Who would have thought? The once we knew ‘bilao’ that we used to see in a pansitans, being displayed in different sizes that serves as a pansit Malabon’s support, is currently acting as some tribal artwork that is being sold at an American furniture store Pottery Barn, completing the look of a virginal white bedroom with beige and white decor. And the craziest part of it all... the nearly P15,000 price tag attached to it is.

The locally known turned fabulous “bilao” is identified in the online store as Round 42” Bamboo Wall Art, and it’s priced at 299 US dollars, or approximately Php 14,300. The site says it’s “handcrafted from bamboo.” Could the bamboo used in this Pottery Barn version be of higher quality? Watered with Evian, fed with arugula, raised in conflict-free areas and able to freely play with other bamboos?

“Round out your accent wall with this impressive woven art piece,” says the website writeup. “Reminiscent of open-air markets selling baskets, with a slightly concave shape and shallow rim, it adds warmth, texture and eclectic style wherever it’s hung.” I mean everybody can agree to that, right?

And yet Filipino netizens who have seen and posted about this new Pottery Barn product can’t get over the fact someone actually thought our humble “bilao” would make for a wall décor debut. “I want one that comes with palabok”, one said.