all in one place

My favorite things in one place (wood, light and breakfast).

CAFFE BENE

At last, I have found my favorite coffee shop chain and branch! Caffe Bene (Korean-based) inside the SMX Convention Center.

I was coming out of the building when I passed by it and was immediately caught by the wooden interior (again, I know) PLUS the sight of only three to five customers at that time. Thought it was the perfect place to just read a book and pass time with a cup of coffee, without having to hear other people's conversation at the next table, so I wrote a mental note to visit it one time. I know they are are not libraries, but nothing annoys me quickly than a bunch of loud people at coffee shops (just the thought of it annoys me now).

So on one free afternoon, I brought a book, went and had a great, quiet time by myself. There was more people than the initial, but nothing that would distract me compared to if I was on Starbucks or CBTL. Couldn't be more impressed when I ordered a cup of cappuccino and thought that it was the best I have tasted so far. It was a perfect match to my book at that time :)

P.S. I love Rainbow Rowell's Attachments! Beth and Jennifer's email exchange are so funny :D Can't remember the last time smiled and laughed with a book. I was instantly captured by Rainbow Rowell that I just purchased Eleanor and Park yesterday, and I cannot wait to dive on her story again :)

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! :)

TREES OF UP

First to time to set foot in UP (University of the Philippines) in Diliman for a friendly portrait shoot. Nothing really serious, my hands were just itching for something to take a photo of, so I asked my work friend Q if she's willing to be a subject (doesn't really have to pose). I'm a little surprised that she did, to be honest, but I'm glad someone's up for a little adventure too. I chose UP mainly because of the vast space and its huge, hundred-year old trees.

It also didn't hurt that this is Q's alma mater, so after her portrait photos were shot (which I'll post later this week) we rounded up the campus, got passed by a number of joggers, and bought buko juice on the side. It was not easy to accommodate the thought that I wish I had a chance to study here while being enveloped by this kind of surrounding, but I'd like to think it is still never too late *wink* (eek! hehe).

And before I forget, happy new year to you all! :)

A 17TH CENTURY HOUSE IN CEBU

Last stop of our one-day city tour in Cebu is one of the oldest houses in the Philippines, and possibly the oldest Chinese house outside of China: the Yap-Sandiego Ancestral Home.

I was so eager to shoot everything about this 2-storey structure because I like wood and the little details in general. A bit let down for me though was it had very minimal lighting inside. I was forced to dial down my shutter speed to 1/15, 1/30 at most. I can only imagine how everything looked and felt like if they were shot in daylight, but I guess the yellow light bulbs accompanied by the night time gave a different perspective to it. Yes, the creepy-goosebump-y side, perfect for a textbook horror film :)

There were statues of saints in almost every corner of the house, which tells you how religion, specifically Catholicism, was a real big deal back then, a great influence from the Spanish colony.

Love these tea pot sets and embroidery.

The second floor holds the dining area and kitchen. At this point, my light meter is already blinking at 1, but I casually ignored it and still fired away consecutively :)

Details, details, details.

 95 percent of the roof and walls are original. The house was constructed sometime in 1700 using coral stones glued together by egg whites. 1700! EGG WHITES!

The backyard was beautiful. It was surrounded by jars of clay, bonsai plants and a 14-foot wishing well. Sadly, it was too dark in the area to photograph them all :(

See the roof of the house inside? It's made up of stacks of clay supported by molave wood, and a piece of clay weighs a kilogram. I'm guessing there were a thousand pieces in here (what a heavyweight!).

So much history in one house. It's very interesting to see the past, how things worked back then, how these materials were built to last, and how it is still being nurtured and taken care of in the present. Jose Rizal would be proud, I guess? :)

P.S.

Would love to hear how you guys handle taking photos in places with very limited lighting :)