Constructed in 1858 and completed in 1878. It is the widest church built during the colonial period. This photo was taken last October 7, 2006 during the MIP Taal Photoshoot. Human interests in the photos included Engr. Rey Nocum, MIP Supermoderator, and Dennis Villegas, MIP's Chief Evangelist and one of my favorite blogger.
Other info:
Location of photograph:: Taal, Batangas
Camera:: Canon EOS 300D
Lens:: Canon 18-55mm wide angle
Settings (f-stop, speed, ISO): 1/125sec / f/7.1 / ISO100 / 18mm / handheld

Everybody agreed that we spend overnight at the resort. We thought that was a cool idea. After all, the affair is only once in a year that we really had to enjoy it to the fullest. We most of the time spend much time in our work and this was actually the coolest idea we could come out so we can be relieved from stress.

Since were coming from Antipolo, we took Manila East Road instead of South Luzon Expressway. South Luzon Expressway could be better because it's a bit safer as to lightings, pavements, and road signs as compared to Manila East Road. Manila East Road traverses Rizal and Laguna mountains resulting to sharp curves and sharp bends and steep ascends and descends. It actually took us three hours or 106 kilometers from Antipolo to Calamba. Of course, it was a long ride towards our destination. But then, who cares? We were up for adventure and the truck we were using, an eight-cylinder Toyota Land Cruiser was a very loyal and trustworthy buddy on the road. There were also fine sceneries to enjoy along Manila East Road as compared to South Luzon Expressway, that's what we were after for.

Our group is composed of six adult and three kids.

Jack, his wife and kids. Right photo: Ate Helen and her son Chamboy.

Laguna Hot Spring has a big rectangular pool and this is how it looks like in the night time. As I investigated (I made a short talk with one of the crew), many locals ritually come to bath believing the hot spring would cure their arthritis or rheumatism, or prevent it from developing. Furthermore, the hot spring flowing in to the pool is natural and that Laguna Hot Spring is one of the few resorts able to maintain it.

Keen observant that I am, I noticed that the bed of the pool is composed of volcanic rocks which make the water look murky - which is actually not as you found out when you dip into it. If I'm going to compare it with the most advance resort that I frequented some time in the 1990's which is just situated a few meters from Laguna Hot Spring, I should say they maintain higher standard of operations procedure, and their amenities are obviously better than this one. But considering the later are only using artificial hot spring while the former has the real hot spring flowing from the mountains of Mt. Makiling, I am naturally in favor of Laguna Hot Spring. I am also amazed at seeing school of fish inside the pool! Based on the fishes that I've seen swimming around the pool, I concluded the water is natural otherwise, it wouldn't exist with a treated and recycled water. Cool! As I investigated further, I noticed that hot water were coming out from one corner of the pool (the hottest spot) and the flow goes to the opposite far end of the pool.

There were only few things I remember I didn't like when I was there. Some of the pool users were bringing finger snacks into the midst of the pool, in fact, I saw one snacks wrapper floating on the water. I saw a sign that says "No food and drinks allowed in the pool" but it was hardly noticed. There was also a sign prohibiting pool user to dive but then there are still a few people who were splashing here and there. The water is only 4 feet deep, very dangerous for diving.

There were also pool users who were bringing their slippers inside the pool. I just didn't know what they had in mind. As a courtesy to fellow pool user, I, in fact, took shower before I dipped into the pool. I was wearing then a basketball shorts. But then, there was no sign to obliged user into wearing swimming trunk. So it could be that anything you wear is acceptable.

This is Ate Helen looking towards the pool.

Chamboy and Jack's kids started their fun in the water.

Volcanic rocks that I took out from the water to be photographed. It was returned to the water afterwards. (Real photographers don't gather samples and are just contented of snapping photos)

I was told there were already geologists and other experts who undertook laboratory tests on the volcanic cinders and the spring water of Laguna Hot Spring. They reported that the volcanic cinders of Laguna Hot Spring are rich in minerals with abundant iron (Fe) and magnesium compounds (Mg). It It is explained that the hot spring water which continously flows from its natural source in the mountains is relatively pure and becomes mineralized as the warm water gets in contact with the cinders. It is being said that mineral contents found there include sulfur, magnesium, iron and borax. Both the volcanic cinders and the spring water give the bathers what is strongly believed to be the therapeutic effects of such ailments as neuralgia, arthritis, myalgia and high blood pressure and also for relieving stress. Specifically, the sulfur content of the spring water is said to strengthen the hair, nails, and skin. Occasionally referred to as "nature's beauty mineral", sulfur plays a role in the production of collagen, a protein that helps skin elastic and healthy. Some resort bather claimed that their allergies and respiratory disorders have eased after soaking repeatedly in the Laguna Hot Spring. Indeed, the natural spring water had helped them increased their metabolism, accelerate healing, soothe muscles, improve blood circulation and detoxify the body's lymphatic system. It is also said that some senior citizens who have made Laguna Hot Spring their weekend habit attested to the different therapeutic influence of the warm water, specifically working wonders and bringing relief to their neuralgia, rheumatism, arthritis, lumbago and other chronic illnesses; and some skin disorders. For them, the Laguna Hot Spring experience is not just surface deep because beneficial effects reached deeper.

