Local Eco-Friendly Bag Designer Shares Her Side of Tagaytay City Tourists Rarely See!

Of the many operating Tagaytay hotels, Anya Resort Tagaytay prides itself for its ecological practices. Meanwhile, another resident has taken this advocacy to heart by making sure her startup subscribes to eco-friendly ways to lessen the carbon footprint in her beloved hometown.

Meet Jennilyn Peñalba Banda, 29, born and raised in Tagaytay City. Also known as "Choi" to family and friends, she is the owner of artotell—a one-woman startup creating trendy, reusable, and carry-all tote bags for every occasion.

"I started artotell in 2016—a few years after getting my tourism degree from Cavite State University. Ama taught us how to use a sewing machine at an early age. I fell in love with it."

Operating at a makeshift workshop right from her childhood home, Choi focuses on tote bags made from sustainable materials which she painstakingly pieces together and individually hand paints—sometimes with the help of friends and hired workers.

"Our tote bags are made-to-order. Customers order in bulk for their quirky wedding souvenirs, corporate giveaways, and similar kinds of events. It can also be used for daily errands like grocery shopping, working out, or going to the bank. It's very versatile, handy, and easy-to-wash. It eliminates the use of single-use plastic bags and you can also avoid constantly buying eco-bags at the supermarket."

Choi initially aspired to get a job related to her course. She even worked in the Middle East for a couple of years, but the longing for loved ones brought her back to her home city.

"Growing up here and studying tourism made me appreciate the environment more. I wanted to come back home and do something where I can use my education and my love for Mother Earth at the same time."

She also shared a side of Tagaytay that non-locals often overlook for the usual spots. Here are 5 of them:

Aozora Japanese Restaurant

"I'm not a big meat-eater. I mostly go for fish and ramen that's why I come here. Plus, it's classy, cozy, and quiet. Perfect for chilly afternoons which pretty much happens daily here."

Taza Mia Coffee

"After a heavy meal, we usually spend a few hours drinking coffee and enjoying light-hearted laughs and conversations here. Sometimes they have live music, but I mostly go here to relax and get my caffeine fix."

Tagaytay City Track Oval

"Sometimes when work gets too overwhelming, I go out for a run at the local track oval. Aside from jogging, you can also play frisbee, go biking, and walk your dogs here. I come here around late afternoon so I could watch the sunset before the day ends."

Ukay-Ukay Hub

"I love thrifting because I can get chic outfits for less plus it also helps in conserving energy and resources. Sometimes, I even make bags out of cute shorts and pants that I get from here."

Anya Resort Tagaytay

I haven't had the pleasure of staying at Anya, but we have visited and worked with them for a wedding that my friends' companies Evertrend and Thal Ruin Photography had not too long ago. I personally liked Anya Tagaytay's rooms plus the amazing views. I also appreciate that they are using eco-friendly practices to lessen the damage most businesses and tourist leave in Tagaytay.
For more information on Artotell Bags Collection, visit their Facebook page here or follow them on @artotellph.

To know more about Anya Hotel Tagaytay and its eco-sustainable processes, log on to their website at www.anyaresorts.com.

A Unique Experience at the Henry Hotel Cebu

These days, modern hotel accommodations offer highly similar facades that are all too familiar. Contemporary designs are a dime a dozen, and while these tried and tested architectural leanings offers a safe and familiar selling point, The Henry Hotel in Cebu City offers something more to its guests.

SOMETHING COLORFUL, SOMETHING DIFFERENT

If you’re looking for your next Cebu City accommodation, The Henry Hotel Cebu offers a unique hotel experience which promises to be as comfortable and memorable, as much as it is exciting. Boasting modern art-deco designs and multiple themed rooms, the hip stylings this hotel offers a pop of vibrant colors that are rarely available with other hotels in the city.

The Henry Hotel’s 62 rooms promise larger than life accommodations, literally both in space and in its aesthetics. With 2 contemporary artists lending their masterful designs, Mark Luzon and Mark “Kidlat” Copino, no two rooms are rendered exactly the same. The uniqueness in the styles of the rooms makes its guests and visitors feel as if they are living in an art gallery. With sleeping comfort and modern amenities as a minimum requirement for its accommodations, The Henry Hotel Cebu aims for a different experience every time you stay, even for returning guests.

A FAMILIAR, BUT PREMIUM COMFORT

The Henry Hotel Cebu sees to it that the conveniences which a modern hotel offers are not lost for the sake of aesthetics. Comfortable sleep is mainly the priority. Each room is equipped with soft and sturdy mattresses for a good night’s rest, and modern-day conveniences are available for that complete hotel experience. Free Wi-Fi access, contemporary bathroom fixtures, in-room safe and tea-making facilities, are only some of the features available in all rooms of the hotel.

Of course, the Henry Hotel Cebu takes it one step further. All rooms are spacious and well ventilated, with well-thought-of colors and designs. The hip and funky vibe of each room are accentuated by premium hotel offerings such as all-natural Bath Origins for its bath amenities, and French press with fresh coffee grounds by Henry and Sons.

EXTRAORDINARY FACILITIES

It is not just the rooms which offer its guests something different to be had, The Henry Hotel Cebu features amenities which are all unique on its own. Where else can you find a hotel with a reading nook and a café with fun and quirky designs?

Even Space 40, the hotel’s function hall and meeting room, has aesthetics which guarantees anything but a boring assembly. And of course, a hotel is not a Henry Hotel if it doesn’t have the signature store, The Honest Henry.

For those of you who are not familiar, The Honest Henry is a store which relies on honesty when it comes to paying for its merchandises. You read it right, the hotel banks on the virtue of one’s honesty when it comes to actually paying for the items in the store. For the Henry Hotel Cebu, it teamed up with Anthill Fabric Gallery to showcase the store offerings, featuring intricately made local merchandise which guests may want to bring home as souvenir or pasalubong.

LIKE NO OTHER

The Henry Hotel Cebu may not be your usual hotel, it’s a whole lot more. The colorful designs promise to energize discerning guests with it’s vibrant and funky vibes which really makes for a unique, inspired, experience. Offering modern convenience with an elevated hotel stay, this artistically-designed boutique hotel is truly a must-try accommodation in Cebu City.

For more information and bookings for the Henry Hotel Cebu City, click HERE: https://cebu.thehenryhotel.com.