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

The trains that never moved: Metro Manila’s aging train system

LRT 1. Trains arriving at Monumento Station

It was 9:15 AM at the North Avenue Station of the Metro Rail Transit (MRT Line 3) and I was bound to meet a friend at 11:00 AM at a mall in Ortigas Center. I thought that by 9:00 AM, the line of passengers to get to the train would be shorter but to my dismay, it seemed endless. I waited in line but after an hour, I haven't even reached the bottom of the stairs that will lead me up to the main entry gates. I dropped it and went for a bus instead but 10 minutes in the bus I realised it was also not a good idea. So I opened a ride-hailing App and booked a motorbike that would pick me up on my pinned location and take me to my Ortigas. I made it 5 minutes early to my appointment time. The distance between North Avenue Station and the mall in Ortigas Center is only 9 kms. A marathon runner could definitely reach my destination ahead of me if I stayed in that line. Nowadays, every hour that the MRT operates is considered rush hour. There is no respite of people lining up. They even have a "Stop/Entry" method. This means lines do not move at all until all passengers in the platform are cleared.

The Sketchbook Project: Jeepney Sketches

I made a series of sketches about jeepneys back in 2014. I remember how fascinated I was to make an artwork with a twist of my heritage. Being a Filipino who grew up in the Philippines, commuting in a jeepney is one's basic way of life. If your parents never let you ride a jeepney, you must belong to an affluent family or a clan of the first class but in one way or another, one will still find a way to ride one no matter which walk of life you belong to.

In this sketchbook, I signed up with The Brooklyn Art Library where the Sketchbook Project is in partner with. I have long waited to be a part of this community and now that I finished the sketches, I finally submitted it and hoping it would join the U.S. tour of their mobile library. The sketchbook will then become part of the The Brooklyn Art Library long list of sketch catalogue.

Sketches of Ilocos Norte and Vigan

During the trip, I did not get to sketch on the spot as it was a tight schedule. I only managed to find time when I was at home and sketched my favourite spots in Ilocos Norte and the lovely hotel we stayed in Vigan, Escolta Homey Lodge, which is right at the center of Calle Crisologo. A video log at the end of all the pictures is included for you to see the mini sketchbook I personally made.

Trying to get the juice back on sketching. Here is a sketch of Bangui Wind Farm. . . . . . #illustration #illustrations #blackink #inksketches #inksketch #art #artoftheday #dailysketch #dailyart #watercolourchannel #watercolour #watercolor #watercoloursketches #sketch #sketches #aquarela #aquarelle #youtubers #igers #ig #instragram #instagrammers @instagram #bangui #windmills #windfarm #ilocos #ilocosnorte #waterblog #anartfeature

A post shared by Joseph Gerald Legaspi (@sigeraldto) on Jul 5, 2017 at 9:19pm PDT

Northern Exposure The Second Time Around

Ilocos Province. Eleven years ago, I visited Ilocos Region and had my first taste of bagnet, chichacorn and the local longganisa. So this time, I came back to relive that trip together with my friends. We started at the far north where I also started before. But this time we have a car with us so we can really get in to all the places we really wanted to go.

A post shared by Joseph Gerald Legaspi (@sigeraldto) on Jun 30, 2017 at 4:57am PDT

Pinto Art Museum, Antipolo, Rizal

Yes. All I can say to myself when I finally get to see this amazing art gallery and museum. All Filipino artists works. Painting, sculptures and mixed media. The houses or villas in this compound are such a good sight to see. As people may call it, these place is just so instagrammable yet contains such great works of art.

Post Office Bvilding, Manila

The Manila Central Post Office is located along the banks of Pasig River. Situated opposite the then glamorous Escolta which served as Manila's central business district during the pre-World War II era. When I was studying in the university, I always passed by this magnificent building by train before I alighted at Central Terminal station. In my four years, I never had the chance to set foot in this magnificent edifice.

National Museum, Manila, the Philippines

THIS IS A REVELATION. I have to start this really good as I must admit that I hate myself for not having been back to this place since long time ago. I studied in Manila for 4 years and worked there for about 5 years and never have I been back to this wonderful museum. I vaguely remember my school trip to this museum when I was in elementary. I could not even remember whether it was in elementary or high school but it is definitely more than 16 years since I have been to this place.

