Victory Liner - Cubao Terminal, Quezon City

Manila - Transportation, originally uploaded by jsigharas.

When finding yourself riding most bus liners in North America, whether it be by choice or not, a few dreaded thoughts come into mind: Greyhound, cramped, rock-hard seats, cheap, low-end, and "I hope I don't get stuck beside that over-sized person, or someone who is in desperate need of deodorant". In most cases, your left with only two choices: regular or express.

In the Philippines, buses are the most common and affordable way to travel long distances, excluding jeepneys. There are a multitude of choices when it comes down it. From choosing the company, to whether it has air-conditioning, windows, deluxe (includes a restroom and stewardess who serves you a snack and water), and regular or express. The cost of our deluxe trip from Manila to Baguio one-way (express is a 4-5 hour trip with little traffic, regular is a 6-7 hours or more with traffic) costs about 600 pesos (about 14 canadian dollars). Upgrading to deluxe from regular is about 200 pesos more, and as a bonus you get to wait in a separate, air-conditioned room with a television on the second floor. So that's what we did as we happily waited for our bus back to Baguio. We entertained ourselves by perching on the balcony observing the bus depot happenings and people below us.

The ride back was the most comfortable bus ride we've both ever experienced. The seats were wide, extra-padded, with far-reclining backs, and adjustable leg rests that allowed perfect positioning for relaxation and sleeping. I don't think I could ever go back to the regular bus, or worse, a Greyhound bus after this experience.

Note: the picture above is of a regular bus.

Manila F.A.M.E. International

Manila - Show, originally uploaded by jsigharas.

Launched in 1983, Manila F.A.M.E. International is the longest-running trade show of its kind in Asia-Pacific. It attracts thousands of buyers from all over the world interested in giftware and home furnishings in organic and natural materials designed for today's lifestyle. The show is recognized as the main source of contemporary Philippine-made products with a distinct global appeal.

We extended our stay in Manila a few days just to attend, and were fortunate to have attended on industry day as "buyers" with the help of our bamboo trip contacts, Mely and Carina. In the featured designer section, we encountered an impressive collection of work by some of Manila's up-and-coming designers working with indigenous materials such as, abaca, vines, grasses, and natural-fibers, to create light fixtures and furniture. Sadly enough, pictures were not allowed in the five massive showroom halls. As you enter the lobby of Manila's World Trade Center you first encounter a women dressed in traditional Cordillera wear looming back-strap style, surrounded by examples of ethnic Filipino textiles/motifs. This first impression represents only a slice of the wealth and diversity of traditional Filipino craft.

Sun Sets On Payatas Dump

Payatas Sun Set, originally uploaded by suvajack.

In July of 2000, a massive typhoon hit Quezon City, Philippines. It triggered an avalanche from a mammoth garbage mountain that toppled many homes and took the lives of over 2000 people. You might wonder what so many people were doing living in a dump. It turns out that the Filipinos who scavenge Manila’s 7,500 tons of household waste salvage and sell our scraps and recyclables for around 150 - 300 php pesos a day. Thats about 3 - 6 Canadian dollars a day. Ironically 300 php is close to the national average wage.

After hearing about the dump from a friend back home we thought we would search it out next time we were in Manila. Turns out as we had a free day as we awaited the Manila F.A.M.E. show. It would be interesting and a great opportunity to see the contrast from a high-end furniture and design fair to a trip to one of Manila's largest most historic landfills.

Exploring Payatas

Payatas dumpsite is one of the largest landfills and poorest areas of metro Manila where many families make a living by scavenging and recycling from tons and tons of garbage. Alex and I decided to check out the dumpsite to get a good glimpse of the action, but unfortunately, we had to have a letter stating our purpose. So instead, we wandered the surrounding neighborhoods on our own. There, we encountered some of the poorest yet most caring, loving people truly living a simple life. The fun and adorable children were so great to us. They made it a heartfelt afternoon I will never forget. Looking at the pictures of that single afternoon always makes me smile. We plan to return soon to give them the photos we took of them.

