Wish you were here

Saturday, June 30, 2007

THE MALACANANG PALACE MUSEUM

posted by Señor Enrique at 7:21 AM | 32 comments

Friday, June 29, 2007

CARVAJAL STREET, BINONDO

It was Amadeo of Ignatian Perspective who initially made me aware of Carvajal Street in Binondo, or Manila's Chinatown. Supposedly, this was where he sometimes went for lunch while he worked at the nearby Bank of the Philippine Islands at Plaza Cervantes.

I promised to look for it; however, almost forgot to do so until I came across Carlos Celdran's list of recommended places to visit in Manila, which includes Carvajal Street. So one day, I went to Binondo specifically to find this place.

The first narrow street from Binondo Church along Juan Luna Street is where it is located. A mere alley closed to vehicular traffic, Carvajal Street boasts a wet market for seafood and poultry (dressed duck and black chicken included), as well as various fresh vegetable and fruit stalls. There are also processed meat stores, bakeries, and grocery stores selling native delicacies. And of course, affordable eateries abound, popular to the many employees of various banking and commercial establishments in the neighborhood.

A lively and interesting street, indeed, which I plan to return to and try its other tasty offerings.

posted by Señor Enrique at 7:48 AM | 29 comments

Thursday, June 28, 2007

THE POWER OF GRATITUDE

I live in the space of thankfulness - and I have been rewarded a million times over for it. I started out giving thanks for small things, and the more thankful I became, the more my bounty increased.

That's because what you focus on expands, and when you focus on the goodness in your life, you create more of it. Opportunities, relationships, even money flowed my way when I learned to be grateful no matter what happened in my life.

"Say thank you!" Those words from my friend and mentor Maya Angelou turned my life around. One day about ten years ago, I was sitting in my bathroom with the door closed and the toilet lid down, booing and ahooing on the phone so uncontrollably that I was incoherent.

"Stop it! Stop it right now and say thank you!" Maya chided. "But - you don't understand," I sobbed.

To this day, I can't remember what it was that had me so far gone, which only proves the point Maya was trying to make. "I do understand," she told me. "I want to hear you say it now. Out loud.

'Thank you.'" Tentatively, I repeated it:

"Thank you - but what am I saying thank you for?"

"You're saying thank you," Maya said, "because your faith is so strong that you don't doubt that whatever the problem, you'll get through it. You're saying thank you because you know that even in the eye of the storm, God has put a rainbow in the clouds.

"You're saying thank you because you know there's no problem created that can compare to the Creator of all things. Say thank you!"

So I did - and still do. Only now I do it every day. I kept a gratitude journal, as Sarah Ban Breathnach suggests in Simple Abundance, listing at least five things that I'm grateful for.

My list includes small pleasures: the feel of Kentucky bluegrass under my feet (like damp silk); a walk in the woods with all nine of my dogs and my cocker spaniel Sophie trying to keep up; cooking fried green tomatoes with Stedman and eating them while they're hot; reading a good book and knowing another awaits.

My thank-you list also includes things too important to take for granted: an "okay" mammogram, friends who love me, 15 years at the same job (and loving it more than the first day I started), a chance to share my vision for a better life, staying centered, having financial security.

I won't kid you, having money for all the things I want is a blessing. But as I look back over my journals, which I've kept since I was 15 years old, 99 per cent of what brought me real joy had nothing to do with money; it had a lot to do with food, however.

It's not easy being grateful all the time. But it's when you feel least thankful that you are most in need of what gratitude can give you: PERSPECTIVE.

Just knowing you have that daily list to complete allows you to look at your day differently, with an awareness of every sweet gesture and kind thought passed your way. When you learn to say thank you, see the world anew. And as Meister Eckhart so eloquently stated: "If the only prayer you ever say in your whole life is 'Thank you God', that would suffice."

posted by Señor Enrique at 12:35 PM | 12 comments

Wednesday, June 27, 2007

IN SEASON: SANTOL

posted by Señor Enrique at 11:38 AM | 50 comments

Tuesday, June 26, 2007

END OF AN ERA

With only until this Saturday left in Mayor Atienza's term, the incoming City of Manila administration couldn't wait but start demolishing the public seating areas on the Rizal Avenue Pedestrian Mall, a project spearheaded by the outgoing mayor.

