The 2015 International Premiere Tennis League Manila Leg

Exciting tennis action happened in the Philippines once more as the Manila leg of the second season of the International Premier Tennis League or IPTL fired off from December 6 to 8, 2015 at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The event was the second stop of the five-city tournament that fans like me are looking forward to the whole year round because more than the action, it gathered our favorite tennis players who happened to be among the best in the world (Yes, I am hyerventillating now!!! Ahhhh!!! XD).

The tournament featured five teams: Japan Warriors, Indian Aces, Singapore Slammers, United Arab Emirates Royals, and (drum roll, please...) THE PHILIPPINE MAVERICKS.

The five contenders in this year's' International Premiere Tennis League (Image Source: Business World)

Women's Tennis Association pro (and my personal role model), Serena Williams will head the newly-branded Philippine Mavericks, together with Richard Gasquet and Edouard Roger-Vasselin of France, Mark Philippoussis and Jarmila Gajdosova of Australia, Sabine Lisicki of Germany, Milos Raonic of Canada, and Filipino-American Treat Huey. 

The Manila Mavericks (Image Source: IPTL World)

Before the action took place, a benefit dinner was held in a private village (*ehem* Dasma *ehem*) in Makati where US Ambassador Phillip Goldberg led the movers and shakers of the country in an auction for charity.  I was very lucky to be part of this wonderful gathering of sports and showbiz celebrities, heads of corporations, and tennis afficionados like me! :)

(Image copyright: Jessica E. Vitangcol)

The highlight of the evening was an auction where important tennis artifacts, such as autographed tennis equipment, photographs, and art were put up for bidding. I badly wanted to get a tennis ball with Serena Williams' signature but to my disappointment, it went to a different bidder. :(  I had a different ball signed by my tennis gods, anyway. :)

(Image copyright: Jessica E. Vitangcol)

Proceeds of the benefit dinner will go to the IPTL scholars who consist of talented young Filipinos who are passionate about tennis but do not have the means to go through proper training. 

You can't sit with us. :p
(Image copyright: Jessica E. Vitangcol)

The International Premiere Tennis League ended up its three-day Manila leg with superstars Serena Williams and Rafael Nadal keeping up their promise to deliver performances that we will surely remember! :)

If The Shoe Fits

I don't know about you, but I think that there’s a certain majesty to a beautifully-made pair of shoes. Just imagine the swoop and curve of butter-soft, nutmeg leather, the crisp slap of the sole on the pavement, and the gleam of the polished patina---Ahhh... I'm in love! <3 

Imagine yourself walking in these.
(Image Source: The Shoe Museum)

One mantra that I learned from my mom was that "a good pair of shoes would stand me in good stead for any life challenge". Not only that, my mom would always remind me that shoes make the man. See, the quality of your shoes reveals how much you respect yourself.  Indeed, being that the feet are the foundation of our body, it would be sensible to assume that the shoes are the the "foundation" to our outfit. 

(Image Source: Pinterest)

Shoes ARE and WILL always be THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF YOUR OUTFIT because you cannot fake them. A cheap pair is noticeable from a mile away, yet substandard clothes are hard to distinguish. In fact, you can wear high-end, elegant shoes with a red-tagged H&M or Zara ensemble and still look good, but YOU CAN NEVER WEAR AN ARMANI with an H&M faux leather pair and try to look dapper (Nu-uh...). 

Crocs are very stylish...said no one ever! :D   (Image Source: The Daily Beast)

Now, in case you are wondering, which shoes must I invest on, you have to understand that no matter how hard you try, you will never find one style of shoe that can be used for all occasions. It just doesn't work that way. You need to have a selection of shoes of different styles to complement an entire wardrobe for different occasions.  So, you must invest in important pieces that will not jeopardize either style or comfort.

Before you know it, you would have amassed a shoe collection that will humble that of Imelda Marcos.
(Image Source: Drama Beans)

Clueless of which shoes to invest on? Here's a tip: when it comes to "investment" shoes, it is important to understand your goals and to take a realistic assessment of your lifestyle by figuring out what shoe will give you the most value, and then spend the money there. 

As for me, I invest mostly on designer shoes mainly because they are made with style and quality in mind. :)  My personal favorite are loafers.  These are shoes that are designed to easily slip into your foot. Loafers are less formal than most dress shoes and can be worn with almost anything. They are commonly made in leather, may feature tassels, hardware, and other embellishments, and can come in a range of stylish colors. 

I especially prefer the Irving Driving Moccasins. These are Hermes' ladies driving loafers in very supple calfskin with two "Clous Pyramides" hardware in palladium plated, orange lining, pyramidal rubber studs on the sole.  

