My Palawan Trip…

At last, the day came for me to experience most Filipinos are looking forward to experience too and this is to be at the Philippine’s last frontier for nature reserves – Palawan. I’ve been longing to be in this place and I can’t still believe I was there last weekend. Really a great place and great experience – to sum up this vacation trip. It was a 4-day fast trip and those 4 days were spent in El Nido and Puerto Princesa – a superb experience.

In this trip, I went with my mom and my nephew and niece (whom I stood as their foster father).

The flight was booked way ahead of the scheduled departing dates. I booked my flights 4 months ago so that I can save for the general travel expenses such as food, accommodation and tour fees. I was with my family and with my closest friends the whole time. Amazingly, we spent lesser than the expected cost which is P7000 to P8000 (exclusive of airfare). We only spent P5500 per head, exclusive of the roundtrip airfare of Manila-Puerto Princesa. We spent P4500 for the roundtrip airfare each.

After months of waiting, the big day came. We left Singapore 12 midnight and arrived at Manila International Airport at 4:00am via Cebu Pacific. Some went straight ahead to the Domestic Airport and flew thru Cebu Pacific. While the rest, flew from Centennial Terminal 2 via Air Philippines.

All of us arrived safely at the Puerto Princesa airport with different time of arrival. Cebu Pacific arrived early so my group was the one who contacted the van we hired that will send us to El Nido. He was Kuya Ronald and he’s really a good, fast driver. It was almost noon when the group met again and all together, we took our lunch at the city c/o Jollibee. After the lunch break, we headed to El Nido.

From Puerto Princesa, we took 6 hours (inclusive of stops and toilet breaks) all the way to El Nido. It was a journey of sleep-trips, sound-trips, laughing-trips and bloopers in a variety of rough roads. We arrived at El Nido 5:30pm, just a right time for sunset. We found it easy to locate the place we spent the 2 nights when we were in El Nido. We stayed at the Marina Gardens, right in front of the El Nido beach.

My Vietnam Trip…

Weekend travel is really non-stop (and soon will). After diving at Dayang Island in Malaysia, my same travel stuffs (e.g. nike gym bag, lowepro bag that contains my D300, D70, wide angle and portrait lenses and tripod) will be off with me again – with the usual travel attire of walking shorts, comfortable shirts and slippers.

It’s time to go to Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam.

It was a trip that’s much anticipated. Not because of some personal expectations, but because of the company that I went with – closest friends here in Singapore – the trip that succeeded the ever-long forgotten trip in Bintan, Indonesia.

It was an early flight, unlike my other previous travels which where done after work – by bus or by plane. With a normal itinerary, I woke up 4:30am, prepared for the journey, met up at the airport, boarded and gone to the destination. In a very short while, Ho Chi Minh story started upon arrival to the city airport.

My first impression with their airport was – “nanliiit tingin ko sa airport ng pinas”. It’s clean, not that big but sufficient and looks like a mini-Hong kong airport for me.

Our general Vietnam itinerary focused on 2 places – Ho Chi Minh and Cat Tien. We arrived early at HCMH so we had time roaming around the city and stroll to their known landmarks. On the way to the Renumeration Mansion, there’s one thing that shocked us all – Jollibee! May Jollibee sa Vietnam. Though we dreamt of eating it before leaving for Singapore, it was not achieved, unfortunately.

Diving at Dayang Island

What’s the common factor between Shawshank Redemption, A series of Unfortunate Events, The Incredibles and The Man of the Year? Think hard! None (as far as I know, baka mapahiya ako haha!). But for sure there’s one common thing that Finding Nemo, Spongebob and Dyesibel share and it has something to do with underwater world.

As one of my items in my “bucket list”, it’s now time to fulfil another dream – to discover the underwater world.

Sai, a fellow photographer and the award-winning comedian from Davao who keeps on speaking to me using ‘our’ native dialect (gamay makasabot bai, dili dako. Nosebleed ako lagi) referred his officemate to me because he knew that I want to pursue diving (and eventually, underwater photography). So he introduced me to Jerric Gan, a master diver. Jerric then introduced me to James Ng; who eventually became my divemaster for the Open Water Diving Course. James handed me a thick book that I need to read and some questionnaires to answer. That’s the main ingredient for the written examination.

By the way, Sai is also a divemaster.

Theory days came, then written exam (that luckily, I was able to pass) and then the confined open water dive. It’s time to apply what I’ve read – from a book, to a deep swimming pool. But before the actual lesson started, every student performed the prerequisites of diving – swim 200m (the pool is 25m long so I had to swim 4 rounds) and float for 10 minutes. That damn first requirement made my joints soar.

Actual open water diving came. We left Singapore last Friday (April 11, 2008), travelled 3 hours to Mersing, Malaysia and rode a ferry for 4 hours to Dayang Island. We stayed 1 night in the ferry and 2 days and 1 night in the island.

The weekend was full of fun, excitement and thrill. I completed the 5 dives, including the leisure dive and I really felt extraordinary during my last weekend trip to Dayang.

Alexandra Macro EB…

I always wanted to try macro photography but didn’t have time to do it. It’s either I didn’t have time (because of out of Singapore trips) or there’s no one who initiates the EB. That’s why, most of my macro photo shots were more on flowers and plants.

Last week, someone initiated an EB. Thanks to Sai, the award-winning comedian from Davao. I got the interest and that day was blocked.

Early morning last Saturday, we met. But the day before that, we met for Tanjong Rhu EB. What an addiction! Haha! Although Rhea came, it was only Sai and I who spent the whole day shooting the butterflies. By the way, we went to Alexandra Hospital’s mini-botanical garden with ample butterflies to shoot.

