The modern-day gypsy and her atillo
December 14, 2003 | 12:00am
I had not seen Cathy for some time. We would keep in touch through text messages but she was basically out of circulation, busy as she was with her latest baby. I had a vague idea why she was so preoccupied; she has always been creative, her eyes and imagination constantly looking beyond whatever was in front of her, and now she was finally translating that creativity into something on a much larger scale.
She would intermittently mention in passing, as far back as two years ago, a fond dream of setting up a lifestyle shop that would be a convenient stop for all would-be clients. She wanted her shop to be a haven for talented craftsmen and/or artists who had no outlet to showcase and sell their wares. An even bigger challenge was to be able to pull off everything yet still have a price index that would cater to everyone’s budget – from a modest P150 to more major purchases along the thousand peso mark. And so with all these guidelines in mind, she rose to the challenge of setting up what now is Atillo – a delightful nook that showcases a cornucopia of items sourced from far-flung provinces of the Philippines to more exotic places like India. These are not just run-of-the-mill objects that you find in every other gift shop you chance upon. As you browse through the racks you get the impression that the items presented, regardless of price and novelty, were thoughtfully considered and handpicked before being displayed.
Before we unfold the heart of Atillo though, you would appreciate it even more if you understand the character of the person behind it. Cathy Escano, the proprietress, is as DIY (Do-It-Yourself) as DIYs can get. When it comes to creative output, there is nothing she will not do or try. I always say she is a superwoman because not only can she put together a full-course meal that doesn’t only taste good but also looks good (she believes presentation matters just as much as taste), she also dabbles in pottery, arts and crafts, and hands-on house renovation. She single-handedly repainted and redecorated every single room in her three-floor townhome (by that, I mean she does creative wall paint effects with professional aplomb), embellished the ceiling and wooden planks between the steps of her staircase, beaded and bejeweled her own curtains and lamp shades. She has all these one-of-a-kind accents randomly scattered around her place – everyday functional items that become unique simply because she adds her own personal creative touch, usually through baubles, tassels and beads. Her home, in fact, seems to have a life of its own for each time I am there something has either been embellished, moved to a new location or changed.
Cathy has always had a knack for sourcing items you wish you found but somehow never did. And she doesn’t stop here, she presents them beautifully too. Her Christmas and birthday presents are those that cannot be easily found and bought in the mall. I always say that her happy feet (she goes on shopping excursions, oftentimes unintentionally) are her greatest assets. It almost seems serendipitous how she is able to discover talented artists and interesting merchandise when she least expects to.
Earlier this year she took a baby step and set out to do the bazaar bit. The feedback was so good and the orders and calls would not stop that she found herself delivering and shipping orders here and there, installing mirrors in homes, and staying up until the wee hours of the morning making hundreds of giveaways that were to be given at a wedding abroad – long after the bazaar season was over. The time was right to set up a home base.
In a way, it can be said that Atillo is a take-off from her successful bazaar stint. And the good news is that it is here to stay all year round. Tucked along A. Mabini St., San Juan is this fascinating treasure trove with a carved wooden signage that simply reads Atillo 178 Mabini. Unexpected bursts of color coming from the lime green and bright fuchsia walls (which by the way is aptly called "Statement of Style" by my favorite Ace Paints) visually entice you to go through the floor-to-ceiling glass doors tastefully enhanced with a pair of antique balayong balusters bespeaking of eras gone by, attached as door handles. Now that is but an indication of things to come. Once inside, the scent of Diptyque candles and soothing sounds of bossa nova welcome you. It truly is a feast for the senses. And Cathy seems to have it all covered to make shopping a pleasant experience. For the thirsty shopper, cold refreshments are on hand and native shopping baskets are likewise stacked by the counter for shopping convenience.
As you go from one corner to the next, be prepared to enjoy not only the items but also the stories behind them. There are ceramic ring-holders for the vanity table of your mom or favorite aunt, an artsy soap dish featuring a tasteful female nude handmade by potter Ambel Isubotan, raw-textured pots and tea sets handcrafted by local artists Pete Cortes and Tensie Bello. Works of sculptor and furniture designer Joey Stevens are likewise on display.
