kaleidoscope | photos from the Philippines and New Zealand

What do you see?

2012-02-09T23:11:00.000-08:00

When my son and I saw this cloud formation, the first thing we said was, "Falcor!"

Jo-Lo and Christine (at 7 months)

2012-01-21T00:33:00.000-08:00

Peek-a-boo!

2012-01-14T01:16:00.000-08:00

Fun in the tent

2011-12-26T16:22:00.000-08:00

Wellington, December 2011

Daydreaming

2011-12-11T16:27:00.001-08:00

Christine Joan at 5 months

Off to see the Johnsonville Christmas Parade!

2011-12-05T01:27:00.001-08:00

15 minutes of fame

2011-12-01T19:40:00.001-08:00

adobongblog is a finalist in the Filipiniana category of the 2011 Philippine Blog Awards! Yay!

http://www.philippineblogawards.com.ph/2011/11/30/finalists-for-filipiniana-category/

Jo-Lo and Christine (at 5 months)

2011-11-21T09:27:00.000-08:00

Learning the ukulele

2011-11-14T15:53:00.001-08:00

Bought a ukulele Thursday last week. Trying to learn to play an instrument. Can an old dog learn new tricks? Only one way to find out!

2011-11-05T23:06:00.000-07:00

Near Old Coach Road
Wellington, New Zealand
November 2011

Smurfs in the Bus!

2011-10-26T00:48:00.000-07:00

Wellington, September 2011

Jo-Lo and Christine (at 4 months)

2011-10-22T18:13:00.000-07:00

Wellington, New Zealand

21 October 2011

Rribit

2011-10-08T23:03:00.000-07:00

Frog sculpture at the Fountain. Botanic Garden, Wellington. September 2011

Overcast

2011-10-04T01:59:00.000-07:00

Botanic Garden, Wellington. September 2011

2011-09-22T02:21:00.001-07:00

Christine at 3 months

Clear waters

2011-09-13T02:40:00.000-07:00

Wellington's waterfront has such clear waters!
August 2011

Happy dog

2011-09-04T21:21:00.000-07:00

Fun-loving, good natured. He was with us in our weekend stroll in the park.

Wellington, New Zealand. September 2011

The Tunnel

2011-08-25T01:59:00.000-07:00

Te Papa Museum

July 2011

Jo-Lo and Christine (2 months old)

2011-08-22T02:39:00.000-07:00

Relaxing by the sea

2011-08-17T01:39:00.001-07:00

Wellington | August 2011

Day 2 of snow in Wellington

2011-08-15T03:04:00.001-07:00

Day 2 of snow!

Tug-boats?

2011-08-10T02:42:00.000-07:00

Wellington Harbour
July 2011

Bagong Kapamilya

2011-08-05T03:14:00.000-07:00

The Wind Farm

2011-07-26T18:43:00.000-07:00

In Makara as viewed from Mt Kau Kau
Wellington, July 2011

Jo-Lo and Christine (1 month old)

2011-07-21T01:16:00.001-07:00

Spring is in the air

2011-07-20T02:44:00.000-07:00

Wellington, New Zealand. July 2011

For the weary

2011-07-17T21:08:00.000-07:00

Old Coach Road Heritage Trail
Wellington, New Zealand
July 2011

Here's looking at you

2011-07-15T07:00:00.000-07:00

Our neighbour's pet dog, on the guard.
Baguio City, Philippines, January 2011

And the skies opened

2011-07-12T21:36:00.001-07:00

Old Coach Road trail
Wellington, July 2011

A beautiful bouquet of flowers

2011-07-07T07:00:00.000-07:00

LP156: Basa (Wet)

2011-07-03T21:55:00.000-07:00

Nagpunta kami sa bundok ng Manabu sa Batangas dahil napakaganda raw dito. Sa kasamaang palad ay hindi maganda ang panahon nang kami ay umakyat kaya't basa at maputik ang daan. Heto ang kasama ko na nadulas, at sinamantala na rin nyang magpahinga tutal nakaupo naman na sya. Kung gusto mong basahin ang kwento namin sa adventure na ito, basahin sa kabilang blog.

We went to the mountain of Manabu in Batangas, the Philippines, because they said the scenery is awesome. Unfortunately the weather was not cooperating when we took the hike. Thus the path was wet and muddy. In the photo, one of our companions slipped, so he took the opportunity to take a rest since he was already seated. If you'd like to read our story about this trek, visit the above link.

