PinTo Art Gallery : Antipolo's Art Destination

The Filipino Artist

" Imagination is a force of nature"
                     - Saul Bellow

Pinto Art Gallery
Grandheights Village, Antipolo Rizal

    Stepping inside the door of the Mexican inspired Pinto Art Gallery that houses a vast number of art pieces from paintings, to sculpture, to architecture, to other multimedia art, a thought plays in my mind. Like what the character in the movie "Mona Lisa Smiles" said, "What is art?"

    I am not an expert in that area. But being inside the Pinto Art Gallery transcends a lowly individual who has no training like me nor aesthetic knowledge into an art critique for a day. It was such an enlightening feeling to be surrounded by painting after painting that seems to speak to me.I feel lifted and engaged.

    The gardens highlight several sculptures which are a delight to the senses. Several staircases snake through the gardens and lead one to the entrances of the galleries.

    The rooftops are also open and give one a panoramic view of the Metropolitan horizon.

    Trelisses play along the edges of each house, while ponds and fountains dot the inconspicuous parts, you can almost hear the whisper of the fish...swish...glop..swish..

If I can only stay for a while longer.Sigh.

A bird sculpture greets you at the door.

          

     At the entrance, bells and birds will greet you. Then there's the entrance fee of 100Php for regular guests and 50Php for students.

     I have been to many art museums but so far this one impressed me the most. I guess it's because of the garden and the layout. 

      This museum is a must see place in Antipolo.

       I dare say that there are lots  to discover and explore here, and what is fun here is the surprise at every corner.

       Three hours is not enough to appreciate the whole of Silangan Gardens. And that's not all. Silangan Garden has a lot more to offer. 

       There's the Little Chapel of St. Francis, Monk's Cottage (art and crafts shop), Garden Guest House (inn) renting for 2.5K /night with breakfast, Bamboo Cottage (massage by appointment), theater and atelier (workshop) for artists.

Mural called "Carnival"

 

View from the Roofdeck

 How to get there...
From Makati, take the FX in C5 to Tikling Junction. Get off at Tikling Junction and ride a jeepney going to Ynares Center. Get off at Ynares and take the second street from the main road. It's a 10 minute trek to the GrandHeights Village. Pinto Art Museum is just near the gate of that village..

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When my daughter was about seven years old, she asked me one day what I did at work.  I told her I worked at the college - that my job was to teach people how to draw.  She stared at me, incredulous, and said, "You mean they forget?"  ~Howard Ikemoto

Loreland Resort: Best Resort Fun in Antipolo, Rizal

Loreland Farm Resort

Sitio Loreland, Barangay San Roque, Antipolo City

      When I searched on the internet the best resort most recommended by regular frolickers, I found the Loreland Farm Resort. It may be one of the biggest and fun resort in Antipolo and having a lot of swimming pools make it very popular. This was the first time for me to go to Antipolo. It's large, being 8 hectares of rugged terrain and designed to conform to the natural structure of the land. That's why there are literally ups and downs when you go there.

      Aside from pools they also have cottages for rent, function rooms, a restaurant (Verde Restaurant), store, spa and massage, Wifi zone, and a whole lot more.

      The only downside to Loreland is this. It's too crowded.

       So maybe you can go there on weekdays and they'll have less people and more room to relax.

Antipolo is on a plateau, found on the slopes of  the Sierra Mountain Range, the reason why it is overlooking the most panoramic view in the Rizal region.

How much is the entrance fee: only 150/person. 

There's a different rate for night swimming.

For those who want to have more privacy,there are rooms for two ranging from 2500Php-3000Php. For a family of 5 there is a family room which costs 6,000Php.

Check in time is 2pm and check out the next day is 12noon.

Use of all the pool, and all the facilities except rooms. You can bring your own baon.

HOW TO GO THERE: From Makati, my kids and I backpacked and rode the FX from C-5 in Makati to Tikling Junction. We asked the Jeepney driver where to get off. From there we had to ride a jeepney and a tricycle to Loreland.

                                                                                                             

Ilocos Norte: Pristine Beaches

     In Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte, You can find many untouched beaches due to the fact that it is 11hours drive from Manila. There are no parties unlike the more noisy beaches at the south. 
     Although some like Villa del Mar Ivory Beach hosts some of the hottest Bikini Open .      

     We went to the Saud Beach Resort with its pristine white sands that trickle through my toes. There was a downside that time. The wind visited the coastline so the water was a wild and it was more for surfing ( I think). 
      I for one am a log. I just stay in one place and enjoy the calmness and the scenery which I can't take with me to Manila.

Read my article on The Wecoming Winds of Ilocos.

                                                                                              

Sailboats springing to sea

Ilocos Norte: Marcos Museum

Marcos Museum

The museum houses an extensive memorabilia of the Marcoses. It is a place of history and is a witness to an era where the people reached its crossroads. Interesting place.

There was a large mural that depicts the rise of the strongman to power. This is a must see for people who like history preserved and although the issue is controversial, it should be noted that it is part of our legacy.

Marcos Mural

The impressive memorabilia of a family

 

Ilocos Norte: Paoay Church

Paoay Church

The majestic church is a testimony to our historical heritage from the conquering Spaniards.Such elegance and grandeur can only be marveled at. By the looks of it, its not going anywhere sometime soon.The baroque inspired architecture is buffered by gigantic buttresses that renders this edifice earthquake proof.

Read my article on the Welcoming Winds of Ilocos.