Channeling Imeldas Favorite Home Stylist

FETED: Laing became the style maven of Manilas perfumed set in the 60s. (PHOTO Courtesy of Lopez Museum and Library Collection)

I first met him when I was about 6 years old, this stern British gentleman who smelled so good, but looked so forbidding when he found my disarray of Barbie dolls, Chinese checkers, Old Maid cards and stack of clothes fashioned into a tent blocking his way.

Many many years later, it would be Ronnie Laings mess that would be in total disarray in my farm house in Batangas, though there were no disapproving looks this time. The narra panels and kamagong planks that used to be part of Laings Sta. Mesa house now form part of my home, a serendipitous twining of fate that bookended my association with this famous decorator.

To Imelda R. Marcos watchers, Laing was a familiar name. The former First Lady loved fresh flowers and Laing happily provided them from his flower shop. Soon enough, he became the most revered society florist of the Marcos era who decorated Imelda Marcos houses, every event at Malacaang, and the presidential yacht.

When Mrs. Marcos bought the Teus Mansion in San Miguel, Manila, she hired Ronnie and antique dealer Viring de Asis to restore and decorate it. The mansion is now one of Malacanangs guesthouses where the Marcos silver collection is on display.

The last time I saw this interior decorator and florist was in 1979 when my aunt Bambi Harper took me to his shop in Mabini. They were both prominent antique dealers and collectors in Manila and Id wait quietly till they were done discussing business. Laing was always polite and quite pleasant but this was the expected decorum for the younger ones who were around him.

Years before, he would order my cousins and me to stop playing jack stones on the wooden floor of my grandparents dining room, and exiled us upstairs. He had arrived earlier than expected to arrange the tables for a dinner party, a parade of uniformed help bearing flowers marching behind him. I must have been 6 years old then, but I still remember how awed I was with this British gentleman in a colorful bow tie and white trousers. With our playthings scattered willy-nilly on the floor, we were clearly a nuisance and were promptly herded out of his way.

I also recall visiting Ronnies Flower Shop, amazed at how nice it smelled. Only lately did I learn that Laing used to burn fragrant oils long before it became fashionable. Another highlight of my childhood was dropping by his shop with the family to check out his Christmas display. The velvet and satin Christmas balls my Mom bought from him were my favorite for years. They looked so regalhand-decorated with gold or silver trim, silk bows, egg-shaped pearl heads, beads and sequin pins. To a young child, they looked like the bejeweled orbs that Ive seen Queen Elizabeth holding in pictures.

REPURPOSED: Hardwood from Laings majestic home now serves as balusters and posts in this Batangas farmhouse. JC VALENCIA

Ronald Ian Laing (pronounced Lane) was born in Manila on June 19, 1915. He was detained with his mother, Mercedes, a Spanish citizen, and brother Eric at the Sto. Tomas Interment Camp during World War II. Listed as a British POW, Laing went to San Francisco after Liberation and was mentored by Eddie Cavagnero, florist to Hollywood stars, who eventually became his long-time partner.

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Channeling Imeldas Favorite Home Stylist