Baguio's best-kept secret revealed in Manila

Pynky Gomez-Magsino is in love with wood.

Stepping into the newly-opened PNKY Collection at the Home Zone in Glorietta 4, Level 3, one is transported into an enchanting wooden world where carefully handcrafted Zen-inspired accent pieces and lifestyle accessories bear witness to Pynky’s "love affair."

"In wood I find a wealth of unlimited design possibilities," Pynky shares. "The Philippines has been blessed with many different types of wood, from narra to molave to kamagong to acacia, so it’s not difficult to come up with a diverse range of hues and textures in my designs."

All the items in the PNKY Collection exude a universal charm which allows any given piece to be either hip or homey. "The setting can dictate whether the piece should make a modern or a traditional statement, without compromising the piece’s own identity," Pynky explains. "I like wood because of the warmth it gives a room. Sometimes a simple wooden bowl in very modern, minimalist surroundings can complete a room better than a glass or metal piece. On its own you can look at the bowl as a modern piece, because of its simple curves and solid color. Or you can look at it as a tribute to traditional materials and design. Either way, it works. The piece blends in, or it provides an interesting contrast. That’s what clients tell me about my items, and I’m glad they see what I see!"

Pynky’s unique way of seeing began in her teens. While most of her friends were busy buying clothes and knickknacks, Pynky was turning Baguio upside down with her search for antiques and collectibles. And it was in 1979 when Pynky’s path from collector to creator was set: Her favorite antique dealer in the Baguio market, believing Pynky had the eye and the passion to keep the business going, offered her his shop.

Pynky didn’t need to think it over. "I rushed home and told my dad about it. It didn’t take long for me to convince him to lend me the money for the downpayment, and a few hours after the offer was made, the shop was mine!" Her little shop grew and soon earned the reputation as the place to go for quality antiques and Cordillera artifacts. Talking about her forays into the mountains and barrios ignites the sparkle in her eyes!

Baguio’s best-kept secret has evolved into what is now the PNKY Collection, and Manila residents can finally be in on a treat previously enjoyed only by the select few who have made Baguio a part of their vacation itinerary.

Pynky bravely – and successfully – hurdled the challenge of coming up with fairly priced, quality furniture and accent pieces while using recycled hardwood whenever possible. "Recycled woods are what I like to call ‘wood with a past’ or pieces of wood previously used as floorboards, houseposts, architectural and agricultural components. I think they lend a new design a distinct charm, knowing that the medium already has a history of its own."

Pynky muses, "It’s interesting how sometimes a piece of wood can sit in my workshop for a while, waiting for the right design. Other times I see what I can make of it almost immediately. And sometimes a new design is made out of something I need at home and can’t find in the stores."

Which is how her very popular Magazine Bag came to be. Says Pynky, "I wanted to display my magazines in a different way. Later on, I found that if I made different sizes I could use it as a holder for just about anything – pens, brushes, umbrellas. I was very happy with it, and it was very fulfilling to see that people appreciated it, too."

Unfortunately, she realized that some people appreciated it too much that Pynky found her copyrighted Magazine Bag in many furniture and handicraft shops. She is disappointed but unruffled. "Once, Rachy Cuna came to the shop and we got to talking about it," she recalls. "He consoled me by saying, ‘Think of it as your contribution to the Philippine woodcarving industry!’" Then she humorously adds, "I guess if it becomes as traditional as the wooden fork and spoon or man in a barrel, that would be a good thing!"

Designing seems to come naturally for Pynky. From purely wood pieces, the Collection has expanded to include wooden items combined with glass, stone, or wrought iron. The combinations result in classic pieces that emphasize the interesting qualities of each material while realizing its maximum visual and functional potential. "I like to experiment, to see what material works with the wood I have. The process of design is really fulfilling."

Another part of her business that gives her personal fulfillment is the knowledge that she compensates her workers properly. She points out, "It’s a regular trade practice to squeeze the supplier down to the last centavo. I believe that I don’t have to do that to make a profit, because if you give your clients quality at a reasonable price, that is what they’ll always look for and they’ll keep coming back."

Pynky also wants to do her part in sustaining the woodcarving industry. "My workers are part of a vanishing breed of carvers trained in a craft that has been passed down from their forefathers," she notes. "It’s such a pity if we lose the skill of these craftsmen because it’s more lucrative for them to sell clothes in the ukay-ukay. I think it’s only fair that they be compensated properly, because they’re very skilled in the craft."

With the flooding of cheap Asian wooden furniture, Pynky’s passion for things Filipino has deepened. She observes, "I find that Philippine antiques and artifacts, particularly those inspired by northern folklore and traditions, are a treasure trove of inspiration and our variety of woods allows us to explore so many different avenues of design. Adapting these ideas and translating this into something relevant is a challenge I welcome and enjoy."

She quips, "I’d like to make Filipinos more aware of our craft and bring them into practical use in the Filipino home. Foreigners already love our stuff, it’s us Filipinos I’m targeting!"

And true enough, PNKY Collection has something for everyone, from the seasoned antique collector looking for a choice find, to a young couple furnishing their new home with unique accent pieces, to the jaded shopper scouring malls and bazaars for exquisite and practical gifts. Interesting to note is the collection’s growing line of gifts for the home, updated regularly for clients looking for fresh and functional gifts that will be appreciated even by people who have everything. And for those looking for bigger pieces, Pynky has a show-home, where visitors can set an appointment to view the collection’s larger items in a cozy home setting.

Pynky’s vision is to bring a unique brand of Filipino style to satisfy the changing tastes of the modern Filipino without losing sight of our rich cultural beginnings. The new PNKY Collection at the Home Zone is a solid step towards realizing that vision and a testament to an infectious love affair that we hope will never end.

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PNKY Collection is located at the 3rd level of Glorietta 4’s Home Zone (tel. no. 757-0873). Other PNKY branches are located at 4 Brent Rd. cor. Leonard Wood Rd., Baguio City (074-444-5418), and Baguio Country Club (074-442-5060 loc. 529). Those who wish to visit the PNKY show-home can call 757-0873 for an appointment.