I didn't know Ate Helen is camera shy until I pointed my camera towards her.

The most awaited part in this affair - the food!

Ivan and Chamboy.

Road photos and travel stories on the way home

Los Banos scenery when we were on our way back to Antipolo.

Standing like a lone sentinel at the western entrance of Pagsanjan is the historic stone town gate with three Roman arches and topped by two lions guarding Spain's royal escutcheon. This town gate was built in 1878-1880 during the administration of Don Manuel de Yriarte, Spanish alcalde mayor of Laguna. Many Pagsanjeño polistas labored for two years to finish it. A polista was an able-bodied male from 16 to 60 years old who was drafted annually during Spanish times to render forced labor (polo) in public works for 40 days a year. (Caption is sourced verbatim from: PAGSANJAN, In History and Legend)
You might as well be interested in reading a short history about this gate. I came across this article for quite some time. Here's the link: http://www.pagsanjan.org/hometown/historychap6_pg7.html (Restoration of the Historic Town Gate by Dr. Gregorio F. Zaide)

Another site in Pagsanjan. My photographs are just too bad as it was raining the the sky was real overcast during that time.

Lumban River.

Manila East Road leading back to Rizal Province.

This is a scenery in between Siniloan and Lumban, which I am not sure, actually as we were moving very fast. Our original plan is to make a brief tour in Lumban which is famous for hand-woven textiles and Paete (my friend tutubi's hometown) which is famous for wood sculptures. But then, it was drizzling and the mood is gloomy. We finally decided to go straight non-stop and arrive home very soon.

While we travel at the comfort of our Toyota Land Cruiser, I was getting envious with fellow road travelers on motorcycles - not just a few but hundreds of motorcycle riders coming from different motorcycle riding clubs. There were hundreds of them and they were no ordinary motorcycle riders. There were also speed-hungry roadies on their top of the line road bicycles. I was not only envious to their adventures, I was also drooling looking at their flashy road bikes.

In a place called Brgy. Mabitak, we stopped by for a while to take a good vantage view of Laguna Lake. Brgy. Mabitak is precisely situated overlooking the lake. Cyclists (of which I was drooling over their bikes), motorcycle riders, and casual motorists also made a stop for the grandeous view of the lake. It was raining thus the sky turned overcast - not the perfect moment to take nice photos. But the thought of a bad weather still didn't deter me from cranking my camera.

This is Laguna Lake. With blue skies and cotton-white clouds during summer, this scenery could be a stunner.

The rain stopped by for a while so we climb down from the truck and see Laguna Lake from afar.

Photographing the photographer Joey Boy, one of the account executive of Divine Bio Purified Water, is using his mobile phone camera to take photos of the nice scenery.

Not very far, we were seeing this cute little guy being chained in a bamboo post in a nearby eatery. As far as I know, one needs to get permit before one can keep these animals as pet. I just didn't know exactly, but I felt sorry with the animal. Looking far ahead, in the background, I saw a TransCo tower. That easily made me remember of my friends at MIP, Ynnad and Rubbersoul.

Opposite the Laguna Lake scenery, there was also a spectacular view of a house over the hill. Looking up to it, I figured it out as a good photography subject. There was no blue sky to add beauty to my photograph but there's nothing I can do about it. I positioned myself and waited for some human interests to be included in the photo. My patience in waiting paid off as you would see. Two cyclists were coming uphill (and again I drooled for their road bikes).

Befriending the "missing link".

Just another group shot.

In a short while, the rain poured again so we went back to our truck. Ahead of us, a cargo truck parked as well. Kid vendors take shelter beneath the truck to avoid being soaked with the rain.

It was raining all over. Some people look up to it as hindrance to everyday living. But as one religious leader puts it, "When there's rain, there's blessing." Based on that, this is how I constructively received and welcome the rain.

To see higher resolution of the photos here, please visit my Multiply album from this link: http://dodongflores.multiply.com/photos/album/55. Thank you for your time...

