Deepcut

Weathered Bamboo

Thu, 05 Aug 2010 08:03 +0800

Parola

Wed, 28 Jul 2010 08:56 +0800

Parola (lighthouse) in Tanay, Rizal in the early morning of our photowalk.

Set For Take Off

Sun, 14 Feb 2010 23:48 +0800

A burner directing blasts of flame into the envelope of the hot air balloon in the 15th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta 2010 at Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga.

Firing Up the Burners

Sun, 14 Feb 2010 23:45 +0800

The burners are fired up and readied early in the morning in the 15th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta 2010 at Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga.

Philippine Flag

Sun, 14 Feb 2010 23:40 +0800

A man in parachute carries the Philippine flag down to the ground in the first day of the 15th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta 2010 at Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga.

Ground Crew Checks the Gondola

Sun, 14 Feb 2010 23:37 +0800

The ground crew checks the gondola in the 15th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta 2010 at Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga. These baskets are commonly made of woven wicker or rattan. These materials have proven to be sufficiently light, strong, and durable for balloon flight.

Sleeping Giants Wake Up

Sun, 14 Feb 2010 23:22 +0800

The early morning cold air is best for hot air balloon preparation and the ground crew gets busy inflating the balloons in the 15th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta 2010 at Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga.

Crowd Cheers

Sun, 14 Feb 2010 23:18 +0800

The enthusiastic crowd cheers in the 15th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta 2010 at Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga.

Hot Air Balloons Prepare for Flight

Sun, 14 Feb 2010 23:15 +0800

Some hot air balloons prepare to take off while this one gets laid on the ground to be inflated in the 15th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta 2010 at Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga.

The First Hot Air Balloon Takes Off

Sun, 14 Feb 2010 23:07 +0800

The first balloon to take off is from the host Philippines in the 15th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta 2010 at Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga.

Looking Inside the Balloon

Sun, 14 Feb 2010 23:03 +0800

Taking a look inside a hot air balloon as it gets inflated in the 15th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta 2010 at Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga.

Leaving the Ground

Sun, 14 Feb 2010 23:00 +0800

A passenger takes photographs as the gondola lifts from the ground in the 15th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta 2010 at Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga.

Circle Me Perfect

Sun, 14 Feb 2010 22:53 +0800

A German hot air balloon soars directly above in the 15th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta 2010 at Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga.

Paraglider Flies with the Bottle-Shaped Hot Air Balloon

Sun, 14 Feb 2010 22:50 +0800

A paraglider gets a close fly by at the Karlsberg hot air balloon in the 15th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta 2010 at Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga.

Hot Air Balloons in the Sky

Sun, 14 Feb 2010 22:45 +0800

Participating hot air balloons take off in the 15th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta 2010 at Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga.

Turtle-shaped Hot Air Balloon

Sun, 14 Feb 2010 22:41 +0800

A creatively shaped hot air balloon participates in the 15th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta 2010 at Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga.

Ram-Air Parafoil

Sun, 14 Feb 2010 22:34 +0800

A ram-air parafoil soars above in the 15th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta held in Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga, Philippines on February 11 to 14, 2010.

Wild Echeveria

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 23:57 +0800

Pedantic Pergolas

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 23:40 +0800

Shadow Blades

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 23:13 +0800

Soft Grandeur

Wed, 27 May 2009 18:39 +0800

Hand in Hand for a Bountiful Harvest, a Blessing of Earth's Fertility

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 17:40 +0800

Happy farmers sift the rice after separating it from its stalks. Whether they own the rice field or just tend it for other families, farmers take care of the land faithfully and may ask assistance from blood relatives and friends in the community especially during planting and harvesting. Giving a share of the rice harvest is usually the traditional form of compensation. Getting asked to help again in future is considered an honor and agreeing to help is a gesture of gratefulness. It has always been that way.

Youth is the gift of nature, but age is a work of art.

Fri, 21 Nov 2008 10:30 +0800

An old rose past its youthful beauty yet it's allure continues to beckon even as it nears the end.

None are so old as those who have outlived enthusiasm.
~ Henry David Thoreau

Wrinkles should merely indicate where smiles have been.
~ Mark Twain

Timeless Dignity Through Faith and Reverence

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 00:01 +0800

The historic Morong Catholic Church or the Saint Jerome' Parish in Morong, Rizal, Philippines is an imposing architectural masterpiece situated on a hill in the heart of the town. It was built by Filipinos under the Spanish rule through the pioneering works of the Franciscans. The church served as the center for the earliest Christian missions in Morong and Laguna in 1578 . In 1612 a fire consumed the town and the church. The church was rebuilt and was completed in 1620. Christianity continued to spread in the country and in 1851-52, being the Cura Paroco, Padre Maximo Rico commissioned Señor Bartolome Palatino, a native of Paete, Laguna to renovate the facade and build a bell tower. Another renovation of the facade and church interior was made in 1962. The convento was converted to a Catholic school now known as St. Jerome's Academy. To date, the legacy of the Spaniards lives on through the Christian faith that grows strong among Morongueños.

