Walk this Way

I'm back (I hope).  I guess living and breathing real life pretty much explains the long break. 

 

Let's see...

One,  I moved to a new home which surely entailed time and strength.  I'm finally settled, with less tweaking these days.  My hubby believes that my satisfaction on style and design will forever and consistently be on the move.  No such thing as permanent spot around this house.  Every single thing moves by the "minute" of the day.

 

Two, I am happy over my clients response on  By Beaded Story's  new collection called Rosa Cruz.  There are two designs in this collection, first of which was posted here, while the second may be seen in facebook.  All have long been sold, so that's one big YEHEY!  Definitely, more pieces are coming soon.  Watch out for it!

 

Third,  my hubby and I thought of exploring a bit deeper the ins and outs of our very own fun Philippines which  meant scrapping off the foreign travel plan  originally mapped out by the end of the year.  So aside from  my regular  Tagaytay and  Baguio trips, a quick Cebu getaway happened a few months back wherein the beads of  Avatar Cebu was  my topmost agenda. Surely an eye candy destination that in some way resulted to feeling overwhelmed given the countless beads displayed and scattered all around the store.  Now I know beads can make me feel so confused too.  Chatting with the beaders of Avatar, on the other hand, was absolutely fun and inspiring. 

 

Meanwhile, last Saturday was about Carlos Celran's animated and informative WALK THIS WAY tour of Intramuros Manila.

I've been planning to join this tour for so long  given the number of interesting reviews I have read and heard.  But it was only on Monday of last week when my hubby and I seriously considered due to a visiting friend. 

I'm glad we joined the tour.   Celdran's animated and theatrical way of telling stories had surely captured everyone's attention.  No dull moment.  As eyes and ears were on him, he walked us through a vast  historical past of the Philippines,  interspersed with interesting trivialities never been shared in any social studies or history class.

 

As shown by Celdran, this is the seal of Malacanang Palace.

While this is the Seal of San Miguel BEER (as researched in google).  See the similarity of the two seals?  Lol!

Courtesy of www.istorya.net

And, how about this famous photo of General Douglas Macarthur's return to the Philippines?  It took three shots to get it right by the way.

Courtesy of Wikipedia.org.





Celdran's aim with his 12-year old tour is simply to change the way we look at Manila despite  its  current deteriorated state.  In my case, Manila has long become my personal experience.  I have  been vocal of my love and adoration for what it was then, and for what it is now.  A quarter of my life was spent in Manila.  I took my collegiate degree in a University located along the stretch of Taft Avenue. I completed a photo essay that revolved around the life along the LRT as required by a Photography class.  My mom's place of work was originally located along Roxas Boulevard, and so was Tita Cyn's advertising agency.  My paternal grandmother taught Literature in Philippine Women's University where I spent my summer breaks for swimming and Bayanihan dance classes.   Then, weeks of immersion and exploration of Quiapo, Divisoria and Binondo transpired while working for my "Spanish" bosses a few years back. And to this day,  I continue to travel Manila's chaotic roads  because of Quiapo.   I don't mind the traffic since it gives me time to appreciate both old and new structures I see.  Yet, these ain't enough.  Believe me, there's so much to see and discover.

 

While on my way to Quiapo two weeks ago, I took notice of a beautiful structure tucked behind lush trees.  I had imagined of  exploring its grounds one day, then immediately followed by an absurd dream of possibly taking a slice of my education here in my next life.  This is Santa Isabel College.

Courtesy of santaisabel.edu.ph

 

My imagination does run wild on days I am in Manila, and in some way inspires me to create more.  As written on Celdran's poster, "If these walls could talk". Oh yes, the walls do talk but only to those who willingly listen and see beyond.  Since Saturday, I've been encouraging family and friends to join this tour as well.  While the past occupies majority of the talk, it had given me a deeper understanding on how the past had strongly influenced and contributed to what Manila is today.  My hubby now understands and appreciates more.  Manila is beautiful...And truly an inspiring experience. How about you?  How do you see Manila? 

 



A brush up on history pre-Spanish times under shady trees.



 

A short walk towards the gate of Fort Santiago.

 

Photo spot by the gate of Fort Santiago.

 

Known as Guardia Sibil during the Spanish colonization.

 

Chocnut (proudly Philippine made) break. My hubby's back (in green).  Numero uno chocnut suki.

 

American colonization.

 



Peeping bell tower of Manila Cathedral.



 

Formerly a bomb shelter, now a theater.

 

The animated Carlos Celdran depicting the Japanese colonization.

 

For a moment, I thought Central Park NY. Still in Fort Santiago.

