SHINE 2: Night in the City

This week’s Daily Post Photo Challenge is SHINE.

Which is why self took her camera along when she caught a FACINE (Filipino Arts & Cinema International) 23 film screening at the Little Roxie on 16th St.

Halloween Already! San Francisco goes all out!

Heading to the Little Roxie on 16th St.

The film, Ari: My Life With a King, was sweet and gentle and lovely. Rooted in place.

Great script, great editing. By a first-time filmmaker, too. Remember his name:  Carlo Enciso Catu.

Self would like to give a shout-out to Mauro Feria Tumbocon, Jr. for nurturing this festival, now in its 23rd year.

The Festival’s last day is tomorrow. Tickets for individual films are $10.

Stay tuned, dear blog readers. Stay tuned.

Further Dreaminess: Abe’s Farm in Magalang, Pampanga

Abe’s Farm in Magalang, Pampanga is a working farm, but also a resort. Self took this picture in the resort’s restaurant.

Breakfast (Philippine mangoes are the BEST in the entire world)

Suman/Ibus for Breakfast: The sauce consists of melted brown sugar.

More and More Dreamy in Magalang, Pampanga

The Main Guest House on Abe’s Farm

Capiz Shell Lamp Overlooking the Sala (Living Room) of the Main Guest House

A View of the House Belonging to E. Aguilar “Abe” Cruz

Still More Dreamy in Magalang, Pampanga

Self spent the weekend poring over her pictures from last year’s sojourn to Magalang, Pampanga, where she was invited to address students of Pampanga Agricultural College.

She wouldn’t have looked back if it hadn’t been for this week’s Daily Post Photo Challenge, posted Friday: DREAMY.

Words from The Daily Post prompt:

real but not-real; silent, peaceful, perfect

House of E. Aguilar “Abe” Cruz in Magalang, Pampanga

The house of “Abe” Cruz is clearly a house that was designed by an artist. Each door, window, and screen has its own unique pattern of metal fretwork. LOVE.

The first floor of the house has been turned into a kind of museum, filled with family memorabilia and art. Self has no clue who the model was for this bust, but if she were to take a guess, she’d say it was Abe Cruz’s wife. Interesting, the woman’s face isn’t exactly beautiful but it’s a very strong face. The cheekbones!

Stay tuned, dear blog readers.  Stay tuned.

More Dreamy in Magalang, Pampanga

This week’s WordPress Photo Challenge is “Dreamy” :

“A misty morning, your handsome spouse, your grandmother’s house . . . this week, show us something dreamy.”

No question, self’s ultimate dreamy dream is anywhere in the Philippines:

Self’s Room on Abe’s Farm, Magalang, Pampanga, 2013

Abe’s Farm is a working farm. Self’s unit overlooked a small creek. Every day, self woke up thinking she was in Paradise.

The home of E. Aguilar “Abe” Cruz, writer and painter.  Abe Cruz was born and raised in Magalang. Abe’s Farm now belongs to his son, renowned restaurateur Larry J. Cruz.

Dreamy in Magalang, Pampanga: WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge

Last year, self went on two major trips: one to Venice, the other to the Philippines.

When she was in the Philippines, she visited Pampanga Agricultural College in Magalang, Pampanga. Her friend Alawi Canlas suggested she stay in a place called Abe’s Farm.

Self never wanted to leave.

Which is why, in response to this week’s WordPress Photo Challenge — DREAMY — self decided to post three photographs she took while she was at Abe’s Farm.

Abe’s Farm, Magalang, Pampanga: October 2013

Behind Self’s Unit in Abe’s Farm

Reading, Dreaming in Her Room in Abe’s Farm

Stay tuned, dear blog readers.  Stay tuned.

On the Move 3: WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge

Night, Bacolod City, the Philippines.  There’s a karaoke bar on the corner where men like to hang out late at night.

Self Made Alawi Canlas laugh! This is in Magalang, Pampanga, where Alawi teaches.

Streets of Manila: October 2013.  Manila is one of the most frenetic cities in the world.

 

Letters 2: WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge

It’s strange that self is in London but here she keeps posting about back home.

Nevertheless, she needs to store her London images for a while, it’s all a little bit much (i.e. overwhelming)

In the meantime, here’s a second post on the week’s theme:  LETTERS.

For this post, self decided to focus on signage.

San Luis Obispo Farmers Market, August 2011

Picture # 1:  Son attended Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.  Two years after he graduated, we finally attended San Luis Obispo’s famous Farmers Market, where self took this photo.

Filipino American Fiesta at Yerba Buena, summer 2011

Picture # 2:  There are so many Filipinos in the US of A!  And the biggest groups are in the San Francisco Bay Area.  Every year, there’s a Filipino fiesta at Yerba Buena Park in San Francisco.  Self wants to say August.  Pampanga, which self visited last year (at the invitation of Alawi Canlas, who she met when she was a Fulbright Fellow at Skyline College, several years ago) is famous for its cooking.

T-shirt is sold in the gift shop of L’Fisher Main.

Picture # 3 is self-explanatory.

Stay tuned, dear blog readers.  Stay tuned.

Final Selfies (Probably): WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge

First Olympic Headline of the Day:

LAST-PLACE SPEED SKATER WINS GOLD MEDAL AFTER EVERYONE ELSE FALLS DOWN

Self happened to catch figure skater Michael Christian Martinez, 17, the lone athlete from the Philippines, in the men’s free skate.  It was early, not even 8 a.m.

He had a fabulous costume, sort of “Disney Prince,” and very thick hair.  He did well.  According to commentator Tara Lipinski, he learned figure skating by watching TV.  Only recently was he able to get himself some professional training.

He closed his eyes briefly as he was waiting for the signal to start.  Oh man, self could hardly watch, she was so tense.

But he completed!  And did well enough!  YAY!!!