Events/ Holidays/ Special Occasions | My Indoor and Outdoor Photography | Technology/ Learning Tips

Sweet Love and Good Luck 2021

By on February 14, 2021

This year 2021 is a double festive event the ”Chinese New Year” (February 12) and ”Valentine’s day” (February 14), merging altogether sweet love and good fortune to start the year right although this year is a different one because of the existing economic crisis brought by the pandemic and COVID-19 restrictions. The opening to normal life is very slow and uncertain, we don’t celebrate it the way we used to do in the past but It’s safe to celebrate at home with sweet and delicious simplicity.

 If you prefer indoors at least you can move and enjoy more, you can serve at-home delicious dinner or just order out, you can also arrange DIY Valentine craft decors. Safety and health our prime responsibility. When you won’t be able to get-together in all ways, it would be better to send best greetings online and meaningful chat on screen, this would be more meaningful for both parties to be safe.

Wishing you all Happiness and Prosperity, Give Love and be  Loved, ”Happy Valentine’s Day and Happy Chinese New Year”

February 12, 2021 is Chinese New Year, the ‘’Year of the Ox’’ it signifies the hardworking trait, this is a good symbol that will help us through the pandemic season, it is also a symbol of spring and agriculture in Chinese art. Ox is compatible with people of rat, snake and rooster zodiac signs.

Thanks for reading my blog!

Stay Safe and Healthy!

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Events/ Holidays/ Special Occasions | My Indoor and Outdoor Photography

Happy Valentine’s Day 2018

By on February 13, 2018

It’s a practice believed that roses are  spice of love and soon it brings a spice for life, Clearly, it’s a symbol of love. Me, myself still receiving the same kind of flowers from the same person up to the present. It’s just like saying, I’m still lovely and sweet after all these years, honestly speaking and not to be proud off, still I am! LOL!

When getting to know more about someone, giving roses is a great way to catch attention or, you may want to start a relationship all over again. I’m sure you’ll earn a good impression while it lasts.

Here’s Live Life and Love wishing you all, ”Happy Valentine’s day”

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Events/ Holidays/ Special Occasions | Restaurant Review

Happy Mid-Autumn Festival 2017

By on October 4, 2017

It’s Mid-Autumn Festival today, according to the 2017 Chinese calendar, it falls on the 15th day of the 8th month so that is today and it’s a moon cake celebration for us. It is a tradition for my family to enjoy the sweetness of moon cakes  served on the table, we got 6 different kinds of moon cake with different fillings, each flavor was perfectly good. Here’s the first one,the ”Delicate Present Moon cake”given by our friends from Taiwan. Thank you guys out there! What a special festive gift, the tastes was really great however, other moon cakes has their own unique flavors too.

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My Indoor and Outdoor Photography | Travel and Adventure

Capture the Beauty of Sunset with Elegant Simplicity

By on April 6, 2017

 Tali Beach Cliff Jump Site Sunset

The great impression from readers/viewers, that sunset has many faces as being described as; breathtaking, magnificent, vibrant, beautiful, stunning, extra-ordinary, astonishing, radiant, brilliant, gorgeous, dramatic, fascinating, amazing, attractive, colorful, serene, quiet, peaceful and what more? Loss for words, I’m running out of adjectives to describe it.But anyway, Detailed description of any sunset photos around here is always supplemented by photographs.

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Travel and Adventure

Magnificent Sunset- Sunset Drive

By on February 22, 2017

For the sunset lovers out there! Ever wonder which sunset photos made it to the fullest scene lately? With too many sunset photos that was published ? I think, this is one best of mine. There were too many beautiful places for sunset photography but the best choice is the Sunset Drive Tali Beach Subdivision, Nasugbu, Batangas, it’s relatively cool around here, sunset can easily be photographed while sitting on the ground. That’s more relaxing!

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My Indoor and Outdoor Photography | Travel and Adventure

Tali Beach, Nasugbu Batangas

By on February 10, 2017

Travel Highlights and Adventure

It looks so pretty, pleasant and peaceful inside the Tali Subdivision, Island outing this time has gone far better. I was talking about our latest adventure last December, this was pretty darn cool! With just a two and a half drive away from the south capital of Manila in the province of Batangas is a small town of Nasugbu facing the waters of South China Sea. From all levels, Nasugbu as one of the several diving sites in the Philippines has plenty to offer not only to divers but also to tourists and water sport fanatics as well. Best enough to enjoy lingering around, cliff diving, scuba, snorkeling, speed boating and the beaches are enough interesting sites considering the calm pristine waters, abundance of flying fishes, beautiful shells and white corals, sea stars and some exotic species to name a few.. Once you get there, there’s a lot more to surprise you and a lot more to be discovered. Nasugbu is blessed with endless coastlines stretching in all directions, many beautiful scenes to behold, great diving destination and swimming areas.

