Manila Fame 2019

Yesterday, I woke up to a postcard sent by my good friend Nurai. She’s based in Germany, but she posted this from Spain while she was on holiday. 

It was the ideal preview to my artistic day ahead. I rode the LRT 1 and hailed a tuktuk to take me directly to the World Trade Center. 

I went to the Manila Fame to immerse myself in Filipino artistry. My short visit last Friday was too brief, and I really wanted to spend more time at the fair. 

I started my visit with some refreshing liquer de calamansi. 

Then, I had some good coffee.  

I dropped by the Handcrafted by Harl’s booth because I love their advocacy in supporting differently-abled artisans. I bought a handbag from them last year, and it’s still serving me well. 

I joined a leather-crafting workshop for only Php50. I made a leather coin purse with the help of their talented deaf-mute artisans. 

I ended up being the empowered one because I learned a new skill and got to learn from a differently-asked person.  

It was lovely to see fashion influencer Lolaandrogynous at the fair! I totally dig her style. 

I also bought small trinkets from another social enterprise, Kilus.  

I got to appreciate the finer details during this visit.  

I finally got to try 1st Colonial’s sili ice cream and it was delicious!

I had a wonderful evening at Manila Fame and I’m very proud to be Filipino.  

I ended my day with cheese sticks, so I’m also doing the same here. 

Here’s to more opportunities to be proudly Pinoy! 

Escolta Walk

I spent March 30th (Vincent Van Gogh’s birthday) with a special walking tour of Escolta, Manila. Together with my helper, Racquel, I explored what was once the country’s premier business and retail district with a DIY photo walk. 

Our first stop was the Sta. Cruz Parish, which welcomes the faithful to the historical district. 

Then, it was time to visit heritage buildings and appreciate fine architectural details. 

The Regina Building and First United Building are just two of the remaining (and well-maintained) heritage buildings in the area. The latter has become particularly popular with millennials as it houses a community museum, coworking space, a cafe, bar, barbershop, indie boutiques, and offices. 

It is an intersection of our cultural origins and adaptive reuse. 

The First United Building has just turned ninety years old. 

The building hosts several events such as parties and gigs on nights and weekends.  

The community museum features the restored office of the late Sy Lian Teng, who was the building’s late owner.  

It is a testament to the man’s resilience and enduring business acumen which has influenced the building’s and Escolta’s trajectory.  

With today’s gigantic malls, it is mind boggling that our retail behavior has been largely influenced by Escolta and the building’s very own Berg’s Department Store. It sold the finest RTW for women, which at that time was a modern innovation in Southeast Asia (most women still had made-to-order clothes at that time).

The 1950’s refrigerator still works today! It is used during events in the building. 

The building has beautiful details which are rarely seen on today’s more practical structures.  

I also checked out my college friend Daniela Calumba’s store at the building’s ground floor. Her eponymous handmade jewelry and organic line of toiletries have been making waves for their handmade production process. 

I got an amulet from her partner Alaala Sala’s line of vintage accessories. 

The space is collectively known as HUB | Make:Lab.  

The place is a retail haven for objects that will delight the vintage connoisseur.  

There are stamps too from all over the world. 

As a history geek and vintage enthusiast, this building was a treasure trove for me!

We continued our walk to other parts of Escolta. 

My grandfather, who is an accountant, used to have an office at the Madrigal Building. 

We took a detour to Binondo, the oldest Chinatown in the world. 

We cooled down with some excellent milk tea at 80 Memories Tofu House.  

We also dropped by Binondo Church to pray for our intentions and to give thanks.  

I was fascinated with the lost graves of Bindondo, where the city’s original Chinese elite were interred. 

We also went to the Calvo Building, which houses the Escolta Museum. It is also the original site of the GMA Network. 

We made one final stop before going home. The Manila Post Office, which I have toured earlier this year, continues to remind passersby that history is everywhere, and that it can literally connect us all together. 

Escolta was once known as the Queen of Streets. With its enduring beauty and continuous significance, it remains to be an important part of our country’s rich culture. It is also a reminder for us to innovate and rise above the wars that destroy us. 

Like Escolta, we must never forget who we really are. 

Presidential Car Museum

Yesterday, I spent the day exploring my local park. But first, I began my day with a hearty brunch of gyudon and milk tea coffee (yes, it’s apparently a thing!) at a Japanese restaurant.  

Then, it was time for some culture at Quezon Memorial Circle. It was my first time at the park’s newest museum, the Presidential Car Museum. 

The imposing modern building blended nicely with the park’s existing trees.  

I was in awe of the vintage cars inside the museum.  

As a history buff, this was quite a treat! 

It was also lovely to see stamps inside the museum.  

I enjoyed my time with the presidential cars, and I was pleasantly surprised to see cute souvenirs for sale outside. 

The souvenir shop also carried NHCP publications at reasonable prices.  

For my next stop, I went to Museo ni Quezon to reacquaint myself with the founder of my city.  

I was delighted with my history trip, and it was time to have a snack. 

