Considered to be a masterpiece of islamic architecture, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Masjid or the Grand Mosque now stands as a landmark in Cotabato City. Located at Barangay Kalangan II, it was named after the Sultan of Brunei, Sultan Bolkiah who donated a huge amount just so this architectural wonder and place of worship materializes in Cotabato City.

This mosque is now the most visited place of worship and a top tourist destination in Cotabato City. If ever you’re wondering why, just take a look at these pictures:

Front view of the Grand Mosque

View of the mosque upon entering the gates...

Grand Mosque viewed from the left side..

Masjid as viewed from its front lobby

A peek at the actual would be prayer room of the Grand Mosque...

Another peek at the Grand Mosque huge side halls

Architectural harmony..

Now, I suggest you go see this place whenever you’re in Cotabato City. It’s a place of worship for our Muslim brothers, but with coordination from the City’s tourism office, you can go to this place and view this architectural masterpiece!

Related posts:

1. Do tell my mother I’m in Cotabato City!
2. Cotabato City’s only manual metalware-making community of artisans
3. Guinakit Fluvial Parade in Cotabato City

I’ve seen too many gongs (and tried to play it a few times) that I take it as something “ordinary” for Mindanaon traveler like me. It never occurred to me though how such beautifully crafted brassware was created.

I bet most of you didn’t bothered to ask, if ever you saw one.  Have you seen a gong being crafted? Yes, maybe. But have you seen a muslim artisan manually crafting a gong?A brassware? If not, you better see one in Cotabato city before such artistic and astute craftsmanship will forever be lost to curiosity.

Cotabato City is known for its Muslim culture and tradition. The oldest city in the south is home to numerous cultural gems. More than that, Cotabato City holds a few muslim craftsman and artists whose skills are deeply intertwined with culture and tradition and has been handed down through generations. One of these artistic gems is the brassware making community which produces gongs and metal crafts using the manual or traditional method of molding metal. All from designs and imprints handed down by their forefathers.

Clay mold

The process starts with the metalware design carved in a wax from the artist design concept. These wax designs are negative imprints of the craft that are molded  over with  clay. When I asked one artists who designs or who came up with the “blueprints”, he answered it was all handed down to them verbally and is stored in the brains of their “designers”. No written record whatsoever. Anyhow, the clay mold with the wax imprints is left to harden. Once the clay mold-imprint is hard already, the negative wax imprint is removed by heating and melting the wax. Then the clay mold is furthered refined and  the “imperfections’ removed using the traditional sanding technique. The clay mold will then serve as the base mold for the brassware. With proper heating techniques and repeated manual sanding technique, the metalwares with decorative drawings are produced.

raw molds for sanding

some of the finished products on display

Personally I was amazed at how such gem has been artistically created, from design to finished product. Although somewhat rudimentary to many, this manual brassware making technique a class artistry of its own, given the skills and imaginative depth of the artisan behind any of this brass wares.

It is sad though that this community of artisans and craftsman is the only remaining manual brassware makers in Cotabato City.

So if you ever go to Cotabato City and is perhaps interested in this artists and their craft, go a take a visit at their place. See them in action and get awed by the artistry thats has been handed down for generations, orally. Contact Cotabato City’s  local tourism office for inquiries on how to go to this place.

Marker at the site where manual brass making is still being practiced..

Related posts:

1. Do tell my mother I’m in Cotabato City!
2. Guinakit Fluvial Parade in Cotabato City
3. Save the Tarsier Fun Walk (T’mana tu di Linan) in Tupi South Cotabato

Guinakit Fluvial Parade  is a re enactment of  Shariff Kabunsuan‘s (an Arab- Malay missionary from Johore, Indonesia) arrival in Mindanao some 500 years ago in a Guinakit (convoy of bancas) along the banks of Masla Pulangi now Rio Grande  de Mindanao. The arrival of Shariff Kabunsuan started the spread of Islam in the country. Guinakit Fluvial Parade is part of the Shariff Kabunsuan Festival celebrated every 19th of December by the people of Cotabato City.

