Between Two Cities: A collection of watercolour sketches of Manila and Jakarta

Manila, capital of the Philippines, and Jakarta, capital of Indonesia are both massive and densely populated cities which were occupied by European colonisers back in the days. I lived in Manila for 6 years when I started working and when I had the opportunity to work overseas, Jakarta became home since 2013. I have observed many similarities with both cities like the ways and means of life and the influence of its colonisers in food, language and architecture. This inspired me to find places and objects that are comparable and turn it into watercolour sketches. 

Earlier this year, I have been thinking of publishing the sketches into a book to feature a collection of my personal watercolour sketches of places, buildings and landmarks of Manila and Jakarta. Then the pandemic hit and priorities shifted heavily towards staying alive and sane while sheltering at home since March. The sketches on location I have done were from July 2019 to early days of March 2020, pre-lockdown times and I was fortunate to meet members of Urban Sketchers Manila when I was in Manila. I am yet to join the Jakarta chapter of Urban Sketchers when this pandemic ends.

Taman Suropati, Menteng, Jakarta

There are many places I have found and sketched to compare what Manila and Jakarta both have. The Philippine post office in Manila is one of the most recognisable buildings in the city with its neo-classical architecture. In Central Jakarta, the Jakarta Philatelic Building, was built in Dutch-colonial architecture.

Jakarta Philatelic Building

Philippine Post Office Manila

In Escolta, Manila, the old Capitol Theater, which was unfortunately torn down mid of 2020, used to be one of the go-to places when Manila was still the center of entertainment and commerce. In Cikini, Jakarta, the well-preserved Metropole Jakarta still serves as one of the most important cinema houses in the city since it opened its doors in 1952. Both building are Art-deco style and was designed by local architects.

Metropole Jakarta

Capitol Theater Escolta, Manila

Here are some more of places in both cities that I have I thought were similar and share the same history despite being in two different cities.

The Manila Metropolitan Theater

The Jakarta Theater in Taman Izmail marzuki

      

The Jakarta Cathedral

The Manila Cathedral

The dome of Masjid Istiqlal in Central Jakarta

The dome of the Manila Cathedral in Intramuros, Manila

Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in South Jakarta

Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila

Kopaja, a public transport used in Jakarta

Jeepney, a common public transport used all over the Philippines

I have done actually more of these sketches which sums up to about 80+ artworks which I hope to publish one day into a book. Maybe one day, but for now this is what I would consider a preview of the book.

So long 2020. It has been swell.

jgcl

Instagram: @sigeraldto

National Park of Bromo Tengger Semeru and Malang

Taman Nasional Bromo Tengger Semeru

Malang is situated on the eastern part of the most populated island in the world, Java, Indonesia. It is a regency, as what locals would call it, surrounded by mountains. The climate is cool from late afternoon until the mid morning. There are many places to visit in Malang especially if you are a nature lover. Falls and forests are scattered all over while a stretch of a less touristy beaches are in the south.

Beaches in Southern Malang, East Java

Sendiki Beach, Malang, East Java, Indonesia

Beach day. I have been waiting for this in a while. Malang is mostly known for Bromo and the highlands where there are many water falls park and amusement parks. The southern part of Malang is home to a number of beaches which are still untamed and unheared of. By following Explore Malang on Instagram, I got to know that there are several beaches that you can visit.

Solo Central Java and the Alila Hotel

Solo, in central Java, was a surprise for when I visited it. It was quite town yet still filled with character. I was there for a weekend and stayed at this amazing hotel, The Alila. I think just staying at the hotel was enough for me and lots of Nasi Liwet.

Sketches and Photographs: Kawah Putih and Bandung, West Java, Indonesia

When you are living in Jakarta, there are not many things to see and do than to go to malls and eat. Your only option, if you are not flying out, is to visit nearby provinces like Bandung, Bogor and other parts of West Java. But getting there can be hellish because the traffic that happens in Jakarta happens everywhere in this part of Java, which is just crazy traffic.

15 Things You Need To Know About Tana Toraja

Tana Toraja  is one of the most intriguing places in Indonesia because it is known for its centuries old rituals of how they celebrate the dead.The regency, as it is referred to, is surrounded by rugged mountains and cliffs all protecting this highland city. The valleys are all filled with lush green fields and coffee plantations. Toraja produces one of the best coffee beans in the world.

Towering end of a Torajan house

A stunning sunrise from Candi Borobudur

This is my 3rd time visiting Borobudur Temple, a Unesco World Heritage Site, and it just never ceases to mesmerize me with its stunning backdrop. It is a Buddhist temple built in the 9th century.

This time I got the chance to stay at the Manohara Hotel situated within the complex. I just need to wake up at 4:00 AM and get to the temple to welcome the morning sunrise. A day before, one of the personnels told me that if it rains at night, the sunrise would look even more spectacular. And yes it was. Here are my shots for this weekend trip.

