Arts & Culture

Cebuano Craftsmanship Takes Centerstage at Sheraton Cebu Mactan Resort’s Design Series

The first in Sheraton’s Design Series, the collaboration with Detalia Aurora highlights craftsmanship that is distinctly Cebuano.

Paula and Vikki Rodriguez of Detalia Aurora graciously settle themselves onto tall chairs, meant to be bar stools, in the spacious one-bedroom showroom of The Residences at Sheraton Cebu Mactan Resort. They’re modest but clearly eager as they greet guests with smiles, moments before their talk about design begins.

The afternoon sun streams in through the tall glass windows—with the panoramic view of untouched greenery contrasting the deep blue of the sea beyond—and bathes the room in a warm, golden glow. It’s as if the surroundings mirror the essence of the event on this fine afternoon, and pleasingly so, putting together things that are truly Cebuano: its natural resources, and its talent.

Detalia Aurora is a familiar presence in the homes of Cebu’s most discerning residents. For many years, the company has become a household name in the furniture export industry, having produced contemporary pieces such as the nautilus-shaped Shellf bookcase and the intricate Gaia chair.

After becoming more involved in the family business, Paula and Vikki have worked on streamlining processes and nurturing their edge in product design. The sisters are taking Detalia Aurora a step further by fostering their close-knit community, and bringing passion into everything they do.

Vikki and Paula Rodriguez

“What we do is we design, develop, manufacture and export handmade products, [using] natural materials,” Paula, who’s in charge of design and marketing, explains. “We develop designs out of these materials. We want to share with everyone the products we’ve been doing so far, and the craftsmanship that comes along with it.”

The collaboration between Detalia Aurora and Sheraton Cebu Mactan Resort comes as no surprise. Ultimately, Sheraton was designed to reflect Cebu’s design, and what better way to reflect this than to partner with and celebrate Cebu talent?

“This collaborative effort is very special to us, because it speaks to us,” Angela Emphasis, Corporate Communications Manager of AppleOne Mactan, Inc., shares. “When we were designing Sheraton Cebu Mactan Resort and The Residences at Sheraton, what we had in mind was Cebu design.” The most natural things that their designers worked with were the rocks on the shore, which greatly influenced their plan.

The first in Sheraton’s Design Series, the collaboration with Detalia Aurora highlights craftsmanship that is distinctly Cebuano. The furniture company makes use of rattan, stone laminating, and weaving, which are done by master craftsmen who’ve been with them for years.

“These craftsmen play a big role, as they work with the materials and products everyday.” Paula says. “We’re so happy that they can show what they normally do day-to-day here on the spot at Sheraton.”

For some items, the sisters share, one rattan pole may take up to eight hours to finish. One table can take two days, and weaving a chair can take up to two days as well.

“I think it’ll be an eye-opener for everyone. Imagine if we export in volume, and these people work to meet 30 pieces or 50 pieces.” Paula smiles. “Their work is very important.”

Detalia Aurora’s core competency is product development, and the company has quite a wide range of materials, with Vikki to thank for. The company is able to work with a lot of different materials, the majority of which are natural, with a specialization in indoor and outdoor furniture.

The details on these pieces are notably Detalia Aurora

“For us, material is really the star. So the simpler the shape, the more the people focus on material, and that’s how you can tell it’s Detalia Aurora.” Vikki shares.

“I think the variety is distinctly Detalia,” Paula adds. “We take pride in our quality, of course, executed by the Cebuano craftsmen.”

“You’ll really see the details, how much work was involved. It can’t be mass produced. There’s a lot of time given into the product.” Paula finishes.

While found in many Cebuano homes, Detalia Aurora’s clientele is mostly international. Their buyers travel all the way to Cebu, to be present for the entire process.

“We tell them the story, how long the product takes, how much work was involved, for them to really know the value in our products,” Paula says. “And they’ll be able to share it with their clients as well.”

The company does small demos for their visiting clients as well. “It’s for them to understand more about the items, so they know exactly what’s going on,” Vikki explains.

