Batik/Mantsa [LP]

Kanina ko lang napanood ang Sherlock Holmes at naalala ko ang mga litrato ng Tower Bridge at Tower of London sa aking archive. At tamang-tama naman, wala pa pala akong litrato sa tema ngayong Huwebes.

Niluma na ng panahon ang Tower of London---halata naman sa mga lumot at batik sa dingding na bato.

Itinayo noong 1078 ang makasaysayang Tower of London. Buhay na ba ang lolo mo n'on? Ito raw ang pinaka-haunted na lugar sa Britain---marami kasing pinahirapan, pinatay at binitay dito. Itinayo ang Tower of London bilang isang fortress, palasyo at kulungan ng mga VIP. Naging armory din ito, taguan ang pananalapi ng hari, at mula 1303, dito nakalagak ang crown jewels ng UK. Sayang at hindi ko napasok ito, kulang kasi sa oras.

Ito naman ay hindi istatwa na puno ng grasa...s'ya ay isang mime artist sa sidewalk sa Paris. Gumagalaw lang ang mime artist kapag naghulog ka ng pera sa batya n'ya. Naligo yata ito ng pintura para magmukha s'yang tansong rebulto. Sa tingin mo, kaya pa kaya ng Tide Ultra tanggalin ang mantsa sa damit n'ya?

Posted for Litratong Pinoy

Litratong Pinoy: Pangarap ko [My dream]

Trafalgar Square in London

Libre ang mangarap. At ang sabi nga ni Paulo Coelho, kapag nais mo ng isang bagay, ang sandaigdigan ay magtutulong-tulong upang makamit mo ito. Sa totoo lang, ang dami kong pangarap---isa na d'on ay ang makahanap ng girlfriend para kay Fritz na magugustuhan din n'ya. Medyo pihikan kasi ang alaga ko. Pangarap ko rin na magkaroon na ng katatagan pang-ekonomiya ang buong mundo sa lalong madaling panahon. Kung hindi man yon mangyayari agad, sana mananalo na lang muna ako ng lotto jackpot para makapag-shopping ako ng todo-todo at makakatulong sa pagpapasigla ng ekonomiya.:D

At kahit medyo imposible sa ngayon, pinapangarap ko rin ang araw na magkakaisa ang mga Pinoy, hindi lang sa mga rally at laban ni Pacquiao kundi pati sa pagkakapit-bisig para sa kabutihan ng karamihan na walang pulitika. At syempre pa, world peace---o di ba, pang Miss Universe?

Pero sa aking pagninilay-nilay habang sinusulat ko 'to, pangarap ko talaga ang makabalik muli sa Europe bago ako magkarayuma at mawalan na ng gana sa pamamasyal. Taon 2005 pa noong ako'y napadpad doon at sana mabibigyan uli ng pagkakataon na maranasan ko ang ibang parte pa ng Europe. Ang mga litratong ito ay kuha nong 2005.

Big Ben in London

Dreams are free. And according to Paulo Coelho, when you want something, the entire universe will conspire to help you achieve it. Truth be told, I have a million and one dreams---one of which is to find a girlfriend for Fritz, I'd like to see his pups soon. I also dream of a global economic and financial stability, but if strategies wouldn't work soon enough, I fancy of winning a lotto jackpot so I could shop till I drop, at the same time help stimulate the economy.:D

It may sound impossible, but I still dream of the day when Filipinos unite, not only at rallies and boxing matches but in working towards the common good sans politics. And of course, like any other beauty queen, I aspire for world peace.:D

But reflecting on what I really wish for most of all, it's my fervent hope to return to Europe before arthritis spoils my appetite for travel. It was in 2005 when I first got the chance to visit Europe and I hope I'd be given an opportunity to experience Europe once again. These photos were taken on that 2005 trip.

Basilique du Sacre-Coeur in Paris

a scary statue at the Duomo in Milan

Buckingham Palace Gardens

Posted for Litratong Pinoy

Litratong Pinoy: Eksayted (excited)

Halos halikan ko ang sahig ng Louvre Museum no'ng una akong pumasok rito. Hindi ako makapaniwala na mabibisita ko ang pamosong museum na ito sa Paris at makakaharap sa tunay na buhay ang mga obra na nakikita ko lang dati sa mga libro. Lalo na ang sikat na larawan ni Mona Lisa na iginuhit ni Leonardo da Vinci noong 16th century. Sa aking eksaytment, naiwan ko sa tren ang aking nabiling sapatos (huhuhu!).

Louvre Museum, Paris

I almost kissed the floor of the Louvre Museum the first time I set foot in its lobby. I could never believe that I was actually visiting the world-famous museum in Paris, and that I'd be able to see, face to face, the works of art that I only saw in books---especially the famous Mona Lisa, a portrait painted by Leonardo da Vinci in the 16th century. In my excitement, I left behind in the train a pair of shoes that I just bought.

More exciting photos at Litratong Pinoy.

We'll always have Paris...

Bogart’s unforgettable line from the movie, Casablanca, reminds me of the euphoric time of my life…my first trip to Paris two years ago. Though it was a business trip, I spent more time sight-seeing than actually working. Paris is an overwhelming city to visit for the first time. There’s so much to see and experience.

Gzel posted a photo of the Eiffel Tower in her site Mirage as Usual, and I envy her clear shot. My photo of the famous Paris landmark was taken around 1 am while I was lying on the park that hot September night, drinking red wine from a plastic cup. I regret that I was an indifferent ‘photographer’ then. I feasted my eyes on the beauty of people and places I visited then took photos as an afterthought. Moments cannot be recaptured, I realize that now. At least, the great moments I have in Paris are framed in mind.

La Basilique du Sacre Coeur de Montmartre

a street in Paris
Arc de Triomphe, where I watched the sunset at 8 pm

Nike of Samothrace at the Louvre

outside Musee du Louvre


Michaelangelo's The Dying Slave


Venus de Milo


A good snapshot stops a moment from running away. ~Eudora Welty