" Mommy, can you tie my hair? "

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" Excelente Ham "

a few more days before Christmas...
and while traffic jams are quite heavy these days,
the usual frowns and odd-faces of some people
have turned into smiles and thank you.
Yes, Christmas is certainly here. ^0^
Are you rushing out for last minute shopping or already did your homework early?

Maybe quite an overused phrase but Time really flies fast, doesn't it?

Well, I was in the streets of Quiapo the other week and it's been ages
since I last visited this area,
mind you, the area can be packed with people from all sorts and chaotic
at the same time.



There's a good old fashioned ham store around that area that I want to share
and it sells fresh and tasty hams of all sizes and shapes.





so, if ever you're in this neck of the wood,
it's called Excelente, your usual run of the mill store that looks a bit rundown and dated, don't be fooled by its interior though,
it still is by far, one of the good quality hams.




You can opt for the classic or buy them in shredded bits.
Depending on the size, the prices don't come cheap though,
but at least it has quality.
something that's hard to find these days.




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" Perhaps, perhaps, perhaps "

A typical "sampaguita" ( a local flower ) vendor seen outside Quiapo church.



and why the gloomy face I wonder?
Is it perhaps, there's no sale in the last few hours?
or perhaps she's listening intently in her mp3.
or just plain bored as she wanders her eyes on the things she see.
also, I think she's not handicapped, she's using the wheelchair as a seat. ^0^

oh well, life has its strange stories.
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" Decrepit "

I have a thing for old houses, what once was, what used to be...





This has not been torn down yet, but surely in poor condition.
seen around Quiapo area.

ps: Rob and Mandy of Barcelona Daily Photo shared a nice link from BBC's site where you'd see some beautiful fotos of Intramuros.
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" Quinta Market "

Quinta Market is one of the busiest if not the boisterous "Palengke" (marketplace) in town.
It's located in Quiapo and if one wants to scout for fresh goodies and meat,
then this is your one stop shop.





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" Underpass "

so if ever you're in Quiapo or somewhere near the area and you wish to cross the street, instead of heading towards traffic with honking fast cars, the easiest short cut is to go underpass.
It links you to streets like Lacson, Villalobos, Hidalgo, etc.
This is the easiest short cut,
It used to be uninviting, outdated and a den for thieves, but thankfully,
all that has changed and things have improved, even installation of some fancy lights and an lcd screen were some of its added highlights.
But the most interesting about this is that lotto outlet which was always featured in the news.
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" Haunted "

...not in an eerie kind of way, more like terrfying in its appearance.



It's an old dilapidated tenement along the streets of Quiapo that clearly needs a makeover.
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" the Big picture "

A typical scenario around Quiapo.
This one seen in front of Minor Basilica (Quiapo Church ).
During daytime the plaza isn't crowded as it is after office hours or when a mass is being held, be prepared to go elbow to elbow with people and non stop hollering hawkers, selling street foods and what not. ^0^




When we were young - The Killers

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" The face that launched a thousand ships "

A mural like this isn't uncommon, you'd often see them in alleyways and side streets.
It's usually filled with inspirational writings or quotable quotes, mostly words, but this one is a bit of iconic, it's the face of our local vice mayor presiding in Manila.

Like some of our politicians, his claim to fame started in a notorious street called Tondo.
His, is a story that goes from rags to riches, uneducated, an orphan and dirt poor when he was a kid.
He was discovered by a kind hearted actor, who adopted and nurtured him.
He then started small roles on tv and films, became a matinée idol and
one day, out of the blue,
he's running for a position in government office.
Needless to say, he's a favorite among the locals.



As for the lone man sitting on the side, i guess he simply needed a break. ^0^

melody: Adele- Daydreamer

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" Wait! where are you headed ? "

While education plays an important role in our lives,
It is a luxury for some as illiteracy is still a huge problem in our country.



It's lunch time when I took this picture,
I think both of them were headed home.
but took a detour when something caught their attention,
I'm not sure what they're staring at,
what's scary though was that, they're both standing in the middle of the road.

melody: we dance on- n-dubz feat. bodyrox

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" Ramadan "

Today is the 1st day that Muslims will observe "Ramadan", considered to be sacred, it's the month of fasting as they abstain themselves from drinking and doing other unhealthy activities, thereby purifying and cleansing themselves.



So I thought I'd show you the other side of Manila, where the Muslims have been praying and have started reading the Qur'an.
Because almost 80% of the population are Catholic believers, there are only a few Mosques here.
One in Quiapo and the other in Baclaran area, where ironically, both famous Catholic churches are situated.



This one here is in Quiapo.
It's still under renovation when I took these fotos, I think it was last november.
I've been wanting to post it but couldn't find the right timing for it.
I'm sure the mosque would look more appealing by now.



As a non-muslim, this is the closest I could get, i wish i could see its interior,
I can only admire the onion dome shape roof, that's very significant in this moorish inspired architecture although not as extravagant like the others.
I do like this doorway, it's an interesting pattern.



From where i was standing, this is what it looks like.


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" fresh "

aren't they just inspiring to look at?! ^0^
and what a variety to choose from.



seen outside Quiapo church.
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" Do you believe?"

