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.

Grind in Photos | Saturday Feels of Sunday

Saturdays are reserved for wind down to start the weekend. But sometimes you forget what day is already when you have been stuck most of the time at home and your only excuse was just to go out for an errand, which you won’t mind looking around while you are up about the less crowded side of the CBD. In this case the usual routine sometimes in need of deep exploration of places that are rarely a route for most people. For a moment there the first thing comes to mind that it was already Sunday and waking up to that reality seemed confusion. This day has been slow like the past few weekends to catch up on so many things. It’s quite daunting to get the grasp of the world we live in now with so many things happening.

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.

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: 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.

The Getaway at Playa Laiya!

05.30.2013 – Playa Laiya is one of the resorts in Batangas City and I had the privilege to travel and just enjoy the last days of summer. I was actually having second thoughts of joining in because I’m not a beach person. I enjoy most of the times in the province at home and just being a lazy oaf. But this trip has given me something which is a new perspective with the appreciation for water sports. But it didn’t get into the interest until probably towards the end of the day where most of my time was just dozing off at a bean bag nearby the beach.

Random Snaps: Afternoon Highs & Lows

05.04.2013 – Saturday was full of adventure and lot of stuff happened because of Free Comic Book Day. There was also other event transpired earlier today like the annual Digital Photography Philippines event held at Bonifacio High Street which was a few blocks away from Fully Booked. There’s so much to do but so little time to appreciate each happening but you got to make every moment count when you’re in these kind of event. I just took the laid back approach and be calm in taking things in and so I let cameras tell the story for me through this simple images that transpired on my way to the places I have gone throughout my Saturday which definitely how it sum up everything.

The Good Friday Run.

03.29.2013 – It’s Good Friday. Spending the Holy Week within the city and I do mean “staycation.” The summer is officially here and the sun is bursting bright which I can do right now is drown in my own sweat. The heat is infuriating at the same time possibly a benefit to get those sweat glands working overtime. It’s quit in the city and back in the day spending times likes this is best done outdoors and it is a good day to run. Everyone is out of town but still there’s quite a lot of activity happening that’s compared in the past years.

That Maundy Thursday Night!

03.28.2013 – Holy Week for most people is getting out of town spending time with family, friends and love ones. For those who would be staying in town back in the day for me was different even before the advent of cable television and the internet you’ll be stuck back to the dark ages. For the young people in this generation they already have the necessity to un-bored themselves with the access to cable television and the internet. But for anyone “old-school” I’d like the term enjoying the outdoors as being stuck in the couch is not the way to be productive on a Maundy Thursday.