From Temples to Temples: Returning to Yogyakarta Part 2

During my first attempt to visit Yogyakarta, my flight was cancelled due to the volcanic eruption of Gunung Merapi, Indonesia's most active volcano situated just in the outskirts of Yogyakarta and Magelang (where Borobudur Temples is located) cities. Luckily, I got another chance to visit Yogyakarta in May of 2012. During that time, I managed to visit both Borobudur and Prambanan Temples. Both were spectacularly amazing and it's architecture and design were just stunning. Both of these temples are intricately carved with the story of Rama and Shinta, popularly known as the main characters of the epic book series of the Mahabharata, which originated from India.

3 years after, I have returned to this stunning, cultural-filled city of Yogyakarta with my family. I toured them around and I also tried to visit other temples which I missed during my first visit namely Ratu Boko and Candi Sewu.

Good morning Mount Merapi. Hello Yogyakarta City.

Lagani Coffee: Returning to Yogyakarta Part 1

Yogyakarta, or Jogja to locals, is famous for many things. Aside from being the cultural center of Indonesia, it is also the gateway to several heritage sites revered around the world. It is also close to Indonesia's most active volcano, Gunung Merapi. But Jogja, despite its rich cultural heritage, is also catching up to many hip and out of the mainstream places to hangout. On my research about other places to visit in Jogja, I found out about this quaint coffee shop called Lagani Coffee located Jalan Cendrawasih which is quite close to the city center.

When I reached the street, I was welcome with a lot of specialty shops and artisanal restaurants. If I will make comparisons, it is like the Bali Lane of Singapore or the Maginhawa Street of Quezon City, Philippines. And I told myself as I entered the street that I think I'm going to like this place but let me get myself first to my main agenda: LAGANI COFFEE.

Lagani Coffee is on the second floor of white building and you will be welcomed with an artistic doodles of different food and vintage-looking furniture. The ambiance inside is quite nice. Not very dark but not very bright. The design of the cafe inside gives you a homey feeling. You can literally see what is going on inside the kitchen as there are no windows. There were a lot of vintage stuff being used like the oven in the kitchen. There are also many vintage displays to look at while waiting for your coffee and meals.

Lagani Coffee serves different coffee, drinks and food. I ordered my usual cafe latte and oreo pancakes with ice cream (I forgot what it is called by the way). They served their latter with a cute art of a flower and pancakes were freshly made upon order. I literally saw how the cook made it since I have a good view of their kitchen. In general food and coffee were great and I love how the place was not super crowded on Saturday tea break time. Most probably because people prefer being in the malls which gives an advantage to people who prefer being on coffee shops outside and faraway from the overcrowded malls of Indonesia.

Candi Muarajambi, Abandoned Beauty

We arrived at 8:00 in the morning at Sultan Thaha Airport, the main airport of Jambi City, West Sumatra. The city center is about 20 minute-drive to the city center. But we first went to Candi Murajambi, an archaeological site, believed to be built in early 15^th century, which is situated in the forested area of the town of Muarajambi. These are Hindu temples which are made of similar bricks found at Hindu temples of India. Candi Muarajambi is about 25 kms drive from the airport. O the way, you will find palm tree plantation on the right and rubber tree plantations on the left. There are 9 temples all over the complex. They are quite simple with the highest peak reaching to about 3 floors. These temples, is incomparable to the astonishing Angkor Complex or the majestic Borobudur Complex which were all discovered accidentally by foreign explorers but there is yet beauty in the simplicity of Candi Muarajambi. First thing I noticed was the lack of tourist made the place clean, no traffic and peaceful. You will always find an alone time when you wander around the temples. When you look around all the temples, I could say it was abandoned by the people who built it. But for the reason why they abandoned, no one can answer. The locals may also not have any clue and can only rely on hearsay. Getting around the whole complex took us 3 hours on a bike. An unexpected ride back to main entrance got us toasted under the glaring heat of the Sumatran summer.

As I mentioned, the whole place is not as grandiose as the famed Hindu complex of the neighboring countries but the beauty of being untouched and left in ruins made it more appealing than the other temples I have seen so far. More importantly, since Hinduism never propagated in this area, which is generally Muslim, we can understand why people never really took time to use these places for worship yet they never tore it down.

Aku Diponegoro, Galeri Nasional Indonesia

Sang Pangeran Dalam Ingatan Bangsa. Prince Diponegoro, Indonesia's national hero, who fought for the freedom of Indonesia, whose remaining owned artefacts and contributed artworks by various artist is currently on exhibit at the Galeri Nasional Indonesia. It's a quick walk to see the battle and arrest of Diponegoro during the 19th century with these contributed paintings by different local and foreign artist. Its a must visit for all Indonesians and others.

