Binangonan’s newest attraction – ArtSector Gallery and Chimney Café 360

the metropolis at dark from Binangonan vantagepoint

I know its quarantine we are all expected to just stay at home, stay healthy and what not, but being lockdown since March is really unnerving and almost reach my breaking point. Looking up on social media of my friends and all their pre-pandemic travel posts doesn’t help either. So when community quarantine relaxed a bit, I make my way and planned to go to this familiar minimalist white washed art gallery sitting atop of a hill, overlooking the greater Manila area. I said familiar because I’ve seen this architectural and aesthetic design somewhere – in Antipolo and Tagaytay to be exact. As it turns out, the owner of this 5-storey property is none other than Mr. Antonio “Tony” Leano, a consummate artist, a polymath and the grand architect behind the world class Pinto Art Museum.

For the past months I keep on seeing photos circulating online about this new place. Details of this new getaway keeps on falling under my radar. Upon further research I found out that the ArtSector Gallery was inaugurated on 26th of November 2019 and the Chimney Café 360 was opened the 2nd of January 2020. This imposing architectural gem is nestled on top of a hill in Binangonan, Rizal, Art Sector Gallery and Chimney Café 360’s main draw is its unobstructed panoramic vista from Mt Makiling, portion of Laguna Lake and the Metro Manila skyline, with its dramatic and breathtaking shifting of colors from the glorious sunset hues to multicolored city lights in the evening. As an added bonus of the place being an art gallery, you could roam around to admire the local and contemporary art on display all over the premise.

Some important information before going

ArtSector Gallery & Chimney Café 360 is located at Lot 18 Block 178 Eastridge Executive Village, Col. Guido Rd, Tayuman, Binangonan, Rizal. Their location is quite near Thunderbird Resort and is 30mins to one hour away from Pinto Art Museum in Antipolo. From there you can also drive one more hour to reach the Pillilia Wind Farm.

Hours of Operation: The Gallery is open from Tuesday to Sunday at 2:00pm – 6:30pm (The Gallery and the Café like the Pinto Museum is always closed on Mondays, as most museums all over the world observes as the day of rest)

Entrance Fee: Php200 per pax. Holidays its Php225.

Drone Fee: Drone video shoot is by appointment and schedule. Fees are as follows: Php499 for 1-5 pax; Php999 for group of 6-11 pax and Php1499 for 12 pax and above. For special events, if you want someone from the Gallery professionally shoot and edit videos for you, that would be Php2999.

Photoshoot Fee: Php8800 (for the first 5pax) for 5 hours. Php500 per pax in excess of 5pax and Php1000 per hour in excess of 5 hours.

the white-washed architecture is very much reminiscent of that of Pinto Art Museum – an eclectic fusion of Ilocano and Santorini references

Reservation Procedure: Because of the COVID-19 pandemic and strict compliance with the Eastridge Subdivision, guests are required to secure reservation two days prior the scheduled date of visit. At the time of writing, they only allow the first 25 orders that are confirmed online. Walk-ins is only possible on certain days of the week. Peak days (Friday, Saturday, Sunday and holidays reservation is a MUST)

For reservations one strictly needs to follow the following booking procedure:

1. Message ArtSector Gallery & Chimney Café 360° on their Facebook Page to reserve your slot. No Calls and SMS. They only entertain inquiries and reservation through Facebook Messenger.

2. On your message indicate date of visit, number of pax. Date of reservation must be 2 days prior the intended date of visit. Advance reservation of more than 2 days are not accepted.

3. Preorder prepaid packed food. They will provide you the menu which you can choose what to order in advance. (They also allow on site order but its best to pre order just to make sure you have something to eat while on the venue)

4. They will contact you later within the day of the reservation once your request was successfully booked. Please be very patient as they received a lot of inquiries on the day (reservations usually opens at 2pm).

5. Once confirmed, you need to pay the entrance fee and preordered food via BPI, BDO or GCash. Payment details and instruction will be provided upon confirmation

First Come First Serve Basis: In the entrance upon arrival, the staff will ask and confirm your reservation. The prepaid food orders can be claimed at the Bar on level 1. Dining at areas are from levels 1-5. They do not have table assignments so you need to arrive early to get a good spot inside the place.

