What's the T? Catching Up With Sofia Elizalde, Bambi Mañosa-Tanjutco, Model and TV Reality Star Andrea Denver and More

Bambi Mañosa-Tanjutco (BMT): Other projects we have done are the following: We had our first Honey harvest from our own Museo urban bees. We are now producing natural honey. We have added a new executive director, Micah Pinto, who came on board this January 2022. We enhanced three exhibit rooms on the ground floor. We started building the Bahay Kubo 2.0 in the Bakuran and planned the renovation of the Annex building as an events space. Natasha and Isabella Tanjutco of the TAYO youth-led design studio have come onboard as our youth consultants. They are developing our brand identity and the curatorial of our outdoor space—the Bakuran. Curator Dayang Yraola, together with her group of volunteers from UP alumni and TAYO, has started reimagining the interior exhibits of the main building. Last December, we opened the museum with a Laro Tayo day of play, an interactive way of experiencing Museo Pambata for groups of kids.  

See also: The Great Debate: Is Online Dating the way of the Future?

What are your plans for 2022? 

SE: We continue to make our fundraising efforts to complete the whole Bakuran renovation and the indoors. We hope to finish it all this year. We will continue “Laro Tayo day of play” tours, our immersive interactive museum experience for kids and the young at heart. It may be interesting to your readers, but they can also sponsor a community of kids who need it most to experience the Museo!

BMT: It’ll be a gift they will remember forever. We are targeting to relaunch Museo Pambata and open it to the public in November 2022. We are growing our partnerships through collaboration with like-minded individuals, artists, educators, creatives, and groups to be part of our Museo Pambata family. 

What is your vision for the museum? What do you want to achieve? 

SE: We want the museum to be a safe and wonderful place of discovery, playtime, and learning for children and adults who come to visit. 

We hope that the new Bakuran will add even more vigorous activities to the whole museum experience, from discovery inside the Bahay Kubo 2.0 to the events, gallery shows, parties, creative workshops, guest talks, and interactive presentations inside the new events building. We also look forward to children using the new playground regularly and that the children and the elderly can come and enjoy the peace and tranquillity of the outdoor live wall area. We are featuring Philippine ferns and plants from all over the Philippines.

BMT: A safe space on the ground and online where the Filipino child and childhood are celebrated. A space to learn through the power of play and discovering who we are as Filipinos. An area that nurtures, protects and empowers the Filipino community. 

We would like to see Museo Pambata as the beacon of light and hope for the children of Manila and the Philippines and, one day, the voice and the platform for Filipino children worldwide. 

See also: Her World with Sofia Zobel Elizalde

Who are the people involved in helping Museo Pambata? 

SE: We are currently building up our wonderful group of ninongs, ninangs and friends of the Museum. These are our angels who believe in Museo Pambata’s vision and support our goals of helping to improve the lives and education of Filipino children. We will announce our wonderful ninongs when we launch our Bahay Kubo 2.0. Stay Tuned.

BMT: Aside from our chairman Nina Yuson and our board of directors, like my VP Sofia Elizalde and Erwin Romulo, who heads exhibits and programmes, we have Jeffrey Go as treasurer, Junie del Mundo, Maricel Pangilinan-Arenas, Gina Alfonso, Mia Castro, Mike Gamo and Karla Siegler. We also have some angels who have come on board from foundations to families, artists and musicians who have reached out to us in these trying times to volunteer their services in fundraising or their field of expertise like Dayang Yraola, Ricky Francisco of Fundacion Sanso, The Mañosa Tukod Foundation, Consuelo Foundation, Kids for Kids and TAYO, Robert Alejandro, MDC construction, Cartelino, several volunteers from UP, Joven Cuanang of Pinto Museum, the German embassy and others.   

What do you think is the importance of arts and culture to young minds? Why the need? 

SE: I have always said that arts and culture are a country’s soul. It is a big part of who we are as Filipinos. Our children must understand and be proud of our heritage and culture. Museo Pambata is the perfect place for children to play in and discover our wonderful heritage. Museo Pambata is a jewel of a museum and the only children’s museum in the Philippines; we should all take care of it for the new generations to enjoy.

BMT: Arts and culture are things that one must be involved in so that our spirit may continue to grow. In a desensitised world where our children are growing up nowadays, I see its importance in all forms as an integral part of a child’s growth and development in raising a soulful human being. Art is the manifestation of cultural influence and helps people express themselves, getting to know who they are on a deeper level and connecting with the community to understand their purpose for the nation.

Message to people interested in Museo and would like to be a part of it? 

SE: Our Museo Pambata team are working hard to reimagine and rebuild the museum! We invite all those interested to get in touch and find out about the activities of our tours and how they can help us continue to make Museo Pambata an excellent place for our children.

BMT: It is a beautiful legacy for those who would like to help and be part of the Museo Pambata family. The work one does in the Museo is spirit-led. You can reach out to Executive Director Micah Pinto at info@museopambata.org or call +632 8523 1797.

See also: Pianist Cecile Licad on Love, Music and her Upcoming Concert

One of the most elegant and highly anticipated international balls is all set to push through this year. Find out who made it to this year’s list.

After more than two years of absence, Le Bal is set for a significant comeback this November. Although it’s still far away, I was able to speak to Le Bal’s founder Ophelie Renouard. She shared with me who of the debs have confirmed so far, as well as a few vital information.

This year, Le Bal aims to raise money for two charities: Necker Enfantes Malades, the first global children’s hospital, and the ARCFA Association of Cardiology research that seeks to improve the quality of care for children with heart defects. The first post-pandemic edition ball, to be held at the Shangri-la Hotel Paris, promises to be the biggest one yet. We are still looking for a Philippine representative, but we will share her name with you once we have found her.

