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Vignettes of Untold Stories and Adventures

Due to the rainy season, my adventures were somehow curtailed for this time of the year.

With the unpredictable weather changing from being sunny to being rainy within the day, traveling for long distances may be quite a risk for personal and equipment safety.

I have been reviewing most of my shots these past days, and I have realized that some adventures have to be told.

 

Night Shots with Fellow Photogs

In 2007, we opened and closed the year with photo shoots in Cebu International Convention Center (CICC) and Fuente Osmeña.
The photo above of the giant Christmas tree and the Osmeña fountain was taken in early January of 2007. That time, we were not able to get inside the CICC.

When we did the same activity mid-December of 2007, finally we were able to take pictures inside the CICC. We did several poses inside. There was no change in the cast for both adventures. I also bought a new 300mm lens mid-December of last year. I wanted to make composites with the moon in this photo shoot but I was not successful. My long exposures in CICC however were quite satisfactory (at least for my own standards). Both shots below were taken at f/8, 30s. Going South

I have been to almost every town in Southern Cebu within the first half of 2007. For most of my trips, I was accompanied by Rose Reyes. One Saturday, we had breakfast in Samboan and lunch in Kawasan Falls. When we went to the main church of Samboan, a wedding was about to start but I was able to take a picture of the church's interior.
We also roamed around the quaint town of Samboan. I was carrying my large tripod and we were getting stares when we went to the shoreline and took pictures. The people thought we were surveying the land. We then headed to Kawasan. There were not so many tourists in Kawasan that time so I was able to take this "human-less" shot.

Simala in Sibonga is a major destination for pilgrims and devotees of the Virgin Mary. It was a stop in the church-hopping activity of my Christian community Singles for Christ - MEPZ Chapter in 2006. Featured below are two of my now married friends - Albert and Leslie Pepito with the Simala church in the background.
Perhaps Argao is my most visited place in the South. I once had a friend who lived in BLISS, Argao. We frequented his home and even stayed overnight twice. Also, I have trekked the Usmad River twice entering a cave called "Balay sa Agta" - or "House of the Kapre" (more about kapres HERE).
The cave is around 200 meters long with a large cavernous opening inside, allowing shafts of light in. The entrance of the cave is situated in a cliff along the Usmad river. I will no longer elaborate the adventure of reaching this spot. It could take up a lot of space.

Another twice-visited place is Mantalongon, Dalaguete. Featured below is Ruel Soriano, taking a shot with Osmeña Peak in the background.

 

Boats

My very first try in long exposure was done in Marigondon, Lapu-lapu City in 2004. I took a picture of a boat anchored near the wharf. Sad to say, I was not able to save the film from termites when they attacked my boarding house a few years back. Since then, boats have been a staple subject for me.

I have once been a frequent visitor of the coastal community of Day-as, Cordova. One time in 2006, I observed a boat raised above the waters. I waited until it was dusk and took a picture.
I was in the island of Malapascua last April. While roaming the island, I was also able to take pictures of boats. The two pictures below were my favorites: one in the making, the other one already ageing.

 

Children

I must admit, I am not into portraits. However, when I reviewed most of my shots I found that those pictures I took of children were very telling and compelling. Some of them have little stories that needed to be told.

I was once volunteered as a facilitator in the Gawad Kalinga community where my SFC chapter is assigned. One time, I went there after a shoot. While the kids were doing their seat work, I roamed around and took pictures. The first photo below is from a shy boy who refused to get inside the classroom. I was able to coax him to smile for this picture. The second photo is of the two kids from the group assigned to me to facilitate. Sadly, I was not able to get their names.
In 2007, the Regional Leaders Conference of SFC-Region 7 was held in Siquijor. After the conference, we had a side-trip to Negros Oriental. We went to the major lakes there. One was Lake Balanan. There I met Orlan and Maricar Encontro, 11 and 10 years old respectively at that time. They were plying the shallow areas of Lake Balanan in a bamboo raft and were diving for freshwater clams to sell to tourists. After getting to know them for about an hour, I asked them if I could take their pictures while they were doing their craft.

While I was in Malapascua last April I also met two kids.

The first kid I met was 10-year old Julie. He said his real name is Chuckie and he is already in second grade. He was digging in the sand to catch annelids for bait. He will catch fish for dinner. I asked him to spell his name. I was disheartened when he told me he is not sure how to spell his real name. The kid is also too serious for his age. I was never able to convince him to smile for the camera or even to relax his brows. After about an hour or so, after clearing so much sand he gave up. I did not want to break the kid's ego but seeing he will bring home nothing I gave him some money enough for their dinner. I have seen the same reaction I used to have when I was a kid. He didn't want to take it at first.

 

 

 

 

Then I met Jemayma. She was an 8-year old girl happily bantering with her friend whose taking an afternoon dip. Jemayma had a very happy disposition, completely opposite to that of Julie. She is still in the first grade. I chatted with her for quite some time and eventually asked her for a shot. I didn't even say "smile".

