BornFree Goes to Binondo

Filipino - Chinese Arch at Binondo.

It was a gloomy afternoon when Mark and i decided to go to Binondo, Manila or commonly known as "China Town" . Its also quite a challenge co'z i only have 500 pesos in my pocket - "kasya kaya to?" :) "Challenge Accepted!" Let's hit the road of Binondo,Manila.

The name "Binondo" is a toponym derived from the archaic spelling of the Tagalog term "binondoc" (modern orthography: binundók), or mountainous, referring to the district's originally hilly terrain. - Source is Wikipedia.

This famous Ongpin Street brings out tons childhood memories.

Minor Basilica of San Lorenzo Ruiz also known as Binondo Church.

The area is one of the center of commerce and trade for all types of goods and businesses run by Filipino-Chinese merchants.

Chow time!!! We ate at Eng Bee Tin i ordered the Wanton Noodle Soup. Yummm! :)

And Mark's Pork Asado Noodle Soup...

And a refreshing Winter Melon Tea or "Kundol" in tagalog.

Just a thought: Since time immemorial our forefathers and these Chinese trade, live and eventually became a part of our everyday lives in this little town of Binondo. Recently, we have some conflict with China over disputed Islands in the West Philippine sea. Can we just co- exist, look back and maybe consider the strong bond as a Filipino - Chinese? Even though we are very different in terms Culture and Tradition, yet i think we should live harmony.

BornFree Hits the Road of Intramuros

It was a boring Sunday for me so i decided to go and hit the road of Intramuros, Manila. Damn it was hot and humid but it did not stop me to walk and walk and walk and take pictures of the old city. Intramuros was the seat of government during the Spanish Colonial Period. The name Intramuros derived from a Latin word which means "within the walls" thus the district outside the wall were referred to as Extramuros which means "outside the walls".

At the end of World War II, all of the structures in Intramuros were destroyed by both the Japanese Imperial Forces and U.S Air Force. Of all the churches, government buildings, schools and residences, only one structure, the Church of San Agustin survived the heavy bombardment but not without any damage.

The present day structures inside the walled City was restored by then President Ferdinand E. Marcos in 1951 when it was declared as a national shrine.

"Its my first time to have a photo walk alone, yes i'm nervous co'z i don't know what to expect but i enjoyed it, most of the pictures that i will be posting are in grayscale or in sepia to really capture beauty of Old Manila."

Before hitting the road, just a simple reminder :)

A view of Manila City Hall "Clock Tower".

Puerta del Parian

"sentry station" or tower

"laryo" or bricks detail of the ceiling in one of the chambers.

The "Memorare" this monument remembers all the innocent people who died during the Liberation of Manila.

The Manila Cathedral also known as The Basilica of the Immaculate Conception.

The San Agustin Church was constructed during the Spanish colonial period, it is listed as UNESCO's World Heritage Site.

The facade of San Agustin Church shows the rich Chinese influence of the structure.

Ornate doors of San Agustin Church.

"Habang naglalakad, ako'y napapa-isip, kung makakapag salita ang mga pinto, ang mga pader, bintana, eskinita at pasilyo ng Intramuros ano kaya ang kanyang sasabihin ano kaya ang kanyang e kukwento sa akin? Siguro'y tungkol sa mga dayuhang tsino, espanyol o americano, o dili kaya'y tungkol sa mga nag -daang digmaan, sa mga indio at mga mestizo, sa mga binibini at mga solterong tumatakas sa kanilang mga magulang para mag-kita, o mga prayle na kamukha ni Padre Damaso. Siguro isa sa mga nilalakaran ko ngayon ay nilalakaran ni Dr. Jose Rizal. Isa sa mga gusaling ito ay ginanap ang mga engrandeng piging ng mga mayayaman sa lugar, siguro ito ay saksi sa mga pang aapi, kurapsyon, pag paslang ng mga inosente at walang sala sa pagpupulong sa isang pag aaklas o himagsikan, sa pag hahayag ng kalayaan... o kaya's mga liihim na di na kailangang e hayag o dapat nalang manatiling lihim pang habang buhay".

"Kung makakapag salita sila ano kaya sa tingin mo ang kanilang e kukuwento at sasabihin sayo?"

BornFree Hits the Road Feature: Cinemalaya 2012

The Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival is a film festival in Manila held annually on the month of July at the Cultural Center of the Philippines. Now on its eighth year, Cinemalaya is a project of the Cinemalaya Foundation, Cultural Center of the Philippines, Film Development Council of the Philippines and Econolink Investments, Inc. It is an all-digital film festival and competition that aims to discover, encourage and honor cinematic works of Filipino filmmakers that boldly articulate and freely interpret the Filipino experience with fresh insight and artistic integrity. The Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival will be held in the Cultural Center of the Philippine on July 20 to 29, 2012.

The ten finalists in the New Breed Full-Length Feature category are:

Ang Katiwala (The Caretaker) by Aloy Adlawan

Ang Nawawala (What Isn’t There)by Marietta “Marie” Jamora

Oros by Paul Sta. Ana

Aparisyon by Vincent Sandoval and Darlene Malimas

Dayo (Alien) by Julius Sotomayor Cena

REQUIEME by Loy Arcenas

Santa Nina by Emmanuel Q. Palo

MNL 143 by Emerson Reyes

Lola Igna by Eduardo W. Roy Jr.
Diablo by Mes de Guzman
-No video/trailer available.


The five finalists in the Directors Showcase are:

The Directors Showcase is open to full length feature works by Filipino directors who have directed at least three full-length commercial feature films. 

Bwakaw by Jun Lana

Kalayaan (Wildlife) by Adolfo B. Alix Jr.

Posas by Jeffrey Jeturian

Mga Mumunting Lihim by Jose Javier Reyes

Kamera Obskura by Raymond Red
-No video/trailer available.



General Ticket Information:
Regular Price:
Php150/head per screening

Discounts available for the ff:
50% off for students (CCP Screenings only)
20% off for Senior Citizens
20% off for Government & Military Personnel

For more information about the 8th Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival, visit www.cinemalaya.org or call 832-3704/832-3706. CCP BOX OFFICE AT TEL. NO. 832-3704, 9AM-6PM TUESDAYS TO SATURDAYS

*Text and other information from Cultural Center of the Philippine and Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival. 

BornFree Hits the Road Feature: Philippine Pop Music Festival

“The First Philippine Popular Music Festival” is a songwriting competition open to all amateur and professional composers who are Filipinos or of Filipino descent residing in the Philippines. The competition not only aims to celebrate the talent of Filipino songwriting, but to glorify the contributions of songwriters and composers to the Filipino music industry.

Orchestrating the competition is no other than Maestro Ryan Cayabyab, the country’s prominent songwriter, musician, academic, and the Festival’s Executive Director.

The competition aims to: a.) Provide a channel which Filipino songwriters can create new songs, discover new expressions or genres in popular music; b.) Spark a renewed awareness, enthusiasm, and pride in Philippine music; c.) Start a brand new collection of freshly created Original Pilipino Music; and d.) Discover and promote new Filipino songwriters and singers.

Finals Night :

July 14, 2012 at the PICC Plenary Hall

Prizes:

Grand Prize P 1,000,000.00 + trophy
1st Runner Up P 500,000.00 + trophy
2nd Runner Up P 250,000.00 + trophy
People’s Choice P 200,000.00 + trophy

Non-winning finalists shall automatically receive P50,000.00 cash and a plaque.

For more information about the Philippine Popular Music Festival 2012, visit support@philpop.com.ph or call 632 856 7888.

***Text and Info are courtesy of http://philpop.com.ph