Festive tables and fab trees of Manila’s style icons
Deep into the Christmas season (at least for the Philippines), a familiar sparkle has swept through Rustan’s The Christmas Shop, a “one-stop shop for all things festive.”
Holiday inspirations and unique finds abound, from nostalgic and playful to cool and bold. Collaborations with select creative icons—known for “having great taste and being great entertainers,” according to SSI Group president and CEO Anton T. Huang—are on full display, with trees and dining tables transformed into their very own vibrant interpretations of the holiday.
Architect Gelo Mañosa and interior designer Bambi Mañosa-Tanjutco (who confessed to putting up holiday décor as early as right after her birthday in August) grant guests a glimpse into their family’s holiday celebrations and customs with their “Simbang Gabi Breakfast: A Family Tradition”-themed tree and tablescape.
The setup was inspired by their father, National Artist for Architecture Francisco Mañosa, and their mother, Denise, who loved hosting post-Simbang Gabi breakfast in their home. “It was never just ‘noche buena.’ Breakfast was a thing during Christmastime. We’d have a whole breakfast spread. It’s something that relatives and friends look forward to,” Mañosa-Tanjutco told Lifestyle.
Red, green and gold
Using as many local products as possible, the siblings created a nostalgic scene of red, green and gold that hearkens back to their childhood. The reason for the cups, for example, was because the tsokolate they drank every day has also become part of the family holiday tradition. “We never got sick of it,” said Mañosa. The golden monkey ornaments on the table are references to his childhood pet.
“Our Christmases were not very formal,” he added. “It was a very down-to-earth, casual, rustic, relaxed Christmas so the choices of plates and cutlery kind of reflect that mood.”
For their family, decorating the tree was “just as big a thing as Christmas Day itself.” Their father also went all-out on their belen, complete with rocks, lakes and caves. According to Mañosa, setting up the enormous Nativity scene became part of growing up in their household, and finding miniature rocks, miniature plants and miniature everything to fit the belen was part of the fun.
The belen they used was created by local wood carver Charming Baldemor, which both siblings agreed to be their favorite element in the layout. Mañosa-Tanjutco was also thrilled to have been able to use parol from the belen in the table setting. “We thought it could be a nice touch to add a little more parol fun to the whole table,” she said.
Ralph Lauren lens
Businesswoman Jet Acuzar Atienza also went the classic route but seen through a Ralph Lauren lens. “I really thought of what it could look like if Ralph Lauren did a Filipino table, so I started with very fine but natural indigenous materials like piña,” she said of her “Classic Filipino Christmas” tablescape that combines elements that feel handmade yet are very finely done.
Embroidered table napkins match the tablecloth, which mimic barong Tagalog with undershirt—a solid white cloth under a diaphanous piña overlay. “Then we got some plates from Vista Alegre, and we matched them with bamboo spoons and forks to give it more of earthy things that are just not overly manufactured,” she added.
“I just wanted to make a table that anybody can recreate at home,” Atienza said. “I like the idea of things being very approachable and fun. And no matter what your budget is, you can find lots of things in Rustan’s that are similar to what I’ve done to the table.”
For chemist Pinky Tobiano, Christmas is a season of happiness, positivity and hope. She adorned her “The Gilded Glam” tree with crimson and gold elements, dripping with opulence. “Gold because it’s the season where you can see the golden heart of people, giving, sharing, loving,” she said.
“Christmas is a home filled with gratitude,” she added. “We sit down over dinner and we share what we are grateful for this year. Hope is in our hearts.”
Gilded accents
Businesswoman Alice Eduardo also went heavily with red and gold on her “Dazzling in Red” tree and table. Rich ruby and gilded accents create a timeless look that is both cozy and luxurious.
Businesswomen and in-laws Beng Dee and Bea Soriano Dee worked together on their “Asian Christmas Breakfast with a bit of French Inspiration” spread to create a chic “cross-cultural embrace.” Delicate patterns, refined touches, and the color scheme of silver and blue capture memories of wintery Christmases in their house in Los Angeles, California.
Homemaker-slash-executive Odette Pumaren used a similarly elegant color scheme. Her “Whimsical Wonderland” tree was created with her 20-month-old grandson, Mateo, in mind.
“I wanted something that he would enjoy looking at during the Christmas season because Christmas is about children,” she said. Adorned with giant toile de Jouy stuffed animals and frosty accents in enchanting blue and silver, the tree manages to be both playful and elegant.
Dipped in pink, socialite and Lifestyle columnist Tessa Prieto’s creation called “Butterfly Dreams” is a soft, shimmery nod to sweet romance. Abloom with butterfly details, the tree and tablescape celebrate wonder, beauty and transformation.
Cagayan Economic Zone Authority administrator and CEO Katrina Ponce Enrile, on the other hand, used vibrant jewel tones, intricate accents and lush foliage to bring to life an “Autumn Moroccan Christmas.” The addition of Moroccan lamps as ornaments creates an alluring yet festive ambiance.
Lastly, young fashion designer Chris Nick Delos Reyes’ “Winter Luxe” tablescape eschews the usual bold Yuletide hues in favor of the sleek sophistication of black, platinum and white. Edgy yet elegant, the minimalist design is magnetic and ethereal.
Huang was thrilled to see the varied themes and resulting looks of the setups. “I’ve been coming here for the past two weeks, seeing it come together little by little,” he said. “There are so many different themes. Taking into account all of these different Christmas ornaments and overall decorations that we have here in Rustan’s, and just seeing people put it together the way they have? I think it’s super exciting.”
