Tres Marias Naliwatan Peak

A few weeks ago, my cousin, Ivan, created an Event at Facebook titled Mama Mary’s Birthday Climb at Naliwatan Peak scheduled on September 17, 2016. A was excited and was eager to join the climb but I only hit “Maybe” because I’m not yet sure whether I could join them or not because of some of my compliances at work and I lack of preparation. As you can see, Naliwatan Peak is the second highest mountain in Region VIII next to Alto Peak of Jaro/Ormoc, Leyte. So a good preparation physically and mentally is really needed. I have no time to prepare physically because I have work and compliances to be done. The night before the D-Day, I met with my fellow climbers and had a meeting prior to the climb. I met new friends and a distant relative who happens to be our guide during the climb.

Though I am not physically prepared for the climb, I still decided to join them because I missed trekking and going on an adventure.

D-Day

Jump off Area at Brgy Sampao, Almeria, Bilira
left to right: Ryan Kyle, Janine, JV, Ivan, Makoy, Me, Julius and Deo

Had our lunch at a river going to the camp site

Nomads Falls

We left Naval at about 0930H and went to Brgy. Sampao, Almeria, Biliran and from there we trek and pass thru Ulan-Ulan Falls, Recoletos Falls and Nomads Falls (Named after the first Mountaineering Group who explored the area). On our way to the campsite, we river trek, cross tree lines and rocks that needs to be hugged literally just to be able to continue your trek because it blocks the trail and is the only way to reach our destination. We reached the camp site at about 1430H and immediately prepared our sleeping paraphernalia. I don’t have a tent but I have a hammock with mosquito net, a usual item for PNP Members. After the dinner, we prayed the rosary in honor of the birthday of Mama Mary. Had few shots of brandy and then hit the bed because we were scheduled to go to the peak early  on next day.

On our way to the camp site

Camp Site area

After our Rosary, had a get together

Day 2

We were supposed to wake up at about 0430H the next day so we can see the sunrise at the Mt. Naliwatan Peak but to no avail because everybody woke up late. So we decided to just eat our breakfast and then hit the trails to the peak. The trails to the peak was hard compared to the trails to the campsite based on my own opinion. Because there are certain areas there that you’ll have to walk to the edge of the mountain and have to hold on to the roots of the trees. Going to the peak, you’ll see a lot of pitcher plants, different birds and insects that can only be found at the mountain. The peak of Tres Marias Mt. Naliwatan was very mossy. It was cold and it feels like it’s already 1800H but it was still 1000H when we reached the peak. We took photos and had minutes of rest then traversed back to the camp site. After reaching the camp site, we immediately prepared lunch then packed up our things so we can reach the Barangay (village) proper of Sampao before the sun sets. On our way to Brgy Sampao, we had a stopover at Nomads falls so we can take a dip for a few minutes. After Nomads Falls, we trekked back to Brgy Sampao and hit the roads to Naval.

Day 2 on our way to Naliwatan Peak from the camp site

Mossy forest of Tres Marias

Group Picture at Naliwatan Peak

When you’re new to Biliran, you can also try to visit other wonders of the province like the Tinago Falls, Sambawan Island, Higatangan Island, Acaban Cave, etc.

I really enjoyed my experience from Tres Marias Naliwatan Peak because I was able to make new good friends and was able to appreciate more the beauty of our nature. 

Mt. Panamao

The second peak of Tres Marias

Pitcher Plant

Moss

Me at the 2nd highest peak of Eastern Visayas

First time I saw an orange moss

On our way back to Brgy Sampao

Agta Beach Resort Sunset Shot

I was able to visit Agta Beach Resort again this afternoon with my Sister and her husband Tim. We inquired about their island hopping and scuba diving fees. They do really have a good deal and I think my sister and Tim would avail of their offer. So, while waiting for them to finish their chitchat with the staff of Agta, I was playing with my mobile phone Nokia N8 and was planning to take a photo of the sunset. It may be the last sunset of the week because there's gonna be a typhoon coming called Typhoon Bopha or locally known as "Pablo". Done tweaking with the settings of the camera and then I'm all set so I took the photos and I think this one is the most beautiful among the set. ☺

