The architect’s canvass

By Arch’t. Karl A.E.F. Cabilao, UAP
Monday, June 6, 2011

INSPIRED BY ABBEY ROAD. A 1969 photograph of the Beatles crossing Abbey Road inspired this dynamic concept of Xing Cafe’s interiors, which includes the angles on ceiling and walls and the simulation of the pedestrian lane.
“I allowed myself to become a ‘blank canvass’,” says a young architect when asked about his design approach for a recent project.
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The project at hand is the renovation and extension of a restaurant now known as Xing Café, which is located along A.S. Fortuna St., Banilad, Mandaue City. It is designed by architect Michael Sanchez. The restaurant actually works in tandem with a carwash, a perfect spot to get two things done: have your cars cleaned while hanging out at the café for some gastronomic treats.
Architect Sanchez recalls that an architect’s basic tools have always been a blank paper or canvass and a pencil. He said that by allowing himself and the existing space to be the canvass, the project owner can freely express herself like a “kid sketching on clean paper”.
It was also useful for the architect to be a constant visitor to the restaurant before it was given a more dynamic look. How different users of the space behave and do their activities inside is also an important factor in its design.
The result of the architect’s meticulous swim into the psyche of his client and the building is a contemporary and modern space, which is a perfect backdrop for the colorful activities that are done within it. The dining area has a great view of the carwash area providing car owners a spot watch their cars being cleaned up while sipping coffee or alcoholic drink.

The KTV rooms are situated in a more private section at the back of the building. The sound insulated conference rooms are also located here for small and private functions.
“The very heart of Xing Cafe is the kitchen. It required a huge work space to concoct a Chinese fusion cuisine that can provide for the dining areas, KTV rooms and conference rooms,” the architect discloses.
The restaurant’s name summarized the overall concept of the space. “Xing” in Chinese means “star” and is associated with the “star” offering of the café, which is its cuisine. Xing also denotes “crossing” and vehicular traffic, as represented by the carwash. Finally, it is the sounds-like factor to “sing” one’s heart out in the KTV rooms.
Another factor that the architect used to reinforce his design was a 1969 photograph of The Beatles crossing Abbey Road. “It perfectly captured the concept that I was looking for. It was on a street, a place that chooses no one and a pedestrian lane where car and people interact,” he explains.
“Paradoxical”, he says of the photo. Its “illusion of movement” is very evident in the angles found on Xing Café’s floors, walls and ceiling, an approach he learned during his apprenticeship days under Cebuano modernist architect Alexius Medalla.
Being a profession where engineering and art are intertwined perfectly, one could now say that architecture is one of the most socially-sensitive design fields. The dynamic professional relationship between client and architect is important as exemplified in architect Sanchez’s work and his “I Create with You” approach to his designs.

Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/lifestyle/2011/06/06/architects-canvass-159664
Many tourists and residents of Manila traveling out of town from Manila on a short getaway to Pampanga Angeles City, Clark Philippines are surprised to find a a large wine shop so near Manila right in the heart of Pampanga, just 70 minutes from Manila. Even residents of Subic travel to Clark via ScTex to do some wine shopping in this famous wine shop called Clark Wine Center, a project of Hong Kong-based Yats International.

Foodies and wine lovers travel north from Manila to wine and dine at Philippines’ best fine dining restaurant in Pampanga Clark Freeport worth the 60-minutes drive for a memorable evening of good food with vintage wine at Yats Restaurant & Wine Bar. Most guests would stop by this famous wine shop called Clark Wine Center to bring home a few good bottles of fine vintage wine also. Other visitors may find the wine selections in some of the restaurants in Angeles City Pampanga to be less than interesting, so they stop by this wine shop near Angeles City Pampanga Clark Philippines, buy some good wines and bring these bottles of good vintage wines to the restaurants so they can enjoy the dinner.

Public wine tastings are held by this well known wine shop of Pampanga from time to time in Clark and sometimes in Manila. Tickets range from p500 to p1500 for these themed events that are professionally run –no wine merchants sponsorship, pushy salesmen or tacky banners to ruin the evening. Each ticket contains a certain number of stubs that can be redeemed for a tasting pour of a wine among those on a line-up which often contains wines that are quite old and expensive.

