Manila Mosaic

Making (your) history, a person, place, & object at a time.

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Ben Cagoyong - Coconut Vendor

"Sipag lang kailangan"

"May lima akong anak, isa napagtapos ko na"

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"Diligence is all you need"

"I have five children, one of them I put through college"

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He's been selling coconuts for 33 years. You can hear him half a street a way calling out, "Buuuuukawww, Bukaaaaaw". 

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"Because Tadoism Never Ends."

Advanced Happy Birthday, Tado Jimenez. (March 24, 1974)

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Spotted Tado's Wife Lei Jimenez biking around Loyola Memorial Park - March 23, 2014.

(https://www.facebook.com/tado.jimenez.71)

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Ricky Tambolero

"Elvis ang tawag sa akin"

"Nasa Youtube ako. Hanapin mo 'The Lone Ranger Directing Traffic' - 'The Lone Ranger Strikes Again'"

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"They call me Elvis"

"I'm on Youtube. Search for 'The Lone Ranger Directing Traffic' - 'The Lone Ranger Strikes Again'"

See him in action - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mrmT7WiHiDM

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Photo taken on 2014-03-14 somewhere in Moonwalk, Paranaque by Sabrina Salinda.

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Manila Mosaic by Edgar Siega

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Edgar Siega and Jun Blazo - Tailors

"Galing kami ng Cebu"

"Nandito kami para makipagsapalaran"

"Kase ito ang sentro ng kalakalan"

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"We're from Cebu"

"We are here (in Manila) to try our luck"

"Because, it is the center of trade"

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Conductor Fairview Bus

"San ka boss?"

Heart Center ser.

"May piso ka?" Meron.

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Where you going?

Heart Center.

Do you have one peso? 

Yes.

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Photo taken on 2014-02-03 somewhere in Cubao, QC

by OJ Ticzon - http://ojtizon.tumblr.com/

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Ronac Art Center

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https://www.facebook.com/ronacartcenter

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"Bawal ang Vendors, Hayop, Mais, at Itlog" 

No Vendors, Animals, Corn and Eggs Allowed.

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Bus sticker seen on a bus to Lucena City.

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Pong - Fixie Enthusiast

"Nag-bi-bike kami sa lahat"

"We bike everywhere" - when asked if he had any particular favorite spots to bike in the city.

—- Checkout: https://www.facebook.com/brklssindustries

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Abaca Vendor – Ronnel

Divisoria is Manila’s trade center. It is where goods from the ports are first brought. This means that items found here are bought and sold at wholesale rates. There is a good chance that you will find items sold at prices less than in the fancy malls. But you shouldn’t expect items to have been thoroughly tested for quality nor good packaging. Nevertheless, there are some gems in this crowded, dirty market.

One such gem is Ronnel.

Ronnel exudes a ‘can do’ attitude. His main trade composes of native products such as cinamay, abaka mat, hats and much more. While we were in the market looking for something different, he managed to sell us yards of canvas and find someone to sew it into bags. Needless to say, his go-getter attitude is quite commendable.

In the midst of this chaotic market, we found someone who went beyond to serve his clients.

If you need any wedding, debut, or party giveaways, you can contact Ronnel at 0947-472-9605. You can also find him at #863 Tabora St., Divisoria.

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Places – The Fish Section in Farmers Market (Cubao, Quezon City)

After a long night photographing Cosplayers and Zac Efron Fans, I was up and about the next day. I would normally  just head-off home to enjoy the Saturday morning idyll in slumber. But, my girlfriend brought up the idea of finding Fresh Sea Urchin Roe (Uni) and taking some photos in the market. I agreed in spite of my lack of sleep.

The market was full at 7am. While the surrounding commercials centers were still closed, the market was in full swing. The whole area was wet from melting ice and the fish. I slipped maybe once or twice. Since I was looking for Uni, I stayed in the fish section. There were large fish being cut, all kinds of shellfish still alive in basins and buckets. There are many subjects that I want to return to shoot. I will be going back for more one of these days.

In the end, luck was on my side on both accounts. I was able to get Uni for a steal price, and was able to shoot  in a place that I would not think to do so.

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Uni Tip:

A small Tupperware of Uni cost between P280-P350. It’s fresh and kept in an ice cooler. You don’t need to worry about the Roe going bad on you as they will pack it in a plastic bag with a few handfuls of ice. I haven’t tried buying it later than 8 am, but, like in any market, it’s best to be early for availability.

