Manila: An afternoon in Ongpin
Aling Ajer’s Afternoon Snack at Carriedo Fountain
There are characters that just stand out in the crowd. As we cut through the narrow streets of Ongpin one fair Saturday afternoon, this colorful character caught our sights as we exit through the Ongpin arch towards the fountain. It’s just hard to resist seeing this middle aged lady enwrapped on her own private world, sipping coffee, eating snacks in the middle of the bustling street of Manila. I guess it’s her seeming carefree character that drew us to converse and get to know her better.
A sip of coffee under the warm afternoon sun
She introduced herself as Aling Ajer. She said already saw us taking pictures of her from a distance but didn’t mind. She just came from a prayer meeting and decided to spend her time here in Carriedo and reminisce on her youth. I guess what drew us to her is her carefree nature under the warm glow of the afternoon sun and the splash of color in this part of busy part of the street. She just stood out and reminded us to just enjoy the moment and be carefree like when we were kids. We bid her goodbye as we head to the streets of Hidalgo as I buy additional photo equipments. I’m not sure if we’ll see her again, if we did, I’ll definitely join her for a snack.
The narrow busy streets of Ongpin
PS: This is just a quick and scheduled post as I’m currently on a weekend Photo Assignment down south in Mindoro. Hope to get some captures and stories to write about. Will be back for more post next week.
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Saturday, October 25th, 2008 at 3:00 am 
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October 25th, 2008 at 7:09 am
Sori kahit nakausap nyo na, babae ba talaga? Eniwey, mabuti naman at friendly and accommodating ang random subject mo. Any travels in the near future?
October 26th, 2008 at 12:55 pm
that person on the fountain was a lady? or a man? anyway,I didn’t know that it could be a perfect model for a shot like that…it’s perfect.
October 26th, 2008 at 9:18 pm
i thought she was an old man all along. Nice trivia though. By the way, the pics are just so sharp and clever, full of realism.
October 26th, 2008 at 9:41 pm
ay, akala ko, lolo si lola… ooops!
October 27th, 2008 at 10:01 am
Ang bait naman ni Aling Ajer. =) Sana lahat ng subjects ganyan. =)
October 27th, 2008 at 10:46 am
grabe, what a sweet lady talaga si aling ajer.
it’s memorable people like her that makes photography even more special
as we get to have a chance to peek into the life stories of people who would’ve otherwise gone untold.
and oh, coffee is served and welcome anytime
October 27th, 2008 at 2:44 pm
The subject speaks how poor our country is………………………..the fountain isn’t conducive for an after-tea or snack…..
October 27th, 2008 at 10:06 pm
I take your word she is a lady but she looked like a man to me! No offense intended to her or to you.
October 27th, 2008 at 10:17 pm
Hi Photo Cache! yep she’s a lady. Hehe. There are travels lined up and there were recent travels as well but I cannot posts here until the publication’s out.
Thanks Eric, believe me it was confusing too. We initially thought she was a man with her getup but when I zoomed at her at my photo, she has lady features.
Thanks Major Tom, Zuiko lenses are quite sharp, even with the kit lens.
Hahaha. Lalo-la Barok.
Yep Pao! Mabait nga talagang kausap si Aling Ajer.
Onga Oggie, buti na lang nagkataon andun sya.
Thanks Eric, it’s no place for a coffee really, but it doesn’t really matter to her.
No offense taken bertN, she’s quite old and the get up can be deceiving. Like I said, initially we thought she’s a man, until close inspection and we actually talked to her.
October 28th, 2008 at 7:06 am
I thought that person in the photo is an old man sipping coffee under 30+ degree heat :p But that pink bag definitely proved otherwise hehe…
October 28th, 2008 at 11:59 am
oh, did she cut her hair really short or was it tied up in a ponytail? i like her pink tote.
great street photo.
October 29th, 2008 at 12:54 am
I’ve been to Ongpin and I loved it there. It reminds me of the Chinatown in Malaysia.
October 29th, 2008 at 5:19 am
nalala ko ang project namin sa college…
gawa kami ng pr plan for a certain resto banda jan..
tapos kelangan namin kumain ng PALAKA… @_@ masasarap ang food.. at masarap gumala banda sa lugar na iyan…
November 2nd, 2008 at 10:30 pm
Nice! It wouldn’t occur to me to take photos in Ongpin but these are nice–but weren’t you afraid of the erstwhile snatcher who might grab your camera while you are focused on taking photos??!
November 2nd, 2008 at 11:12 pm
We thought as well Ellen!
Thanks Fortuitous faery! her hair’s tied up and hidden in her hat.
It seems similar nga Kyels!
Food is one of the attractions in Ongpin Mimi! Meron pa ring nag se-serve ng frog legs sa estero.
I always make sure the straps are hung on my neck Gypsy! They can try snatching it from there. hehe.