where the moon shines

(This post has been sitting in my drafts for three days)

I remember a time when Quiapo was alien territory for me. I’d pass by the church many times throughout the years and see the mass of people that always seem to mill around the area, but I’ve never really been there.  Not before a class project we had to do for a Pscyh class (what was the class called again, with Dr. De Castro? Not 108.) maybe ten years ago. My groupmates and I decided to go to Quiapo Church and the surrounding area. Alfred offered to join us and we met up with him at Plaza Miranda. But that’s old news.

In the past three to five years, Quiapo has become a common destination for us. Before, it was to buy beads at Wellmanson (tama ba?). Then the purpose for the visits changed, we’d go to the camera stores along Hidalgo. Sometimes we’d go to the optical shops for Alfred’s glasses.

Yesterday, Dad and I were there to get speakers for tonight’s videoke session. ‘Twas the first time in a long time that Dad and I had a day out just the two of us, and the first time we went to Quiapo together.

I took pictures from my BB while we were on the road, and sent tweets about it. Here’s the story for those not following on my Twitter:

No traffic along España, what a relief! This was at around 3PM when one would expect traffic to start building up, specially two days before Christmas. I guess the mass of people were elsewhere, like Ortigas center where the big malls are.

We only slowed a bit at the Quiapo underpass. Before getting here, we had to pass through the Q.Ave-Lacson intersection where we were stopped by traffic cops. Dad was on the turn-left lane before he realized that that’s what it was. The green light was on for vehicles going straight through so Dad waited for an opportunity to switch lanes and we could go on our way. Unfortunately, the yellow cops saw us and stopped us right in the middle of the intersection. Dad explained how he wasn’t aware of it, and the good cop eventually let us go, without a ticket. No, we didn’t have to give him pamasko.

Upon arriving at this area, with a view of the Isetann Mall, my Dad started reminiscing. He said that Isetann used to be where the famed Cinerama was. It used to be state-of-the-art cinema of its time (60′s maybe). It was also the site of the studio where his grandfather’s radio program aired from. His lolo is Buenaventura Medina, Sr. Because he worked there, he had access to movie passes and that’s how Dad and his siblings got to see the first film with sense-surround (his terms), How the West Was Won.

He shared other bits of childhood memories too, like having a spot at the breakfast table of his Lolo who lived next door. He says he was the only apo who went there for brekky. I should record his stories.

After we got the speakers from Joy’s at Raon (lowest prices), we left the boxes in the car and walked all the way to Excelente to get us some ham. Ang daming tao! It’s like each person who emerges from this thick layer of people was coming off a victory in battle. It didn’t really take too long, maybe ten minutes. That’s Dad there in white on the far left. We ate all the ham he bought today, it really is yummy and worth the money spent for it. Dad only got half a kilo and we shared some of it with Papa. Now Dad’s thinking of going back there to get more.

Dad also showed me where the Globe Lumpia House is. I love their lumpia! Alfred and I couldn’t find it before, mostly because we never asked around for it. We thought it was a bigger place, more noticeable. I was surprised that something so famous was a humble place like this. We walked all the way back to Raon from Excelente to buy lumpia for dinner. We sat at their ‘dine-in’ space to sip some Sarsi while waiting for our take-out.

When we passed through the first time, the place was jam-packed on both sides. People just go for the lumpia and nothing else. The second time we peeked in, there was more room. Thankfully.

The walk back from Excelente to Globe was a long one through people-packed streets. If you weren’t careful, you could get run over by a kuliglig. As for us, it wasn’t the kuligligs that were bent on killing is, am L300 delivery vehicle was backing away from his parking space and trying to maneuver. He wasn’t mindful of the people (and vendors) he could hit though, he was backing up as if the sea of people would magically part for him! Everyone banged on his rear to get his attention!

From the lumpia house to the car, it was a comfortable walk through the stores selling all sorts of uniforms, gun replicas, etc.

I took this final photo from inside the car on our way home. The sun was setting but that didn’t mean goodnight for Quiapo just yet, it was still bustling with people. As for us, we were back on the road, and it was a pleasant drive with very minimal traffic.

Near UST, Dad commented on how the street seemed to look better. I think they laid concrete over the old road, and then they fixed up the middle island with those new fences.  The streetlamps were changed too. Does this mean no more flood for this strip?