A banca, part of the fleet or Guinakit

Colorful decorations on a Guinakit

Guinakit is a large banca, made of wooden material and heavily decorated in colorful, traditional muslim garments and carrying musical instruments, actors and actresses on board personifying Shariff Kabunsuan and his fleet of missionary muslims. The Guinakit traverses the Rio Grande de Mindanao during the parade just like what Shariff Kabunsuan’s fleet did 500 years ago. All of the boats competing this year looked spectacular and colorful and the performers in it, totally captivating. Judging from the audience that came to view this parade, I’m pretty sure this was one celebration Cotabatenos (and Pinoys) shouldn’t miss.

Shariff Kabunsuan, a Asian-malay missionary from Jahore Indonesia, riding a Guinakit

On a personal level, this fluvial parade struck me uniquely different.I’ve been to a number of festivals around Philippines, read many more in books and the internet.  I never knew or saw this Guinakit Festival, even in our history books. I was born and raised in Mindanao, but finding a distinctly Mindanaon heritage and tradition was difficult for me too until this time. It’s one different experience even for me, a frequent festival hopper. Now at least, I can “grab” one as mine too, with the indulgence of our muslim brothers of course.

Front view of a banca in a Guinakit

Perhaps, next year I can still see Guinakit Fluvial parade and the Shariff Kabunsuan Festival. Made me realize, there are so many other historical and cultural stories that never made it into my Mindanaon mindset yet. So, See you in the next Guinakit Fluvial Parade?

Related posts:

1. Do tell my mother I’m in Cotabato City!
2. WHOA GENSAN! The 2010 Tunafest Mardigra and Dance Competition
3. Talakudong Festival 2010 Mardigra!

“Tell her too, I’m glad I did!”

Glad I did!

It’s not my first time in Cotabato City. But my last stay in this place wasn’t to give me  a good glimpse of this city. Since then, my perception of Cotabato was all dependent and shaped by  what media is sensationalizing about this place. Sadly though, it’s these same kind of news that put this iconic city in a bad light.

I needed a trip down this once fortress city to calm my curiosity. A trip about confronting negative perceptions about the place and its people, communing with cotabatenos and scouring the place for positives/potentials that might one day put back glory to the first and proud city of Kutang Bato.

So off I went to Cotabato City with Sox Bloggers. This trip won many firsts for me this time.

Here are some (Soon with links to individual posts):

1. Watched a theatrical play of Mamalu and Tabuwanay, brothers who were great tribal forefathers in Mindanao, their conversion to Islam by the arrival of Shariff Kabunsuan and the  epic story of Mindanao Sultanates. It was prior to the start of this play that I heard and felt the most nationalistic Lupang Hinirang I’ve heard my entire life so far. And it was here in Cotabato City.
2. Saw my first ever fluvial parade, the colorful and unique Guinakit Fluvial Parade and Competition, which is part of the Shariff Kabunsuan Festival celebrations. Guess what, such huge and colorful boats are just really small boats ingeniously tied up together! Amazing!
3. Witnessed and saw with my own eyes, the last remaining artistic and manual method of forging Islamic metalwares, gongs and metal craft. “designed in wax, melted by fire and forged in the calm hands of an artist”.
4. Gazed at  the grandiose “Grand Mosque“, perhaps the biggest in Asia and probably one of the best pieces of architecture we have here in the Philippines.
5. Ate at a Grand Kanduli- the traditional dining and hospitality shown by our muslim brothers to their guests and anyone they accept in their home.
6. Learned more of my newfound idol, Sultan Dipatuan Kudarat, a regional hero and unconquered ruler of three great sultanates of Mindanao during the Spanish colonization. The unveiling of Kudarat’s life size gold statue (in the area where he once ruled) recognized a one true regional hero most mindanaons can identify with. I’m a christian by the way, but knowing this fact made me feel I belong to a heritage I can identify with and say “this is the story of one great forefathers of this island”.
7. Last but not the least, gazing at an emerging business center of Cotabato City. Yes, Cotabato is unlike what all the news is telling us about. You have to be here to even say a bit of Cotabato!