Tali Subdivision

Activities to do:

Inside the private and friendly community, these are the things to try while on vacation: Personal gadgets seems to be very useful to this point, ready! focus! and click! Just a bit review…

  1.  Sunset Viewing                              

    Along Sunset Drive recognized as one of the best places to watch the sunset. Closer distance, we spotted the flying fishes and migratory birds atop cliff side. With a peaceful and serene atmosphere, sun ray’s sparkling off the gentle waves turned into a sparking multi-colored diamonds. Sunset drive is a welcome sight to watch the sunset.

The scenery is breathtaking from atop. Glancing towards us, sun still drifting along with trailing pink red and blue and orange ribbons of light. It feels like I’m so close to nature, it was a Magnificent sunset!

You can enjoy sipping a cold drinks while watching the sunset with romantic tune playing on your phone, we’ve all been here the whole afternoon till day ends, the thrill of watching the sunset as it descends in the horizon is a memorable experience especially if you are with your loved ones.

2. Cliff Jumping, Scuba Diving and Water Sports

For scuba, a lush of underwater world attractions that features; coral reefs, cauliflower-shaped and pink corals, sea shells, abundance of lion fishes, scorpion fishes stingrays and sharks.

Soft corals washed ashore by strong waves and currents.

For water Sports- Jet skis, Speed boats, Luxury yachts, Banana boats

Cliff Jump Site, Nasugbu, Batangas

An amazing brownstone arising dramatically intended for cliff jumping, the large brown rock formation created by nature.

 3. Leisurely Morning and Afternoon Strolling

A favorite way to begin a day around Cliff jump site park. The sun rose bright and full warm as the favorable wind refreshes our mood. Overlooking the coastlines below, the quiet greenery of palm trees and mountains, flying fishes jumping over the water, speed boats and jet skis crossing around ships.

Top view of the island is the highest peak, nevermind climbing steeply up and down, the steep hillside that leads to the panoramic view of the sunset, you can view the heavy slopes but with a well-manicured landscape and a gentle refreshing breeze to cool your photography mood.

4. Outstanding Sightings

At a distance, we spotted a beautiful vacation house with a fascinating landscape, it’s a seaside paradise, the sun greeted me with a full bright sunshine smile to see it.

Seaside architecture and an extraordinary home by the sea. Breathtakingly beautiful setting!

Twin Island

A privately owned island, two large rocks jutting up out of the sea. Overlooking the two coastal rock formations, it was a twin island arising in the middle of the sea.

Bat cave

Beautiful formation of the cave  and it’s also a popular site.

5. Boat Riding

The big boat can accommodate 16 people but with only 5 aboard heading to Munting Buhangin carrying members of the family from Tali beach experiencing full force of wind and heavy waves but was replaced by excitement when we passed by Fortune island and Twin Islands. After some safety instructions, the boat provides safety life jacket, all very necessary.

The 45 minutes riding was a pleasurable one as we sees the passing speed boats,luxury yachts, colorful sailboats, and other passing watercrafts. What a relaxing expression from our faces to see 50 yards ahead of us, I could see the pristine white beach, this could be the place,”Munting Buhangin”

 5. Discovering new species

Walking around the island, I was pretty scared to see all these particular species, they’re supposed to be incredibly rare in most places. This is real interesting, I haven’t seen one like this before. I think, this is water centipede, it was huge and incredibly long crawling near the rocky bit of corals.

Water centipede

How about this one? A black dead eel washed ashore by strong waves.

Floral-shaped corals and sea shells

Soft corals of different kinds

Coquina

Crab cave

6. Beautiful Beaches/ Calm waters/Breathtaking views

All beaches located inside Tali subdivision;Main beach, Marina beach,Palm Beach, Secret beach, Barrier beach and Sunset beach. Don’t forget to bring your sunscreen protection.

Main Beach

It’s so quiet and peaceful with few inhabitants around, it was just five minutes walk from the place where we are staying but the rugged slopes made me tired climbing up and down.

Main Beach

The good setting is is just as also beautiful to spot the sunset. It is accessible to all points.

If you are lucky to catch the annual Tali Beach Concert Festival, your stay would even be more memorable.

 

Sunset Beach

Marina Beach

Pleasant sea breeze ominously cool. Speedboats are common that can be seen around. Plenty of sea shells, star fishes and eel can be spotted around.

