Shown in the photo above are the high school students who attended my photography lecture last October 2. There were more or less 50 students who participated and eager to learn about photography. Most of them are writing for their student organ.

The event was held at Dr. Colleen R. Aujero Memorial Center, a multi-function room equipped with the latest multimedia projector and audio system. I didn't have a hard-time setting up for my presentation as there were teachers who took charge for the preparation and were enthusiastic in seeing the event to be fruitful. I just plugged my laptop computer into the multimedia project and everything was ready to go.

When I started the workshop, I was amazed at the attentiveness of the students towards the lecture. Of course, there were few who got distracted but nevertheless, their participation and interaction over the lecture was overwhelming. The lecture went on smoothly. We had planned to finish the lecture in two hours but unexpectedly it went beyond the time limit. I was very happy to take notice that my basic photography lecture was very well received by both teachers and students present at the event.

A bonus for the photography lecture is a Jollibee breakfast meal offered for free to all present during the workshop, courtesy of Kuya Bebot. This is the Jollibee meal package we had reserved for at Jollibee - Passi the day before. Spirits were high. Free photography lecture and a Jollibee breakfast meal, who wouldn't want that?

The lecture ended at eleven in the morning. A certificate of appreciation was presented to me. The contents of the certificate is shown below:

The teachers were very much thankful and assured me that my lecture is straightforward and easy to understand. I promised to them for a downloadable handout and Powerpoint presentation available here in this website. That I wasn't able to finish yet until this time. (I apologize to those whom I kept on waiting. Those materials will follow shortly after I can finish this article).

The day the lecture was conducted is also the day I was going back to Manila by 7:00 o'clock in the evening. Kuya Bebot would send me to the airport, but not without the sidetrip to the other end of Iloilo province.

Highway Scenes and the Sidetrip to Concepcion

Denden and Abby's granny and aunts would be going back to Concepcion in the afternoon. Kuya Bebot decided to send them off using his Honda CRV. Afterwards, he's going to send me off to the airport as well. Junne drove for us. Abby and mother Doll completed the troop. The long stretch from Pototan to Concepcion and back to Banate, Pototan, Mina, Janiuay, and Cabatuan gave me much the opportunity for a photography feast. A few resultant photographs to be celebrated are on display below. Most of the photos were taken while the car is in motion, so photo quality are not that good. Just see it light-heartedly and enjoy...

Canon 300D / Shutter Speed: 1/6 sec / F-stop: f/5.6 / ISO Setting: 400 / focal length: 55mm /flash: off / mount: handheld
We gas up in Pototan and saw those two lovely girls in the background...

Canon 300D / Shutter Speed: 1/100 sec / F-stop: f/7.1 / ISO Setting: 400 / focal length: 55mm /flash: off / mount: handheld
An old cemetery in Pototan. I didn't have the opportunity to examine whether it is a Catholic cemetery or a public one. We didn't care to stop for spot checking...

Canon 300D / Shutter Speed: 1/80 sec / F-stop: f/6.3 / ISO Setting: 400 / focal length: 55mm /flash: off / mount: handheld
A street motorcycle fixed with custom luggage rack designed to carry both pillion passengers and cargoes of considerable weight. If you notice, the second passenger is seated on top of the gas tank. In Mindano, we call this habal-habal but didn't know how it is being called in Iloilo.

Canon 300D / Shutter Speed: 1/10 sec / F-stop: f/5.6 / ISO Setting: 400 / focal length: 55mm /flash: off / mount: handheld
Blurry, blurry, blurry... But I like this photograph!

Sony Ericsson K750i / F-stop: f/2.8 / ISO Setting: 100 / focal length: 4.8mm / flash: off / mount: handheld
This is another tricycle we saw in Cabatuan while we were on our way to Sta. Barbara (leading to the new Iloilo International Airport). I lost count of the number of passengers onboard but I do remember the driver was already standing on the foot pegs and was leaning forward, knees supported by the handle bar, just to give more room for three passengers seating in his behind. It takes a skill to do that. Simply amazing...

