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Eco Expression: Taliesin West

“The long lines of colorful, windswept terrain, the ineffable dotted line, the richly textured plain, great striated, stratified masses lying noble and quiet or rising with majesty above the vegetation of the desert floor; nature-masonry is piled up into ranges of mountains that seem to utter a form-language of their own”
–Frank Lloyd Wright

The long lines of colorful, windswept terrain, the ineffable dotted line, the richly textured plain, great striated, stratified masses lying noble and quiet or rising with majesty above the vegetation of the desert floor; nature-masonry is piled up into ranges of mountains that seem to utter a form-language of their own – Frank Lloyd Wright

On a perfect spring day, 23 degree celsius out with clear blue skies and a cool breeze, our tour guide romay took us around the desert masterpiece that is taliesin West, Frank Lloyd Wright’s winter home in Scottsdale, Arizona. It was after noon; The sky was directly above us and the light passing through the structure cast varying geometric shadows, the very forms the great american architect is known for. With her thick german accent, romay explained to us that in the early 1930s at 70 years old, Wright, together with his wife Oglivana and his fellowship students, came to the area, fleeing from the cold weather of Wisconsin where his other home taliesin i was located. in more than 600 acres of land, taliesin, which literally means shining brow, sprung from the land with its structure cascading seamlessly into the natural landscape of the stunning sonoran desert.

Its sheer brilliance resides on the manipulation of spaces. Wright’s success over his tireless goal of the “destruction of the box” is best exemplified in taliesen’s open free-flowing spaces that commune with nature and connects the different areas. He was one of the
first proponents of the open architectural plan, which some viewed as his articulation of the ideals of america: “freedom, democracy and wide open spaces” he had hoped to see translated in his architecture.

Ahead of its time, the home and also the Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture’s west campus, was such a departure from the Victorian style, in a way that could only be described in his own words as “the elimination of the insignificant.” He coined it “Organic Architecture,” raw and provocative for its time, using only the materials indigenous to the area—in this case, the desert. they called the main method they used “desert Masonry” wherein concrete was poured into a group of large boulders to make the walls. Wright admired the texture and colors of the exposed flat sides of the stone, and the fellowship discovered a smart and rather crude method of keeping the poured concrete from covering the flat surfaces. they interspersed round protruding stones in between the slabs and called it the “goose effect.”

Built in the later years of his life, taliesen West was true to Wright’s signature form. a nod to the prairie style he propelled, design elements such as the multi-level lowered roof, which is parallel to the horizontal line of the earth and the horizon, and a hidden entrance come to life. Uniquely, there were no straight 90-degree walls, instead having the walls built at a slanting 15-degree angle. the office, which is the first room that one passes from the side, is given a translucence of space thanks to the canvas-lined ceiling. ingeniously thought of by Wright, it provides ample lighting without the glare and shadows. glass windows were also placed high, above eye level, to let light in without distracting the occupants in the room. Wright was a modestly tall man at 5’7”, so he created small doors for most of his interiors. He felt that for a dramatic revelation, which became a hallmark of his work, one should move from a small hallway or opening to a large space.

Moving to the frontage is the main area called the ship is the prow, the focal point of the property. Within the prow is the garden, which Wright dubbed as “the tame desert,” with flora native to arizona, and the triangular pool. Juxtaposed to the desert pageantry is a significant piece of asian art that Wright purchased from a san francisco flea market, which dates back to the ching dynasty. He had an affinity for asian art, which is evident in the many pieces that dot taliesin West like the dragon, the sprites and a Buddha, to name a few. this love affair extended beyond his collection and in fact became a source of income, when he had a brief stint as an art dealer of Japanese prints when he hit hard times.

From the garden room, the panorama is picturesque and Wright fought hard to keep the view, which, with the exception of a few power lines, is left unobstructed. He expanded the interior space with a vaulted ceiling, since he detested attics. The garden room connects the adjoining rooms, which includes Wright’s private quarters. All for architectural harmony, Wright designed geometric furniture and in taliesin West, hexagonal furniture sits in almost every room. He had developed this geometric mastery from playing with froebel blocks his mother had given him as a child.

