Ferdz, a fellow pinoy travel blogger, an awesome photographer, and a non-high maintenance hiker (at least not that I know of, heehee), invites everybody to his first solo photo exhibit at the Alcove Perspective, Filipinas Heritage Library on May 12-27, 2008.

ABOUT THE EXHIBIT
From time immemorial, civilizations have thrived and lived near bodies of water. The reason is crystal-clear: water is vital to man’s existence. It is the reason why this exhibition pays homage to water and its significance to how and why people live by the water. Featuring photos that tell stories about the coastal Filipinos’ living conditions, reveal their culture, and relate their stories of survival.

The exhibit will carry a raft of striking images from across our archipelago. The Badjao Stilt Villages of Basilan. The Muslim Stilt Village of Rio Hondo in Zamboanga. The fishermen of Siquijor. The T’bolis of Lake Sebu. The rugged shores of Itbayat in Batanes. And the tranquil coasts of Iloilo.

ABOUT THE PHOTOGRAPHER
Ferdinand is a travel photographer and award-winning blogger. A graduate of Fine Arts, Major in Advertising at the Far Eastern University, he got started on film photography during his college years. He worked as a graphic artist and web designer for three years, pursuing photography as a hobby.

Landing his first publication job as an Art Director enabled him to embark on a new career as a professional travel photographer. Getting his fair share of freelance jobs and assignments, his works eventually got published in a number of travel magazines both here and overseas.

His website Ironwulf.net: En Route at www.ironwulf.net, is the chronicle of his many travels and insightful photography. It has received recognition from the both local and international media.

I’ve long been a fan of Ferdz’s work (both his blog and his photos) , and I was so happy that I was able to meet and travel with him three weeks ago. His photos, from what I’ve seen in his blog and his flickr are simply breathtaking. I’m looking forward to seeing what he’ll put up for the exhibit.

For more information about this exhibit or just to read about Ferdz’s travels, head on to Ironwulf.net.

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Contrary to what you might be thinking, my continuous raving about the Mt. Daguldol hike really wasn’t because of the sponsorship. Don’t get me wrong — it was great to get the free gear, but it was the people and the experience that made this trip so unforgettable.

Me, AJ, Ricky, Phoebe, Jayvee and Ferdz
Photo by Dino de Leon

 
It was my first trip out of town with this group. It was even my first time to meet Phoebe and Ferdz, and my first time to really get to interact with AJ and Jayvee, whom I both met in previous events. It’s actually like a school field trip. You get to know the people you share your classes with outside of the classroom.

Jump!
Photo by Dino de Leon

 
Also, just like field trips, there are those moments when you act really immature and take photos of people sleeping. (No, I’m not posting sleeping photos here because I’m not *that* evil. But you can see them over at my flickr or my multiply )

Shooting Phoebe and AJ’s fasyon spread

 
This was also my first real camping experience. The last time I slept inside a tent was the time my cousins and I stayed overnight at the cemetery during Halloween. We weren’t really roughing it because Halloween and All Saint’s Day in the Philippines is more like a huge outdoor party — there are long lines at the toilet and a Pizzahut kiosk right beside our tent. Prior to that was the camping we had for scouting back in grade school. We only camped inside the school grounds, and the school was only one street away from my house, so it wasn’t much of an experience. Though I think I did see a white lady in one of the classrooms… THIS was real camping though. With tents, camp stoves, peeing in the bushes.

Dino’s Halo-halo

 
Then there’s the halo-halo. On the way back down to San Juan, we stopped by Mang Lizardo’s for halo-halo. One high-maintenance hiker who shall remain nameless ordered a high-maintenance halo-halo: no kamote, no munggo, no pinipig and only one scoop of sugar.

With Ricky, Columbia Sportswear’s Megamall branch manager

 
That started the teasing the high maintenance hiker got all the way back to Manila. Of course, this high maintenance hiker made things worse by commenting on the “local ice cream.” In fairness, masarap ang local ice cream! Remember, Creamline is the official ice cream of high maintenance hikers!

Phoebe, Jayvee and Phoebe’s bucchi

 
High maintenance hikers aside, there was one blogger who made a great display of his strenght during this climb. While everybody was huffing and puffing from the exertion, this blogger was huffing and puffing away on his cigarettes. Winner! He kept up a running commentary, even singing Broadway hits, which kept us entertained and kept our minds off from the strain of the hike. To further show off his manly prowess, this tough guy pulled our van out of the muddy ditch it got stuck in on the drive back to Laiya. It’s a shame nobody got a video of this amazing display of strength.

