K = KM Zero

KM 0 or Kilometre Zero is a location where distances are traditionally measured. Here in the Philippines, it is located across the Rizal Monument in Rizal Park, Manila. It serves as a point of origin to all other cities in the Philippines.

This picture was taken 10 March 2009, when my sister and I went to the Manila South Harbor to see the MV Doulos. After the visit to the ship, we decided to walk from the port to the Rizal Park for more pictures then we went home.

*** Jenn ***

Twisted

I really thought I won't have any entry for this week, but I am so happy to see this picture as I organize my pictures in Flickr. This was taken last February when my brother and I went to Cebu City to attend the CFC - Singles for Christ International Conference. Before the conference, we took the option to join the tour around the city, and part of the places to visit was the Casa Gorordo - home of the first bishop of Cebu. It is now a museum featuring old furniture that dates back to the Spanish era.

By the balcony, I found this plant to be so interesting - must be very old now because the vine has reached the second floor of the building. Seeing this vine and the people below gave me an impression of being Rapunzel, with long locks reaching the ground so Prince Charming could climb up. =)

Happy weekends, everyone!

*** Jenn ***

Anchor's Away

Last May, I was one of the privileged bloggers who took part of Magikalympics - Bloggers Edition at the Enchanted Kingdom, a very popular theme park here in the Philippines. After the Magikalympics (in which our team won), we were given ample time to enjoy the rides in the park. Apart the Ferris Wheel ride I took, I pretty much spent my time taking pictures around the park.

This was the Anchor's Away ride, one of the rides that I seriously don't want to take, but took anyway as part of the Magikalympics. A very exciting ride, yes, but real tough to the tummy especially when the ship goes down. Good thing I was able to cope up with it.

*** Jenn ***

Catching Up...

Dahil nasira ang aming computer monitor noong nakaraang linggo, hindi ako nakasali sa Litratong Pinoy, kaya ngayon, habol ako.

{Our computer monitor died last week, so I wasn't able to post an entry for Litratong Pinoy, so now I'm going to catch up.}





Noong nakaraang linggo, ang tema ay "Karatula." Kuha ito noong nakaraang Pebrero - huling araw namin sa Dumaguete City. Medyo maulap nang umagang iyon, pero sinabi ko pa rin kay kuya na magpunta kami sa may Rizal Blvd. para makita ang bukang liwayway. Habang naglalakad kami pabalik ng hotel, nakita ko ang mga ito, at natawa ako kasi ang daming "No Parking" signs... sabi ko kay kuya, "Ilang karatula ba ang kailangan mo para malaman mong bawal pumarada dito?" Siyempre, alam naman nating naging tambakan lamang ang lugar na ito para sa mga karatula, pero nakakatawa pa rin, di ba?

{Last week, the theme was "Signs." This image was taken last February - on our last day in Dumaguete City. It was a cloudy day, but I still asked brother if we could go to the Rizal Blvd. to see the sunrise. While we were walking back to the hotel, I saw this sight and found it really funny to see that much "No Parking" signs. I told brother, "How many signs do you need to know that parking is not allowed here?" Of course, we all know this spot was just a place where they placed all the signs, but still, it was kinda funny.}






Ngayong linggo, ang tema ay "Palengke." Ang mga litratong ito ay kuha noong nakaraang Marso, nang ako ay pumunta sa La Union. Anibersaryo ng kamatayan ng aking ama nang araw na iyon, at pagkatapos naming dumalaw sa puntod ni dad, kami ng aking tiyahin ay pumunta sa palengke upang mamili ng aming kakainin para sa pananghalian. Nagkataong Huwebes ng araw na iyon - araw ng palengke. Tuwing Huwebes at Linggo, ang palengke ng Bacnotan ay dinarayo ng napakaraming nagtitinda at namimili, na kahit ang daanan ay ginagawang pwesto para sa mga paninda.