Related posts:

1. Fifth Mountain: Ziplining on top of General Santos City!

I was just tagged in facebook about this event. To join, please contact the numbers given in the flyer/poster!

Related posts:

1. Kalinawan Rock Climbing Challenge
2. 3rd Pinyahan Festival Mt. Matutum Invitational Climb
3. Talakudong Festival 2010 Mardigra!

In the SEx Tour (short for SoCCSarSKGen Experience Tour)  tradition, our adventure started off with a healthy, mouthwatering breakfast at Cressings. The long travel to Maitum is rewarded by one delicious breakfast meal right there at Cresildas Food Place. I’ve been to Cressings three times already and bought some of their healthy products during those visits. But I crave for their fried bangsi most, even if I had several servings every time we go back to this place. I’m not really sure if it’s in the ingredients, the preparation, cooking or maybe all those, but  the laid back backdrop of an early morning breakfast makes you feel eating delicious and nutritious food right inside your own home!

Breakfast at Cressings/Cresilda Food products! (Photo credits to Leah Valle, Tiara Mejos and Fitz Villafuerte)

After breakfast we headed straight into the municipal hall to visit our gracious host, the ever smiling MaitumMayor Elsie Lucille Perrett. We also visited their famed mini museum, get wowed by the authentic anthropometric jars dating back to 300BC and get amazed byt the rare (and real) T’boli dresses and ornaments displayed inside this museum!

Visits to the Municipall Hall of Maitum, meeting Mayor Perret and her husband, the anthropometric jars at their mini museum..

What moved me though is seeing for the first time a Pawikan Sanctuary  and releasing young “pawikans” along the beach. Largely symbolic, doing the act might help spread the awareness on the conservation efforts of this endangered specie. In all, only 3 out of 100 newly bred pawikans survive till maturity. So this pawikans need all the help everyone can offer.

Pawikan sanctuary in Maitum Saranggani.(Top left photo credits to Dr. Charles Ortiz)

Then the SEx Tourists went water tubing at Pangi River in Maitum. This unique water tubing fun on this river rapid never cease to amaze me. So does Manny Paquiao and the rest of my family who have been here not so long ago. You gotta do that water tube ride, again and again. This time though, I just took photos. My next  ride will be sometime on my next visit here.

IML Eco Park : All the adventures you want (Top right photo credits to Leah Valle)

Splash, dive, snorkel or just chill out insiode Lemlunay's Dive Resort! (Top Left photo credits to Mark Cabrerra)

Fort Kalinaw relaxation regimen.Laban ka? (Center photo courtesy of Tiara Mejos)

Dinner at Mei Lih Restaurant was awesome!

Here’s a run down of what we did in Saranggani and our gracious hosts!

• Breakfast Place – Cresing’s Food Products owned by Ms. Beth Ramos
• Breakfast  by Maitum Mayor Elsie Lucille Perrett
• Maitum LGU SITE:  www.maitum.gov.ph
• Tourism Officer – Arlex Narte
• Tourist Spot 1:  Pawikan Sanctuary, Old Poblacion, Maitum, Sarangani
• Tourist Spot 2:  White Water Tubing, Pangi River, Brgy New La Union, Maitum, Sarangani
• Snacks by Jo-Ann’s Bakeshop

• Lunch Place – IML ECO PARK, Barangay Lumasal, Maasim, Sarangani Province owned by Mr. Jojo Lopez and Haydee Lopez
• Lunch by – Maasim Mayor Jose Zamorro
• Facebook: IML Eco Park

• Snacks Place – Lemlunay Dive Resort, Barrio Tampuan, Brgy Kamanga, Maasim, Sarangani Province
• Snacks/Snorkeling/Infinity Pool courtesy of – Mr. Paul Partridge
• Site: www.lemlunayresort.com

• Pitstop – 173rd Infantry Batallion, Barrio Tampuan, Brgy Kamanga, Maasim, Sarangani Province
• Batallion Commander Lt Col Adolfo Espuelas Sr.
• Site:  www.37ib.blogspot.com

