Tuscany Homes and Families

The Philippine Tatler  October and November 2010 Issues featured two different families both residing in the beautiful region of Tuscany in Italy.  The Ferragamos are originally from Florence  while Mai Cojuangco-Zini, a Filipina from a prominent family in the Philippines is now residing in Tuscany. There is also another Filipina, Carina Asuncion who is living her dream at her house in Florence.  I am featuring today a glimpse into the World of  Mai Cojuangco-Zini, Carina Asuncion and the Ferragamo Family  in Tuscany.

Mai Cojuangco-Zini is one of the five daughters of Peping and Margarita "Ting Ting" Cojuangco. She grew up and was educated in Manila, Philippines. But fate intervened when their family friend Virgie Ramos introduced her to Italian Businessman, Andrea Zini at a restaurant in Manila.  Mai is from the prominent and wealthy family, the Cojuangcos of Tarlac. Former President Cory Cojuangco Aquino is her Aunt and the current President of the Philippines NoyNoy Aquino is her cousin. She now resides in this beautiful house with her husband Andrea and  their daughter Demi in Tuscany.

Beautiful and Stylish Mai Cojuangco-Zini.

Mai decorated their Tuscan home by herself.  She has great taste having grown  and learnt with her ever stylish Mother, TingTing Cojuangco. After graduating from Ateneo De Manila University, she travelled to Italy to attend the prestigious Centro di Formazione Professionale to study Fashion and the art of Bag-making.

Andrea's family owns the company, ABC SPA, which is a worldwide licensee of bags and accessories for several brands that include Levi's, Sisley, Segue, Disney and of all things Benetton. He was a business associate of Virgie Ramos who introduced both Mai and Andrea to each other. They both got married n 2004 at the Basilica de Santa Maria Dei Servi in Siena, Tuscany.

Mai still travels to Manila, Philippines with her daughter and husband Andrea to visit her family. According to Mai: "The older I get, the more I've learnt to appreciate things." 
Her husband Andrea says: "I wish Mai what we have, nothing more than this. We are happy and have so much more than others. I pray we can always keep it this way."


Another Filipina residing in Florence, Tuscany is Carina Asuncion.

Carina Asuncion is a Private Banker working and residing in Florence, Tuscany.

This is her home in Florence. According to Carina:  "I am living my dream but not in ways one would expect. Moving to another country, you give up everything that is familiar...Sometimes I'd have to double the effort only to achieve half. Then you realize that when you are partially blind, your other senses become more acute. I have learnt to observe; this is the gift this country has given me."


THE  FERRAGAMO FAMILY

Salvatore Ferragamo with his wife Christine in the main entrance of their luxury resort Il Borro in Tuscany. The grandson and namesake of the founder of the House of Ferragamo credits family values and traditions to realise his dream in the luxury resort, Il Borro.  Salvatore is not involved in the family business but continues to preserve and develop the ancient village of Il Borro which was purchased by his parents, Ferruccio and Wanda Ferragamo. Ferruccio is the son of the founder of the House of Ferragamo, Salvatore Ferragamo.

Ferruccio Ferragamo, Company President and father of  twins - Salvatore and James.

Handsome James Ferragamo is the Women's Leather Product Director and responsible for the production of all categories of leather goods for Women (bags, shoes, accessories) as well as design and development for the Ferragamo collections.  According to James, it is their company policy that only 3 Ferragamo family members can work for the company.  James explained: "The family wants only what's best. It hires people who are qualified and who see it with a business perspective."

Salvatore and his wife Christine on horseback in their country estate in Il Borro with the vineyards in the background. They produce over 150,000 bottles of reds from their Winery in the estate.  On the Left Picture is James Ferragamo. On the Right picture is the Palazzo Ferragamo in  Florence. This is the Ferragamo store in Florence. Try to visit this Palazzo to shop for Ferragamo shoes, bags and accessories.

The Palazzo Ferragamo in Florence. Wanda Ferragamo with twins Salvatore and James. The gardens of Palazzo Corsini in Tuscany.

James with his wife Louise. They have three children and they reside in Florence. The Ancient village of Il Borro.  The picture on the Right is Fiona Corsini Di San Giuliano, wife of James' cousin, Diego di San Giuliano, who is a member of the  Board of Directors of Ferragamo.

Diego and Fiona with their children in front of their Palazzo Corsini in Florence.  According to Diego, their grandmother, Wanda Ferragamo, who is still alive and active in the Company " has been extremely good in keeping all the family together and continuously creating occasions for a reason to be together. "

My own Ferragamo shoes.

