Mt Pulag (Kabayan, Benguet): A Class Exercise on Awareness

A Postcard - Perfect SideTrip

Mt. Pulag, Kabayan, Benguet

February 2012

Title:  A Class Exercise on Awareness 

(This is a recount of my first encounter with the sea of clouds and surreal slopes that Mt. Pulag has become synonymous with.
The cringe, exhaustion, extreme heat, thin air, dropping temp, breathtaking sunrise and soap-opera worthy experience
are the bits and pieces of memories I have with this mountain.) 

Breathe, in this playground fit for the gods

Roam, beyond the edges of heavenly facade

the fleeting seconds reveals a sea of clouds

where voyage scrolls in scenic mystery avowed

(waiting as the sun rises majestically from the sea of 

morning clouds on the summit of Mt. Pulag)

Roaming Romblon: Sailing Away For Now

Roaming Romblon – The Heart of the Philippines 

March 27-31, 2013

(This is a personal travelogue of our five-day intrepid journey to heart of the Philippines… 
Long coastlines, isolated white-sand beaches, lonely lighthouse and rustic countryside hospitality…)

Sailing Away For Now

  

 Like a faraway thought, I too shall fly

The endless sky is my limit, the vast sea my guide

for there in the horizon I shall sigh

in this strange foreign land, emotions can run astride

(the vanishing sun  as seen at the view deck of MV Reina Del Rosario)

It’s was Holy Week again, the height of summer escapades for people wanting to flee the hustle and bustle of city life. For years now, I always find myself tagging along a backpacking adventure to some off-beat, almost unknown and overlooked destination in my country.

Ambuklao Dam (Bokod, Benguet): A Postcard - Perfect SideTrip

A Postcard - Perfect SideTrip

Ambuklao Dam, Bokod, Benguet

February 2012

Title: Side Tripping Ambuklao Dam

(This is a recount of my first encounter with the sea of clouds and surreal slopes that Mt. Pulag has become synonymous with.
The cringe, exhaustion, extreme heat, thin air, dropping temp, breathtaking sunrise and soap-opera worthy experience
are the bits and pieces of memories I have with this mountain.) 

~This placid lake gilded with vibrant hues

perfects a canvas brushed in blues

cold rocks, soft waves, dulling an infinite cruise

swirling, beating, circling shades infused ~

The view at the mouth of Ambuklao Dam en route to Mt. Pulag

After almost thirty minutes of top-load ride, we caught sight of one of the oldest and largest hydroelectric power plants in the country,the Ambuklao Dam located in Bokod, Benguet.

Mt. Pulag (Kabayan, Benguet): Topload Ride to the Playground of Gods

MT. PULAG

Kabayan, Benguet

Feb 24-26, 2012

Title: The Road to the Playground of Gods

(This is a recount of my first encounter with the sea of clouds and surreal slopes that Mt. Pulag has become synonymous with.
The cringe, exhaustion, extreme heat, thin air, dropping temp, breathtaking sunrise and soap-opera worthy experience
are the bits and pieces of memories I have with this mountain.) 

~ A piece of paradise where clouds roll by

painted with diamonds that gleams at night

Cradle of souls where dreams do fly

a piece of sky that shines so bright ~

(morning glory at the summit of Mt. Pulag)

Mt. Pulag (Kabayan, Benguet): The Road to the Playground of Gods

MT. PULAG

Kabayan, Benguet

Feb 24-26, 2012

Title: The Road to the Playground of Gods

(This is a recount of my first encounter with the sea of clouds and surreal slopes that Mt. Pulag has become synonymous with.
The cringe, exhaustion, extreme heat, thin air, dropping temp, breathtaking sunrise and soap-opera worthy experience
are the bits and pieces of memories I have with this mountain.) 

~ These heights bring delights...  that sky stretches wide...
Rolling blues, shimmering bright...
...passing by  below our weary eyes.
On a soulful plight, our breaths hold tight
Oh that peaceful clouds, behold thy light!  ~

 (the early morning scene at  Mt. Pulag )

In the heart of imposing Cordilleras, lies a playground fit for the gods. Defined by its distinctive slopes, dwarf bamboos and sea of clouds, Mt. Pulag in Kabayan, Benguet, dubbed as the country’s third highest peak, stands proud and enigmatic at 2,922 MASL, welcoming trekkers with picture-framed panoramas and one-of-kind mountain experience.

Dasol, Pangasinan: Unfolding Wonders

A Weekend Affair with Dasol
Tambobong Beach Dasol, Pangasinan
November 7, 2011

Day 3 - Part 3 of 3 (Celebrating My 26th Year)

The mad waves of Cacupangan shore, a rugged beauty unfolding...

Portrait-worthy

Nature's  own classic masterpiece

An off-the-beaten Wonder

It’s been almost a year since I first laid eyes to the rugged town of Dasol, Pangasinan… 
How can I forget?  Undoubtedly, up to now, it’s still one of the best weekend rendezvous I’ve had. 

Fresh air... quiet beach side… friendly locals… unspoiled delights… 

OnAssignment: The Art of Capturing Moments

On A Personal Note:

I've made this pitch for the OnAssignment 2012 Challenge sponsored by  KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and Lonely Planet Philippines. Although I did not make it as one of the finalists, I kind of treasured the fact that I've mustered enough courage to even join the contest. Just looking at some of the portfolios of other contestants will make you wanna scream and hide in shame. (winks)

So I guess, in memory (hahaha) of that courage, I will post my entry here including the portfolio of pictures I've submitted. That time, my external hard drive just crashed as well as my laptop, so I had to depend solely on the photos I have on Facebook. 