Post Script: (04/01/2008) For some unknown reason, Haloscan comments for my post La Mesa Eco Park has been scrambled into this post. Those comments were originally posted at this entry: http://travelogue.digitalrebel.ws/2008/03/2008-la-mesa-eco-park.html.

this was photographed at the Glorietta Activity Center last February 4, 2006. I was trying to figure out if I really need to upgrade my present Canon SLR when I can even take nice photos with my 2.0 megapixel Sony Ericsson K750i.

Anyway, here are my five main reasons for blogging.

1. Travel photo showcase (photoblog)
   Even before the advent of this so-called blog, I already had this established hobby of taking photos while I travel (or travel places just to get photos) and post those into my website. While a blog is dynamic in nature, my website most particularly was composed of static webpages and everytime I had to post new events or photos, I really had to handcode all of it. It was a tedious job to do. And eat a lot of my time. Well, even if there’s no blog, I still would post photos online. But hey, what could be much easier other than using blog software for posting photos online. I had lost my website anyway, so I have to focus more of my blog.
2. A Blog Is Better Than an Email Newsletter...
   Why do I need to post photos online? Do I have Internet audience? Yes I have.
   I have regular following from friends who are now based in Korea, Japan, Thailand, in the US, and even friends around the country. They’re expecting update from me and with all of my photography activity every now and then. And while email newsletters- are gone once they're sent, blogs are forever. Since blogs are posted to the Web, they are immediately available and remain live until I take them down (or stop paying for hosting, in any case).
3. Portfolio
   What?!! A portfolio?
   Seriously, I’m eyeing for a career shift, like in a Webmaster Staffing Agency where my potentials can be utilized, and of course, I need to earn good money, too. I need to show off I can hand code HTML, administer domain, manage WHM, link building (reciprocal, link exchange, etc), and a whip of Photoshop. I also do freelance works. Definitely, I need something I can show off to prospective clients. Now, you got it. This site (or this blog) should tell something.
4. Blog for a Change
   Now, here’s for the lighter side. I work very hard. Not that I’m workaholic, but the nature of my job takes much of my time. I do work all alone for what is equivalent to a work of one team. I have no time to wash my clothes, I don’t eat my meals on time, I sleep less, and I realized I have no time I can call my own.
   Blogging is what I consider the taking back of my life. Blog is basically my life: my travel photos; my girlfriend’s photos; rants and raves; and my only way to connect friends. Other than that, it’s a totally boring cycle of life.
5. Experimentation
   I had been experimenting lately with blogging and Google adsense. While I don’t expect higher revenue by blogging, I’m still observing for it’s sustainability. If it can foot the bill for my hosting and domain, it’s not bad. If it is not, well, it’s just fine. After all, my main purpose of blogging is to connect friends all across the globe.

While there are no rules of how many bloggers do I need to get tagged, I probably would like to call the attention of the following:

• Germs73. This friend had just started his blog,  http://kuwadra.blogspot.com/
• Dennis Villegas who is in vacation up until this time.
• Angelica - http://angelicaambos.wordpress.com/
• Lazarus - http://left-over-thoughts.blogspot.com/
• Verns, http://vernsandverns.wordpress.com/. This Little Miss Sunshine is so witty. Chicken lang sa kanya magsulat ng mga ganito.

Last March 3, a Saturday, I woke early so I could travel and arrived Baywalk at its best time in the morning. The place is still a good place to meditate, just ignore the foul smell emanating from the sea breeze.
I arrived there via jeepney from EDSA. I dropped by at the back of Malate Church and walk across the street from Rajah Soliman to Manila Baywalk.

It was a cool sunny Saturday morning. The weather was just fair. Those structures that can be seen from afar is a part of the CCP Complex.

I didn't know what this man is gathering in the sea as nobody could tell me. If it is not for shells, he probably must have tried to gather scraps and junks.

Sports fishing is very cheap at Baywalk. You don't need to spend anything.

Waiting kalesas ready at your disposal.
The scaffoldings that can be seen at the back is the removable stage for the almost everyday's grand show in Rajah Soliman Park.

Korean tourists take turn at taking photos with each other.

This is the pedestrian crossing across Baywalk.

This is the statue of Rajah Soliman.

Malate Church is renowned for two points of historical interest. It is dedicated to Nuestra Senora de Remedios (Our Lady of Remedies), an image of the Virgin Mary to whom the faithful have turned in times of trouble over four centuries. The church is also historically significant as the base from which the British launched their assault on Intramuros, which then placed Manila under British rule for a two-year period. The present weathered adobe structure is actually only over 100 years old, though various predecessors have stood on the site since the end of the 16th century.

The only downside that I took notice of daytime strolling in Baywalk is the lack of toilet facility. Those portable toilets are only available during night time.