Romblon | Cresta de Gallo

ROMBLON | Cresta de Gallo
#CrestaDeGallo

So it was that by mid morning on our third day of hiking, we swam in the clear rocky rivers of Magdiwang as a sign that we completed the hike. Not only that, no one from our team showed any sign of physical battering or tiredness. As a reward for a successful climb, we were to spend a night sleeping at the sandy beach of Cresta de Gallo and looking up at the clear skies under the light of a full moon.

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Quezon | Pagbilao Grande Island's Kwebang Lampas

QUEZON | Pagbilao Grande Island's Kwebang Lampas
Kwebang Lampas Travel Guide

 

It had been months since the dry season (summer) in the Philippines passed for 2014. Yet, the finale beach camp trip I did with a few friends to Kwebang lampas of Pagbilao, Quezon still brings a vivid memory for me of a white sand beach cove. The towering Pagbilao Power Plant was an amalgamation amidst the rocky and green terrain, the scattered rain clouds of both days I was there, the sand that clings to my skin and the carefree banter of beach campers who are just too happy to be away from the bustle of Urban Manila; Kwebang Lampas was our refuge for this weekend. Even as light rains poured from time to time, telling us that this summer is soon over; as I lay alone inside my tent while people lounge by the beach side in drunken stupor; I could use a hug and a cuddle then, but I was never alone, not really.

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El Nido | Sunset Photos from El Nido

EL NIDO | Sunset Photos from El Nido

A trip to El Nido is always wrought with unforgettable memories. Though I've been there only twice, every corner and islands that I have seen and explored has an imprint of images in my mind. It's my setting for the perfect tropical paradise, no doubt knowing that it was an inspiration to a famous movie all beach lovers should know "The Beach". 

These collections of sunset photos were taken on my last year’s trip to El Nido. Though I promised in my travel blog that I will post them, after editing most of the photos collected in my 5 day backpacking trip, I can't get myself to share most of it. For one thing, El Nido is a backpackers haven so I would expect that a lot of people would have far more amazing captures than I did, also it is personal, just looking at the photos I brought home makes me feel proud so maybe you could understand why I'm being selfish by checking the photos I'm sharing today.

One of the last photos I took for this memorable day. I've been watching and photographing this Sunset for an hour now, though I've seen the best when the sun was already below the horizon. But the final rays of yellow light didn't disappoint as it hit the cloud formations covering the entire town.

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Oriental Mindoro | Beach Rockies From Puerto Galera

ORIENTAL MINDORO | Beach Rockies From Puerto Galera 

Long Exposure Sunrise Photos

These are some of the first photographs I have taken with my new Neutral Density (ND) Filter. Though it had been a couple of weeks since I started lugging it in my camera bag, demanding its own space being a specialized filter. My verdict is, that the ND filter lived up to its purpose and I love it.

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Photography | 15 Portraits Of Children

PHOTOGRAPHY | 15 Portraits Of Children
A Collection Of Local Children's Photo

When you finally go back to your old hometown, you find it wasn't the old home you missed but your childhood. 

-Sam Ewing

It's a prerequisite that when you like to travel, you are opening yourself for the opportunity of meeting people, especially the locality in your destination. In the short time I've been around, I've met quite a few, though I had never intended to take photos of local people especially children, it's a constant opportunity that presents itself at a regular basis. I don't get to capture the most endearing moments at all times, but when I do, it send ripples to my well being. Photographing children is not easy, capturing moments that showcase their vulnerability, innocence and sweet honesty reflected in their eyes. These following photographs are a collection of photos from various locations, mostly done with just a quick snap from my camera, photos of children as they were at home, in their playground or in their environment.

Little Girl from Mahabang Buhangin
Tinaga Island, Calaguas Group of Islands

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El Nido | The Paradise Of Inagbuyutan Island

EL NIDO | The Paradise Of Inagbuyutan Island
The Bacuit Archipelago

If I get myself stranded and marooned in a certain island for an indefinite time, I'd imagine it to be the Inagbuyutan Island. To be honest, The Bacuit Archipelago is scattered with many beautiful islands that its a heartbreak to discard even just one of them. Painfully beautiful, that's what I'd think of Inagbuyutan Island, as the last island we hopped into for the Tour B, it looked to be a fitting finale.

