Assam Milk Tea Vibes

Last Sunday, I started my day with some handmade accessories: my ceramic earrings from Maria Ceramika and my stainless steel and crystal necklace from Made by KCA.  

I was happy to spot some pretty tiles while ordering milk tea.

I was feeling festive, so I got myself some Assam Milk Tea with Pudding and Pannacotta. This drink simply reminds me of good vibes and simpler times. 

Then, I got myself a bracelet spelled g-r-i-t from Bedazzled Accessories at The Craft Central. It should remind me to keep going during tough times because I’m resilient and resourceful. 

It was day two of the Destash Bash at The Craft Central Cafe! My favorite yarn store, The Attic Yarn and Craftery had a booth there, where they sold affordable yarns and makes.   

I got myself this lovely cup cozy crocheted with love by Ceryl, one of the women behind this brand. I am thankful to have found this brand, and I look forward to more years of friendship with them.  

I also returned to Made by KCA’s booth at the bazaar outside Vertis North. I got myself a moonstone ring inspired by my undying love for Bella Swan of the Twilight books. 

I will forever support handmade because it inspires me to be a better person! I may not have much, but because I have grit and a good eye for local treasures, I know that I will survive anything that life throws at me. 

And at the end of the day, there’s always milk tea.  

Calado Earrings

I have always been a supporter of locally-made items, handmade businesses, and social enterprises. 

These three factors all make up Calado, a heritage jewelry brand owned by Tricia Ancheta. I met her during my Banaue trip, and I was fascinated with her handmade earrings once I viewed them online. Her merchandise are handmade by plateros or silversmiths in Dauis, Bohol. These craftspeople have inherited the art of jewelry-making from their ancestors, who learned the skill during the Spanish regime. 

The jewelry are all made of sterling silver, with the option of having them dipped in 24k. Since my style leans toward edgy and minimalist, Tricia personally helped me select the pair which would suit my taste. Her suggestion, the Mirasol spiral hoop earrings in sterling silver, was perfect and I bought them with no regrets. 

I love the premium packaging and classy presentation of my purchase. 

My Mirasol hoops looks even better in person! Check out the intricate detail, which is a trademark of Dauis jewelry-making. 

My favorite thing about Calado earrings is that they are lightweight! Tricia wanted to present a brand of earrings that she could comfortably wear (and buy, as the prices are reasonable for the amazing quality of the pieces). 

The story of Calado is included inside their jewelry boxes. 

I am delighted to own a pair of Calado earrings and I hope that more ladies will discover this local, handmade, and social-enterprise-made brand! I will rock these earrings in my everyday life and fancier events. 

The earrings make me feel beautiful and classy! 

Zapateria

Last Saturday, I was fortunate to attend the community launch of my friend Unyx Sta. Ana’s co-creation lab Zapateria. It is located in the heart of Marikina. Her dad, Rico Sta. Ana, is one of the city’s distinguished shoe designers. Here, he is shown cutting the ribbon and formally opening this wonderful space for makers. 

Unyx was a grade school friend, so naturally I was able to reunite with ladies from my Miriam College Grade School life. Here, I am with Erika Bolante, the interior designer of Zapateria. 

Erika designed the space, including this shoe chandelier.  

It was a fine touch to showcase local leather...

...And to showcase shoe designs from the 80’s and 90’s.  

I also caught up with Anj, another grade school friend. We share the same birthday and we were born at the same hospital!

Various aspects of shoemaking, as well as sample shoe designs, adorn the space. 

My friends and I proceeded to eat lunch. The bacon-wrapped bananas were so good! 

Also met up with Gianina and her husband Carlo. 

It was also thrilling to get a photograph with Ms. Charo Santos-Concio, who happens to be related to Unyx. 

Finally, a photo with Unyx and the rest of my grade school girls!

I had an amazing afternoon! It was great to see my friends again and of course, it was fulfilling to see Unyx and her dad open a promising co-creation space for the Marikina shoemaking industry.  

Congratulations Unyx and Zapateria! 

