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La Mesa Eco Park: a Photo Essay
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Canon EOS 300D / Shutter Speed: 1/10 sec / F-stop: f/4.0 / ISO Setting: 400 /
focal length: 27mm /flash: off / mount: handheld (March. 20, 2008)
Dearest MIP friends and brothers and sisters all across the globe:
Kumusta na? It's been awhile that I didn't get in touch with all of you. I apologize. I had been a bit busy these few months that passed that I had very limited time with my "Internet life." I hardly surf, so the chance to socialize online is far fetched. I also didn't do street photography after I lost my phone to thieves last December. So, I naturally ran out of photographs. I don't bring my Canon SLR everyday.
However, this Holy Week gave me another chance to go out and shoot. The two days break from work (Maundy Thursday and Good Friday) gave me an opportunity to unite with Jovy for another wanderlust. While the two-day company outing to Laguna Hot Spring is so enticing, I chose to stay behind so I could create a more personalized adventure for me and Jovy. Besides, the night before the outing, I learned that traffic going outside Manila, both northbound and southbound, was so heavy. I knew by experience that it is a battle with traffic going to and from Laguna Hot Spring for this kind of season. Our Toyota Revo was used for the outing as it provides more seating capacity so I was very unfortunate to have left with the FJ Cruiser.
In the morning of Thursday, I drove to Jovy's boarding house. We hadn't agreed earlier for any place we would have to go, but I brought with me my SLR camera in anticipation. I also brought with me my laptop and a few DVD so just in case the ladies would just decide to stay home, I can just work out for my deadlines or just spend the day watching movies with the ladies. Along with Jovy in the boarding house is her younger sister Malou and a boardmate Grace, a Bicolana beauty. The rest of the boarders were in vacation, and some was still reporting to work (nurses, policewomen, etc).
The ladies wanted a trip outside Metro Manila. I reasoned that traffic congestion would be at hand once we would already be on our way back to Manila. While it could be true, the real reason I declined is that we won't be having enough gas for a long trip. Finally, after lunch, we settled for a two hundred pesos worth of gas at Petron station in Main Avenue in Cubao. It should be enough going to La Mesa Eco Park and back to the boarding house.
We arrived at La Mesa Eco Park already late in the afternoon. There were lots of park-goers, too. We started the photography rampage right away. There are lots activities you can think of when in the park. The ladies were eating ice cream. For 100 pesos, they rode and paddled a boat good for thirty minutes. For a fifty pesos entrance fee per person, we were able to visit the orchidarium, climbed up the stairs to take a glimpse of the La Mesa Dam, and go swimming at the pool if we want it to. However, the swimming pool was already closed when we arrived as it already reached the maximum capacity of swimmers allowed. We didn't plan to go swimming, though.
For a separate entrance fee of 30 pesos per head, one can observe how butterfly lay their eggs at the Butterfly Trail. Unfortunately, it was already past 5pm when we arrived and the trail was already closed for visitors.
I noticed there were lots of improvements in the park as compared to the first time I visited the place. Also, what used to be a public road that squirm beside La Mesa Dam is already a restricted area. More than two years ago, I was able to go over La Mesa Dam taking photos using my film SLR. Extreme sports are becoming to be popular now in the park.
It was already dark when we left La Mesa Eco Park. The seemingly inexhaustible ladies were already tired and thirsty. We craved for halo-halo and tried to find one along Commonwealth Avenue but unsuccessful. We proceed to Razon's Halo-halo in Araneta Center and found it to be closed. It was of course, Maundy Thursday, and most shop are closed for business. Anyhow, we ended our adventure for the day with halo-halo in Chowking along Tuazon Street in Cubao.
Good Friday was a lazy day. When I get to visit to Jovy's boarding house again, the ladies didn't want to go out for another wanderlust. While there maybe a lot of destinations just around Metro Manila, like the Manila Baywalk, the Quezon City Circle, and many others, the ladies just decided to stay home to avoid the stress of crowded parks. Food trip was being agreed instead. The three just decided to eat, sleep, and watch TV. So, while I was left alone at the receiving area downstair and the ladies were watching their favorite TV programs in their room upstair, I was having a good DVD marathon: i.e. Under Siege (Steven Seagal), The Gods Must Be Crazy II, and Passion of Christ (by Mel Gibson). In between of the activity, we were eating sumptuous food prepared by Grace, a born cook who hails from the Bicol region. Later in the afternoon, we went to the nearest 7 Eleven to buy a gallon of ice cream. It was a feast instead of a fast.
Black Saturday is for resizing of photos and posting online. And that's what can be found in the second half of this page. There are 9 megabytes of resized photos below the dotted line (hosted at Multiply) that will take time to download. Please be patient during the download process...
