Unang Sulyap sa Pambansang Museo (Unang Bahagi)

Ito ang unang blog post ko na isinulat gamit ang wikang Filipino. Tungkol ito sa isang  lugar na espesyal at naging bahagi ng aking buhay kolehiyo kung saan marami akong natutunan at mas nakilala ko ang kalinangan (culture) nating mga Pilipino, ang Pambansang Museo ng Pilipinas. Isang pagpupugay ito sa paggunita sa  isang siglo at dekadang pagkakatatag ng National Museum.

Museum of the Filipino People na bahagi ng Pambansang Museo

The Ayala Triangle Gardens of Makati City

The Ayala Triangle Gardens is conveniently located amidst the very busy Makati Central Business District (Makati CBD). The triangle shape of the area is because of the three major thoroughfares that bounds the gardens: Ayala Avenue, Makati Avenue and Paseo de Roxas. It is very accessible from the various offices, of walking distance from malls such as Greenbelt, Glorietta, SM Makati, it is a leisurely stroll from the Peninsula Hotel and the Filipinas Heritage Library. The Ayala Triangle Gardens is a private park, maintained by Ayala Land, wherein the public can jog, stroll, relax, visit the site for free.

It is one of my favorite places to visit while in Makati and one of the best parks I have seen in the Philippines. 

Makati City: “Diversities” at the Artist Space of the Ayala Museum

 Do you want to get a dose of art while exploring the Ayala Center in Makati City? Want it for free? Then the Artist Space of the Ayala Museum is the answer!

Artist Space is a gallery that features works of both Filipino and foreign artists, exhibits usually change at least once a month.

I got an opportunity to visit the said part of Ayala Museum more than a week ago. On view was an exhibit called “Diversities”. The exhibition featured recent (2011) works of twelve Filipino visual artists:

-Monnar Baldemor

-Aaron Bautista

-Joey Cobcobo

-Carlos Francisco II

-Honesto Guiruela III

-Derrick Macutay

-Dennis Montera

-Tad Pagaduan

-Herbert Pinpiňo

-Christian Regis

-Marga Rodriguez

-Isidro Santos

“Diversities” as the name of the exhibition suits the show as a whole. The name suggests a plurality of diversity; the art works on view are diverse in various ways. One of these is that the creators of the works of art displayed are twelve different artists. Each with his/her own world view, memories, characteristics, sources of inspiration that became part of their craft.

Another differentiating factor lies in the media (materials used) chosen by the artist. It ranges from acrylic on canvas to mixed media (from natural objects such as wood to household objects such as buttons and spoon).

The size of the paintings also played its part, varying from 24 x 36 inches to as large as 36 x 48 inches (3 feet x 4 feet). The choice of colors is also diverse: the gallery is then adorned by a mix of warm and cool colors. Various subjects were showcased by the artists who were part of “Diversities”. Some canvases focused on familiar but important issues such as “poverty, nationalistic wreckage, and the overcrowding of human population” (David Lock, 2011). Things that are hidden from sight like those residing within the human soul were given form in abstraction by some of the artists (Lock, 2011). “Diversities” is a celebration of the different things that Filipino artists can do (Lock, 2011).

Although differences are very evident in the exhibit there are also similarities that can be seen such as their being Filipinos and that they expressed their thoughts. The fruits of which are the works of art that gallery viewers like me behold and appreciate.

The location of the gallery and the Ayala Museum as a whole is very accessible to the public. I hope that exhibits like “Diversities” would continue to be showcased in easy to reach venues such as that of Artist Space. Art provides relaxation, insight, inspiration to those who see it.

Aside from enjoying wonderful works of art at the Artist Space, you will also get a good view of the fountain area of the museum from the large glass windows of the gallery.

When spending leisure time at the Ayala Center (Greenbelt, Landmark, Glorietta) why not drop by and spend a couple of minutes at the Artist Space. Admission is free!

