UP, Katipunan, QC - A Place To Be

Spending my college years in Katipunan QC, I remembered how strict the guards of Miriam College were. Being an exclusive school for girls, they have always been so protective to the students. It is, in fact, a perk for us, since we are all safe and sound inside the campus. Protected by the sceneries and “holy” walls of the campus, we had a lot of time to meditate with nature and bond with blockmates.

However, there was a time when the innovative human minds of my blockmates started to function. We ended up having a joyride along Katipunan and landing on the greeneries of the University of the Philippines.

UP Sunken Garden

A lady chilling out while reading a book

That’s how I learned about UP and the beauty it suppresses.

UP - Bahay ng Alumni

When you go inside this building...

You will find the famous Chocolate Kiss

A romantic and cozy place to dine

One of their specialties is their iced tea.

You blend your own iced tea, mixing honey and calamansi with tea.
This idea is of Japanese origin, wherein people made tea depending on their own taste.
They add sugar gum and lemon flavor, instead.

In the long run, I learned to love the Sunken Garden, the isaw, shopping center with services that fit the budget, the booth fairs, events and theatrical plays, the stars, and the serene ambience (despite the liberated people and the rallies and frats..hehe).

Dare your stomach to eat the craved-for-isaw.

UP will always be a location close to my heart. ;)

With or Without Wings?

I'm not talking about sanitary napkin here. :P
I'm talking about the ability to fly.


Sometimes, I wish I could fly.

Philippine sky

I wish I could spread my wings and soar high above the clouds.

I could avoid the heavy traffic, minimize the time for traveling, and surpass all the distance and bodies of land and water that separates me from the destination I'm longing for. I don't have to pay for seafare/airfare going from one place to another. I can meet my love ones immediately.

There were times when I wondered why human beings were not granted the ability to fly.
Although the human body is an incredible piece of creation, it lacks the proper structure and aerodynamic abilities required for flight.

Jehovah God is really just, and I know that He has reasons for creating us this way.
By design, human beings are land-based creatures and no one should question that...

Airplanes made it possible for us to explore more of aero beauty.

Because of this inability to fly, the innovative human mind came up with efforts to match animal's ability to fly. The Wright brothers came up with the first airplane. Other aerodynamic structures followed, and now we have multitude creations and structures for flying. Such an advantage of innovating beyond our capacity.

Yes, I don't have wings, but I feel much grateful for being a human. Even if I cannot fly, I can appreciate the beauty of space and sky, and thus worship God for his creations.

Such a spectacular reason to be thankful of.

What is Winnie the Pooh's Gender?

A friend once asked me that question.

I answered abruptly, "He is a boy, of course!"

My friend demanded for a reliable proof, yet I cannot give one.
Such a shallow argument, others may think. But I want to settle this argument. :P

Now, I now have evidence!

From Winnie the Pooh's original house and from the book "Hundred Acres Wood: Pooh's Hunny Hunt", came the precise answer.

"Rest assured, he is a boy." - Christopher Robin

Now that your gender identity crisis has came to an end, I'll give you a big hug. ;)

Photography Tidbit: Vanity Matters

Photography is self-taught.

True, this statement from Ansel Adam, shows that photography starts from one’s interest and appreciation of the details and artistic forms of his environment. Experience follows and molds an individual into becoming a great photographer.

Recently, I’ve been observing great photographers, and I learned a lot from them.

In this entry, I would focus on one tidbit I learned.

Never be conscious of your looks when you take pictures.

Professional photographers don’t care if the clothes they wear be soaked in the mud, if their whole form become drenched in the rain, or if they make a nuisance out of themselves.

Mr. Abasolo's V-Leg formation

elbow rest position

and the best position I've seen :P

Quoting from Jojie Alcantara, while she was covering a wedding:

“The only way for me to get a shot with the sky as background was to lie down on the grass, almost right below. Lost in the moment, they barely noticed me. Together, they held on to the Bible.

I did mess up my clothes for lying down. But I captured my sky shots.”

Thus, learning from the great teachers, I make an effort to remove any vanity in myself (if there is any..hehe) in taking shots.

Who cares about the curious onlookers, intense heat and sticky sand?
(Special thanks to Cat Martin for this shot.)

...as long as I capture my once-in-a-lifetime shot

Therefore, having love for photography impels us to remove all excessive vanity and conceit. A photographer should possess humility, not capturing shots for the purpose of recognition and pride, but more on the purpose of sharing and serving others.

There are real life lessons, after all.

I Heart Marikina

Marikina, known as the cleanest city in the National Capital Region, displays its own pride in making passers-by gaze in awe at its marvelous landscapes, spick-and-span spots and disciplined residents.

Who needs to ride planes or book expensive flights to shoot beautiful scenery?
Close to my heart, my homeplace served as the setting for my photowalk :)

Temple display in Riverbanks

Floating Restaurant

SM Marikina

Statue of Marikit-na, the legendary woman of the city

the long Marikina River

Jogging lanes

Buddhist temple where a lot of folks do aerobics

footbridge where people can cross the river

Or board a boat for P1/one way ride



You may also go inside the famous Riverbanks Mall and enjoy shopping and resto hopping ;)
Or take a look at the largest shoes in the world - Marikina shoe museum.

So, enjoy the scenes. :)

And visit us here in Marikina!