Category Archives: Tributes

Tito Bert Silang

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A tribute to Tito Bert Silang who passed away so suddenly. I am so fortunate to have met this simple gentleman. He lives in Zamboanga but when he comes to Manila, I made sure to visit him. To me, I am his third daughter because I truly love his family – Tita Fely who went ahead and his 2 wonderful daughters Rieta and Rina.
“Those are the yakan boys that only stay around the coast but no permanent housing. They came around to him every morning when he has breakfast. He likes their company & I think also transfers his love to them. He sees them regularly and for many many years” – Rina Silang Reyes

Bert silang He was a man for others – not only his family but for the people around him – the Yakan boys, the Carmelite sisters in Zamboanga and his friends who he would walk with daily. He lived a full life at 93 years old and he is for sure in heaven now with Tita Fely, We Love you Tito Bert & Tita Fely #h2htribute

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Aida

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Today is the last day of another of our long time and loyal managers- Aida Adriano. She has been with the family for more than 30 years and she started out in the department store in merchandising til Tita Merl made her Travel coordinator for the family and travelling executives. Since then she has been doing that for us. Aida is the travel expert. She knows what seat in the plane, how many pillows and hangers has to be in the closet of the hotel room when Mom arrives And now she is turning over to Jho the daughter of one of our household staff Josie who has also been with us since forever Our goodbyes are really not forever since these people are our family #h2hpeople
Aida HearttoHeart

Isabel Corbyn

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So happy to see this beautiful new bride – Isabel Cang Corbyn @isabelcang She lives in Tokyo now after moving from Manila to take her Masters in Madrid and now works in The Peninsula Tokyo. She recently got married to a British – Mike. Isabel used to work for the Mandarin Oriental with Charisse @cchuidian and they are both amazing! I follow her on her instagram and she has the best travel photos – i will never get those shots because she is so adventurous I won’t do those climbs or dives or other outdoor adventures. Love her wedding photos as well – @isabelcang#h2hpeople #h2hbridal#h2hphotography #h2htravel

Isabel Corbyn HearttoHeart

Celebrate Women’s Month with Rustan’s

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Celebrate Women’s Month with Rustan’s

Any woman knows that a well-planned wardrobe can be a factor for self-confidence and success. This is why the fashion industry is driven by women—with designs that are made to fit and flatter the feminine form, just as well as the personalities of fellow women who wear them.

This month, Rustan’s turns the spotlight on its female designers, whose brands are built on something more than fabrics that are sewn together, but as outfits that are made to empower wearers through their creativity and fine craftsmanship. Rustan’s, as the country’s foremost authority in fashion and the finest things in life, proudly carries these local and foreign brands, lead by powerful women, and made for women who seek to look good and feel good.

Passions in fashion

It was an entrepreneurial spirit and a can-do attitude that has launched Carissa Cruz-Evangelista’s Beatriz brand to local and international attention. Her luxe and modern accessories have been featured in prestigious international fashion publications, and has won a Katha Award, but her biggest reward is being able to raise the livelihood levels of women in underprivileged communities who craft her items using local and recycled materials. As a proud participant of Rustan’s Women’s Month initiative, Carissa shares, “Being a woman means raising a tribe aside from hoisting yourself up from the bootstraps and believing in your dreams rain or shine.”Carissa Cruz Evangelista (Beatriz)Criselda Lontok’s designs have long been the go-to for women who want to express their individual style within the sphere of classic fashion pieces. She says that it is these women who have inspired her through the years. “I believe that my designs have given confidence to my female clients. They have become confident not only in themselves, but also in giving compliments to other women. Having them feel beautiful and elegant at all times is my personal mission. Not only that, but Criselda Lontok as a brand is comprised of highly competent and loyal female employees who have help me and shape my brand to what it is now. Our Sales Attendants, our Merchandising Team—all comprised of powerful women.”

