tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69995526014306947362024-03-14T17:46:49.740+08:00My ManilaPhotos of the Manila I experience dailyHildahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03572824685124656116noreply@blogger.comBlogger1487125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6999552601430694736.post-47349200904874880622014-07-07T05:00:00.000+08:002014-07-07T05:00:00.578+08:00A delightful fortress<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-f-QidfdIAKs/U7lOJWd2xZI/AAAAAAAAG8M/SGUFTTNqnmI/s1600/ayala-museum-greenbelt.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="Ayala Museum" border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-f-QidfdIAKs/U7lOJWd2xZI/AAAAAAAAG8M/SGUFTTNqnmI/s1600/ayala-museum-greenbelt.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="400" /></a>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
"Museums should be places where you raise questions,<br />
not just show stuff."</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">~William Thorsell, past Director & CEO of the Royal Ontario Museum</span></div>
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This is the side of the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/theayalamuseum" target="_blank">Ayala Museum</a> which can be seen from the park in the middle of <a href="http://manila-photos.blogspot.com/search?q=greenbelt" target="_blank">Greenbelt</a>. Only the ground floor has windows. The windows on the second floor do not open to the museum but to a walkway connecting two of the buildings of the mall. Other than that, the rest of the building looks like a fortress, and it probably is, given the priceless artifacts exhibited in the museum. One of their permanent exhibits is Filipino garments from the 19th century, some of which are painted on the walls of the walkway.
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<div style="text-align: center;">
See murals from around the world in <a href="http://oaklanddailyphoto.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Monday Mural</a>. </div>
Hildahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03572824685124656116noreply@blogger.com29tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6999552601430694736.post-64735535501860457862014-07-04T05:00:00.000+08:002014-07-04T05:00:01.042+08:00Pebble park<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5kqzkxVrMjg/U7VXSrorZbI/AAAAAAAAG74/HQcWFJVRPCM/s800/greenbelt-bridge.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="Greenbelt" border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5kqzkxVrMjg/U7VXSrorZbI/AAAAAAAAG74/HQcWFJVRPCM/s800/greenbelt-bridge.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="400" /></a>
"My life is full of mistakes.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
They're like pebbles that make a good road."</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">~Beatrice Wood (1893–1998), American artist and potter</span></div>
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A wooden bridge connecting two of the buildings of Greenbelt, a large retail complex in Makati City, seen through the trunks of some very tall and skinny palm trees. I like how <a href="http://www.ayalaland.com.ph/" target="_blank">Ayala Land</a> used light and dark pebbles in this part of the park—they make the ground look like freeform art.Hildahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03572824685124656116noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6999552601430694736.post-25662431285689587672014-07-03T05:00:00.000+08:002014-07-06T09:49:46.454+08:00Tea for three<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EZrH3TVxbyg/U7QEgppUySI/AAAAAAAAG7o/v2iU5DkreiU/s1600/twg-tea.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="TWG Tea Salon & Boutique" border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EZrH3TVxbyg/U7QEgppUySI/AAAAAAAAG7o/v2iU5DkreiU/s1600/twg-tea.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="400" /></a>
"There are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the ceremony known as afternoon tea."
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">~Henry James, The Portrait of a Lady</span></div>
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Macarons, scones and finger sandwiches to go with our mandarin orange <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oolong" target="_blank">oolong</a> tea at a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TWGTeaPhilippines" target="_blank">TWG Tea Salon & Boutique</a>. <br />
<a href="http://weekendreflection.blogspot.com/2014/07/philadelphia-freedom-weekend.html" target="_blank"><img alt="Weekend Reflections" border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-C_h65-M8iv4/UhiRz_V_MFI/AAAAAAAAGPM/2Nu1yX7VhA0/s800/weekend-reflections.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 120px;" /></a>Hildahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03572824685124656116noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6999552601430694736.post-77146451017023689492014-07-02T05:00:00.000+08:002014-07-02T05:00:00.592+08:00The golden pond<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-gTEQPR6cQ8o/U7KxcZWqDMI/AAAAAAAAG7Y/h5ebguib7tI/s800/greenbelt-koi.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="koi" border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-gTEQPR6cQ8o/U7KxcZWqDMI/AAAAAAAAG7Y/h5ebguib7tI/s800/greenbelt-koi.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="400" /></a> "Alive without breath,
As cold as death;</div>
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Never thirsty, ever drinking,
All in mail never clinking."</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">~J.R.R. Tolkien, <i>The Hobbit</i></span></div>
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Just a few of the hundreds of koi we saw in the ponds of Greenbelt, the large retail complex in my <a href="http://manila-photos.blogspot.com/2014/06/lush.html" target="_blank">Lush</a> post from the other day.Hildahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03572824685124656116noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6999552601430694736.post-87506519833741071052014-07-01T05:00:00.000+08:002014-07-01T05:00:01.774+08:00Peace, love, sandy feet<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Z_Ucc__GyQk/U7FMhby47MI/AAAAAAAAG7A/u3zkg2bJXKU/s1600/virgin-island-bantayan-cebu.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="Virgin Island in Bantayan, Cebu" border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Z_Ucc__GyQk/U7FMhby47MI/AAAAAAAAG7A/u3zkg2bJXKU/s1600/virgin-island-bantayan-cebu.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="400" /></a>
"If there is a heaven for me,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm sure it has a beach attached to it."</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">~Jimmy Buffett, American singer-songwriter</span></div>
