The Department of Tourism claims that the Local Travel Industry as a whole is a US$46 Billion industry. Back in April 2020, the general sentiment from a survey was still optimistic that hotels will be able to weather the Lockdown and quarantine restrictions due to the pandemic. In January 2021, as vaccines are becoming available, news about a major Hotel closure surfaced. These 5-star hotels employ thousands of employees per property. To illustrate, their employee entrances are more like a train station's multiple entry stalls (turnstiles) than office doors or gates.

I recently purchased the TTartisan 50mm F1.2. I have to say I'm impressed from someone who has used the best DSLR Nikon Nikkor and Fujinon Lenses including the Fuji XF50mm f1.0. It's small, looks great having an all metal build and punches above its price point (under US$100). I wasn't expecting much after owning the TTartisan 55mm f1.4 which was close to horrible in terms of IQ and usability. This one however is is an improved version!

Another fire in Makati City, another opportunity to play photo journalist. My first was quite an experience albeit was anti-climactic since the fire was extinguished before I could fire my first shot. In this instance, the fire was still raging when I arrived at the scene. I was so early my car was pinned (sandwiched) by fire trucks!

Governments' action to the pandemic was swift. In a matter of weeks after recognizing the developing contagion from the novel virus, stay-at-home and social distancing guidelines were imposed on a global scale. 

The response to the coronavirus is unprecedented in that it shut the doors of practically the world economy grinding commerce to a halt.

We were invited to Barangay San Jose's Giant Parol entry first test. Seeing the scale of these intricately designed and wired lanterns are conducted is jaw dropping!

Old parish churches are one of my favorite subject matters for my documentary photography. Not only do I witness exquisite design: architecture, and works of art in the form of statues (sculptures) and paintings (murals) but also a rich history that can go back centuries!

Carbon Market is more than 100 years old! A few centuries younger than first Spanish settlement in the country in the same territory during the mid-16th century. The name "Carbon" is said to have originated from the coal depot in the 1900s which became a dumping ground of sorts before becoming a market for traders.

Divisoria in old Manila (part of Chinatown) is known as a bargain area for everything you can imagine and then some. The place is particularly known and frequented by extreme bargain hunters for retail...

After seeing the history of Nikon online, fond memories of my first camera as a child came to mind. It was a black film SLR. The camera was a Nikon FE, a hand-me-down from an uncle. So I thought it would be awesome to find and own my original camera.

Street Vending is still a way of life in the Philippines especially in the older parts of the city of Manila, In 2002-2010, a drive was spearheaded by the Metro Manila Development Authority under the leadership of Bayani Fernando to clear the roads from street vendors to open little used roadways to vehicular traffic.

Nothing makes my eyes roll more than heavy traffic. It just drives the WAZE App mad endlessly rerouting and pinging delays on my ETA. Here are scenes of BGC, Taguig City and the Business District of Makati City in the thick of the rush hour traffic!

Fuji has changed the game moving back to retro controls and design on their cameras since the introduction of the Fujifilm x100 in 2010 . They've done so with style, finesse and quality much to the appreciation of the camera enthusiast.

This is a tall claim but San Sebastian Church in Manila City is the only known church built using pre-fabricated steel. It is also the only steel church/ temple building in Asia. Competed in 1891, it is the second all-steel structure in the world after the Eiffel Tower of Paris. French engineer Alexandre Gustave Eiffel himself was assumed to have been involved in the construction but this was never confirmed.

In the heart of Makati City lies a small slice of Japan aptly called Little Tokyo. It's maybe about 2,000 square meters of restaurants with a garden plaza at the center that offers al fresco dining by some of the surrounding Japanese establishments.

As promised, I am finally doing a blog post on Chinatown! I went down there on Feb. 7, the day before Chinese New Year. The place to my surprise was already in a celebratory mood then. Ongpin Street was closed to motorists because of the deluge of people most of whom appear to be from the locality/ vicinity but some were obviously not local... tourists.

I took photos of the seafood market in Macapagal Ave in Pasay City in mid-january. The place is commonly referred to as "Dampa." Similar places are located throughout Metro Manila and as far as Cebu City in the Visayas Region.

In the past, Quiapo was the premiere shopping district back in the 50's-60's. Today, even if the area is trumped by gleaming malls and fashionable shopping districts, Quiapo is still a sprawling shopping haven where you perhaps get the best bargains for everything from electronics to flip-flops.

A Porol is a unique Christmas lantern that originated from the province Pampanga in Central Luzon, Philippines. The ornamental star-shaped lantern is a representation of the star of Bethlehem that guided the three kings to the manger.

How does a top Smartphone measure up to a very popular enthusiast photographer-targeted compact camera? Here's a real-world test to see if all the superlatives Tim Cook mentions to describe the iPhone's camera can match a real (middle of the pack) pocket-sized camera.

I would be doing readers a disfavor if I paint a lopsided picture of the country. So allow me to break from my regular programming and share the Philippines (or as a self-respecting citizen would rather present it) by the numbers and through rather neat clips and images (embedded).

General Santos is the southernmost city in Mindanao and the Philippines. It is the 15th most populous city in the country with an urban center complete with the country's major mall brands, hotels, and commercial centers.

Navotas is located along the fringes of the North of Metro Manila. Its elongated land area lines the Manila Bay on one side. It is dubbed as the "Fishing Capital of the Philippines" since many of its residents derive their livelihood directly or indirectly from fishing and related industries.

I visited Paco Wet and Dry Public Market in old Manila in search of exotic ingredients. Before I share my short visit there let me first share the historic background of Paco:

If this city has a pretty and orderly side, this is definitely not it. (As far as I know, this is but a small portion of that city)

Every weekend when I pass by the site, I'm just amazed at how the construction is coming together beautifully.

At around 1:00 am I heard multiple fire trucks and sirens go by. I got up, grabbed my gear, and followed the wailing sirens. When I arrived, I intently surveyed the scene.