2009: A Year of Photos, Travels & Adventures

This is a remarkable year for me because a lot of good things happened. I resigned from my job last January and got a better one a month after. I traveled a lot, met new friends and sharpened skills in photography.

Join me in revisiting the year 2009.

January: Overnight get-away with my friends, visited 2 of the 7 San Pablo Lakes and Nagcarlan Underground Cemetery.

Pandin Lake

Nagcarlan Underground Cemetery

February: Roamed around the Metro because of  Night Photography addiction and climbed Mt. Sembrano for the Nth time with my college buddies.

Manila Bay at Night

Mt. Sembrano Group Hug

March: Failed Street Photography in Cavite City turned into Coastal Scaping. Our boat almost sank because of bad weather and rough waves.

House Over Water

April: I was away from our home for almost two weeks, braving the waves of Dingalan, Aurora and climbing the country’s highest mountain, Mt. Apo.

Matawe Tideland

Mt. Apo Boulder Country

May: Another paradise in Zambales, Nagsasa Cove.  I will vote for this place as one of the best camping and photography locations in Luzon.

Into The Wild

June: Driving to the East Side looking for a destination to shoot when we saw this beautiful place in Real, Quezon.

Morning View in Real, Quezon

July: Finally rode the trolley for the first time in spite of always riding the Old PNR train and studied in PUP for 4 years.

Trolley Ride in Sta. Mesa

August: Explored the coastal scene in Bataan, got chosen to be a part of Gutsy Roamers Team and backpacked with travel buddies in Nueva Vizcaya.

Sisiman Coastal

My New Adventure Team

Salacsac Pine Forest

October: Practiced Long Exposure Photography here in the Metro.

Freezing the Frame

November: An impromptu food trip / night photography session with travel buddies, visited the heritage town of Taal, riding the old PNR train to relax and trekking the majestic rice terraces of Ifugao.

Calesa and the City

Taal Basilica

Riding the Old PNR Train

Batad Rice Terraces

December: My photo was featured in an airline magazine.

InFlight’s December 2009 – January 2010 Issue

I would like to thank the visitors of my humble site for inspiring me to share my travel stories and photos. I wish you all a safe and prosperous New Year!  Mabuhay po kayo!

Mt. Pulag Diary

Mount Pulag sometimes called Mt. Pulog is the 3^rd highest peak in the country and the highest in Luzon at 2,922 meters above sea level.

Sunrise and Sea of Clouds = Heaven

There are four major trails up the summit: the Ambangeg , Akiki, and Tawangan trails from Benguet and the Ambaguio trail from Nueva Vizcaya.

Batang Bata: This is me (left) 4 years ago, I swept this guy for almost 8 hours. I carried him plus 2 full pack backpack (for the sake of friendship).

I’ve been here four times but still I keep coming back because of its beauty.

I would like to share my stories of each climb:

December 2004 (Akiki-Ambangeg Trail) – A friend invited me to join their mountaineering group’s (Recto based school) year end climb. I am expecting a difficult climb because of the so called “Killer Trail” but it is the weather that almost put me down. I remember my friend cried during our night trek going up the saddle because of the unbearable cold with slight rain.

at the top of Luzon

April 2005 (Akiki-Ambangeg Trail) – I co-lead this climb and overall in charge of logistics. I also sweep the weak members of the team. My most successful climb of Mt. Pulag (as of date) because the weather really cooperated with us. No rain, no strong winds, the temperature is not that cold and the sea of clouds was present at sunrise.

climbers in line (me with the red backpack)

December 2006 (Akiki-Ambangeg Trail) – I will never forget this experience until the day I die. I led this climb, composed of 3 mountaineering groups. This climb should be in the episode of “I Shouldn’t Be Alive” in Discovery Channel. We were caught by unexpected weather change. At around 5pm after the mossy forest at the Akiki Trail, heavy rains and strong winds greeted us. My ex-girlfriend was dragged by strong winds near the ravine. I carried her while running along the trail so we can reach the campsite the fastest time possible. Few members crawled along the trail to avoid being drag. One of the climbers suffered from near serious stage of hypothermia, her lips were already black and her skin turned into white. Our tent was filled with water (6 inches high). All our gears and stuffs were soaked including digital cameras, wallets, stoves, clothings, foods, cellphones etc. I told them that our safety is more important than material things. Our dinner was only a pack of peanuts divided into number of members. I didn’t sleep because I watched my team from hypothermia attack. I even urinated inside our tent because of immobility. Two of my members were left behind and only appeared the next day also because of the bad weather at the other side of the mountain. If not only for my ex girlfriend & her youngest brother, I will surely give up. I still don’t know how I survived the whole night at the saddle and trek the next morning only wearing a wet shirt & a trekking short.

