A haven in the valley

If you are from or have spent a night in Solano, Nueva Vizcaya chances are you've heard about the Ayuyang Bar.  If you are lucky you've been there at least once.

There are bars and there are bars.  But Ayuyang is definitely not your usual.  Let me elaborate.

Solano is not (yet) a popular tourist destination.  Aside from its regional university and their delicious tupig, the town is not much known aside from the fact that it is Nueva Vizcaya’s commercial center.  It is not even mentioned as much as the provincial capital of Bayombong. 

Bars resort to all sorts of gimmicks to stand out and draw in customers.  Very few succeed because only a few can be original.  Metro Manila bars now rely too much on things electronic such as blinding lights and very loud house music.  They probably think by offering the latest they are already licensed to charge exorbitant prices.  Then we have the likes of Mayric’s, 70s Bistro and Conspiracy Bar which capitalized/s on good music.  I couldn’t think of more successful bars than these three, which is instructive of the circles I move in and my preferences.

Anyway, Ayuyang has none of the contemporary feel of the modern bars.  It could have candles for lighting and would still be enjoyable.  Its main draw for me is its décor and atmosphere.  It's really a museum of old household items and farm implements.  This is the only bar where a charcoal press is not out of place beside a sweating cold bottle of San Mig Light.

Our friend and fellow Guilder Maita said the place was and is a work of love.  It looks like it. 

And the music?  It was refreshing.  The night we were there, Cordillera groups and artists sang folk standards as well as originals.  They have such lovely voices that blended beautifully and went well with the delicious food they got.  (The pinakbet!  Goodness!  The orig Ilokano kind!)  They also have other groups and solo acts some other nights.  Hindi naman nakapagtataka. The place looked very popular the Sunday night we were there.

I may not be an objective Michelin judge when I write these about Ayuyang.  In fact, we came as guests of the family who owns it.  We arrived there in time for lunch and we were able to marvel at the obvious patience and dedication to build its awesome collection of nearly forgotten items of decades past—wooden wheels, kerosene lamps, capiz shell windows, old biscuit tins.  Still, as any street smart salesperson would say, “Hindi ako mapapahiya” if you decide to give some currency to what I’m saying.

If ever you find yourself spending a night in Solano, drop by the Ayuyang.  It's on 115 Magsaysay Street, Solano, Nueva Vizcaya.  It lives to its name—haven.