11 Personalities Share Their Unforgettable Moments In Rustan's That Will Last A Lifetime
As Rustan’s celebrates their 70th year, their loyal following reminisce on how the retail favorite created both big and small yet memorable memories with their most precious ones
All milestones should be celebrated—whether they’re big or small. More so if it’s a feat fit for a grand commemoration. This goes for retail favorite Rustan’s, a constant provider of only the finest luxury products and brands to the Filipino market. Now turning 70 years, they make their major anniversary more meaningful with surprises in store for their loyal following.
What started as a move to share her passion and appreciation for the best things in life in 1952 grew into Gliceria ‘Glecy’ Rustia-Tantoco’s dream come true. Fully supported by her husband Bienvenido ‘Benny’ Tantoco Sr., the retail destination easily became a go-to not only to the stylish crowd, but also their whole family and friends.
“Today, her legacy is still alive, and the boundaries that she broke ensures that we still offer only the top brands—only the finest products and only the best service,” Rustan’s chairman and chief executive officer Zenaida R. Tantoco says. “We are who we are because of her, alongside our ever-loyal customers who are such an entwined part of our Rustan’s story. Our promise is to constantly pursue how we can continue to make the everyday special for them, and the seemingly ordinary, extraordinary.”
To attest to the decades-long of moments made in Rustan’s, loyal customers who are part of this extraordinary story shared their best memories of shopping at the establishment. For instance, the brand has become witness to Divine Lee’s expanding family, starting from the day she’s planning to tie the knot.
“If there’s one thing constant in all the big events of my life, it’s Rustan's,” she happily recalls. “My wedding registry, my baby registry with my first child, my second child’s first mall visit after the lockdown, my online baby shower during the pandemic and their joint baptism, birthday, and reception. Rustan’s has been there seeing me grow—and seeing my family grow.”
Jaja Chiongban-Rama, on the other hand, considers moments in Rustan’s as a “tradition”. She remembers her Lola Felisa and mom Nita bringing her to the store as a kid; she also mentions parties with mascots Rusty and Tanya whenever there are parties.
It’s also the place where she met her now-husband Eduardo. “Decades ago when they opened in Cebu, I was one of their 'Rainbow Riders' models and was paired with who would then be the love of my life, my husband. The photos I have of us holding hands when we were around six years old are one of my most treasured possessions and the part of our love story I love retelling,” she shares with a smile.
Another then-child model of Rustan’s, Rica de Jesus, muses on the times she spent with her Lola and cousins striking a pose for fashion shows and advertisements for the brand. “I remember my favorite place was and is always Rustan’s. It was my second home. I attended many events and went with my parents and grandparents to the store.” She adds, “It’s my happy place, especially during Christmas.”
Meanwhile, Victor Basa considers Rustan’s as his savior, especially when it comes to gift giving. “One of my special Rustan's stories is simply finding that perfect gift for someone who has everything,” he points out. “The convenience and knowledge of their personal shoppers is instrumental to bring smiles to the people who receive their perfectly chosen and wrapped Rustan's gift.”
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Anton Barretto, Metro Home EIC and Metro Home Host
“I can truly say that my introduction to the world of shopping is because of Rustan’s. When I was young, I would always look forward to a visit to Rustan’s. My fondest shopping experience (there were several) was going with my grandmother when she wanted to shop and she would always let me choose something. I would always get a die-cast car by Bburago. I love the detail of every car and I would look at them for hours repeatedly.”
Photo Credit: @antonbarretto
Geolette Esguerra, Metro.Style and Metro Magazine EIC
“I have so many memories of shopping in Rustan’s because they’re linked to all the milestones that I’ve had in my life. From shopping for shoes for my debut, to selecting items for the bridal registry for my wedding, and then panic buying days before I was due to give birth. Some of my fondest memory was this one summer when I would spend almost every afternoon going around the beauty counters of Rustan’s. All the SAs knew my name, and I tried (and bought) so much makeup that summer. Years after, I would still call some of my favorite SAs to check on my favorite products.”
