Lata [Can]

@ mirandablue

Gustuhin ko man maglahok ng medyo creative sa tema ngayong linggo, wala akong mahagilap ng litrato sa aking baol.  Sayang, may nakita akong laro sa perya n'ong Sabado ng gabi---mga nakasalansan na lata na binabato ng bola at mananalo ka ng stuffed toy pag naitumba mo lahat.  Syempre di ko naisip kuhanan ng litrato ang mga lata!  Kaya heto, mga di kasiyasiyang litrato ng mga de lata sa bahay na lang ang lahok ko. 

Tulad ng karaniwang Pinoy, nagho-hoard din ako ng de lata.  Nakakatipid ako sa oras gamit ang de lata kapag kailangan magluto ng mabilisan.  At isa sa mga libangan ko ay ang mag-ayos ng mga ito ayon sa kanilang expiry dates.  Sa unahan ang malapit ng mag-expire, sa likuran ng medyo matagal-tagal pa, at ang mag-e-expire na talaga, kailangan gagamitin o kakainin na kaagad.  Bata pa ako, ito na ang assignment ko sa tindahan ng aking lola.  Ang premyo ko ay lata ng Spam o Libby's corned beef na paborito kong pinapapak. 

Posted for Litratong Pinoy

@ mirandablue

I would have wanted to post something creative for the theme this week but I just couldn't find something interesting in my archives.  I was at the amusement park on Saturday night and there was a game where you strike a stacked cans with a tennis ball.  I took photos of the prize---a bunch of stuffed toys, but missed the cans.  So here are some lame photos of the canned goods I have at home.

Like most Filipinos, I hoard canned goods (afraid to go hungry when there is a calamity or power outage :p).  Canned goods save me time when cooking for a quick meal.  One of my therapies is to shelve them according to their expiry dates.  The ones in front need to be consumed soon, the ones at the back have a year or two left in their expiry dates.  As a child, I was given this assignment at my grandmother's store.  Then I was rewarded with a can of Spam or Libby's corned beef which were my favorite snacks.

For Thursday 2 Questions - you are invited to answer and join:

1)  What are your fondest childhood memories with your grandparents?

2)  What are the canned goods that you normally pick at the supermarket even when they're not in your shopping list? 

Fascinating Balanghai [Watery & Outdoor Wednesday]

@ mirandablue

I stumbled upon these wooden boats while taking a stroll at the Harbor Square along Manila Bay on Saturday night.  At first, I thought they were ordinary boats until I read "Diwata ng Lahi" etched on the side of the boat.  I got excited when I realized the three boats are the Balanghais [also called Balangay or Butuan boat]. These boats are replicas of the balanghai, a prehistoric boat that plied in the archipelago and around Southeast Asia centuries ago.

The first balanghai, Diwata ng Lahi (Spirit of the Race) was constructed in 2009.  Two other balanghais were subsequently built---Masawa Hong Butuan (Radiance of Butuan) and Sama Tawi-Tawi (People of Tawi-Tawi), all using ancient construction methods.  The shell is made of Dungon, the wood used by ancient Filipino boat builders, while the planks are connected with pegs (or dowels)---no nail was used on these boats.  And to make the balanghai water-tight, the builders used natural resin from mangrove trees.

The Voyage of the Balangay started in Manila on September 1, 2009 and was completed on December 13, 2010, covering more than 14,000 kilometers in 14 months.  The balanghais sailed around most of the Philippines and Southeast Asia ...(read article here) with 40 crew members.

Nine balanghais have been excavated in the 1970's by pot-hunters (those who excavate ceramic antiques without legal permits) in the areas of Butuan City in the northern coast of Mindanao.  The oldest boat found was carbon-dated at 320 AD or 1,690 years old, said to be the first water vessel excavated in Southeast Asia.

@ mirandablue

This is linked to Watery Wednesday and Outdoor Wednesday

A night at the CCP [My World-Tuesday]

@ mirandablue

The Cultural Center of the Philippines, or CCP as it is popularly known, is the seat of culture and arts in the country.  Performing companies representing dance, music and theater reside within the CCP.  Ballet Philippines is among the four resident dance companies, a resident theater company and four musical companies including the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra.

@ mirandablue

One of  Imelda Marcos' posh projects, CCP was created in 1966, to "promote and preserve Filipino arts and culture".  Designed by National Artist Leandro Locsin, CCP was built on reclaimed land in Manila Bay and was inaugurated in 1969.  It is a huge block with a marble facade cantilevered 12 meters from the terrace by huge arching columns at the sides, giving it an impression of floating.  The lagoon in front of the theater reflects the building at daytime and a lighted fountain illuminates it at night.  

CCP houses four theaters, a museum, a changing exhibit of Philippine art, galleries and a library.  Since its opening, it has showcased the Bolshoi, Kirov, Royal Danish ballets, as well as contemporary American, French, German, and Philippine companies.  

@ mirandablue
Cultural Center of the Philippines
Jan. 8th, 2011

CCP is a landmark along Roxas Boulevard in Manila.

Posted for My World -Tuesday

Glass chandelier [Ruby Tuesday]

@ mirandablue

I hunted antique shops late last year looking for side tables with inlaid mother-of-pearl.  At Jo Liza Antique Shop in Megamall, I spotted this beautiful red glass chandelier and wished my apartment is big enough for this chandelier!  Maybe someday---it's OK to dream.:p

This post is linked to Ruby Tuesday

Nalusuan Island foot-bridge [Sunday Bridges]

A 260-meter wharf and foot-bridge at Nalusuan Island near Mactan, Cebu.

Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go.  
~T.S. Eliot

This is linked to Sunday Bridges