“As long as I live, I’ll hear waterfalls and birds and winds sing. I’ll interpret the rocks, learn the language of flood, storm, and the avalanche. I’ll acquaint myself with the glaciers and wild gardens, and get as near the heart of the world as I can.”
This week’s Nikon Shot is from a recent trip to Misamis Occidental. I really have no idea what to find here and kept an open mind. After our talk in La Salle University for the 9th Culinary Congress, the provincial tourism accompanied us for a tour around the towns. One surprising find was the municipality of Sapang Dalaga. It’s a 2-hour drive from Ozamiz City but what awaited us was more natural wonders from scenic hills, inviting islands and this lovely waterfall they call Sapang Dalaga Waterfalls. The place is slightly developed but done in a good way without disrupting the natural attraction.
Plunge boldly into the thick of life, and seize it where you will, it is always interesting.
I spent almost a week in Tacloban City recently for one of my commissioned assignments. It was my first time in the area and I was able to see how the city is recovering from last year’s Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) devastation. I talked to people, explored the city and observed how many foreign nationals are there for volunteerism projects and aids. While I liked the idea, it has also spiked the prices of establishments as they catering to these foreigners. Some families displaced by the typhoon are still living along the “No Build” zones. Even after a year their promised houses aren’t built yet but they noticed some local officials already have 3 brand new cars post-Yolanda. It is interesting to actually see and hear what’s really happening in the city. While I applaud how the city is picking up and is looking more promising in developments with better choices for hotels and restaurants, its sad that recovery is still in a very slow pace. I get the same sentiments from most people I’ve talked to that help comes directly from foreign and local NGOs than where it should be, the local government. Yes they get help, but not enough, not as promised.
Now, Tacloban City, still healing its wounds from Yolanda is now facing the threats of Typhoon Ruby along with its neighbouring eastern provinces. I’ve witnessed that the people are more prepared now learning from last year’s lesson’s. They won’t take these warnings for granted this time and have started their preparations. But still we are praying that the storm wouldn’t be as devastating as last year’s Yolanda. For this week’s Nikon Shot, I took this photos of kids enjoying the small pier at Balyuan to refresh themselves at the sea after school. It’s just shows that despite what happened to Tacloban City, people, especially young ones, can look past at what happened and still enjoy the simple pleasures of life.
“Edit your life frequently and ruthlessly. It’s your masterpiece after all.”
This was one of the first few images I shot with the Nikon D7100. I liked it so much because of the simplicity behind it hence the title “Beauty in Simplicity”. I found this dilapidated house while walking the road stretch of Pasiagan, Tawi-tawi coming from Sandbar Lepa Beach Hotel to Beach Side Inn where I was billeted that time. I had to stop and try to compose something given that the afternoon sky is starting to show it’s color. Simply one of my personal favorites.
“Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all”
This week’s Nikon Shot was taken just last week when I was in a tour with fellow travel bloggers to explore the province of Quirino. One of the striking scenery during our tour was this Landingan Viewpoint in Nagtipunan, Quirino. Beautiful ridge and a commanding view of Cagayan River cutting through the valley. This one was taken with a Nikon D7100. I used the HDR feature of the camera since I forgot to bring my GND filter during the trip. I thought the in-camera HDR did well in keeping things natural. OF course this one already went to my preferred post processing. Thank you very much to Tourism Promotions Board (TPB), DOT, Guys from Binary Digital, and the LGU of Quirino Province for that adventurous weekend. May thanks to my fellow travel bloggers Mica, Christian, Atty Julius, Eric, Edgar, Marky, Sinjin and the one on the photo Kara for being a willing model for this shot. Watch out for the Quirino post to follow early next year.
“A day is not always bright, and nights are not always dark. All that matters is what’s inside, because day and night are a reflection of you.” -Avantika
Tacloban was my last work assignment and it was a time when Typhoon Ruby was coming. Glad there were no major damages though this time. This was shot a few days before that storm. A small pier by Balyuan where people hang out in the afternoon. The breeze was pleasant, the waters still. Some students enjoy having a splash while the others take time to be still waiting for a fish to bite. Yes there are still edible fish there. Me, I just enjoyed people watching. Just sitting by the locals even if I don’t understand most of their conversations. This was shot with a Nikon D750.
There was nowhere to go but everywhere, so just keep on rolling under the stars.
It was just last weekend when I got invited to stay for a night in Lingayen, Pangasinan. It was an invitation hard to pass as the last time I was in this area was during a Lakbay Norte tour. It was an easy, sort of laid back escape spending most of our time at this wonderful resort called El Puerto Marina Resort and got to see the preparation for the 70th Anniversary of the Leyte Gulf Allied Force Landing. The weather was just wonderful that time, cold, sky was clear amidst the partial full moon brightening up the landscape. I missed the milky way that I wanted to shoot so I just waited for the sunrise. I really like the beach in Lingayen. It may be gray but it was really wide and the sand was really fine. It was really pleasant to walk around barefoot. With time in my hands, I had some crazy idea popped into my head and shot this one. This Nikon Shot was to document the surreal morning experience I had with this wonderful morning landscape while I Spotify at the “Smooth Morning” playlist. Shot with the Nikon D7100, check out the settings below.