Word on the street suggests that incoming Mayor Lim wants vehicular traffic to once again ply on this avenue beginning this Monday as he reports for his first day of office.

Is Manila Zoo next?

posted by Señor Enrique at 10:00 PM | 42 comments

Monday, June 25, 2007

INSIDE THE BAHAY TSINOY

Many Filipinos may not realize -- as evidenced by the rare coins, tradewares, and other unearthed artifacts -- there were extensive contacts between the Chinese and Filipinos long before the arrival of the Spaniards.

Early records also indicate the active trading between the Chinese and our northern and southern islanders by the late 10th century in which bartering was the medium of their transactions. There were also archived journals about certain Filipinos visiting China; foremost of which was the one made by the Sultan of Sulu Paduka Batara. The Sultan went to Beijing to pay tribute to the Imperial Court of Emperor Yung Lo in 1417, but died on his way back home.

From these longtime trading relations, the Chinese subsequently began to immigrate to the archipelago in large numbers to escape a harsh life back home in China. However, what they experienced in the archipelago was an even harsher life full of hard working conditions. It was the Galleon Trade -- which linked the junk trading system from China to Acapulco (and to the rest of Europe for 250 years) -- that firmly planted the Chinese immigrants on the Philippine soil, as well as continue to attract more Chinese into the archipelago.

Sangley, the term used by the Spaniards for the Chinese, comes from the word siong-tay, literally "often comes" in Hokkien. The Sangleys came as merchants, laborers, and artisans; becoming the integral backbone of the Spanish colonial economy in no time. But because of their growing population, which outnumbered the Spanish presence, the local authorities grew fearful and distrustful of them; resulting to persecution and harassment including large-scale massacres of the Chinese.

The Spanish authorities separated them in quarters called parian. Due to massacres or fires, the Spaniards changed the location of the parians nine times. In 1790, when the last parian was destroyed, the Chinese were allowed to join the baptized Chinese in Binondo and Santa Cruz. In fact, it was the Chinese craftsmen and artisans that brought affluence to the Jesuit-controlled parian of Santa Cruz in Manila much to the astonishment of the Dominicans.

At the end of the 19th century, with life becoming even more difficult for the Chinese settlers because of continued Spanish harassment, the Chinese started to form institutions for self-protection. They also built their first school, hospital and cemetery. The first business institution, the Chinese Chamber of Commerce was also formed, and pioneer businesses like China Bank, Destileria Limtuaco, Yutivo and Ma Mon Luk started to appear.

Bahay Tsinoy takes its visitors through the saga of the Chinese Filipinos as their identities in the archipelago transform and evolve from merchant seamen, to immigrant laborers, to mestizos, to ilustrados, to revolutionists and to Tsinoys which continue to help build our nation.

posted by Señor Enrique at 6:55 AM | 25 comments

Sunday, June 24, 2007

THE FINEST ART DECO COMPLEX IN THE COUNTRY

posted by Señor Enrique at 6:14 AM | 32 comments

Saturday, June 23, 2007

IN LIVING COLOR

posted by Señor Enrique at 6:41 AM | 16 comments

Friday, June 22, 2007

NO ONE KNOWS

posted by Señor Enrique at 9:03 AM | 33 comments

Thursday, June 21, 2007

TIME PASSAGES

posted by Señor Enrique at 11:54 AM | 22 comments

Wednesday, June 20, 2007

THE VIRTUALLY UNPASSABLE SIDEWALKS OF QUIAPO

Instead of reopening Avenida Rizal to vehicular traffic as a means to ease the overall congestion in the Santa Cruz and Quiapo areas of Manila, it might proved wiser for the newly-elect Mayor Lim to first start by getting rid of the vendors that make it impossible for pedestrians to comfortably walk along our sidewalks. Take for example those along both sides of Quezon Boulevard in Quiapo that are no wider than ten feet, but two-thirds of which the vendors occupy quite freely.

These photos were taken a little after two o'clock in the afternoon; however, imagine how extremely crowded the sidewalk would get during the rush. Such condition, as we know, would eventually proliferate pickpockets, and quite exponentially at that. Furthermore, it wouldn't be surprising if Avenida Rizal's sidewalks would also become just as crowded once the avenue is reopened to vehicular traffic.

What's even more alarming is that some of these sdewalk vendors openly admit they pay between one to 300 hundred pesos a day to certain authorities. On the other hand, the legitimate shopkeepers also extend their alloted store spaces by occupying the sidewalk right in front of their shops, or rent them to other vendors.

Mayor Lim, whose recent election campaign platform was law and order, may do well by allocating his attention to these alleged collusions between the sidewalk vendors and certain officials of our barangay and national police force. In so doing, he may discover those sidewalk vendors who occupy large segments of our sidewalks (as in these photos) and streets (such as Raon and Evangelista) as a major cause of traffic snarls that plagued the city's downtown area.

Anyway, glance through these photographs and tell me if you'd be comfortable enough to stroll along these crowded sidewalks. Some of you may just opt to just walk along right on the street, but only to end up hindering vehicular traffic in the process.

posted by Señor Enrique at 2:41 PM | 37 comments

Tuesday, June 19, 2007

RIZAL THE NOVELIST

She is a sister of Cain, she is jealous, and asks her fiance:

"Did you think about me all the time? After so much traveling have you forgotten me? So many beautiful cities, so many beautiful women ...!"

He, too, a brother of Cain, knew how to evade such questions, and was a bit of a liar, so he said:

"Could I ever forget you?" he answered, charmed. He looked into her eyes. "Could I break a vow? Do you remember that night, that stormy night when you, seeing me alone and crying next to my mother's lifeless body, came toward me and put your hand on my shoulder, the hand that for so long you refused to let me hold, and said to me: 'You have lost your mother, I never had one.' And you cried with me. You loved her, and she loved you, as if you were her own daughter. Outside it was raining and lightning, but I heard only music, and could see only the smile on my mother's ashen face. Oh, if my parents could only live again and see you! I took your hand and my mother's and I swore to love you, and make you happy whatever fate heaven had in store for me. I have never regretted that vow, and tonight I renew it."

"Could I ever forget you? Your memory has followed me everywhere, has saved me from the perils of the road, has consoled me in the solitude of my soul in foreign lands. It has been the antidote to the lotus-blossom of Europe that erases the memory of many of our countrymen's hopes, to the utter disgrace of our homeland. In my dreams I saw you standing on the beach of Manila, looking toward the distant horizon, wrapped in the soft light of early dawn. I heard a languid, melancholy song that awakened in me my dormant feelings and evoked the early years of my childhood in the memory of my heart, our joys, our games, the whole happy past that brought me to life when you came to our village. To me you seemed like a fairy, a spirit, the poetic embodiment of my homeland, beautiful, simple, loving, frank, a child of the Philippines, that beautiful country that brings together the great virtues of Mother Spain and the fine qualities of a youthful people, as you in all your being, bring together the finest and most beautiful facets of our two races; so your love and the one I profess for my country have melted into one."

posted by Señor Enrique at 7:01 PM | 43 comments

INDEPENDENCE DAY MEGA JOB FAIR

posted by Señor Enrique at 7:18 AM | 16 comments

Monday, June 18, 2007

SCENES: UNIVERSITY BELT AREA

posted by Señor Enrique at 7:23 AM | 34 comments

Friday, June 15, 2007

PHILIPPINE MARINE BAND

posted by Señor Enrique at 6:40 AM | 26 comments

Thursday, June 14, 2007

PHILIPPINE AIR FORCE PARAGLIDERS

I've included this photo at the very bottom, though extremely blurred, to showcase the paragliding skills of our Philippine Air Force. This officer who landed perfectly standing up must have looked like an angel to this young boy who ecstatically rushed to meet him.