Move down the mid-section of the shop, right behind the wooden antique divider draped with jewel-toned Indian saris, and you will find basket racks holding items all under P500 that, with just the attachment of a handwritten note, are all packaged and ready to go as gifts. There you have Randon weave abaca placemats and coaster sets, square gold-leafed votive holders, stationery sets with burned edges paired with handmade kamagong wooden letter openers, wooden frames, wrought iron napkin holders with napkins already provided, wooden condiments set and hurricane lamps with intricately carved collapsible stands for easy storage. There also is a bag section that is shown off against a bamboo-lined wall. Among her best-sellers are the fabric bags that have removable beaded handles designed by Mia Villanueva. Once detached, the bag can be used as a clutch and the beaded handles worn as a necklace. Now how’s that for dual function? Adjacent to that section are baskets that hold creatively packaged one-of-a-kind beaded keychains with tassel detail. Other hot items that have been flying off the shelves are the beaded bag danglers (kikay add-ons that you can easily attach to your favorite bag for added character), beaded bookmarks, and copper wired bead necklaces and bracelets lovingly handmade by a very talented aunt of mine, Tess Colayco. There are also chunky multi-bead danglers strung on multi-cords designed by Monique Ignacio which were meant to be worn around the neck but which I find just as cute if worn as a belt. I also fell in love with two clocks that were made of hand-carved mango wood with wrought iron trimmings. It had an old-world charm to it that seemed priceless.
Atillo’s edge lies in the fact that it carries an assortment of lifestyle products with an extremely reasonable price range – Cathy has items starting from under P500 to more major purchases like select pieces of furniture not going over the P30,000 mark. Just as she so lovingly decorated her own home, you see Cathy’s personal touch everywhere. The consistent details laid throughout are testament enough that they were carefully thought out and placed there for a reason, both aesthetic and functional. And there is nothing, absolutely nothing (OK, except for a huge wooden clock that she plucked out from her own home) that is not for sale. Even the Italian crystal chandelier that takes center stage is up for grabs.
One day, a couple walked in to look around and finally ask her for, of all things, a hamper. Without missing a beat, Cathy led him to the shop’s restroom where, lo and behold, a hamper was displayed where it ought to be. Upon closer inspection it turns out that all the accessories in the bathroom (from the antique medicine cabinet, vintage brass towel rack, antique window panel with colored glass cleverly used as glass enclosure, and carved mirror) sported an Atillo price tag. Happily, the couple went home satisfied at having found a hamper in a store that didn’t even conspicuously display one.
The second floor of Atillo houses select pieces of furniture and home furnishings like richly textured pillows, fancy window panels, bedcovers, and a pillow rack that holds another one of my favorite Atillo finds – fisherman’s pants. They look like sarong pants worn on the hips with the top part folded over. I bought my first pair of fisherman’s pants in Australia and wish I got more of them because they make for such comfortable travel wear. I was so happy to finally find more of them in Atillo.
The cozy ambience of this top floor is perfect for small intimate gatherings especially because there is a small kitchen adjacent to it. For added oomph during one such intimate gathering, Cathy even lit the steps and pathway leading to the second floor, using beaded candleholders and scattering rose petals as well. This would be an ideal place for tea parties, bridal showers, and other small get togethers.
Atillo, if you must know, was coined by the gypsies who, as they wandered from place to place, carried on their shoulders a sturdy pole that had on one end a pouch holding all their treasures. This pouch, they fondly refer to as their atillo. Especially this holiday season as you rush to find presents for everyone on your Christmas list, I urge you to drop by Cathy’s Atillo. As you enjoy the visual feast that immediately welcomes you, may you be inspired by the labor of love that went into every little nook and cranny of this charming haven. And when you finally step out with your own pouch of treasures, may you or the happy recipient find as much joy in taking home what Cathy has so thoughtfully presented and set out.
The way everything has jelled together for her makes it easy to see that Cathy is home – doing what she loves and knows best. She does not belong to the structured, financial world she moved in for 10 years. She is too gypsy at heart, a free spirit with her own atillo to share with all of us.
Old folks always say that the best trade to go into is one that you really love deep down to your bones. Cathy is doing exactly that. Seeing her wave at her last happy customer for the day, having fun while doing business has never seemed so easy, or so right.
