Catriona Gray, 20, has only been in Manila for two years, but already the model/singer has been gracing magazine covers, appearing on billboards and catwalks, and nabbing endorsements — recently for the #BeautifulScience campaign of a conditioner brand.
It makes sense, picking her as the endorser, because if there’s anyone who can prove its wonders, models would be it. Why? Because they have it worse than most of us. “Being a model, my hair is exposed to a lot of things — it’s always styled, there’s so much products, hair spray, teasing. It’s vulnerable to a lot of damage.” Catriona tells Coconuts Manila over lunch at Sala Bistro.
And so the Makati resident indulges in regular trips to Jing Monis salon for her “regular hair treatments and trims, and of course, Pantene. I’m so vulnerable to damaged hair so it takes me a long time to grow it. But I find that if I dedicate time, doing weekly treatments, applying coconut oil, it really helps, too.” We spoke to her about her city on a plate.
BEST THING ABOUT YOUR LOCALE:
I live in Makati and I love it. I love that it’s close to [a lot of things, but especially that], it’s close to my work. A lot of my modeling, casting, also my singing gigs — most of them fall within Makati, so it’s convenient.
BEST PLACE FOR BREAKFAST:
I love Wildflour (G/F V Corporate Center, 125 LP Leviste St, Salcedo Village. +63 2 8087072. Mon-Thu 7am-10pm, Fri & Sat 7am-11pm, Sun 8am-4pm) for breakfast! Classic Eggs Benny (PHP450) and the Belgian waffle (PHP340) are my fave! I also love getting the Cranberry walnut bread with goat cheese and honey (PHP145)!
BEST PLACE FOR LUNCH:
I love Namnam at Greenbelt (Unit 105 G/F Greenbelt 2, Esperanza St., cor Greenbelt Dr., Ayala Center, Makati. +63 2 6250515. Daily 11am-11pm). That’s my favorite Filipino restaurant as of now. I love it. I love adobo and I love their adobo (starts PHP165)! The Watermelon Sinigang (starts PHP230) is like, amazing, too. It’s really good.
BEST PLACE FOR COFFEE:
Restaurante Pia Y Damaso (2/F Greenbelt 5, Ayala Center, Makati. +63 2 7295511. Daily 11am-10pm). I love Damaso, upstairs in Greenbelt. They have really nice cakes. There’s this cake, [I forget the name, which] has citrus fruits, calamansi, and you pour ginger syrup on top. Yum.
BEST PLACE FOR DINNER:
I love John and Yoko for Japanese (2/F Greenbelt 5, Ayala Center, Makati; +63 2 7298698. Daily 11am-10pm). You can find me here at greenbelt a lot. I always order the California Maki Salad (PHP198), Spicy Tuna Sushi (PHP268), and the Beef Teppan (PHP378).
BEST PLACE FOR DRINKS:
Sorry, I don’t drink. In my spare time, I like to read a good book, work on a sketch, or spend time with my family.
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