| Blog series by kiwi1969 | updated 147 days ago | 7 parts | 4186 reads | 47 comments total |
Part 1: Carving in the Philippines
People in the Philippine archipalago have been carving simple images for millenia, but it was the arrival of the Spanish that really created the traditions and style that we see today. The simple “Bulol” carvings of the Cordillera have become the latest trend for interior designers in Manila and are believed to be either rice gods or meant to help in curing illness. Now they clog up the tourist traps of Baguio and the rice terraces, which I still haven,t seen after all this time.W...
Part 2: Workshops in the Philippines
Most people assume that workshops in Asia are pretty primitive, and for the most part they are absolutely right. The local carpenter is a real jack of all trades by necessity, especially in the provinces where retail stores as we know them don,t exist. Local customers place their orders at the workshop which is usually tacked on to the front of a house or some other structure. Anything is available from architectural to furnishings, and despite the primitive conditions of some shops, is of a ...
Part 3: Logging
Haven,t been out and about much so no pretty pictures this time. Just been reading up on the Forestry industry here and was a little shocked by what I found , although after nearly 4 yrs here not much shocks me, but this did. Did you know that Luan is almost extinct here! Luan is the primary wood sold as Philippine mahogany, among about six other species including Tanguile, meranti, various species of shorea, saraya, bagtikan, and mayapis . According to Holden Clarke of Clarke veneers and pl...
Part 4: the designers and makers
It,s been said that the Philippines has the best designers in all Asia. Whereas the bulk of the furniture industry follows each other like sheep producing copies of copies, there are some who think outside the box. The best of those are part of Movement 8 that burst on the scene in 1999 led by Budji Layug who,s site can be viewed here. These guys mix wood and natural fibres and their use of bamboo is clever and bold.If modern mixed media or Bamboo doesn,t float your boat then maybe the work o...
Part 5: vigan style
Just thought I would post some pics from a trip to the historic old town of Vigan that myself and my girlfriend did a couple of years ago. If you,re a lover of old buildings and their furnishings then Vigan needs to be on your to do list. Vigan is a heritage listed town with an long history being part of the Manila/aculpolco galleon trade, Founded around 1572 and was one of the first towns in the new Spanish colony to have its own Cathedral, St pauls built in 1574 and the town was almost des...
Part 6: Trees, bamboo,palms and their uses
The Philippines is finally moveing again after the holy week, Easter break. The entire nation simply shuts down over this period as everyone goes home to the provinces and attends a myriad of church services and spectacles. I still have yet to go to Pampanga to see the guys who litterally get nailled to crosses. Maybe next year. My original plan had been to end this series with a visit to a couple of nearby furniture stores and get some pictures and prices but that had to be put off so I will...
Part 7: How much?
So you made the move to the Philippines and you want to furnish your house with some nice examples of locally made furniture, how much is it going to set you back. If your in Manila expect to pay more than you would in other urban centers like Cebu or Davao, but even so you won,t break the bank. A sala set, like the one here, usually consisting of a sofa, two chairs a coffee table and two side tables, will cost you around 55000 peso (US $1150) The somewhat awful photo shows it as you will fin...
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