gubat sa siyudad

it was very nice to see green in the city, and just like what "mang leo" said it's like gubat sa siyudad"
see how the pillars of the house is slowly decaying? :(

a tailor's house

i saw a man inside the intriguing door and he looks busy with his sewing machine but he smiled and said it was okay to come inside and take photos.

according this old man (my bad i forgot to ask his name!) this house used to be tailor's shop and is owned by the salazar family. i just find it touching to see that it is still a tailor's house, if you read out the signage from yesterday's post there is a Leo tailoring, accepts all kinds of uniform" (hmm maybe the man's name is Leo hehehe) thanks to him for being accomodating and answering our questions and giving a bit of sotry about this old house :)

i love the overall look of this old house, and you know what its pretty cool inside (feels like i was inside one of the dungeons at fort santiago) i dont know if its because how those old houses were made or because of the forrest that you can see at the back.

limbo's folly

one of the interesting old houses within the F.R. Hildago Street. acutally what really captured my attention is its doors, and the intriguing faded limbo's folly painted in it. and peeking in from the outside i was intrigued on what's inside behind this beautiful door. tomorrow i'll share with you the beauty behind limbo's folly :D

F. R. Hidalgo

This is F.R. Hidalgo Street, (named after Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo) a famous street within Manila because of its history and the grand old houses that lined its street, not to be confused with another Hidalgo Street within Quiapo that is famous as a photographer's haven which i've already featured here. From this photo you can see the towers of the San Sebastian Church and this street also ends up at Quiapo Church. I'll be posting more photos taken from F.R. Hidalgo street (mostly old houses). I really love this street, reminds me of the old houses at Taal, Batangas... and it think i've already said it in this blog that i'm a sucker for anything that is old. =)

You can also check out Señor Enrique's Hildago Street Revisited

ang lalaki sa bintana

Saw this old and delapidated house beside the Bahay Nakpil-Bautista. It still has the look of its old grandeur and i really love this type of old houses, with wide windows... notice the ornate details of its facade. Its sad to see these old houses left to detoriate and neglected.

As for the title of my post i borrowed the tagline from an old movie Ang Babae sa Bintana,(Woman by the Window) but since its a guy who is looking down from the window hence ang lalaki sa bintana (Man by the Window) =)

NB. the guy said it was okay for me take pictures of him while he was sitting in the window

bahay nakpil-bautista

Open to the public, the Bahay Nakpil-Bautista is one of the'must' places in Manila to visit, located at 432 A. Bautista (formerly Barbosa) Street, perpendicular to Hidalgo Street opposite Quiapo Church. A. Bautista Street is parallel to Quezon Boulevard in Quiapo.

The house was built by Dr. Ariston Bautista ( a doctor who discovered a drug against cholera and is a known philantropist) and his wife Petrona Nakpil. The house was designed by architect Arcadio Arellano on 1914. Here also lived Julio Nakpil, brother of Petrona who married Gregoria de Jesus (widow of Andres Bonifacio, father of the Philippine Revolution). Julio Nakpil is also the composer of the Katipunan.

Related Links:
Conservation success
Señor Enrique
Traveler on Foot

ma mon luk menu

Ma Mon Luk's menu - mami, siopao, and siomai

ma mon luk's menu and prices as of august 2008

Special Mami - 95
Regular Mami - 85
Special Siopao - 55
Regular Siopao - 40
Sang Yuk Pao - 55
Siomai - 40

"Ang mami dito ay unang imbento. Una sa lasa. Una sa sarap."

ma mon luk

Ma Mon Luk at Quezon Boulevard, Quiapo, Manila

the last ma mon luk restaurant in town, the chinese restaurant that is said to invent mami as we know it. it still has its regular customers and others who drop by to taste its famous mami-siopao- siomai, a food trip down the memory lane to others. Please read A Mami Love Sonata (the newspaper clipping of this article adorn its walls) to get the history behind this famous joint.

the restaurant doesnt look much, its no frills kind of setting doesnt bother its suki, the restaurant didnt change much, same old fan and a very utilitarian dining tables. tomorrow i'll post the yummy siopao and of course mami and siomai :)

asociacion feminista filipina

a piece of history in an obscure place, this history tablet is placed in front of the merriam & webster bookstore along avenida, sta. cruz, manila. the tablet says - in a building on this site was organized the asociacion feminista filipina on 30 june 1905.