Canon 300D / Shutter Speed: 1/25 sec / F-stop: f/5.6 / ISO Setting: 400 / focal length: 55mm /flash: off / mount: handheld

Canon 300D / Shutter Speed: 1/100 sec / F-stop: f/7.1 / ISO Setting: 400 / focal length: 55mm /flash: off / mount: handheld
In some parts of the country, the most comfortable position in a public transport is riding at the top. True, as seen from this Iloilo jeepney.

Canon 300D / Shutter Speed: 1/200 sec / F-stop: f/10.0 / ISO Setting: 400 / focal length: 55mm /flash: off / mount: handheld
Needless to say, that's another fully-loaded tricycle.

Canon 300D / Shutter Speed: 1/200 sec / F-stop: f/10.0 / ISO Setting: 400 / focal length: 55mm /flash: off / mount: handheld
Hill Top Native Restaurant, a restaurant to be found in a secluded area enroute to Concepcion. Do I need to say it is located on top of a hill?

Canon 300D / Shutter Speed: 1/100 sec / F-stop: f/5.6 / ISO Setting: 400 / focal length: 18mm /flash: off / mount: handheld
Ajuy scenery.

Canon 300D / Shutter Speed: 1/125 sec / F-stop: f/8.0 / ISO Setting: 400 / focal length: 18mm /flash: off / mount: handheld
Concepcion scenery.

Canon 300D / Shutter Speed: 1/125 sec / F-stop: f/7.1 / ISO Setting: 400 / focal length: 55mm /flash: off / mount: handheld

The Food Hunt

Cabatuan is just a 15 minutes drive away to the new Iloilo International Airport. It was just 5:00 o'clock in the afternoon - too early for me to be in the airport. Kuya Bebot offered for an early dinner for the whole group. His good taste yearned for a tino-um na manok.

We went to several restaurants around town to look for this specialty food only to be told they already ran out of supply. We pushed our luck and ended up our food hunt at Leah's Tino-um located at the back of Cabatuan Public Market.

Sony Ericsson K750i / F-stop: f/2.8 / ISO Setting: 800 / focal length: 4.8mm / flash: off / mount: handheld

Tino-um na manok is a native chicken in broth wrap up with banana leaf and placed in a wooden or clay bowl. I haven't heard of it before even during my long stay in Iloilo - not until it was being served right in front of us.

Sony Ericsson K750i / F-stop: f/2.8 / ISO Setting: 400 / focal length: 4.8mm / flash: off / mount: handheld

Sony Ericsson K750i / F-stop: f/2.8 / ISO Setting: 100 / focal length: 4.8mm / flash: off / mount: handheld
Kuya Bebot posed for Leah's Tino-um.

Sony Ericsson K750i / F-stop: f/2.8 / ISO Setting: 100 / focal length: 4.8mm / flash: off / mount: handheld
Abby and her Lolo across Leah's Tino-um. The SUV from behind is the almighty vehicle that transported us all throughout the trip.

Goodbye, Duenas...

It's hard to say goodbye but I had to go. In the few remaining minutes of my stay in Panay Island, I was able to take a glimpse of the sundown while traversing the Sta. Barbara airport road. Not the restful and relaxing one as you can see, but at least, that's what my phonecam had "seen" and recorded at that moment.

Sony Ericsson K750i / F-stop: f/2.8 / ISO Setting: 100 / focal length: 4.8mm / flash: off / mount: handheld

My days of stay in Duenas is over but the adventure wouldn't stop there. The  longingness is overwhelming. Finally, I had to bid goodbye to Abby and goodbye to Duenas. I know it will be a long while before I get to see the place again. I say, the place is worth to be reminisced over and over again...

Sony Ericsson K750i / F-stop: f/2.8 / ISO Setting: 200 / focal length: 4.8mm / flash: off / mount: handheld

Goodbye for now...

