To the South: Davao

My first for 2012. I could say that I didn't find the time to post something new but I think that would be a lie. Between January and today, I did have time but I guess what was missing was the motivation, and of course the photographs. I felt rusty when I held my camera. I was a mess when it came to ISO, apperture and shutter. Some of these photos were taken using the no-flash auto. But hey, what the heck, I enjoyed every second of the trip. So without further ado, here they are: photos I'd like to share from my recent trip to Davao.

You get a window seat and leave your camera in the bag thinking that you want to rest for the entire duration of the flight. However, sometimes if not most of the times, something gets your attention whenever you take a little peek outside.

On my second day in Davao, we went to the Crocodile Farm/Park. Well, their main attraction is "Pangil" the largest crocodile in the center but they have other animals too. While everyone was watching the show on the juvenile crocodiles, I enjoyed a quiet time with the tigers. Always been a tiger fan. (It's the eye of the tiger, it's the thrill of the fight.)

Another performer in wildlife show was this eagle named "Silver".

On my third day, we were supposed to go swimming at this mountain spring resort but unfortunately it we arrived late and it was already closed. A few minutes of uphill drive away was Eden Park so we decided to go there instead. As you can see from this photo, we did arrive late.

Philippine Eagle. Need I say more? If you know me personally and we're friends in Facebook or Twitter, you may perhaps have noticed that I post something about the Philippine Eagle from time to time. Hope that they would flourish once more. To see a Philippine Eagle was on my bucket list. Seeing 8 was more that I could ask for.

Ladies and Gentlemen, the Eagle has landed. Beautiful creatures indeed.

Before reaching the Philippine Eagle Center is the Davao City water district. This is a shot I took when we were about to leave. Yes, not when we were about to enter.

Davao is a coastal city. The photos above were taken at Sea Wall. People go here to usually to jog and get their morning exercises.

Davao is one huge city. I know it has a lot more to offer which is why I'll be back for more. Hope you enjoyed the photos!

Random Emotions

Happiness is only real when shared. Poor fruit.

Ikaw, Ako, Tayo!

“Sa Nayong Pilipino po” was what I told the cab driver in the morning of October 1, 2011. Funny that it my 28 years of existence, it was my first time to go there. I remember watching plays at CCP and Shangri-La Mall during my elementary days, but never a visit at Nayong Pilipino. That is why I was very much excited to join this year’s Scott Kelby Worldwide Photowalk. I was originally on the waiting list but due to the high number of participants, it had a parallel walk. Both leaders of the walk by the way are members of the D60 Krew namely Tita Bambit Gaerlan and Sir Andy Rodriguez (I have a post about the group, just search the archives :-D).

I committed myself to this event. Even though I went home around 3am the previous night due to a bachelor’s party, I tried my best to wake up at 6am. By the time I arrived at Nayong Pilipino, there were already quite a number of photographers there. I tried to look for familiar faces and there they were at the registration booth. I may have been considered late but I was just in the nick of time before the D60 Krew started their walk around the park.

You could tell that park was once upon a time, the place to be. If it still had a beauty to show, it was just a glimpse of what it really was. At around 9am, Atty. Anota who is the current Nayong Pilipino Director, gave a short presentation on what Nayong Pilipino used to be and what it will be in the future. I got a better picture of it. Like most cultural places, Nayong Pilipino died for a while. In fact, Atty. Anota said that it even became a shooting ground for airsoft players.

It is remarkable that the new management is trying to restore the Nayong Pilipino to its greatness. I hope the plan to grow 30,000 orchids and culture more golden tilapias will be met. I also hope that the shows will once again be played. We need this. As country that is composed of different cultural backgrounds, misunderstandings are expected among its people. It is through projects like these that cultural gaps can be bridged. A child from Luzon should learn more about his brothers and sisters in Visayas and Mindanao and of course, vice versa. The park is about us. Ikaw. Ako. Tayo.

