Writings - Montalut

Real Property Tax in Nuvali

We\’re now at that wonderful time of the year when we\’re meant to flock to city hall to update our taxes on real property.

$\"Calamba$

The good news for Nuvali lot and homeowners is that the Calamba city officials are generally friendly and efficient, and the city hall a pleasant place to visit.

These past months, I was at the Calamba City Hall a number of times myself, and chanced upon a tip from a lady at the city assessor\’s office: Get 20% discount on your RPT or amelyar if you pay by December (for the taxes for the following year), and 10% discount if you pay by January. Apologize I wasn\’t able to share this sooner, but it\’s still not too late for the January cut off!

Pottery class!

Studying ArtGreen Art

Today began what could possibly be another great love affair…
$\"Pottery$

Clay + me = mudhappy!

Day1 of Basic handbuilding for Beginners.

Can\’t wait to get on the wheel and make my own handmade pitchers and vases and pots!

* * *

For the next few weeks (possibly more!), I\’ll be under the beautiful guiding hand of Mia Casal, a studio potter based in Blue Ridge, Quezon City. Visit the Clay Ave website or facebook page for more information on lessons and clay craft in general.

High on a hill was a…

Life in Nuvali PhilippinesAvida Parkway Settings Nuvali, Tagaytay, venare, Nuvali Services, Nuvali Real Estate

$\"Parkway$

…Nuvali goat herd — Lay ee odl lay ee odl lay hee hoo!

Taken in Avida Parkway Settings Nuvali on January 2, 2012.

A slight turn to the left, and here\’s the view (towards the West). That\’s the perimeter wall of Venare, with trees from the Green Zone already showing.

$\"Parkway$

Any guesses what those two towers are at the rightmost peak? How about that line of buildings in the middle of the mountain? 🙂

Free shuttle service from Nuvali to Paseo

Everyday LifeTransportation in Nuvali

Also spotted at Robinsons Supermarket:

$\"True$

Hourly shuttle from Nuvali to Paseo and back. 🙂

Commuting to Nuvali (as of January 2012)

Everyday LifeTransportation in Nuvali

Here\’s the latest update on the Nuvali Transport Terminal, which went on soft opening last November 2011:

$\"Nuvali$

Serviced routes now include Nuvali – Ortigas, Alabang Town Center, Balibago and Makati.
$\"Nuvali$

$\"Nuvali$
The Transport Terminal is also accessible from the Sta. Rosa – Tagaytay road, and if you ask for route info, guards by the entrance hand out these flyers…
$\"Nuvali$
which detail shuttle schedules and pick up/drop off points:
$\"Nuvali$

Seeing the very empty terminal, I asked the guard on duty if these schedules are actually followed, and he gave me these numbers to contact, just be to sure:
$\"Nuvali$

$\"Nuvali$

I read on the Facebook fanpage of Nuvali that the shuttle to and from Ortigas costs P85 one way. Would be great if anyone could actually confirm this– if true, it sure beats my driving cost of P900 roundtrip.

Time to commute to Nuvali!

Upcycled art: Wine bottle lamps

Green Design and Architecture Sustainable LivingGreen Art

Really enjoyed these green lamps at the recent 10a Alabama Art Fair:
$\"10A$

They\’re literally green, they\’re upcycled from old bottles, and they make use of use candles!

$\"10A$

Made by hand by Christine Bantilan, who sells them for P350 each.

Other variations are desk lamps made of ashtrays, and bottle bottoms as candleholders:

$\"10A$

If you wish to contact Christine, you may email her at catscloset2005 [at] gmail.com.

Resurrected furniture at 10A Alabama

Green Design and ArchitectureFurniture, Green Art

Apart from being a beloved venue for Handmade Art Fairs in Quezon City, 10A Alabama is home to Resurrection Furniture and Found Object Gallery, where Leah Sanchez and Binggoy Panlilio play, play, play with old furniture and odd pieces that they bring back from the dead:

$\"10A$

Well worth a visit for any green enthusiast.

I\’ve wanted their pink table since I first saw it last May:

$\"10A$

Would make for a good console table don\’t you think? 🙂

View more resurrected furniture on their facebook page.

