Mr. D.I.Y | Back in Business

It’s been a full month, but recovery really takes time. Mr. D.I.Y. is one of the local establishments in Davao Oriental that took a while to reopen. Because the way the store was built, the contractor they hired cut corners on some parts of the facility, and it was a good thing that the posts that made up the foundation of the building were not compromised, and the last time it was seen being repaired was in late October. The early morning weather was not that bad, but towards the last quarter of the year, Davao Oriental has its ‘rainy season’ with most of the Mindanao region experiencing the same weather, as most people in this area are spending the Holidays with this kind of frequent downpour towards the start of the year.

Galleria Nicolas | Sweet Dreams...

In every artwork, there’s always a journey behind its proof of concept, and it is unrelated to the familiar title of the exhibit. It might be a theme that often relates to the personal experience of the artist having indulged in something he or she enjoys in their everyday life. Sometimes, there’s no context to it, and then there is the storytelling that drives each painting that stands out. Jomike Tejido’s “Sweet Dreams… Are made with these” is not taken from the classic song that British synth-pop duo Eurhythmics popularized in the 80s. But something special and interesting takes on the title of his latest exhibit at the Galleria Nicolas, which is currently running at the gallery that inspires even the kids at heart.

Caravan Pop Up | Night Market Finds

When you hear pop-up stores, they are shops that do not have a permanent location. Mostly, a small business that only exists online or simply has the business for a season, since they might have an actual day job. It’s been a common practice that most pop-up shops in the modern day are a table set-up inside a shopping centre or an event they are participating in year in and year out. But there are pop-up caravans that travel all over the region through rural areas that participate to be part of the town fiesta. Some of them don’t even carry named brands or licensed products. Like most stores in the province, they sell affordable items ranging from housewares, tools and even some random toys for kids to play with.

LC Department Store | Biggest Retail in Baganga

The term “Mom & Pop Shop” is an American term for a small and independent business, typically family-owned and operated. These stores are a contrast with the larger chain or big-box stores. In some parts of any remote place, there would be one or two competing stores with similar content. Sometimes, they are mistaken for what you expect in a store. But they are more likely to be a home improvement shop. Basically, they are like the Mr. D.I.Y. or your typical department store and hardware all rolled into one to cater to a small town community. The name LC Department Store is one, but the very few who have a sort of foothold in the business within the municipal town of Baganga in Davao Oriental.

Kinablangan Fiesta | Subtle Cancellation

This past weekend was rough for most residents of Baganga in Davao Oriental, following the recent earthquake that shook the town of Manay (pronounced as Man-Ay) with a 7.6 magnitude. Throughout these past few days, morale has been low, and the silence screams in Kinablangan, which had been planning to celebrate 122 years of its founding with scheduled events and activities. There have been no scheduled basketball or volleyball games, and those who still have a home to go to are mostly indoors. There have been several aftershocks since Friday, and they vary, with the strongest one the same day the earthquake happened, that one during nighttime with a magnitude of 6.5, taking more than a minute.

Davao Oriental | When the Day Did Not Stand Still

The day started with slightly muggy weather, and it wasn’t the usual bright and sunny disposition while getting ready to leave to head out to the municipal town of Baganga for an early morning supply run. It’s Friday, and people are getting up to start their day before the weekend happens with the usual routine. Personally, the day seems slow, and something was a bit off as I saw the grey sky, and the sun wasn’t as bright as usual. Traveling from Kinablangan to Baganga, 40 minutes to almost an hour away, just to go on a supply run. Nothing was happening on the road while we headed to our destination. This day seemed so strange that I did not totally ignore it, but this morning does not have the usual feel to it.

VoV + PSP XIX | Stickers & Illustrate

The Pilipinas Street Plan (PSP) is a collection of talented artists, designers, and visual creatives that was formed nineteen years ago. The group is more known for its street culture through their artistic mural creations, redefining the term “Street Art” and not just some random, tasteless vandalism that the masses overlook in their work. PSP changes the way you look at graffiti as a way not just to express their views on life, culture, and politics. Some members create their own stories that define what led them to become artists. There are storytellers too, they push their artistry to redefine that organized vandalism can be works of art that others would be inspired to create their own narrative and introduce the grassroots of Filipino Culture.