We learnt from the Ferragamos that Family traditions and values are important to preserve the family company. It is good that the family is still involved in every aspect of the Ferragamo brand. Who else to better  represent the company but their own family members.  As we know, Ferragamo shoes are classic, stylish, long lasting and comfortable shoes! I love them! You can  never go wrong with a Ferragamo shoes! It is worth the investment.  As for Mai and Carina, well, they are living La Dolce Vita in Tuscany. Living in their beautiful homes with their  loved ones, their own families.








Picture Credits and References: Philippine Tatler, October and November 2010 Issues.

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Florence: A Renaissance Splendour

Florence is the Capital of Tuscany and also of Italian Renaissance. It was the home base of the Wealthy and Aristocratic Medici Family who supported and financed the Great Florentine Artist, Michelangelo Buonarotti.  All around Florence, the City still pays homage to the Medici Family and Michelangelo.

We arrived in Florence via the Tren Italia Speed Train. From Rome to Florence, it was only a One and a half hour trip. We spent the whole day in Florence to just walk around, visit some sights, eat more Italian Pasta and to shop!  Here is our Walking Tour of Florence...

The Duomo.

We decided to walk around Florence instead of joining the Tour. Our first stop was The Duomo which was just a short walk from the Train Station. Along the way to The Duomo, we stopped by some Shoes Stores.. Leather is abundant in the Florence.

The Gates of Paradise in the Baptistery depicts the Old Testament in the panels. The Baptistery is located right in front of The Duomo.

Loggia Dei Lanzi.

From The Duomo, we walked to the beautiful Piazza Della Signorina where we found the Loggia Dei Lanzi. On display are the replica sculptures of Renaissance Florentine Artists.

The most famous Sculpture is Perseus (1553) by Cellini's. Perseus was the Greek hero who killed Medusa. Here we see Perseus holding the head of Medusa.

Then right beside the Loggia Dei Lanzi is the Palazzo Vecchio. This building was built in 1294 but completed with modifications in 1592. This building is now used for Government functions. It is open for visitors. The Palazzo is worth visiting as there are many Art and Sculptures inside. Outside the Palazzo is the Neptune Fountain, the replica of Michelangelo's David and the replica statue of Hercules and Cacus. 

The Entrance Courtyard inside the Palazzo Vecchio. The Entrance to the Palazzo is Grand! "This is called the Michelozzo's Court, with gilded stucco columns and frescoes by Vasari, and with Verrocchio's Fountain with a Winged Putto holding a Fish in the center. "

We walked around the Palazzo admiring all of the beautiful interiors, more Art with huge paintings and numerous Sculptures. We were just amazed with all of these art in Florence!  We have not even visited the Museums!

Entrance to the Palazzo with the view of the replica of Michelangelo's David. The original statue of David is in the Galleria Dell'Accademia. Visitors are required to obtain tickets in advance and by reservation.

On the Left picture is the replica Sculpture of Hercules and Cacus. On the Right picture is the replica statue of Donatello's Judith. The original sculpture of Donatello's Judith is on display inside the Palazzo.

Neptune's Fountain. by Bartolomeo Ammannati (1563-1575). 

"Because of the enormous white mass of the Sea God set in the center of the fountain on a chariot drawn by sea horses, the Florentines renamed the sculpture Il Biancone,  the White Giant."

The Uffizi Gallery is the most famous Picture Gallery in Italy. It is well known in the world as one of the best Museum that features various schools of Italian and European paintings.

View of the Arno River in Florence. From the Uffizi Gallery, we walked along the Arno River to view the surrounding city and the view of the Ponte Vecchio. This view reminds me of one of the scenes in the famous movie "A Room With A View" starring Helena Bonham Carter and set in Florence. Try to watch the movie. It is  a great movie with a great setting. It might inspire you to visit Florence.

Ponte Vecchio.

"The Ponte Vecchio is the oldest bridge in Florence. It was built by Neri Di Fioravante (1345), a solid but elegant structure with three arches. It is characterized by the small houses that line both sides of the bridge."  The Bridge is now filed with sidewalk shops of Florentine souvenirs and jewelleries.

View of the Arno River.

More view of the Arno River and the beautiful City of Florence. That is me and my Mom.

Church of Santa Croce.

After walking along the Arno River, we passed by the Santa Croce Church. There are shops along the Piazza di Santa Croce.

Interior Stained Glass Window and ornate walls of the Church.

The Cross at Santa Croce.

On the Left Picture is the Burial place  of  Galileo. On the Right Picture is the Burial place of Michelangelo.  The Church of Santa Croce is full of Burial places of Great Italians.

Burial  Place of Machiavelli.

Art students relaxing and drawing at Piazza di Santa Croce. Notice the abundant stalls selling Florentine Leather bags. Merchants sell leather jackets, bags and accessories in the surrounding buildings.

Best of all, after all that walking around, we had Gelato for refreshment.

