Picture Feature(d): To Dive For

For the second time. My photo was included in the cover story of SEAIR InFlight Magazine’s October - November 2009 issue along side with the other notable photographers like Ken Go, Ferdz Decena, Oggie Ramos, Dane Soriano and Roberto S. Francisco. The story is all about diving in Boracay Island. So, pack up, head to Boracay Island and dive.

The Little Jewels of Vigan City: The Minute Facts

No. I won’t be the 10,000^th, or the 20,000^th, or the 30,000^th or so tourist who will enthusiastically rave or shout out his tour of Vigan City, particularly the Nema Crisologo Street (also dubbed as the Mestizo District) and branded as Vigan Heritage Village by the UNESCO in December, 1999 because of its Spanish colonial past.

Nema Crisologo Street, Vigan City, Ilocos Sur

I don’t want this blog entry to be among the countless write-ups or stories that was been written or has been published in print or online about Vigan per se. The objective of this blog entry is to share some of Vigan City’s minute facts that I’ve found profoundly interesting to my liking during a dispatch.

So, come and join me in a series of blog entries in the coming days as I share some of the not-so-talked-about historical details of Vigan City entitled “Little Jewels of Vigan City”.

Well, to spice things up and to stir around some curiosity, here’s an introductory trivia. The name Vigan was derived from a giant taro plant "biga" that grew along the riverbanks of Mestizo River and it was Juan de Salcedo, a Spanish conquistador during the Spanish conquest in the 16^th century in the Ilocos region, who derived the name Vigan.

Until then...

33

"And for a moment I lose myself
Wrapped up in the pleasures of the world
I've journeyed here and there and back again
But in the same old haunts I still find my friends
Mysteries not ready to reveal
Sympathies I'm ready to return"

- Excerpt from the lyrics of the Smashing Pumpkins' Thirty three

Biologically, I turned thirty three yesterday. Thanks be to God for I'm still alive and kicking. Hope and pray for the next thirty three years in my life... If God wills.

Photo caption: Self Portrait. Taken at Arce Mansion, Vigan, Ilocos Sur

Gastronomic Journey: Folk Food at Balaw Balaw

I Love food. Period. There’s no doubt about that. That’s why everytime I bumped into a friend or someone I knew, they’ll ask me either the 2 questions: How long I’ve been pregnant? or When’s my pregnancy be due? Anyway, this blog entry is not all about Dr. Phil on the issue of obesity at Oprah. It’s about my trip months ago.

In every trip I’ve been in the Philippines, there is always unique or interesting sets of dishes a town or a province has to offer — that my taste buds always looking forward too . This is where Balaw Balaw Specialty Restaurant and Art Gallery in Angono, Rizal is known for.

The restaurant’s name derived from a sauce called Balaw balaw — fermented shrimp paste mixed with rice gruel and angkak, an herb with a reddish coloring.

Balaw Balaw Specialty Restaurant facade with Ces Rodriguez on the scene

But before Balaw Balaw Specialty Restaurant became what it is now, it was conceived first as an art gallery by the late sculptor and painter Perdigon Vocalan. Now, both the restaurant and the art gallery is managed by Vocalan’s wife, Luzvimin.

Paper mache masks

Ces Rodriguez with Mrs. Luzvimin Vocalan

Below are excerpts from SEAIR InFlight Magazine February – March 2009 Issue written by Ces Rodriguez:

“First celebrated for serving exotic food and as a showcase for the late artist Perdigon Vocalan’s canvases and sculpture, Balaw Balaw has evolved into a restaurant that serves “folk food” together with its “folk art”. Among the favorites in its menu are Minaluto, a one-dish meal consisting of steamed rice, mussels, prawns, crabs, kangkong or water spinach, fried pork and salted red eggs (PhP235 serves one, PhP900 serves 4-5)…”

Minaluto, one of Balaw Balaw Specialy Restaurant's signature dish

Manila sea catfish in sour broth

“and the appetizer balaw-balaw, made from small shrimps mixed with gruel and “angkak,” a herb that gives it its reddish hue…”

Leche flan topped with kaong and pinipig

“As a nod to its exotic past, there are still items on the menu for the adventurous including “hantik” or ants (P280), “kamaro” or crickets (P280) and “sinabawang balut” or unhatched duck eggs in broth (P205).”