Photo Credit: @meetkeso via @geolette
Juana Manahan-Yupangco, Author and Editor
“What makes Rustan’s so special to me are the people there. Even as a kid, I remember them to be so attentive. One time, my mom was buying something and I had my head leaned on the counter. The SA started panicking because she saw blood coming out of my nose, thinking I got cut on the glass. Turns out it was a nose bleed ( which I used to get a lot of). They sat me down and got me water and an ice pack. When I had my kids, Rustan’s was my go to place. People like Pepper Buenaventura, my favourite personal shopper has helped me with kids things from the time I was pregnant and he’s watched them grow up. While I can get many things in other places, I always go back to Rustan’s as it feels like home. PS—they also had the best Barbie collection when I was a kid!”
Photo Credit: @juanayupangco
Kelly Misa, Model and Host
“My favorite memories of shopping in Rustan’s are quite old. It is when my grandmother used to bring me to Rustan’s in the ‘90s to go shopping. I am a Lola’s girl, so these memories are extra special. We would always go when there was a special occasion, like my birthday, Christmas or graduation. And she would ask me to choose one thing I liked. Usually it was a pair of shoes, a dress, or a bag. I love that whenever I go to Rustan’s I remember those times, especially that of my ‘Mommy’. I miss her so much!”
Photo Credit: @kellymisa
Mikaela Martinez, Model and Host
“I remember my mom and grandma used to take me shopping for barbie dolls and clothes ever since I was little girl.. my first fashion show at 5 years old was for Rustan’s as well. Fast forward to now, I find myself shopping not just for myself but for my family and friends!”
Photo Credit: @mikaelamartinez
Divine Lee, Model and Entrepreneur
“If there’s one thing constant in all the big events of my life - it’s Rustan’s. My wedding registry, my baby registry with my first child, my second child’s first mall visit after the lock down, my online baby shower during the pandemic and their joint baptism, birthday and reception. Rustan’s has been there seeing me grow. And seeing my family grow.”
Photo Credit: @divinemlee
Jaja Chiongban-Rama, PR Maven
“Rustan's will always hold a special place in my heart because it's become such a part of our lives. It's tradition that's passed on and continues to live on from one generation to the next. My Lola Felisa and mom Nita would bring me there on weekends as a treat during my childhood years. I also remember parties with Rusty and Tanya (their mascots). As fate would have it, decades ago when they opened in Cebu, I was one of their 'Rainbow Riders' models and was paired with who would then be the love of my life, my husband. The photos I have of us holding hands when we were around six years old are one of my most treasured possessions and the part of our love story I love re-telling.”
Photo Credit: courtesy of Jaja Chiongban-Rama
Pinky Tobiano, Chemist and Entrepreneur
“During the pandemic, Rustan’s served as my tablescaping haven. With the encouragement of Tita Nedy Tantoco, I pursued my passion to create beautiful tables for friends and family. The variety of silverwares, to dinnerwares to linens are so beautiful and it has always been my statement pieces. From Royal Albert, to my Anita Magsaysay Ho plates (which is now the centerpiece of my home in The Farm at San Benito) to my Christofle silverwares.”
Photo Credit: courtesy of Pinky Tobiano
Rica de Jesus, Writer and Blogger
“One of the most memorable parts of my childhood was the times we were asked to model for fashion shows and ads. Lola was smart—she didn’t hire anymore she just used her grandchildren to pose. We enjoyed doing it with our cousins and siblings and other children of family friends. I also remember my favorite place was and is always Rustan’s. It was my second home. I attended many events and went with my parents and grandparents to the store. It’s my happy place, especially during Christmas.”
Photo Credit: courtesy of Rica de Jesus
Ramon Orlina, Sculptor
“When I was in college I vaguely remember riding the jeepney to the very first Rustan’s store that looked like an apartment type. There I would look and ogle at expensive Italian shoes.”
Victor Basa, Model and Vlogger
“One happy Rustan's story I have is throwing a party for my friends and family. After so many Zoom or online get-togethers, being face to face and actually experiencing the inviting atmosphere and seeing the well curated items in store reminded me how much easier it is to find the perfect gift for someone when you're here at Rustan's.”
Photo Credit: courtesy of Rustan's
Inviting other Rustan’s patrons to open up about their best moments created within the store, the brand launched the “Your Story Is Our Story” campaign. Along with these personal anecdotes by customers, they also prepared many in-store events, promotions, and exciting new brands and collections—all to further stack up only the best moments shared with our loved ones.
It’s an invitation that we simply cannot say no to—so come and join the festivities by the brand that witnessed many of our life’s biggest moments.
Celebrate with Rustan’s using the #YourStoryIsOurStory hashtag.
Lead photos courtesy of Rustan's
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