whatever makes you happy

to the world's largest bat colony and shits

2017-04-14T09:20:00.002+08:00

Our trip to the world's largest bat colony is the highlights (for me) of our Davao tour. This cave which houses millions of fruit bats is the prettiest and foulest thing I've seen. I can't remember asking if you can enter the cave, but maybe you can if your nose is strong enough to endure the pain.

The technique; stop breathing.

never ever underestimate Mt. Maculot

2017-03-30T07:52:00.000+08:00

It's been a long time since my last trip (and it's been a long time since this trip happened, and it's been a long time since I updated this shit), and I was super excited about discovering another beauty again. I guess it's the least I can do to my dear country; explore her and show the world how pretty she is. Actually, I just had to get out of the city; take a break, and breathe some fresh air. I was about to lose my head.

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catfish in empty aquarium

2016-08-11T20:44:00.000+08:00

There's supposed to be an image of a cat right here, sleeping inside an aquarium.. an empty aquarium, but I can't figure out how to get it from this stupid tablet's folder. I was thinking of a nice intro but my frustration killed it.. not that I have thought of a nice intro, but it's a good excuse, right? right.

So I visited my family in their new house which is now farther from the city.. quite far, actually. But it doesn't matter, I don't live with them anyway. And maybe that's what my parents need; a place that is far from any pollution and stress.

It's only been three days since they moved when I visited that some stuff were still unpacked (I think they're the same unpacked boxes and things when we last moved to our last apartment). One of those unattended thing is our aquarium which stands at the stairs.. next to the window. It's a perfect spot, but it ate a lot of space.

the first rain of summer

2016-06-23T20:42:00.000+08:00

Early this morning I was obliged to use my umbrella which I haven't used in months. I thought I was never going to need its assistance because it doesn't rain that much anymore (not that I'm complaining), but since it's already rainy season (technically).. it's weird.

Normally, we get a lot of rain from June to November, until December.. mostly the entire year, actually, because it also rains on January and February. But it all changed; we're getting a lot of sun lately, and it's so fucking hot!

It's not my fault. I didn't wish for that to happen, no matter how many times I say "I hate rain! I fucking hate it!" I would never wish for rain to stop showering us with her love during her period.

So what's this post all about?

Nothing. I just just want to share with you this lovely photo of the most colorful umbrellas I took in Pahiyas Festival. I don't think writing about the festival this late would be a good idea, sooo maybe I'll just, you know.. make a dumb post.

master in black and white

2016-05-07T00:02:00.000+08:00

I named him master, the master chef. :D

I can't remember what he was preparing but I do remember that we waited for more than an hour for our food which gave me the idea of taking his picture. I was sitting next to their kitchen window, and I was seeing everything that was happening inside. I think they're cool and collected.

I think he was cutting fish or some shellfish.. notice the huge basin of ice on his side. I think this black and white version of him is prettier.

hummingbird nest

2016-05-01T14:48:00.000+08:00

I caught two hummingbirds in this branch of whatever plant this is somewhere in the Garden. Uh.. yeah, the Gardens by the Bay. I wasn't able to include this in the A-Z Challenge because it's a black and white photo.. and the black and white link party I know happens every Sunday which is a rest day for the A-Z Challenge participants.

But I found another link party for my black and white photos just now, and I'm glad I did. I wish my shots are pretty enough for them to include me in their cool group.

zingy streets of Singapore

2016-04-30T14:46:00.001+08:00

Today is the last day of the A-Z Challenge, and I'm glad it's finally over. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed every minute of it.. sharing my experiences abroad. I knew choosing this theme would give me a hard time, but I had no any other option.

And now that it's over, I can freely watch my favorite shows or movies at night without worrying about posting for the day; thinking of titles to fit the alphabet and topics and whatnot. A lot of times I drooled in my keyboard.. that was really gross.