For me, Balaw Balaw Specialty Restaurant is a colorful palette of exotic and non exotic dishes both for the adventurous and the non adventurous. The restaurant is part of the town’s long standing reputation in the art culture and of the province’s rich cultural heritage. A must-try when in Angono, Rizal.

Contact details
Balaw Balaw Specialty Restaurant and Art Gallery
No. 16, Don Justo Street, Dona Justa Village, Angono, Rizal, Philippines
Tel. No.: +632 651 0110

I Have Eyes For Mature Ladies

This lady got my attention among the flock out there one sunny day. She has toned curves. Standing with confidence and sophistication. Dress for a kill. Until her man came in, took her and runaway. She stopped my world from turning for a moment. And that is the 1965 - 66 Ford Mustang GT.

I don’t breathe, eat or sleep cars. But I do have a “distinct” and “sheer” type of an attraction with muscle cars, particularly the Mustang GTs – whether be a Shelby or a Ford make.

Muscle cars per se has its character that a newer model lacks of especially in physical attributes. I like mine with a bit of a “rebel” attitude and will go down and dirty but still manage to keep her stature and not the “in-your-face” type one. Though, I like some of the new models out there. They are built for ease, functionality, space, safety and even speed to suit our particular needs in this time. But it’s not unfair as well to compare both of them side by side since they’re both from different periods of time. Each has its weakness and strong points on a given situation.

I say, it boils down to a matter of personal preference or need in a given situation.

Sorry, young ladies. I didn’t mean to hurt you.

Picture Feature(d): Romblon: In Search of the Perfect Beach

Once again, three of my personal photos (namely Punta Corazon, Cobrador Island and Talipasak Beach Marine Sunctuary) was included in the cover story of SEAIR InFlight Magazine’s August – September issue (see layouts here) along side with the other notable photographers like Erik Liongoren, Parc Cruz, George Tapan and Harvey Tapan.

Read the full article of “Romblon: In Search Of The Perfect Beach” by Cris Yabes; Additional reporting by the InFlight research team at: www.foreigntraveler.multiply.com/journal

Picture Feature(d): Boracay: Island In A Capsule

Aside from the DESIGN AND LAYOUT of the cover and the inside pages of SEAIR InFlight Magazine, I was fortunate enough that my personal shot of Boracay sunset was been chosen as the opening photo for the subsection Ins&Outs (see layout below), a compact travel guide / directory, together with the other notable photographers like Mike Alcid, Roberto Francisco and Daniel Soriano for the August and September issue.


Read the full article of “Boracay: Island in a capsule" by Lei Chavez at: www.foreigntraveler.multiply.com/journal

Page design and layout by: Jocas A. See

SEAIR InFlight August – September

Excerpt from the note of SEAIR InFlight Editor:

“So what are you doing towards the end of the year? August, September and October are good months to travel in the Philippines, with good rates available for those who look.

Romblon, a grab-bag of islands known for its marble – the kind that adorns the floor and altars of most Philippine churches – and unspoiled sandy beaches, comes high on my holiday list.

I travelled to Romblon some years back and have fond memories of Looc Bay marine sanctuary, the sparkling clear waters of the deserted beach at Cresta de Gallo, the non-stop feasts laid out for us by local folks, and the general warmth and generosity of the people.

Traveling to Romblon is no longer as tedious as it was years back when I went, but there is still some trekking and roughing out to do – as our InFlight editorial team discovered. (See cover story on pages 42 to 55). From Cobrador, they trekked two kilometers in alternating sun and rain lugging cameras, laptops, and bags.

