not a tunnel

This UST alumni covered walkway near the España gate looks like a tunnel in this picture, dont you think so?

arch of the centuries 2

A different view of the arch of the centuries from yesterdays photo.

arch of the centuries

This one's for you Reyna Elena, cant find a gwapo to pose at the center though. :)

"Any visitor or new student who enters the España main pedestrians' gate is immediately drawn to the Arch of the Centuries, right in front, about fifteen meters away. Classical Greek and Roman in inspiration with its Doric fluted columns, but baroque in its wealth of curving and embossed details, it looks like one of those triumphal arches for victorious Athenian athletes or returning Roman generals that are seen in history books. The medallion arch is usually a memorial for all distinguished Thomasians. The inscription says, "Gateway to the history of the finest breed of Filipinos". On the lower facade of the pillar, a commemorative plaque honors Jose Rizal, national hero and UST alumnus, and another plaque, Manuel L. Quezon, President of the Philippine Commonwealth, also a UST graduate. On the sides of the rectangular top of the arch are panels depicting some milestones in the life of St. Thomas Aquinas. Above all these, sits the serene, regal image of this angelic doctor, scholastic philosopher and theologian, patron of the University and of all Catholic schools.

The side of the arch facing the campus was the main doorway to the university building before it was destroyed by World War II. The stones of that doorway, now rough-hewned and eroded, were transferred and reassembled piece by piece in its present site. The side with its Grecian design facing España Street is a reconstruction of the doorway as it originally looked."

Source: http://www.ust.edu.ph

drought

This flower is asking the sky to rain and quench its thirst.

According to PAGASA the dry spell experienced in Metro Manila will continue until August and could be alarming as it would result in water and power shortage. Normally, July means a "typhoon party" in the Philippines... but rainfall has been extremely low and the national government already started cloud seeding to induce rain.

moon dome

I dunno what is this building but i find the dome cute. Photo taken from aroceros park.

Update: Thanks to Dhon Jason for pointing out that this building is actually the Golden Mosque at the Quaipo area.

plaza roma

This is the statue of King Carlos IV of Spain, just in front of the Manila Cathedral.

naia

Photo taken at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

boracay sunset

I'm making an exemption and posting a photo from Boracay, with my favorite subject - the sunset. I wont be able to post again for the next few days as i need to go to Batangas this weekend. Hope y'all have a great weekend.

optimus prime in binondo?

Still having a transformers hangover :) I really thought of optimus prime when i saw this colorful fire truck. Please click the small image to see the details, you can also see the old man passing by (who just got out of the church). The smaller photo include a calesa passing by, remember when i told you that Filipinos love having their picture taken? See the driver waving his hand for the photo op? =) I just have tons of photos of strangers waving and giving their biggest smiles to my camera. Someday i'm going to share 'em with you.

inside binondo

binondo church

Also known as Minor Basilica of St. Lorenzo Ruiz, located at Quentin Paredes St., Plaza Calderon de la Barca, Binondo. It was originally erected in 1596 but as what most churches in the Philippines, it was reconstructed many times due to destruction from earthquakes and other natural disasters. Photo inspired by Señor Enrique

PS: I wont be able to post pictures for the next 3 days, i'm off to Boracay this weekend for R&R. Have a good weekend everyone!

recto underpass

The stalls in this underpass sells ready to wear jeans, they also accept orders for custom made jeans, and repairs as well. A good place to sell this stuff since this is within the university belt and just on the doorstep of Isettan Mall.

I just wonder how the salesladies and tailors manage the heat under here, specially during summer.

fashionista?

Saw this cute fashionista girl strutting her stuff along Recto... was just behind her from this crowded sidewalk to the gum trodden path.

recto

the last frontier

These posts are the only thing left standing before avenida is open to traffic again.

The photos below shows the difference after asphalting avenida and removing the benches and other plants that adorn the pedestrian walkway.

another eiffel in manila

The San Sebastian Church, located at Legarda St. Quiapo, Manila. Known as the only all steel gothic church in Asia. After being destroyed by fire and three earthquakes, the priests/friars decided to use steel for the church to build and earthquake-proof church. Design for the church was finished in 1883 and was prefabricated in Belgium. The completely knocked-down church was shipped backed to the Philippines in 6 ships. It weighed close to 50,000 tons.