Enough said...World, I present you my very first pitch and portfolio!

(Portraiture, Ladscape, Architecture,  Culture, Food)

Northern Philippines: Backpacking Days

April 5-9, 2012

Five (5) Days ... 5 Brave Souls... 2 Regions...  Equals one unforgettable backpacking adventure... 

From the nights spent sleeping in rustic provincial (non-aircon) buses, to those nights spent sleeping in the hard floor of our tents, to those nights lost sleeping under the star-filled sky...From the mad waves that rocked our frail boat as we sailed away from Palaui Island, to our peaceful journey in the cleanest river in the Cagayan Valley Region, to our search for the circadian flights of bats in Pinacanauan River, up to the heavy rains in the sea that showered with passion.

Volcanic rocks. centuries-old lighthouses. windmills. secret coves. capes and seascapes...Oh my! My wild mornings and breathtaking sunsets will never be the same again... Backpacking North is definitely worth everything.

Dasol, Pangasinan: The Road Ahead

Dasol, Pangasinan
November 7, 2011
Day 3 - Part 1 (Celebrating My 26th Year)

Gentle hues...
Quaint appeal...
 Hypnotic charm...

The beautiful scene that greeted us on a road trip in Dasol, Pangasinan.
The picturesque mountains and river are enough to make the perfect compostion.
Add to that the glowing dawn and you got yourself your very own Monet.

.Classic.

We left the town of Alaminos abound a non-aircon bus headed for Burgos. 
It was past 4 am and the familiar morning frost was a relief. When we boarded the bus, almost all heads looked up at us. Curious stares and silence followed. They were probably wondering where we were heading, carrying huge backpacks at that ungodly hour.

Cagbalete Island, Quezon: Sweet Summer Sailing

Location: Cagbalete Island, Mauban Quezon Philippines
Date: March 24-25, 2012

   Morning stroll along the creamy shore and wind-swept seaside panorama   

"So throw off the bowlines. 

Sail away from the safe harbor. 

Catch the trade winds in your sails. 

Explore. Dream. Discover."

Sagada: Wild Flowers of the North

Location: Marlboro Mountain, Town of Sagada in Mt. Province, Philippines
Title: Wild Flowers of the North
Date: April 2011






Wild Flowers of the North

Pagbilao, Quezon (Kwebang Lampas): Morning Interlude

Morning Interlude 
Kwebang Lampas (Pagbilao, Quezon)

May 22-23, 2011

A journey to the mountain and sea done in tribute to a [lost and terribly missed] friend…

Sandy Beach : Kwebang Lampas  and the hidden Charm

Calaguas: Battling the Waves

Calaguas: Battling the Waves

Vinzons, Camarines Norte

January 29, 2011

The minute our small rented outrigger boat sailed across the river estuary passing by the overgrown mangrove trees, I know the adventure was just about to begin. I never realized I will get more than what I’ve bargained for.

Pico de Loro: The Gathering of Deities

Pico De Loro
April 22, 2009
Ternate/Maragondon, Cavite

Calaguas, Camarines Norte: The Road Ahead

Halabang Baybay (Mahabang Buhangin), Calaguas Islands

Vinzons, Camarines Norte

Philippines 
January 29, 2011

Capones, Zambales: A Sweet Sidetrip

Capones Prelude 
November 6-7, 2010 (Celebrating 25th year of Existence) 

  Capones Island: View from atop the hill. On the Far end lies the elusive Lighthouse (Faro   de Punta Capones) 

We just left Nagsasa Cove and soon, as the boat sailed its way across the placid water, a deafening silence followed. We silently and patiently waited, hoping to catch a glimpse of the elusive Capones Island.

Nagsasa Cove, Zambales: Time in a Bottle

November 6-7, 2010 (Celebrating 25th year of Existence) 

Nagsasa Cove, Zambales: Time in a Bottle

I resorted to scheming and plotting for my company leave to be granted (exaggerations of course, but I was almost on the verge of doing it out of desperation). I couldn’t miss this Zambales trip and I wouldn’t want to be stuck in the bottling plant on my birthday. I guess a few acting skills and guilt-trip are all it takes to inch an approval. I was unbelievably happy as I saw familiar smiling faces in Pasay Terminal of Victory Bus line.

More Fun in the Philippines

Liliw, Laguna: Reawakening in a Sleepy town

October 16, 2011
Liliw, Laguna

Reawakening in a Sleepy town

Liliw is famed as the region’s footwear capital. From the sprawling shoe shops and tiangge, you’d probably find here the cheapest bargained footwear in the country. Nestled in the rural countryside of Laguna, Liliw is one side trip you shouldn’t miss.

Mt. Isarog, Camarnies Sur: Survival Trail

Survival Trail of Mt. Isarog (April 8-9, 2008) 

(Patag-Patag Trail)

I probably would not forget my experiences with Mt. Isarog, not in another lifetime or so. Amidst its formidable height, crawling vegetation, vertical slopes, and battalion of blood sucking leeches, I found myself humbled by its sheer beauty and innocence…

It was three years ago when I found myself on board an aircon bus to Bicol. I was a graduating student then, with ample time but with very limited resources. It was my first time to venture on such a trip outside the region, and the only thing that pushed my confidence was the company of friends. This was after all, our induction climb.