• Dinner:  Mei Lih Restaurant at Phela Grande Hotel, Magsaysay Avenue, GenSan
• Dinner by Mr. & Mrs. Charles & Helen Angderson
• Site:  www.phelagrandehotel.com

Related posts:

1. SEX Tour Part Deux (Soccsksargen EXperience Tour)!
2. Sarangani Your Adventure II: Water tubing fun at Pangi River, Maitum
3. Sarangani Your Adventure: Breakfast at Cressings, Maitum

Digos Active Mountaineers is inviting mountaineers to join their upcoming Annual Penek Busay this Sept 24-25, 2011 at Brgy Goma, Digos City. Penek Busay, a manobo phrase for “explore falls or a stream” is an annual falls hopping and river trekking activity in the mountain slopes of Sitio Napan Brgy Goma Digos City.

Sitio Napan in Brgy. Goma Digos City boasts of 13 plus spectacular crystal clear waterfalls, that is actually part of a long cascading river stream with pristine and daunting boulder walls. I’ve trekked in this series of waterfalls during Penek Busay’s inception and I was literally thrilled to even dip in just one of these magnificent falls. At that time, trail difficulty was high (8/10), consisting of river crossings, rock climbing, rope maneuvering and of course swimming. Today, new easier trail has been established to ensure safe and enjoyable passage of mountaineers.

This year’s Penek Busay, dubbed  ”TUBIG SA KINAIYAHAN ATONG KAUGMAON UG AMUMAHON” (a conservation advocacy for our natural falls and streams) will happen on September 24-25 2011 still at Brgy.goma Digos City, is expected to host some 100+ plus (but should not exceed 150) participants. Registration fee is php380.00 and will cover for  certificate, id, t-shirt, drinks ,1 meal and 1 transpo to the jump off site. If you’re interested to join this event, you may visit the event page on Facebook, or contact the numbers listed in the itinerary below.

Penek Busay is an annual event hosted by Digos Active Mountaineers and is so far, one of the well organized mountaineering events I’ve attended.

5th Annual Penek Busay poster and itinerary hosted by the Digos Active Mountaineers

Related posts:

1. Second Annual Penek Busay
2. 3rd Annual Penek Busay September 26, 2009
3. Bone Doc and Team TAMAC goes Penek Busay!

(Update Aug 25, 2011: Here are some of my pictures during the trek, taken by Jocy Muring! You may like the page also!Big Thanks)

Day 2: July 16, 2011

Place: Brgy. Yumbing-Sitio Villarosa-mt. Hibok-Hibok Crater -Peak -Ardent Hot Springs

Goal: Photo-climb Mt. Hibok-Hibok, trek to the crater lake, summit assault, take (awesome)  photos, then traverse to the other trail, emerge at ardent spring, back to Brgy. Himbing same day.

Gears; Daypack, packed lunch, LX5, EOS 350D, 17-70mm 2.8f Sigma, Tripod, waterproofing.

Buddies: Onin (climbed Hibok Hibok once 2 years before), Jocy, Duanne, Sherry (all virgins of Hibok-Hibok) and a few hikers we passed at on our way to the crater.

My team previously discussed and decided to trek Mt. Hibok-Hibok the same day, instead of the usual 2 day, camp at the lake overnight then go down the next day itinerary. For one we’re pressed with time and since we thought the weather is good that day, taking pictures at the peak should be awesome  by mid day, our ETA at the peak. Most mountaineers would discourage this itinerary, considered “power” because it entails a faster pace and tiring trek.  Well, we stucked with our gut instincts anyway, taking tips from fellow hikers but sticking to our original plan somehow. Will you not trust these buddies of yours?

Will you not trust these buddies of yours?!

Not the dump truck again! After we ate our breakfast in a carenderia nearby, we rode the service truck (yes it’s a dump truck) towards the jump off site. As far as I can remember  dump truck has been the de facto transport icon for mountaineers. This forum is no exemption. Riding this mule might be fun, but taking photos on the back of this fast moving truck is nuts. The streets going to the jump off site Sitio Villarosa is awesome I wish we slowed down a bit just to gaze at the scenery. I wasn’t able to fire some shots anyway. Was too busy holding to the sidings/railings so I won’t get thrown off balance with the fast moving truck!