Revered saints like Mother Mary and Sto. Nino are for sale outside the Quiapo church.
There are also beads of rosary, prayer books and novenas for those devotees.
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"Wheels"

At first glance, this foto may look average on an ordinary site.
When I took this one on Quiapo on a hot and humid day, I couldn't recall what attracted me to this picture and then it finally dawned on me. The strange contrast between these two men both on wheels, but in different situations, one is on a wheel chair, the other one is on his bike. ~ Such is Life.
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There's much to see on the inside than it is on the outside

Filipinos in general are very religious, most of us here are devout Catholics.
But in the Southern part of our country in Mindanao , a lot of them are mostly Muslims.

In manila, the Muslim community would either live in Quiapo or in Baclaran.
The foto i'm showing you right now is in Quiapo.
This is the side entrance of the mosque...fascinated at its colorful palette and pattern...something you don't see often.
Look closer and you'll see the "Missing" posted on the wall.
They have populated Manila recently due to pirated Dvd's and their jaw dropping Jewelry. ^0^

Ironically, in some countries, their mosques would look very grand, gilded, ornate and visitors/tourists are welcome to visit inside as long as they follow the r&r.
But i don't think it's the same here.

It's a bit scary to go beyond their territory because, if you're not one of them, they often see you as a threat.
When i went there, I was the only "white" asian Filipino taking pictures and i can't help the feeling that someone could be following or watching us. ^0^
I think Muslims here are often misunderstood by the society, where racial and prejudice are always a strong issue because of their different outlooks and beliefs.
But i have known muslim locals living here for sometime and once you get to know them, they are good hearted people,just often misjudged by the public.
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"If it looks good, Eat it"

No this isn't some experiment jar in some lab project.
A well-known street food which is very cheap and yummy!
I think you should have realize by now that Filipinos love eating. ^0^
Green Mangoes can be eaten as it is or better yet, put a generous amount of shrimp paste or Bagoong as we call it here.
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~ Heritage House ~

Walk along the side alleys of Quiapo and you'll find this vintage looking house.
"Bahay Nakpil Bautista"
an architecturally significant historical Philippine site, on a colonial era street now named after its famous resident.



With Filipino inscriptions, it says:
In 1914, Dr. Ariston Bautista and his wife Petrona Nakpil built this house, designed by an architect named Arcadio Arellano.
Dr. Bautista is a well-known doctor, philanthropist and one of the inventors for the cure of Cholera disease.
During those times, Julio Nakpil who was a revolutionary and compositor of Katipunan. ( Philippine revolutionary society founded by anti-Spanish Filipinos in Manila in 1892, which aimed primarily to gain independence from Spain through revolution.)
As well as his wife Gregoria de jesus who was the muse of Katipunan and also the widow of our hero Andres Bonifacio, together with their kids used to live here.



This is the main facade of the old house, times have changed, as you can see, there's a law office available inside.



This structural door was designed in the traditional "wood-and-stone" style (bahay na bato at kahoy) to resist earthquakes – with an upper storey made of wood built over a stone foundation.



Large capiz windows, high ceilings, sliding window panels, and geometric grill-work almost art-deco inspired and cut-outs inspired by the Viennese Secession furniture that used to occupy the house typify this architectural masterpiece by Arcadio Arellano.
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"pimp my ride"

Jeepney stops are everywhere.
Behind this vehicle is a famous fast food chain called Jollibee .
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"Minor Basilica of Black Nazarene"

It's not one of the oldest but most popularly known as the "Quiapo" church.
It is home to the "Black Nazarene", a much venerated statue of Jesus Christ which many people believe has miraculous attributes.
Inspired by Mexican Baroque edifice, it was burned down in 1928 and at present belongs to the Archdiocese of Manila.

Black nazarene is celebrated every 9th of January, this statue will be carried out by at least 50-100 people outside the church, where devotees would be waiting as thousands would pray for safety, peace of mind and mostly for health reasons.
Usually the guys would walk on barefoot the whole day, which symbolizes their devotion and strengthening their faith.

I was kind of disappointed when i was there, although you're free to take pictures outside, it was different once you're inside.
I was quickly approached by a security staff who told me that picture taking isn't allowed unless i have a permit.
Which i have to clearly state my reasons as to why i want take photos inside the church. I wasn't even carrying a hi-tech camera or a dlsr...
I have visited quite a lot of churches in my lifetime but never have i imagined that in this very common and everyday church scenario.
The rules implemented can be very strict and personally, i find it the situation to be very killjoy!
But who am i to complain right?
Anyways, i still manage to take a peek inside, it's a pity, a church with all its history and beauty but only a few of us can see.



see more skies! this friday!

ps: might run short of posting onwards, work can really be busy these days,
but still glad that you guys could drop by and comment! ^0^
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Pretty in Pink

salted eggs anyone? ^0^



Inside the kitchen of almost every Filipino, you'll either find colorful pink eggs stacked inside their refrigerator or simply placed in the dining during mealtime.
It's one of our must-have foods we can't live without.
Boil it, slice it, mixed it with fresh chopped tomatoes or have it as it is and match it with garlic rice....erm, yummy for me indeed! ^0^

I don't know why it had to be in fuchsia pink! maybe the reason why they're dyed in this color is to differentiate it from the other farm eggs.
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