Chiara Ferragni is the creative force behind her pop shoe brand Chiara Ferragni Collection. She started out as an Instagram personality who channelled her creativity towards building her footwear brand that carries her fun sense of style. Bari Jay, a bridal dress shop, pays homage to two sisters’ commitment to keep their father’s fashion legacy. Susan Parker and Erika Rosenfeld took over their father Bruce Cohen’s business when he passed away, keeping with them his lessons on hands-on hard work, and keeping up with trends in the bridal fashion industry.Chiara FerragniThe Longchamp brand under Sophie Delafontaine offers the luxe urban staples that are beautifully crafted to suit the needs of today’s modern urban women. She took on the challenge of bringing the brand to greater heights, with the values that she has learned from her family, coupled with her own desire to set no limits to creativity which is inspired by observing the world around her.Sophie Delafontaine (Longchamp)

Karen Kane’s designs are all about timelessness and offering women the easier choice, guided by the unwavering belief that women should feel beautiful and comfortable, always.  Jewelry brand Carolee is committed to help women love themselves. Their choice of former model and self-love advocate Phoebe Pojo of the “Models That Eat” movement on Instagram as the face of Carolee is a reflection of their dedication to lead others towards their own journeys to break free from the expectations of society.Phoebe Pojo (Carolee) (2)Karen Kane

Cyd Beard of Finders Keepers brought her Aussie style to a global platform by believing in the power of women—80% of their employees are female and they have made it their mission to celebrate women and the female form. The designer enthuses, “We thrive to promote confidence and make women feel beautiful whenever she is wearing Finders Keepers!”Cyd Beard (Finders Keepers)Designing doyenne Josie Natori, whose global brand of loungewear and lingerie has captivated the fashion world for its combination of comfort in sleek, luxurious, and alluring designs, incorporates her Asian aesthetic and work ethics into her line. After growing up in a household where the women are trained to be entrepreneurial and to ‘never rely on a man,’ her mantra today is ‘always evolve—never become complacent.’

Nicole Miller drapes women with dramatic silhouettes combined with unique prints and creative use of color. As she evolved her fashion line into a global lifestyle brand, she tries to empower women with non-conformist choices. “I want women to feel confident when they are wearing my clothing. I think the most important thing, over feeling sexy or pretty, is that clothes should give you confidence,” she shares.

Behind every Tali product is a special woman who creates it by hand, in the tradition of true craftsmanship. Its co-founders, Liza Morales Crespo and Marielle de Leon-Lazaro, represent the new wave of social entrepreneurs that merge quality production and design with the principles of sustainability. Liza explains, “Our collections draw inspiration from the ethnic tribal patterns unique to the Philippines, symbolizing a long tradition of independent, empowered women. Bag shapes and designs are versatile pieces that reflect the modern lifestyle of the Tali woman.”Liza Crespo (Tali Handmade)

Viajecito was born out of a common passion for traveling, and unique finds shared by three enterprising women, infused with a desire to create cool and modern pieces and modified with a personal touch. Marla Aquino-Batallones, Pia Ugarte Garcia-Morera, and Marta Garcia-Morera, the women behind the brand, offer products that are made with the fashionable traveller in mind. “We believe women empowerment has a lot to do with the freedom of self-expression. Fashion choices are an extension of one’s personality, a form of self-expression. We hope that we encourage other women, through the use of our products, to be comfortable and confident in whatever form of expression they choose.”Pia Ugarte Garcia-Morera (Viajecito)Marla Aquino-Batallones (Viajecito)

International designer Vivienne Tam has been recognized for her ‘culture-bridging and east-meets-west’ approach in her creations, making her land a spot on Forbes’ 25 Top Chinese-Americans in Business. Known for her evening gowns, she has formed a pool of celebrity clients from around the world, such as Lady Gaga, Jessica Alba, Paris Hilton, and First Daughters Ivanka Trump and Tiffany Trump, among others.

The power of women

Rustan’s believes in building an empowered community of women who are confident in their choices and are able to reach for their dreams. Celebrating Women’s Month, Rustan’s highlights its women leaders who contribute to society through their enterprises that seek to give back, and through their brand’s positive influence on modern society.