Yamaha DT-125 Converted to Honda CRF

I just wanna show off my new motorcycle. Actually, its not new, it's just refurbished into a different type of motorcycle. The original body of this bike is Yamaha DT-125 Y-4 series and was able to change the body into Honda CRF. The engine is still original, only the body kit has been changed and some tweaking at the chassis. The 2T tank of my bike has been transferred underneath the chair. Painted black on it and I am really proud of the result. Thanks to Doydoy of Ormoc City for pimping my ride!☺

Higatangan Island

The Rock Formation at the Higatangan Island

I arrived early in the morning at Naval from Cebu when I heard that my Uncle and his basketball team will be going to Higatangan Island. Higatangan Island is one of the tourist destinations in the province of Biliran. It is located in Naval Municipality. Higatangan Island boasts the finest white sand in the province. Since I haven’t visited the island, I decided to go with my Uncle. It was fun during the first time. We arrived at the island noon time and ate our packed foods. We chose to stay at the back part of the island because it is a bit “virgin” yet to tourists. Only locals know this part of the island. Another part of the island that I liked so much is the Shifting Sandbar. I’ll be posting some picture of it some other time because I don’t have a photo of it yet. My camera went lowbat when we arrived there.

Update (05012011): As promised, I'll be posting a picture of the Shifting Sandbar. Last week, my family and I went to the Island to spend the the last days of Holy Week there. For the Shifting Sandbar, you can't expect too much from it because when we went there, its high tide so we weren't able to enjoy the Sandbar that much. Check on this link to view my story of how I saved a doctor's life in that Sandbar.

The Shifting Sandbar during high tide.

Botanical Dos

I don't really know the name of this flower. I just saw it beside the chapel inside the cemetery of Naval. I found it interesting so I took a shot of it.

Botanical Uno

Since I like taking pictures of flower, I'll be posting my collections of flower shots here in my PhotoBlog. This shot was takin somewhere at the cemetery during our visit to my Grandparents and my Girlfriend's Father.

Bagasumbol Festival

The fiesta at Naval was an enormous event with lots of events and presentations. Of course, it won't be possible with the help of the local Government of Naval and the Naval Festival 2010 Execom. The highlight of the festival includes parades, band presentations of different schools of Naval, the Matron Queen of Naval, Bagasumbol Festival, Tsinelas Party and so much more.

Since I arrived late at the Festival, I never had a chance of taking pictures of some of the events in the Festival. Last Saturday, I had a chance of having photoshoot at the Bagasumbol Festival. Bagasumbol Festival is one of the highlights of the fiesta in Naval. Bagasumbol is the commemorating of how Biliranons defend the island during the colonization of the Moros. Here are few of the shots I took at the Bagasumbol Festival Parade and Competition 2010. Click here for more photos!

Playing With Lights At Naval

I was busy watching TV one evening at Naval when the electricity went off. Another night of boring brown out. I was all alone at our old house so I decided to just go out and check if there are common friends outside. I was watching all the vehicles lighting up the street and that's when I realize to play with the vehicle lights that night. Took my camera and the tripod my sister lend me and went to our terrace and try to check a perfect spot for my subject. I've seen a lot of photos before about streets with lights flashing on it from the vehicles passing. I was so amazed about it so I decided to create my own version of this shot. After making sure that my camera is safe from falling to the ground, I then set the camera's aperture and shutter speed. I am a very big fan of "Auto Mode" in my camera but there are times that I use "Manual Mode" in photo shoot. I set the camera to f6 / 60sec. and then waited. After a few tries, I have now my finished product.

HDR Photo Using Dave Hill Effect

HDR is one of the coolest arts in Photography. I have posted HDR photos before but not really satisfied with the results but was just trying to show you all my work. Anyway, when it comes to HDR, Dave Hill is the name. He’s been doing well in HDR and still creating great results in his post processing technique. I tried Googling some articles and tutorials about the Dave Hill effect and learned a few tricks on how to do it in Lightroom. So, for those who are trying to develop their HDR using Lightroom, here are the settings I found that can make your HDR a Dave Hill Effect type.

