Gatherings by Grace

I was so honored to be invited to the first-ever Gatherings by Grace, a seriest where The Spoiled Mummy, Grace Barbers Baja invited her inspiring friends – experts in their respective fields – to share their personal experiences, practices, and insights about subjects that are relevant and interesting for people from all walks of life. It’s called #CuriosityConversations so of course, I was super curious!

For the launch of the series, we discussed aging well and living gracefully with an impressive line-up of panelists Dr. Aivee Aguilar-Teo, Karen Davila, Happy Ongapuco-Tiu, Cat Juan- Ledesma and Joanna Preysler-Francisco at the Raffles Hotel Makati last September 19, 2019.

As someone with bipolar disorder, I have anxiety attending social events, so I usually try to go with someone I know as a way of coping and being more comfortable. Because I was invited to the event, I didn’t know who else would be there, but it was just too good to pass up! The topic was also relevant to me as someone in her late 30s, and experiencing significant weight gain in the past 3 years. So I decided, despite my nerves to just say YES! And I’m so glad that I did because we were truly spoiled by the hosts!

Isn’t it stunning? Everything from the food, flowers to the interiors were exactly like Grace – chic, classy and graceful! Well done Grace, Raffles, Gamechanger and the rest of their teams!

Grace & Emm with Raffles Makati
Grace with Raffles Makati

When I arrived I was sooo happy to find that I actually knew some ladies. I was reunited with the #GetBlisstified Gals, Kimi Lu (Lifecoach) and Nikki Garcia of Nikkimbento! In our table was Marie of a favorite local kid’s brand of mine, the fantastic Pottly & Tubby! I also finally met in person Michelle Aventajado of Momma n’ Manila and many other ladies that I’ve just been stalking on IG!

Marie of Pottly & Tubby
Momma n Manila Michelle
Kimi Lu, Me and Nikki

And without even talking about it or meaning to my friend Mutya Laxa-Buensuceso designer and founder of Spinkie Baby – a local brand with a huge international following that I have loved and supported for the last 9 years! – sat beside me. The Universe really works in mysterious ways. I thought I wouldn’t know anyone, but there I was sitting beside ladies I knew and admired. I was so happy to be surrounded by such amazing women.

Afternoon Tea at the Raffles is quite a treat. I want to go back and enjoy it with a girl friend or 3! Just look at that spread. The scones are amazing!

So good that I caught Nikki having a second helping, while the panelists were talking about diet and exercise! Nikki is just too funny and can have all the scones that she wants – she is aging backwards diba?

My favorite moment during the event – these two are so much fun!

Of course no event by Grace is complete without her signature #TheGracingTable which all the guest were looking forward to! Grace has truly mastered the art of entertaining and her line Taste By Grace Home has spread, sauces, dips and other easy to serve goodies that make entertaining easier – even for newbies or those who get nervous about it – like me! They are not only made with the highest quality ingredients (helloooo, grass-fed butter and free-range eggs!) but are also preservative-free – which we are now so conscious about after TD had two primary cancers.

My favorites from Taste by Grace Home are the

Figs and Almonds with Truffle Honey
Chicken Galantine with Figs, Pistachios & Cranberry
Organic Chicken Liver Pate with Pistachio Praline

I usually do not like pate or galantine, but Grace has such delicious products that they are the exceptions! Okay I’m talking too much about the food LOL! Back to the talk!

Gatherings by Grace is a passion project that was conceptualized by The Spoiled Mummy and Game Changer as an expression of Grace Barbers-Baja’s gift of gab, her curiosity and her love for conversations. So it’s really apt that they called it #CuriosityConversations – where she explores topics – from the mundane to the meaningful, from the ordinary to the extraordinary – with Grace’s signature lighthearted candor.

The questions and answers were so real folks! It was really like talking intimately among friends and learning the secrets of people who are captains in their fields. Imagine learning Karen Davila’s secret to youth – the L world! I will never forget it. It had everybody giggling!

Grace has been covering a wide range of topics in her blog, The Spoiled Mummy, since 2012 and is also an entrepreneur with her own line of home accessories, Grace Home Manila and her newly launched artisanal food line, Taste by Grace.

Game Changer, on the other hand, is a business solutions firm that has been supporting brand launches and executions for major local brands and SMEs as well as foreign brands making their first entry into the Philippines. This partnership brings to fruition Gatherings by Grace and combines their key strengths in conceptualizing and staging well-thought-out projects.

The launch was just the first of many. The line-up of topics also include: body positivity, authenticity in the age of social media, women who work and men who balance, among many others. So interesting right???

I loved that everyone in the Gathering gained a reflective and mindful perspective gleaned from the exchange of insights. More conversations will be happening over the next few months and in different and exciting formats that fit the topic and audience. Something to watch out for and look forward to!

The event would not have been possible without the support of the following partners:

The lootbag was incredible! I’ll try to do a video!

Thank you so much for the wonderful afternoon Grace, Gamechanger, Raffles & Teams! I’m so happy that I went. It was so much fun take time for myself outside the daily grind…to be spoiled in the best way!