Muralla cor Recoletos Sts. Intramuros, Manila 1002 PO BOX769
Monday to Saturday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Add beautiful plates to the long list of people who suddenly realize that they want to own and deal with this pandemic.
No longer just for parties (because there are no more parties, at least until next year), we have squatted down and enjoyed the beauties we used to reserve for "special occasions." I’m not a psychologist, but as a self-recognized, newly-baked tableware hoarder, my obsession with colorful, eye-catching and very fragile plates shows that we have something special when we spend every day’s tediousness. Something is a temptation.
If we have been eating at home, it is best not to eat something very beautiful. Therefore, the pandemic has allowed us to upgrade not only kitchen tools, but also tableware. Unable to (or unwilling) to visit our beloved restaurant, people decide to reward themselves with items that bring elusive happiness in this pandemic.
Enter the museum-worthy exhibition-level plates, and then welcome new varieties of platitas.
Ren Lorenzo, the love point of his hometown
Long before Covid became popular, Rainne Lorenzo, a working-at-home mom, had been selling antiques and ceramics in her online store, Home Love Point, for the past three years.
"I took this business seriously in the first year of operation, but it was not until this pandemic that I finally took it to the next level and opened a physical store-if not, I don't think I can do this. One thing about the current situation," she said.
In the first few months of the pandemic, when she saw a store that felt like "that", Rainne bravely opened a quaint little store to store her treasure. As an early participant in the field of aesthetic tableware, she sells Japanese ceramics, most of which are classic products in blue and white.
"My family always uses beautiful ceramics for tableware," she said of her love of plates. "My husband got a lot from the now closed Cardinal Ceramics, which is known for its blue and white works."
Now Rainne is one of the more popular and reliable sellers of fine household goods. “When I started my business, I wanted to provide about 14 pieces at a time, and now every time I launch a series, I usually release about 80 to 100 pieces,” she said. "I like to find unique works from my suppliers and see how my customers respond to these works (sometimes they put "mine" at the same time). I think I have found my circle and they appreciate my Taste and home aesthetics."
The most memorable works: I have a lot of ceramics (sometimes I get some rare works, such as the famous Japanese artist's Narumi teacups), but surprisingly, the most memorable works I got are from before Christmas The framed poster of Nightmare was signed by Tim Burton himself. It was Halloween at that time, and I was rushing to launch a new series on this occasion.
Dream fragments: I have a lot of dream fragments! But I think now I want to insist on providing more blue and white items from Japan. My store is famous for my store. I have the so-called "HLP Wish List". Basically, my clients will tell me what they want, and I will try to figure it out. I just emphasize that I have not promised when I will get them again (I don't ask for a down payment), and sometimes it takes me months to come up with it.
What does she have: I want to pick goods directly from the factory, not just through my agent. I want to provide tableware that corresponds to the season, I want to cater to international customers, and maybe cooperate with local artists. Now, I am happy that I can cross it off on my bucket list and open an actual store that customers can visit.
Where can you get her items: Home Love Point is available online at instagram.com/homelovepoint on IG. FRDC Building, 106 E Rodriguez Jr. Ave., Brgy. Ugon, Pasig (just across from Cape Verde).
“When I got married in 2016, I started planning desktops at home. My husband is a navy pilot in the Philippine Navy, and I have a boutique PR agency, M360 PR Activations Agency, and both of us have very busy schedules,” Xiaomi said. "This means that we can only be in touch during dinner time and on weekends, so I will cook and try to make our table a bit'extra'."
When the pandemic started, Xiaomi noticed that many food and household items had entered her IG and FB, and began to order to support small businesses. Her "obsession" with plates was a bit out of control, so she decided to sell plates to fund her hobby. "In order to have all the works I wanted, I started my own section business," she said with a smile. "I spent a lot of time researching and found an import partner, and opened my own online panel store on September 1st this year. Each panel is named after a city in the country that best suits its design. Desire! This year we should have a tour of the United States and Europe. And I know that many of my clients can also connect. My first client, Bam (@bampontejos) #platita colleague, is one of my best friends She owns a travel agency, so naturally, she likes traveling and board games. Her close friend Jaz (@sweestnestevents) designed her party style, and her latest party is a pink theme for her cute little girls Halloween dinner, all my little girls!
