MLTV DRAWS VIEWERS’ ATTENTION WITH STORIES OF FASHION, FURNITURE AND FITNESS
On the eight episode of the Season 9 of Modern Living
TV, hosts Stephanie Zubiri-Crespi and Bianca Gonzalez-Intal enliven the week with interesting items of 3Fs — fashion, furniture and fitness — from a peek to Othello boutique, tips on setting up a work corner at home, fun workouts by Saddle Row, and the relaxing flotation therapy of Float Manila.
OTHELLO BOUTIQUE
Othello, as a boutique, interestingly contradicts the connotations on Shakespeare’s tragedy. Instead of portraying tragic themes such as misfortunes, Othello boutique diverges from this namesake by being “a celebration of style, homegrown talent, and beauty that is well crafted.” For Joanna PreyslerFrancisco, owner of Othello, fashion can also be elevated into an art form.
“We believe in creating concepts where everything is integrated. You have fashion and art, all in the same lifestyle.
So rather than dealing with just merchandise, we’re attacking retail per lifestyle,” Joanna explains. “With the tsunami of foreign brands coming into the Philippines now, we’ve been able to survive because we evolve and grow with our clients. We’re a little more specialized.”
Some of products that Joanna brandishes are the Blair bag, leather and camouflage jackets, and neoprene collections that can be paired with sneakers and heels during the day. “Our main design philosophy would probably be ‘fewer things but better things,’” Joanna says.
WORK CORNER AT HOME
With the help of design expert Jie Pambid, bringing the professional vibe at home is not an issue. Contract World at The Alley generously serves as the host location as he shares tips on how to set up an office corner in one’s living space. In planning one’s work space, Jie suggests starting with the desk and chair. “We want a desk that’s sturdy enough and high enough to be able to really accommodate a very good ergonomic position,” he explains.
Another tip from Jie is choosing furniture that can also serve as storage to maximize space. “As far as the office is concerned, you’ll have a tendency to accumulate a lot of junk. Good storage pieces would eliminate this clutter and, at the same time, allow the individual to focus more on the work at hand.”
Lastly, Jie reminds viewers to keep comfort in mind when setting up one’s working space. “Since what we want is to create an atmosphere that’s very different from the corporate world, we want to create an ambiance that’s very relaxed,” he says.
SADDLE ROW
A premium fitness boutique, Saddle Row in Bonifacio Global City offers a challenging yet fun workout. Done in two ways, indoor cycling and rowing, this workout provides a “non-biased atmosphere for a first-timer all the way to an elite athlete within the same class.”
Saddle Row’s cycling employs a scientific approach through the presence of the bikes’ personal monitors that can track one’s power, resistance and progress per session. The indoor rowing, on the other hand, is a full-body and low-impact workout operated by the water flywheel machines that replicate the moving boat’s physical dynamics.
“The basic vision of Saddle Row is, initially, be able to create tailor-fit workouts for any kind of person that comes in,” says Bernardo Siaotiong, rowing and cycling instructor at Saddle Row.
FLOAT MANILA
Through its distractionfree enclosed space, Restricted Environmental Stimulation Therapy or the flotation therapy is a great way to relieve muscle tension. Being the first flotation spa in the country, Float Manila allows the users to de-stress and fall into a deep relaxation.
“The amazing thing about floating is that you go into the room... we unplug you from the world since it really takes away all the unnecessary elements and bring you back to the base of your natural self, which is nothingness; and then this nothingness really helps you clear your mind,” says Bernardo, who is also a co-owner of Float Manila.