Exhibit Opening
6 February – 8 March 2015
10 am – 7 pm
(Open for public and entrance is free)

For more information:

Website: www.akudiponegoro.com
Facebook : Goethe-Institut Indonesien
Twitter : AkuDiponegoro

Instagram : akudiponegoro

Makassar, South Sulawesi

I arrived in Makassar on a gloomy day after a flight from Jakarta which took 2 hours. It was a smooth flight considering that it was days after that devastating disappearance of an Airasia flight in Java sea due to bad weather condition. The whole country was mourning as the whole world watches. But despite of the scary thing that happened, everything still goes on so I continued to my destination even with a little apprehension. After arriving, I was greeted by non-stop drizzling on my way to my first destination. I stopped by at Taman Nasional Bantimurung just at the same time when the drizzling stopped. I had sometime to walk around the park and look at the stream that leads to a sort of rapids down to were the part of the stream were people could swim. There was a small museum about butterflies and two other butterfly sanctuaries where you can walk in to see caterpillars and butterflies.

Hello from 38,000 feet aboard Garuda Indonesia

Jakarta Transportation Sketches

Here are the different transportation you will see in Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia. These are just some of the vehicles which causes traffic gridlock especially during rush hours.

City Sketches - Jakarta

Here is another set of sketches I did for the past month. I have been quite busy and I only have the chance now to upload these photos.

For your viewing pleasure.

Artworks were done on 8.5 x 11.5 inches sketch pad, water color and ink.

Museum Sejerah Jakarta, Kota Tua

Semarang Contemporary Art Gallery

Semarang Contemporary Art Gallery is situated in Semarang's Old Town. Housed in an old dutch building renovated for this art gallery, it is probably one of the best places in Semarang to see some homegrown artists with their art works. The art collection they have is great and very modern with its subjects despite being located in the heart of the old town of Semarang. The exhibition changes from time to time so you may check their website before visiting.

Semarang Contemporary Art Gallery

Bandung Indonesia

Here is a new photostreaming I did for my trip to Bandung last month. Enjoy...

Bandung Day Trip by Slidely Photo Gallery

Semarang and it's old charm.

Last weekend, I spent three days in Semarang, located in Central Java, Indonesia, and of course the best way to do in a trip to an old city is to do some sketching.

Some facts about Semarang:

1. It's the capital of Central Java, Indonesia.

2. Predominantly Muslim but the presence of Dutch colony was very evident in the city's old town.

3. Travelers often overlook this city because online polls says it does not have the charm that Yogyakarta and Solo has to offer. But they are wrong. It is probably one of the best preserved old towns in Indonesia. 

4. Food is great for a Filipino like me because in general, they are not that spicy and most of the food are sweet and a bit salty.

5. The city is quite clean and has wider roads which gives you less traffic.

6. The famous Borobudur Temples can also be accessed from here although with a much longer travel time compared to Yogyakarta.

7. It's the gate to other must-visit places like Candi Gedong Songo, a hindu temple on the mountainside and the town of Ambarawa, where the largest collection of steam engine trains in Asia are stored and displayed in a museum.

8. Lawang Sewu, literally translated as Thousand Doors, is one of the most magnificent old Dutch building ever built in Indonesia and has been restored for the public to see.

9. The old town is just simply mesmerizing and has different churches within it.

10. Vintage collectors will have a fiesta in several antique stores and sometimes at the flea markets in the old town.

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jigo

07.17.2014

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Urban Sketching Series - Kota (Old Town), Jakarta

Here you go. Another urban sketches and artworks I have done for travelling in Jakarta, Indonesia. Kota is an old town of Jakarta and it boasts of several museums and the best on my list to visit are Museum Wayang and Museum Mandiri. I have been there on my first visit here in Jakarta in 2011. But now, I only went to Kota just for sketching and try out Cafe Batavia.

Museum Sejarah Jakarta

Bali High

Ubud, a highland town in the central part of Bali, is one of the most mesmerizing places in Bali which makes me keep coming back. It boasts with local artist and some foreign residents who opened up craft shop, boutiques, restaurants and different kind of places to stay. The entire village has so many different hotels, villas and homestays that will cater to different demographics. There is also an array of spas and massage villas to choose from for you to relax.

In my many occasions of visiting Ubud, I have come to visit and revisit shops that truly produces so many things that values the heritage of Balinese, be it inspired by the natural products that are home grown in Bali or by the ingenuity of the modern Balinese art and crafts.

Here are some of the best shops to find in Ubud.

Oro: A Colombian Art Invasion

In Spanish, the word "Oro" means gold. Pedro Ruiz, a Colombian artist who hailed from Bogota, introduced us to another cultural weekend at Galeri Nasional in Jakarta Indonesia. As indicated on the brochure given out at the free entry exhibit, nothing gold can stay. These paintings by Pedro Ruiz tell us that splendor is on the run, that we ourselves are on the run, that time is also a river that only in art does the river remain. It is the first of its kind that I have seen such gold painting in a canvass. The paintings have a quite similar them with a gold background paint. A man steering his boat and in each boat contains the different aspects of the human being towards life. The man represents us on how we have to move on with our lives based on what we want to carry along with us in each of our boats.