Jumping off the jump off site. By 8am we gathered at the jump off site, said our morning prayers and then started the climb. We were just behind the lead pack and glancing at those behind us, I’m pretty sure there will be many more eager to start the trek ahead of us.  The starting line is a typical laid back, coconut tree canopied rural community at a foot of  Mt. Hibok-Hibok. Shooting opportunity? None, as we were bit late from our timeline. I think I got some shots here but reviewing my photos, I accidentally erased it I don’t know when.

Trekking the uphill walk-in-the-park trail. The trail is well built, with trail signs that are really too obvious to miss.  One thing I noticed  the trail is all uphill, not stopping a bit for a downhill rest. So this trek a fun climb? Maybe but I’m sure we’re pretty in for one tiring walk in the park my arse. The lone water refilling station is just a few hundred meters from the jump off. We had our first rest there, and I’m already gasping for air. The continuous uphill climb made this hike difficult, but gave us an excuse to take photos of whatever was within in shooting range of our rest. I wish I had an IS lens, the brief, frequent rest (1-2 minutes) required steady hands, not a gasping and  tired camera totter. In fact is even harder to think about composition while your brain is gasping for oxygen. I was pushing myself to think about compositions during the trek up, but was too tired to even lift a camera at some point. Knowing Onin to be a fast hiker, I was torn between catching up breaths, pace and taking pictures. Along the way I got few photos which I thought I could have improved some more have I not been pre occupied with breathing.

We're not so tired really.

What’s with the crater and mountaineers? I arrived at the crater lake in one piece by the way, sans the numerous breath stops and cursing. This crater lake was the raging fire mouth of this once active  volcano. It is responsible for the tumultuous birth and rebirth of this beautiful island. There’s this eerie feeling walking on this crater lake, knowing that as of late, earthquakes and volcanoes has just spun a wave of destruction in the Pacific ring of fire. Is this volcano not part of this ring???Anyway, we waited for Jocy at the crater, while cooking lunch and exchanging barbs with fellow hikers there. You know what happens whenever mountaineers conglomerate on top of any mountain? Chaotic fun and bottomless jokes. I swear these guys will shame any tv comedian by a mile.

 Kung-Funeering at the crater. After Jocy arrived and we had our lunch, we conked a photo shoot. Since this is a crater, and fire is usually associated with dragons and kung fu, we had  Dragon Ball Z. Near the crater lake is muddy swampy, and tall grasses covered most of this lake. The 360 view is all mountain (what do you expect) and we don’t have much time as we will still summit the peak later.  The main group will be camping here, but me and my buddies will fast trek the summit assault on the other hand. Setting up our photo gears and actors, here’s some of our shots.

Kungfuneering hikers by the crater.

Photography lust at the peak! It is still an hour or two of arduous semi crawl climb to the summit. The rocky trail is treacherously loose and l you can only hold to some root parts enroute up. It was almost past 1 Pm and the sun is painfully hot on top of us. Above all, I have to conquer again my fear of heights if I have to get to the top and get photos. My knees and hands shake whenever I look down the cliff or ravine below us. I has had more difficult summits before and this peak will just be a fun climb to most mountaineers, but personally it was a challenge for me. And I had to get good photos. Had to. I’ve spent days dreaming of this climb!

Our sacrifices paid of. The weather, the rest, the prayers and the early decisions paid off. My gasping and panting for air  paid off. My shaking paid off. And I once again conquered my fear of the heights. Look at these photos.

