Digital Photographer Philippines 7th Anniversary

I bought my first ever DSLR camera last April 9th. This is the camera that I really wanna have for a very long time. What I really wanted is a Nikon camera but then I settled for Canon since I wanna have it before our trip to Calaguas.

a.k.a. T3 Rebel

I have seen this post from Canon Digital Camera's timeline last May 2nd. Since I am just a beginner, joining a photography class is on my list.

Canon's Timeline Post

I asked my friend Shara to join with me and she said yes. ^^ We then planned to go early in the morning right after my work.

1 day before the event, I noticed that the photoskwela is just within the schedule of DPP's 7th Anniversary. Wth is DPP? I liked the page and here's what I have found.

DPP Magazine's Timeline Post

May 4th. I wasn't able to go to work early so my time-out should be at 9:00 am. But I filed an undertime because of this event. I went straight to Shara's place right after our supervisor's pakain.

We were able to go to the event before 10:00 am. As expected, there are lots of photo enthusiasts who registered and joined the event. We filled-up the registration form and lined-up for our DPP7's ID and have my first shot.

My ID

F na F

Photoskwela was left behind because of the booth stamps that we should complete for the raffle passport. We lined-up under the scorching heat to complete the 20 stamps.

Fully accomplished raffle passport. Yay! ^^

We liked a lot of facebook pages and got some freebies. Thanks to Henry's Professional for the Pod Bag that I've won plus the camera cleaning kit. ^^

The gift pack from Henry's :)

We really enjoyed the event and took a lot of pictures.

Meowth

Shara & I

I AM NIKON booth

Haizt! I wanna finish the event but sad to say, I still have my weekend work. We went home by 5:00 pm and hoping that my name won't be called in the major raffle because I will regret it forever. Lol!

Freebies!! ^^

Thanks DPP7 for this awesome event plus the freebies that we've got. I will surely join the event next year if my schedule will permit me.

2013 Summer Getaway: Exploring Calaguas

I never thought that Mahabang Buhangin existed until I saw a picture post from one of my officemates (Pipoy) who visited the place last summer. From that day, I promised myself that I'll visit it whenever I get the chance.

Calaguas view from Pipoy's post

Thanksgiving 2012. The long awaited thanksgiving holiday is nearly coming. My friend Anne and I planned for a thanksgiving trip. I suggested to visit Calaguas and we'll be having a thanksgiving getaway whatever happens.

I surfed the net to check for tour packages since I thought that a DIY trip would really cost a lot for a small group. Luckily, I found a 3d2n package for 3500php. I inquired immediately and I was informed that the tour will be possible for 10 pax. I asked my friends and officemates to join with us. Unfortunately due to the high volume of files that we have during that time, visiting the place with them is not possible. Sigh.. :( We then postponed our Calaguas trip and changed it to Ilocos trip. I informed Anne that we'll still visit that place on our birthday.

Summer 2013. I checked again for Calaguas blogs to have some tips on how to do a DIY trip. Again, I thought that it will cost a lot since we're only two (who are very willing!). I then searched for tour packages and inquired again. Before we avail the package, I asked my friends to come with us hoping that they can join us this time. A friend said yes with her husband. Yay! But we didn't avail the package since we won't make the April 12 due date. My friend told me that she also invited her friends to come with us and so our classmates and they haven't confirmed yet.

1 week before the trip, most of the invitees confirmed and we're now 10. Yay! We are also joined by the other group to share with the boat fees.. and we're a total of 17. We contacted a lot of 'bangkeros' and haggled for a lower price. We finally settled with Mang Boy as per 'Lakwatero's' blog referral. The boat fee costs 7k.

April 26. Since I came from work, I decided to meet up with Anne and her boyfriend in Alabang. Even though we're late, we still ate in Jollibee Junction by 7pm so that we'll just sleep during our travel. After that, we decided to ride a cab but we didn't find a metered taxi. Since we're late, we then decided to ride the 'fixed 600php taxi' with an additional 50php for the express toll fee. My gosh! Thank God we're full and we didn't get mad with the taxi driver for the over priced ride and heavy traffic in express way (yes, manong driver preferred this over the sky way). OMG again..

8:15 pm. We arrived just in time in DLTB Pasay terminal. My friend already called to inform me where they are and we luckily have reserved seats. ^^

April 27. We arrived in Talobatib by 5am (8-9 hours drive) and ride a tricycle (300php) to Paracale port. We divided the group into two (5/tryk). Since we're so excited about our trip, we didn't talked about where to meet up. Our tryk went straight to the port while the others went to 'palengke'. I have met Mang Boy and went to their house to check the things we're gonna to bring. Yes, we borrowed the water container, two coolers, kaldero, kawali, sandok, ihawan & pugon. We went to palengke after and bought some food and bananas! ^^

7:35 am. Off to Calaguas! :) I didn't get the chance to take some pictures while we're on the boat since I have kept my point and shoot cam inside the bag which was placed under the boat storage. But thanks to Shara, her husband managed to take some pictures.

