On Sunday 12 January we joined our first #SketchWalk of the year with #UskQuezonCity at the University of the Philippines sunken garden. The sunken garden is a large green basin-shaped area at the Diliman campus, surrounded by large trees and is popular as a venue for sports and outside events. I did this first sketch of a group of young guys quite quickly…after 15 minutes they all got up and left together, so I had to be fast.
Sun-12-Jan-2025
Here is my sketch (another delayed post) for Day 9 of #Inktober2024 following (interpreting really), the prompt of “sun”. I drew this after my #SketchWalk with #UskQuezonCity at the Museo el Deposito in San Juan. I sat in the @FigaroCoffee shop that overlooks a huge atrium, while I was waiting to pick up my wife at the Shangri-La Plaza mall in Mandaluyong.
Sun-13-Oct-2024
Here are the sketches I did with #UskQuezonCity at our #SketchWalk at the Museo el Deposito in San Juan. The museum tells the story of the Carriedo water works with the underground reservoir (designed by Spanish engineer Genaro Palacios) originally being fed by the Marikina River and serving fountains and hydrants in Manila. The underground chamber was also used as an armoury during American and Japanese rule. My first sketch was done in the underground reservoir area.
Next door is the Museo ng Katipunan (Museum of the Katipunan) which honors the revolutionary society called the Katipunan with a permanent exhibition. In front are some life-sized figures (some of which I sketched), commemorating those who fought in the Battle of San Juan del Monte (the first major battle of the Philippine Revolution).
My last sketch was of the Museum itself with what I think is the San Juan city hall in the background (the circular sign is the official seal of the city).
Sun-13-Oct-2024
My next sketch on the Kawit Heritage Tour with #UskManila was of the bell tower at the Diocesan Shrine and Parish of St. Mary Magdalene. This Roman Catholic church is one of the oldest in the Philippines, with construction started in 1737. Our guide told us that when the Spanish arrived in the area in 1624, Kawit became a red-light district and to counter this reputation, the Archbishop of Manila dedicated the church to Saint Mary Magdalene (supposedly a prostitute turned repentant sinner – although these days the idea of her being a prostitute is considered untrue and just served to disempower women).
Sat-31-Aug-2024
This is the third sketch I did with #UskQuezonCity at the Gateway Mall 2, for the launch of #HistoEX (History to Experience). While I was sketching this I was listening to my fellow sketcher Ysa Peñas (@theonechitect) give a talk on urban sketching…which reminded me of some key strands of #UrbanSketching like documenting change and events, day to day streetscapes, urban fabric and tangible heritage (hence my notes around the sketch).
Sun-25-Aug-2024
Here is the second sketch I did with #UskQuezonCity at the Gateway Mall 2, for the launch of #HistoEX (History to Experience). I think this was part of the Sinulog Foundation Inc.’s display – the Sinulog Festival is held each January in Cebu City to honour the Santo Niño, or the child Jesus. The design of sun behind the mannequin is similar to the Philippine sun (on the national flag) which normally has eight primary rays, which represent the original eight provinces that rebelled against the Spanish during the 1896 Philippine Revolution.
Sun-25-Aug-2024
Soon after we got back home we joined #UskQuezonCity at the Gateway Mall 2, Araneta City for the launch of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines’ project in celebration of history month called #HistoEX (or History to Experience). At the centre of the exhibition was this original 1955 Jeepney made by the Sarao Motors who were known for repurposing American military jeeps that were left behind after World War II, into local transportation.
Sun-25-Aug-2024
After doing two postcard sketches on Sunday 5th May with #UrbanSketchersQuezonCity at the Maginhawa Food Festival. I managed to find time to do another sketch. We were sitting at the back of all the food tents, so this one captures the jumble of all the boxes, water jugs and ephemera that each food stand had. I also managed to get in a few people, so I think I captured the feel of the event in this one. I only had time to do the ink work on the spot so added the colour at home…deciding to leave some areas white and focus on the contrast with the dark green trees in the background.
Sun-5-May-2024
Here is the second postcard sketch I did on Sunday 5th May when we joined #UrbanSketchersQuezonCity at the Maginhawa Food Festival. Like the previous sketch this was part of our postcard exchange with #UskSaoPaulo, Brazil and I wrote a short message on the back to my “secret sketcher”.
Sun-5-May-2024