One with Nature

“The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quite alone with the heavens, nature and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be and that God wishes to see people happy, amidst the simple beauty of nature. As longs as this exists, and it certainly always will, I know that then there will always be comfort for every sorrow, whatever the circumstances may be. And I firmly believe that nature brings solace in all troubles.” 

― Anne Frank, The Diary of a Young Girl

A Drop of Everything Nice

Finally regained access to my e-mail and blog's password after six weeks. Lol I guess we're back to business then. :) 

Absolutely brings back many memories is this place that is one of my favourite hang-out spot in the south. Perfected with soft haze, light rain and cold breeze - Tagaytay City :)

Kayangan Lake - Coron, Palawan

This is in response to the Philippines' Underground River being included in the New 7 Wonders of Nature. Check the link (http://edition.cnn.com/2011/11/11/travel/new-7-wonders-of-nature/index.html).

This is Kayangan Lake which is located in Palawan as well, dubbed as the cleanest lake in Asia. Turquoise ocean waters, towering scenic lime stones and crystal clear blue lake. 

For sure, this would look magical under the moon lit sky. :)

Oceans Will Part

If my heart has grown cold,

There Your love will unfold

As you open my eyes to the work of Your hand.

When I'm blind to my way

There Your spirit will pray

As You open my eyes to the work of Your hand.

Take Risk

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” --- Mark Twain

Bohol City Landscape (Chocolate Hills)

The Chocolate Hills of Bohol Philippines is Nature's expression of beauty, mystery and romance. Chocolate Hils is one of Philippines natural monument. Bohol Philippines' Chocolate Hills is also considered as one of the eight wonder of the world and it has been declared as the country's 3rd National Geological Monument and proposed for inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The Chocolate Hills are consistent in their cone shape and size and estimates show that the number of hills reaches at least 1,260 but may be as many as 1,776. The Chocolate Hills encompasse a 20 square mile (50 sq km) area creating a sea or rolling terrain of these haycock hills.

The height of the hills varies from 98 to 160 feet (30 to 50 m) with the largest hill reaching a peak of 390 feet (120 m). The Chocolate Hills are actually grass covered limestone, but during the dry season the grass dries up turning brown which is where the name is derived from. The dried up brown hills look like a sea of "chocolate kisses."

Pink Sunset

Offering you pink sunset for a change. =)

It was unintentional, but when I post-processed it, it came out this way. A scenery of such beautiful horizon.

Photography 2010 - Philippines

A collection of my Photography Images taken in the Philippines for this year 2010. I am so missing home.. Enjoy! =)

Magellan's Cross

Close to 500 years ago, Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan planted a huge Christian cross in Sugbu (now Cebu) to celebrate the baptism into the Roman Catholic religion of island chief Rajah Humabon, his wife, and some 500 of their followers on April 21, 1521.

The 485-year-old cross, called Magellan’s Cross, now stands at a small chapel located across Cebu City Hall and along Magallanes Street. The street is named after Magellan, Magallanes being the Spanish translation of the Portuguese explorer’s name.

A sign below the cross says the original Magellan’s Cross is encased in the tindalo wood cross displayed in the center of the chapel. This is to protect it from people who chipped away parts of the cross believing it has miraculous powers or as souvenirs. Some, however, say that the original cross planted by Magellan was destroyed or lost and what stands there now is a replacement planted by Spaniards who came after the Portuguese explorer.

Magellan was killed on April 27, 1521 in what is now known as the Battle of Mactan. The Portuguese explorer died when his men fought Mactan natives led by the island’s chieftain, Lapu-Lapu.

Disaster turned Paradise

As you behold the crater of Mt. Pinatubo, after a two-hour walk, you will be filled with awe. It will be - and this is not an exaggeration - sensory overload, for who would imagine seeing glacier-like barren brown peaks with white smoke effusing up, in the background of a crater lake that was in itself enchanting? It was truly an awesome sight to behold.

