SINEPOP – THE TRANQUIL ZONE

A good friend invited me to an evening of intimate chamber music in a venue hidden somewhere in Cubao, a place which he says, is a haven for introverts. I went with my wife and we had a wonderful time with the music and the crowd. After the performance, the host toured us around the venue and gave us a summarized history. It was evening that time, but I could imagine the light coming in during different times of the day.

The quiet place is called Sinepop.

A few months passed since then and after a busy streak of shoots, I was eager for some quality R&R. Somehow Sinepop kept “popping” in my head. It was weird because my brain is convincing me that a day of shooting a venue constitutes as rest. So I called up the host.

I arrive early on the set dates, I take my time to roam around the property. Many times I would be still and let the spaces speak to me. Exploring the venue at my own pace opened my senses to the thoughtfulness that Architects Justin Guiab and Jondi D Guzman put into creating the spaces.

The ground floor is a wide space finished with bare concrete, juxtaposed by panoramic views of bamboo gardens and a felled tree trunk. It feels different now from when I first came here at night, now it feels quiet, serene. I take my time enjoying the view, and wondering if that tree trunk has a story.

An old set of wooden stairs beckons, and as I climb it, I am filled with waves of nostalgia as my eyes move from one detail to another of what makes up a well preserved interior of an ancestral home. Not content with just looking, I head to the wooden sliding windows and touch the carved guides, it feels same as my childhood home. The air is peaceful, there’s sound from the rustling of the leaves, and the light is starting to reach inside. I walk around and I feel the faint creaks from the floor, as if acknowledging my presence.

On the second floor however, is a dark hallway that leads to… something. Something for your curiosity to inquire when you get the chance to visit. For now I head out to the bamboo garden, the light is just right.

The bamboo garden seems like an obvious highlight of the property, and rightfully so. It is thick enough to separate the world out on the streets and the world inside, but just permeable enough to spy what’s happening on the other side. The light shining through speaks a language that photographers understand. I start shooting.

Such a quiet world, yet so alive and talkative. I spent the rest of the time following where the light leads me, wondering what I can do with it. In the process I’ve come to a deeper appreciation of this curious interplay of old and new, of man-made and God-made. Indeed, two contrasting elements can co-exist in harmony.

Very few properties leave such a unique impression. I truly hope this will stand as long as it can and inspire similar properties to be more thoughtful in their design. I got home feeling refreshed that day, and know I got exactly what I needed, I simply needed to step into the tranquil zone.

If you are ever in need of an intimate space for your event, you can contact Sinepop through their facebook, or email them at: sinepopcubao@gmail.com