Bloghop and see other entries for this week's theme at Litratong Pinoy

Jo-Lo and Christine (a week old)

2011-06-29T03:14:00.000-07:00

Every end of the month I will be featuring a photo of my son Jo-Lo and new daughter Christine, hopefully doing the same pose as below to chronicle their growth.

LP155: Kailangan (need)

2011-06-25T03:21:00.000-07:00

Kailangan natin ng pag-aaruga ng ating mga magulang, na sya namang ipapamahagi natin sa ating mga anak. Kailangan natin ng pagmamahal na walang kapalit, tulad ng inang magsisilang ng anak kahit na magiging peligro ito sa kanyang sariling buhay.

We need the care of our parents, which we in turn give to our kids. We need selfless love, like the mother who will give birth at the peril of her own life.

View the LP155 thread at Litratong Pinoy

LP154: Tumba (Fallen)

2011-06-16T02:31:00.000-07:00

Kahit na bawal ay sige pa rin sila sa pagtalon sa bangin na ito sa Puerto Galera...

Even if it's prohibited, they still attempt to dive off this cliff in Puerto Galera, the Philippines...

Blohgop with the theme Tumba (Fallen) at Litratong Pinoy

LP153: Preno (break)

2011-06-09T02:43:00.000-07:00

Sa paksa ngayong linggo, naalala ko ang zipline na pinuntahan namin sa Cagayan de Oro tatlong taon na ang nakakaraan. Una, naglakad kami sa makitid na tulay 123 metro ang haba, at 150 metro ang taas nito. Pinag-iisipan namin kung paano kami babalik nang bumantad sa amin ang zipline! Lipad sa kagubatan at biglang hinto sa sinimulan!

This week's theme reminded me of the zipline which we experienced in Cagayan de Oro three years ago. First, we took the canopy walk which involved walking along narrow bridge 123 meters across, suspended 150 meters off the ground. We were wondering how we were going to get back, and we got our answers at the end of the "road": the zipline! Fly through the trees and screech to a halt at the start of the trek!

If you'd like to read on about our Cagayan de Oro adventure, visit my other blog. Thanks!

Read more about LP153 at Litratong Pinoy

A most beautiful photo

2011-06-07T20:29:00.000-07:00

This is one of the most beautiful photos I have ever seen. Meet Christine Joan O. Ballesteros, due to arrive on 21 June 2011.

Maria and Luis

2011-05-31T01:21:00.000-07:00

Sesame Street is now being shown on TV, and is a recent addition to kid's progammes. I was able to catch an episode one time, and was truly surprised to see Maria and Luis! They're among the main characters of Sesame Street of my childhood. And that was a looong time ago. I stood transfixed, staring at the screen, like I was transported back to my black-and-white Sesame Street, only this time it's in colour and they have added years. It was like seeing long-lost friends again.

LP151: Liwasan sa may dagat (Park by the beach)

2011-05-26T02:19:00.000-07:00

Dito sa Wellington ay may mga laruang pambata sa maraming lugar. Talagang hinihikayat nila ang mga bata, kasama ng kanilang pamilya, na lumabas at magsaya. Ang liwasang ito ay kakaiba sapagka't malapit ito sa dagat. Kung nagsawa na nag mga bata sa playground ay pwede naman silang maglaro sa buhangin! Pwede rin magtampisaw sa tubig, pero sadyang kaunti lamang ang lumalangoy pagka't winter na... ang lamig!

Here in Wellington, there are lots of playgrounds. They really encourage kids and their families to go out and have fun. This park is quite special because it's near the beach. If the kids have grown tired of the playground, they can go and play with the sand! They can also play by the water, though only a few are swimming because it's winter time and it's quite cold!

More LP:151 Liwasan (Park) blog posts here
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LP149: Makina - Super Electromagnetic Machine Voltes V

2011-05-14T14:16:00.000-07:00

Noong nakita ko na ang tema ng Litratong Pinoy ngayong lingo ay "Makina" iisang bagay ang pumasok agad sa aking isipan: si Voltes V. Alam nyo bang ang buong pangalan nya ay Super Electromagnetic Machine Voltes V? Malamang nabuking nyo na rin ang aking edad kung ito ang agad na naalala ko :-). Pero ang mga panahon ng mga Super Robots ng 70s ay isa sa mga pinakamasayang alaala ko. At nakakasiguro akong naaalala rin ito ng nakararami na ka-henerasyon ko. Pustahan tayo, kahit di nyo na maalala ang mga pangalan ng kanilang mga vehicles ay kilala nyo pa rin ang mga bida at kontrabida dito!

