SPOTTED: Rambie Lim

Rambie Lim is a community livelihood development and product enhancement consultant. She works with Philippine craft communities to preserve traditional crafts while creating culturally sensitive contemporary products through co-creation, product development and consultations with the artisans. She also believes in crafts as a form of empowerment, helping artisans use their own design knowledge and locally available natural materials for inclusive growth through trade.

Her work takes her around the Philippines a lot. She cherishes the opportunity to meet new people, experience their culture and eat their food. But coming home to the Puerto Princesa hits different, especially in the summer, where the sky is clear and the seas are calm.

Where to stay: Butanding Barrio

Atop the hills of Sta. Monica is a sustainable hide away, butanding barrio has open air kubos in the forest and a villa with sweeping views of Puerto Bay and Honda Bay.

Where to Eat:

Kusina ni Tito Ernie’s in San Pedro, Puerto Princesa

The place brings me back to my childhood. Their camote bread sandwiches, beef brisket adobo paired with sparkling sampaloc juice are a must-try!

Best Advice:

If you have a free day, catch a workshop at Rurungan. If you are lucky, there might even be a local craft market when you’re around.

Where to Shop: Rurungan compound

Best finds from Puerto Princesa would be Astella’s printed polos and dresses, caftans and shawls of Bin Al Kay, and the elegant piña pieces of Tepiña. These, as well as crafts from all over Palawan, can be found at the Rurungan showroom. The Rurungan compound also hosts craft workshops and markets, which one should try to catch.