The STORIED WALLS

Sheila Romero shares her journey from collecting revered-and elusive-art work to advocating for local artists and artisans

- BAM ABELLON

In this spatial home that rests in a tucked village inside a central business district, an entryway welcomes its guests and inhabitants with works of the art masters, such as Ang Kiukok and Vincente Manansala, to name a few of the dozens. On one wall, commissioned pieces by an emerging master refuse to be ignored—on the other is an Elmer Borlongan. But while the deluge of pure and venerable craftmanship is an art collector and devotee’s aspiration by itself, the dining room that stands right in front of the entrance’s break feels almost like a figment of a dream. Here, the walls are filled with more than 30 pieces of work by the great Fernando Amorsolo.

This home belongs to businessman, politician, and polo player Mikee Romero and businesswoman, philanthropist, and art patron Sheila Romero, who also happens to be the co-chair of this year’s annual MEGA Ball.

To begin the interview, we ask Sheila how she would describe herself to a stranger. She answers, “I’m a wife and mother.” Interestingly, she disposes of other descriptors that the couple has been known in many industries—she didn’t even say anything about the arts. We shared with her this observation.

She shrugs it off, saying, “At the end of it all, family and what you’re able to give back to other people are the most important.”

IT BEGAN WITH A BOOK