Visual Stories | Seaside Sunset Walks

It’s been almost two years since I’ve been wanting to go back, and do a proper photo walk along the Seaside Boulevard in the SM by the Bay (formerly San Miguel by the Bay) since the first time going there in the early mornings more than twelve years ago that I’ve been hoping to replicate, but with this time at the peak of sunset. It was not the best time though I was there and went with it. The past three years have been quite a lull and, it was unpredictable how every day would wind down as usual during the height of the pandemic times everyone was spending their isolated life, not seeing much of the sunset or even hearing the crush of the strong waves it the giant rocks that protect the side walls of the seaside boulevard.

Visual Stories | PH Election 2022

Monday was quite a start of the week, but with the National Elections in the Philippines had build-up to this since the majority of the candidates were pushing their candidacy by way of rallies around the country. Particularly, in the major cities of Metro Manila where people in droves campaigned for their presidential candidate. It was very much an intense weekend, and this Election Day was definitely for the books if you’re looking for something not done in other countries. Filipinos take their voting to the next level and it’s not the way you’ve seen 12 years ago. Just anyone who is a registered voter for this country, this time I get to experience and observe.

Visual Stories | Ulysses Aftermath

When you live in a tropical country the only seasons you’ll ever experience are the excruciating heat of summer or the raging personalities of every tropical typhoon that makes landfall whenever part of the Philippines. The later part of the season is where many locals show their survival or even the resilience to push on.  Recently tropical cyclone Vamco (local name: Ulysses) made its arrival it’s unlike the previous one that devastated a province, but it a sure reminder of the past super typhoons that made short work of a town or a city.  It wasn’t terrible in some parts of the country, but for those who caught the eye of the storm it’s a hurdle that everyone would never want to experience and yet it is difficult and so sorry to those affected.

Grind in Photos | Just Another Sunday

The writing process in putting together this starts with the pictures and how to describe each of them taken like the journey you share with the reader. It is often I write and describe what was happening this Sunday morning on another routine errand that has taken me to the places I used to pass through and it has been a long time since I’ve been in these parts. It has been more than two months since the world was divided and closed all borders to every country due to this pandemic. It is still astonishing how this is becoming complicated every day. This is how we deal with things out of our control and only what we can do is work our way on how we approach it to avoid the anxiety.

Grind in Photos | Sunday Morning Hustle

It has been almost two month now since the world went into lockdown. Some countries has found a way to contain the coronavirus and some are still unfortunate in how to deal with the repercussions. While not all countries have the same restrictions still have the freedom to go to parks and beaches, the Philippines don’t have that luxury mostly those living in a densely populated area. Though restrictions imposed doesn’t mean all the cities within Central Luzon including the major towns in Metro Manila follow a very stringent protocol it still worth noting how anxiety of isolation greatly impacts those who are used to social gatherings. Personally, I’m used to it but this does not mean it doesn’t affect me...

Grind in Photos | Weekend Visuals

The weekend was a random visual story after the Philippine government made some major announcements after the height of the coronavirus (COVID19) has become pandemic by WHO (World Health Organization). With this news Metro Manila is going to be on lockdown and community quarantine is a must to curb the increasing infection that claimed thousands of lives all over the world. Friday night was already an intense situation that commuting from one place to another was both challenging and nerve wracking to say the least. I had to be up early Saturday morning to visit a friend who usually takes a long Holiday to his native province somewhere in Rizal that he’s already bummed out being stuck at home.

Grind in Photos | Manila to Ortigas and Back

02.05.2020 – Getting around Metro Manila is no cakewalk when there are errands to do on a Tuesday and even if it is early morning or not the peak of traffic the commute is incomparable to rides from the suburbs to Adelaide via Bus, Train, or even Tram. With most Aussie friends say that they don’t like commuting in their state. But then again, that a perspective of a Westerner, who hasn’t tried living in any of the countries in Southeast Asia unlike no other though if you ever endured the rough life it would come easy to even experience the commute in a western country. Even though it is a challenge to dealing with overcrowded rides some parts are not bad.

Random Snaps | SM Manila to Post Office

01.30.2020 – Thursday afternoon had a fine weather in Manila as people come and go you see just another normal day in the capital city of the Philippines. But there have been quite a struggle in the news with the volcanic eruption, an earthquake in another country, the viral epidemic, and tragic deaths all over the world that includes one of the greatest basketball players on the planet. But like most people all over the world Filipinos are resilient and will try to make the toughest day might not be the best. But a silver lining in appreciating everyday such as some images taken on a random walk throughout the commercial can give you an idea how Manila is coping from the news these past few days.

Walkabout Wednesday | Andres Bonifacio Shrine

01.15.2020 –The walkabout today was busy and crowded since Arroceros Forest Park was closed to the public since the start of the year, which left me with other options to spend a short amount of time ending up at the Andre4s Bonifacio Shrine,. The place has slowly evolved in the past six months into the park near Manila City Hall. Before the change of governance the place was relatively unknown since it was occupied by informal settlers and there was human stench that it became a residential area where they dump their rubbish not to mention their human waste. But that all changed as you may find it unrecognizable if you haven’t been in this place for the past months and it was certainly a new perspective.