On June 30, 1905, Concepcion Felix and other Filipino women founded the Asociacion Feminista Filipina (Philippine Feminist Association) in Manila. It was the first women’s club in the country that promoted social welfare and women’s involvement in public affairs.

so it seems that the filipina has learned early to fight for their rights having formed a feminist movement in the philippines as early as 1905. And the asociacion feminista filipina has paved way for Filipino women to the right of suffrage.

everyday drama

I'm not sure if i made the right decision posting it here (feels like i'm exploiting the crying lady) but i felt the need to share an ordinary day scene or an everyday drama one can see in the streets of Manila. What prompted me to took this photo is the forlorn look i saw the woman who was sitting in one of the side entrance of the Quiapo church and only after taking this picture i noticed that she was crying. I wouldn't know the reason behind the tears but i would always wonder why, probably those two kids were also thinking why the tears?

Have you ever felt the urge to approach a stranger and ask what's bothering him/her, prompted just by the look in their face? I've always felt that but haven't done so...

quezon boulevard

Quezon Boulevard circa 2008

Photo taken from the pedestrian overpass, traffic going to Quiapo - from here you can see the big television in the mercury drug building at Plaza Miranda, and of course some billboards dotting the area.

san sebastian recoletos

La orden de Recoletos de San Agustin dedica este convento-colegio a la memoria de D. Bernardino Del Castillo Y de su esposa, Dña. Maria Enriquez, los cuales costearon la construccion del convento e Iglesia De San Nicolas en Intramuros de Manila en 1608, y la donaron este solar de calumpang, en el que se erigio el primer convento dedicado a San Sebastian en 16 de Febrero de 1621. (inscripted in a memoriam plaque)

sorry, i really have no idea what is this building beside the San Sebastian Church! but i find it beautiful and the inside is splendid as well. anyone who knows what is this building?

san sebastian church facelift

Visited San Sebastian Church yesterday and i'm surprised and glad to see its new color. Seems they are doing some beautification in the only all steel gothic church in Asia.

The Church of San Sebastian is a declared National Historical Landmark per Presidential Decree No. 260. State funding was accorded to the church through the National Historical Institute which undertook restoration of the church since 1982. The Recollect community has likewise expended funds for the church's maintenance and restoration. In addition, the church was listed among the 1998 World's Most Endangered Sites by the World Monuments Watch. - UNESCO World Heritage Centre

gas price today in manila

sunday mushroom

swirl

red friday

downtown

go for the gold

"One World One Dream" - the theme slogan of the 2008 olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXIX Olympiad, which is being celebrated in Beijing, China that officially started last August 8, 2008 and will end on Aug. 24, 2008. 10,500 athletes, 302 events in 28 sports, and the best athletes from all over the world competing, hoping to get the gold.

As of this writing China is leading the race for Gold followed by USA. And i really do admire Michael Phelps for winning his 11th Olympic gold, setting records over and over again... undoubtedly he's the best swimmer in the world!

I wish our Philippine athletes to get the prized gold medal, it would be the first if ever in our history. Praying that our bet Harry Tanamor gets to win on his fight tonight (20:15) under the Mens light fly division against Manyo Plange of Ghana.


UPDATE: *sigh* our be harry tanamor lost! the elusive olympic gold medal is still out of reach by the RP team =(

if you want to know the standing of pinoy athletes in the 2008 olympics do click here.

LRT on fire

The LRT (Light Rail Transit) is on fire these days - the LRT Line 1 has suffered three consecutive fire near its station. FB Harrison Megaplex near the LRT Baclaran Station is still on fire after a day and a half! The fire started sunday evening and when i went to work this morning, LRT trains travel until EDSA station only.

