Two years after

After the March 9, 2013 incident, my life hit rock bottom and it was the darkest moment of my life as a 20-ish year old. I was full of passion and dedication on my craft but with just a single hit from life's hustle I was brought down. I even thought that maybe this field was not really for me. I kept myself away from the blogging world and started focusing on improving my clinical skills as an oncology nurse (a nurse with specialization in taking care of patients with cancer) later on.

Two years had passed and today is a new morning for me. There may be followers from the past who would still read this blog and I expect that there would be new readers that will visit this site in the next few weeks. Lying dormant in the blogging world was like failing to document what had happened in my life. Up until today, I still have the passion to take photographs and share stories. Like what the old saying states, a picture paints a thousand words. Thus, conveying a message to my readers through the power of photography and writing gave an edge to this photo blog. With the help of my fellow bloggers and readers, it would never be possible for this blog to attain two awards consecutively in the Saranggola Blog Awards for 2011 and 2012 plus the nomination as the best photo blog in Globe Tattoo Awards 2013.

Two years had passed and I think now is the right time to rekindle this dusty blog.

The vision lives

This is Visions of a Colorblind Photographer and it may not be the kind of travel blog that you are looking for. In this blog, I am not going to feature my itineraries and travel guides. I may share some tips but it will not be the focus of this website. There are a lot of travel bloggers in the Philippines who share information and guides that will help you plan your next trip. I am encouraging you to visit these websites of my fellow bloggers especially Sir Mervs of Pinoy Adventurista, Ma'am Gael of The Pinoy Solo Backpacker and Sir Chin Chan of Juanderful Pinoy. They are one of the greatest Filipino travel bloggers today and we started blogging during the late 2000s and early 2010s. In just 2 years, they are now part of the top bloggers in the country and I am aiming for it too.

In this blog, I am going to write travel stories. These stories are about people and experiences amplified with the power of photography. I was inspired by international travelers who wrote compelling stories of their journey and experiences around the globe. We may be living in a small world but this planet that we are stepping in is rich in culture, people and life.

Baby steps

Like what David said in the movie Prometheus, big things have small beginnings, and I am ready to start blogging again. One may perceive that the past two years was a great loss for me, but I see it more of a gain. Sometimes we have to experience failure for us to grow even bigger. Today, I believe that I am more equip and capable than before. Now, the question is... Where should I start?

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I saw your great wonders. How big and great is your love for us. I am here at the edge of darkness; ready to be taken away. Yet, you came to my rescue.

I saw your great land, filled with everlasting love and peace. A glimpse of a gift in which physical death can only be the key. For whilst my stay here is limited. Let me live by faith with you and not let not my selfish eyes discern this selfish body.

For I am found in your presence. I am called to lead. I am called to heal. Use me for your own purpose and let not my will be done. For whatever is yours is higher than mine. Your grace is sufficient enough. Though my body may became weak yet you are my strength; and for that I am overwhelmed.

Captured in Bangui, Ilocos Norte, Philippines

I've been residing in Taytay, Rizal for almost two decades and I never thought of exploring hidden treasures around the province of Rizal. I always dream of traveling around the country and discover its beauty. Amazingly, our country has a total of 7,107 islands and exploring it must take one step at a time. I believe each place has its own story to tell. No wonder why traveling is a simultaneous act of both learning and enjoying the gifts that God had given us!

As a start, I begin my journey in exploring some hidden treasures located around our place. A couple of years ago I started searching for tourist attractions in Taytay, Rizal. The first on my list is the Tres Escalon Falls. I was surprised that this ecology park is only one-jeepney ride from home. For almost 20 years, I never thought that there's a place like this near from our home.

 I wasn't really lucky after all since the first time I went in Tres Escalon Ecology Park way back 2 years ago. The park is composed of a basketball court, a botanical garden and some area designated for gatherings such as birthdays and weddings. The park is located inside Melendres Village. The waterfalls is located below the said amenities and you must go down on a very steep muddy path just to be near with the landmark. When I went there, the area leading to the waterfalls is closed and the path is quite slippery. So I didn't attempt to trek down alone. There are no any officials present around the area to guide you through the park. Maybe they were having an improvement plan during that time about saving the Tres Escalon Falls.

Good thing, I was able to take some photographs of the river, not the waterfalls. To be honest, I really like the place, it is quiet and peaceful. What I didn't like is the presence of trash and garbage polluting the ecology park.

These photographs were taken two years ago. I'm planning to visit this place again and I'm expecting that there will be improvements in the park. You can't easily notice the presence of garbage on some photographs in just one look because of the black and white color.

Beautiful places like this are all created by God and we are His stewards and caretakers of it. Thus, it is our responsibility to take care of these things. A simple act of throwing your garbage on the right place is a great start in saving the environment.

2012 has been a very fruitful year for me; but not in terms of travelling around the country or having more time taking photographs in the streets. It's fruitful because of the new people I met, the valuable lessons I've learned from them and the new experiences that I gained both as an oncology nurse, a believer, a colorblind and a photographer.

These things inspire me a lot in conceptualizing my photographs for the year 2012. I can say most of my photographs for this year are emotive, heartfelt and has a hidden message that you even need to open your heart just to decipher the message instilled in every photograph.

Viewing photographs is not just seeing it superficially in your own principle, but you must take time in imagining the story encrypted in every photograph.

Photography is not just about making money... It's about sending a message.

 

This 2012, we all experienced both ups and downs; and we must be thankful for it because these events happened not to pull us down but to mold us into a better person. It's like a preparation for the upcoming year of 2013.

I thank God for my family. They are so supportive in everything that I do. From my work as a nurse to my sideline as a photo hobbyist, they are always there to support me. Thank you so much!

I thank God for meeting new friends this year. They are all a blessing to me that I couldn't exchange to anything else.

I thank God for providing me the things I need in times of lack and emptiness. For He is our only unlimited source of everything. He is our provider and His grace is unending.

I know that every moment that had happened this year has a purpose and are all part of God's perfect plan. I can say that the goals that I set for this year are all met! Thank you Lord for everything!

For the year 2013... I declare prosperity, wealth and great health to all Filipino bloggers, Photobloggers, Photo hobbyists, Nurses and readers of this photography blog. If you don't know yet where to go this 2013. Just surrender everything to Him for He is the way, the truth and the life.

God bless you all this 2013!

Silence. Peace. End times. This is the final moment of seeing a beautiful city enlightened with its full might and glory. Watching from a place hundreds of feet above... I was enveloped with silence. Down there, I eluded every chaos. The sinful nature of every living creature... The pain of the sick... The suffering of the weak... The lamentation of the poor and the laughter of the corrupt.

I closed my eyes and breathe......... Let the blessed hope commence!

‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” -Revelations 21:4

PHOTO NOTES

These photographs were taken at the roof deck of Iris Building Tivoli Residence in Mandaluyong City, Philippines. We were able to see the beauty of the metropolis in its blazing glory.

The visions are loss. Paved its way to worldly independence, selfish thoughts and goals for growth and development. But efforts made out of human origin is somewhat loose and disorganized leading to frustrations and failure. Thus, like a sheep without a shepherd who was away from the flow. 

Everyone needs a guide, a helper, a Father. For our plans are fragile yet His purposes are stronger. We may stumble and fall on our own but He will lift us up. We may doubt, but His provisions will give us a greater future ahead. Thus, faith and trust is we need. If you're still searching... Surrender is the key and He will carry you to places of unending grace.

Here I am down on my knees again, I hunger and thirst... I surrender.