Pottery in Tibiao, Antique

Other than the natural scenery, Tibiao is also known for its production of earthenware.

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Bandoja, formerly known as Lupa-an, is a barangay in Tibiao rich in clay reserves. Here are where pots and bricks are made in the province of Antique.

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Pottery is both an art and a science. It’s something I’ve always wanted to try and I am lucky enough to have experienced it. It’s actually very technical and entails an arduous process.

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For a lump of clay to be molded into a pot, there must be enough water added to make it workable before placing it on the center of a spinning platform called the wheel.

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The damp clay is then kneaded and shaped with the turning of the wheel in a steady pace, adding water whenever needed to keep the clay soft and pliable. Using a certain amount of pressure, the middle of the clay should be carefully pressed all the way down to the bottom to form an opening.

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Then working it from the inside out, with the constant turning of the wheel, it is shaped to the desired form with its rough sides smoothed. (Hi Sir Alex!)

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When it’s done, the clay pot is removed from the wheel by sliding a tightly stretched string through the base of the pot.

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Here are our finished pots! Well, sort of.

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They first need to be air-dried for a number of weeks till they become bone dry.

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Then they will be fired in this thermally insulated chamber called the kiln.

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Tada! This is how they look like when they’re done. 🙂

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If you wanna do something different and challenging, I highly recommend you try pottery here in Tibiao, Antique. Special thanks to the potters of Tibiao and Sir Alex Española for taking us here!

Reconnect with Nature in Tibiao, Antique

I drew a blank for every futile attempt to blog about our two-day excursion in Tibiao, Antique because I’m always at loss for words.

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But how could I not? Its enchanting, pristine beauty has held me hostage and left me utterly speechless.

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Tibiao is a large expanse of open fields, lush greens, verdant mountains and relaxing tropical scenery.

It is a wonderful respite for all those who seek serenity outside the hustles and bustles of everyday life.

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There is just something about the beauty of nature that can have a profound effect on our senses.

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The tranquility of silent rivers calms the cluttered mind.

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The invigorating fresh air enhances mood and revitalizes the body.

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The stillness of the mountains brings peace and healing to the weary soul.

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Happiness can be found outdoors and so I invite you to come to Tibiao to reconnect with nature.

HOW TO GET TO TIBIAO, ANTIQUE
Tibiao, Antique is a great travel destination for nature lovers, soul searchers and budget backpackers. It is located in the heart of Antique province and can be reached by plane via Caticlan or Iloilo.

From Caticlan
From Caticlan Jetty Port Terminal, walk to the bus terminal nearby and take a bus that is bound for San Jose. It will pass through several towns before it reaches to Tibiao. Average travel time is 2 hours.

From Iloilo
From Molo Terminal, take a bus or van that is bound for Culasi or Caticlan. Just ask to be dropped off at Tibiao. Average travel time is 2-3 hours.

WHERE TO STAY
I recommend staying at Kasa Raya. I will talk more about it in another post soon.