I Am Blogie

It’s Christmas season again, and Davao City is awash in merry twinkling lights once more. Mana-Davao, that enigmatic antiques shop in Lanang, is on their 11th year of enchanting tourists and locals alike with their annual Christmas outdoor lights show.

Mana-Davao’s yearly spectacle has become something of an expectation each year-end for Dabawenyos. Since the year 2000 I’ve not missed a single viewing. But it was only three years ago that I started documenting it (links: 2008 & 2009).

Jojie Alcantara, my friend of more years than I dare admit, has graciously given me the go-ahead to showcase her Christmas photography. These scenes were of Mana-Davao’s 2010 lightscape, the Petron gas station in Sasa, and City Hall.

Jojie has many, many more pictures of this year’s Christmas celebration in Davao, as well as of other themes and persuasions. Head on over to her pbase site to view them!

Malipayong Pasko sa Tanan!!!

The year 2009 was marred with quite a few happenings that caused a lot of heartaches, to say the least — natural and man-made disasters, unconscionable acts by governments, clashes between rival parties, economic downturns… And yet, we have survived and we have forged on.

The reason for our endurance may be attributed to the successes that we have witnessed as well in 2009. We Filipinos have found heroes among our ranks, in spite of a government that has left more to be desired… if indeed this present regime intends to leave.

So now we’re on the threshold of a new year, and at the tail-end of a waning decade. I pray we will have much opportunities to conclude the first ten years of the new millennium on a positive note!

And on a lighter note, here are photos of the Christmas lights display that has become a tradition in the city, courtesy of Mana-Davao. Last Christmas was when I started documenting this spectacle, although I’d been making a point of enjoying Mana’s Christmas lights for some years already. This year, most probably due to a growing audience each year, they’ve put on a more spectacular exhibit.

Here’s a short video I took of Mana yesterday. It’s amazing how many people now visit the place, just to take in the sights.

Happy New Year, everyone!