I read in an email about a photo contest sponsored by Instituto Cervantes entitled Manila My Manila and I thought it would be a good way to get my creative juices flowing again (not to mention get a chance to win a digital SLR or a manual one).

In keeping with the theme, I decided to focus on scenes that are uniquely Manilan and who else to capture it but a gimikera who has been a Manileño all her life?

I was covering the Serenata, a symphony band festival organized by the College of Music (details about this to follow later), and I happened to catch a glimpse of a kalesa passing by Roxas Boulevard. I excitedly followed it until it came to a complete halt in a perfect spot near a Philippine flag and the result is this photo:

Kalesa at Baywalk

My second entry took me a much longer time to compose — one hour and 45 minutes to be exact. I was on my way to the World Trade Center in CCP Complex for the Manila Book Fair when I had the bright idea to get down in front of City Hall and take a picture of it. Then, I heard the clip-clop of horses’ feet and not one but TWO kalesas passed by me triggering again the shutterbug in me. I waited for the next kalesa but I couldn’t get the angle I wanted so I kept on waiting…under the hot sun, straining my ears for the now-familiar sound of hooves on pavement.

Finally, I had a shot that captured the kalesa and City Hall bell tower in a nice angle and I deemed my quest for the perfect shot over.

Manila City Hall by Day

If these pictures are selected, they will be displayed in Glorietta in time for the Fiesta! 2005, the Spanish Festival for the Culture & the Arts organized by the Instituto Cervantes.

I got a bit nervous when I learned from someone that a lot of people have already submitted their entries for Manila My Manila. We might have the same subjects but it’s how the shot was framed that will make all the difference — hopefully.