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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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March 24, 2014

lantaw update: skyscanner bloscars 2014 in singapore


skyscanner bloscars2014

Indulge me on a quick back-patting, will you? :)

This blog recently got the top spot in Skyscanner's Philippine Bloscars 2014. It was really tough getting there considering the quality of Filipino travel blogs [we Filipinos are all over the world, either traveling for pleasure or working, so its not surprising everyone's got a travel blog]. To give you an idea, check out this list of some of the amazing travel blogs in the country: Philippine Bloscars 2014 finalists.

Wait... bloscars what?

Bloscars is Skyscanner's  yearly contest to recognize the top travel blogs in different parts of the world. The contests run concurrently [covering different countries] culminating in the announcement of winners at the same time as the Oscars. Hence, Bloscars could mean Blog Oscars, but I'm just speculating :)There was a nominating period [which I was clueless, so I did not know this blog was even nominated, thank you whoever nominated Lantaw ], then a voting period followed where we got to campaign for our blogs like crazy. The country winners were determined based on the number of votes garnered (50%) and the nod of an international team of judges [50%] based on a set of criteria.

Off to Singapore we go...

The award came with Php50,000 worth of flight vouchers and a free trip to Singapore together with the top PH finalists.

PH Bloggers
L-R:  Blissfulguro, Backpacking Pilipinas, and Senyorita  at Skyscanner's office

a slice of Singapore

We got a chance to rub elbows with the cream of the crop of travel blogging from all over Asia-Pacific (Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Korea, and Australia) on the second day of the trip.

Singapore Flyer

We all met up at the Singapore Flyer (a famous Singapore attraction) and boarded the giant Ferris wheel FunVee Hopper for a quick tour of the city. This perfect if you do not have much time to spare. [Check out the Hop On Hop Off schedule and route here: www.citytours.sg]

City Tour

City Tour

APAC travel bloggers
APAC travel bloggers

The days's tour ended with a refreshing boat ride from the Merlion to Clarke Quay. Along the way we saw some of the historical buildings along the Singapore River. [Check this out for details]

River Cruise

Skyscanner APAC office

Later in the evening we were brought to the Skycanner's regional office for a no fuss awarding ceremony for the country winners and a quick tour of the office [which I missed because I went here :D]

Country Awards

Lantaw: Philippines Best Travel Blog

APAC Winners

a night of selfies good food, fine wine, and great company

"Where's Harold?",  I asked when I got to the Skyscanner office [Harold is the Philippine coordinator]. "He's in group therapy", was the reply. I did not realize Harold's in therapy. Then I remembered, we are suppose to have dinner at a place called Group Therapy! :D

Night of Selfies

We got to exchange travel stories [and of course Instagram/Twitter/Facebook handles, this is a bloggers' party after all] over dinner. And yes, we took a lot of selfies! [Those selfie sticks will forever change the way photos are taken]

Another award was announced that night: APAC's Best Travel Blog. The overall APAC winner was determined from the country winners [ultra-tough group of travel bloggers to beat!] and the region's top award went to Travel and Beyond [really great couple, very friendly. Thank you for all the tips!]
With authors of Travel and Beyond
with new friends Rose and Joseph of Travel and Beyond

more to come from this trip...

Singapore is an urban nightscape photographer's dream come true! And don't get me started with the Marina Bay area and the Supertrees! I still have a ton of photos that I am excited to process and post in this blog [it was my first time in Singapore].

Clarke Quay
Clarke Quay at twilight (view LARGE)

I stayed in this picturesque part of the city called Clarke Quay and stayed up to the wee hours of the morning just roaming around and taking photos.

Novotel Singapore Clarke Quay
Bay view room courtesy of Novotel Clarke Quay

It helped a lot that I was billeted right in the heart of Clarke Quay at Novotel Clarke Quay. I got to enjoy a soft bed [big change from the cramped tent in the outdoors!] and an amazing view for a few days.

Preview: Singapore's Chinatown

Watch out too for photos from my short but sweet visit of Singapore's Chinatown. Thank you Skyscanner! I'll probably be busy in the next few days planning how to spend the flight vouchers :D
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Lantaw
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14 comments:

arievrahman said...

Wow, you have written the blog post about that night! Nice Clarke Quay photo, man.
Cheers from www.backpackstory.me :D

Lantaw said...

Thanks! :) I hope to post more photos soon. Happy travels, brother.

Lantaw said...

Thanks Renante! Btw I read your post on Cagabalete. Will be heading back there soon. Its been quite a while since the last time I visited the island

Unknown said...

Congrats Sir! your photos are truly remarkable, inspiring and stunning!

Lantaw said...

thank you Sky!

Elal Lasola said...

Congrats, sir! Been following your blog ever since I started travel blogging last 2011. This really is a well-deserved award. God bless!

Lantaw said...

Thanks Elal and happy travels! :)

Micamyx|Senyorita said...

Panalo talaga ang photos mo! :D Congrats Kuya Allan and panenok ng ibang pics

Lantaw said...

Tenk u! Sure just grab them, Will actually update this post with more photos before the end of the week :)

blissfulguro said...

congrats allan! ambilis mag post. *pressure!

Lantaw said...

Thank you Maam! Bakasyon na so im sure dami mo na free time :-D

Denise Freund said...

Wow ! its so amazing and impressive.I would like to Sky scanner.Its a very lovely place to see and other places you discussed in the blog are also very lovely.Nice work on this blog you done and very nice sharing.I like it very much.

Unknown said...

Beautiful pictures! It was nice to meet you in Singapore. :)

Lantaw said...

Great meeting you as well :-)

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