Videos by Team BigWave: Eliz at 18

A radical theme for our rocker debutante. Definitely not your usual debut. Watch and indulge your rebellious side.
Videography and editing by Len Estaris
Music: Supermassive Black Hole - Muse (Emre B Remix); Uprising - Muse (Does It Offend You Remix); Genesis - Justice (Datsu Remix)

Side note:  We also covered the debut of Eliz' older sister a few years back.  I'll upload that video soon.

For Ritchie

Today is Ritchie’s birthday. And for 21 days we will be the same age (not that it’s of any importance -- we just like teasing each other about it). We started out as, not even as “friends” but as concert and drinking buddies. I first met him outside of his high school alma mater, while we were both still in, well high school. It was just a brief hi, hello thing as I was then going out with one of his friends (and he with a batch mate of mine). The next time we met I was already in college and he and my best friend picked me up from school. The three of us then went to a mall to buy our Pearl Jam tickets. Outside of the Pearl Jam concert, we would see each other during drinking sessions. We were not friends yet, just people who drank with a bunch of other people, did crazy stuff, said “fuck you” and “ t*ng *na ka” to each other a lot. Those expletives were not out of anger of course, they were just a part of the normal rowdy conversations we often have with our friends and drinking buddies. My best friend then went to the US and my drinking session with him and our drinking “group” stopped. When my best friend came back home for a visit, the said group of course started seeing each other again. And that was when we all started to become good friends. Even after my best friend left, we all made it a point to see each other every once in a while not just to drink but to do other normal stuff like watch movies, eat dinner, go on out-of-town trips. Ritchie also introduced me to mountain climbing. He also helped me with a lot of other stuff like go to the mall to buy my first modem, my first hiking shoes, my first hiking bag etc. I started falling for him when he started calling me not just every night but sometimes twice or thrice a day, just to say things like “hey we should try rock-climbing” or “hey we should watch this or that.” Four things really cemented the “made-for-each-other” realization that we had – our love for adventure, for nature, for movies, and our love for music. We would talk endlessly over the phone about these things. He would make me listen to his favorite music and vice versa. We both listened and shared, and I found myself really falling for this guy. We “admitted” our feelings for each other while we were in Batad. A beautiful place, a seemingly magical time, but it was all real and amazing. One of the most unforgettable moments of my life. (Cheesy quota achieved?) I don’t really like sharing the music that means most to us as a couple because for me the strongest feelings are private. But since I know very few people read my blog (and thank you whoever you are reading this right now) let’s rock n’ roll – here are OUR top 15 songs or albums as a couple. Para sa aking kakampi, kadamay, mahal.

1) China Eyes - Alamid. When we were still just friends, during an exchange gift for Christmas, I had the fortune/misfortune of being Ritchie's "baby." He placed his gift for me inside a very big box and labeled it "To my China Eyes." During that time, everybody would tease me about my big eyes and they used to call me either "flashlight" or "bright". So him calling me China Eyes was him just being ironic and well, annoying. To top it off, the box was filled with crumpled newspaper. I failed to notice his very small gift, a moon and star pendant (again the moon because of my eyes and the star because of my surname) and ended up accidentally discarding his gift with the other crumpled paper. We spent half the night looking for that pendant. Anyway, I love this song. I miss Alamid.




2) Magandang Bituin/Maalaala Mo Kaya taken from Magandang Bituin CD - New Expressions In Filipino Music - Musical Concepts By Richard Tann. This was one of those CDs of Ritchie’s that I never thought he actually owned, and that I never thought I’d actually like as well. He made me listen to this while we were still just “friends” and listening to a different version of Kundiman songs was really so refreshing. It made me discover a whole new aspect of Ritchie and gave birth to a new facet of mine as well: one that was more open, more fearless when it comes to listening to music. That scene in Ang Nawawala where Gibson and Enid listened to Kundiman music while inside a vinyl store and while they were making “momol” inside the car really reminded me of that time Ritchie first made me listen to Magandang Bituin.

3) Friend of Mine, Odette Quesada. No explanation required right?

4) Tunay Na Ligaya, Basil Valdez. Again, when we were just friends, Ritchie and another good friend of ours went to Bataan with my family and me. We spent one night camped out on a beach and another night just drinking outside of my Tita’s house, under the stars. The three of us started talking about how nice it would be to have only Tagalog songs during one’s wedding and we started throwing in song titles that would be good for a bridal march, first dance etc. This was one of the songs that were thrown in. Years later Ritchie would admit to me that this was one of his songs for me. (Yup, way over the cheese quota I know, sorry)

5) Come Away With Me – Norah Jones. The first album of Norah Jones was also the first album that Ritchie and I bought and really loved as a couple.