Akiki jump off  (me with the black bag, 2nd from the left)

November 2007 (Ambangeg-Ambangeg Trail) – This is the first time that I will climb Mt. Pulag via Ambangeg Ambangeg trail. I organized this climb for my ex-girlfriend because she didn’t reached the summit last climb because of the weather condition but still she didn’t make to the summit again because of altitude sickness.

2007 group hug with Park Superintendent Tamiray & Everester Leo Oracion

In less than two weeks time, I will be visiting again this majestic mountain. It will be my fifth time. I am excited because I will be climbing with my original climbing buddies & new friends and it will be my first time to climb Mt. Pulag with a DSLR.

See you at the summit!

photos  from our group’s archive

Old Train Scene

Even if Philippine National Railways already have new air conditioned trains,  I still love to ride the old one. Riding the new train is something ordinary for me, it is like riding on a LRT 2 coach.

I started riding the old PNR train last year because of curiosity.  Now, I ride it regularly (once every two months) because of the feeling of adventure.

Gone are days when people would throw garbage or human waste at the train. There are some instances but it is very minimal.

There are regular vendors here every Sunday like the old lady (above) who sell nilupak & crackers and the guy (below) who sell puto and kutsinta.

People inside the train especially the elders are not fond of shooting them. I need to make a rapport to make them a little bit comfortable and next thing they know I already have a photograph of them.

Just beware and be alert of suspicious people inside staring at your gears. Trust your instinct. Better safe than sorry.

Old PNR Train trip schedule is only once a day. Starting from Tutuban Station at 12 noon and will be at Alabang Station by 1:30pm. Fare is Php 16. Wanna ride?

Seair InFlight Magazine December 2009 – January 2010 Issue: Turtle Sanctuary

If you’re flying with Seair, kindly check out their InFlight Magazine December 2009 – January 2010 issue.

side by side with my friend, Allan’s Cagbalete Island photo

My Turtle Sanctuary photo is included in their Insider Guide’s “Nature Unfurled”. It is about 10 beautiful landscape photos across the Philippines.

The Lone Tree of Turtle Sanctuary in Matina Aplaya, Davao City

The trip to this place was just a side trip of my Mt. Apo climb last April 2009. I asked a favor to Rhonson Ng if he can take me to the sanctuary. He fetched me at my inn around 4am and drove us to the place. I was surprised when I found out that our destination is just located in the city, Punta Dumalag, Barangay Matina Aplaya to be exact.

The turtle sanctuary is a property of Aboitiz but it is turned over to the DENR and to the city of Davao. It is now manned by Task Force Pawikan Davao, an organization tasked to protect and conserve the area. The place is guarded. After the turtles lay their eggs, it will be transferred to a hatchery to protect it from poachers and predators. The eggs must also be protected from rain and seawater.

Get your copy of Seair InFlight Magazine. Call (632) 840-2803 for subscription.

Taal: The Heritage Town

When we heard the word “Taal”, the first thing that comes to mind is the Taal Volcano. It is also mistaken as part of Tagaytay City but it is a heritage town located in Batangas.

Many didn’t know that Taal is the former capital of Batangas until it was replaced by Batangas City. This town is famous for its hand embroideries and balisong.

A trip to Taal is an experience that takes you to the Spanish period because of numerous Spanish era houses and structures all over the town. Despite of modernization, the town preserved its rich cultural heritage.

If you live near Manila and can’t visit famous heritage places like Vigan in Ilocos Sur and Silay in Negros Occidental because it is far then a journey to Taal, Batangas will not disappoint you.

