Almost but not quite

The boy scout monument that I have blogged here before is almost finished. It is interesting to note that they have added a life sized figure of the city's first mayor, Tomas Morato. Its like he's watching over the diners and on the restaurant district of the city. Very nice touch. I just wish that the entire monument gets done real soon. It will really ease the traffic in the area.

Make her cry with joy

Survey says that women love flowers, probably up there with the shoe addiction. It may not be Valentine's Day nor her birthday, but if you do decide to surprise her with a bunch of lovely flora, please do consider the Manila Seedling Bank Foundation, Inc. Located at the corner of Quezon Avenue and EDSA, it offers a wide array of flowering and fruit bearing plants. Herbs, seeds, pots and other gardening needs are also available should you wish you to cultivate your green thumb.

You've been warned

When I took this photo, the boy's parents were not with him. He seemed not to care, though -oblivious to the the danger that may happen if he take a few more steps towards the bank. All he wants is his catch for the day.



I know its raining and that this photo is not exactly about a gloomy, gray day but I was hoping that this will somehow brighten up your day. Anyway, I'm heading to Kawayan Cove in Nasugbu, Batangas for a little education :)

Holy!

Here's another Quezon Memorial entry. This one is aptly called the "House of Worship". Its one of the bas reliefs that one can see from the outside of the shrine. It was installed in the 1980's, but with the looks of it, needs some overhauling real soon. When I took this photo, there were several men fixing some of the other broken parts of the monument. I hope they don't forget this one, too.

Anyway, I am posting this to show that the city is composed of people with different religions. Although the majority of the population is Roman Catholic, the Protestant, Iglesia ni Cristo, Islamic, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Jehovah's Witnesses faith are well represented here among other religious denominations.

Its a Wednesday and from where I sit, it looks like the rain will not stop. Stay dry :)

Slumber Power

Found this one inside the UP campus. It looks like someone's body clock has been messed up with all the schoolwork (or excessive partying, perhaps) that he/she just paint-sprayed his frustration on a wall hoping that it will cure his/her insomnia. Or maybe its intended for another person who is the reason why he/she is still up. Whatever the case may be, I felt a cosmic connection to the poor person who did this. I have been and still is agressively battling the worst jetlag I've ever had in my entire life. They say that recovery time is usually one day per time zone but 10 hours of sleep after a week sounds unhealthy to me. Didn't mean to gripe. Blame it on sleep deprivation. Anyway, I hope all of you are well rested.

Under

Sixty seven years after the cornerstone of the Quezon Memorial Circle was first laid, the first underpath was constructed from the park to the city hall. It was named after the current mayor, Feliciano Belmonte, Jr.



When I took this photo, there were very few people down there. Maybe its the lack of sufficient lighting that scares them off. Or maybe, they'd still prefer the thrill that is brought to them when they run for their lives when crossing the main highway. Admit it or not, Pinoys are not exactly popular on following traffic and pedestrian rules. Its a Monday and I hope you all stay safe on the road.

Clumsy?

I don't know about you but I always have the inclination to point my camera towards the funny and bizarre. I saw this signage while traversing the inner belly of Quezon City.



I'm not sure if its the owner's name but I do hope its not a description of how they do things right there.

Quezon Memorial

Back from Paris. Its been a while since I last posted here. Allow me to kickstart my photoblog again with a photo of a water reflection of the Quezon Memorial.



The late President Sergio Osmeña created the Quezon Memorial Committee after the second world war. Its first task was to hold a nationwide contest for architects and artists to submit for a design of monument and resting place for Quezon - the first Commonwealth president and Osmena's predecessor. Federico Ilustre won the competition. The monument- 66 metres high- is located right smack in the center of the park. Its height was chosen to represent the age of late president at the time of his death (of tuberculosis while in exile in the US during the World War II). Looking closely, you can see three mourning angels each holding a sampaguita garland, sitting on top of the big pylons with their parallel wings pointing up. The angels stand for Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao - the country's three major group of islands - while the three-sided base was said to represent birth, life, and death. The three angels were made by the Italian sculptor Francesco Ricardo Monti.

Have a good weekend to all. Cheers!

Meet your maker

Make sure to take your daily vitamins. You wouldn't want to get sick and go to this hospital.

Frontera Verde

“Mankind is not a circle with a single center but an ellipse with two focal points of which facts are one and ideas the other.”
-Victor Hugo



Tiendesitas (little stores) is popular for offering the best of Philippine products. They have these little villages named according to what they sell (e.g. art, antiques, furniture). And since I would really like to give a little something to my lovely hosts in France next week, I opted to brave the traffic never mind that the commute will be mostly idling my car and not really driving.

Anyway, Tiendesitas did not disappoint me and this landmark outside of the main entrance was an add-on.

August Theme Day: Metal

In this day and age where everybody should be conserving, this decor just does the job. Kudos to the genius who made this brilliant work of art.

Its Theme Day today at CDP, click here to view thumbnails for all participants.