Anyhoo… it was a fun afternoon at Quiapo with Dad.

I know that in the US, this weekend was the three-day Labor Day weekend. We definitely felt it here too, miles and miles away, because calls to outsourced customer service accounts dipped. Here in the Philippines, next weekend will be a long one, owing to the declaration of a non-working holiday to mark the end of Ramadan. Many, even non-Muslims, are gearing up for a short vacation.

Even my nephew was talking about a trip to Ace Water Spa with my parents, and he didn’t seem to have the intention of asking me to tag along. He told me yesterday that they were going back there, so I asked when. He said, “sa three-day weekend ba yun?”

It would be nice to take a dip this weekend. Wonder if chlorine in the pools would be okay for my, by then, week-old rebonded hair?

back view

Hay. I wish we could somewhere this weekend too. A quick trip to Baguio, or nearer, Tagaytay. Or an overnighter somewhere, even a hotel in the city! I wonder how weekend Branson vacations are like? I’ve read a blogger talk about planning their trip there, or it happening now this Labor Day weekend?

The next and really only trip Alfred and I have planned is the one to Cebu next year, in February. Oh shoot! I wonder if it’s coinciding with a colleague’s wedding?

Okay, I just checked, and it does. Our last day there, is the day of the wedding. Not that I’ve been invited yet, but since we talk about it, is it safe to assume that I am? Oh no, that would be sad. I wouldn’t want to miss it, but our tickets are non refundable and not re-bookable. Or maybe it is, I’ll have to see. They hadn’t set their wedding date yet at the time we got the tickets.

It was on a warm sunny Saturday afternoon in July that we finally succeeded in going out for a photo walk. Our destination: the LaMesa EcoPark in Fairview, Quezon City. The Lamesa Ecopark is situated inside the LaMesa Watershed, the primary source of drinking water of about 12 million Metro Manila residents (source). According to the LaMesa Ecopark website, the watershed is 2700 hectares big! Of this, 700 hectares is the reservoir (dam) itself, with the surrounding forest being the remaining 2000 hectares. The reservoir supplies clean drinking water to Metro Manila, while the forest helps clean the air.

A long time ago, my grandfather used to bring the entire family to picnics at LaMesa Dam. I was either too young to remember those trips, or I wasn’t born yet at the time. I do remember cousins, my parents and aunts talking about those picnics though. Due to lack of funds for the MWSS which manages the area, the surrounding park had fallen into ruin. In the last decade, the ABS-CBN Foundation, through its programs for Bantay Kalikasan, endeavored to rehabilitate the park and reforest affected areas. The 33-hectare public park is found along the natural boundaries of the watershed and is 40 meters below the reservoir. Proceeds from the entrance fees are used towards the continuous efforts to preserve the health and beauty of the watershed.

I first visited the park years ago when they had just reopened it to the public. My day brought us there with my mom, my nephew Esban and his older sister Dal. We had wanted to swim in their pool but there was just too many people. We ended up just having a picnic (without a table because all were taken and there were no huts at the time) under the trees, and then we had so much fun dancing and laughing while bathing in the rain. Yes, we danced in the rain because the sky really went all out while we were there. It was so much fun.

Since getting Maxine last year, we have wanted to troop to LaMesa to practice shooting. We’d always thought it would be a hassle to commute to the place. Boy were we wrong! We took a cab from here to EcoPark and it cost around 150 pesos, but it was easy peasy. From there, you could just hop on to a tricycle – they’re right outside the exit waiting to take you to Commonwealth Avenue where you can take a jeepney, FX or taxi to wherever you’re going.

Though I was already sleepy on the way (I came from shift, and had work that evening too), I went prepared. My camera battery was fully charged, I was wearing tights and rubber shoes for freedom of movement, and a comfortable shirt. After all, the trip had two goals: to break a sweat walking, and to practice our photography. We successfully did both! Now, we plan on going out each week. Whoever said you can’t hit two birds with one stone? I actually hit several here: bonding with the boyfriend, practice photography, have more physical activity! Doing all these work like all the best weight loss products available out there.

It’s difficult to pick just a few favorite photos to showcase here, so if you’d like to checkout all the photos, they are on this Flickr set.

Let’s start with some flower shots shall we?

