How We Started

Assoc. Prof. Rita Badilla-Gudiño, MFA,has been fascinated with the process of ceramics ever since she was a design student at UP College of Fine Arts (UPCFA). The motivation to put up Tahanan came from a need to make ceramics available to everyone and to have a space to share her knowledge, skills, and passion for ceramic arts.

Vicente Gudiñoworked for a multinational company before deciding to start Tahanan with his wife Rita. He found working with clay to be an intuitive and gratifying process, an experience he wishes to share with his students.

Tahanan first opened its doors to the community in October 2018. Three short years later, they moved to a bigger home! In its growth, Dr. Daphne Ang came in to support Tahanan. She fell in love with clay as it offered a quiet time to draw on her creativity. Through their collective efforts, Tahanan now has exclusive rights to distribute quality clays, materials, and equipment from Laguna Clay Company and L&L Kilns, both US-based companies, with distributors from different parts of the world.

Built on the expertise and commitment of its founders, Tahanan has paved the way in developing a community with great interest and appreciation for ceramic arts. It has grown to become a dedicated place open to anyone looking at pottery for enrichment and inspiration!

Meet the Team

  • Rita Gudiño | Program Director

    On top of her many roles in Tahanan, Rita is also an Associate Professor at the University of the Philippines College of Fine Arts. She propelled the founding of the UPCFA Ceramic Studio and was part of the team that institutionalized the Minor Program on Ceramic Arts Technique of the College. She has received both academic and international recognition in the field of ceramic arts with her magnum opus, LUAL Kiln Art.

  • Vicente Gudiño | Executive Director

    Vicente draws on his years of experience in marketing, sales, and customer service for a multinational company to efficiently and effectively run Tahanan’s operations. As a hands-on manager, he has dedicated himself to running the business as well as developing his ceramic art practice. His vision and commitment have led to the success that Tahanan enjoys today. He teaches Basic Wheel Pottery Classes and Exploratory Wheel Pottery Workshops.

  • Daphne Ang | Industry Partner

    A pathologist by profession, Daphne has always been curious and eager to explore pottery. She was one of Tahanan’s students who strongly shared Tahanan’s vision and mission. She has continuously supported Tahanan and all its endeavors when she came in as a partner in 2021. Pottery has since become a fulfilling creative outlet that helps her relax and unwind after busy days at the lab.

  • Viajane Marie Laurente | Front Desk & Administration Assistant

    At Tahanan, Via is responsible for handling bookings and registrations, shop orders, and various administrative tasks. She plays a crucial role in running both the virtual and actual field of Tahanan’s business, ensuring that every student and customer’s needs are attended to. When you visit us, you'll be greeted by her warm smile and friendly demeanor at the front desk.

  • Bhing Canela | Custodian & Operations Assistant

    If you’ve taken a class or workshop at Tahanan, you would know that Bhing is the most called-out name, earning her the moniker, Busy Bhing. In case you need anything in the Studio or at the Shop, picking up or inquiring about the status of your works, she is the person to ask. Bhing is also skilled in different aspects of ceramic studio operations and is now an indispensable part of the team.

  • Ga Octavio | Maintenance & Operations Assistant

    Kuya Ga is our all-around Mister Reliable who maintains Tahanan grounds, facilities, and equipment while also doing carpentry, painting, welding, electrical, and other building and maintenance needs of Tahanan. On top of this, you will find him doing kiln work and firing Tahanan’s kilns as well as assisting in studio operations, such as glazing preparations, glazing, and other production works.

  • Kris Aguila | Operations Assistant

    Kris is our most able Boy Friday. Apart from juggling maintenance, with kiln work, clay processing, production work, and stock management, he also lovingly takes care of Tahanan’s dynamic dog duo. He always goes about his routines with enthusiasm and a positive attitude. If you need help to carry heavy bags or boxes of clay or require extra assistance on anything, Kris is the person to look for.

  • Raku | Tahanan Support Staff

    The first born of the labrador-aspin duo, Raku is a playful brother to Terra. But when humans come to say hello, he has a knack for stealing the spotlight and all the petting for himself. Before getting your hands into clay, go for a quick romp with Raku, to get your energies up and creative juices flowing.