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<a href="http://cdpbthemeday.blogspot.com/2014/06/july-2014-gallery-celebrating-summer.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-small;">CITY DAILY PHOTO THEME DAY: CELEBRATING SUMMER</span></a> • In an archipelago composed of more than 7,000 islands, summer isn't complete without a trip to the beach. Manila no longer has a beach—when our parents were young, it did—so we have to travel a few hours to get to one. This is the beach of the tiny and undeveloped Virgin Island just off Bantayan Island in the island province of Cebu.Hildahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03572824685124656116noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6999552601430694736.post-48637483933649994582014-06-29T05:00:00.000+08:002014-06-29T05:00:01.187+08:00Lush<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Cg5hXi7GeFg/U67CMSFQrrI/AAAAAAAAG6s/a7hYqDDftYs/s1600/greenbelt-pond.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="Greenbelt" border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Cg5hXi7GeFg/U67CMSFQrrI/AAAAAAAAG6s/a7hYqDDftYs/s1600/greenbelt-pond.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="400" /></a>
"Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
but by the seeds that you plant."</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">~Robert Louis Stevenson (1850–1894), Scottish novelist, poet & essayist</span></div>
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It is easy to see how Greenbelt, a large commercial and retail complex in Makati City, got its name.Hildahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03572824685124656116noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6999552601430694736.post-39178897832386458812014-06-27T05:00:00.000+08:002014-06-28T08:14:27.581+08:00Choices<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-naH03okLqR0/U6wTg8bEyfI/AAAAAAAAG6c/5TbOlD-YFc8/s800/twg-mirror.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="TWG" border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-naH03okLqR0/U6wTg8bEyfI/AAAAAAAAG6c/5TbOlD-YFc8/s800/twg-mirror.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="400" /></a>
"A cup of tea is a cup of peace."</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">~Sen Sōshitsu XVI, 16th tea master of the Urasenke family</span></div>
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We finally have <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TWGTea1837" target="_blank">TWG Tea</a> Salons in Manila. Those mostly yellow cans on the walls, reflected on the large mirrors of the dining area, are just a few of the more-than-a-thousand tea varieties available at the shops. To be honest, I find the food too expensive (though I've finally satisfied my curiosity about <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scone" target="_blank">scones</a>), but I'm just very happy that I finally have a place to go to for some good loose leaf tea. And as long as one doesn't buy their fancy cans, the cost of TWG's teas won't break the bank. <br />
<a href="http://weekendreflection.blogspot.com/2014/06/got-light-weekend-reflections-248.html" target="_blank"><img alt="Weekend Reflections" border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-C_h65-M8iv4/UhiRz_V_MFI/AAAAAAAAGPM/2Nu1yX7VhA0/s800/weekend-reflections.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 120px;" /></a>Hildahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03572824685124656116noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6999552601430694736.post-69555173612098621472014-06-26T05:00:00.000+08:002014-06-26T05:00:01.884+08:00Weaving life<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yvOertIvr7o/U6rDP6mhJII/AAAAAAAAG6M/RpB--1aj-bk/s800/nito-baskets.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="nito baskets" border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yvOertIvr7o/U6rDP6mhJII/AAAAAAAAG6M/RpB--1aj-bk/s800/nito-baskets.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="400" /></a>
"We all have our own life to pursue, our own kind of dream to be weaving, and we all have the power to make wishes come true, as long as we keep believing."</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">~Louisa May Alcott (1832–1888), American novelist</span></div>
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On display at the 3rd floor of Greenbelt 5 mall are the gorgeous <a href="http://smartcebu.wordpress.com/materials-library/nito-vine/" target="_blank">nito vine</a> baskets of the indigenous <a href="http://www.mangyan.org/content/iraya" target="_blank">Iraya Mangyan</a> of the island province of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mindoro" target="_blank">Mindoro</a>. The <a href="http://www.ayalafoundation.org/ourstory/history/" target="_blank">Ayala Foundation</a> has committed to providing education and skills training to a community of Iraya Mangyan in the town of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puerto_Galera,_Oriental_Mindoro" target="_blank">Puerto Galera</a>, a popular beach and diving destination. Part of their commitment is to revive the traditional art of weaving beautiful and functional baskets made of nito <i>(Lygodium circinatum),</i> a forest vine. Sales of the baskets go directly to the families who weave them.<br />
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You can learn more about—and support—the Ayala Foundation's <a href="http://www.ayalafoundation.org/ourprograms/sustainable-livelihood-2/iraya-mangyan-community/" target="_blank">Iraya Mangyan Project</a> here.Hildahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03572824685124656116noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6999552601430694736.post-11552352122166461602014-06-25T05:00:00.000+08:002014-06-25T09:53:58.391+08:00Mall creatures<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-2F_xGXKyxS4/U6lnkS6qJaI/AAAAAAAAG58/jNl8J2y17dI/s800/leeroy-new-greenbelt.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="Leeroy New's Garden of Earthly Delights" border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-2F_xGXKyxS4/U6lnkS6qJaI/AAAAAAAAG58/jNl8J2y17dI/s800/leeroy-new-greenbelt.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="400" /></a>
"The real world is where the monsters are."</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">~Rick Riordan, <i>The Lightning Thief</i></span></div>
