WALLED CITY

I'm so glad with how they are trying to revive and restore the oldest city in Manila: Intramuros. Here are some of the many interesting sights within the walled city when we visited for the Intramuros Pasyal Sunday.

SITTING, WAITING, WISHING

More than the heavy touring that is usually done when traveling, it's the quiet moments like this that stand out from the rest. After a wonderful time at New Leaf Book Cafe, we strolled on a sidewalk of the Old Market area in Siem Reap and found a spot to sit on the grass facing a canal-river (I hope the sign above does not translate to keep off the grass, hee hee).

Putting this moment in my pocket of memories :)

A BUDDING HOPE

Patiently waiting, figuratively..

NAME THIS CAMERA

My bestfriend gave me this replica of a vintage camera for my birthday, two months ago, and it was one of the most unexpected things I have received. I guess I'm still just amazed at how well thought out the gesture was, and until now I'm still baffled of its story and more importantly, of what model this camera is.

Top of my head, it reminds me of the medium format Bel-air camera because of its bellows. Any bets? :)

TUK-TUKS IN BANGKOK | ONE

STREET OF ONGPIN | TWO

Even grunge surfaces can turn into interesting textures, you see :)

See the first set here.

NEW LEAF BOOK CAFE IN BLACK AND WHITE | TWO

I knew that my Pentax KX has a busted light meter but still bought it anyway because from my experience in using a camera that has got one, I found shooting with a light meter less efficient. I believe exposure still lies in personal preference, and it's wonderful when you think about it that way, because you get to see how diverse and dynamic shooting with film can truly be.

I think shooting with black and white film gives you more liberty than any other because it is, again, very forgiving when it comes to exposure. This set has both under and over exposed shots which gives room for a relatively-newbie like me to still learn and study setting proper exposure.

View the first set here.

TO SHOOT PEOPLE

These photos are still from the fun shoot I did with Q at UP Diliman last November. I usually say that I'm always more comfortable in shooting objects and scenery, but I often find myself drawn to capturing facial and body expressions/angles. I would really like to try to learn and shoot people properly, only with my camera of course :D

AND THE MOUNTAINS ECHOED

Khaled Hosseini's latest book took a different path for me compared to his previous releases that I've read, The Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns -- which both ripped my heart apart. The setting moved a lot, almost every chapter, which inevitably made it hard for me to focus and invest only into one character. Of course it didn't take away the fact that it is still a good story, and that Mr. Hosseini is still one of the best story-tellers that I've come to know. His choice of words are simple and relatable, yet so perfect and skilled in fleshing out the emotions present in the story, one thing that is truly admirable.

It's a funny thing, but most people mostly have it backward. They think they live by what they want. But really, what guides them is what they're afraid of. What they don't want.

BETWEEN YOU AND ME

June 8, 2014. The seven-year spell has finally been broken.

Years ago, when blogs only meant people's online diaries, it has been my go-to act to carefully disguise my thoughts and feelings through words. I have mastered ciphering them with a thin veil that it would be hidden in a stranger's eye at once, but still discernible to my memory should I decide to revisit them. I would write letter and post entries to an anonymous, indirect person with confidence and security that they will never get to the intended receiver, ever -- even it could save and vindicate me in the future.

But the universe kids me again, of course. Life happened, and as much as I wanted to keep the words that naturally became my allies -- my gems in protecting my feelings, I should have been smarter enough to know that eventually these words will land on its rightful owner.

My words had been lost for a while, but slowly they've found their way home. And now, must I say that I wouldn't have it any other way :)

CAFE NORITER | THREE

 

As much as I visually enjoyed the quirkiness of Cafe Noriter, I simply did not enjoy their Coffee Jelly at all :( It was too bland. Despite this, I'm still willing to try and visit them again :)

Cafe Noriter One | Two

SILAHIS IN INTRAMUROS

On the way to Intramuros Pasyal Sunday, we passed by this charming two-storey arts, crafts and book shop called Silahis (sun's rays breaking through a cloud in Tagalog). Loved what I saw in an instant because it's a shop-full of antiques and crafts made mainly from wood. Natural, ethnic and versatile.

They also have a large selection of products from simple souvenirs and woven baskets to furniture and house decors. I'd love to own a wooden dining table! :)