Now, it is going to be the first and last time that I will use this word. Zingy. It doesn't even sound appealing, but the streets of Singapore are.. especially that area where we waited for our bus going to Genting in Malaysia.

It rained that night. It rained hard. Each of us had umbrellas, but we had to walk a very long stretch of those streets I have no idea about under the rain. I fucking hated it. Then I learned that my brother hates rain as well, or maybe he just hated it because his socks were soaked, as well as their luggage. They had one carrying around and his clothes were in there.

young and beautiful

2016-04-30T00:13:00.002+08:00

This young girl reminds me of some local celebrity.. a very young version of her. I caught her running around our backs while we're resting from exploring the whole garden.. playing around. Her dad was calling her while I was shooting her, so I backed away, but the little girl came back. I think she liked being photographed. or maybe she just loves to play around.

Another young and beautiful is this young girl on her bike with her dad at her back keeping up with her. I've shared this many times before but I just love this shot that much you might still find her in my future posts.

xenia

2016-04-29T22:57:00.000+08:00

Xenia is the ancient Greek concept of hospitality, as per Wikipedia. It's the generosity and courtesy shown to those who are far from home and/or associates of the person bestowing guest-friendship.

I don't have a topic for x and I wasn't able to post yesterday because I can't think of any, and I'm blaming my laziness for that. I copied the description straight from Wikipedia, and that's so embarrassing. But I cannot skip X, so maybe I'll just leave this post like this.. looking like shit. sorry.

which is colder

2016-04-27T21:33:00.000+08:00

Genting, they said, is one of the coldest parts in Malaysia. I was also told that it's colder than Baguio and Benguet, so they advised me to bring a thick jacket, thick long sleeve shirts, and leggings and a pair of shoes which I don't have. Yeah, I only had my usual flip flops and sandals.. they were laughing at me, actually.. but what can I do? That's all I have. But I had to see for myself to agree.

It's not.

I've arrived in Baguio at 4 or 5 in the morning, same time we arrived in Genting. It's nothing compared to how cold Baguio is, especially in the morning. I had to layer clothing to survive in Baguio with a really thick jacket, a thick sweatshirt and a shirt underneath. It actually felt like I had to add more and/or double my pants but I wouldn't be able to move freely if I did that. While in Genting, I was only wearing a long sleeve shirt and a shirt underneath, and of course a pair of pants( I figured I should mention I was also wearing my pants). I don't know if I'm used to cold weather, but it really wasn't that cold.. but it's foggy.

view from above

2016-04-26T22:05:00.000+08:00

So we went for a cable ride, the longest in Southeast Asia and the fastest in the world.. and for fifteen minutes we were up there taking every tree's pictures and of every views which were the same until we landed in Resorts World Genting.

ultimate list: my take on street photography

2016-04-25T22:39:00.004+08:00

I was reminded again that taking other people's pictures is offensive in every angles, and that I might get into serious trouble if I continue doing that. I appreciate the concern, I do, and I do take this advice very seriously, but I do this kind of photography very discreetly as well. And when I was asked why I'm doing it, I replied "I don't know". But what I do know is I enjoy doing it, I just don't know why. Is that good reason enough?

And so here is my list of the most interesting shots I took in the streets of Singapore and Malaysia. I could hardly call this my ultimate list though, I just need to create a title for U.

I've shared some of them before, like this shot of the biker girl, and the "celebrity chef" who posed beautifully in front of the Singapore Flyer, the lady in "tunnel of bloom", and that toasted under the sun Laneway Experience.

This girl who's pedaling hard to get away from her dad and join the love of her life is one of my most favorites and luckiest shots in my entire collection. I took it in one of the streets in Singapore.

tunnel of bloom

2016-04-23T15:16:00.000+08:00

The tunnel of bloom is what I called this long walkway to the Gardens by the Bay. It's a connection between the MRT and Gardens by the Bay. You'll see a lot of flowers in there displayed on its wall lined with tall mirrors. People started to pose in front of those wallpaper flowers and I can't resist shooting them as well, but I failed.

