Where to, Baguio?

While most spend their February 14 buying flowers and chocolates, getting ready for a night out, or preparing a nice home-cooked dinner for two, this young power couple had something a bit different in mind. For Valentine’s Day, cultural advocates Venazir Martinez and Taipan Lucero, both connected by their love for Philippine culture, launched their exhibit entitled “Halikha” at The Podium Boutique Hotel.

Individually, Venazir’s and Tapian’s interpretations on the visual representations of Philippine culture are very different. Venazir coins the term “Hila-bana” for her works, in which her illustrations place focus on the people and textiles of ethnolinguistic groups. On the other hand, Taipan is known for his “CalligraFilipino,” which combines ancestral scripts such as Baybayin, Badlit, and Hanunoo with calligraphy. Together, their works are a match made in heaven.

In continuing the theme of Valentine’s Day, “Halikha” features portraits of local couples who keep the cultural spirit alive through different arts. In terms of their creative process, Venazir explains that the pieces start with her doing the illustrations, and Taipan adds in the words that he sees fit. While the ability to read Baybayin is still very uncommon, a glimpse of what’s written can be seen through the titles of the pieces. It’s a juxtaposition of freedom and control. While Venazir’s drawings are organic and outspoken, Taipan’s calligraphy brings restraint through clean strokes positioned geometrically.

Venazir and Taipan are making waves and doing important work in keeping nationalism awake through art. Through their efforts, we are reminded of how truly beautiful our traditional culture is and how it is a privilege to own that identity. As young people, we have the duty to do the same, even in our own little ways.

Check out “Halikha”, which will be on display at the Podium Boutique Hotel until March 14, 2020.

Photo credit to Isaak Nalupa

With the last handfuls of weeks or even months hitting us with non-stop rain, you know what would be lovely? Staying in bed all day all wrapped up in the sheets. Or maybe a nice hot bowl of soup. Or better yet – RAMEN! And there’s a new place along North Drive that transports you to what feels like an actual ramen shop in Japan.

Named “Agara Ramen”, a play on the local term “agraraman”, this noodle shop sports an industrial style interior with a ramen bar that can seat 14 people at a time. You also get to watch Ray Costa, the owner of the establishment as well as head ramen master, prepare the dishes in front of you. There are six different types of ramen to try with gradients of flavors ranging in intensity and saltiness.

There’s the Tonkotsu Shio and the Tonkotsu Shoyu, which are quite similar due to the pork broth, but still unique in taste. The Tonkotsu Shoyu has more soy sauce, while the Tonkotsu Shio has a sea salt base, which makes it more subtle in flavor.

The Miso Ramen is made from a strong pork miso soup, Sapporo-style. It has a slightly stronger flavor stemming from the fermented soybeans. The sweet corn kernels also brings a lovely contrast to the saltiness.

Those who like spicy food will love the Tantanmen. It is also made with pork broth, but slightly thicker from the sesame seed paste. Mix well before eating! This is one of our favorites.

The Chuka Soba is a popular kind of ramen in Tokyo, but the first of its kind in the Philippines. Its broth is made from chicken, pork, vegetables, and five types of dried fish. It has notes of smokiness in its flavor with a slightly bitter aftertaste.

Another of our favorites is the Tsukemen, because of the unique way that it is eaten. Called “dipping noodles,” the noodles are much firmer and bigger than the other ramen variants. The noodles are served cold alongside a bowl of rich livestock and vegetable broth which you dip them in. And when you’re out of noodles, you can ask for the broth to be diluted.

While a bowl of ramen is enough to fill you up, you can also ask for some side dishes like a plate of Gyoza to share.

Overall, we surely experienced new dimensions of flavor and textures dining at Agara Ramen. They say that it should only take you less than 15 minutes to finish a whole bowl so you can savor all the flavors while it’s hot. And as per Japanese custom, slurping is highly encouraged. The louder the better. So slurp away!

