MLTV UNVEILS COVERT ART GALLERIES, STYLISH RESTAURANTS, AND GARDEN STORE
On the seventh episode of the Season 9 of Modern Living TV, hosts Stephanie Zubiri-Crespi and Bianca Gonzalez-Intal vivifies the week with their sojourns to “visually and gastronomically” alluring places in Manila—from The Alley’s contemporary art gallery, design store, restaurants and bakery, and plants and gardening materials offered by Qach Lifestyle and Garden.
RELISHING THE CULTURE AND CUISINE AT THE ALLEY
Considered a haven for design lovers, The Alley at Karrivin Plaza in Makati is designed to house more than art spaces. Culture vultures can also enjoy the savory foods offered by the chic restaurants and discover home decorations from a design shop.
Aiming to promote Philippine art, 1335 Mabini is a contemporary art gallery in The Alley that “explores on mobility, history, and critical engagement with collective memory and politics.” This art gallery prides itself on its possession of the piece titled “Heaven Over The Lonesome
Cities.” This artwork is by a group show composed of local contemporary artists portraying the “feeling at home” in a city like Manila.
Another destination for a culture savvy is Aphro Living, an art and design shop focusing on selling local contemporary art and functional pieces. It is a shop extention of Art Informal gallery by owner Tina Fernandez. “She (Fernandez) made sure that Aphro is a place where all kinds of people can enjoy and learn about art leisurely,” says Cher Lui Pio, manager of Aphro Living.
After visiting an art gallery and design shop, one can also relish the foods served by Sidechick. This restaurant offers fried chicken meals, beers, and slushies. “We wanna build the community within the area because there’s so much galleries nearby. We just wanna have something more cultural here and something accessible at the same time,” shares Sidechick owner Justin Golangco.
Panaderya Toyo of Filipino chef Jordy Navarra is The Alley’s perfect bakery that engenders good dining experience not only through its breads, but also through its interiors and ambience. The space’s highlight is seen at the bakery’s oven, where wooden installations are made in its ceiling.
“Before we started working on the designs, I asked sila Jordy what emotion they want the people to feel when they enter the space. He answered happiness,” shares Arts Serrano, interior designer of Panaderya Toyo. “I think the Panaderya represents something in our culture that’s deeply engraved. When you think of panaderya, you remember pandesal or the family you spend time with in the mornings.”
From the warm and light ambience of Panaderya, Bianca visits the Poison Donuts that defies the common concepts of a café. Its design intention—dark and mysterious—is to experiment on the interior and do way with the “cozy, inviting and bright” atmosphere of a café. “For us, it defined the whole experience for the space and it gave the character to the space; and reflected by the donuts as well,” says designer Dan Matutina.
DESIGNING HOME WITH QACH LIFESTYLE & GARDEN
In creating one’s green space at home, Qach Lifestyle & Garden is the perfect place to visit. This lifestyle and gardening store boasts its comprehensive products and services like the plant area where extra soil and fertilizers are placed.
“We do have horticulturists on board. We try to have at least one experienced gardener or a horticulturist in any of our stores to guide our customers; and not only that, once you buy the plant, you can actually just text us for advice as well,” Qach owner Ludette Querubin explains.
The benefit of having plants is not only confined to beautifying one’s garden. Plants, through its green setups that brighten a space, can also “contribute to the improvement of one’s physical and mental health. “For Ludette, the best benefit that a plant can give is that “it distresses and really calms you.”
“Have plants at home and have a green lifestyle then we’ll be happy,” Ludette emphasizes.