My son and my wife acting foolish by wearing a styrofoam crown from our rice cooker box. This photo doesn’t have any good composition techniques or excellent lighting but I like it because it captured a moment that you will not exchange for anything in this world.
Month / March 2011
Vimean Ekareach
This is a rather dull set but I’m putting it in my selection for archival purposes. This is the Independence Monument (Vimean Ekareach) in Phnom Penh, capital of Cambodia, was built in 1958. It stands on the intersection of Norodom Boulevard and Sihanouk Boulevard in the centre of the city. It is in the form of a lotus-shaped stupa, of the style seen at the great Khmer temple at Angkor Wat and other Khmer historical sites. The Independence Monument was designed by the influential Cambodian modern architect Vann Molyvann
Semana Santa
Holy Week brings the Philippines to a standstill every year however a colorful display of penitence on Good Friday is paraded in the town of Kapitangan in Malolos/Paombong, Bulacan. This is where men have themselves nailed to a cross after reenacting the Via Crucis – the Filipino rendition of the passion play. See dozens of hooded flagellants walking around whom either are beating their bloody backs with bamboo floggers, crawling on dirt roads or bearing crosses. Be sure to bring a hat with you because all the action goes beyond noon. It is certainly not for those who hate the sight of blood
Philippine Portraits
A series of portraits back home. These are old photos recompiled and repackaged. From the aged to young, and the sane to the mentally challenged.
From Back Home
Here are some of my favorite Photos back home in the Philippines. Aside from the daily trouble featured in the news, I certainly miss home.
Khmer Food
Although its closely related to it’s neighbors, Khmer Cuisine has its own distinctive taste compared to the other dishes in Southeast Asia. It uses many distinctive ingredients, which combine to create unique flavours and textures not found in western cuisine. Curries, stir fried vegetable, rice, noodles and soups are staples of the Khmer diet.
River Life
With limited coastal lines, the Khmer people considers their rivers as their lifeline. It serves veins to sustain their livelihood and even their nourishment. Without the life giving powers of their rivers, all of Cambodia will be lost.
Pagoda Life
Buddhism has existed in Cambodia for thousand of years that’s why the Pagodas or Wat has become a central part of their life. Theravada or Pure Land Buddhism is their state religion and they comprise 95% of Cambodia’s population. These some of my take on Khmer’s way life in the Pagodas of Cambodia in the last 7 months of my stay in their country. I’m still patiently waiting for my chance to capture two of their most sacred possesions – the majestic Angkor Wat and the mysterious Preah Vihear.
Koh Pich Circles
After the tragic stampede in Phnom Penh last November at the end of their annual Water Festival, the amusement park in Diamond Island or Koh Pich is still in business. We visited the amusement island last week with my wife and son just to enjoy the weekend. Its nothing like Disneyland but to a child it’s one of the greatest places in the world.
Here are my night-shots in Koh Pich because as they say, sometimes the night is more vibrant than day and sometimes not looking at the view finder makes magic.
Life’s a Beach
With just a little number of property developers to exploit it’s beautiful coastal lines, Cambodia’s beaches are a sight to behold. I hope it remains that way for eternity so that the locals and responsible tourists can enjoy these wonders without paying a hefty amount of money to truly enjoy nature. As much as I would want to keep the location of these beaches a secret but who am I to do that? It’s for everybody to enjoy.
The photos are from an isolated beach in Steung Hav (just hire a local fisherman to get you there) and in a beach near Sihanoukville.
SP ni BORKY 