News and Insights
#FINNFam Friday: Manica Tiglao
January 6, 2023
What would be your splurge meal and at what restaurant?
This is hard – the chance to eat at one of Hong Kong’s many fantastic restaurants is not one that I take for granted! We’re spoilt for choice when it comes to food, with options at every price point. For a splurge, I love hearty, well-made food in a beautifully designed space. That said, an omakase spot, steak frites, or an Indian feast at New Punjab Club in Central would be at the top of my list. I also really like Brut, a charming little spot in Sai Ying Pun, for wine and bites.
What is your go-to productivity hack?
I turn off notifications for most of my social media including Instagram and Facebook so I don’t constantly get pings. I’m also a big believer in writing to-do lists.
What book have you recently read that you would recommend?
I’ve been on a roll with food memoirs lately and really enjoyed Wine Girl, by Victoria James, on her journey as a female sommelier. Crying in H Mart, by Michelle Zauner, made me weep, but I would gladly read it again.
What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
“Be kind” is a piece of advice I feel has served me well in both my personal and professional life! (But admittedly it’s not always easy)
What destinations are on your list of top 3 places to visit? Why?
New York is one of my favorite places, and I try to stay in a different neighborhood on each trip. Mexico City for tacos and technicolor. I’m saving an African safari for a milestone celebration – seeing the majestic wildlife in their natural environment is on my bucket list.
What is one professional skill you’re currently working on?
Learning to say no.
What would your superpower be and why?
Being able to read minds would make client servicing a breeze! (Haha)
What is your favorite app and your favorite electronic gadget?
Not a big fan of gadgets but living in Hong Kong, not having my phone makes me feel helpless – so it is, by default, my “favorite.” To the detriment of my bank account, my favorite app is Net-a-Porter if I’m being honest, and Instagram is a close second.
What would you do with your time if you didn’t have to work?
I would read and travel more, and maybe try to write a book. I’ve randomly taken half days off to take a leisurely lunch at a restaurant that would be fully booked on a weekend, followed by trips to the bookstore and an art gallery or two. Basically, things I would do on my days off if errands did not exist.
What is one of your greatest professional achievements?
My friends and I published a book, a travel guide to Manila, the Philippines, where I’m from, called Manila, Manila, and More. Aside from working with amazing creative people who share my love for my country, it helped me discover parts of home I had never known before.