The Morong Catholic Church is one the most beautiful churches in the Philippines. The architecture is described as Neo-baroque and is frequently visited by pilgrims, travelers and art lovers. The proud central portion of the facade flows back on the sides and outward and the catenated balustrade curve and rise gently to the belfry and give the entire structure a sense of fluidity. Various decorative elements, some Mexican in origin, give the facade a richness characteristic of Baroque. Four angels, representing the cardinal virtues, stand at the corners of the bell tower. The large columns stacked vertically emphasize the height of the structure even more. The belfry sits just above the proud Franciscan symbol. Recently, the church has been declared a National Heritage site and the Vatican granted the church custodianship of the Relic of St. Jerome.

Click here for a view from a distance. | Click here to view slideshow.

Compassion to All God's Creatures

Sun, 16 Nov 2008 00:30 +0800

This is bird feeding bowl.
Respect and affection for animals, particularly those who share our homes, recognize no geographic borders. Keep fighting for animals by making compassionate, cruelty-free choices every day and encouraging those around you to do the same.

Barriers of Reticence

Thu, 13 Nov 2008 23:35 +0800

Forgotten Instance of Rebellious Passions

Tue, 11 Nov 2008 18:35 +0800

Eager Stillness Broods Over the Realm of Boyhood Dreams

Tue, 04 Nov 2008 15:25 +0800

A Gift of Serene Beauty

Wed, 22 Oct 2008 01:32 +0800

Air Caressed with a Swift Spirit

Fri, 10 Oct 2008 14:56 +0800

It's a young Chinese Egret or Swinhoe's Egret, Egretta eulophotes, is a full-crested, white egret with yellow bill. Our town seems to be in the path of its migration route. When I saw a group of these birds in the field, I grabbed my camera bag and made a quick pick between 70-200mm 2.8L IS or 55-250mm IS. I snapped on 55-250mm because its lighter, and I literally just jumped off the car, scared the birds away (don't do that) and was only able to take this one shot, hand held and panning. The lens has really amazing IS, or maybe I was just lucky! From then on, this lens earned my respect.

Shadowy Vistas of Sylvan Beauty

Thu, 04 Sep 2008 18:15 +0800

Claim to Perpetuity

Tue, 19 Aug 2008 12:41 +0800

Life in Decay

Tue, 19 Aug 2008 12:34 +0800

Patient Stillness

Tue, 19 Aug 2008 11:26 +0800

Rough Resilience

Tue, 19 Aug 2008 11:22 +0800

Deep Tranquility of Verdant Life

Tue, 19 Aug 2008 11:21 +0800

Hopeful for a Grand Opening

Tue, 19 Aug 2008 11:20 +0800

Vivid Ripening

Tue, 19 Aug 2008 11:07 +0800

Benign Innocence

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 13:02 +0800

Drift Along a Sea of Renewed Hope

Mon, 21 Apr 2008 07:31 +0800

Incendiary Dusk

Sat, 19 Apr 2008 17:59 +0800

This photo was taken in Puerto Galera, Mindoro Island, Philippines. It's a place famous for its sunset. I was fortunate to chance upon a parachute trailing from a speed boat just above the horizon! I was immediately captivated by the triangle formed by the boat, the sun and the parachute.

Late Afternoon at the Beach in Puerto Galera

Sat, 19 Apr 2008 17:40 +0800

Galvanized with Light

Sun, 13 Apr 2008 18:21 +0800

The Morning Sheds Radiance to a Golden Day

Sun, 13 Apr 2008 06:05 +0800

La Torre

Fri, 22 Feb 2008 17:49 +0800

I have always liked the tenebrism style of painting and have applied it to some of my digital photography processing. However, it is flattering that the scene is likened, by a friend of mine, to the chiaroscuro style of Rembrandt! Towering above the town of Morong, Rizal, Philippines is the historic Morong Catholic Church or St. Jerome's Parish. Taken while crossing the town bridge. I just couldn't resist the colors of the sky after the sun has set.

Click here to see Church facade.

A Sinister Plan

Fri, 01 Feb 2008 17:49 +0800

Blithe Liberty

Sat, 05 Jan 2008 16:58 +0800

Exhale to a Midsummer Splendor

Tue, 01 Jan 2008 09:47 +0800

Respectful Display of Might

Tue, 01 Jan 2008 09:39 +0800

It is actually going towards me! ...Swaying his great horns from side to side, as if telling me not come any closer! I used the 70-200mm f2.8 lens for this and it's still not comfortable with me around. You can tell those are quick steps by disturbance in the water. The harness was still long enough for it to reach me. I backed off after this shot and respected its solitude.

Flowers as Soft as Thoughts of Budding Love

Mon, 17 Dec 2007 09:43 +0800

Dreamy Solicitations of Irresistible Affection

Tue, 20 Nov 2007 08:13 +0800

Collective Charm

Fri, 21 Oct 2005 10:43 +0800