See also: The Best Looks From New York F/W Fashion Week 2022

Here’s this year’s list of confirmed debutantes: The Royal Princess, HRH Princess Helene d’Orleans from the French Royal family; Indian Princess Inayat of Patalia; Talula Dempsey, daughter of actor Patrick Dempsey; Ondine Peck, the granddaughter of legendary actor Gregory Peck and the daughter of the filmmaker Cecilia; Bristol Hill, a top student at Harvard; Eleanor Ford, granddaughter of Anne Ford; Annabel Zimmer, daughter of Academy award-winning composer Hans Zimmer; from China, Cai When Hao, the daughter of the famous artist, and an artist herself. And rounding up the list is Almira Bowo from Indonesia.

I caught up with the handsome Italian model and TV star of Bravo’s Summer House and Winter House, Andrea Denver, whom I met in Manila back in 2016. If you haven’t seen Summer House, it’s about friends who share a house in the Hamptons and chronicles their lifestyle, romance, and personal dramas. Andrea is also known for his numerous magazine features and stars in Jennifer Lopez’s "I Luh Ya Papi" and Taylor Swift’s "Blank Space" music video.

See also: What is a Beauty Queen's Skincare Routine? We ask Laura Lehmann

How long have you lived in NY and worked in the modelling industry? 

Andrea Denver (AD): I have been living in the USA for over eight years. After graduating from the University of Verona, I went to Miami to study master’s in communications; but after a few days, I got scouted by Wilhelmina models. That’s how I started my modelling career. Then after several months living between Miami and Los Angeles, I finally moved to New York City at the end of the summer of 2014.

How did your career on TV start?

AD: It started in Europe when I took part in season 2 of the Circle UK. Then in 2020, I was on Celebrity Big Brother in Italy. Then I became part of Bravo in the USA.

You were introduced in Bravo’s Winter House TV series; how was that experience like? Is this the first US TV show you’ve starred in?

AD: It was my first tv show in the USA, and I had a fantastic time with my friends. It took place in the ski resort in Vermont, and I had so much fun filming there.

And now you are in Summer House. How do you compare the two? Are you a summer or a winter person? 

AD: Summer House is developed more profoundly than Winter House. I had the chance to show more of my personality, my life in NYC, my job and give a better idea to the viewers of who I am. Although I love skiing, I would say that I am more of a summer person.

See also: All About the Iconic Cuerva Bakeshop

You come off as this sexy handsome model, sensitive and romantic; what do you want people to know about you? 

AD: I just like that through the Celebrity Big Brother in Italy and now Summer House, the viewers have the chance to know more about who Andrea is. My modelling career has always been about my looks, but I have been able to show my personality through reality TV. 

Do you want to pursue a career in acting? 

AD: I have been asked several times to get into it, but I have never been able to take acting classes, even though I took some courses in Italy due to my work commitments.

Are you single? What are the qualities you look for in a woman? 

AD: Not anymore! I have been happily in a relationship for a few months now. Usually, in a woman, I look for a good personality, shared interests, and a similar life plan to build a future together.

Do you get along with all the cast? Who are your closest friends in the show?

AD: Yes, I am a pretty easy-going person, and I enjoy my time with my castmates. I would say, Ciara, Alex, Carl, and Kyle are the people I am the closest to.

You have great chemistry with Paige; do you end up with her? 

AD: We ended up staying friends, and I am pleased about that. I think we have great chemistry, but we weren’t meant to date. I think we are better off friends, and I am pleased about her dating Craig.

Can you give a message to your fans here in the Philippines?

AD: I love the Philippines, and I had the chance to visit this beautiful country back in 2016. I am so grateful for each of the people who support me, and I hope to make it back to the Philippines soon!

See also: We Interview Tatler's Friends to Find out What They Thought of HBO's 'And Just Like That'

We couldn’t get enough of padel tennis, so we had to share videos and photos of the place and who goes there with you. Besides having the padel courts, they also have an open fitness area and dining space. Padel is a cross between tennis and squash and played in a doubles format. Check out the video and photos. You can contact them at  +63917 705 6467 or check out their website at manilapadelclub.com

See more: Best Shoes for Working Out

We can’t get over the record-breaking sale of Louis Vuitton and Nike’s collaboration of “Air Force 1” by Virgil Abloh and Sotheby’s; the sneakers raised a record-breaking deal of US$25.3M. There were about 200 sneakers on the lot, and each went for a mind-blowing US$100,000+ per shoe. Proceeds from the sale will benefit The Virgil Abloh™ “Post-Modern” Scholarship Fund, which supports the education of academically promising students of Black, African American, or African descent.

Habitues of Bangkok will be pleased to know that Greyhound Café just opened its first restaurant in the city in SM AURA. Loved by the Thailand fashion set, it opened in 1988, and its tagline is Thai food with a twist. Steven Tan, president of SM Supermalls, says, “Bangkok has always been a favourite culinary destination for many Filipinos. We thank the Viva Group for being our partner in bringing a taste of Thailand to the Philippines with the first Greyhound Cafe at SM Aura Premier and soon, in other SM malls.

Here are some TV recommendations this week. We highly recommend two Netflix series about scam artists, Inventing Anna (number two on the Netflix top 10 charts) and Tinder Swindler. Both are true stories and will leave you scratching your head and asking, “How did they do it?”

See you next Friday; stay safe and Happy weekend!

NOW READ

Tatlergrams: Read What Our Tatler Friends Posted For Their Beaus This Valentine's Day

Tatler Takes: What Did Our Friends Think of 'And Just Like That'?

Art Agenda Feb 2022: Must-See Art Exhibitions Around Metro Manila