It’s been three years since we attended our last Cosplay Tanabata, and this year, we came back to witness it in its grandest setting yet at the Newtown Plaza Event Center last August 17 and 18. Returning for its seventh (and allegedly final) year, the theme for Cosplay Tanabata 7 is the Japanese fashion phenomenon that is called Harajuku.

Cosplay Tanabata was speaheaded by Curteanah Events, composed of cosplay veterans and cosplay entrepreneurs from Baguio. And having been invited as Media Partners, we spent two whole days witnessing everything that went down during the event, as well as all the enthusiasts coming in and out of the venue in their well-thought out attires.

A burger eating contest kicked off the festivities on Day One, but the event truly came alive with a Dance Cover Contest, where dance groups moved to the beat of the songs by Japanese popstar Kyary Pamyu Pamyu. Contestants then lit the stage and sang their hearts out in a battle royale called the Utanabata Singing Contest. And in the spirit of the Tanabata Lore, two individuals were chosen as the Hikoboshi and Orihime of the event, based on the best styling of traditional Japanese garb.

Our personal highlight of the day was the Lolita Fashion Show headed by the Philippine Gothic Lolita Community. This marked the first ever Harajuku fashion show in Baguio.

Of course, there were stalls for all the event-goers shopping (and food!) needs. A whopping number of 60 exhibitors filled the venue, offering everything from official merchandise, to fan and original art works, to cosplay essentials, and everything in between.

There were also some stalls for card games and mini-games and a mini bamboo forest for wish-making.

Without a doubt, the most anticipated event was the Cosplay Competition, which took place on the second day. There were two main categories – solo and duo performances, broken down into sub categories such as best light costume, best heavy costume, and best characterization. Overall, the winner for the Solo category was of Keanu Reeves’ character from Cyberpunk 2077 and for Duo, an adorable pairing playing Ladybug and Cat Noir took the prize. We give an honorable mention to our favorite, a cosplay of Venom, who also did a spectacular job and at least went home with a subcategory win.

Cosplay Tanabata 7 closed with a JPop Dance Party with songs lead by the winners of the singing contest and the event’s special guests. All in all, it looks like everyone had a blast. And whether or not this is the last Cosplay Tanabata, we’re pretty sure that this won’t be the last time that we’ll see all these enthusiastic faces.

Over the years, Cucinino has grown to become one of the must-visit food stalls in Porta Vaga. Last Saturday, June 8, we received the honor of joining them, along with the brand’s friends and family, in celebrating their 10th anniversary.

The food stall was started a decade ago by couple Celine and TJ, and they recall how they simply wanted to start a business back then, unsure of what the future will bring. And despite the ups and downs, including opening another branch called Cuci (which, sadly, is no longer standing), they are grateful that the quaint, yet lovable kiosk is still thriving.

We’re proud to say that we are among Cucinino’s returning customers, and to commemorate this milestone, we recount 10 Reasons Cucinino Keeps Us Coming Back.

1. The Location How convenient it is to find Cucinino right in the heart of Baguio’s Central Business District. So whether you’re out for leisure or for errands, it’s super easy to pop by for a plate of your Cucinino favorites.

2. Budget-friendly Prices With many of their menu items being priced under the 100 peso mark, it’s no wonder that students and workers frequent the food kiosk.

3. Serving Size You definitely get what you pay for. Not only do you get food with elevated taste, but they come at great serving sizes to get your belly filled. 4. The Pasta Selection Pasta lovers rejoice! Cucinino offers four varieties of Pasta – Pomodoro, White Sauce, Aglio Olio, and Pesto. If you’re in the mood for more than just one type of pasta, they have a dish called the Triple Treat where you get to try three types in one plate! 5. Specifically, the Pesto Pasta Pesto comes in different varieties, but if you love Pesto as much as we do, Cucinino’s is worth coming back for, again and again. The basil is fresh and the pasta-to-sauce ratio is on point. It’s no surprise that the Pesto is their best seller!

