What are you thankful for? (A Thanksgiving celebration post.)

"Girls, let's do a thanksgiving celebration... prepare a list of things you're thankful for." I received this text from my friend Cai.

"Sure, will do. When are we doing this? On our Christmas celebration?" I replied back.

"No, Thanksgiving nga. Around November 24," she replied.

"Ohhh... THAT Thanksgiving! Game!" I texted, laughing at myself for not getting that one right away.

For some reason, the Thanksgiving holiday is not normally celebrated in the Philippines. We put more emphasis and importance to Christmas than this one, well probably since we don't share the history of its origins with US or Canada. Anyhow, though we don't have a specific day for this, we Filipinos do thanksgiving celebrations at any given day or time of the year especially whenever we have a special event we want to be thankful for, like graduation, passing a board exam, buying or moving in to a new house, a promotion, etc. (Oh, not to mention our hundreds of local festivals celebrating a good harvest and all that).

Here's Some of our Thanksgiving List

It's true that we are to be thankful everyday. But it's a different feeling, I realized, when my close friends and I have gathered together over dinner to give thanks for our blessings. It was so encouraging to hear all the things my friends were grateful for this year. It simply reminded me how great our God is in our lives in the past eleven months:

... One of my friends was thankful for her getting engaged this year and for the safety and protection they as a couple experienced in Japan during the earthquake and tsunami.

... One was grateful for her being assigned in the US for work. It helped her moved on with things or with someone.

... One of them is happy about how things are going on with her career and MBA studies (plus her high grades) and didn't forget to be content even with the simplest things, like having free lunch outs.

... A guy friend is delighted with the video projects that he has received and is currently working on as well as his budding friendship with this certain girl.

... And speaking of projects, one of my friends has also been getting more make-up gigs and is finally doing what she loves. What's good is that she has a loving husband to support her in all that she does.

... To reciprocate, another friend is appreciative of her beautiful wife and all the provisions that they have as a new couple: a condo, paid appliances, and other blessings.

... Another one was ecstatic about their Japan visa being approved and that they'll be celebrating their Christmas there. Even better is her good health so she can enjoy this altogether.

... One friend is thankful for her restored relationships, realizations and the dream God has placed in her heart. She's elated to pursue this and will take it one day at a time.

... And lastly, one of us is thrilled about finding fulfillment in her work, being able to finally manage her finances and starting to diversify her portfolio, and for being able to fund her trips locally and abroad.


Time to List Down Your Own

What are YOU thankful for? Share your gratitude with your friends and family. Say why you're also thankful for one another. Be amazed by God's faithfulness and how he has moved in your lives this year. :)

PS. No turkey was harmed in our own Thanksgiving dinner. :)  

Long weekends, portraits, and a lake...

The past two weeks gave us two consecutive long weekends--non-working Mondays at that! It gave me time to rest and... well, do just about nothing. I don't remember being pre-occupied by anything, which is good. That's how I like it.

The first long weekend also particularly gave me the time to celebrate my birthday with my lovely girlfriends. Away from the city, by a calm lake, overlooking a volcano. I don't remember getting busy throwing a party, which is good. That's just how I like it.

I'd just like to take this space by sharing some of the travel photos I took in this birthday get-away and the portraits of my beautiful friends. They're a beauty inside out. :)

Photos taken in Club Balai Isabel, Talisay, Batangas:

 

 

TRAVEL... while we're young, wild, and free... :)

A number of my friends in Facebook recently shared a link to this article about reasons to travel while you're young. We couldn't agree more with what Jeff says:

1. Traveling teaches you to live an adventure
2. Traveling helps you encounter compassion
3. Traveling allows you to get some culture

True, true, and true!

"Yeah, but..."
The writer says that these words never were more fatal words spoken:

Yeah, but… what about debt? Yeah, but… what about my job? Yeah, but… what about my boyfriend (or dog or car or whatever)?

“Yeah, but…” is pernicious. Because it makes it sound like we have the best of intentions when really we are just too scared to do what we should.

