DMs Singapore FW12
March 12, 2012

Doc Martens recently took their first buying trip to Singapore for the FW 12 collection. It is the first season we get to view samples and plan our range. We were very excited by what we saw and cannot wait to bring the product over to our customers.

Thank you very much to the Doc Martens Singapore team! Thank you Ian for the great crab dinner and Rae for trying on the ladies styles for us. See you guys again soon.

Black and Whites
March 11, 2012

The camera has not been a constant companion to start the year. Lots of time spent in offices and indoors. But I did drop in on a TVC shoot and I caught Toro Y Moi at the Hard Rock Cafe Manila. It helps that their lead singer is half Filipino. Now that more acts are making their way over here it is great to feel a little bit spoilt for choice. It has been a long time coming but progress is great to see. Lots to look forward to.

The show was good and it brought life to a venue I haven't visited in over a decade. Thank you Toro Y Moi.

Havana, Cuba
January 29, 2012

Traveling is my greatest pleasure. But I cannot remember the last time I took a trip that did not involve work or visiting friends. So I gave in to the selfish desire to be a real tourist and made plans to visit Havana. With no contacts and only a few vague ideas about what to expect it was the perfect way to start the new year.

My journey began with a quick 12 hour flight to LAX then a drive across the boarder to Tijuana. Considering I booked my flight only a few days prior I was not expecting a simple travel itinerary.

I landed in Mexico City and awaited my flight to Havana.

I was very impressed by the airport in Mexico City. Clean lines and a great use of raw concrete. It should not be a surprise considering the great number of amazing architects in this country.

After a short drive from the airport I arrived at the Hotel Nacional. Could not be a better welcome!

Great weather from the view of the hotel room.

Grabbed my camera and completed the tourist look with a ride in a vintage american car.

Walking through the streets is predictably surreal. But what struck me most was how safe I felt. I strolled through some of the most impoverished areas of town with no concern.

Even in the most central parts of town there were many full throw ups in a good variety of styles.

We have courts like this all over the Philippines. This type of architecture in such a decaying state reminded me a little of Manila Chinatown; where safety is definitely  more of an issue.

For tourist there are a few very strong images that Cuba uses, Ernesto Che Guevara, Old American automobiles, Havana Club Rum, the food, the music and Hemingway. This is one of the places that claims to be a past favorite of the writer's. His writings in Cuba and relationship with the government was well documented.

I did little to learn about Cuba before arriving. But when I arrived I started reading interviews with Fidel Castro and I discovered his admiration for Jose Marti. This is a structure dedicated to the revolution and the struggle he began for Cubans and all the revolutionaries worldwide. I have learnt much about the struggle of freedom from colonization in the Americas from reading the writings of Marti. His belief in humanity makes him stand out in the history of the revolutionary movement.

I was very curious about the local art movement and even more so after I saw all the commissioned and non commissioned work on the streets. So I paid a visit to the two large buildings that host Cuban art as well as a pretty vast international collection of works. I was extremely impressed at the development of the local art scene, considering the countries hardships and seclusion the works they were creating were very relative to the times. Some works by Wifredo Lam in the 60's really represented some of the heights of Cuban art.

The beautiful building where the international collection was being displayed had some amazing stained glass pieces.

Some scenes inside the Museum of the Revolution.

In old havana city they had a 20meter x 10meter stone mosaic wall. I can't imagine the hours of work involved.

Mojito's can be ordered at every establishment. And Bucanero is a full flavored strong beer. All made complete by this rooftop view. I will miss those afternoons in Havana.

Then my girl insisted that I finally put my camera to good use.

I spent hours wandering the city. There is so much around every corner that it can be difficult to find your bearings. And the variety of street scenes is drastic; poverty in the midst of cobble stone streets and scenic plazas. Tourism has effected many parts of the city as they try and market their local food and culture. But it is still done in a respectful manner and I never felt pressured.

One of the forms of transportation created for tourists.

There are shows like this all over the city. Not really my thing but it is one of those things that you just have to see once.

After a week of exploring Havana and trying to speak Spanish it was time to head back home and face the new year. At the airport it felt like I was boarding a time machine to return to the present and leave the past behind. But there are too many parallels with my culture that I know Cuba will have a permanent effect on my understanding of the Americas, colonialism, imperialism, socialism and communism. I have become very intrigued with how socialism was the leading ideology in prompting many of the Latin American revolutions. It makes me wonder what the Philippines would have been like had we adopted socialist ideas and strayed away from the capitalist ways of the USA. But regardless of political positions I see the struggle shared amongst the people of all developing countries. Ideas can set the mind free but sometimes we just need to feed the children.

On the way back to Tijuana I stopped over in Panama City. The flight attendant gave us a general history of the canal as we flew over. I was also surprised to see many foreign boutiques and fast food restaurants in the airport. Nothing escapes the grasp of capitalism.

Next stop was Monterrey Mexico. I spent the 8 hours in transit at the very modern airport. Lots of reading and planning. Travel time feels like free time, as if the clock has stopped until you reach your destination.

The view on the way to Tijuana.

The trip was like floating around in a dream. When everything is new it feels like it is all a figment of your imagination. Reality only sets in as things end. I will miss Cuba but now I know there is a special place for me in Latin America and I will continue my exploration of this vast continent again soon.

2012
January 8, 2012

The year has begun and I have barely begun recalling how the last one ended.

I really committed to doing something different this new year. It seems that 2012 has a lot to look forward to so I wanted to start it the right way. I would not consider myself superstitious but certain pieces of random advice have a way of staying with me. And I do not remember the source but someone once told me that the way you start the year will dictate the rest of it. Kind of a frightening thought.

The holidays is the busiest time of year for retail but it is also the most fun. But I really enjoyed taking time away from my phone and being with family. The burden of technology is something we do not feel until it is lifted.

I have to post about where I spent my new year but in the meantime here are a few shots of the last month.

Paoay Sand Dunes Ilocos Norte

Christmas Day Dinner, Sitio Remedios Ilocos Norte

Sunrise where I started the new year.

Baguio
December 14, 2011

Drove up to Baguio to take in the mountain weather and visit Ben Cab's Studio.

Ben Cab and an awkward and nervous me.

One side of the artist's studio property that houses a working studio, a gallery, a cafe with its own vegetable garden, beautiful landscaping and a walking trail around the ravine.

The studio

From the adult only room.

A great selection of contemporary work and traditional tribal artifacts.

Thank you for letting us enter your space. It was our honor.