[Laguna Loop Trip 6] Kape Kesada Art Gallery (Paete, Laguna)

Paete, Laguna is known for its wood carvings. However, their medium (wood) becomes more and more scarce because of grave deforestation. That’s why the artists of Paete are now looking for other means to express themselves.

Kape Kesada Art Gallery was founded by Dr. Nilo Valdecantos in 2004 to cater for Paeteños’ passion for art. It is also the first coffee shop and art gallery in Paete. However, how unfortunate I am that day because they can’t serve coffee since the whole Paete has no electricity that day.

But with or without electricity, I was still accommodated by Ms. Bhevs Dianela, Kape Kesada’s art curator/barista for three years. She gave me a walkthrough through the various artworks, and also gave a little bit of Paete’s history.

The ambiance of the art gallery was good, I feel good vibes here. And it’s very conducive to art. But, do you know that the materials used for building the art gallery came from recycled wood and materials Dr. Valdecantos has gathered throughout Laguna?

The members of their art gallery is also conducting a summer art workshop, open for all ages.

Aside from usual Filipino visitors like me, they have also hosted some foreign dignitaries such as the Ambassador of Spain,  D. Álvaro Lozano Cutanda. Filipino folk group Asin has also jammed in Kape Kesada’s Saturday jamming.

Kape Kesada is open Mondays to Sundays, 9am to 6pm, except for Saturdays, where they invite musicians to have a jamming here that usually ends up Sunday dawn. You may also visit their website, http://kapekesada.co.cc , or email them at kapekesada@yahoo.com.

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How to get to Kape Kesada Art Gallery from Manila?

Ride a bus to Sta. Cruz, Laguna. You can choose from bus terminals in Araneta Center Cubao, Alabang, or Buendia near the LRT station (I would personally recommend DLTBCo. Its terminal is located in the former Nirvana bar near the LRT Buendia station). From Sta. Cruz, ride a jeepney to Siniloan, Laguna, and tell your driver to drop you off at Paete. Kape Kesada is located in Quesada street, going to the direction of the Paete church.