The exhibit opened on September 15, 2011 and was on view until September 28, 2011. Artist Space is located on the Second Floor, Glass Wing of the Ayala Museum, Makati Avenue corner Dela Rosa Street, Makati City. How to get there: The gallery is very accessible from the Metro Rail Transit Ayala Station via the elevated walk way passing within SM Makati, Glorietta, Landmark, and the Greenbelt Malls. The entrance to Artist Space is a minute of walk away from Powerbooks Greenbelt 4 Branch.

For more information about the Artist Space and the Ayala Museum kindly visit their website by visiting this link.

Reference

Lock,D. 2011. Diversities (exhibit brochure). Makati: Ayala Museum.

Makati: Lunch with a View

It was my first time to dine, earlier this day, at the Jollibee branch located at the ground floor of the Insular Life Building at the Makati CBD (Central Business District). I got seated with my lunch tray by the tall glass window (or wall) of this branch which is a good move. Why? Aside from enjoying good (tasty)  and affordable food ( prices in all branches of a fast food chain are standardized) while in Makati I also got a splendid view for no additional cost.

While sipping ice cold Coca-Cola, sitting comfortably,  I can see the busy stream of vehicles on the palm tree-lined Ayala Avenue as the traffic from Paseo de Roxas merges with it smoothly. Ayala Avenue is known as one of the most prestigious office addresses in the Philippines and it is said that it is the "Wall Street" of the Philippines. I also got a good view of the Ninoy Aquino monument guarding the entrance to Paseo de Roxas. My seat location offered refreshing views of iconic buildings at the Makati CBD such as the pink Makati Shangri-la Hotel, Allied Bank Center, Ernest & Young, SGV & Co Tower 1 and 2, i Academy, and the HSBC Branch at the Enterprise Center.

I savored more the taste of the burger and fries combo with a glimpse of the modern, sleek, glass-walled Tower One and a portion of the lush Ayala Triangle Gardens. Its fun to watch the street scene while eating. Clean. Verdant. Modern. A slice of progressive Philippines at its best.

Definitely  a splendid view of the Makati Central Business District is a good compliment to a lunch at Jollibee.

So the next time you are in Makati and want to eat lunch on a budget, better try Jollibee Insular Life Branch, select your seat fast to get and see that splendid view by the window.

Travel Nostalgia: The Manila Bay Sunset

It is great to watch a sunset, it is a graceful signal of transition between day and night. Being in different places gives you a chance to see the sunset in different ways This part of the day, along with sunrise, is probably the most photographed part of a day. Photographs serve as good link to the past. As for me, instead of photos,  I recall the famous sunset by the bay in Manila from memory. The Manila Bay Sunset is one of my favorites for it reminds me of sweet memories that I'll always remember.

I first saw the sunset at Manila Bay when I was still at the preparatory level, around 1995. Viewing the sunset along Roxas Boulevard capped and made my first visit to Manila a memorable one. Along with my family we spent a couple of minutes watching the sunset.  I can still remember ships dotting the horizon, waves were gently touching the boulders at the sea wall, small crustaceans busy scuttling on the sand, the gentle breeze blowing as the sun slowly set. The colors are at play at the sky.  It is a beautiful sight.  That was probably the first time I saw the vastness of the sea and even from afar how a real ship looks like. The shore near Roxas Boulevard was cleaner that time, a perfect venue for watching the wonder that is the sunset.

I was able to see the Manila Bay Sunset during my first year in college. It is a blessing that our campus is quite near the "Bay walk" in Roxas Boulevard. To watch the sunset all it takes is a short and leisurely walk from our campus in Padre Faura.  After all those years since the sunset by the bay is still a sight to behold. I fell in love with its beauty. Together with my best friends we would buy some snacks and walk to Roxas Boulevard and spend some time in relaxation while watching the sunset.  We usually take a stroll along the bay walk if we arrived early before the sunset that allowed us to do people watching, crack jokes, and observe the trash that the current brings. That is a good way to observe and feel the vibe of Manila. We were often lucky to see the Manila Bay Sunset in its full splendor but there are also times when clouds cloak the setting sun.