Hang on

When you reach the end of your rope, tie a knot in it and hang on.
-Thomas Jefferson

Coffee Pot(ty)

Considered to be the world's most expensive coffee, these beans are actually Philippine civet (Paradoxorus Philippinensis) droppings. Now, now before you reach for your barf bag, allow me to elaborate. These civets (known as alamid in the Philippines) eat coffee berries as part of their diet. The inner bean of the berry remain undigested and are eliminated by them which are then harvested, washed and slightly roasted by the farmers. Its said that the digestive enzymes of the civet give the coffee that yummy taste. I am not sure about that as I haven't tasted it yet given its astronomical price. Hopefully, this post might take me somewhere *wink, wink*.

For more information on the coffee alamid, click here.

Marlboro country?

Someone who had spare paint was creative enough, triggered perhaps by nicotine, to create this huge replica of a cigarette from an old post. Make a mental note of checking it out when you happen to be at C.P. Garcia.

Colorful ride

Around the fourth quarter of last year, Coca-Cola launched an ad campaign to promote their product by having the UP jeepney owners put a life size figure of the Coke bottle on the roofs of their jeeps and the vibrant images and slogans on the vehicle's body. It was a smash at that time especially for the students who take these jeepneys to go from one building to another within the university.

I no longer see them on the campus. Pardon my getting sentimental, but I can't help it with all the fare increases here and there. Some drivers charge a minimum of 8 pesos while some are pegging it at 8.50. Jeez! I wish they can all make up their minds. And I want the red jeepneys back.

The Boy Scout Monument

All along you're wondering "Who the heck are these boy scouts and why do we have streets with their names?" Well, first I think you should mind your manners; second (and as an answer to your question) they were our delegates to the 11th World Jamboree in Marathon, Greece. There were 24 of them - Filipino boy scouts and scout officials. They, unfortunately, died in a plane crash in Bombay, India en route to the jamboree on July 23, 1963. In their memory, the City Council of Quezon City renamed the streets in the Kamuning and Roxas Districts after them on April 24, 1964 . Twenty five years after the tragedy, former President (then Chief Scout) Corazon C. Aquino declared July 28 of every year as Scout Memorial Day honoring not only the ill-fated Jamboree heroes but all the other Scouts and Scouters who died on the line of duty.

With just a week left, the monument workers have serious work to finish. I am posting this photo both as a tribute to the scouts but also as a little reminder that the construction people need to hurry up.
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The boy scouts who died in the plane crash: from the Manila BS Council: Ramon V. Albano, Henry Chuatoco, Jose Antonio Delgado, Pedro Gandia, Wilfredo Santiago and Ascario Tuason, Jr. From the Quezon City BS Council: Roberto Castro, Romeo R. Rallos and Rogelio Ybardolaza. Felix Fuentebella, Jr., represented both the Manila and Goa, Camarines Sur BS Councils. The rest of the scouts: Victor de Guia, Jr. (Baguio City), Antonio Limbaga (Zamboanga City), Roberto Lozano (Dagupan City), Paulo Madriñan (Pasay City), Jose Fermin Magbanua (Negros Oriental), Filamor Reyes and Antonio Torillo (Cavite) and Benecio Tobias (Tarlac). Visit their website for more information.

La Mesa EcoPark

Maybe you're too exhausted from work and utterly convinced that you need a breather but you don't really have the patience to navigate the EDSA highways nor the budget to spend on gas for a quick trip to the nearest town out of Manila. Well, worry not. Try heading to the La Mesa Eco Park where you can be one with nature without having to put a hole in your pocket.

So, how does one go there?
For those taking public transportation, you can take a bus/FX/jeepney bound for Fairview and get off at the East Fairview Subdivision. At its gate are green colored tricycles that can take you to the park for 25 pesos. If you plan on bringing your own vehicle, take Commonwealth Avenue towards Fairview. Turn right at East Fairview Subdivision and from there you'll find signs leading you to the park. Park fee is 50 pesos but Quezon City residents get a 10 peso discount so if you're from here, better bring your ID. All revenues generated by the La Mesa Ecopark are used for the preservation and protection of La Mesa Watershed. For more information, visit their park website. Click here for a short video clip.

On the road

Having to waste your time inside a taxi cab because of traffic is already bad in itself but finding yourself sharing that ride with a highly opinionated driver is even worse. He has so much to say on how to solve the nation's problem, Madame President should really get him as an adviser.

Anyway, this photo was taken while inside the cab. I was secretly hoping that waving my camera would make him shut up. I guess I should wish harder.

School Spirit

The 71st UAAP games have begun. All eyes will be at the men's basketball teams especially with the so-called rivalries amongst them. Fighting in the name of school honor and pride.

I guess Miming up there is still a little undecided whether to cheer for the Blue Eagles or root for the Green Archers?

Click photo to better view his fascinating eyes.

Kilometer Zero

Situated at the west of the Rizal monument, this flagpole (also known as kilometer zero) is the point of reference from north and south of the country and where all road distances are measured from.