6. Aesthetics Despite being smack dab in the middle of a busy mall hallway, this stall still stays instagrammable with its modern-rustic, white wood aesthetic. So grab your phones and take your next social media photo. 7. Loyalty to Their Recipes There’s a reason why Cucinino has built a base of loyal customers – they have been serving the same taste since they opened ten years ago! 8. Flavorful Chicken If you’ve tried any of their dishes with roast chicken, you’ll know what we’re talking about. The savoriness and smoky-ness makes a flavorful complement to their pasta.

9. The Bread Cucinino uses wheat bread for their sandwiches and side servings, which makes for a healthy addition to your course. We like to savor the garlic bread by soaking up some of the left over pasta sauce 10. The Service Quick lunch break? No problem! You don’t have to wait long for your favorite dish with their fast and friendly service.

We wish the Cucinino family the best in their future endeavors and hope for more years of service to come. In fact, we’re looking forward to another kiosk that they have in the works, which will be featuring Filipino refreshments with a twist.

Do you have any special memories at Cucinino over the decade? Share them with us! 🙂

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and to kick it off at the beginning of May, various women joined together to put up an exhibit entitled “(Don’t) Call Me Crazy” at Fred’s Art Gallery.

The participating artists were Glendale Benzon, Eden Cawang, Donnalee Denis, Rquel Diokno, Ana Patricia Dizon, Freya Jadormio, Tamielt Azrun Kahlil, Femy Dhania Lamsis, Joyce Mallare, Catherine Mapanao, Venus Marie Obinque, Maya Racuya, Sheela “Ming” Tabuno, Gab Talicuad, Kathrina Taylan, China Valdez, Leeyart Villanueva, and Jannelle Willer.

The artists created their own interpretations of different states of mental health. They also showed that art can be an emotional outlet, creating pieces touching on themes such as body positivity, self-reflection, loneliness, grief, and psychosis.

Freya Jadormio writes, “Depression is not a choice. Mental illness, anxiety, bipolar disorder and other mental disorders are not choices. Just like diabetes, skin disease, and eye disease, we all need help. You can’t just snap out of it but there’s a way to get better. Let’s help break the stigma about mental disorders and mental illness. The more we talk about it and make art about it, the more we can raise awareness.”

This exhibit also reminded us that we are not alone and that it is okay to seek help. Until we all see that mental health is a normal part of life that needs to be acknowledged, efforts such as art exhibits and talks are important to spread the word.

Photos by Justine Joy Sansano

From Canto, to Case Vallejo, to a house along Leonard Wood Road, the Baguio Craft Fair had moved around like a free spirited gyspy for the past three years. But now on its fourth year, it has finally found a place to call home in Mount Cloud’s new location, starting from the weekend of April 13 and 14! (and yes, if you haven’t heard, our favorite bookshop is now in #1 Yangco Road, just across Brent School!)

All of Craft Fair’s venues have had something in common, which is being close to nature and somewhat away from the busyness of the city, so it’s awesome that the new Mount Cloud has a wide backyard area for such events!

This year, even more variety has been added, as slots for food stalls and artisanal products have been opened up! So visitors have been keeping busy by not only checking out the handmade goods, but also keeping their tummies happy. We also noticed an increase of younger stall owners! We’re so happy to see more of our fellow Gen Y and Z peepz putting their artworks out there for the world to see. Plus, along with a great lineup of workshops, our interest has been especially piqued by the inclusion of a portrait sketching session by Sunday Nudes coming all the way from Manila.

But not everything was rainbows and sunshine during the event… literally! We were surprised by a strong rain shower during Saturday afternoon, and though we had a canopy above us, the rain was too strong and everyone was in a panic to keep their goods dry. But through the chaos of it all, we saw a sense of community among the crafters and stall owners who helped each other out.

After some repositioning and an addition of tents, everything went back to business as usual on Sunday, with even more people coming in to enjoy the fair. And finally, Mount Cloud also hosted their Third Monday of the Sun (yes, on a Sunday) to round off the whole event.

Rumor has it that there will be another Craft Fair at the end of this year, so watch out for that! It also goes without saying, we’re looking forward to more events that Mount Cloud has in store right in their back yard!

