chicken out

One of the many stores in Manila selling lechon manok (roasted chicken). Filipinos are crazy about it, need proof? in our area alone there is four lechon manok stores within a block. The one in the photo is just below the R. Papa LRT station and right now i'm crazy about Mang Bok's chicken, their gravy is so delicious and the chicken is so tasteful and juicy. Now i'm getting hungry!

let's play

... hide and seek. my playful niece under the high chair saying peek-a-boo. i am always amazed by kids, they can always find ways to play and have fun even in the simplest of things.

haven't been out that much this week, so i am just posting this photo from a children's party at Max's restaurant. i can say that Max's have the best tasting fried chicken in town! sorry no picture of the delicious chicken but tomorrow i'll give you roasted chickens.

make a wish

a typical scene within the vicinity of quiapo church... candle vendors. they say that if you light a candle and say a prayer, your wishes will come true. They even have a color coding for each candle, red is for love, white for peace, and so on.

quiapo

You can never say that you’ve experienced manila life if you’ve never been to Quiapo. One of the oldest districts in Manila and is a cornucopia of everything that is Filipino. Here you can find a variety of goods ranging from street foods, amulets, herbal cures, native handicrafts, camera and electronic equipment, and pirated DVDs. Although Quiapo is best known for its catholic church, the Basilica ng Nazareno, the area is also home to the Muslim residents in Manila.

The Quiapo church in the photo above is the home of the famous Black Nazarene, the life sized statue of Jesus christ from Mexico, which is believed to produce miracles hence thousands of devotee flock the parade on its feast day every January 9th.

manila bay sunset

another beautiful sunset at manila bay... dont you just love the way how the sun colors the sky? guess we're all artist trying to mimic God's wonderful creation... forever trying to capture nature's beauty

sunset lovers

I love sunset, thankfully we have the best sunset view from manila bay. People from all walks of life come here to enjoy the serenity and calmness that the sunset bring. Cant help but feel romantic so I stole a shot of this lovely couple.

"people come from everywhere, waiting for the evening sun, gathering for a special moment that is yet to come, in the sunset atmosphere, we all go quiet standing there, and when the sea embraces the light, the day has gone, born is the night."

are you ok?

When was the last time somebody asked if you're ok? It seems to me that that is what the statue is asking the old man who is passing by. This is an early afternoon scene in baywalk. The place is starting to get crowded as the sun is beginning to set... afterall Manila Bay has the most beautiful sunset in the world. You're probably getting tired of seeing my baywalk scene, but promise tomorrow i'll give you the sunset.

manila baywalk

The photo above is one of the many outdoor bar along the baywalk. I love the statues lined in front of this bar with the Philippine flag standing proudly. Also the bar is actually an old bus, what a way to recycle.

In case you dont know yet, the Manila Baywalk is in front of the Manila Bay along Roxas Boulevard. The promenade is a two kilometer stretch between the US Embassy and the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) just past the Manila Yacht Club. The place is dotted with coconut trees, giant lamp posts, cafès and restaurants, bars, and live bands. The perfect place to hang out when you're in Manila.

manila dog

This guy aptly named his moving store as the Manila Dog. The store sells hotdogs and soda along Baywalk. Got a nice marketing strategy naming his hotdogs after the city's prominent figures - Atienza Dog (after the city Mayor of course), Bagatsing Dog, and Lacson Dog among others. Well I've chosen to eat Manila's Finest Hotdog from the menu, and it is delicious!

Subic

This blog is all about Manila, ayt? And you may ask what is Subic doing here? I have participated in the May 1st theme of the Daily Photo community which is "City Exchange". I've chosen this particular photo from Subic because I miss the beach. I also wanted you to feel relaxed and enjoy the beach scene, escape the summer heat for the meantime and chill.

At least 80 sites are participating in the May 1st theme, kindly check the links below to visit them.

Monte Carlo, Monaco - Rome, Italy - Singapore, Singapore - Tenerife, Spain - Rotterdam, Netherlands - London, UK - Montréal (QC), Canada - Melbourne, Australia - Naples (FL), USA - Bastia, France - Hong Kong, China - Mazatlan, Mexico - Buenos Aeres, Argentina - Manila, Philippines - Arradon, France - Madison (WI), USA - Evry, France - Seoul, Korea - Shanghai, China - Bucaramanga (Santander), Colombia - Sequim (WA), USA - Singapore, Singapore - Budapest, Hungary - Baziège, France - Hamburg, Germany - Toruń, Poland - Nelson, New Zealand - Madison (WI), USA - Vantaa, Finland - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - Mainz, Germany - Dubai, UAE - Saint Paul (MN), USA - Cork, Ireland - Stockholm, Sweden - Menton, France - Tel Aviv, Israel - Albuquerque (NM), USA - Kitakami, Japan - Stayton (OR), USA - Szentes, Hungary - Stavanger, Norway - Grenoble, France - Villigen, Switzerland - Paris, France - Hyde, UK - Moscow, Russia - Joplin (MO), USA - Jakarta, Indonesia - Greenville (SC), USA - Cape Town, South Africa - Asheville (NC), USA - Seattle (WA), USA - Kyoto, Japan - Tokyo, Japan - Madrid, Spain - Auckland, New Zealand - Oulu, Finland - Lubbock (TX), USA - Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina - Baton Rouge (LA), USA - Sydney, Australia - Maple Ridge (BC), Canada - Vancouver, Canada - Seattle (WA), USA - Selma (AL), USA - Chandler (AZ), USA - Sharon (CT), USA - Manila, Philippines - Lyon, France - New York City (NY), USA - Los Angeles (CA), USA - Brookville (OH), USA - Hayle, UK - Wailea (HI), USA - Saarbrücken, Germany - San Diego (CA), USA - Boston (MA), USA - Saint Louis (MO), USA - Cypress (TX), USA - Anderson (SC), USA - Torino, Italy