Travel: Balicasag Getaway

Travel Photography by Ryan Macalandag
Balicasag Island in Panglao, Bohol, Philippines



One of the benefits of my work as a photographer is that I get to go to places once in a while.

Work has been really tough for the past few weeks, thus, the photo shoot I did in Balicasag Island in Panglao was a welcome treat. I am currently shooting photos for the town to be included in their official website.

The island, though small, was a pretty site as we eased closer. The blue sea indicates that the water here is pretty deep as big ships pass by this channel regularly.

The surrounding reef water was crystal clear though. Known to be one of the world's more famous dive sites, Balicasag has a lot to offer beneath. That's why I brought my "snorkel buddies" along - Reg, Liza, and Francis. We rented some gear, hired a boat and had fun for about an hour underwater. Liza's 15-shot el cheapo plastic underwater film camera should show us all happy and grinning as we fed the fish with some crackers.





The island also has a lone resort complete with well-appointed rooms to satisfy the weary traveler. The pool wasn't that bad either.



After four hours or so of frolicking around, we had to head off back to the main island. But we passed by the crescent-shaped white sandbar Puntod Island.



Francis (who is also my photographer's assistant at times) likes my kind of work, too. He especially loves it when I do test shots of him jumping around some uninhabited paradise island somewhere in the seas of Panglao.





What a life!

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Photobin: NFA Rice in Bohol

Photos by Ryan Macalandag



I never thought Bohol could ever be hit by this "food shortage" bug that the government is peddling around. We are the best rice producers in the region. We have a lot of rice farms around. We haven't had no major natural calamity in the past years. How could it affect us?

Then it hit me. I have lived blinded by my own faith and love for Bohol. I might have just relished on the memories of the past abundance. But in reality, my province is no different from a host of others who are as badly hit by much of the Philippine's worsening problems.





Let's just hope we will overcome. Someday.

(photojournalist, photojournalism, news photography, current issues)

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Travel: Pamilican Island Paradise

Hotel and Resort Photography by Ryan Macalandag
Pamilacan Island, Baclayon, Bohol, Philippines



I had already come and gone to Pamilacan Island a few times before. Mostly for dolphin watching. At one time, I joined Reg's team-building and strategic planning together with other instructors for CWTS class.

But, I have grown a certain proud fondness of this place when we went to shoot for this unknown resort owned by Lucio Lim of the Lite Shipping group. The water was magnificent, the beach was perfect and the landscape is awe-inspiringly raw and untouched.



Here are some of the photos from the shoot.















For more photos from this set, click here.

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Travel: Stone Church in Talibon

Photo by Ryan Macalandag
Talibon, Bohol, Philippines

The Catherdral of the Most Holy Trinity in Talibon, Bohol is one of the heritage sites in the province. This massive stone church was built in 1852 using plans drawn by Domingo Escondrillas, then Cebu's Director of Public Works.



A gold-mining town in colonial days, Talibon had attracted a sizable community of enterprising Spaniards. The Jesuit Gabriel Sanchez went to Talibon in 1596 after he and Juan Torres had organized the reducciones of Loboc and Baclayon. The Jesuits administered the mission from Loboc but because of the distance it took traveling along the coast, decided that it and Inabanga were more conveniently administered from the Colegio de San Ildefonso in Cebu.

Reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bohol_churches#Talibon

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Photobin: CVRAA '08 in Tagbilaran City, Bohol

Here are some photos from the opening parade of the recently concluded Central Visayas Regional Athletics Association Meet. The contingents walked from Plaza Rizal to CPG Complex for the opening rites.














For more photos from this set, please click here.

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Photobin: Jack the Electrician

Portrait Photography by Ryan Macalandag

This is Jack. He works as an electrician for the local government unit of Trinidad, Bohol. He's probably like the head electrician 'coz he does a lot of stuff and has about 3-5 people working under him. When I went to Trinidad (for the town photography), Jack was one of the more interesting people I met. On my second visit, they we're assembling 4 huge-ass sub-woofers for the town gym.




