the photo scavenger hunt across the city of Manila

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http://www.pusangkalye.net/2011/01/wikipedia-takes-manila.html

This is probably one of the most exciting experience I had in photography to date--joining the WIKIPEDIA TAKES MANILA photo scavenger hunt across the city of Manila in celebration of Wikipedia's 10th anniversary.

I have participated in may photowalks through my group young Photographers Philippines but never to this extent. This is the amazing race for photography and we went to places I wouldn't dare go with my camera--at least on my own. Teaming up with famous bloggers Azrael and Jonel Uy, we called ourselves MANILA BLOGGERS.

With the list of areas to find as follows,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Wikipedia_Takes_Manila/Goals , let me take you to the places we covered......We started by taking the LRT from UN Ave. To R. Papa.

view of Luneta Park's Philippine map from the LRT

From R Papa, we took two rides to the North Cemetery where the THOMASITES memorial is located. I was surprised at the extent of the North Cemetery as we had to take the tricycle inside just to get to this site.

We passed La Loma and took the jeepney on Route to DANGWA, known as a hub for fresh flowers .......It was here where we had lunch at a nearby CHOWKING fastfood chain.

We then took the Jeepney to UST area in seach of the National University. It was here where we walked many blocks in search of the University which people in UST area are not so familiar with....

Took the tricycle to University of Manila......

One tricycle ride took us to Technological University of the Philippines, then the jeepney to Saint Michael the Archangel Church right after the Malacanang gardens.

We then decided to drop by Plaza Miranda first, Quinta Market, and then SM-CARRIEDO, the oldest SM Mall in the Philippines. Then to BPI Escolta and Carriedo Fountains along with the Filipino-Chinese Friendship Arc.....

Took the Jeepney to TONDO area.....Torres High School, Gagalangin Rotonda, Solis railway Station.

Jeepney again to Tondo Church, Gregoriop Perfecto HS, Moriones Plaza, and Plaza Hernandez.

It was in this part when we walked through narrow streets full of stambays which almost made me panick. We had to cut through a small area of shanty houses to get to Divisoria area and the Tutuban PNRI Station.

Board the Jeepney again to the PORT area targeting the Philippine Ports Authority, and Smokey Mountain in the North. We wanted to go South to Gwapotel  but we noticed we were running out of time. We had to be back in Paco Park by 6pm or face disqualification. Traffic was already building up by then. Good thing Azrael was quick to navigate the best way out. We took the jeepney to Navotas, tricycle to a highway, the bus to 5th Avenue where we board the LRT back to UN Avenue.

Since the goal is to take photos of the sites listed which expands the vastness of the city of manila, the original plan was to go separate ways so as to cover as many places as possible. But since the organizers said it's prohibited., we decided to stick together and even tagged along Darwin with us. We took public transportation unlike others who have their own cars with them. But the decision was good because we got to experience the real essence of the race, and that is to be familiar with those places.

We got to know how each of us operate under pressure and coordinate with each other. No fighting like the ones you see in popular reality tv races, just fun, fun ,fun. Good thing Azrael was familiar with the area. It saved us a lot of time and money going around. Our team ended 4th place overall. Got a free tee shirt and a small cash price but those are just icing on the cake. The experience itself was the best part, after all, this is the first of its kind in the Philippines and Souteast Asia!!!!

.....till next years photo scavenger hunt. Buong Metro Manila naman!!! hahaha

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