Asia – The Rebel Chic

A Filipino Tricycle

This is my take on this week’s challenge ROY G. BIV. This is a tricycle. Also known as “put-put” in Visayan, “tuk-tuk in Thai and “trike” in Tagalog/English. Tricycle is one of the common means of transportation in the Philippines.

WordPress Photo Challenge

Photo 101: Water and Orientation

Day three’s Photo 101 assignment is Water and Orientation. Here’s my take on this task. This shot was taken in the Philippines last year. That’s my bf going back to the shore after a couple of hours snorkeling. I remember that the locals on that island were impressed because my bf didn’t care about swimming alone in the scorching heat of the sun. Hehe.. Anyway, for this shot I used my Sony Nex5 and used Lightroom to adjust the exposure.

Photo 101: Street

This is my take for day two’s assignment for Photo101, Street. I took this shot during my vacation in the Manila a couple of years ago. The woman was apparently waiting for the right jeepney/taxi.

DSC06637-3

Summer Vacation in the Philippines Part II: The Old Man and His Violin

During my stay at Liloan Southern Leyte, I met an extraordinary man. He is an old man in his 60’s. He is a musician and he plays the violin but unlike the other violinists he doesn’t own a Stravidarius nor a Stentor. His violin is homemade. It is made from a rod, strings, bottlecaps and a tin can. When someone asked him what he can do with his musical instrument, he just simply sat on the bench and played. First he played a couple of Filipino music and then I requested for a Delilah. I’m really impressed because he got the tune (almost) eventhough his instrument is not one of the best. It only shows that he got the skill and the passion.

Check out the video at the last part of this post.

Summer Vacation in the Philippines Part I: St. Augustine Church and Manila Cathedral

Even though I have already moved to Norway, Philippines has always a huge place in my heart. That is why I never forget to include Philippines in my travel plans. Two months ago I spent four weeks in the Philippines. Wherein the first week was spent in the metro, the second and third week at Liloan Southern Leyte and four days in the metro again before we head back to Norway. This year is my very first time to spend only four weeks in the Philippines. During the past years, I took at least ten weeks there. But time changes and so as my plans. I have work and obligations to think about now.

Anyway, it is rainy season in the Philippines. So it was raining when we landed in Manila and then two days after that a typhoon came and that resulted to some changes in our plans. The original plan was to go to Tagaytay but due to the typhoon, we had to cancel it. It really sucks but the malls were opened the following day so it was not so bad after all and besides there are lots to see in Manila too.

Aside from the malls, we went to see the beautiful architectures and parks in Manila. Our first stop was Rizal Park but due to the damage made by the typhoon Glenda, they closed the park. So we moved on to the next stop which is Fort Santiago. Unfortunately it was also close. Some parts of Intramuros had to be cleaned up from fallen trees. However, the churches and museums were open so our Manila trip didn’t go to waste after all.

We’ve only visited the two of the most famous churches in Manila (we’ll make sure to visit all next timego!)

St. Augustine church and museum. St. Augustine is the oldest church (400 years old) in the Philippines and is located in Intramuros, Manila.

Just a couple of blocks away is the Manila Cathedral Basilica.

20140717_140918

20140717_141153

The best way to explore Manila is by car. It is safer and hassle free. We rented a van with a driver for a one day for 2000 pesos.

Philippines 2014: Makati Avenue

Whenever I go to Metro Manila, I always stay at Makati Avenue Makati City because everything is accessible. From fastfood, restaurants, transportation and shopping malls (you name it). At the same time security is good here since there are police officers and security guards almost all of the time.

I was here a month ago and I stayed at Traveller’s Inn during the first week of my vacation in the Philippines. Traveller’s Inn is a condo-hotel located along Makati Avenue and P.Burgos. This part of Makati is known as the Red Lights District of the Philippines because of the night clubs, bars and women.