It was easy for both ends of the collaboration to come together. In a nutshell, the Design Series platform is meant to showcase the company and as a whole, showcase Cebu craftsmanship.

“We designed the Design Series platform to tap into different design ecosystems of Cebu,” shares Javier Marcalain, Group Marketing Manager of AppleOne Mactan, Inc. “It’s a homage to Cebu design. Cebu is known to have such great, painstaking design and craftsmanship and we wanted to highlight that as The Residences.”

Will there be more to come for the Design Series? Definitely, if Javier has anything to say about it.

“I can’t disclose anything yet, but definitely we can expect something early next year.” He promises.

Detalia Aurora’s iconic pieces were on display at The Residences at Sheraton Cebu Mactan Resort until October 23, 2019.

Related Topics:AppleOne Inc.Design Series Detalia Aurora Paula Rodriguez Sheraton The Sheraton Cebu Mactan Resort Vikki Rodriguez

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Art Beat: Scenes From the Manila Art Fair 2026

photography by Doro Barandino

“Art is unpredictable and goes in different directions. I have no idea. I would rather live the present moment.” —Bencab, National artist of the Philippines.

Vinta by Protegeri, collaboration art piece by Leeroy New, Solenn Heuseff and Vito Selma

Q&A with interior decorator and jewellery designer Doro Barandino

Which of the participating art galleries had the most unified and exciting theme?
Leon Gallery had the most amazingly put-together collection. Though the gallery engaged various artists, the overall visual effect felt like one unified theme. Leon Gallery used a sack-like cloth (most likely raw linen) as the background for the booth, and it brought the collection together. It had an old-world feel in a chaotic setting.

Who were the artists that were the most visually engaging?
The works of Carlo Tanseco were definitely my favorite. The artist used an eye chart (Snellen chart) as the background for the image of Dr. Jose Rizal giving us the middle finger—such an “in your face” message. The concept of our national hero as a modern-day provocateur was a wake-up call to everyone. Very subversive and underground material. I was also attracted to the works of Japanese artist Tadashi Kogure; they’re very architectural.

Was the choice of venue and its layout helpful in engaging the whole art vibe?
What I noticed was that the masters like Juan Luna, Fernando Amorsolo, and Fernando Zóbel still attracted the most viewers at the art fair. People are naturally drawn to their masterful strokes and historical significance, or perhaps these artworks are not readily accessible for public viewing. Or maybe those booths that carried the masters’ works were strategically positioned right after the registrar.

The choice of venue at Center One was a good move—it created a total art vibe. Manila Art Fair remains the premier art fair in the country today, showcasing the finest modern and contemporary art while offering curated projects and immersive installations.

The Standard by Thai artist Pitchapa at the Triangular durational, performance art.

Bato Bato sa Langit by Filipino artist Carlo Tanseco

Stocking Proportions Menumpuk Proporsi by Indonesian artist Labadiou Piko

Untitled by Indonesian artist Yunizar

Filipiny, wool tapestry by national artist of the Philippines,Federico Aguilar Alcuaz.

Untitled by German artist Valentin Elias Renner

Interior decorator and jewellery designer Doro Barandino is also a regular contributor for zee.ph

Arts & Culture

Visayas Art Fair Year 5: Infinite Perspectives, Unbound Creativity

by Jing Ramos

This year’s Visayas Art Fair marks its 5th anniversary, celebrating the theme “Infinite Perspectives: Unbound Creativity.” The fair continues its mission of bridging creativity, culture, and community in the country. This milestone edition strengthens its partnership with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts and expands collaborations with regional art organizations and collectives—reinforcing its role as a unifying platform for Philippine art.

VAF5 features the works of Gil Francis Maningo, honoring the mastery of his gold leaf technique on opulent portraits of the Visayan muse Carmela, reflecting spiritual awareness.

Gil Francis Maningo is celebrated for his gold leaf technique.

Gil Francis Maningo’s recurring theme of his Visayan muse “Carmela”.

