10 places in Metro Manila that offer weekend classes and workshops

Just because you’re already part of the work force doesn’t mean you can't pursue the things you really love. Check out these weekend courses, and take time off your schedule to pursue your Plan B's. Who knows, maybe that elusive backup plan could be lying around the corner, just waiting to be tapped?

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1. Barista and Coffee Academy of Asia

Third wave coffee has ceased to be a trend—with neighborhood cafes, specialty coffee shops, and even brands from all over the globe popping up all over the city, it is clear that coffee is here to stay. Apart from entrepreneurial courses and foundation courses, you can dabble in the world of coffee for the weekend with workshops that teach you about Coffee Science, or for the tea lovers, train you to taste, prepare, and figure out the types and grades of tea. Unit 1803 Atlanta Centre Condominium, 31 Annapolis St. Greenhills, San Juan. Website. Facebook 

2. Wine Story

If you love yourself some vino and want to take your wine appreciation to sommelier levels, the Wine Story Academy offers full-on courses under the Wine and Spirit Education Trust (WSET) from the UK. In case that's a little too much of a committment, the academy also conducts occasional workshops on Food and Wine Pairing, wines from particular regions (their Tour de France introductory course will be held on July 7, 2018 at Wine Story Shangri-La), and Wine 101. Website. Facebook.

3. Craft MNL

Want to revive your knack for Home Economics in high school? Your crafty hobbies have a home at Craft MNL. With comprehensive workshops that take you from calligraphy to weaving, Craft MNL has a continuous slew of classes that can spark your imagination and have you getting your hands dirty again. Best for those who need to awaken their inner child and find a sense of play, these classes crafted by different professional artists and crafters play on one’s imagination. Craft MNL also occasionally offers business classes for those interested in taking their hobbies to the marketplace. Unit 302, Pasay Road Condominium (Pamana-Languages Building), 926 Arnaiz Avenue (Pasay Road), Makati. Website

4. Artelano 11

If you’ve ever found your way to one of Pasay’s more quiet pockets, you will have surely heard about a-11, a lifestyle and furniture gallery situated amid mid-century heritage homes that have been lovingly taken care of, preserved and restored throughout the last decades. Very recently, a-11 has started weekend workshop series that explore a broad range of subjects — from DIY furniture design to watercolor, terrarium making to mixology, everything is artfully curated and designed to cater to folks with an eye for design. 2680 FB Harrison Street, Pasay, Metro Manila. Website. Instagram

Art by Jannielyn Ann Bigtas/GMA News

5. Hey Kessy

Known as a hub for craft workshops involving calligraphy, watercolor, and paper-cutting, Hey Kessy has recently expanded its offerings to include basic pottery. Now, you don’t have to venture all the way to Antipolo to learn how to create three-dimensional art. Hey Kessy’s Mansy Abesamis offers basic pottery lessons that have you creating everything from spoons to jewelry, bowls to plates. If you’re thinking ahead and wondering what to give away for Christmas, this might just be the workshop for you. Level 2, Phase 2, Urban Turf, UP Town Center, Katipunan Avenue, Quezon City. Website

6. Flow Retreats

If wellness, out-of-town jaunts, and feeling good in your skin is your goal, then participating in one of Flow’s events will do your soul some good. With weekend markets and workshops that are dedicated to a range of topics such as holistic health, crafts, and yoga, you can start your journey into the wellness arena by dipping your toes into one of Flow’s events. If you’re looking for something more in-depth and immersive, the group’s regularly scheduled weekend retreats are also worth joining—covering everything from self care to surf and yoga, fitness to alternative healing modalities, you can take one step closer to serenity by going with the flow. Website

7. Body Food All Natural

Known for all-natural balms, soaps, and other elixirs, Ana Gutierrez (also known as Ana Gutch) has been concocting Body Food All Natural’s products for years now. Packaged beautifully and crafted with love, her wares have sparked the interest of makers who want to explore creating their own all natural beauty products. Ana holds several workshops throughout the year, teaching everything from Scent Play (the next workshop is on July 18) to beeswax extraction, tinctures and infusions preparation to creating incense and candles. Her schedule of workshops are up on her Instagram page. Instagram

8. Sunshine Place: Senior Recreation Center

It’s never too late to start widening your possibilities and exploring opportunities. If you’re part of the older set, or have a parent who wants to fill his or her days with meaningful activities that liven the soul and rejuvenate the body, head over to Sunshine Place. The senior recreation center holds classes on everything from learning Mandarin to writing children’s stories, functional training to tap-dancing—their selection is broad, all-encompassing and comes consistently every week. 56 Jupiter Street, Bel-Air, Makati. Facebook

9. Life After Breakfast

Go back to your inner artist with Life After Breakfast’s half-day intensive watercolor courses. Taught by Alessa Lanot, these workshops teach the basics of watercolor painting and are open to participants 13 years old and older—no experience required. Whether or not you have a penchant for art, exposing yourself for a few hours every weekend to watercolor can train your mind to calm itself, and allow your innate creativity to shine. Alessa’s upcoming workshops focus on tropical flowers and plants as well as botanical images. Website 

10. Back of the House Recreational Cooking Workshops

For absolute beginners in the kitchen, Back of the House’s popular “Adulting in the Kitchen” class can take you from zero to hero as far as your kitchen is concerned. Learn the essentials for any Pinoy kitchen—real carbonara, adobo, chicken with mushroom, and pork and vegetable stir-fry can take care of your most basic food needs when you’re living alone or starting out on your own. The workshop has also other versions offering different basic recipes. More sophisticated classes such as “Cook – Wine – Dine” and “Pasta and Pizza from Scratch” are also on offer. Ground Floor, FCL Center, 15 Xaierville Avenue, Loyola Heights, Quezon City. Website