BY BEADED STORY: September 2013

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?