SOMETHING NEW: PART II

II.

Black Saturday

(On the road; 4 AM)

We left Manila at 4 AM and arrived at Nueva Ecija 2-3 hours later. Again, I sat at the passenger seat and took as many photography-worthy pictures of the road as I can (I also took a bunch of obligatory 'looking out the window' photos for a sort of dramatic effect or for a cover art for an 8tracks indie + chill + roadtrip playlist)

Our main destination that day was Minalungao but we did a stopover at my cousins' house. We had breakfast then left a few minutes later.

There are two things that you should know about Minalungao: the crowd and beauty of the river and limestone walls. 

We arrived at 8 AM and we had to park our car 100 meters away from the main site because it was already filled with cars and tricycles and, of course, people. If you don't believe me, here's a picture of how the place looked like when we arrived:

Then by 12 noon, it looked like this:

I wasn't exaggerating when I said that the place was crowded. I can just imagine those who owned the cars in the picture above having a hard time leaving the place. The heat that time was also insane. While some of my family members roamed around and traveled to the other side of the river, I willingly stayed in our cottage with fear of getting severely sunburned. Also, I wasn't able to bring slippers so I didn't want to make my shoes filled with sand either.

But because I wanted to do some photography mojo, I went outside and took some photos of the river and the limestone walls.

After lunch, my family left and my dad and I stayed in the cottage. I read some Archie comics and ate watermelon to pass the time.

We left at 2 PM and here is the continuation of my road pictures.

PHEW! And there we have it. Again, I need practice with photography and editing. I want to shoot portraits so if anyone's willing to be my model, contact me through any of the links in my 'connect' page. I will reward you with love and food.

SOMETHING NEW: PART I

Let me spoil the title at this part of the entry. The thing that's new in my life right now is the presence of the object that I have always desired: a dslr camera. A few days ago, I purchased a Canon EOS 700D and have been using it for the two roadtrips that I shall talk about in two parts. Of course, I have pictures (which I have already uploaded, but only a few of them, on flickr)

I.

Maundy Thursday

(I had the privilege of seating in the passenger seat and the liberty to take random pictures of the road or anything that caught my eye. I guess I can call it a photo drive (as opposed to photo walk)?)

We went to Regina Rica again because, like I said in one of my previous posts, it was a nice place for spiritual enlightenment. Because it was holy week, the place was crowded and there was a long queue of cars and people entering the place that caused traffic. Regina Rica opens at 8 AM so if any of your are planning to go there next year for holy week, you have the be there before 8. The traffic will drive you mad, I tell you. They have a website that can satisfy your thirst for answers regarding the place.

Later in the day, we visited a church in Morong. That was the time my camera battery ran out of charge so I was only able to take a few pictures.

The heat that day was ridiculous to the point where our car overheated and it was just so hard to walk because the ground was so hot. 

Second part will be uploaded soon :)

BATANGAS? BATANGAS.

Last Sunday (June 9, 2013), me, my family, and some of my aunt's friends went to Laiya, Batangas to have a summer extension. I always insisted that we go to the beach this summer since we haven't gone to one since I was twelve or thirteen and I missed the feel of the fine sand under my feet and the soft crash of the waves against my body, so we did.

I do want to apologize though because the quality of the pictures aren't that great since I only used my aunt's iPad. But I hope they still look great nonetheless.

(from L to R: my aunt's friend, my aunt, and my mom; on the way to Laiya)

(a funny picture with my mom haha!)

(the hut where we stayed in)

(my aunt's friend's baby, Wilona, who has super cute cheeks)

(It was the time of the day where the tide was low and a sand bar emerged)

(from L to R: my uncle, my twenty-year old cousin, and my sixteen-year old cousin)

(I had to do a jump shot. I'm sorry)

(I am in love with this picture, especially after I added a curves layer)

(tired souls)

 

Generally, it was a fun-filled day and I enjoyed being at the beach once again after a long time. I wish I could do it again next summer ;)