floor crunch position with your hands behind
your head.
• Lift your upper body while twisting it towards the left, bringing your
right knee towards it and vice-versa.
2
• Do 20 (or more) repetitions of the bicycle twist. Keep your lower back
flat on the floor and your upper body curved in a C-shape.
Leg lift
• Lie on an exercise mat or preferably on a gym bench with your hands
below your lower back.
• Keep your leg up straight so that they are perpendicular to your
upper body.
• Move them back and forth, but not beyond a 45 degree angle.
• Do 20 (or more repetitions) of the leg lift. Never lift your lower back off
the floor or let the legs go all the way to the floor.
3
4
Reverse curls
• Lie on an exercise mat with your knees bent and feet off the floor at a
90-degree angle.
• Keep your ankles crossed and your hands behind your head.
• Contract your abdominals and try to raise your hips off the floor.
Your hips should lift only about an inch.
• Do 20 (or more) repetitions of the reverse curls.
5
Lying leg pull ends
• Lie on an exercise mat with your knees bent and
your legs 12 inches apart.
• Place your hands on your abdominals so that you focus
on using only those muscles.
• Lift your bent right leg up to the ceiling, then your left. Lower your right
leg, then your left. Repeat, but this time, pull your abdominals in even
more when you lift the second leg up. Continue the exercise by
lowering the right leg, then the left, to starting position.
• Keep your abdominals as tight as possible.
• Do 20 repetitions of the lying leg pull ends,
alternating the leg that goes first.
For surefire ripped abs,
visit a personal fitness trainer near you.
Gold’s Gym, Glorietta 3, Ayala Center,
Makati City, 752-8081 and
3/L Robinsons Galleria, EDSA
cor. Ortigas Ave., Quezon City,
634-0908.
Special thanks to Aldwin dela Chesta and
Gerald “Jigs” Tenorio of Gold’s Gym.
Fab Finds:
The best and the brightest of treasures for her, for him and for your home found only at Ayala malls
dining
culture
health&beauty
shopping
live the life
FOR
HIM
Soothe your skin problems away with these grooming essentials
Who says a skin care routine is
only for girls? Hormones, active
oil glands, and daily shaving
can take a toll on male skin, so
the old “wash-n-go” skin care
routine is just not enough to
keep blemishes, flakiness and
ingrown hairs at bay!
Clinique Skin Supplies for Men is a simple
three-step skin care system that takes its cue
from the original Clinique method, which
has become a habit of women all across the
globe. Unlike conventional men’s grooming
lines that offer just one type of cleanser,
toner and moisturizer, Clinique Skin Supplies
for Men targets your skin type with a touch of
Face soap with dish (P1,250)
personalization. You can customize
your own Clinique routine and
choose a specific product that will
help you with your skin problems.
Clinique Skin Supplies for Men
offers products for dry, normal, oily
or very oily skin, all of which are
allergy tested and 100% fragrance
free. The line also offers powerful
problem-solving
products
that
can be easily incorporated in your
shaving routine. Our top pick: PostShave Soother Anti-Blemish Formula,
a medicated oil-free lotion that
combats blemishes while controlling
oil and soothing irritation caused by
shaving.
Post Shave Soother
Anti Blemish Formula (P1,295)
MProtect SPF21 (P2,250)
Scruffing Lotion (P890)
*Clinique Skin Supplies For Men is available at Clinique Counters, Rustan’s Department Stores nationwide.
FOR
HER
Make a splash wherever you go with these chic finds
Fresh from the success of her
premier label, Get Happy, Happy
David comes up with yet another
line that will have fashionistas
and art lovers salivating. Inspired
by Happy’s glamorous and
accomplished Lola Lucy, the
second label consists of luxe
accessories that are bound
to charm anyone at first sight.
Using pricier materials such as
Swarovski crystals,
y
semi-precious
p
stones, ribbons, lace, and wires,
Lucy in the Sky pieces exude
sophistication and elegance,
but still appropriate enough for
a stylish summer! Slip on a Lenny
bikini and pair it up with a Lucy in
the Sky jewelry piece, and be the
most fashionable beach babe
this summer!
Lucy in the Sky is available at FIRMA
Greenbelt 3 (757-4019)
email at luxelucy@gmail.com.
Price available upon request.
Havaianas are available at:
All Flip-Flops, Glorietta 3
Rustan’s Department Store, Makati and Alabang Town Center
Celio, Alabang Town Center
Stoked, Alabang Town Center
Sepatu, Market! Market!
Live the Life
Be inspired by these lifestyle picks for the life you lead
dining
culture
health&beauty
Living the
City life just seems to get busier and busier.
With the endless cycle of work, bills and
chores, when do we find time for our kids, our
family and ourselves? For those of you who
relate to this modern dilemma, we have good
news for you.
shopping
live the life
Life
The Columns Legazpi Village is one of the
newest vertical villages in central Makati.
Conveniently located at the corner of Arnaiz
Avenue (formerly known as Pasay Road) and
Amorsolo streets, life just got better. With
the ease of having to work a stone’s throw
away from home, and with the city’s premier
shopping malls and trendiest restaurants all
but a stroll away, living in the city brings you
added quality time with family and friends.
And that is just the start.
Sufficiently central yet private enough to get
away, this 41-storey two-tower development
provides a haven in the city to call your very
own. Its all embracing design and planning
hopes to fully provide for your dynamic living
needs by featuring innovations such as a Grand
Lobby with Zen-inspired interiors with its open
areas and soothing garden views. The Open
Plaza is set aside to locate shops, restaurants
and cafes to include al fresco dining. And the
Recreational Club on the 7th floor spans both
towers to house a flurry of amenities to cater to
you and your family’s many needs. It includes
The Fitness Hub, sauna and massage rooms, well-managed daycare center,
kiddie pools, a 25-meter lap pool, numerous function rooms, a jogging
trail and several indoor and outdoor play areas; truly making The Columns
Legazpi Village the most convenient hub in city living.