Last March 1, we attended the opening of “Ili ay Cordillera” which translates to “Cordillera Village”. This effort by The Manor at Camp John Hay is to serve as a window into the rich cultural heritage of the Cordilleras. Many came to attend the launching of this “mini-village” and got to experience the different aspects of Cordilleran culture.

In this “tiny village”, several huts surround a stone circle. One of them is the weavers hut, where people can see how Igorot textiles are made, with much intricacy and storytelling gets woven into every thread.

Wooden handicrafts are sold at the Carvers Shed.  There are also demonstrations of how these wooden masterpieces come to life at the skillful hands of a woodcarver.

The Farmer’s Market holds a selection of homemade and organic products such as vinegar, sauces, snacks, and fresh vegetables produced by local farmers.

Local artists come together at the Artisan’s corner, where they sell jewelry, shirts, and other handmade items,combining traditional and modern techniques into their crafts. But perhaps even more exciting, is that one can get a traditional tattoo here!

Our favorite stop is the Smokehouse, for obvious reasons 😉 Headed by Chef Chavi Romawac and Pil-od of Farmer’s Daughter, people can try indigenous cuisine. We had a bowl of pinikpikan with both chicken an pork, and it was the best we ever had.

Music, bonfires, dancing, storytelling, and horseback riding. There is still so much to experience at Ili ay Cordillera. Good thing it will be open for three months! Most of the festivities will take place on weekends and other special days, so take the opportunity to immerse yourself in all this culture, and visit the Cordillera Village at The Manor at Camp John Hay.

One of the pioneers of Baguio’s theatrical scene, Karlo Marko Altomonte makes a comeback from his hiatus of several years in his art show, “Kafagway sa Saliw ng mga Gangsa” at Cafe by the Ruins Dua. 

A combination of photography, literature, and music, the exhibit is a love letter to Baguio. Prose and poems accompany old-timey photographs of Baguio on the walls. And on opening day, Karlo, with his band of performers, treated his audience to a presentation of the same poems set to music. These works, images and writings, have been collected over the last 25 years.

Karlo expresses it best when he says, “Every time Baguio enchants, seduces, mesmerizes, overwhelms, inspires, I can’t help but attempt to capture and express the experience in whatever way I can – I take a photograph, I write a piece, a poem, I put together chords for a song. And in this case, put them all together to come up with some kind of a an anthology that expresses my experiences in and with, impressions of, thoughts on and feelings for Baguio, the place I’ve made, have come to know and now consider as my home.”

If you’re interested in getting a print or a book of Karlo Marko Altomonte’s work, check out “Kafagway sa Saliw ng mga Gangsa” at Cafe by the Ruins Dua, on display until the end of the year.

There’s a new art space in town, and it’s in none other than Villa Romana, home to Maela Jose and Sonny Zandueta. As you may remember, Maela was the artist behind last year’s Session Road Christmas Tree, and it feels like it wasn’t too long ago that we were in her studio, getting a first look at the tree as a work in progress.

Now, in another part of Villa Romanam they opened up a space, called “Mahal Likha Art Gallery” which is a play on the word “Maharlika”, and knowing Maela and Sonny as the types who want to continuously spread good and creative energy, it’s very fitting that opening up a gallery in their very own back door would be the next step in their calling.

To kick off the grand opening, they invited UP Fine Arts First Year and Fourth Year students for “Cloth, Paper, Quilt, Print”. The works displayed are from their classes on Materials and Printmaking. On one side of the gallery are quilted works using carefully chosen pieces of fabric brought together to make coherent images. And on the other side are works from an age-old graphic art printmaking technique, using wood, rubber, and even old CDs for designs which are transferred onto paper.

The event was also held during a full-moon, and with this, Maela and Sonny hope to revive “Full Moon Parties” which has been a regular celebration in Baguio in the 80’s. Gaia Earth Music and Mantra x Makina were invited to perform and give musical life to the grand opening. In no time, those who were present would be dancing into the night.

