337. ATOMIC MIDCENTURY CLOCK

In the 50s, free-form shapes became very popular--pieces of furniture and other decor items assumed the shapes of kidneys, boomerangs and amoeba. This funky-looking, fully-functioning clock followed that trend with its irregularly-shaped, vinyl colored body. I got this in a flea market in China, where wind-up clocks of this shape and form are still being produced. This clock is still tick-tick ticking after over 50 years, to remind us of the atomic age that changed the way we live, and the way we watched time passed by!

332. Advertiques: PHILLIPS PETROLEUM 66

Loyalty has its privileges, indeed. I bought a few items from an antique dealer recently and he gave me this freebie--a  rather large wooden sign of Phillips Petroleum 66. The energy company was founded  by Lee Eldas "L.E." Phillips and Frank Phillips of Oklahoma in 1917.

A shield logo was created in 1930 for its link to the famous highway of the same number, with a black and orange color scheme that would last nearly 30 years. In 1959, Phillips introduced a revised version of the shield in red, white and black, a color scheme still used by Phillips 66 Co. for the brand. Vintage Phillips signs are highly collectible and many reproductions exist. This wooden sign is definitely a local fantasy version, with cut-out letters and carved background (there's a missing piece below). It must have hanged in a private bar or used to decorate a den or a man-cave. I haven't gotten around to restoring it--it is just stashed away in my garage-- to remind me that once upon a time, petrol was so cheap, that everyone on Route 66 was screaming--"Step on the gas!".

133. Time to Retire: GOOD YEAR TIRE SIGN

This metal sign was salvaged from our Shell Gas Station which my father used to operate in front of the Calrk Air Base gate in Angeles, in the 1970s (it was previously managed by his younger brother for many years). I remember spending time at that gas station after school, its most prominent feature was a big billboard showing a gyrating dancer with the headline "Zoom, zoom, super Shell!". This particular sign used to hang in the service bay of the station, next to Goodyear tires that were available for sale in case someone got a busted tire. There were so many of these signs, I can't believe I only have one left. Eventually, the gas station business floundered and closed. Today, the space where Shell used to stand is a jumble of crowded commercial stalls. Indeed, the Goodyears are gone.

128. WEAPONS OF MOROLAND

Aside from the giant Rosary and the Spoon & Fork woodcarving, one other house decor that defines Philippine interior design is the "Weapons of Moroland" wall plaque. In the post-War years all the way to the 50s and 70s, this decorative plaque that features miniature weapons from the Muslim South was a staple in many Philippine homes, as well as a popular souvenir item among visiting tourists. This example is the harder-to-find smaller version, measuring only about 6 inches tall, is an example from the 1950s. It is of cheap plywood and painted aluminum and features the Philippine seal as well as a Moro shield in the middle of the wooden panel. The blades are made from cut aluminum. Some of the names of the weapons are kaus, kampilan, barong, laring, pira, panabas and many more (the larger version of this plaque features 22 weapons in all.)However, this plaque is missing three weapons: the Puñal, Kris and Bangkon. The "Weapons of Moroland" are still being made in fewer quantities today as their appeal has largely diminished brought about by more enduring souvenirs like giant folding fans, man-in-a-barrel, and yes--woodcarved Spoons and Fork, which continues to find favor in the homes of the nouveau rich and famous.

35. THE INSULATOR COLLECTOR

When, as a kid, we used to go to Manila via the old MacArthur Highway, I would often see these aquamarine-colored glass knobs on top of the electric wooden poles lining the road. I would often wonder what those pretty little things were, until I found a similar piece in my grandfather's tool cabinet. I was the told that these were glass insulators used to insulate wires. Technology has made obsolete these glass insulators, but not to collectors who rediscovered these as late as the 1970s and turned them into hot collectibles (a rare glass insulator sold at a staggering $22,500 at a U.S. auction) .

Coming in different colors, various sizes, and unusual shapes, they are often used as paper weights or as sun catchers, to be displayed alongside other bottle collections. I only have four examples, of clear and aqua-colored glass. But there are other color variations like amber, pink and cobalt blue. Expect to pay from 50 to 500 pesos for a glass insulator --that is, if you can find one here (I did find one, at Makati Cinema Square).