Town & Country’s DESIGN 50

Thank you, #TandCDesign50: “Thanks to the old guard and the newer breed of architects and interior designers and decorators, Manila still possesses surprising, relevant spaces that collectively create a better and brighter environment. Read more from the complete list, see link at Town & Country Magazine.”

I am happy to be part of this list along with fellow UP Interior Design Alumni Association members Eric Paras of Artelano 11 and Miguel Rosales of Caramel, Inc, both of whom I look up to and admire for their enduring professionalism and style.  Several of the creatives in this list I have worked with indirectly as well, doing the interiors for clients’ homes designed by Architects Manny Minaña, Anthony Nazareno, Jonathan Matti, and Tina Periquet.  It is inexplicably both challenging and thrilling at the same time to work on homes that were crafted by these amazing architects, trying to carve the interiors as to how I understand my clients’ needs while trying to be aligned with the architects’ original vision for the space.Also a pleasure to see my good friends Gabby Lichauco (who’s always inviting me for coffee when in Bel-Air), and Nix Alañon (who’s always inviting me for lunch wherever) as part of this list. They are really talented designers I enjoy every minute talking and sometimes venting out to. Haha! Just keeping it real, guys.  I have also had the privelege of working with Budji Layug under CITEM and of course, being mentored by Ito Kish while I was working for him at his legendary Glorietta 4 store.  I just realized that I have always been a so-so student all my life, more excited to be in sports or extra-curricular activities, and never really bringing home any academic medal whatsoever to my parents. What I did excel in was art, history, and social studies classes, and I even wrote down Biology (yes, biology) as my 2nd course in the University of the Philippines! So be aligned with these designers in one way or another, with rock-solid track records, is very special and meaningful for me. Thank you Town & Country!