It was a test of patience at first. It’s just like, I already positioned myself, my tripod and already viewing in my viewfinder and the only task remains is to press the shutter when suddenly, your target flew. It happened a lot of times. But then again, as advised by Sai – chill, relax and don’t be pressured. So I did his advice. I positioned myself in a certain area where butterflies normally settle then kept myself composed so that they won’t be disturbed. That plan was so effective.

All in all, I got some satisfying shots. But not yet good though. Macro photography is so strict; I failed to follow them to most of my photos. But then again, first timers normally commit mistake.

Here are some of the photos I got:

Tanjong Rhu Night Shots…

It was a night to remember in Tanjong Rhu. Maybe because it’s my first time to be in that place. But I guess more than that, absolutely, because it’s EB time again with PinoyGraphers@SG. It happened last friday.

The day was started with a good one. I didn’t realize that until Sai sent me an SMS, “and ganda ng ulap na gawa ni Lord!” (the clouds made by the Lord is beautiful). I didn’t have time to get my camera from my lowpro bag because I’m a bit late. No, not a bit, but so late.

End of work, gathering time and so we headed to Tanjung Rhu. It’s actually just in front of my office window (I’m working at Millenia Tower) but we actually took it a bit long cab ride, because a coast way separates the Central Business District (CBD) from our target place.

We were so blessed to have a very good sunset scene, inspite the weather’s threat to pour rain. Thanks to Eman and his answered prayer.

Over the fence, walked thru, then pwesto (position)! We’re right in front of the Singapore CBD and the Singapore flyer. Setup, then we started to shoot. Here are some of the photos I got during that day:

My KL and Malacca Trip…

It was my first time to visit Kuala Lumpur and Malacca last weekend. It’s a bit funny though because some of my friends visited these places even if they’re just new working here in Singapore, while me, after more than 2 years working.

My first trip to these places is somewhat depressing and exciting. Exciting because it’s my first time to visit these places, curious enough to discover what these cities look like, walking and strolling around and taking pictures that I can bring home after the trip. Depressing because the whole time I was in KL and Malacca, it’s was raining (except the first day morning in KL and the time I’m about to return to SG).

KL is a busy place, as expected from a capital city. And during my trip here, I had proven again that I’m no city traveler because I prefer “not too crowded” places like beaches or provinces. But I did enjoy KL because I had some good shots of the city, most especially the Petronas Towers. Malacca, I enjoyed staying here more, lesser people and more space to unwind.

Here are some of my shots during my trip to Kuala Lumpur and Malacca, Malaysia last weekend:

My Krabi, Thailand Trip…

Krabi, Thailand – I described this place to my friends as a “haven for swimmers, nature trippers and photographers.” I enjoyed everything here, including the super spicy authentic tom yam. This place is so superb, not so busy but not so gloomy. My friends who went with me said that this place is much better than the commercialized Phuket. I’ve never been to Phuket before. In fact, it was my first time to visit Thailand. But based on their stories, Krabi is the best head start to visit this country and I’m glad I did started here in this haven place.

March 10 – The celebration of Life

It was a week after Ate Net died, and I was contemplating the whole week last week about her death. Had a fasting for the whole week (no dinner) as my part to mourn for her and as part of my prayer for her soul. I did this because I wasn’t able to go to her wake due to time constraints, priorities and money (as advised by my mother).

Now, today is my birthday and I was given a leave-in-lieu. I was actually planning to celebrate it at work but since I was allowed to take a leave, I decided to celebrate it all by myself. It’s not because I was so pathetic that nobody remembered my special day or spend it with some people in a fancy way. In fact, my friends in the Philippines called me just to give that warm “happy birthday, tol!” and some were asking for a dinner. But I just want to celebrate it alone for some reasons.

March 10 – FYI…

March 10 is my birthday. Nothing special there I know (LOL). But there are some things that I want others to know on this very date. I saw this page before but I tried to keep it for myself (and officemate who keeps on laughing at me because of “may lahi kang terorista, ‘Min”. Now find out why…

Events:

• 241 BC – First Punic War: Battle of the Aegates Islands – The Romans sink the Carthaginian fleet bringing the First Punic War to an end.
• 1876 – Alexander Graham Bell makes the first successful telephone call by saying “Mr. Watson, come here, I want to see you.”
• 1917 – Batangas was formally founded as one of the Philippines’s earliest encomiendas.
• 1982 – Syzygy: all 9 planets align on the same side of the Sun. See also Jupiter effect. – sabi ng mga tito at tita ko, nakadyaryo daw eto, lahat ng ipinanganak sa araw na eto e gifted. Hindi naman totoo un… LOL
• 2000 – The NASDAQ Composite stock market index peaks at 5132.52, signaling the beginning of the end of the dot-com boom. – Start of internet industry
  

Births:

• 1940 – Chuck Norris, American actor and martial artist
• 1957 – Osama bin Laden, Leader of Global Terrorism Group, Al Qaeda – Kaya mag-ingat kayo sa akin. LOL
• 1958 – Sharon Stone, American actress
• 1963 – Jeff Ament, American musician (Pearl Jam)
• 1964 – Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex
• 1971 – Timbaland, American rapper
• 1973 – John LeCompt, American guitarist (Evanescence)
• 1983 – Carrie Underwood, American singer

March 10 – now you’re informed. For the complete events and births, click here.

Pre-birthday celebration with Imago…

I was actually waiting for this day. Not because it will be the eve of my 26th birthday, not only because Imago will be performing, but also it will be the very time that I will be test driving my new baby – Nikon D300. Here’s my picture with the band: