Visit to Taboan, Cebu. The Dried Fish Market

Me and Nanay was asked by Tatay to visit Taboan. Taboan as known for dried fish. A famous place to buy "danggit" for pasalubong. Well, we went there because Tatay will be having a trip to Manila tomorrow and he wants to bring dried fish to his colleagues. I never thought that this items are being sold for about Php400-Php500/kilo. A bit expensive but I think its "sulit" because of the fact that its one of Cebu's specialty. I just thought that maybe this food are being sold twice the price in different places. But one thing is for sure, I am drooling for this one. This one is my favorite meal during breakfast. So, to stop my mouth from watering, I asked my Nanay to give me 1/4 kilo of the "danggit" she bought.

Taoist Temple Cebu City

People who visit Cebu do always take time to visit the Philippine Taoist Temple. Taoist Temple is one of the landmark that Cebu is boasting to its visitor. Its a place where you can just sit and relax and enjoy the panoramic view of Cebu City. Yesterday isn't my first visit to the temple. I already visited the place maybe 2004 or 2005 together with my SK family in our barangay in Davao City. When I went to the place, I thought there's no other visitor around and that made me think that I can shoot well since there's no people walking around. Before entering in, the guard told me that taking pictures of the saints inside the temple is strictly prohibited. The stairs caused me muscle pain but ignored it when I reached the top. Then I realize, we didn't pas through this stairs before, we were on the other side where you can see a replica of the Great Wall of China. Well, I continued walking inside the temple when I saw bunch of Koreans and other nationalities inside it. The place was like swarmed by tourist from all over the world. Stayed in low profile while taking pictures. The place is very well maintained except to some part of it. There are statue of dragons and lions in every corner of the place. Chinese are really mysterious based on their belief and culture. But that's the reason why every nationallity is different, because of their belief and culture. Well, just take a look at some of my shots from the Taoist Temple.

Worldwide Photowalk

I've never been to an event like this before. Meeting new people is not my type of game. I am not good in socializing but with this kind of event, I think I'm gonna have to forget all those negative traits and be confident to join this event. This is my chance of showing, learning and participating in an event for photographers. I know I'm not good and I still have a lot of things to learn in this field. Anyway, thank you to Nalen of Manilenya for sharing me this event. I signed up for the event and will wait for them to send me an email if I'm in or out. They will only accept 50 photographers and when I joined, there's only 7 slots left. Good thing I was able to sign up. :D

Cebu City Cathedral

After the Sto. Niño tour, I went to the nearby church which is the Cebu City Cathedral Church (I forgot its real name, I'm sorry). Anyway, I was really happy when I got there because everything seems to be perfect. The sky is very friendly and the lights of the church are very dramatic. Really had fun taking pictures of the church. Because of its beauty, people are starting to make it a park and at the same time, a lover's lane. Tsk tsk. Them guys should show respect to the place.

 Side View Shot of the Cathedral

Bell Tower

Kandol Bay!

I just took this photo awhile ago when I was at the Sto. Niño Church here in Cebu City. I was trying to rest in my bed when Nanay ask me to go to Sto. Niño to check if my brother is there. As you all know, we're still in search for my brother. Went inside the church to check but no signs of Kuya. Got tired of walking so I went nearby this candles. People are sincerely praying and offering candles to the good Lord.

Ring + Book = Heart

This shot was not actually my idea. I have already seen this shot before in someone else's blog (I'm sorry I forgot who you are) and the credit goes to her. I was just amazed of the concept forming the shadow into a heart shape. My father actually helped me with this one because he was the one holding the flashlight for the light effect. Thanks Tay! Thanks Nay also for the ring. Lol. Anyway, sooner or later, I might be using a ring for my future wife. :D

60KPH at SRP

Somewhere in SRP, Cebu, there's a place where travellers can take a rest and enjoy the panoramic view of Cebu Gulf. I went to that place after the Fort San Pedro shoot. Took some rest and still trying to play my camera. I don't know if we can consider this as a good urban shot or its just an ordinary picture. Well, anyway, I like this photo and I am sharing it to you.