Occupation - Recycler

Payatas Dump - Plastic Recycler, originally uploaded by suvajack.

Scattered around the dump you can find many spots focusing on recycling a particular garbaged commodity. Here, this girl sorts through different types of plastic. It's a strange place filled with recyclers working in a place filled with buildings that both resemble and function as a business and home.

This man takes sorted garbage and soaks and washes the plastic. It's a long, hard day to earn is few dollars. Sorting, sifting, sorting, sifting.

Amazing how one man's waste is another man's meal ticket.

A Modern Filipino Home

Manila - Homes, originally uploaded by jsigharas.

We were grateful to visit the home of Mausen and Davig Ong with MM, an artist whom we first met at an art opening at Mo_space Gallery, to have dinner and spend the evening with them and conversing over wine and lounge music. Their home is seamlessly perched on the edge of a plateau that overlooks northeastern Manila's - offering panoramic views galore. Their "open" home features a three-story porch constructed out of aged timber that was saved from old houses intended for demolition. At first sight it looks like an oversized gazebo. The structure blends perfectly with it's surrounding, lush, tropical gardens allowing nature to become part of the wooden abode. Benjie Reyes, a Filipino artist, designed their home in a distinctly modern architectural style. Discreet from the outside, one cannot fully appreciate it's entire ambiance until you enter. We instantly felt the warmness of the home with it's interior done in beautiful dark wood that displays Benjie's mastery of the medium. The interior decor is composed of a mixture of antiques, traditional crafts, and works by contemporary Filipino artists. Mausen and David's home is a beautiful example of a modern Filipino home, and the evening inspired us in many ways.

Fort Bonifacio Global City

Manila - Spaces, originally uploaded by jsigharas.

Fort Bonifacio is an urban development in Taguig City, Metro Manila. Originally known as Fort McKinley, it was a property acquired by the U.S. government during the American colonial period. Today it is the home to upscale residential condominiums, trendy restaurants, bars, clubs, and many retail outlets.

We frequent this shopping center quite a bit as there is a great book store called Fully Booked (they have a great selection of architecture and design books), free internet at Starbucks, expensive but good food, a few galleries (Mo_Space is one), and a few high-end furniture stores (Bo Concept, Natruzzi and the soon to be open Vitra, which we got a special sneak preview of with the owner, Mausen Ong).

Back In Manila

Manila - Objects, originally uploaded by jsigharas.

After a week touring bamboo hot spots in the Visayas, we met with Mely, our bamboo trip coordinator, at what seemed like an unoccupied, empty mansion in Manila. Mely uses a single room of the residence as an office away from her home-base in Abra. The most spacious room of the home displays a number of furniture prototypes (mostly chairs) made by a few designers working for her. Their furniture is mostly constructed out of bamboo, using plywood-bending and molding techniques to create their forms. It's great to see them experiment with bamboo furniture in a modern approach, but they use a lot of toxic resins and lacquers, which we look down upon. Unfortunately, we are not able to post any photos of the furniture as they are still prototypes, but we did find this beautifully woven suitcase among a shelf of other fine bamboo products.

Argao - Skimboarding Capital Of The Philippines

There seems to be talent here in the Philippines everywhere we go and Argao was no exception. We met these boys the night before trying to find lodging; their dad's beach cabin didn't quite work out but our plans to meet up for some skimming the next day did. Turns out these kids are some of Argao's finest when it comes to skimboarding and surfing. They said the surf gets really good when a typhoon rolls into town. We didn't want to wait around for that but we did enjoy a little fun in the sun. Check the footage. Also check out Argao's Mahayhay Beach and the boys' on a big day in this YouTube video.