It allows us to be cowards, while sounding noble.

Most people I know who waited to travel the world never did. 

I have always marveled at people who were courageous enough to quit their jobs and travel. They are definitely past that "yeah, but..." stage. I've been reading about their fascinating stories in a Couchsurfing forum. I met someone in my travels who actually did. I've also encountered several people who were on their "gap year." (A gap year, according to Wikipedia, means taking time out to travel in between life stages. It is also known as sabbatical, time off and time out that refers to a period of time. They take this time to travel, engage in volunteer work overseas or undertake a working holiday abroad.) I think such a thing hardly exist in the Philippines.


Here are my own "buts"...
I envy those who can take a sabbatical or gap year with reckless abandon. Most of them have let go of their excuses. "If not now, when?" someone told me. Good for them! For my part, I still can't get over my concerns:

But what about my budget...? Taking a time off to travel for long period means you need a lot of cash. LOTS OF IT. (How does one break a bank?!) It's not easy saving up for the big haul given my current Philippine monthly income (I learned from a backpacking talk before that a Round-the-World (RTW) trip costs around US$ 25,000!) and if I were able to gather already, I'd probably be not-so-young anymore.

But what about the bills I have to pay and other personal matters? Monthly bills are always there and I also have personal family obligations that would be hard to leave for a long time. I'm not sure if I would understood. You see in the Philippines, young ones stick with their family up until before they get married. I know that's odd for other cultures, but that's how we honor our parents and family relations.

But what about my next job...? So let's say I did it, who would take me in once I get back? I'm in a good company now, would I be able to get the same kind of job in a prestigious company when I return? It would be a huge risk for me.

In the meantime...
Though I have these what you may call "excuses," my dream to travel the world hasn't been buried in the deepest of my heart; it still remains afloat. But I figured I'll only remain dreaming if I don't do something about it.

Meanwhile, I'm still going to travel. Occasionally take a vacation leave. (Maybe not for a year yet or RTW). Do travel photography and blogging. I'll continue to save up. Start looking for other things where I can invest in and grow my income. Research. Talk to people who have done so. Prepare like it's really going to be done.

There is no “I can’t” anymore. I'm in charge. The only thing holding me back is me.

"A journey to a thousand miles starts with a single step." 

--Lao-tzu, The Way of Lao-tzu, 

Chinese philosopher (604 BC - 531 BC)

Manila to Hanoi is back! Hello, Halong Bay?

Good news from Cebu Pacific Air! They're bringing back the direct flight to Hanoi, Vietnam starting March 17, 2012! This is terrific since this was one of our options for the On-The-Spot shoot (OTS) of our camera club this year. Since there weren't any direct flights then, we also weren't able to include Hanoi in our last backpacking trip and it really would've cost us a lot.

Manila to Hanoi (without direct flight)
From one of my friends in the camera club, he said that these would be the rates (without direct connection):

1) TG (Thai Airways) US$ 595.00 (valid until Sept 2011):
Manila - Bangkok - Hanoi - Bangkok - Manila

2) CX (Cathay Pacific) US$ 700.00 (valid until Dec 2011 for June ticketing):
Manila - HK - Hanoi - HK - Manila

3) Vietnam Air US$ 530.00 (valid until March 2012):
Manila - Saigon - Hanoi - Saigon - Manila

Food and hotel accommodation in Vietnam are fairly reasonable. However, with this itinerary, airfare budget with connecting flights is a concern. Should you opt to do a cheaper travel, you would have to travel by land from Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) in the south, to Hanoi located at the north of Vietnam. You can buy a ticket for the Open Tour aircon bus that can get you from HCMC to Hanoi, and travel at your own pace (at US$ 35). You can actually hop on and off the bus at any city along the way without holding you to any schedule. (You can hop off first in Nha Trang (beaches), Hoi An (World Heritage Ancient town), Hue, etc. before arriving to Hanoi). You can buy this everywhere especially in traveller cafes, local agencies, or any backpacker haunts.

