Happy Dependence Day

July 4 marks the day when finally we were really free from any Spanish, American, or Japanese rule.  The Americans "set us free" on this day (presumably from the Japanese) more than 60 years ago.  They did leave their military bases which we did not kick out until close to 50 years later.  Unfortunately, we cannot look at July 4 as our real independence day.  Of course we celebrate our independence on June 12 - when we were "free" from the Spanish (but actually just sold to the US).  But if we were celebrating it on July 4, we would be celebrating also the American's independence day (and most likely in an American way).  So while we were set free on this day, I don't know if we can say we are truly free.  That's just smart of them.  So is it better to celebrate our independence on June 12 - free from Spain, but not from the US - or on July 4 - free from the US except that it's a US day.  Unless we ignore them - Americans are our biggest export market because like them, we think they are the world.  They call the NBA champion the World Champions - but they cannot really win all the time in FIBA championships, and so on.  But they're not even 1/6 of the world's population.  For us to be free, we should be looking not just beyond the Pacific but also north of the South China Sea, or to the southeast Pacific, or beyond the South China Sea towards the Indian Ocean and to the "real world" that comprises most of the world's population and land area - Europe, Asia, and South Asia.

Where there is Inequality where there should be Balance

These two flags are of the same size, on the same height flagpole, raised at exactly the same pace and time, and symmetrically placed across the same marker.  Yet because others take this point of view, one seems larger than the other.  Do they do that because of the difference in color between the flags?  Or is it just for convenience?  Racism, or other similar words and concepts, is all about taking one point of view and not considering the whole context.

Flames of Freedom

 To live in freedom's light is the right of mankind.

Amen!

Asymmetry between Symmetry and Asymmetry

Guess where. :-D

Can you spot the lines of symmetry and/or asymmetry? :-D

Christ Has Risen

Is it just me or do I see a cross here?
Appears intentional though. Nonetheless...

Happy Easter!

Getting Away

Nothing is like getting away compared to being in the middle of the ocean with no island visible on 360 degrees of horizon and nothing but blue skies and blue water.  No mobile phone signals.  No wi-fi.  No e-mail checking.  No text messages.  No buggers.  No one else... but one.  No other boats.  But I do need a boat.  I don't like to be floating all by myself.  And I do need to know that the boat has at least some form of radio communications.  And life vests.  And enough supply of food and drinking water until we start moving back ashore.  And someone who knows how to maneuver the boat and use a compass.  Just in case a storm comes along.  But I sure hope not!

Other than that, it is just nothing but peace and tranquility and calmness and clarity and warmth and faith and oneness with a stronger Force...  Like Water.  So serene, so gentle, it rains life, and yet it can consume you just as you consume it.  

But I love Water. Water is good, all the time.

Leaving Home

"Mommy, mommy, where are we heading for? I can't see our home anymore."

"We're going on a vacation, honey."

Another shot on a ferry from Manila across Manila Bay towards historic Corregidor.

Corregidor

I have been to Corregidor twice, roughly about thirteen years apart (1994 and 2007).  There is something about it that I love.  Maybe it's the being away and isolated from my urban Manila home.  And yet being just an hour or so away.  This is probably my favorite shot of all time.  If it ever gets overthrown as my favorite shot of all time, at least from my Corregidor shots, I'm pretty sure it will stay as my favorite.

Manila, Manila

I liked this shot.

I liked this one, too.

These are another set of views of Manila and Manila Bay, from a ferry headed for historic Corregidor.  I took these shots in succession and the effect - it looked like just a bunch of yachts on the first picture and right in the 2nd picture you see one speed boat adding to the calm charm of Manila and Manila Bay just after sunrise.  You can see the different shade of blue between the water (feels closer to "Bondi" blue) and the sky (sky blue?).  Anyhow, you can also see the infamous Manila smog - you can usually see it hover over the metropolis during this time of the day and given this nice, clear-skies weather.  Well, I love my Manila. :-)

Which one do you like better?  The first or second photo?

Land of the Morning... Cradle of Noble Heroes

Taken from the ferry that brought me from Manila across Manila Bay towards Corregidor. Historic places that have shaped our beloved Pearl of the Orient.

Blue Waters

Guess where these photos were taken at. Yup, those are real live sea creatures swimming in real sea water. :-D

Manila, Manila (Ortigas Actually)

Actually, this needs some cropping. This is showing the corner of EDSA and Ortigas Avenue back in 2003. This was taken during mid-day on a working weekday. No signs of the infamous 'Manila Traffic.'

Singapore

This one I took a picture of somewhere in Singapore. I think it's by the Fountain of Life(?).  Nothing so fancy... :-D