Noong mid-90s ay nakabili ako ng die-cast metal ng sinaunang Voltes V. Dati ay naka-display ito pero ngayon ay nasa baul na simula nang nag-migrate kami ng New Zealand ng 2008. Noong Disyembre ay nagbakasyon kami sa Pilipinas at naisipan kong kunan ng litrato ang mga ito bago itago ulit (may mas priority kasing dalhin pabalik). Pero darating rin tayo sa panahong makukuha ko muli ang mga ito at makakapag Volt-in na sila ulit!

Volt Cruizer

Volt Bomber

Volt Panzer

Volt Frigate

Volt Lander

When I saw that the Litratong Pinoy theme for this week is "Machine", only one thing entered my mind: Voltes V. Did you know that his complete name is Super Electromagnetic Machine Voltes V? Obviously you may have correctly guessed my age based in this choice :-). But the Super Robots era of the 70s is one of my happiest memories. And I'm sure a lot of people from my generation also remembers this. I bet that even if you no longer remember the names of their vehicles, you can still recall the names of the characters from this anime!

In the mid-90s I was able to buy a die-cast action figure of the original Voltes V. This was proudly displayed, but is currently hidden away because we migrated to New Zealand in 2008. Last December we went on vacation to the Philippines and I took photos of my action figures before I stored them again (other things I need have more priority). But I'm sure the time will come when I can get these and they will be able to Volt-in again!

View more of LP149 in participating blogs

A fine Wellington afternoon

2011-05-10T21:36:00.000-07:00

April 2011
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Alikabok (dust) - a Litratong Pinoy post

2011-05-04T21:52:00.000-07:00

Napaisip pa ako kung mayroon ba akong litrato ukol sa alikabok. Hinalughog ko ang aking archives at naalala kong naing parte na nga pala ng buhay ko ito pagka't minsan ay nakahiligan ko ang mamundok.

Bahagi ng pamumundok ang alikabok, lalo na kapag panahon ng tag-araw. Kung sabagay, mas gugustuhin ko na ito kesa putik sa tag-ulan. Hindi mo na iintindihin pa ang alikabok sa iyong byahe pagka't maganda naman ang tanawin sa iyong tinatahak. Sadyang pakiramdam ko'y malaya ako sa mga suliranin sa buhay kapag namumundok kami; di na namin masyadong pinapansin kung saan kami uupo upang magpahinga, o magtayo ng tent. At pagdating sa taas, napakaganda ng tanawin at ng sikat ng araw sa umaga!

I had to think hard if I had photos pertaining to dust. I looked though my archives and remembered that dust had actually been a major part of my life because I loved trekking and camping on mountains.

Dust is part of camping life, especially during the summer. Come to think of it, I would rather have the dust than the mud during the rainy season. We eventually become unmindful of the dust anywat because of the nice view along the way. It is truly a liberating experience whenever we go camping. you do not have to worry about where to sit when tired, or where to put up your tent. And when you reach the peak, the view is awesome and the sunrise is magnificent!

Location: Pico de Loro in Cavite, Philippines
Visit LP148 for more photos on the topic "Alikabok"
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Oscar

2011-05-03T21:15:00.000-07:00

That's the type of fish this is. Not sure what his pet name is, though. Never thought this could grow really big. A friend once owned an Oscar and he says this fish is quite intelligent. Unfortunately it died when he changed the water, after being with him for more than a couple of years.

Taken in Wellington, New Zealand. April 2011

Duck crossing (A Litratong Pinoy photo)

2011-05-01T19:08:00.000-07:00

Sa Neew Zealand po ang larawan na ito. Kinuha ito isang Sabado ng umaga. Talaga pong kakaunti ang tao dito, at sa umagang ito, wala pa ngang naglalakad sa kalye. Pati mga pato ay malamang tulog pa rin.

