Beyond Lenses

Monday, August 22, 2011

Pico de Loro climb

*pictures taken using IPod Touch

I joined my brods and a sis in Mu in a climb up Mt Pico de Loro, one of the highest peak in Southern Luzon. Boasting 2178 meters above sea level, we dared to hike the not so for beginners trail which if I would compare with my previous climb in Mt Pulag, I could do the latter easier several times.

But upon reaching the peak of the Parrot's Beak, one could see the outstanding 360 degree view of southern Tagalog including the flourishing white coves. High up the beak, there fly hundreds of species of bugs, beetles, hoppers and dragonflies.

But this assault to Pico de Loro is not really good for the weak heart, lung and mind. With almost 90 degree steep climbs, the muddy trails with dangerous quicksands, the very hostile species of plants and herbs, one should be prepared to get hurt.

Despite, muscle cramping and throat drying thirst, what awaited us was the majestic hidden falls. The cold waters soothed the pain, the gravity of the fall massaged the body and the sound tranquilizes our fatigue.

my brods and sis

brods going up the trail

An hour to go, but seems not

valley view

The peak view from the camp

Yo and Kiev

the P symbol

Hikers climbing

the hidden falls

the jungle we passed through

And what made this climb an adventure was a series of very unfortunate events. But being lost in that jungle with your Family was already a safety net and the only thing in enervated mind was to bring out everyone safe and sound with all the good memories of that climb. We ended up the day almost midnight with a good set of Chinese food.

Saturday, July 30, 2011

Charcoal, Craypas, Ink

It started as a hobby. Then joined an Art Club in High school.

I was able to save some of my sketches after Ondoy hit badly in the province

sketchpad 01: Sensual back

Sketchpad 02: Diwata at Kandila

Sketchpad 03: dancer

Sketchpad 04: Larong Dama sa baywalk

Sketchpad 05: Contour imperfections

Sketchpad 06: Acacia sa burol

A Brod assigned me to draw my whole Fraternity Batch during my application

A fraternity brood asked my help to draw a caricature of Mu Sigma Phi Batch 1990 for their 25th anniversary. It took me almost 2 months to complete the whole set taking some break time from hospital duties to grab my pencil and ink.

In 2004, I did not have enough money to buy elegant gifts for my parents' birthdays but I thought these were decent enough.

Nakambak-kambak sa Palawan: Puerto Princesa at El Nido

Sunset Bacuit Bay

Dalawang taon ng pagpaplano. Matapos kong iwanan ang trabaho sa paraiso ng El Nido upang magpakaprosti sa buhay ng ospital, nangako akong babalik sa isla bilang isang turista. Pumunta mang Singapore ang aking buong pamilya (at dahil di rin naman ako nakapag-asikaso ng passport), mas pinili kong magpaiwan at mag-isang maglakbay kasama ang isang malaking backpack, at ang aking kaibigang camera.

Hindi ko pa napuntahan ang Puerto Princesa noong ako'y nasa El Nido sapagkat ang sosyal na eroplano galing Soriano ay deretso sa sosyal na paliparan ng El Nido. Gamit ang nagkukumahog na pondo na ninakaw ko lang sa kakarampot na sweldo ko sa PGH, naghanap ako ng mga pinakamurang flight, tirahan, kainan at kasama na rin ang kakapalan ng mukha sa panghihingi ng mga discount.

Masarap magbiyahe mag-isa...uhmm kasama ko pala ang aking camera. Di mo kailangang gahulin ang oras sa paghihintay sa iyong kasama. Di mo kailangang isipin kung ano ang kakainin at saan kakain. Pwede kang gumawa ng kasalanan na walang makakaalam (ooops). Magmuni-muni ka, tumingin sa malayo, tumahimik at magiging payapa ang iyong isipan. At lahat ng ito'y magagawa mo sa Palawan haluan mo pa ng mga pinakamagagandang tanawin.

Sobrang napamahal na sa akin ang Palawan. Ang manirahan dito ay laging kasama sa aking listahan at lalo na ang magsilbi bilang doktor.