Setting up a café and bar has been brewing in the mind of Jojit and Joel. The idea is create a place for theater people to hang out after rehearsals and performances, something reminiscent of Sam’s Diner and yes, Penguin Café.
It was not until the tenants of a former band rehearsal studio in T. Gener decided to leave that the idea started to materialize. But first, find the money. Remember we are artists!
Jojit and Joel talked to their friends to share the dream and invest. Seven came into the picture.
Then it became a shared dream project --- for Stella who simply loves cooking; for Joel who loves coffee and enjoys concocting mixes and serving these to friends; for Jojit and Andoy who enjoy being with friends; for Ge to practice her administrative skills; for DMs who wants a wall to exhibit his lomo prints; for Ferdie and Juliene and Ross who are looking forward to be entrepreneurs.
A corporation was put up Photokitchen Inc, to be the corporation to run Taumbayan. The stakeholders are bound by their love of the theater. They are, one way or the other, involved in theater and the performing arts.
Our Declarations:
Mission
We envision a community of progressive and creative individuals who nurtures, shares and celebrates memories.
Vision
Our mission is creating a space where dining and drinking are as memorable and enchanted as self expression and artistry.
Our Values
Advance – Learning and continuous improvement
Celebrate – Diversity and Life
Embrace – Change, Creativity, Freedom
Serve – with passion, honesty, integrity
We want the venue to be an art space – where artists and kindred souls can create and recreate their works. Where creativity is central to every experience, including dining and wining. A “house” that is simple so as not to be obstrusive, but warm and accommodating.
In building Taumbayan, we had to break walls (literally and figuratively), build new boundaries (again literally and figuratively), choose appropriate colors (we ended up with grey to make it neutral and easy to dress up for any event).
How is business so far? Kamusta naman?
Taumbayan had a soft launch in December to study the market and our own operations. Dry-run period ran for 11 days, took a three-week rest to review and strategize, and reopened January 13. Since then, it has become a venue for many a parties. The first Taumbayan initiated event was the fundraising cum cd launching of Meliton Zamora, the Up janitor who claimed his 15-minutes of fame via the blog of Mike Rivera, a friend of Taumbayan stakeholders.
Last April 2, Taumbayan did a sung through staging of Jesus Christ Superstar with Agot Isidro singing Jesus Christ, Bituin Escalante as Judas and Aiza Seguerra as Mary Magdalene.
Thus far, Taumbayan has hit its initial objective. Taumbayan has become “home” for theater artists from Dulaang UP, PETA, Blue Rep even Tanghalang Pilipino (which is in CCP in Manila).
Regular habitués include Bituin Escalante, Ricci Chan, Eugene Domingo, Dante Nico Garcia, Joyce Bernal, Bembol Roco, Pen Medina, Tess Antonio, Gary Lim and Earl Ignacio among many others. On some nights, Gina Alajar will be seen with her laptop playing Farm Town, or Rio Locsin having dinner.
Political personalities also drop by every now and then for a chat or simpy to wind down after a day’s work.
What has Taumbayan got to offer? Ano’ng meron?
Menu is mostly grill with inihaw na adobo as best seller, followed by inihaw na pusit. Their version of budget meal is de lata delights --- where one can have a can of sardines or maling or Vienna sausage ccoked or straight from the can (this is such a big hit!).
For the diet and health conscious, there is the ensalada platter (pinoy vegetable salad of steamed sitaw, okra and kangkong). Also broccoli juice.
Every week, new meals are introduced --- Kare-kare sa kasuy and binagoongan sa gata; sinigang na baba (baboy at baka), Monggo and the Chiti (chicharon and tinapa) and crispy galunggong. This to experiment on what the market wants.
Eventually, there is a plan to put up shelves for merchandise where friends who have small businesses can put their products to sell.
Regular schedule includes film screening Wednesday nights; videoke on Thursdays and acoustic jam every Saturday. There have been art exhibits including the works of Jason Moss, Vivian Limpin. There was also an exhibit by aspiring photographers – Ferdie Aboga, DMs Boongaling, Julien Mendoza and Andoy Ranay, all Taumbayan partners. Among the film makers who have participated in the screening nights include Sari Dalena, Khavn dela Cruz, Francis Pasion, and Rom Dongeto.
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