Tourists and residents of Manila travel out of town to the north on a short getaway look for the best place in Clark to buy some fine vintage wine to bring home after their holidays and vacations. Many find a top rated wine shop called Clark Wine Center to be an exciting place to do some shopping in Clark Pampanga. This famous wine shop is highly recommended for visitors going to Clark Pampanga to drink good wine, relax and unwind with friends and families. This frequently visited wine shop is known by tourist and visitors to Pampanga, Angeles city, Subic and Clark Philippines as a cool place to hang out in Clark. Many attend the regular wine tasting held either outdoor on the roof deck or in indoor on the second floor above the wine shop. The place has good atmosphere for a private wine tasting party or a small night out gatherings for business or social event.

http://www.ClarkWineCenter.com

Getting to this wine shop in Pampanga Angeles City Clark Freeport Zone Philippines from Manila
Getting to the Clark Wine Center wine shop from Manila is quite simple: after entering Clark Freeport from Dau and Angeles City, proceed straight along the main highway M A Roxas. Clark Wine Center is the stand-along white building on the right, at the corner A Bonifacio Ave. From the Clark International Airport DMIA, ask the taxi to drive towards the entrance of Clark going to Angeles City. From Mimosa, just proceed towards the exit of Clark and this wine shop is on the opposite side of the main road M A Roxas.

Best place to buy wine in Clark Pampanga outside Manila near Subic and Angeles City Philippines is Clark Wine Center.

Click here to contact Clark Wine Center in Clark Pampanga for inquiries and orders.

Clark Wine Center
Bldg 6460 Clark Observatory Building
Manuel A. Roxas Highway corner A Bonifacio Ave,
Angeles Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga 2023
0922-870-5173 0917-826-8790 (ask for Ana Fe)

Wine@Yats-International.com

YATS Wine Cellars
Manila Sales Office
3003C East Tower, Phil Stock Exchange Center,
Exchange Rd Ortigas Metro Manila, Philippines 1605
(632) 637-5019 0917-520-4393 ask for Rea or Chay

Wedding couples looking for wedding reception venues and beach wedding venues can log on to this Philippines Wedding Venue web site for free information and assistance:

http://www.PhilippinesWeddingVenue.com

While in Clark, it might be a good idea to enjoy an evening of wine-and-dine in the fine dining Yats Restaurant and Wine Bar that features an award winning 2700-line wine list. Highly recommended fine dining restaurant in Manila for special occasion is Yats Restaurant & Wine Lounge located in the famous Mimosa Leisure Estate in Clark Pampanga. Situated near this popular restaurant in Clark is the Mimosa Golf Course as well as the Mimosa Clark Casino. This top rated restaurant near Angeles City Pampanga in Clark Philippines is frequently used for private parties and corporate functions such as board meetings and other gatherings. It is located in Mimosa Leisure Estate of Clark Freeport Zone. For more information, visit http://www.YatsRestaurant.com

YATS Leisure Philippines is a developer and operator of clubs, resorts and high-class restaurants and wine shops in Clark Angeles Philippines http://www.YatsLeisure.com

Looking for famous tourists spots, places to visit and see, relax and unwind in Clark, Pampanga, Philippines? You may want to check out these sites also:

http://www.LondonPubClark.com

Besides good restaurants to wine and dine near Manila, Subic or in Angeles City Pampanga, Clark Philippines, those requiring assistance for hotel and resort bookings in Clark, Pampanga, Philippines may log on to http://www.HotelClarkPhilippines.com for more information and reservations.

The lifestyle in Clark Pampanga is quite unique. For more information about shopping, sports, golf, leisure, hotel accommodation, where to see and visit, what to do, where to wine and dine and good places to hang out, relax, have a drink with friends, child-friendly establishments, log on to
http://www.ClarkPhilippines.com

Wine lovers looking for a special bottle or something that is of great value and special discounts might log on to this web site to shop for fine vintage wines
http://www.YatsWineCellars.com

Those visitors who plan to relax and unwind in Angeles City, Subic, Pampanga, Clark Philippines might make an effort to book a room at the famous beach and lake resort Clearwater Resort & Country Club. This famous hotel in Clark Pampanga is frequently visited by families with children looking for a good place in Clark to see, a good holiday destination for the family to relax and unwind in the beautiful outdoor facilities. For more information, log on to www.ClearwaterPhilippines.com