Friday, September 28, 2007
A GIFT IDEA FROM VIGAN
First time I saw this green glass globe was in a quaint gift shop in Greenwich Village in downtown, New York City. There must be a hundred of them in various sizes that filled a huge basket (tiklis); all of them used, not new -- being sold from five to ten dollars each. When the shop owner told me they came from the Philippines, I started scratching my head wondering what they were used for. She added that her customers would buy a few to put in a nice basket as home decor.
A year later when I moved to Manila, I was pleasantly surprised when a cousin gave me two -- a large and a small one (the latter is featured in the photo above). She said she got them from Vigan, and that these glass globes were used as weights to fishing nets. Although she couldn't give me an exact per piece price (since she got them in bulk, a tiklis load), she claimed they were rather cheap.
Anyway, next time you guys visit Vigan, buy a few of these as gifts to friends, especially for those balikbayans. You can also get some nice woven baskets from Quiapo's sa ilalim ng tulay handicraft market.
Labels: gift idea, life in Manila, photography
posted by Señor Enrique at 7:00 AM
30 Comments:
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said... Hmmm.. I was thinking it would be a nice souvenir item for guests in my nephew's wedding early next year.
I guess there's no limit to man's creative mind!
Thanks for sharing this, Eric. And nice pic.. what is that backdrop? How'd you do it?-
Señor Enrique said... I guess, the reason why these glass globes were a big hit in NYC was because collectors were reminded of those depression era glassware whose prices continually go up astronomically (that is, if you can even fine some at flea markets nowadays).
As for your "how'd I take the picture" query: I grabbed some garden pebbles and put them on a table; placed an 8x10 print of a Manila Bay sunset picture I had taken as backdrop; and used two table lamps on either end as my main lights.
Tip: when lighting glass items, always light from behind or sides.
That's it!-
said...
Ganun ba? I thought at first 'live' yang backdrop mo. Akala ko, dinala mo yang glass globe sa Manila Bay then, placed it on top of some pebbles there. If you hadn't explained how you actually did it, ganun talaga ang effect ng pic.
Your creativity is amazing, Eric! :)-
said...
I've never seen the glass orb before and I find it interesting. Yes, it would make a perfect gift or souvenir to friends.
Do they come in other colors too?
(:-
fionski said...
Hello Senor! Everytime I go to Quiapo/downtown area, I always look around me incase I see you. I like going around the Quiapo area even if it's kind of dirty and magulo.
My uncle used to have those glass globes and the huge glass jars in his place. I think they are called dama juana or something similar to that. The glass pieces made their way to Nueva Vizcaya via Cagayan.-
said...
Those green spheres are found all over the pacific. The Japanese Trawlers uses it to keep their nets bouyant. Sometimes its attachement to the nets are severed causing it to be carried away by the current to the beaches.
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pusa said...
what a very beautiful photo!!! wow gleng gleng kala ko nga dinala mo talaga sa manila bay! brilliant!!!
and quite interesting globe.-
Señor Enrique said...
Thanks, Rhoda, pero ginaya ko lang technique ng mga ibang photographers sa Internet.
Ideally, right on the beach against an old fishing boat would be fantastic. But, since it has been raining here, I decided to practice more indoor controlled lighting pictorials kaya hanap ako ng mga abubot sa loob ng bahay ... hehehe.-
Señor Enrique said...
Oo nga, Fionski, kahit magulo sa Quiapo mas exciting mamasyal at mag picture taking. I bet we've already passed by each other once or twice ... hehehe.
Wow! Thanks for its attribution history. Now I'm getting more info about this interesting item.-
Señor Enrique said...
Ah, for buoyancy pala.
And is that how some folks are able to collect these green orbs?
Very interesting, Leo. Many thanks!-
Señor Enrique said...
I only know of green, Kyels.
Next time you come over for a vist, get at least a couple to add to your shell collection.-
Señor Enrique said...
Sa may la mesa ko lang yan, Pusa ... hehehe!
Yes, this is a very interesting item.
Thanks much!-
Unknown said...
I know what these are they are bouys. Beautiful glass ones from the olden days. I was surprised to read that it was used as pampabigat sa net--dahil i think it is more correct yung ginagamit iyan as floater for nets. Great to read that comment about Japanese.
These are really nice, because recently people just use plastic or styrofoam bouys that are very damaging to the environment. Glass is a lot better,c an be recycled and even be used for decor as such :)-
said...
Thanks for the tip on the glass globes but I really think this picture is quite pretty :)
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Señor Enrique said...
Hi Daisy! Yes, I think Leo gave us a very accurate and quite historic uses for the glass globes. Come to think of it, I doubt if these could be used as weight although that what my cousin told me.
Those other mterial are indeed a threat to our environment. Sana nga puros glass na lang gamitin nila.-
Señor Enrique said...
Thanks, BW!
Better grab a couple of these while vacationing in Manila :)-
Sidney said...
I thought you took that glass globe to Roxas Blvd. So you did it the other way round. You brought the Roxas sunset to your house. Clever, clever... you keep surprising me.
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Señor Enrique said...
Been practicing controlled lighting techniques, Sidney, since it has been raining outside.
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said...
I like the shot very much! Galing! Pero mahirap mag-control ng light kung kulang ang gamit pero magandang pag-aralan. :)
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Señor Enrique said...
Thanks, Lar!
Actually, I only used two desk lamps that you can buy anywhere in Quiapo wit those spiral bulbs. For diffuser, I use plain white plastic bag. You can also use those cellophane from natl bookstore that come in various colors. Also, a styrofoam board that I got from my cousin's new refrigerator box when it was delivered to his house, I grabbed a piece immediately. I use this as diffuser or to bounce back light from a source onto a subject.
At this moment, I am not ready to buy any of those pricey lighting systems, so these will do for now ... hehehe.
Try playing with controlled lighting techniques. It's fun.-
said...
I can't belive that their original use were for net fishing for they are so arty and elegant, like art deco stuff.
I believe an aunt had one like this and when I was a child I kep gleaming at it and observed how my face get distorted in the reflecting image.-
Amadeo said...
There is another type of decorative balls, looking lie oversized marbles, and I believe not made of glass.
I saw them at Tesoro's (Makati).
A number of FilAms bring them over here as decor.
Anybody knows what it's made of?-
Señor Enrique said...
Are those made of wood of some sort that seem laminated and decorated with interesting designs, Amadeo?
If not wood, perhaps, plastic resin of sort, or fiberglass?
One of the reasons I like these glass balls is because it has been used, or as they say, it has "soul" -- like those collectible depression era glasswares.-
Señor Enrique said...
Many thanks for sharing these URLS, Romy.
And enjoy your weekend, too!-
Señor Enrique said...
And like I said, Major Tom, it has "soul" because it has gone to many sea travels and adventure ... hehehe.
I had no idea, either, of its true function until now :)-
said...
your such a creative/manipulative should i say heheheh ;)when it comes to your photos Senor..you really amaze me,everytime i visit your site nkaka-tanggal ng stress just looking at the pics.and reading the comments....
hAvE A NiCe wEeKeNd
SeNoR;)-
Señor Enrique said...
Thank you so much, Traje. I guess that's essentially what this site is all about through everyone's healing effort -- a respite from the stress of daily life :)
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mgaputonimimi said...
parang fantasy ang feeling.. galing!
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-= dave =- said...
Looks like an oversized marble indeed, and I also thought of it as some fancy props for a science fantasy.
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Señor Enrique said...
Lol ... or a giant plastic balloon, Dave :)
