Nagsasa Morning Reflections
It is hard to believe that just a year ago a group of 10 campers already constitutes a huge crowd in Nagsasa cove. Now hordes have invaded the place, and its not even officially summer yet. My "mission" there last weekend was to rediscover the things I love most about the place: its soothing tranquility and its grandeur.
I was surprised to find out that the quiet Aeta settlement at the southern of the cove is now a busy campsite (the only campsite before was at the northern end of the beach) with tables and huts. Our group was the first to arrive but by noon time there was more than 150 campers swarming the place.
It seemed like tranquility will be in short supply that weekend. I did not shoot much at first, I just revisited some of my favorite spots from previous trips. Some looked the same, other have changed.
I found a quiet spot by the river at the back of the campsite. Everyone else was at the beach so the place was perfectly still. It was exactly the Nagsasa scene I was after.
sunset silhouettes
I could not ask for a better sunset that afternoon. The weather was perfect. I enjoyed watching this huge ball of fire going down in front of the cove. I stayed away from the beach front of course, away from the crowd.
Nagsasa evening colors
I did not pack my gears yet after the sun finally went down, knowing day's final display of amazing colors is still to come. And I'm glad I waited; but I paid for the treat with a few mosquito bites.
painted mountains
I woke up early the following morning. I knew I had to beat the crowd to the choicest of locations to shoot the early morning light. I love how the first rays of the day painted the nearby mountains golden. Their reflections on the (almost dried up) lake was surreal. Surprisingly nobody showed up near the lake until the sun was really up. I was able to shoot a few frames before other campers started going about.
The verdict: Nagsasa's landscape evolves, but its still as grand as ever. Its tranquility still abounds, if you know where to look.
Like others who love the great outdoors, I too realized that its the repeat visits to a place that yield the best photographs. The landscape changes over time, and the light is always dynamic. Combine all the elements: the clouds, the sky, the light, etc, and you have a unique moment. No two photographs of even the same exact spot are ever the same. I take pride in the fact that the photos I make are my own versions of those special moments.
36 comments:
galing nyo talaga, sir!
love your pictures as always..saan ba ang nagsasa? kailangang mapuntahan bago umiba ang hitsura niya:)
Thank you Ariel!
Marites, nasa Zambales ang Nagsasa :)
sobrang perfect yung last shot, amazing colors!
my group went there last year, pero di ako nakasama. they are planning again to go there in the next few weeks pero di pa rin ako makakasama, hay!!! hopefully it won't go the way anawangin did. i miss travelling...
Zherwin, unfortunately, it looks like its really becoming very Anawangin-like, loud music and huge crowd, inuman kahit saan. thats why i'm moving on to the next cove :D. thanks for the visit.
Your photos succeeded in capturing what you said..."Its soothing tranquility and its grandeur."
@Ariel, sana you were able to meet Lantaw when he went with us to Kawas. Sa pagbalik niya na lang, da naman ta Marbel!
ganda ng second shot bai! sayang hindi ako makakasama sa feb 13 and 14
bertN, thanks! nagsasa will soon be overcrowded and it would be difficult to get scenes like that
sheng, lagaw naman ta sa Holy Week a :D
Dom, sayang bai, next time naman a
these photos are mesmerizing!
Nice place at ang galing ng mga kuha mo sir. Congrats!
Thanks luna and JEP!
Sa Zambales pala yan, saan exactly? World class ang dating ng beauty nya ano?
My world is here: http://ewok1993.wordpress.com
@photo cache, its one of the coves in Zambales. Its the 3rd cove from Pundaquit (Anawangin, Talisayin, Nagsasa, Silanguin - these are the major coves there)
Gorgeous captures, as always! The reflections and colors are truly breathtaking! Thanks for sharing the beauty! Have a great week!
Sylvia
'ganda ng pagkaka showcase!
Philippines is truly beautiful, and thank you so much for sharing!
xoxo, Fickle
mine's here:
RED is in the air in Bagiuo City
Such stunning photos! Wow. You've found heaven on earth.
Those are fabulous photos! Like a fantasy world!
I am speechless! so many beautiful places!
OH MY GOD! Bow na talaga ako sa yo! These photos are A.M.A.Z.I.N.G! Sad to hear though that it's already getting crowded... and I've not been there!!! :-( But will definitely find my way there pa rin. Great post as always!!!
the best yung 1st picture!
super duper fave ko ung first photo. galing ng asymmetry nya!
Great shots sir! Congrats!
What ewupment did you use for these?
Also could you post directions on how to go to the place? Would really appreciate it. Thanks. :)
@israel, the details are intact in the photo's EXIF. Nagsasa is accessible via Pundaquit in San Antonio
Hi nice blog, nice pictures, thank you. We just came back from Anawangin yesterday, fine but not that great anymore. Moving on to the next cove too.. Meron paba kayong place na alam in Luzon where we can camp?
@Anonymous, Luzon is a BIG island, there is no shortage of camp sites, thats for sure :). Do you have a specific province in mind? :)
Ang ganda talaga ng mga pictures mo, parang hidden paradise ang nagsasa cove, i so want to go there :-)
@lakwatsera de primera, perfect time to go there this summer :)
nice... the photos that you took were really awesome.... were planning to go there this mar... i hope we could take some pictures like yours as well :)
I love the pics..
Its sad to know that the place isnt as tranquil as it used to be, because this is all my friends and I are after.
Still gonna give it a shot. Excited to go there the end of the month.
Thanks for the enlightenment.
I'm also saddened that the cove's tranquility which is usually what travelers go for, has been replaced with boisterous barkadas. I do hope someone's trying to keep the cleanliness of the place and the environment. If they can make noise pollution, I hope they stay away from the water and land pollution. Even sadder is that the Aetas who treat this as their home have to relocate just to accommodate bakasyonistas, some who don't even respect the environment and what it means to other people.
so pwede po magcamp here? where is the exact place po ba?
excited to go there this mid march with my two love....but its crowded?
ano pong cam gmit nyo...do you use filters?
I use a nikon d80. Filters are essential in landscape photography. You'll need a cpl at the very least and some graduated ND filters
nice photos really amesing,thank you for posting
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