This is my first attempt of doing a wedding photo story in the tradition of documentary photography.
My cousin, William got married to his longtime fiancee, Zareena last 23 October and grabbing the opportunity, I made photos at the sidelines and see for myself if I’m upto task of making a photo story. Your comments are welcome.
In memory of my father on this auspicious day. This photo is part of a photoseries that I did last year.
How quick time flies. A year ago, I was at home in Makati sleeping when my mobile phone rang. At the end of the line, my mother was crying. My father died that day alone in his room in far away Mumbai, India. He suffered a sudden cardiac arrest.
Those were hard times. Painful times when one tends to remember the past years with ones loved ones. Of regretting things that one would have wanted to say and do and sharing ones dreams and plans but alas! It has come to naught and I just have to say them silently through my dreams, through my prayers.
My niece, Enicka arrived yesterday with my mom, sis and bro-in-law here in Manila and I was just amused at seeing her with her small bag. As my sister said, she drew smiles and attention while at the airport 
A few weeks ago, my Aunt Lorna was hospitalized due to multiple complications of stage 3 cancer and during that time, we were already depressed and sad that the enevitable would likely happen in a few days. Back in Makati a few days later, my sister Elaine phoned and told me of my aunt’s condition that was deteriorating already. And during the conversation, I was also informed that she likes siopao very much that I told her to tell our aunt that when I’ll get back to Cebu, I’ll bring her the best one from Manila.
Then last 10 September we were able to talk with each other and now she’s recovering at her home.
When I first read in the Philippine Daily Inquirer newspaper about the reputed to be best siopao (steamed chinese buns) in the whole of Metro Manila, I took down the number and address and one day, try this for myself. With my aunt already recovering and a trip back to Cebu two weekends ago, I just remembered my promise to her and in the morning before my flight last 21 September, I went to Emerald Garden Restaurant which is in Roxas Blvd, infront of the US Embassy, second restaurant (there are two Emerald Garden Restaurant a few meters apart from each other).
When I arrived in Cebu that night, I immediately proceeded to my aunt’s house to visit her and was just surprised to see her in high spirits. A very far contrast from the last time I saw her who was just too weary and tired and just want to rest permanently. I gave her two pieces of the siopao that I’m sure she enjoyed very much.
The siopao of Emerald Garden Restaurant is just huge compared with the usual, except that of Ma Mon Luk, North Park as well as another one that I saw in Binondo. Its priced at P60 ($1.20) and really quite heavy. When I opened one, I was just amazed at the fullness of the filling. Just imagine slices of chicken, pork, chinese sausage, ground pork mixture and a slice of salted egg cramped inside a fist sized bun and steamed.
Sure to satisfy a siopao lover!
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