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About Me

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This blog is an amateur photographer's attempt to show how beautiful the world really is. He is drawn to the colors of nature like a moth to a candle light. What are showcased here are nature's grand display of colors at sunrise and sunset, beautiful beaches and off-the-beaten track locations in his beloved Philippines, waterfalls and some of nature's great sculptures, architectural gems, and other views from around SE Asia that he was fortunate to see at one point.

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December 31, 2009

2009: lantaw looks back at a year of photos (part 1)


A year is wrapping up and another one is about to begin. Join me in revisiting the places that made 2009 a year to remember: from stormy coastal scenes to waterfalls, from hidden coves to architectural treasures.

January
I started 2009 by getting drenched in a storm in Real, Quezon. The bad weather did not discourage me in venturing out and taking a few shots. I guess there really is no good or bad weather for photography :).

Rust Colored Rocks
Real, Quezon

From the rainy coast of Real, I found myself biking 68 kilometers one way, on a hot and cloudless day, to the wetlands of Candaba in Pampanga. The months of December to January are best if you want to go birding in Candaba. Someone asked me why I have to bike so far to see these migratory birds when you can find the same species near the garbage-ridden Manila bay. Bird sanctuary vs garbage ... I guess my choice was obvious.

Egrets of Candaba
egrets of Candaba

February
February, and the early part of March, was spent chasing sunrises and sunsets in Tambobong in the western coast of Pangasinan.

Goooooood Morning!
sunrise in Tambobong

I have great fun in the sun-kissed shores of Balinmanok and enjoyed the low tide scenery of Cabacungan cove.

March
Look ma, no tourist crowds!
uncrowded Tambobong

Tambobong was definitely a favorite, for just after a couple of weeks I was back there again. This time I promised to have more of the sea and less of photography. But you know how promises are made to be broken :).

Magical
magical Pinatubo

The highlight of March was the trek to one of nature's wonders: Mt. Pinatubo, whose eruption in 1991 was the biggest in the century. Its beautiful cyan colored lake belied the devastation it brought upon central Luzon that tragic year.

April
Started the hot month of April with a family holiday in Samal island in Davao.

Summer Memories
summer memories '09

After the hot summer escapade in Samal, I headed to the mountain resort town of Lake Sebu in South Cotabato, 30 kilometers from my hometown of Koronadal. The town, nestled 1000 meters above sea, is blessed with 3 lakes and 7 major waterfalls, countless crystal streams, and rich wildlife.

Lake Seloton Sunrise
serene Seloton

We spent a nice morning in Lake Seloton (dubbed as the sunrise lake) before trekking down to Hikong Bente, the 2nd of the seven falls.

Too Close for Comfort
Hikong Bente up close

Before the month ended, I was back in Tambobong (I wasn't kidding when I said its one of my favorite places). This time with several photographers in tow. I brought them to my favorite sunset spot in Cabacungan.

Cabacungan Folly (test shot)
Cabacungan folly

May
May was the month when I found a new favorite place: Nagsasa cove in Zambales. I love the place so much I ended up going there twice that month.

lure of Nagsasa Cove
the lure of Nagsasa

The cove is much larger, much more grand than Anawangin. Aside from the great beach, the falls there is a must visit. You can head to the falls for its cold and soothing waters after a hot day on the beach.

Nagsasa Cove:  Witness
another world

Nagsasa's backwoods also is ideal for hiking. If you are lucky would be able to spot a troop of monkeys or some elusive wild deers.

Nagsasa Wilderness
Nagsasa's wide open space

June
The rainy June weather brought me to the "land of falls": Mt. Romelo in Siniloan, Laguna. Rainy weather is perfect for shooting waterfalls.

Buruwisan Falls
Buruwisan Falls

I made a solo trip to Tanduyong island in Tondol, Pangasinan after my Mt. Romelo climb. My travel companions backed out of the trip because there was a storm forecast.

Tanduyong Cloudy Sunset
Tanduyong sunset

I went there alone but went home with new friends and great memories. The Torrinos made my stay in their small island a weekend to remember. For a couple of days I was part of their family.

Sanchai Smile
Torrino kids

Read Part 2 here

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Lantaw
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11 comments:

Anonymous said...

bro! happy new year!

marami pa tayong pagsasamahang adventures sa 2010 at sa mga susunod pang taon.

escape said...

sino nga naman ang hindi hahanga sa mga kuha. it was a great year for you bai and ill never forget the last photo kasi nakita ko rin sila.

salamat sa samahan!

Reena said...

looks like a very memorable travel year for you. parang gusto ko mapuntahan yung hikong bente. ang ganda nya. :)

i wish you more travels next year. happy new year!

RedLan said...

Happy New Year sau at sa family mo!

Unknown said...

i'm speechless! too much beauty makes me weak.:p what spectacular places you visited this year! looking forward to seeing more of your adventures in 2010. All the best for the New Year!

Lantaw said...

Maraming salamat sa inyong lahat at masaganang Bagong Taon sa lahat :)

maybe said...

I'm appreciate your writing skill.Please keep on working hard.^^

witsandnuts said...

Happy new year!

The Nomadic Pinoy said...

What a great-looking wrap-up to your travel destinations in 2009. Happy New Year to you and may you travel more!

Lantaw said...

Happy New Year to all of you too! :)

Photo Cache said...

OMG, I love your photos, high quality talaga.

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[name=lantaw] [img=https://c5.staticflickr.com/9/8237/8458831412_c95b7dbbae_t.jpg] [description=Loves to shoot nature's grand display of colors at sunrise and sunset, beautiful beaches and off-the-beaten track locations in his beloved Philippines, waterfalls and other natural wonders] (facebook=https://www.facebook.com/lantawphotos) (twitter=https://twitter.com/lantawphotos) (instagram=https://www.instagram.com/lantaw/)