We definitely look forward to more art shows and full moon parties at Mahal Likha Art Gallery and are excited for new traditions to be formed.

Visit this art space at Villa Romana, Ambuklao Road, Tiptop Benguet, and while you’re at it, check out their Flower Cafe!

Pictures have always been an intimate way of taking glimpses into people’s lives. But with the rise of the digital age, we could say that somehow, that intimacy has been lost through the act of quick swiping and endless scrolling on social media, where we don’t always take the time to really look into the photographs. The Cordilleras Film Collective has wanted that to change, by bringing together people who are passionate about the thousand words behind the pictures and putting up those photographs in an exhibit called “Analog Revival.”

The participating photographers for the exhibit are Daryl Christiana Gallardo, Kainu Malinit, Pauline Angela Morales, Abigail Penaverde, Sela Gonzales, Chelsea Anne Gabriel, Pryce Environ Quintos, Michael Hall, Jovanie Cabrera, Claricel Del Monte, Celia Peñaflor, Arianne Julaton, Sam David Felix, Tricia Michaela Malinit, Xylene Tandoc, Ana Roberta Burgos, Kristoffer Shem Nebrija, Celine Keisja Nebrija, Justine Gabriela Amores, She Escobar, Jorden Bayacsan, and Mae Boston.

With such a diverse group of exhibitors, no two images are alike. Through photographs of what seem to be mundane parts of life, we get to have an idea of the things that each photographer values because of the fact that film is not as disposable as, say, the storage on a smart phone, and every shot has weight.

It’s also great to take a break from constantly straining one’s eyes by starting at a six inch phone screen, and instead, actually inhaling the details of a photograph on a much bigger “canvas”. It’s not such a bad idea to take a step away from the digital familiar, and it’s thanks to people like the members of the Cordilleras Film Collective that we won’t be seeing the extinction of film photography any time soon.

Visit Analog Revival on display at the atrium of Albergo Hotel until November 8.

If you love matcha as much as we do, then you’re probably always on the look out for green tea flavored anything. So a friend of ours recently reached out to us and asked out to try a product she discovered from as a pasalubong from Korea. And how could we say no to a jar of Green Tea Almond Milk Spread?

Naturally, our first instinct was to buy something to accompany the spread, so we went with wheat bread. But admittedly, before going straight to putting it on the bread, we (guiltlessly!) tried a finger-full of the paste, and we kid you not, we couldn’t help but blurt out, “Oh my God, this is good.” Then, after spreading a good helping on a slice, our first thought was how similar the sandwich was to like a J. Co green-tea flavored donut. But this spread is quite sweeter, and we like how it did not have the strong, bitter aftertaste that some matcha variants have. The spread contains little bits of almond, just like chunky peanut butter. It reminded us of the gooey center of a Ferrero Rocher, but in green!

To be honest, we were slightly mislead by the descriptive name “almond milk spread”, but after a closer look at the ingredients list, the spread isn’t actually made from almond milk. But that shouldn’t be a problem if you aren’t vegan. (Good thing we aren’t!). Plus, as it’s made with real milk, that would explain why it’s so creamy. Also, if you regularly purchase matcha-flavored foods, you may be familiar with how pricey they can get. But since we are matcha lovers after all, the value is in the luxury of being able to have a good serving of a treat that we can enjoy any time.

Aside from bread, we think that this spread will go great with other types of pastries, like pretzels, bagels, vanilla ice cream, and anything that isn’t too sweet so that the matcha flavor won’t be overpowered. In fact, we heard that some people like to eat it from a spoon like pudding!

Is your mouth watering yet? Get your own jar from Munchies Baguio. You can find them on Facebook or contact 0927 922 7988 to order.

We support small and local businesses and budding entrepreneurs. If you would like to have your establishment or products featured, contact us on social media or send us an email at [email protected]!

A dancer. A musician. An artist. We first got to know Maicah Hipolito’s performance work from last year’s events such as Algoritmo and Fete de la Musique. This time, we saw her visual artistry in her solo exhibit entitled “Mugwort” at Café by the Ruins Dua , which had opened last August 25, 2018.

