Pangasinan | Matabang Beach Resort

2 years had passed since our eyes first set upon the paradise-like shores of Tambobong Beach in Dasol, Pangasinan. It’s an exciting trip not just because we are set to see the wonderful place but also because there are a whole lot of us coming. It’s like the whole barangay is coming with us. It is our first time to had an excursion with a group this big, more or less 30 pax.

We started our 6-hour trip at around 3 in the morning and I decided not to sleep so that I could make sure that everything’s done and loaded. I don’t wanna lessen our enjoyment because something was missed out. But the errand had sapped out all my remaining energy and as soon as our jeepney was off, I dozed off with it.

I woke up 4-hours after our departure and learned that there had been mishaps that caused us a little delay. The road ahead was still a long way to go so we fill our time eating and dozing-off from time to time.

Alas we arrived to the treacherous dirt road; we braced ourselves from the smoke and dust that welcomed us. We finally arrived at Matabang beach resort 30 minutes after.

Matabang, the Filipino word for bland, was the name given to the resort because of the bland taste of water along its shores caused by fresh waters from a nearby spring.

As soon as we touched down to the resort, some of us had already thrown themselves in the tempting waters. As for myself; I’d rather eat first, I’m starving.

Our lunch was adobong manok at baboy (chicken and pork sautéed in vinegar and soy sauce) that my mom prepared during the night and Itlog na maalat (salted egg) mixed with diced tomatoes. Lunch was served, Pinoy style.

As soon as we are done feasting ourselves with the mouth-watering lunch, we ran to the seducing beach with its pulverized sand on our feet and crystal clear water on our thighs. We spent the whole afternoon swimming to our hearts content and took some photos of the magenta sky before dark.

After eating helping ourselves with our dinner; roasted liempo (pork belly), Inihaw na Pusit (squid), and most especially hot rice. We dipped again in the warm water, letting the calm waves slowly massage our bodies under the bright rays of full moon. Our evening was filled with laughter from the comedic stories of Mang Tasyo, the community kingpin, and other personalities from the Riles (train tracks).

This trip was truly worth it.

We all decided to find our own place to sleep since the attic was jam-packed with the elderly and kids. I woke up at around 4 am, feeling very cold, and in desperate need of something to warm myself with. Good gracious that my dad was already awake and had prepared some hot waters for coffee. I enjoyed the contrasting sensation of hot coffee in my belly and the cold humid breeze that the morning had offered.

I walked along the shores before the first light of the sun, with warm waters and pebbles to massage my feet. I had walked this shore before and just enjoyed every moment of it.

When I returned to the resort, some people are buzzing around my cousin’s car. It seems that faith was toying upon us. He locked the keys inside the night before and was trying to come up with a solution since evening. He finally gave up and had someone bring the extra keys to Pangasinan, thus becoming the hero of the day.

Our trip ended up with a few unexpected mishaps and a whole lot a bunch of stopovers for Halo-Halo, crushed ice mixed with different Filipino toppings.

The Fort | Students of the Earth: Reverse the Bad

I’d been to numerous seminars about the environment but this is my first time to write about one. It started one lazy afternoon while I was keeping track on what’s happening on the outside world through Facebook when one of my juniors in college suddenly sent me a message inviting me to the seminar. Since I don’t have much to do, I agreed.

The host, for those who don’t have any idea about the organization, is the largest, most experienced conservation organization that aims to promote the conservation of our environment in every aspect. They are the one behind the famous Earth Hour, an activity to conserve energy, which was participated by different countries all over the globe.

The seminar’s main objective is to tap the younger part of the population to form a unified effort to try reversing the bad effects that we had caused to our environment in order to live in a better tomorrow. It may be done first by educating everyone to be conscious on their daily actions and increase their awareness on the things may affect the environment.

It would eventually lead to changing our own ways for the betterment of our environment. It was attended mostly by college students from different schools, and although it was only a small scale it’s a good start.

The talk was done by Ms. Marie Bretaña which was then followed up by a self-realization activity that seeks to tell us that we are all connected, thus must help each other in saving our environment. Tully’s Coffee provided coffee and pastries for the attendees.

 

Pampanga|Hot Air Balloon Fiesta

Weekend Getaway

Wind swept unto my face while our bus drove to the desolated express way. We took an ordinary bus bound to Dau, Pampanga from the Five Star bus station in Pasay and it took us an hour and a half to reach the last stop. Normally in order to reach Clark Air Base, you must rent a tricycle that would cost for about P50. But in our case there was a Jeepney that offered us a cheaper ride because he wanted to make an extra from the sudden wave of local tourist that was going to the festival.

When we arrived, hundreds of early birds were already lined up in front of the Clark Free Port Zone. The 17^th Hot Air Balloon Fiesta entitled “A Weekend of Everything that Flies” was a four-day event starting from the 9^th of February up to the 12^th to showcase various flying activities. It was the last day and the venue was still jam packed.

Eager faces were everywhere, all of them patiently waited for the start of the festive. Those faces were soon painted with smiles when the line started to move. It’s still dark and there’s still plenty of time to go walk around or grab a coffee. The air was a bit damp and the cold breeze gave me a chill. The sun was unlikely to come out anytime soon and good thing that I brought my jacket to warm me from the unrelenting cold. After a few minutes, our lot decided look for a good spot to wait for the opening.

Soon the hot air’s started to roll in one by one to fire up the crowd. The last day officially started with a man, carrying the national flag, parachutes from a helicopter while national anthem was sung.

The hot air balloon’s set-up quickly followed moments after the singing was done, and soon the giants took over the scene. Balloons of various shapes and design awed the crowd. There were the common shaped balloons with sponsor’s name on it, a cute panda balloon that was a bit smaller compared to the other balloons, an ice cream balloon, a toy car balloon, and a smiling flower balloon. Unfortunately there some that weren’t able to fly due to strong winds.

