PORTFOLIO

What’s On & Expat Newspaper Sept 4 - Sept 10, 2005
Lifestyle


Quezon Province's portal to the past
By Loraine Balita

What started out in 1995 as a hobby for Emilio Pillar, a vice president of Philippine National Bank, has earned him a large collection of precious antiques from all over the Southern Tagalog region. "The doctor advised me to develop a diversion when I had a mild hypertension," he explained. Pillar Plants and Novelties, with shops in Lucena City and in San Pablo, now houses some truly unique antique finds, only for real enthusiasts with a taste for genuine antiques.

"We don't reproduce" the antiques found in their shops, Pillar assured a visitor. They are original because "we buy from original owners." From sturdy home furniture to small artifacts, the owners assure buyers genuine pieces at a reasonable price. Since the couple has their own full time jobs-both with PNB-the antiques are not overpriced.Years of collecting fine antiquities have given them a glimpse of the past, as each piece they found had its own story to tell. One notable piece, for instance, look like ordinary wood walkways; they turned out to be Quezon's old railroad ties from the province's train track. When the tracks were replaced with concrete, Pillar and his wife were able to buy the wooden ties.

A fellow journalist encountered during a visit to their Lucena City shop, located in the couple's four-hectare property, was surprised to find his grandfather's safe with the owner's name barely decipherable. Dating back to as far as the late 1800s, this safe from the Spanish era was acquired by the Pillars when they bought the journalist's ancestral home in Quezon. Province.

The most popular pieces among buyers are the dining tables and pedestals. The capiz windows, usually used as backdrops and accentual pieces for modern homes, are also popular.The shops also house some of the couple's plant collection, which they have sourced out. The plants they have are incorporated with the antiques in their landscaping projects. Their landscape with its rustic style uses farm implements and plants that could withstand any kind of weather.

Most of the couple's clients are from Manila, Quezon and Batangas.

Crowne for the Brides
by Loraine Balita

Mannequins strutted along the catwalk in the finest wedding apparel from the country's most sought-after fashion designers, in a bridal gala held at the Crowne Plaza Manila's Grand Ballroom on Aug. 25.

This is the "first collaboration of the Crowne Plaza Manila and the Fashion Design Council of the Philippines" said FDCP president Randy Ortiz.

The event was held at the "Metro's Grandest Ballroom" which can accommodate 1,500 guests ug.The creations incorporated some unusual materials, from Indian silks to local capiz shells.

"The association [FDCP] decide to make it unusual, give it a little spice," said designer Gerry Katigbak, in phone interview with Expat. His creation, for instance, was made from Indian "sari" fabric in deep purple. " It's actually heavily embroidered." He added.

In what used to be an extreme deviation from the usual, the use of peach and beige, was overshadowed by the incorporation of such other colors as deep purple, brown and gold. In the past, designers stuck to the all white and off-white, and this hid the embroidery. With the incorporation of the colors the intricate details stood out.

The show was a bold move for FDCP, showing a "not so afraid to defy tradition" look, as shoulders, arms and even legs were left bare, a refreshing edge to the age-old look of the bride and groom. Each creation aroused interest from the audience.

Not only gowns were featured, but wedding apparel for men as well. The look and feel of the grooms' clothing is " very relaxed, because men like to move around during weddings," explained designer Anthony Nocom. "The materials are lightweight and comfortable, and there's no need to wear a tie," he added.

Among the designers who participated were, P. Arañador, A. Bacudio, J. Buendia, P. Diaz, J. Enriquez, L. Espinosa, R. Esteban, A. Gayatin, C. Gaupo, G. Katigbak, R. Laurel, R. Lizaso, R. Lolin, D. Lustico, R. Noveda, B. Novenario, T. Ocampo, R. Ortiz, B.Palanca-Go, N. Palmos, F. Peralta, J. Samson, M. Vergel de Dios, L. Tan Gan, H. Tantonco-Weber - all from the Fashion Design Council of the Philippines. -L.Balita