That's generally the idea if you have the luxury of time (and budget) crawling through Vietnam.

Manila to Hanoi (with direct flight)
And now? It's around US$ 20 one way from Manila (or PHP 888) through a Cebu Pacific promo. Uncomplicated!

Aside from slurping a fine pho (beef noodle soup) in the morning, staying at the bustling Old Quarter and strolling around the Hoan Kiem Lake, what I'm looking forward to is making my way to the northeast--in Halong Bay where the surreal happens. Imagine 3,000 or more incredible limestone islands erecting towards the sky from the emerald waters of Gulf of Tonkin. This Unesco Heritage Site paints a breathtaking picture in the horizon. I just have to board a Chinese style junk, lie on top of the boat, enjoy the scenery and slowly cruise around the scenic landscape.

Images from New 7 Wonders image gallery

Blogging about this excites me and I'm crossing my fingers that I could go back to Vietnam next year. Let's see how it goes. ;)

The Things I Take for Granted (my post-birthday post)

Back at the start of 2011, I had a word that would describe what I was expecting 2011 would be: UNCONTAINABLE.

The power of words. Indeed, it IS.

As this year's chapter draws to a close and as I become nostalgic again celebrating my birthday, I'm awestruck by how God has been moving in my life this 2011. But before that, I have to be honest that I have been bothered lately by the littlest things... If should get an iPad 2, when I could get my camera upgrade, being hassled with commuting, my unpaid credit card bills... Ugh, I realize that these concerns are just so minor!

I'm reminded by God's goodness again when I heard Jessica Cox's testimony yesterday morning. She's a single engine pilot, taekwondo black belter, pianist, motivational speaker (among other things) with NO ARMS!

Here's a feature of her in Ellen's Show:



Having seen that, I'm no longer going to enumerate God's blessings to me this past year. I believe it is personal and I guess you've witnessed it in some of my posts (and I don't want to appear "showing off" to anyone). Instead, I'm going to be thankful for the simplest things I'm able to do which I've been taking for granted all this time...

- Being able to sip my cup of coffee in the morning
- Clothe myself in my favorite dresses and accessories with my two arms
- Type my travel blog entries in my laptop
- Hold my camera and take photos
- Use my QWERTY phone to email / text my friends with my two hands
- Use utensils to go on a food trip
- Brush and dry my short hair
- Do channel surfing with the remote
- Get lost in a book and flip its pages
- Prepare and design my powerpoint decks

I could go on and on...

...So you think you've got a big problem? Think again! :)

The sad news: We're driving tourists away...

Being a passionate traveler myself, my eyes would brighten up everytime I talk about the beautiful places in the Philippines to foreigners I've met. I could randomly help a traveller here and would go to a Lonely Planet mode, giving info and tips about the places that I think are worth recommending. One of my friends even branded me as “Ms. Mabuhay Philippines” because of that (hahaha!) and I guess you could see that enthusiasm in this travel blog. “If tourism were just about all the beautiful things that a country had to offer, we would be top on any traveler’s list–because we DO have EVERYTHING that a tourist would want to enjoy on a well-earned vacation.”

Having said that, it just depresses me to hear news such as Ninoy Aquino International Airport being voted the worst airport “for sleeping in” on the same week that Air France-KLM announced a phasing out of its Manila-Amsterdam route. I couldn’t agree more with Nina Terol-Ziacita’s article when she said that while our country has the perfect touristy allure, “we also have MANY of the things that would drive ANYONE away from ANY country: an inefficient bureaucracy, a horrible public transport system, heavily polluted streets, chaotic urban areas, beggars and street urchins loitering on the streets, crime, corruption–name it, we probably have it.”  That's why come news broadcast time at night, I would step out of our living room because I'm seeing the same kind of bad news over and over (and we all get so numb of it already, and that's another sad story). They've just become the usual icebreaker if you find yourself striking up a conversation with someone on the street.

