Rachy’s Rarities

Rachy Z. Cuna, who is variously described as "Manila’s icon of style," "creative stylist," "floral architect," "design vanguard" might also be called a "collector". He collects antique Buddhas, jarlettes dating back to the Sung Dynasty, jade jewelry, ivory and whalebone sculpture, fans–he has a hand-painted fan with a hundred ivory beads–and yes, even maps of the 17th and 18th centuries.

These are but a few of Rachy’s rarities. Others are not to be found in his home, which one overwhelmed guest called "a heavenly abode", but in his shop at the Manila Metropolitan Museum. At exhibits, these are quickly snapped up by legions of his discriminating friends and admirers, Rachy being a creative genius who can turn the ordinary and the commonplace into the most exquisite items. (Please see his fountain and pond on this page.)

Recently, the prodigious Rachy came out with still other rarities: his own Zen-inspired paintings which he describes as "passages to self-discovery". Their rationale follows: "There comes a time in one’s life when one journeys into a self-awakening and re-discovery, while transforming such journey-to-self into a saga or re-invention.

"Depicting an air of tranquility amidst an oriental backdrop, Rachy’s experimentation with minimalist rendition of black, red and gray colors reveals another aspect of his incredibly multi-faceted talent."

"Journeast: Passages to Self-Discovery" drew so many viewers daily that Met director Corazon Alvina had to extend the exhibit for another two weeks–it closed Sept. 1–before its scheduled showings in Beijing and New York.