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El Nido | The Snaking Sandbar Snake Island

El Nido | The Snaking Sandbar Of Snake Island
The Bacuit Archipelago

Bacuit Archipelago is easily at the top of my list as the best location for beach and island hopping, having been to some of the best must explore group of islands in the Philippines, even bested that of El Nido's closest counterpart, Coron also that in Palawan.

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Guest Post | 3 Ways Boracay Differs From Other Beaches

 

3 Ways Boracay Differs From Other Beaches 

 

Boracay remains a highly regarded vacation spot in the world—a condition that is sure to remain for many years to come. It is a nature-endowed island that is made available for humans to relish—but the question is, what sets this island apart from others, and why is it so renowned? Below are three important characteristics that are uniquely Boracay.

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Islas de Gigantes | Restless in Islas de Gigantes

Restless in Islas de Gigantes
A Morning Photowalk In The Mangroves

Standing at the edge of a cliff, in a sweeping panorama of rolling hills with rocky beaches, Sayuri looks out of place in her grey plain kimono dress, her locks of jet black hair is swaying in the wind, her blue eyes lost in unreadable thoughts. Certainly one of the unforgettable scenes I know in the movie adaptation of Memoirs of a Geisha, more so because this part of the movie where Sayuri lets go of the handkerchief the Captain gave to her as a child looks so unlike Japan. Muir Beach to be exact, in Northern California was the location of this beautiful landscape, but what strikes me, is not the awful storyline of this adaptation, but of being lost in a beautiful place, of being there but not looking with your own eyes. This mirrors the emotions I was harboring during my visit to Islas de Gigantes, I see the place but I don’t feel like I’m actually there. I wasn’t standing on a cliff, heartbroken and trying to let go of a dream, but I’m lost in my own thoughts as I walk alone in the coastline.

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TRAVEL GUIDE | Islas de Gigantes

TRAVEL GUIDE | Islas de Gigantes
The Gem of Iloilo Province

Named as it was rumored to have been a home of giants, the Gigantes Group of islands off the coast of Carles Iloilo, located Northeast of the Panay Island, is a place of un-spoilt Islands and Islets with towering Karst rocks, stretches of twin white beaches, hidden natural pools with rich floras and faunas, not to mention that this is a rich fishing ground supplying seafoods of export quality. Almost all of Municipality of Carles’s esteemed notable beaches are actually from Isla de Gigantes, all eight of them as listed in Wikipedia. There are more beaches to be explored and discovered due to its remote location. 

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Islas de Gigantes | Gigantes Norte Lighthouse

ISLAS DE GIGANTES | North Gigantes Medium Lighthouse

Gigantes Group Of Islands In Photos Virtual Tour

A set of four stairs before coming out in the hatch at the top and see the sweeping panorama of the Visayan Sea and the hills of Gigante Norte Island. The stairs aren't much of a challenge but once you stand in the viewing deck and realize the height of the tower plus the rocky cliffs you'll know it is gut wrenching.

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Islas de Gigantes | Gigantes Norte Lighthouse Part II

ISLAS DE GIGANTES | North Gigantes Medium Lighthouse

Gigantes Group Of Islands In Photos Virtual Tour

Part II - On Sunrise

Just as I predicted the day before, The North Gigante Lighthouse would be an amazing sight during Sunrise. My early morning alarm paid off, I'm still fresh from yesterdays Island hopping adventure and feeling a little sad that I'll be leaving this amazing islands paradise today. But with the determination that I could still capture some good photographs of Isla de Gigantes, I relented to catch the Golden hours of Isla Gigante Norte, only that the timing was hampered by Cumulonimbus (rain clouds).

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Islas de Gigantes | Antonia Island

ISLAS DE GIGANTES | Antonia Island

Gigantes Group Of Islands In Photos Virtual Tour

Yet another Twin Beach to explore, adjacent to the bigger Gigante Sur Island. As per our guide, Antonia (An-to-ni-ya) Island is actually private, whose local ownership has been passed on from generation to generation. We paid entrance for Php 20.00 per head, though without any resort or large imposing edifice, there is a small house place just before the rocky hill and a little hut (kubo) for Sari-Sari store. Like the main islands of Gigante Norte and Gigante Sur, electricity is somewhat a challenge, but the Sari-Sari store sells all sorts of refreshments including beer to visitors as they are kept cool with ice. Yet another realization, as there were mounds of Scallops shells along the beach, this can be a perfect Island to camp.

