December 14, 2008

Star light, star bright

The entrance of La Vista Subdivision in Quezon City. La Vista is an example of what we call an 'exclusive subdivision.' Think of it as a gated community, with perimeter walls and an entrance gate with security guards. Unless you're a resident and have a gate pass, or you're a visitor and can tell the guards the name and address of the person you are visiting, you will not be allowed inside. Some subdivisions are stricter than others—if you're a visitor, you will be asked to leave an identification card and the guards will issue you a temporary pass. These subdivisions always have Christmas decorations at their main entrance gates during this season. I like La Vista's choice this year: a cascade of lighted traditional Filipino parol (Christmas star), white and simple, hung on bamboo poles. It's even prettier from the front, but I wasn't about to risk my life standing in the middle of Katipunan Avenue.

La Vista Subdivision's Christmas decorations

12 comments:

  1. UnknownDecember 14, 2008 at 8:32 PM

    It looks really nice, the parol cascade on bamboo.
    Glad you haven't tried to get a front shot, we want you here! :-)

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  2. Livio BoninoDecember 15, 2008 at 1:10 AM

    What a beautiful cascade of stars and lights! Nice shot.

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  3. lunarossaDecember 15, 2008 at 3:29 AM

    Love the wonderful stars! The filipino language sounds very interetsing (I'm a language fan). I will try to learn more about it. Ciao. Antonella

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  4. escapeDecember 15, 2008 at 5:23 AM

    im quite impressed how filipinos has been innovating how to display these parols and they are jst getting better.

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  5. LoisDecember 15, 2008 at 5:51 AM

    This is a very pretty picture. I like all of the stars. I've been working on getting some night shots of the Christmas lights here and hopefully will be able to post some soon.

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  6. marleyDecember 15, 2008 at 6:40 AM

    These are pretty. Very festive. Is there a need for gated communities over there?

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  7. Ming the MercilessDecember 15, 2008 at 8:07 AM

    The concept sounds very much like the gated communities in Florida and California, although the rules are less strict. I guess we all experience some levels of security issues wherever we live.

    My apartment building has a buzzer and video on the front door. I don't buzz anyone in unless I know specifically who it is. And most of my friends call me first before they come over.

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  8. JulesDecember 15, 2008 at 9:03 AM

    No photo is worth risking your life for Hilda - be careful!!!!

    The stars are lovely and certainly give a festive feeling to the scene.

    BTW In my bridge photo there was a typhoon lashing the centre of Vietnam and there was much flooding in Hoi An which was sad. Under the raincoats it was quite sweaty though hence the short clothing - (the photo is of my daughters)

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  9. PJDecember 15, 2008 at 10:44 AM

    We get the idea Hilda, you're safe with us. Although, there are times when taking a risk for a photo can be pretty exhilarating...

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  10. BergsonDecember 15, 2008 at 3:27 PM

    Beautiful stars, santa klaus come directly when he see that

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  11. HildaDecember 15, 2008 at 8:48 PM

    Marley:
    In a word, yes :(

    Robberies are an everyday reality when poverty levels are as high as that of the Philippines. Many poor, uneducated people from the provinces come to Metro Manila thinking that life here would be better. Most of them are severely disappointed.

    Even our neighborhood, which used to be very open when I was a kid, had to install a boom at the corner of the street which leads to the main road and gates to close two alternative routes, and hired 24/7 security guards. And ours isn't even considered an 'exclusive subdivision' (read, rich residents).

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  12. JoyDecember 16, 2008 at 2:42 AM

    Don't you just love Christmas decorations in all shapes, form and colour?

    Thanks for visiting Norwich Daily Photo.


    joy
    A Pinay In England
    Your Love Coach
    I, Woman

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