Portrait of a Filipino family: Rustan’s president shares Tantoco family’s Christmas traditions

MANILA, Philippines — Are the holiday decorations and vibe inside a Rustan’s store the same in the household of the Filipino retail giant’s owners and founders, the Tantocos?

Donnie Tantoco, President of Rustan Commercial Corporation, affirmed to Philstar.com that his family breathes and lives the Christmas in their 70-year-old department store chain right in their own homes. 

“I remember Christmas, the best parts of it, the most memorable parts of it as a child, was always something that started in Rustan’s – the windows, the whole village and the whole world of Christmas, the diversity of Christmas, and the whole senses of Christmas… energy of Christmas, as I remember it, for me,” he shared.

“Christmas is not the same until we experience it through the artistry, through the craftsmanship, through the world of Rustan’s.”

According to him, Christmas in their family’s home, like in their department stores, are a 360-degree experience – from decorations, to clothing, food and mood.

“There are traditions that are all around food… We’re a family of aesthetics and food. Our decorations at home and our Noche Buena, we’re surrounded by beautiful Christmas aesthetics, Christmas artistry. It’s a traditional interpretation but it’s also a modern interpretation. Because everyone in the family is very talented when it comes to aesthetics. We’ve got the second and third generations – all of that talent coming together (in the) way the decorations, the tables are fixed, the food is prepared – it’s all quality, it’s all the taste of the family. 

“Even the way the people are dressed across generations… so everybody’s creativity is fully expressed in the clothing, in the preparations of the food, in the beautiful decorations, and how everything comes together in this amazing environment.”

His family personally go for nostalgic Christmas decorations: “Some are also whimsical and playful. I like to give that with my grandchildren, so I like (Christmas decorations that are) Philippine-made, using Philippine fabric and Filipino design.”

As for Christmas “OOTD” (outfit of the day), he goes for “ethnic but with stories, artisanship and craftsmanship.”

“Personally, what I like to wear