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Islas de Gigantes | Tangke Natural Pool

ISLAS DE GIGANTES | Tangke Natural Pool

Gigantes Group Of Islands In Photos Virtual Tour
  

A secluded area along the Southern end of Gigante Sur Island in jagged Karst Rock Wall, Tangke Natural pool is a must visit attraction in Isla de Gigantes if you prefer a serene location surrounded by towering rocks. Aptly named as Tangke which by Hiligaynon language a Tank that holds a body of water, water tank per say. Tangke is actually a Natural Saltwater Lagoon bounded on all sides by rocks, giving it the look of a nicely done pool.

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Isla de Gigantes | Cabugao Gamay Island

ISLA DE GIGANTES | Cabugao Gamay Island
 Gigantes Group Of Islands In Photos Virtual Tour

The photo above is perhaps the most photographed and Social Media posted location in Gigantes Group of Islands. Cabugao Gamay is a Hiligaynon term Cabugao for Pomelo, and Gamay for Small, but translates literally as a phrase "The smaller Cabugao Island." Adorned by a twin beach both of fine white sand, rocky hills on both ends that is subject for a little rock climbing with a scattering of Coconut trees lining inland and dividing the beaches on both sides.

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Islas de Gigantes | Bantique Island Sandbar

ISLAS DE GIGANTES | Bantique Island Sandbar
Gigantes Group Of Islands In Photos Virtual Tour

Bantigue Island Sandbar is a first stop for island hopping if you coming from Gigante Norte Island. Some 15 to 20 minutes boat ride from Asluman's make shift pier. On initial approach, the distinguishable stretch of white sand is remarkable; I immediately I could imagine this place from above and would have loved to take an aerial view of the island.

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Calaguas | The Rustic Paradise

CALAGUAS | The Rustic Paradise
Of Clear Skies And Pristine Waters

“It’s hard for me to put into words why I like the beach so much. 

Everything about it is renewing for me, almost like therapy...Beach Therapy.”
- Amy Dykens

 Its mid afternoon with light pouing rain. I couldn't pass up the chance to enjoy the gentle waves.

Calaguas or the Happy Beach as some netizens call it is a back to basics rustic paradise off the coast of Daet Camarines Norte.

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TRAVEL GUIDE | Baler, Aurora

TRAVEL GUIDE | Baler, Aurora

The Surfers Haven

Baler is a charming provincial capital of Aurora and location of the famous surfing site for Luzon due to waves coming from the Pacific. What’s so endearing about this lovely town is that it is not limited to the experiences from the beach. Covering a vast plain and some forested area rich with local floras and faunas, natural falls some with famous majestic cadence, rock formations along the coastal areas that is a delight to landscape photographers, and even so for the rich political history and historical contributions this quaint little town and the province it uphold offers. Most but not all, I’ve explored in a day aboard a local tricycle with a hired humble driver.

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Bolinao | Scenic Rock Formations

BOLINAO | Scenic Rock Formations
A Place For The Sun To Bid Farewell For Today

Perhaps this is the place to look forward to when visiting Bolinao, Pangasinan. This is a photograpers delight even to an amateur photo enthusiast like myself. I've got no ND Filter to capture photos in slow shutter in a harsh daylight of mid afternoon, but perhaps my CPL filter is just enough as it captured huge waves crashing through the rocky shoreline in action while removing any harsh reflections in the water. I would have wanted to wait untill sunset, but alas with traveling, the best of places are always there except time to linger for more waiting for just that perfect moment. As I have observed in these last few days, Bolinao has some of the most scenic sunsets to behold. Located in the country's western seaboard, figuratively facing the so called West Philippine Sea where the sun ussually bids farewell to the locals from here.

Standing at the edge of a grassy rock cliff overlooking a part of the Cape Bolinao. The crashing waves are more powerful than they look in the photo that the sound they create can be heard from a distance.

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Batangas | Sunrise in San Juan, Batangas

BATANGAS | Sunrise in San Juan, Batangas
Chased By Storm Clouds In Laiya

Batangas as a province has a lot to offer to its visitors. A place down south from Manila, Batangas is a huge province, and the beach coastline of Laiya in San Juan Batangas is well thought of. But an effort it is, being too secluded perhaps, just getting the transportation to it is a challenge.

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