Shot using a Nikon D80 w/ a Nikkor 50mm 1.8 lens attached.

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Photobin: Miravilla Sunset

Sunset Photos by Ryan Macalandag
Tagbilaran City, Bohol, Philippines

It's been raining for like a couple weeks or so. Today was different though. The sun was out and the sky was clear and blue. But I was schlepping around the whole day running some errands and put off taking photos until later this afternoon.

I went alone to the nearest beach to catch some sunset. And what a glorious sunset it was. Just a perfect setting to try out my new Tokina 12-24 f/4 lens. :)

I hope this weather would hold for the rest of the summer.





Click here to view more from this set.

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Travel: Davao at last!

Travel Photography by Ryan Macalandag

In my 27 years of existence, I have never been to Davao until last January. A Spanish friend who had their post-wedding party in Davao (their wedding ceremony was in Spain) invited friends over. As usual, I was to be their official wedding photographer. When we got married, Antonio was one of the groomsmen so it was kinduv an exchange of favor, except that Antonio had to pay for my travel expenses. haha

So anyways, I really had opted to go to Davao through the boat-bus route and not by plane so I can explore Mindanao some more. And explore we sure did. Mindanao is a huge island so our bus ride from Butuan was long -- about 7 hours. We took the new air-con Bachelor bus so we were comfortably seated.

Here are some photos from the trip.

#1 This was shot in the Port of Jagna, Bohol. The boat left at around 11pm and arrived in Nasipit at around 5am. Terence is still a bit drunk from the 2 San Miguel grandes we downed.



#2 This is a shot of the Bachelor Bus interiors. We rode on this from Butuan City to Davao. Took us about 6-7 hours.



#3 We arrived Davao City around lunch time. This is the facade of the Ateneo de Davao University.



#4 We we strolling around downtown Davao to look for some little bronze bells that Tito wanted to buy.



#5 At the wedding party..Tito, me, Terence and Antonio.



#6 These vendors are persistent!



#6 We went home a couple of days after. This time, we rode the Bus to Cagayan de Oro City and took a boat direct to Tagbilaran City from there. We left around 7pm and arrived at around 5:30, just in time for this perfect (just before) sunrise shot.



#8 As the ferry drew close to the pier, some Badjaos (sea gypsies) came paddling around on the side of the ship to dive for coins.



To view more photos from this trip, please click here.

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Photobin: BITGAP, Bohol Tour Guides photo shoot

Photography by Ryan Macalandag
December 17, 2007
Doljo Point, Panglao, Bohol, Philippines





More to come soon. :)

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Photobin: A portrait of me

Photo by Ryan Li



This photo was taken by Ryan Li, a wedding photographer in Bohol, a Nikon brother and a very good friend. Together with his wife, he owns Supreme Weddings, a one-stop wedding shop in province. Their services include wedding photography, wedding video coverage, wedding coordination, invitations and other wedding services.

Ryan Li shot this photo with a Nikon D80.

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Wedding: Trash the Dress, Bohol Style

Photos by Bohol Wedding Photographer Ryan Macalandag
Clients: Kim and Cindy Majam
Church: Dauis Church
Preps & Reception: Panglao Island Nature Resort



I had the opportunity to shoot Kim & Cindy for their Bohol wedding. They were quite young and hip and wanted a Bohol wedding photographer who can explore. So I did a "Trash the Dress" session with them right after the church ceremonies.

The day had started with a fickle weather already. It drizzled slightly in the morning but the sun had shone nicely that afternoon. But come late afternoon, the rain was torrential - almost a storm. All the plans I had for their post-ceremony shoot was gone and had to think fast and sure. I had thought we would do a sunset shoot by the beach already but the setting sun was nowhere to be found.

Thinking quick, we still headed for the beach in dark and did a TTD shoot amidst the thrashing waves. The couple were so cooperative and we had a blast. It was still raining then so we finished quick. My camera was a bit wet, needless to say.



The photos above are some of my early edits and loved it. Amazed really. And quite humbled by the experience as well. As a photographer, I learned that I could only do as much. Beauty really should come from the subject. It is only up to the photographer to capture the moment if only to record it to be cherished for years to come.

