Coron | Mt Tapyas

Coron | Mt Tapyas

The Sweeping View Of Coron From Mt Tapyas

I can't say that I regret scaling this famous icon in Coron on the first hour after my arrival in. My body or rather my legs weren't prepared for the sudden strenuous effort I subjected it to. I didn't dare count the steps, If I did then I would've lost count somewhere after 50, but they say its over 700 stairs to reach the summit. I kept assuring myself it was all worth it, yet my calves started aching on my way down, and I haven't had any snorkeling or island adventure yet, this could be the portents of me limping in a few days, I just hope it won't be that much.

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EVENT | Pyromusical Competition

The 3rd Philippine International Pyromusical Competition

Getting Awed By The Brightest Fireworks Show

Three years ago, when this Pyromusical show was hosted in SM Mall of Asia, I had come to witness the event not as a travel blogger but as a spectator like everyone else. My own goal was to catch a glimpse of one the competing countries show at least. As you can guess, or if you had been to the event as with this year or previously, it draws a lot of people. A fireworks showdown is a natural crowd gatherer, putting up a show where some of the best people in pyrotechnics can showcase their craft and their country is like watching the legendary gladiators spectacle in the roman coliseum.

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Mindoro | Beach Sunset

MINDORO | Puerto Galera Sunset

The Hunt For A Scenic Sunset

One thing I like about having trips in the beaches is to witness how it looks like during sunset hours. As for Puerto Galera white beach, it's always a quick weekend trip from people who lives and works in Metro Manila. being that its easily accessible from Batangas Pier. My first trip here was during the first team building with my co-workers almost 5 years ago. On my first time, I was surprise that Mindoro is keeping a place like this one. And the first experience of Puerto Galera sunset was spent swimming in its cool waters and watching people enjoying the walk on the beach. Its a nice change from working on a corporate office.

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Culion | Visiting Culion

CULION | Visiting Culion
A History Of People Fighting For Survival

Culion is part of the Calamian islands, way off from Coron. But is a place worthy of mention because of its rich history, of people dedicating their life's work to eradicate the biblical disease called leprosy. Culion went down in history books and was placed in the map to be the world's biggest leper colony that started when Americans colonized the Philippines. I am no historian although history fascinates me, so I will describe instead my thoughts and impressions about Culion as a newbie photo enthusiast.

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TRAVEL Notes | Mt Tapyas, Coron

CORON | Mt Tapyas

Trekking Mt Tapyas on Day 1

February 3, 2012

I'm on 2nd day for the Coron trip, as usual in small towns like this, early to bed and early to rise, and I just woke earlier than everyone. Despite the frustration I got yesterday for having my flight from NAIA to Busuanga Coron delayed for over 3 1/2 hours, I was inspired by Coron even before we touched down the airport.

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Caramoan | Left Alone In Cagbalinad Island

CARAMOAN | Cagbalinad Island

Left Alone In A Limestone Island

Cagbalinad is a small secluded island facing the expensive resort laden Gota Island of Caramoan. This is our second stop for first day island hopping adventure, already my skin is starting to burn but when I'm in a tropical paradise such as this, I can't miss the chance. Our guide Kuya Ramil left us for a good 30 minutes as he was went back to Paniman to get his handmade goggles. We are to have some snorkeling adventure on some deeper waters just few meters away from Lahus Island. He must have realized that I'm very comfortable in the water, I even brought my own snorkeling gear. My next post will be about how he assisted me like a father to a son while snorkeling.

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Photowalk | SM Mall Of Asia

SM Mall Of Asia

Photowalks On A Sunday

It was a fun activity hosted by Sykes Photo Club, a kind of activity I was eager to join with. Being a member of this exclusive club gave me the opportunity to connect with other photo enthusiast and together we learn from each other. My learning with them is very evident on the change in how I take pictures. Since I signed up for the membership and having attended the free basic photography workshop that they hosted too, things just settled into place. I learned a lot, and change a lot in my style, there's a lot of important aspect  that I missed before, I thought I only need to know how to adjust the manual settings of my DSLR and understand rule of thirds, there was more to it. Now when I take landscape pictures, I don't just point and shoot, I need to make sure that the horizon is straight, with foreground or background, and a focal point where I can focus, I also have to consider the lights.

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Camiguin | Benoni Port

CAMIGUIN | Benoni Port

Gateway to Camiguin, Island Born Of The Fire

Saturday, November 5, 2011.

It was like a long drive and you just reached your goal, that was what I felt when I finally set foot in the pavements of Port Benoni. This is where I entered Camiguin and also where I bid farewell later on to cap a very eventful day. I was hopeful, like as always when I'm on the road, I am happy even when things don't come out as planned, I'll make this day special. Leaving Cagayan De Oro City around 2 AM for a bus ride to Balingoan Port in Misamis Oriental, I spent the first few hours of my birthday crouched on a cold bus that's driving through the pitch black highways, feeling that same eerie camaraderie with  other yawning and sleeping passengers with the silent bus driver who's probably in a zombie mode.

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Photowalk | Puerto Galera

Puerto Galera 

A Beach Photowalk

I'm a frequent visitor to Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro. That much is certain considering the numbers of photos I've collected of the place. Most of the pictures where kind of personal, and as I learned through photography and being a photo enthusiast, I begin to appreciate capturing images of other people instead of just my own. I feel like becoming a paparazzi only that I prefer taking pictures of strangers who's unaware that I'm trying to capture their image. Here's my take on Puerto Galera beach scene.

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Caramoan | The Off Beaten Path to Umang Cave

CARAMOAN | Umang Cave 

A Survivor Tribal Council Spot

Off for a whole day affair of island hopping in Caramoan Peninsula. Our guide Kuya Ramil Cruel is one of the boatmen who provides services for Survivor Franchises on Caramoan. Lucky that during my visit, its off season for Survivor. A visit to Umang Cave is not part of my itinerary, but Kuya Ramil was generous enough to make this as our first drop before any island hopping began, I didn't know I was to be brought here first , it was just an on the spot decision by my guide. I was glad he did show me this place, a bit of spelunking came into my itinerary for the day.

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