Sights and Sounds of PMA

Stomp.. Stomp.. Stomp.. One, two, three, four... Sir yes sir! Yeah, that's one of those you can hear around if you visit the Philippine Military Academy located at Fort Gregorio del Pilar on Loakan Road, Baguio City. Well, this time I went there not to visit the site but to have a photo project done for a book for PMA cadets. Went there at around eight in the morning and met with one of the lieutenant to show me around what to take photos of. I was lucky to cover for the book because there are a lot of restricted areas around the academy which usual visitors doesn't have the opportunity to see. That time I went there, the military is on red alert. Red alert by which they are required to wear their camouflage uniforms and be prepared of anything. The lieutenant  explained to me that whenever the president of the Philippines is out of the country, the military is on red alert. It's not because they're something like going "paranoid" but they are just following some military procedures.

Anyway, anyone plans to take a visit at PMA, better bring along your umbrellas and with your jackets. The weather there is something like "extreme". If it's hot, it's really hot. And if it's cold, it's really cold and you might catch a shower of rain out there. And, when planning to take a visit there, wear your shoe. Never wear something like sandals. The soldiers guarding the entrance of the academy will never let you in with your sandals. I've experienced that before when I was in my high school days, I was so disappointed there before and just went back home. hehehe.... Well, learn from that experience. And, finally, bring along with you your cameras. There are really a lot of sights around there worth taking a picture like displays of tanks, jet, chopper, canons, guns, soldiers on parade, and other beautiful and interesting sights. Cheers..! =)

On the Road View at Sabalan, Benguet

After a tiring day documenting an outreach project of some Philippine Military Academy cadets (in which they went to give lectures, tell stories, present an audio visual presentation regarding the life of cadets at the academy, and also donated a number of boxes of books at Sablan National Highschool), I sat back, relaxed, and watched the view outside the PMA's service bus's windows while on the way back to Baguio City. Somewhere at Sablan, I stumbled on a great view of mountain ranges of Benguet, then took my camera out of my backpack quickly then took some snap shots every time when there's no hindrance of the view. If only I have the chance to get out of the bus I would scout the area and take more pictures of the place. Sablan really has an amazing view. Well, after a moment of clicking my camera, a fast burst of fog envelopes the view. =( There, all I can see is gray gray gray. Anyway, on the way home, again I saw something interesting along the road, an unfinished temple. It's small, simple, but its location has a great panoramic view of the mountain ranges. I'm not sure about the details of that temple, but I saw a sign board that says "Temple of God". Well, I don't know exactly about it, but surely it's beautiful and has a great view and is peaceful out there. One of these days, I'll go back there and scout the area and look for more interesting spots, and know more about that temple along the road. Cheers! =)

Timeless Lake of Burnham Park, Baguio City

After waiting the afternoon rain to pass while having a nice cup of hot coffee at Solibao Restaurant , went to Burnham Park with my cameras and tripod to take photographs of the century old man-made lake. Even after a heavy rain, there were still a lot of people (from locals to vendors to tourists) around the park. Families still comes with their basket full of food to have a picnic even though the grounds are still wet. Couples and group of people enjoys rowing some hired boats. Different kinds of vendors walks around with their products like toys, balloons, street foods, cigars, and souvenirs. There are also some young artists around the lake servicing artistic henna tattoo. So, anyone planning to take a visit or walk at the park at this time of the month, make sure you bring along your coats or umbrellas. Wear clothes that's comfortable even under the rain. Anytime of the year, rain or shine, the park is full of life with good food around and good bunch of people.