The Transfiguration Chapel, Calaruega

It has been exactly 13 years ago when I was first mesmerized by this quaint chapel on a hill top just off the boundary of Tagaytay City and Nasugbu. During that time, we went there as part of our college retreat, a required undertaking before you graduate in a Catholic university. The place was mezmering indeed and during that time you can almost have the place on your own since it was not yet a popular place to go.

It is usually a place for events like wedding, birthdays and other religious events you can think of. It may not be a heritage site or an important Catholic destination but the place is just quite peaceful even though today, there is an influx of visitors.

The transfiguration chapel, which was formed in the same image of a place also called Calaruega, in Mexico or Spain I think, still stands astonishingly. If my memory serves me right, the entire place was patterned to a place of the same name in a Spanish county. That is what was told to us during our retreat and forgive me for not remembering all the details right.

I just hope that from what I saw in this place, tourist were very caring and cautious that they should not make a lot of noise and litter on the place because they are aware that this is a place of worship. But I have heard so many terrible stories about other places where tourist leave all their trash where ever their hands feel like doing so. I cannot believe that these tourists do not bother about taking care of tourists destination. I know I can't save the world by eriting about it here but there is only one thing I know that I have lost. And that if faith in humanity to take care of the earth. So I am very thankful to some small groups of people who always keep an eye in doing small things to make a big difference.

The Old Manila International Air Terminal

This lovely building situated in the centre of the central business district of Makati used to house the first and former airport terminal in the Philippines. From outside, you will not notice it as it just look like an ordinary building. The old sign that say "Manila International Terminal" can only be seen from behind and when you are along Makati avenue, you will think that it is just a house or restaurant.

This building used to be called Nielsen Tower and still uses that name for its building although it is popularly known now called Black Bird. The building was erected in 1937 and was used for commercial and international flights until the end of World War 2. Before it became a restaurant, it previously housed the former library owned by the Ayalas. It is still owned by the Ayalas though. Im just glad that the building have survived and remained a symbol in Ayala triangle. This is such a great example of well preserved heritage building. I wish we could see more of this.

Jeepney Art: Sketches

Jeepneys are one of the most evident contributions of America to the Philippines. The jeepneys that we have now were custom-built to meet the demand for public transport all over the Philippines. Although it maybe one of the major reasons for congested traffic in Metro Manila, I still find them fascinating and useful for the public.

I started this "Jeepney Art Sketches" just last month and here are the recent sketches I just finished.

Philippine Jeepney Art and Sketches: This represents the overcrowded passengers as part of their daily lives taking public transport.

Reviving Escolta: The Queen Street of Manila

This weekend gave Filipino heritage lovers and alike a blast from the past as the once posh street of Manila has been revived for The Manila Street Heritage Festival. Dubbed as #SelfiEscolta event, it was organized by a group of heritage enthusiasts with a theme called "Rescue, Revive and Relive Escolta".

Escolta is Manila's luxury and fashion district in the olden days. You may compare it to what is Greenbelt, Makati or BGC, Taguig today but with the sense of neo-classical designs and art deco architecture of the collections of buildings that managed to withstand the test of time. Although some of these buildings are being touted for demolition like the El Hogar Building. Some still serves purpose for banks and other local businesses.

Manila Sketches

Here are some of my previous sketch work of Intramuros in Manila, Philippines I have done. Sketches were done using watercolor and ink.

San Agustin Church, Intramuros, Manila, Philippines

Train Train Go Away

The Sawahlunto Train and Railway System

Growing up, I have always been fascinated with moving things like trains and airplanes. I was never a big fan of race cars or bikes but trains and airplanes have always been admiring things to me. Whenever I travel to the city from my hometown, there used to be a working passenger train that travels to the northern part of Bulacan which was operated by the Philippine National Railway but since the tracks and the trains were never really given much care, the trains eventually stopped plying that route. Now the only existing train route that I know of is the ones from Alabang to Bicol. I believe its a 12-hour journey from Alabang to Bicol Region using this electric or gas powered train. I never really knew what type of train there is because I do not really know much about the history of railways in the Philippines. I guess nobody really seemed to bother about trains anymore unlike in the olden days. And then trains in Manila evolved into Light Railway Transit, the elevated passenger railway system that travels from Monument to Baclaran (which now extends from Munoz Roosevelt to Baclaran). Eventually, it led to the construction of two more elevated railway system such as the MRT (from North Avenue to Taft Avenue) and the LRT2 which covers Recto to Marikina.