Outside, a lap pool crosses under the walkway that leads to the storage room, which houses the sketches of the fellowship students. The fellowship dining area leads to the drafting room, which functions to this day for the students and kept private. Many of the 1,140 historic Wright commissions were designed in 2000 square feet of workspace, including the guggenheim Museum in new york. In the halls outside, the light passing through the trellis create an interesting geometric pattern on the floor, which seems to move as you walk by. An outdoor area holds rows of bronze sculptures by Heloise crista, who lives within the grounds. As a performance artist, her work shows movement and the human form, a fitting visual distraction before you enter the Music pavilion next door. Seasonal performances are held in this sunken indoor music hall, which was initially built like a barn. Now, a miniature model can be found of a complex that Wright designed initially for Marilyn Monroe, though she rejected it, that was picked up decades later by a UAE company for Doha.
Being a music lover, Wright also designed the cabaret theater just a few steps away. The hexagon walls have no straight angles, and a wooden stage has a built-in amplifier that offers perfect acoustics without echoes. His granddaughter anne Baxter, the Hollywood movie actress, would update him on the latest films and he would have screenings at the cabaret theater, with a fancy dinner and everyone dressing to the nines.

Then and now, Taliesin West comes alive with stories told and history made within its walls. Last year in 2013, taliesin West celebrated its 75th year, and together with Big green Zero and first solar, both industry leaders in renewable energy, became a “net zero” energy consumer.

“We are confident the integration of clean solar power into taliesen West will help advance the legacy of frank Lloyd,” says Jim Lamon, first solar senior Vp of engineering. With such an important place in architecture and such a respectful stance it has to the land it is on, taliesen West continues to shine as a design oasis in the sonoran desert.

by Katsy Borromeo

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Butch Carungay’s 50th in Neverland

By Emmanuel Hamoy

Cebu’s glitterati came out in full force for Butch Carungay’s 50th birthday bash at EdenClub. It was a fun-filled night overflowing with Pol Roger, trivia games whilst traipsing the light fantastic.

Butch Carungay and Janice Lin.

Gerry Laperal and Lotte Delima-Edwards

Romero Vergara and Oj Hofer

Mary Anne Aboitiz, Christine Pelaez, Tamsin Booth, Frances Siao and June Alegrado

Maris Holopainen and Carlo Cordaro

Janine Taylor and Mary Anne Aboitiz

Fashion

Lucky Colors of 2025: Harness the Energies of Emerald Green & Carmine Red for Success

Thom Browne Cropped tweed jacket

by Oj Hofer

With the Year of the Wood Snake underway, understanding the significance of lucky colors can help align us with its energetic flow. Rooted in Chinese astrology and Feng Shui, the year’s fortifying shades—emerald green and carmine red—offer mindfulness and good intention attracting luck, and fostering personal growth.

Emerald green, associated with the Wood element, symbolizes renewal, clarity, and inner peace. In the year of the wood snake, its dynamic energies will empower and inspire you, fostering growth, renewal and wise transformations. The hue is ideal for moments of self-reflection, study, or creativity. Wearing or incorporating this shade into your space enhances balance and mental focus.

Carmine red, linked to the Fire element, embodies passion, confidence, and vitality. This year, which according to the Bazi Four Pillars Chart, has a lack of metal, earth and fire elements, it will bring balance and the propitious energies. It’s perfect for professional meetings, decision-making, and moments requiring assertiveness as a splash of red can energize and embolden you throughout the day.

Stella Macartney vegan Leather tote

Stefano Ricci silk tie with paisley print

To fully harness their benefits, use these colors in a contemporary, mobile context; through clothing, jewelry, bags and accessories. Alternate between these two potent tints based on your needs. For example, wear green for calmness and clarity when you are going into stressful and mind challenging meetings or appointments. Choose red when you are going into places or situations where you need courage and motivation such as fashion galas, elite socials, prestige affairs, VIP gatherings and so forth.

Saint Laurent crepe de chine mules

Optionally, you can also choose to wear these colors inconspicuously in small details, such as a garnet or jade bracelet, or a ruby or emerald pendant and earrings set. Men can wear a burgundy or forest green tie or pocket square, or casual polo shirts with poppies or with botanical prints, or jade and garnet jewelry. Doing so can subtly align your energy with the year’s vibrational flow.

Jan Leslie emerald bracelet

Daily Mood Cuff Links with red tiger’s eye tubes

The use of colors is more than just aesthetic choices or preferential picks. Colors can serve as energetic tools, reminding you of your good intentions and keeping you mindful of you daily motions. Effecting an optimistic mental state in the wearer, they can effectively shield you from negativity while fostering prosperity and emotional balance. Thoughtfully incorporating them into your wardrobe and surroundings ensures that you move through 2025 with confidence and the right intentions.

