Viva Cebu

My Photo scholarship 2011 entry

ayec20 — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 17:49:22 GMT

It was my first day in India, and my friend brought us to the streets of Old Delhi. There’s poverty everywhere, but there’s also life. You see so many homeless people and street children. But for some weird and unexplainable reason, they seem contented. I initially thought of relating it to their religion or their culture. But I see no point in such, even in pity. Life in India is incomprehensible. As an outsider, all that you can really do is to be a spectator to this amazing fact that somehow, despite the poverty, they survive. A young Indian guy explained it to me. He said “People living in the streets don’t show sorrow to others. They believe that their God will create happiness for them.” Some people may be quick to judge such philosophy. But for me, I admire their spirit. Their spirit and strength to survive, and still have hope. This makes India even more amazing and different. These people, more than the sights, fuel my passion for photography. The ability and opportunity to capture such life and strength in people. And to be able to share it to the world and open their eyes to the other side of things, and see past the surface and the obvious. This, I think is where the power of photography is of great importance. I personally believe that my willingness to learn, explore new places, and being adventurous should fit well with this photography scholarhip. I hope to be given the opportunity to improve on my skills and learn from a person who’s been to a lot of places and who has captured a wide-array of subjects.

Photos: Beautiful Coron

ayec20 — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 20:30:00 GMT

Whenever I hear friends talk about Coron, they have this certain sparkle in their eyes like they’ve been to a magical place. And when they start talking about the places they saw and the memories they have of the place, they somehow get lost at the middle of their sharing like they're transported back in time. When you encounter friends like these from time to time you would be very curious and you automatically plan the trip. Coron is a dream come true. Gorgeous beaches, sumptuous seafood feast, hidden and magical lakes, and the best sunset i've seen so far. The town is laid-back, the people are nice, and what I like most about Palawan is their awareness of nature's importance to them and their livelihood.

My Photo scholarship 2010 entry

ayec20 — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 19:59:47 GMT

These photos were taken during our trip to Cebu on May 2009. Cebu is well-known to both local and foreign tourists as a beach spot and a province rich with history. It has several islands good for relaxation and other water activities such as snorkeling and diving. It also has the oldest city in the Philippines, Cebu City, which houses the Basilica de Sto. Nino symbolizing the birth of Christianity in the Philippines and in Asia. The set also includes photos of Cebuanos that depict the warmness and relaxed lifestyle of Filipinos. Travelling and photography was not on my ‘to-do-list’ when I was growing up. I only discovered my love for these two activities when I went on a family trip to Bangkok, Thailand on April 2008. There I discovered the heart-warming feeling of discovering new things about the human race and the world in general. Travelling has widened my perspective in life. I also discovered how photography makes moments more beautiful given the right angle, lighting, and timing; and how a photo can communicate a certain feeling or idea across. Ever since this discovery, I saved up to buy my DSLR and have travelled to a few places in the Philippines and countries in the Southeast Asia. I hope to win this contest and be given a chance to visit one of the most isolated countries in the world. I hope to given a chance to witness how its predominant religion (Buddhism) influences the daily lives of the people; and to witness its rich intact culture given that it has long been isolated. I also hope to catch a glimpse of the Himalayas and visit a temple on top of a mountain. I also hope that this opportunity be the start of a career in travel photography.

Photos: Puerto Princesa, Palawan

ayec20 — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 20:41:00 GMT

Based on observation and experience from our 4 days stay in Puerto Princesa, I honestly think that Palawan can survive and function on its own. It is so rich with natural resources to provide for the people’s basic necessities and to provide employment from its tourism industry. It also has several laws and ordinances to protect the environment to ensure continuity of the province’s sustainable development. Really admirable. It’s also typhoon- and earthquake-free. Just a little trivia. ;) Our vacation was filled with wonderful and unique experiences. Met prisoners who walk freely around their correction facility, held a baby crocodile, cave spelunking, rainy underground river experience, snorkeling, island hopping, and feasted on great food.

Mr. Sam

ayec20 — Sat, 12 Jun 2010 20:05:00 GMT

Mr. Sam, our tour guide, is around 5’6” tall, light brown, lean, and speaks good English. He’s already in his 50’s but he doesn’t look it. He looks younger, which for me, is amazing.

He was a survivor of the civil war and Khmer Rouge occupation.

He was only 15 when his father and brother died because the Khmer Rouge felt that they were traitors. He was only 15 when the Khmer soldiers took him and his 46 other highschool batchmates to work as slaves. They had to learn how to survive in the jungle, eat mushrooms and insects; walk for several days without sleeping or resting. He told us that the soldiers were harsh and brutal. He calls himself ‘one of the seven wonders’. Seven wonders being the seven out of them 47 batchmates who survived the war.

He definitely is a wonder.

A few years after the war, he got married and now has several children and grandchildren. He owns a land that cost him US$36,000, a house, and a guesthouse that he rents out to Cambodians who work in the hotels in Siem Reap. He smiles so proudly while sharing to us that his children are now professionals.

He smiles a lot, and his eyes has that certain look that tells you just how much he’s been through.

Meeting him is one of my most memorable experiences in Cambodia. Probably one of the most memorable travel and life experiences.

Remembering him still brings me to tears.

Just one of the many gifts of travelling - travelling and meeting people with a different history gives more meaning to life.

Photos: Siem Reap, Cambodia

ayec20 — Fri, 4 Jun 2010 20:45:00 GMT

We arrived in Siem Reap early in the afternoon and I had no idea what the place looks like. A few meters from the airport, I was more than surprised to see the beautiful and grand hotels that line up the streets of Siem Reap. Just imagine the number of tourists that visit the temples in order for the hotels to maintain their operations. Our hotel, Rosy Guesthouse, is owned by an English couple. When I asked why they decided to live there, they unhesitantly said “it’s a beautiful place and the people are really nice.” And they were right. The place is so laid-back despite the huge number of tourists. I especially love the benches and sidewalks along the river, and of course the Old French architecture. And the Khmer people are really really nice, and has a sweet voice just like the Thais. It was so easy to fall in love with the place.