" Sorbetero "

There's this famous song called Mamang Sorbetero during the 80's that was sung by
Celeste Legazpi.
I was still a kid back then, but this melodic tune runs in your ear everytime you hear it
on the radio and you can't keep humming or singing along with it.

"Mamang sorbetero, anong ngalan mo
Tinda mong ice cream, gustung-gusto ko
Init ng buhay, pinapawi mo
Sama ng loob, nalilimutan ko"

"Literal traslation"
Mr. Ice cream man, what's your name,
I like the ice cream that you're selling.
You lessen the heat of our house,
and let me forget my bad mood.

This is an old version of Ice cream cart, it sells local "dirty ice cream", a slang word,
but not literally dirty, in fact it's tastier than those ice creams for sale on the s.market.
It's famous for its queso (cheese), ube, chocolate and mango which are the usual flavors.
It's old school, the sorbetero (ice cream man) would roll out the cart everyday to wherever his destination may be.



And this is a newer version of it, you can instantly see the logo of Nestle, obviously owned by this company, with a modern twist, it has a music jingle installed everytime he goes along with it and it has a variety of flavors to choose from.



so what kind of sorbetero cart do you like? ^0^

Ps: i want to thank everybody who's been kind enough to take some time off, visit and comment on my blog, things have been quite busy these past weeks, (but don't they always?!) ^0^
despite my incorrect grammar or how my fotos seems to be so disorganize sometimes,
i'm glad i've shared something that's part of my city (if not everday.)
I'll be blogging off for awhile, i needed a vacation, i hope i can get one! ^-^
so, i'll be back after holy week.

I'll be off somewhere that will take me almost 4hrs. to get there,
it's gonna be cold and a mandarin speaking country.
there'll be some serious walking, (and here i am asking for a break!) ^-^,
appreciating the sights and scenes, learning its historical and cultural values that's different from us and ultimately, get more new, inspiring fotos that i could share and last, just have some fun when i get there! ^0^

so to all, i wish everyone, a happy weekend, advance happy easter and a peaceful lenten rest.
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" Casa Manila "

Casa Manila began its construction during the 1980's,
headed by Architect R. Faustmann.
It's a mélange of varied cultural influences and was a detailed and complex research, the purpose of which was to re-lived what was once the glory and grandeur days of old Intramuros.



Seeing the whole facade as well as its interior, one can't help but feel a sense of nostalgia to it.
1981, marks the date that this 3storey structure was constructed.



another picturesque angle along the patio, its main source of air and light.
It drew in the cool air by
night and by day provided sunlight for household chores.
It also served as a thruway for carriages.



Some of you might be bored about this whole Casa Manila saga that i have for this week,
but i assure you today will be my last post. ( hopefully for now...)
tomorrow, we're heading back to reality. ^0^
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" Casa Manila "

The facade of Casa Manila inspired by colonial architecture along Calle Real del Palacio
(Gen. Luna Street) marks this historical site.
It's a perfect example of how the "Ilustrados" used to live.
"Ilustrado" is a term for affluent and educated Filipinos residing in grand houses like this
during the spanish period.
Renee of Rochester commented yesterday, that the place looks a bit gothic, and i have to agree,
it does look like one, the signage tells it all.


outside looking in leads to this pocket courtyard that i showed you the other day.
The main door of this structure still looks dated.
(notice the brass door handle on the right.)


and this is one of the guards upstairs dressed as "guardia civil",
that's what they call it in those days,
He saw me with the camera and at first, playing peek-ah-boo with me on the window and then
the next thing i know, he was waving and smiling at me. ( and look they're two of them! ^0^)


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" Casa Manila "

Welcome to Casa Manila, a continuation to yesterday's post.
The house is referred to as a "Bahay na Bato" inspired architecture,
a colonian filipino house, which could be a mixture of spanish, filipino and chinese infuence.



This small entryway leads you to teatrillo, which has now become a cultural-commercial complex.
Open for weddings, debuts and other functions.