*Sigh* The problem of the Philippines, as Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez himself had pointed is that, "We haven’t really acted like a tourism country. We’ve got an airport that doesn’t look like it wants to welcome visitors and make them stay; we’ve got a terrible public transport system and public infrastructure that discourages people from exploring any town or city in this country; we’ve got a tax regime and a business climate that discourages investments; we tear down historical landmarks instead of preserving them; we’ve got corruption; we’ve got garbage. In short: aside from our innate creativity, our laughter, and the genuine warmth of our people, we’ve given foreigners many reasons to stay away from us, from the level of policy formulation all the way to policy execution. It’s poor governance over the last few decades that has made us a weak tourism brand."

I don't only look forward to what Sec. Jimenez "rockstar of advertising" can do to our tourism industry, not only for President Aquino and his administration's projects to finally take place... I'm waiting for the whole country to get our acts together! Nope, I shouldn't just wait. I'll do something to make Philippines a little bit better in my own way. I hope you also do. We've just got to want this change SO BAD. 

*Some places I'd like to visit in the Philippines next year:*

Bantayan Island, Cebu. From Eric Brian Ouano, Flickr. 

 Batanes. From Anton Diaz, Our Awesome Planet. 

Coron, Palawan. From Anton Diaz, Our Awesome Planet. 

My own "social experiment."

And so I’ve been pretty much under the radar in the “social networking” world lately. It’s not mainly because I’ve been busy with work the past weeks (well, I really WAS), but I just felt like giving up that habit. It's like, let’s say, quitting smoking ingrained as a daily ritual—I turned cold turkey, or something. There wasn’t a major event that happened to me which triggered this decision. Don’t get me wrong okay, I didn’t turn into living like a hermit, a snobby, anti-social being… Turned to anti-FB or anti-Twitter perhaps? Not really, but I realized that I don’t like the general idea that it’s ALL OUT THERE (their privacy settings, no matter how private you set it, is just crap). Was I fooled by these social networking sites all this time? Maybe. But let's just say that I'm a bit wiser now.  

So here's my social experiment. What will happen when I've refrained from it? What will I now do then? Well, I felt that it’s about time to go back to really getting in touch with people intimately (and privately) again.

The tendency then was to “watch” people to update their lives in the News Feed. It’s like watching a newscast on TV: here are your friends, broadcasting the minutest and mundane details of their lives, yet there’s a glass wall separating you and them. You see their comments, their photos, Oh so, she likes to party. That one, I get it. Then you tend to disregard or put-off asking them “how are you?” in its truest sense since you already know what’s happening with them. But do you KNOW, really? 

I was once read a quote saying, "If someone wants to be a part of your life, they'll make an effort to be in it." Isn’t it great to receive a “how are you?” out of the blue because he/she truly remembered you and not because you shouted out or posted something in your Wall? Because they really want to know what you're going through, what's deep inside of you apart from and beyond your shared location, links, or "likes"? I think it would even feel better if you stop being too much of yourself and do the same. Just give.

I figured it’s about time to get REAL once again. To build REAL relationships and not just superficial and practically virtual relationships. I'm so glad my VG friends, even if we don't post that much or comment in each other's post, everytime we see each other every week, our conversations seem endless. That's what I want. Not just the trivial. Not just shallow. Time to get REAL. 

So that's my social experiment. Let's see my world could change. :)

My photo in Backpacking Tips Asia: Farmers' Working Hands in Laguna Bay Loop

Lately, I've been submitting my photos to a couple of photo contests. I've joined two so far. First is the KLM On Assignment: Europe sponsored by KLM Royal Dutch Airlines for their 60th anniversary. The winner gets a chance to go on an all-expense paid trip to Holland, Netherlands and will be featured in the Lonely Planet Magazine Philippines, among other prizes. When I read this, I told myself, “This is it, this is one great opportunity for me waiting to be seized!” Looking at all the submitted photos and pitches in the Digital Photography Philippines forum, I was so overwhelmed by the talent and creativity that were showcased. I should be discouraged actually, but then I remembered Lonely Planet’s philosophy "All you've got to do is decide to go and the hardest part is over. So go!" I remembered my potential, I remembered my past experiences, so there, I took my chances--I submitted my pitch and my portfolio (Post number #486, page 49). Best of luck to me, I'm crossing my fingers… ;)

