By Tony Agudo
Last August 15, I was invited at the last minute by my Editor-in-Chief to a food event at the Sheraton Manila Bay. It was a night filled with anticipation and promise. For me, it was unique, as it proposed to meld the precision of horology with the sensuality of expertly crafted cuisine. "Timeless Flavors" was more than just a watch exhibit or dinner; it was an intimate symphony of time and taste, celebrating Nico Moreno, the Philippines' first independent watchmaker, and his decade-long journey. This event was a heady mix of finely plated dishes, each paired with cocktails that told their own stories, alongside distinctive watches that whispered the secrets of meticulous craftsmanship and Filipino heritage.
Nico Moreno's story reads like a love letter to the art of timekeeping. Born in Manila, his fascination with the inner workings of timepieces began in physics class. Fast forward, and he's launching Ibarra Watches in 2014—a brand that became as iconic as it was daring. Ibarra didn’t just make watches; it resurrected history, bringing the past to life with pieces like the Sucesos, a tribute to Jose Rizal, and crafting timepieces for the world’s elite at the ASEAN50 Summit.
Like all compelling stories, there was a chapter abroad. In 2021, Nico found himself in Tokyo, immersed in the disciplined, precision-oriented world of Japanese watchmaking. Under the guidance of legends like Masahiro Kikuno, his vision sharpened. Now, with the establishment of Moreno Watch Studio, he returns not only wiser but with the launch of his handcrafted masterpiece, the Kaminari—steeped in tradition yet crackling with the energy of his fresh perspective.
The event celebrated more than watches; it presented the passage of time, growth, and the rare fusion of passion and precision. The world of watches is no longer just about telling time—it’s about telling a story—a Filipino story that starts here but knows no bounds. As the night unfolded, perhaps with each bite and glance at these extraordinary timepieces, you could feel it too—the ticking of time, not in minutes or hours, but in those moments that last forever.
But let’s talk about the food for a minute. The five-course meal that accompanied the event was something else entirely. It wasn’t just food; it was an experience, one that dug deep into cultural roots yet reached beyond. Some of the dishes stuck with me, etched into memory like a great watch ticking quietly on your wrist.
First, there was the raclette dish. Now, I’ve had raclette before, but this take by Executive Chef Nick Joseph Santiago—melting raclette over boiled potatoes, ham, bacon, and croutons—was pure magic. It felt like Switzerland on a plate: hearty, warming, the kind of comfort food I could eat for the rest of my life. It was paired with the red sangria they served, bursting with citrus notes, cinnamon, apple, and orange, and it was refreshingly smooth. Sure, the alcohol hit hard, but in a way that felt almost too pleasant to resist—a dangerous combination, but in the best way possible.
And then, there was the lumpia. But this wasn’t your ordinary lumpia. The chef had incorporated laing, a distinctly Filipino provincial gabi with gata dish, wrapped in crispy fried lumpia wrapper perfection, making the dish both familiar and yet totally new. It was like eating at home, but with layers of influence from elsewhere. It came paired with a lambanog cocktail, with calamansi, rosemary cordial, triple sec, and mint leaves, which was as strong as it was drinkable. That drink hit with the right kind of intensity—strong, clean, but softened by the mint and citrus.
But the real star of the evening, for me at least, was the gindara. Perfectly seasoned and cooked, with a soybean paste sauce that heightened the dish’s already exceptional flavors. It was that magical combination of umami, sweet, and salty that made each bite an experience. This wasn’t just food; it was a journey on a plate, and it left me thinking about how, like timepieces, food has the ability to transport you—each flavor ticked off in layers, like gears turning in sync.
The night was a convergence of flavors and craftsmanship, leaving me grateful that time, while it moves inexorably forward, still allows for truly remarkable moments like these—moments we can savor, let linger, and carry with us to reminisce on long after they’ve passed. Much thanks to EIC Cesar for inviting me to an unexpectedly wonderful experience and adventure for my gourmand palate.
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