The Horror of Empty Spaces: How Maximalism Became a Filipino Style Code

The zestful style can be linked to the Filipino characteristics of sentimentality and attachment (which possibly leads us to avoid decluttering more often than not). Like many things, family is a huge contributor as to why Filipinos have these traits. Generational homes are common in the country, and preserving the rich and colorful stories behind every corner of the house is a means to protect and establish identity.

It goes without saying that the Philippines has gone through devastating times throughout the course of history. It’s an understatement to say that the country was dull and bare for too many years, which now brings us to why we feel “a sense of security knowing one may be able to retain even a little of what they have if in case they should go through another terrible event.”

Felipe M. De Leon Jr., a prominent figure in Philippine arts and culture, has also expressed that this can be attributed to maximalism, saying, “The common Filipino is a maximalist, filling up every available space with forms and things. It springs from an expressive exuberance deeply rooted in emotional sensitivity and the strong urge to connect.”

Part of loving someone is accepting the possibility of being without them, and with Filipinos usually having close ties with family and friends, it’s easy to feel empty outside of their presence—which is a form of horror, too. “To fill the emptiness,” Ar. Clarissa wrote, “Filipinos surround themselves with little trinkets or abubot belonging to the persons they miss or mostly reminding them of that loved one.”

This is also one of the driving reasons behind the typical Filipino home having “every wall covered with paintings, photographs, and assorted memorabilia. Every nook and cranny in a single room must have some thing.”

The difficulty in parting with our loved ones, the nostalgia that rises from it, and other related factors make us “tend to collect and keep everything,” shifting our views of them from merely things into valuable forms of expression. In a Filipino household, nothing is sayang or wasteful. The stories behind each detail, regardless of how other people view them, make them important, meaningful, and priceless.

Maximalism is unafraid to capture that individual complexity. It embraces complications, being brave enough to marry colors, patterns, and textures with one another in ways that are not usually done. It adds character and richness, aligning with the desire for space and taste that are truly singular.

If there’s something that screams individuality, it’s customized accessories. Russet Accessories provides you the liberty to pick handmade charms that resonate with you—may it be a tusok-tusok trio, a tin of sardines, or a collection of letters that represent your favorite words or names.

There can be no conversation about Filipino maximalism without the mention of jeepneys. Their exuberant decoration showcases the beautifully cluttered aesthetic in an effortless manner. This is something that inspires Zarah Juan, who derives inspiration from these proudly Filipino elements and co-creates eye-catching bags with artisans and weavers all over the country.