Johnsonville, Wellington. New Zealand, Spring 2010
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Monolith

2011-04-30T03:22:00.000-07:00

Wellington, New Zealand. April 2011
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Freedom

2011-04-25T17:52:00.000-07:00

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Pieta

2011-04-22T23:29:00.001-07:00

Found in St Mary of the Angels in Wellington City. April 2011
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Fun with cousins and nephew

2011-04-21T07:00:00.000-07:00

My son Jo-Lo had a grand time with his cousins and nephew when we visited the Philippines last January 2011
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Super moon

2011-04-18T02:04:00.000-07:00

Johnsonville, Wellington, New Zealand. March 2011
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Jump rope

2011-04-10T17:52:00.000-07:00

A series of rubber bands looped together provide hours of entertainment! Philippines, January 2011
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Pieta

2011-04-05T18:19:00.000-07:00

Baguio Cathedral. Philippines, January 2011
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Gundam Seed - Buster

2011-04-03T21:03:00.000-07:00

I am currently watching the anime Gundam Seed. I have this model of Buster as part of my action figures collection.

While in the Philippines, I took a quick inventory of my collection and took photos of them. I also brought a number back here in New Zealand. I will be featuring some of these here in my photo blog.

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Ambience

2011-03-30T21:04:00.000-07:00

These lamps made the Christmas gathering with friends in the Philippines very cozy and memorable. December 2010
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Cat and Mouse

2011-03-24T17:24:00.000-07:00

A tic-tac-toe board. February 2011
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An extraordinary teapot

2011-03-20T07:00:00.000-07:00

Cafe by the Ruins at Baguio City, Philippines. December 2010
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Let there be light

2011-03-17T07:00:00.000-07:00

Cafe by the Ruins in Baguio City, Philippines. December 2010
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Google it

2011-03-13T18:45:00.000-07:00

For some reason, this photo reminds me of Google.
December 2010
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Heart

2011-03-10T19:52:00.000-08:00

Anthurium from our small garden in Baguio City, Philippines. December 2010
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Wild cherry tomatoes

2011-03-07T19:29:00.001-08:00

Baguio City, Philippines. January 2011
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Love Amici!

2011-03-03T19:59:00.000-08:00

Amici is an Italian Restaurant in Makati City, the Philippines. I absolutely love going there for their pasta, pizza, and gelato! And from the looks of it, so will my son Jo-Lo!

Love gelato!

January 2011
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Busy bee

2011-03-01T23:41:00.000-08:00

This is the kind of bee that we have in the Philippines. Whereas here in New Zealand, it's bigger, with yellow and black stripes. I hope I can take a photo of a bee from here soon.

Baguio, City, Philippines. December 2010
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Cowboy hats

2011-02-21T19:38:00.000-08:00

Cowboy hats... and a comb?
Get your photo taken riding a horse at the Centennial Park

Baguio City, Philippines. January 2011

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Summer flower

2011-02-18T01:49:00.000-08:00

Wellington, February 2011
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Good vs Evil interrupted

2011-02-12T07:00:00.000-08:00

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Good vs Evil

2011-02-11T23:39:00.000-08:00

Wellington, New Zealand. February 2011
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Meowr

2011-02-09T23:51:00.000-08:00

They say cats are the cleanest pets because they frequently groom themselves. Our neighbor's cat is a classic example, never failing to clean up when the sun rises each morning.

Taken in Baguio City, Philippines. December 2010
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Traditional Hut

2011-02-07T00:04:00.000-08:00

Centennial Park. Baguio City, Philippines. January 2011
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Busy at the Beach

2011-02-02T23:27:00.000-08:00

La Union, Philippines. December 2010
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Instant party!

2011-01-27T07:00:00.000-08:00

Baguio City, Philippines. January 2011
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Parol

2011-01-24T01:14:00.000-08:00

The Parol, or Christmas Lantern, is a very popular Filipino decoration and is usually placed by the window. We saw these clever parols in the nearby school in Baguio City, Philippines. Some were made of seashells, but what interested me more were those that were made from drinking straw. Really nice.

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Money tree berries

2011-01-18T16:23:00.000-08:00

It is said that when the money tree bears fruit, the owner will receive blessing in the form of ... money. I hope that's true!

Baguio City, Philippines. January 2011
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2011-01-13T18:18:00.000-08:00

Various handircrafts being sold in the market. Baguio City, the Philippines. January 2011
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Being kids

2011-01-03T07:00:00.000-08:00

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Spring Flowers 4

2010-12-30T07:00:00.000-08:00

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Spring Flowers 3

2010-12-27T07:00:00.000-08:00

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Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

2010-12-24T07:00:00.000-08:00

Photo credit: The Catholic Hack

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Sage Flowers

2010-12-21T07:00:00.000-08:00

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Spring Flowers 2

2010-12-18T07:00:00.000-08:00

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Spring Flowers 1

2010-12-15T07:00:00.000-08:00

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Mmmm...macaroons!