There's also some decorative pieces you'll find in this area.
This mirror, quite unique in its design has this curved protruding hooks, use for hanging hats perhaps during the old times, also is this interesting commode which i think serves as foyer .
The walls are made of "Adobe", (earthen brick) or volcanic tuffs.
Its intricate pieces adds glamour to this old casa and how i wish i could describe this
foto better. ^0^



and this is the other side of it, the whole thing with the incandescent lights on, would've looked very in the "spanish era", but of course, there had to be something that's out of the picture.
I think you know what it is, the time-in charts, why do they have to put it on display here? ^0^


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" Casa Manila "

Anyone who's been here will take one look at this foto and instantly recognize where it is.
I've posted the walled city of Intramuros many times before but this would be the first to introduce you
one of the remaining old houses that is "Casa Manila".
It was once called Barrio de San Luis, it takes you back during the Spanish period in the mid 1880's.
A lot has been said and blogged about this place, yet it never ceases to amaze me that despite some of the
old and torn down Spanish houses that has been left abandoned.
This structure stil remains in good shape and well preserved.

Inside is this inviting courtyard and a fountain surrounded by lush greenery.
The stairs you see above heads to the main Casa and interior which sadly prohibits us from taking fotos.

To know more about its rich history click to Casa Manila
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" next station... Escolta "

The ferry that runs along the Pasig river is still a new transportation to some of us here. I have never tried it yet and already, seen outside Escolta station is this poorly installed sign that i don't think the management will be fixing it soon.
oh well...^0^
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" cauliflower "

are you a vegan? or a vegetarian?
you like green leafy vegetables?
unfortunately, not me... ^0^
although, i'm forced to eat them because i have to.



A bunch of cauliflowers seen at the market.
We have loads of them, been seeing a lot of vendors selling this lately,
when usually it's either cabbage or brocolli. ^0^
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" the old man and the bay "

i think this looks better in b&w, what do you think? ^0^

ps: this guy's not fishing, he's actually cleaning out the trash,
looking for scraps and things that he could use or sell perhaps.
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" Lion's head "

I could have easily fooled you that this was taken somewhere in China and this would've been ordinary.
But no, instead I saw this nondescript delicacy store around chinatown (that sells one of the best "Hopia" by the way) and was attracted by this brass door handle, a lion's head which i think was originally bought in China or Taiwan.
I got carried away that i forgot to take a foto of their delicacy which is Hopia, ask any locals here and they would know what i'm talking about. ^0^

Click here for more info.
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" Malate Church- a second glance"

I've posted Malate churchs' exterior before , but never a shot during night time.
This is a quintessential foto i took awhile back, it's not always flickering with fancy lights.
Mostly, the place's quite dark that it almost looks deserted.
How i wish they could maintain it as it is and also interesting how the structure differs from day to night.
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" Korean Sushi "

In recent years, quite a handful of foreigners (mostly chinese and koreans) have established their own shops and restos around this block here in MaLate.
Like this resto for example, it serves Japanese cuisine, but also attracting the locals and koreans as well.
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" Nothing but Water "

I have passed by this fountain a hundred times but never got the chance to take pictures of it.
Last week, the timing couldn't be right, as i was nearing the area, i saw some kids playing around and this one kid who wouldn't get out of this fountain was happily taking a bath. (literally...^0^)
Apparently, he's not camera shy at all, he was so pleased to see me holding out a camera and even splashed water at me! ^0^

First, he got me this pose...


and then, he turns his back and went inside the fountain...


and there he was, only with his briefs erm... with his trunks on aiming for this side shot pose. ^0^


His family, who were shading out on the tree beside this founain don't seem to mind at all.
This is what it looks like in Manila... refreshingly hot, fountains used as shower baths but ultimately, merely having fun and enjoying life. ^0^

Info: This fountain could be found at The Plaza Calderon de la Barca in Binondo,Chinatown.
Before it was named after a spanish playwright, Plaza Carlos IV.
Nowadays, it's known as Plaza Lorenzo Ruiz, after the first Filipino saint whose statue dramatically stands infront of this Plaza.

