GOODBYE, APRIL!

To turn 27. A year of film photography. Casual walks, dinner foodtrips, golden hours. Days passed by with me lugging around with my old cameras and film. I have always yearned for something to call mine. I'm assuming everyone does. And I'm guessing too that this is innate, something that runs through our veins -- to hold on to something and deem it ours. A natural act to survive.

I have found mine in film. It's a joy, my joy. Despite the inquisitive looks I get the moment I hold a camera up to my face, their usual doubts as to how something primitive is still surfacing the modern times, and the little jokes you get for using something vintage. Despite that. No amount of doubt can break my love for film :)

The film days are numbered, they say. And that's exactly why this is a great time to live and shoot with film!

STREET OF ONGPIN | ONE

ROOTS OF TA PROHM

These roots of trees in Ta Prohm are unbelievably huge. It is how exactly I imagined them to be when I was still researching for this trip, and I feel lucky to be able to see them, and touch them. Well, I touched every piece of marvelous thing when I was in Siem Reap actually -- the boulders, the carvings on sandstone walls, these roots especially -- because knowing they have stood all this time somehow makes me feel connected to the past that no one gets to get back again. Touching the history.

Seeing the roots sprawled in all directions is INCREDIBLE. Some of them have to be supported and protected by metals. It's really nice how they let nature take over because they would rather let the stones topple over than cut the trees.

Love how my Superheadz UWS did an amazing job here :)

Me, taken by our very kind guide, Kuya Wandy :)

DONG BEI DUMPLING

While waiting for our own serving, I get to watch Ate make pork and chives dumplings straight from the next table :) Glad she didn't mind me this close beside her taking these photos -- or maybe she's just used to people watching her while making these probably-the-most famous dumplings in Binondo.

Hot, soft and light to eat. All of a sudden, I'm craving for these now!

642 Yuchengco Street, Binondo, Manila, Philippines

CAFE NORITER | ONE