{This week, the theme is "Market." These pictures were taken last March, when I went to La Union. It was my dad's death anniversary, and after we visited his grave, my Aunt and I went to the market to buy foods for our lunch. It so happened that it was a Thursday - market day. Every Thursday and Sunday, the market of Bacnotan is flocked with people, that even the walkway were used to sell some produce.}

Hindi ako masyadong nakakuha ng litrato sa loob ng palengke dahil hirap pa rin akong kumuha ng lakas ng loob na kunan ng litrato ang mga tao - baka mapaaway ako o baka kwestyunin ang layunin ko, pero nang kami ng aking tiyahin ay 'di sinasadyang magkahiwalay kami at hindi magkahanapan. Habang hinihintay ko siya sa may labas, kumuha na lamang ako ng ilang litrato. Hindi magaganda ang kuha, kasi may takot pa rin. Siguro kapag bumalik akong muli sa La Union, kukuha akong muli ng mga litrato.

{I wasn't able to take much pictures inside the main market because I still have some confidence issues - it was difficult for me to take pictures of people, afraid I could get into trouble or I might be questioned for my motives, but when Aunt and I cannot find each other in the market, I decided to just wait for her outside. I took these pictures while waiting for her. The pictures weren't good because I took these still with caution. Maybe when I get back to La Union, I would muster up a courage to take pictures.}

*** Jenn ***

Upside Down

This picture was one of the last few shots I took when we visited the Philippine Taoist Temple in Cebu City. When brother and I reached the place, it rained for a while, but it was so great that the rain stopped a little while before we left. As we walked our way to the exit, I saw this reflection of the dragon from the puddle of water from the floor. I found it really cute, so I took the time to snapped a picture of it. This dragon statue was a prominent figure in the place.

*** Jenn ***

Sensitivity

Since I wasn't able to post anything for Today's Flowers last week, there will be no theme for this month. I will just post random flower pictures. =)

This was taken last night. My mom celebrated her 60th birthday yesterday, and after we've cleaned up the mess, I took notice of the flowers in the vase. It was quite difficult to take macro shots at night time without proper lighting (upping the ISO would make the pictures grainy), so I decided to turn on the flash. I find it so interesting to do macro shots with the flash on. I think I took about 50 pictures of the flowers in the vase last night.

Sad thing, though, the roses were already showing signs of flaws.

*** Jenn ***

Lansangan (Road)

Mula nang una akong makapunta sa Vigan Mayo ng taong 2006, siguro humigit kumulang sampung beses na rin akong nakabalik. Alam naman siguro na ng lahat na ito ang pinaka-paborito kong lugar, at para sa temang ito ng Litratong Pinoy, muli ko kayong dadalhin sa Calle Crisologo sa Vigan.

{Ever since I first went to Vigan May of 2006, I guess I have visited the place more or less 10 times already. Everybody now knows this is my most favorite place, and for this week's theme, I will (again) take you back in Calle Crisologo in Vigan.}

Napakarami kong litrato ng sikat na lansangang ito, pero itong dalawa sa taas ay kuha Mayo ng taong ito (2009). Dahil nga sa dinami-daming beses ko ng nakapunta dito, naisip kong gumawa naman ng tema - Vigan in Sepia - ngunit hindi rin lubos na nagawa dahil isa sa mga museo sa Vigan ay nakasara. Pero kahit na, na-enjoy ko pa rin ang biyahe kong iyon, lalo't kasama ko ang kuya ko.

{I have taken so many pictures of this road, but these first two pictures were taken May of this year (2009). Because I have been there too many times, I thought of doing a photography theme - Vigan in Sepia - but it wasn't fully realized because one of the museums were closed. But it was a fun trip because I was with my brother.}

Dalawang buwan pagkalipas (July 2009), muli akong nagbalik sa Vigan. Iyon ang unang beses kong magpunta sa Vigan ng mag-isa, at unang beses ko ring ulanin! Inulan man, masaya ako dahil naituloy ko ang nasimulan kong "Vigan in Sepia" na tema. Matapos ang biyaheng ito, hindi ko na alam kung kelan ako ulit makababalik, malamang sa susunod na taon na. Okay lang, naka-dalawang bisita na rin naman ako ngayong taon.

{Two months after (July 2009), I once set food in Vigan. It was my first time to go there alone, and it was also the first time I got rained on! The rain poured hard, but I was happily contented to be able to continue with my "Vigan in Sepia" theme. After this trip, I don't know when I can go back, maybe next year. It's okay, I was able to visit twice this year already.}

*** Jenn ***