ThOuGhTs, iDeAs, oPiNiOnS, cHaTtEr: April 2010

Intramuros Is Forever Photo Contest

Received last night an SMS informing me about the exhibit opening on April 30, 2010 at the Palacio del Gobernador in Intramuros. Also, an instruction to send in the soft file/s to the Federation of Philippine Photographers Foundation (FPPF) before the event.

Since the secretary of FPPF is online in Yahoo! Messenger, inquired about it. She gave me a number and a name to call. This is when I learned that my entry (don't know which and how many) was among the top 50 images of the "Intramuros is Forever" Photo Contest, and would be included in the exhibit.

Since they do not know which of my entries made it, just e-mailed the secretary of FPPF the soft file of my entries. c",)

Dawn To Dusk: Day 3

The last day of our workshop would have us showing our images for critic. The BenCab would be sharing us his time and comment on our images.

Since we stayed overnight at BenCab's place (the women slept at the dojo while the men slept at the Igorot house), we still woke up early to try to capture more images. We even had a shoot with a goat crossing the hanging bridge... c",)

After breakfast, we prepared our images for presentation. A short lecture on architectural photography was given by the Tilak Hettige. We were given a few minutes to take images inside the museum.

After the presentation, we had our lunch before going on our way.

In our car, we stopped first at Burnham Park to buy strawberries. With our goods safely stowed, we're on our way to Manila. The trip is uneventful. We were dropped off at Glorietta 3 around 8:30pm.

Dawn To Dusk: Day 2

Woke up really early as we have to leave the Belshang Lodge for the BenCab Museum by 5AM.

That morning, two activities were assigned to us, which, in a way, will develop our "eye".

After our breakfast, it was time to get images of our models. A girl and a boy in native costume, another girl dressed as a farmer.

After lunch, it was time to go to the river for us to capture "beautiful blur".

The evening was topped off by an Igorot dance performance. We took images at our hearts content.

Before calling it a night, we gathered around a bonfire.

Dawn To Dusk: Day 1

Took a leave today as I would be attending the Tilak Hettige's photography workshop called "Dawn to Dusk". The activity would be at BenCab Museum in Baguio City.

We were supposed to take a public bus to Baguio. But because of the attendees who should be riding with him changed their minds, we were the ones who replaced their slot. Now, we would be going to Baguio in a BMW!!! c",)

We were to be picked-up at Glorietta 3. My companion had his breakfast at Max's while we wait for our ride.

The trip is uneventful save for almost hitting a bicycle right after our lunch. We stopped at Picknic where I tried their specialty--Billy-Dobo (adobong kambing).

We were hoping to catch Tilak's talk to Baguio photographers at BenCab Museum, which would start at 2PM. Unfortunately, we arrived at the museum around 3PM; thus, decided to proceed to Belshang Lodge (at Km. 3 Asin Road) to check-in and have some rest.

By 5PM, Tilak called and asked us to proceed to the museum. A short briefing was conducted and familiarization of the place. We had our dinner at the museum's cafe.

Back at the Lodge, we have a getting-to-know-you activity so that would help us "bond" with the other participants. Then, a short lecture was conducted by Tilak before calling it a day.

Shutter Island

Hair pampering day...

Had my late lunch while watching Shutter Island. Normally, I wouldn't watch a Leonardo DiCaprio movie. Imagine, I did not even watch Titanic!!! Since the movie is (seems) the only suspense, mystery, thriller being shown in the theaters, decided to watch it.

A U.S. Marshall is assigned to investigate the disappearance of a patient at a remote mental hospital. As he heads out to the island, he finds that the hospital employs unusual methods of treatment. As he gets closer to the truth, the more stranger it is, doubting everything he's seen.

It's all in the mind.

It also makes you think, when the lead said, "would your rather live as a monster or die a good man?".

Basic Meeting

Attended the seminar on basic photography for point-and-shoot and dSLR newbies. Then, went to Megamall where we had lunch at Pollo Loco, before proceeding to Megatrade Hall for the WPPP. This is where I found the soft focus optic for my Lensbaby. It's on a discount.

Ate an ice cream cake at Bake and Churn before proceeding to Ayala Center to attend the anticipated Mass. My niece dropped by; thus, we had dinner at a Veneto Pizzeria Ristorante and yogurt fix at Tutti Frutti.

Sagada, Day 4

As soon as I wake up, checked if there is already electricity. There is. Then checked the wound I got at Sumaguing Cave. What a souvenir. Hope I can get a statement shirt saying "I got my scar in Sumaguing Cave". LOL

Our last day in Sagada started with a buffet breakfast at St. Joe Cafe. Since I finished early, while the rest are having their breakfast, bought some souvenir/pasalubong.

To further check out the sites in Sagada, our first stop is at Lake Danum. Supposedly, this is a good place for sunset shots. But because of our hectic activities, this isn't possible.