6) The Wedding Singer Soundtrack - Various Artists. We both loved the movie and the music in the movie so for our first Valentine's Day together (1999), I gave him the soundtrack (two cassette tapes, yes TAPES!)

Track listing first album:

1. "Video Killed the Radio Star" (originally performed by The Buggles), performed by The Presidents of the United States of America
2. "Do You Really Want to Hurt Me", performed by Culture Club
3. "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic", performed by The Police
4. "How Soon Is Now?", performed by The Smiths
5. "Love My Way", performed by The Psychedelic Furs
6. "Hold Me Now", performed by Thompson Twins
7. "Everyday I Write the Book", performed by Elvis Costello
8. "White Wedding", performed by Billy Idol
9. "China Girl", performed by David Bowie
10. "Blue Monday", performed by New Order
11. "Pass the Dutchie", performed by Musical Youth
12. "Have You Written Anything Lately?"
13. "Somebody Kill Me", written by Adam Sandler and Tim Herlihy, performed by Adam Sandler
14. "Rapper's Delight" (medley), performed by Sugarhill Gang and Ellen Dow

Track listing second album:

1. "Too Shy", performed by Kajagoogoo
2. "It's All I Can Do", performed by The Cars
3. "True", performed by Spandau Ballet
4. "Space Age Love Song", performed by A Flock of Seagulls
5. "Private Idaho", performed by The B-52's
6. "Money (That's What I Want)", performed by Flying Lizards
7. "You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)", performed by Dead or Alive
8. "Just Can't Get Enough", performed by Depeche Mode
9. "Love Stinks", performed by The J. Geils Band
10. "You Make My Dreams", performed by Hall & Oates
11. "Holiday", performed by Madonna
12. "Grow Old With You", written by Adam Sandler and Tim Herlihy, performed by Adam Sandler

7) Nine Million Bicycles - Katie Melua. There are nine million bicycles in Beijing That's a Fact, it's a thing we can't deny Like the fact that I will love you till I die



8) Drive - Incubus. Not really a love song but we would always play this during long drives, and we would always shout out the chorus: Whatever tomorrow brings I'll be there with open arms and open eyes yeah.



9) Danny's Song - Loggins and Messina. Ritchie and I have been through all kinds of shit and well, most of the time, we are driven down the financial pits of hell. So yes, the chorus really makes our heart swell and our eyes water.



10) Three Little Birds (Everything's gonna be alright) - Bob Marley and the Wailers.



11) Elevation - U2. High, higher than the sun You shoot me from a gun I need you to elevate me here At the corner of your lips As the orbit of your hips Eclipse, you elevate my soul ... I and I in the sky You make me feel like I can fly So high, elevation Love, lift me up out of these blues Won't you tell me something true? I believe in you



12) Tender - Blur. This is not really a happy song when you decipher the lyrics but just the same, this is our make-up song after a terrible fight. We love this song so much we always fall silent out of awe every time we hear it. Tender is the night Lying by your side Tender is the touch Of someone that you love too much Tender is the day The demons go away Lord I need to find Someone who can heal my mind



13) At My Most Beautiful - R.E.M. Another one of those songs that makes us go hush and makes our hearts fly. Beautiful beautiful song. I read bad poetry into your machine I save your messages just to hear your voice You always listen carefully to awkward rhymes. you always say your name. like I wouldn't know it's you, at your most beautiful.



14) Down By The Water - The Drums. MY PROMISE TO RITCHIE. if you fall asleep down by the water, baby i'll carry you, all the way home, you've gotta believe me when i say, when i say the word forever, and whatever comes your way oh we'll still be together



15) Praise You - Fat Boy Slim.

We've come a long long way together,

Through the hard times and the good,

I have to celebrate you baby,

I have to praise you like I should

Happy birthday LOVE!

A Small Big World by Jerlyn Estaris

Read about The Fete dela Musique 2012, with candid shots of Georgina Wilson, Liz Uy, Borgy Manotoc and friends.