The sun didn’t show up until late morn and though the first part of the main event was done, there were still various aerial activities that entertained the crowd.

Both local and international pilots’ exhibit they’re flying talents in different flying activities like balloon popping competition, in which the contestants were tasked to pop their balloons using their planes. Plane acrobatics also kept the crowd’s attention.

The sky was decorated with an array of kites as both young and old enjoyed their day by flying kites of various colors and designs. Booths scattered all over the ground to cater everyone’s appetite. There was a wide variety of food from the cheapest fast foods up to the sophisticated ones. The hangar was also used as an exhibit of both the new and old aircrafts. On the outside, the army’s amphibian was also on display for civilians to get a photo opportunity. Vintage bicycles that was up for rent also joined the scene

As the day near its end, the breeze was still blowing hard, preventing the balloons to soar in the evening sky.

Everyone’s disappointed after the failed attempt to fly the balloons. The finale was a giant lantern show followed up by a display of the fireworks. Raindrops chased away the viewers and urged everyone to go home. It’s been a long day for us and still had a long way to go so we head out as soon as we are packed.

3rd International Pyromusical Festival|Korea VS Malta

As the music started to play and fireworks started to light up the sky, I was a hoping Korea would showcase a really great show. I was a bit disappointed because the synchronization of the fireworks and music were not as smooth as I had expected.

Good thing that the colorful display of fireworks compensated the performance’s shortage of harmonization. It reflected Korea’s colorful and fashionable modern culture. 

K-Pop was one the dominant culture that captivated most teens a year ago. Its songs, even though many Filipinos wouldn’t really know a thing about the lyrics, embraced it whole-heartedly. The artistic color combination and slim fitted garments authenticates their fashion from the rest.

After Korea’s flamboyant display of fireworks, we decided to go and grab something to eat. Too bad we lost track of the time that almost cost us the next show. We scrambled to our pre-planned location but the time wasn’t enough. Undaunted and unprepared I was left with no choice but to shoot on the spot.

There was no room for me to fit in; almost. Good thing I managed to squeeze myself in to a good tight spot. The dazzled crowed was almost everywhere, enjoying the sparkling sight. I’d hoped to catch the display from a far with the MOA Eye in it. The huge Ferris wheel’s twinkling lights matched with fireworks would be quite a sight.

I didn’t expect my impromptu shoot to turn out quite admirable. I though my hope of having a commendable shot was like the fireworks. One second it’s there and after another it’s gone. As the fireworks bloom in the night sky I can’t help but wonder how this year’s competition would turn out. Would it outshine the previous year or would the former performance proved to be better.

 

One shot moments: Seize life with Canon

It was originally my cousin’s idea in joining the contest. I was so busy with my loads of school work when suddenly he told me that he won in the contest and that I should join too. I remembered to have stocked some photos from this year’s feast of the Black Nazarene. Actually, it is part of my yearly devotion to attend and shoot during the feast. It was some kind of intricate adventure for me that unleash my wild side and go with the flow of excitement, following the replica throughout the procession as my will could take me. To my luck, it exactly fit the theme of the contest. Seize your adventure with Canon. Barely 2 months after I joined the contest, I received a text message informing me that I was one of the lucky winners of the month. The Canon Powershot A490 was then delivered to our house through mail.

Sakripisyo

   The Tagalog term for sacrifice, the act of exchanging one’s comfort in trade of something that the heart desires, would be fittest way to describe the faith of the Nazarene’s devotees. It is the one thing that drives them to procession of the Black Nazarene each and every year. The exhaustion, pain, sweat, and all these things that you could get along the not less than 12 hours of non-stopping procession all around Quiapo could make you wonder for what the devotees are wishing for or what do they exchanged it with. Health maybe on the first list and wealth maybe the last. Those Millions of bare-footed, faithful devotees that I am talking about had stayed in the Quirino Grandstand for the overnight vigil and in the morning they marched their way from the Quirino Grandstand towards Quiapo church, passing along the way some familiar spots like Hidalgo, the photographer’s haven.

    The replica, which was actually the one being paraded around the town because the original image was too fragile to move, was being pulled by two very sturdy ropes. Sometimes those ropes intertwined and they name it “Otso” or 8 because it is similar to the figure of the number eight. Devotees consider that clinging on to the rope and helping to pull the Black Nazarene is part of their undying devotion. Aside from devotes, the yearly procession also attracts tourist and photographers alike. I hope that whatever brings you there, we must always put to mind that faith alone is not enough. What we do to our neighbor counts. Thank you and God Bless!

    

Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife

  If ever you are so chocked from the smog of the urban cities in Manila, the doors of the Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife in Quezon City are always open to you. Named from the slain hero of Edsa, Sen. Benigno ”Ninoy” Aquino Jr., it is located at the heart of Quezon city near the Quezon Memorial Circle.

This 65-hectare man-made beauty is open everyday of the week, from Monday to Sunday, from 7:00am-5:00pm. It offers spectacular scenery, a relaxing ambience, and a variety of animals you wouldn’t encounter during your everyday venture on the busy streets of Metro Manila.

The entrance fee is so affordable that even a poor “juan dela cruz” could enjoy the place without worrying about his empty pocket. They only charge P8 for an adult and they even give out discounts to students. It’s an ideal place where a family could enjoy a quality time with each other. A sanctuary for lovers where they could be as close with each other as their will would take them, and they won’t even have to worry on what the world would has to say to them. It could also be a starting place where a germ of friendship could bloom into a lifetime memory.