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"Garden of Earthly Delights" in The Gallery of Greenbelt 5 is artist <a href="https://www.facebook.com/LeeroyNewPage" target="_blank">Leeroy New</a>'s latest exhibition. I have featured some of his works before: the <a href="http://manila-photos.blogspot.com/2009/09/aaa-2009-tumor-and-alien.html" target="_blank">alien on a tumor</a>, a <a href="http://manila-photos.blogspot.com/2010/07/rooted.html" target="_blank">spiky red balete</a>, and two <a href="http://manila-photos.blogspot.com/2012/02/eye-candy.html" target="_blank">lovely young ladies in fluorescent plastic</a>. His work is unmistakable and can seem more like creatures from nightmares. An <a href="http://www.circuitmag.net/2014/06/04/garden-of-earthly-delights-by-leeroy-new-2/" target="_blank">article in Circuit magazine's website</a> about this exhibit is quite educational. Even after reading it, though, I still wouldn't want any of his works in my home.Hildahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03572824685124656116noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6999552601430694736.post-82694955101601767162014-06-24T05:00:00.000+08:002014-06-24T05:00:02.200+08:00Painting flags<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-xnOVBoWTujQ/U6gkyzIcdFI/AAAAAAAAG5s/Oit9D8-Mh40/s1600/bookmark-painting.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="“bookmark”" border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-xnOVBoWTujQ/U6gkyzIcdFI/AAAAAAAAG5s/Oit9D8-Mh40/s1600/bookmark-painting.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="400" /></a>
"When you set a good example to the world, you become a flag waving on the skies of the entire world!"</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">~Mehmet Murat ildan, Turkish playwright and novelist</span></div>
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At the <a href="http://manila-photos.blogspot.com/2014/06/octopus-arms.html" target="_blank">Ayala Museum Philippine Independence Day event,</a> there were also two bookmark painting stations. The bookmarks were pre-printed with the current and some historical <a href="http://www.msc.edu.ph/centennial/flags.html" target="_blank">Philippine flags</a>, all of which only use the colors red, yellow, blue, black and white. Of course, we just had to sit down to paint some.Hildahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03572824685124656116noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6999552601430694736.post-59564531739643899412014-06-23T05:00:00.000+08:002014-06-23T05:00:01.177+08:00Theology & Philosophy<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-o1Q9ARQKWZE/U6bDDDmfroI/AAAAAAAAG5c/8ZJ1EmM_rM8/s1600/theo%2526philo.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="Theo & Philo artisanal chocolates" border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-o1Q9ARQKWZE/U6bDDDmfroI/AAAAAAAAG5c/8ZJ1EmM_rM8/s1600/theo%2526philo.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="400" /></a> "If there's no chocolate in Heaven, I'm not going."</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">~Jane Seabrook, <i>Furry Logic Laugh at Life</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/TheoAndPhilo" target="_blank">Theo & Philo</a> chocolates are made of cacao beans and other ingredients sourced straight from local farmers. I confess that it is the first (and, so far, the only) Philippine-made chocolate bar that I like. Aside from milk chocolate and 70% dark chocolate, they have other flavors that are distinctly Filipino: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siling_labuyo" target="_blank"><i>siling labuyo</i></a> (tiny, very hot chili), <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kapeng_barako" target="_blank"><i>kapeng barako</i></a> (a local coffee bean with a robust flavor), green mango and salt, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canarium_ovatum" target="_blank">pili nut </a>and <i>pinipig</i> (toasted <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glutinous_rice" target="_blank">glutinous rice</a>), and a few new ones which I haven't tried yet. Their gift boxes, which can hold 3 or 5 bars, are based on the colors of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_the_Philippines" target="_blank">Philippine flag</a>.Hildahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03572824685124656116noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6999552601430694736.post-84545123044073828652014-06-21T05:00:00.000+08:002014-06-25T09:54:10.854+08:00Teamwork<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-qnn4tZnjerg/U6Qhuu7HPGI/AAAAAAAAG5M/zsHmzgm-mUA/s800/team-manila.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="Team Manila" border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-qnn4tZnjerg/U6Qhuu7HPGI/AAAAAAAAG5M/zsHmzgm-mUA/s800/team-manila.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="400" /></a>
"The strength of the team is each individual member.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The strength of each member is the team."</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">~Phil Jackson, American retired basketball coach</span></div>
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This is the team behind <a href="http://teammanilalifestyle.com/" target="_blank">Team Manila</a> (see yesterday's post), a graphic design studio which is now popularly known in the country for t-shirts and accessories with distinctly Filipino designs. The company was founded by college friends Raymund "Mon" Punzalan (fourth from the left) and Joseph Lee "Jowee" Alviar (the only guy in a white shirt), who both took Fine Arts in the <a href="http://www.ust.edu.ph/about-us/history/" target="_blank">University of Sto. Tomas</a>.Hildahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03572824685124656116noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6999552601430694736.post-10991769989576422432014-06-20T05:00:00.000+08:002014-06-20T05:00:03.688+08:00Octopus arms<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Q62OFIviuSI/U6LgwrQHY6I/AAAAAAAAG48/4-6t4WWa1fU/s1600/team-manila-tshirt-printing.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="Team Manila t-shirt printing machine" border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Q62OFIviuSI/U6LgwrQHY6I/AAAAAAAAG48/4-6t4WWa1fU/s1600/team-manila-tshirt-printing.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="400" /></a>
"There can be no tyrants where there are no slaves."</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">~Jose Rizal (1861–1896), Philippine national hero</span></div>
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A couple of friends and I spent Philippine Independence Day, June 12, at the <a href="http://www.ayalamuseum.org/" target="_blank">Ayala Museum</a>. We got to silkscreen our own t-shirts courtesy of <a href="http://teammanilalifestyle.com/" target="_blank">Team Manila</a>, which brought its ScreenMachine for the event. In keeping with the occasion, the design they chose was a stylized <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_the_Philippines" target="_blank">Philippine flag</a> with the year that the country declared its independence from Spain, 1898. The shirt in the foreground is still missing the red part, which is the pattern on the silkscreen frame on the right. Notice that the ScreenMachine just holds the tees and silkscreen frames—the printing still has to be done manually. In a country with a 7% unemployment rate and an 18% underemployment rate, I completely approve of Team Manila's production choice. Hildahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03572824685124656116noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6999552601430694736.post-11390683759321763932014-06-19T05:00:00.000+08:002014-06-19T05:00:02.770+08:00Don't ask<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wwZ0JQ8AC48/U6GcboDDHoI/AAAAAAAAG4s/g1phJu8vZZ4/s800/window-cat.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="cat" border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wwZ0JQ8AC48/U6GcboDDHoI/AAAAAAAAG4s/g1phJu8vZZ4/s800/window-cat.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="400" /></a> "Cats are a mysterious kind of folk."</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