Pictures of HIJO and Indio-I

A Hymn celebrating life by Diane Ackerman

a small Big world

Art. Culture. Travel. Nature. connect. celebrate. all the small big wonders.
Wander this small big world with me! www.asmallbigworld.com

Recent posts:

Isang Gabi sa Cubao X
Know where/when to go and watch your favorite local bands! Visit our Gigs and Events page!
Pinoy breakfast, merienda or dessert!
A Character Study of the indie movie San Lazaro (Wincy Aquino Ong)

Video Project: 25th Anniversary Party

See how corporate folks let loose. Work hard, party harder indeed. 
Music: The Fratellis "Chelsea Dagger" 
Videographers: Ruel Hinay, Ritchie Pingol, Len Estaris 
Edited by: Len Estaris

Video Project: Ange at 22

Champagne, fashion, cocktails, music, high heels, lovely Manila Bay at night, shiny stunning people. Watch how Manila's young beautiful set dance and party on board a yacht. Music: Punching In A Dream (The Naked and the Famous), Last Friday Night (Katy Perry), The Edge of Glory (Lady Gaga) Videographers: Len Estaris & Ritchie Pingol Edited by: Len Estaris

Init ng Halik, Nicolas B. Pichay

I noticed that someone went searching on my blog for "Init ng Halik, Vim Nadera".  First off, Init ng Halik is not by Nadera but by Nicolas B. Pichay.  Second, this is actually part of a libretto for Pusong Wagas, an all-original contemporary ballet from the Ballet Philippines.  Taken from the Philippine Star (click on this link for complete article):  Set in pre-colonial Manila, Pusong Wagas highlights the exemplary love of Luyong, a gifted carpenter, and Manda, a tribal princess, and their sacrifice in the face of the coming foreign invaders.  


Init ng Halik
(from the Libretto of Pusong Wagas by Nicolas B. Pichay, music by Cynthia Alexander)

Araw-araw, sa lilim ng sanga
Kay lawak ng gubat sa aking mga mata.
Paggising sa umaga, paligid humihinga
Tumitibok, lumilingkis, namumunga.

Ang buhay na payak, aking ninanais.
Umiiwas sa lahat, di naghahanap ng labis.
Pero sa gabi, gumagapang ang lumbay
Sa buong gubat ako lang ang sablay.

Paroo’t parito ang mga paru-paro
Nanghahalina ang mga bulaklak
Sumisitsit ang mga kuliglig
Ang lupang darang, nangangailangan ng dilig.

Alagang punong-kahoy, sa kamay tumatamis
Makatas ang bunga, walang kahati
Buhay na payak, aking ninanais
Mabasag man lang minsan, sa pagdalaw ng kapangis.

Mag-alaga ng buhay, yan ang turo ni Bathala
Halaman, hayop, kapwa.
Ituro mo ang tanim na may samyo ng lambing
At didiligan ko nang walang mintis.

Alagang punong-kahoy, sa kamay tumatamis
Makatas ang bunga, walang kahati
Buhay na payak, aking ninanais
Mabasag man lang minsan, sa pagdalaw ng kapangis.

Ipakilala mo siya, aking Bathala
Ang kahati ng aking buhay
Ang buwan sa aking araw, ang dilig sa aking darang
Kaputol ng hininga. Tanging pagsinta.

At biglang buhay ko’y lalawak sa dalawa
Ang mga araw mamumunga ng wagas
Kamay sa kamay, labi mo sa labi ko
Init ng halik. Init ng halik.


Warmth of Your Kiss
The forest as far as I can see.
Everyday, under the branches
In the morning, everything breathes
Pulsing, entangling,

A simple life, I crave
Avoiding others, not looking for Excess
But at night, loneliness joins me
In the forest, no one is beside me.

The dry earth needs rain.

The hard trees sweeten to my touch
The fruit plump, no one to share
I hope it shatters,
This simple life I crave
come my other half.


Cynthia sang this during her 19 East send-off.  It was a spontaneous request, not included in the original set list.  THAT actually made the moment more special -- it was my most favorite portion of that beautiful, beautiful BEAUTIFUL night.   (Yes yes yes, I'll upload the videos soon.)  Click on this link for Nicolas B. Pichay's own blog entry about Pusong Wagas.

When I travel ...

