Finding Asao: A Journey into Traditional Papermaking

I recently had the incredible opportunity to join the workshop led by Asao Shimura, titled Terakoya kami Kambolan Magatama, held in the remote Sito Poking in Benguet. My friend Windy introduced me to this workshop, and I was particularly drawn to it because I wanted to learn about ampasit culture. As someone currently studying shamanism, I find that anything related to animism captivates my interest, and I want to deepen my understanding of Philippine shamanism. Asao is a Japanese paper master, who married an Ibaloi woman who he met while working in Baguio 30 years ago and chose to settle in herhometown in Benguet. He has dedicated himself to the intricate art of handmade papermaking. Before the workshop, he gave me an ampasit name Naron which is a variation of my name Rosan. In Ibaloi culture, having an ampasit name holds significant importannce ofr for spiritual identity, offering protection and fostering a sense of community connection.

The workshop spanned four days and began with a traditional rice wine (tapuy) ceremony. The tapuy was made by his sister-in-law Lilia a month prior. After partaking in the tapuy, Asao jumped right into teaching us how to make paper from pine tree bark. In the Philippines, cutting down pine trees is strictly regulated to protect the environment and preserve natural resources, so the bark we used came from a tree that has fallen during a typhoon. Asao is committed to sustainability and ensures that nothing goes to waste. That’s why we not only used the bark but also the branches for papermaking. The paper-making process was meticulous. We started by pounding the pre-cooked pulp, which had been treated in an alkaline solution called Aku. After that, we soaked it in water mixed with mucilage (polyethylene oxide) before using a large deckle (46 x 61 cm) to shape the paper. Asao then pressed the sheets with his unique contraption to squeeze excess water off, and hung the sheets to dry.

In the afternoon, his apprentice, Francine Lima, taught us how to create paper using use indigo pulp without cooking or applying mucilage.

Day 2 focused on exploring Konjac starting with a healthy breakfast prepared by Asao. Konjac is a root vegetable rich in glucomannan, a soluble dietary fiber beneficial for digestion, weight management, and cholesterol reduction. He even made Konjac ice cream for us!

We began the morning by making konjac ink using a variety of natural materials: omija, cinnabar, pine bark, Indian indigo, pearl powder, pine soot, lac, and cochineal. These ingredients are sourced from plants, minerals, and even insects. Asao’s attention to detail was impressive, reflecting his background as an industrial chemist; every ingredient was measured precisely to 0.5 grams and whisked to achieve the right thickness. We created eight different ink colors during this process.

The morning was fully dedicated to ink-making, and in the afternoon, we transitioned to painting on three types of handmade paper: one made from pineapple mixed with rice straw, another from banana fibers, and the last from mother of pearl. This was my first experience with painting, and it proved to be incredibly peaceful. We even experimented with applying gold leaf to the pine bark paper we had crafted the day before.

Day 3 was all about enjoying nature. We hiked to Kamboloan River, surrounded by beautiful rice field terraces and bamboo bolo forests, with the Cordillera mountains as our backdrop. At 72 years old, Asao led our group at an impressive pace, guiding us down to the river for two hours and back up in 2.5 hours.

Francine along with my fellow workshop classmate Rawisara from Thailand, wore shifu kimonos made by Asao which were intricately crafted from woven paper yarn. Little did I know that we would be making paper yarn the followin day! On our way back, we collected 300 bamboo bolo leaves.

In the afternoon, we boiled our artworks, which had been coated with Konjac on both sides in a lime solution for one minute. The process is called kyoseishi to make the artwork resistant to tearing and water damage.

We also learned the traditional four-hole bookbinding called yotsume toji from Francine. It was a long day and fulfiling day, culminating in the process of making charcoal from the bamboo leaves we collected.

The last day, day 4 was dedicated to shifu, the traiditional Japanese art of transforming paper into thread. Using handmade 100% pineapple paper, we began by cutting a single sheet into eights, then slicing each piece into 1.5 mm strips. We then rolled it, joined the ends to make one long thread and then spun it into yarn. Asao explained that the yarn is then woven into fabric.

I wore one of Asao’s shifu kimonos to show a sample of the final output. One kimono takes hundreds of handmade paper strips, and 3 to 6 months to finish. This process requires immense patience and dedication, truly a labor of love.

Although I came to the workshop hoping to learn about ampasit culture, I ended up discovering so much about traditional papermaking instead. This hands-on experience gave me a deeper appreciation for the craft and the cultural traditions behind it. Thank you Asao! Spending time with you was truly unforgettable experience. I gained a new appreciation for nature, the gifts it provides and the beauty of craftsmanship and sustainability.

Reviving the Cashew Industry: Palawan Cashew Company's Story

As we celebrate our country's independence, it brings me great joy to celebrate our cashew treasures from Coron! Believe it or not, most cashews available here are imported from Vietnam, known for its large-scale production and lower prices. That's why I am happy to discover the Palawan Cashew Company, the first and sole semi-automated cashew processing facility in the Philippines.

