From Olango Island to Makati: Casa Selma Suite at Ascott Makati Showcases Filipino Craftsmanship and Community-Led Design

 (L-R) Casa Selma CEO Isabella Selma-Galarza, Ascott Makati Area General Manager, Cecille Teodoro, and Casa Selma Founder Vito Selma

“For 2026, one of our themes is confluence — where places, people, and cultures come together,” shared Cecille Teodoro, Area General Manager of Ascott Makati. “We wanted the experience to reflect the beauty of Filipino culture alongside Ascott Makati’s signature hospitality. One of our team members suggested Casa Selma, a world-class local brand widely recognized for its innovative furniture designs and its commitment to Filipino craftsmanship. When we approached them with the idea, they immediately came on board for the collaboration.”

Founded by Vito Selma and CEO Isabella Selma-Galarza, Casa Selma is a team of creatives that produces a wide range of items shaped by thoughtful craftsmanship, careful curation, and meaningful collaboration. For the partnership, the team transformed one of Ascott Makati’s Two-Bedroom Executive Suites into a space filled with handcrafted furniture and accessories inspired by and created in collaboration with the artisans of Olango Island, a community that Casa Selma has supported through sustainable livelihood initiatives.

“Ascott Makati and Casa Selma have so many similar values in common, like sustainability, community, and of course, our love for everything Filipino. With that, our vision was clear. We wanted to create a suite that is shaped by the hands and stories of the communities of Olango Island. It really gives it more meaning and gives the suite more life,” shared Isabella Selma-Galarza.

The main bedroom is adorned with accessories, photographs, and shell prints inspired by and made by shell crafters of Olango Island. One of the standout pieces is the Jacinta bench, where weavers spent a year mastering the application of a traditional solihiya pattern to a cubic form.

One notable aspect of the collaboration is the story behind Casa Selma’s pieces. The lifestyle brand has been supporting the communities of Olango Island through the Payaw Project. Payaw are fish aggregating devices or floating structures made of bamboo poles and coconut fronds. The project provides fishermen with sustainable technology that discourages dynamite fishing and helps protect the marine environment while creating a more stable source of food and livelihood for the community.

On the island, Casa Selma also met shell crafters, mostly women and partners of the fisherfolk, who are highly skilled in creating beautiful pieces from raw shells. Their works have become part of some of Casa Selma’s most sought-after pieces. With every purchase from Casa Selma, 5% of the profits go toward encouraging sustainable coastal fishing.

The living room features the Alvaro lounge chair, Isla Coffee Table, Don Burgos and Don Paulino end tables, and Sarok floor lamp. These pieces highlight handwoven details, reflecting the craftsmanship and weaving traditions behind each design.

The Sol Floor Lamps standout in the dining room with a table that features handcrafted items that give you a peek of Olango island such as the Kawa Braided Tray.

Striking pieces such as the Juana Desk Chair and Kairen wall art are found in different corners of the Casa Selma suite showcasing intricate details and the use of local materials.

The Casa Selma Suite at Ascott Makati brings together Filipino design, culture, and artistry rooted in community in a thoughtfully curated living space that celebrates the beauty of local craftsmanship. Guests are invited to stay in and personally experience the suite until August 13, 2026. An overnight stay in this Two-Bedroom Deluxe Suite is priced at Php 15,000 nett and includes breakfast for four persons, access to leisure facilities, and parking space for two vehicles. Guests will also receive a keychain handmade by the shell crafters of Olango Island. To book this room, fill up this booking form Casa Selma Suite Booking Form – Fill out form or email reservations.global@the-ascott.com or call +632 8550 3200.

Guests can also purchase items from Casa Selma by visiting their pop-up shop at the lobby of Ascott Makati. Each purchase will help sustain the Payaw Project and the communities that Casa Selma support.