Tatler Tales

If there’s a will, there’s a way. This adage rings particularly true for the retail sector. For the longest time, many have stayed away from online shopping given the penchant of Filipinos to go to the malls. Everything changed with the pandemic, where we saw the likes of Lazada and Shopee, as well as food and grocery delivery apps flourishing. We are particularly fond of SSI’s and Rustan’s Department Store’s e-shopping, where you can find your fave fashion brands from fashion labels such as Gucci, Prada and Ferragamo among others, to beauty products like Clarins, Chanel and Tom Ford to name a few. Of particular note are local retailers that support the local artisans and creatives such as the Katutubo Pop-up Market (@katutubopopupmarket), Lanai Manila (@lanaimanila_ online) and KAAYO Modern Mindanao (@kaayo.ph).

Recently elected last June as the Mayor of Hertsmere Borough Council is a native of Laguna province, the first Filipino mayor of this borough in Hertfordshire, England. Prior to her political victory, she served as deputy mayor and councillor of Hertsmere, dubbed as the “Home of Film and Television”. Two years before, Barker, who has lived in Hertsmere for 29 years, was named one of the 100 Most Influential Filipina Women in the World. She adds to the list of other Filipino political leaders like Danilo Favor, the first Filipino mayor of East Grinstead in West Sussex, UK, and Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino member of the New Zealand Parliament.