The online and live auction of The Well-appointed Life at Salcedo Auctions is at 2 p.m., this Saturday, March 8, 2025, at NEX Tower, Ayala Ave., Makati.
Terry Baylosis, a famous name in Philippine antiques collection in the ’70s and ’80s, re-emerges in today’s art scene this Saturday when pieces from his estate go on the block in The Well-appointed Life at Salcedo Auctions, one of the most anticipated art events in the country. Salcedo Auctions unveils the rare and highly collectible legacy items from Baylosis’ home in Calatagan, Batangas—composed of rare Spanish Filipino colonial furniture, ethnographic artifacts, and ecclesiastical objects. (Baylosis passed away in 2024.)
An 18th-century life-sized ‘de tallado’ ‘San Juan Bautista’ in molave wood with
glass eyes, estimated at PHP500,000-750,000.
The story of Baylosis the art connoisseur and collector is interesting. This “probinsyano” had humble beginnings growing up in Calatagan. His interest in antiques was sparked in childhood upon seeing distant relatives buy precious porcelain from all over the country and selling them to collectors in Makati’s gated villages.
A mid-19th century light wood carving of Christ’s head, estimated at PHP200,000-220,000 (left); A 19th-century ‘de tallado ‘‘San Vicente de Ferrer’ figure carved in hardwood with tin wings, estimated at PHP300,00-450,000.
He served as his relatives’ trusted frontman, “because he could speak English,” a relative recalls. Baylosis got to know Manila’s distinguished collectors who thrived during the antique trade’s golden years from the 1960s to the 1980s—such as the architect Leandro Locsin, the Zuellig brothers, Dr. Jaime Laya, and then First Lady Imelda Marcos.
Upon businessman Manda Elizalde’s prodding, Baylosis opened his first store, Terry’s Antiques, in Sta. Monica Street, Manila, in 1972. His store was alongside those of the biggest sellers of the time, like Likha Antiques’ Jean Louis Levi, and Willie Verzosa, and Via Antica’s Tony Martino. It was a good time to start the business in a market with growing local buyers and foreign clients from the US, China, and Japan.
A late 19th-century Batangas ‘Olympic’ altar table made from Balayong wood with kamagong inlays, brass mounts, estimated at PHP500,000-600,000 (left). A late 19th-century Baliuag-Hepplewhite altar table with Chinese meander inlays in narra wood, estimated at PHP 300,000 – 400,000.
When sales started to slow down, Baylosis decided to close his store in 1995, but continued to sell out of his home in San Marcelino, Manila, right across from Paco Park. In 2014, Baylosis sold his Malate home and retired to his estate in Calatagan, Batangas, where he entertained serious buyers and the plain curious, who marveled at his stories and Baylosis’ immense collection.
Though most described him as “mataray (feisty),” Baylosis was respected for his deep passion for Filipino heritage and craft. He influenced the next generation of art and antique dealers, and served as guiding light to young and old collectors, most of whom eagerly await the online and live auction of the gems from his estate on March 8.
From left: A 19th- 20th century Southeast Asian rain drum in bronze, estimated at PHP150,000 – 200,000; a mid-20th century Maranao miniature galleon, estimated at PHP200,000- 260,000; a Southeast Asian rain drum in bronze, estimated at PHP100,000- 150,000.
Among the lots up for bidding is a series from Baylosis ecclesiastical holdings, including carved heads and santos from the late 18th century to the early 1900s. He also acquired exquisite examples of traditional metal and woodcraft, such as the rain drums from Southeast Asia and an intricate Maranao miniature galleon—a fine reminder of Mindanao’s seafaring and shipbuilding traditions.
Manila’s collectors are eyeing the top lots from Baylosis’ antique furniture collection, such as a series of altar tables from various eras and regions around the country, their details revealing the distinguishing marks of Filipino artisans from Cagayan, Pampanga, Bulacan, and Batangas.
This estate sale provides a rare opportunity for collectors to acquire important pieces from Baylosis’ personal collection. For years since his retirement from the antiques trade scene in Manila, Baylosis rotated the display of furniture, santos, and ethnographic objects in his Calatagan home so he could admire their beauty and reminisce on their provenance. These precious possessions kept him company, in a manner of speaking, up to his final moments. He passed away in 2024.
Presented with UnionBank Elite, ‘The Well-Appointed Life’ live and online auction will take place on Saturday, March 8, starting at 2 p.m. In-person preview runs up to March 7, at NEX Tower, 6786 Ayala Avenue, Makati City, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily (including Sunday, closed Monday).
salcedoauctions.com | info@salcedoauctions.com | +63 917 107 5581 | +63 917 591 2191 | +63 917 825 7449. Follow @salcedoauctions on Instagram and Facebook.