~Walter Scott (1771–1832), Scottish novelist, playwright and poet</div>
<br />
The street cat which adopted the family next door to us likes to hang out <i>on</i> their window. The first time I saw it there, I thought it had gotten stuck by mistake and needed help climbing out, but I've seen it there on and off, days and evenings. Apparently, it finds its position quite comfortable.Hildahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03572824685124656116noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6999552601430694736.post-34011299454604438492014-06-18T05:00:00.000+08:002014-06-18T05:00:00.426+08:00CoralOne last post about our trip to Bantayan Island (see previous two posts)—the Saints Peter and Paul Parish Church, better known simply as Bantayan Church.<br />
<a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-8pNZy9kKKbs/U6Apa531FnI/AAAAAAAAG4A/nA4v2Oy31J4/s800/bantayan-church1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="Bantayan Church" border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-8pNZy9kKKbs/U6Apa531FnI/AAAAAAAAG4A/nA4v2Oy31J4/s800/bantayan-church1.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="400" /></a> The church had already closed for the night when we went to visit, but the caretaker graciously opened it for us when he found out that we had a priest in our group. The parish traces its history back to 11 June 1580 when the Spanish
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Augustinians" target="_blank">Agustinians</a> established it. The first church was destroyed when the town
was attacked by Muslim pirates in 1600. It was rebuilt in the same year
but was transferred to the management of secular priests. The current church was constructed in 1839–1863. Unfortunately, the plaque on the wall didn't say what happened to the previous building. <br />
<a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/--lApTXfgwIM/U6ApdMUFV0I/AAAAAAAAG4I/YmgEqdTIWC8/s800/bantayan-church2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="Bantayan Church" border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/--lApTXfgwIM/U6ApdMUFV0I/AAAAAAAAG4I/YmgEqdTIWC8/s800/bantayan-church2.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="400" /></a> The church's design is typical of other Spanish-era churches in the country. A portion of the roof was damaged by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Typhoon_haiyan" target="_blank">Typhoon Haiyan</a>, but it had been repaired completely by the time we visited. <br />
<a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-t2j6Xfw2zSo/U6ApfN9fxoI/AAAAAAAAG4Q/5M3brjz-pbY/s1600/bantayan-church3.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="Bantayan Church" border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-t2j6Xfw2zSo/U6ApfN9fxoI/AAAAAAAAG4Q/5M3brjz-pbY/s1600/bantayan-church3.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="400" /></a>
What makes Bantayan Church unique is the fact that it is made almost entirely of coral. Moss grows easily on them, but I think they just add beauty and interest to the walls.<br />
<a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-zp_NyYigR_Q/U6AphzW2HVI/AAAAAAAAG4Y/5A-rlmkfCGY/s1600/bantayan-church4.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="Bantayan Church" border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-zp_NyYigR_Q/U6AphzW2HVI/AAAAAAAAG4Y/5A-rlmkfCGY/s1600/bantayan-church4.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="400" /></a>
And those walls are thick! I measured myself against the depth of a doorway, and I think the walls are easily six feet deep. Hildahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03572824685124656116noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6999552601430694736.post-43348634226852362942014-06-17T05:00:00.000+08:002014-06-25T09:54:26.339+08:00Team buildingOur office trip to Bantayan Island (see yesterday's post) wasn't only for rest and recreation. The more important objective was team building. In our case, it was quite literal.<br />
<a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-yuqmPyiXDv8/U56qlP8arnI/AAAAAAAAG3M/Cxf6oseEu7U/s800/gk-bantayan01.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="GK Village in Bantayan Island" border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-yuqmPyiXDv8/U56qlP8arnI/AAAAAAAAG3M/Cxf6oseEu7U/s800/gk-bantayan01.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="400" /></a>
<a href="http://www.gk1world.com/home" target="_blank">Gawad Kalinga</a> (GK), which means "to give care," is a poverty-alleviation and nation-building movement which builds houses and creates communities all over the Philippines for the poorest Filipinos. GK communities are known for their colorful houses, which is but the first step in the long process of poverty-alleviation. There is a young GK Village in Bantayan Island—named the Pope Francis GK Village—and we spent our first afternoon there.<br />
<a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-mwJ56t42MZY/U56qn_dG9rI/AAAAAAAAG3U/cHMTR3G_U_U/s1600/gk-bantayan02.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="GK Village in Bantayan Island" border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-mwJ56t42MZY/U56qn_dG9rI/AAAAAAAAG3U/cHMTR3G_U_U/s1600/gk-bantayan02.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="400" /></a> GK is completely funded by donations and powered by volunteers. The land for the Pope Francis GK Village was donated by the municipality, which increased the donation after <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Typhoon_Haiyan" target="_blank">Typhoon Haiyan</a> destroyed many of the coastal villages in Bantayan Island. The houses are largely funded by <a href="http://w5.xs.edu.ph/" target="_blank">Xavier School</a> and the <a href="http://www.philjesuit.net/new0309erda2.asp" target="_blank">ERDA Group</a>, both Jesuit institutions based in Manila. <br />
