Robb Report Philippines Honors the Best of the Best at Flagship Awards Night

October 15, 2025 marked Robb Report Philippines’ first annual Best of the Best dinner, a night devoted to the publication’s celebration of craftsmanship, innovation, and distinction across industries with the publication awarding excellence in the ultra-luxury lifestyle. The global franchise is already a fixture among tastemakers across the planet, but this celebration was unmistakably Filipino: a confident roll call that signaled how the Philippines now speaks, clearly and credibly, within the wider luxury conversation.

Cocktail hour was heralded by arrivals in sleek BMW’s flagship i7 sedans which chauffeured National Artists BenCab, Ryan Caybayab, and Alice Reyes, as well as AGCPH Chairman and CEO Archie Carrasco and Robb Report Philippines’ Chief of Editorial Content Yvette Fernandez. 

Guests from diplomatic circles, lifestyle and retail, sportscars and high jewelry, private banking and art, and real estate and travel gathered at the lounge of Blackbird at the Nielson Tower, where sapphire-blue carpeting and fine touches transformed it into the RCBC Lounge for the night. A grand piano anchored the room; music and lively conversation did the rest. FURNitalia added a note of Italian polish to the evening.

Servers moved through the crowd with canapés calibrated to the setting: semolina scrumpets with saffron aioli and trout roe; gochujang-grilled octopus on crisp carrot latkes; and squash blossoms filled with Davao goat cheese alongside muhammara. Glasses were raised to a quartet of house cocktails, led by the Robb Report Negroni, as well as the RCBC Bluebird—a precise mix of gin, crème de violette, maraschino, and lavender bitters—a nod to the venue and a salute to RCBC Wealth.

From the lounge, guests were led into Blackbird’s main dining hall, where Chef Colin Mackay presented a bespoke five-course menu. The evening began with a hamachi tartare brightened with white miso, citrus, and nori tapioca crisp, followed by quail agnolotti filled with mushroom and foie gras, finished with sage and apple cream.

The third course, a seared Hokkaido scallop with spiced cauliflower and nduja butter, offered an interlude of flavor and restraint before guests chose between Westholme MB7 Wagyu striploin or roast Chilean seabass, each paired with café de Paris butter, asparagus, and celeriac or sweet pepper confit. Dessert arrived as a statement in itself: Auro dark chocolate mousse with poached pear, salted caramel, and ginger crunch, followed by petit fours served with digestifs.

Between courses came the kind of table talk (over exquisite floral arrangements by Jos Curates) that defines these gatherings: discussions of craft, heritage, and the shifting landscape of Filipino luxury, where homegrown artisans, chefs, and designers are increasingly taking their place on the world stage. As the dinner plates cleared, the evening’s formal program began. 

“Real luxury is about the pursuit of excellence,” Robb Report Philippines’ Chief of Editorial Content, Yvette Fernandez, said in her opening speech. “It’s about mastery of craft, innovation, and devotion. It’s about people who have spent years perfecting what they do best, and heritage brands that have endured through generations.”

The highlight of the night followed with the presentation of the Best of the Best Awards, recognizing excellence across watches, design, travel, automotive and beyond. 

Ambassador Nicholas Bruhl presented the award for Watches to Emerson Yao of Lucerne Luxe for Patek Philippe’s Quadruple Complication Ref. 5308G-001, while Ambassador Davide Giglio of Italy presented Lamborghini with the award for Wheels for the Temerario.

National Artist for Visual Arts BenCab presented the award for Design to Gene Sandoval, represented by his nephew, Adrian, for Portland International Airport, and National Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab presented the award for Art to Rachel Rillo, representing Silverlens Galleries and her co-director, Isa Lorenzo.

National Artist for Dance Alice Reyes presented the award for Jewelry to Michael Huang for Cartier’s Nature Sauvage Haute Joallerie Collection.

The Best of the Best in the Style category was presented by Rajo Laurel to Hermes, with Mario Katigbak accepting the award, while the award for Travel was presented by Jewelmer’s Jacques Christophe Branellec and awarded to Amanpulo, received by General Manager Romain Gissot.

In the Wings category, Ernest Cu received the award on behalf of Gulfstream, which was awarded for its newly-launched Gulfstream G800; Charlie Rufino presented Best of the Best in Real Estate to Aurelia, which was received by Karlo Estavillo, president of Shang Robinsons Properties Incorporated, and Mybelle Aragon-GoBio, chairman of Shang Robinsons Property Incorporated.

The award for Dining was presented by Santi Elizalde to Chele Gonzalez and Gallery by Chele.

Each name announced reflected a commitment to artistry and luxury without compromise—qualities that continue to define both the publication and its partners.

The moment built toward a final toast—glasses raised not only to the honorees, but to a broader vision of Philippine luxury: discerning yet inclusive, rooted in tradition yet forward-facing. 

Before departing, each guest was handed a Rajo Laurel-designed boat tote carrying the night’s keepsakes: a Stefano Ricci tee, the Robb Report Philippines Best of the Best issue, RCBC signature pens, a Ladurée invitation to afternoon tea and a box of their signature macarons, a Fino Leatherware luggage tag, and a gift of a chauffeured service from Drivania—tokens of a night devoted to craftsmanship, conversation, and exceptional living.

In a city that’s increasingly defining its own measure of sophistication, Best of the Best was more than an annual celebration; it was a gathering of visionaries and patrons, artisans and entrepreneurs. And as the last guests stepped into the night, the glow from Blackbird’s windows still spilling onto Ayala Avenue, it was clear that this wasn’t just a dinner. It was the sound of a city learning how to celebrate itself.

Click here for an index to the complete list of the Best of the Best 2025 awardees.