Monday, March 11, 2013

Meet and Greet Gina Gil-Lacuna, the Puzzle Queen




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Met her for the very first time during the Guinness World Records Awarding Ceremony on November 29, 2012. Gina Gil-Lacuna is now the title holder and the owner of the largest collection of jigsaw puzzles in all shapes, sizes and form. She has 1,029 puzzles housed at the Puzzle Mansion.



She has 1,028 puzzles when awarded the Guinness Record, the last one she did was a 10,000 pieces of puzzle, which is a birthday gift to her husband and his son.



The museum boasts puzzles that are made of cardboard, wood, plastic which are either flat, circular, 3D and 4D (I used to have an idea that puzzles are only flat, now I know). They depict pictures of people, animals, nature, occasions, religions, business ads, cartoon characters. There are also amazing puzzles of famous paintings by Picasso, Da Vinci, Van Gogh, Michaelangelo, Renoir and Goya to name a few.






According to ma'am Gina, her passion for puzzles began 27 years ago when she did her very first Disney puzzle as a gift for his son Gino who was then 2 years old.  Afterwhich she was enchanted and entertained by puzzles and began buying them during her travels abroad and put them together, thus the birth of her collection.


Her very first puzzle which she did 27 years ago.
A business guru herself, being the woman behind the successful maternity wear brand "Buntis" (I knew this brand because it used to be my maternity dresses before) she is proud to share that her lack of formal education (being a high school graduate) did not became a hindrance for her to succeed. Now, despite her busy schedule running the puzzle museum, she still engages herself with their garment's business operations.

When asked what was the very virtue you learned from doing puzzles? Her reply, "PATIENCE" which I totally agree because for someone to finish putting those pieces of puzzles together needs lots of patience which eventually will turn into perseverance. This hobby can be addicting, LOL.  But I believe, it will always bring about fulfillment.



She is currently doing the Ravensburger Puzzle which she aimed to finish by July 2013.  It is a 32,000 pieces puzzle by Keith Haring entitled Double Retrospect. When finished, it will measure six (6) pieces of plywood,  it might be another world record for her. But accordingly, she might possibly beat her own record as there are still several unfinished puzzles underneath her bed. 


Entrance to the gallery is P100.00, with a guided tour by ma'am Gina herself.



The museum once again put the Philippines, Tagaytay City in particular, on the world map. It has then became a top tourist destination for the locals and foreigners alike. Getting there, you will not get lost as there are visible directional signs that will lead you to the place.



Besides the gallery, the other attraction here is the Puzzle Mansion Bed and Breakfast (read my review HERE). I was personally invited by ma'am Gina to stay overnight here to enjoy and  experience their wonderful accommodation.




There's also a souvenir shop where you can buy presents for your family and friends back home. Puzzles, shirts, caps, towels, wall clocks, calendars, and various sort of gift items.



So the next time you are in Tagaytay City or nearby, don't forget to drop by the Puzzle Mansion and know for yourself how Gina Gil-Lacuna got her title.

Address:
Purok 4 Cuadra St. Brgy. Asisan
Tagaytay City, Philippines 4210
website: http://www.thepuzzlemansion.com/
email: puzzlemansion@gmail.com

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19 comments:

  1. wow very interesting place!!!!I am very excited to visit and see those puzzles on our next vacation in the Philippines.

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  2. Wow those are a lot of puzzles and pieces to build. I wonder where she gets inspiration from.

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  3. that is one great collection of puzzles ... i wonder the number of hours she spent to put them all together .. wish to see her collection ... another great pinoy to be proud of .

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  4. She ha s lot of patience doing this stuff.I can't do it, maybe a small puzzle and that's it.

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  5. This is really a nice collection. It's nice to do jigsaw puzzle as it keeps the brain sharp.

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  6. The child within me glee when I've seen those beautiful pictures of puzzles. Thanks for sharing.

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  7. omg! i love puzzles! we have a big one with the picture of lake in canada. its nice for a family bonding for an afternun tea hihi but puzzles like this big is like wow! xx

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  8. wow! puzzle is a very versatile game for everyone. never thought that the collection will be from an adult. BTW, congrats to her.

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  9. I would be very much more amaze once she got live in a puzzle house. And it's not possible to happen i guess. .She is definitely brilliant.

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  10. this will be my destination when I visit Tagaytay. It's nice to see someone who likes puzzles and share it with people.

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  11. I've been hearing so much about that mansion and too bad I haven't visited it yet. Will make sure will see her the next time I visit Tagaytay. excited :)

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  12. Wow! amazing feat for a high school graduate. One virtue that stands out here --Patience.

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  13. These are amazing collection of puzzles! A friend will die of happiness once she hears about this and im sure she would wanna be their. I love and collect puzzles too! ;)

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  14. I've already seen this but didn't expect she has a PUZZLE MANSION! WTF!

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  15. I wonder how she's able to do it with her latest with 32K pieces. She is truly gifted with patience and great vision. Just AMAZING!!!

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  16. First saw her featured on television. I wanna meet her in person too! She's my idol!

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  17. I really want to go there and meet her in person.. plus, I want to see the world's largest puzzle ever!!!

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  18. wow ang galing! 32,000 puzzle that's unbelievable!!.. I can't even finish my 500 pieces puzzle.

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  19. wow ang galing naman, may puzzle mansion talaga! hope to visit soon.

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