The 1.2-hectare Luneta Boardwalk Platform facing Manila Bay behind the Quirino Grandstand is currently a 24-hour beehive of activities as hundreds of construction workers strive to finish the first phase of Ocean Park Manila in time for the upcoming Christmas season.
As many Manilenyos know by now, Ocean Park Manila will be a state-of-the-art complex consisting of an oceanarium, a Marine Discovery Park, promenade areas, a boardwalk and a themed and landscaped pavilion. Swimming and snorkeling facilities for visitors are also included in the project.
The oceanarium, the park’s premier attraction, is designed as a unique and world-class educational and entertainment facility dedicated to showcase the rich and diverse marine life of the Philippine aquatic environment. It will boast a transparent acrylic-made tunnel to provide visitors the experience of walking underwater and viewing sea creatures.
Click here to read complete entry.
The Fortune Tellers of Quiapo
They are self-proclaimed mystics — diviners who provide uncanny insight to those craving for a glimpse of the future. Their fees range from 100 pesos at the start of the session to 500 pesos and higher at the end.
Skeptics, however, regard them as mystic misfits — a gang of crackpots or fakes afforded with equal scorn as those document counterfeiters of Recto.
Nonetheless, these fortune tellers of Quiapo’s Plaza Miranda manage to remain in business; attracting a steady stream of customers who regard them with a strange mix of caution and reverence just in case they turn out to be true seers.
And in response to the public’s ambivalent attitude, they maintain a closely-knit association amongst one another for self-preservation, though adhering to a loose hierarchical order — the tarot card readers on top, the numerologists and palm readers next, and everybody else at the bottom. As with any pecking order, those on top think and act with utmost superiority; hence, the tarot card readers regard the powers of those below their rank as less potent and whose readings may lack accuracy.
Read complete entry here.
The Night Manila Rattled and Rolled
I was roused from sleep by the sound of creaking wood, as well as by the gentle yet highly unusual swaying of the bedroom. It felt as if I were aboard an ageing wooden boat. The thought of my father who was buried only a day or two immediately came to mind. I suspected that he might have returned to haunt us. But why in such horrific manner?
Suddenly my eldest brother, Junior, came to turn on the light in the bedroom. And with alarming urgency, he ushered me and my visiting cousins out of the bedroom and into the living room. It was then I realized that this was something beyond some ghostly visitation.
Through the huge windows of the living room, what greeted me was an eerie sight: In the middle of the night, the whole neighborhood was up with their lights on; silently looking out their windows as if expecting a major parade about to pass.
And then suddenly, another tremor shook the earth. But this time, there were screams that echoed from every direction. We stood there terrified; others cried while crouched in a corner. My religious aunt repeatedly shrilled that the world was about to meet its apocalyptic end; heightening the already distressful situation. She finally stopped when Tia Inez hurled a rubber slipper at the back of her head.
The Renovation of Metropolitan Theater
Now undergoing a major “facelift,†the “grand dame†of Manila’s theaters is on its way to being restored to its former glory.
The Art Deco building constructed in 1931 by Juan Arellano was badly damaged during wartime, and rebuilt in 1978 by former First Lady Imelda Marcos.
But the “Met,†as the “grand dame†of Manila’s theaters is fondly referred to, fell into decay a decade ago and closed down in 1996 following a long-running dispute between the Government Service Insurance System and the City of Manila over its ownership and management.
Read Allison Lopez’ complete PDI article here.
View photos of the ongoing renovation here.
Inside BAHAY TSINOY in Intramuros
any Filipinos may not realize — as evidenced by rare coins, tradewares, and other unearthed artifacts — that there was extensive contacts between the Chinese and Filipinos long before the Spaniards discovered the archipelago and named it the Philippines.
Early records also indicate the active trading between the Chinese and Filipinos from the north to the south of the islands by the late 10th century; bartering mainly facilitated their transactions. The Filipinos also visited China as recounted in the story of the Sultan of Sulu Paduka Batara. The Sultan went to Beijing to pay tribute to the Imperial Court of Emperor Yung Lo in 1417, but died on his way back home.
The Finest Art Deco Complex in the Philippines
It is touted as the country’s finest Art Deco complex with Philippine National Artist Pablo Antonio, Sr. as one of its leading architect. It is located in the heart of Manila.
The Sidewalks of Quiapo
These photos were taken a little after two o’clock in the afternoon; however, imagine how extremely crowded the sidewalk would get during the rush. Such condition, as we know, would eventually proliferate pickpockets, and quite exponentially at that. Furthermore, it wouldn’t be surprising if Avenida Rizal’s sidewalks would also become just as crowded once the avenue is reopened to vehicular traffic.
But are you certified to take this picture?
Tesda (Technical Education and Skills Development Authority) whose sole mission is to provide direction, policies, programs and standards towards quality technical education and skills development here in the Philippines, has been approached by the FPPP (Federation of Philippine Photographers Foundation) and some of Manila’s old time bigwigs in the professional photography community to develop a certification and qualification standards for all Filipino photographers.
What brought this about was supposedly the emergence of cheaper, better, and easier to use digital cameras, which is now breeding a new generation of wannabe photographers. I think this certification business is fine and dandy, BUT I wonder, does this certification apply to everyone, or only to those who had purchased a high-priced dSLR from the past year or so ago and now becoming so good with it that he is fast becoming a threat to the revenue stream of professionals currently doing advertising and wedding shoots?
If certification becomes a requirement to newbies only, won’t this propagate the so-called ol’ boys network and keep the new talents outside hanging by the fringe; forever dependent upon the blessings of the old timers? Hence, hinder inchoate trailblazing perspectives associated with the young.
Will Tesda someday require our composers to take certification tests as well? Come to think of it, with the proliferation of affordable synthesizers, sequencers, drum machines and Mac laptops, anyone can write music as accompanying soundtrack to those TV ads. I’m not sure about the local music business, but in the States, I know of young people making substantial income from royalties derived from writing music for TV commercials and video games. None of these kids went to music school; they’re simply driven by their intense desire to make music and now making incredible money from it.
How about our writers and poets? There are now computer programs available to make writing novels and poetry easier. Shouldn’t these people be subjected to certification as well?
Read complete entry @ http://senorenrique.blogspot.com/2007/06/but-are-you-certified.html
posted by Senor Enrique at 6:50 AM Â Â
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Life in Manila as observed by a former New Yorker who has reinvented himself as a photojournalist. Winner of the Philippine Blog Awards – 2007 PHOTOBLOG OF THE YEAR. Â
Plant & Flower Photo Contest
What a wonderful way for avid photographers to continue celebrating Earth Day; that is, by joining this international photo contest.
Amateur and professional photographers are encouraged to submit single images or themed portfolios in the following categories:
• My Garden
• Plant Portraits
• People and Animals in the Garden
• Trees (annual changing category for 2008)
There will be a new special award for Young Garden Photographer of The Year for teens under 16.
Helping The Mothers of Albay
Their goal is to help the women in the towns of Daraga and Guinobatan, Albay, who to this day languish in evacuation centers, caring for their children while living under appalling conditions and suffering from various women’s illnesses.
To alleviate their plight, Cathy and a group of her friends, intend to bring 500 bags containing toiletries and underwear to the women in these centers. Five hundred may not be much, but providing care and kindness to even one soul can sometimes spell the difference between hope and despair in the life of a woman who toils day and night for her family.