I continued to take their photos while walking; these people, they're just fascinating, and I was able to get a good shot of someone from my back.

My camera was processing the last shot it took, and a few seconds later, I saw my subject staring straight at my camera, or maybe at me for shooting her without permission. She already had passed by me when I saw her face looking like I don't know if pissed. But I seriously like this photo.

so many reflections

2016-04-22T23:02:00.001+08:00

So I was walking towards the Gardens by the Bay through this long walkway which I called "the tunnel of bloom", and I was admiring its flowery wall, watching people strike their favorite poses, checking every angles, showing their best smiles.. you know, for Facebook. I tried to take their pictures but I failed. They're not worth sharing.

And so I thought of shooting those who were chilling inside the tunnel instead.. those who were hanging out with their cellphones out. And I came out with this..

recollecting the moment

2016-04-21T21:30:00.001+08:00

Do you remember the last time you hang out with your whole family in an amusement park? I was in elementary, I think, grade 3 or 4 when we went to Boom na Boom. It was huge then. And that was our first and last time to hang out in an amusement park, as a whole family. My father is not a fan of kiddie rides, he's more a beach or river or pool kind of man.

We had a lot of joyrides going to beaches in our relatives' provinces back then when he was still owning a taxi. Yes, he was a taxi driver, and he named his taxi "kambal" or twins in english.. because we have twins in the family.

I don't know how to connect the intro with my topic, so maybe I'll just tell you that I caught a few family moments in Universal Studios which gave me the idea for that title. I wasn't reminiscing, if that's what you're thinking. I just think they all look cute and nice and warm and very nice and I'm glad I was able to shoot them and document their family moments.

quarter to eight

2016-04-20T21:18:00.001+08:00

The sun was still up at seven thirty in the evening in Genting.. setting up at seven quarter. It was really fascinating for me because in the Philippines the sun sets at around six to six thirty.. the latest would be seven in the evening.

I think I've mentioned many times before that the time zone they follow in Malaysia as well as in Singapore doesn't match their time. I mean, both of them share the same time zone with the Philippines but it seems like they must adjust their time one hour less.. you know, just a thought.

Petronas Towers

2016-04-19T21:14:00.000+08:00

You know what really caught my attention when we arrived in Kuala Lumpur was the sky. It was super red. That sky wasn't photoshopped. It was actually reddish, and it kinda freaked me out, but they never seem to notice. They're all busy taking pictures. But, hey, it did add character to my photos. I just don't know why it's red.

I took another shot from another angle.. it's really red. It was both alarming and fascinating. Is this how bad the pollution is in Malaysia? particularly in Kuala Lumpur? or I don't know, maybe it's just the lighting.

obligatory Laneway shots

2016-04-18T20:55:00.000+08:00

I do feel like it's an obligation to shoot moments like these. They were there, we were there, sitting next to each other, listening to these great bands from all over the world, not minding the heat, and too much sweating. I did feel like a melting candle being blown away by these fantastic music. But we stayed. I stayed. I let myself be toasted, and for the nth time, I should have thought of protecting my skin at least.

I took this during the early hours of the festival. Some people caught me shooting them, some hid their faces, but that girl in front made this shot really special.

nearly missing the plane

2016-04-16T18:51:00.000+08:00

We had a few hours to spend scouring every stalls, every shops, every products they have before our flight. I found the cutest vegetable magnets in a reasonable price. I'm not a fan ref magnets, but how can you say no to a mushroom, tomatoes, and ginger which were beautifully crafted.. they looked real in my eyes. I have no photos of them though, and two of them were already broken.. that's why I'm not a fan of ref magnets.

But I do have this shot which I wasn't able to share before. I took it while we were waiting for the rain to stop, and while they're haggling for something. I stood under this tent which I don't know if strong enough to handle the rain, but I had no any other option.

