" Domo-kun "

for those who're not familiar with this foto,
this big, white eyed teeth is none other than,
Domo-kun - a famous TV character in Japan.
Recently, stalls here (after getting over with the Angry Birds craze) have been
selling this character from bags to key chains and tee's inspired.



and Logo shirts too, here you can have Paris and Batman just as you like it.


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" to buy or not to buy "

vendors selling these outside the street,
a variety of pots and pans and even dog pans.
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" Angela Building "

another dilapidated tenement across the commercial district seen along Recto.
What's evident though, was the printed signage that perfectly marked how old this structure was.
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" Tutuban "

the red brick facade welcomes you upon entering the mall.



and at night, vendors would display their items for sale outside the area till midnight.



a word of caution though, because it's a bargain street, one should be extra careful of their belongings. ^-^
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" Tutuban "

I have featured the streets of Divisoria already,
this roughly defined area is still considered to be
one of the largest bargain shopping district in town.
and in today's post,
let's visit the Tutuban shopping mall,
I think it was during the 90's when it was converted into a mall with a plethora
of affordable things and whatnot.
but little did we know, there's an interesting history behind this structure.



Tutuban was inspired by the sound of a choo-choo train,
toot-toot of the train's whistle and the place used to be part of a
railway station here in Tutuban area aka the PNR station.







By preserving its facade to this state, one can appreciate how dated
the facade looks like.







tune in for more details. ^-^
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" 168 "

168 mall or literally: Yee lu fa (一路發) - means "One Road to Prosperity" is one of the largest mall in chinatown.
A well known hub where you can find affordable and cheap what nots.
Head to downtown and ask any driver to drop you off at this place and I'm sure they're familar with it.

Once inside be sure to know where you're headed because you might get lost.



It's the one stop shop of literally, anything and everything that you need and more.
It's also where you'd find the cheapest things when it comes to fashion, trinkets, furniture, toys etc, etc.

You'd go gaga at the items that are for sale because they're just too many to choose from, although they tend to be repetitive.
Of course, when the word Sale is mentioned, be prepared to haggle and negotiate on a good price.


If only i can get more interesting shots inside, I promise to show you more next time.

Till I hear it from you - Gin Blossoms

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" Open-air Market "

You know you're in an open air market, when you see colorful umbrellas such as these.



Today, we're heading back to the streets of *Ilaya* and *Tabora* in Divisoria, known for its busiest, crowded and mostly boisterous side of the hood.



In a market like this, you're sure to find bargains, trinkets and what nots.



Some of the things you'll find in this market.
Different sizes of Pots and Pans- ranging from small to ultra big.

and prepare yourself to haggle with vendors, bumping elbows with each other
and withstand the heat of the sun.




Click here to view thumbnails for all participants
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" This and That "

Some bizaare things you'll find around the local market...
From left to right:
Naptalina at Alkampor - Naphthalene and Camphor
Tawas (buo at durog) - Alum (whole or crushed)
Insenso at Kamanyang - Incense and Frankincense
Lason sa daga - Poison for rats
and a whole lot of weird stuffs. ^0^


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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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"Faith"

Continuing last week's post on 'Temples n Sky'.
This is probably the most famous Chinese Buddhist Temple here called "Seng Guan Si".
Inspired by Stupa like structure, its interiors are intricately carved with detailed designs.
In themes of red, gold and dark hand crafted woods furnishings.
It's frequently visited by locals (mostly fil-chinese) who have a profound belief in this religion.
Upon entering it main door, you'll be greeted by the laughing buddha and further inside is the goddess of Mercy.
It's said that the goddess of mercy (bodhisattva) "Kuan Yin Ma" is the most precised and beloved among the venerated saints inside.
Kuan Yin Ma is similar of Mother Mary in Catholism.
A mural depicting the life of Buddha is on the second floor and on the third floor is where you'll find the statue of the Holy Buddha, a place where worshippers have their prayers and daily chants.


Pagoda like structure of the exterior


The entryway



A closer look at its ornate design and writings


ps: to all who commented for the last few days esp. yesterday, "thank you!" ^0^
blogging is eating part of my life,^0^ but reading your comments makes me smile on a bad day and makes me want to post more of something everyday. ^-^
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"Temple n Sky"

My sunny skywatch this friday focuses on the other side of Manila.
People have this assumption that we're all about the Spanish and American
influences but,part of our history we share it with the Chinese culture as well.




A pagoda like structure, oriental in architecture, hidden along the
Streets of Narra.
It's a well-known Buddhist temple, mostly filled with people wearing "Red" theme outfits, esp. during the festive months like Chinese new year or celebrating the divine Buddha, their gods and goddesses.

I'll tell you more about its history next time.
meanwhile, i hope you enjoy this sight. ^0^
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"choo-choo"

PNR- Philippine National Railways, one of the oldest conventional transporation here in Metro Manila.
It is a state-owned railway system and was only developed modernly in 1984.
It operates on two different rail lines. (the North and South rail line.)

The government is actively pursuing the rehabilitation of PNR through various investments and projects designed to revive Philippine rail transport. The situation however is still hampered because of the large numbers of slum dwellers on the rail tracks throughout the entire rail system, although some portions of the southrail line, where informal settlers were successfully relocated to housing settlements outside Metro Manila.

This is a sample of what the old train looks like.


The Entrance


The side view of the old train




The PNR logo gate outside


My short field trip today was to visit the Train's headquarter which is located here in Manila.
I've never been to this side of town for awhile and was at first hesitant because it's not the usual route that i would go to.
Commuting for a train here is a little passe and uncommon unlike India which is very busy,
because there are more accesible and cheaper rides you can choose.
Before, It used to be uninviting, dilapidated, old and inaccessible.
But now, I'm surprised to see for myself how it's improved.
The new change would be that there are more "new" train engines coming thus, opening more routes all the way to the provinces like Sorsogon and La union.
I'm glad the gov't has found ways of progress and new developements.
I hope these "new hopes" won't be gone to waste in the future.

*Have you ever rode on a train before? What was it like? ^0^

also a
Show your world entry!
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