Technorati Tag: Duenas, Iloilo, Texas, balikbayan, fiesta, town fiesta, Filipino traits, Filipino culture, Tatoy's Manukan, manok tinu-om, hospitality, Filipino hospitality

You can always go back to the first entry of this series by accessing this link: http://travelogue.digitalrebel.ws/2007/10/day0.html.

Coming up next: Reasons Why Duenas Is Worth To Be Revisited & The Photography Lecture Downloads. Stay tune...

Post Script: (Nov. 16, 2007)
Photos taken during the photography lecture in Duenas. Shot in 35mm film camera. Photo courtesy of Regino L. Pama, RN.

1/60 sec / f/4.0 / ISO 3200 / 30mm /flash on | 1/8 sec / f/3.5 / ISO 3200 / 18mm /no flash

1/60 sec / f/4.0 / ISO 3200 / 27mm /flash fired | 1/125 sec / f/8.0 / ISO100 / 27mm no flash

Tour to Majestic Houses

From the church, Kuya Bebot brought me to Ninpha's house that happens to be situated just in front of his house. If you remember in the earlier part of this series, I had mentioned Ninpha as the balikbayan in the DWAI night who was awarded the Star of the Night not only because of her striking beauty but because of her Filipiniana dress which is far superior than the others.

We were received warmly and were offered finger foods and red wine. But the most interesting part of the visit is my tour around her elegant home. I was drop-jaw all over seeing the intricate design of the house. The house is well-crafted and personally designed by her husband, a mechanical engineer by profession who is also based in the USA. There were no photos though as I sensed Madam Ninpha doesn't like the idea.

It rained again and we were trapped inside the house. Kuya Bebot's house is actually just a two second dash from Ninpha's house but I didn't want to risk my camera into getting wet. The rain was getting heavier.

Later, more visitor came, mostly balikbayan, and a dinner was offered for everyone. We ate and that was my last experience of the day.

Previous Part: From Tuguegarao to Duenas: The Duenas Visit 2007 (Day 1)
Next Part: From Tuguegarao to Duenas: The Duenas Visit 2007 (Day 3)

Technorati Tag: Duenas, Iloilo, Texas, balikbayan, fiesta, town fiesta, Filipino traits, Filipino culture, Tatoy's Manukan, manok tinu-om, hospitality, Filipino hospitality

The convenience of roaming around in a luxurious car is overwhelming. I had been driving a lot of VIPs for years but it was my first time being treated as VIP. I just realized it feels good to be VIP. Together with me inside the car is Nong Junne who drove for us, Kuya Bebot seated at the back and his two lovely grand kids, Denden and Abby.

In Passi, Kuya Bebot visited a few relatives to invite them to come to Duenas for the fiesta. During introduction, Kuya Bebot introduced me to his relatives and friends as his friend who is a photography expert. I was flattered, of course, but didn't show any sign of it.

From Passi, we proceed to Iloilo City. We went to  Viosils Arcade in Molo for an important personal business to finish. From there, we proceed to Tatoy's Manukan in Villa.

Tatoy's Manukan

Sony Ericsson K750i / F-stop: f/2.8 / ISO Setting: 100 / flash: off / mount: handheld

The last time I was here was during a Paraw Regatta event in 2002 and since I didn't have money at that time, I roamed around the place with empty stomach. The first time I visited here was in 2001 during a Bikini Open competition. It was also the first time that I had tasted their seafoods and the lechon native manok. All the foods at Tatoy's were simply excellent.

Abby and Denden on camera in the photo below. These two lovely kids were a total relief for the travel experience. They behave very well but even if they would become makulit, it wouldn't bother me and I still would prefer to be having them around (And who wouldn't like them? They are pure Ilonggo children and are typically malambing). I started to like children since I wished I could have mine. I always value any moment where I can have the opportunity of being around with children. If my girlfriend was with me, I know she'll feel the same.

Canon 300D / Shutter Speed: 1/60 sec / F-stop: f/5.6 / ISO Setting: 200 / focal length: 55mm /flash: fired / mount: handheld

Kuya Bebot posed with grandkids for a souvenir photo.

