Rachy's Christmas tree of life
This Christmas, stylist Rachy Cuna is using his — and ours, too — coconut.
Cuna, whose annual yuletide installation has become a tradition of the InterContinental Manila Hotel in Makati City, has turned to the “tree of life” for his must-see creations that bring together traditional Filipino symbols of Christmas — parol, belen, and tree.
The style wizard uses practically every part of the coconut for the big and small pieces he has created to give hotel guests the sight and feel of a typical holiday season in the Philippines. Tables are topped with centerpieces which consist of the bao (coconut shell), decorated balls or miniature trees. Tiny tampipis (traditional storage boxes), baskets, and bunot (husk) adorn the Christmas trees.
From the driveway, visitors get an introduction to Cuna’s coconut Christmas with his 15-foot belen. A giant parol mounted on huge glazed jars complete the arrangement. Inside, dried palm fronds and walis tingting with driftwood have been fashioned into colorful arrangements to brighten up countertops, nooks and corners, and staircases. Trees are festooned with tiny parol, pamaypay (fan), bunot, and several other familiar items that have become works of art in Cuna’s deft hands.
Cuna says his work was guided by Intercon’s desire to showcase the Filipinos’ cultural heritage in its Christmas decoration. Working with public affairs director Jennifer Peña, he drew up his Christmas display by anchoring it on the coconut and complementing it with other indigenous materials.
Cuna’s Christmas installation at the Intercon is on display until the second week of January.