Thanks for the opportunity, Kim and Cindz.

(More of this set, click here.)

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Wedding: Kim and Cindy Prenuptial Photos

Kim & Cindy are a couple from Tacloban who both chose Bohol as the venue for their wedding. Why not! Bohol has beautiful churches, wonderful sceneries and great photographers!hehehe

The couple will tie the knot tomorrow at the magnificent Dauis Church. Reception to follow at Panglao Island Nature Resort. :)

This photo was shot at one of Bohol's more iconic churches, the Baclayon Church,built in the 1600's. Really old. One of the oldest in the Philippines. Here, Kim seems to be jubilant that he's finally getting married. Well, he should be.



This scene is in Loay, at the end of the river cruise. A group of Ati tribesmen welcome visitors here with a display of drumming, dancing and fire eating. Lovely.



I just can't resist. We had to do the jumping shot at the top of the world famous Chocolate Hills. As you can see, Kim was a varsity volleyball player before.



Cindy had always loved the sun in tropical Bohol. All day long we were praying for a good sunset. Lo and behold! A majestic sunset. Just perfect!





Trips like these make me happy I am a wedding photographer in Bohol. This way I get to tour around and have fun capturing beautiful shots at the same time.

It was a pretty exhausting day though. Janet, the couple's wedding coordinator was helpful though. She just doesn't seem to run out of fun things to say and do all in the name of good fun! Thanks Kim & Cindy! Thanks Janet! And to my cousin Francis who was assistant, too.

(For more photos from this set, click here.)
_________________________________
Photo by Ryan Macalandag
Gear: Nikon D80, SB-600
Copyright �2007 All rights reserved.

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Photobin: Globe Telecom Bohol 2007 Calendar Shoot

Aldner, who works at the Globe Telecom Bohol Branch called me up last week for a photo shoot. Globe is to have an internal desktop calendar which will feature local celebrations in the Philippines. July, in that calendar, would be dedicated to team Bohol. Thus, we made a photo of them dressed up in "Sandugo" costumes.



We did the shoot at the back of the Dauis Church where there is a beautiful green lawn. We tried to include the stone wall of the church as backdrop but opted for a "more cleaner" shot with the green lawn as the background.

Lighting Info: ambient light, plus bare SB-600 left of camera triggered via Nikon CLS.

_________________________________
Photo by Ryan Macalandag
Gear: Nikon D80, SB-600
Copyright ©2007 All rights reserved.

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Travel: Danao Adventure August 2007

Danao Eco-Adventure Tours
Magtangtang, Danao, Bohol



Our Danao Adventure trip was really special to me for a host of reasons. Top three reasons are:

1. August 26, wedding anniversary
2. my dad is from Danao
3. we were with the "shiny happy people" gang
   

Reg and I got married last August 26, 2006. Since then, our life has truly been blessed. I will not say we didn't have our share of tears but the sad moments are overwhelmed by the happiness and love that we've shared together with friends and families. As a couple, we always count our blessings. We always pray there is more to come.

My dad, is from Cabatuan, Danao, Bohol. He spent his childhood roaming the jungles and woods, the rivers and caves, the simple beauty of what Danao was before. Now, we are enjoying the town in a whole new level. The long foot trails that my dad used to walk during moonless nights singing haranas to ladies in other barrios are now replaced with tire tracks of trucks, multicabs and habal-habals. We are spared from the 15-kilometer hike from the poblacion to the barrio, for sure.








And of course, without the "shiny happy people" we were with, the trip won't be crazy. Here's the list:

1. Ryan (me)
   
2. Reg
3. Kinz
   
4. John
5. Weng
6. Liza
7. Joyce
8. Jijaw
9. Jeff
10. Tuff
11. Miriam
    

We were the wickidest and craziest fun-loving, thrill-seeking, tanduay-drinking group out there. It was hella fun.









(More of this set, here.)
_________________________________
Photos by Ryan Macalandag
Gear: Nikon D80, SB-600
Copyright ©2007 All rights reserved.

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