Argao - Skimboarding Capital of the Philippines

We took a day off from our intense, non-stop traveling to relax and hit the beach for some sun and swimming in Argao, a small town an hour south of Cebu. Turned out that Argao was absolutely dead (which was good and bad). Fortunately, we met these local skimboarders of Mahayhay Beach, a well-known spot for skimboarding, and took our turns skimming the beach shores (or in my case, attempting to learn in not the easiest of conditions). I figured if I could learn here I could it pick it up elsewhere easily. Anyway, these young guns were busting out moves effortlessly, making it an entertaining afternoon in the sun and splash. I guess that's the product of having miles of beautiful beaches and nothing else to do.

What Makes Good Furniture?

Toxic Beauty, originally uploaded by suvajack.

Design? Function? Cost? Materials? How it matches your decor? What it does to your indoor air quality? I think all of these things are important. The problem is the latter is nearly never an issue for the average buyer, not unless your child has serious allergies and can be immediately affected by the off-gases that only slowly poison the rest of us.

Some of the factories we visited on our Cebu trip, which I won't mention, made the both of us feel like our heads were in a vice grip from all the fumes. We hope these companies will find a non-toxic alternative for both their workers and end-clients. In just a few clicks I found these solutions on the net, Aquaresin and Bioresin. I'll be sure to pass it on. It's our job as consumers and healthy beings to request and expect only ecologically and health friendly products and materials as the only option. Hopefully one day furniture stores and building supply shops will only be allowed to carry non-toxic products. That way everyone can afford a healthy home and we can return to thoughtless shopping. Until then, be eco and health conscious.

Here is a great site and a one stop shop to start getting the info you need to go green.

Bamboo Immersion Trip - Day 6

Cebu - Interiors, originally uploaded by jsigharas.

Accessoria Inc. is a company founded by Lorelei Rodriquez and Luisa Robinson, an active member of Movement 8. They are known worldwide for their mastery and innovation in the use of snake skin, leather, stone, vine, tobacco leaves, shells, and other indigenous materials for home decor furnishings. We visited their showroom/factory outside of Cebu City which housed a small, yet impressive collection of items. Their attention to color, form and texture truly reflect the land and resources found on the islands which easily appeal to an international audience with modern, organic tastes.

Bamboo Immersion Trip - Day 5

Cebu - Factories, originally uploaded by jsigharas.

We arrive in Cebu excited to see what this metropolitan area of 3.5 million-plus has to offer. Cebu is one of the most developed provinces in the country and the main center of commerce, trade, education and industry in the central and southern parts of the archipelago. The tropical island attracts international attention for its white sand beaches, world-class golf courses, casinos, and in our case, furniture designers. Cebu is the largest exporter of furniture in the Philippines and home to hundreds of furniture factories (the majority of them are foreign based).

Another product Cebu is known for is its guitar. We visited Alegre Guitars in Lapu-Lapu City to check out their factory and showroom to see some examples of their finely crafted, handmade guitars.

Bamboo Immersion Trip - Day 5

Cedu - Mangroves and bamboo huts, originally uploaded by suvajack.

These houses on the sea are the traditional dwellings of some of the old local tribes. Most coastal tribes made there livings on the water; some would either sleep on their boats or opted for more stable accommodations on water houses such as these. The simple dwellings are constructed a little like that of a nipa hut but serves a much different purpose as of a place out of the sun to rest and attach a boat while drying out the catch of the day. This particular house is constructed in shallow sea waters protected behind mangroves. Mangroves are trees that grow in the saline coastal habitats of the tropics and subtropics, creating a unique eco-system teaming with sea life.

Bamboo Dust to Cooking Fuel

Iloilo - Bamboo dust to charcoal, originally uploaded by suvajack.

Bamboo charcoal has many known advantages. Its porosity makes it excellent for use in water filtration systems, but better yet its use as burning fuel can have huge positive implications in areas around the world where there is a major need for a natural cooking fuel. Bamboo briquettes utilize the waste from either cutting-dust or mulched scrap pieces. This allows the structural advantages of harvested bamboo to be utilized for things like building and designed materials while putting any and all waste to good use.

