It's More Fun the Philippines (The Traveling Havaianas version)

The moment I read in the tweets and heard the buzz going around the latest Department of Tourism campaign, It's More Fun in the Philippines, it got me really excited because I KNOW for myself why it is so. It's something I could relate to. As a travel photographer, blogger, and advocate, my feet have taken me to different places in and outside of the country. Yes, many have impressed me and I've had a great time in them but needless to say, there's no place like ours. It is home. This place is just... FUN.

As what Atty. Ted Te in his commentary said, "Ask any Filipino who has ever stayed away from the Philippines involuntarily.  Ask them why they choose to look for Filipinos when they get to whichever part of the world they are in;  why there are community gatherings;  why there is always the inevitable search for the Filipino store.  Ask why we choose to carve out a small patch of PH anywhere we find ourselves in.  Because it IS more fun in the Philippines."


I'd like to thank the DOT for jumpstarting this open invitation to all to find out why the Philippines is more fun. For reminding us that despite its eccentricities, we have a country to be proud of. For igniting once again, unity, to have one spirit, one soul, and for striking a chord in us that this place, where we are born, makes us truly alive.

I have my own share It's More Fun the Philippines memes. I encourage you to make your own. HAVE FUN! :)

Corporate Woman Meets the Triathlete: Kirs and Moi Pre-Nup photos

Kirs and I go way back in college. We've gone a long way and we practically know each other's ins and outs. I'm just so happy to see her bloom and so in looove. Though Kirs and Moi are from two different worlds--Kirs , a power dresser enterprise account manager in a huge telco, Moi, a swimming coach and champion triathlete, I know they're a great pair and they are in good hands.

Here's some of my pre-wedding photos I took of them in Crosswinds Tagaytay. It's a memorable place for them since that's where they first met. Looking forward to their wedding next year!

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:

 

 

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! :)

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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.