Canon EOS 300D / Shutter Speed: 1/30 sec / F-stop: f/4.0 / ISO Setting: 800
/ focal length: 21mm /flash: off / mount: handheld
Three beauties and a beast: Jovy, Grace, and Malou posed with our ride, an FJ Cruiser.
1/30 sec / f/4.5 / ISO 100 /
25mm / no flash1/15 sec / f/5.0 / ISO 100 /
40mm / no flash
The ladies welcoming themselves to the park.
Canon EOS 300D / Shutter Speed: 1/15 sec / F-stop: f/4.5 / ISO Setting: 100 /
focal length: 33mm /flash: off / mount: handheld
Canon EOS 300D / Shutter Speed: 1/80 sec / F-stop: f/5.6 / ISO Setting: 800 /
focal length: 38mm /flash: off / mount: handheld (March. 20, 2008)
Canon EOS 300D / Shutter Speed: 1/80 sec / F-stop: f/6.3 / ISO Setting: 800 /
focal length: 38mm /flash: off / mount: handheld (March. 20, 2008)
1/60 sec / f/4.0 / ISO 400 /
24mm / flash: on1/60 sec / f/5.6 / ISO 200 /
50mm /flash: off
Canon EOS 300D / Shutter Speed: 1/160 sec / F-stop: f/8.0 / ISO Setting: 800 /
focal length: 18mm /flash: off / mount: handheld
Zip line is fast becoming popular in the park.
Canon EOS 300D / Shutter Speed: 1/125 sec / F-stop: f/8.0 / ISO Setting: 800 /
focal length: 28mm /flash: off / mount: handheld
Canon EOS 300D / Shutter Speed: 1/13 sec / F-stop: f/5.6 / ISO Setting: 100 /
focal length: 55mm /flash: off / mount: handheld
Boating at the lagoon.
Canon EOS 300D / Shutter Speed: 1/80 sec / F-stop: f/6.3 / ISO Setting: 800 /
focal length: 30mm /flash: off / mount: handheld
Canon EOS 300D / Shutter Speed: 1/60 sec / F-stop: f/5.6 / ISO Setting: 800 /
focal length: 30mm /flash: off / mount: handheld
Canon EOS 300D / Shutter Speed: 1/60 sec / F-stop: f/6.3 / ISO Setting: 800 /
focal length: 37mm /flash: off / mount: handheld
1/30 sec / f/5.6 / ISO 200 /
54mm / no flash1/60 sec / f/5.6 / ISO 400 /
33mm /no flash
Canon EOS 300D / Shutter Speed: 1/125 sec / F-stop: f/7.1 / ISO Setting: 800 /
focal length: 27mm /flash: off / mount: handheld
Canon EOS 300D / Shutter Speed: 1/30 sec / F-stop: f/4.5 / ISO Setting: 200 /
focal length: 30mm /flash: off / mount: handheld
Canon EOS 300D / Shutter Speed: 1/60 sec / F-stop: f/5.6 / ISO Setting: 400 /
focal length: 55mm /flash: off / mount: handheld
Canon EOS 300D / Shutter Speed: 1/60 sec / F-stop: f/5.6 / ISO Setting: 200 /
focal length: 49mm /flash: on / mount: handheld
Canon EOS 300D / Shutter Speed: 1/60 sec / F-stop: f/5.0 / ISO Setting: 400 /
focal length: 22mm /flash: off / mount: handheld
Canon EOS 300D / Shutter Speed: 1/30 sec / F-stop: f/5.6 / ISO Setting: 400 /
focal length: 49mm /flash: off / mount: handheld
Canon EOS 300D / Shutter Speed: 1/15 sec / F-stop: f/5.6 / ISO Setting: 400 /
focal length: 55mm /flash: off / mount: handheld
1/15 sec / f/3.5 / ISO 400 / 22mm / no flash1/30
sec / f/3.5 / ISO 400 / 22mm / no flash
Canon EOS 300D / Shutter Speed: 1/60 sec / F-stop: f/4.5 / ISO Setting: 400 /
focal length: 18mm /flash: off / mount: handheld
Canon EOS 300D / Shutter Speed: 1/15 sec / F-stop: f/3.5 / ISO Setting: 200 /
focal length: 18mm /flash: off / mount: handheld
Canon EOS 300D / Shutter Speed: 1/30 sec / F-stop: f/3.5 / ISO Setting: 200 /
focal length: 18mm /flash: off / mount: handheld
Canon EOS 300D / Shutter Speed: 1/30 sec / F-stop: f/4.5 / ISO Setting: 100 /
focal length: 27mm /flash: off / mount: handheld
