At home with Ella Pangilinan Miranda, whose new platform celebrates Filipino hospitality, the joy of hosting, and the meaningful act of being together.
As the holiday season approaches, Lifestyle Asia dropped by the home of Ella Pangilinan Miranda to see how she prepares. The first thing that greets us in her foyer is an artwork of butterflies by Jinggoy Buensuceso. They are delicate, transformative, and suspended in a moment of becoming. It is a piece she has had since her 18th birthday, a lifetime ago and yet seemingly just yesterday. Now, two years into her marriage, Ella has emerged as a tastemaker, building a community around the art of hosting through her platform, Salo Sala.
There is a poet’s line that says, “the butterfly counts not months but moments, and has time enough,” which could very well be the manifesto of her approach to gathering. Beyond perfection or endless preparation, for Ella, it is about creating spaces where connections bloom.
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Salo Sala Origins
From the butterfly-adorned foyer, Ella leads us into the sala where a pica– pica spread awaits. The small plates and appetizers invite conversation and comfort that she always makes sure to prepare for gatherings, a great way for guests to start engaging while waiting for everyone to arrive.
Growing up, Ella was surrounded by women who understood the art of gathering. “I’ve learned so much from so many wonderful women,” she recalls. Her grandmothers were her first teachers, preparing feasts that laid the foundation for her family’s closeness. More recently, her godmothers, Tina Maristela-Ocampo and Maite Moraza, became her primary inspirations for hosting. This generational knowledge is what led to Salo Sala.
“I noticed that hosting can be overwhelming, especially for new homeowners or newlyweds,” says Ella. “It was such a relief when I realized I wasn’t the only one in my circle who found it overwhelming. I felt so privileged to have learned from so many wonderful hosts, and I knew I wanted to pass those lessons on.”
The name of the platform combines salo-salo, a Filipino term meaning a communal feast that embodies shared meals and connection, and sala, the living room where families welcome and connect with guests and each other.
“[I want] to build a community around that shared desire to create gatherings that feel like home,” she adds. “Those kinds
of moments have always been the most meaningful to me.”
At its core, Salo Sala is about adding a little extra to everyday gatherings, and an invitation to rediscover the joy of welcoming others and keeping the art of hospitality alive.
Crafting Holiday Moments
Just as her grandmothers and godmothers taught her about gathering, Ella now approaches the holiday with
the same intentional spirit. “This is only our second year of marriage, so I’ve started with the basics,” Ella says when we turn
the conversation toward decorating for the season.
A timeless-looking tree stands adorned with natural elements, festive but not overdone. Fresh floral arrangements bring a lovely, homey feel to the space. “I believe the most meaningful holiday decor is collected over time,” she adds, “with pieces that tell a story.”
For Ella, the holiday season is about creating an atmosphere that engages more than just the visual senses. This means playing holiday carols, serving hot chocolate, and having freshly baked cookies come out of the oven. She starts her holiday preparations early, not just with the decorations, but with the rituals that build anticipation. Think gingerbread houses, wrapping gifts, testing out recipes, writing and sending out Christmas cards, and watching Christmas movies. “These rituals build the spirit of Christmas without the stress of rushing,” she adds.
This reflects her broader approach to hosting, of creating spaces where people feel truly welcome and at home. “Eventually,
I would love to have a Christmas village, more personal ornaments, and nostalgic touches that grow with us over the years,” she shares.
Recently, she experienced a lesson in this philosophy during a New Year’s Eve celebration with her in-laws, preparing thoughtful pica pica platters while waiting for everyone to arrive. And then, once the family was gathered, sharing special messages and giving thanks for the past year, while expressing hope for what’s to come.
“These moments remind me that beyond the food, the decor, or the festivities, the heart of any gathering is making people feel truly connected and special,” she says.
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The Landscape Of Home
A year before their marriage, her husband, Enrique, was already living in their home. His mother, Angelique Lhuillier Miranda, helping him initially set up the space. When Ella moved in, she brought in her own items and influences, carefully weaving both their personalities and existing pieces.
“She [godmother, Tina Maristela- Ocampo] encouraged us to edit as we go,” Ella recalls, and that philosophy of gradual, intentional curation is evident in every corner. There are pieces she brought in from her own home, such as the Buensuceso artwork, and pieces they collected over their journey as a couple, including oriental rugs they purchased on their honeymoon in Turkey and Morocco.
Her design aesthetic is a loving dialogue between cultures. “I’m inspired by a mix of traditions,” she explains: tropical Filipino, French, and Spanish influences blend seamlessly. Her style defies easy categorization, instead embracing what she calls “old-world charm with something fresh and playful.”
Her favorite elements reveal this approach perfectly. “Apart from the artwork, I adore my lamps from Solano!” she says. “They are so eclectic and playful, brightening up and adding character to every corner.”
Just as her hosting is about creating connections and counting moments instead of months, her home is a physical manifestation of that same impulse, bringing diverse elements together in harmony, never rushing but letting moments build up.
Ella Pangilinan Miranda’s Entertaining Tips & Advice:
What’s your go-to strategy for stress-free holiday hosting?
Always begin with a plan. Whether or not you delegate, having a prep list, knowing your menu and guest needs, and setting the table in advance make everything smoother.
What’s one entertaining “rule” you live by?
Always make guests feel at home, not just entertained.
What’s one you always break?
I don’t believe the host has to cook everything. I happily mix homemade dishes with ordered or store-bought food. And I don’t always stick to matching sets. I love to mix it up and play with different colors and textures.
Beyond the food and decor, how do you suggest creating meaningful moments during holiday gatherings?
We create meaningful moments through little traditions. With my cousins, we leave our phones in a box for a specific time period, so everyone is fully present, no distractions. I also love conversation starters, games, or simple rituals like sharing what we’re grateful for that year. When kids are present, I like to make sure they have fun activities to keep them engaged. These small things turn gatherings into memories.
For someone hosting the holiday gathering this season, what piece of advice do you have?
You don’t have to do it alone. I never stop asking for advice and for support. Delegate what’s overwhelming you. You also don’t need to cook everything! You have the opportunity to engage your guests as well as get them involved in your gathering, and sometimes this is what makes the night most meaningful.
This article was originally published in our December 2025 issue.
Photography by Ed Simon of KLIQ, Inc.
