Anyone Been to the Philippines?

[Rekd]

My work wants me to go out to PI and get one of our machine shops out there dialed in. I'll be out there for 3 or 4 weeks.

I doubt I'll take my camera, I'll prolly try to rent one out there somewhere. What are some must-see places to shoot?

I see a TON of golf courses out there, is there any other sport besides that?

Thanks. :coffee:

[Terri]

Never been there, but if you're going to have any down time at all, you must certainly carry a camera along! I'd check with whoever you'll be working with there, plus folks at the local eateries or taverns, your hotel, etc., for places to check out.

If you're not too far inland, I'm betting their coastlines would be beautiful.

Great opportunity!! I hope you can get some time to shoot while you're out there. Wow. :thumbup:

[Rekd]

I'm hoping to have at least 2 days off. I'll travel on the first and last weekends and have one in the middle.

I've been thinking about picking up one of those in-between a dslr and pocket camera, similar to my old Sony DSC H5. They can be had for fairly cheap and if it got beat up or lost/stolen it would be ok as long as I had the pictures off it. :thumbup::)

[Terri]

I'm hoping to have at least 2 days off. I'll travel on the first and last weekends and have one in the middle.

I've been thinking about picking up one of those in-between a dslr and pocket camera, similar to my old Sony DSC H5. They can be had for fairly cheap and if it got beat up or lost/stolen it would be ok as long as I had the pictures off it. :thumbup::)Sounds like a plan to me! :) I was wondering if any of the recent typhoon damage would have an impact on your travel plans, but it sounds like you're still set to go. :thumbup: Stay safe!!

[Rekd]

Yep. Admin Assistant gave me my itinerary today. Booked and ready to go. Lots of folks at my work have been there so I've been hitting them up for tidbits... :)

[ann]

When are you leaving?

One of my "old" darkroom students has been several times and has a young woman staying with her that lives there.

Classes don't start again until after the new year, but I could send her an email to get some thoughts.

What will be your home base there?

[Rekd]

I'll be leaving San Diego on Friday Jan 13. :mad: Not that I'm supersticious, but I've been in a plane crash before (Catalina Island) and landing is not my strong suit.

Not exactly sure what town it's in yet but it's less than an hour drive from Manila. I'd love some advice from someone that lives there. Looks like I'll have two full weekends plus I hear they like to have random days off so maybe I can catch one of those, too.

[ann]

I will see what I can find out for you.

Her son also did volunteer work for several years there, so we may be able to get you some info.

[icassell]

I can't imagine going on a trip like that and not taking a camera of some sort! I don't know where you're going in the Philippines (it's a huge place with a lot of islands), but I've seen lots of great images from there. I bought my kids a Panasonic DMC-FZ28 before we went to Alaska a couple of years ago and they got some great images with it. It's a bit bigger than a point and shoot, but a lot smaller than a DSLR.

[Rekd]

I won't be there without one, I'm just not taking my good stuff. :) It's worth more than my car and I'm not willing to risk it.

That Panasonic is very similar to my Sony DSC H5. It has Zies optics and takes great pictures but the shutter button is broke. I'd like to get something the same size but a little better zoom range.

[ann]

Here is the reply to my email for you


Hi Ann,

Rural Philippines is similar to rural Havana—so any suggestions you could think of about Cuba would be similar. If he is going north, toward Tarlac or Bagio City, there are some lovely mountain farms. North of Bagio City there are terraced farms that are supposed to be really lovely (we never made it quite that far).

Manila harbor is also a nice nature-meets-big-city view.

[Rekd]

This is on Corregidor Island in the Philippines where General MacArthur's troops and Filipino troops fought the Japanese. MacArthur made the famous claim "I Shall Return" here.

The old buildings there were all left as they were after the war. They are littered with bullet holes and have no roofs. Many of the walls and staircases are also destroyed. The destruction was nearly total and it is highly emotional there. At least for me.

This shot was taken from inside one of the buildings that got blown to bits, literally. The flag was pretty washed out, I think (hope) I can fix it in post.


http://amusingscribe.com/images/Philippines/us-flag.jpg

Here is another shot of the building from the front, you can see the flag to the right.


http://amusingscribe.com/images/Philippines/cine-front.jpg

Since I couldn't take my kids with me they made me take this guy so I'd have someone to play with. I decided to take him with me and got a lot of shots with him in them.

His name is Bolcanon, he's a Bakugan. You can see the Brothers In Arms memorial statute behind him through the hole.

http://amusingscribe.com/images/Philippines/bolcanon2.jpg

Thanks for looking.

[Terri]

Hey, cool! You're back, then? Happy to see you posting some pics. :D

This looks like an amazing place to be able to walk around and shoot. :thumbup: So much fascinating history, too.

Welcome back! Looking forward to seeing more.

[Rekd]

Not back yet, I leave tomorrow (Friday, it's Thurs here).

Can't wait to get back to America.

[Rekd]

Oh, and whoever said the equipment doesn't make the photog was mistaken. Or mayhaps I'm just not as good as I thought. :) There have been many occasions since I've been here that I kicked myself for leaving my gear at home.

[Terri]

Well....I would argue that though the equipment doesn't make the photographer, there's no question it can certainly help. :razz:

Looking forward to catching up with you when you're Stateside. Happy travels!