Binondo, Manila

Deciding to go to the city of Binondo Manila was a last minute, spur of the moment - but more like a last choice for our family's photography adventure that day. But just when we thought that our holy week thursday for the year 2009 was going to be a boring one, little did we know that manila's china town was going to be so busy with local religious activities and traditions and full of culinary and friendly surprises! From witnessing the "Visita Iglesia" ; a holy week tradition for filipino catholics at the St. Lorenzo Ruiz Church to bumping into the famous Ivan Mandy during his regular Old Manila Walks tour, our day turned out to be a very memorable one and could not have been better without the spectacular sunset at Roxas boulevard.
for a more detailed blog of our culinary discoveries and family photography adventures that day, visit Asunta Rufino's on-line travel journal

Candaba swamps, Pampanga

(Photos by: Cris Sevilla)
Our last stop.... Birdwatching at the Candaba Swamps.. We were accompanied by my friend and birdwatcher, Ixi Mapua. Her motto is " Just watch don't catch".. We went to the bird sanctuary in Candaba, Pampanga of Mayor Gerry Pelayo. This was his resthouse cum bird sanctuary for all birdwatchers and wannabes...Birdwatching or " BIRDING " as Ixi calls it ... " is observing wild birds in their natural habitat "....Ixi handed out binoculars and even taught us how to use them.. We had to take a jeepney ( it was a fiera that can take 20 passengers ) and ride through a bumpy, dusty road for 40mins into the swamps.. but it was worth it....
read more from my mom's blog!