It’s a fact that learning is a continuous process that we should embrace. And, no matter how old or young we are, we should not deprive ourselves from discovering and experiencing new things around us. Discoveries may come in different forms –Â it can be a self-discovery of our inner potentials we never knew we had or our new likes and wants. Each day we also discover new things about our husband, new skills and learning of our kids, new restaurants to try, new places we want to explore and others.
This was the main reason why I immediately said “yes” to my cousin-in-law, Iris Mejia-Acosta of pinayads.com, when she asked me to pitch in her place for Nuffnang‘s invite since she’ll be in Davao for another engagement. The invite stated “Destination Discoveries” with a map. I was extremely excited to attend knowing that it will be a day of surprise adventure. Perhaps, I was also excited to meet new friends from Nuffnang and my fellow bloggers whom I knew through their blog sites but haven’t met them personally yet.
Our exciting adventure started at Mom and Tina’s Bakery Cafe in Pasig. First, I met the gorgeous ladies of Nuffnang, Ms. Abbie and Ms. Jel who were both very pleasant, gracious and not to mention, young. I also had the chance to meet and bond with one of the best beauty bloggers, Ms. Earth of earthlingorgeous.com, top mommy bloggers, Ms. Levy of levyousa.com and Ms. Olga of totteringmama.com. Going to the venue without personally knowing anyone made me so nervous. I felt so glad and relieved that my cousin’s blogger friends were all so nice and accommodating to me. (Thank you so much mommies!)
I must commend the delish buffet breakfast served that morning – fried rice, scrambled eggs, sausages, bacon, hash brown and fruits for dessert. Iced coffee were served too.
After our breakfast, we headed to the coaster followed by the cameraman and the videographer. It’s like taping a reality TV show and we’re all instant celebrities. Haha!
Inside the coaster, our first destination was finally revealed by Ms. Joanne through a mini “tweet” contest. And, yes, my guess was right, we’re heading to the “Pilgrimage Capital of the Philippines”, Antipolo. Antipolo was named after the “tipolo tree” (breadfruit) which was in abundance in the area. Well, I must admit the coaster ride made me reminisce my younger years when I had educational tours with my classmates.
First stop: Pottery Studio at the Crescent Moon Cafe
We were first welcomed by the owner/ceramicist/potter, Ms. Lanelle Abueva-Fernando, daughter of Philippine National Artist, Napoleon Abueva, inside the Crescent Moon Cafe where she gave brief background about ceramics pottery and the high demand they now have with restaurants here in the Philippines and abroad.
Before she toured us in their production area, she made it clear that no one should touch the molded ceramics since it can affect its shape.
Here are some of the things I discovered at the pottery studio:
- A clay forms a cohesive mass and retains its molded shape when wet with the proper amount of water. It is converted to ceramic when heated to higher temperature.
- Glaze covers the clay body of a pot. It is also a ceramic material since it permanently changes during firing.
- Firing transforms clay and glaze to ceramic through heating until they both “mature” and reached their optimal level of melting.
- Glazes range from being completely transparent to being completely opaque. You might actually think you’re color-blind when you see it’s before and after look.
- Glazes are of different surface qualities – there are very glossy, shiny surfaces, however, there are also with satiny finish or dry-looking matte finish.
- Hand-made pots are all unique. Some may look the same but they surely have differences.
- Pottery requires solitary concentration.
- Pottery is therapeutic.
Ms. Lanelle also demonstrated how pots were made using the potter’s wheel. With her gentle hands and deep concentration she converted the clay into a pot leaving us all in awe.
Here’s a video of Ms. Lanelle Abueva-Fernando demonstrating how pots are made:
Aside from operating her pottery studio, she also offers pottery classes to students. She even gave us the chance to spin the wheel. Some of our companions tried and we all ran when the clay flew off. (What an exciting experience that was!)
After that, we had to leave right away and proceed to our next destination: The Pinto Art Museum, an art gallery in Antipolo City, where Nescafe revealed their new and exciting product perfect for our weekend discoveries. I will share more of these on my next post. =)
Mom and Tina’s Bakery Cafe (Pasig Branch)
(Mon-Sun 10AM-11PM)
FRDC Building
106 E. Rodriguez Jr. Ave.
(C-5), Pasig City
Tel: 914-0833 or 571-1541
Crescent Moon Cafe
(Tuesday to Sunday 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM)
Ascencion Road, Barangay Dalig, Antipolo City
Tel.: 658-3866 / 630-5854
19 comments
Hand-made pottery is really nice thing,I personally lik it and hope one day I could get the chance to do this.
wow that really sounds like one great adventure! i won’t mind participating on one + i’ve always wanted to try pottery-making. am sure you gained a lot of new knowledge + ideas from the experience, not to mention a handful of new friends! way to go! đŸ™‚
Wow that looks so much fun! and the pottery is so cool… I wish I can do that.:)
learning doesn’t stop for it is a continues process for a human being. It’s great that you are open to any experiences and i’m sure you will take this experience as one of your memorable one.
nice to see lots of photos dear! even a video looks really good! I’ve seen another post of like ti ms. Earth also. Sounds like all of you had a great tim! xx
This sure is really fun adventure. I haven’t been to a pottery and would love to experience one day.
you’re lucky to be one of the chosen few to go on the trip. for sure it was a worth and fun trip..
Looks like a great trip with fellow bloggers. It’s nice to see how pots are being made. Filipino bloggers should promote more of this.
Seeing the pottery making reminds me of the movie “Ghost”. That is one activity that is worth taking.
Learning and discovering things is a continuous process indeed!
Looks like so much fun! Hand-made pottering sounds good to me too! I never seen one before at least on movies. Well, so good to hear about your trip and exploration, it surely are amazingly fun!
Seems like a great restaurant… and oh, the pot-making is also fun to try. đŸ™‚
The pottery scene just remind me of the movie ghost. This is really a great find.
pot making is one of my dream thing to do and experience.. hope they’ll branch out here in town
What an awesome adventure! đŸ™‚
I wish Nuffnang would take this somewhere closer to Baguio so I can join. đŸ˜› hehe
You had so much fun in your destination specially meeting new friends. I also want to experience meeting some bloggers and making a pottery. It looks very simple to make but I’m sure it’s not that easy.
it’s always great to try and discover something new, that’s how we learn. I love all the photos, I bet you had so much fun..
Awww.. too bad I wasn’t able to go there…
I’d love to try my hands working on clay pottery.