Love Is All You Need

I wanted to write about the technicalities of doing a prenup shoot but I'm sure you'll just be bored as hell. Moreover, I have nothing to write since I haven't attended any workshops on prenups. My reasons? As always, time and budget. Okay, budget is the bigger reason. Instead, I'll just present the photos and let them do the talking. On a second thought, they're not quite ready to talk so I'll also include an excerpt from one of my favorite books. This is Khalil Gibran on Marriage:

Then Almitra spoke again and said...
"And what of Marriage, master?"
And he answered saying:

You were born together,
and together you shall be forevermore.

You shall be together when the white wings
of death scatter your days.

Aye, you shall be together even in the
silent memory of God.

But let there be spaces in your togetherness,

And let the winds of the heavens dance between you.

Love one another, but make not a bond of love.
Let it rather be a moving sea between
the shores of your souls.


Fill each other's cup but drink not from one cup.
Give one another of your bread but eat not from the same loaf.

Sing and dance together and be joyous,
but let each of you be alone,

Even as the strings of a lute are alone
though they quiver with the same music.

Give your hearts, but not into each other's keeping.
For only the hand of Life can contain your hearts.

And stand together, yet not too near together.
For the pillars of the temple stand apart,

And the oak tree and the cypress
grow not in each other's shadow.

Have a great week ahead! (1st 3 photos - 2ts and Cathy, 4th and 5th -Leo and Zet).

You're an Orphan Right?

"You're an orphan right? You think I know the first thing about how hard your life has been, how you feel, who you are, because I read Oliver Twist? Does that encapsulate you?" ~Sean to William, excerpt from the movie Good Will Hunting

A child's paradise.

James, his name, poses for the camera.

This line was the first thing that popped into my head as soon as I saw the children at Damas Filipinas. I was invited by Dara, a friend and a former teammate when I was still working at a contact center, to their outreach program. The children looked neat as if they have just finished taking their morning baths. They were seated in front, some were smiling while some were shy just like what a normal group of kids would look like. But no, they weren't a normal group of kids for sure. They didn't have anyone to call Mommy or Daddy. They didn't have the usual weekend eat out or movie with their families. There was no one to read them a bed time story. No one to tuck them in bed warmly and give a good night kiss.

Kids performing a song for the Convergys people.

I never got to read Oliver Twist, but I did watch the movie several times. You may also include Annie and both tell the story of a certain orphan. Is that enough for a background study so that I can relate to these children? I don't think so, I may not have an inkling how their lives are. I don't know what goes through their minds when their resting from an afternoon play. I'll never know what they feel when they're about to sleep.

They prayed before the meal.

Von, a former teammate, playing Funny Bones w/ one of the kids.

What amazes me though is the joy in their eyes while they were singing, dancing, and playing. They say that the eye is a window to the sould and I tell you, their eyes revealed the purest of souls and those eyes fascinated me. We can't change reality. It has come to past. They are already there and I'm sure there are thousands like them or probably even a million but enough with the statistics. What can we do? What can I do?

This is Dara holding a child.

The kids singing a song.

Directly, I don't know if there's much I can do. I'm just a common man living with ample means. But surely there is something I can do. I'd like to think that these children are praying that no more children would go through with what they're going through right now. Like I said, it has come to past. Tomorrow, on the other hand, is a different subject. With the proper knowledge there's always a way. Taking care of your own child is a simple start. Own up to the responsibility. Not just in financial matters but emotionally as well. To be a guide to the child as the north star is to sailors. Some children do have parents yet they are still lost. Children need that constant light that they can follow.

Makis recording the kids perform on her mobile phone.

Chris, a Team Leader, also playing Funny Bones with James.

Thank you Dara for inviting me the outreach program. It was a marvelous experience. Kudos to the Retail accounts of Convergys-Glorietta 5 for giving something back to the community. To the teachers at Damas Filipinas, a million thanks for taking care of these beautiful people. Despite all the corruption and turmoil going around, I know there is still hope as long as there are people like you. To the kids, be strong and may the acceptance that eluded you be yours soon.

Smile with Jolibee!

One last group hug before the program closed.