These seven PAF paragliders were like giant birds hovering up in the sky; circling the open grassy field in front of Quirino Grandstand at Rizal Park for more than fifteen minutes. And as if suddenly, they landed one at a time. Since there wasn't any designated landing point, they came down at different spots very near the crowd, which certainly made the demonstration even more exciting for the audience.

No one expected this landing amidst the crowd maneuver, but its surprise element may have been frightful for those lounging leisurely on a mat (banig) laid out on the ground and then suddenly having a paraglider land right next to them like a seagull about to attack their picnic foodstuff.

Overall, it was an exhilarating show by the Philippine Air Force and provided a wonderful photo opportunity. I just wished I was better prepared for their landing strategy.

posted by Señor Enrique at 5:52 AM | 33 comments

Wednesday, June 13, 2007

PHILIPPINE MILITARY ACADEMY - MASIGLAHI 2009

The Philippine Military Academy's Masiglahi 2009 Silent Drill Company dazzled the audience at Rizal Park's Quirino Grandstand with its complex synchronized maneuvers and formations. The performance, part of the Independence Day celebration festivities, was a big hit to both young and old alike who endured the searing afternoon sun just to watch our nation's finest cadets enthusiastically strut their stuff.

posted by Señor Enrique at 7:53 AM | 37 comments

Sunday, June 10, 2007

CONCERT AT THE PARK: Philippine High School for the Arts

posted by Señor Enrique at 10:24 PM | 39 comments

Saturday, June 09, 2007

109th INDEPENDENCE DAY WEEKEND

posted by Señor Enrique at 8:27 PM | 31 comments

Friday, June 08, 2007

BAHAY TSINOY MUSEUM

II every aspect of Philippine life, in every phase of Philippine history, in its culture and tradition, language and songs, in everything Filipino, there throbs a Chinese presence which found its way there long before Philippine recorded history. Although political, economic, or cultural exigencies throughout Philippine history sometimes isolate the Chinese Filipinos from a destiny shared with Filipinos, in the end, in everything that is Philippine, there emerges the Tsinoy -- the Chinese who is Filipino of the the Filipno who is Chinese. The Tsinoy -- molded through the centuries by Philippine life; enriching this land with the legacies of his Chinese heritage.




How true it is, but how these words strike me with undeniable irony.

You see, in my high school in which almost half of my classmates were Tsinoys, none of this local historical aspect was ever taught to us. And sadly, since these classmates had to dash off to their afternoon Chinese school after classes, there wasn't much opportunity for us to develop meaningful friendships. Yet, much like them, I, too, walked the streets of Santa Cruz and Binondo as a youngster, though mostly on Saturdays with my father.

How I wonder what it would have been like to gallivant on these same streets along with them. I'm sure I would have discovered other interesting aspects of Chinese life, culture, sights, and foodstuffs besides those that my father had delighted in showing me. There were times he would even take me to the Chinese opera staged right there in Plaza Miranda, though neither one of us understood its dialogue. Nonetheless, I would have also enjoyed seeing a Hong Kong-made movie in Chinatown with these Tsinoy classmates and later enjoy a snack in one of their favorite noodle shops.

With great embarrassment I admit it was only when I moved back to Manila from New York that I finally realized the immense influence of the Chinese in our local history; that is, even before the arrival of the Spaniards. Never thought before that the Tsinoys are just as much a Filipino as I am, as well as my Ilocano and Bicolano cousins.

Bahay Tsinoy, a wonderful museum that all local and balikbayan Filipinos should visit!

posted by Señor Enrique at 6:07 AM | 36 comments

Thursday, June 07, 2007

SCENES: RECTO/AVENIDA EVENING RUSH

posted by Señor Enrique at 9:07 AM | 41 comments

Wednesday, June 06, 2007

BUT ARE YOU CERTIFIED TO TAKE THIS PICTURE?