Peak shots; On top is a photo of the manila group ahead of us. Center middle is the lake view from the peak, the left middle view is the summiteers at a rock peak, right middle is two curious looking peaks left of my view. Bottom photo is a shot of white island as seen from Mt. Hibok-hibok's peak

the early summiteers, enjoying a stunning view and photo-ops on a good weather (center photo credit to Sherry)

Downhill race. I wish we have more time to enjoy the stunning view on top of Mt. Hibok-hibok.  Its almost 3PM and the sun is still up. But rain clouds on the west is threatening a coup on the good weather. There’s still 3 maybe four more hours of traverse downhill trek. The trail some 200 meters down from the peak is almost laden with loose rocks and tall grass. Night trekking this trail is out of my freaking agenda, so we trekked like we were running a marathon. It is said by many mountaineers that downhill trek is far a lot easier and faster than the upward climb. True, but personally i hate the constant thigh muscle breaks and frequent falls as a result of loosing your balance because your forward gravity fall is so strong. Beside, I felt my right ankle hurting. I sprained this ankle  it previous from previously during one badminton game. I still manage to hike down a bit faster. We barely talked to each other during this downhill tre.  We are too tired to do so. Sherry is dragging her legs already and Jocy is catching breathe often with stops. I rarely took photos, partly because the shades really don’t give much illumination and the footholds too loose to hold a tripod platform. It was tall grass all over or canopy everywhere downhill.

It was dark already when we reached Ardent springs on the opposite side of the mountain. We were dead tired. We immediately looked for a carenderia somewhere and ate dinner voraciously! “Cokes pa!!” We were all so happy we all got down safe in one piece. No one really thought we will be accomplishing this feat in one day. Not even me. I was too darn tired to even think about it.

We attempted to take a peek at the ardent spring for another photoshoot but we weren’t allowed to go in even if the event organizers told us, entrance to ardent springs will be free for the forum participants. We didn’t insist also since we might not have time to shoot also. We rented our habal-habal ride home instead. We wanted to freshen up for the post climb gig after. But that is in my next post already!

Related posts:

1. Second Mindanao Mid- Year Forum and Climb @ Mt. Hibok-Hibok
2. Hiker’s Itch adrenaline pumped Bani Falls adventures
3. Hiker’s Itch Climb Preparations for the Outdoor Newbies

Planning the “roadtrip”. I’m itching to go to Camiguin ever since I saw Mt. Hibok-Hibok and  White Island in someone else’s pictures a year ago. There were several instances I’d had to let go of opportunities going there because of my work schedule. While I enjoy hiking and travelling so much,  I’d prioritize work over and above anything else (except my family) anytime. I look at these activities as an outlet and creative diversions whenever I get burned by too much work. Anyhow, when I heard that the second Mindanao mountaineering forum is to be held there, I decided early on I have to go there and explore Camiguin. To make this trip more exciting, I thought of doing also my first ever planned photo-hike. I said planned because this will actually be the first time I’m planning a photoshoot and hike at the same time. My previous hikes where all random shot- hike with photography taking back seat to my climbing adventures. This trip would be different, I said. As usual I know I will be pressed with time, knowing my work goes full throttle just hours before a travel getaway. So I planned ahead, asking friends  who’d go with me (believe me what your buddies can help make your photo hike successful), saving the travel “budget” and of course preparing my humble photography gears. I did a survey on what camera is best for this type of activity and this photo hike will actually be my little experiment.

By 10am, we were safely through the Tacurong-Carmen-Bukidnon route. Riding a bus in this route doesn’t offer much time for shooting  the roadside scenery, but if you’re travelling on your own car, it would be something worth the stops. I preoccupied myself taking portrait photos of my busmates instead, like this baby.

Valencia stop over

Spicy Valencia Bukidnon enroute to Cagayan de Oro. In Valencia, we where met by Jocy and Duanne. After a “halang-halang” lunch at Watins (Php50/person), we travelled all the way to Cagayan in Jocy’s pickup. Since most of us have been to Bukidnon before and we have to catch the last ferry ride to Camiguin, we didn’t stop for any photo-ops all the way to Cagayan De Oro City. I wished though I can get a good landscape photo of Mt. Kitanglad from the roadside, but its covered with rain clouds we didn’t even noticed we passed by it. Another good site I wanted to shoot was the long bridge somewhere between Malaybalay and Manolo Fortich and the Del Monte plantation by the road. Again, time is not on our side so we let it pass for this trip. We stopped for refueling and snacks in Cagayan de Oro. From Cagayan de Oro City it’s another hour to Balingoan port. It’s my first time to pass by that road and its so beautiful I wish I did a little research on landscapes to shoot along the road. I din’t so I wasted another opportune moment. I hate me.