Atillo is located at 178 A. Mabini St., San Juan, with tel. no. 726-3808. Holiday store hours: 1p.m.-8 p.m. daily. For morning appointments, call 0918-9112704. Atillo is also open on Sundays.
She would intermittently mention in passing, as far back as two years ago, a fond dream of setting up a lifestyle shop that would be a convenient stop for all would-be clients. She wanted her shop to be a haven for talented craftsmen and/or artists who had no outlet to showcase and sell their wares. An even bigger challenge was to be able to pull off everything yet still have a price index that would cater to everyone’s budget – from a modest P150 to more major purchases along the thousand peso mark. And so with all these guidelines in mind, she rose to the challenge of setting up what now is Atillo – a delightful nook that showcases a cornucopia of items sourced from far-flung provinces of the Philippines to more exotic places like India. These are not just run-of-the-mill objects that you find in every other gift shop you chance upon. As you browse through the racks you get the impression that the items presented, regardless of price and novelty, were thoughtfully considered and handpicked before being displayed.
Before we unfold the heart of Atillo though, you would appreciate it even more if you understand the character of the person behind it. Cathy Escano, the proprietress, is as DIY (Do-It-Yourself) as DIYs can get. When it comes to creative output, there is nothing she will not do or try. I always say she is a superwoman because not only can she put together a full-course meal that doesn’t only taste good but also looks good (she believes presentation matters just as much as taste), she also dabbles in pottery, arts and crafts, and hands-on house renovation. She single-handedly repainted and redecorated every single room in her three-floor townhome (by that, I mean she does creative wall paint effects with professional aplomb), embellished the ceiling and wooden planks between the steps of her staircase, beaded and bejeweled her own curtains and lamp shades. She has all these one-of-a-kind accents randomly scattered around her place – everyday functional items that become unique simply because she adds her own personal creative touch, usually through baubles, tassels and beads. Her home, in fact, seems to have a life of its own for each time I am there something has either been embellished, moved to a new location or changed.
Cathy has always had a knack for sourcing items you wish you found but somehow never did. And she doesn’t stop here, she presents them beautifully too. Her Christmas and birthday presents are those that cannot be easily found and bought in the mall. I always say that her happy feet (she goes on shopping excursions, oftentimes unintentionally) are her greatest assets. It almost seems serendipitous how she is able to discover talented artists and interesting merchandise when she least expects to.
Earlier this year she took a baby step and set out to do the bazaar bit. The feedback was so good and the orders and calls would not stop that she found herself delivering and shipping orders here and there, installing mirrors in homes, and staying up until the wee hours of the morning making hundreds of giveaways that were to be given at a wedding abroad – long after the bazaar season was over. The time was right to set up a home base.
In a way, it can be said that Atillo is a take-off from her successful bazaar stint. And the good news is that it is here to stay all year round. Tucked along A. Mabini St., San Juan is this fascinating treasure trove with a carved wooden signage that simply reads Atillo 178 Mabini. Unexpected bursts of color coming from the lime green and bright fuchsia walls (which by the way is aptly called "Statement of Style" by my favorite Ace Paints) visually entice you to go through the floor-to-ceiling glass doors tastefully enhanced with a pair of antique balayong balusters bespeaking of eras gone by, attached as door handles. Now that is but an indication of things to come. Once inside, the scent of Diptyque candles and soothing sounds of bossa nova welcome you. It truly is a feast for the senses. And Cathy seems to have it all covered to make shopping a pleasant experience. For the thirsty shopper, cold refreshments are on hand and native shopping baskets are likewise stacked by the counter for shopping convenience.
As you go from one corner to the next, be prepared to enjoy not only the items but also the stories behind them. There are ceramic ring-holders for the vanity table of your mom or favorite aunt, an artsy soap dish featuring a tasteful female nude handmade by potter Ambel Isubotan, raw-textured pots and tea sets handcrafted by local artists Pete Cortes and Tensie Bello. Works of sculptor and furniture designer Joey Stevens are likewise on display.
