Podium Boutique Hotel’s Healing Through Art, Writing, Food & Music in August Cordicon
By: Nonnette C. Bennett
August in Baguio was drenched in showers, carrying with it the familiar gloom of the season. Yet, at the Podium Boutique Hotel, the downpour became a backdrop for healing, creativity, and connection. Through Cordicon, a gathering of art, words, melodies, and table fare, the community found mental wellness and wellbeing in the rain.
Geometry of Being: Art as Therapy
Charity P. Dannang former OFW, author of “Seven Days of Healing”
The exhibit Geometry of Being showcased four women whose works embodied resilience and wellness.
- Jingle Melan Ku Marquez, hotel owner and founder of Art Heals Inc., displayed her meditative artworks. “Every artwork is an invitation to slow down, embrace the journey, and discover the quiet geometry that connects us all,” she shared.
- Charity P. Dannang, author of Seven Days of Creative Healing, turned her dialysis journey into line drawings that radiate hope.
- Amparo Moldero Magallanes, entrepreneur and artist, offered whimsical dreamscapes alongside her handmade apothecary creations, reminding audiences to “have faith, have fun, stay fierce.”
- Jennifer Leung Francisco, educator and yoga teacher, used pointillism as meditation, echoing her mantra: “Into the forest I go, to lose my mind and find my soul.”
Together, their works embodied Marquez’s belief that “healing is rarely linear. Every line, dot, and shape represents a choice, a challenge, or a moment of growth.”
✍️ Cordicon Author’s Summit
On August 29, Cordicon hosted a series of talks for aspiring writers and storytellers:
- Kaye Leah Sitchon explored the Art of Food Writing through memory and flavor.
- Mt. Cloud Bookstore guided authors on how to place works on their shelves.
- Roland Tolentino discussed the publishing process.
- Links PH shared insights on libraries and mural projects.
The summit emphasized connection and creation, inspiring the next generation of authors.
🍷 A Feast for the Soul
The Thanksgiving dinner at Hokka Brew introduced new menu highlights:
- Smoked Mushroom Soup, thick and comforting against the rain.
- Tender Beef Brisket and juicy Smoked Whole Chicken.
- Cajun Seafood paired with Mongolian vegetables.
- Local mashed potatoes, creamy Mac & Cheese, and sweet Chocolate Petti Four.
Overflowing red wine sealed the evening, while raffle prizes—from artworks to books and even an air rifle—added excitement.
Music & High Spirits
Jeff Coronado’s soulful acoustic set filled the room with heartfelt stories and good vibes. Diners joined in song, proving that music, too, is part of the healing process.
Despite the four inches of rain that fell on Baguio that night, spirits remained undampened. The Podium Boutique Hotel became a sanctuary where art, writing, food, and music converged—reminding everyone that healing thrives in community.
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