Me and Ferdz

 
Another highlight for me was learning how to skip rocks! Though I still lack practice, I was able to get them to skip three times. Thanks for the lessons, Ferdz!

My 10,000th photo with the Ixus 75! (Pardon the cheesy poses)

 
It was also during this trip that I reached the 10,000th mark on my digital camera. It took me almost three years to reach 10,000 in my old A70, but with the Ixus 75, it only took seven months. I was initially planning some elaborate shoot to celebrate the 10K, but I’m glad that the 10,000th photo was a sort-of spontaneous happy shot. As my friend said, “at least it has someone wearing a shirt that says “I’m too horny.”"

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When Yehey announced that it will be sponsoring 100 bloggers for a free food tour in Trinoma last November, I was devastated. The tour was scheduled for the 2nd week of December and I would still be in Australia. So it was with much glee that I found out later on that it has been re-scheduled on January 9, and from 100, they’re now looking for 150 bloggers. Yay! (or should I say, yehey?)

Trinoma Baller ID

 
My joy was short-lived, however. They already have their 150 bloggers, so no more slot for me. Two days before the event, Kaoko send me a flickr mail: would I like to take her place, since she won’t be able to attend? And so last Wednesday, I joined a hundred other bloggers at Trinoma, all looking forward to the gastronomic delights that await us.

Crazy Pepper Steak’s…Pepper steak.

 
I would like to say that they didn’t disappoint, but I can’t. Don’t get me wrong, I am grateful they they organized this whole affair, and the good we were able to sample were really fantastic. However, as with most pilot events, there were still details they have to iron out like logistics and communication with the participating restaurants. We were broken into groups and went on to different levels as not to clog the restaurants. After a briefing with our guide, we headed down to the lobby level. To our surprise, another group was inside Bread Talk and Toast box. Our guide said we’ll head on to Conti’s while the other group are still in the other shops. We were welcomed inside Conti’s with blank stares; the store manager wasn’t in and the crew have no idea about the food tour.

Puto Bumbong from Mangan

 
Going up the next level, we went inside to try Crazy Pepper Steak, where we were welcomed warmly. We had to wait a couple of minutes before they served the meals they wanted us to try. Our guide also took this time to alert the other restaurants in the vicinity that the mob is coming. So when we went out, the other restaurants were all set and waiting.

Mann Hann’s Tofu with veggies and century egg

 
That was pretty much the theme of that tour (in our group anyway): some restaurants are ready and waiting, while some say that they aren’t participating, despite being marked as CONFIRMED in the list our guide handed out. And then there was that incident at Cabalen… but I’ll let AJ tell you the story.

Terriyaki Boy’s Tofu Steak

 
All in all, it was an afternoon well-spent. Some of the restaurants were already favorites, but it’s great to discover new dishes that I’ve never thought to try. The rest were places I haven’t tried before, and will definitely be going back to. Also, it was great to see blogger friends I haven’t seen since last October, and to make new ones (Hi Noreen, Edward, Jules and Jean!. To the Trinoma and Yehey team, thanks you so much!

Here are a couple more pictures from the food tour:

Cyma’s Lamb Leg Roast

Frying Fish? No, it’s Abe’s fried tilapia

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We were so busy yesterday that I totally forgot to post about the Lonely Planet travel journal winner.

Congratulations Estan! Breaking that sacred ritual made you a winner. As the judges and I agree, it’s not a travel story unless you commit a cultural faux pax

A big thanks to Shubert, Karla and Dyanie for sharing their stories. And for those of you who just watched the deadline go by… maybe next time?

Oh by the way, Merry Christmas!

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Thank you for all four of you who joined my contest!

Who will be the winner? Will it be Shubert and his very detailed account of his tours around the temples of Nagoya, Japan? Or will the prize go to Karla, who spent one sunny day with the butterflies in Hainan, China? Or will it be Estan, who inadvertently interupted a sacred ritual in Batad? Maybe the winner will be Dyan, whose trip was made extra special by the friends who joined her in Bohol?

The lucky winner will be announced on December 25th, to make their Christmas extra special

Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to contemplate about these entries in Tasmania. Have a very merry one!

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