Interior design is at its infant stage in Bohol for a few reasons: it is an expensive passion; avant garde taste is not commonplace; there is no listing of professionals to select from; and most Boholanos are conservative in aesthetic sense. Thus, we have Architects and Fine Arts practitioners who dabble with it, but not as a main vocation; and others just make it a sideline, not their profession. Usually, a member of the family, with all limitations, copies the art from books and magazines, or well-manicured residences he had chanced upon, and seldom gives vent to his creative pursuits. If there is a felt presence of an Interior Designer in the locality, it is in the Malls and Hotels, with the motifs in consonance with the seasons and occasions. Consequently, only a few establishments have these permanent artists in their workforce.

The Alturas Group of Companies (AGC), highlighted by subsidiaries catering to the general public, like Island City Mall, Alturas Supermarket, Plaza Marcela, Colonnade-Cebu, Colonnade-Mandaue, and South Palms, is evidently a precursor to the need of an Interior Designer and his staff in full-time commitment. Jose Atamosa Ignacio, Jr. (JAI), monikered “JI” by all those who know him up close and personal, is one individual who could be called a “round-the-clock” Interior Design guru. He worked with PAL (Philippine Airlines) for 23 years, and is privileged with a “Lifetime Trip Pass” until today. Which means he can travel anywhere in the world, where there is PAL service, once a year. From these enriching travels he has developed his cosmopolitan taste. This interview took place at ICM last Tuesday, February 4, interspersed by phone calls relative to the performance of his job.

LMP: Where were you born?

JAI: I was born in Cebu on June 11, 1949. My mother, Trinidad Atamosa, was from Balamban, Cebu. She devoted her entire life taking care of us. My father, Jose Ignacio, Sr., hailed from San Carlos City, Pangasinan. He was a Fine Arts graduate of the University of the Philippines-Diliman. My inclination to arts came from him, because he was the one who introduced me to painting, mixing colors, everything about art when I was young.

LMP: Where did you study in college?

JAI: I graduated from the University of San Carlos. Actually, when I started my first year in college, I was still undecided on what course to take. My grandmother wanted me to become a Priest. My first choice was Interior Design, but it was only offered in Manila during that time. My second option was Architecture, but I was a little bit apprehensive, because I am not good in Mathematics. To make the story short, I took up Bachelor of Science in Commerce, major in Accountancy. But, my inclination is really into drawing, designing, or anything pertaining to arts. I even went into fashion designing as a student. I submitted drawings to Graphics Magazine in Cebu. During weekends, I went to special events like, fashion shows, art exhibits, and many others.

LMP: After graduation, what was your first employment?

JAI: I was employed at the Philippine Airlines for 23 years. I was first assigned at the Ticketing Office in Manila. I was transferred to Bohol for less than a year, and then back to Cebu Office. I have a “Lifetime Trip Pass,” a travel benefit given to employees who work with PAL for 20 years before retirement.

LMP: What does it mean?

JAI: Every year we are given an air-fare privilege for free, whether it is domestic or international.

LMP: So, it would only mean one thing, you are a very well-traveled guy. What are the places you have visited?

JAI: Actually, I only go to places where I have friends and relatives, so I would not spend for the hotel accommodation. (Laughs) I have been to New York, California, Las Vegas, and San Francisco. It was only in Europe, where I had my accommodation at the hotel because I won a travel merit from PAL Management. I visited London and Rome for my 4-day stay there.

LMP: How about Asia?

JAI: I have gone to China, Singapore, Hongkong, Thailand, and Malaysia. I am planning to go to Macau, but I don't have friends or relatives there. Maybe I will visit Japan first, because my friends invited me to join them before the year ends.

LMP: In the Philippines, what are the places you had visited?

JAI: I love to go to Baguio because of the climate. Then, Davao, Cagayan, and Batangas.

LMP: What are your plans for your next foreign travel?

JAI: I want to go back to Rome, and then, Ireland.

LMP: Why did you leave PAL?

JAI: At that time, the company was a little bit shaky. The opening of the Air Philippines became a controversy. There was also a problem on the collective bargaining of PALEA (Philippines Airlines Employees' Association), because the top management would not concede to the Union's request.

