‘Tayo na sa Antipolo–at doon, mag-workshop tayo’

FERNANDO. Wonderfully eclectic package of options.

IN THE traditional past, Manileños went up to Antipolo at summertime for its “signature” attractions like Hinulugang Taktak, swimming pools and resorts, the Our Lady of Antipolo Shrine, Mystical Cave, nature reserves, and pasalubong of suman and kasuy.

These days, however, many more visual, artistic, gustatory and experiential treats are in store for visitors—including workshops!

We found this out last April 16-17, when we drove up to Antipolo’s famous Crescent Moon Café and Pottery Studio (Call (02) 234-5724 or 0917 523-2356), run by master potter Lanelle Abueva-Fernando and her daughters, Celine and Majalya.

We love surprises, so we let the day unfold at its leisure—and its unexpected bounties delighted us! Driving into Lanelle’s cozy compound, we found it bustling and buzzing with activity.

Some 70 people were there for Crescent Moon’s new all-day package of “workshops with lunch,” taught by Lanelle and other area experts.

Prospective workshoppers could enrol in three sessions in either pottery, calligraphy, painting, photography, bike mechanics or “smoothies” preparation.

Special treat

—What a wonderfully eclectic package of options to choose from!

The yummy buffet lunch was another special treat—but the workshoppers made sure not to doze off, because there were the afternoon workshop sessions to look forward to.

We sat in on the pottery and smoothies workshops, and the students’ excitement rubbed off on us.

The already fun day was made even more memorable by the unexpected presence of Lanelle’s “iconic” mother-in-law, writer-painter Gilda Cordero-Fernando, and her daughter Wendy.

We “complained” to Gilda that we missed her Sunday pieces in the Inquirer’s “senior’s” section, and urged her to write more often.

Many people look forward to her inimitable personal essays and recollections, illustrated with her very own paintings (which are prized by art lovers—including, just recently, a famous TV-film star)!

All in all, our recent, follow-up visit to “Lanelle’s Antipolo” was a pluperfect interlude— so, why not treat yourselves to it, as well? “Tayo na sa Antipolo, at doon—mag-workshop tayo!”