When in San Juan Part 1: The Metro’s New It Space

by Arianna Y. Lim on September 14, 2011

Photo by Ean L. Dacay

Food, art, clothing, and basketball will always have that special appeal to Filipino urbanites, but they become irresistible when they all congregate under one roof.

Case in point: San Juan’s Ronac Art Center.

Standing out against the drab buildings of Ortigas Avenue, Ronac unapologetically draws attention to itself, with its peculiar white and gray façade. Immediately noticeable are its uneven windowpanes, which pay homage to the French electronica duo Daft Punk—the structure spells out the lyrics to their song “Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger” in Morse code. Also, the bedspring-inspired white spiral staircase is a telling clue to the building’s owners: the polyutherane manufacturer Uratex.

Photo from the Internet

Eat

The mouthwatering burger and beer joint Charlie’s Grind and Grill has come a long way from its humble, hole-in-the-wall beginnings in Kapitolyo, Pasig. The branch in Ronac gets you the same famous food, but with far less parking competition to deal with.

Charlie’s takes pride in its food, so while your wallet will feel considerably lighter afterwards, your stomach won’t be disappointed by the delectably grilled US Angus beef, fresh vegetables, and thick, melted cheese piled on the handcrafted burgers. Must-tries include the Cheese Steak and the Black Angus Burger.

Right next to Charlie’s is Yoggle. Here, frozen yogurt is taken to a whole new level. Not only does it offer the customary plain tart flavor, but edgier ones as well, such as taro, mango, kiwi, and Yakult. All of them are good—yes, even the Yakult-flavored one—and the self-serve machines allow customers to go crazy with their fro-yo concoctions; be careful not to get too carried away, though, because you get charged by the ounce. The store’s colorful interior and plush sofas give the place a cozy ‘60s feel, perfect for sitting out the post-meal food coma.

In contrast, given the intimate fine dining ambiance evoked by its dim lighting and quality tableware, you’d think that Jozu Kin is guaranteed to leave you broke. However, you’ll be pleasantly surprised to find out that the opposite is true. It may still be a little steep for the average student, but considering the atmosphere and the excellent food, it’s worth the small splurge. The restaurant deviates from the usual Japanese dishes with meals like foie gras temaki and smoked salmon pizza, as well as the highly recommended sake sushi balls with cream cheese and crispy salmon skin.

A simple counter surrounded by just a few tables, Shabby’s Deck Bar (located at the open-air deck of the top floor, hence the name) is more of a chill place to sit around with a cold beer and some pulutan. If you’re looking for something a little more low-key and budget-friendly than the restaurants on the ground floor, check out Shabby’s for their drinks, shawarma, and kebabs.

Photo by Ean L. Dacay

Shop

The entire second story of Ronac is allotted to the Uratex Premium Mattress Showroom, a gallery for their plushiest of products. Unless you’re in the market for a posh new bed, though, there isn’t much to do on this floor. However, it’s worth checking out all the same, if only to be awed by how luxurious the mattress industry apparently is. They even have designer pieces—Rajo Laurel can now add “mattress” to his already-extensive portfolio, along with his clothing line and Brother’s Burger.

With its unfinished floors and exposed piping, this shared space of Bunker x Obey is the kind that’s been kept intentionally and meticulously sketchy. Obey Giant, whose Ronac shop is the brand’s flagship store in Manila, is a US-based street art campaign that offers graphic prints, clothing, and toys. Bunker, on the other hand, started out as a local specialized sneaker boutique. Together, they offer products that cater to Manila’s thriving street subculture.

You know you aren’t in just any regular toyshop when some of the merchandise comes with labels saying they’re “not for children.” Secret Fresh, a toy store-cum-art gallery, features urban toys and vinyl figurines by artists whose works almost always require double takes. The slightly creepy figurines of Dunny Azteca, the not-at-all ugly Uglydoll pieces, and the spoofs and perversions of pop culture characters like the Simpsons and the Toy Story crew make every trip to Secret Fresh an exciting experience.

Tipping its snapback to all the rebels of society, Unschooled is a self-proclaimed advocate of the defiance of the status quo. The shop carries polo and T-shirts designed by local artists, as well as foreign watches, bags, and shoes from esteemed street brands such as Mishka, Benny Gold, Huf, and Pointer.

Skate shop We Legendary carries specialty Nike shoes, bags, and skateboards, as well as caps and shirts from the US brand Primitive. Its products don’t come cheap, and the rare store sale will generate a line long enough to snake around the entire fourth floor.

Photo by Ean L. Dacay

Play

Located on the third floor, The Playground is dedicated to a full-sized basketball court. With unconventional light fixtures and bright-colored railings accenting its predominantly gray walls, it’s likely to be the quirkiest and most aesthetically pleasing basketball court you’ll ever come across.

When professional basketball teams like Smart Gilas aren’t training—or aren’t getting shamelessly ogled at—the space doubles as an events venue for concerts, bazaars and parties.

Photo by Ean L. Dacay

Ronac has none of the adamant sketchiness of Cubao X or The Collective, which would sometimes make you feel like you’re too mainstream to belong. Rather, the vibe is welcoming and it will draw you back for multiple visits.

There’s always bound to be something new upon your return. Whether it’s an extended family bonding session through a game of hoops at The Playground or a hearty meal of burgers and fries at Charlie’s, Ronac guarantees a fresh spin to your leisure activities.