Going Japanese

My February 27 didn't begin with the daily tug of war between my sleep and will to get out of bed. I don't know how it began at all, I didn't sleep the whole night finishing a powerpoint presentation due the night before. Blame the chronic crammer in me, procrastinating has always been a favorite past time. And I couldn't thank this sweet friend of mine enough for accompanying me the whole night until I managed to finish the presentation with barely a wink of rest on our eyes.

Despite having half a brain left functioning for me that day, I went to the photo shoot I promised Jon, yes the same Jon Zuniga who took my first ever cosplay photos. I acknowledge that I am by no means any good in being model, in fact I've never really believed that photogénie ever worked on me. With Jon's permission, I invited my other friends who are more accustomed to the camera than I can ever be.

We agreed to do two themes for the shoot, a boho theme and a Japanese/ Korean student theme. Grysh sent me these pegs - (A) and (B), so I can have an idea what to wear and how to act. Honestly, my mind goes blank when I am asked to strike a pose - I'll always end up with the peace sign, which has become the universal pose for people who have no idea what to do in a photograph.

Anyway, enough self-bashing, let me introduce my friends, together with their photos..
Location: DPI Photo Center, Mandaluyong City

Grysh is no stranger to photography, whether it is being in front or behind the camera, she has been exposed to the art enough. A ramp model, an art inspiration, a cosplayer - she already has a following. With this in mind, I trust that she wouldn't mind being in another photo shoot (with us, noobs).





Grysh brought her sister, Michelle to the shoot. It was Michelle's first shoot, but with her sister's guidance and support, she managed to fight off her diffidence and strike a couple of unabashed poses. To help, Jon took a couple of photos of the sisters together.



I also invited Stephanie Obiles, a bubbly and enthusiastic girl who seems to be on Red Bull 24/7. Her energy level is beyond words and beyond what my sedentary and lethargic ways could ever achieve. She admitted to having dreams in front of the camera, and with that, makes her a perfect candidate for the shoot (to keep any attention away from me, hehe). She was so alive that it seemed that she wanted to strike a new pose every other millisecond. I was generally awed by her snappiness and quick thinking, she really did her homework.




Lastly, my photos. I decided to just throw in my boho shots, which are not really boho, but just vanity shots of myself. My Japanese student look is posted below though. To be honest, I'm not particularly confident with myself, and just tried to do whatever I could in that 5 minute interval under the light. To add, with my lack of sleep, I was pessimistic throughout the whole shoot. I'm sure for a real photographer, they might as well say that I didn't stick to the theme, but honestly, I don't know how to act or appear bohemian - I just got whatever I thought was apt in my closet and stuck it into my duffle bag.




With my sister's guidance, I was able to put together a Japanese student look. Most of what I was wearing for that part was borrowed. The vest is Michelle's, the wig is Stephanie's, the wayfarers are Grysh's and the skirt and socks were my younger sister's. Thank you guys. I should have gotten the boots too. Oh well. Anyway, here are our group shots in Japanese school girl garb.




It was fun playing dress up with these girls. Now I miss having someone to play dress up with. Kind of makes me look forward to Halloween when it's mostly acceptable to be wearing the weirdest stuff you don't get to parade around in on normal days.

Kho Youth League 2010 Trip (Day 3)

March 30, 2010 (Monday)

The itinerary of our third day in Naga is a trip to the Panicuason Hot Springs. An hour long drive from CWC, I've realized that I should remember to prep my butt next time we travel in the province because rides to most of what was in our plans seemed to go beyond my usual 30 minute power naps.

The entrance fee to the said resort is 200 pesos for adults, 100 pesos for children, 160 pesos for senior citizens and students. An overnight fee would cost 250 pesos per person. As it was nearing Holy Week, the resort decided to charge an extra 50 pesos per head effective the 29th of March until the 4th of April.


Once again, our van climbed up a steep hill to reach the resort. Surrounded by lush trees and plants, I couldn't help but feel like I was in the holy center of something great, something beyond everything. It was overwhelming but at the same time, it does make me feel like I am away from the crazy city, away from work, away from politics, away from obligations (somewhat). I am no wizard of words and could barely do justice in describing the place, so to lessen my burden of having to explain everything, please refer to the photographs below to get an idea of what the resort looked like.





There are three hot spring pools behind us with varying temperatures. The warm water on my skin felt so soothing that I could only wish to stay there for as long as I possibly can. Thankfully, we arrived early and were able to monopolize the place. After a few hours, more and more visitors dropped by and somehow that spoiled our little retreat.



See the running water? It's cold. Did we swim there? No, but we did hang out there. The adults crossed the bulky rocks to sit on the center of that running stream of freezing cold water. Crazy? I guess the initial thought is unnerving, but once you get into the stream, and that gushing water hits you, you realize how refreshing it is. Your body would adjust and it won't seem so cold anymore.


