AMANDA LuYm and Cacay Moras of All That Glitters (ATG) together with Jaime Chua, purveyor of fine plants, presented loving all things local in another light in a curated exhibit presenting fine objects and jewelry, indigenous orchids and other rare species for two days last month at the Holistic Coalition of the Willing (HoliCOW) Gallery at Crossroads in Banilad.

LuYm, ATG’s creative director, shared that the collaboration started out when she saw the orchids her mother purchased from Chua, expressing the remembrance of how beautiful Vanda Sanderiana or Waling-Waling—the “Queen of Philippine Flowers”—was.

“This year, there’s really a lot of exploration,” she said, adding the growth of appreciation for local products.

“And my entry to that is always flora. I love flowers,” LuYm said.

Notable landscaper Chua, who is an architect by profession, shared that this was his first collaboration with jewelry and hopes that people will be more aware of our native orchids through this exhibit.

The collection presented a play on natural forms inspired by the flora in the Philippines handcrafted and adorned by gemstones in unique cuts and color combinations including pieces like statement earrings. Complementing the jewelry were Chua’s display of indigenous orchids like Aerides Lawrenceae, Renanthera Philippinensis or “Fire Orchids,” Coelogyne and other rare flora to highlight Waling-Waling’s breeding and preservation.

Celebrating the beauty of local, the exhibit’s intent was to showcase local products and talents, appreciating what we have.