The water is calm and I still managed to text.. ^^

9:00 am. Mahabang Buhangin, Calaguas. The place is so beautiful.. the water is crystal clear.

Calaguas view from Shara's cam

We settled ourselves to camp on the left side of the beach and paid 150php (entrance & brgy. fees + unlimited tubig sa poso & use of the CR). I forgot! It also includes the 'mountain climbing' fee. We also rented for a cottage worth 350php. We then set up our tents, prepare our food and explore the beach.

Our camp site

Left part of Mahabang Buhangin

How can I miss to pose in this picturesque view?

Mahabang Buhangin view ^^

Other side of Calaguas

After exploring the beach, we went back to the cottage and talked to Mang Boy 'our bangkero'. He shared a lot of things about Calaguas and so his life.

Mang Boy

We planned to trek to the hilltop after our chat with Mang Boy. However, some of our travel buddies went to the plat form so we're only 6 hopefuls who went on top. Trekking is about 10-15 min. only. Entrance fee is 20php but as I have mentioned earlier, it's free for us. ^^

Hill top view of Calaguas

Travel buddies :)

Thanks to the tripod

We went down after our 'photoshoot' to check-out the sunset. Unfortunately, it's a bit cloudy on the left side of the beach hence I wasn't able to have the best sunset shot. We even went to the rocky side of the beach despite the waves and sharp rocks but I still didn't get the best shot that I really wanted. -_-

My sunset shot

Jet RLY's shot (travel buddies who went to the plat form)

Dinner. Since we decided to have a DIY trip, we are the one to cook food for our dinner. Sorry guys, cooking is not my forte.

Lakwatsero y Lakwatsera (thanks again to the tripod)

Shot time. What is an island getaway without drinking alcoholic drinks? Thanks to the full moon for keeping our 'uwak' moments. Haha!

April 28. Good morning Calaguas!! ^^ We explored the beach again after our breakfast.

Breath taking view

My travel pose ^^

The other group who joined us with the boat fees went back to Paracale early in the morning to surf in Bagasbas. Since we are first timers in Calaguas, we decided to stay and enjoy the water.

Water jump shot :)

We really enjoyed the water and the view since most of the travelers packed up early. We stayed on the beach 'til past 2pm.

Break camp

We packed-up our things and clear the cottage/camp site (pls. follow the leave no trace policy). It's time to bid goodbye..

Happy campers :)

Good bye Calaguas. I'll be back for sure..

Our 1 1/2 hrs. travel time (Paracale Port-Mahabang Buhangin) became 2 hours (Mahabang Buhangin-Paracale Port) due to the big waves. According to Mang Boy, it's just normal. Normal? I really panicked 'coz I dunno how to swim.

We went straight to Mang Boy's house to wash our feet and charge my phone for 10 min. My phone is dead bat I didn't manage to take some pics for my instagram. We rented two tricycles for our group to Superlines terminal but we failed. There are only 4 seats available for the a/c 7pm trip. We then decided to ride the van to Daet.

DLTB Daet Terminal. Thank you for the crew who kept our things inside the booth. We went out for our dinner plus pasalubong time.

9:00 pm. We're ready to go home. We slept straight during our travel. Voila! We're already in Alabang. That ends our summer escapade.

Our Itinerary for 2D1N stay

Day 0 (April 26)
8:15 PM - EDT Daet (DLTB Pasay Terminal)Day 1 (April 27)
5:00 AM - ETA Talobatib Junction
6:00 AM - Paracale Port/Market (breakfast/buy foods)
7:35 AM - EDT for Calaguas Island
9:00 AM - ETA Calaguas Island/set camp explore
12:00 NN - Lunch
1:00 PM - Siesta/swimming/explore/picture happy campers
6:00 PM - Dinner
7:00 PM - Socials
10:00 PM - Lights out

Day 2 (April 28)
6:00 AM - Wake up call
7:00 AM - Breakfast/swimming/explore/picture happy campers

12:00 NN - Lunch
2:00 PM - Break Camp

2:30 PM - ETD Calaguas - Paracale
4:30 PM - EDT Paracale (Mang Boy's)

6:30 PM - EDT Paracale - DLTB Daet
7:30 PM - Dinner

8:00 PM - Pasalubong
9:00 PM - ETD DLTB Daet - Alabang

DIY Budget

P200 - Taxi fare from Alabang-DLTB Pasay (600php fixed charge divided by 3)

P451 - DLTB bus fare (Pasay-Talobatib Junction)

P60 - Tricycle fare (300php charge divided by 5)

P150 - Entrace fee, brgy. fee, unlimited usage of poso/CR, mountain climbing fee

P35 - Cottage fee (350php divided by 10)

P100 - Food (Chip-in 10 pax)

P471 - Boat fee (Boat fee, good for 25 pax. We paid extra 1k since the other group went early while we stayed.. 8000/17)

P10 - Tricycle to Superlines Paracale/Van terminal to Daet

P60 - Van fare to Daet

P65 - Dinner in Daet

P240 - Pasalubong

P479 - DLTB bus fare (Daet-Alabang)

Total: P2321php

Contacts:

DLTB Pasay: 855-8040

Mang Boy: 0908-546-0683

Credits:

http://www.lakwatsero.com/destinations/calaguas-islands/

Way back home in Guimaras

Guimaras Island is the hometown of my father. It is famous for producing the sweetest mangoes in the world. Aside from the mangoes, it also offers picturesque beaches, waterfalls and caves to name a few. We really wanna visit the place and see its beauty plus get the chance to eat the sweetest mangoes and meet our relatives.

