Homegrown: Places

SALUD
Salud is a bistro/bar/gallery and tambayan for many people in the arts and literary community of Baguio. The converted summerhouse (of Patis Tesoro's family) features a comfortable interior dining area, a gallery room, and a garden for dining al fresco.

Although there is a designated gallery room, all the interior spaces of the bistro are adorned with the work of exhibiting local artists. The artists that patronize and exhibit Salud tend to be from the younger generations, making for a fresh, dynamic vibe.

Salud is owned and managed by Paul Poblador and Nina Tesoro-Poblador. Paul, who attended the California Culinary Academy, prepares the menu. Salud is open from 11 am onwards - i.e. until the last guest leaves.

EARTH CAFÉ
The Earth Café is one the newest hybrid coffeehouse galleries to emerge in the city. However, the café seems to already be the most successful of these hybrids in the gallery department. Located in the heart of the city - at the top of Session Road, below the Baden Powell inn - the easily accessible café has already held several exhibits and cultural/arts events. During the Ad/Odd Congress, the café put on display Tommy Hafalla's latest exhibit of black-and-white photographs. The Earth Café is owned and managed by Might Gupit. It is open from 9 am to 9 pm everyday.

CAFÉ BY THE RUINS
Café by the Ruins is known to local residents and many tourists as the restaurant to go for organic cuisine, and perhaps a passing conversation with members of the local arts community. The café was built into the ruins of the 1940s home of American Governor Whitmarsh, destroyed by American forces as they chased down the retreating Japanese army. After the war, the property was purchased by Dr. Teodoro Arvisu, one of the earliest immigrants of Baguio.

Dr. Arvisu's granddaughter Christine, with several business partners, converted the ruins into a café and opened it to the public in 1988, along with an adjoining gallery. It was meant to be a simple tambayan for friends and artists, but grew to be a pillar of the Baguio arts community and a 'must visit' landmark of the city.