A Place Called "Quiapo".

jiro

A place called "Quiapo".

Quiapo is a place in Metro Manila where the famous Quiapo Church is located. It is very near the center of the City of Manila and it used to be a center for commerce during the old Colonial Spanish rule in the Philippines. Now, it is a very busy place where you can find people from all walks of life ranging from street vendors to savvy businessman.

I visited the Quiapo area one Tuesday afternoon hoping that I could find a good deal to repair a Nikon 50mm f/1.8 lens that a friend gave to me. I ended up in the Hidalgo area on the side of the Quiapo Church. I talked to the lady who owns a camera shop and told me that it will cost me around $20.00 to repair it and it will take about 3 - 4 hours to do the job. I agreed on the price and gave them my stuck up lens. 3 - 4 hours is a long time to wait so I told the lady owner that I will come back to pick up the lens. In the mean time, I will use my time photographing the streets of Quiapo. Luckily, I took the initiative to bring my Nikon D70 with my 18-70mm f/3.5 - 4.5 lens with me that day.

Here are the shots I captured and some of the funny, interesting, inspiring, and encouraging stories behind the shots.

1. This is the famous Quiapo Church in Manila. It is home for the Black Nazarene statue. I only took pictures of the outside of the church since I found out that I need a permission from the church admin to shoot inside. Knowing that it would take some time I decided to take pictures from the streets instead.


2. He is not the first person that I took a picture of but I thought it would be nice to put him in front. I was right the at the center of the church's front open area when I saw him coming towards me. He is carrying a tray of coffee glasses probably to deliver to his regular vendor clients. He noticed me taking some shots of him. I thought that he would get angry for taking his pictures but instead I was surprised that he even took the time to pose for me!




After this shot I gave him the thumbs up and smiled at him hoping he got the idea that I really appreciate his willingness to be playful in front of my camera.

NOTE: As per the wonderful suggestion of Tom (AKA Black Mamba) I am dividing the posts per "subject" so it would be coherent. Thanks!

black mamba

Hi Jiro,

As usual, you've excelled with your presentations. I really enjoy seeing these views of a place and people that are, more or less, alien to me. I have to say, however, that you have included way, way too many shots in a single posting. After the first five or six pictures, I found myself rushing through the collection. And that's a shame as each shot has something of interest. Keep your entries to a much smaller offering so we may properly absorb the beauty that you portray.

Take care my good friend,

Tom

RyanS

Agree on the "way too many shots" comment. Several of them seemed quite redundant. The specific subjects are so broad that it is hard to formulate a coherent comment about them as a group. Perhaps my general comment would be one of interest at how so many religious elements and traditions can find their way in to a single community.

jiro

black mamba wrote: »

Hi Jiro,

As usual, you've excelled with your presentations. I really enjoy seeing these views of a place and people that are, more or less, alien to me. I have to say, however, that you have included way, way too many shots in a single posting. After the first five or six pictures, I found myself rushing through the collection. And that's a shame as each shot has something of interest. Keep your entries to a much smaller offering so we may properly absorb the beauty that you portray.

Take care my good friend,

Tom

Thank you very much, Tom. Your comment is very appropriate. I will divide the presentation per "subject" so it will also be easier to load and view. Your input is highly appreciated, my friend.

jiro

RyanS wrote: »

Agree on the "way too many shots" comment. Several of them seemed quite redundant. The specific subjects are so broad that it is hard to formulate a coherent comment about them as a group. Perhaps my general comment would be one of interest at how so many religious elements and traditions can find their way in to a single community.

Thanks, Ryan. I understand. Edit is on the way. Thanks for viewing!

jiro

The next one I captured was an image of this cigarette vendor. Most of my shots are stolen ones. I did not take the time to know their background because I have no idea if they would like it or not. He did notice me here but decided to simply ignore my presence (of which I really like.:) )




There are a lot of cigarette vendors roaming this area. Most of them are middle aged to older guys. They sell the cigarettes per stick. Usually, people don't buy by the pack, they buy either one or twos and this is where these vendors come in handy. It's a little more expensive because they sell it retail.

jiro

On one side of the area you would see the fortune tellers. These are individuals who reads the cards (specially Tarot cards) to tell you your "fortune" or your future. I have seen a lot of people (even the young ones) consulting these fortune tellers about their interest in life. I was fortunate enough to ask one of them. She told me that people usually asks whether they would be successful in their career, would they get better in their business, is her man cheating on her, will she be able to go abroad soon, and things like that. They start their business late morning and stay here until the early evening. Most of them was very kind to allow me taking some shots while they read their clients' fortune.

jiro

I was particulary interested on this one. The lady on the right is probaly asking about her love life or future life because she asked for palm reading instead of using the cards. In some cases, people believe that it is more "accurate" if their palms are the one being read rather than use the cards. What I also find more interesting is the fact that the palm reader doesn't look like one and he does look so ordinary. I would never know because I am no judge of that.




I have no idea what he is telling her but it sure looks serious.


He must have explained it well but somehow she is not convinced...


So, she asked for another reading.

anonymouscuban

These are awesome Jiro. I've been there. Actually, I bought my D700 in Quiapo. I don't know if you recall me posting some of my shots.

You got some great candids. I found it really difficult to shoot without everyone either hiding from my camera from embarrassment or posing for me. I get I stood out too much as a foreigner. Can't wait to go back next year.

jiro

anonymouscuban wrote: »

These are awesome Jiro. I've been there. Actually, I bought my D700 in Quiapo. I don't know if you recall me posting some of my shots.

You got some great candids. I found it really difficult to shoot without everyone either hiding from my camera from embarrassment or posing for me. I get I stood out too much as a foreigner. Can't wait to go back next year.

Hey, Alex. Of course I remember you.

I think the people at Quiapo got used seeing a fellow Filipino like me taking pictures of them compared to a foreigner like you. I was pacing myself before I took the shots. I tried to find out what they are doing, then ask a little, then ask some if I can take a pic or two. 8 out of 10 usually allowed me to snap a shot. When others don't want to be pictured I simply respect their decision and look for a new subject to capture. I intend to go here again on a different day and a different hour. Would be great to see what changes I could notice from shooting on an early morning or late afternoon. I also plan to get a parish priest' permission so I can shoot inside the church. Thanks for viewing!