SHUTTER SNAPS | Mt.Pulag: I Played With The Gods, A Photoblog

The sea is hollering whilst my playground, the mountains, keeps calling. My recent Mt. Pulag climb was still a red letter day and surreal. As if the gods have agreed to give us great weather prior and during our climb. A blanket of starry sky on the night before of trek and a cool dainty surroundings on the day of ascend.

SHUTTER SNAPS | Change the Way You See Adventure

SOUTHERN TAGALOG'S SEA GYPSIES

“Ate, kuya?!”, loud pleading yells echoed inside the monstrous sea vessel. Those voices in chorus has awaken me from a deep slumber, 'was dead tired and fell fast asleep after the six-hour bus ride from Manila to Lucena City which on regular days should take three hours only. Heck, it was holy week season, that's why. It was an exodus of commuters on their way to provinces to enjoy the only long vacation of the year. So, I too, took advantage of the long break--away from monotonous corporate job for five years already. I chose my hometown, Marinduque for some adventures together with my travel buddies.

SHUTTER SNAPS | Old Manila on B&W

INTRAMUROS, Manila City -- No matter how frequent I do photowalk in Manila, it never dissapppoint me to capture nice pictures. Just yesterday, I did my first all B&W shots around the "Walled City" before I attended my first Photoworld Cup participation along with Team Juan Makasining Photographers. Seeing my shots seems like street photography must be my thing. I'm loving photography even more. Thanks to TJM for sharing your time and knowledge with me.

SHUTTER SNAPS | PASINAYA 2015, Celebration for the Love of Art

PASAY CITY, Philippines -- The month of February is not only synonymous to love month but also a celebration of arts in the country. Exhibits and events showcasing local arts in various discipline (music, visual, performing, and cultural arts) is being showcased across the country. PASINAYA Festival is just among those festivities to promote local arts in the country. 

Team Juan Makasining (TJM), my newly found art club, photography specifically joined this red letter event held in CCP Complex in Pasay City. We've joined photo contest, my first ever competition. Geeezz!! ;-) The photos below are my favorites and some of those were my entries in the said contest.

SHUTTER SNAPS | Islas de Gigantes and Roxas City Panoramic Shots

Enroute to Gigantes Group of Island. At Estancia Port.

I only see those postcard perfect shots of Gigantes Group Islands on travel blogs, online search engines and tourism posters of DOT when I had my Iloilo Trip last year prior to Dinagyang Festival. So when, a travel blogger Sir Mike of Travelling Panda posted an invitation going to Gigantes, with no doubt at all, I joined the event and searched right away a flight bound to Panay Island. It was month of June when I got a sure slot to the event as I already booked a flight to Kalibo International Airport. Yes, you read it right. My flight is bound to Kalibo. Me too was also wondering why I chose that route. It might have due to excitement that I forgot to check the easiest route. 

Time fly so fast and after the quick 8 months, this dream destination finally materialized. This must be a good start up to welcome my summer. And what I saw with my very eyes was just an amazing piece of nature and seems surreal. Here's the collection of panoramic photos I captured in that entire travel escapes. Mabubusog ang inyong mga mata tiyak! 

SHUTTER SNAPS: Manila By Night

MANILA, Philippines -- It was my last photo walk for the year 2014. The event was organized by "Powerhouse G5" (PhG5). I was able to shoot decent night scenes around my favorite city through the help of some pro-photographers I was with -- the TROPANG ARTISTIKO. Sir Bert Briones, one of the member gave me some tips and techniques. And here are the fruits of what he taught me. Kudos to these idols! More photography know-how to come! Now I'm aiming for a new lens and upgraded camera model for better captures. 

The METROPOLITAN THEATER

                 

SHUTTER SNAPS: Manila Bay and CCP Complex

MANILA, Philippines -- I was scheduled to join the sketching session of my newly discovered artist group, Urban Sketchers-Philippines. The event was held in Manila-Pasay area so I knew there would be something good to capture and to click my cam with. It's the country's scenic and historic Manila Bay. Mind not the foul smell of the seawater just focus on the picture of the location. Hehehe! So, here is what my buddy Pent's shutter got snapped. The bay from daylight-to-dusk-to-night. I'm liking the night shots! 

SHUTTER SNAPS: Behind the Scenic Sunset of Manila Bay

MANILA, Philippines -- As picturesque as it looks, the truth behind the historic Manila Bay simply define our nation at the present time. It is far from its heyday and now suffering from gradual deterioration. But for Manilenyos, Manila Bay is more than just the astonishing sunset but a home that sheltered dozens of ill-fated souls wrecked on the brim of poverty. It is a source of life and a spring of hope. Congruently similar to an everyday city life -- tiresome, chaotic, muddled in frantic urban realm, right after the sunset, all is promised with another day. 

SHUTTER SNAPS : Night Scenes Within the Wall

Just Saying: Tagalog's Sea Gypsies, Striving for Life

                                         

DALAHICAN PORT OF LUCENA CITY, Quezon Province -- Ate, kuya?!, loud pleading yells echoed inside the ship. I saw people gathered on the rail portion of the vessel. I pondered what was they were looking at. With my great curiosity, I hastily checked what seemingly entertaining them and found out that a group of sea gypsies gathered right on the sea next to the ship. That wasn't the first time I glanced a scene like this. I used to witness them during  trips in our hometown ever since I was young. However, up to this day, it's still a long hanging question to me of which tribe these troops belong. ( If you know them, tell me.)

SHUTTER SNAPS: Looking Through the Eyes of Kids

Daraitan, Tanay, RIZAL --- We can see the basic of life to the kids. They have the hands that take holds of heaven and a life assured by the parent's love. They have those innocent eyes that gives us divine appointment. And also kids could give us a real chance of fun.