When I was a little girl, I would pick gumamela flowers and leaves and mix it with water, grind it, wishing it will create bubbles soon. It’s a simple formula that could bring me little bursts of joy.
The bubbles floating in the air give my eyes the wrinkles on the sides each time I smile. It’s a careful deed, a project made with hopes of creating something beautiful out of the ordinary. It’s all fun and play. A happy memory, indeed.
Trying out pottery, however, is an entirely different case.
The clays and dreams of creating something out of nothing is a wonderful feeling but it takes a lot of hard work, skills, and dedication to produce a pot, or even a cup, that wouldn’t crumble by mere wrong pressure you give.
Last December, I set foot in Sagada again and the Sagada Pottery is included in our places to visit. Little girl Shayne would have been happy for not losing the enthusiasm to try things. But the adult in me knows better –when to go for it or just appreciate it from a distance.
Pottery belongs to the latter.
Four years ago I’ve tried pottery making in the rustic town of Vigan. The experience taught me that pottery is not just for play. It is a serious craft.
Sagada Pottery is no different.
From little cups, to delicate vase figures, to weird faces carved in pots, all of which will end up in museums or in buildings and houses one day, up to the ruined clays gathered on the floor –everything breathes of rich culture in a place wherein pottery is not a main source of income. But it thrives, definitely it thrives.
We watched how a vase was made right before us. It looks fun and easy but of course it’s not. So I ended up eating an unexpected homemade chocolate wheat bread they sell in the pottery house. Who would expect a bread in a pottery house? But it is good, so good I even bought some to bring home to Manila for my Lola. Unfortunately though, it didn’t last that long! I munched on it by night when we went camping at Mt. Kiltepan. Oops!
The breads are for P25 each and the trying of actual pottery making is at P100 per head. Viewing the process of pottery, by individual or by group, is at P100. Souvenirs are priced at P300 and up.
Sagada Pottery
Sagada-Besao Rd, Sagada
Contact Nos.: 09196719875 / 0999-422-2003
nice story Shayne.i’ve seen that old massive kiln in Vigan.
Thanks John! Oh yeah I remember that! Have you tried riding a kalesa in Vigan? We toured the city riding one hehe
yes we did also.it’s a lovely town especially at night.just got back from Coron.
That’s true.
Oh by the way, the cross on top of Mt. Tapyas, is it still there? I heard it got blown by the storm sometime ago.
yes it is definitely still there.if it was damaged then maybe it’s been repaired.no sign of damage now anyway.amazing view.love those “sleeping giant mts.” a korean owned coffee shop called ” coffee kong” does the best coffee in town.” brujitas” for food.
Wow sounds like you really had fun there. Coron is indeed a lovely place.
and i suddenly miss walking around Sagada! <3
I used to say that I want to travel to as many places as I could so if possible, visit a place only once then move on to a new place to explore. But when I set foot in Sagada, I had the feeling of wanting to go back even though I haven’t left the place yet. Sagada is magical. I really, really, really love it there. 🙂
i share the same sentiment. been to Sagada 8 times and at this point, i wanna have my own house there… great post you have here…
wow 8 times! how frequent do you go there? like thrice every year? have you been to the bonfire festival?
at least once a year. but last year, i did go there twice. and yeah, iv been to the bonfire festival once. You should go and see the Blue Soil Hills of Sagada.
In the two times I have been to Sagada, I really wouldn’t be surprised if there’s more I haven’t explored yet. It’s actually the first time I heard of the Blue Soil Hills. I will visit that next time though I am a bit worried about the hike haha
i agree with you, Sagada is filled with endless surprises. oh oh! well yeah, going to the Blue Soil requires some trekking but then again, its all worth the tiresome walk 😉
Well yeah, same with Bomod-ok falls! I was so full of energy upon going there but when we need to go back already, it was exhausting. Still, the view was worth it!! 🙂
right right! everything seems exhausting when one has to go back home hahaha. go to Pongas Falls as well. thats a relatively newer waterfalls in Sagada..