This soothing image of a sunset in Manila Bay I photographed with my Nikon D80 digital camera and monopad. A monopad helps me stabilize the camera while taking shots with a slow shutter speed; hence, avoid blurring due to camera shake. Unlike a tripod with three legs, a monopad is a single adjustable stick that doesn't require too much space to set up.

Ideally, I'd prefer using a tripod which is a lot more stable and will stand on its own without assistance. However, to avoid attracting the ire of security guards at Baywalk, I have been using the monopad instead. The last thing I need is to be asked to show a permit (which I do not have) while in the midst of composing a wonderful Manila Bay sunset shot.

As if a permit is not worrisome enough, a certification to shoot may become another added issue in the very near future.

You see, Tesda (Technical Education and Skills Development Authority) whose sole mission is to provide direction, policies, programs and standards towards quality technical education and skills development here in the Philippines, has been approached by the FPPP (Federation of Philippine Photographers Foundation) and some of Manila’s old time bigwigs in the professional photography community to develop a certification and qualification standards for all Filipino photographers.

What brought this about was supposedly the emergence of cheaper, better, and easier to use digital cameras, which is now breeding a new generation of wannabe photographers. I think this certification business is fine and dandy, BUT I wonder, does this certification apply to everyone, or only to those who had purchased a high-priced dSLR from the past year or so ago and now becoming very good at taking pictures.

As we all know, some of these wannabes have honed their skills so quickly that they are now dipping into the revenue stream once enjoyed only by a select group of local advertising and wedding photographers.

Now, if certification becomes a requirement to newbies only, won't this propagate a so-called ol' boys network in the local industry; thus, keeping the new talents outside hanging by the fringe and forever dependent upon the blessings of the old timers? In the process, will this hinder inchoate trailblazing perspectives associated with the young?

Now, some may argue that this proposed certification is voluntary.

Nonetheless, logic dictates that whether voluntary or mandatory, the certified gains psychological edge over the not-certified.

Taking a cue from the photography community, will this also inspire Tesda to someday require our composers to take certification examinations as well? Come to think of it, with the proliferation of affordable synthesizers, sequencers, drum machines and Mac laptops, anyone can basically write music. I'm not sure about the local music business, but in the States, I know of young people making substantial income from royalties derived from writing music for TV commercials and video games. None of these kids went to music school; they were simply driven by their intense desire to make music and now making incredible money from it.

How about our writers and poets? Available nowadays are computer programs to make writing novels and poetry easier. Will there be a Tesda-Palanca collaborative effort in the offing to certify our literary aspirants?

La Salle now offers a 4-year BA degree in Photography. Will those future graduates be required to be certified also? On the other hand, will there come a time when certified photographers be required to earn a 4-year degree from La Salle (or any of the expensive private colleges) as well, so as to be deemed a truly professional photographer? In that case, what about graduate school? A doctorate? A national board certification?

Personally, I just immensely enjoy taking pictures; however, I have seen upcoming local talents whose works with photography and photoshop can make any legendary wedding, advertising or travel photographer tremble with fear.

Neither am I afraid of taking certification tests, for I have taken many of them while involved in the high tech/computer industry back in the States; however, those certifications guaranteed and delivered hefty increases in income so, acquiring them were well worth the effort. But what about the photographer's certification? What do they guarantee a photographer in return? Paid apprenticeships, entry to the ol' boys' network, lucrative commission/project awards, or just bragging rights for having been certified?

Nevertheless, my main concern (in this whole certification issue for photographers) is this: In case I should get accosted someday by a security guard (for taking another picture of a Manila Bay sunset), will it give him the right to not only demand a permit or press card from me, but a photographer's certification as well?

posted by Señor Enrique at 6:50 AM | 71 comments

Tuesday, June 05, 2007

AND THEN THERE WERE THREE

This is Muning with one of her kittens. I posted an entry about Muning last November, and since then she had given birth to three sets of kittens. Yes, Muning is one promiscuous pussycat.