My Hermes Irving in Capucine Orange
(Image Copyright: Jessica E. Vitangcol)

and in Black
(Image Copyright: Jessica E. Vitangcol)

Ballerina Flats are also my go-to fashion staple, especially when I need to move al ot. Not only are they easy on the feet, they are also very portable, which makes it very convenient for me in case I would have to change into a different pair later in the day. 

Hermes ladies' ballerina flat shoe, the Intime, is in patent leather and nappa leather, rubber sole, and "Hermes Paris" palladium plated mini Clou de Selle. That's why they look very stylish despite the simple design. 

My Hermes Intime Ballerina Flats in Black
(Image Copyright: Jessica E. Vitangcol)

So, if you are planning on buying a new pair of shoes, remember that inexpensive footwear usually means you are investing in unjust labor conditions---most cheap shoes are not made in the best environments, let alone made with good materials (Boo!!!). 

Remember, never settle for anything less and invest in something that will give you bang for your bucks. :)

"H" is for Hermes Heure

Watches are one of the few items that when worn, display a person's true character. They can also make a person indulge in a little dose of extravagance without drawing much criticism, the way other jewelries do. 

Your watch says a lot about you. (Image Source: picjumbo.com)

As far as fashion and functionality are concerned, my choice of watch will always be Hermes, which began producing watches in Biel Switzerland in 1928 creating La Montre Hermès. The first Hermès watch was made for Jacqueline Hermès by her father. It was a pocket watch that transformed into a wristwatch, after he invented a leather strap in Paris workshop that enabled the pocket watch to be worn on the wrist (Perramong, L., 2011).

The first Hermes watch, made for Jacqueline Hermes by her father. (Image Source: pursebop.com)

Hermes watches are classic and elegant with a large choice of beautiful straps. Hermes began with the Arceau watch and then quickly expanded to include the Clipper and Cape Cod watches. In 1997 Hermes launched the H-Hour watch which features the famous Hermes H (usa.hermes. com, 2016).

My very own Hermes Heure H in my favorite color, orange! :)
(Image copyright: Jessica E. Vitangcol)

Originally designed by Hermes designer Philippe Mouquet and was launched in 1996, the iconic H logo is used on the watch face and features a square frame.

steel, 32.2 x 32.2 mm                              no-glare sapphire                        water-resistant up to 50m

(Image Source: hermes, com)

                          steel, 32.2 x 32.2 mm

                             no-glare sapphire

                       water-resistant up to 50m

It's all in the minute (pun intended) details.
(Image Source: hermes.com)

The cases of the Heure H are fitted with a system that makes it easy to change straps, whether they be single or double tour, in calfskin, alligator leather or goatskin, and in a wide range of colors. 

There's one for each of your changing moods. :)
\(Image Source: hermes.com) 

It is available in silver or gold hardware with sapphire scratch proof crystal glass and the leather straps also come in extra long so that they can be doubled on the wrist.  :)

Ain't that sweet!
(Image Source: hermes.com)

                           
The pleasure of owning a fine watch is immeasurable for those who, like me, love history, design, engineering, mechanics, and art. :) Watches aren’t always cheap, though, so carefully consider your purpose in buying one. The best advice I can give is to buy watches that you yourself want and like. At the end of the day you need to wear it. Don’t buy a watch just because you see it on other people’s wrists or because someone tells you it is popular. It’s a very personal decision so consider it an extension of your good taste, lifestyle, and maybe a sign of your success. :) 



References: 
Hermes Interview With Luc Perramond, CEO. Foundation de la Haute Horlogerie 
Hermes Paris, http://usa.hermes.com/watches/h-hour

Anita Magsaysay-Ho's "Fish Harvest at Dawn"

One of the most noticeable masterpieces in our living room, Anita Magsaysay-Ho's "Fish Harvest at Dawn, is also my mother's latest art acquisition.

Anita Magsaysay-Ho (May 25, 1914 - May 5, 2012 ) was a Filipino painter. She was the only female member of the Thirteen Moderns, a standing group of Filipino modernist artists and in 1958 was chosen by a panel of experts at the six major painters of the country (Geringer Art, Ltd., 2016). 

Anita Magsaysay-Ho (1914-2012)
(Image Source: pbase.com)

The most famous works of Magsaysay-Ho are subject to the beauty of Filipino women dealing with everyday issues. Looking at her paintings, like the one in our living room, the viewer will notice that Anita Magsaysay-Ho never paints her women singularly; they are always in groups while performing a particular rural task, like the women in Fish Harvest at Dawn.

Let me describe the masterpiece the best way I could.