* Recovery = 100

* Fill = 100

* Contrast = 100

* Clarity = 100

* Vibrance = 100

* Saturation = -75

* Adjust the black/exposure

* Add a lens vignette

Fisherkids

Four fishes for dinner

Poverty is one of the great problems our country needs to overcome. In Biliran province alone, major population is in the poverty level. I have an Aunt who's a nutritionist in Region 8 and said that Biliran Province is at the top 5 that has the most number of malnourished children.

When I had a week vacation in Naval,    I went to Red Stone Ville to have some lunch. It’s almost Sunset when I saw some kids fishing on the stony part of the sea shore. I approach them and asked if how was the catch. They said that they were already there since 10AM and hasn’t caught any promising fish for their meal. They only got few small fishes probably not enough for most of us but enough to complete their meal for the day. While talking to them, I never thought that they would be very enthusiastic in sharing their stories to me. One kid told me that this day is not a very lucky day for them but still they will strive for more catch.


Life is really hard for them and but still they are eager and willing to survive. At a young age, they already started to work for their food. One good thing is that they don’t lose hope and they have the courage to stand in their own feet.

Naval Central Elementary School Celebrating Buwan ng Wika

Buwan ng Wika was celebrated by the students of Naval Central Elementary School last Friday, August 27, 2010. My cousin is a student from that institution and is in Grade 3 now. She and her classmates will be dancing a Batangueño Cultural Dance that afternoon. Prior to the program, I took a chance of taking pictures of the kids at the school. Some are wearing tribal costumes like that in Ifugao. That afternoon was full of fun for the kids who's celebrating the Buwan ng Wika. Some groups are dancing, there are kids modeling the different costumes of localities in the Philippines and some are singing Original Pinoy Music (OPM). Almost all of the kids there are in their colorful costumes and I thought that it might be a great chance for me to practice capturing pictures of people. The picture on the left is a photo of two kids trying to fix their Barong Tagalog, the National Dress of the Philippines for men. The picture below is my cousin performing her dance moves on stage partnered by my other cousin.

Nipa Hut

I never really expected that this photo can be great. One of my fried really liked it. Its a very simple shot taken outside Red Stone Ville. We were all sleeping outside the guest room because there's no electricity and its too hot inside. I woke up early and after a few puff of cigs, grabbed my camera and start shooting nothing.

Kids at work

We were on our way to Tacloban City when we stopped at a Comelec Checkpoint. I was standing at the back of the multicab when I saw this two kids struggling to carry this woods that I suppose they'll be using for fire.

The Wood And The Circle Lightroom Edition

 Here's another version of The Wood And The Circle photo I've posted last May. Edited the photo using Adobe Lightroom 2.0. An online friend just taught me how to use it and gave me some presets for the Lightroom 2.0. Comparing the 2 pictures, I kinda like this photo. :D

Portrait: Julianne

I know I don't have my cousin's consent in putting this picture into my blog but I think this is an art of portrait photography. This is my first "guinea pig" in making portrait shots. I am still on the process of shooting portrait photos and still needs to practice. Even the post-processing part. I hope I'll learn a lot in this photo-journey.

Afternoon Moon Shot

I know to some, early-birdie moon showing at 5PM in the afternoon is normal but to me, its something that I appreciate much. I always wonder why the moon showed up too early sometimes. I hope this simple photo would make us realize how wonderful this world is.

Sunset shot at Naval Port Area

 Here's another photo for my Golden Hour collection. I just love to take pictures during this time. The light exposure is so perfect. I hope you'll like this shot.

The Wood and The Circle

We were at a beach one time and I saw this circular design in one of the cottage's stand. I don't really know why it took my attention but I was really interested in taking a snapshot of this part of the wood. So, here it is, one of my favorite.

Red Stone Ville Sunset

This shot was taken after a day of trip in 3 different falls in Biliran Province. Took it at Red Stone Ville or Pulang Bato. Everything seems to be perfect when I took this photo.

Tree Trunks

It was during the election campaign period when I volunteered myself as the photographer of my Aunt's candidacy. We went to this far far away barrio to do the daily chores of a candidate, the house to house. What they do is they go to every single houses in the barrio and introduce themselves to let the people know that they are running for this certain position. While we were having a rest, I saw this line of trees in front of me and it looks like they are so even. You can actually pass through in the middle of this trees. I like the setup and I like to take a shot. So here it is!