Amy Smith from MIT looks at the issue of utilizing waste to meet the need for cleaner-burning fuel in the rural areas of Haiti in this insightful TED Talks video. After watching this video I can't help but think of this country among many others that could benefit from the plantation of bamboo for the reforestation of hillsides. A plantation could create both livelihood of the people with bamboo briquettes as one of the many bonus that come with it. Other possibilities for unused bamboo is fabric and paper making.

Bamboo Immersion Trip - Day 4

Iloilo - Tools, originally uploaded by jsigharas.

This bamboo splitter tool stood out for me as one of the most functional and efficient tools I've seen on the bamboo trip. Similar to how an apple corer/slicer works, this heavy duty, one piece cast iron tool requires little force for maximum output. The resulting strips are used for baskets, garden fences, etc. These gentlemen were seen working just outside the mayor's home in Maasin.

Bamboo Immersion Trip - Day 4

Iloilo - Bamboo, originally uploaded by jsigharas.

Bamboo supply.

Bamboo Immersion Trip - Day 4

Iloilo - People, originally uploaded by jsigharas.

The next stop of the day was to Maasin municipality's naturally growing bamboo forest. This viewpoint overlooks part of Maasin's 10,000 hectares of bamboo-filled hillsides.

The 30-minute dirt road drive through the barangays gave us a interesting and amusing look at life outside the city. These rural areas are where you see how the majority of Filipinos truly live, and in this case, how they commute.

Bamboo Immersion Trip - Day 4

Iloilo - Performance, originally uploaded by jsigharas.

As a welcoming to the mayor's office in the municipality of Maasin, local students performed a bamboo dance - accompanied by an all bamboo instrument band. The unique and delightful sounds of the various bamboo instruments reverberated a musical sense of enjoyment I've never heard or experienced before.

Tultug is an action verbalizing the act of playing sound on bamboo. Every year, the Tultugan Festival, held in Iloilo, features bamboo-based performances and competitions. This yearly event, held in the month of December, contributes to the evolution of bamboo music and dance in the Philippines.

Following the performance, we met with the mayor of Maasin, Damian Mercada, as well as his faculty to discuss the municipality of Maassin, there active involvement in the bamboo industry, and how the livelihood of the community flourishes because of it. Maasin claims to have the most abundant source of bamboo in the Philippines, with 10,000 hectares of naturally growing bamboo forests right in their backyard. We found Maasin to be an example of how bamboo can positively effect a community's economy.

Pac Man On The Frontpage

Iloilo - News, originally uploaded by jsigharas.

The Pacquiao - Barrera match was a fight not to missed by Filipinos here and abroad. The amount of attention it created was enormous. We found out that Pacquiao's fights are national events in the Philippines, with athletic clubs and bars and clubs turning into viewing venues for millions of fans. Tickets were even being sold to watch the match on big screens in movie theaters and amphitheaters.

We were on the road most of the morning travelling to Iloilo from Dumaguete, but were lucky enough to jump in on the match at the 6th round at a completely empty restaurant. It turned out to be a great afternoon full of delicious seafood, and of course, boxing.

At a modest height of 5'6" and age of 28, Manny Pacquiao, hailing from General Santos City in Mindinao, remains as WBC's featherweight boxing champion. He is a twelve-year pro, making his debut at the age of 16. Pacquiao's win against Barrera proved to be a huge point in his career. Four years ago, when Pacquiao dominated Barrera, he entered the fight as a 4-1 underdog. Manny is a national hero, a role model, and a much needed symbol of strength for the people of the Philippines.

Bamboo Immersion Trip - Day 3

Iloilo - Buildings, originally uploaded by jsigharas.

Our morning started off with a crowded but scenic van ride to our transfer point in Bacolod, a city situated on the north western end of the island of Negros Occidental. There we took a high speed boat (known to locals as the fastcraft) to the city of Iloilo City, the capital of the province of Iloilo on the neighboring island of Panay. With a population of approximately 370,000, it is the regional center and the main economic hub of the Western Visayas region. In the late 18th century, the development of a large-scale weaving industry started the upward movement of Iloilo's economy. But what really triggered the economic boom in Iloilo was the development of the sugar industry in the 19th century.