Canon 300D / Shutter Speed: 1/8 sec / F-stop: f/5.6 / ISO Setting: 200 / focal length: 47mm /flash: off / mount: handheld

The photo below shows the cottages at Tatoy's Manukan. A few years back, I and a few companions (i.e. Jun Pios, Roselle, and Desiree) would eat here enjoying the breeze from the sea. But this time, we chose the air-conditioned place. I was the first "VIP" to arrive the place. Close second was a real VIP, a Manila-based high-ranking government official. Iloilo at that time is declared under the state of calamity due to typhoon Hanna. That was probably the reason a top government official was in the province.

Canon 300D / Shutter Speed: 1/80 sec / F-stop: f/5.0 / ISO Setting: 200 / focal length: 18mm /flash: off / mount: handheld

Canon 300D / Shutter Speed: 1/6 sec / F-stop: f/4.5 / ISO Setting: 200 / focal length: 34mm /flash: off / mount: handheld

Talaba, lechon native manok, sinugbang blue marlin, sinabaw na tangigue, squid, and atsara. That was our order. Talaba was my own choice.

Canon 300D / Shutter Speed: 1/6 sec / F-stop: f/3.5 / ISO Setting: 200 / focal length: 18mm /flash: off / mount: handheld

After Tatoy's, we dropped by SM City Iloilo to buy something. When it was getting late, we headed back to Duenas. We needed to prepare for the Balikbayan Night.

The Balikbayan Night

The Balikbayan Night was spearheaded by Duenas Worldwide Association, Inc. (DWAI),
an association of Duenasanon (that's how people from Duenas call themselves) composed of members from both local and across the globe. It is important to note that while Duenas can be mistaken to be a sleepy town, it produces a lot of sons and daughters who for the past few decades are working from across the miles especially in the USA. And these loyal sons and daughters of Duenas would visit their mother homeland during fiesta and gather together as one big family. Not only that, these balikbayans shared away their fortunes and blessings in life by sponsoring poor but deserving students by granting scholarships through the association. Students who enjoy such privileges are called DWAI scholars. DWAI had also established a library situated at the second floor of the municipal social hall. While I had personally observed that Duenas residents originally just rooted out from more or less four big families that composed Duenas, I can see they maintain that close family ties with each other regardless of the time span they're away from each other.

Canon 300D / Shutter Speed: 1/15 sec / F-stop: f/5.0 / ISO Setting: 3200 / focal length: 37mm /flash: off / mount: handheld

Canon 300D / Shutter Speed: 1/60 sec / F-stop: f/3.5 / ISO Setting: 800 / focal length: 18mm /flash: fired / mount: handheld

That's Kuya Bebot (in royal Moslem outfit) with all the invited family members in our balikbayan table during the Balikbayan Night.

Canon 300D / Shutter Speed: 1/60 sec / F-stop: f/4.5 / ISO Setting: 800 / focal length: 31mm /flash: fired / mount: handheld

The photo below shows the Duenas Central Elementary School Children's Choir perform the Doxology.

Canon 300D / Shutter Speed: 1/20 sec / F-stop: f/5.6 / ISO Setting: 3200 / focal length: 55mm /flash: off / mount: handheld

The Philippine National Anthem was being rendered by the Duenas Teacher's Choir.

Canon 300D / Shutter Speed: 1/25 sec / F-stop: f/5.6 / ISO Setting: 3200 / focal length: 55mm /flash: off / mount: handheld

The theme of the event is Filipiniana and the presentations that followed were all cultural shows.

Canon 300D / Shutter Speed: 1/25 sec / F-stop: f/5.6 / ISO Setting: 3200 / focal length: 55mm /flash: off / mount: handheld

Canon 300D / Shutter Speed: 1/25 sec / F-stop: f/5.6 / ISO Setting: 3200 / focal length: 55mm /flash: off / mount: handheld

Canon 300D / Shutter Speed: 1/40 sec / F-stop: f/5.0 / ISO Setting: 3200 / focal length: 33mm /flash: off / mount: handheld

Canon 300D / Shutter Speed: 1/30 sec / F-stop: f/5.6 / ISO Setting: 3200 / focal length: 52mm /flash: off / mount: handheld

For the Balikbayan presentation, Kuya Bebot, a Texas-based himself, waved around the Texas state flag while the Texas state song was played in the background.

