An Afternoon, An Architect and a Park

I haven't been able to go out and shoot lately because my wanderlust buddy/boyfriend  had to focus on his studies. Now that exams are over and he's an ARCHITECT too (he did great, I'm very proud), we're back to our usual photo walks :)

Paco Park is a walled circular recreation spot found along Gen. Luna St. in Manila. Once a cemetery for the Spanish elite, it is now a good place to take a short walk and just breathe. National Hero, Jose Rizal was interred here after his execution. Thus a bust stands in a portion of the park to commemorate that event.

Now a popular wedding venue, there were 2 weddings while we were there, one after the other, this walled garden also houses the Chapel of St. Pancratius, which I hope to see the interiors of some other time.

Arch Entrance

Rizal

Walkway

Niche

A wedding

Chapel

Man vs fowl

Central Fountain

Pathways above the walls surround the park

Chapel of  St. Pancratius

In case you need an explanation..

I started a photography scavenger hunt with a few friends late last year, the project was named WEEKEND WANDERLUST. Coined after the fact that the only time we all have to actually go out and find something to photograph, was on the weekends. Now work and time wasn't kind to us and we scrapped that project early this year. But I still do go out most weekends to find something to photograph, or to create something or to just go out to experience anything that will take me out of the wonderful monotony that is work.

So I hope you join me as I struggle to make things of value to myself. I'll be posting actual projects, side projects, random stuff and a few stories along the way.

-k

10 Sites Project: The Cultural Center of the Philippines and Election Day

Spent the better half of the day patiently trying to remember how to use watercolor. Rendering manually has never been a strong suit for this architect. But that's one of the reasons a friend and I decided to re-do our college plates. I definitely want to get better at it, there's just something about watercolor that's whimsical and fun.

Also this may sound weird but I love the rush of making sure the watercolor doesn't drip or spread too much. :D Next weekend we're doing the UP CARILLION. 

To those of you who may not know, or live in my country, today is Election day, the mid-term one, just for local government officials and senators. So we woke up early to go out and vote.

I may not be the most patriotic or the most politically interested person, but my father greatly influenced and convinced me to register three years ago and to start exercising my right to vote. 

Two elections now and I sort of grasp what the big deal is all about. Voting is important. It's the chance you get to control or influence how the next three or six years will be for your neighborhood, your city and your country. And your bets may not win but taking the time to actually think of what you want for your country and for your fellowmen is a pretty big responsibility. We shouldn't be so passive about government because whether we like it or not, it affects us. So yeah..go out and vote. ^_^

Where did you go this weekend? Any cool places? 

The 10 Sites Project: One McKinley Place

Heritage Sunday: Sunset at the Met

It's like seeing an old lady, sitting on her chair and thinking, ' The wrinkles on her face only show how rough time has been, but her beauty still shines through'.

That's how I felt whenever I used to pass by the Metropolitan Theater on my way to school. I deeply wished I saw it in all its Art Deco glory.

The last part of the Royal Postage Heritage Tour was a sunset view atop this magnificent structure and a look into its interior.

The Manila City Hall

Train

Lyceum of the Philippines University

Metropolitan Theater

Architect: Juan M. Arellano
Location: Manila                               
Capacity: 1670

My little architecture-fangirl heart was filled with much joy seeing the insides, I don't have much photos to share, it was dark and my pop-up flash was no use. But at the end of it I just felt this sadness at the Met's current state.

Restorations are still ongoing, though slow and barely recognized. One could only hope to see this building brought back to life any time soon.

This ends my entries on the Royal Postal Heritage Tour. If you have time, do sign up for it and donate some cash for the restoration of the Met.

Heritage Sunday: Intramuros

As the afternoon went on, we were led to the oldest district of Manila, Intramuros. During the Spanish occupation, Intramuros was used as fortification. We walked along Magallanes Drive, only a few meters away from the Metropolitan Theater, which would be the last portion of the tour.

The National Press Club Building was out first stop, built in 1954, and designed by Angel E. Nakpil. 

National Press Club Building

Spiral Staircase

Mosaic Merlion

Puerta Isabel

Puerta Isabel

Intendencia (Aduana) Ruins

Maestranza Walls

Heritage Sunday: Manila Central Post Office

A few weeks ago, a friend and I decided to re-do some of our college rendering plates, the '10 Sites' plate to be exact. For our visual techniques class we were given 10 locations/ structures to render with any medium of our choosing. We decided to start with the Metropolitan Theater and upon my research for images to sketch, I found a non-government organization that hosts monthly tours within the building. You could imagine my excitement. I used to pass by the theater daily, admiring it, wishing I saw it during its heyday and not its current state. Always curious of how it looks inside. (The building is currently closed to the general public). This simple photo-search led me to one of the most interesting Sunday's of the year, so far.

The Royal Postal Heritage Tour is a monthly event the Filipinas Stamp Collector's Club hosts. It is a free tour for anyone who wants to get to know a lot about heritage. Trust me, this is probably the closest you can be to a getting to know these buildings if you're not in school or if you do not have an architecture-geek friend. :D 

My Heritage Sunday began with a tour of one of the most well known old buildings in Manila, The Manila Central Post Office.

HOME + GALLERY

ZONED

Maybe meant to be

My earliest memory as a toddler, how the home I was born in looked like. I remember when you enter, a piano would greet you. I remember that the full height windows let the light in beautifully. I remember the wood floors and the pale blue door that meant my room, my crib was in there.

It was probably the Lego blocks I got for one of my birthdays, or the drawing desk I religiously carried out to our front yard and spent countless afternoons with, or the first time I played Sims, but I remember vividly that moment I became aware of space and furniture and how changing the arrangement of things could renew a room.

Maybe it was meant to be, maybe I showed early signs of somehow pursuing the design profession. Maybe I truly belong here. Maybe, join me as I figure it out?

Fast forward to today where I'm shuffling around my world, trying to figure out my own style; learning from everything that happens along the way and constantly listening to the ideas that pop out of my brain daily.

I'm Kat, and I'm an architect, a designer, a creative. I've set out to share my musings about designs, my own creations and the colorful, messy but fun things that happen in between.