These pictures were taken on 4 separate days at 4 different places. And were chosen among dozens of pictures I took from that particular day.

This was my first attepmt on taking a sunset picture. I was only able to take 2 shots because a Super Ferry blocked the sunset before I could take the third one. I took this one on the bay area behind Quirino Grandstand.


The 2nd was taken across Rajah Sulayman Park in Baywalk and the 3rd near the border of the US Embassy.

This 4th picture was taken just this afternoon at Jones Bridge before I headed for the hostage scene in City Hall.

Guys, I would really appreciate comments on these 4 pictures especially from those with knowledge photography. I took these pictures as "practice shots" using the sunset feature of my camera. I really need to know if I'm doing anything right or wrong. And how to improve on these shots.

This morning, we at the bank heard a report on the radio about a hostage taking outside the Manila City Hall. There was a bus filled with 32 kindergarden daycare students and 2 teachers who were supposed to be on there way to Tagaytay for a class field trip. The hostage taker was the owner of the Daycare Center, Jun Ducat.

Unlike any other hostage takers, his demands were very unusual. He wanted the gov't to shoulder the education of these students and others till college and also to air his grievances about the corruption of the Philippines government.

White candles had been lit, in accordance with Ducat's request, and placed in yellow cups lined up under the yellow police tape used to cordon off the area. Police and other officials also held candles outside the bus, as did people in the crowd that went to watch the situation unfold.

Shortly after 7PM, he released the kids as promised.

I walked to City Hall after office to take some snapshots of the "event".


Traffic was heavy, a huge crowd mostly who were at the scene since morning were being cordoned off by the police were waiting to see what would transpire after the set 7PM deadline.



Fire trucks, police and ambulances were on standby.


And of course the media setting up for the evening newscast.


These are shots of Mike Enriquez, news anchor for GMA 7's "24 Oras" setting up for the live broadcast.

The newest attraction in Baywalk, a replica of the Great White Shark. It was a big hit with passersby. I was told it was setup just last week.



Bruce from the movie "Finding Nemo"


"What are you looking at!!?"

Some snapshots I took in Greenbelt Park in Makati during one of my photowalks.

I attended a wedding reception in Manila Hotel last night and while waiting for the food to be served I walked around the hotel and came across this very cute display outside the coffee shop.



There were chocolates in various sizes shaped in a variety of Easter characters & designs. These goodies were so cute that I couldn't pass up the chance to take snapshots. (Oh and they're only available until April 8, 2007)



The Giant & The Large Egghouse



The Whole Egg & Opened Egg with Pralines


The Large Smiling Bunny




The Sinamay Boxes of Chocolates


The Easter Picture


The Easter Bunny Chocolate


The Bunny on Egg


The Swan


The Bunny with Easter Egg


The Donald Duck Chocolate

Yes, they are made of chocolate and very edible.

After taking pictures of buildings & other places for a few weeks now I thought it was time to change subject. So I decided to go to the zoo and take pictures of animals.






It’s been 20+ years since my last trip to the Manila Zoo. So I was interested to see the changes that have been done inside. There’s now a boat ride (similar to the one in Burnham Park in Baguio), kids playground, animal statues, picture taking with the animals and a Kinder Zoo.

Unfortunately, I came back a few years too late. The giraffe is dead, the rhino & lion were gone too. Most of the animals there were birds, a few monkeys, reptiles, and horses and of course the elephant near the entrance.

Here are the some of the animals who were kind enough to pose for me.


The Reptiles



The Birds






The Monkeys



The Horses



And the Tiger


In fairness, there were renovations being done when I arrived so maybe there would be new animals once it is finished.