Kama Sutra at breakfast

My grumbling stomach and the smell of fried rice led me to two flights of stairs to the top floor of Ponce Suites. Like the hallways on each floor, the restaurant is also loaded with artsy stuff, a collection of green bottles, mosaic animal shapes and plants. A cozy corner where hanging plants shades the breakfast table creates a comfortable ambiance. The textured mosaic animals’ shapes remind of a children’s park, playful and relaxed.

While waiting for breakfast to be served, my eyes roamed and were arrested by artworks on the ceiling. I came closer to make out what those ET-like creatures were doing. My cousin and I probably looked like a couple of weirdos looking at the ceiling with our mouths open. No, we were not watching lizards making out---but we were as fascinated as a devout of Michelangelo’s paintings at the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. Apparently, Kublai Millan adorned the ceiling with Kama Sutra-inspired two-dimensional artworks (you're a naughty boy, Kublai!). What a unique idea!

It was a little before 7 o’clock in the morning---an ungodly hour to talk about Kama Sutra. But it certainly made us giggle, and smile. He probably put it there to challenge or perhaps to discomfit, or to spark an energetic, sensual chat. Those paintings changed my mood and my entire frame of mind---it was a bit difficult to concentrate on food afterwards (hahaha)!

the restaurant

artworks on the ceiling

stairs leading to the artist's loft

ceiling of the loft

a mosaic croc-cum-steps to the artist's studio

Ponce Suites, the "unconvention" center

the Philippine Eagle guarding the hotel entrance

For Davao artist Kublai Millan, having a family-owned hotel to exhibit his art must be a dream-come-true. Ponce Suites in Davao City showcases the work of its artist-in-residence, from the sidewalk outside the hotel to every nook and cranny of the building. I read about Ponce Suites many years ago so I kind of know what to expect…but when I saw the massive sculptures, my reaction was---whoa!

My flight to Davao left Manila at 4:20 am and touched down a little before 6 am. I had no sleep, stressed from the chaos in the newly opened Terminal 3, tired and hungry, my guards were down---that the riot of colors in the lobby, walls, and hallways overwhelmed me when I entered the hotel. The first thought that came to mind was---Wow, he really let himself go! Artworks are crammed everywhere---even at the ceiling, the interior is definitely one of a kind, I've never seen anything like it. As I stood in front of the framed hair cuttings (presumably the artist’s), I wondered if the interior of the hotel has been an outlet of a mental health issue (hehe). But really, in an age of chaos, I understand how some people embrace the chaos theory.

As much as I’d like to be a minimalist, in reality, I am a clutterist. And walking around the artwork-filled hallways and stairways, I was able to appreciate how good it is to be surrounded by the evidence that you have lived a life, created something; that you have moved around and seen things, that you have collected things along the way, that you have sentiments, sadness and joys that you were able to express. And that’s what Kublai Millan did...he expressed them all in this little hotel. Lucky guy!

Ponce Suites seem to grow on you. The artworks definitely give it a unique appeal. I’m not an art connoisseur or an artist---I just follow my instincts with things that stimulate my senses. And frankly, some artworks on the walls are just a swirling mess of anything to me---but I know that they have a complex shape and order, I just don’t get it (hahaha). Those sculptures and the entire art-covered surfaces, not all of them beautiful by any means, but each are clearly there for a reason.

artworks on the wall

the hallway

at the lobby

poetry and photos of the artist in various state of nudity

the framed hair cuttings (right)

gigantic sculptures outside

this must be the artist---coming out of his shell

hallway outside my door

photographs as wallpaper