Top Ten Other Must See Places In The Philippines

These are my Top Ten Places To Visit In The Philippines that is not always a part of your travel itinerary. Why? This is because people, especially tourists, always go to the usual top tourist spots in the Philippines. My list may does not really cover everything in and around the Philippines and this is only based on places I have seen and would want to see. Many of you may wonder why my list is like this but it is actually for the benefit of those who are interested more on seeing the "what else" aside from your usual destination. I love art galleries, book shops, antiques and old and unique places that is why list goes on like this:

1. Batanes Group of Islands

One of the most typhoon-battered group of islands in the most northern parts of the Philippine archipelago during the monsoon seasons, Batanes is one of those tricky places to visit because of its location but is getting a lot of attention now because of the natural wonders it has to offer. Many of the places here can not be found in other parts of the country which makes truly magnificent and worth going. It is also on my list of places to see soon.

Baguio City Travel Video

And since because pictures aren't just enough. This is the second travel video I have done and I must say this is better than my Siem Reap video. On a side note, I should take video shots on my next travel so I can add it on the travel video and make it look better.

Here it goes:

or you can also access the link below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-JbvC3lpYc

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jigomeister
02.25.2014

BenCab Museum

So many things has been said about this place. I have checked BenCab's Facebook Page and hundreds of celebrities have visited BenCab Museum and everyone are just in awe on almost everything that they saw in the museum. I visited BenCab Museum last January 18 and I also had the same expressions with all the visitors. This place is amazing. I am glad that local artist like Ben Cabrera created such a place to display his contemporary works of art as well as other artists' work as well.

This is the kind of place that people should visit, not just because celebrities flock to this place, but to appreciate local works of art. We Filipinos, in general, seem to have forgotten our own roots and is just willing to embrace everything foreign, or putting it in layman's term "imported". We think that everything imported is always good and we forgot to patronize our own local artist. If we learn to appreciate our own culture, we will keep on loving our country. Patronizing places like this and helping it propagate and be known will  help our local culture grow and be known by fellow Pinoys and internationally.

BenCab Museum has a display of a lot of works in different genres that can reach all ages. I like the idea that it was placed a bit far from the city to get away from eagerly modernizing city of Baguio. I lived in Baguio in 1990 and I can say that things have changed drastically. It was not the pre-earthquake, pre-new millenium era that I enjoyed before. It is chaotic now and filled with construction and urbanization that will continue to ruin what was once a great place to live in.

Bookstores in Town: Mt. Cloud Bookshop

There is not a lot of great bookstores in the Philippines aside from the usual giant bookstores that we see in the malls. In Manila, it is quite hard to see a bookstore that once you enter, you will feel like being transformed into another place. When I visited Baguio, I made it a point to include a visit to Casa Vallejo where Mt Cloud Bookshop is located. And yes, this small, two level bookshop was indeed mesmerizing. Most of their collection are for children but they also other English and Tagalog Fiction and other books published by local press.

I just immediately loved the place upon seeing it. It was a different world when you enter. I love how they have a lot collection of Tagalog and Philippine-related story books. We have embraced the English language well that we have forgotten our own mother tongue. some people think its "baduy" to read books in Tagalog but what we are forgetting is that we were born with the Filipino tongue. For me it is not bad to learn to speak English or even other languages but do not forget to remember and love your own language.

Mt. Cloud Bookshop is a must visit for book lovers out there. And bring along your friends too and encourage them to read books in Tagalog and Philippine-themed books. I brought my friends there and they liked the place and love that they had such books that they never see in the usual bookstores in Manila.

