One block

One small block—that's the size of the Jaime C. Velasquez Park in Salcedo Village, Makati City. It is one block of prime real estate, surrounded by medium- and high-rise commercial and residential condominiums, in the heart of the Makati Central Business District. I just love the fact that it exists.

Inside outside

Aside from interior halls dedicated to various restaurants (see yesterday's post), Robinsons Galleria mall also has a wing whose restaurants have direct access to the outdoors, which lets them stay open later than the rest of the mall. Called "Veranda," the outdoor area is roofed, an absolute necessity with our alternating rain and intense sunlight.

Pick one

East Lane on the second level of Robinsons Galleria mall is a corridor studded with restaurants on both sides.

Caution: low headroom

What can a city do with the low but wide space under the ramps of flyovers (elevated highways)? Turn it into a parking lot for motorcycles! An eminently practical use at the heavily congested corner of EDSA and Ortigas Avenue in Quezon City.

Today, though, this space will probably be jammed with people, not motorcycles, since it is the 26th anniversary of the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution.

Eye candy

Jan Leeroy New, the same artist who draped the Rizal Library Special Collections Building with the creepy, red "Balete," also had an exhibit at the 2012 Art In The Park (see yesterday's post). Aside from his booth, he had two girls walking around the park in his fluorescent plastic "Wearable Art." I can't quite decide whether they look more like flowers or underwater creatures. And no, they aren't for sale.

Bright welcome

A one day art fair open until midnight with food and drinks and live music in an al fresco setting—that's what Art In The Park is. The artists who participate in the fair are given one rule: all the pieces have to cost less than Php30,000 (about US$700). The Museum Foundation of the Philippines organizes this annual event to encourage people who do not normally visit galleries or invest in art to do so. And the artists and artist groups, whether well-known, up-and-coming or students, are given the opportunity to introduce themselves to other galleries and to a wider market. Visitors to this year's fair were greeted by Bacolod-based artist Charlie Co's colorful, cosplaying vaudeville trio (strictly my interpretation, okay).

A civil monster

I have no idea. I saw this Honda Civic studded with sponsor logos on the driveway of Tatung's Garden Café (see yesterday's post) and just had to take a picture of it. I don't think it belongs to Chef Myke Sarthou, though.

My home is your home

We recently discovered yet another lovely restaurant near our house: Tatung's Garden Café. Chef Myke Sarthou converted the ground floor of their house in Sikatuna Village into a warm, intimate, and quite romantic setting for diners to enjoy his delectable creations. I just read that he introduced two new cheesecakes the other day, Brazo de Mercedes (custard-filled soft meringue roll) Cheesecake with a cashew crust, and Kamote (sweet potato) Cheesecake with caramel sauce. It's only been a week since we were there, but it looks like we'll be visiting again very soon.

Beyond cultures

Tanghalang Ateneo, one of the student theater groups of the Ateneo de Manila University, is currently staging Japanese playwright Suzue Toshiro's "Fireflies," using an English translation by David Goodman. It is directed by Filipinos Ricky Abad, a sociologist and theater artist, and BJ Crisostomo, who is also a playwright.


From the directors' notes:
"To Suzue Toshiro, the image of fireflies becomes a metaphor of the relationships among three interconnected couples who struggle to share intimate feelings with a special someone but are unable to do so completely."

Dave Fabros as Hayakawa and Laura Cabochan as Tomoyo

"A moment of mutual affection may surface one moment, but this spark, like the glow of fireflies, quickly disappears."

Laura Cabochan as Tomoyo and Nicolo Magno as Nakagawa

"Life moves on, the pursuit for intimacy continues but the outcome remains the same: it's one random 'firefly moment' after another, never a sustained bond."

Ella Palileo as Megumi and Mirick Paala as Murai

"Is this twinkle, or series of blinks, all one can expect from intimate relationships? Or shall one dream big and go for love's eternal flame?"

Set design by Ohm David and lights design by Jonjon Villareal

A Filipino interpretation of a Japanese play translated into English. I wish I could ask you all to watch it.

Bottled light

If old shoes used as planters (see yesterday's post) aren't quirky enough for you, how about a chandelier made of old beer bottles? Too bad it was daytime when we went to Resurrection Furniture and Found Objects Gallery—I would have loved to have seen what it looks like lit up. And I think that Red Horse Beer should buy this piece by Nathan Apilado.

Fashionable plants

At Resurrection Furniture and Found Objects Gallery (see yesterday's post), reused and recycled objects are not only found in the pieces that they sell. Everything at No. 10-A Alabama Street is old, refurbished, recycled or repurposed. I couldn't help but notice the planters all over the place. I saw tub and toilet planters in the back yard, huge old CRT monitor planters inside the house, and a fashion show of shoe planters lining the path from the gate to the front door.

P.S.
Jetro Rafael of Van Gogh is Bipolar thought up and made these shoe planters.

Something else

Number 10 Alabama Street in New Manila, Quezon City (see the previous two posts) is the home of Resurrection Furniture and Found Objects Gallery. They sell a few original vintage pieces, like the vanity and ornate mirror, but their strength lies in giving new life to what other people call junk. The chest of drawers—which I absolutely adore—is made of salvaged wooden planks; notice the drawer pulls that come from a variety of pieces so each is unique. The lamp on the floor in the foreground is made of the narrow side of old CPU towers, and the silver flapper lampshade of the piece on the chest is made of soda can tabs. The gallery sometimes has guest artists to exhibit in the house (which really is a house, by the way); the crochet sculpture is by Aze Ong and is part of her "Liwanag" (light) touring exhibit.

Tea for me

The driveway of yesterday's 10-A Alabama Street, New Manila, Quezon City.

P.S.
This teapot was etched on wet cement by Robert Alejandro of Papemelroti. It's dry now, of course.

Blue bird of happiness

At 10-A Alabama Street, New Manila, Quezon City.

P.S.
This blue bird was painted by Robert Alejandro of Papemelroti.