SHOOTING THE SHOOTER.....

James Takes A Walk.....






"Buboy! Anong meron dyan?"






"Lola! Saan ka pupunta?"






The Solitary Journeyman.....






Searching For A Location.....






Vogue! Strike A Pose!






"Smile, Erwin!"






"Hmmm, Ano Kaya Ang Kinukunan Ni Erwin Dito?"






Buboy's Image Taking Workflow.....

He Shoots.....




He Checks.....



And WAVES!!!!!





Bless' Steps To Taking Photos.....

Yumuko.....



Umupo.....



At KUMAWAY!!!!!





Erwin's Tips on Shooting Seascapes.....

Place Your Tripod Near The Shore And Focus.....



Remove Your Tripod And Run For Your Life When A Big Wave Comes In.....



Place Your Tripod Back When The Wave Dissolves And Refocus.....





Shooting The Long And Winding Road.....

Even If It Is The Midday Sun.....




Under The Sweltering Heat.....




Seek For Cover (And Wave)....




And Enjoy The Moment!!!!!





Shooting This Writer.....




At some point while I take photographs, I step back from what I do and observe what my colleagues are doing. The brief respite enables me to take a look at the scene with a fresher set of eyes and relieves my right hand from the strain of holding my camera for a long time.

So during this Ilocos sojourn, I shot some pictures of my colleagues in action, as they sought that decisive moment to capture their images.

PICTURES BY THE VIADUCT.....

We left for Ilocos Norte the moment we were through with shooting Vigan during the early morning. Places that we still need to visit include the Bangui Wind Farm, the lighthouse at Cape Bojeador, the waters of Pagudpud and as James suggested, Kabigan Falls in Burgos.

Marc brought with him a portable gas stove and we had drinks chilled in the cooler hence the trip turned into a picnic by the time we were at Burgos to trek the way towards the waterfalls. Brunch was grilled chicken and fish. Although the food was good, I just lost my appetite, as the hike made me drink lots of water and thus satisfy my hunger. Just the same, I tried to eat even a little, knowing that the next chance I might have shall be a little while later.


Anyway, we were at the viaduct at around 12 noon. I do not have an idea why people seem to stop when they reach the portion of the viaduct that separates the Ilocos Region and Cagayan Valley. There isn't really a picturesque spot for people to pose in front of for a picture. But for photographers, the possibilities to take photographs are endless. So take out the sun screen lotion, wear your shades and get out to shoot when you are at the viaduct!

CITY AFTER DARK.....

Crisologo By Night.....









Street Signs.....






Waiting For Time.....






Early Morning Rain.....





Shining Light.....






A Scene From The Past.....





A Long Exposure Group Shot.....





We rushed back to Crisologo Street at around 3 am. I always wanted to take a photo of Vigan in the evening and this was the opportunity to do so. Well, technically, it is the early morning but I just wanted to have a "clean" street photo.

We were scheduled to head to Laoag this morning hence the early start. We bade our host goodbye and headed for our shooting location. The first surprise I noticed was that the streetlights were kept on! And we worried that it was to be switch off during the wee hours.

I guess sleep is the last thing one wants to do when you have an area solely for yourself to take photographs of.

OF THINGS SEEN AND INTERPETED.....

Sculpted on Wood.....





Selective Focus.....






Light My Way....





Tool Of The Trade.....






Cosmic Shapes.....






Crisologo Street in Vigan is perhaps the most photographed stretch of road here in the Philippines, its picturesque cobblestones and its Spanish architecture serves as a reminder of our colonization by the Spaniards for 400 years.

Me and my photo buddies walked through the street. There were lots of people moving around as it was summer. We certainly wished it was night time soon, so as to clear the street and we can start taking pictures.

Every diner and cafe was full of hungry tourists. But we decided to eat halo-halo and Vigan empanada first at the town plaza food stalls. We resumed the walk after we finished eating merienda, taking pictures of intricate things like wood carvings and other knick knacks.

The other places that we went to were the pagburnayan, the place where the local pottery is made and the Baluarte Zoo, which is basically Governor Chavit Singsong's house but has a zoo and a chapel.

We had a disappointing time at Cafe Leona, what with the not so delectable food, of other dishes being out of stock without informing us early on and not having to wait for its serving and AGAIN having to wait for a looonggg time before our bill arrived after we asked for it 45 minutes earlier! It made us exit the cafe in a hurry, head back to the empanada food stall and buy empanadas and bibingkas to take home and eat. There was a moment when we considered leaving without paying our bill altogether because of the very poor service and the not so good food we got.

I am so excited to show the gang the food at Saramsam Cafe when we get to Laoag! And I hope that will impress them and appreciate Ilocano food as the way it should! c",)

THE CHURCH SQUARE OF BANTAY, ILOCOS SUR.....

St. Agustine Church of Bantay, Ilocos Sur.....




The Belfry.....




Gated Entrance.....




Our Lady Of Charity, "The Patroness Of Ilocandia".....




Inside the Church.....




Eyes Of Faith.....




Sounds Of Antiquity.....






Atop Calvario Hills.....






Bantay, Ilocos Sur is a town that is adjacent to Vigan. It actually is the town before the bus enters the ark that marks the road which leads to Salcedo Plaza. To the average traveler, this town gets overlooked so often because most tourists who chose to ride the buses that start its journey from Metro Manila, automatically disembark at Vigan City itself. Bantay means Guardian in the English language.

According to the elder townsfolk, fishermen found the image of Our Lady of Charity in a wooden box while it floated in Bantaoay River. When people from other towns and provinces found out about it, they tried to carry the statue and claim it, according to their linage. But they failed to do so, with only the people from Bantay the ones able to move the miraculous image and thus, the town became her home. This is one of the stories on how the town got its name. The miraculous image was the town's Bantay. On January 12, 1956, the then Papal Nuncio to the Philippines (the Vatican's equivalent of an ambassador) most Reverend Msgr. Vagnozzi crowned the image as the Patroness of Ilocandia.

The belfry sits on a hilltop (Calvario Hill) overlooking a vast green pastureland and the mountain view of the province of Abra. It was used as a watchtower for invading enemy forces during World Wars I and II. Both the church and belfry stood witnesses to the endless revolts that Ilocanos often staged against the Spaniards with Ilocano Diego Silang's revolt ending when he was killed here in Bantay by a Spanish mestizo named Vico.

A lot has happened in this trip. But we are thankful that we have reached our destination. The club wishes to thank NAYON member James' lola whose name escapes me at the moment ( I better ask James about that c",)) for sharing us her home as Bless, Buboy, Erwin, James and yours truly stayed at her house and did not mind the intrusion. We planned on photographing Vigan at night and when no one else is aound hence the need to stay overnight. Since the house was good enough for a few people, Marc and the rest stayed in a hotel in an area much nearer to Vigan.

But while the sun is still up, onwards to Vigan we shall explore!