<a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-BirhLyn_5-c/U56qq4N3uvI/AAAAAAAAG3c/or8Vrs0WHlw/s1600/gk-bantayan03.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="GK Village in Bantayan Island" border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-BirhLyn_5-c/U56qq4N3uvI/AAAAAAAAG3c/or8Vrs0WHlw/s1600/gk-bantayan03.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="400" /></a> The simplest way of volunteering is by helping build houses, which is what we did. The boys did the heavy work of mixing the sand, cement and water. (I tried, but my arm strength is absolutely pathetic.) That's our <a href="http://manila-photos.blogspot.com/2013/02/cool-dude.html" target="_blank">big boss dude</a> in the Hawaiian shirt.<br />
<a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-pxvutXTSiYM/U56qs8gYg8I/AAAAAAAAG3k/6vBHiM3cwFM/s800/gk-bantayan04.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="GK Village in Bantayan Island" border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-pxvutXTSiYM/U56qs8gYg8I/AAAAAAAAG3k/6vBHiM3cwFM/s800/gk-bantayan04.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="400" /></a> We passed buckets of the cement mixture for the floor of one of the units. Aside from volunteers, GK houses are built by their recipients, who have to log in 300 hours of labor and attendance in values formation workshops before they can move in. GK calls it "sweat equity." And the formation continues long after the beneficiaries receive their houses—necessary if one wants to build real communities and not just houses. <br />
<a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-5tBx746Xbok/U56qvLZNNWI/AAAAAAAAG3s/_3xA6jzjlpo/s800/gk-bantayan05.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="GK Village in Bantayan Island" border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-5tBx746Xbok/U56qvLZNNWI/AAAAAAAAG3s/_3xA6jzjlpo/s800/gk-bantayan05.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="400" /></a> Before we left, some of the children of Pope Francis GK Village performed a dance for us, a dance that they had been practicing for a big GK event.<br />
<br />
To learn more about Gawad Kalinga, and maybe even donate or volunteer, please visit their <a href="http://www.gk1world.com/home" target="_blank">website</a>.Hildahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03572824685124656116noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6999552601430694736.post-37912894944785392812014-06-16T05:00:00.000+08:002014-06-30T20:51:45.468+08:00Last hurrahOne week before the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (<a href="http://www.pagasa.dost.gov.ph/" target="_blank">PAGASA</a>, which means "hope" in Tagalog) officially declared the onset of the rainy season, our office went on its annual teambuilding and R&R. Last year, we went to <a href="http://manila-photos.blogspot.com/search/label/Boracay" target="_blank">Boracay</a>; this year, we went to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bantayan_Island" target="_blank">Bantayan Island</a> in the province of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cebu_%28island%29" target="_blank">Cebu</a> (which is also an island). From Metro Manila, it's a one-hour plane ride, two-hour van ride, and one-hour boat ride away. It was worth the long trip.<br />
<a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-DUR6h5Suzy8/U511SAheQ2I/AAAAAAAAG2M/fEglfKVpY7w/s800/bantayan01.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="Anika Island Resort in Bantayan Island" border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-DUR6h5Suzy8/U511SAheQ2I/AAAAAAAAG2M/fEglfKVpY7w/s800/bantayan01.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="400" /></a>
We stayed at <a href="http://www.anikaislandresort.com/" target="_blank">Anika Island Resort</a> in the small town of Santa Fe. It's right on the beach and the rooms are unusual because they're all made from freight containers. Needless to say, they all have airconditioners.<br />
<a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-o0sGKWhLJSI/U511UJp-XWI/AAAAAAAAG2U/mKPxuf1SGTU/s800/bantayan02.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="low tide at Anika Island Resort in Bantayan Island" border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-o0sGKWhLJSI/U511UJp-XWI/AAAAAAAAG2U/mKPxuf1SGTU/s800/bantayan02.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="400" /></a>
There are only a few resorts in Bantayan so it's very peaceful. There are still quite a number of fishing communities on the island and fish pens near the shore are not uncommon. We were able to buy freshly-dried <i><a href="http://www.marketmanila.com/archives/fried-dried-danggit-rabbitfish-spinefoot" target="_blank">danggit</a>,</i> naturally salted by the sea water, to take home to Manila. On our side of the island, the tide is very low in the mornings, but even when the tide is high, you can walk 200 meters from the beach and the water will only be waist-high.<br />
<a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-dEJLvy70IK0/U511V0sdTAI/AAAAAAAAG2c/n6fJc_RtmbU/s800/bantayan03.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="outrigger of a bangka" border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-dEJLvy70IK0/U511V0sdTAI/AAAAAAAAG2c/n6fJc_RtmbU/s800/bantayan03.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="400" /></a>
We were told that there was a smaller island just off Bantayan where the snorkeling was good, so we rented a <i>bangka</i> to go there.<br />
<a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-9kjeUGdnIg0/U511X7n_5eI/AAAAAAAAG2k/zMKgpVqOPr4/s800/bantayan04.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="Virgin Island just off Bantayan Island" border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-9kjeUGdnIg0/U511X7n_5eI/AAAAAAAAG2k/zMKgpVqOPr4/s800/bantayan04.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="400" /></a>
It's a really small island—basically a rock with some palm trees growing on it, with a tiny strip of beach on one end.<br />
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-seXqYbldnOU/U511adlEuNI/AAAAAAAAG2s/2T8LTa-1k4c/s800/bantayan05.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="welcome sign at Virgin Island" border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-seXqYbldnOU/U511adlEuNI/AAAAAAAAG2s/2T8LTa-1k4c/s800/bantayan05.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="400" /></a>
Welcome to Virgin Island! It doesn't have its own electricity or water, and all supplies have to be brought in by <i>bangka.</i> There are no resorts, either, though more adventurous souls are welcome to pitch tents on the beach and stay overnight.<br />