On that day, there was a city-wide power outtage, but that didn’t stop the show from going on. With the accompaniment of her friends, Maicah put on some music performances to set the mood of the night.

There are 13 artworks on display, each representing one of the thirteen moon cycles of the year.  Hence the focus on the mugwort herb, which is sacred to the Greek deity Artemis, goddess of the moon. Reflective of the artist as a performer, the surreal paintings showed flowy movement through the marbling technique that she used.

Maicah also incorporated organic materials into the art works such as preserved butterflies, flowers, and even precious stones to show the interconnectedness of life on earth. Indigenous cultural symbolism is also present to “reconcile the past with the present in hopes of creating a positive impact for the future.”

The venue became dark as the sun set, but that did not deter those who were present. In order to take a good look at the pieces, the viewers took out their phones to shed light on the art works. It was serendipity, that the seemingly unfortunate situation actually turned out to be thematic to the art show that paid tribute to the nighttime.

Through this exhibit, it is the exhibitor’s goal “to bring people together through painting, music and dance.” Maicah Hipolito’s Mugwort will be on display until October 24, 2018. Visit this fantastic exhibit while you can at Cafe by the Ruins Dua.

Written by Jannelle Willer

I constantly joke about being “woke” whenever I get a chance to share my thoughts on the environment. This may sound cringey, but it is my millennial way of stating the fact that climate change is man-made, and we all need to be environmentally conscious if we want a change. It is sad to say that this movement has just started to pick up traction recently even if it had started years before. National television shows now have the manner of giving away metal straws. I am happy that this matter is coming about, and it needs more attention.

The zero-waste movement is a movement wherein none of your trash or waste goes to landfills. One way to look at this movement is the point that we generally lessen our trash that goes into the environment by reducing what we consume and essentially following the 5 R’s (Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Rot/Composting). The better way to look at this movement for me is answering the “Why” of it all. Why should we engage in the zero-waste movement?

Simply put, the zero-waste approach may be one of the fastest, cheapest and most effective strategies to protect the climate. If everybody will engage in this movement I am most certain that we will enjoy a better climate and a happy atmosphere, if not now then at least in the future.

How exactly does zero-waste help climate change? I am a simple person (not a scientist at all) but short research on the internet will tell you that the more trash that goes to landfill is equivalent to more gas being emitted to the atmosphere that contributes to the change in climate. Producing and discarding plastic waste kills the environment which in turn will harm us in the end. That’s just how short I can explain it but if you do want more specifics, Google is our best friend.

Recent thunderstorms, flash floods and landslides are effects of our own lifestyle choices. It may be something we don’t want to admit but all or most of us at least are under the spell of consumerism; we acquire more and more goods that we don’t need and most of it do go to waste. The solution for this will be awareness and making smart decisions about what we do buy and what we do with our trash.

Acquiring the zero-waste lifestyle is not easy to do if you are accustomed to certain things but with the help of social media, we all may help each other and motivate everyone to take action!

Indeed, preventing waste and following the 5 R’s are essential to put us on the path to climate stability. Let’s all be the change!

If you are a Baguio reader, I highly suggest for you to join these groups: Buhay Zero-Waste Baguio Benguet and The Plastic Solution Baguio

Two years ago, we attended an exhibit by Sam David Felix called “Miru”, a gallery of photographs using pinhole cameras as well as handmade cameras themselves. Miru also happens to be the brand name he goes by for this pinhole photography. Returning from Japan for a short time, David got in touch with the WTB team and The Local Folke to host a workshop on his craft at Craftery Coworking Hub.

It’s amazing to learn that cameras, which are seemingly complicated contraptions, can actually be recreated with just a handful of household materials. But as the name “Practicing Patience” implies, this workshop about the simple, yet careful process that goes into creating a pinhole camera.

At first we though we were going to make something like David’s signature wooden pinhole cameras. But since those actually take days to make, we went with something much simpler… matchboxes!