Canon 300D / Shutter Speed: 1/15 sec / F-stop: f/5.6 / ISO Setting: 3200 / focal length: 55mm /flash: off / mount: handheld

After the Texas state flag, the US flag was presented next while the song God Bless America is being played in the background. One of the attendees, the beautiful Ninpha Carumba-de la Cruz, another balikbayan who is later awarded the Star of the Night, can't help it but stand and made her round of applause (she's the woman standing second from the right - see photo below). The presentation is a mark of respect to all Filipino who are working abroad most especially those who are based in the USA.

Canon 300D / Shutter Speed: 1/60 sec / F-stop: f/5.0 / ISO Setting: 3200 / focal length: 41mm /flash: fired / mount: handheld

Canon 300D / Shutter Speed: 1/40 sec / F-stop: f/5.6 / ISO Setting: 3200 / focal length: 48mm /flash: off / mount: handheld

Canon 300D / Shutter Speed: 1/60 sec / F-stop: f/4.0 / ISO Setting: 3200 / focal length: 25mm /flash: fired / mount: handheld

Canon 300D / Shutter Speed: 1/40 sec / F-stop: f/5.0 / ISO Setting: 3200 / focal length: 31mm /flash: off / mount: handheld

Canon 300D / Shutter Speed: 1/13 sec / F-stop: f/4.5 / ISO Setting: 3200 / focal length: 31mm /flash: off / mount: handheld

 
1/13 sec / f/3.5 / ISO 3200 / 18mm /no flash | 1/60 sec / f/3.5 / ISO800 / 18mm /flash fired

Balikbayan Night was concluded very successfully.

Previous Part: From Tuguegarao to Duenas: The Duenas Visit 2007
Next Part: From Tuguegarao to Duenas: The Duenas Visit 2007 (Day 2)

Technorati Tag: Duenas, Iloilo, Texas, balikbayan, fiesta, town fiesta, Filipino traits, Filipino culture, Tatoy's Manukan, manok tinu-om, hospitality, Filipino hospitality

Day 0 (Sept. 27)

The Preparation

When I arrived Manila on Thursday at 2:00 in the morning, I started packing up my things that I needed for my Iloilo travel. Worst, I haven't charged my batteries yet as I intended to do it just a day before my departure. The unanticipated Tuguegarao trip simply destroyed my timetable.

I charged my batteries while packing up my clothings. I had already prepared my checklist for all the things I needed in a 5-day stay in Iloilo.

I finished packing up my things at 6:00 o'clock in the morning, but I still had to wait for all my batteries to be fully charged before I leave. I also charged my phone and PDA. I had to maximise my time. Meanwhile, I called up my girlfriend telling her I would be late. We agreed earlier that we go together to the airport. She was also leaving for Kidapawan via Davao. We booked for the same airline but she got the earlier flight. Hers was supposedly 3:50 in the afternoon. Mine was supposed to be 6:05 later.

By 9:00am, I was already on a taxi together with my luggage going to my girlfriend's boarding house. I was not feeling well. I haven't rested since driving straight for 7 hours and had skipped my breakfast. I felt I was totally disorganized for this trip.

Final checking of my things is being done as soon as I arrived to my girl friend's boarding house. There, I found out that I missed the external flash for my mobile phone camera. There were minor changes to be done too, like changing my laptop bag to an old on which is lighter. The one I am currently using is sturdy but heavy and bulky for a hand-carry in flight. My girlfriend found my brown steel toe shoes to be shabby for the Iloilo trip. She had it changed with my pair of Bristol shoes that I had just worn in a few occassion. It was good that I left a few of my things in her custody. At least there were always options every time I get to visit her.

