Images of Manila Bay

"If a picture paints a thousand words..."

Let these images in and around Manila Bay speak for itself. Dubbed as having the most spectacular sunsets and a cacopony of activities any given day, this place is a must visit while in Manila.

Things to see and do around Manila Bay:

1) Jog, brisk walk or do Aerobics

    If you are an early riser, head to Roxas Boulevard or the CCP Complex to get your morning juices going.  Jog with the rest of the early risers and fitness buff.

    Or if you are lucky, you may chance upon a free aerobics/zumba class at an open parking or a park along Roxas Boulevard or at the CCP Complex.

    Now if waking up early is not your thing, but you still want to get a sweat, you can jog or brisk walk around the area just before sundown. Luckily, you will be blessed with a spectacular sunset to marvel at, between short breaks.

2) Watch the dragon boat rowers practice

     If exercising early in the morning is not your thing but you still want to see what Manila Bay can offer, head out to Harbour Square's bayside and witness the rower's practicing.

     Oh, they sometimes practice late afternoons too. This shot was taken while on board a boat for the sunset dinner cruise.

3) Sit back, relax, and enjoy Manila Bay
   
     Find a space along the Roxas Boulevard boardwalk under those tall coconut trees any time of
     the day.  Or head to Harbour Square's boardwalk where it gives you an equally strategic view of 
     Manila Bay with the anchored yachts of Manila Yacht Club as your foreground.

     Early mornings and around sunset gives you so much to see, experience and enjoy.

    Witness the daily life around the area unfold before your eyes.  Cigarette and food vendors,
    families having a picnic, lovers on a date, children running around or walking their dogs, a few
    people fishing, masseuse for hire, and a lot more.
 

4) Take the Manila Bay Sunset Dinner Cruise

     There is no better way to fully experience the beauty than to join the Manila Bay Sunset Cruise.
     Food, music, camaraderie, fireworks and a beautiful sunset is just pure magic!

      There are two companies offering daily Manila Bay cruise. Check the links and reviews for a
      better choice.

       Sun Cruises
       Prestige Cruises

Food Truck Craze now in the Philippines - Cucina Andare!

After getting the food truck bug in New York City, we have never stopped raving about such novel idea. We kept on talking about our experience and wishing that we have something like it in the country. Watching Eat St. on Food Network made us crave for it more.

Boy, were we glad when we learned about the very first food truck market in the country!

From the organizers of Mercato Centrale at BGC, comes Cucina Andare at the Glorietta Park, Makati. Happening every week from Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 4:00pm to 3:00am.

Cucina Andare has rows of food trucks and food stalls selling food from all over the world. Mexican? American? Arabic? Filipino? Japanese? or just plain simple hotdog sandwich but with a twist? Cucina Andare has it! Traditional, fusion and new discoveries. They got it all.

Visiting this place once is not enough. I plan to go back and try the other food offers.

What caught our attention on our first visit? Let us count the ways...

1) Chicken/Beef Shawarma by Shawarma Bros.
     One of the most popular food trucks, "Delicious just like the one we tasted in NYC!"   Their bestseller is the Lamb Steak Shawarma, but since we are no lamb eaters, we went the safe way---chicken and beef.
  

Shawarma Bros truck

Beef Shawarma Rice (photo courtesy of Shawarma Bros)

Shawarma Bros Menu

2) Crunchy Belly by Carlo's Kitchen
    "Crispy and not too salty."

Crispy Belly by Carlo's Kitchen

3) New Orleans Ribs from Hick's Famous Ribs
    "Soft to the bone, sweet, tangy and spicy."

Hick's Famous Ribs

Aliwan Fiesta --- Feel the beat!

Aliwan'09

..an annual gathering of Philippine fiestas' staple --- street dancing! Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao are represented by colorful, pulsating street dances that leaves one in awe. If you want to see a glimpse of how various provinces celebrate their fiestas, this is the place to be. 

I witnessed my first Aliwan Fiesta in 2009. Sadly, never had the time to watched again after that. Aliwan Fiesta 2011 will be on April 14-16, 2011---hopefully, I will have the chance to shoot and be mesmerized once again by the spectacle that it is!
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April 25, 2009
Saturday

Decided last minute to spend my free day with my daughter and to shoot Aliwan.

By 3pm, there were a lot of photographers around Aliw Theater taking photos of the many beautiful and creative floats. I decided to join the fray. Whew! what a hot, hot day!...after seeking refuge in a cool restaurant around the area and taking a cool drink, I proceeded to the photographers area to await the start of the show.

Was not lucky enough to get a "front seat" so contented myself to taking shots between the 

shoulders of the two guys in front of me for the first 3 contingents. After the Dinagyang group, the guy in front of me left and so I moved up front. But with the men squeezing in, I can't hardly move. Stayed only until 6pm as I felt that it might rain anytime.