Travel and Learn

Traveling. Who doesn’t want to travel? I guess everyone wants to travel but not all are given the means to do so. But if you have the means to do so then why not, it is an experience you will always treasure. I came upon an article by Atom Araullo on SMILES, the Cebu Pacific In-flight Magazine, and he shared some thoughts on backpacking, keeping a record of important things you have seen, take a lot of pictures and learn and experience the culture of the places you are going to. When I first started traveling in the Philippines, I was mainly a tourist. I tasted the local fare, pictures on specific destinations, seeing the places but not exactly learning the culture. And I mainly travelled with friends. I have been to Baguio, Benguet, Cordillera, Sagada, Vigan, Laoag, Pagudpud, Pangasinan, Subic, Zambales, Batangas, Bataan, Puerto Galera, Tagaytay, Quezon, Laguna, Cebu, Bantayan Island, Boracay and Davao. And during all these trips, I never actually visited museums except for the Ilocos Trip. I guess as you grow old, you learn to travel than just being merely a regular tourist. Even in my first travel overseas which was in October 2004, I went to Hong Kong and Shenzen, China but mostly for theme parks and shopping. My first attempt to an actual travel was in October 2009 when I went to Bangkok alone. I think Bangkok is a good start for a solo traveller wanting to experience the culture without the hassle of rushing your time. But since then, even though I travelled with a friend or two, I or we have made plans on experiencing the culture rather than just being a regular tourist. So you simply have to choose the right people to travel with in order to experience what you want to do. Aside from Bangkok, here are the list of places I have been to:

1.       Hong Kong and Shenzen, China, October 2004
2.       Singapore and Johor Bahru, Malaysia, May 2008 – June 2013
3.       Bangkok, Thailand, October 2009
4.       Medan, Tangkahan and Lake Toba, North Sumatra Indonesia, February 2012
5.       Bali, Indonesia, March 2011
6.       Jakarta, Indonesia, July 2011
7.       Bali, Indonesia, March 2012
8.       Yogyakarta, Indonesia, May 2012
9.       Bohol, Philippines, June 2012
10.   Phuket, Thailand, December 2012
11.   Seoul, South Korea, December 2012
12.   Padang, Bukit Tinggi, West Sumatra, December 2012
13.   Bali, Indonesia, March 2013
14.   Hanoi, Vietnam, April 2013
15.   Bangkok, Thailand, August 2013
16.   Vientiane, Laos, August 2013
17, Penang and Kuala Lumpur Malaysia, October 2013
18. Bali, Indonesia, October 2013
19. Siem Reap, Cambodia, November 2013
20. Bangkok, Thailand, November 2013
21. Kathmandu and Lumbini, Nepal, December 2013
22. Baguio City (again), Philippines, January 2014
23. Singapore, February - March - April 2014
24. Bali, Indonesia, May 2014
25. Semarang, Central Java, Indonesia July 2014
26. Singapore, September 2014
27. Makassar, South Sulawesi, Indonesia, January 2015

Hoping to visit more countries soon such as:

1.       Nepal - done
2.       India
3.       Brazil
4.       Argentina
5.       San Francisco
6.       New York
7.       Spain
8.       Italy
9.       France
10.   Turkey
11.   Portugal
12.   Japan
13.   Taiwan
14.   Cambodia - done
15.   New Zealand

There are just so many places to go so just keep on travelling to many places as long as you can.

Here is a link to SMILES CEBU PACIFIC MAGAZINE where you can find Atom Araullo's article.

http://ink-live.com/emagazines/smile/1457/september-2013/

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jigomeister
10.07.2013

On The Job : Movie Review

On The Job is a Filipino movie directed by Erik Matti and stars Joel Torre, Gerald Anderson, Piolo Pascual and many others. The movie talks about the harsh reality of the corrupt system in the country. It talks about the life of people in the prison and those powerful people outside who abuse them for their own corrupt gain. The story is based on real events where powerful people with money connives with prison guards, policemen and even high ranking investigators to illegally bring out prisoners and hire them as conmen. After doing their job, the conmen returns to prison thus resulting to a difficulty to trace the whereabouts of the hired killers. What I admire about the movie is on how they managed to do it waaaaaaaay good. I actually thought that the way they made the film, the way the presented killing people was so real. It was not your typical Filipino action movie where the hero never gets shot. Here, the powerful prevailed and the truth, no matter how elusive, remained uncovered. 

The scenes were unexpectedly unpredictable which made the story telling believable and does not fabricate the truth. It may not be a perfect and still share some flaws to others who have seen it. For me, the only awkward part was when Daniel Benitez (Anderson) screamed TANGINA as he shows off the tattooed letters of the curse word in each of his fingers. Atty Francis Coronel (Pascual) and Tatang (Torre) delivered a powerful and truthful performance of their characters. Joaquin Acosta (Joey Marquez) actually performed his role without any doubt as if he was a real policeman in real life.