Around Manila | Silence at the Bridge

01.14.2020 – The unexpected eruption of Tall Volcano has left Metro Manila covered in Ash, but not as far worse as the 1991 eruption of Mt. Pinatubo that left the country not only covered by its ash for almost a week it was also having dangerous health hazards due to the toxicity of the air that plagued everyone for months. The aftermath for this one was not in major consequences, but most parts of Metro Manila have suspended all government offices and all levels in education on a Monday. Tourist areas in Manila were closed namely some parts of the walled city of Intramuros and Arroceros Forest Park as one of the locations that are not available for the public that leaves a somber week to start.

Grind in Photos | Sunday City Travels

01.13.2020 – From a neighbouring building around a once lonely hotel to seeing the last of a Christmas tree at Greenfield District and wild weekend at Ronac Art Center in Secret Fresh’s clothing drop for DBTK, Tanduay, and Villains collaboration Sunday was busy as hectic like the way things went down while volcanic ashes blows. Metro Manila was at its usual randomness and it gets more challenging from here with so many things happening around you get lost at the infinite moments, which happened in just one day to think the New Year would be chill. But it wasn’t when unsuspecting things unaware of what was really going down quite what I did not expect when my only plan was to do my Sunday errand to wrap up this weekend.

Random Snaps | Passing Through Little Tokyo

01.06.2020 – It has been a while but passing through “Little Tokyo” in the City of Makati was a breeze and it was intentional as to pass the hour before a meeting appointment was pushed to an extra hour. It was unexpected and there was nothing much to do on a Sunday as the weekend is slowly winding down from the Holidays. Definitely, the week is starting to build up again to its ‘normal’ pace as those who spent the Holidays in rural areas and prefectures are coming back. Monday will be here soon, but what can a bloke do? Strolling around the tiny places like “Little Tokyo” doesn’t need an exposition and this is just breezing through the area.

Around Manila | Rizal Day to Jones Bridge

12.31.2019 – One Hundred Twenty Three years after Dr Jose Rizal was executed in Luneta Park (formerly Bagumbayan) Filipinos continue to celebrate his heroism. But besides the memorial in reminding the locals about the country’s national hero it was also a day to appreciate parts of Manila, which was busy with a huge turnout. Manila has so many places to see and visit, which was limited time in getting to those locations. Decided to head out to some of the familiar place that I’ve frequented to in this year that I rarely see before and here are some photo narratives of that walk…

Grind in Photos | City Lights & Rush

11.28.2019 – Commute in Manila is no cake walk and it’s always in a rush as part of the daily grind. It is a challenging place to commute due to a very dense population, but it has its upswing when it is about perspective. Being the capital city of the Philippines Manila is busy day in and day out when it comes to commuting. The night life when things winds down is not considered things will slow as most of the commuters around are still in a rush despite that the travel is less stressful compared to its peak hours. Thursday brings something unusual which depends on everyone’s point of view but the images here will give you an idea.

In Photography | Road Repair Work

05.26.2017 – Everyday there’s something new to see in South Australia its either some weird bird watching from a tree or just a random rubbish truck stealing someone’s garbage. But today its just a rare road repair work that’s seamlessly been finished in less than forty eight hours. It’s rare that you see the city of Marion make repair work in suburb streets. This was just one of those days seeing them put the finishing touches on the new asphalt laid over in some parts of Sturt late in the noon time.

In Photography | Pura: Panagyaman 2017

03.20.2017 – Town Fiestas are a common sight in the Philippines, but rarely now a scene if you live in the city mostly part of Metro Manila. It is considered one of the highlights of every town that celebrate its founding anniversary. Pura is one of the small towns in Tarlac that recently concluded its town fiesta that featured coloful and creative floats, which also include a parade of beauty contestants that where seen the night before that had so much pageantry.

In Photography | Sunsets in Noarlunga

01.17.2017 – The summer is at all-time high now in South Australia and the best place to go is the beach to soak up the sun, sea and the white sand beaches. This is also the opportunity to do some fishing and you can never go wrong about the season. For someone who used to experience the summer season between March to May this is sort of welcoming even though I’ve been in this place for several times. There’s nothing like appreciating the end of another day with a golden sunset don’t you think?

Christmas Full Moon in 2015!

12.25.2015 – The aftermath of Christmas Day doesn’t end with a whimper as reported yesterday there will be a full moon since 1977. It’s sort of a déjà vu if you think about it since nearly 38 years ago the original Star Wars “A New Hope” first came out in theatres that would change the movie landscape forever. But enough of Star Wars this is about a full moon that has happened on Christmas day. It’s no Death Star but it’s definitely going to be one of those rare sightings you won’t see again until the year 2034 and captured it up close!

Random Snaps: Flowers in the City!

05.22.2015 – When you’re near the city the feeling of convenience is way out there. A stone throw away food establishments are just a walk-in. Hall in a whole donut shops or underground book shops you’ve got it. For anyone who has been working in the Central Business District sometimes you tend to slow down and smell the roses literally. While the further discussion is related to flowers if you haven’t noticed this city has them too you’re just not looking…

Random Snaps: End of June 2013!

07.01.2013 – Went around yesterday to check out the Happy Meal toys for the month of June/July that featured the popular minions from the upcoming animated feature Despicable ME 2 that is sweeping the country. The animated movie has not come out yet but they are selling out fast. This has not happened since the highly collectible rage of the early 2000s with the 101 & 102 Dalmatians that everyone lined up to get each dog to complete the set. Aside from the minion hunting just appreciate the weekend for some instant photography using my mobile phone instead of the conventional digital cameras that I’m equipped with.