Manang Spends the Weekend.

I haven’t had much to write about since the year began. 2009 is supposed to be a year of change and transition so I’m sure I can make up for the lack of recent posts as the year progresses

In the meantime, in an attempt to keep this blog updated, let me share some pictures from my Manang’s recent visit.

She shows off her new teeth – my Christmas gift. She wants lip collagen implants for her birthday. Kidding. But, she actually gave me a lengthy answer explaning why she's not, when I said she should look for a rich husband - which suggests to me that somewhere in her mind, anything is still possible. Good for her.



She gets her Pancit Palabok fix from Jolibee. We love. Unfortunately, there's no outlet in her village so this is a must-stop for her whenever she comes to the city.



She poses beside my car to show off to her posse back home. She jumped off her seat when the sun roof opened up. Adorable.



She’s awestruck with the choices in a city supermarket





This one isn't from her vist. But I look good in the picture and it's my blog and I can post whatever I want. So, here.

Scenes from a New York Winter

My digital camera was a constant compassion during my New York trip. I have a long way to go before I get to the level of my talented photographer friends (see here, here, here and here).


But , if I may so myself, I am pretty impressed with how my photographs turned out. I find that I am drawn to shots that show contrasts (dark and light, old and new, still and moving, etc), shapes and depth.


Here are a few of my photographs (just click on the photos you want to enlarge) with some of my notes.

The shot below was taken in Central Park. The trees in the foreground have a dark, primeval quality. I like the way they contrast with the modern buildings against the blue sky. The photo seems to suggest a bright future soon to come.








This shot was also taken in Central Park. The splashes of color from the fence and the people's clothes provide a contrast to the starkness of the New York winter.

It can be lonely to live in New York. The shots below suggest how impersonal a big city can be. The tall buildings seem almost like individual entities by themselves. I can understand how they might make a person feel small and inconsequential.

This evening shot below was taken in Times Square. While the ground level was bright, noisy and busting – everything seems to fade into the darkness of night.

The shots below were taken at the West Village. I liked the vibe of the area. People stopped and greeted each other on the street. The streetlight and the fire escape made me feel that, tall buildings and neon lights aside, people – with kids and dogs and families and friends - actually made their life in this big city.

I was just going to take a shot of the fire hydrant between the two poles. As I was about to click, the yellow cab appeared in the shot. No attempts at profundity here. I just like this picture.

This was taken inside St. Patrick’s Church. I like the play of patterns and colors. The contrast I try to capture in my other shots is not in the picture but in my mind. While the shop windows outside were impressive, the grandness of the church and the lights from the votives were more awe-inspiring and brighter than any other Christmas display I saw.

Finally, the shot below. It’s not one of those I took, obviously. But, at the end of the day, New York – like any other place – is about being sorrounded by people you love and care for.

Happy New Year, everyone!