Paying Homage

I have been a Sto. Nino devotee ever since I met my wife. In the past years we've attended the weekly friday mass without fail and always have something to offer up into the week leading to its fiesta and the Sinulog celebration. Although today we don't use to go there as often as before when my daughter was born, our unwavering faith and love for the Holy child Jesus has always been there, seeking, loving and to hopefully give back in hundred folds to the life and the blessings that God gave us.







I certainly haven't lost touch with God. In hiatus perhaps of the rituals but not the faith, the faith that binds us with the creator. Like the song "Batobalani sa Gugma" or Magnet of Love, our devotion draws us closer to God, a reminder that life is only worth if their is God at the center and that love that we continue to nourish shall be someday to given back to other people who needs it.

I've got a chance to visit the place again yesterday. Some of the images that I took while there.

A Visit to the Dumpsite

It seems to be a good day today to shoot something outdoors with the sun partially diffused by the cloudy weather. That desire ended up somewhere in a dumpsite in Mandaue City.



The great Mahatma Gandhi once said that the greatest crime in this world is poverty. Here you see the poorest among the poor, the people who survive the day picking up somebody dirty trash. The stench foul and putrid, our brave souls (me and my photo buddy bobot)inch our way into the the center of the action where people and flies alike were busy scavenging whatever where once was real drinks, real food.



For them everything you throw doesn't matter anymore. Its all real for them. They eat the spoiled and the foul like its like manna from heaven. For a lot of people this is God's forsaken land, for them this is their home, their livelihood. What's amazing though is that they still seem to give that infectious smile like happy contented souls.





This is their untold story. Stories that are simply washed away like gathering dust when the rain comes.....

A Day In Tabo-an

If your a tourist and would ask a local (Cebuano) where to buy gifts or "pasalubong", its a certainty that Tabo-an market would not miss the list. Here you find the a great variety of dried fishes among the best and cheapest in the country.



You also get to immerse ourself with the old Cebu, where people ride in horse driven carriages which nowadays can be as rare as a gem.







Save albeit for the well dressed and moneyed tourists that abound the place, much of Tabo-an has been a neglect down to the people who have been living in dire poverty ever since. It is one of the few places in town where a photographer with his expensive toys dare to shoot alone.




My instincts got the best out of me. No fear they say. I knew I could talk my way out of the situation by immersing in the people's livelihood. Besides I was with my buddy that time and had the tripod for a bat.LOL




Just as we thought that was about it, we saw some street children playing in the interior portion, approached them and ask them to pose for us. They gladly did and ended showing them their photos and giving them some pennies. We ended happy, glad that at some point that our wisdom to shoot in that place paid off. And so was the children that for one day they didn't have to steal their way for a meal....

Pure Shores

Before the summer just ended abruptly, my wife and I managed to sneak up some surprises of our own by going out island hopping in the channel between Cebu and Bohol. We invited a few of our friends and our families to join us to make it more fun. It rained for days before that putting a damp into the initial excitement we had. We must have pleased the Gods that it was, to our delight, gave us a perfect, bright sunny day. We went to several islands passing off the shallow hilutungan channel known for its marine conservation efforts and diving spots before proceeding to Pandanon Island.



Pandanon Island has gained increasing popularity these days for its natural sandbar that extends shallowly into the sea. Its a private area that has been opened to public for a fee. Its not a great place to dive or snorkel but certainly makes it up with it family oriented atmosphere.





The islands beaches might not compare to the powdery white sand of boracay but its natural beauty, exclusivity and peacefulness truly makes this place a place for die hard sun worshippers seen here making that trademark jump shot.



There were several interesting inlands we visited. We passed by Panganan Island for a while and then went to Sulpa Islet for some sightseeing. We saw so many sea urchins so we decided not to swim but instead collected some which some of my friends ate. I didn't as the taste is not just for me.





Some of the interesting shots of fishermen at sea. We happen to pass by them from a great distance so i had to bear with these shots. Nevertheless its a great opportunity to see them work despite the heat which was past 2pm when i took these shots.




Lastly we drop of hilutungan channel for diving and snorkeling. I don't dive and snorkel that often so to see a lot of fishes swarming all over you can be a little bit exhilarating. The country boast of of the richest marine biodiversity in the world and to see things being done to preserve the environment is a commendation worth a thousand praises.




These are the the keepers of Hilutungan, the guardians of the sea that had make conscientious efforts to save the rich marine habitat of the place which by the way has been declared a marine sanctuary together with Olango island.





It was such fun for a day and surely will be going out for another surprise next summer. Hopefully,...when it doesn't rain too early.