THE ARCHITECT'S CELLAR

08 July 2014//:

@Five, Klein, here and now, signing on...

This is one of my travel blog posts on our Baguio trip last month, which I may say is very unique among any itinerary to the place’s tour because I will feature a more personal and private visit. In our stay in Baguio, we were earnestly accommodated in our boss’ place in Green Valley. On our second night, (but actually my first night because I was not with the team on the way to Baguio. I had to go home to Pampanga the first night to pack my things because the confirmation on the team outing was confirmed only that very week and I don’t have with me some travel essentials like towel, vanity kit, jacket as for the place’s anticipated climate.) we spent the night on the veranda and shared some drinks as we surround a bonfire. This is a rare thingy for me to be seating near a bonfire to keep myself warm and have it with my officemates. We even joke around that this is a retreat thingy and I added that I am afraid that I have not prepared a letter for my parents connoting a typical recollection so-so from a high school experience. Also, what makes it even rare is we share some glasses of alcohol and because among my colleagues, I am one of the few who often drink alcohol, I had to be the “tangero”. Funny that I was wearing short shorts and so they relatively thought I was really ready for this because that’s what we usually see the guest-relation hosts in some naughty lighted bars wear to win attention from the patrons. Hahaha! In a simpler dialect, I am a prostitute for a night as conceived. After almost turning upside down the first long-neck bottle, our boss invited us to see the cellar of his dad, our big boss.

Not that I had enough of alcohol in my system, (I have to highlight that I am sober for machismo impression. Hahaha!) but I really am not sure if we were led on a basement or because of the rolling terrain and contour of the site, it is just a split level and the place where the cellar was nestled is just on the lower level. Anyway, I had to mention that because it is very necessary to keep these drinks in a cooler temperature, they are to be allocated in such area. That also answers the larger question on why did he not have his cellar on his prime residence so when visitors come, he can share some bottles with them. And more than storage of his liquors, I think this place is more of his museum where his collections of memories are.

Try noticing some of the liquors having tags. The tags state the year (“Habang tumatagal lalong sumasarap” I guess this local tagline should explain the relativity and importance of the year statement) and what is that drink actually called. But here lays some stories that wow-ed and ahhhhh-ed me. Big boss and architect, NSM loves to travel and explore the world. And from his trips, he would secure a bottle or two to embottle and cage his memories in that trip. I am so much inspired with his idea because hey, not a collector type of person here. If I have it, I consume it. I am practical in that sense and aspect. I don’t appreciate the idea of collecting items and be forsaken with your own rule: “For your eyes only”. But these bottles of liquor like those pictures in an album are worth a million words. They are not merely collection of liquors from around the globe but a compilation of stories.

 

Of course, I can’t forgive myself if I would not be able to capture an image of the oldest item in the collection. I think this is the one (If my search has served me right then). 1970! C’mmon! Mama is just six years old here and I am not even an egg cell here. J

Here’s another interesting story behind the architect’s cellar. The most important items in the place, I guess, were these bottles which were produced and availed from the year his sons and daughters were born. On the picture is a 1976 Bordeaux which remind him of his first son, my boss and also one of the great yet humble architect I know. The idea of securing a good bottle after receiving a blessing of a good son or daughter in that year is very creative and sweet for me. Dad’s love. Ahhhhhh!!! LLL Now I am confused if I am impressed with my boss as a collector or as a father.

Anyway, enough of heart melting dramas. Here are more of the images of the cellar…

To make it more personal and truly his own, he had a bottle from I-forgot country where his name was engraved in the bottle. How about the effes signature on a bottle in soon time for me huh? Cool!

Truly, this place is a cellar. Because to me, the true essence of an alcohol is to bring out a good conversation with some friends or family. And obviously, each is nuff conversation piece whether or not you appreciate liquors.

Klein, here and now, signing off://

#liquors #alcohol #whiskey #rhum #red wine #white wine #name it #the architect #the cellar #NSM #BJM #Baguio #travel blog