Stoked would be an understatement curating this loveliness for the Open Capitol: Ilocano Creative Fest to celebrate Ilocos Norte's 202nd foundation day. When Ilocos Norte’s Tourism Officer Aian Raquel pitched in this project, there was no way I would decline. I love the province. I have always thought the province gave us enough projects, made it easy having a handful of beautiful churches - Paoay, Santa Monica, Sta. Teresita, Badoc, venues grand like Fort, historic like Malacañang, a touch of culture like Sitio, that we were able to hone the talent and eventually made us do lovelinesses beyond Ilocos.
Much love to Nicole Rudio of My Perfect Niche for the printables, Casa G for the tablewares and silvers, La Preciosa for the 25 year old batibot chairs, and AudioMix Lights.
Title:PASKEN
Sub: Eclectic. Ilocano. Pinoy.
Ilocos Norte is fast becoming a top destination for meetings, conventions, and events. Today, there is a constant demand for events professionals from photographers, caterers, coordinators, and event stylists with destination weddings as the most lucrative business for these Ilocano creatives.
Ilocano event stylists have been catching much attention for their unique sensibilities. Here, Kit Mandac of Ava’s elevates event decorating into a high artform with a carefull selection of materials that convey texture, proportion, and an evocative Ilocano feel.
In Ilocano design, amid the simplicity and rigor, suddenly and sometimes shockingly, a flamboyant artistic statement appears out of nowhere: giant swirls carved into the stone of buttresses, an extravagant explosion of patterns in the humble binakol weave, a wicked and painstakingly carved demonyo in the corner of an alter table. Humor and swagger, secret extravagances, a preternaturally modern appreciation of the casual and undone, of works in progress forever unfinished, of beauty in the raw and the natural- these all have come to characterize style in Ilocos Norte.
PASKEN is the organization of event suppliers in Ilocos Norte.
This special setting is curated by Kit Mandac of Ava’s Cakes and Events.
Words by Aian Raquel
