I didn't go to the beach the whole summer. The heat was unbearable for the most part, and 
yeah. I would tell you again how frustrated I am by that one single fact that I am allergic to the sun.
The thing about this country tho is that it is a tropical country and whatever season it may be, the sun will let its presence be felt. That be for good or naught. It is Rainy Season in Manila now, but in other parts of the Philippines, it still feels like summer. 

And so my Summer have just began. With another adventure at Polillo Island! 
By now, I know better than to sleep in a 2++ hour boat ride. On usual trips, I would doze on and off and find myself still in the middle of the sea with no land in sight.

This time, I still let the boat cradle me to sleep but I brought my geekdom and all the Seven kingdoms with me for the waking hours.


The town of Polillo now has a Souvenir Center. At last! 
Tho most of the stuff are handwoven bags. Their designs are nice, albeit, good for export. I didn't know our townspeople had that skill in them! So I bought one for myself and asked where they were made


The bags are from Brgy. Banadero, 5 minutes away from the town proper so I went to check out the place. 
The house had all the raw materials and pieces hanging  but the workers were on break so I didn't see them in action. 


 Then off to Brgy. Sabang we go. And I spent my time walking around the beach with the kids, Katkat (my sidekick!) and Baby, picking up shells during the lowtide. It rained a little before, so it was a blessing for me. The weather is in my favor.


 I always see this boat by the mangroves. I don't think it ever leaves

 Then we caved through trees, and shrubs to get to this place. A fishpond that looks like a fortress of sorts. There were no fish on this fishpond tho. We passed by the owner on our way out and he didn't know who I am. I am no one. I could've said but my skin just gave me out. How I miss that dark beautiful skin of mine.


Harvested camote and gabi the next day and had it for snack while we submerged ourselves in the cool of the seawater. I love my quiet times like this. When you feel like the sea is yours. And you have this secret place for yourself. The sky and sea was beautiful that day, and for a moment, I forgot about the rest of the world.


 The End

Read more...


Another delayed post! Just finding the time to write again. Summer has been extremely busy with personal projects and this! I have been blogging numerous times about pottery and my slight obsession with making my own. And it is a privilege that Clay Ave Pottery Studio by Mia Casal has invited me to be her studio assistant this summer! 


For three months plus now, I have been at the studio in Quezon City helping in whatever bit I can. From assisting Mia in teaching the students the basics of handbuilding, to cleaning the studio and preparing the materials, to installing ceiling fixtures, to sorting out greenware and bisquewares, to measuring glazed pots and to eventually teaching the students on my own! It was definitely a learning experience for me and I feel really grateful for this opportunity. Sharing the little knowledge I have to other students is a blessing I wouldn't forget. It may sound cliche but it is true that we learn while we teach. And I did learn a lot! Not only  did I learn more about molding clay but also about molding our lives with the Master Potter as our guide. I wouldn't be here without Him. Because He knows what is truly our Heart's desire.


Two of my first students, Sophia and Mauro!

While my mentor is on leave, I took the opportunity to make my own pieces. Yay
Practice do enhance skill, Im still figuring out my own style but for now,
 I just want to make, make, make whatever comes to mind! 
 A sneak preview of the studio on this rainy season.






More projects coming up!


“Someday, somewhere - anywhere, unfailingly, you'll find yourself, and that, and only that, can be the happiest or bitterest hour of your life.”


Photos (c) Clay Ave Pottery Studio and Iori Espiritu
Read more...