Everywhere, in everything, there is a story. Even from an old lantern just sitting there on a windowsill, or a piece of candy wrapper thrown carelessly, blown on top of vibrant green grass. There are stories behind these little everyday things. When I travel, I open my mind, not just to the beauty that surrounds me, but to these miniature details that make the moment whole. I have what they call a burning curiosity, a hankering for both fact and myth. Our country is an amazing place full of polarities: crowds and solitude, loud merriment and the silence of mountains, party islands and spiritual isle sanctuaries, urban romps and bucolic wanderings, verifiable raw realities and magical wonders. These disparate elements help fuse a whole, a whole we call home, the Philippines. I want to celebrate those elements, those stories so particular and so diverse that as a collective, they all reinforce the richness and multifariousness of our culture. And in the telling of these stories, I’m hoping that people will not just be enlightened about the many small fascinating aspects of a place, but I’m also hoping that they will be encouraged to protect, preserve, care and nurture. I’m hoping that we will all realize that any action, such as the careless throwing of our personal garbage or the dauntless perseverance to always clean, conserve and nourish, all the choices and actions we make aid in the weakening or strengthening of the whole. I hope that in all the telling and collective sharing, we all come back to that age-old creed of leaving nothing but footprints and that the only thing we can take with us is the story and nothing else.

Please click on the following links to learn more about responsible travel:

The Footprints Project of PhilippineBeaches.org, Save Philippine Seas and Earth Island Philippines 

 A Letter To A Young Mountaineer by Gideon Lasco of PinoyMountaineer.com

 #ThoughtfulTourism by MeetManila.com

The Cynthia Alexander Send Off Series, Conspiracy, 16 June 2012

In hindsight

I went to this gig expecting a more intimate set compared to the one in 19 East. When we got to Conspiracy at about 10pm, the place was already jampacked.  We tried to “swim” our way inside the music room and because I was with two tall big guys (they’ll kill me if ever they find out I called them big) we managed to squeeze in and ended up right outside the comfort rooms.  Since I’m in the “small lady” department I really couldn’t see what was happening on stage.  Aside from the backs of the people in front of me, the doors of the comfort rooms, the ceiling, this light was the only other thing I can see.

After a couple of minutes of trying to squeeze here and there to give way to the people going inside the comfort rooms, I gave up and just decided to meet one of our friends outside.  While I was talking with said friend of ours, I saw my boyfriend waving at us and motioning us to follow him.  Lo and behold, they were able to get chairs in a little corner outside the main entrance and beside the window of the stage.  Sweet spot!  I almost jumped and cart wheeled for joy.  After a few minutes, the window was opened so that the people outside the music room can hear and see what was happening inside.  Hallelujah!  And us outside, even though we all knew Cynthia’s back would be most of the time what we will be seeing, couldn’t ask for more.  I bet all of us felt the same way:  that just to be able to see and hear Cynthia Alexander is the greatest gift the universe can give us at that precise moment. At around 11:45pm, the show began.  Once again, I was enthralled.  Cynthia’s music never fails to grab a hold of me and render me spellbound. 

The Musical Celebration, Conspiracy, 16 June 2012

Set List:

Walk down the road

Wait

U & I

Motorbykle

The Weather Report

Daisy Chain

Knowing There Is Only Now

Insomnia

Hello Baby

Blackbird

Dumaan Ako – Joey Ayala joined Cynthia for this song.  He actually just climbed over the window since it’s easier and more convenient.  Such a tender beautiful moment.  Cynthia actually teared up right after their duet.  A quick background about the song, this is originally a poem, “Berso # 2” written by Maningning Miclat, set to music by Joey Ayala.

Intertwyne – a dance accompanied this song.  The poetry of the lyrics combined with the fluidity and grace of the “dancer” resulted in a moment both raw and surreal.  I felt a tightness in the throat and a leaping of the heart when the song ended.  (I think the “dancer” was Nerissa Del Carmen Guevara, herself a poet.)

No Umbrella

Malaya – I just love how Cynthia’s voice always soars when she sings this song.  Combine this with the music accompaniment of Mlou Matute, Cj Wasu and Jonathan Zuniga Urbano, the experience is always stellar.

Owner of the Sky

Comfort In Your Strangeness

Kabaka

Empty-handed – Kabaka was supposed to be Cynthia’s last song, but Vin Dancel of Peryodiko and Twisted Halo requested for this song.  Others followed suit.  He ended up singing the first part, and Jonathan Zuniga Urbano the second part.  Of course, Cynthia finished the song. 

And just like that, another night of Cynthia Alexander’s awe-inspiring wondrous music was over.  And just like any other of her shows, one is always left with a lushness of spirit and a spring of joy in the heart.  Once again, thank you Cynthia.  The extraordinary light you bring will never go out.  