Another featured artist is Danny Rayos del Sol, whose religious iconography of Marian-inspired portraits offers a profound meditation on the sacred and the sublime. This collaboration between two visual artists sparks a dialogue on the Visayan spirit of creativity and resilience. Titled “Pasinaya,” this dual showcase explores gold leaf as a medium of light and transcendence.

Artist Danny Reyes del Sol

Danny Reyes del Sol’s religious iconography.

Now in its fifth year, the Visayas Art Fair has influenced a community of artists, gallerists, brokers, collectors, museum curators, and art critics—constructing a narrative that shapes how we approach and understand the artist and his work. This combination of factors, destined for popular consumption, illustrates the ways in which art and current culture have found common ground in a milieu enriched by the promise of increased revenue and the growing value of artworks.

Laurie Boquiren, Chairman of the Visayas Art Fair, elaborates on the theme, expressing a vision that celebrates the boundless imagination of unique artistic voices:

“Infinite Perspectives speaks of the countless ways artists see, interpret, and transform the world around them—reminding us that creativity knows no single point of view. Unbound Creativity embodies freedom from convention and controlled expression, allowing every artist to explore and experiment without borders.”

Laurie Boquiren, Chairman of the Visayas Art Fair has tirelessly championed the creative arts for the past five years.

Arts & Culture

Kultura. Kapital. Kasalukuyan: Art that Speaks of Today

by Jose Carlos G. Campos, Board of Trustees National Museum of the Philippines

The National Museum of the Philippines (NMP) and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) recently teamed up to prove that money isn’t just for counting—it’s also for curating! Their latest joint exhibition, Kultura. Kapital. Kasalukuyan: Contemporary Art from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Collection, is now open, and it’s a real treat for art lovers and culture buffs alike.

On display are gems from the BSP’s contemporary art collection, including masterpieces by National Artist Benedicto Cabrera (Bencab), along with works by Onib Olmedo, Brenda Fajardo, Antipas Delotavo, Edgar Talusan Fernandez, and many more. Some of the artists even showed up in person—Charlie Co, Junyee, Imelda Cajipe-Endaya, Demi Padua, Joey Cobcobo, Leonard Aguinaldo, Gerardo Tan, Melvin Culaba—while others sent their family representatives, like Mayumi Habulan and Jeudi Garibay. Talk about art running in the family!

Deputy Governor General of the BSP, Berna Romulo Puyat

Chairman of NMP, Andoni Aboitiz

The BSP Governor Eli M. Remolona, Jr. and members of the Monetary Board joined the event, alongside former BSP Governor Amando M. Tetangco, Jr., Ms. Tess Espenilla (wife of the late Nestor A. Espenilla, Jr.), and the ever-graceful former Central Bank Governor Jaime C. Laya, who gave a short but enlightening talk about the BSP art collection.

From the NMP, Chairman Andoni Aboitiz, Director-General Jeremy Barns, and fellow trustees NCCA Chairman Victorino Mapa Manalo, Carlo Ebeo, and Jose Carlos Garcia-Campos also graced the occasion. Chairman Aboitiz expressed gratitude to the BSP for renewing its partnership, calling the exhibition a shining example of how financial institutions can also enrich our cultural wealth.

Former Governor of BSP Jaime Laya

Governor of BSP Eli M. Remona and Chairman of NMP Board Andoni Aboitiz

Artist Charlie Co

Before the official launch, a special media preview was held on 5 August, hosted by BSP Deputy Governor Bernadette Romulo-Puyat and DG Jeremy Barns. It gave lucky guests a sneak peek at the collection—because sometimes, even art likes to play “hard to get.”

The exhibition Kultura. Kapital. Kasalukuyan will run until November 2027 at Galleries XVIII and XIX, 3/F, National Museum of Fine Arts. Doors are open daily, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM. So if you’re looking for something enriching that won’t hurt your wallet (admission is free!), this is your sign to visit. After all, the best kind of interest is cultural interest.