For Store Specialist Inc.'s 30th anniversary, this retail giant decided to celebrate through philanthropy and by revealing some inspirational stories.

This November, Store Specialist’s Inc. (SSI) is celebrating three decades of success and style. SSI is a pioneer in the retail and fashion industry, having brought in notable international labels since 1990. Now with over 600 stores nationwide and over 100 global brands in its portfolio, SSI can proudly say that the past 30 years have been outstanding.

The Tantoco family has upheld a tradition of excellence in the country, and continues to push boundaries in fashion, retail, and business. Philippine Tatler offers our warm congratulations to Nedy Tantoco, CEO of The Rustan's Group and Anton Huang, SSI's President on this new bright chapter that is about to unfold. 

Anton Huang, SSI’s President, during the recent anniversary celebrations, shared: “Not only do we give Filipinos a taste of all the best the world has to offer. We also show the world everything that is great about the Philippines. We continue to strive to great lengths in an effort to help people curate life. As we celebrate this milestone through the campaign “The Curated Life,” we further our quest to enhance lives all over this country, and beyond. We seek to inspire, enable, indulge, and rally our customers to live a life that, to them, is well-curated. The Curated Life isn’t just a state of mind; it’s a way of living. And the people who live The Curated Life are those who place their passions front and centre.”

As part of The Curated Life, the SSI Group chose to highlight 30 unique individuals through a special endeavor called #PassionForward.

Added, Huang, “This  campaign  brings together a diverse group of people who are catalysts of change, spurring inspiration and fostering passion in today’s generation. We pay tribute to over 30 personalities from various fields who share in our passion for fashion, health and wellness, beauty, home and entertaining, eating well, and more. These Filipinos have been chosen because of how they’ve curated their lives around their passions, and, thus, become role models: People who others emulate, and look up to. Ultimately, these are individuals who ignite passions beyond their own.”

These 30 people were photographed, filmed, and interviewed to share with audiences what their passions and lifestyles are about. Collectively, SSI has pledged to make a sizeable donation to the chosen charities of these 30 Passion Forward personalities.
 
Philippine Tatler speaks with 10 of the campaign’s faces about their passions and the beneficiaries close to their hearts. Read on to find out what they had to say:

Tatler Asia
Above Photograph by Paul Soriano

TOOTSY ANGARA

Cluster Head for Sales, ABS-CBN Network

What are you passionate about and why?
 
My passion is living in the moment! It’s believing that kindness is the best weapon to navigate life. You can never go wrong with being kind... because the power of a word, a pat on the back, or a smile can greatly impact on someone. Kindness can make someone feel that life is worth living.
 
What was your chosen charity for SSI to donate to and why?
 
I chose Teach for the Philippines because I believe all Filipino children should have access to relevant and excellent education from teachers who positively influence kids in the most powerful and effective way. They can mould and inspire kids and improve their lives and eventually reduce poverty by creating equal opportunities.

Tatler Asia
Above Photograph by Paul Soriano

JP ANGLO

Chef 

What are you passionate about and why?
 
I am passionate about learning and exploring new ways on how to make Filipino food better, whether it be in my restaurants, in my cooking shows, or even when I’m at the beach surfing. Finding ways to become better in what I do, and being able to share it with other people is something that makes me so happy.

What was your chosen charity for SSI to donate to and why?
 
I chose to donate to COTTOLENGO FILIPINO INC., a private non-profit government organizational that caters to poor, abandoned, and neglected people - especially kids with disabilities. This particular organization is close to my heart because I, myself, also have a learning disability. I wish that these special individuals will be given the care that they deserve, appropriate education for their disabilities, and a home to feel safe in. Despite their physical, social, and intellectual challenges, these people, all people have emotions - they deserve love and acceptance from their family and society.

Tatler Asia
Above Photograph by Kyla Olives

MIA BORROMEO

Home and Travel Magazine Editor

What are you passionate about and why?

I am passionate about life and all the opportunities and blessings that each day brings! I really try to seize the moment and to live each day to the fullest. I love the work I do as a magazine editor; I love spending time with friends, family, and all the wonderful people I get to meet from all walks of life; I love fashion, art, and design; I love food, wine, and creative table settings; I love to travel, to explore, to discover new places, and rediscover old ones; I love hunting for treasures in flea markets and unexpected places; I love nature—gardens, parks, flowers, butterflies, sunlight, shells; I love finding beauty in simple things, and in everyday life.


What was your chosen charity for SSI to donate to and why?
 
I selected two causes close to my heart. The Child Protection Network Foundation (CPN), which provides holistic support in the form of medical, social and legal assistance to victims of child abuse around the country. It has been a great privilege for me to be part of  the CPN board for several years now and am constantly inspired by the incredible commitment of our chairman and founder, David Bradley, and of other members in working toward this very relevant and urgent cause. The STEPS Dance Studio Scholarship Foundation which provides education and assistance to gifted young students in the field of dance. I have had the pleasure of  working with STEPS' founder (and dear friend) Sofia Elizalde, on some benefit projects for STEPS and her passion and commitment is inspiring and contagious!

Tatler Asia
Above Photograph by Paul Soriano

ERNEST CU

President and CEO, Globe Telecom

What are you passionate about and why?
 
Anything new, I love. That is why playing an active role in driving the Filipino digital lifestyle and using technology to solve everyday problems is something that I am very passionate about. There is that strong driving desire to have a hand in changing people’s habits and making Globe highly relevant to people’s lives. 
 