All that effort was rewarded when they caught sight of a secluded sandy beach sparkling in the sun. And as luck would have it, there was a thatched cottage by the beach that opened its doors for them to stay the night and discover a freebie patch of paradise. It’s not a five-star bling resort; there was no electricity, no fancy food, no touristy crowd, just a lovely beach, warm, invigorating sea, and fresh air.

If that’s not enough, we’ve gathered a list of some of Romblon’s most beautiful beaches – beaches that rival Boracay, but without the crowds (See sidebar on page 56). “

Credits:
Cover concept by: SEAIR InFlight
Photo by: Erik Liongoren;
Art direction by: Jocas A. See;
Fashion styling by: Janet dela Fuente;
Makeup by: Rocky Orejola;
Modeling by: Cianne Xavier Simoes for IM Agency;
Location: San Pedro Beach Resort, Talipasak Beach, Romblon Island

Coverstory inside photos by: PARC Cruz and Jocas A. See

Cover design by: Jocas A. See

Anne

“It is one thing to photograph people. It is another to make others care about them by revealing the core of their humanness.” - Paul Strand (1890-1976), American Photographer

Lust

God knows what I crave
For that I won't be save

Satan like what I desire
For that I won't deny

Poem by the author

Baguio: Revisited

The first time I was in Baguio was a company-sponsored trip back in 1998. I was so excited, mainly because I will be travelling 270km away from Manila through Kennon Road then. Second, it's going to be a memorable one for sure since I was with my closest officemates. Third, Baguio was one of the must-visit destination, long before the island of Boracay.

When we were there, we rented a transient house for 4 days and 3 nights. Then, we went to the usual tourist's destinations of Baguio -- Burnham Park, Mines View, Philippine Military Academy, hike up the 252 steps to the Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto, bought some souvenirs at Good Shepperd Convent and even went to the Strawberry farm in La Trinindad, Benguet. It was a fun-filled experience I have shared with my former officemates. And that was Baguio in 1998.

Fast forward to 2009, while I was in the office doing my usual mundane office routine, a news suddenly burst out in the air that we will be having a flight to Baguio this coming September. As I've heard that news, a spark suddenly lit up my eyes like a boy who can't wait to open his birthday gift present. My memories of Baguio came back like hundreds of arrows from my deep memory bank fired up to the sky down in front of me — I was so excited.

Days later, I was in Baguio.

I'll be posting my 2009 Baguio experiences one by one after this post. For now, have a wonderful day ahead.

Photo: Misty Baguio. A view of Veterans Memorial Park along Harrison Road

SEAIR InFlight June – July

Excerpt from the note of SEAIR InFlight Editor:

"Experienced angler Tony Barrios hadn’t been able to make it on the flight out to Batanes for our fishing cover story. But another angler, Gordon Uy, was willing to help. Our writer wasn’t able to make it either and recommended Chip Childers, who comes from a family of anglers.

...Chip wasn’t able to catch a fish. The weather was not good, fierce waves rocked the boat, photographer Ferdz Decena was seasick and threw up. And then there was an accident at sea, when the fishing boat the editorial group was renting broke its propeller.

When I finally got the story and the photos, it was with a sigh of relief.

When you go out at sea to fish, you put yourself in the hands of the elements, and learn to respect and enjoy it. As one fisherman once said: “Fishing is like lovin. You have to take it slow.”

Cover design by Jocas A. See, Photo by Ferdz Decena

Déjà vu

Days ago I was thinking of a new blog — more of a creative outlet of my not-so-new hobby which is digital photography — so, I made anew to have a different feel and perspective. As I tinker the dashboard page down to its Widgets, I’m thinking of copying my profile’s description from my “other” blog. And when the browser opened my supposed "other" blog, and to my amaze, it said: Blog not found… Wow!

I held that blog for 2 years. The entries was so personal and I have a new list of topics I was planning to post on it soon. But come to think of it, it has a reason why it was suddenly erased.

So, to make my mourning cut short for the lost of my old blog, I welcome you to Rain Walk — my new blog.