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Photo set was taken in Farmers Market, Cubao Quezon City last September 30, 2012.

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Crowds – Cosplay Manila 2012

After watching the Zac Efron crowd disappear into a hysterical mob into SM MOA Arena, I walked over to the other side of the Mall Complex where another group was convening – the Cosplayers of Manila.

It was interesting to see people dressed to the hilt as different cartoon characters walking around the mall. There were robots, superheros, villains and a motley of different comic-lovers.

One could divide the group into 2 basic classifications. One group was the Cosplayers and their support crew which included photographers, friends, and some parents. Another group were the spectators and comic fans. They both supported each other in a somewhat symbiotic manner. I don’t think they would exist without each other. One wanted to pose, the other wanted to take photos. While it can be seen an eccentric, everyone was nice and the crowd was civil and behaved compared to the crowd in the opposite arena. Cosplayers would stop and pose for you and spectators were polite enough not too crowd in front of them too long.

Seeing comic fantasy actualized in real life with all the details they put in their costumes was cathartic. The comic fan in me was smiling in each photograph I took.

- – - Photo set taken in SMX Convention Center last Sep 29, 2012.

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Crowds – Zac Efron Fans

The crowd was about 100 people deep and about 300 feet wide. It was practically a mob. They could have caused a stampede if not for the bouncers around. People were out of control. They demanded they be let in even at the risk of hurting others and themselves. One person would scream and others would join in until the whole mass of people was in on it. It was my first time to see such a crowd. It was quite chaotic but the security was able to keep them in a certain level of control. It was my first time to see such a scene. I was just glad I did not have the bouncer’s job of dealing with whinny teenagers, obstinate parents and all those fan girls.

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This photo was taken in SM Mall of Asia Arena last September 29, 2012.

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Crowds – Friday Night Bus Stops

It was 11PM at night and the streets of Manila were still full. There was a crowd of about 50 people where I was standing. Buses full of people whizz by. It was the combination of the excitement for the upcoming weekend and the pay day. Everyone was seemingly out and about.  You could almost feel the anticipation of the people around you. No one is minding anyone. They don’t mind me with my camera. They all just wanted to go home and just get some rest or spend some with their families. — Photos were taken near  the Boni Station MRT on EDSA last Friday, Sept. 28, 2012.

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Jen – Flower Vendor

Jen is 16, and she hopes to be a computer scientist someday. The flower wreaths she sells are made of Camia flowers. These wreaths are often sold on the streets for about P10-20. They have a distinct flowery scent. It is potent and lingers quite long in the air. It is this quality that makes it a popular car freshener for taxis and public jeeps. I think it’s one scent that Filipinos would commonly associate with funerals, churches and religious icons. They are as iconic and inherently indigent as balut vendors and “tak-ka-tak” boys in Manila.

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Photo set was captured on Missouri St., Greenhills, San Juan last Sept. 26. 2012 at about 5pm in the afternoon.

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Don Encinareal – Filmmaker

Don is one person that exuded a quiet confidence on a film set. He knew what lighting to choose, what rig to set-up and white balance to set. And, he was always smiling behind his glasses. A fun person to work with, Don was always talking about cameras, lighting, camera rigging, and movies even during breaks or in between shoots. He just had a glint in his eyes whenever film was brought up.

If MaMo were to ask him about one thing he would like to be remembered by it would definitely about film.

Although, I did not know Don as much as I wanted, the time I got to know him will never be forgotten.

Rest in Peace, Don.

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Egg Fiasco – Graffiti Artist

While walking in Katipunan, MaMo spotted a group of graffiti artists tagging an old, abandoned building. There were about 6 of them, and each showed off their own style. After taking a few photos, a piece of art slowly emerged on the brick work. It showed a distinction in the lines, colors and imagery used. A bystander, who seemed part of the tattooed, long-haired and paint-splattered crew, offered the artist’s name. He muttered something, and MaMo asked ‘Ed Piatco?’ He corrected, ‘Egg Fiasco.’

MaMo approached him, and asked for an interview. He politely declined saying that he might not be able to finish the piece on schedule but offered an email. Unfortunately, as of publishing this piece, he still has not replied. You can visit his multiply account, and also find other sites showcasing his artwork. (Egg Fiasco’s face is obscured by his request.)