Dare to be Rare

I’m really, really really really really really tired.

Velada Tomasina

01.25.2012

The day that UST made time-travelling possible.

“Velada Tomasina, a living tableau that shows the University of Santo Tomas in the perspective of the cultural milieu of Old Manila at the turn of the 19th century. It seeks to bring us back in time through period costumes, songs, dances, poems, and festivity. We will transform the Benavides Park into the Old Plaza Santo Tomas in Intramuros with the replica of the buildings and standees of some notable alumni including Dr. Jose Rizal”

-Velada Tomasina Fb

^Above photo by Mr. Josemari Llorente Bautista. Here’s some of our professors chanelling La Solidaridad Photojournalists. Check out the tobacco prop and film cameras. Tres cute!

Imagine class pictures used to be like this!

Kalesas all over the campus. I love my epic school. Viva Santo Tomas!

Not-so-Little Miss Old Hollywood

“The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries, the way she combs her hair. The beauty of a woman is seen on her eyes, because that’s the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides. True beauty of a woman is reflected on her soul.”

- Audrey Hepburn

Last Saturday (01.21.2012) was Janica’s 18th Birthday ft. her Old Hollywood Glam  Debut! I was pretty late (blame the traffic) so I missed the her entrance and the entire entrance vid where they showed Ja’s transformation. Sadface. But I made it at the opening prayer!

Father-Daughter dance. Can I just say that Ja’s family is the cutest? They always stop and smile whenever I turn my camera on them. Haha, just like Janica!

Ate Alexis. Love their gowns!

Janica with her boys her 18 Roses! Last dance went to her baby brother Elijah and it was ze cutest!

I’m a part of the 18 Lollipops, inspired by a scene from the Wizard of Oz where the Munchkins from the Lollipop Guild gave Dorothy lollipops to welcome her. In short, I was a munchkin!

You have to strike a pose synced with Janica after giving your message. I did the buwis-buhay Lady Jaja pose- in 5 inch heels! FIGHT!

Medley song number from the Lady Jaja herself. Yes You’re on the right track, baby, you were born this way!

The night consisted of good laughs, overdue bondings and lots of picture-taking!

Thanks for the wonderful time, Janica! You’re Eighteen and even more Fierce! ❤

Hair & MUA: Alexis Rojo

Photography: Joanna Zafra

If there’s one person who, apart from my family, I almost spent more than half of my life with (12 years of knowing each other and counting), Janica will always be one of the most treasured. Eep! Cheesey post is cheesey, but we grew together from being Dominicans to Paulinians and now, Thomasians. Quite a ride. Happy 18th Birthday, Beautiful! You’re a beautiful person inside and out. Thank you for the opportunity <3

Photodump

a.k.a. Life from the past few months

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Of mysticism, tranquility and soul-searching

A few kilometers past east of Manila, a mountainous province hovering on the western slopes of the southern part of the Sierra Made Mountain Range can be found the beautiful yet humble land of Rizal.

Now, now, don’t yawn!

The adventure starts with the scenic views from your car window: Sierra Madre mountains to your left, overlooking Manila cityscape to your right. It may not be as solemn as the sound of seaside waves, or as luxurious as of a trip abroad; but it’s equally breathtaking and surprisingly, a soulful trip!

Sunset View Castle Hotel along Sumulong Highway (from Cainta). It’s located beside the noted Cafe Lupe (overlooking Manila view + live music performances) and the newly opened Wensha Spa. Stay here and live the life!

That awkward moment when tumblr make your photos waaay less vivid

Antipolo Church! Travelers from all places make it a point to pay homage to the “Pilgrimage Capital of the Philippines” every once in a while. We used to hear mass here back when I was a kid, and my dad will take photos using his film SLR. Time passed and the Church still looked immaculate as it had been. It felt good to be back. Suddenly, nostalgia.

Hinulugang Taktak Falls

Regina Rica Marian Pilgrimage in Tanay, Rizal where you can find a 71-foot Mama Mary Statue and celebrate mass underneath it. The place is maintained by Dominican nuns.

Last stop: The Dike in Tanay, Rizal where residents often go to fish, jog or watch the sunset. 

A few notes:

- Thank you Kuya Em for lending me your Nikon FF! It was a (small as it may seem) dream come true (to shoot all day with a Nikon and a FF). Definitely learned a lot on the other side (since I’m a Canon user) :)

- I actually photographed these on different dates. Extended fun!

- This is also a school plate.

Truly, an escapade worth remembering ❤