In that rectangle of space that measures 48 by 70 inches, twelve women are choreographed across a seascape lifting nets in anticipation of a bountiful harvest, This is signified by the throng of fishes at the bottom of the painting. In three groups that range from three to five members, the women enact a variety of postures and attitudes. The diagonal lines of their bodies---arms bent by the elbow, upper torso folded by the waist---break the monotony of the horizontal sea and sky. No matter what direction they face, they are lit by an intractable glow or source of light. No one among them can escape the light of dawn. :)  

According to the Leon Gallery, from where my mom acquired this important piece of art history, his exquisite work belongs to Anita Magsaysay-Ho's ‘Green Period,’ a phase remarkable for the freshness of her verdant hues, complimenting a classic and favored Filipino theme (leon-gallery.com, 2015). 

Fish Harvest At Dawn, 1979
Oil on Canvas
122 x 152 (48 x 59.8 in.)
(Image coypright: Jessica E. Vitangcol)

Anita Magsaysay-Ho’s treatment of light is often compared with that of her teacher, Fernando Amorsolo. While Amorsolo’s light can be dramatic (with its shifting gradations and full-bodied luminosity), Magsaysay-Ho’s is more somber and diffused, as though emanating from an earthbound source, like an oil lamp. The brilliance sputters and confidently grows the more you look at her work, a glow which finally achieves a candle power that is soft and compassionate to the eye. Magsaysay-Ho’s light doesn’t burn (geringerart.com, 2016). 

indeed, it is wonderful to have a piece of beautiful art hanging on the walls of your living room, but what's even more interesting is having a piece made by one of the most important female artists of the Philippines---one whose work gave birth to modern Philippine Art as we know it today. :) 

The Art of Collecting Art

"Art collecting is a passion pursued with discipline."  

-Arthur Sackler, Art Collector

Most art enthusiasts I know, like my mom, collect art for different reasons, among them, intellectual, aesthetic, and emotional satisfaction. 

As my mom would always say, "collecting art nearly always derives from a passionate interest, rather than a desire to make money (since artworks can be sold over the art market over and over again). At the start, it may not even be thought of as collecting at all. But once you’ve started, it can be very nearly impossible to stop. 

There's a difference between buying art and collecting art.
(Image source: artbusiness.com)

Growing up, my mother has been very influential in exposing my siblings and I to the visual arts, as well as instilling among us the idea that collecting art for love and profit is one of life's great pleasures. Through her, we learned that collecting art is not just acquiring pretty things: it is a yearning to support the arts, to be part of art history, to tell a story and create a unique grouping of works that reflects one's taste, a specific historical period and ideas. Over the years, she has amassed a collection of both classical and contemporary Philippine art from various artists, spanning from Amorsolo to Alegre---some of which I will be featuring in my succeeding blog entries :). 

Outside the Church, Fernando Amorsolo, 1955
(Our private collection. Image copyright: Jessica E. Vitangcol)

Two Young Girls by Juan Luna
(Our private collection. Image copyright: Jessica E. Vitangcol)

For this entry, I sought the advice of my mom on how one could get into the hobby of collecting art and I she gave me all the important tips that an art afficionado would greatly learn from. 

According to my mom, the process of creating your art collection is an art form in its own right. When you're passionate about the arts, you can commit to the long journey of collecting without worrying about what you'll get out of it. 

Here are ten tips to help you get started in collecting fine art:

1. Buy art because you like it and because it moves you, and because it will enhance your life.
2. Visit as many art galleries as you can; gallery staff can be helpful guides in your art education.
3. Get on gallery mailing lists so you'll be invited to openings and special events.
4. Visit and join your local art museums and non profit art centers. Curators sometimes give lectures on collecting art.
5. Attend National and International Art Fairs and Art Expos whenever possible. 
   
   

   

   Art Fair Philippines bills itself as a platform to exhibit some of
   the best works of Philippine Contemporary Art (Image Source: rappler.com)
   
   

6. If you know art collectors, talk to them and find out what they know and what they've learned about collecting art.
7. Read books on art history and books about collecting art.
8. Subscribe to a few art magazines.
9. Read reviews by local and national art critics, keeping in mind that reviews usually just reflect one persons opinion.
10. Working with a professional art advisor / art consultant is a good way to learn about art collecting, and they will guide you through the process of purchasing art.

Once you've educated yourself and have fallen in love with a work of art, BUY IT, TAKE IT HOME, and ENJOY IT! :)

Now, ask yourself: Should I consider becoming a serious collector? 

Of course you should - but only if you want to take the time and effort required to develop a passion, because remember: MORE THAN A HOBBY, COLLECTING ART IS AN ART FORM IN ITSELF. :)