Baguio Trip Delayed

Manila - Transportation, originally uploaded by jsigharas.

After our trip to Quiapo we visited, again, Fort Bonafacio to kill time at the Starbucks (free Wi-Fi) before departing for our red-eye bus ride Wednesday morning (the 19th) for Baguio, an approximately 6 hour trip. Originally we had planned to leave Manila earlier but found ourselves wanting to visit Quiapo instead, which I'm very glad to have done. Plus, a crowded and hot bus ride wouldn't have been the best idea after another late night in the city.

Quiapo Shopping Hub

NO. 35, originally uploaded by suvajack.

Quiapo is home to the gray market and to one of the most famous churches in Manila, Quiapo Church. It's off the beaten path for most travelers and is more of a local spot to find cheap-anything. We couldn't resist experiencing this quintessential side of Manila.

Manila Mondays

I know Jon said that Friday nights in Manila can't be beat, but that was before we made it to a "Manila Monday". So apparently the local rock scene is bursting at the seams, and we we can now vouch for that. Warehouse 135 was the venue of choice and bands like Chicosci who have opened for the "who's who" of the global punk/rock scene, was just the opening jig. They set a raging pace that had everyone mosh/dancing basically on stage all night. Great bands followed like Pedicab and Taken by Cars which rocked the street out front Pablo Gallery Saturday night. This event wouldn't have been possible without meeting Diego at Mo_Space Gallery in Fort Bonafacio. Diego was an excellent host, adding us to the guest list to come watch his band and putting ice-cold San Miguels in our hands at the show. Turns out Diego's band, Sandwich, that he so humbly spoke about, rules! From one music lover to the next, these bands all offer something to appreciate. Check them all out whenever you can. I know we're gonna have to again before this ride is all over.

















Sandwich playing at Warehouse 135

Positive Future For Street Children, Pangarap Foundation

The Pangarap Foundation helps street children (boys aged 8-23) of Manila to get back on course. They assist in reintegrating the children into a future of promise through specially design programs. The programs encourage and help the boys to become active, educated and skilled. We had the opportunity (thanks to Silvana Ancelloti-Diaz) to experience first hand a candle-making program that teaches the children to engage in a skilled craft. The children make the molds by hand using plaster of paris, pour the wax, wax the wicks, finish the candles, and package the final products. The kids really seemed to enjoy themselves. 10% percent of their sales go into their savings funds giving them added motivation. Jon and I are hoping to collaborate with the foundation to explore new design possibilities and market promotion to help these children gain the recognition they deserve as fellow skilled Filipinos. Send in your suggestions or contact us if you or your store would be interested in supporting them in anyway.






























Outside Pangarap Foundation

Visit To Galleria Duemila, Pasay City

Manila - Environments, originally uploaded by jsigharas.

Visit by appointment only, we met and spoke to Silvana Ancelloti-Diaz, art director of Galleria Duemila in Pasay City. Silvana (an Italian who married a Filipino) established the gallery in 1975 to encourage support for the country's modern art. We had an incredibly in-depth conversation about the people of the Philippines, its future, culture, art, politics, and youth. We discussed a wide-array of topics that left us overwhelmed. The background information she gave us was priceless and has left us with a better understanding of the current state of the Philippines. I'm starting to get a better feeling of what we're getting ourselves into and I find it both intriguing and scary. It's amazing.

We met with her husband, Ramon Diaz, an artist himself who currently is exhibiting at Galleria Duemila. The both of them gave us a visually stimulating tour of their home which was filled with ancient artifacts, sculptures and hundreds of paintings. It basically could be a small gallery of its own.

Work by Ramon Diaz, Galleria Duemila

Manila Low-End

Manila - Streets, originally uploaded by jsigharas.

Walking along the streets of Makati City, Manila's business center, and yet another shopping district, it's easy to find yourself caught up in the very familiar westernized, commercial-crazed areas of Manila. But right next door (literally a few blocks away), especially near Pasig River, you'll find areas of an extreme contrast. Flimsy shantytowns exist in many areas of metro Manila. Nearly a third of Filipinos live in poverty, according to government statistics. Among the countries of Southeast Asia, the Philippines has one of the most visible divides between rich and poor. It's such a troubling thought to personally experience walking/driving through poverty stricken areas one minute, and strolling through mega-malls and fine-dining the next.

Pablo Gallery Aniversary, Cubao X, Quezon City

After meeting some artists from Mo_Space Gallery we were invited to another gallery opening/anniversary/concert at Pablo Gallery. Taken by Cars was the best of many impressive local bands (Mozzie, Happy Happy Joy Joy, Analog, The Ronnies & Juan Pablo Dream) that played that night. The 1st year anniversary also sparked the opening of a new exhibit featuring more local talent like of Mike Sicam, Isabel "Pepper" Roxas and Paolo Lim.

Action! Vintage Pop

Action! Vintage Pop, originally uploaded by suvajack.

Another hot spot in Cubao X was Vintage Pop. It's far from an ordinary furniture and accessories shop. Vintage Pop features rare photo and cinematography designs from the ages along with selective modern pieces. The owner and designer of the shop, Bong, has a love of film and promised us a showing of some of his silent films next time we are in town. Cubao X is situated in Quezon City right across the street from where the historical Ali "Thrilla in Manila" fight took place. This tight knit artist community is a must see spot to catch the freshest art and vintage finds.

Mo_Space Gallery, Fort Bonifacio Global City

Manila - Art, originally uploaded by jsigharas.

Mo_Space Gallery is an alternative art space showcasing many of Manila's young and talented visual artists.

-Subject: the activation of artistic ideas both current and crosscurrent to our times.
-Medium: visual dialogue and critical correspondence; open-ended questions, nagging instincts, introspective musings, or forceful assertions - all consistently guided by the power of the artworks themselves.
-Dimensions: the reach, depth, and arrange of contemporary expression.

We met Mausen Ong (aka Marlene), a friend of Boots and the owner of Bo Concept and Vitra furniture stores at Fort Bonifacio Global City in Taguig City. We found Marlene to be a great source in guiding us in our mission to seek out contacts and venues relevant to contemporary design culture, as well as the alternative art scene in Manila.

Friday Night In Manila

Manila - Entertainment, originally uploaded by jsigharas.

After an already full night of gallery hopping and openings at the Fort we decided to hit up some traditional Filipino cuisine and drinks at Maca and San Miguel beer and dancing at Temple, and then later to Absinth, to experience Manila's thriving nightlife. Friday night can't be beat as it is also payday. All of this can be found at Greenbelt Mall in Makati City, considered the highest-end shopping center in Manila, and where the young, trendy and stylish play. It is well known that Manila's youth love to party. After coming home at 6am the following morning (right on time for the hotel's breakfast buffet) we can definitely contest to that.

View From City Garden Hotel, Makati City

Manila - Buildings, originally uploaded by jsigharas.

Despite being jet-lagged for the first day and a half (Manila is 15 hours ahead of Vancouver), the humidity (a shower is needed immediately after exiting an air-conditioned building), and the simple act of walking down pedestrian un-friendly streets (it can best be described as passing through an exhaust pipe packed with crazed motorist and no sidewalk space), the city of 10 million-plus hasn't diminished our productiveness at all. We met with Boots Herrera, via a short tricycle ride, for a book launch at an Italian owned space called Alliance de Francaise de Manilla. Boots then graciously takes us to two gallery openings and a photo exhibit at a well-designed shopping center called Fort Bonaficio Global City in Taguig City.