Cover Yap traverses NYC’s Fifth Avenue, most notable for its world-famous storefronts like Chanel, Tiffany & Company, and Saks, which consistently rank it among the most expensive shopping streets in the world
Yap traverses NYC’s Fifth Avenue, most notable for its world-famous storefronts like Chanel, Tiffany & Company, and Saks, which consistently rank it among the most expensive shopping streets in the world
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East coast versus West coast? Tim Yap tackles the age-old debate as he schools us on how to take on the Empire State and do the City of Angels right
“Have you RSVP’d to Tim’s party yet?” is a FAQ bounced around between anyone who’s anyone in Manila.
At the time of this interview, Tim Yap, a consistent Tatler Asia Most Influential lister and eventologist par excellence, had just wrapped mounting and launching a major exhibition on Philippine folklore and mythology at the National Museum of Anthropology through his annual ball, was juggling 25 events, planning several new ones, launching some “big” brands, about to co-manage some exciting up-and-coming talents, and on the verge of relaunching his new show. It’s official. Pre-pandemic Yap is back.
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Above Muralism, an early form of street art, characterises the cityscape of LA and is firmly anchored in the city’s history
Muralism, an early form of street art, characterises the cityscape of LA and is firmly anchored in the city’s history
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The landscape of travel and the behavior of the traveller has reverted if not, completely changed since global restrictions lifted. The Philippines was one of the last countries to loosen border control and so once these opened up, he up and left wherever and whenever he could during the pandemic. “I’d go where people lived more freely, far from the fear-mongering that I needed to break away from. I escaped to Los Angeles, New York, Istanbul and Paris,” recounts Yap, a sterling member of the hyper jet-set.
Pre-pandemic, and when the serial entrepreneur had more time, he shares that he had this thing called “serendipity travel,” where he would throw the tip of a pen at a world map and then just go to the part of the world it hit the very next day. “It took me to Mykonos one time, and then to Paris another…it may or may not have been intentional,” he jokes.
What was intentional, however, is that Yap has visited Los Angeles and New York countless times. New York, in fact, is where he ran his first marathon and where he also said “I do” to his life and business partner for Yaparazzi Events + PR, a boutique events and public relations firm.
Interestingly, to quote current statistics, the three US states with the highest GDPs were California ($3.6 trillion), Texas ($2.356 trillion), and New York ($2.053 trillion), and while 11.7 per cent of Americans live in California, the state contributed 14.2 per cent to GDP in the first quarter of 2023. It is no doubt that LA is an evolved and major contributor to those impressive state of California numbers what with its groundbreaking advancements and contributions to the fields of aerospace, biosciences, entertainment, and fashion and apparel. The latter, obviously being a draw and a point of interest for the inborn fashionista.
Read also: Home tour: An eclectic townhouse located in the heart of New York City
Above LA is peppered with old architecture
Above The iconic Frank Gehry-designed Walt Disney Concert Hall
LA is peppered with old architecture
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Trips to LA were mostly work-related as Yap often attended the MTV Movie Awards as well as hot ticket fashion launches and events. “But,” he counters, “I never really enjoyed what I was doing until the pandemic hit and I ended up staying there for a month.”
New York, meanwhile, is where he feels he arrived at a lot of eureka and turning point moments. It was where, as a “very young Tim,” he got to shoot a global campaign as the face of United Colors of Benetton; Where he realised he wanted to be a club owner (Yap currently co-owns many a Manila hot spot); Where he immersed himself in his first love—theatre; and it is also where he would just get lost in the audio guide of every museum and get to know the artists that made and make this world evolve.
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Above There’s no better way to learn the geography of NYC than by yellow taxicab
There’s no better way to learn the geography of NYC than by yellow taxicab
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“I think,” Yap acknowledges, “I am a more well-rounded, deeper and more joyful human being because of my New York experiences.”
Whether for work or on vacation, a typical day in Tinseltown sounds as exhausting as the NY Marathon. Just as the nature of the film industry in Los Angeles earnt its shiny, bright, and unreal moniker, suffice it to say, Yap’s personality fits right in.
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LA mornings for Yap commence with a morning run, after which is lunch with friends at a trendy restaurant, some grocery shopping, then another meet-up with more friends for dinner, followed by another rendezvous at a bar for drinks or at a friend’s home. “What makes LA special to me is really more to do with the people and friends I have made there,” he justifies. On occasion, in between the stacked socials, Yap likes to tap the breaks on his frenetic schedule and pay The Getty Museum a visit. “Fun fact!” he says, interrupting his own storyline with an amusing aside, “The chief curator, Paul Martineau, is the husband of Filipino designer, Puey Quiñones!”