The Peeled-Off Sole

It's good the traffic going to domestic airport is not that heavy that the taxi we were taking in swiftly traversed EDSA. For my girlfriend Jovy's scheduled flight, we were three hours earlier. That was a good thing. The bad thing is that her flight was delayed for more than two hours. So, to escape from boredom due to delayed flight, we toyed with our phonecam.

Sony Ericsson K750i / f/2.8 / ISO 240         Sony Ericsson K750i / f/2.8 / ISO 160

Sony Ericsson K750i / f/2.8 / ISO 240         Sony Ericsson K750i / f/2.8 / ISO 320

Canon 300D / Shutter Speed: 1/13 sec / F-stop: f/5.6 / ISO Setting: 400 / focal length: 55mm /flash: off / mount: handheld

Not contented with phonecam, I took out my SLR and started playing around. In the first photo below, I was experimenting with depth-of-field. Next photo, which is my self-portrait, was taken by my girlfriend as her first hands on with my SLR.
 
a) Canon 300D / 1/10 sec / f/5.6 / ISO 800 / 54mm  b) Canon 300D / Shutter Speed: 1/5 sec / F-stop: f/4.0 / ISO Setting: 200 / focal length: 25mm /flash: off / mount: handheld

Her 3:00 o'clock in the afternoon flight was rescheduled to 6:00pm. Mine was rescheduled from 6:00pm to 7:00pm. While our flight schedule was getting bad, the worst thing that had happened is the peeling off of the sole of my Bristol shoes during security check. But I didn't bring another pair of shoes to spare. I had to bear with such consequence.

Jovy flew an hour ahead of me. I left Manila airport at 7:00pm and arrived at the new Iloilo International Airport at 8:00pm. My flight experience was not bad.

My host, Kuya Bebot, one of the first male nursing graduates of Quezon City Medical Center School of Nursing class 1974 and now based in Texas, was already there waiting to pick me up. In no time, I also received a text from Jovy that she too, landed in Davao safely. Later, she would call me up that she's already on a passenger van going to Kidapawan.

VIP Accommodation

Kuya Bebot is using his Honda Civic to fetch me from the airport. The car was driven by Tito, the husband of Kuya Bebot's niece. The travel from the airport to Duenas was less than one hour. Passing by the town plaza, I noticed the place is still very much alive and very well-lighted for the town fiesta. Since it was already past nine in the evening, we proceed to his house for the dinner. Later we would go out again to visit the High School Night which was held at the town's social hall. One of the main event that I missed during the day is the parade that took place in the morning.

Kuya Bebot surprised me with a very beautiful house, in fact, one of the most beautiful houses every built in town. It is a modern castle - that's if you would like me to exaggerate. But yes, while the house doesn't look that big as seen from the outside, inside, you will find out the house to very spacious with enough number of rooms for immediate family members and guests. Air can freely flow in and out of the house so hot air would easily dissipate leaving a cool temperature in the interior. The house is very well designed yet maintained its simplicity that offers every visitor a homey feeling.

Sony Ericsson K750i / F-stop: f/2.8 / ISO Setting: 100 / flash: off / mount: handheld

To surprise me more, Kuya Bebot gave his air-conditioned room for my accommodation. Other than the air-conditioning unit, other main convenience available are the built-in toilet and bath room, desktop computer, a few men's magazine to while the time away, and a very cosy bed. While Duenas is a fast-progressing municipality, such accommodation being extended to me is very exceptional considering the seclusion of the town from the key city (Duenas is more or less 30 kms. from Iloilo City). So I would say it was more than a 5-star hotel accommodation for me given the feel of the town.

However, lonesomeness struck me the most due to the absence of Sun Cellular signal. The network is not available yet in the area. I lost contact with my beloved Jovy.

Next entry, let's see how did I balance my longingness for Jovy and enjoying the rest of my vacation.

Technorati Tag: Duenas, Iloilo, Texas, balikbayan, fiesta, town fiesta, Filipino traits, Filipino culture, Tatoy's Manukan, manok tinu-om, hospitality, Filipino hospitality