Hongkong Island at Night

Hongkong Harbor. I was doing last minute pasalubong shopping with my wife at Hongkong Harbor Center when I came across a cheap tripod. Although I cannot say it was impulsive shopping, I was tempted to shoot the magnificent Hongkong Harbor. So I got this crappy tripod and went to the pier. A couple of photographers saw me assembling my stuff and so they also took out their Manfrottos. I seemed to start a shooting spree. I took the picture above with my cheap tripod by using only the camera's self timer as trigger. Shooting from behind the grills along the harbor, this shot is not bad for an impulsive photobug.

Marinduque Sojourn

A laid back life. I had the pleasure of visiting Marinduque with my uncle, Engr. Napoleon Recidoro. We took an early morning bus from Cubao to Dalahican Port in Lucena. From there, we took a 2 hour boat ride to Marinduque. Tito Nap used to reside in the island having been employed with Marcopper Mining Corporation during the 70s. He toured me around the barrios of Capayao and Ulong, both used to be mine sites of another mining company, Consolidated Mines Incorporated (CMI). What caught my attention were the visible scars that recount the effects of mining activities to the island province. But all this grim history is now overwhelmed by natural beauty and tranquility that Marinduque offers its visitors.

Backstreets of Macau

Back streets of Macau. I was back in Macau for another business trip. This time around my friends treated me to an authentic Macaunese-Portuguese restaurant named Dumbo at the Taipa Village. After a hearty meal of steaks and crabs, i wondered around the side streets and took these pictures.

Beijing in August

(above) Guardiansof the Forbidden City. Photo of the great Mao Tse Tung at the entrance of the Forbidden City.

(above) Life on the Hill. Jianshiang Park near the Forbidden City. Atop the hill is a Buddhist shrine overlooking the whole of Beijing.


(above) River runs through it. Inside Forbidden City, Beijing.


(above) Beijing Dreams. Taken at Jianshiang Park in Beijing City.

(above) Walk through History. The coble stones of the Forbidden City. I think this is where the film Hero (starring Jet Li) was shot.

(above) Jaguars of the City. The security guards of the Forbidden City. They were so strict and did not allow me to pose with them for a souvenir picture. But that did not stop me from taking their pictures.

Singapura

(above) Merlion at Sentosa. I always go back to this attraction to snap its pictures even though there are thousands of post cards showing its majesty.


(above) Boat Quay. Next to Sentosa, one place is Singapore I never fail to visit is Boat Quay at night with its magnificent view of the Singapore's skyline and waterway.

Photos were taken during my brief sojourn in Singapore last May.

Kuala Lumpur

(above) Petronas Towers from the KL Tower. I was told that this area used to be a marsh land before it was developed. From the vantage point of the KL Tower one can survey the whole of Kuala Lumpur like a travel map.


(above) Tale of Two Rivers. Just near Dataran Merdeka and the Central Market is this meaningful landmark. Kuala Lumpur was said to be named after the merging of these two rivers.


(above) Pudo Prison. Our tour guide has been joking that this is KL's 10 star hotel. But I later knew that this prison housed KL's worse criminals.

Pictures were snapped during my half day city tour of Kuala Lumpur.

New Washington, Aklan

(above) New Washington Baywalk. Minus the city bustle, New Washington Aklan's version of the famous baywalk is tranquil and idyllic.

(above) Pinamuk-an Island. This is the place where all the seafoods come from. It is a bird and fish sanctuary with a lot of things to offer for guests.

Manila Bay Walk: Revisited

(above) Boat Parking Lot. It was a hot thursday evening when I brought my family out to catch cool ocean air. As always, i had with me my camera and took pictures of the Manila Yatch Club.

Using the Canon 50mm 1.8 II lens and at 1600 ASA, I captured this image hand-held.

Hongkong: Fast and the Furious

Hongkong Frenzy. Hongkong never fails to amaze me. It is becoming one of the most advanced cities this part of the world. It sets a bar for all other asian cities to measure up.
Up, up and Away. Hongkong is always the precious gem of China. It captures old China's soul yet able to compete with the challenges of modern times.

Awesome Macau

(above) Macau Boat. Seeing Macau for the first time has shattered my misconceptions about the place. It was 1979 when my father and mother visited the island and told me that nothing is to be expected from it. Well, Macau has come a long way. It is now a bustling city dotted with skyscrapers and gargantuan casinos. Yet what is magical with Macau is the old age romantic aura of European city.


(above) Macau-Taipa Bridge. Macau despite its glitz is remarkably peaceful. I walked around to take shots and nobody bothered me. It near midnight and all the lights were blasting, I just clicked away with my camera.


(above) Macau Tower. One defining sight in Macau is the imposing Macau Tower overlooking the Pak On Bay. It is a source of pride for all hardworking people of the fast developing city. I am very amazed of how it was able to achieve this national success while retaining the strong cultural influence of their former Portuguese rulers.

Manila at Dusk

Night Trip. Picturesque Manila Bay from Echelon Towers along Mabini Street. I was quite far actually but I used good telephoto lens. I did some post editing with Photoshop CS2 to enhance the picture.

Lights of City. Manila Baywalk from the CCP Complex. Me and photography buddies, Roy Cruz and Paul Chin situated ourselves near the Jumbo Palace and used long exposure to get this picture. Post editing using Photoshop CS2.

Dragon Sunset. Paul Chin and I chanced on a Dragon Boat practice at the Manila Bay. I shot this with the ever dependable Canon 18-55mm 5.6 Kit Lens. No tripod was used.

Miraculous Lipa City, Batangas

Lipa Cathedral. The majestic Lipa Cathedral at the heart of the city. I took this picture on a sunny late afternoon when there were a lot of students loitering around the cathedral. Used Canon 18-55mm 5.6 Kit Lens and a Canon 300D body.

Leaving Lipa (for my friend Nats). Picture of one those exquisite antique houses in Lipa City. This one is just a few meters away from the Carmelite Church. It seems abandoned yet the architecture of these Spanish era houses does not fail to attract attention. Used Canon 18-55mm 5.6 Kit Lens and a Canon 300D body.
Carmelites' Cross. The Sun's Ray creeping into the subdued interiors of the Carmelite Church in Lipa City. Considered as very miraculous, devotees from all over the nation visit the Carmelite Church to honor the Blessed Mother. Used Canon 18-55mm 5.6 Kit Lens and a Canon 300D body.

The Idyllic Majayjay Town

Taytay Falls. Majayjay, Laguna boasts of several enchanting falls. One of these is cool and refreshing Taytay Falls which is situated at a high elevation (higher than Baguio City). Taken with Canon 18-55mm Kit Lens with Canon 300D Body on a tripod.

Doors of Heaven. The San Gregorio Parish of Majayjay is one of the treasures of Laguna. With its exquisite design which showcases strong Spanish architectural influence. Taken with Canon 18-55mm Kit Lens on a Canon 300D body.

View from the Church Yard. The belfry of San Gregorio Church from its patio. Taken with Canon 18-55mm Kit Lens on a Canon 300D body.