My only concern on this beautiful structure is that it's starting to deteriorate, if you look closer at the photo you would notice rust bleeding in the facade of the church. The church was listed among the 1998 World's Most Endangered Sites...

Here's how San Sebastian church looks inside...

Looking for a place to stay? Check Manila Hotels

quezon bridge

One of the bridges crossing the Pasig River, connecting Quiapo to Ermita. This photo was taken inside the Arroceros Forest Park which was reopened to public last July 1.

It is interesting to note that this bridge was designed by Gustave Eiffel, who is famous for designing the Eiffel Tower in Paris.

fly away

... skyline pigeon towards the dreams you've left so very far behind.

twilight zone

Welcome to the twilight zone.. well not really, this is the MacArthur Bridge at night... and this is the reason why i love this bridge, its so beautiful at night, full of colors, i just love it. wheneve i go home. tomorrow i'll show you the red and blue lamps of this bridge.

ducks in the bridge

This is the Jones Bridge at night, taken from MacArthur Bridge. I have always been annoyed taking pictures at night because my hands are so shaky making the images blur, but i kinda like that my hands are shaky this time coz the lights looked like ducks! Click the image for a larger view to see my ducks :)

ahoy mate

july theme day: red

Jeepney is the main means of public transportation in the Philippines. It was originally made from US military jeeps left over from the WWII.

Don't forget to visit the 100 blogs that participated in this months' theme:
Shanghai, China - Mumbai, India - New York City (NY), USA - Manila, Philippines - Albuquerque (NM), USA - Hamburg, Germany - Stayton (OR), USA - Los Angeles (CA), USA - Hyde, UK - Oslo, Norway - Brookville (OH), USA - Melbourne, Australia - Stavanger, Norway - Bellefonte (PA), USA - Bucaramanga (Santander), Colombia - Joplin (MO), USA - Singapore, Singapore - Selma (AL), USA - Cleveland (OH), USA - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - Chandler (AZ), USA - Stockholm, Sweden - Seattle (WA), USA - Boston (MA), USA - Arradon, France - Evry, France - Baton Rouge (LA), USA - Maple Ridge (BC), Canada - Boston (MA), USA - Grenoble, France - Cottage Grove (MN), USA - Greenville (SC), USA - Hilo (HI), USA - Nelson, New Zealand - La Antigua, Guatemala - Brisbane (QLD), Australia - Singapore, Singapore - Tel Aviv, Israel - Hong Kong, China - Sequim (WA), USA - Paderborn, Germany - Saarbrücken, Germany - Rotterdam, Netherlands - Tenerife, Spain - Kyoto, Japan - Tokyo, Japan - Sydney, Australia - Naples (FL), USA - Cologne (NRW), Germany - Wassenaar (ZH), Netherlands - Saint Louis (MO), USA - Cypress (TX), USA - Ocean Township (NJ), USA - Mainz, Germany - Toruń, Poland - Menton, France - Monte Carlo, Monaco - Singapore, Singapore - North Bay (ON), Canada - Jakarta, Indonesia - Montréal (QC), Canada - Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina - Minneapolis (MN), USA - Baziège, France - San Diego (CA), USA - Prague, Czech Republic - Ampang (Selangor), Malaysia - New York (NY), USA - Kajang (Selangor), Malaysia - Sharon (CT), USA - Newcastle (NSW), Australia - Port Angeles (WA), USA - Nottingham, UK - Villigen, Switzerland - Chicago (IL), USA - Torquay, UK - Brussels, Belgium - San Diego (CA), USA - Mexico (DF), Mexico - Saint Paul (MN), USA - Cape Town, South Africa - Paris, France - Seoul, Korea - Manila, Philippines - Milano, Italy - Austin (TX), USA - Chennai, India - Madrid, Spain - Seoul, South Korea - Wailea (HI), USA - Toronto (ON), Canada - Ajaccio, France - Buenos Aires, Argentina - Silver Spring (MD), USA - Zurich, Switzerland - Sydney, Australia - Budapest, Hungary - Moscow, Russia - Auckland, New Zealand - Torino, Italy