Beyond Finding Myself

The days following my Banaue trip felt like a dream. I felt as if it was difficult to exist after such a beautiful trip, so I pushed myself to go to my usual venues for inspo. 

My first stop was Cinema Centenario to watch Ang Nawawala. It was a film that spoke to me, because a) my close friend from high school passed away a decade ago, b) I am currently adulting yet still living my dream of having a handmade, local-love, art-loving lifestyle, and c) the soundtrack featured the best of OPM rock from my growing-up years. 

Also, it was my first time to have a cinema all to myself. The experience was surreal (it was unplanned and it just so happened I was the only viewer for that showing). 

I personally adore how the microcinema displays film props within the premises. These suitcases were prominently featured in the film.  

The next day, I visited the Vargas Museum at UP Diliman for a walk-through of their Beyond Myself: Filipino Migrants’ Investments in Philippine Futures exhibition. 

There was a postcard table which lets visitors write to OFW participants in Hong Kong and London.  

This installation is entitled Padala. It features typical items which OFW’s send back to their relatives in the Philippines.  

This frame featured a bookshelf which an OFW has proudly saved up for. Books make her happy, and I imagine that it makes her job bearable. The Danielle Steel novel is mine and I just had to place it on the frame. 

Our walk-through was a poignant reminder that Filipino migrant workers are not robots. They have their own lives abroad. They are capable of fighting for their rights, creating art, thriving in social circles, and bringing joy into their lives.  

There was a clever part of the exhibit which resembles a videoke. It was playing the Ama Namin or the Our Father, as OFW’s make time for Sunday Mass. Some churches abroad have Filipino priests and masses, and this is a strong reminder of home. 

Here, the paintings done by some OFW artists were featured.  

This wall cleverly shows a typical apartment row where OFW’s are employed. It is a stark reminder of their existence and ingenuity to thrive in such an environment. 

We had a short talk from a visiting professor from Singapore.  

After the insightful tour and talk, I wrote a postcard for an OFW.  

I then moved on to the Living Architecture exhibition at the ground floor of the museum. 

After my museum tour, I went to a nearby mall for some bread, coffee, and a showing of The Post.  

Those days back in the city taught me that there are meaningful experiences nearby, and I can make them part of my narrative. I enjoy going to museums and watching movies because they show me a different perspective of the world. I just need to let life take me further and by trusting the process, I am learning more about myself. 

Banaue Day 2 Part 2: Rice Planting and Cultural Night

After exploring the hot springs, we then proceeded to a plot of land owned by one of the nanay (mom) knitters. We were there to try planting rice, and in order to get there, we had to hike down a mountain. 

We were not forced to plant rice, and some people in our group did not feel like doing so because it would entail having to step on mud. I respect their choice, but I was there for the full experience. 

Planting rice is one of my bucket list items, so it was natural for me to be the first to volunteer.  

The mud was soft and mushy, but it was manageable to walk on.  

Photo by Rocelle 

A few of my groupmates eventually joined me.  

It was so much fun! However, I also realized that it was hard work. I finally had respect for farmers who plant rice for a living. It is definitely not easy.  

Photo by Knitting Expedition 

We wrapped up our farming experience with a hike upwards. After a jeepney ride to our inn, we were all starving. I had delicious vegetable curry and beer by the best view. 

To be exact, it was beer and coffee. I had this combo all throughout our trip that my friends dubbed it “The Sam”.

I also continued knitting while waiting for the cultural dancers to arrive. 

We then had our cultural night, featuring talented Ifugao dancers and percussionists. Some of them were our knitting nanay’s kids! They let the children dance and perform for visitors in order to preserve their culture and to educate us about their tribal heritage. 

We danced the night away with them and I really enjoyed myself.  

Photo by Knitting Expedition

We chose to have our group shot with the kids. 

Photo by Knitting Expedition

I ended the night by trying on their traditional skirt and a photo op with these talented ladies.  

It was an unforgettable day with new friends and magical experiences. I will never forget this day.