A Beautiful Escape

Working everyday can do a lot to a man. Slowly he will start to lose interest in things he normally looks forward to.

Getting out of a rut can be difficult, but all it needs is the drive to find something that excites you, no matter how small it is.

I told myself before that I’d bring a camera everywhere I go, but that proved to be too tedious, and I was too lazy to whip it out of my bag to actually even use it. To keep me occupied during mundane days, I use my phone’s camera and capture ordinary things and apply all sorts of filters using my phone’s editor software.

Sounds a bit cheesy but it helps making the day as bad it actually is. Except of course, for my friends who are always there to share a laugh or two… but that’s another story.

April 25 2012 | 2 Notes - Read More →
Tags: personalupdatephotoscamerablackberryeditedcreativityordinaryflamephotographylovefriends

COME BACK TO WHERE IT ALL BEGAN

ON TOP OF THE WORLD

I went to Sagada last weekend, on a whim. I can’t believe I said yes, especially since it was so far, and I’m with friends.

We rode the bus to Bontoc, I didn’t even have time to change from the clothes I wore to work!

We arrived at around 10:00am in Sagada, and the first thing we did was eat!

They had delicious food! This is roast chicken with rosemary.

I had sizzling steak with salt and pepper. Their rice is super yummy, and the best part is, it’s unlimited! Eat ALL the rice!

After eating, we went to our guesthouse to freshen up, and began to head out to the caves.

Inside the cave, I had to keep my camera safe, since it’s too big to allow me to maneuver properly. I took photos from my friend’s camera, with our guide taking photos of us while traversing the rocks and underground rivers.

How I ever managed to fit in that hole, I don’t know!

And how I managed to do this, too!

It was a long way back from the cave to the house, and all I could think of was lay in bed and chugging a lot of alaxan and advil. I was that tired.

The next morning we woke up to beat the sun, and watch it rise!

After seeing the sun rise, we headed out for breakfast. After that a quick rest and then off to see Pongas Falls.

On the way there, I had thought that once I get off the van, I would immediately see the falls, but no! It entailed walking through a mountain. For 7 kilometers.

Finally, we arrived! I had to go for a swim, after all, sayang ang nilakad ko!

After swimming for a bit, we headed back… another 7 kilometers, but I guess it could be longer.

We headed out for our lunch, and then a quick rinse (I was so muddy) and then off to Mount Ampacao, where we will see the entirety of Sagada, and the sunset.

By this time, my entire body hurt, at nahulog na din ang matres ko dun habang papunta at pabalik galing sa falls. I had to use a walking stick, hermit lang ang peg!

When we reached the top, it was WOW! I felt I was in New Zealand (weh).

On our last day, we took a chance with the bus ride home, our schedule was thrown off course, since the bus we were supposed to get was overloaded already. We left Sagada at around 3PM.

While waiting for the bus, we took a short stroll around the town, and looked at some souvenirs.

I tasted the best blueberry wine from Gabay.

I think congratulations are in order, for myself. After all I managed to survive this adventure trip. I am thankful for my friends/officemates who wisely hid the fact that I need to exert effort to see the beauty of Sagada, since if I had known, I would never have joined.

Here’s to me, and the beauty of the Philippines. Can I go to Batanes next?

NATURE CALLS AND CERULEAN DREAMS

I’m seriously in need of inspiration right now. I feel so blah, and I don’t think it’s right, given that it’s the first month of the year! So this long weekend will hopefully ignite the dwindling fire.

Right now I’m busy trying to find old photos I discarded the first time, and trying to post process them into something…else.

Can’t wait for next week!

January 8 2012 | 2 Notes - Read More →
Tags: updatephotographyphotosetphotosnatureceruleannatureturquoise

SAY GOODBYE TO THE YEAR THAT WAS

Spent the New Year in Tagaytay. I love it here, so peaceful. There’s no smell of gunpowder and deafening noises courtesy of five stars and triangles.

I walked around the front and back yards to take photos of the surroundings. I’ve taken so many photos of the same plants and flowers, but they always come out different every time. Nature is amazing.