Van Gogh is BiPolar, Maginhawa

Hopeless and miserable people usually think of these: “A lot of you cared, just not enough.” or “I didn't want to wake up. I was having a much better time asleep. And that's really sad. It was almost like a reverse nightmare, like when you wake up from a nightmare you're so relieved. I woke up into a nightmare.”

Artist and philantropreneur Jetro Rafael, may have felt the same way, sharing that at one point in his life, he was on the brink of committing suicide. But that was before opening his eponymous “Van Gogh is BiPolar”, one of the pioneering and unique restaurants in Maginhawa.

The restaurant pays homage to the famous Dutch painter, who had a life-long battle with mental illness, much like Jetro. After years of struggling with mood swings and depression, Jetro tried to address his problem by concocting recipes meant to scientifically and nutritionally activate specific neurotransmitters in the brain to make him happy and calm. They served as natural alternative for the usual medications that he take. These happy food or special bipolar diet are also now available and being enjoyed by the diners.

Potion

Carnivore

Pescetarian

Mel Gibson's darkest sin

Catherine Zeta Jones white snow

Mood tea

Aside from their mental health awareness advocacy, what I love more about Jetro’s restaurant, is the overall experience it imparts to their guests – the seremonyas (washing of hands as assisted by the food servers; picking of hat to wear during meals; and choosing of teapot for tea time), the inspiring story of Jetro, as well as the food servers; the uncensored and strange artworks;  the eclectic and sacred space that may be interpreted as the mind of people with mental health issues or simply a healing sanctuary and safe place for anyone suffering or broken inside.

Jetro acknowledges that he doesn’t have a perfect life; and he made it his mission to also help people who are in need, particularly those suffering the same illness and the street children. The restaurant regularly holds feeding program and gift giving activities for these less fortunate children.

I find Jetro’s philanthropic initiatives truly admirable; because sometimes it is thru helping others that we could able to save ourselves.  

Van Gogh is BiPolar

#154 Maginhawa St., Sikatuna Village

Diliman, Quezon City

Tel. No.: 0922-8243051