A matchbox, some duct tape, a used film roll, and a new film roll are the main components for the pinhole camera. The particularities go into the measurements and the bits and pieces that would make the small machine function smoothly like clockwork.

Basically the principle behind the pinhole camera is to create a sealed body to hold the film, a pin tip-sized opening to expose the film to light for a period of time, and a “shutter” to open and close the opening.

We look more serious than we actually were at the time. In reality, we shared many, many laughs as we tried to stay focused on the task at hand.

In about two hours, everyone had their own palm-sized pinhole camera. It’s going to be exciting to see how the photos will turn out, but whatever the output will be, it feels extra special that they will come from something we made by hand. In retrospect, the workshop has taught us to slow down and appreciate the world around us, in a manner that we aren’t used to.

Have a skill that you would want to share to others? Let us know and we can coordinate a workshop with you!

With the past few weeks or even months putting a damper in our spirits due to the daily downpour of rain, we look for patches of sunlight that make trudging with wet feet worthwhile. These moments of sunlight sometimes come in the form of social gatherings and meeting with friends. But for us, it also comes in the form of seeing new pieces of art on display somewhere in one of Baguio’s corners. Towards the end of August, we checked out a group exhibit called “Ocean Eyes” in Cafe Yagam, and it was a summery distraction from the usually gloomy atmosphere.

“Ocean Eyes” was put together by four artists – William Matarawan, Reyanna Ventura, Danielle Florendo, and Justine Amores, who have formed their group after winning a mural painting contest during the Baguio Craft Fair earlier this year. Fans of Billie Eilish, may see through the song reference of the art show’s title, but more than that, the exhibit is an ode to the sea, reflective of the artists’ experiences, advocacies, and aesthetics.

For instance, William’s pieces are those of his travels around the Philippines. Justine’s works are inspired by endangered marine life such as corals and the butanding. Reyanna’s paintings bring a magical, fantastical feel to the ocean. And Danielle’s illustrations are surreal portraits based on children’s stories.

The group also sold merchandise like stickers, postcards, and art prints so attendees can take home little pieces of their signature art.

Though “Ocean Eyes” will only be on display until September 8 at Cafe Yagam. The group promises that we will be seeing more of them in the future. In the meantime, check out this exhibit at Cafe Yagam while you still can!

As the climate transforms from warm and summery to cold and rainy, we observe simple changes in our surroundings that we can boast of only experiencing here in Baguio City. The vibrant blue skies are now more often gray and foggy. We giggle a little when we see puffs of our breaths in the air when we exhale. The weather is a lot more accommodating for staying in under the covers.

And just as we have learned to adapt to these seasonal changes, Cafe by the Ruins, too, goes with the flow, and makes changes to their menu to match the mood.

Naturally, when the outside is cold, we would like something warm to fill our insides. So for this season, the Cafe has come up with steaming, brothy dishes to give our cheeks a happy, pinkish glow. Among those dishes is the Batchoy, a Tagalog dish coming from the recipe archives of Pepot Ilagan, this hearty dish is filled with pork tenderloin, spleen, and brain, in soup stock. It’s perfect with bread on the side to eat with soaked up soup.

Mama Jean’s Bamboo Bowl is an interesting take on what we commonly know as labong. Beautifully plated to form a round mound, it has steamed chicken, some bacon, shiitake mushrooms, and of course, bamboo shoots. To give it a burst of flavor, it is best eaten with a bit of the sour-spicy condiment that comes with it.

Pasta lovers will be happy to try a new dish on the pasta section of the menu called Deborah’s Dish. This vegetarian meal is just the right amount of creamy with shiitake mushroom sauce and cheese on top. The pasta is made from spinach which gives it its lovely green hue.

Far from your average sandwich, the Steak Sandwich is composed of Bollilos, a crisp Mexican type bread filled with beef tenderloin and fresh veggies. Instead of mayo or ketchup, it is held together by freshly mixed guacamole, and it comes with soup or salad and fries on the side.