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fmQjmC0EF_Q/U511cdTk5LI/AAAAAAAAG20/01dU7FAaYvQ/s800/bantayan06.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="snorkeling at Virgin Island" border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fmQjmC0EF_Q/U511cdTk5LI/AAAAAAAAG20/01dU7FAaYvQ/s800/bantayan06.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="400" /></a> You don't have to go far from shore to to see schools of yellow and silver striped fish (I have no idea what they are), but you have to swim farther to get to the live coral.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GLNDvGcldDc/U511eDLdviI/AAAAAAAAG28/yEAgZFHl-Sc/s800/bantayan07.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="beach at Virgin Island" border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GLNDvGcldDc/U511eDLdviI/AAAAAAAAG28/yEAgZFHl-Sc/s800/bantayan07.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="400" /></a> For those who don't snorkel, Virgin Island also has a nice stretch of shallow water with no coral, rocks or sea grass—perfect for little kids.Hildahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03572824685124656116noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6999552601430694736.post-49167870997606294552014-06-13T05:00:00.000+08:002014-06-13T05:00:01.132+08:00Canopy<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-R_WMpoAD1cE/U5mfByoR7XI/AAAAAAAAG10/qDjPRla7TPs/s800/contreras-trees-inside.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="'The Trees' by Reynato Paz Contreras" border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-R_WMpoAD1cE/U5mfByoR7XI/AAAAAAAAG10/qDjPRla7TPs/s800/contreras-trees-inside.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="400" /></a>"Painting is so poetic, while sculpture is more logical and scientific and makes you worry about gravity."</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">~Damien Hirst, English artist</span></div>
<br />
This is what it looks like underneath "The Trees" of artist Reynato Paz Contreras (see yesterday's post). They don't provide a lot of shelter from either sun or rain, unfortunately.Hildahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03572824685124656116noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6999552601430694736.post-36908354342013906412014-06-12T05:00:00.000+08:002014-06-12T05:00:00.524+08:00Intertwined<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-cWYYl53qiqQ/U5hXSjK5pHI/AAAAAAAAG1k/LTK-AyAlbTI/s1600/contreras-trees.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="'The Trees' sculpture" border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-cWYYl53qiqQ/U5hXSjK5pHI/AAAAAAAAG1k/LTK-AyAlbTI/s1600/contreras-trees.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="400" /></a> "Art-making is not about telling the truth but making the truth felt."</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">~Christian Boltanski, French sculptor</span></div>
<br />
Made of recycled stainless steel, "The Trees" by artist <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rey_Paz_Contreras" target="_blank">Reynato Paz Contreras</a> stands in the middle of the park in the middle of the roundabout that is Burgos Circle in <a href="http://manila-photos.blogspot.com/search?q=bonifacio+global+city" target="_blank">Bonifacio Global City</a>. According to the artist, "The three trunks signify stability. The intertwining branches and leaves create a circular effect to symbolise the 'circle of life.' This sculpture represents the interrelationship of humanity and nature, and the vital role that each one plays. May it remind everyone to preserve the environment not just for today but for the future as well."Hildahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03572824685124656116noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6999552601430694736.post-84168004216635047152014-06-11T05:00:00.000+08:002014-06-11T05:00:00.553+08:00A different world<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-kimcqW5gRzU/U5b2ARjQDXI/AAAAAAAAG1U/opzZLou65JQ/s1600/bgc-condos.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="Burgos Circle in Bonifacio Global City" border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-kimcqW5gRzU/U5b2ARjQDXI/AAAAAAAAG1U/opzZLou65JQ/s1600/bgc-condos.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="400" /></a> "That's universal—we all want to bring every good thing to our children. But what's not universal is our ability to provide every good thing."</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">~Melinda Gates, American businesswoman and philanthropist</span></div>
<br />
These are just a few of the high-rise residential condominium towers in <a href="http://manila-photos.blogspot.com/search?q=bonifacio+global+city" target="_blank">Bonifacio Global City</a>. The shorter buildings are restaurants and shops around Burgos Circle, a roundabout with a park in the middle, from where I took this photo. Standing there, it was almost easy to forget that the Philippines is a third world country (or, to be politically correct, a <a href="http://www.isi-web.org/component/content/article/5-root/root/81-developing" target="_blank">developing country</a>).Hildahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03572824685124656116noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6999552601430694736.post-79186685454877313012014-06-10T05:00:00.000+08:002014-06-10T05:00:00.468+08:00American nostalgia<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Yy2_5phRFzE/U5WpJd7SsII/AAAAAAAAG1E/W2iGIxLr6QY/s1600/johnny-rockets-jukebox.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="jukebox" border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Yy2_5phRFzE/U5WpJd7SsII/AAAAAAAAG1E/W2iGIxLr6QY/s1600/johnny-rockets-jukebox.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="400" /></a> "Remembrance of things past is not necessarily the remembrance of things as they were."</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">~Marcel Proust (1871–1922), French novelist</span></div>
<br />
A gaudy and lovely <a href="http://www.rock-ola.com/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Rock-Ola</a> jukebox at the American 1950s diner-themed <a href="http://www.johnnyrockets.com.ph/CMS/AboutUs.aspx" target="_blank">Johnny Rockets</a> in <a href="http://manila-photos.blogspot.com/search?q=bonifacio+global+city" target="_blank">Bonifacio Global City</a>.Hildahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03572824685124656116noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6999552601430694736.post-66435259862727282722014-06-09T05:00:00.000+08:002014-06-09T05:00:01.525+08:001904<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/--XQ2YcODFEI/U5REEqx3s_I/AAAAAAAAG00/3sbiPUIAgLw/s800/richard-brasier-roadster.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="1904 Richard Brasier Roadster" border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/--XQ2YcODFEI/U5REEqx3s_I/AAAAAAAAG00/3sbiPUIAgLw/s800/richard-brasier-roadster.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="400" /></a> "The car has become an article of dress without which we feel uncertain, unclad, and incomplete in the urban compound."</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">~Marshall McLuhan (1911–1980), Canadian philosopher of communication theory</span></div>
<br />