Our next stop is a pottery place where the owner of the place did some demo. Some of us even tried their hands at it while I sipped strawberry shake... c",)

Then, visited Sagada weaving. Some bought pasalubong there while some took images of the weavers.

Just rested a little bit at Residential Lodge until it was time to check-out. We did not have our lunch, but ate our baon of bread. We had our late lunch/early dinner at People's Lodge and Restaurant in Banaue. We would be taking the 7PM trip of Autobus.

We arrived Manila at around 4AM.

Sagada, Day 3

Today would be a very "physical" day for us. First, we would be hiking almost two (2) hours (one way) to reach Bomod Ok Falls, passing several rice fields/terraces, stone-carved steps, rocks and boulders. Then, we would do spalunking in Sumaguing Cave. To have enough energy, first, we had a buffet breakfast at Yoghurt House.

Since it is Saturday, it is market day in Sagada. We stopped near the St. Theodore Hospital as we waited for our guides to the Bomod Ok Falls.

Although the hike would take two (2) hours one way, the cool weather and the view makes up for everything.

Upon reaching Bomod Ok Falls, some of us took a dip in the cold water. Lent them my Canon D10 so they can take images underwater.

We had our very late lunch at Rocky Valley Inn and Cafe. Lots of negative reaction, in fact, one of the viand we ordered did not even arrive! Well, I guess, this would be expected as we are a big group... I guess...

We stopped at our place to leave some of our things and went to the caves. We have to be in the cave before 5PM else they would not let us enter. The guys would be taking the interconnection (enter Lumiang Cave and exit at Sumaguing Cave) while the girls would be entering the Sumaguing Cave.

Definitely, an experience. In fact, if I visit Sagada again, I can still try the caving, that is, if I did not get a wound. Which I did, when I slipped while going down a 90 degree wall and "stepping on" the guide so I can go down. Even did some rapelling to go up that 90 degree wall.

When we got out of the cave, it was blackout all over Sagada.

In our room, four out of five of us got some wound because of spalunking. The one without wound volunteered to buy candles. When she got back, she got one (wound)!!!

Sagada, Day 2

Arrived at Banaue around 7AM. The trip from Manila to Banaue is about six (6) hours, from Banaue to Sagada is another three (3) hours. But because of the many stopover, the three hours would stretch.

We had our buffet breakfast at Ethnic Village in Banaue. Spent some time there as we checked the place out.

On our way to Bontoc, we stopped at the big image of Mama Mary. After, we tried topload, that is, riding on top of the jeep. Boy, was it exciting and refreshing!

We then proceeded to Bontoc Museum where we learned their culture. Got to buy that necklace which supposedly attracts "prosperity"... LOL

We had our lunch at Tchapayan Restaurant in Bontoc, and tried it's famous Tchapayan rice.

After lunch, it is time to proceed to Sagada. We would be staying at Residential Lodge.

Upon arriving, just left our things, rested for a few minutes, and decided to stroll around the place to be familiar.

First stop is to try their famous lemon pie. Thus, went to the Sagada Lemon Pie House. Also in our list is to try the alamid coffee. But decided to try it another day.

We hiked to Echo Valley to see the hanging coffins. We were midway, but because it is late, decided against proceeding.

We had our buffet dinner at Log Cabin.

Sagada, Day 1

Took a half-day off from work. Good decision as I have not yet completed my packing (I am in a dilemma as to what gear to bring). Also, bought some notebooks which we would donate to the children of Sagada.

We would be leaving Manila to Banaue around 10:30PM. I had Manong bring me to the terminal of Autobus, which is at Loyola corner Cayco Street, Sampaloc, Manila, within the area of the University of Sto. Tomas (UST) in Espana Boulevard.

The trip is uneventful.

Black Saturday

Usually, our swimming at Cuyab Resort in Laguna is every Easter Sunday. Because of the proclamation rally on Sunday, we have to do our annual activity on a Black Saturday.

Woke up really early to buy our food at the Aristocrat Restaurant in Malate, Manila. On our way to the restaurant, saw a lot of people waiting for their bus for their outing. We still saw them waiting after we have bought our take home and picked-up my aunt who would be joining us. When we saw them the second time around, they look like they are getting tired waiting. c",)

We left the house around 6AM. Stopped by at McDonald's along the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) for our breakfast, before proceeding to Cuyab. Got a cottage at Cuyab 2, left our companions there as Manong and I went to the main store of The Original to buy some buko pie.

Cuyab 1

Cuyab 2

Cuyab 3

It is a good time to try my new underwater camera, the Canon D10.

Not bad...

Street Senakulo

While most would be in vacation spots (like Boracay, Puerto Galera, etc.) due to the long weekend, we always stay at home during the Holy Week. It's quiet in the city, and no traffic.