Meanwhile, on the other coast, and as expected, NYC doesn’t present a typical day for Yap. The gist of it would look like him going to a museum, walking around wherever the big city energy takes him to discover nice new places, then rushing off to a Broadway show and meeting friends after.
Read also: Puey Quiñones on his creative process and what inspires his designs
Above Brooklyn Bridge
Above Yap poses in and around Beverly Hills and Museum Row
Brooklyn Bridge
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Old storied hotels are the way to go for New York’s adoptive bon vivant on the block: The Carlyle “is my favourite for old-world vibes”; Dream Midtown “to be close to Broadway”; Dream Downtown “to be close to the clubs”; and Park Lane Hotel “for the best views of Central Park.” Among the new-ish hotels, the 1 Hotel by Brooklyn Bridge and the one by Central Park are his favourites given their unmatched city views.
Yap’s list of must-try restaurants and bars run as long as his contact list, but he does have his darlings. Daniel, for one. “Daniel is my-go to place in NYC and Chef Eddy Leroux is a very good friend of mine, but I always stop in at Felix in Soho, because the manager, Thea Robles, is a Filipina and knows everything about the city.” For coffee and sweets, he likes to get behind Brooklyn’s Sweetbee Café and Bar, “because it’s owned and run by my favourite Filipina in NYC, Martina Castro.”
Read also: 7 architecturally distinctive destination hotels in Asia
Above LA’s golden coast
LA’s golden coast
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As far as nightlife is concerned—and according to the prolific night club and bar owner—during the summertime, nothing beats the classic rooftop pool of Soho House in the Meatpacking district. “They throw the best Pride parties every last Sunday of June,” he shares. Downtown, he frequents Paul’s Casablanca, and then for a fun, hedonistic night of fuss-free dancing with his younger friends, there’s G.
In between all the dining, imbibing, and dancing, Yap goes flagship store hopping on Fifth Avenue or around SoHo or lines up at the hip Café Aime Leon Dore for people watching. The one thing he doesn’t do, however, is Über. “I like the experience of having to run after cabs, New York-style.”
These LA and NYC memories and learnings have undoubtedly moulded Yap into who he is today, and it is through his time spent on both coasts over the years that has served as his escape, grounding cord, bonding and goal-setting session, inspiration search, recharge station, and retreat all
in one.
Yap’s advice to anyone going to LA or NYC? “Take your time. Get lost. Walk all over. Meet new people. Ask the locals. Explore.”
Read also: Memento Vivere: Embarking on a journey under the Tuscan sun
Tim’s Tips
Above Brooklyn’s famous Washington Street view of Manhattan Bridge
Brooklyn’s famous Washington Street view of Manhattan Bridge
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THE BIG APPLE
Hotels
The Carlyle
Dream Midtown
Dream Downtown
Park Lane Hotel
1 Hotel Both the Brooklyn Bridge and Central Park Properties
Restaurants & Bars
Daniel My NYC go-to
Eleven Madison Park Michelin-starred fine dining
Lilia Italian cuisine
Momofuku Ko Innovative Asian-inspired tasting menu
Soho House rooftop pool for summertime parties
Please Don’t Tell Speakeasy hidden behind a phone booth
The Dead Rabbit Award-winning cocktail bar
230 Fifth rooftop bar for skyline views
Felix Restaurant & Bar
G. for a fun night out of fuss free dancing
Paul’s Casablanca
Museums & Parks
The Met
MoMA
Central Park for a leisurely stroll
Must-Dos
A Broadway show or check out off-Broadway productions
Explore the trendy art scene in Chelsea galleries
Flagship store retail therapy on Fifth Avenue or SoHo Café Aimé Leon Dore for people watching
Sweetbee Café & Bar is a must-go in Brooklyn
Above The 2008 Urban Light art installation by Chris Burden consists of restored street lamps from the ‘20s and ‘30s and serves as an impressive entrance to the LACMA
The 2008 Urban Light art installation by Chris Burden consists of restored street lamps from the ‘20s and ‘30s and serves as an impressive entrance to the LACMA
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LA LA LAND
Hotels
The Beverly Hills Hotel
Chateau Marmont
Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills
Book an Airbnb in the West Hollywood area
Restaurants & Bars
n/naka Michelin-starred Japanese cuisine
Bestia Trendy Italian in the Arts District
République French-inspired bakery and restaurant
Broken Shaker at Freehand Artistic rooftop bar
Varnish Classic speakeasy in downtown LA
E.P. & L.P. Trendy rooftop lounge
Museums & Parks
The Broad
LACMA
Griffith Observatory and Park
The Getty Museum
Must-Dos
A Walt Disney Concert Hall performance
Explore The Last Bookstore for a unique literary experience
Stay updated on art events and exhibitions at galleries like Hauser & Wirth
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