 We look for a perfect spot to sit and our animated chatter stops as we see the sun slowly set. The glowing orb making a dip in the bay that is witness to our stories, comments on various things, and gleeful laughter. From there we go home refreshed and ready to face another day ahead.  It is our "traditon" to go there commonly on a friday to joyfully close another week at school. Watching the Manila Bay Sunset is one of our barkada's favorite bonding moments.

The Manila Bay Sunset will always be special for it reminds me of the important persons in my life. I first saw the sunset at Manila Bay with my family and been awed again by it with my best friends in College. I think that one way or another it has been a happy part of the memory of the various travelers that visited Manila through the years.

Seeing the Manila Bay Sunset, Roxas Boulevard is the perfect free spot to do so, is definitely a must when in Manila. Next time that you are in Manila do watch the sunset by the bay and make a part of a memory that you will cherish.

The Manila Bay Sunset is a gift from God and is one of the things that makes the Philippines special.

Quezon City: Our Lady of Peňafrancia at the Radio Veritas Chapel

Last September 8, 2011, I and my mother went to Radio Veritas to visit a well known and miraculous Marian image in the Philippines. Getting to Radio Veritas is easy because of its location inside the Paramount Building at the corner of EDSA and West Avenue in Quezon City. Radio Veritas 846,”Radyo Totoo”, is a Catholic AM radio station with its different programs broadcasted live 24/7.

Ina

The chapel of Radio Veritas hosts from time to a time travelling replica of some of the popular and miraculous Catholic images. September is the Blessed Virgin Mary’s birthday month and as well the time of the year for the Peňafrancia Festival of the Bicol Region, the chapel has a very relevant guest image. The purpose of our visit is to see the replica of Our Lady of  temporarily enshrined at the chapel.

At the Radio Veritas Chapel

The chapel was almost full when we arrived before noon. It has been more than 15 years since I last saw the image of the Our Lady of Peňafrancia in Naga City. Seeing the replica at the Radio Veritas made me happy, I felt a sense of calmness and I longing to revisit Naga City which is a very special place. Seeing the image, I recalled my childhood days in Naga and how fervently we asked the Blessed Mary to pray for us and intercede for our safety when a typhoon directly hits Bicol. The rosary was said before the mass, there were no vacant seats left many of the old ladies were standing while praying, and I think their faith and devotion made them strong. I guess most of the devotees that were inside the chapel were also in one way or another connected to the Bicol region for the Blessed Virgin Mary known as Our Lady of Peňafrancia is the loving patroness of the region. I am very thankful that an opportunity to see the image on the birthday of the Blessed Virgin Mary came my way.

The centuries old image of the Our Lady of Peňafrancia is enshrined at the Basilica Minore in Naga City. I hope that we can get to visit again the shrine and Bicol very soon.

Caloocan City: Fruit Shops in front of the Victory Central Mall

Are you looking for last minute pasalubong purchase options before that bus trip? Want some healthy snacks? The fruit shops in front of the Victory Central Mall along Rizal Avenue in Caloocan City are the answer.  The location is convenient to commuters for the shops are adjacent to the bus terminal of Victory Liner.

The shops generally sell fruits that are in season and are typically sold per kilo at low/affordable prices. Haggling is allowed! This September, I saw rambutan, large santol, guapple (a large guava), and guyabano along with other fruits which are available whole year such as bananas, imported oranges and apples. There are also sliced green mangoes with bagoong dip, ready to eat yellow corn, native cakes, and the refreshing buko (coconut) juice for a quick healthy snack.

Before boarding the bus, my mother bought two pieces of large santol, photo shown above, which weighed one kilogram. The price is only 20 pesos per kilo. We ate one of what we purchased and it tastes great, a good buy!  Definitely were going to buy fruits again from there next time we are in Caloocan City.