And less than a week ago (aug 4), Good Earth Plaza near Carriedo Station caught fire which lasted almost a whole day as well interrupting the LRT operation at the said station.

The July 17 fire at Pure Gold Plaza near the Libertad LRT Station also disrupted the LRT services wherein the train only travel from Monument until Gil Puyat (Buendia) station. I remember i got in the office at past 11am that day.

Hmmm three in a row, so they say things comes in threes! hopefully no more fire

Photo: a fire truck inside the museo pambata

rice crisis over?

Sad to say, the rice crisis is not yet over. The prices listed in this photo is already outdated, this photo is from the tinda-tindahan (mock store) of rice inside the museo pambata.

Note: Did you noticed that the man behind is just a painting, the only real person in this photo is the kid playing with "rice"

karitela

karitela - a two wheeled cart pulled by a carabao in rural areas, hard to see a real karitela these days even in the rural areas.

bahay bahayan

Playing inside a small bahay kubo that serves as bahay bahayan (playhouse)

bakya

Bakya or wooden clogs were once the most commonly used footwear in the Philippines before the introduction of rubber sandals. This footwear is made from local light wood like santol and laniti. It is cut to the desired foot size before being shaven until smooth. The side of the bakya is thick enough to be carved with floral, geometric or landscape designs. Afterwards, the bakya could then be painted or varnished. Uppers of plastic or rubber will then be fastened using clavitos (tiny nails) and the bakya is now ready to wear.

The bakya was very popular in the 1950s and was a common souvenir for Americans visiting the country. However, the bakya industry dwindled with the introduction of rubber slippers or what we call now flip flops. Today it is rarely used although it is a common footwear used during cultural presentations.

There was even a popular song BAKYA MO NENENG, click here to listen to Bakya Mo Neneng and sing along with it :)

Bakya mo, Neneng,

luma at kupas na

Ngunit may bakas pa ng luha mo, Sinta;

Sa alaala'y muling nagbalik pa

Ang dating kahapong tigib ng ligaya.

Ngunit, irog ko, bakit isang araw

Hindi mo ginamit ang bakya kong inalay?

Sa wari ko ba'y di mo kailangan

Pagkat kinupasan ng ganda at kulay.

Ang aking pag-asa'y saglit na pumanaw

Sa bakya mo, Neneng, na di pa nasilayan.

Kung inaakalang 'yan ang munting bagay,

Huwag itapon, aking hirang,

Ang aliw ko kailan man.

The word bakya may also be used in the Philippines to denote something that is of "low-class", "unsophisticated" or "cheap".

different people

The world is full of different people...

hold your fart

My nephew trying out how it feels to touch a butt! LOL. It is not what you're thinking, this blog is still rated PG (wholesome aketch noh hehehe) =)

It's a part of the Body Works theme at Museo Pambata where you get to touch and here body parts and how they work, just press the buttocks and find out the sound it will make, less the stinky odor :) The poster below defines fart as the sound and smell of extra gas escaping down your large intestine and out through your anus. Humans fart at least 10 -12 times a day!

Hmmm I wonder what will happen if everyone farts all at the same time, will it be like a nuclear explosion? hehehehe

swallowed

Journey inside the human body through a tunnel maze! Welcome to the body works exhibit at the Museo Pambata.

art's cool

Still at Museo Pambata... my nephews having the time of their lives.

This hall features or exhibit some paintings. Did you know that every summer, Museo Pambata conduct a children's workshop (Art's Cool) that hone kids talents and skills in the different arts such as painting, crafts, writing, theater, pottery, cooking, etc.

psychedellic sunday

Have a psychedellic sunday everyone! =)

Photo: An image seen in a large kaleidoscope as one of the exhibit at Tuklas theme at the Museo Pambata

illusion

"A photograph is the illusion of a literal description of how the camera 'saw' a
piece of time and space."

