Archive for the ‘Sights and Sounds’ Category
Sandy
Posted on: October 30, 2012
Wild is all I can say about Sandy. Last night was nothing like the Signal No. 3 Typhoons we’ve experienced back home. The winds weren’t just howling, they were growling. The night sky was perennially lit by transformer explosions around the city. It was like a movie. I grabbed these photos from Spider Man who documented the damage in his neighborhood.
Wind is now back to howling, thankfully. The subways are all down. Path train is down. Grand Central, Penn station and Port Authority all closed. Even Broadway shut their lights. But as the human spirit is infinitely resilient, the east coast-ers will rise above this.
Yes!
Posted on: September 5, 2012
I wanted to share with you some pictures from last weekend. This was the best non-existent sunset ever 
Panoramic view of the beaches and the beach houses. As you could see, I was “busy” taking pictures…
…While he waited for me by the shore…still hamming it up. What’s that in his pocket??!!
…Then he asked, and I said Yes
Mabuhay!
Chicago, That Toddling Town
Posted on: June 22, 2012
I had only 24 hours to take the splendor of this city in. So let me show you what I saw.
The part of Chicago that I was in was a well planned, clean and pristine city. A perfect balance of old and new.
In my biased opinion, in all of Chicago’s glory…it’s still not New York City! 
Manila-wood
Posted on: June 1, 2012
I’ve never seen a single Bourne movie. Espionage flicks are hardly my favorite. But there’s no denying how much more fun this looks because… well, it really is more fun in the Philippines.
You Spin Me Round
Posted on: March 21, 2012
The top floor of The Hyatt Hotel is a revolving restaurant called the Spindletop. It allows you to take in the views of downtown Houston while you enjoy your meal. Here’s a sorry attempt of a frame by frame photo series.
And when I strung these pictures all together…voila!
Did I tell you that Santa gave me a new camera with panoramic functions for Christmas? Oooh and this was what I was feasting on while spinning.
While we are used to better views, the thrill of slowly spinning high above is awesome!
Well, Well, Well…
Posted on: March 21, 2012
Look who decides to show up after months of unwarranted silence! No excuses here but you will understand that I’ve been adjusting to certain changes. So in a nutshell, this is what I’ve been doing all this time.
Celebrating New Years Eve…
And perhaps taking it to the extreme…
Eating way too much “carne”…
And drinking way too much Malbec…
Enjoying the rooftop view…
Reminiscing on childhood memories of over-sized water tanks…
And kissing tigers!
As you can tell, I’ve been very busy…with nonsense, hedonistic activities :p I’ll try to be more diligent with updates. I do have a lot to share
INK Turns 20
Posted on: January 24, 2012
I recently had time to kill before hosting an event at the Ayala Museum. Fortunately, there was a charming little exhibit to keep me entertained.
Turns out the group Ilustrador Ng Kabataan (INK) which churns out beautiful images for Filipino children’s books has turned 20 and some of the group’s best works were on display.
How inviting is this crisp, contrasting space?
I took some snaps of the works that I just liked and pieces that reminded me of something or someone.
I liked this because I’m a sucker for anything that’s mother-and-child.
Just had to take this for my Star Wars-crazy daughter.
This reminded me of when we sent the baby turtles into the ocean in Bataan when you visited last year.
Who doesn’t love a Pinoy Christmas?
A different medium:
Wooden block animals:
And my fave installation in the exhibit. I think it was called “making roads to each other”. Made me think of us… awww… Needed to take several pictures for you to see what’s going on here.
Are you touched?
Never Forget
Posted on: December 10, 2011
In between Trick Or Treat activities several weeks ago, the clan made a trip to The Aquino Center in Luisita, Tarlac. Being a hard core Ninoy-Cory fan as well as a closet history nerd made me really excited for this trip.
That Sunday it seemed our clan were the only visitors at the Center. As soon as we set foot in the museum, it felt like we were in a church or some sort of hallowed ground. Everyone automatically spoke in hushed tones. And I don’t recall seeing any “Silence Please” signs.
This is the entrance hall where some very dramatic and iconic images greet you.
There are some nice mosaics too.
The museum takes you through Ninoy’s life chronologically. There are many interesting personal effects on display such as the camera he brought with him while covering the Korean War, various hand written notes and the like but the real highlights are the bloodied bush jacket he was assassinated in and the reconstruction of his cell in Bonifacio.
No picture taking is allowed in the actual museum but this image is from Wikipedia.
You really have to make the trip there yourself to understand the feeling of being near the clothes that Ninoy Aquino was murdered in. It will make your hair stand.
Aside from the obvious, the blood stained clothes do have a story of their own. Only on the day of the funeral were they removed from Ninoy’s remains. Soon after, they were sent to some family friends in the US who were tasked with having them properly, expertly preserved. However, because they were so soaked they were told the treatment would not preserve the suit but rather only delay its eventual decay. The suit was tucked up somewhere in the family friend’s home in the US until Tita Cory asked one of her nieces to bring it back to the Philippines shortly before the opening of the museum in 2001.
The other highlight is the exact replica of the 3 x 5 meter prison cell where Ninoy was kept in solitary confinement from over 7 years.
photo credit: onmylefthandcorner.blogspot.com
Aside from marveling at how he kept sane in such cramped quarters, I couldn’t help thinking about how the family managed to keep so much of his stuff – things that I would not think twice about throwing out like his rusty bathroom shelving, old towels and slippers.
The point is, you absolutely come out of there with a whole new appreciation the price Ninoy and Cory paid to precipitate the return of freedom in the Philippines. They don’t make heroes like they used to. But remember:
And if you’d like to visit, here’s the schedule:
Thanksgiving Eve
Posted on: November 28, 2011
Last year I was fortunate enough to watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade upclose. This year, I got to watch the balloons being inflated and made ready for the following day’s festivities. I found out that the balloon inflation was done literally next door to me so I walked over to see what the fuss was all about. Apparently it was worth the fuss. Check it out.
Again, please pardon the grainy photos. I still don’t have a camera so these photos came out of my Blackberry (that must also be replaced). However, I have a feeling Santa Clause will gift me with a camera this Christmas. After all, I’ve been a good girl…but I digress!
Here is Kool Aid inflated and ready to go…
…This is the backside of the Aflac Duck. He’s a popular mascot for the insurance company Aflac.
Here is a popular cat who’s name escapes me. I’ll just call him creepy cat. As you can see, he is lying on his side and restrained by net so he doesn’t fly up up and away!
This next one, your son will love or fear…Buzz Lightyear! I know he is hard to make out because he is faced down, lying on his belly. Poor buzz 
What’s a thanksgiving event without a pumpkin?
Poor Hello Kitty is forced to lie on her belly all night.
Then there was Spidey!
I tried to take a shot of Ronald Mcdonald but only managed to take a shot of his boot.
I had a great time, I felt like a child again driving passed the Anson’s building to watch the Christmas figures. Remember that? This was a wonderful way to kick off the holiday. Since I moved here, this was the first time I felt Christmas this early. It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas!