Move down the mid-section of the shop, right behind the wooden antique divider draped with jewel-toned Indian saris, and you will find basket racks holding items all under P500 that, with just the attachment of a handwritten note, are all packaged and ready to go as gifts. There you have Randon weave abaca placemats and coaster sets, square gold-leafed votive holders, stationery sets with burned edges paired with handmade kamagong wooden letter openers, wooden frames, wrought iron napkin holders with napkins already provided, wooden condiments set and hurricane lamps with intricately carved collapsible stands for easy storage. There also is a bag section that is shown off against a bamboo-lined wall. Among her best-sellers are the fabric bags that have removable beaded handles designed by Mia Villanueva. Once detached, the bag can be used as a clutch and the beaded handles worn as a necklace. Now how’s that for dual function? Adjacent to that section are baskets that hold creatively packaged one-of-a-kind beaded keychains with tassel detail. Other hot items that have been flying off the shelves are the beaded bag danglers (kikay add-ons that you can easily attach to your favorite bag for added character), beaded bookmarks, and copper wired bead necklaces and bracelets lovingly handmade by a very talented aunt of mine, Tess Colayco. There are also chunky multi-bead danglers strung on multi-cords designed by Monique Ignacio which were meant to be worn around the neck but which I find just as cute if worn as a belt. I also fell in love with two clocks that were made of hand-carved mango wood with wrought iron trimmings. It had an old-world charm to it that seemed priceless.
Atillo’s edge lies in the fact that it carries an assortment of lifestyle products with an extremely reasonable price range – Cathy has items starting from under P500 to more major purchases like select pieces of furniture not going over the P30,000 mark. Just as she so lovingly decorated her own home, you see Cathy’s personal touch everywhere. The consistent details laid throughout are testament enough that they were carefully thought out and placed there for a reason, both aesthetic and functional. And there is nothing, absolutely nothing (OK, except for a huge wooden clock that she plucked out from her own home) that is not for sale. Even the Italian crystal chandelier that takes center stage is up for grabs.
One day, a couple walked in to look around and finally ask her for, of all things, a hamper. Without missing a beat, Cathy led him to the shop’s restroom where, lo and behold, a hamper was displayed where it ought to be. Upon closer inspection it turns out that all the accessories in the bathroom (from the antique medicine cabinet, vintage brass towel rack, antique window panel with colored glass cleverly used as glass enclosure, and carved mirror) sported an Atillo price tag. Happily, the couple went home satisfied at having found a hamper in a store that didn’t even conspicuously display one.
The second floor of Atillo houses select pieces of furniture and home furnishings like richly textured pillows, fancy window panels, bedcovers, and a pillow rack that holds another one of my favorite Atillo finds – fisherman’s pants. They look like sarong pants worn on the hips with the top part folded over. I bought my first pair of fisherman’s pants in Australia and wish I got more of them because they make for such comfortable travel wear. I was so happy to finally find more of them in Atillo.
The cozy ambience of this top floor is perfect for small intimate gatherings especially because there is a small kitchen adjacent to it. For added oomph during one such intimate gathering, Cathy even lit the steps and pathway leading to the second floor, using beaded candleholders and scattering rose petals as well. This would be an ideal place for tea parties, bridal showers, and other small get togethers.
Atillo, if you must know, was coined by the gypsies who, as they wandered from place to place, carried on their shoulders a sturdy pole that had on one end a pouch holding all their treasures. This pouch, they fondly refer to as their atillo. Especially this holiday season as you rush to find presents for everyone on your Christmas list, I urge you to drop by Cathy’s Atillo. As you enjoy the visual feast that immediately welcomes you, may you be inspired by the labor of love that went into every little nook and cranny of this charming haven. And when you finally step out with your own pouch of treasures, may you or the happy recipient find as much joy in taking home what Cathy has so thoughtfully presented and set out.
The way everything has jelled together for her makes it easy to see that Cathy is home – doing what she loves and knows best. She does not belong to the structured, financial world she moved in for 10 years. She is too gypsy at heart, a free spirit with her own atillo to share with all of us.
Old folks always say that the best trade to go into is one that you really love deep down to your bones. Cathy is doing exactly that. Seeing her wave at her last happy customer for the day, having fun while doing business has never seemed so easy, or so right.
BrandSpace Articles
<
>