It was a perfect afternoon at Marina beach, water is cold and refreshing.

Beautiful setting of Marina Beach

Nasugbu offers a wide range of outing possibilities deciding which area to choose for a  reasonable and financial considerations. Far sites that you may also want to visit, can be reached by boat  or car 20-30 minutes away.

Munting Buhangin Beach Camp

 

A kilometer stretch of white sand beach that can suit 5,000 people with choices of exclusive and semi-exclusive accommodation.

Munting Buhangin Beach Camp

 

Punta Fuego

 

Pico De Loro Beach Resort

Other beaches in Nasugbu; Sumo Bank– suited for professional divers, Canyon Cove Beach Club, Fortune Island Resort these are just a few to mention…

 

Underwater Attraction Delights (Batangas) : Where to Dive?

Sumo Bank it is said to be suited for more professional divers, among other features; cauliflower-shaped corals with sharks roaming around.

Anilao Favorite dive spots and birthplace of Philippine scuba. The favorite photo spot for photographers is the Cathedral Rock with vibrant colorful reef fish.

Fortune Island – Just like the Twin Island, the most famous dive-sites  a privately owned island. Blue holes, one particular area features sweet lips, parrot fishes, angelfishes butterfly-fishes, squid and cattle fishes. You can also spot the remains of the old freighter 20 meters underwater.

Puerto Galera and Verde Island a common dive spots to see the remains of the keel of Spanish Galleon but was also kept and preserved in National Museum. You can see here large cascading white coral shells, anemones, mantas, eagle rays and white-blacktip sharks.

Sunken Bootythe northern part of Twin island, not so beautiful but hides artefacts from a long time ago sunken galleon, remains of rope and anchor still existing.

Pinnacles and Point, Sombrero Island, PADI Dive Center and Maya-Maya Reef Resort, a popular one is also worth a try..

Where to stay?

An ideal choice of ours to fit our needs daily with a very reasonable price, Jo and Johnny’s Beach and Dive Inn inside Tali Subdivision, Nasugbu is a temporary home that will give you the comfort, we occupied the top floor level, it’s a home you’ll call it, mine!

Jo and Johnny’s Beach and Dive Inn

It’s my family’s choice for a comfortable home stay. The two-storey house situated  inside  an exclusive Tali subdivision that guarantees to a safer community with hospitable people around. It’s fully fitted and furnished that includes; air conditioned bedroom, 2 bathroom with hot and cold water, dining  room, living room, tv, lounge, fully equipped kitchen( ref, microwave, toaster, oven, cooking utensils) balcony overlooking the outdoor swimming pool with a sun deck, Wi-fi is only available in the dining area, no wi-fi inside the room. Main beach, Palm beach and Marina is just a 10 minutes walk away.

Contact: Sea Shell Drive Tali Beach Nasugbu, Batangas, Philippines

(+632) 807-3416

booking.office@tali-beach.com
maryannjdacara@gmail.com

Explore

Beach water sports;  Speed boats can be rented, Banana boats, Jet skis, Kayaks to mention just a few..

 Good Food and Where’s it Found?

Best Restaurants: Kainan sa Dalampasigan, Pico Sand Restaurant and El Cocinero Restaurant. Try Bulalo as the main specialty of Batangas. Outside Batangas, make a brief stop to try my favorite> Antonio’s Restaurant, serves the best foods in Tagaytay,So far, the best I’ve ever tasted.

Local Snacks/ Pasalubong to Bring Home:

Another cravings; make a quick stop at Rowena’s Tagaytay, I love the Blueberry, Mango and Strawberry Tarts, comes a lot of different flavors. Surprising sweets, our favorite purchase, pick up a pack of Sylvanas, Yemas and Pastillas as well.

Nasugbu was a very happy experience for us. Batangas may not be the top of your choice of tourists attractions  unlike Baguio, Palawan, Boracay and Cebu but the chance to enjoy leisurely swimming nearby, 7 beaches inside Tali subdivision, the water sports, taste of rural life, good photography spot to snap panoramic photos, deep blue sea, fine white sand, good landscape and clean surroundings. Most of all, you’ll fine true hospitality while dealing with the people around Nasugbu.

Before retiring to bed, what a good night sleep to hear the sounds of crickets and other night insects. For me, it’s like music to my ears! Of course, all good moments must come to an end, this whole island adventure will really be something to tell everyone back home. Summer is coming and fast approaching, another adventure would take place in weeks time, How cool is that?

