MANILA, Philippines - I first met Mandy Santos 10 years ago when she was about to get married to her businessman-husband Duane Santos. If I was to describe our friendship, it would be like a roller-coaster ride without the dips.

In a country that has so many beautiful and stylish women, Mandy enjoys an extra edge with her spunk, sharp wit and great sense of humor. She also doesn?t take herself too seriously.

Mandy is the assistant general manager of Mr. Knitwear, a family-owned company that manufactures knitwear for export. She also has her own children?s clothing and shoe line, Tarte Tatin and Tarte Tatin Chaussures, both available at Rustan?s Department Store. And then again, a knit line called Fleur. She is looking forward to rapid expansions of her clothing lines this year, so watch out for that.

Mandy and Duane have a beautiful three-and-a-half-year-old daughter, Solenne.

This is her world.

What is your greatest extravagance?
Shop TV and shopping network. So addicted!

Who is the love of your life?
God.

What?s a trait you most hate about yourself?
Very judgmental.

What?s a trait you most hate in others?
Incompetence.

What?s your favorite vacation spot?
There is no place on earth like home. Meaning my house. I guess when one travels a lot for business, home becomes the place to be. (Bring me home, Toto!)

Favorite item in your wardrobe?
Love all my Stella McCartney for Adidas gear.

What do you do when you?re not working?
I?m always working. Working in the office, working in the kitchen, working out!

What has motherhood taught you?
You understand your parents more, your mother in particular; why she did this, why she did that. You see your childhood in a whole new light.
Motherhood has also taught me that unconditional love really exists.

Your favorite thing to do with your daughter?
My daughter and I do everything together. She even comes with me to work, to dinners, parties. People tell me that I have to cut the umbilical cord at some point. Maybe when she?s 50!

What makes you happy?
Everything makes me happy. Right now it?s that Rustan?s supermarket on Ayala Avenue, Makati. It has a working wine bar! You?re doing the groceries, midway you have a glass of wine or three. At the end, watch as your bill escalates. Very smart move, this Rustan?s.

Would you ever have plastic surgery?
Yes, I would. Is breast enhancement considered plastic surgery?

What is your favorite poison (drink)?
Kir Royale

Naughtiest thing you?ve done?
(smiles)

Can you cook? What is your signature dish?
Yes, I cook. A lot. Like every day for the last 10 years! I basically can cook anything. Just not the Michelin stars kind of cooking.

Who are your favorite designers?
I admire so many people?s works. Locally, Antonio Garcia of Mabolo, Yola Johnson of Sumac, Miguel Rosales, Tina Maristela-Ocampo of Celestina...

How do you relax?
Hanging out with my husband Duane and daughter Solenne. We sometimes hole up in the master bedroom the whole day, just the three of us, stepping out only for a bite to eat then come back in the room.

Who are your present day heroes?
GMA and Hillary Clinton

What?s one thing in life you don?t have and wish you have?
I wish I had an endless supply of money to help everyone in need.

What makes you laugh?
My daughter has the most incredible sense of humor. She is hilarious. Her comic timing is amazing. She takes after my sister Mara, I think. I have a great respect for people who are I-can-command-a-room type of funny.

What are your regrets?
I have no regrets. Everything happens for a reason.

Who would you come back as in another life?
According to this healer my sister-in-law Oudine took me to while I was pregnant and endemic, I was an assassin in my last life and that is why I was suffering from severe hyperemesis gravidarium during my pregnancy as a sort of retribution. Therefore in my next life I would like to be Mother Teresa.

What do you think you?ll be remembered for?
I do not want to be remembered after I am dead. What?s important is how my child/children live.

Best advice you?ve ever been given?
I have been given so much advice over the years, each one very sensible and special. The most recent one though was quite interesting. I was told that you only need two kinds of friends. One that will defend you, and one that will lie for you. Hmmm.