More servings next time... Count your graces till then.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vignettes of Untold Stories and Adventures

Due to the rainy season, my adventures were somehow curtailed for this time of the year.

With the weather being unpredictable and with changes from being sunny to being rainy within the day, traveling for long distances may be quite a risk for personal and equipment safety.

I have been reviewing most of my shots these past days, and I have realized that some adventures have to be told.

Night Shots with Fellow Photogs

In 2007, we opened and closed the year with photo shoots in Cebu International Convention Center (CICC) and Fuente Osmeña.
The photo above of the giant Christmas tree and the Osmeña fountain was taken in early January of 2007. That time, we were not able to get inside the CICC.

When we did the same activity mid-December of 2007, finally we were able to take pictures inside the CICC. We did several poses inside. There was no change in the cast for both adventures. I also bought a new 300mm lens mid-December of last year. I wanted to make composites with the moon in this photo shoot but I was not successful. My long exposures in CICC however were quite satisfactory (at least for my own standards). Both shots below were taken at f/8, 30s. Going South

I have been to almost every town in Southern Cebu within the first half of 2007. For most of my trips, I was accompanied by Rose Reyes. One Saturday, we had breakfast in Samboan and lunch in Kawasan Falls. When we went to the main church of Samboan, a wedding was about to start but I was able to take a picture of the church's interior.
We also roamed around the quaint town of Samboan. I was carrying my large tripod and we were getting stares when we went to the shoreline and took pictures. The people thought we were surveying the land. We then headed to Kawasan. There were not so many tourists in Kawasan that time so I was able to take this "human-less" shot.

Simala in Sibonga is a major destination for pilgrims and devotees of the Virgin Mary. It was a stop in the church-hopping activity of my Christian community Singles for Christ - MEPZ Chapter in 2006. Featured below are two of my now married friends - Albert and Leslie Pepito with the Simala church in the background.
Perhaps Argao is my most visited place in the South. I once had a friend who lived in BLISS, Argao. We frequented his home and even stayed overnight twice. Also, I have trekked the Usmad River twice entering a cave called "Balay sa Agta" - or "House of the Kapre" (more about kapres HERE).
The cave is around 200 meters long with a large cavernous opening inside, allowing shafts of light in. The entrance of the cave is situated in a cliff along the Usmad river. I will no longer elaborate the adventure of reaching this spot. It could take up a lot of space.

Another twice-visited place is Mantalongon, Dalaguete. Featured below is Ruel Soriano, taking a shot with Osmeña Peak in the background.Boats

My very first try in long exposure was done in Marigondon, Lapu-lapu City in 2004. I took a picture of a boat anchored near the wharf. Sad to say, I was not able to save the film from termites when they attacked my boarding house a few years back. Since then, boats have been a staple subject for me.

I have once been a frequent visitor of the coastal community of Day-as, Cordova. One time in 2006, I observed a boat raised above the waters. I waited until it was dusk and took a picture.
I was in the island of Malapascua last April. While roaming the island, I was also able to take pictures of boats. The two pictures below were my favorites: one in the making, the other one already ageing.

Children

I must admit, I am not into portraits. However, when I reviewed most of my shots I found that those pictures I took of children were very telling and compelling. Some of them have little stories that needed to be told.

I was once volunteered as a facilitator in the Gawad Kalinga community where my SFC chapter is assigned. One time, I went there after a shoot. While the kids were doing their seat work, I roamed around and took pictures. The first photo below is from a shy boy who refused to get inside the classroom. I was able to coax him to smile for this picture. The second photo is of the two kids from the group assigned to me to facilitate. Sadly, I was not able to get their names.
In 2007, the Regional Leaders Conference of SFC-Region 7 was held in Siquijor. After the conference, we had a side-trip to Negros Oriental. We went to the major lakes there. One was Lake Balanan. There I met Orlan and Maricar Encontro, 11 and 10 years old respectively at that time. They were plying the shallow areas of Lake Balanan in a bamboo raft and were diving for freshwater clams to sell to tourists. After getting to know them for about an hour, I asked them if I could take their pictures while they were doing their craft.

While I was in Malapascua last April I also met two kids.

The first kid I met was 10-year old Julie. He said his real name is Chuckie and he is already in second grade. He was digging in the sand to catch annelids for bait. He will catch fish for dinner. I asked him to spell his name. I was disheartened when he told me he is not sure how to spell his real name. The kid is also too serious for his age. I was never able to convince him to smile for the camera or even to relax his brows. After about an hour or so, after clearing so much sand he gave up. I did not want to break the kid's ego but seeing he will bring home nothing I gave him some money enough for their dinner. I have seen the same reaction I used to have when I was a kid. He didn't want to take it at first. Then I met Jemayma. She was an 8-year old girl happily bantering with her friend whose taking an afternoon dip. Jemayma had a very happy disposition, completely opposite to that of Julie. She is still in the first grade. I chatted with her for quite some time and eventually asked her for a shot. I didn't even say "smile".

More servings next time... Count your graces till then.