Kaya kong maghintay sa mga tula mo
makinig sa awit mula sa kabilang dako
At sa paglalakad sa lilim ng mga puno
matutuklasan ang laman ng pusong malayo
(Berso #2 / Dumaan Ako, Maningning Miclat)


Click this link to read about The Cynthia Alexander Send Off Series at 19 East

Here are some of the pictures I took.  (I will upload the videos soon)

I know you can't see his face, but this is Coy Placido of Top Junk and husband of Tuesday Vargas

Tuesday Vargas, actress/vocalist of Top Junk and wife of Coy Placido, enjoying the gig from the side of the stage.  She actually also just climbed up the window (like Joey Ayala) to get to her place here.

We were also treated to Joey Ayala's humor.  

Vin Dancel singing the first part of Empty-handed

Tuesday Vargas "modeling" the plate number of a car that needs to be moved.  Every time she would do this, Cynthia Alexander would introduce her as "Anne Curtis".  Some of the light-hearted moments of the gig.

Cynthia getting ready to sign CDs and have a picture taking with her loyal fans.

Cynthia Alexander with Vin Dancel and friends

My friends and I with TuesdayVargas

A tender brother-sister moment

My friends and I with Cynthia Alexander and Joey Ayala

The Cynthia Alexander Send off Series, 19 East, 15 June 2012

The Cynthia Alexander Send off Series: Poetry and Music

We are nothing / We are nothing but / The dust on Your feet / Dying to be born again / Singing Ether Water Fire singing Earth Singing Air / I have seen / I have been / To places far and deep in my mind / Only to find / Comfort in Your Strangeness

My first encounter with Cynthia Alexander was with the song “Comfort In Your Strangeness”.  I heard it being played over the radio, by the old NU107.  What made me pay attention was the poetry of the lyrics and what I thought it meant – a love so different, it was comforting.  A love that defies stereotypes.  A love that can be rendered powerful/powerless by the elements, with hopes of re-birth – a love rising, a love coming home.  I was blown away.  Add the enchanting voice so delightful and pleasing it’s like wooden chimes, silver sparkle, crisp crystal and euphoric bird song after a refreshing rain.  That was 1998.  (Comfort In Your Strangeness is included in Cynthia’s first album Insomnia and Other Lullabyes, released in 1997).  After 14 years of continually falling in love with her and collecting all 4 of her albums, Cynthia Alexander, one of our greatest singer/songwriters, is packing her bags and moving to Seattle.  Such a sad moment for us who will be left behind, and an exciting new adventure for her. 

Last Friday night, I went to one of her send-off gigs.  

What happened was not a heavyhearted “farewell” concert.  Instead, we were treated to a celebration of Cynthia Alexander’s beautiful voice, one that soars and takes wing with a full band, and one that soothes and calms accompanied with just her guitar.  We were treated to a night full of her quiet presence and the high-spirited luminous quality of her music.  There was an air of melancholy, sure, as there is that fact that we might not be blessed with her presence for a long time. The pervading atmosphere however, was still that of love, love for music and love for life; an atmosphere of freedom – the unlimited vistas music allows us to fly; an atmosphere suffused with exhilaration, revelry and joyous praise to the great talent of Cynthia Alexander. 

Thank you Cynthia, for the gift of your music.  We wish you new happy musical explorations and loads of blessed adventures.

The Musical Celebration

I sadly did not get to see the entire set of Human Folk, Cynthia’s band with jazz guitarist Johnny Alegre, Abby Clutario of Fuseboxx, bassist Yuna Beck Arreuger, Zach Lucero of Radio Republic/Imago, and Gabrielle Mendez.  When I got to 19 East they were about to finish their set. 

After Human Folk, there was kind of a long break and after a while people started to get restless, clapping and requesting for the show to start.  Cynthia started her set with Wait, the song she says she wrote on a milk can.  She also shared a story during that time when people were comparing her to Alanis Morrisette and asking her to sing more “Alanis” type of songs.  It was a light moment of candid sharing and we all gamely laughed with her.  Cynthia opened with a full band composed of “rock stars” as she said in playful banter with her co-musicians for that night: longtime stage compatriots Mlou Matute and Cj Wasu, and guest band mates Jonathan Zuniga Urbano, Louie Talan, Romel Sanchez, Kakoy Legaspi and Zach Lucero.  The sound system and lighting design of 19 East is top notch so just imagine how mind blowing and fantastic the show was when you combine all the elements at play that night.  I’m so blessed to have been there.  Cynthia's last song for that night was Comfort in Your Strangeness.  It was such a touching beautiful moment when everybody sang most of the song for her.  Louie Talan actually put down his guitar to video what was happening.  This was our salute to Cynthia, to the extraordinary light she envelopes people with, to the generosity and bravery of her spirit, to her incomparable place in our music history.  No one can ever take her place.  To borrow a term I learned from the recent impeachment, she is one of the few people who are truly sui generis: unique in and of itself, constituting a class of her own.  After the song, we all stood up to give praise and honor her.  A standing ovation is not enough to give thanks to someone like Cynthia Alexander, but at that moment, it was the only way we could show her our love and gratitude.  Bravo, Cynthia, bravo.  

