My Travels: In and Around the Philippines

[Recon25]

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@dbgg
bitaw sah, para dili lang sa pictures naay ROI ang pagka-laagan... hahahaha... bitaw, I really am proud to say that in a way I have visited a small part of the Philippines. The thing that triggered me to be a travel photographer because I was once ask by a foreigner about a certain places and all my answers were a smile (pasabot nga ignorante ko sa akong kaugalingon nga yuta). That foreigner then lectured me about our motherland, ironic!

If only I can incorporate travel photography and wedding but then, do I have the same eyes as that of my idols Lito Inso, Dondon Colmenares, Lito Sy, or Rolando Pascua? I think not and best for me to see their works nalang... On every travel that I do, I always pray for more time.... more time to do all kinds of photography... well, dreaming is free, hehehe... I remember my recent Camotes trip with batchoyc still with my aching wrist I envied him shooting macro while am in my room having my wrist "HILOT". I also would love to capture the tiny world like the main man in macro photography in Cebu thats Sir Gerard Yuvallos. But I always end up checking magazines with their pics printed.

@phoordoi
sir, it is best to go to Coron via Manila if you can avail promos because it saves you time and money. If via Puerto Princessa you still have to take a 12-hour ferry ride towards Coron at around 1000Php, such a waste of time for me. The airport in Coron is the YKR or otherwise known as Busuanga Airport. This airport is on a remote place and a 150Php van ride away.

@Chipmunk
sus bay, kahibaw na ka sa basics and you're capturing good photos already... mga small details napud ang imong bantayan... the most important thing kay shoot shoot and shoot. dont worry about shutter counts because the higher it gets the better and the lower shutter count means your camera would be posted on the buy and sell section anytime soon... heheheh

Salamat nowayL about featuring Q-park... wala pa ko ka bisita ani nga lugar nga naa raman ni sa unahan... usahay sobrahan ka-kiat mao agi-an lang

[Recon25]

am inviting other folks to post, pero butangi lang intawn ug write-up para naa pud mi reference info about the place... English, tagalog, binisaya lang nga write-up ha.... and please post more than one photo (tingali ug duha ra pud) unless its very necessary like you only took a single pic because you were on a bullet train....

salamat kaayo sa pagsabot
thank you for understanding
db

[Recon25]

Bangatayam Falls, Bangatayam, Sogod, Cebu Province
a simple falls just about 60 kilometers north of Cebu. it is dwarfed in terms of publicity and development by the Kaawasan Falls in Badian. but it still has its grandeur in some ways. I am hoping that the people here will preserve its beauty. the falls draws its never ending flow of water from a spring about 800 meters upstream.

[Recon25]

Pandanon Island, Bohol

One of the most photograph beach islet Cebu's island hopping can offer but the island is already part of Bohol. This resort is owned by Tonypet. Shooting using DSLR's on this beach draws the attention of the caretakers but they are polite in asking you if what is the purpose of the shoot... all you have to answer is that its for your private consumption





anyone who has a better photos and much detailed please do post... ambot asa nato nako nabutang ang mga files ani nga isla... will add more kung akong makit-an ang DVD

[Recon25]

as the summer kicks off to a start..... do kindly post interesting pictures of that secluded place you visited... and please do make a write-up of your album (more than 2 pics otherwise needed)... basic info lang pwede nah kay tingali muadto pud mi..... salamat kaayo ninyong tanan

its ok if dili sharp or whatever inyong mga pics basta ang importante that you get to show the beauty of the place... more than 2 pics ha... even if the place is already featured on this place its ok as long as you make a short story about it because my point of view might be very different from what you have...

I will be posting new pictures of Vigan, Laoag, Bangui, Pagudpud, Biri: The Island in the Pacific, and the three major islands of Batanes, after am done archiving and backing up my files... Salamat and "TARA na BIYAHE TAYO!!!"

[Recon25]

Biri: The Island in the Pacific

Biri Island, it is simply not in this world.

Finally my much awaited travel of to this island in the Pacific came to simply amaze me. After shooting the 15th Philippine Hot Air Balloon Fiesta at Clark Airfield Pampanga, I travelled to this wonderful island called Biri. My travel was planned way back last year and I patiently waited till the break of summer.

