Binondo Sketchwalk

Last Saturday's sketchwalk was planned to be about El Hogar Filipino Building which most of us haven't sketched yet. I've been scouting the place for a while, and there is a good vantage point across Pasig River.

El Hogar Filipino Building along Muelle de la Industria cor. Juan Luna

Sketchers at full concentration

Meg's sketch. So much detail for a tiny space!

Patts' sketch

  

El Hogar.

It was lunch time when we finished sketching, some of us had to leave early because of prior engagement so we were not able to have a group shot of our finished works. We just proceeded to the nearest food store. On our way to Quick Snack, we passed by the Filipino-Chinese Friendship Arc which sparked another interest for sketching. The three of us who were able to stay after lunch returned to the spot.

A view a little further to the right seems better, but may be too dangerous :D

Nadja's sketch

Ched's sketch

Filipino-Chinese Friendship Arch

An attempt to get a shot of all the sketches before going home

On our way home, we could still see a lot of good subjects to sketch, but most of us were tired from the heat and the weight of our gear. Definitely we are planning to go back. 

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