This 1904 <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard-Brasier" target="_blank">Richard-Brasier Roadster</a> was the first car to roll on Philippine roads. It was built by French and Belgian manufacturers <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Georges_Richard" target="_blank">Georges Richard</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brasier" target="_blank">Charles-Henri Brasier</a>, and has a 9-horsepower, 2-cylinder engine. It was first brought to the country in 1904 by the trading firm Estrella del Norte. It then passed through many hands until 2006, when <a href="http://www.shell.com.ph/" target="_blank">Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corporation</a> acquired it as part of its commitment to preserve artifacts that are part of our culture and heritage. It is currently on loan to <a href="http://www.themindmuseum.org/" target="_blank">The Mind Museum</a> at Taguig.<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">~Text edited from The Mind Museum's sign</span></div>
Hildahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03572824685124656116noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6999552601430694736.post-26873419096567518562014-05-29T05:00:00.000+08:002014-05-29T05:00:02.785+08:00Postcards from Cambodia: Angkor Wat<a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-wJUqinjIzc8/U4XiwewvyUI/AAAAAAAAGzg/ucP-ydtsSdw/s800/angkor-wat1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="Angkor Wat silhouette" border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-wJUqinjIzc8/U4XiwewvyUI/AAAAAAAAGzg/ucP-ydtsSdw/s800/angkor-wat1.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="400" /></a> One of the few things I was willing to wake up at an ungodly hour for was to watch the sun rise over <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cambodia" target="_blank">Cambodia</a>'s greatest treasure: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angkor_Wat" target="_blank">Angkor Wat</a>, the City of Temples. <br />
<a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-MuTLFv8He5I/U4Xiyl_osyI/AAAAAAAAGzo/-4-dy73FNKc/s800/angkor-wat2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="sunrise reflection of Angkor Wat" border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-MuTLFv8He5I/U4Xiyl_osyI/AAAAAAAAGzo/-4-dy73FNKc/s800/angkor-wat2.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="400" /></a> First a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hinduism" target="_blank">Hindu</a> then a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhism" target="_blank">Buddhist</a> temple complex, Angkor Wat was built in the 12th century by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suryavarman_II" target="_blank">King Suryavarman II</a>. <br />
<a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-d5LvfobuCA8/U4Xi1Chs5sI/AAAAAAAAGzw/n4tGAOqa4vQ/s1600/angkor-wat3.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="Angkor Wat" border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-d5LvfobuCA8/U4Xi1Chs5sI/AAAAAAAAGzw/n4tGAOqa4vQ/s1600/angkor-wat3.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="400" /></a>
It is the largest religious monument in the world and its perfect symmetry is a wonder to behold.<br />
<a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-OCf4b5DG_94/U4Xi3TB12WI/AAAAAAAAGz4/0RkFppGGA3E/s1600/angkor-wat4.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="one of the outer galleries of Angkor Wat" border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-OCf4b5DG_94/U4Xi3TB12WI/AAAAAAAAGz4/0RkFppGGA3E/s1600/angkor-wat4.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="400" /></a> The main temple of Angkor Wat is composed of three rectangular <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khmer_architecture#Gallery" target="_blank">galleries</a>, each higher than the next.<br />
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-v8yA4ktvRcg/U4Xi6C4R9aI/AAAAAAAAG0A/oyEAF-nWhXc/s1600/angkor-wat5.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="relief on the wall of Angkor Wat's galleries" border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-v8yA4ktvRcg/U4Xi6C4R9aI/AAAAAAAAG0A/oyEAF-nWhXc/s1600/angkor-wat5.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="400" /></a> Every inch of the walls of each gallery is covered in elaborate bas-relief scenes from Hindu mythology and literature.<br />
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-K89gkIIdiWg/U4Xi9eRMAbI/AAAAAAAAG0I/ZsYe3vBYjxU/s1600/angkor-wat6.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="steps to the highest terrace of Angkor Wat" border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-K89gkIIdiWg/U4Xi9eRMAbI/AAAAAAAAG0I/ZsYe3vBYjxU/s1600/angkor-wat6.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="400" /></a> Angkor Wat's <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khmer_architecture#Temple_mountain" target="_blank">Temple Mountain</a>, its central and uppermost sanctuary, is an architectural representation of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Meru" target="_blank">Mount Meru</a>, the home of the gods in Hindu mythology.<br />
<a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-SUXA7mBJXtI/U4Xi_aqXeFI/AAAAAAAAG0Q/7Lh10QLGyss/s1600/angkor-wat7.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="view from the highest terrace of Angkor Wat" border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-SUXA7mBJXtI/U4Xi_aqXeFI/AAAAAAAAG0Q/7Lh10QLGyss/s1600/angkor-wat7.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="400" /></a> From the uppermost terrace, one can see across the lower galleries to the bridge which crosses the moat around Angkor Wat, and all the way to the outer wall.<br />
<a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-kgX2ybQGNdM/U4XjB_AIBRI/AAAAAAAAG0Y/A_hll3XTg7s/s1600/angkor-wat8.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="Buddha sitting on a Naga at Angkor Wat" border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-kgX2ybQGNdM/U4XjB_AIBRI/AAAAAAAAG0Y/A_hll3XTg7s/s1600/angkor-wat8.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="400" /></a> The image of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gautama_buddha" target="_blank">Buddha</a> in the uppermost sanctuary depicts him seated on the coils of a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/N%C4%81ga#Cambodia" target="_blank">Naga</a>. Legend says that Buddha was so deep in meditation, he did not notice the storm that began raging around him. So the Naga coiled itself under Buddha to raise him from the muddy waters and bent its seven heads (one of which is broken here) over him to protect him from the rain. Of all the temples in the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angkor" target="_blank">Angkor</a> district of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siem_Reap_Province" target="_blank">Siem Reap</a>, only Angkor Wat was never abandoned and it is still an active Buddhist temple today.Hildahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03572824685124656116noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6999552601430694736.post-29596564241307792272014-05-28T05:00:00.000+08:002014-05-28T05:00:02.434+08:00Postcards from Cambodia: Angkor Thom<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ijmk5Jdypao/U4R_60wHosI/AAAAAAAAGyo/Fak4JKSeNrE/s800/bayon-thom1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="Bayon Temple" border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ijmk5Jdypao/U4R_60wHosI/AAAAAAAAGyo/Fak4JKSeNrE/s800/bayon-thom1.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="400" /></a>