Dumaguete Style Tricycle

Dumaguete - Transportation, originally uploaded by jsigharas.

Like a little brother to the jeepney, the tricycle (a motorcycle attached with a sidecar on a third wheel) is another Philippine icon that is seen cruising the streets. They are everywhere, especially on smaller roads for short distances, and often on roads where jeepneys or buses are not supposed to operate. Tricycles are used as a kind of taxi for those who cannot afford their own motorcycle, scooter or car. With tricycles, there's no limit to the weight or number of persons that it can hold. We've seen tricycles holding as much as 8 passengers at a time, not including the driver. Beware of encountering one of these at night as they lack sufficient back, side and break lighting, not to mention the one front headlight that often shines from inside the glass. It's interesting to travel around the Philippines, from island to island, and the see their varying shapes, styles and decor as each one is customized to the driver's liking. I found the Dumaguete body and windshield style of tricycle quite attractive.

Repurposed Design

Dumaguete - Repurposed Design, originally uploaded by suvajack.

This tricycle driver decided to utilize his rainbow suspenders for more than just sweet style. The added light weight back support goes a long way on the bumpy island roads of Dumaguete.

Bamboo Immersion Trip - Day 2

Dumaguete - Furniture, originally uploaded by jsigharas.

Our Buglas Bamboo tour de force ended with a visit to their furniture showroom. Locals of the bamboo industry were present to speak to the group which eventually lead to our summing up of our influential 2-day stay in Dumaguete. The afternoon meeting concluded with team Nagaland singing a lovely song in appreciation of Frans and crew. Before taking off for our hotel, Frans was kind enough to take the time to speak with us for a special interview. You can view the insightful interviews with Frans here.

Bamboo Immersion Trip - Day 2

Dumaguete - Buglas Bamboo Institute, originally uploaded by suvajack.

After visiting Buglas Bamboo's factory we visited their pre-processing factory located only 15 minutes away. All the bamboo that is harvested for building is brought here for proper treatment and drying to resist bamboo-damaging fungi and insects.

Bamboo Immersion Trip - Day 2

Dumaguete - Buglas Bamboo Institute, originally uploaded by suvajack.

Borax bath anyone? This vertical acidic bath process helps preserve the bamboo by making it resistant to fungi. The diluted borax water mixture is reused many times over. We are still researching its application and environmental impact as it has a history of benefits as well as toxicity implications to humans in concentrated doses. Natural anti-fungi properties exist in various vegetation here in the Philippines such as in coconut oil as well as lemon grass though it is not commercially used. These non-toxic alternatives could make for an excellent solution as well as fuel sustainable local industry. We will be conducting testing to see if this can be a viable solution.

Even though borax is commonly used throughout the year, the process only needs to be used on bamboo harvested during the wetter months. During a certain time of year (we were told the months here ending in - er) all harvested bamboo is naturally fungi resistant. Another alternative to borax could be the integration of larger and more abundant bamboo plantation resources. This could make it possible to entirely eliminate this processing stage and facility. All the more reason the world needs more bamboo plantations.

Bamboo Immersion Trip - Day 2

Dumaguete - Buglas Bamboo Institute, originally uploaded by suvajack.

The harvesting and processing of bamboo creates stable and steady work for both men and women. Buglas Institute's continued support of the community makes his company a shining example and model for developing economies around the world. The industrial quest for more advance and expensive machinery is not always what is needed especially in these economy building societies. Here in the Philippines it is clear how industries creating viable jobs can create the most positive change.

Bamboo Immersion Trip - Day 2

Dumaguete - People, originally uploaded by jsigharas.

Group photo taken at Buglas Bamboo Insitute's factory. This afternoon marked a significant point in our research and made our decision to join the tour unmistakable. Our confidence is greater than ever and now we have a clearer vision of how this will affect the design of our bamboo home for the Winaca Village.