1/15 sec / f/5.0 / ISO 400 / 38mm / no flash1/30
sec / f/3.5 / ISO 400 / 22mm / no flash
Canon EOS 300D / Shutter Speed: 1/250 sec / F-stop: f/10 / ISO Setting: 400 /
focal length: 27mm /flash: off / mount: handheld
Canon EOS 300D / Shutter Speed: 1/60 sec / F-stop: f/6.3 / ISO Setting: 400 /
focal length: 44mm /flash: off / mount: handheld
1/30 sec / f/3.5 / ISO 100 / 18mm / no flash1/30
sec / f/5.6 / ISO 100 / 55mm / no flash
Canon EOS 300D / Shutter Speed: 1/60 sec / F-stop: f/7.1 / ISO Setting: 100 /
focal length: 33mm /flash: off / mount: handheld
Canon EOS 300D / Shutter Speed: 1/125 sec / F-stop: f/5.6 / ISO Setting: 100 /
focal length: 22mm /flash: off / mount: handheld
Canon EOS 300D / Shutter Speed: 1/125 sec / F-stop: f/8.0 / ISO Setting: 400 /
focal length: 55mm /flash: off / mount: handheld
Canon EOS 300D / Shutter Speed: 1/125 sec / F-stop: f/8.0 / ISO Setting: 800 /
focal length: 28mm /flash: off / mount: handheld
Canon EOS 300D / Shutter Speed: 1/30 sec / F-stop: f/5.0 / ISO Setting: 100 /
focal length: 44mm /flash: off / mount: handheld
Canon EOS 300D / Shutter Speed: 1/125 sec / F-stop: f/7.1 / ISO Setting: 800 /
focal length: 40mm /flash: off / mount: handheld
Canon EOS 300D / Shutter Speed: 1/60 sec / F-stop: f/5.6 / ISO Setting: 200 /
focal length: 18mm /flash: off / mount: handheld
Canon EOS 300D / Shutter Speed: 1/60 sec / F-stop: f/6.3 / ISO Setting: 200 /
focal length: 49mm /flash: off / mount: handheld
1/60 sec / f/6.3 / ISO 200 / 43mm / no flash1/60
sec / f/5.6 / ISO 200 / 52mm / no flash
This is Grace.This
is Malou.
Canon EOS 300D / Shutter Speed: 1/125 sec / F-stop: f/6.3 / ISO Setting: 200 /
focal length: 18mm /flash: off / mount: handheld
Canon EOS 300D / Shutter Speed: 1/60 sec / F-stop: f/5.6 / ISO Setting: 200 /
focal length: 27mm /flash: off / mount: handheld
Canon EOS 300D / Shutter Speed: 1/15 sec / F-stop: f/4.5 / ISO Setting: 100 /
focal length: 33mm /flash: off / mount: handheld
Canon EOS 300D / Shutter Speed: 1/25 sec / F-stop: f/5.6 / ISO Setting: 1600 /
focal length: 55mm /flash: off / mount: handheld
Canon EOS 300D / Shutter Speed: 1/60 sec / F-stop: f/5.6 / ISO Setting: 200 /
focal length: 55mm /flash: on / mount: handheld
Canon EOS 300D / Shutter Speed: 1/30 sec / F-stop: f/3.5 / ISO Setting: 800 /
focal length: 18mm /flash: off / mount: handheld
Canon EOS 300D / Shutter Speed: 1/15 sec / F-stop: f/4.5 / ISO Setting: 1600 /
focal length: 33mm /flash: off / mount: handheld
Wishing well.
Canon EOS 300D / Shutter Speed: 1/15 sec / F-stop: f/4.0 / ISO Setting: 800 /
focal length: 27mm /flash: off / mount: handheld
Canon EOS 300D / Shutter Speed: 1/30 sec / F-stop: f/3.5 / ISO Setting: 100 /
focal length: 22mm /flash: off / mount: handheld
Canon EOS 300D / Shutter Speed: 1/60 sec / F-stop: f/4.0 / ISO Setting: 800 /
focal length: 21mm /flash: off / mount: handheld
Three beauties and a handsome beast. Last shot as we embarked home.
Related sites/topics over the Internet:
Curious what I was up to for the last year's lenten season? See it here: http://travelogue.digitalrebel.ws/2007/03/laguna.html
I hope you enjoy seeing the photos much as I enjoy taking it. How about you? What was your activities during the Holy Week?
Happy Easter Sunday, everyone...