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Events/ Holidays/ Special Occasions | My Indoor and Outdoor Photography | Travel and Adventure

Panagbenga Festival 2016

By on March 2, 2016

Panagbenga Flower Festival 2016 draws big crowd in Baguio city. The crowd bursting into spontaneous cheers filled the areas in front of Convention Center and thousands lined the streets of Session road as early as 3 a.m. to see the flower float parade. Others endured the long hours of waiting and sleeping on both roadside spaces and sidewalks, motorist and commuters having a hard time to get out from this point because of road closures nearby.

Panagbenga Festival is a popular festival in the Philippines, the most attended parade that includes parade of flower floats, street dancing, Philippine folk dance,ethnic dance, marchers, band music performed in traditional costumes. Some t v personalities and movie stars attended this event.

I was around as early as 5 am to take snapshots of this event. Of course, I want a hassle free photography with no interruptions and distractions, I don’t want to experience different factors, I already organized everything for myself beforehand.  Street photography is quite hard to be with big crowd but anywhere around, it’s fun to hear enjoyable shouting and screaming of the crowd. We Filipinos are happy even when we are facing different crisis, we are hospitable to welcome our guests especially during feast. This event surely preserves the customs of particular race.

Street Photography of the Panagbenga Festival floats, all photos done as early as 5 a.m. just before the parade, I started following the parade route stretching from the Convention center, Session road to SM.

Street dancing has certainly been an important part of the festival, a form of entertainment, tradition and history.Bringing up the symbol of the festival, what a festive feeling to smell the fragrant flowers throughout the street. The flower floats are the best attractions made by the people of Baguio, all beautiful flowers seems to bloom on the float. Thank you so much for that. Let’s get started !

33 Pictures of Panagbenga Festival Floats 2016

Truly breathtaking to bring the flowers from the garden to decorate all the floats, range of colors and the arrangement of flowers according to the float theme appeared artfully creative. One can just imagine, a day before to gather all the right flowers to form in style, shaping and mixing patterns of colors adding elegant highlights to emphasized the whole outline.

Baguio city, the city of the cold sun have benefited from their cold location that some unique variety of flowers mostly originated there.

Event: Panagbenga Flower Festival 2016

February 28,2016

Venue: Session road  to Melvin Jones Grounds Baguio city

 

As photo shows, brilliant mass of flowers with striking color combinations

 

Distinctive graceful pattern of blooming flowers with gorgeous walls and elegant borders.

A field of flowers on top, just like humans too, being beautiful is an advantage.

Seemingly endless variety of combinations.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Folk traditions are very much alive with the traditional colorful costumes, this scene showing ethnic influences which is expressed in folk traditions.

I will not end up here for next next would be another blog for the next Panagbenga Flower Festival 2017.

 I would like to thank all the Panagbenga Flower Festival organizers for allowing me to take pictures before the parade. Thank you to all float sponsors. Looking forward to meet you again soon…

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Events/ Holidays/ Special Occasions | My Indoor and Outdoor Photography | Travel and Adventure

Paskotitap Christmas Lights and Sounds Float Parade Year 2011-2014

By on January 28, 2015

You’ve probably heard Paskotitap Christmas Lights and Sounds Float Parade before, it’s an annual parade done at the same time and venue ( in front of SM Hypermarket) It was a project of the Rotary Club of Mutya ng Pasig and Ortigas group of Companies with the help of Participating schools, Barangay and City officials.

Following the parade for 4 years since year 2011 up to the present,I’ve already published 3 others in the past.Adding to the excitement, I’ve collected beautiful photos as well, it’s a good subject of ”Night Photography”

Let me make a brief review of the past year’s ”Paskotitap Christmas Lights and Sounds Float Parade” 

Paskotitap Christmas Lights and Sounds Float-Year 2011 

 

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Angry Birds Float

Paskotitap Christmas Lights and Sounds Float-Year 2012

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The Avatars

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Avatar Float

Paskotitap Christmas Lights and Sounds Float-Year 2013

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Students with their unique costumes

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 Hello Kitty Float

Paskotitap Christmas Lights and Sounds Float-Year 2014

In the past years, photography is always done at night because it’s an electronic float but year 2014, I was able to do both day and night photography at the same day.I went to SM Hyper  Mart midday and luckily all floats was already there for light fixings and finishing touches. You can see here from the photos itself the difference between night and day shots. For me, daytime, you can clearly see the original colors of the float, it was attractive but bit dry. Of course, night photography looks more attractive because of it’s vibrant colors and flashing lights.

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Spider-man Float (Day Photography)

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Spider-man Float (Night Photography)

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