Wish upon a Christmas tree

Which of these trees by society favorites—Alice Eduardo, Bea Soriano Dee, Tessa Prieto, Odette Pumaren, and more—is the one under which you’d like to find your Christmas gift?


At a glance

  • It’s been one and half months since the ‘the world’s longest Christmas celebration,’ kicked off in September. We’re right in the middle of the holidays—70 days to go!


1.jpg
Pinky Tobiano, Architect Gelo Mañosa, Bambi Mañosa-Tanjutco, Jet Acuzar Atienza, CEO and president of Rustan Commercial Corporation, SSI Group of Companies, and Rustan Marketing Corp. Anton Huang, Beng Dee, Odette Pumaren, and Bea Soriano-Dee

Do you feel it in the air? Maybe not yet, with climate change still making it feel like it’s May on certain days even though rain and storm sometimes interrupt what now feels like a yearlong summer.

 

18.jpg
Bea Soriano-Dee, Erica Dee, Anton Huang, Odette Pumaren, Beng Dee, and Techie Hagedorn

 

6.jpg
 Erica Dee, Rikki Dee, Beng Dee and Bea Soriano-Dee

 

But we’re halfway through October, and it’s been one and half months since the festive season, what the CNBC considers “the world’s longest Christmas celebration,” kicked off in September. We’re right in the middle of the holidays—70 days to go!

So yes, do you hear what I hear? Santa LOL-ing “Ho! Ho! Ho!” on the “Jolly Santa” tree all decked with the plushie interpretations of the lovable legendary Christmas figure. Do you see what I see? Yes, the “Christmas Village” tree abuzz with whimsical miniature cottages, snow globes, and village trains choo-choo-ing under the snow-laden leaves and branches of classic pine, spruce, or fir. Do you know what I know? The trees are up—and some by Manila’s beloved creatives and hostesses with the mostest—at the Rustan’s Department Store, literally the Christmas wonderland that’s first to rise every year at Christmastime. These visionary creatives have been challenged to deck up a tree of their choice with thoughtfully chosen items from Rustan’s Christmas Shop.  

4.jpg
Bambi Mañosa-Tanjutco, Tasha Tanjutco, and architect Gelo Mañosa

Sec. Katrina Ponce Enrile’s Moroccan-themed autumn tree or businesswoman Pinky Tobiano red-and-gold tree? Congressional spouse, mother, and executive Odette Pumaren goes for a whimsical Winter Wonderland tree, to the Christmas memory-making fascination of her grandchild Mateo. 

5.jpg
Happy Ongpauco-Tiu and Anton Huang

It’s not society darling Tessa Prieto’s tree if it’s not decked out in pure whimsy, with a surprise quirk thrown here and there while business magnate Alice Eduardo’s tree spreads stardust and fairy dust in the air with its striking crimson tones and shimmering gold accents. Both set up tables matching the vibe of their trees because, to them, the festive table is as crucial to the Christmas feeling as the trees. 

 

As it is to model Bea Soriano Dee who, working closely with her mother-in-law, restaurateur Beng Dee, goes for Oriental chic combined with French flair for the breakfast table at Christmas morning. Whereas interior designer Jet Acuzar builds a Christmas tree atmosphere around Filipino comforts, in the tablescape curated by fashion designer Chris Nick Delos Reyes glamour meets minimalism and creates a Christmas as sophisticated as a night out in New York. And then there are interior designer Bambi Mañosa Tanjutco and architect Gelo Mañosa collaborating on a refreshing holiday vignette.   

7.jpg
Odette Pumaren, Tessa Prieto and Jet Acuzar Atienza

Now which tree is more like what Christmas personally means to you? rustans.com.

10.jpg
Bambi Mañosa-Tanjutco, Anton Huang, and Gelo Mañosa

 

11.jpg
Dong Ronquillo, Jet Acuzar Atienza, and Connie Haw

 

12.jpg
Anton Huang, Mia Borromeo, Abla Assad, Karen Jimeno. and Ambassador Isabel Caro Wilson (seated)

 

13.jpg
Chito Vijandre, Connie Haw, and Ricky Toledo

 

15.jpg
Tessa Prieto and Michelle Takijima

 

16.jpg
Jet Acuzar Atienza, Techie Hagedorn, Linda Ley, Susan Joven, Tessa Alindogan, Keren Pascual, and Odette Pumaren

 

17.jpg
Tessa Prieto and Anton Huang

 

 

 

19.jpg
Michelle Takijima, Connie Haw, Tessa Prieto, and Linda Ley

 

20.jpg
Karen Jimeno, Irene Nubla, Tessa Prieto, and Tessa Alindogan

 

21.jpg
Anton Huang and Jet Acuzar Atienza

 

22.png
Marilu Batchelor, Anton Barreto, and Mia Borromeo

 

23.jpg
Odette Pumaren and Tessa Prieto

 

24.jpg
Marilu Batchelor, Melissa Martel, Mia Borromeo, Joanne Ramirez, and Techie Hagedorn

 

25.jpg
Mia Borromeo, Anton Huang, Tessa Prieto, and Susan Joven

 

26.jpg
Techie Hagedorn, Odette Pumaren, Tessa Alindogan, and Keren Pascual

 

27.jpg
Mia Borromeo, Bobby Cuenca, and Susan Joven

 

28.jpg
Tessa Alindogan, Jia Estrella, Connie Haw, Anton Huang, Mia Borromeo, and Keren Pascual

 

29.jpg
 Monina Fernandez, Angelo Villanueva, and Marissa Lopa
 

 

3.jpg
Bianca Manalo and Pinky Tobiano

 

2.jpg
Ayala Malls' Jara Lucero, head of marketing of Rustan Commercial Corporation Jackie Avecilla, and Ayala Malls' Mitch Suarez 

 

30.jpg
MERRY TUNES Holiday magic was brought to Rustan’s through classic holiday tunes by Pundaquit Virtuosi String Ensemble