Davao Pride: Tribu K'Mindanawan Fire Dancing Photos and Video

Tribu K'Mindanawan 

Here are some photos captured on our trip to Crocodile Farm during the Kadayawan Festival 2013. Davao's talented fire dancers, known to be as Tribu K'Mindanawan performed their jaw dropping fire dancing tricks in front of visitors. Make sure to watch the video too!

Canon Powershot SX50HS Captures: Moon

Test shot: Moon photo taken using Canon Powershot SX50HS

Last December 21, 2013, I finally got the chance and money to buy the camera I've been eyeing for months, the Canon Powershot SX50HS. It's definitely an upgrade to my ancient Canon Ixus 80IS. Don't get me wrong, that point and shoot has served me efficiently for years. It's a very light camera that captured 99% of the pictures seen in this blog. A travel buddy for six years that I decided to give the Ixus a rest for a while now that the Powershot is here.     

My main reason why I choose the Canon Powershot SX50IS over any newly released DSLRs out there? It weighs lighter than usual dslrs (which makes it a great travel camera), it's cheaper (need I say more) and best of all, it's a super zoom camera - 50X baby! It simply makes this camera an outstanding photography gear.

So on the first night that I bought the powershot, I took one its famous test shot - the moon shot. To make the shot even more special, the night of December 26, Philippines experienced the longest night of the year or what experts call the winter solstice. It marks the time when the sun lies at its farthest point south of the equator, PAGASA said. Darkness will set in at 5:32 p.m. and last until 6:16 a.m. the following day, or 12 hours and 44 minutes of nighttime. 

moon as seen from our house window

handheld: more zoom and you get to see this amazing view of the moon...

Photos: tuna Festival Vibe in General Santos Fish Port

Here are some photos taken on September 5, 2013 inside General Santos Fish Port Complex during the annual Tuna festival.

Festival Photos: General Santos Tuna Float Parade 2013

Here are some photos captured during the Float Parade in this year's Tuna Festival celebrated last September 5, 2013 in General Santos City.

Festival Photos: Talakudong Street Dancing and Field Demonstration Competition

This set of photos were taken last September 18, 2013 during the Talakudong Street Dancing and Field Demonstration Competition. 5 contingents from different schools in Tacurong competed along the streets, dancing while wearing their bright "kudong" or headgear designs. Talakudong Festival marks the annual celebration of the city hood foundation of Tacurong.

This 2013, Tribu Kudong from VF Griño Memorial National High School emerged as the Grand Champion. Other schools that participated includes Tribu Silak, Tribu Salakot of Tacurong National High School, Tribu Kadsayap of San Emmanuel National High School and Tribu Manubiaw of Tacurong Pilot Elementary School who won last year's competition.

Sultan Kudarat Provincial Capitol

panoramic view from the building of Sultan Kudarat Provincial Capitol

Inside Baras Bird Sanctuary

These photos were taken during my recent trip to Tacurong. The city's most famed tourist spot, the Baras Bird Sanctuary.

Black Crowned Night Heron

Adults are approximately 64 cm (25 in) long and weigh 800 g (28 oz). They have a black crown and back with the remainder of the body white or grey, red eyes, and short yellow legs. They have pale grey wings and white under parts. Two or three long white plumes, erected in greeting and courtship displays, extend from the back of the head. The sexes are similar in appearance although the males are slightly larger.

Photos: T'nalak Festival 2013

Below are photos taken during the week long T'nalak Festival 2013 held last July 11-18, 2013.

Street Dancing Parade

Photography Gear: Cheap Mini Tripod for Digital Camera

I usually book my plane flights without check-in baggage, so bringing my 5ft tripod is a challenge. Airports wouldn't allow tripods as hand carry. There was a time that Cebu Pacific allowed me to check in the tripod without additional cost, but doing so means risking the tripod when there's no box to protect it amidst other heavy baggage. So, I decided to buy a mini-tripod. 

Here's one I bought from Japan Home Center at an affordable price of just Php88. Great deal right? Having one brings convenience, it's handy (solo travel friendly) and durable.