2010-12-11T07:00:00.000-08:00

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The lion in the wind

2010-12-07T07:00:00.000-08:00

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Church ruins

2010-11-30T15:58:00.000-08:00

Camiguin Island, Philippines. March 2008
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Bound for Camiguin Island

2010-11-27T15:54:00.000-08:00

The ship we took to go to enchanting Camiguin Island. Cagayan de Oro, Philippines. March 2008
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Kiwifruit shake, anyone?

2010-11-24T15:51:00.000-08:00

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Artist in the making

2010-11-21T15:47:00.000-08:00

My son Jo-Lo tracing diagrams off a lighted table
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Walking stick

2010-11-16T15:45:00.000-08:00

One of the bigger walking sticks I have seen so far. Harmless and amazing creatures.
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Spring flowers

2010-11-10T07:00:00.000-08:00

August 2010
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Tweeter

2010-11-07T07:00:00.000-08:00

Otari-Wilton's Bush, Wellington. September 2010
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Mushroom?

2010-11-04T07:00:00.000-07:00

Otari-Wilton's bush, Wellington. September 2010
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Forest Guardian

2010-10-31T07:00:00.000-07:00

Reminds me of Hayao Miyazaki's Spirited Away
Otari Wilton's Bush, Wellington. September 2010
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Tui

2010-10-27T07:00:00.000-07:00

These attractive birds can often be heard singing their beautiful melodies long before they are spotted. If you are fortunate to glimpse one you will recognise them by their distinctive white tuft under their throat, which contrasts dramatically with the metallic blue-green sheen to their underlying black colour. (Source: Department of Conservation)

Otari Wilton's Bush, Wellington 2010
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Flowers

2010-10-24T07:00:00.000-07:00

Otari-Wilton's Bush. Wellington. Sept 2010
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Wishing the weekend would never end

2010-10-20T07:00:00.000-07:00

Newlands, Wellington, New Zealand. September 2010
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Love the wide, open spaces

2010-10-17T07:00:00.000-07:00

Newlands, Wellington. New Zealand, September 2010
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Fiery tulips

2010-10-14T00:05:00.001-07:00

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Haven't lost my marbles

2010-10-09T07:00:00.000-07:00

Photo taken by my 5 year old son Jo-Lo
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Fireworks

2010-10-06T07:00:00.000-07:00

Not sure how the camera captured a reddish hue, but it made for an otherworldly feel. Guy Fawke's night 2010. Wellington, New Zealand
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Road trip

2010-10-03T07:00:00.000-07:00

Wellington, New Zealand. September 2010
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Museum Hotel

2010-09-30T07:00:00.000-07:00

The Museum Hotel was initially located on the other side of the road, moving to its present site in 1993. The hotel made a 120-metre journey down an inner city street on railway tracks. Facing demolition to make way for the new Museum of New Zealand, Te Papa. The 5 storey, 3500 tonne structure seemed doomed, until Chris Parkin, the owner, began to investigate the possibility of relocating the entire structure.

Several solutions were proposed, including sliding the building on a film of water and rolling it over masses of ball bearings. Ultimately, however, old-fashioned railway technology was recognised as the most suitable and cost effective solution. The railway track load-spreading ability being especially important when transferring such a weight across reclamation.

Resourcefulness and ingenuity became the order of the day for the three main companies involved. Mainzeal Construction held overall responsibility for the project. Dunning Thornton Consultants provided the engineering while Building Solutions Ltd carried out the construction work. Four months were required for the separation of the hotel from its foundation. The move itself took only 2 days. The building reached its destination in perfect condition and less than one centimetre out of line.

Only five months after the project started the hotel reopened in November 1993.

The Museum Hotel was the largest building ever relocated in New Zealand and one of very few in the world. An ingenious method of transferring the building onto a "railway carriage", then rolling it to a new site, provided a means of saving it from demolition. The newly expanded hotel is now sited in the hub of Wellington's expansive Lambton Harbour development.

Source: Museum Hotel website

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Lunch time!

2010-09-26T07:00:00.000-07:00

Wellington, New Zealand. September 2010
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A breather from the scooters

2010-09-23T07:00:00.000-07:00

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