Pride of beauty

Fine jewelry has always been an object of fascination.  For centuries the world has been captivated by the allure of their finery from the most simple to ornate and has blinded all eyes with their oustanding beauty.  In the Philippines, the most precious of all have been guarded through the safekeeping of both tradition and culture--thus only one name comes to mind--Jewelmer.  The national pride known for its excellence in culturing the Golden South Sea Pearl has earned the recognition and reputation of being one of the best of its kind in the world. Yes, the pearl for all its beauty and splendor has become a important symbolism through the passing of centuries and existence of civilizations.  Nature's best comes in an array of captivating shapes, colors and sizes.  One can't help but be mesmerized by this astounding beauty that comes from the heart of the ocean.  Today, pearls like the other precious gems have found their way in the present in contemporary designs making these outstanding pieces timesless. In life, some things do last forever, and in the Philippines, there will always be one name--Jewelmer.

Angels in Stone

One of the great reminders of Spanish colonization in the Philippines are the beautiful churches scattered all over the country.  A symbolic mark of Christanity, these monumental "Angels in Stone" are gloriously built and now landmarks of Filipino heritage.  One of the historical masterpiece is the Cathedral of Lipa in Batangas city. Originally located at the shore of Bonbon, the church was destroyed by an eruption of Taal Volcano and was relocated to where it stands today.  High ceilings and massive pillars define the towering structure completed in 1894.  Aside from the beauty of its massive appeal, one can't help but be overwhelmed by the artwork covering the entire ceiling area and the stunning dome in guilded splendor.  The breathtaking painting will leave one in awe as it reminds you of one of the great churches in the world.  The richness of hues and marvelously interesting combinations makes one think this masterpiece is an outcome of a lot of time and meticulous hard work.  A two hour drive away from Manila, the Lipa Cathedral is located in the heart of Lipa City in Batangas. An overwhelming experience, the church is a highly recommended must-go for everyone who's up for a cultural adventure.  And if you do decide to go, don't miss out on Casa Segunda ( a century old ancestral house) as well and visit their famous Cafe de Lipa!

Testament of Faith.

History.

Lo and Behold.

Dome.

The main altar.

Angel of music.

Pillars of strength.

The mysteries painted on the way.

Mater Dolorosa.

In the company of angels.



The gaurdians of the gates.



Preservation

This author had a recent road trip to Lipa city and at the neart of it all was an interesting discovery--a more than a century-old ancestral home of the Luz- Katigbak family called Casa Segunda.  Built in 1880, the sight was a glimpse of what it was like to live back then and the past was simple unfolding in front of your eyes.  Casa de Segunda relfects a certain sense of richness and history that echoes through its architecture, interiors and even in interesting design elements in almost every space and corner.  In 1996, it was proclaimed a heritage house by the National Historical Institute of the Republic of the Philippines crossing over seasons of change.  Loving how these preserved landmarks remind us of our culture and how it glorifies the uniqueness of Filipino heritage.

The art of preservation.

The grand view.

Welcome.

Going up.  Loving the wooden staircase.

The best technology back then was the art of conversation.

In the light of beauty.

Mirror, mirror.

Master's bedroom.

Designing corners.

Lighting and Design.

Retablo.

Design at your step.