Sleepy Balingoan Port. We were just in time for the last ferry boat for Camiguin. From Balingoan port it will take us about an hour ferry ride to Benoni port of Camiguin. After leaving our pick up safely parked in a private parking area, we got our tickets and spent some time taking photos before we climbed up the ferry boat. It was already late afternoon when we got there thus some of my photos are underexposed. The port however is a nice dramatic place to shoot for  people and people activities. It was a saver I brought my LX5 that surprisingly got some well lighted photos and wide angle shots that’s too cumbersome to compose on my SLR.

Balingoan and Benoni Ports on our way to Camiguin

Not surprisingly, the ferry boat is teeming with hikers from all over Philippines. Since its inception two years ago, the Mindanao Mountaineers Forum attracted more and more hikers not only Mindanaons alone but hikers from all over Philippines. I saw some familiar faces, exchanging warm greetings and barbs with a few of them. Then I shifted my focus on shooting ferry passengers on a sunset backdrop. Admit-tingly, this posed so much technical challenge on me. I just let my shutter click with every shot I could think of.  Bahala na!

Idyllic dusk at Benoni and glancing Mambajao.  was dusk when we arrived at Benoni port, but I still took some photos just to test how far under lighting could ruin beautiful landscapes . Some photos were dramatic, others totally wasted. Nonetheless, I still couldn’t figure out if it was my cam or the fast travel time or the under lighting that was the greatest factor. I took shots anyway knowing it may take some time before I can go back to this place! From Benoni port we rode a tryke to Duanne’s relative place and left a few luggage there. From there we headed to Mambajao and ate dinner in a carenderia near the market. We headed straight after eating to the forum site, Brgy. Himbing. Travel by tryke was some 40 minutes and by the time we arrive at the site, I barely can move my backpack. We immediately looked for a place to stay overnight and found a room for the five of us. We decided not to pitch our tents since we’d just be staying here for a short night and start the hike early the nest day.

After freshening up, we took a peek at the crowd inside the covered court. They’re all up for the pre climb night cap.  I was too tired  however so I went ahead and slept ahead of my buddies. Tomorrow, I will need all my energy for a first time photo-climb at Mt. Hibok-Hibok.

What I wished I have during this travel:

1. More time to shoot landscapes instead of chasing the last ferry trip for Camiguin.
2. Off road pickup?I could have allocated more time on shooting rather than waiting for bus stops and what have the driver got into. Expensive though.
3. A good medium telephoto and wide angled lenses.And time for changing lenses while the bus is moving!

The baby

Mambajao marker picture taken using my phone's cam. Too tired to get my cam off my backpack.

Related posts:

1. Road Trip to Tinago Falls!
2. We’re having a road trip! And I’m taking a blogging break!
3. Agong House in photo jest! An artistic nosebleed for me.

Sir Joy, DSLR user ever since..

As one climb-shootfest I’m planning draws near, I’m already having dilemmas on what gears  to bring. On top of this dilemma is of course, what camera will I bring? A DSLR?Point and shoot? Cam phone? Or any two or more of these? Will it be enough?

Don’t get me wrong! I have a good idea of the risks and capabilities of these cameras when brought outdoors.  But I’d like to get more “lucky” shots by switching cam types for this hike. Lately, I’ve been fond of bringing my bulky DSLR around for some random shots while on a fun trek. While I get some decent shots, I really need to develop a skill for getting consistent shots, not some random “lucky” captures. Moreover, climbs in itself are not that photographer friendly unless you’d slow your pace down to get shots you wanted. Weight and durability of a camera  is another factor, since bringing in big body camera adds weight and poses risks to your security (if you get what I mean) while climbing. Thats why I’m having this anxiety for my next climb-shoot.

I love the outdoors. And so is photography. If I can capture these moments with consistency, to my liking, I’m willing to expose myself (and camera if ever),  to risks. You can help me decide, by answering a short poll here, or answering this question and justifying it shortly here in the comment section of this post.

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

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2. Another Opportunity for Travel Bloggers, Byahe Na!