Raw cahsew for sun drying

This pioneering company is dedicated to crafting high-quality, all-natural cashew products that proudly bear the "Made in Coron, Palawan" label. What sets them apart is their commitment to sourcing cashews directly from Coron's wild forest, where locals hand-picked them. This approach not only ensures the highest quality but also helps revive the cashew industry in the country while bolstering local livelihoods.

Gone with the Wynns interview with the founder, Raul Bulaong on May 12, 2024

If you love cashews like I do, I highly recommend trying Palawan Cashew Company's products. Under the brand name Pedro, they offer whole cashew kernels and a range of bottled cashew butter products. These products are available at Real Food Rockwell and will soon be at Healthy Options.

The Palawan Cashew Company'sbottled cashew butter products under the brand name "Pedro"

By choosing the Palawan Cashew Company, you not only savor a delectable and sustainable treat but also support a homegrown business that is fostering positive change within the community. Happy Independence Day! 

Taman Beji Griya Waterfall, A Unique and Special Place for Purification in Bali

I have had the privelege of experiencing several Melukat ceremonies in Bali and so far, Taman Beji Griya Waterfall, outside Ubud, stands out as the most unique and special. 

The place is located within the Sangeh forest jungle with lots of hidden caves, cascading waterfalls and carved stone walls. It's about 31 minutes from Ubud center.

One of the remarkable aspects of Taman Beji Griya Waterfall is its offering of various healing modalities. In addition to the Melukat ceremony, they also provide shamanic practices such as palm reading, past life regression, aura cleansing, as well as other packages.

We decided chose the Melukat purification ceremony, which was priced at IDR 300,000 per person. This package included a sarong, bell, offering, towel, two young coconuts, locker, an English-speaking guide, a priest, and a complimentary jamu drink.

The purification ritual began with the reverent act of offering prayers and lighting incense to the deities. 

The process involved five stages of purification. The first stage was in the shower in a hidden canyon in the cave to balance out health and call on fertility. 

The second was in the well to cleanse our aura and attract wealth and luck. The stage was to release emotions in two waterfalls- screaming to release negativity and laughing to release joy and happiness. 

The fourth stage was performing a pengelukatan in the shower in the pool. And last purification was receiving a sacred blessing with young green and yellow coconut water by the priestess.

Taman Beji Griya Waterfall is not just a breathtaking natural wonder, but a sanctuary for healing and relaxation. If you are seeking a unique and transformative experience, I highly recommend visiting Taman Beji Griya Waterfall. It offers an opportunity to immerse yourself in the wonders of nature while embarking on a journey of purification and healing.

Word Art anyone?

I've never expected to see so much Word Art in Paris+ Art Basel! 

The first time I came across using words as a form of art was in the painting of American pop artist Robert Indiana. In 1965 he used four letters L-O-V-E against a backdrop of blue and green color.

I actually googled and found out that Word Art has been used since the 1950s by artists classified as postmodern. 

The definition of Word Art  is "text-based imagery featuring words and phrases in a variety of media including painting, sculpture,  lithography, screen printing, applied art, and projection mapping. Jasper Johns started inserting text in his artworks as early as 1957, followed by Roy Lichenstein and Andy Warhol. 

Elena Martinque described it as, "Thoughtfully utilizing text as a primary vehicle of communication in their artistic expression, these artists created works that pushed boundaries, shocked and seduced.

Several expressions of Word Art were displayed at the art fair. I was intrigued by the work of Tony Coke's lightbox. It featured Kanye West's comments: "I am the number one human being in music.... I am Warhol. I am the No. 1 most impactful artist of our generation" on 9 x 7 solid blue and red tiles. Apologies that I wasn't able to note the name of the artist, title and gallery of the last three artworks below:

Tony Coke's Face Value (Kanye West), 2011, edition 3, lightbox with duratran print, Greene Naftali Gallery

Lawrence Weiner's In & Our of Place Carried by Its Own Weight, 2011 l, Mai 36 Galerie

Jean-Michel Basquiat, Untitled, 1983, Van de Weghe Fine Art

Joël Andrianomearisoa, J'embrasse l'air du soir, 2020

Maria Pask, My Vagina is not Ugly, 2020, Gouache and Pencil on Chinese paper, Ellen de Bruijne Projects

I asked one of the galleries representing a Word Art artist for a stand-alone text priced at 10,000 euros. He said that the artwork's owner could use it in a billboard, for instance, for as long as the integrity of the text's font and spacing are retained. Not bad. it's like purchasing a copyright. 

Gai, Ricky and I at the end of the Grand Palais Éphémère 

The Paris+ par Art Basel, the new Modern and contemporary art fair, opened its doors at the Grand Palais Éphémère from October 20 to 23 with 156 galleries participating from 30 countries