Im so back on shooting! After the eventful little vacation from Maricaban Island,  I was thinking on what to shoot as a part of my weekly photo challenge, I was listening to EWF ( earth wind and fire ) band, and  thought of having earth wind and fire as my concept, Luckily my ever so reliable sistah Paula  was available to play with me, we called the sweet Aiza  and asked her if she can join the ramblings, It was fun working with theses two fab ladies!

I just can't help but to take some nice portraits too..

Happy weekend!

Having my late holiday time off, I decided to visit an Island - so happened that one of my friends Aunt lives there so that took care of my stay.  Left Quezon City around 8am, so excited to reach the island by bus and by boat. Originally Paula and Cassie supposed to join me,  if you are an avid follower of my blog you know they're my two best friends,they were not able to make it so I traveled solo and expecting that in two days the rest of the gang ( peter's wolf pack) will arrive.

I'm a back packer when I do travel solo, As much as possible I'll save on everything, The first plan was to go to Davao, but I was charmed upon doing some research about the run about of this island, I was expecting nothing luxurious - more back to basic, more humble and simple, I wanted to travel light so I didn't bring my DSLR camera - also helped me to do something else instead of fiddling on it all day ( believe me I wont stop fiddling ) so all the photos below were taken from camera phone.


Maribacan Island

The town was quaint, OLD- rustic

Auntie Feli the owner of the house I stayed at.

the kubo ( hut ) where I spent more of my time.

this is how they rock the kitchen!

From Auntie Feli's house - had to walk 15 minutes at the rice field to reach the beach.

The beach!

nothing much to do the day after ( that's the idea ) so I roamed the island and yes - pics pics pics!

Worst part of walking in the woods was stepping on one these thorn shrubs-ouch!

The creepiness of me- sadako inspired pose.

This is how we rock the shower!

Finally after waiting, roaming and having fun in the island,  Company arrived! :)

Yes- they're all crazy!

Camp out night!

After the partying the night before, geared with our hang-over, we hiked Mt. Mag-asawang Bato for more than an hour.

Vena on top of the world! saying - this is amazing!

Going back was more challenging and tiring!

After the exhausting and tiring hike, we went back to the house and had our lunch- thanks to Aunt Feli who prepared it for us, had couple of rest then head back to the beach!

Heading back to Quezon city we dropped by at a local resto, just so happened there's a videoke - it was indeed an amazing time spent in that Island!

And to complete the trip, we got a local beef bone marrow soup which the province is famed about.  I was really great communing with nature with a little party on the side! Facing a brand new shiny 2014!

To view more photos check the slideshow below.

How to get to Maribacan island ( tingloy)

Ride a bus "  Jam Liner bus" bound to Batangas Pier . We asked the bus conductor to drop us off at Diversion Road. We paid less than PHP 165 00 each for the ride.  Ride a Jeepster " Mabini " sign and ask to be dropped of at Anilao port, from there ride a motorized boat to tingloy port 70php , and you can ride tricycle going to Masasa beach 60php .

It's been awhile since I did self portraits, and as part of my " shoot as much " project ...  I turned the camera on me and I might do more of get  a chance as a part of my art photography  , I  had to leash Aalee while doing it - he's such a ferocious photo-bomber!  I didn't really have a solid concept , and some of the photos were not exactly the way I planned it to be, but that's why I'm doing this project - shutter speed,ISO, aperture are not the end  of the story I wanted to practice my mind on creating images , and yes I had allot of fun doing it! As I enter 2014, I'm arming myself with a list of goals, some are still hanging and needed to put together, I'll post those goals maybe on a separate blog. For now these are the images came out right inside my place.

Late last year, I had some images I showcased based on my perception as an artist, I  love shooting engagement sessions , weddings and portraits, I was lucky enough to experience all those last year, but starting this year I promised myself to shoot as much as I can to hone my creative juice, so it's like 350 project ( take photos everyday for 365 days ) only difference is- I don't require to shoot everyday just " as much as possible". Pao La and I talked about it and she said it was a great idea! so have a little breaker from e-sessions and wedding photography, it's more on personal category of my photography. Today I took this photo inspired by a film still of David Wojnarowicz .


"Art photography": "Photography that is done as a fine art -- that is, done to express the artist's perceptions and emotions and to share them with other. - WIKIPEDIA

Happy weekend!

Wow…I don’t even know how to begin this post. Where should I begin? I feel like I’m trying to write something prolific in my best friend’s high school yearbook…so much to say, yet finding the right words is nearly impossible.

2013 has been a year of memories. Some good, some bad, most absolutely fabulous. I think back to the person I was this time last year and I want cry. No, literally, I want to cry. Had I known what God had in store for me, perhaps I wouldn’t have been so worried, so consumed with learning everything and leaving no photography book unread. I’ve been so incredibly blessed and I owe everything to those amazing people who believed in me, for without whom my dream catching would be impossible.

August last year when I first published my weblog live, all from the scratch,had some great reviews on my articles and was able to connect with different people, shared heaps of things about what I do outside from the shooting realm, went shooting with some fabolous people,family ,friends, e-sessions and Weddings. Met cool people , wedding suppliers and co-photographers, 2013 was a big leap of faith, a swirl of learning curve, and lots of cupcakes to eat.

Now 2014 is winking at me, excited about the things in store and brewing-workshops, second shooting and more!

new year"s resolution:
*Take more naps
*More walks for Aalee
*gain weight
*take more naps
*try to stop giving evil eye
*take more naps

Happy 2014 to everyone!