That epiphany will just be the culmination of wonders, in an action-packed expedition to world-famous volcano, whose eruption brought forth a desolate landscape that can aptly be described as 'out of this world'. The 45-minute 4x4 drive to the foot of the mountain from Capas, Tarlac, is exhilirating; you will feel as if you were on a Disneyland ride in real life, as the 4x4 jeep crosses varicolored streams and an endless plain of volcanic sand. The two-hour trek that will ensue will take you to more volcanic formations; streams varied in color, depending on the minerals: there was ferrous red, sulfuric yellow, and algal green; there are cliffs of lahar that precariously stand tall against the remnants of a once tall (1,700+ MASL) mountain. The destructive force of the eruption is manifest wherever you would look. And finally, after arriving at the crater, after beholding the incredible sight, you could swim across the crater, and treat your way in the murky, reddish, mildly sulfuric water.

HERE'S A CLOSER LOOK TO THE CRATER LAKE.

Sailing

A typical view in every small provinces in the Philippines, after a whole day of sailing, fishermen are now ready to succumb to ending the day with their family. A simple and yet complete life. I miss this!!! =)

A Butterfly's Feast

Look at the birds (butterfly). They don't plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren't you far more valuable to him than they are?

Matthew 6:26

Day of Judgement

The end is near..

Paraiso (Paradise)

My definition of Paraiso in the Philippines, located in Punta Cruz, Maribojoc Bohol. The calmness of the sea and the beautiful skyline adds up to its placidity that is most wanted by many people. The weather was perfect at that time and I don't mind a sun kissed skin if it is to capture a magnificent view as this. =)

Fearful Solace (Mt. Pinatubo Crater)

Almost 2 decades ago, the second largest volcanic eruption of the twentieth century took place in the island of Luzon in the Philippines killing almost 800 people and leaving 100,000 people homeless. 

After the massive eruption of Mt. Pinatubo in 1991, it left this huge crater that is now filled with water. The haven for hardy trekkers and mountaineers. A pristine sight that will leave you in awe.

It'll always be beyond our imagination how this amazing creation had wreak havoc in 1991: villages wiped out and buried under lava, countless dead, thousands of folks displaced, and landscapes changed forever.

The quiet crater lake, whose gently awful stirrings seem to speak of some hidden soul beneath.

Loboc Church

The Church of San Pedro in Loboc is the second oldest church in Bohol. It was originally built in 1602, but soon reduced to ashes. In 1638, a stronger one was build. Located near the river, it has survived a number of floods. Inside the church, you can admire some remarkable naive paintings on the ceiling. A Spanish coat of arms can be found in the stone wall near the entrance of the convent. The bell tower of Loboc is about 100 meters from the church.

Sisiman Bay Lighthouse

This photo taken in Sisiman Bay, Mariveles Bataan was one of the last few shots I took during my vacation home this year 2010. With almost 3 hours of travel from Manila, I met up with a new found friend to guide us in our travel to Brgy. Sisiman to this abandoned lighthouse. This place is very famous to every Filipino landscape photographer there is and there is no way I could let time passed by without taking some beautiful coastalscape shots. :) Taken with 30 seconds exposure using an ND400 filter. I stayed there from 11am till about after sunset. It was indeed a magnificent sweep of God's power. :)

Special thanks to Nina Escaler and to her friend Mr. Eric Sioson for making this shot possible.. :)

Punta Cruz Watch Tower

In Maribojoc, some 14 km west of Tagbilaran City, a curious triangular watch tower oversees the seas South of Bohol. From its windows at the top, you can see Cebu, Siquijor, and Mindanao. The Spanish had it build in 1796 as a look-out post against pirates and Muslim marauders, who at that time where a plague to the people of Bohol.

Endless Possibilities

This is another shot of the Pacific Ocean taken from the top of the Watch Tower in Maribojoc, Bohol. Behind the leaves open to endless possibilities, it's up for you what to do with them. God has been so gracious to give us the gift of life, talent, power, love, etc. It's a life full of blessings and we ought to take a hold of it. And for all these, we thank You, Lord. :)

Magellan’s Obelisk

Dedicated to my Cebuano friends who haven't been home for quite awhile now. There were just few photos I took in Cebu since we never stayed there for a long time, and this is one of them. 
Mactan Shrine was built in honor of Lapu – lapu, Magellan and to remember the Battle of Mactan. Built at the center of the shrine is the obelisk depicting Magellan and Spain.