CHERYL TIU
International Journalist & Multi Media Personality
We've known each other half our lives and I'm still in awe of this woman. A jet-setter, foodie, and writer... I envy her life of travel and great food! She's made a name for herself and in every deserving right. Despite her accomplishments from such a young age, she has commendably stayed so humble, kind, and kept her feet on the ground. Check out where Cheryl is heading off to next and which restaurants to hit up on www.cheryltiu.com, Instagram, and Facebook.
What brings you to life?
Right now my website <cheryltiu.com>. I've been juggling several positions for years now and have recently taken on an "at large" position at the publishing house I work for to allow me the time to focus on other projects, the closest one to my heart being my blog/website. It's a space where I chronicle the fun things I do and discover--in between my deadlines! But I didn't want it to be just that; I also wanted it to be a platform to serve a bigger purpose. So last month, I put up an events platform under it called Cross Cultures by Cheryl Tiu. It was founded on the premise that food is one of the most accessible ways of exchanging cultures. Through the sharing of culinary experiences and talents between chefs and cooks, between countries and continents, I hope to dispel misconceptions and remove boundaries, and contribute in building a more global community.
Our first dinner event is happening this September 18, 2015. I visited Ethiopia for the first time last June and fell in love with the country and its people. Unfortunately though, a lot of people still think that it's a poor country and plagued by famine. On the contrary, it has one of the fastest growing economies today, and not only is there food, but the cuisine is so delicious--I refused to and did not eat anything other than injera (made from an organic, gluten-free super grain endemic to Ethiopia called 'teff') and wot (sauces and stews that can range from chickpeas, beef, chicken, lamb, etc.) every single day I was there!--and not at all available here in the Philippines! So for one night only, we are collaborating with Eat Ethio, an Ethiopian food movement that provides a modern insight into the food, coffee, designs, music, and culture of Ethiopia--to create a special, memorable experience for Filipinos.
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| These children in Lalibela, Ethiopia won my heart! Here we are in front of the tukul, or a traditional stone hut made from stone and mud protected by UNESCO, outside the rock-hewn churches |
I feel honoured that I am able to go out and share what I enjoy to readers. I like that I also get to travel, eat, and meet a lot of different people, and that no day is ever the same. It's a job where I get to learn so much by experience, and hopefully engage my readers in the same way.
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| Such an honour to have been asked by the legendary Andoni Aduriz of Mugaritz, 6th best restaurant in the world, to sign the Wallpaper City Guide for Manila book for him at Madrid Fusion in Spain |
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| With the legendary Thomas Keller at the World's 50 Best Restaurant Awards at the Guildhall in London along with Asia's 50 Best chairwomen for Southeast Asia Evelyn Chen and Susan Jung |
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| At the first Dom Perignon event in the Philippines held at the National Museum with Ingrid Go, Emil Yap, and Jin Perez |
How long have you been in the business and how did you get into it?
I've been in the magazine publishing industry since 2006 as an editor, and later on a publisher, and started writing for a national newspaper when I was still in high school in 2001. I would do all my homework during recess and lunch breaks, and after school, I would go to the newspaper office or what they assigned me to cover or work on my articles.
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| Being interviewed by CNN Philippines at our Lifestyle Asia Home & Away 3 Book Launch at Crystal Lounge, Crown Towers, City of Dreams |
After college, One Mega Group asked me if I was interested in working there. I started out as assistant editor for (the now defunct) Girlfriend magazine, and then simultaneously became editor in chief of (the now defunct) Winx Magazine. Then our president and CEO transferred me to Lifestyle Asia where I did time as assistant editor then associate editor then managing editor then deputy editor and publisher--and now, editor at large. There are no shortcuts, you really have to start from the bottom and work your way up otherwise you won't completely learn and understand how things are done. Nobody wants to be that figurehead on top that has an impressive title but doesn't really know what he/she is doing.
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| Signing our Wallpaper City Guide Manila books for Senator Sonny Angara with my collaborator Kissa Castaneda-McDermott |
What advice would you give to someone starting out in the same field?
What you really need in the field of journalism/publishing/media is experience. People often think that editors and writers are just always in front of a computer and they're always writing but that's not accurate. It is only half the job. The truth is that we are out all the time--we have to, otherwise what are we going to write about? As early as now my advice is to... go out of your comfort zone. Eat. Meet people. Travel. Live. Being a journalist/writer doesn't pay much--no one I know is in it for the money--but it's one of the most fulfilling jobs for me personally, as you are enriched with experiences.
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| Faced my fears and took the co-pilot seat on a tiny 12-seater bush plane in Botswana |
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| In Luang Prabang for Thai Airways' new direct flight to the city from Bangkok |
How do you keep your passion alive?
I like exploring and trying different things. I love traveling and that always fuels me. I travel a lot for work but I never see it as work because the experiences are always so priceless and enriching. I also like being around and engaging with inspiring, positive people. Stay away from the negatrons; they will just bring you down.
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| Safari in Tanzania with wildebeests behind Christine Dayrit and I |
At this specific point in time, where would you want to be and with whom?
I used to always live in the past and the future, and one of my resolutions is to live in the present. So I am happy and grateful for where I am today, and am trusting the timing of my life.
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On the Northern Belle Orient Express Train from Edinburgh to London for Diageo World Class
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