Sunset at Cebu Expressway

I don't really know what's the name of the place but its the expressway of Cebu going to Talisay City, I think. I'm not really certain. But yeah, that's the place where I took this photo. I was waiting for the sunset but it was hiding of those clouds so got nothing else to do but to just shoot and shoot.

Fort San Pedro Cebu

               Last night I stumbled upon this blog dedicated to Cebu City named Cebu City Photos. I was checking some of his photos and it was cool. I'm here in Cebu for more than 2 weeks now and I'm still on the process of familiarizing the places here. The blog has been a very big help to me specialy in discovering new and exciting places here in Cebu. I saw one of his post about the Fort San Pedro here in Cebu and I was excited about it. When it comes to historical places here in the Philippines, I'm always go with it. So I decided to go to the place and try to check everything about it. When I got there, I immediately went inside but the problem is theres's a wedding reception being held inside. I went back outside and try to observe the people coming in and out. While waiting outside, I was talking to an old man outside selling key chains and offering paid photographs to the tourists. If I'm not mistaken, his name is Mang Victor. Mang Victor has been working in the area for about 15 years now. Mang Victor told me that it is OK to get inside the Fort. I went inside the Fort and asked the receptionist and she let me in but will have to pay 30Php for the entrance fee. The lower ground has been restricted because of the wedding reception and the only place allowed to the tourists are the upper level. It was really nice inside. I tried thinking the history of the place and realized that life before is very simple. People doesn't have cellphones, camera, laptops, electricity and other basic needs that the new civilization is enjoying. I think I can't live their life. I'm so used to the modern world. I had a great experience inside the Fort San Pedro and will discover more exciting places here in Cebu. Next stop? Taoist Temple!

Scratch Machine

A while ago, my mother asked me if she can play a game on my laptop for the reason that she can't sleep without playing. I gave her the laptop and I got bored waiting for her to finish playing those crazy plants throwing beans to zombies. While waiting, I grabbed my camera and took some shots inside the room. I saw this scratching device of my father lying on the table so I decided to make it my subject for the day. I know I'm not really good in setting the correct angle but I think this one has been positioned properly. Tomorrow will be a brand new day and I still don't know what to shoot. I'm planning to go outside and go to I.T. Park and see what's the next subject there.

Half Moon

Last weekend, I was asked by my father to go to Naval, Biliran and deliver my uncle's supply of paper in his business. I took the boat going to Naval and just like the old days, its always night time when taking the boat. I was in the middle of my "siesta" when suddenly, I woke up because of waves banging our Ro-Ro. It wasn't really fun at all. Anyway, I saw this half moon watching at us so I immediately took my camera and take a couple of shots. Its hard to take a picture of it because the boat is shaking. Anyway, its one good experience.

Magellan's Cross

This is one of the famous landmark in Cebu City. The Magellan's Cross is located at the back of Sto. Nino Cathedral and at the front of the Cebu City Hall. I went there alone and was guided by my navigator. Good thing my phone's navigator is very accurate. Nothing's different in the cross today and the cross on the first time I visited it because we were told before that this cross grows taller and taller each year but I think its just an urban legend. I had a hard time taking this picture because there's a lot of tourist during my visit. Devotee around the area are selling candles for you to pray to the cross.

Mactan Bridge I

I have a friend from Davao who is currently working here in Cebu. We met once because I'd like to show him my new toy and also, to ask some advice from him about the basics of photography. His name is Raymund or others call him Bon, owner of RabPhotography. Raymund is a good friend of mine way back in Davao and he taught me a lot of things when it comes to computer, photography and other stuff. I asked him once if where are the good spots here in Cebu to take pictures, he advised me to try the Mactan Bridge. I went to Mactan Bridge and took some shots of it. The image above has been cropped to remove some unnecessary objects in the picture. This is the Mactan Bridge I and I never thought that Mactan Bridge II is way better than the I. Mactan Bridge II has a park beside it when I cross it on my way to Naval. Well, next time I'll try to go there and take some shot of the Mactan Bridge II.

Sto Nino Cathedral Tower

This is the Sto Nino Cathedral Tower or the Basilica Del Sto. Nino in Cebu City.