What was your chosen charity for SSI to donate to and why?
 
I chose to donate to the #AyokongPlastik campaign of WWF. One of Globe’s major advocacies is to save the Philippines’ seas and waters - from replanting coral reefs to cleaning up Manila Bay to being actively involved in the restoration of Boracay (earth education, donating communal septic tanks, spearheading beach clean ups, installing proper trash bins, providing organic solutions to treat the septic tanks, and the like). As a major company, we choose to take an active role and extend a helping hand in areas where we can, and where the nation needs it most.

Tatler Asia
Above Photograph by Mark Nicdao

SOFIA ELIZALDE

Founder and Managing Director, STEPS Dance Studio

What are you passionate about and why?
 
My passion is the arts and in particular, dance. Why do I love dance? It is because it’s what makes me happiest and what I spent most of my life doing - classical Ballet and Contemporary, so those are closest to my heart. 
 
What was your chosen charity for SSI to donate to and why?
 
I gave my donation to The Steps Scholarship Foundation. The foundation gives free dance training to very talented Filipino children who cannot afford to pay for the schooling.

Tatler Asia
Above Photograph by Mark Nicdao

ARMIE JARIN-BENNETT

Nine Media Corporation/CNN Philippines President

What are you passionate about and why?
 
I’m really passionate about a lot of things. In all that I do—whether on a personal or a professional level. It is the purpose that drives me. I put my heart and my soul into most things that I do. That’s passion. 
 
In my job, it is about serving our audience—with news and information that is meaningful and useful... News and information that they can TRUST.
 
What was your chosen charity for SSI to donate to and why?
 
My chosen charity for SSI is Voice of the Free. It is a non-profit organisation dedicated to finding solutions to end exploitation and modern-day slavery.
 
I heard about Voice of the Free in 2010 or 2011. They were then called Visayan Forum. I was still based in Atlanta, working at CNN International. We were doing a documentary on human trafficking. It was only then that I was made aware of the reality of human trafficking, particularly in the Philippines. I got to know the founder of the charity—Cecilia Oebanda. I was so impressed with her commitment to fight this battle. I support her efforts and really want to help as best as I can.
 

Tatler Asia
Above Trickie Lopa, Dindin Araneta, and Lisa Periquet - Founders, Art Fair Philippines | Photograph by Kyla Olives

TRICKIE LOPA  

Co-Founder, Art Fair Philippines

What are you passionate about and why?
 
The local contemporary art scene. It has always been a strong interest of mine and it led me to do the events—Art in a Park and Art Fair—that I’m involved in to this day. After the first Art in a Park in 2006, I even assumed the personality of the Manila Art Blogger to help with a platform to call attention to the then burgeoning art scene. I thought that if I could, in my own small way, make a difference, help bring it some attention, or maybe reach out to someone out there like me, then that would be a good thing.
 
What was your chosen charity for SSI to donate to and why?
 
The Museum Foundation of the Philippines. It is an advocacy I feel strongly about and is the reason I got into art in the first place. Its mission of supporting the National Museum and its network can definitely use all the help it can get.

Tatler Asia
Above Photograph by Paul Soriano

IRENE MARTEL FRANCISCO

Managing Director, Philippine Tatler 

What are you passionate about and why? 

I am passionate about the things I care about. I think if one is going to spend time on something, then one needs to be committed to achieving excellent results. This applies to your work. In my case that means handling the operations of a publishing group involved in print and digital platforms, plus events. I adore traveling, so I research extensively and make sure that my family gets to see and experience what to me is most desirable. I am passionate about my family and the close relationships I have with selected friends. I think helping others is a big passion for me too, and it’s what we aim to do consistently. I want to do this full time when I retire.

What charity did you support and why? 

I selected the Child Protection Network Foundation because I know it’s a very focused and committed group that works towards helping fight child abuse in our country. This is a problem that truly deserves all the effort to lessen the abuse of innocent children. Through the Child Protection Units in over 90 locations nationwide, CPN is there for the abused kid or woman to give medical, psychological, and legal support. 
 

Tatler Asia
Above Photograph by Mark Nicdao

JOEL PALMA

WWF-Philippines President and CEO

What are you passionate about and why? 

The environment! Prior to my work with WWF, I was with the DENR doing sea turtle conservation in Turtle Islands, Tawi-Tawi, El Nido, Palawan, and other remote and pristine islands of the country. I was exposed to the richness and beauty of our marine resources. 20 years ago when I joined WWF, I started to realise the relevance of managing and conserving our resources.

What Charity did you support and why?  

My chosen charity is WWF-Philippines. In our current situation, we’ve come to a point that protecting the environment is a matter of survival for the human race. As we speak, our generation is the last generation that can save our nature. We have no option but to act together.

Tatler Asia
Above Photograph by Paul Soriano

STEVEN TAN

Chief Operating Officer, SM Supermalls

What are you passionate about and why?
 
I'm passionate about experiences. I guess that's why, to a large extent, I am drawn to travel. Travel is multi-sensorial, opening up your five senses. To truly live is to embrace your passions and to pursue them to the best of your abilities.
 
What was your chosen charity for SSI to donate to and why?
 
I nominated SM Foundation as my beneficiary. SM Foundation is essentially people helping people. The foundation supports underserved communities where our malls are present. One of the pillars of support, Education, is very important to me. It provides youth the opportunity for self-improvement and a sustained future.
 

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