Florence is a walking city. We just spent a day, walking around, going sightseeing, observing all of  the abundant Masterpieces all around  the City, going shopping for their beautiful leather products, had a Salad and Pizza lunch in one of the Restaurants overlooking the Piazza Della Signorina and  had some Gelato for refreshments at Piazza  Di Santa Croce. From Santa Croce, we walked all the way back to the Train Station, passing by the shops and some more sights along the way. Then we reached the Train Station to go back to Rome. It was a day well spent.

Reference: The Golden Book of Florence,All of the City and its Masterpieces.

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Weekend in Venice

Venice is one of my favourite cities in the World. It is out of this world, very unique, romantic, artistic and full of history too. I love that when the train crosses the man made bridge,  Ponte Della Liberta, all I saw was the body of water separating the mainland to reach the Venice Train Station, Santa Lucia. The Train Station is the great entrance to the City of Venice.  Past the Train Station and down to the Water taxi, I saw the whole City of Venice unfolding. A city full of canals, bridges and Venetian Architecture.



When we arrived in Venice, we rode the Water Taxi that travels along the Grand Canal to bring us to the Piazza San Marco.

We passed along beautiful Venetian Buildings and Bridges along the Grand Canal.

One of the best ways to see Venice is to ride a Gondola. It is a very unique experience. It is expensive but worth the experience. Where else can you ride a Gondola but in Venice?!  Another best way to see Venice is to walk around through its walkways and bridges.

Postcard from Venice. An aerial view of Piazza San Marco.

Postcard from Venice. Basilica Di San Marco.

The Piazza San Marco centrepiece is the Basilica Di San Marco which was built in the Byzantine Style of Architecture.

In the Centre is the Golden Lion symbol of Venice then on top is the Statue of St.Mark surrounded by Angels. Behind are the spires of the Basilica Di San Marco. The Basilica also has a Balcony that Visitors can view the beautiful Piazza below. The Balcony also has a closer view of the Greek Horses of St. Mark.

The Main Altar of the Basilica. In the Centre Altar Table is the burial place of  St. Mark.

Golden Interior of the Basilica. This was designed according to the Byzantine style with Golden Walls and painted with colourful Mosaics.

 "All that Glitters is not Gold."  Merchant of Venice, Act II, William Shakespeare.

Pala D'Oro is indeed all in Gold! This is an example of Byzantine Art, a Main  Altar Wall made with precious jewels and Mosaics of Jesus Christ, the Apostles, Angels and some Saints.

A closer view of the Pala D'Oro.  This wall is just  so Grand and Extravagant!

"The Horses of Saint Mark  were installed on the basilica in about 1254. They date to Classical Antiquity; by some accounts they once adorned the Arch of Trajan. The horses were long displayed at the Hippodrome of Constantinople, and in 1204 Doge Enrico Dandolo sent them back to Venice as part of the loot sacked from Constantinople in the Fourth Crusade. They were taken to Paris by Napoleon in 1797 but returned to Venice in 1815. After a long restoration, since the 1990s they have been kept in St Mark’s Museum (inside the basilica). The horses now on the facade of the cathedral are bronze replicas."

The Greek Horses replicas in the Facade of the Basilica. We got a closer view of the Horses by going up to the Balcony of the Basilica. Notice the beautiful carvings on the wall of the Basilica.

The view of Piazza San Marco from the Balcony of the Basilica.  The Piazza is surrounded by shops and restaurants.

Postcard from Venice. The Doge's Palace which is located beside the Basilica Di San Marco. We visited the Doge's Palace right after visiting the Basilica. This is worth the visit as the interior is so grand with elaborate and golden ceilings. There were many Venetian Art on display inside. Golden designs were evident in Venice as it was once a very prosperous trading post.

We visited the Doge's Palace including the courtyard which shows the beautiful Architecture of the Palace. But the Palace has a Dark side....

Known as the Bridge of Sighs which is the  Bridge connecting the Doge's Palace to the Prison on the opposite end of the Palace. The Bridge of Sighs was so called because this is the last place that the convicts saw a view of Venice before their imprisonment in the Prison on the other end of the Palace.  Notice the Canal and the Gondolas passing through.

The Clock Tower of Venice with the view of the Doge's Palace in the Piazza San Marco.

Visitors taking pictures in Piazza San Marco. People walking by. The Piazza is always full of people and the pigeons. The Pigeons!

Then when we were tired from all that sightseeing, a perfect place to eat, drink, relax and be merry! Sitting down outside the Trattoria for a drink and a meal!  Some restaurants even offer outdoor live Classical Music. As you can see in the background, there is a Grand Piano and sometimes the Music was played with Violins.. So magical!

Enjoying a view of Venice.


As William Shakespeare wrote: "In the twinkling of  an eye."  Merchant of Venice, Act II... We saw the beauty of Venice! A magical way to spend the Weekend in Venice!



Source: Wikipedia.

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