MANILA, Philippines?Frannie Aguinaldo Jacinto, ever the gracious hostess, shows us how to mix the old and new, to create highly personalized table settings. The pieces she used have been with her and her family since the 1950s. She stylishly combines heirloom pieces with those bought during her travels to create distinct table settings reflective of her personal style. ?I have collected many items throughout the years since I was 17 years old. I started with blue and white antique plates from the Muslim traders and antique dealers in Manila. When I went to Europe and the USA in the ?70s, I would go to auctions and get some good buys in Christie?s, Sotheby?s and Butterfield.?

We asked her to set a dinner table and she brought out white porcelain plates from Tirschenreuth, Germany, in the Baronesse pattern. Purchased in Europe in the ?80s, Frannie combines her china with sterling silver flatware in ?18th Century? flatware from Reed and Barton. The accent piece is a silk table runner purchased during a recent trip to Shanghai, China.

For her centerpiece, Frannie combines Cambodian silver from Siem Reap with sterling silver fruits and dishes from Tiffany, New York. The most notable conversation piece on her table are the Italian sterling silver candlesticks. ?These were given by my father to my mother when he was courting her in the USA in 1950.? It has always been the focal point of Frannie?s table. Her napkins are from the Cebu crochet workers coop while the glassware is Claudia crystal stemware from the Czech Republic. She also proudly announces that the orchids came straight from her garden.

Afternoon tea

For afternoon tea, Frannie uses her Fitz and Floyd plates in ?Chinese Peony? pattern. ?This belonged to my father and I inherited this when he passed away. The Austrian crystal stemware is also from my father?s collection.? She combines this exquisite china with silver woven placemats from Baguio, the monogrammed linen napkins are from Sr. Christine Tan?s women?s cooperative. The candleholder is Rosenthal crystal.

Frannie exclaims that she is very fortunate to have inherited beautiful pieces and artwork for her home from her father, Francisco Aguinaldo. During his lifetime, he was a known connoisseur of fine objects d?art. He also owned and run Aguinaldo?s, a top-of-the-line department store.