Set List 15 June 2012 Cynthia Alexander at 19 East

(or what I can remember anyway, corrections are welcome)

1^st set

Wait

Walk down the road

U & I

Heya

Weather Report

Daisy Chain

Intertwyne

Knowing There is only Now

Dumaan Ako

Motorbykle

 2^nd set

Insomnia

Hello Baby

Kabaka

Blackbird

Init ng Halik

Kawikaan

Owner of the Sky

No Umbrella

Malaya

Empty-handed

Comfort In Your Strangeness

Bakit ba may inaasam / tayong ayaw maganap / pagkat ngayon ay mayroong / bukas natin ang handog / Hanggang kaya mong gumising / at kaya kong managinip / kaya nating pag-isahin / ang darating at aalis -- Kabaka, poem by Vim Nadera, set to music and sang by Cynthia Alexander

To hear more of Cynthia Alexander's music, please click on the following links:

http://www.reverbnation.com/cynthialexander

http://www.pelicola.tv/channels/index_ca.asp

Click on this link to read about The Cynthia Alexander Send Off Series at Conspiracy, 16 June 2012

P.S

I hope this awakens all of us to the wealth of talent we have RIGHT HERE, right now.  Support OPM. Go see, buy, recognize, applaud and celebrate our local artists.

Asian Dreaming

I'm trying to build my portfolio but I'm not finished with it yet.  So here I am just posting (and re-posting in some cases) my favorite 25 photos, taken randomly from my travels and from, well, just plain curiosity or whimsy and even some from occasional bouts of pathos.

1)  Hindu Deities, Sacred Cow, Lions Roar (Sri Mariamman Temple, Singapore)

2)  Old Bike, Old Chinatown (Chinatown Heritage Centre, Singapore)

3)  Monk's Day Out (outside of Tung Chung Town Centre, Lantau Island, Hong Kong)

4)  Sisters (Pacquiao Residence. General Santos City, Philippines)

5)  Kite Surfer (Bulabog Beach, Boracay, Aklan, Philippines)

6)  Old Bike, Modern Chinatown (front of Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum, Singapore)

7)  Walk Like An Old-School Benetton Ad (Largo De Senado, Macau)

8)  A Rush Of Clouds (Mayang Sari, Bintan, Riau Islands, Indonesia)

9)  Temple Blessings (Vihara Avalokitesvara Graha, Tanjung Pinang, Bintan, Riau Islands, Indonesia)

10)  Run Sister Run (Mayang Sari, Bintan, Riau Islands, Indonesia)

11)  The Beautiful Natural Colors Of Our World Famous Manila Bay Sunset (Manila, Philippines)

12)  Blue Horizon (Puerto Del Sol, Bolinao, Pangasinan, Philippines)

13)  Up The Lighthouse, Beside The Clouds (Cape Bolinao, Bolinao, Pangasinan, Philippines)

14)  Lazy Summer 1 (Cape Bolinao, Bolinao, Pangasinan, Philippines)

15)  Lazy Summer 2 (Cape Bolinao, Bolinao, Pangasinan, Philippines)

16)  A Window And A Child (Cape Santiago, Calatagan, Batangas, Philippines)

17)  Swim In A Sea Of Clouds (on board a plane going to Malaysia)

18)  Milk Offering (Thaipusam Festival, Batu Caves, Selangor, Malaysia)

19)  Patience and Hope (Thaipusam Festival, Batu Caves, Selangor, Malaysia)

20)  Barefoot (Thaipusam Festival, Batu Caves, Selangor, Malaysia)

21)  Akasagarbha Bodhisattva (Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum, Singapore)

22)  Do You Want To See My Peacock? (KL Bird Park, Lake Gardens, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)

23)  Sad Eyes (KL Bird Park, Lake Gardens, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)

24)  Three Pink Stooges (KL Bird Park, Lake Gardens, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)

25)  Watering Steps (Soho District, Hong Kong Island, Hong Kong)

Special Mention:  Untitled  (I love this picture.  The girl on the photo is my sister, but the "feel" of the picture reflects my personality. Open to your own interpretation haha.)