An art trove in Manila
At the cosmopolitan enclave of Makati in Manila, the Raffles Makati offers an oasis of calm and relaxation in one of the most densely populated cities worldwide. Here, the sprawling property offers emotional luxury, through its bespoke butler services, spa and wellness amenities and the colonial grace of high ceilings, white louvres, marbled bathrooms and wooden floors.
That concept of emotional luxury is also augmented at the Raffles Makati by an incredible art collection that spans across 1,800 pieces of Philippine art. In this 32 all-suite hotel, which is housed with the 237 Raffles Residences units, its contemporary art pieces offer an expansive narrative of the country’s art heritage. Checking in at the lobby, the gaze is transfixed on Daniel de la Cruz’s hand sculpture, transposing a woman’s body into a violin. While waiting for the elevator, one may be swept back into the mists of time with ‘The Explorer’ by Gerry Joquico, a nostalgia-tinged oil painting of the Philippines’ old world.
A thorough experience of this collection is best derived from the hotel’s Art Concierge tour, which provides a walkthrough of these artistic highlights, with an attendant historical-cultural explanation of the nation. Sometimes, the artistic vibe simply sweeps through for instance, while nursing signature cocktails on lazy tropical afternoons at the Writers Bar. Here, Anthony Palomo’s six-installation ‘Serenade’ details Filipino-styled courtship with acrylic on canvas, offering romantic repose, an historical feeling and a genuine sense of place.
