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.
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!
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! ;)
ReplyDeleteI voted already! I haven't had a good cup of coffee for a long time.
ReplyDeleteHa, good one Per. I remember that eruption. Great to see that something good came out of that.
ReplyDeleteA very good idea and a beautiful mug. Creativity at its best!
ReplyDeleteWell, 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.
ReplyDeletewho will ever forget that eruption? but what's good we somehow have gained something from it.
ReplyDeleteA wonderful story of re-creation...ashes to something--beautiful coffee mugs...
ReplyDeleteI'm impressed and wonder if these are available for sale on the Internet...
Still remember seeing the news on the television.
ReplyDeleteWith 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 !
I want that mug. Do they have some for sale? I want that coffee too :D
ReplyDeletehistory and caffeine!
ReplyDeleteIt's a great looking mug and a brilliant idea to use the ash to commemorate the eruption.
ReplyDeleteI 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.
ReplyDeleteI'll never forget that eruption. I like this mug. It's a great idea.
ReplyDeletecoffee please... ^0^
ReplyDeletevery earthy mug though...one of a kind.
tnx for the reminder, hopefully, i can post this month's theme...
Delicious photo, Hilda! But were are the sweets to go with it . . . .
ReplyDeleteI 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.
ReplyDeleteP.S. Thank you for the CDP theme reminder. I'm scratching my head on this doorway thing too.
il est beau ce mug, c'est un mug de collection.
ReplyDeleteYes, me too I remember the Pinatubo. This mug is the best way to show how good can come from bad. It is beautiful.
ReplyDeletedoes it not have a handle? I like nice pottery but need a handle.
ReplyDeleteWhat beautiful work, Hilda. Love the mug, its shape, it's texture, the decoration. So interesting to read how it's made.
ReplyDeleteAs 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...
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.
ReplyDeleteLove 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!
ReplyDeleteyou know...I need to say it again...Charming and elegant!
ReplyDeleteI liked this story!
Léia :)
Gerald:
ReplyDeleteIt 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.
The mug looks good with those specks.
ReplyDeleteIt kinda reminds me of choc chip ice cream! hehe
The volcanic ash makes a beautiful effect on the mug. What a great idea!
ReplyDeleteThat mug has no handle, just like our tea cup.
ReplyDeleteInteresting!
That mug is really beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI will be sure to vote today for December's theme. Thanks for the reminder.
Nice pottery work! These mugs give some very personal touch to this coffee shop.
ReplyDeleteCOFFEEEEEE! 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.
ReplyDeleteIt's a beauty of a cup and a fantastic story! Thanks for sharing it with us.
ReplyDeleteLooks 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.
ReplyDeleteI want it - so creamy - I want coffee too!
ReplyDelete