Photo: A mirror illusion inside the Tuklas exhibit at Museo Pambata

tuklas

Here's what you can see inside Tuklas or the Science Through Discovery Theme at Museo Pambata. You can play a junior scientist and unravel scientific principles behind everyday things. Plus there is this spherical metal where you can view a moon rock from the historic Apollo 11 expedition.

And it is the first day of the month, and the DP community august's theme day is metal. Click here to view thumbnails for all participants

Or you can visit all the 183 participants for this theme day . Please note that due to time difference some blogs may not have posted their entry yet.

Albuquerque (NM), USA by Helen, Aliso Viejo (CA), USA by Rodney, American Fork (UT), USA by Annie, Anderson (SC), USA by Lessie, Ararat, Australia by freefalling, Arradon, France by Alice, Aspen (CO), USA by IamMBB, Athens, Greece by Debbie, Auckland, New Zealand by Baruch, Auckland, New Zealand by Lachezar, Austin (TX), USA by LB, Bandung, Indonesia by Harry Makertia, Bandung, Indonesia by Eki Akhwan, Bandung, Indonesia by Bunyamin, Barrow-in-Furness, UK by Enitharmon, Barton (VT), USA by Andree, Bellefonte (PA), USA by Barb-n-PA, Bicheno, Australia by Greg, Birmingham (AL), USA by VJ, Bogor, Indonesia by Gagah, Boston (MA), USA by Cluelessinboston, Brantford (ON), Canada by Nancy, Bucharest, Romania by Malpraxis, Budapest, Hungary by Zannnie and Zsolt, Budapest, Hungary by agrajag, Budapest, Hungary by Isadora, Buenos Aires, Argentina by Karine, Canterbury, UK by Rose, Chandler (AZ), USA by Melindaduff, Château-Gontier, France by Laurent, Chateaubriant, France by Bergson, Cheltenham, UK by Marley, Chennai, India by Ram N, Chesapeake (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Cincinnati, USA by Erik Laursen, City of the Blue Mountains, Australia by Richard, Corsicana (TX), USA by Lake Lady, East Gwillimbury, Canada by Your EG Tour Guide, Edinburgh, UK by Dido, Edmonton (AL), Canada by , Evry, France by Olivier, Folkestone, UK by Piskie, Forks (WA), USA by Corinne, Fort Lauderdale (FL), USA by Gigi, Gabriola, Canada by Snapper, Geneva (IL), USA by Kelly, Greenville (SC), USA by Denton, Grenoble, France by Bleeding Orange, Gun Barrel City (TX), USA by Lake Lady, Hamilton, New Zealand by Sakiwi, Hampton (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Haninge, Sweden by Steffe, Hanoi, Vietnam by Jérôme, Helsinki, Finland by Kaa, Hobart, Australia by Greg, Hyde, UK by Old Hyde, Hyde, UK by Gerald, Jackson (MS), USA by Halcyon, Jefferson City (MO), USA by Chinamom2005, Jerusalem, Israel by Esther, Kansas City (MO), USA by Cate B, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia by Edwin, Kyoto, Japan by Tadamine, Lakewood (OH), USA by mouse, Larchmont (NY), USA by Marie-Noyale, Las Vegas (NV), USA by Mo, Leipzig, Germany by weltbeschreiber, Lisbon, Portugal by Sailor Girl, Lisbon, Portugal by Maria João, London, UK by Ham, London, UK by Mo, Lynchburg (VA), USA by June, Mainz, Germany by JB, Manila, Philippines by Heyokity, Mashhad, Iran by Meead, Melbourne, Australia by John, Melbourne, Australia by Mblamo, Menton, France by Jilly, Mesa (AZ), USA by Mesa Daily Photo, Mexico City, Mexico by Carraol, Middletown (MD), USA by Bernie, Milwaukee (WI), USA by karl, Minneapolis (MN), USA by Mitch, Minneapolis (MN), USA by Scott, Minneapolis (MN), USA by Greg, Misawa, Japan