Lunar New Year Sketchwalk in the World's Oldest Chinatown

On the afternoon of February 21, the Philippine Urban Sketchers made their way to Binondo in Manila, considered to be the oldest Chinatown in the world. It was already a hub of Chinese commerce before it was established in 1594 by the Spanish colonizers as a settlement for the immigrant Chinese who converted to Catholicism.

The Lunar New Year celebrations kicked off on Thursday February 19, a national holiday. The celebration would last for two weeks, so it was a great idea to have the scheduled monthly sketchwalk right in the heart of Binondo.

The sketchers gathered at Plaza San Lorenzo Ruiz, named after the first Filipino saint, who was a Chinese-Filipino. The plaza was previously called Plaza Calderon (after the Spanish playwright). Some sketchers ventured to the other parts of Binondo, drawing the shop fronts, streets, and daily life.

A wealth of sketches of Manila's Chinatown.

Janne Soriano (foreground) and Patts Cadayona

Carlo Martinez sketched the plaza fountain and the Binondo Church

Randy Valiente surrounded by curious kids. Some sketchers shared their materials with the streetchildren and encouraged them to draw what they see.

Nigel Feliciano is just 7 years old! See the look of concentration on his face :)

Nadja Ginete and Cynthia Feliciano, Nigel's aunt.

NiceNice Rodriguez sketching the fountain

Jesus Cesar Navarra and Rachel Anne See found comfy spots

 

Ige Trinidad and I sketched this interesting construction site along Quintin Paredes Street.

Charm Gesmundo and El Eda Balingit

Cesar Ramirez Jr

Nadja's drawing of a sketching Nigel. 

Here are more sketches!

 

The Philippine sketchers at the plaza in front of the Minor Basilica of San Lorezo Ruiz, which was completed in 1854. Kung Hei Fat Choi!

See the full album at our Facebook group!

February 2015 Sketch Call

Kung Hei Fat Choy!

Urban Sketchers Philippines welcomes the Year of the Sheep with a sketchwalk on February 21 in our very own Chinatown! We will explore the treasures of Binondo in Manila and hope a lucky dragon or two passes our way.

Sketchers can do their thing anywhere in the area--the plaza, the shops along Ongpin, the centuries-old church, and whatever/wherever strikes their fancy.

After the sketchwalk, we will fill our bellies with another thing Binondo is known for: food!

Date: Saturday, February 21, 2015 

Meetup and Regroup area: Plaza Calderon (a.k.a. Plaza Lorenzo Ruiz), Binondo (in front of the Binondo Church/Minor Basilica of San Lorenzo Ruiz), Fountain Area

Time: 3:00 PM- 6:00 PM (Please head back to the regroup area by 5:30 for show & tell!)

This event is free and open to the public. As we're not sure if it's going to be sunny and hot or cloudy and drizzling that day, make sure you bring an umbrella. :)

Tip: Be in the area earlier for more sketching fun!

the sketchwalk area on Feb. 21

meetup and regroup area: Plaza Calderon Fountain in front of the Binondo Church

Event poster by Ige Trinidad

January Sketchwalk at Quezon Memorial Circle

On the last Saturday of January, Urban Sketchers Philippines had their first official sketchwalk of the year. The sketchers gathered at the Quezon City Memorial Circle, a national park best known for its majestic mausoleum. A sarcophagus inside the monument contains the remains of Manuel Luis Quezon, the second official President of the Philippines. The monument has also been mandated as a National Shrine.

The Quezon Monument sketched by Carlo Martinez

Patts' sketch of the monument and park

The sketchers drew the area around the monument, including the many families and groups spending their weekend at the park. The park is a haven for families having a picnic, friends riding their skateboards and bicycles, school groups rehearsing dances, photographers honing their craft, and of course, sketchers who love drawing on location!

  

Cheddie

Jayson

Erwin

Nadja and Carlo

NiceNice and her dog Poypoy

Our output during Saturday's sketchwalk!

 

Great turnout!

After the sketchwalk, some of the sketchers headed over to Conspiracy Garden Cafe for the last day of the Rough Notations exhibit and egress of the show. We took the opportunity to sketch around the venue and draw each other over dinner.

It was a great day to sketch and just hang out. We can't wait for the next!