Sakura Hanami, Maginhawa

What a strange thing! To be alive, drinking sakura milk tea, beneath cherry blossoms.

Matcha crème bubble mousse

White sakura milk tea

Sakura Hanami

#168 E. Maginhawa St.

Diliman, Quezon City

Tel. No.: 0917- 6555584

Eightynine Café, Puerto Princesa

May your 89 coffee kick in before reality does.

Breakfast bowl

Loaded oatmeal bowl

Beef ragu pasta

Café latte

Café latte

Café latte

Café latte

Rain coffee

  

Eightynine Café – home of the most beautiful latte art in Puerto Princesa.

Eightynine Café

#420 Rizal Ave. Ext.

Puerto Princesa City, Palawan

Tel. No.: 0956-6294599

Ugu Bigyan Pottery Garden and Restaurant and Hele Bed and Breakfast

The art of pottery-making is alive and vibrant in the quiet town of Tiaong, Quezon. Thanks to self-taught and world-renowned artist Augusto “Ugu” BIgyan, who makes world-class, one-of-a-kind nature-inspired ceramic pottery which find their way in posh resorts and affluent homes not only in the Philippines but across the globe. He also loves to cook. 

More than two decades ago, Ugu opened his red-brick home in a lovely garden setting (which he designed and built for 10 years) to discerning pottery enthusiasts, art aficionados, and diners craving for delectable home-made meals. In 2018, he finally added a bed and breakfast place so guests could experience first-hand the opportunity of staying in a potter’s house. He named it Hele, a Filipino word for lullaby.

Ugu does not mass advertise his place. In fact, there is no directional signage from the highway going to his place. It just became famous by word of mouth. Notably, his home is not gated so anybody could easily come in. But he has guard dogs; a lot of them.   

Most of the visitors I observed are day diners. Small families and friends.

Ugu’s property is expansive. It is actually a compound consisting of his home, showcase room, open pavilions and huts (restaurant), and the B&B.

His home is a masterpiece, a reflection of his character, and perhaps his magnum opus.

Ugu actually graduated with a degree in Accountancy; pottery as a profession only came to him as an afterthought when he realized he was not cut for a 9am-5pm banking job in Makati. So he returned to Tiaong and dabbled with his first love which is pottery (and the rest is history). Those interested in his craft can browse and purchase his artwork and some jewelleries on display in his gallery store. He uses clay as his medium – the raw material for his terra cotta bricks, chimes, vases, wall decors and ceramics. He gets inspiration from the earth, nature and birds.  His pottery is unique, with no one item alike, as they are molded meticulously by hands and not by glaze machine. And they are not cheap. Tip: visit during Pahiyas Festival or during Ugu’s birthday on August 11 as he usually gives huge discounts on all his pottery items on these dates.

There are several huts that guests could choose from when dining at Ugu’s.

I had the privilege to try both sets of provincial lunch and breakfast. Ugu did the cooking with hands-on help from his assistants. Just like his mastery of pottery, his culinary skills are an accumulation of years of home cooking experience. Distinctively, his meals are served in his signature plates. I savoured every bite of suman, Lucban longganisa, ensaladang pako, tahong with mustasa, kulawo, calamares, pork spare ribs, ginataang hipon and sweet taro with tapioca; and finished a pitcher of refreshing fresh buko juice.

There are hammocks and lounge chairs to relax after partaking the sumptous meals.

Hele only has four rooms (good for couple or family), which are cozy and tastefully appointed with all the amenities of a major hotel. I stayed in a deluxe villa named Pulanga, equipped with a queen-size bed, private and lovely bathroom and a balcony overlooking Ugu’s spacious grounds.

The lush greenery inside the compound is relaxing, invigorating to the senses. Spending a night at Ugu’s is a delightful breather from the toxic city life.     

With the advent of modern technology, it seems like traditional crafts like pottery would eventually become an endangered art. But recognition goes to Ugu, as well as other old-fashioned potters, for working so hard in preserving the craft. He made it more exciting, even elevated its quality and value worldwide.

From Manila, take Lucena-bound bus (bus station in Cubao, Buendia or Pasay). Get off in Lusacan, Km.99. Then take a tricycle going to Ugu Bigyan.

Ugu Bigyan Pottery Garden and Restaurant
Hele Bed and Breakfast
#490 Alvarez Village, Brgy. Lusacan
Tiaong, Quezon
Tel. No.: (042) 545-9144