A

A
night out in Manila would not be complete without paying a
visit to one of Tim Yap’s clubs. A radio and TV host, club owner,
columnist, creative director, newspaper editor and eventologist,
Tim also happens to be the undisputed king of nightlife in Manila.
We were lucky enough to be escorted by Tim personally (in a
blacked-out, decked-out white van) and proceeded to have a
whirlwind of a night involving champagne, tigers, male Brazilian
models and Kid Cudi. I even managed to squeeze in a few
questions.

SERENA GUEN: In your opinion, you haven’t truly
experienced the Philippines without….

TIM YAP: Knowing its people, visiting its
islands and eating balut (fertilised duck eggs).

SERENA GUEN: In your opinion, you
haven’t truly experienced the Philippines without….

TIM YAP: Knowing its people, visiting its
islands and eating balut (fertilised duck eggs).

SG: How did The Tim Yap TV Show begin?

TY: I’ve been doing multimedia work for quite a
long time now. I started with my own lifestyle show for MTV, hosted
a trends show for Channel V, an events reality show, a lifestyle
magazine show, a Sunday noontime variety show, even a singing
competition for the local network while editing the weekend pop
culture section of a broadsheet. After all that noise, it was about
time I did something quiet and insightful, where my audience can
learn from me, or from my guests, in an intimate setting each
night. That’s how The Tim Yap Show was born.

SG: As a TV and radio host, who are some of the coolest
and most influential people that you’ve met?

TY: I was part of the entourage for Rihanna’s
777 tour – riding in her 777 plane for seven shows across seven
cities in seven days. I’ve also interviewed and hosted
after-parties for pop stars from Katy Perry to Adam Levine, Mariah
Carey and The Black Eyed Peas. I shook Nelson Mandela’s hand when I
was only a little kid and Bill Clinton shook mine when I was in
line for The Producers one afternoon in New York. I ran after
Robbie Williams one time after being beside him in the VIP toilet
at an MTV Awards show in Singapore, but that didn’t end up
well.

SG: Do you think the Philippines has the potential to
become the party capital of Southeast Asia?

TY: It’s getting there. More and more complexes
are being built which are devoted to nightlife, and all the top
acts make sure they stop by and experience Manila. The Filipino
spirit was made for this. Everyone’s a rock star on these
shores.

SG: If we’re looking for the ultimate Friday night out,
where do you think we should go?

TY: Sunset cocktails at 71 Gramercy, a Filipino
dinner at Aracama, drinks at The Palace Pool Club followed by
dancing all night at Valkyrie. Then breakfast at The Peninsula
lobby before heading home sometime on Saturday.

SG: What are some of the unique challenges you face as
an entrepreneur in the Philippines?

TY: You have to keep up with the speed and
quality of things, and make sure people are on the same page.

SG: What’s next for Tim Yap?

TY: Outer space! A newly adopted kitten called
Pringles (which has its own hashtag #TheMoustachedCat) and some
fresh collabs launching soon.