as the sun comes down

Days seem to fly so fast. Today is the last day of first quarter of the year. I'm contemplating of what happened in the last three months... In terms of work, I've put in extra effort in submitting early all requirements assigned to me. Social life, well, i've met with my high school and college friends whom I've not seen for so many years and renewed vows to keep in touch, i had the opportunity to visit a new place, Anawangin,Zambales and had met new acquaintances whom became my extended network in my multiply blog - Oneplanet1Pipol. They all are interesting people :) Lastly, I've enrolled in advance photography workshop in FPPF to hone my skills. The class started just last Sunday.

The question is, have I been productive?...I guess so! I think I've made some worthy deeds. I don't remember hurting anyone for that matter. I felt good and of course happy!

night shoot at the Baywalk

I was invited by Rosahlee(a.k.a. Dads), a fellow OCMI member, to join a night shoot at the baywalk, Roxas Boulevard, last Saturday, March 17. Dads just finished her digital photography workshop at the FPPF. Their instructor, Mr. Ador Pamintuan, who’s also my instructor in basic photography workshop, invited their class to a night shoot at the baywalk but only Dads and Faith were able to make it from their class. Sir Ador is very patient in dealing with us. Inspite of being an accomplished photographer, he unselfishly taught us the "hows" and some tricks how to better shoot at night. This illuminating and floating casino while taking the right exposure of building at the background is one of those amazing tricks.

I’m looking forward to my advance photography class this Sunday at the FPPF!

weekend getaway at Anawangin cove Zambales

I’ve spent a fun-filled weekend (March3-4) in Anawangin Zambales with members of OCMI and guests. ‘Twas actually a post Valentine activity organized by two vivacious members of OCMI, Marge and Mellany. Aptly titled “Dumped and Dumpees part2” Are you single and ready to mingle?. Marge and Mellany, who both conceptualized this activity, were successful in match making during the first launch. The living sample eventually led to union of one OCMI member, Nonon and Mylene, whom have no affiliation whatsoever in any of the outdoor club but simply single and ready to mingle.

A pre-activity was set in Starbucks, Makati a week before the date. Participants were interviewed by Marge (aka ”Chilli” )and Mellany (aka “Pepper” ) not for the purpose of selecting just the good-looking ones but basically to get to know them. Marge and Mellany are by the way graduates of Psychology so they have ways of scrutinizing who are ex-con or madcap (hehe!)

Mar3,Saturday. The group met at Victory Liner bus terminal in Caloocan City. I was the first one to arrived because of my proximity in the area. Others started to arrive a few minutes after. We waited for Ava until 10:30 who came from her rowing practice. After which we bought ticket (cost: less than Php300) at the counter going to San Antonio, Zambales.

The province of Zambales is located at the Western part of Luzon. The trip takes about 4 hours from Manila. From barangay Pundaquit San Antonio, we rented a tricycle going to “Aling Nora’s” resort which took us about 20mins. The village’s beautiful beach is exceptionally located behind a mountain and facing the horizon of the setting sun. In front of it is Capones Island. We didn’t stay in the resort but in another island known as Anawangin. We rented bancas (boat) prearranged by Abet for overnight stay in the island. The boat ride was shorter, less than half an hour.

After reaching the island, everyone started pitching tents while others prepared the cooking area. There were already guests who came in early when we arrived. Weekend visitors just like us. The island was serene. It’s a perfect weekend getaway for those who would want to escape the hustling and bustling life of the city.

The beach was calm and the water was inviting. Mellany, Ava, Marge and I took a dip in the water. Refreshing indeed!


We had grilled fish, grilled pork and mixed vegetables for dinner. I ‘m sure everyone enjoyed the sumptuous dinner we had. Of course the night will not be complete without games (i.e. find the “G” spot (the guy while blind folded, has to search with his mouth for pieces of wrapped chocolates fastened to body parts of the lady partner) a relay with a twist (partner take turns in blowing “latex”) wherein Jason, one of the participants, and I won. It was fun!

As the night falls, a more serious topic started to come out. What would be a serious topic in a serene and isolated place, with candles lit and a tequila on the side? LOVE it is! While everyone was busy giving their pieces or their two scents worth, I was busy taking photos of them. Not that I’m trying to find a way to excuse myself but I just can’t pass the opportunity not to shoot that moment. It seems that most of the girl participants find “bitterness“ in their past or existing relationship while the guys needed “space” to make the relationship works.

I’m no expert in this field but let me share what I read: A relationship is a process of first discovering the beauty in the other person. It has to start with encouragement. It has to start with the quality of not thinking solely about yourself, but thinking about the other person. It has to start with being considerate of the other person. It has to start in the condition of creating an atmosphere of comfort and safety and ease with each other, and trust for one another. You have to unite all of these ingredients in order to make the process work…

I would love to return to Anawangin another time. It just seemed that there was much more to see in Anawangin. I wondered what lied within the evergreen forest and beyond. Existing and new acquaintances made this weekend’s enjoyable and relaxing. Thanks to the company of Magnanimous Marge, Mellany Mahinhin aka Maniac, Tame Thornz, Motherly Mitch, Acrobatic Abet, Richard Rocks,Charming Cloyd, Bolerong Bryan,Terrific Tin ,Gorgeous Gaile, Cute Chaiz, Pol Polite, Gullible Garnet, Joyful Jason, Exciting Eric, Special Sheldon with EGG, and Attentive Aries. I coined myself as juicy juvs…I ran out of an adjective to describe myself walang kokontra. Hehe!

Above pictures courtesy of Jason. To view more of my pictures, please click on photo gallery: Anawangin Zambales