October 20, 2009

Rising from the ashes

This isn't about Baang Coffee but about the mugs that they use in their coffee shops. This distinctive pottery style—the rough, speckled, natural body with the smooth, color-glazed lip—is the work of master potter Lanelle Abueva Fernando who has her studio and a garden café in Antipolo City in the province of Rizal. The speckles are caused by her use of volcanic ash from Mount Pinatubo. Back in 1991, Mount Pinatubo, located 90 kilometers north of Metro Manila, blew up in one of the worst volcanic eruptions of the 20th century. Lanelle's production of these pieces began as her way of helping the Aetas displaced by the catastrophe. She brought some of them to her workshop and taught them pottery, using the same material that destroyed their homeland in the first place. Now, it is Lanelle's most popular signature design. Each piece is handcrafted so there are never any two that are exactly alike.

Baang Coffee


It's that time of the month when I remind all CDP bloggers to please vote for the December theme! The theme for November 1 is Doorways. I'm actually dreading this because most places here have privacy walls and I can't even see the doors, much less take pictures of them. Ach!

33 comments:

stromsjo said...

Imagine that. Enjoying a cup of real strong coffee in a mug with a touch of volcanic ashes. That would even get me going in the morning! ;)

Copenhagen said...

I voted already! I haven't had a good cup of coffee for a long time.

Stefan Jansson said...

Ha, good one Per. I remember that eruption. Great to see that something good came out of that.

VP said...

A very good idea and a beautiful mug. Creativity at its best!

tapirgal said...

Well, good luck. I want to see a Manila doorway! Great concept with the mug! I rememeber the eruption, as I was married to a Filipino when it took place - although we were in the U.S.

escape said...

who will ever forget that eruption? but what's good we somehow have gained something from it.

Lowell said...

A wonderful story of re-creation...ashes to something--beautiful coffee mugs...

I'm impressed and wonder if these are available for sale on the Internet...

Anonymous said...

Still remember seeing the news on the television.
With living in a city where from time to time earthquakes happen one has to get used to natures power as much as possible.
Learning about those theme-days is of much interest,as all this is still new and exitig to me.
A wonderful new week for you !

hadv said...

I want that mug. Do they have some for sale? I want that coffee too :D

Ken Mac said...

history and caffeine!

Clueless in Boston said...

It's a great looking mug and a brilliant idea to use the ash to commemorate the eruption.

George said...

I like the looks of these mugs, but I'm delighted that the artist was able to make something good and beautiful from the eruption of the volcano.

James said...

I'll never forget that eruption. I like this mug. It's a great idea.

arabesque said...

coffee please... ^0^
very earthy mug though...one of a kind.
tnx for the reminder, hopefully, i can post this month's theme...

Leif Hagen said...

Delicious photo, Hilda! But were are the sweets to go with it . . . .

Don and Krise said...

I remember the eruption also. I too, think it was a wonderful thing to do, supplying work for at least some of the victims. Good looking mug by the way.

P.S. Thank you for the CDP theme reminder. I'm scratching my head on this doorway thing too.

Olivier said...

il est beau ce mug, c'est un mug de collection.

Rob Siemann said...

Yes, me too I remember the Pinatubo. This mug is the best way to show how good can come from bad. It is beautiful.

Gerald (SK14) said...

does it not have a handle? I like nice pottery but need a handle.

Jilly said...

What beautiful work, Hilda. Love the mug, its shape, it's texture, the decoration. So interesting to read how it's made.

As for the Doorways theme, I hope you find something. Here it has to be one of the easiest theme days as the area is full of old doorways and ancient doors.

I'm off to vote now...

hadv said...

Oh, if you want a doorway photo, I can give you a mysterious one. Hahaha.. from Manila of course. Otherwise I'd post it in my Tacloban. But I'm sure you'll find something interesting, but if you can't, you know where to find me.

GreensboroDailyPhoto said...

Love the pottery and the story behind it. Thanks for sharing it as well as reminding me about theme day. Doorways. I should have saved today's post with the click through to the civil rights museum!

Cezar and Léia said...

you know...I need to say it again...Charming and elegant!
I liked this story!
Léia :)

Hilda said...

Gerald:
It has a handle, don't worry. At the time I took this, I thought the post would be about the coffee shop and I wanted the entire logo in.

Unknown said...

The mug looks good with those specks.

It kinda reminds me of choc chip ice cream! hehe

Lois said...

The volcanic ash makes a beautiful effect on the mug. What a great idea!

nobu said...

That mug has no handle, just like our tea cup.
Interesting!

Natalie said...

That mug is really beautiful!

I will be sure to vote today for December's theme. Thanks for the reminder.

Buenos Aires Photoblog said...

Nice pottery work! These mugs give some very personal touch to this coffee shop.

Mirela said...

COFFEEEEEE! I was at a conference today, and they gave us watery coffee. I was getting seriously tired, yawning like mad, and then I saw this photo on your blog.... I kept looking at it, thinking if I looked at it hard enough it would somehow materialize.

Judy said...

It's a beauty of a cup and a fantastic story! Thanks for sharing it with us.

Tash said...

Looks like a beautiful, must own, mug. Thank you for the lovely photo and your informative write-up. I think you need to be a blog of note with your insightful postings and beautiful photos.

Anonymous said...

I want it - so creamy - I want coffee too!