The Buddhist <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bayon" target="_blank">Bayon Temple</a> was built in the late 12th or early 13th century and stands in the middle of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angkor_Thom" target="_blank">Angkor Thom</a>, the capital of the empire of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jayavarman_VII" target="_blank">King Jayavarman VII</a>.<br />
<a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-NlC36gyr5v8/U4R_8pcvRsI/AAAAAAAAGyw/Znv5A6A0lcA/s800/bayon-thom2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="Bayon Temple" border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-NlC36gyr5v8/U4R_8pcvRsI/AAAAAAAAGyw/Znv5A6A0lcA/s800/bayon-thom2.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="400" /></a>
Its most distinctive feature is its multitude of towers, each bearing a serenely smiling face on each of its four sides.<br />
<a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-p5LWiUMGrtU/U4R_-8YAuqI/AAAAAAAAGy4/qFIlHPmBjJI/s800/bayon-thom3.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="Bayon Temple" border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-p5LWiUMGrtU/U4R_-8YAuqI/AAAAAAAAGy4/qFIlHPmBjJI/s800/bayon-thom3.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="400" /></a>
The gigantic faces bear a striking resemblance to the statues of King Jayavarman VII, which have led some scholars to believe that they are images of the king himself. Others believe that they are representations of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bodhisattva" target="_blank">bodhisattva</a> of compassion.<br />
<a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-F1l3JO74ShM/U4SAAsMjY4I/AAAAAAAAGzA/HSUH7cDD6aI/s800/bayon-thom4.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="royal palace at Angkor Thom" border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-F1l3JO74ShM/U4SAAsMjY4I/AAAAAAAAGzA/HSUH7cDD6aI/s800/bayon-thom4.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="400" /></a>
Older temples in Angkor Thom survive. The three-tiered <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baphuon" target="_blank">Baphuon Temple</a>, built in the mid-11th century, was dedicated to the Hindu god <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shiva" target="_blank">Shiva</a>.<br />
<a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-UtHaj4jKz3E/U4SAC9TEZpI/AAAAAAAAGzI/miHTz1R2mxQ/s800/bayon-thom5.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="Celestial Temple at Angkor Thom" border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-UtHaj4jKz3E/U4SAC9TEZpI/AAAAAAAAGzI/miHTz1R2mxQ/s800/bayon-thom5.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="400" /></a>
The 10th century <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phimeanakas" target="_blank">Phimeanakas Temple</a> is located within the walls of the royal palace. It is associated with a very interesting legend which involves the king and a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/N%C4%81ga" target="_blank">Naga</a>, a mythological creature in the form of a snake which, in Cambodia, has seven heads.<br />
<a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-pig_olcXals/U4SAEopn31I/AAAAAAAAGzQ/c-InH6WpZkk/s800/bayon-thom6.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="Terrace of the Elephants at Angkor Thom" border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-pig_olcXals/U4SAEopn31I/AAAAAAAAGzQ/c-InH6WpZkk/s800/bayon-thom6.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="400" /></a> Angkor Thom's kings had a long stone terrace which they used for public ceremonies and audiences. It is now known as the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terrace_of_the_Elephants" target="_blank">Terrace of the Elephants</a> because of the parade of elephants decorating the surviving portions.Hildahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03572824685124656116noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6999552601430694736.post-48926170137794101192014-05-27T05:00:00.000+08:002014-05-27T05:00:00.399+08:00Postcards from Cambodia: Banteay Srei<a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-yBPn3hd4PIE/U4M4kSRZQsI/AAAAAAAAGyA/PMI75QMPojY/s800/banteay-srei1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="Banteay Srei" border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-yBPn3hd4PIE/U4M4kSRZQsI/AAAAAAAAGyA/PMI75QMPojY/s800/banteay-srei1.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="400" /></a>The 10th century <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banteay_Srei" target="_blank">Banteay Srei</a>, dedicated to the Hindu god <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shiva" target="_blank">Shiva</a>, is distinctive among <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angkor" target="_blank">Angkor</a>'s many temples because of the miniature scale of its buildings. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-UWgPYMzzKVI/U4M4nImg0nI/AAAAAAAAGyI/CtpJhhuPDOw/s800/banteay-srei2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="Banteay Srei" border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-UWgPYMzzKVI/U4M4nImg0nI/AAAAAAAAGyI/CtpJhhuPDOw/s800/banteay-srei2.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="400" /></a>
<a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-cjeqbYPFhrY/U4M4pi1etnI/AAAAAAAAGyQ/pc51M12IHRA/s800/banteay-srei3.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="Banteay Srei" border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-cjeqbYPFhrY/U4M4pi1etnI/AAAAAAAAGyQ/pc51M12IHRA/s800/banteay-srei3.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="400" /></a>
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VnKr-lwfnHI/U4M4sv75lbI/AAAAAAAAGyY/twLrws04U4k/s1600/banteay-srei4.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="Banteay Srei" border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VnKr-lwfnHI/U4M4sv75lbI/AAAAAAAAGyY/twLrws04U4k/s1600/banteay-srei4.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="400" /></a> It was constructed using a hard red sandstone which can be carved like wood. Despite being more than a thousand years old, the temple retains much of its intricate decorative carvings.Hildahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03572824685124656116noreply@blogger.com4