Place and Space

The ihawan was created transforming the water tank roofed enclosure to a storage room.

While being constructed, the idea of enhancing it to be a livable quarter was seeded. A wash basin was added. Eventually a small functional comfort room was annexed to it.

Unused wood-based furniture was sourced. Electrical devices were installed including an audio system.

It functioned as a mancave, an isolated place for introverts to pull away from the doldrums, routinely tasks.

The place, with its proximity to a QC workplace was conveniently a venue for grilling, ihawan, inuman, kwentuhan post five thirsty to past midnight.

As the sessions were held more frequently, with new recruits welcomed to the roster of enthusiastic guests, many unsolicited ideas were toyed around to spruce up the place. Professional expertise was offered without of course the fees.

DIY practitioners looking for venue to tamper, artists working on multimedia without a workstation, frustrated chefs in search of willing patrons offered their functional expertise as a outlet for their skills.

Without spending an arm and a leg, the ihawan was slowly transformed to a "bakal-bote" themed hub where the hundreds of wine bottles accumulated through the years served as the motif.

Each bottle of wine with the unique memories attached to it was given focus either on the ground or in the air.

The sound from the chimes ring in good vibes to the place. The sight of stacked bottles reminds the returning guests on the number of sessions they attended to vent out grievances, celebrate success or simply to listen in a quiet isolated space.

Nothing fancy about it, just a roofed private open space. It is not even well maintained, far from spic and span.

It is the company the defines the spirit of the place; this is the space where young professionals have discovered what they have done, dream of where they can be, design their destinies; where regulars simply show up  to unwind.  Music, food and drinks make them stay until past midnight.

As guests leave, their happy memories are stored in a bottle, sealed for retrieval when the need calls for it.