Embracing emerald green for tranquility and carmine red for strength are intentional, mindful choices that have the power to transform your energy and shape your path forward. May you have the best of luck in navigating through Year of the Snake with harmony, energy, and the power to attract good fortune.

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The Java Jive

by Janine Taylor

“Coffee is more than just a drink; it’s something happening. Not as hip, but like an event, a place to be, but not like a location, but somewhere within yourself. It gives you time, but not actual hours or minutes, but a chance to be, like be yourself, and have a second cup.” — Gertrude Stein, American novelist and poet

Coffee, that magic potion in a cup, is our morning savior and the fuel that helps us get through the day. Whether you’re a stickler for the classics and prefer an espresso or need to start your day with some café au lait or a cappuccino, and yes, we live in the tropics, so iced coffee is good too, we all need our caffeine fix!

The interiors of Eddie’s Log Cabin

Eddie Woolbright with the original waiters of Eddie’s Log Cabin

Growing up in Cebu decades ago, our earliest memories of coffee were the aroma wafting from the percolator at Eddie’s Log Cabin as soon as you opened the doors. You then stepped in for a cup of Joe and a slice of pie. For our parents’ generation, the ultimate sophistication was a cup of “brewed coffee” because, at home, it was freeze-dried instant coffee with powdered creamer and sugar. Folgers was the coffee of choice. Hyperacidity in a cup when you think about it!

Starbucks descended on our shores in December 1997, and our vocabulary suddenly expanded with venti, grande, and Frappuccino. People were willing to pay exorbitant amounts for a cup of coffee. But more than that, it was an experience. It was, all of a sudden, the place to be seen. It was trendy to have coffee at all hours of the day and not just for breakfast.

Cafes have now become the place to meet up with friends, a venue for meetings, and even a space to work from, and you don’t have to be a digital nomad. You can get caffeinated in air-conditioned comfort with WIFI and a snack.

“Seattle has unleashed this weird phenomenon called the coffee shop on the world. And the coffee shop, thanks to Starbucks, is the place where socially isolated, lonely, needy people gather together to ignore one another.”

— Mark Driscoll, American author

Armed with the adage that you can never have too much caffeine, we spent an afternoon visiting three great joints in the city.

The Spring creates the perfect escape for relaxation and comfort.

Matcha latte

The first stop was The Spring, with Scandinavian-inspired interiors and a super chill vibe. A hands-on young owner, Ange Delas Penas, knows her beans well. She was behind the counter, expertly brewing using filters I had never seen before, which she said she purchased in Taiwan. Her team of trained baristas can also whip up some tasty brews, from a cortado to a matcha latte, my latest addiction.

The inviting café interiors of Commonly Uncommon

Latte and espresso

Taking a different route to avoid a flash flood, we dashed out of the car into the warmth of Commonly Uncommon at Crossroads. Don’t let this non-descript, industrial vibe fool you; this java joint knows its craft. Commonly Uncommon uses single-origin beans and, like most cafes these days, also offers coffee alternatives. They are unpretentious and bent on giving the customers the specialty coffee they want, sans judgment. If you prefer oak milk or sugar or enjoy iced drinks, you get what you want. Hence, you will see diverse patronage, from those armed with laptops and headphones to office peeps grabbing a quick caffeine fix to ladies who have lunch and everyone in between.

Plus, they are the only café that thinks of customers battling hyperacidity by offering antacid sachets, which we availed before contemplating our orders.

Tightrope’s laid-back interiors, designed for comfort and creativity

Our caffeine-fueled afternoon’s final stop was Tightrope in the former Henry Hotel. Tightrope is the largest of the three we visited, with the same industrial vibe that is very common these days, and tattooed baristas. Large windows ensure that it is always bright, and this is where you will certainly run into someone you know.

A bold and aromatic espresso shot, ready to awaken the senses.

As this was our third stop, and yes, we were ready to run a marathon after, as we were so pumped, we decided to stick to the classics and have an espresso because you can always taste the quality of a coffee in an espresso. Tightrope has a delicious burnt Basque cheesecake that can be shared, so you can also share the calories. Winding up a well-spent rainy afternoon with great coffee and gossip, we liked all three coffee shops, but Uncommonly Common really stood out.