  • Terra | Tahanan Support Staff

    The second half of the beloved labrador-aspin duo, Terra puts up a sweet strong fight for affection when her brother gets too much in the way. A trip to Tahanan is never complete without the satisfying feel of her fur in your hands and seeing her grateful eyes and delightful smile.

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Meet the Teachers

  • Al Cruz | Pottery Wheel Instructor

    Aleister is a Chief Strategy Officer of a multinational financial service company. He started his journey into pottery in 2002 and joined Tahanan as a teacher for the Pottery Wheel Classes. His motivation to teach is propelled by a desire to build an appreciation for the art and science behind ceramics. He approaches teaching with attention to framework and breaks down the process of pottery wheel throwing into units that are easily understood..

  • Sonny Cruz | Pottery Wheel Instructor

    Sonny is an advertising Broadcast Producer by profession who began his pottery journey in 2003. He remains a serious pottery enthusiast and continues to channel his attention to detail in the production of his functional ceramic tableware and decorative sculptures. He aims to share his knowledge gained through the years as he joins Tahanan in developing pottery as an art form.

  • Tô Austria | Pottery Wheel Instructor

    Tô Austria has been a professor at UP College of Fine Arts for more than 30 years. Apart from teaching undergraduate and graduate courses at the college, Sir Tô teaches Studio Pottery courses at the college and was part of the team who developed the ceramic courses offered at the University. His ceramic works have been exhibited both locally and internationally and he joins Tahanan to share his passion for working with clay with a larger community.

  • Kat Carlos | Hand-Building Pottery Instructor

    Kat is an interior designer by profession. Her pottery journey started out of curiosity, which quickly turned into a passion after she began working with clay at Tahanan. Her activities began to revolve around family, work, friends, pets, and of course, pottery. She is motivated to design and create cute and charming functional works in ceramics. Now a Tahanan Hand-Building Pottery teacher, there is no turning back for her. She draws much inspiration from teaching kids and adults alike.

  • Pablo Gamboa | Pottery Wheel Instructor

    Pablo discovered the joy of teaching while working for a Master Painter and instructor. Prompted by feedback that he painted like a sculptor, he tried out pottery and fell in love with the flow of the discipline. He began his pottery journey in 2021 at Tahanan and fully immersed himself in the art form, creating works from the potter’s wheel. Pablo now teaches the Pottery Wheel Classes, imparting his passion, skills, techniques in pottery to his students.

  • Beth Siojo | Hand-Building Instructor

    Beth is a graduate from UP College of Fine Arts. After establishing a career in advertising, she pursued her love for health and well-being by becoming a fitness trainer and Pilates instructor. This allowed her time to develop her painting and ceramic art practice. Her ceramic art mentors are Master potter, Jon Pettyjohn, and terracotta artist, Roberto Acosta. Beth teaches the Hand-Building Pottery Workshops and Classes at Tahanan while continuously developing her creative ceramic expressions.

  • Celina Savellano | Hand-Building Pottery Instructor

    Celina, a chef by profession, began exploring pottery in 2023 at Tahanan. She found a new creative passion in clay and quickly developed her skills and techniques in working with the medium. She combines her culinary artistry in creating unique and exquisite ceramic works. Celina now teaches Hand-Building Pottery Workshops and Classes while continuously developing her ceramic art practice at Tahanan.

  • Raissa Calunsag | Hand-Building Pottery Instructor

    Raissa Calunsag, an educator by profession, began her pottery journey at Tahanan Pottery. She is humbled and challenged by the practice of working with clay and continues to learn from others who have also fallen in love with the medium. Raissa shares her passion and personal journey with clay with her Hand-Building Pottery students at Tahanan.

  • Monique Hilario | Hand-Building Pottery Instructor

    Monique began learning hand-building techniques in working with clay in 2021 at Tahanan Pottery. She has since continued to develop her skills through practice and taking various classes at Tahanan Pottery. She channels her creativity into creating her unique pieces and in teaching hand-building pottery with her students at Tahanan.

  • Mikka Malonzo | Pottery Wheel Instructor

    Mikka is a graduate student taking her MA in Clinical Psychology while working as a psychotherapist-in-training in UP Diliman. She started her pottery journey at Tahanan in 2023, hoping to " hold space” for herself and others through the creative process of working with clay. Mikka now teaches Exploratory Pottery Wheel Classes at Tahanan. She is happy to share how clay can center oneself to her students.

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