The talent of Tes Pasola went far beyond paper    

My first encounter with Tes Pasola was at a CITEM exhibit in the late ‘90s. It was also my first time seeing something so bold and grand in the field of local design. Her booth was enveloped in rows upon rows of handmade sheets of paper, hung sideways from 15 feet high, with the edges serving as the focal point. It brought to mind the intricate layers of filo pastry, except here the layers were colorful and immense. Even then, it was clear that Tes, along with her husband Tony Gonzales, were the stars of the show, having been given the prime space at the center of the fair.

Over the years, Tes and I became close friends, thanks to many gatherings with fellow designers. As part of the iconic Movement 8 design group, Tes and Tony would always be present at exhibits and fairs held in Hanover, Valencia, Paris, and Frankfurt—seeing them there and spending time with them are experiences I thoroughly enjoyed. In recent years, our group has grown smaller but, perhaps, more close-knit. It seems that those who remain share similar values, along with a love for great food.

In 2005, Tony, Tes, and I conceptualized an exhibit for the Metropolitan Museum, under the leadership of Ino Manalo and Cora Alvina. Tes, always witty and full of joy, came up with the title Papel ng Papel, a clever play on words that we all thought was perfect in every way.

Tes was constantly in motion. Not only were her own designs sought after worldwide, but she also served as a creative consultant to numerous companies. Her export business provided employment to many, whom she treated like family.