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Iloilo is an island -- that's one of the knowledge nuggets I learned from talking to Mannie Gruenberg, the operations manager of the fastest growing cafe chain in Iloilo. The rivers that bordered the city proper are actually small sea channels -- that's why the water is more than brackish. I tasked myself of shooting a definitive photo of Iloilo -- a sweet blend of rural and urban elements. Here's what I have found: a sunset in Emilion, a modern Filipino restaurant with views of the "river" and just beyond the mangrove, SM City Iloilo.
Maldita (wicked, bitch, damned, witch, [fill in the expletives] girl). Whatever is its etymology, it's worth the catchy name for a ladies fashion wear. Arlene went to SM Mall of Asia with a three-inch stilleto shoes this afternoon hoping she could "winged" strolling in the Philippines' second biggest mall. After 10 minutes, we were shopping for sandals or slippers to ease her pain. Was it a ploy? It could be. Nevertheless, it yielded a picture perfect scene (in visual elements and figures of speech) when we dropped by at Maldita. Sinong nagma-maldita? (Who's bitchin'?):p
5. The "commissary" was replaced with "SM". 4. Instead of a salute, the guard at the HQ's door greets you "Gud Murning, Ma'am, Sir!" 3. There's a stainless steel owner type jeep parked on a space for handicapped people. 2. A Harley Davidson ripped-off from China seems "kul". 1. The egg becomes "ebun." My trip to Clark Airfield Pampanga today was uneventful except for the chance to hook up with old colleagues and pilsen pals. My subjects' uniforms, props, and what-have-yous were not complete that we had to resched the shoot for next week. It was ambush shoot anyways. MJ, our production coordinator from the defunct BusinessDay magazine, settled for a token pose for her Friendster account. Don't be deceived by her looks; she can be very, very cruel in her blogs.
I have always thought I'd see a lot of stars -- celebrities -- in Metro Manila's newest, most flamboyant mall but I was wrong. On my second ever (would you believe that?) visit during Christmas day, I see a clear section cut of Philippine demographics -- from the likes of Harrison Plaza-goers (around 70%) to the likes of The Podium-goers. SWS surveyors may have a field day here.
