The 2012 Philippines photo tour is off and running. We spent our first two days in Manila and I didn’t have a moment to blog, so I’ll be posting images a few days behind.
We always start our Philippines photo tour in Manila’s historic heart; the walled city of Intramuros, and who better to guide us than Greg Dorris, Manila’s most accomplished, educated and interesting historian/anthropologist.
As a rule, when I have local guides in a particular country, I always apologetically inform them that they might be in the middle of an explanation and suddenly find themselves alone, as our photo-obsessed tour guests slip away to take a photo. This is never the case with Greg, everyone listens intently, because he has a way of making Philippine history come alive. Every year I hear Greg’s explanations, I learn something new and interesting.
Below are some images of Greg leading the tour through St. Augustine Church, the oldest stone structure in the Philippines, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which dates from 1607.
Greg Dorris talking to the group
Bob “Roberto” Newman working a shot
Alejandra works a shot on the stairway
World renowned Filipino Photojournalist Red Santos, relaxes with Doris and Jerry
France takes pause while shooting city-scapes from atop the fort, overlooking the Pasig river
Jose Rizal statue
Jose Rizal is remembered today throughout the Philippines for his brilliance, his courage, his peaceful resistance to tyranny, and his compassion. Filipino school children study his final literary work, a poem called Mi Ultimo Adios (“My Last Goodbye”), as well as his two famous novels.
Spurred on by Rizal’s martyrdom, the Philippine Revolution continued until 1898. With assistance from the United States, the Philippine archipelago was able to defeat the Spanish army. The Philippines declared its independence from Spain on June 12, 1898. It was the first democratic republic in Asia.
Lunch at Greg’s beautifully restored historic home in Paco Manila
Street life in Binondo (Chinatown)
Be sure to check this page later, as I’ll be adding images.
Hello Karl,
Beautiful images, great memories of a remarkable trip.
Ruti
I’ve always wanted to visit the Philippines, having met so many lovely people from the country. These photos are lovely, there is something simple yet elegant about what you have captured. Beautiful as usual. Thanks for sharing Karl.
Wishing I was there in the Philippines with you all. It is on my list.
Karl be sure to harass everyone on their wide lens as much as you do me..
Look forward to the next batch of photos..
Hi Karl! Thanks for the pix. Nice to see names of participants, as well. I look forward to seeing photos of the places I’ve helped book – traveling vicariously is almost as good as being there!
Hi Karl,
I love all these, especially all the ones with the soft lighting in St. Augustine Church. I’m with Kat too, I like seeing photos of the participants, brings a reality to the tour for future tour wannabes.
Hi Karl, once again, I’m traveling vicariously through you and the beautiful images you’ve posted. Looking forward to checking in each evening. And please give my best to that intrepid traveler, Roberto!!
Hi Karl,
On “With assistance from the United States, the Philippine archipelago was able to defeat the Spanish army.”, I hope Greg did not miss out on how the US subsequently colonized the Philippines in turn and how and when we really got independence.