Bamboo Immersion Trip - Day 2

Dumaguete - Process, originally uploaded by jsigharas.

Preparation process in the making of flat bamboo sheets for flooring and walls.

1.) split bamboo in two halves, 2.) continue to split the bamboo culm from within taking care in not chopping all the way through, 3.) once bamboo is more or less flat, remove inner nodes, 4.) plane until both surfaces are smooth and to desired thickness, 5.) glue laminate, fill panels and let dry in preparation for final planing, 6.) repeat.

Video can be seen here.

Bamboo Immersion Trip - Day 2

Dumaguete - Tools, originally uploaded by jsigharas.

Other than power tools, these are the most common tools used by workers at Buglas Bamboo. This shows to tell how simple bamboo can be to work with, but as we have observed, demanding of craftsmanship, skill and experience. The larger blade is used to split and flatten bamboo, cutting inner nodes, and making rough cuts. The smaller blade is used for finer carving and working out details and fittings.

Bamboo 101

Maasin - OTOP Bamboo stock, originally uploaded by suvajack.

Bamboo, or the family Poaceae, subfamily Bambusoideae, tribe Bambuseae (for you biology particulars out there) is a wood perennial evergreen, and is a true grass. There are over a 1,250 species most growing within 40 degrees of either side of the equator. Here in the PI, there are 62 species, 21 of which are endemic or native. The applications are diverse, ranging from fabric, paper, food, charcoal, and exemplary design materials. We are now in an exciting time of increasing technological advances where we will probably see sustainable bamboo replace slow-growing solid wood as the new residential building material. An interesting fact is that a 60 foot tree cut for market takes 60 years to replace. A 60 foot bamboo cut for market takes 59 days to replace. These facts come courtesy of the informative website for the International Network for Bamboo and Rattan (INBAR). Link located on side bar.

// Cons
Susceptible to fungi and insects
Misconceptions as poor man's lumber
Still figuring it out...

// Pros
Appealing aesthetic
Tensile strength
Extraordinary hardness
Renewable + sustainable
Abundance and rate of regeneration
Quick to reach harvest maturity: +3 yrs.
Easy propagation
Not clearcut during harvest unlike wood
Plantations remain green + O2 producing
Diverse range of possible applications

Bamboo Immersion Trip - Day 2

Dumaguete - People, originally uploaded by jsigharas.

Our day started off with a comprehensive tour of Buglas Bamboo Institute's factory located on the outskirts of Dumaguete. There, several projects were in the making, including a bamboo home that was being built for disassembly to be shipped out to a client in Belgium. Several furniture pieces were also being worked on, as well as bamboo slats and sheets for flooring and wall applications. Observing the workers in this open-air, well-equipped warehouse gave us a first-hand look at how bamboo is worked and used as a building material.

Video can be seen here.

Bamboo Immersion Trip - Day 1

Dumaguete - Buildings, originally uploaded by jsigharas

After checking into our hotel in Dumaguete, we visited Our Lady's Garden, a beautifully landscaped paradise set on top of a hill. Several bamboo structures which were built by Buglas Bamboo added to its serene ambiance.

Bamboo Immersion Trip - Day 1

Dumaguete - Panoramic, originally uploaded by jsigharas.

After experiencing the chaos of Manila's regional airport we were more than ready take off for a new island and city approximately one hour south of Manila. Dumaguete (a port city of approximately 100,000) is located in the province of Oriental Negros in the central Visayan region of the PI and is nicknamed "The City of Gentle People". We experienced some of the worst turbulence ever prior to landing but once we arrived in Dumaguete our excitement was back up again. We were greeted by our gracious host, Frans Kleine Koerkamp, member of the Philippine Bamboo Foundation Board of Trustees and chairman of the board of Buglas Bamboo Institute, Inc. Driving to our hotel we instantly had great vibes about the city, especially as it is less polluted than most places we've experienced thus far, and everyone seemed to be smiling!