Week 23: Attending a Photo Exhibit Opening is #BetterByBicycle

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So last month, I attended the opening of "Memento: A Journey Through Europe!", a photo exhibit at Alliance Française de Manille in Makati. I love every opportunity that I could be exposed to culture and arts of different countries, events like this are some of the things I miss when I was still living in the city. But it's really not that far from my house, and with a folding bike, everything is possible! I cycled from my house, hopped on a jeep bound for Shaw Boulevard, and from there, unfolded my wheels and cycled the rest of the way to Makati. It’s funny how cycling through the city, even with its chaos, gives you a different rhythm. I wasn’t stuck in traffic, I was flowing through it.


The exhibit was a collaboration between Alliance Française de Manille and the embassies of Austria, Denmark, Finland, France, Italy, Poland, Romania, and Sweden, was an invitation to travel through Europe without flying. Each ambassador spoke briefly about three photos they selected to represent their country, snapshots that spoke of culture, memory, and identity. It was a rare treat to hear personal insights behind each image, especially over cocktails and soft lighting. My favorite speech was the Denmark Ambassador's invitation to Filipinos to commute by bicycle like they do in Denmark (of course!)



Somewhere between viewing a photograph of a quiet Italian street and sipping wine under string lights, I ended up in conversation with someone who shares a deep fascination for German culture. We talked about our fascination with foreign culture (German for him, Japanese for me) proof that the best part of these events isn’t just the art on the walls, but the people you bump into while admiring it.

Gustav Klimt's "The Kiss".  A moment of intimacy rooted in nature, this work evokes how love and connection flourish in safe, beautiful, and organic spaces, where human emotion and the environment are deeply intertwined."

Nokia Phones from Finland. This photo definitely evoked nostalgic feelings, during a time when life wasn't so complicated.

Cycling made the whole experience feel more intentional. I arrived grounded, present, and just a little bit flushed from the ride. It felt good. More than just a mode of transport, the bike gave the evening a sense of movement, from jeep, to street, to gallery. If you ever find yourself headed to an art opening or any cultural gathering in the city, I highly recommend biking part of the way. It's not just about getting there, it's about arriving open.

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