Pondok Indah: Mixing art, culture and history with a sense of humor

I usually go to Serendra to do three things: eat, eat and eat. But this time, when the Ayala Land executives, led by Rowena Tomeldan, CJ Jesena and Cathy Bengson, brought our Lifestyle section team on a tour of Serendra’s second floor, I discovered another must-do in Serendra: shop, shop and shop!

What I experienced was a feast for the senses. I love all the shops where I finally found the accessories I have been looking for, at very good prices.

First stop was Pondok Indah, managed by the charming Juan Naval, who spent a year in Indonesia recently with his wife, Annie. They returned to the Philippines with Indonesia in their hearts and beautiful Indonesian art objects in their luggage. Thus began their shop called Pondok Indah, which means “beautiful bungalow.”

Look what we found: earthquake turtles, only P450 for a set of 10 (yes, their heads will go bobbing and wobbling even at intensity 1; lovable cats, P500 for a set of 4 (ask Juan yourself why Indonesians love cats); masks, P450; candleholders, P2,500; paintings, P3,000; lamps, P17,500 for a pair; huge mosaic colorful lamps, P5,000; mirror, P9,800; daybed, P60,000.

Juan proudly shows us a mini fully-functional bike, only P2,500. But our super favorite finds were the beautiful plates designed by the late artist Pacita Abad, really a treasure for art collectors.   

Call Pondok Indah at 947-0830 or fax 772-4644.