Better Things

Thank you all so much for your comments about my cousin Rapha. It was quite uplifting to get comments and tweets from friends. Last week was so tough, but the weekend was starting to get bright and I'm slowly getting back into my routine this week. The song "Better Things" by the Kinks is helping me get by, and so is the promise of a new month with lots of possibilities. These are what I'm looking forward to in May.

Putting together a Manila 2012 album from my family's trip. And include all of the instax photos I took while there. I dressed up the instax photos with washi tape! The washi tape diy was from this post by (sweet) symphanie.

Participating in the Unique LA Spring Show May 12 and 13! Did you hear, Caine's Arcade will be there!! I also have a few Unique LA related pieces of news which will be announced in the upcoming weeks.

 

Afternoon walks and wild flowers.

Shooting honey my heart products and maybe a small look book with the lovely Nina of Love & Lemonade! Hooray!!

Hoping that you all are having a good beginning of the week.

Raphael

Since returning from the Philippines, my mind has been full of thoughts. The most persistent thought was that of the Archangels, especially Raphael. Yet, it did not occur to me to look up Archangel Raphael until after my cousin Rapha's death. And I was touched with what I learned. Archangel Raphael performs all manners of healing, Raphael means "It is God Who Heals".

I believe Rapha was our family's Archangel. He lived life as an example of faith, hope, and love. He brought light, kindness, joy, and gentleness to our lives. He was sick with leukemia, yet had a steadfast faith and believed in the healing power of God's love. Having the opportunity to spend so much time with him on my family's Philippines trip was a privilege and my heart could not be fuller. His soft spoken nature taught me about the strength of a few words, his innocence brought me memories of childhood happiness, his smile was my favorite to capture. I ache with knowing that he is gone, but I am comforted in knowing that he is healed.

Thank you Mama Nee, for sharing your beautiful son with us. Crissa, Patty, Diego: please be strong and know that your baby brother is singing with the Angels.

Raphael Espina Guevara was born on October 9, 1998, an angel on Earth. He left us on April 23, 2012 to become an angel in Heaven. One to watch over us.

Manila 2012: Family

There was only 1 reason that my family took this trip to the Philippines: family. Our family is of great importance and we knew that this would be one of the few times we could all reunite while my remaining two grandparents were alive. We stayed with family and saw them daily. It was cramped and loud and energetic, but it was also full of love.

I just arrived and forced my cousins into taking this photo.

Lala and hubs. See that portrait of her? Isn't it ridiculous. 

My bro and Lolo.

Lolo, bro, cousin, Tito. They all have "Mario" as either their first or middle name.

My grandparents sandwiched in between their grandchildren! Just missing 5 girls.

 My heart belongs to these 2.

 

 

 All of us! Missing one family, but love that we are almost complete.

I don't know what I would do without any of these wonderful people in my life. I do know that I am so thankful to have them as part of me and can not wait for the day until we are all together again.

Manila 2012: Views: Up High and Drive By

Time spent in Manila brought me 2 different kind of views: up high and anything driving by. My grandma lives in a highrise condo. Spending time on the 22nd floor provided us with amazing views of the skyline and sunsets. These were up high views I could not get tired of. Also, we spent lots of time in a car, traveling from place to place. Sometimes we could stop, other times we had to keep going so I shot lots of drive by views from the back seat. Hope you enjoy :)

The weather was cooler and there was rain once a week, so we were blessed with smog less skies.

I am in love with the gorgeous sunsets we got to experience. The afternoon light was so flattering and the colors in the sky were perfection.

In contrast, the drive by shots consisted of lots of blues and greens. I did get to see the sky, but really liked seeing the countryside.

Palm trees were some of my favorite things to see.

I also enjoyed all of the fluffy clouds and seemingly endless sky of the provinces.

What are your favorite views: up high or drive by?

Manila 2012: Churches

We spent a day of our trip paying our respects to my father's parents. Both died years ago, when we were unable to financially make the international trip, and now was the time to see their final resting spots. On our journey to the different sites, we stopped through provinces and visited old churches. Some churches were on the way, the others had significance to the family. All were historically significant, and detailed beautifully.

The Immaculate Conception Cathedral of Cubao is just a couple of blocks from my father's childhood home.




This Cathedral had my favorite interior. Recently renovated, the paint colors are bright and so full of life. We went by during their Thanksgiving mass.






Our grandma, Lola Felisa, is buried in the Cathedral Grotto.


Her parents are also buried in the Grotto, above is a photo of my father and sis by their space.


Our Lady of Mount Carmel church in Malolos. Known better as the historic Barasoain church.




The church had gardens and statues in an inner courtyard.




Gallery of images at the Immaculate Conception Minor Basilica in Malolos.


My brother writing in the thanksgiving book.


I say a little prayer for you.


Immaculate Conception Minor Basilica, a mile away from the Barasoain church in Malolos. The statue is of the Philippines' first beatified saint, Lorenzo Ruiz.




Another favorite church was St John the Baptist church in Calumpit. It's about 485 years old and my grandpa, Lolo Sammy was baptized there in 1912, the year he was born.






Our last stop was the Samson mausoleum.


The name plates list 4 generations! It was crazy to see the years they were born.


And Lolo Sammy's grave stone behind the mausoleum.



This day was solemn and emotional and quiet. But it was also nice to see the sites, experience the churches, and share the day with family.

Manila 2012: Tagaytay Highlands

On one of our mini out of town trips we had an overnight in the Tagaytay Highlands. This secluded and luxurious city is located 34 miles from Manila and a great way to escape the big city hustle. The weather was so cool, clouds floated in the sky, and the humidity was light. It almost reminded me of SB. And it was so beautiful. Views were great and there was so much greenery. I would not mind returning again soon.

We stayed at a house with a great view of the Taal Lake, which is where the Taal Volacano is located.


Another one of the houses we looked at was reminiscent of a ski chalet or something in Lake Tahoe.


Brunch was at a golf club atop some mountains. We were able to enjoy so many views, including their awesome driving range.




Then we took a cable car down to another club house area.


My bro and cousin.


View from the cable car. It was so pretty but also so scary to be so high up!




Then some fun at the jungle gym area.




And one of many cousin photos.

It was such a wonderfully short retreat. Having spent time with cousins that I don't see often was a great way to recharge the batteries.