Second is Backpacking Tips Asia's Online Photo Contest. The contest theme must reflect Asia in some way. For my entry, I submitted my "Working Hands" photo, shot in the rice plains of Mabitac, Laguna. The photos are judged by other visitors to my photo page in Backpacking Tips Asia. The visitors will have the opportunity to click the social buttons of Facebook ('Like'), Twitter ('Tweet') and Stumbleupon ('Submit'). So... hope you visit my page and click away... :) Click HERE to see my photo. :)

I'll never know 'til I try, right? :)

IronMan 70.3 Philippines 2011: Race report (from a photographer's perspective)

On its third year, Globe Telecom, who was a presenting sponsor in the Cobra Ironman 70.3 Philippines Camarines Sur, brought their triathlon team to participate in the age-group and relay categories in the country’s most prestigious triathlon event. It was certainly my pleasure to be one of the photographers of Globe Champions Triathlon (GCT) Team in this year’s race. Though I’ve already done sports photography in several triathlon events (like SubIT), it was my first time to document the IronMan event, which was like 10 times more huge and more overwhelming for me.

One of my roommates was my good friend Vanessa who was part of the GCT Team. This helped me wake up really early and get ready at 3am on the race day. I took my breakfast and brought with me a banana and peanut butter sandwich since I knew I would need that later on. By the time we reached the body markings area, it was still cool and dark. I told my photographer partner SJ to bring a black garbage bag for me to protect our camera gear—just in case it rains. SJ and I agreed to go on separate ways since we want to collect diverse photos taken in different locations. I arrived early by the big lake where the mass start would begin and witnessed the moon setting reflecting in the water. In a few minutes, everyone was getting warmed up for the swim. And in a few minutes, my guess was right, it started drizzling on and off.

Nevertheless, I started shooting my team before the gun start as they were all fresh and psyched up. I was getting warmed up myself, wondering what the day would bring.

I also zoomed in to some of the world's best traithletes who joined the event as the host introduced them to the crowd. I could hardly understand their names at that time and it was only after the competition I learned they were the pros—THE IronMan superstars: Belinda Granger, Amanda Stevens, Katya Meyers, Pete Jacobs, Jesse Thomas, Cameron Brown, et al.

Belinda Granger who eventually who won first among the women.

Amanda Stevens clocked in at second place.

1 means Pete Jacobs who grabbed his second win as the champion in IronMan Phils.

Knowing that the race would start anytime soon, I struggled to find a good spot for the massive start but I wasn't that successful. It was Gov. L-Ray Villafuerte of Camarines Sur, Bicol region who fired the gun shot. The professionals and Filipino elites went in first, followed by other waves by category. I managed to get a few decent shots... But I knew I had to step up my game as well.

After the first man got out the water (hello, Pete Jacobs!), I rushed to the next lake where the second round of swim would take place. Bingo! I found a spot where I was on the edge of the water near where the athletes entered. For me, the location was KEY. Thanks to my telephoto lens, I've never gotten this close in the swim part.

As the adrenaline rush kicked in on me, I walked a long way to get out of the lake area. Next, I had to take the bike shots. And I meant GREAT bike shots, whatever it takes. This was where I was pressured the most as most of the team members were requesting for this. I met up with Mark, one of the avid Globe supporters (Nessa's boyfriend), and we decided to go to the highway. We rented a motorbike and rode with one of the locals to get us there. For me, it was a perfect position: It was where the bikers would turn, it had a Globe logo (it was a requirement) and some crowds on the background, and I only saw two photographers present. I guess not everyone has this frame.