Art fun at the 10A Alabama Handmade fair

Sustainable LivingGreen Art

Green art and lots of handmade love at the 5th art fair last weekend, December 10-11, 2011:

$\"10A$

10A Alabama is a home in more ways than one, and the Art fair is always, always a great time to slow down and reconnect with kindred spirits:

$\"10A$

The Alabama community has grown in heaps and bounds since our first fair in May 2011, but it remains to be one of the most positive and enriching creative groups I\’ve come across.

$\"10A$

Philosophers at work: Momok and Binggoy enjoying a game of chess (notice the upcycled keyboard pieces!)…

$\"10A$

Mirrors for a cause, each one handcrafted by a participating seller:

$\"10A$

Rock balancing fun:

$\"10A$

10A Alabama was where I broke the ice and first put my works up for sale, and for all the handholding and support, I will always be grateful. This 5th Handmade Fair was extra special because I got to join as Montalut…

$\"10A$

…and also as Estela, selling handmade pillows and clothes:

$\"10A$

I wish I spent more time taking pictures, just to make sure the diversity of this group got represented properly! At the next fair, promise to do just that, but for now, here are more pictures, including some from the 4th Fair last October:

* * *

The 10A Alabama Handmade Art Fair is held every 2-3 months, with the next one most likely in February 2012.

Tile inspiration along the Sta. Rosa road

Green Design and ArchitectureGreen Art, Furniture

Our happy find yesterday: Beautiful tiles in such fun, fun patterns and colors!

$\"Malaga$

I\’ve long been a fan of these \”painted\” tiles– which I mistakenly thought of as Vigan tiles– and first re-encountered them in a boutique shop in Cambodia last March 2011:

$\"Tile$

My friends and I fell in love with that place (we put up Estela Shop right after that trip) — all the colors and mishmash of lines and curlicues were just a feast for the senses!

More recently, I visited a friend\’s home in Manila, redesigned with an Industrial-Homey mindset (sounds familiar :P). Lo and behold he had these pretty handmade tiles lining his foyer, and looked surprised when I had no idea they were called Machuca tiles.

Turns out Machuca tiles are locally-made cement tiles by the Machuca family, with clients such as Antonio\’s in Tagaytay:
$\"Antonios$

These tiles from yesterday, found just along the Sta. Rosa-Tagaytay road, are Malaga Tiles (in Spanish: Baldozas y Azulejos de Cemento), handcrafted designer tiles made by Habitiles, also a Filipino company:

The Malaga Tiles we are presenting here are handcrafted cement tiles. These types of cement tiles were introduced, and subsequently produced by the Spanish colonists in the Philippines during the 18th century. Large scale production of these tiles continued until the 1930\’s.

We have rediscovered this old craft and have started producing tiles based on the old methods.

Our wide array of designs includes those of Spanish origin, Islamic influenced patterns as well as antique tile designs from the other European countries. We also execute customers\’ own designs.

$\"Malaga$

…

Tile inspiration along the Sta. Rosa roadRead More »

Nuvali bazaar in Solenad: new location

Life in Nuvali PhilippinesSolenad, Nuvali Services

Saw yesterday that the tiangge in Solenad is now located at the parking lot:

$\"Around$

Good decision to move it away from the main Solenad area — there\’s now more space for sellers and shoppers, and also more peace and quiet for restaurant goers and those who just want to enjoy the lake.

Also spotted yesterday: our very own Nuvali security car. 🙂

$\"Around$

Xavier Nuvali aerial shots

Life in Nuvali PhilippinesXavier Nuvali, Nuvali Schools, Nuvali Services

Exciting! Nice view of Treveia as well!

$\"Xavier$

Couldn\’t embed the video here, but you can view it on facebook. Thank you for sharing.

Found via @pingchung91

Other Binondo finds: garden set + ceiling fans

My Nuvali HomeFurniture

Sharing for interest 🙂 Saw these at the same lighting shop in Binondo.
$\"Binondo$
Garden sets are my least priority, but mom said this one is already cheap at P6,800.

$\"Binondo$
Does anyone know where to get nice, reasonably-priced ceiling fans? This one\’s a bit bulky for my space.

My brother said he saw nice steel-wood ones in Home Depot, will check those out, but they already go for about P5,000 to P6,000 each.

Would be grateful for any help!