The trip started with the usual antics of Cebu Pacific making adjustments to my travel schedule. This is the beauty of getting a cheaper flights by booking early, usually this airline (Cebu Pacific) just make their own travel plan for you. They did postpone my scheduled flight on the 15th of February to the 16th which cutdown my trip by one day. Then came Tuesday, and I was so early at NAIA 3 for my 9:55am 5J711 flight to Catarman. I had coffee over at Mrs. Brown and plled out my laptop for the free wifi and some checking of my FB account, a bit of Mafia Wars, and a chat with my Boss G back home. Then I realized that I forgot to take out my phone on the side pocket of my bag that was checked-in, but then I said to myself its ok I'll get it when I'll land over at Catarman. Boarding came and away flew a warm 5J711 fight which I managed to snooze a little. Then suddenly, the pilot announced after 15 minutes of our flight that it is turning back to NAIA due to some technical problems on the plane... I said, "NOT AGAIN!!!", because I remember back in September 2009 that my Legazpi trip had to turn back due to zero visibility upon runway approach over at Legazpi. Touchdown NAIA then waited while maintenance crew checked with the pilot, we transferred to a bus, then brought to the arrival gate, then advised that we have to go around to the X-ray/boarding gate/and as if we just arrived at the airport and on our way to check-in for our flight without a crew from Cebu Pacific guiding or assisting us along the way. One of the reasons why I love this airline... and hey, "No free coffee nor water for us"... thats what you call service... then arrived back in Gate 34, then hopped on a bus again to bring us up to another plane... Still no worries for me... Finally the plane flew and we passed Mount Bulusan and touchdown Catarman. We walked towards the terminal for us to claim our baggage manually on the sides of a cordoned room. I saw my bag and approached it... I noticed on of the pocket of my bag was partially open, and I said, its gonna be a goodbye phones for me, and yes it is!!! Goodbye two phones and hello primitive world wherein I will do some travelling without any means of communication back home and to civilization..... Now I started to worry because I cannot update my status back home... Filed and filled-up an nonsense form given to me by Cebu Pacific crew at Catarman... And hey! They asked me where did I placed my phones and upon knowing it was on the side of my bag they told me it was my fault why did I placed it there... I listened to the Cebu Pacific crew until they were done and I made my remarks.... I told them," so its my fault that I lost my phone... and the one who took my phone from my bag?? what do you call that?? I am wrong by putting my things on my bag and I guess you are suggesting that the one who took my phone was right..." and I just smiled and so did the airport police... This time I am the only traveller at the airport and luckily a single pedicab was there who took me to the jeepney stop... Then I took a jeepney ride to Lavizares which is the jump-off point to this Island in the Pacific... By the way the 40 minute ride cost me 100 pesos instead of 50... i was ripped off but its a learning experience... Then finally Lavizares... walked to the market where I waited for a 30-45 minute 50 peso bangka ride to BIRI.

At this point I took out my Nikon and started shooting the market. I always make sure to shoot people, culture, and livelihood on any of my travel... As I was shooting I asked about the boat's departure and was told as soon as the passengers reaches 15... at that time we were around 11... I opened up a friendly conversation with a certain Noynoy who happens to be from Biri. Then Noynoy introduced me to Dodoy delos Reyes who is a great sculpture and running for council this coming election day. Then he pointed out a statue out in the sea and proudly said, that is one of my works... These guys are so friendly... I was very lucky to meet them... Finally it was time to leave Lavizares and to Biri Island... I situated myself upfront for me to take whatever photos I wish to take... Along the ride I took my first sunset photo on this travel and I can say it is a good one...

Upon reaching Biri, Dodoy advised me to check-in at the "Yellow House" otherwise known as Villa Amor and introduced me to this friendly "habal-habal" driver, Landoy, who acted as my guide for my entire stay at the island. Before going to the resort I ate on the only "carenderia" in Biri... I had one of the best tinolas i had ever tasted... "BUSOG!" I was... and so did Landoy. Checked-in at the "Yellow House", and was surprise by a decent, 2 bed, fan room priced at only 500 peo per day... Before sleeping I managed to borrow a cellphone and called home and talked with my very worried Boss G...

4:00am came and I was gearing up for a whole day of shooting... I was anxious about how will it be?? will it live up to my expectations?? then Landoy arrived and at around 4:30am, we went to the other side of the island that is facing the Pacific Ocean wherein I hoped to catch a great sunrise but had no luck... The clouds stayed until about 10:00am...

As the sun rises, it was high tide, and fearing about having my Nikons getting wet I asked Landoy to get me a bangka in order for my gears to cross the waist deep waters without getting wet... He got hold of Eddie, his relative, with his boat, and off we went to the first rock formation called Magasang, and this is the start of my story of how I feel inlove with Biri Island.

I made a promise to my friends at Biri and to myself that I will talk about this wonderful island in the Pacific and in the Philippines. This island is a very secluded place that its not talked about that much and such a very wonderful place but less photographed. I hope this album would entice you to visit this paradise. Biri is ideal for ECO-tourism... for surfers that may wonder if there are some great surf in Biri I would say that it is still best to be in Siargao unless rock formations are like waves. Biri, I say again, is best travelled by people who like island life and nature, and hey, great lagoons, natural pools, beaches too.

I hope I can be of help to any travellers that may plan to visit this paradise..... Biri.... The Island and the Pacific.......

[Chipmunk888]

seen these photos in his calibrated mac laptop. these made me feel im still 1-day old yet in photography^^

surely it was a huge bang of experience there in which every photographer dreams of. thanks for the very nice share dex!

[genesis04]

di.ara ako gpa.abot!!! this is the best set for me, Dex. As much as I want to go with you this month to Biri, murag next year na jud cguro ko pwede. Reserved na ako tanan VLs so far na ako na accumulate.

[Recon25]

@Chipmunk
one-day old ba oi... murA man sad naa baseline... hehehhe... even if picture quality changes drastically on multiply and facebook its alright with me and much better... delikado man gud ang flicker and pbase kay it ends up lain mugamit imo pics without permission...

[Recon25]

@genesis04
the date I set is perfect because the sea are much calmier and it is full moon... it is a while new scenery shooting the island under moonlight... after posting and talking about Biri, more Cebu photographers were enticed to go there infact last Holy Week naay nangadto and more to travel soon... lipay nako naay nangadto...