GustoKo is a Philippine store located in
Lisbon, Portugal at the Rua da Escola Politecnica which specializes in offering
world-class Philippine handcrafted fashion and accessories. Eponymously named
after the Filipino phrase “I want”, GustoKo is owned and managed by Paula
Mansilla-Figueras, a Filipina based in Portugal, who travels annually to the
Philippines to seek elegantly made artisan collections to share the Portuguese
market.
As a Filipino, she knows that art is a way of life for many of her countrymen. From indigenous tribes, cooperatives, and individual artists; Filipinos have been weaving, sculpting, carving, and crafting long before Spanish explorers discovered the South East Asian archipelago with more than seven thousand islands.
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| The beauty and brains behind GustoKo, Paula Mansilla-Figueras. |
With at least 13 indigenous languages spoken by more than 90 million inhabitants, it can be said that Filipinos are not just multilingual; they are nation composed of multiple and varying cultures. For a nation that’s pretty much in the middle of the ocean, the Philippines has been influenced by foreigners ranging from Chinese merchants, migrating kingdoms, European explorers, and modern industrialized nations for millennia.
With this viewpoint, one can arguably state the Philippines is one of Asia’s first truly global melting pots. GustoKo aims to promote, uplift, and celebrate the craftsmanship, resourcefulness and creativity of the Filipinos; as well as the richness of its unique culture. The handcrafted products, meticulously selected by Paula in her many travels to different parts of the Philippines, show the different experiences of each artisan.
For people who are enticed by the elegance of Philippine indigenous and local materials, GustoKo’s handcrafted items are an ideal present for any occasion.
Address: Rua da Escola Politecnica 42, 1250-102 Lisbon, Portugal
Hours: (Monday to Sunday) 12:00-8:00 pm
Keeping real.- PJV
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