The Good Life: Editors’ Picks of the Week
In every The Good Life: Editors’ Picks, we round up our editors’ favorites—restaurants, cocktails, experiences, exhibits, and everything in between. Here is our latest list.
The Flavors of the White Elephant Kingdom Dinner, Spices, The Manila Peninsula
We spent a lovely afternoon at a cooking class at Spices at the Peninsula Manila to learn several traditional Thai dishes from Chef Monnipa Rungthong, the visiting chef de cuisine from the kitchen of the Thiptara Thai Restaurant at the Peninsula Bangkok.
Mom has always loved Thai food, and grows kaffir lime and galangal at home to add a kick to her dishes, so she was quite enthralled watching Chef Ying peel, slice, dice, mince, and combine her fresh ingredients, chilis, and spices so effortlessly. The chef is known for the warmth and depth of her traditional home-style cooking, seldom found nowadays outside of private homes.
Fortunately for us, we were given tastes of what she demonstrated, with each bite being sweet, salty, sour, and spicy, all at once. The heat zinged, but it was delightful. Ah oh, the textures! Smooth yet with a crunchiness here and there, as all sorts of flavors burst in our mouths.
On Friday, May 30, Chef Ying presents a four-course menu that blends traditional Thai flavors with contemporary flair, in a one-night only Flavors of the White Elephant Kingdom dinner.
On the menu, classic Thai favorites such Pla Tod Yum Mamuang (crispy seabass and green mango salad), Tom Yam Goong Maenam (traditional tom yum goong), Nua Yang Jim Jeaw (grilled beef tenderloin), and Khao Niew Mamuang (mango with sticky rice).
A selection of cocktails and beverages infused with Thai-inspired flavors by The Peninsula’s mixologists will be available to complement the menu.
If you can’t make it on Friday, no worries, Chef Ying’s specialties will be added to the Spices menu in June. – Yvette Fernandez, Chief of Editorial Content
The Flavors of the White Elephant Kingdom dinner is on Friday, May 30, 6 p.m. at Spices at the Peninsula Manila. Php 3,500. For reservations, call +63 2 8887 2888, ext. 6694 or email [email protected]. Photos: The Peninsula Manila
The New GCash Card
When a friend told me the new GCash Visa Card didn’t charge foreign transaction fees, I ordered mine on the spot—hoping it would arrive in time for my next overseas trip. (It did.) I was sold on that feature alone, considering most banks charge anywhere from 1.85% to 2.75%—sometimes even 3%—just for the currency conversion.
But that’s just the start. The card also unlocks exclusive perks usually reserved for premium credit cards: things like a complimentary bottle of wine and 10% off your bill at restaurants abroad and local like Antonio’s PGA Cars (with a minimum spend), shopping discounts at various stores, welcome drinks at places like The Upper House in Hong Kong. Better yet, it’s funded directly from your GCash wallet—no separate bank account needed—and you can top it up instantly through the app. It’s also perfect for those who prefer the control of debit over the surprise of credit when abroad.
A tip? Same friend gives her children these cards when they’re abroad so they know their spending limits—no ifs, ands, or buts! – Kimberly Delgado, Digital Editor
Gcash cards can be ordered through the GCash app. Download the app in the App Store or Google Play. For more information, visit https://new.gcash.com/services/cards. Photo: GCash
Veuve Clicquot Destination Arrows
Veuve Clicquot’s iconic Arrows Limited EditionLimited EditionA product produced in deliberately restricted numbers, often numbered, signed, and distinguished by special materials or design. Limited editions create scarcity, urgency, and desirability, and they are common across watches,Go to Limited Edition Glossary has arrived in exciting new destinations—Manila and Cebu—and I’m loving them!
For a limited time, local Champagne enthusiasts in the Philippines can get their hands on these collectibles—each one spotlighting these two Philippine key cities, and featuring their exact distance from Reims, France, the historic home of Veuve Clicquot. – Alicia Colby-Sy, Lifestyle Editor
The Veuve Clicquot Destination Arrows for Manila and Cebu are available exclusively at Wine Story and Boozy.ph. Photo: Veuve Clicquot
The World of Supercars
The World of Supercars events by PGA Cars are always a spectacle—but this season, they’ve shifted into an even higher gear. Head to their BGC showrooms at Bonifacio High Street to get up close with some of the most coveted machines in the world.
On display: the Porsche 911 Carrera GTS, a World Performance Car Award winner that balances track-ready power with everyday drivability. Also turning heads is the new Audi RS Q8 Performance—the current Nürburgring lap record holder for production SUVs—fusing racecar DNA with commanding luxury. Cars are swapped on some occasions, but always with something just as impressive.
Whether you’re a seasoned enthusiast or simply intrigued by the art and engineering of supercars, there’s something thrilling about experiencing these machines in the metal. Don’t miss the chance to witness speed, innovation, and design excellence all under one roof. – Carl Cunanan, Cars and Watches Editor
The cars will be on display until the end of the week at the BGC PGA Cars showroom. Photo: PGA Cars
One World Deli Alabang
As someone discerning about where I source my food—particularly with my favorite jamón ibérico—I was eager to visit One World Deli’s newly opened Alabang outpost.
The space instantly reminded me of the mercados of Spain. This isn’t merely a grocery where one dashes in and out. It’s a thoughtfully-curated space where you can not only shop, but also sit down for a meal, converse with knowledgeable staff about preparation, or gather with friends to enjoy freshly-prepared dishes in an inviting setting.
One World Deli provides chef-crafted cuisine, as well as a selection of responsibly-sourced local and international products. Here, grocery shopping becomes more than a part of your chore list. It turns into a refined culinary experience. You could enjoy a bowl of Truffle Adobo Garlic Fried Rice made with hormone-free pork from Bicol, or indulge in a hearty English breakfast crafted with care.
The shelves are stocked with deli classics: French cheeses, fresh produce, and all the essentials for your charcuterie board. For those with more decadent cravings, the deli offers fresh oysters, premium Californian wines, and beautifully marbled Black Angus beef.
Whether you’re sourcing your weekly essentials, having a meal with friends, or simply enjoying a quiet moment with something sweet, One World Deli is the perfect stop. – Katrina Montinola, Associate Managing Editor
One World Deli Alabang is now open at Alabang West, Daang Hari Road. Photos: One World Deli