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#LugarKetiPampanga - Wizards Wink Hobby Shop & Café

Insights from Allen Capulong

1. How is/was this space used? How often are/were there arts and culture activities held there?

The place is primarily used as a haven for geeks where they can share whatever they are passionate about with like minded people. Geek culture is nurtured in this place everyday.

2. What is unique/conducive/nurturing about the environment (the area or neighborhood) surrounding this space?

The place is a safe haven for geeks and nerds, this is a place where they can express themselves without being judged.

3. Who uses/used this space and who does not? Why?

The place is mostly frequented by intellectuals, students and professionals who are passionate about old school gaming.

4. What is/was unique about the history of this space? The place started as a community/honesty store and is the first and the oldest Hobby Shop Cafe in Pampanga. 5. What obstacles do/did people have about it? Parking Space 6. What memory do you have of this place? The first time I visited this place was very memorable because I know that I've found a place where I belong and where my weirdness/geekiness will be embraced and not shun upon. 7. What aspirations do/did you or other people have for this place? To grow and nurture the geek community of Pampanga.

Follow Wizard's Wink Hobby Shop & Café on Facebook.

Visit them at 2nd Floor, Jelmon Building 2, Sto. Rosario Street, Santo Domingo, Angeles City.

Discover more places in Pampanga in #LugarKeti.

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#LugarKetiPampanga - Poets Underground Kitchen

Insights from the Poets Underground Kitchen Team

(Photo from Poets Underground Kitchen Pampanga)

How is/was this space used? How often are/were there arts and culture activities held there?

If in terms of events 1 to 2 times a month. But the space is open everyday for any artist or enthusiast to appreciate the displayed art. Also, we have a basic instrument set for anyone who wants to play. Basically, it's open to any form of art anytime of the day.

What is unique/conducive/nurturing about the environment (the area or neighborhood) surrounding this space?

Being the first and only art cafe/hangout place in the City of San Fernando. Because it is owned by artists, the whole place serves as a canvass for their ideas and also for their regulars. Every few months the interior of Poets is changed depending on the prevailing states of mind of the owners or special themes such as Pride Month.

Who uses/used this space and who does not? Why?

The curious, artists and art enthusiasts, the closeted, the free and anyone who can appreciate the  things out of the ordinary.

Who does not? Closed-minded people.

What is/was unique about the history of this space? (This could relate to the management or the previous use of the space.)

Out of sheer passion and courage the space was established by young artists who still are trying to find their space in this world. Moreover, the entire aesthetic wasn't planned, things just fell into place.

(Photo from Poets Underground Kitchen Pampanga)

What obstacles do/did people have about it? (E.g. the commute, safety and security, or the demographics and interests of the people who frequent the place) To date, not a lot of people understand Poets' concept and some others take this for granted.

What aspirations do/did you or other people have for this place?

For it to become the go-to comfort place in all aspects.

Poets Underground Kitchen is located at LMN Bldg., Ramar Village Entrance, San Agustin, San Fernando, Pampanga. Follow their Facebook Page.

Learn about places and placemaking in Pampanga in #lugarketi.

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#LugarKetiPampanga - Cule Cafe

When I was in high school, Diamond Subdivision developed a bit of a dangerous reputation relating to drug raids and foreigners with their Filipina girls for rent. My mother would also take us with her as she advocated for and supported the Ima Foundation - a halfway home for women and children victims of violence.

But with these insights from Camille Lopez, photographed in the space, above, it's nice to know that Cule Cafe (despite its closing recently) has also created a little safe haven for young Kapampangan artists in Diamond Subdivision.

How is/was this space used? How often are/were there arts and culture activities held there?

The place was used for open mic nights and they also held gallery.

What is unique/conducive/nurturing about the environment (the area or neighborhood) surrounding this space?

The place was located inside Diamond Subdivision.

Who uses/used this space and who does not? Why?

A lot of creatives would visit the place.

What obstacles do/did people have about it? (E.g. the commute, safety and security, or the demographics and interests of the people who frequent the place)

The commute. Since the cafe was inside Diamond Subdivision, you need to ride a tricycle or you may walk. But it's a bit too far.

What memory do you have of this place?

Good times with my Pampanga bloggers friends. We used to hangout here.

What aspirations do/did you or other people have for this place?

I hope they can reopen the cafe or put up places like Cule Cafe.

The now defunct Cule Cafe was located at 20-26 Marlim Ave. Corner Junior St. Diamond Subdivision, Balibago, Angeles City.

Explore spaces and places in Pampanga; follow the hashtag #lugarketi

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#LugarKetiPampanga - Kalye Lakandula Art Gallery

Insights from Sef Natino, photographed above, in the space

How is/was this space used? How often are/were there arts and culture activities held there?

The place is used for monthly exhibits. Mostly group exhibits and rarely used on individual exhibits. We also have events used by musicians, actors and poets.

What is unique/conducive/nurturing about the environment (the area or neighborhood) surrounding this space?

The uniqueness of Kalye Lakandula Art Gallery is we don't focus on a simple medium or it doesn't require you to be an artist or musician or poet. Everyone is welcome in this place. It doesn't matter if you're a sculptor, digital or traditional artist, installation artist, photographer, comic artist, poet, actor or you just want the vibe, listen to music and appreciate art. Our doors are always open to everyone.

We respect and welcome whoever steps foot in the gallery.

What is/was unique about the history of this space? (This could relate to the management or the previous use of the space.)

Kalye's uniqueness is that it has this 80's vibe and you can see vintage cameras, memorabilia of the famous Volkswagen Combi. The owner also displays his Volkwagen Beetle back in the old location. But when it comes to music, we mostly play old school songs from the Beatles, Eagles, Neil Young, Bob Marley, and other blues, jazz, rock and roll music and of course we won't forget OPM. And the good thing is people in this gallery think alike (they have a singular vision). So it's impossible for people to get bored in this place.

What obstacles do/did people have about it? (E.g. the commute, safety and security, or the demographics and interests of the people who frequent the place).

Commuting is no problem because it's just in the vicinity. 

The main problem of the said gallery is the space. Unlike in the original place of the gallery where we can accommodate around 30 to 50 people. The interests of the people in this gallery are music. Mainly Beatles, e-Heads, some blues and jazz music, poetry reading. Of course some various styles of artwork as well.

What memory do you have of this place?

My first solo exhibit, Christmas Parties. And every time we have musicians to play, especially on Artists Night.

What aspirations do/did you or other people have for this place?

For me, my aspiration of the gallery is to showcase my comics, to play music, to share my knowledge on how I create my art and to socialize with people. For other people their aspirations like me is to showcase their artworks, appreciate art and to socialize as well.

Kalye Lakandula Art Gallery is located in Lakandula St., Pulungbulo, Angeles City.

Explore spaces and places in Pampanga; follow the hashtag #lugarketi