Here are the list of landmarks to visit in Taal, Batangas: Basilica de San Martin de Tours, Shrine of Our Lady of Caysasay, Sta. Lucia Well, San Lorenzo Ruiz Steps, Balisong Church, Bagumbayan Church, Casa Real Municipal Building, Don Gregorio Agoncillo Building, Escuela Pia, Gliceria Marella Villavicencio Residences, Don Leon Apacible Museum, Dona Marcela Agoncillo Museum, House of Gen. Ananias Diokno & Dela Rosa – Ilagan Residence.

I like the the place for being a sleepy town and I am planning to go back here for another photo walk.  An overnight stay would be better.

To get here, ride a Lemery bound bus (Jam & Tritran Line) at Buendia cor. Taft Avenue.  Alight at San Nicolas (fronting Taal Basilica) and you can exploring the town there.  Fare is Php 178.

Our Lady of Caysasay Church

A few minutes walk from The Basilica de San Martin de Tours is The Church of Our Lady of Caysasay. A wide concrete staircase with more than a hundred steps going down will lead you to this historical church. The church is small compare to other common churches here in our country but its history is interesting.

plain but appealing facade

In 1603, the image of the Virgin was caught in a net of Juan Maningcad while fishing in Pansiipit River. The image was brought to Father Juan Bautista Montoya and was entrusted to Maria Espiritu, who placed it in a special urn. The image was reported to frequently disappear from the church and will reappear few days later.

church’s altar

It was again rediscovered on a Sampaga tree by Maria Baguhin and Maria Talain. The image was surrounded by lighted candles and was guarded by a Casaycasay (kingfisher) when the women found it.

details of the ceiling

At first, the devotion to the Virgin Mary centered on the Caysasay Spring. They believe that the water on the spring contains healing power. Many stories say that the Virgin Mary had appeared as a reflection in the spring.

the arch of sta. lucia well

A beautifully carved stone dome was constructed over the spring near the church, named Ang Balon ng Sta. Lucia. To this day, the site of the wells is known as “Banal na Pook” and the water of the spring is known as “Banal na Tubig”.

Taal Town: Basilica of St. Martin de Tours

Basilica of  San Martin de Tours also known as Taal Basilica was built way back 1575  In the year 1754 the church was destroyed along with the town in the eruption of Taal Volcano. It was reconstructed in 1856 because of an earthquake in 1849.

The majestic Taal Basilica

The facade of the church is a combination of Doric & Corinthian design. Its altar features St. Martin of Tours with silver tabernacle.

The Altar

We were lucky enough to climbed up the bell tower. From there, you can see the Balayan Bay to the left and Mt. Maculot of Cuenca to the right.

Familia Candles

It is considered to be the largest church in the Philippines and in Asia, towering 96 meters long and 45 meters wide. The patron saint of Taal is St. Martin of Tours, whose feast is celebrated every 11^th of November.

Golden Facade

Wander Notes:

1. To go there, ride a Lemery bound bus (Jam & Tritran Line) at Buendia cor. Taft Avenue.  Alight at San Nicolas (fronting Taal Basilica). Fare is Php 178.

2. The facade of the basilica is picture perfect during sunset (if there is).

Bacolod: Mambukal’s 7th Falls

We took the earliest flight to Bacolod and arrived there at before 7am. There were lot of taxis waiting outside the airport charging at Php 150 per pax and taxi van for Php 450 heading to Bacolod Proper. We chose the taxi van because it has the same price for Php 450 and we have the van for only 3 of us.

Approximately 45 minutes, we arrived at Bacolod Proper. The 3 of us (Oggie, Ferdz & I) agreed to stayed at Bacolod Pension Plaza because it is near the plaza. We took a nap because of lack of sleep. I exceeded our supposed to be 15 minute nap, I woke alone in our room and found out that the other two were outside, waiting for me at Chinky’s (they were shy to wake me up).

By noon, we rode a mini bus in palengke going to Mambukal Mountain Resort in Murcia. It is located at the foot of Mt. Kanlaon. The resorthas many ammenities like boating lagoon, butterfly farm, hot springs, sulphur vents, camping ground and many more. We ate our lunch at the resort’s food court and met our guide to the 7th falls of Mambukal afterwards.

The hike going up is easy. We reached our destination in less than an hour. Like what our guide told us, it standout among the others. I like the cascades of water on the scattered rocks.