The House Rules:

1. The gallery strictly implements No Mask, No Entry Policy. Make sure to wear your facemask and observe social distancing at all times.

2. Guests are prohibited from touching the paintings and artworks at all times.

3. Minimize noise. No running, jumping, stomping, and shouting.

4. Unless you come for a photoshoot, no big tripods, bringing of props and changing of clothes is discouraged. Photoshoot rate applies.

5. If you will be bringing drone you need to inform them in advance. Drone usage fee and rates apply.

6. It is not advisable to bring food and drinks inside the gallery premises. Corkage fee is 30%

7. Strictly no smoking in all areas.

8. Do not leave your belongings unattended, the gallery is not accountable for damages or losses inside the premises and in your vehicles.

Car Parks and Parking:

Ample parking spaces are available around the area except the areas at the back where a residential house is found. Just come early so you can find a good parking spot. They allow guests to park as early as 1pm but the area do not have ample amount of shade so be prepared. The designated area is not concrete. Although there’s someone who looks after the parked cars, secure your belongings.

Getting there and away

The most convenient means to go to the place is by private transportation. However, if you still want to commute, the following instructions can be of help:

1. You can take shuttle that goes straight to Thunderbird resort then take taxi, Grab or Angkas directly to the Gallery.

2. From SM Megamall or Starmall Crossing in Mandaluyong, take UV Express going to Binangonan. Alight at the scrapyard beside 7Eleven store in Angono cor Col Guido Road, then take tricycle to the venue.

3. Tricycle from Antipolo Church to the venue is Php150

4. Grab from Mission Hills Antipolo is around Php200-Php250.

You can use WAZE and search for the Gallery. The route will either go to Angono or Antipolo.

1. From Angono, take the hi-way and drive straight then turn left once you notice the 7/11 convenience store.

2. A certain portion of the road going to the Gallery is a very steep, curvy uphill drive, so drive safely, most specially if its raining..

3. Once you reach the Eastridge Subdivision guardhouse, turn right on the first street then drive straight all the way until you see the white building that sits on top of the hill.

If your coming from Binangonan:

1. Take the Quarry Road then turn left to Eastridge Village.

2. Pass through the guardhouse then through the tunnel up to the zigzag road.

3. Turn left before Perlies Restaurant and then drive straight to the Gallery.

If you are coming from Antipolo:

1. Take the Mahabang Parang Angono Road up to Eastridge Village.

2. Drive straight through the tunnel until the zigzag road then turn left before Perlies Restaurant.

3. Drive straight to the Gallery, the noticeable white house on top of the hill with Laguna Lake on your right.

Additional Notes

The Gallery and Cafe is a great place to relax if you are looking for a commanding, panoramic view of Laguna, Rizal, Manila and of nearby areas with a perfect sunset spot as a bonus. While the place is very appealing, here are some few caveats:

1. The building is not fully airconditioned but there are industrial electric fans to cools the place especially during the hot afternoons. Expect it to be a bit humid inside especially on some portion with direct sunlight.

2. Stay away at the area close to the glass panels (those table for twos) as sunlight directly falls on that area few hours right before the sun sets.

3. During the weekend, expect it to be jampacked. Though there are reservations for guests, seats may not be readily available. You need to wait for others to finish dining. Weekday is still the best time to visit to avoid the crowd.

4. Orders may take longer than usual. The current process is to reserve your slot 2 days before your visit. Message them thru their FB page then pre-order your food. It will be served when you arrive and confirm the reservation. Payment is also done before your visit via BPI, BDO, and GCash payments. Refreshments on the other hand can be accommodated immediately.

5. Wear comfortable attire. Remember that it is a bit humid inside the building. It can be very hot and humid on a normal sunny day but it goes cooler as the sun sets.

6. Always coordinate with the point person where you can fly your drone most specially if there are multiple flyers within the area.

7. Parking space is limited. Take necessary precautions when parking your car. Some portion has uneven surface and is very rocky.

8. Try not to stay late as the village doesn’t have ample number of streetlights. Although the place is inside the subdivision, safely secure your belongings.

9. During GCQ and the time of writing, no kids are allowed.

10. Further expansion is planned that includes a mini Hello Kitty museum and a seafood restaurant.