Makansutra Gluttons Bay

2016-04-15T20:48:00.001+08:00

They said we must not leave Singapore without trying the chili crab in Makansutra Gluttons Bay, and satay at Satay by the Bay, and I was like "suuuuure, your treat?!" he chuckled, which kinda means, "in your dreams" "no, seriously, you must try it." he added.

My brother was our official tour guide/financier which he both performed perfectly well. I actually still have to pay him.. hmm next month, I will.

He said the place gets crowded easily so we had to get there early to get a nice spot. We found our spot and people started to occupy each table just a few moments after we ordered.

l-l-l-l-l-light show at Gardens by the Bay

2016-04-14T22:12:00.001+08:00

We witnessed a very beautiful, very colorful, very nice light show in Marina Bay last year, but unfortunately, I wasn't able to take a picture of it.. not one. My camera always die whenever something as glamorous as a Marina Bay light show occurs in front of me.. something that is worth every picture in the universe.

But the universe was good to me when we visited the Gardens by the Bay. We were about to exit when I heard a very calming voice giving a nice introduction to the show. I stopped walking and started to take pictures. I heard my brother calling me and telling me something like "this way" or "that way" but I ignored him. I was on a mission, and I must at least get a picture or two.

I was joined by a hundred more people, pointing their fancy gadgets in the "huge flowers" (I'm sorry I don't think I'd be able to get over the huge flowers), I mean, the super trees. I saw how pretty their shots are. But I like mine.

keep it cool

2016-04-13T20:23:00.001+08:00

How long can you wait for your food before you lose your cool because you're starving and you keep noticing that some people in the other tables are getting their food already when you know you came first and ordered first before them?

I think we waited for about an hour before our food finally landed in our table. There was nothing fancy in our orders.. just normal wanton noodles, chicken, rice and tea (that's all I remember). But no one lost their cool, we were just kind of crying and begging for our food to come because we noticed that everyone's eating already and we're staring at their every bite.. drooling.

I almost tapped the kitchen wall (which was a glass wall) because we're sitting next to it and remind the chef of our order. But I saw how busy he was and he might just ignore me, so I thought of shooting him instead.

joyful smiles for me

2016-04-12T21:17:00.001+08:00

It is very rare that I encounter someone who would be pleased to be shot by a stranger, and smile gorgeously in my camera. I have shared before some of my favorite models; those who were pleased to be shot by me, without asking for anything in return. And I'm glad I still was able to find one in another country.

This one was taken in Universal Studios, September last year.

I was trying to shoot Beetlejuice from afar because I don't want to invade their social activity. He was surrounded by people trying to take his picture, so I stayed in my place and hoped for good shots. I was really aiming for his face, but I caught a pretty nice smile smiling towards me. I'm not saying that that smile was for me, but I do think that it's a pretty lucky shot to catch someone smiling and laughing and then noticing that some lunatic was shooting them from afar while in a state of being happy.

invaders must die

2016-04-11T20:37:00.001+08:00

Universal Studios was invaded September last year by the not so unidentified object. It wasn't flying but floating above a crowd of fans.. of StreetBoys' fans who were enjoying their every moves.

StreetBoys is a group of dancers from the Philippines, who were quite famous in the late 90s and early 2000s. They broke up and moved on to different careers, I guess, but some of them continued their passion in dancing in Singapore.. in Universal Studios. I thought I should tell you that because I mentioned their group and I do think they're great dancers. Unfortunately though, their fans didn't notice that they're standing under a high-caliber flying saucer.. and they were about to die.

I think from the aliens' point of view, the people are the invaders, and they must die.

high above me

2016-04-09T17:57:00.001+08:00

One of the most amazing things about flying at 5 in the afternoon or 5 in the morning is to catch the sun sets or rises. But of course you need to be sitting next to the window to fully enjoy this moment.. and I was sitting next to the window, and was enjoying this magical view up above; watching the colors change from orange, to reddish orange and blue, until the entire sky was covered with blue and purple and a bit of orange.