The essence of camaraderie and cross-cultural collaboration recently found a delightful home at the newly reopened Makati Shangri-La, as Malaysia celebrated its 66th Merdeka Day. Normally celebrated on the 31st of August, it commemorates the same date in 1957 when the Malayan Declaration of Independence was proclaimed, signaling Malaysia’s freedom (Merdeka) from British rule.

In his speech, Malaysian Ambassador Dato’ Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino highlighted the historic meetings between Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., which took place within a span of six months. These encounters symbolize the remarkable elevation of bilateral relations, with both leaders committing to strengthen cooperation in various key sectors.

He also expressed his gratitude for the warm welcome he and his fellow Malaysians have received since they made the Philippines their second home. “All of us are happy to be in this beautiful country, filled with people who are warm, gracious, and welcoming,” the ambassador, who admits to have taken a liking to adobong manok, sinigang, and lumpia, said. He also emphasized that, in the years ahead, Malaysia remains committed to collaborating with the Philippines on a range of sectors, including the Halal industry, digitalization, tourism, culture, infrastructure, and food security.

Following the Ambassador’s speech, DFA Undersecretary Antonio Morales extended warm congratulations to Malaysia on behalf of the Philippines and echoed the Ambassador’s sentiments. He highlighted the successful exchange of high-level visits between the two nations, signaling the revitalization of bilateral ties as well as the strong economic linkages between the two countries, with Malaysia being one of the Philippines’ top trading partners. 

Guests enjoyed musical performances and cultural dances as everyone got a taste of some of Malaysia’s most popular dishes. The curry mee was a hit and approved by Sharyn Wong, Estee Lauder’s Philippines country head, who is originally from Malaysia. For one evening, I was brought back to Kuala Lumpur which was once our second home during my husband’s first diplomatic posting. Selamat Hari Merdeka, Malaysia!

Casa Juan x Rajo Laurel

Tableware meets fashion in yet another collaborative (and sure to be successful) venture between Casa Juan and renowned fashion designer Rajo Laurel. In 2020, amid the pandemic, Casa Juan founder Michelle Asensce Fontelera and Laurel merged their talents to craft an exquisite collection of black and white plates. Known as “tableWEAR,” each piece featured Laurel’s iconic sketches. Following the success of their plate collection, the duo introduced a limited-edition tea set, which complements their tableware line.

This tea set, adorned with Laurel’s fashion sketches, celebrates Philippine design and culture. One cup shows Laurel’s sketches capturing the essence of the national dress, particularly the terno. To complete the pair, is a cup and saucer set that features his studies for another collaboration with pearl jewelry brand Jewelmer. Only 700 of these tea sets are available, adding an exclusive touch to your home decor.

At an intimate launch event in 1120 House, Casa Juan founder Michelle Asensce Fontelera praised the collaboration, emphasizing Laurel’s creative genius and eye for design. “Due to popular demand, we are launching his cups and saucers set, also in time for his 30th year in the fashion industry,” Fontalera shared, adding that Laurel is also the first fashion designer in the Philippines to have his sketches on tableware.

“I think what’s important to realize is that [in] this time of fast-paced lives, sometimes, it’s really wonderful to just sit down, have a chat with a friend, have coffee, have tea, and live in the moment,” Laurel shared during the launch event. “These are tools in order for you to really stop, take a pause, and enjoy the beautiful things in life.”

Casa Juan’s vision is to infuse Philippine creativity and culture into every home, and this partnership achieves just that. These limited-edition tea sets symbolize not only beauty but also the meaning behind shared moments, advocating for the importance of connections through shared meals, coffee, or tea. The collaboration sets are available at casajuan.ph.

Golden Layers

In a synergy of tradition and contemporary design, jewelry brand Kathy&Kathy Bespoke also teamed up with visionary artist Demi Padua to come up with an exquisite, limited-edition collection of medallions entitled “Golden Layers.” Each of the seven medallions rest on a table-top sculpture depicting an artistic representation of the female body, making the piece of jewelry a part of daily life even when it isn’t worn. 

At its heart, the collection is a celebration of Padua’s artistic prowess and his ability to intricately weave together diverse elements to convey profound narratives. Padua’s art brilliantly blends disparate faces and experiences to craft entirely new stories. It serves as a reminder that creativity knows no bounds and that inspiration can flourish when distinct elements converge. Most recently, his painting entitled Woman of the Century was auctioned at ₱1.3 million during the I Want To Share Foundation’s charity gala and auction, where proceeds go to help children with cancer. 

Complementing Padua’s artistic vision is Kathy&Kathy Bespoke, with friends Kathy Sarabia-Babst and Kathy Gregorio Añover at the helm—both are staunch advocates for preserving the dwindling art of handcrafted jewelry. This collaboration pushes the boundaries of artistic expression by incorporating the brand’s signature craftsmanship. It explores various metal finishes to create depth and contrast, utilizes hand-cut gold for layering, combines diamonds and gemstones, and employs filigree and tamburin techniques to bring Padua’s work to life. The result is an exquisite fusion of tradition and contemporary design, with each piece meticulously handcrafted to seamlessly blend timeless techniques with modern sensibilities.

The whole collection was sold in three hours but for those who missed out on Golden Layers, trust that it remains a shining example of what can be achieved when the worlds of art and craftsmanship converge. It is a testament to the enduring spirit of creativity and talent that defines the Filipino artistic landscape.