By lunch time, we already had our fill of swimming and playing. The increasing number of resort guests have dampened our enthusiasm. Val, myself and perhaps a couple more association mates wanted to try the 310 step stairs to heaven, but due to the time constraint, we agreed that we will try that when we get back, if we would ever go back. For lunch, we had quite a treat - yes, lechon. Lavsit.



We headed back to CWC to ready our things for the trip home. The others decided to learn wake boarding, which they attest to have gotten the hang of by the end of a few hours. I, on the other hand, tapped into my inner geek and decided to go online and check my facebook.

That night, we ate at a Chinese restaurant before heading to DJC Halo Halo, for our last meal in Naga. We boarded the bus at 9 in the evening to head back to Manila. I assumed the trip would last for 9 hours only, apparently, I was wrong. Due to a couple of accidents on the road that night, our ride was delayed and we arrived in Manila at almost 10 in the morning.

I'm sure there is much more to explore in Naga than what we've experienced, but I am optimistic that there would be other occasions for that. For now, I am already grateful. Until the next trip.

Kho Youth League 2010 Trip (Day 2)

March 29, 2010 (Monday)

We were awake by half past five despite the monotonous whirring of the air conditioner trying to lure us back into slumberville. On the second day of our out of town trip, the Kho Youth League is scheduled to go to Legazpi, Albay - a two hour drive away from the Camsur Watersports Complex (CWC).

Wiping sleep off our eyes, we quickly dressed up to meet the group gathered outside the front of our cabins - most of them punctual to the dot. Realizing it was already the second day of the trip, the decade old banner of the Kho Youth League was produced out of nowhere ready for a round of picture taking to immortalize the moment.


The morning was cool as we went to the lobby waiting for breakfast to come. Apparently, boredom got the best of us and we ended up taking the liberty of going around and taking photos of the Villa del Rey lobby as could be seen below.

A definite favorite. This is the Men's comfort room.
Apparently, a lot of guys loved it. LOL

At the back of Villa del Rey, we found three choppers, which we reckon to belong to the some of the big names that have stayed the night at CWC. Being such naive and enthusiastic children, we amused ourselves with the vehicles taking rounds to have a photograph with them.


As you can see the letter stuck onto the window of the helicopter, you can already guess which big name's orange (*hint hint) chopper I am likely posing with.

After breakfast, we all boarded our respective cars and the two hour long journey to Albay commenced. I'd like to elaborate more on our way there, but in general, I spent almost the whole time sleeping, only waking when we reached our destination.

Our first stop was Globe Quest Adventures at Lignon Hills, Legazpi City to try out their zip-line. The weather had shifted from bright and sunny to cold and windy paired with a light drizzle of rain. Mom did say that the climate in Albay is awfully fickle.

Lignon Hills is a steep uphill climb. Tarpaulins of the stations of the cross marked almost every turn up - an annual event they practice for Holy Week.

Aside from zip-lining, Global Quest Adventures also offers rappelling and ATV (All Terrain Vehicle) rides going to Mayon Volcano. Prices are generally affordable with zip-lining and rappelling costing at 200 pesos/ head. While ATV rides good for two people are 1800 pesos/ hour and 2500 pesos/hour for ATVs good for three. We would've wanted to try rappelling, but due to the light rain shower, it wasn't advisable.


Lignon Hills overlooks the Mayon Volcano, the volcano famous for it's "perfect cone", which makes Lignon Hills a perfect camwhoring location. And nothing beats jump shots c/o Stephanie's Linux LX3.

My brother and me

Me, Val and Steph

Me and Steph

We boarded our cars once again, this time to go to a rented beach house beside Bacacay Beach. It was another long ride going there, I lost track of time sleeping all the way until the car halted and passengers began getting off.

It was almost 1 in the afternoon when we arrived and a buffet of seafood was waiting for us. From grilled fish to steamed shrimp and crabs and laing, we stuffed ourselves full as the children impatiently swallowed a few bites of food to convince their parents they're ready to jump into the spring water pool or to run off to the black sand beach of Bacacay.





Not being a big beach fan, I decided to wade in the cold salty water; the weather keeping true to its cool and cloudy mood throughout the day would cry a few tears of rain occasionally as the children and adults played and swam. As the rain began to beat harder, I retreated back into the beach house to dry up and do some karaoke.

Our hosts, Auntie Grace and her husband, tried to convince us to stay the night at Legazpi so we can travel early the next morning to Donsol to watch the butandings (whale sharks), known as the world's largest fish. Whale sharks visit Donsol from late November until May, and during our visit, we were told that there was a good chance of seeing the said mammals. Unfortunately, due to flight schedules and work commitments, we had to beg off. Perhaps we can add that to the itinerary on our next trip.

After an afternoon full of swimming and karaoke-ing and eating, we headed back to Naga. Another nauseating two hour trip back, which I have to admit gave me quite a headache. For dinner, we stopped by Bob Marlin, where we once again were served the usual Filipino favorites as Bulalo, Sinigang, Dinuguan and the like.

Tired

End of day two.

*Some photos were taken from Stephanie and Ahya William Villanueva's albums.