Us :)

 

Parked kalesas.



Kalesa ride to San Agustin Church.



 

A typical street within the walled city of Intramuros today.

 



Intramuros today.



San Agustin Church.



In front of San Agustin Church.

Last stop for Halo-Halo.





Halo-Halo for merienda while listening to Carlos Celdran's closing remarks.



 

To know more about this tour, visit Carlos Celdran's blog.

 

ROSA CRUZ (Pink Cross) COLLECTION

Last Christmas, Tita Olive had given me a huge bag of beads mostly arranged this way.

Not knowing what it was nor what it had meant, I re-used the beads for other arrangements.  On the last piece, I had then thought of checking  in google what this arrangement was  about.
 

courtesy of www.culturetaste.com

As described in wikipedia, Worry beads or Komboloi is a string of beads used   for relaxation or simply to pass time.  It serves as an amulet from bad luck as well.    Read more HERE. The thought of it since then would pop once in awhile.  So, I had made a mental note that I will refer to it or perhaps be inspired by it one day.  But not just yet.

 

I then went on a quick trip to Baguio with my parents and J. Bond. We enjoyed the cool weather and had photos taken with the participating floral floats of the Panagbenga Festival. 
 

 

Liliw and Paete with an aunt happened next. On top of shopping, my main purpose was to see color combination and patterns in the form of shoes, wood works or simply un-manicured nature.
 

 

While on these trips, I had carried along the thought of Komboloi Worry beads. Nothing transpired until the news of a Pink Party this Saturday came along.
 

 

 

A celebration in Pink is bound to happen this Saturday. I have never been fond of pink. Too girly, too sweet. In fact, it is one color I rarely use on my bead pieces unless a request comes along.  But this time, I accept pink for what it means. 

 

Over the weekend, I had finally worked on untouched pendants from long ago while deep in thought about  my PINK SCARE years ago and how it had recently entered and affected my dear friend's life.  I won't get into details for  now.  After the celebration, I will share and elaborate. 

 

The first batch is done but not for selling yet.  I am still in the mode of reflection, accepting and understanding what Pink is all about.  But today, I officially call this collection the ROSA CRUZ Collection... or rather the "Pink Cross".

 

     

Nothing is literally pink in this collection.  With Komboloi Worry Beads used finally as my inspiration, Rosa Cruz depicts what pink is all about.  Compassion, Nurturing, and Love.

 

   

Intuitive. Insightful.

 

     

Calming.

 

A sign of HOPE.

 



First Stop: LILIW LAGUNA

By Beaded Story has in some way led me to explore various places, discover interesting stuff and come across little surprises.  For example, a soap shopping spree visit to Ilog Maria in Silang, Cavite a few months back took a surprising turn when I noticed Casetta del Divino Zelo situated a few meters away. You may read and see more photos of Casetta del Divino Zelo HERE.

Quaint and surrounded by lush greens,  Casetta del Divino Zelo is ran and operated by the Daughters of Divine Zeal.  Though unplanned, I toured their grounds, had lunch, enjoyed the peacefulness of the place and came across  Rogate's banner.  In a matter of minutes, I found myself in Rogate and had purchased the medal of St. Joseph.

Travelling, either locally or in a foreign land, surely comes with lots of happy surprises.  Two days ago, J. Bond and a handful of family members tagged along Liliw and Paete, both in Laguna, as I went on another quest for By Beaded Story.  This time, I had four reasons:  1)  I needed another Neck and Body form for displaying my bead pieces, 2) To bring home a couple of Takas, 3) To see nature's color and how they contradict yet blend with each other, and 4) Inspiration, for it is when I feel inspired that By Beaded Story continues to exist :)

First stop, Liliw, Laguna for tsinelas (slippers) and shoes. I won't get into details on the next photos. Like what I said, I went on this trip for inspiration (and of course, shopping!).

A couple of kilometers away from Liliw, ahead of us were twelve kids happily on-board a tricycle.

Liliw's famous Gat Tayaw Street.  Lined-up along this street are countless shoe shops.
 

 As expected, I was drawn to beaded slippers.

 Floral patterns.

Cute colorful mice flats. 

 Badong is my source for beaded alfombra slippers.

A fully beaded alfombra slipper.

 

Huge slippers on display along Gat Tayaw Street.

St. John the Baptist Church, otherwise known as Liliw Church.

 

 Beautiful facade.

In love with the tile color and pattern.

 

The Altar.

 

Striking colors of the stained glass window.

 

Candle Boy.

Lovely candle colors.

 

Next stop:  Paete.  To be continued...