Since the Rustan’s Department Store opened first opened its doors in 1951, it was powered in part by a woman who wanted to make a difference. Gliceria “Glecy” Rustia Tantoco established the Rustan’s Group together with her husband Ambassador Bienvenido Tantoco Sr., with the vision of offering global brands to the Filipino market, thereby making big names in the fashion industry available for trendsetting Filipinas. It was also long been a source of pride for the company that it provides a safe and comfortable working environment for female professionals, with more female employees than male employees. The company encourages women to climb the career ladder, with more and more female executives occupying notable top ranks. With daughter Zenaida “Nedy” Tantoco as Rustan Commercial Corporation’s Chairman and CEO, that intrinsic connection with women empowerment extends beyond the reach of the stores. Rustan’s recently participated in the commemoration of National Women’s Month by the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) in Bonifacio Global City (BGC) in support of the PSE’s employee engagement activity that featured Gender Equality through talks and an exhibit titled Herstory that honored notable women in the local and international scene. During this celebration, Rustan’s opened a pop-up store in the PSE BGC building that made the finest fashion and beauty selections easily accessible for the women working in the area.

Sunday Family Lunch for January Celebrants

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Sunday family lunch celebrating the January birthdays – Aunty Remy & Tammy- especially our “big baby” Javs #chefjavs and remembering today ( Jan 28) Nana Carmelita who left us 12 yrs ago.

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Date with Robbie

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I love spending time with my cousin Robbie @rvtantoco One of his favorite restos is Zaifu so we met up for a meal and cheered with tea and hot water haha!!! Date with Robbie HearttoHeart (6)Date with Robbie HearttoHeart (7)Date with Robbie HearttoHeart (1)Date with Robbie HearttoHeart (4)Date with Robbie HearttoHeart (3)Date with Robbie HearttoHeart (5)Date with Robbie HearttoHeart (2) He is showing me the glasses he bought from Sarabia Optical 🙂Date with Robbie HearttoHeart (8) Starbucks Reserve of course 🙂Date with Robbie HearttoHeart (9)

5 Women 5 Scents

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Inspired by the 5 women in my life, I created 5 scents for them as my tribute.  These are exclusively available at my favourite store, Rustan’s Department store.
Starting with Mama Mary – many of us Filipinas have a MARIA in our name in honour of Mama MarySo she is the most important woman.
She represents my favourite scent of Gingembre5 women 5 scents Maria cadentia rustans5 Women 5 Scents (9) 5 Women 5 Scents (10)
Lola Glecy – the founder of Rustan’s and the lady who inspires all businesswomen to work hard just like she did Verbena is the most popular scent from Provence so I chose that for Lola since she inspired me and encouraged -me in all my businesses since i was a kid.  She gave instructions to my Mom and why Tita to support the products that I made and sell 😉  Until this day I am like her thinking of businesses all over the world.5 women 5 scents gliceria cadentia rustans5 Women 5 Scents (1) 5 Women 5 Scents (2)
My Mom is someone who I mimic even when I do not know it.  But it is very hard – a very tough act to follow.  So as you will see I am a very far cry but still in the process of copying haha!!
It’s very true that actions speak louder than words and setting an example is better than words that do not turn into action.
That is my Mom to me. I chose Olive Citrus for her because she loves food 🙂 5 women 5 scents menchu cadentia rustans5 Women 5 Scents (3) 5 Women 5 Scents (4)
My Lola Charing – the simplest person that I know.  You cannot impress her because she does not ever ask for anything.  She will say “ Nothing special” to you when you ask her if she liked the food or the gift that you gave (haha!! )  Her happiness was her prayer time, her time with the family most especially her sisters. She never required anything of any of us yet we spent time with her because we wanted to and not because we were required to. “More than you” is her reply when you tell her  “I love you” and it was true because she loved unconditionally.I chose pink grapefruit because it signifies freshness.  That was my Lola – always a breath of fresh air.  5 women 5 scents rosario cadentia rustans5 Women 5 Scents (5) 5 Women 5 Scents (6)
“I married my mother:  my husband always says. And I do see many similarities with my Mother in law. I believe in most circumstances that you  unconsciously look for your partner in life that is like your Dad or Mom. Myhusband loved/loves his mom very much so I am lucky he chose me because I want him to love me like how he loved his mom. Mom was a very simple person, she never cared for luxuries.  She was a very good wife to Dad and she would also give some medical advice to friends since she was exposed to Dad who was a doctor.  She took care of all the kids – the 3rd generation that is why they all love her.
The Mandarin Orange scent was a scent I really liked and I made sure I had it customised for me.  So this is a very special scent so I put “my other mom’s” name on it.5 women 5 scents carmelita a cadentia rustans5 Women 5 Scents (7) 5 Women 5 Scents (8)
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