I already felt the strain in my hands and arms as I held on to my heavy lens. I knew a monopod is a must but unfortunately I don't own one yet. Add to that the harsh elements of the rain! The weather was totally different from the previous years when it was extremely humid. Mark had to get one of those big picnic table umbrellas from one of the local stores in the area (with the permission of the owner of course) and we got under it to keep us dry. What a huge relief! (And little did I notice some kids going under our shelter as well...)

By the time we decided to go back to the run course, the driver of our motorbike was gone, despite telling him to wait for us in our agreed location. We couldn't blame him though because we really took our time there. We rented a pedicab going back. "Manong, pwede na kayong sumali sa IronMan (you can already join IronMan)," Mark kidded the driver as he was fast enough to bring us back.

I wanted the Mt. Isarog backdrop during the run route or the "rice cooker" fields as they call it. But then, I learned it was FAR and I wouldn't have the finish line shot. Good thing my partner SJ took care of the close up finish line photos while I took care of shooting them nearing the final stretch, giving their big exhales and all that they've got. The overcast was still there with moments of rain or the sun peeping out. My Vibrams were soaked and I hate the icky feeling so I took it off. I also had to give.

With everything that I went through, I guess my whole IronMan experience was just NOTHING compared to the athletes' 1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike, and 13.1-mile run—the distance circuit of the IronMan 70.3 series. While I don't mind not earning the title of being an "IronMan," I'm proud that this race took me to a higher level in shooting sports. I felt like I was also living the IronMan mantra of “ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE. ®”, anyway. :)

Congratulations again to Globe Champions Triathlon Team and all of the IronMan finishers! :)

* * *

More about IronMan: Winners from the IronMan events around the world get to be qualified in the ultimate annual Ford IronMan World Championship in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii and embark on the full 140.6-mile course. Three years ago, Fred Uytengsu, President and CEO of Alaska Milk Corp., with the support of Gov. L-Ray Villafuerte of Camarines Sur, Bicol region, brought the franchise to Philippines and it has gotten bigger and better since.

Eat. Learn. Move.

3 guys, 44 days, 11 countries, 18 flights, 38 thousand miles, an exploding volcano, 2 cameras and almost a terabyte of footage... all to turn 3 ambitious linear concepts based on movement, learning and food into 3 beautiful and compelling short films...

THAT's a trip of a lifetime.

Watch these shorts and be inspired. :)

EAT from Rick Mereki on Vimeo.

LEARN from Rick Mereki on Vimeo.

MOVE from Rick Mereki on Vimeo.

These guys were commissioned by STA Travel Australia to go on a six-week adventure and capture everything in 3 videos, one minute each. (STA Travel is a source exclusive fares for students and young travelers.)

Now I'm starting to feel a bit of a wanderlust again.

One week to go 'til Ironman 70.3 Philippines!

The countdown begins! This is not just any other triathlon race. From local and international triathlete participants, the vast scenery in Camarines Sur, to the festive mood of the sports party, it's the country’s mega sports event we're looking forward to. Actually, my triathlete friends have already been counting down the days to this since three months ago. At this point, it's already taper time for them.

"For them" because I'm not one of those who are going to compete! (I'm not that crazy! Kidding ;)) I'll be one of the photographers of Team Globe in Cobra Energy IronMan 70.3 Philippines. Even if I know I'll have to wake up at 3:00am for their call time, stay under the heat of sun, follow them everywhere (I have to know the strategic locations already), I know it's going to be all worth it... for the love of Globe! And sports photography. :)

It's 3.8 km swim, 180 km bike, and 42 km run. How it can you possibly do that?! Well, certainly it takes an IRONMAN and IRONWOMAN to do that. As they break new records, compete with other triathletes and themselves, and finish the race, I definitely SALUTE them. I'll follow you around, guys!

This would be my first time to shoot in that event. But to get me psyched up, here are some of the photos I took Subic International Triathlon in 2011 and 2010. :)







All roads lead to Camarines Sur Sports Complex! See you at the finish line on August 14, 2011!