Jude Tiotuico is coming close to two decades of creating exquisite metal work and sculptures that are statement pieces at several stately homes and public spaces. Based in Pampanga, his Industria showroom at Greenbelt Residences, Makati, is where his creations find a way to reach a wider audience, and where he reigns as our Metal King, or Man of Steel.

The Ultimata collection is his latest adventure, and once again, it displays his gift for being inspired by Nature, and making metal seem warm, ‘soft’ and emotional. I was especially taken by his animals that at first glance, looked like they may have been wooden structures, but turned out to be metal. His penchant for whimsical interplay between metal and more natural material is seen in a table where he reversed the expected - it was the table base that was made of wood, and the table top was metal. And his seats are objects of metal magic.

Good, established friends like Kenneth Cobonpue and Eric Paras dropped by, as did regular clients such as actress Belle Mariano and director Rowell Santiago. Congratulations to Jude, and to how his creative spark still burns bright.