Things start to sound familiar after a year …
It’s been a year and a month since I first got my Nikon D60 DSLR camera, and yearly events are starting to sound familiar now that I’m hearing about them for the second time.
This year’s Aliwan Fiesta will take place on April 22-24, which is Thursday to Saturday. Pretty much like last year’s schedule, now that I’ve looked at my picasa album from the first time I did some shooting at the Aliwan.
I’d like to shoot at the Aliwan again this year, just to see if I can come up with better photos after a year.
Will this bag fit the bill?
A Rimowa store is now open at the Powerplant Mall. This store carries just about the most fascinating luggage I have ever seen, but also the most expensive. It’s the main reason why I haven’t gone inside the store to look at and try out any of their bags. I am very much tempted to do so, nevertheless, because I’d like to have a strong bag for my camera equipment when I’m traveling by air. There are times when it is not possible for me to lug the Tamrac with me and I need a durable case that will keep my equipment safe. I wonder if the Rimowa will do …
No smoking (for me)
I quit smoking more than 5 years ago, after my OB-Gyne told my husband and me to quit all vices if we wanted to have a baby this late in life. I was in my very late thirties and my husband was merely 4 years younger.
Having said that, I probably will have no need to know where to obtain cigars online, but I’m putting it here for the benefit of those who do. Cigars remind me of my late grandfather. He smoked Alhambra Coronas if I remember correctly. Days after he died the house would smell of it every now and then. That was him, checking up on us 
Where to buy United Nations Costumes in Manila
It’s been the question midway through September. The next month meant United Nations celebrations in most schools in the Philippines, and more often than not it consisted of the kids dressing up in various native costumes of countries around the world and saying a greeting in that country’s language.
Maia is representing Austria in her school’s United Nations pageant late this month. Preparation for her costume involved quite a bit of internet research as to what the national costume of Austria looked like, and how to find such a costume in any store in Manila. Having one made to order was already out of the question. Most tailors required a month’s notice for such jobs.
Last week I tried the malls. I spotted costumes for Korea, Japan, the US and some Polynesian ones but ziltch for Austria. In fact the malls had more Holloween costumes than United Nations costumes. Holloween in the Philippines is something I am not very keen about but that’s another blog post.
Cris did some research himself and came upon this mom’s support forum where one Mom mentioned a store in Quiapo that specialized in United Nations costumes. She could not recall the street it was on, but gave enough directions to her co-forumers that Cris knew where to find it.
The store was on what used to be Echague Street, parallel to Hidalgo, on the farther side of the Quiapo Church. In fact from Sta. Cruz, following Echague Street will take you into Quiapo Ilalim. Echague Street is now known as Carlos Palanca St.
We found our Austria costume at the Echague Bazar, ran by William Uy and Christine Cheng. They sell all kinds of embroidery, barong, ladies bags, kimonas, long gowns, costumes, wedding gowns and table cloths. They also accept made-to-order barong, gown etc. I got that bit of information from the business card the owner gave us. Maia’s Austria costume cost us P350.00.
Echague Bazar is at 163 Carlos Palanca St. with phone numbers 314-7890 and 733-6357. It’s on the same side as Excellent chain of stores where people in the know get their hams and quezos de bola for the holidays.
Additional directions: from Manila City Hall take España Bridge which will lead you to Plaza Lacson. Immediately after the bridge on the right is Carlos Palanca St (Echague). At that corner is Plaza Fair, behind it is the old SM. Just keep going past the camera shops, looking to the left and you will see the Echague Bazar.
About Me