I love how this one came out. It was a really vibrant blood-red color. I forgot which part of the park this was in though.

I don’t really wear yellow, and not much orange either, but I love the two colors together be it on these flowers, or on a fire tree.

I love the purple tinge on these small flowers. It would have really been good had there been signs near these plants so we would know what they’re called, Hehe. I think that this photo could be used as background for a card.

I didn’t use any textures on this photo yet the bokeh effect was amazing. I think it took on the shapes of the small leaves of these small flowers that stood unbending against the wind.

Now, who says plants need flowers to be beautiful? These certainly look pretty on their own:

I didn’t just take shots of the fresh, thriving and beautiful. There were other interesting stuff around too. The ecopark is a true thriving ecosystem, there was lushness all around but there was also decay and somehow, also death. This post is already long enough as it is so sharing those other photos will have to wait another day. If you checkout my Flickr set though, you’ll see them all there.

Sometimes I watch a movie, read a book, or checkout a blog, then I think about what’s it like living somewhere else. I love the Philippines, and I can’t imagine ever calling any other place home. But the thought of the many possibilities and opportunities available overseas just makes we wonder.

I want to walk the streets of New York, and wander into quaint little shops. I’d love to get cozy in little bookshops and find beautiful books to read. I want to experience snow at least once in my life, and not die from the cold. Living somewhere else, if only temporary, I’d like to experience that. And then come back to the comfort of home.

Leaving the Philippines is far from my thoughts, it is visiting other countries that I would love to do. And I’m not talking about a week’s vacation somewhere okay, or a honeymoon type of travel like what I’d imagine one would get if they were given complimentary all inclusive cancun trip/package. It’s experiencing the culture, living there for maybe 4-6 months at a time.  Much like what Elizabeth Gilbert did in Eat, Pray, Love minus the soul-searching.

Of course I wouldn’t want to go anywhere without my beloved. I just hope he shares the same wide-eyed wonder and longing for these type of things (which is short for, I don’t think he’s into this).

Sigh.

Don’t forget the giveaway!

I am doing something I don’t think I’ve ever done anything before. I am asking for donations.

But it isn’t for any cause or charity. It is something that will benefit me, and well, you too. Wouldn’t you like to see me post even better photos?

Well the gang at JessicaSprague.Com is celebrating their second anniversary in DigiLand.  And one of the surprises announced today is a special summer offering of one of their online classes that I’d been anticipating:Candice Stringham’s Oh Shoot! Beginning Digital SLR Photography class.  I’ve wanted to sign up for this class since I saw it on their store, but I just couldn’t justify the costs. But now… I really really want this.  There are other classes available here that I can physically attend, and would cost a little less (though with transpo and food expense, maybe it will cost more after all). But if you read her class description, you’d understand why I want to sign up.

The thing is, the registration will open in a few days and I only have about 70 USD in my Paypal account, and the class costs 126 USD. So what I’m asking is — could you help me make up the difference? Please? I don’t know if anyone will actually donate, but it wouldn’t hurt me to try would it? Click on the button to donate! And don’t forget to leave a note so I can thank you properly

*The Paypal website seems to be having problems. If so and the button above doesn’t work, please try to send your donations to verabear (at) msn.com. Thanks again!

Ohhh… I almost forgot about posting pictures! I decided to join in for a picture meme called You Capture:

This week’s theme is SUMMER.

It’s my favorite time of year.

First off – our beach side photo from Baler. My niece Hannah snapped this for us at around 8 in the morning.

Later that morning, we hopped on a tricycle, just the boyfriend and I and we were taken to this wonderful place. The water was so cold! A welcome respite to the heat of summer.  This is about 45 minutes away from the beach.

This boy was with us in the trip. He’s the son of one of my childhood friends! Isn’t he cute? He loved swimming in the kiddie pool at the resort!

Summers are the perfect reason for team outings. And what are summers if not for goofing around?

The boyfriend and my nephew Esban are perfect companions for outings like this!

Every summer we realize how fearless E becomes when in the water. Because he knows how to swim now, he wasn’t afraid of tackling the slide! Alfred was waiting to catch him of course. Hehe

And here’s one more photo from Summer of 2009:

Happy birthday Ma! (today’s her birthday!)

Go visit the other participants to You Capture:  Summer