(Ikiam - a piece of land deep in nature, near Atimonan.) Ikiam, oh, how that land has a character of its own. I still remember how my father used to laugh and say, “This land doesn’t yield; it lets you pass when it’s in the mood.” And those moods! My father always insisted on taking his horse to cross the steep trails, and of course, I’d trail behind him, trying to imitate his confident posture on the saddle. The horse knew the paths better than we did—elegant and calm, like it understood the land’s secrets.

Now, when I’m back at Ikiam, every hoofbeat takes me back to those simpler days. The creak of the saddle, the smell of the earth, and the way the horse’s ears twitch as if listening to the world—everything about them is pure grace. Honestly, I think horses carry a bit of magic. They’re not just creatures; they’re companions who let you borrow their strength and elegance, even if it’s just for a little while.

When I designed the Pathfinders’ Bond kimono, i was inspired by those memories, I wanted to capture exactly that feeling. The fabric is heavy, like the weight of the land itself, but it wraps around the wearer with the same protective strength a horse gives its rider. The embroidery, drawn from the flowing lines of a horse in motion, reflect that sense of quiet power and enduring grace. It’s a piece that doesn’t just sit on you—it carries you, just like those horses carried me through Ikiam’s paths.