where to buy film in hong kong: filme

I wouldn't say the supply of film in Manila is scarce, because there's a bunch of people popping up in Facebook groups selling films, a handful of online stores and probably one or two actual stores available for the ones looking. However, the disadvantage is that, there's not so many kinds of films to choose from. So before I left for Hong Kong, I made sure I've done a research on where I can buy film there. 

Most people who've been to Hong Kong would tell you to go to Dot-Well -- which I've also been, and will try a separate post for it -- but I also tried to search other film/camera stores just in case schedule would not permit me to go to Tsim Sha Tsui (but really, this is kind of impossible for anyone going to HK haha).

Anyway, it was our last day, last few hours before we fly back to Manila, and by this time I've already bought "enough" film from Dot-Well and a local photo shop near our hotel. We could have gone to other places, but I kind of maneuvered my folks (hehe) to go to Times Square in Causeway Bay, just so I could try to look for this quirky film store based on my research. 

It was 12 noon when we arrived in Times Square, and we all agreed that we split in going around the mall to save time. But of course, I wasn't there to do clothes shopping?? I had a map to the store printed, so I quickly head out the shopping center and looked for Yiu Wa Street, which was only a street away. I didn't have a hard time looking for Redana Center, so before 12:30 PM, I found myself at the door of Filme. I figured that they're still closed so I just opted to sit and wait there.. right beside some wooden crates haha. I remember being fidgety while waiting because of excitement, I guess? and also because no one has still arrived to open the store at quarter to 1 PM -- and I had to head back to Times Square by 1:30 PM. So, gah.

A little more of fidgeting, and I finally heard the elevator open for these two girls who went straight to the door. I got up at once because I don't want them to know that I've been lurking there for some time hehe. Then, they saw me and were a little bit embarrassed for making me wait, but I told them that it was nothing.. because by the moment they opened the door and let me in, it was like being sucked in by a space warp. I was in GEEK MODE x 1000.

OMG. To see an entire wall of films in different kinds made me feel so happy! I scanned everything in the shelf, just touching a couple of boxes very gingerly -- as if they were gems. You have to know that by this time, it's harrowing to realize that I'd never get to buy a piece of everything, that is why it really took me so long to decide just which pieces to buy. And they must have noticed the length of time I spent in there, because they started talking to me, and were kind enough to show me albums of photos taken by each film -- really, like Katie's Film Guide :) It probably was so evident how torn I was so they thought they had to step in and help me in the decision-making :D

After taking photos of the shop, I really wanted to take a photo of them too because they've been so nice! I was sooo shy to ask, but also thought that I'd feel really bad if I didn't and just left. So I finally asked, and they said sure, then gathered together without qualms. Then the young guy (in the back) asked me if I wanted a photo of myself taken? I really wanted to say "no, it's fine" but I thought it would be rude, so I said okayyy and posed awkwardly as shown in the photo below.

My runway forehead says hello! And I don't know why I look like a school kid in here?! This was still back in September, and I believe I don't look like this anymore hahaha.

I left this quirky home satisfied, happy and accomplished! I recommend visiting them if by chance you will be in Hong Kong :)

FILMe

Flat 14B, Redana Centre,

25 Yiu Wa Street

Bowrington, Hong Kong

neighbor walk

My Mum took Kimi for a walk, while I tailed them and took photos along the way. Flowers, some greens, the first light of the golden hour, kids studying -- this is how it is on a Sunday afternoon in my hometown. It's easy to take something for granted when you are so used to it, and have lived with it all your life, but it is only when I started taking photos around Cavite that I got to sincerely appreciate the random, little and detailed things that it has. There's beauty everywhere, indeed.

pinto art museum: stairs

hong kong: the streets

the sunday currently vol. 5

Currently...

Reading

My book of choice for May has not been settled yet. The plan was to read one book per month, and the last I've touched was Arthur Golden's Memoirs of a Geisha, which was for April. When I went to Pangasinan over the holy week, the travel time took longer than expected (actually, it was kind of expected because of the long weekend traffic) so I had the luxury of devouring Sayuri's story in only three or so days. I must say, that book got a hold of me in a way that Khaled Hosseini did with his A Thousand Splendid Suns. I watched the film adaptation immediately after finishing the book, and I kind of got hooked into the disturbingly brilliance of Gong Li's interpretation of Hatsumomo. It probably took me a week or two to get over the fangirling, haha. That woman is a fountain of youth.

I'm optimistic toward having some time to read while on my next trip. We'll see. I still got two weeks to finish a book. I'm leaning toward Rainbow Rowell's Landline. Anyone who has read it already?

Writing

I'm sort of in hiding when it comes to writing. Got a bit preoccupied in April, and didn't get a decent time to sit down and allow myself to extract things. You'd probably notice too how my nonchalance reflected on this blog, and that's because I didn't want to pressure myself for something that is suppose to relieve stress or free my mind. Then, I caught a viral infection right on the first day of May, which nailed me down to the bed for a week. So I was practically doing and being nothing then. The prompts started to take a pause too, but I impulsively created a TinyLetter account because I was so inspired by Carina's letters. I still haven't sent anything; don't know if I really will, but the act of sending thoughts to a small group of people was just so attractive and felt intimate to me. Like I could actually write something about the stuff that I hesitate to do so here on the blog because sometimes they just seem so irrelevant and futile. I really don't know.

Listening

The whirring sound of the air-conditioning, which I have been abusing for the past two weeks, but that's because it's just ridiculously hot in here at this time. I'm currently not into any song or type of music, except for Cadbury's very catchy jingle haha.

Thinking

I know I'm so used to complaining about the small stuff everyday and stressing myself over adult things, like, what should I be next year, is this really what I want to do, should I stay or go, is it okay to make my interests known, (and why is this sentence so long and has a lot of commas) but really, when it's all quiet and my real voice speaks up, all it says is how grateful I am to be at this point in life. I am simply content and happy right now, or maybe for the last months, significantly since 2015 started.

Smelling
The inside of my nose. Inception, and disgusting, right? :D

Wishing

I'm not really into makeup ever since, in fact the only cosmetic I use is lipstick, and eyeliner if I really have the time, but lately I am getting interested into buying myself some mascara. I just cannot completely sell the thought to myself because I'm afraid it will just smudge around when I absent-mindedly scratch my eyes like an improper girl would do. Is there such a thing as a proper girl to begin with? What?

Hoping

To write sensibly. I think this is my hope in perpetuity.

Wearing

Shorts and shirt.

Loving

My first photography book: Jay Maisel's Light Color Gesture, which I have been wanting and expressively wishing for months! My bestfriend gave it to me as a birthday present, and I could not have honestly ask for anything more for my birthday. It's currently lounging here in my room because I love looking at it looking back at me hahaha. I'm just savoring the feel of having that something you've wished for, for so long. I'm intentionally not finishing it because I want to take my time :)

Wanting

This coming Wednesday night ;)

Needing

To finish laundry, change bed sheets and make a fort for myself so I could continue watching Season 2 of House of Cards. I just dropped my jaw in the middle of episode 1.

Feeling

Relaxed.

Clicking

Recently discovered the Youtube couple Rose and Rosie (whom I'm reminded of my babe Jessica Capshaw, my babe talaga?), and I've been watching their videos one by one since. It's really unfair how these girls are articulate, pretty funny and so attractive with their British accents. My nights are not officially done too without some dose of Jimmy Fallon, whom I've easily grown a mild crush on because of his cute snicker! :">

The Sunday Currently blog link-up