On another note:

I recently got a happy 101 and sunshine award from
Rob n Mandy and Renee .
again... Thank you for this. ^0^

In return, i would like to share this to some of my bloggie friends.
who always made me smile, inspires me to post something each day and to
appreciate blogging, life and more!
here goes my list:

Bucharest daily foto...
Stockholm by pixel...
Peter's Paris...
Bandung daily foto...
Worth a Thousand words...
Eagan daily foto...
Tokorazawa daily foto...
Melbourne daily foto...
My manila...
Bandung Docu foto...
My scraps and paches at al-ain...
My sarawak
Songkhla daily foto...





have a good day all! ^0^
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" more than words "

so it's not really a pretty sight,
it was a hasty shot and there were a lot of things i would love to omit but can't.
but i like how the dog sleeps soundly with his master during noontime breaks.
both of them oblivious to their surroundings. ^0^
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" grid "

a vague silhouette of a girl.



seen at smx convention centre. ,right in front of the parking lot of SM-MOA ( mall of asia ).

ps: credits to pepperoni ^0^.
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" Drops of Jupiter"

sundown in the midst of Manila Bay.


sorry if posts are a little short lately,...
happy weekend everyone! ^0^
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" talk and talk "

that's what chefs do when having their noon break. ^0^
sight seen at makati...

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" rajah sulayman park "

what it looks like at night...

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" Tabora "

From Ilaya yesterday, let's head further to Tabora, another strategical street famous for its dry goods, laces, local made weave baskets/fans, souvenir items
(wedding, baptismal etc ). There are tons of things to choose from.

Here are some small weaved baskets for sale but what's interesting is this wanted sign hanging around it.


and i never saw an abaca fan this big before... we call them pamaypay,
derived from the spanish word paipay.


and more straws...


and since we're experiencing intense el nino heat, i think straw hats are a must. ^0^


decorative giveaways, from traditional design to a more modern take like spongebob.


i don't know what this 10 peso hawker is selling...
is it the flowers? or the undies? or perhaps the socks?!...
nonetheless, it's affordable. ^0^


while walking, browsing, then taking pictures of this and that...
it made me realize something...
Nothing's changed, it's still what it looks like 10years ago, the same scenario,
the hot and humid day, over crowded, noisy and dirty but inexpenisve things you can't miss.
The stalls and the people might have come and go, and although it seems to have more negative insights,
i still love its nostalgic signature setting. ^0^



"G" i for great bargains! ^0^
abc wednesday entry...
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" Ilaya "

Continuing my post the other day,
I'll be showing more sights and good finds that can be seen around Divisoria.
I hope you'll be ready for some more...^0^
Divisoria is just a jeepney ride away, considered to be one of the oldest district of Manila.
It's not much of a tourist spot, the place caters to local filipinos and an ultimate flea market for those who craves for cheap and good finds, haggling for prices is a must, although, the items for sale are already affordable.
Along Divisoria, you'll find a street named Ilaya, which is famous for its clothing, textile and linens.
I don't think there isn't a day that this place's noiseless, on a daily routine, vendors would be shouting for their products, carriers with their big boxes and carts are going to and fro wherever you go, passerby scouting for a good find and cars are inaccessible in this area.
It's literally such a busy street that one must be extra-extra careful of their belongings.

a festoon of colorful feathers for sale.


who said yellow pants are passe?! ^0^
apparently they have it in different sizes.


and these are the vendors selling cloths, they have an array of choices for you to choose from.


and of course, fancy jewelry all in a row, all meticulously hand made.


and like a kid, i still adore stuff toys, you name it, they have it here, of course, they're not the authentic ones. ^0^


and here's the street name and the signage details.


have a splash of mellow yellow ,and share your world. ^0^
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" passageway "

I'm fortunate enough to join this month's theme day earlier than my usual post. ^0^
Sharing with you this passageway seen along Escolta and on the corner of Burke street on a hot weekday.
This is the historic Regina Building, famous for its neo-classical architecture back in the 1930's.


More passageway entries from cdp here!
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