Tourist Spots in Sagada (Photos)

scenic view from the road (Banaue to Sagada)

Below are some pictures of the most visited sites in Sagada.

Sagada: Marlboro Country Photos

The Marlboro Country of Sagada may not be that famous as that of other tourist trails but still equally beautiful and breathtaking. We chose this off the beaten path and braved the morning chill as we trek the hillside offering a vast of mountain silhouettes and a playground for photo enthusiasts. Let me share a series of photos shot during the actual trek.

Sagada: Bomod-ok Falls Trek Photos

Bomod-ok Falls

Photos here were taken during our November-December trip to Sagada as we make an anfternoon trek to one of the province's famous tourist spot, Bomod-ok Falls. To read more about this, visit this link http://saggi-space.blogspot.com/2012/12/sagada-afternoon-trek-to-bomod-ok-falls.html

Here's a photo tour of what transpired during the trek.  

Boracay Cruise: Inside Look at 2Go Vessel

Photos here were captured during our Boracay trip onboard 2Go Vessel from Batangas to Caticlan and back. It's hotel like feature makes this trip a destination itself, a highly recommended family sea trip adventure.

Boracay Station 3 Photos

Below are some photos taken during our recent Boracay trip, all taken within Station 3.

Boracay morning

Photos: Malawmawan Island, Sorsogon

the jump shot ^_^

Photos here were taken during our overnight camping trip in Malawmawan Island, a private respite somewhere in Sorsogon.

Villa Sylvia Resort, Nagcarlan, Laguna

water coming from equally enchanting Mt. Banahaw

Photos here were taken during our overnight stay in Villa Sylvia Resort in Nagcarlan, Laguna.

Address: Brgy. Banago, Nagcarlan, Laguna

Tel: (049)563-1810

for story behind these images, visit http://saggi-space.blogspot.com/2012/06/villa-sylvia-resort-nagcarlan.html

Trek to Pagsanjan Falls

Pagsanjan Falls

On my last weekend Laguna trip, me and 4 other girl buddies chose the cheaper alternative to see the Pagsanjan Falls. For just Php150, we trekked, rappelled, raft, soaked and enjoyed the waters of Pagsanjan Falls. I will blog more about this trip in details in Travel Journal. Meantime, you can check out the photos below to see the trail 400m down starting from Pueblo El Salvador Eco Park in Cavinti.

Day Trip: Splendido Taal Golf and Country Club

Surrounding the Splendido Taal golf course is the 87-hectare fairway lots and residential enclaves of the Splendido Taal Residential Estates owned by JAKA Tagaytay Holdings Corporation.

Splendido Taal

The Splendido Taal Golf Clubhouse provides golf club members and guests with facilities such as centrally air-conditioned men's and ladies' locker rooms equipped with individual showers, jaccuzi, sauna and massage rooms. Splendido Taal also provides practice putting greens, tee houses on the fairways and a pro-shop owned and operated by the Club. The clubhouse boasts of two premiere culinary destinations in the Tagaytay Ridge area: the La Esquina Spanish Restaurant which sits in a scenic corner of the clubhouse; and the Ladera Golfers' Lounge that is located on top of a small rise that provides a majestic view of the Taal Volcano and Taal Lake on one side and the greens and fairways of the Splendido Taal Golf Course on the other. Both restaurants cater to golf tournaments, wedding receptions, birthday parties, conferences/meetings, seminars and other special functions.

Staycation - Potter's Ridge Hotel, Tagaytay

Taal Lake's foggy silhouette

I have been wanting to take a break from the summer heat and humid weather for a much needed cool breeze getaway and Tagaytay's high altitude offers that much needed time out. The planning part for the overnight stay was a quick 1 hour of web search from Agoda where I found a very good place to stay with a fellow friend and travel fan herself. These two Taurus will be spending some bonding time together spending their birthdays for an easy escape and slow down away from the city's crazy pressures.

Here are some more photos taken during an overnight stay in Potter's Ridge Hotel in Tagaytay.

Ultimate Bicol Road Trip Experience

photos from my recent Bicol Road Trip Escapade

sunrise at Gumaca, Quezon