LMP: What year did you retire?

JAI: June of 1998.

LMP: After that, where did you go?

JAI: I started working full-time with Alturas as Interior Designer. Actually, I was already their part-time employee since 1985, while I was still connected with PAL. I came to know one of the owners of Alturas because their supplier of poultry products before in Cebu is my friend. He was the one who introduced me to Sir Mar.

LMP: How long have you been with Alturas?

JAI: I am working with Alturas for 18 years now. Years ago, I stopped for a while, (for 2 years) because I opened my own fashion boutique in Cebu. The following year, I met Sir Mar on a trip to Dumaguete City. We talked, and he told me to visit the store. The week after, as promised, I came back again to Alturas.

LMP: How many siblings do you have?

JAI: We are three. The eldest was Brenda Ignacio-Olvido (deceased). She was a Commerce graduate, and worked as a Secretary of Shell Philippines-Cebu. I am the second. Our youngest brother is Ernedo Ignacio. He also finished BS Commerce, and is a businessman in San Carlos City, Negros Oriental.

LMP: With the job that you have now, would you like to say, that it is not good to stagnate?

JAI: Yes, I need to continue learning. I do research in the internet, I read books, and I go to places where I could find something new and fresh. Even in watching movies, I am very particular on the details of the production design.

LMP: Last December, did you go over to the malls in Metro Manila?

JAI: Yes. I went to SM Aura located at the Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. Anything that is new, I always find time to visit the place.

LMP: Among these malls in Manila, which of them is very avant garde, unbeatable, especially during Christmas, based on your observation?

JAI: For me, it is Rustans. The store is adorned with expensive decorations and displays. Rockwell is very westernized with regards to its set-up and decors. For Eastwood, their lighting is impressive, and customer-wise, they have a lot of events for their shoppers, especially during the evening. One of these days, I will be in Manila to see this expanded area of Megamall. Their Chapel and Adoration Chapel are very nice. Actually, two or three weeks before the Holiday Seasons, I was scheduled to visit these malls, to see their decorations and themes.

LMP: All these things you have seen in Manila, you can sense at once, that they can be applied here. Have you copied their ideas?

JAI: No, I innovate it further inorder to be entirely different from the original. I just look at the whole thing, create illustrations, and make improvements, until it fits my specifications. Like the logo of Island City Mall, I had to find the most common denominator in the Island of Bohol, Tarsier is one, but it is commonly used already. So, I chose the coconut tree. I want to make the Mall appear like an island. I created the palm in an abstract way. It is composed of four strips, which represents the four Incorporators of the Alturas Group of Companies. It involves a lot of creativity. It is much easier when you are inspired, because you have a lot of ideas in your head, that would definitely change the entire picture into a new look.

LMP: How about Alturas Mall, what are your plans?

JAI: As of now, I am concentrating on the atrium area, the columns, and the façade. With regards to the color of the Mall, I am going to combine the colors of Island City Mall, Plaza Marcela, and Alturas itself.

LMP: What makes you happy?

JAI: I keep myself busy everyday. Monday is for walking and jogging, Tuesday is scheduled for zumba, Wednesday for yoga, and Thursday for Tai Chi. All the things that I have done the whole day, I leave them when I work, to make me feel relaxed when I come home. I have five house pets; they are all my babies. When I watch TV, they sit down with me and cuddle. A healthy living for me is also very important. I make sure to drink fourteen glasses of lukewarm water everyday. Living a simple and healthy lifestyle would definitely make me happy.

On thing that distinguishes Jose Ignacio among designers (and wannabees) is his being a Marathon enthusiast. A health buff, he has his daily dose of long distance running, weekly yoga and zumba, eat only organic foods, drinks 14 glasses of lukewarm water per day, and basks in the love of Achilles, Hector, Paris, Hermes, and Phoenix. In case you are intrigued by these Greek names... they are his dogs (one of them already 15 years old) which unstress him everyday upon coming home.

(Website: www.loypalapos.com ; Email: loy.pal@gmail.com ; Cellphone: 09981701129)