HaloScan Comment Form
Post Script: (04/01/2008)
1. For some unknown reason, Haloscan comments for this post has been scrambled
into the Laguna
Hot Spring entry. If you can't find your comment for this entry, it is
posted into this link:
http://travelogue.digitalrebel.ws/2007/03/laguna.html
2. Since a number of visitors are already asking about FJ Cruiser, I'm posting
the Wikipedia link complete with the vehicle information. Please click here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_FJ_Cruiser
Labels: travelogue
published by dodong flores 도동 플로오리스 @ 6:37:00 PM • Permalink •
Links to this post
• 10 comments from:
Nance,
,
dodong flores,
Ebb Tide,
carlotta1924,
dodong flores,
dodong flores,
,
Sidney,
dodong flores,
• 
10 Comments:
-
At 2:37 AM, March 24, 2008, Nance said…
WOW! ganda pala dyan sa Eco Park, lalo na mga bulaklak. i have to make sure to put that in my itinerary when i go visit pinas.
thanks for sharing, dodong. -
At 12:43 PM, March 24, 2008, said…
Ganda ng SUV mo. Okay ba yung Fj cruiser? Here in thailand, Toyota Fortuner is becoming so popular since 2005. Hilux surf is close second. I wonder which one is better. Ever heard of Rav4? -
At 10:33 AM, March 27, 2008, dodong flores said…
@ Nance: Yes, I highly recommend La Mesa Eco Park to be visited even for those who are coming from abroad. I'm sure you would enjoy with the place as much as we do...
@ anonymous: Kuya Willy, I can tell you FJ cruiser is a Wow! However, I can't really compare it with the Toyota Fortuner as I was not able to drive one yet - and I won't be driving even one up until a manual variant is available. Toyota Fortuners marketed here in the Philippines are automatic transmissions and you know that I'm not driving automatic. The last automatic transmission vehicle I was driving was a Hyundai Tucson and after that I swore to myself that I won't be driving automatic. Never again. I'm just very uncomfortable about it.
As for the Hilux Surf, please don't be deceived by marketing hype that you hear from salesmen. Those cars are surplus from Japan. Japan are phasing out all their diesel-engine vehicle and those cars are being shipped to the Philippines. When those cars arrived in Subic, those cars, originally right-hand drive, were converted to our standard, or left-hand drive. But I tell you, I have had bad experiences about it. A Hilux surf nearly got us killed near SM Molino when the steering gave way. When I investigated later, I found out the conversion process was sub-standard. It was cut-and-weld, which is actually a no no. Then, another surplus Land Cruiser from Japan also got me killed while parking in SM Bicutan. It had the same problem with the Hilux Surf. From then on, I did no longer trust right-hand drive converted vehicles. By the way, you probably don't know that Hilux Surf are surplus vehicles. So now I tell, you - they are. I think all Hilux Surf you see there in Thailand must be coming from the Philippines. If you really want to buy cheaper vehicles, I recommend Korean surplus. There are no conversion whatsoever. YOu'll just have to replace the tires as they don't fit with the climate in the Philippines (or Thailand as in your case).
Yes, we also have Rav4 here. It's a subcompact SUV that goes with the same category as Honda CRV, Nissan X-trail, Ford Escape, to mention a few. -
At 12:33 AM, March 28, 2008, Ebb Tide said…
I enjoy looking at your trip to La Mesa Eco Park. Since you highly recommended this place, it will be on our list of places to see when we visit the Philippines someday. -
At 9:56 AM, March 28, 2008, carlotta1924 said…
FJ cruiser pala tawag dun. tawag ko kasi dun imitation humvee hehehe.
glad to know you had an enjoyable easter weekend with your girlfriend and the ladies =) -
At 12:28 PM, March 28, 2008, dodong flores said…
@ ebb tide: Maraming salamat po. Glad to know my post inspires you to visit the place...
@ carlotta: This is not the locally assembled (knock off) version of Wrangler or Humvee. This is a real Toyota vehicle manufactured in Japan. A year before the acquisition, friends saw this particular model in a motor show at the World Trade Center in Pasay (they said the exhibit was of different color).
Incidentally, I came across a thorough information about the vehicle at Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_FJ_Cruiser) after I posted this entry and got several inquiries about the vehicle. The Wikipedia article featured the same vehicle model (color) that we have. -
At 7:34 PM, March 28, 2008, dodong flores said…
Kuya Willy, I should have said "nearly got me killed." Sorry for the typo...
Carlotta, it should be, "they said the exhibit was of different color." My apology for the typo... -
At 2:42 PM, March 29, 2008, said…
What is halo-halo? -
At 11:37 AM, March 30, 2008, Sidney said…
Wow! Dodong ! You are always in charming company!
Looks like you had a Holy Week in heaven !
But I think you deserved this! Glad you enjoyed your long weekend! -
At 10:07 AM, May 05, 2008, dodong flores said…
Hahaha! Thanx, Sidney :)
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