Cover Tatler and Rustan's come together for Modern Muse, an evening to celebrate them and Mother’s Day
Tatler and Rustan's come together for Modern Muse, an evening to celebrate them and Mother’s Day
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Tatler+
Rustan's
With Mother’s Day fast approaching, Rustan’s and Tatler Philippines collaborate to celebrate the best of wives and women in our lives
There’s a popular Filipino saying that lovingly describes mothers as ilaw ng tahanan—the light of the home. In recognition of all that they do and all that they are, Tatler Philippines and Rustan’s partner up for Modern Muse, an event to celebrate motherhood. Invited guests heard and shared personal stories, received much-needed pampering, and of course, browsed through Rustan’s incredible selection of gifts perfect for Mother’s Day. It was a timely gathering, with the special day right around the corner.
In case you missed it: Beyond the bouquet: thoughtful Mother’s Day gift ideas for 2025
Above Kelly Misa tries her hand at the Montblanc booth
Above Loving notes and messages to mum written with Montblanc's exquisite pens
Kelly Misa tries her hand at the Montblanc booth
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Above Nikki Huang, Tatler managing director Irene Martel Francisco, Anton Huang
Nikki Huang, Tatler managing director Irene Martel Francisco, Anton Huang
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Floral motifs and bouquets greeted guests as they made their way into Rustan’s. On display were a handpicked selection—our special Tatler picks—of fragrances, beauty products and other items that mums will adore. These selections are also found on different floors of Rustan's, spanning fashion, kids and home essentials. They were also able to try out exceptional pens from Montblanc by writing letters and postcards, and find a moment of well-deserved relaxation thanks to hand massages from Swedish wellbeing specialist L:a Bruket. As a special treat, Tatler gave each guest a wish list to fill out, which will be delivered to their chosen family members or loved ones. It’s a little nudge and a wink for them to act before Mother’s Day, if they haven’t yet, that is.
As always, our inimitable host Anne Gauthier got things moving for the evening as she introduced Rustan’s head of marketing Jackie Avecilla. “For almost ten years now, Tatler has been a very valuable partner of Rustan’s,” she said. “Today is very simple: we wanted to celebrate this special occasion, Mother’s Day, coming up this weekend.”
See more: Mothers on screen: 7 of our favourite Filipino mums in Philippine cinema
Above Felicia Atienza
Above Julie Boschi
Felicia Atienza
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Above Gina Mohnani
Above Cat Arambulo
Gina Mohnani
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Afterwards, four incredible individuals shared with guests the highlights, reflections and unforgettable memories of being a mother. Though their experiences differ from each other, one thing remained constant: they were life-changing years for the better.
“The greatest memory of being a mother for me was watching my kids transition into adulthood,” Felicia Atienza shared. “The joy in just reflecting that someone you were carrying is now carrying themselves.”
“At the end of the day, what I realised is that being a mom takes a village,” Cat Arambulo remarked. “Our kids will appreciate and love us regardless of whether or not we do the heavy lifting.”
Julie Boschi delights that her children still approach her with stories of their heartbreaks, and she’s equally appreciative of when they roll their eyes when she doesn’t understand some of the things they say. “I feel happy that they still come back and share these things with me.”
Gina Mohnani recalled when she had one of her sons, things were complicated when a brownout hit the delivery room. “I’ll never forget that moment,” she smiled.
This evening was a chance to pause, reflect and look back on the joys of motherhood, and to recognise that they deserve only the best from us. These memories and snippets of time we share with them warrant a fond remembrance. This coming Mother’s Day is an opportunity to show our appreciation—though we mustn't forget to show it every day.
Find the perfect present for mum at Rustan’s Makati.
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Credits
Photography: Ian Santos
About
Tobias wants to write things that make people think, laugh, and reflect. He’s especially proud when he can sneak in a cheeky pop-culture reference or a pun in his titles and articles.
He possesses a deep love of history, resulting from years of books, games, and museum visits. It was this fascination with the human endeavour that fostered his love of writing, spanning genres, tones, and moods. He one day hopes to write a novel—he just hasn't decided on a genre yet. A certified homebody, you'll often find him on the computer he built himself, binge-watching Seinfeld or House, playing his favourite gacha game, or reading a book.
Work
Tobias is a features writer that specialises in branded content. Reach out to him at tobias.tomas@tatlerasia.com.
