The lovely clay pots of Philceramics in Tiwi, Albay |

I was happy to go back to Philceramics (Philippine Ceramics Arts and Crafts Center) in Barangay Putsan in Tiwi, Albay to which was known for the century-old pottery industry. With my hubby and my mother, we were excited to see their new clay products and buy another set of elegant vases and ceramic jars.

clay pots ready now for glazing touch

Philceramics introduced the modern technology of pottery making in Tiwi. They are now the leading terracotta ceramic industry in the Bicol Region. This is a project of the Department of Tourism and funded by the Philippine Government under the General Appropriations Act of 1994.

new sets of lovely and elegant vases

Just like our first visit here, I was again fascinated by new sets of beautiful vases attractively arranged on the display hall which was divided into three sections. If only I have a big house, I will buy all items that please my eyes. But I have to resist this impulse because our car cannot accommodate lots and lots of boxes inside.

Outside the facility were flower pots being dried under the sun. Near the main entrance was the big oven that is used for baking the molded pots and jars.

This was the first time that my mother will visit Philceramics so before we proceed with spending; we toured her inside the facility to see how these products are being made.

There were three potters busy molding a certain jar on top of an electric-driven throwing machine. I was fascinated by watching the actual process of how it was shaped in the desired form. Men were the potters and women design the jars and pots. Minutes later we headed to unfired earthenware with various shapes and designs lined up on a drying rack.

the actual molding of pots using the three basic materials and added with water

Three mixtures are used to make a pot. These are the himulot na pula (the red clay), himulot na itom (black clay), baras (feldspar) and then water is added to complete the formula.

It was amazing to ponder that the century-old pottery in the town of Tiwi had evolved so much. It was transformed into world-class decorative ceramics which are frequented by visitors coming from Manila and other parts of the region. It’s good that Philceramics had adopted modern technology.

happy buyers

I had a happy conversation with Nelia, one of the workers in Philceramics who was so thankful that the cooperative PCMA (Putsan Ceramics Manufacturers Association) was formed. They were provided a sustainable livelihood and the rest of the people of Barangay Putsan through pottery making. She was happy to see many people buying their products.

But there are locals who are still using the traditional method of making pots. Molded clays are being dried under the sun beside the road and they burn hay as their method of baking.

After touring around (a kind of field trip haha!) we now headed back to the store and bought several sets of lovely jars.

me and my hubby were standing in front of a store that sells both the traditional and the terracotta clay pots

Their price was cheaper compared to malls in Manila. A 3-set elegant vase costs Php400 only. Other items we bought were key-chains (Php10 to P35), ref magnets (Php35), wind chimes (Php75), lampshades (Php65 to Php120), and aromatherapy burners (Php60 to Php300).

clay pots being dried under the sun

We were happy and satisfied buyers when we left Philceramics. On our way to the city proper of Tiwi, we passed by several pots, piggy banks, and other toys made of clay being dried up under the sun beside the road. Those traditional items brought back the nostalgia of my happy childhood in Albay.

Contact Info:

Mr. Rondo Condat – 09308880451
Location: Barangay Putsan, Tiwi, Albay

In Getting There:

From Legazpi City ride a van en route to Tiwi (P60). Take a jeepney or tricycle ride coming from town proper en route to Barangay Putsan. Special tricycle ride costs P70.

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