Modern Organic

Have you ever heard of the Salcedo or Legaspi market?  Am sure if you're into organic stuff you must be a regular who visit these places every weekend.  A haven of a variety of organic produce from different establishments, fresh finds and gastronomic feast of local foodies from classic Filipino dishes to the best of the best from every region.  This weekend "scene" through the years has gained so much popularity it developed a cult following and today  it's own culture.  Thus resulting to the expanding awareness and promotion of the so called "organic lifestyle".  What started out as a trend is now a growing community  promoting healthy living.  From food it has transcended into a lot of things such as development of beauty products, scents, home furnishings and fashion.  The bigger picture here is sustaining a clean lifestyle not just to promote personal health but the environment as well.

 
One of the small scale establishments that promote this kind of lifestyle is RITUAL located at The Collective along Malugay street in Makati.  They sell local produce and specialities from different provinces like honey from Palawan, pickles from Ilocos, rice, salt from Pangasinan, Cacao from Davao, brown rice, sugar etc. Most of their products are environmental friendly and organic, but more importantly support provincial communities that actively take part in sustaining this new-old lifestyle.  I really love this place and they serve one of the best Arabica coffee. 

Scoop your pick.

Raw sugar.

Sari-saring asim(variety of vinegar).

"Burong mangga".



Organic soap.



Sweet as candy.



Recycle.



Contemporary market.

 The look and feel of the place gives you a close feeling to nature and the all natural.  Living life with a purpose and concern beyond the "I, me and myself" is a noble act of selflessness.  It reminds me of another favorite store with the same mantra--Echostore(located in Serendra at the Fort and Podium in Pasig).  Have a moment of thought to consider this new-old lifestyle, after all there is no harm in keeping in mind the greater good for all. 


Life in green.



Art Attack



A matter of space



Urban Art is gaining popularity in the Philippines.  Visited a gallery called Vinyl on Vinyl at The Collective (located at Malugay Street in Makati City) while waiting for a meeting to happen and ended up immersing myself for hours of interesting conversation on what is seemingly called modern art.  Cool owners race car champion Gabby de la Merced and makeup artist Pia Reyes are the moving force behind this contemporary movement in the local landscape.  Refreshingly distinct, the gallery is nothing of the typical as it showcases vinyl toys, records and more importantly a visual platform for for the new genre.

Pia(left) wearing white top and denims both from Topshop, shoes by Rubi
and watch by Casio. Gabby(right) wearing white top by Forever 21, pants by Topshop,
watch by Omega, headband by Accesorize and shoes by Rubi.



multiple exposures



The painting at the foreground was inspired from the Jollibee mascot. 

Toy stories.

Stairway to haven.



Di-Vinyl



Fixture perfect.

Sitting pretty.

Currently on exhibition are the works of Indonesian artist Arkiv Vilmansa who's global popularity is gaining faster than the speed of light.  I am inspired by the exposition of his pieces in big strokes of genius bursting in kaleidoscopic numbers.  Bold, playful and fun with a subtext of humor, I couldn't help my running thoughts enter the realms of endless semiotics.  



Hair extensions?




Guessing game.




A closer look at Jollibee.

Great Wall.

The underground art scene seem to be picking up in Manila since a couple of months back global artist Tara Mcpherson (painter, freelance illustrator and poster artist) held an exhibit in Vinyl on Vinyl as well.  A window to an alternative culture is quite welcoming.  Introducing a diversity of visually appealing perspectives, it doesn't hurt local art as long as we keep our eyes wide open and tinker with the labyrinths of our mind.

Celebrating the Art of Noise.

Spray painted low top leather sneakers by Margiela

The author wearing white pinted tee by Uniqlo, military green pants by Zara, low top
 leather sneakers by Margiela and  large two-toned luggage tote by Celine.