If you love a bowl of oatmeal or champorado on a cold day as much as we do, you might love the Lelot Balatong. It was our first time to try monggo beans in coconnt milk, and we were pleasantly surprised. The  langka (jackfruit) on top gave it a hint of fruitiness, complemented by the latik or caramelized coconut

At first glance, the Binakol looks like a noodle soup dish. But those seemingly strands of pasta are actually strips of coconut meat! Along with the chicken, the “meats” are cooked in coconut juice with lemon grass and ginger.

For dessert, the Panna Cotta is a nice, fluffy way to end a meal. Made from fresh carabao’s milk, this treat has notes of lime, for a creamy citrus-y combination. Or if you want a light dose of caffeine, you won’t regret having the Coffee Almond Jelly, swimming in milk froth.

Meanwhile, the Cafe by the Ruins Dua branch also has its own signature dishes exclusive to the branch. For one, the Binagoongan Bagnet is a more extra version of the bagnet we all love. If you were wondering what makes their bagnet so good, it’s because the pork is cooked confit, meaning slow cooked in a low fire for a long period of time.

In  contrast to Ruins’ Steak Sandwich, dua offers the Bistek Sandwich, which is composed of beef sirloin and onion rings, also making their home in a Bollilos Bread.

The Duck Cassoulet is a casserole dish which also makes use of the confit technique. This large helping of poultry rests on a bowl of beans.

Pucker up for a taste of Zamboanga. The Sinigang Zamboangeña holds a variety of meats such as chicken wings and oxtail and vegetables like puso ng saging and sigarilyas, swimming in mouthwateringly sour broth.

Some classics never go out of style, such as the Bilo-bilo, one of the colorful sweet meriendas that we pinoys are proud of. And twists on simple ingredients also can make for a delectable meal, which is the case of the savory Spicy Eggplant, topped off with cashew nuts.

The catch of the day comes in the form of Dalagang Bukid (or sometimes Pesang Isda), for those who love a good, hearty helping of fish, swimming with cabbage and saging saba, and served with miso sauce.

While most of the cafes’ drinks are still available, look out for the latest addition called Cordillera Gold, a mixture of yellow fruits and herbs, specifically banana, pineapple, ginger, and turmeric.

There are so many new food items to choose from! So if you’re looking for something to warm you up in this chilly weather, both branches of Cafe by the Ruins have got you covered!

Last year, we learned about Jojet Mondares’ amazing advocacy for the first time – creating art with plastic bags.  Since then, he has been featured in multiple media outlets, including the History Channel. This year, he continues to spread his artvocacy, this time, at Cafe by the Ruins Dua with his exhibit called “New Life 2”.

Continuing his themes of reflection and introspection, Jojet “paints” images of scenes of nature using scraps of plastic ironed on to the canvas, which also happens to be a black plastic bag. His pieces convey messages of solitude and serenity. He cites Leonid Afremov as his source of inspiration for his art style, using bright bold colors and contrasting warm and cool hues to set the emotion of the painting. One can imagine the care and meticulousness he takes in cutting out the plastic into shapes and “strokes”.

His latest pieces, however, are more abstract in form and technique. Wherein he plays with solid colors to also purvey emotions, such as red for anger and blue for sadness or peace. These works are more experimental and playful, he says. In these pieces, he explores more techniques in blending the plastic using more intense temperatures and pressings of the iron.

These more modern works give the illusion of wood or tiles, which shows the versatility of the material in making art. Having traveled the country for this advocacy, Jojet actually invites students, artists, and anyone interested in repurposing these materials, to create art out of it. He holds workshops and demos to teach the techniques used in making these pieces.

Jojet Mondares tells of how he used to be a plastic vendor as a kid, and we’re amazed to see the journey behind this artvocacy. It’s a reminder that whether it’s through art or even the simple act of reusing and recycling, we should be more proactive in reducing our non-biodegradable waste.

Visit Jojet’s exhibit, New Life 2, on display at Cafe by the Ruins Dua, until the end of August.