When was the last time you went out with your best friends and just took random snapshots of a place you’re excited to go to? Last Monday, my friends and I decided to go on a little tour around Manila. Well it’s not really a tour but more of a “hey, I’m bored, let’s go out asap!”. So here’s our little plan: visit National Museum (which has been on my list forever and since May is the national heritage month, entrance is free the entire month!). I’ll admit, I was very excited. Been living in Metro Manila my entire existence and for some reason, I have never been to National Museum. And so we arrived but what greeted us was an ultra heartbreaker. It’s CLOSED! Apparently, National Museum is closed every Mondays so we had no choice but to just drop by Intramuros instead.
I’ll be honest. The last time I’ve been to Intramuros was like 10 years ago or so. Well, I always pass by it every time I go to Makati but I never really dropped by to visit the place. So when we roamed around, I was like a child. Excited and giggling inside. Then we decided to do a little shoot. Not the usual ootd’s but more of a fun one. I guess that’s one thing I got tired of the past few months. Doing shoots felt like it was a job. The photos need to be impressive. I need to promote everything. Don’t get me wrong, of course I am grateful for the brands and sponsors I get. And yes, I get happy with the results especially with the nice feedback but at the end of the day, I was no longer having fun. I felt empty. And blogging was not meant to be that way. So after shooting with these guys, I felt like I was back to where I started. Taking photos out of passion. Making every post a story to tell (which is why this post is taking too long to read already haha). I felt the same feeling I had when I was starting to blog back in 2007, where blog was meant to be a journal not an online shop.
Candid shot. I was laughing so hard the camera got out of focus. Haha
When I saw this edge of the walls, I instantly got an adrenaline rush.
Shirt from Wrangler. DIY shorts from an old pants. Shoes from Sebago. Watch from G-Shock.
This was the very first time I had a shoot with my best friends for almost 10 years now (cheers to foverer!) and I was a bit hesitant at first since I don’t know how it’ll work. We’ve never done this before but I was really happy with the results. We were just laughing all the time, taking shots after shots. Here are more snapshots:
P A T R I C K
T R A C Y
1981 or 1861? (I should really clean my shoes!!)
On another note, I finally got my laptop back which means I can finally post all the photos I’ve been saving. So expect more style posts. Plus, I’ll be climbing Mt. Arayat in Pampanga this Saturday and I’m so excited. Will do a guide soon. Thanks for reading!
Cheers~!
– Justin –
I love Intramuros too. It's one of those places I can go alone and enjoy myself 🙂
Ahhh. I have to be honest, I'm a foreigner in my own land. The only time I've been to Intramuros is when I go to my tita's clinic to have my braces fixed. But to tour it? Never got the time to do it.
Thank you Franc 🙂
I got a better appreciation last year when Salomon held their city trail there. It's really such a heritage attraction. You also had a nice photoshoot here.
Thank you Er!! 🙂
And so I ma enjoying you blog young master Justin. Haha. Hihintayin ko ang Arayat. Haha.
Thanks Eslam 🙂
I am glad as well. Now I can update my style posts hihi 🙂
That's sweet! <3
Thank you for your nice comment Jojo 🙂
I do hope so. Planning to visit it before the semester starts (hopefully it's open!) 🙂
You should hang out with your friends real soon. It's a really great bonding time and a nice way to catch up with one another.
I agree with you. A good camera is an investment. But it doesn't need to be that expensive. I got mine for less than Php 5k (second hand). I think what's important is for you to have a good eye on passion for taking photos. 🙂
yes, they're offering free entrance to National Museum for the entire month in celebration of the National Heritage Month 🙂
haha. that's okay. 😛
I miss my best friends.. I hope they miss me to 🙁 Anyways, I love your pictures. It's not really bright but it caught the mood. I'm a province girl, I seldom go to Manila, never went their by my own. We just went there when there is fieldtrips and the likes. I like the part you were sitting in the window.
Thanks Gly! I'll try to post them within the week. 🙂
Thank you Michelle.
it's really nice to visit places with friends. 🙂
yes, they have renovated it already. thank you for appreciating my photos 🙂
Cool and awesome photos man, I like it.
I just went to Intramuros last year when I was touring a foreigner friend. I love how quiet it is there. I'm glad to know you got your laptop back.
Hubby and I used to date there 🙂 Your post brings back many good memories.
I miss Intramuros…your post made me want to go back and takes some pics again 🙂
i miss intramuros! i've studied at lyceum for 4 years that's why i love this landmark, nice candid shots, i hope that you will find a time to visit the national museum cause it was really fantastic seeing the arts of our filipino painters.
Random shots are such a beauty. It's been awhile since I did that with my friends since we all tend to went to our busy days 🙁
I guess every travel blogger should always have a good camera . Fort Santiago might look normal but with good camera,it's way better. 🙂 I also studied 4 years in PNU which was almost in front of National Museum and I didn't bothered entering the place. Gosh! Now I wanna go there. Hahaha.
I have read an article that they are offering free entrance in National Museum. This will be a good way to revisit old memories from the history plus the outside details are good for OOTD's.
kindly delete my first comment! sorry- Copy paste error! woooot!
I really enjoyed reading your blog and it's not "TLTR". 😉 You have beautiful pictures and funny captions.
Can't wait for your Mt. Arayat blogpost. 🙂 ♥
Love, Gly
http://destinedtobegreat.14webs.com/
The Wanderlust Keeper
Those pictures are really awesome,like them all.
whenever I got time I do love to go out with friends to visit such kinda places.
I've been planning to go to National Museum, too because I was just a kid the last time I was there. History and heritage aren't exactly the stuff that 6-years old like. Right? I love your shots especially the photo of Lyceum.
Thanks Ira! 🙂
We tried to drop by at Fort Santiago but it was closed since it was 5pm already. Thanks for appreciating this! 🙂
Cool photos as always Justin!
http://www.iragiorgetti.com
Awww.. This made me miss that part of Manila more. Havent been there for almost 18yrs? But I miss Fort Santiago the most. Will visit that the soonest. Thanks for this. Nostalgic.