Kids doing the Lion Dance

January 23, 2012 marks the start of the Chinese Lunar New Year. Chinese New Year is the most important Chinese holiday, celebrated by billions of people around the world.  Each of the Chinese New Year Calendar is represented by one of twelve animals of the Chinese Zodiac. For 2012, it’s the Dragon.  It is the creature of myth and legend. A symbol of good fortune and power.

I went to Binondo Chinatown last Monday to witness the celebration there.  This is the first time that the Chinese New Year here is a holiday.  I wasn’t surprised with large crowd because I was also there the day before to scout and feel the ambiance of the place.

The mood is very festive. There are lion and dragon dance moving to the beat of the drums,  people dancing with Ati-atihan, the restaurants and food establishments are jam-packed.

I also visited Kuan Kong Temple to pay homage to Kuang Kong and to observe our Filipino-Chinese brothers and sisters how they pray.

There are also a lot of photographers in the area. I saw different types of camera DSLR, SLR, Rangefinders, Lomo, Micro 4/3, Point & Shoot even tablets and cellphones. There is a joke that day  “Mas marami pa ang photographers kesa sa mga Intsik”.

The streets are also filled with vendors of lucky charms. I really wanted to buy the dragon puppet (see photo below) but I don’t know where to place it in my room. I also read somewhere that 2012 is not a good year for Dog people since Dog and Dragon have a fighting relationship.

I admit that I am not into festivals  but this one is an exception. I can’t explain why but I am really fascinated with the Chinese cultures and traditions.

Happy Chinese New Year Everyone!

Ortigas Center - 02/16/10

Ortigas Center is the second most important central business district after Makati. It is a 4,000 hectare land known as Hacienda de Mandaloyon in 1930s. It was a virtual wasteland when acquired by Ortigas & Company but now a home to many skyscrapers, famous offices, shopping malls and restaurants.

Ortigas is sorrounded by of Pasig, Mandaluyong,  San Juan and Quezon City.

Photography Gears: Nikon D80 + Nikkor 18-70mm
Settings: 18mm, 30 secs, f8, ISO 100

Makati Central Business District - Makati City - 12/09/09

Makati is the financial center of the Philippines. It was Miguel Lopez de Legaspi, the first Governor-General of the Philippines who spotted the area in 1570′s. The name “Makati” came from the word “kati”, which means tide, referring to the tide of Pasig River located north of Makati.

Photography Gears: Nikon D80 + Nikkor 18-70mm
Settings: 18mm, 30 secs, f7.1, ISO 125

Nativity Scene (Belen) - Ayala, Makati - 11/20/10

Wishing everyone a meaningful and happy Christmas. Let us not forget to give thanks to all the blessings we received this year. A little prayer for our brothers & sisters in Northern Mindanao who were affected by Typhoon Sendong.

Photography Gears: Nikon D80 + Tokina 12-24mm
Settings: 12mm, 1/15 secs, f4, ISO 800

Mambukal Falls - Negros Occidental - 08/24/08

The 7 falls of Mambukal can be seen at the Mambukal Mountain Resort in the town of Murcia, Negros Occidental. It also serves as gateway to Mt. Kanlaon, the highest mountain in Visayas.

We bypassed the first six waterfalls to focus on shooting the 7th and the topmost falls. It took us 2 hours of hiking before we reached it. We didn’t regret on climbing up to the last falls because it was indeed beautiful.

Photography Gears: Nikon D80 + Nikkor 18-70mm + ND8 Filter
Settings: 18mm, 6 secs, f22, ISO 100

Ifugao, Banaue - 10/04/08

The native of Ifugao are also called Ifugao not Igorot. The name Ifugao came from the word “I” which means “people of” and “Pugo” which means “from the hill”.  The term Igorot came from two words “I” and “Golot” which means “mountain range”.

Photography Gears: Nikon D80 + Nikkor 50mm 1.8f
Settings: 50mm, 1,250 secs, f1.8, ISO 100

Capones Lighthouse - Zambales - 10/23/11

It was my third time to overnight camp in Capones Island last month but I always keep coming back. Why? One of the reasons is that I don’t have decent shot of the lighthouse.  I don’t have an UWA lens on my first camp and the UWA lens that I borrowed during my second camp has a problem.

Faro de Punta Capones or Capones Lighthouse is one of the few remaining old Spanish lighthouse in the country. The lighthouse became operational in 1890. It has been operational for more than 100 years guiding vessels entering and leaving Subic Bay.

Photography Gears: Nikon D90 + Tokina 10-20mm + CPL Filter
Settings: 12mm, 1/200 secs, f8, ISO 200

Capones Island - Zambales - 10/22/11

It was a well spent weekend, overnight camping with friends at Capones Island. Capones Island is one of most favorite places to camp because of its beautiful white sand beaches and of course the sight of both sunrise and sunset. I didn’t shoot much this time because I have been to this island a couple times, it was a sleep eat then repeat mode for me. I am looking forward to camp on the lighthouse side on my next visit.

Photography Gears: Nikon D80 + Tokina 10-20mm + GND Filter
Settings: 12mm, 1/40 secs, f8, ISO 100

Mt. Batulao - Nasugbu, Batangas, 05/04/08

Mt. Batulao is one of most popular hiking destinations for outdoor enthusiasts because of its proximity to Metro Manila. Batulao was derived from the phenomenon observed by locals. A scene described by natives as bato sa ilaw or ilaw sa dalawang bato Towering with the height of 2,660 ft. above sea level in Nasugbu, Batangas; the view of Batangas Province, Taal Lake and other mountains like Mt. Talamitam and Pico de Loro can be seen from the summit.

Three years ago, I organized a climb and took the newly opened trail (photo above). I’ve been to this mountain a lot of times and I never thought a trail can be possible from this side. Surprisingly, this route is easier compared to the traditional one.

Photography Gears: Nikon D80 + Nikkor 18-70mm + CPL & GND Filters
Settings: 22mm, 1/60 secs, f10, ISO 320

Manila Central Post Office - Manila - 01/17/10

It was a failed sunset shoot at Manila Bay with my friend Allan when I took this photo. We walked from Cultural Center of the Philippines up to the Jones Bridge looking for a good subject but  we ended up eating dinner in Binondo.

The photo above is the Manila Central Post Office. It is the post office of Manila and the head office of Philippine Postal Corporation. The building was designed by Juan M. Arellano and built in 1926. It was rebuilt after the worldwar in 1946. It is one of the beautiful neoclassical inspired building in Manila.  Located in Intramuros along Pasig River, fronting Liwasang Bonifacio / Plaza Lawton.

Photography Gears: Nikon D80 + Nikkor 18-70mm
Settings: 70mm, 92 secs, f8, ISO 100