MMaison sells bone china and ceramic tableware-plates and stemware. It's a bit fancy, but Xiaomi wants customers to know that picking these complicated things shouldn't be daunting.
She also supports local businesses and uses local Bicol placemats made from Albay's Bonkuan to mount her plates.
Dream work: I like to design my own series, named after different destinations in our country. Manila, Cebu and Palawan are my top choices.
Commercial tip: I used to choose a single product according to my taste. At first, I didn't like butterflies, but later I found that it was one of the best-selling products, including the Christmas series in red and green designs. I also have to make sure there are plates and stemware for different occasions: a very tropical Filipino dinner, an African-themed dinner with Moroccan plates and stemware, adding placemats and linens. It is so exciting! Even simply taking a picture of the plate makes me very happy.
Where can I buy her items: IG: @MMaisonManila
After losing his job due to the pandemic, the sector became a lifesaver for lawyer Keiji Ejercito. A professional lawyer—hence the name Plattorney (Plato, Tassa, atbp ni lawyer)—Keiji quit his job in June last year and moved to another agency. Despite losing a stable job, selling license plates has maintained the lawyer's life for the past six months. Although she has been paying attention to the more delicate tableware in life-"especially teapots"-Covid soon decided to take her hobby to another level.
"Platoni was an overnight decision," she said. "I thought of this name the night before the launch, bought my first batch of'exhibits', took pictures, launched them, and released them the next day. During the "first appearance" or "live release" period, all exhibits It was sold out immediately, which made me realize the potential of this business. The next day, I immediately registered with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)."
Her aesthetic is the fusion of modern and traditional, high and low, international and local. She has tableware, tea cups, goblet, holy grail, placemat, and even baklad food cover. "Regardless of the price or type of tableware, everything I sell is carefully selected by me," she said. "In this way, if it hasn't been sold, I still want to own this item."
One work you fell in love with: my "Mens Rea" suit. It is a four-piece ceramic stoneware set, with pink, purple and blue watercolor-like brushstrokes with golden edges. I am really happy that no one has bought it yet because I really want to own them.
Dream work: Hermes Passifolia porcelain series.
Price point: ₱100 ₱3,000 pesos, a four-piece cutlery set
What's on her plate: I hope that in the long run I can maintain and expand this business. In addition, I would love to see my own design on the plates and teacups I sell. When I was able to do this, it was the only time I could say that I was successful in this business.
Where can I buy her items: IG/FB @plattorney
JOYCE ZENDI T-shirt MACARAIG, PLATITA MNL
A week before the lockdown, architect and chef Joyce Macaraig visited a Japanese store and bought her first stoneware ramen bowl, ceramic salad plate and rectangular wooden tray on a whim. Eight months later, she has more than 5,000 fans on IG, and her tableware business is booming.
Platita MNL sells fashionable tableware, from ceramics to melamine, coffee cups, gold-plated tea sets, tableware, stemware, champagne glasses, dried flowers and branches, ceramic vases-basically the entire stacking, for architects who are now architects Said that this is a completely different world to be able to successfully supplement her income from her work in a construction company. Starting with therapeutic purchases, she now has loyal customers who force her to keep restocking.
"The plan is to select every eye-catching work I see in the warehouse and upload it, but in the end, ordinary buyers seem to be unable to overcome some sold-out items. I have received multiple requests for supplements for specific colors or designs. Request them for the goods," she said.
Favorite work: Probably the Ombré Tropicali plate in our first series. Its gradient or design depicts natural tones. Until now, after many collections, there are still some platitas requesting the plate.
Dream work: Versace Ikarus Medusa Baroque print dinner plate. Once I have it, I frame it and hang it in my dining room.
Her dishes: I plan to expand my product range to handmade and reversible placemats, summer picnic mats, table cloths, etc. I also consider adding well-planned home decoration to my upcoming collection. With hope, I can cooperate with local suppliers to launch the plates and cups I designed.
Where can I buy her items: IG @platita.mnl, FB page: @platita.mnl
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