I chose a coconut ice drop for merienda to beat the heat. 

Coconut House inside Circle sells local products made of natural ingredients.  

Then, it was time to go home, and savor the memories from my day tour of my local park. 

Having fun doesn’t need to be expensive! Sometimes, a trip to the local park can be an educational and enjoyable experience. Hopefully, you also have nearby places where you can enjoy an afternoon of culture and history! 

Mentor and Manila

Yesterday, I dropped by UP to quickly print some documents for jobhunting.  

Then, I met up with my college mentor Mitzie for some Thai noodle soup at Sen Lek. 

We later had bubble coffee at Kape Tayo. It was good! 

We then parted ways and I proceeded to Binondo for a meeting. But first, I passed by Escolta to admire the heritage buildings there.  

I had an insightful meeting. I went home and received snail mail from The Pink Sisters Convent. 

I also got my yarn orders from The Attic Yarn and Craftery.  

And finally, I received a postcard from my good friend Nurai, who was on holiday at Cappadocia.  

I am very lucky to have few but well-meaning friends. I even have sisters who constantly pray for me. And I have a mentor who still advises me to this day. Here’s to a wiser adulthood and better decisions ahead.  

Manila CPO Tour

Yesterday, I joined the Postal Heritage Operational Tour organized by the Royal Postal Heritage Guided Tour Group. I am a philatelist, and I am fond of activities organized by Pilipinas Philately, such as the stamp forum that I attended last year. This was why it’s not a struggle for me to wake up early on a Saturday morning to join a tour in Manila. 

I started my day by having taho for brekkie.  

I rode the LRT, and in half an hour, I was greeted by old school downtown Manila.  

It was my first time to cross the famous Jones Bridge on foot. I was so giddy during this moment as this was a focal point in the movie Last Night starring Toni Gonzaga and Piolo Pascual.  

After literally crossing the bridge, I reached the beautiful Manila Central Post Office.

There were stamps for sale at the lobby during the event.  

Again, I was delighted to be there because the central post office building was featured in the film Hintayan ng Langit starring Gina Pareño and Eddie Garcia.  

Naturally, I gravitated towards Rizal stamps.  

I crocheted while waiting for the lecture to begin. 

We all received a welcome packet with some stamps! 

And I was happy to see a model of the Murillo Velarde Map, whose original I saw in person last year. 

I was especially drawn to the P.O. boxes as they had a classic vibe.  

Look at these doors!

This staircase is gorgeous. 

After the lecture, we got to tour the post office and learn about the operations of the government agency. 

It was lovely to be in the company of fellow philatelists.  

Our last stop was the postshop, where we all got to purchase current stamps in circulation. 

This is my haul. I got stamps that make me smile, such as valentine symbols and year of the pig stamps.  

I had the time of my life at the tour and I am looking forward to more philatelic geekery in the future! I hope you can also join a post office tour in the future. Just look them up on Facebook for more details. It’s free, and I’m sure that you will also have a good time!

Snail Mail Faith

I received a Christmas card from my godmother in the US. It’s charming to receive greeting cards by snail mail because it is no longer customary in the age of social media and text messaging. 

I also got this letter from the Pink Sisters Convent. I am touched that they keep me in their prayers, and that my family is also remembered in their masses. 

I keep the faith through analog traditions such as snail mail which restores my faith in humanity in an automated age.

Here’s to more reasons to be grateful, and to believe more in prayer and family. 

Philately Saturday

Last Saturday, I attended the Pilipinas Philately Forum on the hobby that changed my life. Philately has been a passion of mine during childhood, and while I am no longer active in collecting stamps, I still find it fascinating. Thanks to stamps, I became passionate about research, history, and art. 

It was quite fitting that the forum was held the Museo ng Sining inside the GSIS complex.  

I went to the event with my grade school friend Ginny and her sister, Angel. It was fun to spend the event with fellow philatelists. 

I liked the vintage vibe of the ladies room. 

And I couldn’t resist buying stamps and a drawstring bag featuring the Philippines’ first postage stamp!

The museum was a beautiful venue for a meaningful forum. 

I even knitted while waiting for it to begin.  

I learned that in the current digital age, stamps still have a place in society as they preserve history and promote peace through correspondence. 

This setup makes me happy. It features my new bag, my knitting needles and yarn, and the water bottle sling crocheted by the vendor I met outside St. Jude. 

Of course, I simply had to take a photo with my history crush, Dr. Jose Rizal!

I am glad that The Philippine Postal Corporation has established Pilipinas Philately to organize and promote stamp collecting among hobbyists in the country. They plan to open a philately museum next year, and utilize social media to connect philatelists with the latest trends in stamp collection and snail mail. 

Before going home, I bought these handmade earrings from The Class Act during their pop-up at The Block. 

l had an amazing experience meeting fellow philatelists, reconnecting with an old friend and her sister, and supporting handmade. I am eager to see how stamps can continue being relevant in society, and how my love for handmade will carry on as I attend learning opportunities whenever I can. Here’s to more letters, stamps, and memories with friends!