The condominium integrates seven unit designs into its living concepts. Revel your
independence with the Studio. If you’re interested in a little more living space,
lounge around in the Junior 1-Bedroom. And for a deeper sense of privacy,
enjoy the 1-Bedroom, or 1-Bedroom Loft. For the demanding needs of growing
families, consider the 2-Bedroom, 2-Bedroom Bi-Level, or 2-Bedroom Loft.
Life can get better. Think of it, The Columns Legazpi Village might be the
lifestyle change you’ve always wanted. And now, you deserve it.
Design Tips for Condominium Living
Make the most of your space.
Plan spaces well so furnishings are sized properly and useless spaces are
omitted. Make your spaces and furniture pieces multi-functional and keep décor
to a minimum. For example, beds and sofas should be designed to have storage
underneath. A decorative mirror in the bathroom could double as storage for
amenities. Keeping things low (e.g. no high back chairs) will give the illusion of
space, and simplicity will de-clutter and lend a more tranquil mood to your limited
space. A fully mirrored wall to one side along its length creates the wonderful
illusion of width and openness since more often than not, it will reflect the windows
and views outside. It also helps to bring more light inside. Try to keep the kitchen
area visually separated so the sleeping areas maintain some sense of luxury. Less
is always more.
Colors make a difference.
Color is a prominent design element, especially in small spaces. Light colors work
best for walls since they open up the space, and the effect is more obvious when
choosing light colored floors. Painting walls, floors, and ceilings in the same
color create the illusion of height and infinity. Light colors in large spaces magnify
the scale and makes one feel unsheltered. Adding a dark colored wall will work
wonderfully to create a cost-effective focal point.
It is not necessary however, to create a different color scheme in each room.
For the illusion of space, a consistent scheme throughout the whole area is best.
For a family however, each bedroom occupant may want their own color scheme.
In this case, find a common color that can be repeated throughout each room to
tie the color scheme together. In this way, each room has its own character but is
still part of a whole.
Bring in the greens
Large and tall plants are a no-no if you cannot situate them in a place where they
constantly receive sunlight and air. A more practical approach would be to have
small potted indoor plants so these can be easily brought out to the sun or can be
easily replaced. They also double as décor or as an accessory. Water plants are
also easy for condominium units.
Better budgeting
Work on a good layout. It’s essential to plan your spaces efficiently so you
maximize every square foot of your purchase. Keep details simple so you spend
less and have cleaner spaces. Identify priorities for spending---high visual impact
but low cost improvements obviously take priority. Try to work with the developer’s
deliverables.
When furnishing, start with what you have. Sometimes it’s a matter of merely
re-styling your existing pieces to make them match newer ones. Especially
nowadays when natural resources are so depleted, we have to pitch in to
minimize excess and wastage. When working with existing pieces, you not only
save money but you infuse character into your home.
About Isabel Asuncion
Isabel is an interior designer and a licensed architect. Having got her training in
designing valuable spaces during her stint in Hong Kong for a few years, her firm
Asuncion-Berenguer has a diverse profile of project types. Their projects range
from small scale retail to large scale architecture. Their design approach is largely
contemporary and experimental. They enjoy applying a fresh approach to every
project and they see this as an opportunity to deliver unique design solutions.
Live the Life
Be inspired by these lifestyle picks for the life you lead
dining
culture
health&beauty
shopping
live the life
NAMI
Boracay Beckons
Boracay Island’s powder white
beaches and parties have helped
peg it as one of South East Asia’s
beach resort destinations. Being only
one in the many beautiful islands in
the Philippine archipelago, Boracay
has become the ultimate summer
getaway for urban dwellers.
Of the many beach resorts to spring
up on Boracay Island in the last few
decades, Nami is one of the newest to
join that dream within a dream. Nami
meaning ‘good’ or ‘pleasant’ in the
local dialect is an understatement when
you see this private resort located on
top of a 20-meter cliff along Diniwid
Beach. The breathtaking 180-degree
view of pristine blue waters and whitesanded beaches below provides an
amazing getaway from the hustle and
bustle of everyday life.
The resort’s proprietors, Cheese and
Candy Ledesma have done their
share in harvesting a little of the great
natural beauty the Philippines has
to offer. They have provided resort
goers with private villas that have
their own Jacuzzi and a fabulous view
of Boracay’s perfect stretch of white
sand. The villas are private enough to
find you that cool, relaxing time you
deserve away from work, that can be
turned into your very own private spa
at the drop of a hat. Or should we
say, as soon as you request it from
your very own personal butler, one
of whom is assigned to each of the
villas. Soothe away your stress with
the healing touch of massage, and
the natural healing properties of
nature.
Interestingly,
Cheese
Ledesma
confesses that owning a resort was
not her childhood dream. The vision
for the resort had come when the
property was offered to her family for
sale; and the family recognized the
potential for it to be a premier resort
in the area. With this in mind, this
young urban professional combined
her good business sense and stuck to
a vision, the result of which is having
turned this abandoned hotel into what
is now a successful business venture
for Cheese and the Ledesma clan.
The Nami Boracays staff are truly
dedicated to making your vacation
as flawlessly as what you anticipated
your vacation to be. Cheese Ledesma
and Mr. JR Cacho, NAMI’s resident
manager, invite you to experience the
unique and high-quality service that
Nami promises.