Courtesy of Welcome To Guimaras facebook page

August 2012. Finally, my sister found out that ZestAir is currently offering their zero fare promo. She booked a roundtrip (MNL-ILO-MNL) for the six of us - Tatay, Nanay, Cheng (her), Epie (me), Ewin & my cute 1 yr. old nephew Kian. We are so happy especially my father since he hasn't been there for almost 40 years.

Our tickets ^^

February 16, 2013. The long wait is over. We woke up early and rode a metered taxi worth 250php to catch our 4:15 AM flight to Iloilo.

My family minus Pips and Yeyeng (my other younger siblings)

It's really nice to feel that you're traveling with your family. Actually, it's our first trip together though my other two siblings were not able to join us. They are first timers to ride the plane except for my sister Cheng.

5:20 AM. Touchdown Iloilo. We took pictures in and out of the airport. The funny thing is my mother was lost for a few minutes after riding the van and the driver took her off as he thought that she's the only one to travel. Lol. XD

Iloilo Airport (sorry for the blurred picture)

We rode the airport van worth 600php to MacArthur's Wharf and the travel time is almost two hours. We didn't went to Ortiz Wharf as it is heading to Jordan, Guimaras. We didn't stop for breakfast since my father told us that we'll just eat in Guimaras.

From there, we happened to meet our father's cousin. How lucky! We rode the boat which costs 14.50php each to Buenavista, Guimaras.

Kian making funny faces during our boat travel

It only took us 15-20 minutes to get there since Guimaras Island is just a few distance away from Iloilo.

Buenavista Wharf

We went straight to my father's cousin who's house/store is just a few walks away from the wharf. My father is so excited to see them again. After an hour or two, we rode a tricycle to go straight to his cousin's house in San Miguel. We just dropped by to keep our bags then went off for a ride again to meet our relatives in East Valencia and other part of Buenavista. Well, we didn't know that relatives are like the whole barangay. XD

Siesta

My emo brother who's so bored that day

Freshly picked from the coconut tree ^^

Us with Lolo Cerafio

February 17, 2013. We woke up early to watch Paraw Regatta. Unfortunately since Alobijod is really far from Sto. Rosario, we just went straight there to experience the beach.

I couldn't remember the entrance fee in Alobijod Beach Cove but I know it is less than 50php each. We got a discount since most of us (excluding my family) are living in Guimaras. We really enjoyed the beach even for just a few hours.

Alobijod Beach Cove

Meowth ^^

Cousins

Beach bums

 Kian is so afraid of the water -_-

Kian's happy face :)

On our way back to Sto. Rosario, we stopped in Jordan to buy some souvenirs. This is one of my favorites when I travel, happy heart with a crying pocket. XD

Souvenir Shop

Mango keychains ^^

After buying souvenirs, we went straight to Daragan, the beloved barangay of my father. We've met a few relatives and I can really see my father's happy face again. Sad to say, he wasn't able to show us where their old house was located.

That night we went to pantalan just to see a glimpse of Iloilo. We rode a tricycle and Kian don't wanna go out when he saw the water. Oh my, he got his water phobia. Maybe he'll get over it after so many beach and pool trips. We've had a few chat before we went home and packed our things as we are living tomorrow afternoon.

February 18, 2013. Again, we woke up early to eat breakfast and prepare ourselves for our Daliran Cave experience.

We bought lots of mangoes for our pasalubong before we head to the cave. 

Guimaras mangoes, the sweetest!! ^^

 Picture picture before the trek :)

My family & I in ala Twilight pose

It took us more than 30 minutes before we reach the cave since most of us are not used to trek. I haven't run for months now and with this, 'hingal kabayo ang peg'.

Daliran Cave entrance

We just stayed there for a minutes before we decided to leave the place. Funny thing is it took us longer to reach the cave compared to the time we spent there.

February 18, 2013 (Afternoon). Our vacation is over. Time to say goodbye to our beloved Guimaras.

I took a picture of this sign board before we depart

Me & my brother on our way to Iloilo

We dropped by in SM City Iloilo to eat before we head to the airport. It's nice to know that they have traveler's lounge for our heavy baggage.

Bought a mug for my Iloilo souvenir

We rode another van to the airport. You will really see the difference between the airport van and ordinary van. 

We've waited for a few minutes at the airport then time to say goodbye to Iloilo. I will definitely miss this place and I will surely go back. I am hoping I have more time to spend so that I can also visit the city and eat their famous dishes.

We're home by past 9pm. I took a nap and prepare for work. Yes, night shift at work right after our flight. Tired but happy. :)