While slowly pawing through the massive collection of Philippine photos, looking for certain topics to cover on this blog, I obviously come across many images that really can't be grouped into a topic.
When over there, I am rarely without a camera in my hand, so sometimes I just grab a random shot here and there, over a wide area of location and topic.
This is the first, of what will likely end up being many, random selections of Philippine views.
This lot come from our trip back in 2009. Quite hard to believe that was 11.5 years ago.
It sure knows how to rain in the Philippines.
What can be a reasonably short downpour, can leave many locations flooded for a while.
What can be a reasonably short downpour, can leave many locations flooded for a while.
Here we have a couple of examples of good Manila downpours.
The above jeepney is sitting in the Jeepney bays at SM Fairview after a brief storm leaves the place under a couple of centimetres of water.
While below there is a longer deluge, which quickly sees the street abandoned of the usual crowds, all of whom have sought shelter in the local malls.
The above jeepney is sitting in the Jeepney bays at SM Fairview after a brief storm leaves the place under a couple of centimetres of water.
While below there is a longer deluge, which quickly sees the street abandoned of the usual crowds, all of whom have sought shelter in the local malls.
Just in case you are wondering, the railway tracks below originally served the port in Manila.
A couple of Tagaytay jeepneys left over from my earlier Tagaytay articles.
Over the years, I have been very fortunate to have been permitted to visit a few places not normally accessible to the public, mostly due to friendships made in the various rail organisations and local railfan community.
One of these times was a visit to the Port of Manila to view the unloading of the new Rotem Railcars for the 'Philippine National Railways'.
Ship HO MAO (it's fourth name) is a bulk carrier that was built in 1985 at Hakodate in Japan.
Believed to still be in use.
Believed to still be in use.
The SEIYO SPIRIT is a general cargo vessel built back in 1995.
At time of typing this, she was still in service and currently in Sandakan, Malaysia.
At time of typing this, she was still in service and currently in Sandakan, Malaysia.
This is one of the trucks used for hauling the new railcars from the port to the railway yard at Tutuban. While the railways did serve the port, the line fell out of use in the very early 2000s and had become unusable by this time.
The massive ship ASIAN KING, built in 1998 and designated a vehicles carrier, was the ship that brought the new railcars from South Korea.
One of a few second hand buses from Korea that were sitting on the wharf awaiting delivery to their new owners.
The famous (for both good and bad reasons) Philippine Kalesa is a common sight around the Ermita and Luneta Park areas.
Always colourfully decorated, they are a great way to have a look around the local area. However, ensure you confirm the price a few times before getting on board and don't get conned into any of those 'special extra trip' offers.
Oh, and triple confirm that the price if for the whole group, so it does not change mid-journey too per person.
Always colourfully decorated, they are a great way to have a look around the local area. However, ensure you confirm the price a few times before getting on board and don't get conned into any of those 'special extra trip' offers.
Oh, and triple confirm that the price if for the whole group, so it does not change mid-journey too per person.
While looking for information to place in this article, I was surprised that the Jeepney, which inherited the colourful look of the Kalesa, was once referred to as the "auto calesa" back in the 40s.
Nene partaking in one of the most boring jobs imaginable, going through piles and piles of rice separating rice husks from the more edible parts.
A job that no doubt takes an amazing amount of patience, something I lack greatly.
Back to Manila Port for a moment, where I took a photo of this unusual number plate.
Again, while googling for this post, I managed to work out that it is from Palau, an island country in the western Pacific Ocean.
Whatever the vehicle was, and sadly I didn't get a photo, it must have been imported on another ship at some stage.
Again, while googling for this post, I managed to work out that it is from Palau, an island country in the western Pacific Ocean.
Whatever the vehicle was, and sadly I didn't get a photo, it must have been imported on another ship at some stage.
'Philippine Railway Historical Society'
Railfan Day.
Railfan Day.
This is a group I set up in 1999 to meet other railfans with an interest in Philippine railways.
Over the years it has grown immensely, and now covers many areas of transportation there. However, railways remain our primary theme.
Over the years it has grown immensely, and now covers many areas of transportation there. However, railways remain our primary theme.
I usually have catch-ups with local friends during each of my visits.
A few more shots taken along the Tagaytay - Santa Rosa Road.
Silang, a municipality in the province of Cavite, was founded in 1917.
It is passed through when travelling between Tagaytay and Santa Rosa.
It is located on the eastern side of Cavite, which is how it got it's name, coming from the Tagalog word 'silanganan', which means, not surprisingly, 'eastern'.
It is passed through when travelling between Tagaytay and Santa Rosa.
It is located on the eastern side of Cavite, which is how it got it's name, coming from the Tagalog word 'silanganan', which means, not surprisingly, 'eastern'.
An ancient old Isuzu TD series truck formerly used by the 'Philippine National Railways'. It is believed to have been acquired in October 1977 and was the last in the operators truck fleet that still numbered 25 vehicles in 1988.
The area has been cleared out for a new elevated roadway, it has since gone to god.
The area has been cleared out for a new elevated roadway, it has since gone to god.
Truck is visible in the background of this image. Via Mark Chua.
Philippine Railway Historical Society Group.
Philippine Railway Historical Society Group.
My two nieces, and stars of the 'Semi-Retired Foamer Youtube Channel', partaking in the fun park rides at SM Fairview.
This was always a fun family place, so it was quite disappointing to find that it had been removed in recent years.
This was always a fun family place, so it was quite disappointing to find that it had been removed in recent years.
Nothing compares to the feeling of being on approach to Manila Airport.
A popular pastime in the Philippines, like a few other countries around the world, is the cockfight. Great care is taken with their prize champions.
Beautiful looking creatures, until they start screaming out at 4am, after some two hours sleep after a big night out.
By 4.10am, my thoughts start turning to Chicken Adobo for that nights dinner, and the solution to 4am the next morning.
Beautiful looking creatures, until they start screaming out at 4am, after some two hours sleep after a big night out.
By 4.10am, my thoughts start turning to Chicken Adobo for that nights dinner, and the solution to 4am the next morning.
Travelling Manila in a jeepney is far better than any limo.
Well, that's todays random selection over and done with.
Sorry there was no real theme to this one, however I had to do something with all this guff.
Till next time.
A big thanks to the following for their help:
Victor Agbulos, Gorio Belen, Dirk Paul Celoso, Mark Chua (PRHS), Bamba Florentino, Shang Gow, Joubert Tan
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