Muning's first two sets of kittens never came down from the roof where they were born. Somehow, Muning found them a home; probably distributing each one in the other homes in the neighborhood. That was how we basically found her to begin with -- gazing at us from up on the roof. And then one day, when much bigger, she started to roam around the yard and eventually started earning her keep by transforming the entire area into rat-free zone. It has been that way ever since then; thanks much to Muning.

As for her latest brood, the third, since about a few weeks ago, she would bring them all down from the roof. There must have been six kittens . After an hour or so of allowing them to play, scrounge for food, and lounge around in the sun, she would, one by one, bring them back up on the roof. This went on for the next few days until there were only two left -- Mini Muning One and Mini Muning Two.

A friend of my mother wanted to take one to bring home so we decided to give her Mini Muning Two, but this kitten proved too feisty and elusive; evading all the chases and the traps we set out to ensare him or her (we still have no idea as for their sexes). Mini Muning One, on the other hand, is a friendly kitten and not at all afraid of us humans; this is the reason why I immediately grew fond of him/her.


Anyway, one afternoon, as I threw pieces of pandesal to Muning and Mini Muning One, I noticed that the latter would pick up a piece; disappear around the other side of the house; come back and would just then grab another piece to eat. So I walked over to where he/she might have gone and saw Mini Muning Two eating a piece of pandesal. I then realized how much Mini Muning One loves his/her sibling that I decided to just keep the both of them.

Once their respective sex has been determined, I will give them each a better name. Any suggestions?

posted by Señor Enrique at 9:03 AM | 26 comments

Sunday, June 03, 2007

BACK TO SCHOOL

No, this is a not a picture of a young boy running to school. I was in Intramuros this Sunday where I caught sight of a group of young children gleefully playing; making the best of the summer's final day, I thought. This Monday marks the opening of schools all over Manila.

Strange, with all the professions I wanted to become when I was young, being a teacher never crossed my mind. Perhaps, it was because I knew what a tough job it is. But then again, since moving back to Manila, I sometimes find myself asking what it would have been like as a teacher.

I know of two fellow bloggers who are in this profession, Rhoda and Bugsy, but I think Rhoda had already retired from it. Incidentally, Bugsy posted an enlightening entry, The Travails of a Teacher, which made me realize that teaching ought to be one of the highest paying professions worldwide.

Be that as it may, to all the students and teachers going back to school this Monday, I wish you all another fruitful school year!

posted by Señor Enrique at 8:53 PM | 32 comments

Saturday, June 02, 2007

THE CHRISTENING

posted by Señor Enrique at 8:53 PM | 14 comments

Friday, June 01, 2007

THE INTEL DOLL

There are at least half a million of these dolls somewhere around the globe according to Intel, the computer chip maker who has stumbled onto a surprise hit when it created it. It was modeled after the shimmering clean-room technicians who dance to "Shake Your Groove Thing" in its TV commercials.

Back in the late '90s, after selling more than 200,000 pieces, mostly to its employees, the demand kept growing that the initial promotional production run of 25,000 has mushroomed into an order for 500,000. Intel later on made this 7-inch-tall figures available to the public in limited quantities for about $7 on the World Wide Web, America Online and in scattered retail outlets, including CompUSA. Intel's newest chip at that time was the Pentium II as indicated below the company's logo pasted on the doll's chest.

They were produced in assorted vivid colors but I only got a yellow one back in New York when they first came out. I had recently taken a photograph of it against a montage of Manila-based pictures; unlike Gita and Rhodyl who take pictures of their dolls in different interesting locales outside of their homes. You see, I'm too lazy to drag around this doll with me.

Well, okay I admit: truth is, I like this toy so much I'm afraid I might leave it behind somewhere if I took it along in some of my escapades.

Do you have one of these Intel dolls or do you know anyone who does?

posted by Señor Enrique at 9:31 AM | 28 comments

Life in Manila as observed by a former New Yorker who with a laptop and camera has reinvented himself as a storyteller. Winner of the PHILIPPINE BLOG AWARDS: Best Photo Blog in 2007 and three Best Single Post awards in 2008.

 

Designed by The Dubai Chronicles.
All rights and lefts reserved.