For years, Ascott Makati has stood as a landmark in the heart of Makati City, earning recognition as a trusted 5-star hotel and luxury serviced apartment. While delivering warm Filipino hospitality and world-class service has always been its foremost commitment, Ascott Makati has, in recent years, taken meaningful steps to champion initiatives that celebrate, preserve, and uplift the country’s rich culture and heritage. Its latest project, Likha: Ceramics and Puni, is a month-long exhibit that showcases two proudly Filipino forms of craftsmanship.
For this exhibit, Ascott Makati partnered with artisans who have not only been champions of their crafts but also share the hotel’s advocacy for preserving these traditional art forms.
Art connoisseurs are no strangers to the ultra-talented husband-and-wife team, Jon and Tessy Pettyjohn. Long recognized as pioneers of contemporary Philippine ceramics, the Pettyjohn’s first fell in love with the craft in the 1970s, drawn to the endless possibilities of molding and shaping clay. Their passion for ceramics deepened when they naturally began sharing their knowledge with others. Though initially hesitant to take on the role of teachers, their willingness to mentor soon led to the growth of a thriving community of ceramic artists in the Philippines. To this day, the Pettyjohns continue to welcome students and visitors to the must-visit Pettyjohn Pottery in Laguna.
For Likha, the Pettyjohns are showcasing pieces from their personal collection, created over the past 10 years, that hold special meaning for them. Many of these works have a sculptural quality while still maintaining their functionality — a signature of the Pettyjohns, who are well known for their useable art. When asked to further describe his work, Jon shared, “Our goal is to bridge art and function, to blur the line between. Flower arranging vessels are perfect for this kind of experimentation.”
Among the highlights of the exhibit is Tessy’s ‘Star Trek’, so named because its shape resembles the iconic Federation logo — a challenging form she constructed in porcelain. Jon, meanwhile, presents his ‘Anagama Dance’ series, created through a three-day firing process that produces a subtle, natural ash glaze effect — quite literally painted by fire.
Puni, on the other hand, is a Tagalog or Filipino word which means to decorate or beautify. For Ascott Makati’s Likha exhibit, it refers to the traditional art of weaving, folding or braiding leaves which is only formally taught in Malolos, Bulacan. Inspired by the beauty of Palaspas and the rich tradition of Palm Sunday, Ascott Makati turned to two of Bulacan’s champions of Puni art— Punique Handicrafts and Puni de Malolos.
Punique Handicrafts is a social enterprise founded by Jonnah Garcia, whose mission is to provide sustainable livelihood opportunities and empower female weavers in her hometown of Bulacan through the creative revival of Puni art. While her advocacy is admirable in itself, whatmakes it truly stand out is her innovative approach to reviving this traditional craft and transforming it into contemporary, functional art.
Once limited to Palaspas, food containers, and toys, Puni has been reimagined by Punique Handicrafts into fashion accessories, bridal bouquets, and home décor. The brand has also expanded its reach beyond the Philippines, with products now available in Canada and Hong Kong.
At Ascott Makati’s Likha exhibit, Punique Handicrafts artfully complements the ceramic creations of Jon and Tessy Pettyjohn with their own intricate, handcrafted Puni pieces. Their detailed handwoven components are inspired by what is seen in nature. Punique will showcase handmade flowers such as roses, dandelions and lilies together with leaf and bead accents known as their interpretation of the pabo real, tigbi, butil and the famous banig or mat. These elements will be turned into one-of-a-kind masterpieces by their Senior Designer Mr. Henry De Guzman.
Ascott Makati goes beyond simply mounting an exhibit. This marks the introduction of a new brand touchpoint for the hotel — with the aim of making Puni art more visible within the property and giving guests the opportunity to learn about this beautiful Filipino tradition. This initiative was made possible through a collaboration with Puni de Malolos, represented by Tourism Officer Marichelle Bernardo, who conducted a training session for the hotel’s Housekeeping team.
Puni de Malolos is a well-known champion of palm weaving in Bulacan. Under Bernardo’s leadership, the group has been actively teaching the art of Puni to inmates, students, and individuals of all ages across the country. Her lessons not only offer a potential source of livelihood but also provide a therapeutic, creative outlet for many. More passionate than ever, Bernardo emphasized the importance of preserving and sharing Filipino talents, saying that it is our duty to pass on the rich traditions our ancestors have entrusted to us.
Ascott Makati’s Likha: Ceramics and Puni officially opened on May 29 with an intimate gathering attended by hotel guests, corporate clients, and friends from the media. Welcoming everyone to the occasion was Cluster General Manager Cecille Teodoro, who reaffirmed Ascott Makati’s commitment to advocating for Filipino arts and heritage. Guests were among the first to witness the beautiful fusion of Ceramics and Puni, meet the artisans behind the works, and even try their hand at Puni weaving.
Likha: Ceramics and Puni will be on display until June 29, 2025, at Ascott Makati’s hotel lobby. Select ceramic pieces by Jon and Tessy Pettyjohn, as well as floral bouquets by PuniqueHandicrafts, will also be available for purchase.
For more information, please call 02 7729 8888 or email frontoffice.am@the-ascott.com.
