"Only in the Philippines"

I would hear this expression a lot when people would excitedly show me something that was unique to the Philippines. Burning trash piles, babies driving, playing basketball in flip-flops etc.

The movie Drumline made a big impact in the Philippines.

Na just kidding, no one saw it.

 Bringing out the "good stuff" for the holiday.

This will make you want to go to the dentist even more.

Much more wiggly in person.

 Dawn patrol.

The reverse parade.

Did I just see a mirage of a Medicare ad?

 Pundakit, Zambales

 "So yea, this is basically it. You got the kitchenette right here..."

 Back to class.

Tropical B&W

All of the photos below came from 1 roll of film from my trip to the Philippines.

A curious peeker gets a glimpse of 'Joe American.'

Relentless heat, humidity and staring.

 Plenty of time for make up in the brutal Manila traffic.

 The ice cream make sold fun flavors such as sweet corn, cheese and Ube, which is made from purple yams.

 The town of Guagua, Pampanga.

What was finger licking good to some can be unfamiliar and intimidating to others.

 Transportation was always a group effort.

I did a lot of shooting from the car on this trip.

 Vendors roamed the streets through traffic and were dodged like road cones.

School uniforms are worn from elementary to college.

 I was constantly looking toward the heavens for something savory to eat. As it turns out it only exists on buildings.

 The only time I could capture people without staring at me was from a car window.

"Hey you! Emancipate yourself from your cellular ball and chain."

Visions From an Only Child

"Do they have the Jenifer Aniston wig in yet?"

Sun City, CA

Johnny sulks in the cathedral of loneliness.

One of the few remaining farms in Orange County. 

Also the last shot my Canon AE-1 ever took. RIP my work horse.

Paradise Lost & Found

 We made a full stop at Hidden Valley Springs in Laguna, a town 2 hours south of Manila, for some island style R&R.

 Our bungalow for the night under the coconut palms.

 Every pool was warmed by the body heat of Korean tourists.

 A babbling brook with the tropical "kaa kaaaaws" of birds sounding in the distance.  

Ahhh, paradise.

 One of the pools from the sign.

 Bungalow row.

 Ashley captures paradise in pixels.

 A bridge over troubled water, minus the trouble.

 A desire trail.

 Glorified goldfish.

 Ash dawning her tropical camouflage.

 An album title and a warning on the trail to Hidden Falls.

"Woaaaaah! we're half way there!"

 No one was in line for the Indiana Jones ride. We practically walked right on.

 Another pool on the trail to the Falls. Apparently Lovers pool gets no love.

 A natural pool/mosquito farm.

 You see those fish in the water? Those are the janitor fish that suck the glass of your aquarium.

 Ashley didn't listen to TLC when they told her not to chase waterfalls.

 Looking back.

 Hidden Falls.

 Back to the bungalow.

 Counting the birthday pesos of Ashley's lola.

 The riches of an 80 year old.

 Rainforest Cafe? 

Psyche! 

We dined jungle style al fresco under the stars with a buffet full of western flavors. A temporary lapse from the Exile of Deliciousness Tour.

 The aforementioned stars.

 Jimmy Buffet live.

 Ash patiently waits for a slice of the savory.

 Table side acoustic entertainment. 

It is official, everyone in the world loves "Hotel California."

 She sips with a Vulcan grip.

Goodnight to balmy 80 degree nights. 

Part of my morning ritual included peeling my bed sheet away from my body like a decal.