Our guide took us on a different and shorter route because we need to catch the last trip back to Bacolod. After washing up at our inn, we treated our hungry stomachs at Lion’s Park. Of course, we ordered Inasal and my favorite Kinilaw. The food were superb at a good price. We roamed the streets to look for ice cream but there is none.

Nagarao Island: Night Shoot & The Morning After

After eating our fiesta like lunch at Tatoy’s, we went to Guimaras via boat in Iloilo Pier. We landed to Jordan after 15 minutes of boat ride. We were supposed to ride a multicab going to San Joaquin then Sabang but there were no multicab available. A local told us that on Sundays, people are home early after the morning market. We just hired a multicab straight to Sabang. It was bumpy & dusty ride passing by plantation of mangoes. After an hour, we reached our destination and rent a boat. The travel time by boat from Sabang to Nagarao Island is about 45 minutes but it was doubled due to trouble. I lost count on many times our boat stopped due to water in the carburetor and few instances that our boatman can’t start the motor. It was getting dark that time; our small boat (5 pax capacity) was just floating in the middle of sea and the wind taking us to nowhere. The three us of were silent, thinking about situation. Our boat was up and running again because of the strong determination by our boatmen. Rain started to fall that make us more eager to reach the island as soon as possible (only if I could help our boat by paddling).

Island of Tree Spirits

interior of receiving hall

It rained hard when we reached Nagarao Island. No activities for us except for chatting and waiting for the rain to stop. I didn’t notice that I fell asleep in the living room until Oggie woke me up for dinner. After a eating, we agreed to play table (Ferdz is undefeated).  At around past 10pm, the rain stopped. We never wasted the opportunity for another night photography session. The whole place was really dark because of the absence of electricity at night.

night shoot galore

As expected, no sunshine for us to shoot. We explored the island and it was pure beauty. A lot of subjects for landscape photographer like rock formations, mangroves and the mini forest.

the gazebo: eerie at night but lovely in the morning

Our boatman fetched us at 10am; the water going back to Sabang was rougher than yesterday. Our boat was like a toy being tossed by big waves. I was on the front sitting in front thus all big splashes was on me. It was a 45 minutes saltwater bath. When we arrived at Sabang, our multicab was already there, all set to transport us to Jordan.

rocky shore and clear water

I would love to come back here in summer because we missed a lot of opportunities to explore and shoot the place. So if you’re visiting Guimaras, I suggest braving the waves going to Nagarao Island and you’ll rewarded by its beauty.

tree and log

Nagarao Island Wander Tips:

1. Put your valuable things like camera, lenses, cellphone, mp3 players, money and other important things in a dry bag for waterproofing. The boat ride to Nagarao Island is a like a rollercoaster ride in water.

2. Bring a headlamp / flashlight because the island is really dark at night.

3. No cellphone signal for Globe users like me, just bring a Smart SIM card to be sure.

Iloilo: The Beginning of My Adventures

I will always cherish my trip to Iloilo. It was my first trip with Oggie and Ferdz, two people that I really look up in terms backpacking and travel photography. I met Oggie in a local photography community online and of course, no more introductions for Ferdz. Actually, this is their trip. I just asked Oggie if it is okay to join them. I was shy because it will be the first time that I will meet the two. Good thing, they’re kind, humble and fun to be with. They’re helpful too  in giving me camera & photography tips because I was really a newbie that time. Rubbing elbows with the masters & an informal photography workshop for free, what can you ask for?

We arrived at Iloilo at around 6am. We rode the shuttle van outside the airport to Molo. We ate a quick breakfast there and went to our destination, Miag-ao. We visited first the famous MIag-ao Church also known as Church of Santo Tomas de Villanueva, one of UNESCO World Heritage site “Baroque Churches of the Philippines.

After lunch time, we bumped into this man in the market. He brought us to Brgy. Dalije to find Bugsukan Falls. I really enjoyed that fast motorcycle ride.

Since we’re staying near Miag-ao Church, we opted to shoot the church again. We were fortunate that the compound of the church was not padlocked.

We woke up early hoping we can catch a sunrise in Aplaya. No glorious sunrise that day as it rained last night.

After a few walks from the shore, we went back to our host, eat breakfast and prepare our things as we’re going to Nagarao Island.