On Our Way to Wawa Dam

I got to meet a friend from the forum who works as a Forrester. He and I talk about many scenic places here in the Philippines (as he gets to go on different locations because of his job) and we've planned to check out some spots, too. Many years of friendship built within the chats and the forum (as well as a little of Facebook), we've finally set the date to meet and explore, and he asked me to tag along friends. My friend Nathalie is not only a blogger, but also a photo enthusiast, so she was my first choice to tag. One morning in January last year, all of us went to Wawa Dam.

I have seen different pictures from this place, but I was surprised to know going there wasn't really that difficult. Although we used Forrester Jeff's vehicle to get there, there were actually public modes of transportation going to the dam. We met up with some DENR (Department of Environment and Natural Resources) official to give us a little information about the area and their plans promoting it as a tourist destination, and after that we trekked to the dam.


Along the way, there were people - mostly kids - who were enjoying the cool waters. Some of these kids were living near the area, but there were also a few who went there for some family bonding moments, as there were areas where families and friends could stay at and have a picnic and dip in the water as well.


Before we went to check the dam, they gave us the privilege of checking out Pamitinan Cave, which was closed at that moment because DENR is protecting it against people who would ruin the cave by putting some graffiti. They told us stalactites and stalagmites take a long natural process to form and letting these heartless tourists ruin it would be a heart-breaker. Getting there, we needed to take the bamboo raft crossing the water, before hiking up to the cave. It was really a great adventure, and more pictures will be shared in the coming days.


Weekend in Black and White | The Human Condition

Panagbenga Festival in Black and White

When one speaks of "festivals," it is very obvious that there will be a burst of color everywhere. But what happens when festivals are stripped of color?


These are just two of the many images I took from the very first Panagbenga Festival I attended. These were originally shot in color, and I just processed them using GIMP to make it black and white. I don't know which I like more (color or b&w), but whatever format, it looks pleasant to me. Seeing these in black and white gives that textbook or newspaper feel to it, and I like it, too.


Weekend in Black and White | The Human Condition

Big Sister, Little Brother

Street Photography was never my forte. I remember attempting to do a 365 Strangers Project, but threw in the towel just before February ended. I don't know... there's something about taking pictures of other people that I am not comfortable with, and I actually battled it in my head if I will go ahead and post these images.

These were taken a year ago while traveling with some relatives. We traveled to the province of Pangasinan, and after a whole day of island hopping, we passed by my aunt's hometown to drop off her kids and husband (as she would be traveling back to Manila with us to process her documents). At that time, my aunt's Canadian friend was here in the Philippines, and they were trying hard to let him eat Balut (duck's egg with little chick inside) and barbecued Chicken Feet, reason why were at the park. I don't really eat Balut and I a wasn't in the mood for some Chicken Feet (but I do eat it), so I just sat there, trying to relax for we would be on the road for six hours after this, when these siblings caught my attention.

They were actually beggars, walking around the park to ask for whatever amount they could get so they could eat. They didn't come to us... I just zoomed in my camera to capture their images, because I just loved the innocence and the love they were sharing. The big sister taking care of her small brother... the way they still get to enjoy and laugh and smile despite the hardships they were facing.

Street Photography may not be my forte, but I am really hoping that in the future, I'd take the courage to take pictures of strangers and their surroundings.

{Linking this post to Weekend in Black and White and The Human Condition}