by misawa mama, Molfetta, Italy by saretta, Monte Carlo, Monaco by Jilly, Monterrey, Mexico by rafa, Mumbai, India by MumbaiiteAnu, Mumbai, India by Magiceye, Nancy, France by yoshi, Nashville (TN), USA by Chris, Nelson, New Zealand by Meg and Ben, New Delhi, India by Delhi Photo Diary, New Orleans (LA), USA by steve buser, New York City (NY), USA by Ming the Merciless, New York City (NY), USA by • Eliane •, New York City (NY), USA by Kitty, Newport News (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Norfolk (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Norwich, UK by Goddess888, Ocean Township (NJ), USA by Josy, Oklahoma City (OK), USA by ananda.tashie, Orlando (FL), USA by OrlFla, Owasso (OK), USA by Jennifer, Palos Verdes (CA), USA by tash, Paris, France by Eric, Pasadena (CA), USA by Can8ianben, Pasadena (CA), USA by Petrea, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia by Murphy_jay, Petoskey (MI), USA by Christie, Philadelphia (PA), USA by Stephanie Craig, Phoenix (AZ), USA by Cheryl, Phoenix (AZ), USA by Sharon, Pilisvörösvár, Hungary by Elise, Port Angeles (WA), USA by Jelvistar, Port Vila, Vanuatu by Mblamo, Portsmouth (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Prague, Czech Republic by Honza03, Pretoria, South Africa by Sam-Ruth, Quezon City, Philippines by ann pablo, Quincy (MA), USA by slim, Ramsey, Isle of Man by babooshka, Rancho Palos Verdes (CA), USA by Sarah Adams, Riga, Latvia by Riga Photos, Rotterdam, Netherlands by Ineke, Rouen, France by Bbsato, Saigon, Vietnam by Simon, Saint Louis (MO), USA by Strangetastes, Saint Paul (MN), USA by Kate, Salem (OR), USA by jill, Salt Lake City (UT), USA by atc, San Antonio (TX), USA by Kramer, San Diego (CA), USA by Felicia, San Francisco (CA), USA by PFranson, Schenectady (NY), USA by Buck, Seattle (WA), USA by Kim, Seattle (WA), USA by Chuck, Seguin (TX), USA by Thien, Selma (AL), USA by RamblingRound, Sequim (WA), USA by Eponabri, Sesimbra, Portugal by Aldeia, Setúbal, Portugal by Maria Elisa, Sharon (CT), USA by Jenny, Singapore, Singapore by Zannnie, Singapore, Singapore by Keropok, Sofia, Bulgaria by Antonia, South Pasadena (CA), USA by Laurie, Springfield (IL), USA by Aubrey, Stanwood (WA), USA by MaryBeth, Stavanger, Norway by Tanty, Stayton (OR), USA by Celine, Stockholm, Sweden by Stromsjo, Stouffville, Canada by Ken, Subang Jaya, Malaysia by JC, Suffolk (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Sunshine Coast, Australia by bitingmidge, Sydney, Australia by Ann, Sydney, Australia by Sally, Sydney, Australia by Julie, Székesfehérvár, Hungary by Teomo, Tamarindo, Costa Rica by David, Tempe (AZ), USA by angie, Terrell (TX), USA by Jim K, Tokyo, Japan by Tadamine, Torun, Poland by Torun Observer, Torun, Poland by Glenn, Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina by Jazzy, Twin Cities (MN), USA by Slinger, Victoria, Canada by Benjamin Madison, Vienna, Austria by G_mirage2, Villigen, Switzerland by z, Virginia Beach (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Wailea (HI), USA by Kuanyin, Washington (DC), USA by D.C. Confidential, Wellington, New Zealand by Jeremyb, West Paris (ME), USA by crittoria, West Sacramento (CA), USA by Barbara, Weston (FL), USA by WestonDailyPhoto, Williamsburg (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Willits (CA), USA by Elaine, Yardley (PA), USA by Mrlynn,