#100 A T'boli Canoe

www.PostcardsFromManila.com

www.PostcardsFromManila.com

How do you pre-visualize a photograph when it's too far away to see?

We were on a ridge overlooking Lake Sebu in South Cotabato, admiring a distant field of water lilies along its banks. The fishermen and their boats looked like the size of ants from our vantage point, too far away to find any composition of note. But wait, didn't you say you have to first see a composition in your mind's eye before taking a photograph? That's correct. But what if you don't own a monster telephoto lens? Not a problem. Just find a friend who does! Enjoy.

(Pixel-peepers: Luckily, my friend Tim hauled his 9-pound 500mm telephoto lens along with us. Seen through this monster-of-a-lens, which magnifies a scene about 10X normal size, we found lots to compose, including this T'boli canoe called an o'wong parked along a water trail. Thanks Tim.)

Where in the world is the Lake Sebu in South Cotabato?

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Say hello: Bobbyw59@yahoo.com 

But wait, there's more... 

For those who've inquired about buying prints of my postcards, you may purchase them directly from master printmaker Arnel Murillo (murilloarnel@yahoo.com), one of the country's foremost fine-art printmakers.  Arnel uses archival inks and museum-grade paper to ensure his prints will not fade. You will not be disappointed. (All my images are provided gratis to help showcase the beauty of our country. But if you feel generous, help me uplift the lives of the Children of Payatas.  No donation is too big or too small. Get in touch with Fr. Aldrin Suan at aldrinsuan@yahoo.com of the Vincentian Missionaries in the Philippines. As always, thanks and enjoy.)

#99 Merry Christmas

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www.PostcardsFromManila.com

...Lest we forget the real reason we're celebrating this season... Enjoy.

(Pixel-peepers: Two postcards ago, I mentioned the lake water started to simmer as soon as the sun's rays hit, collectively forming a light mist that eventually enveloped the entire lake valley. A little later I took this shot. The sun's golden light was completely diffused over what looked like a foggy lake surrounding a lone fisherman. No photoshop magic. It was an authentic monochromatic sunrise!)

Where in the world is the Lake Sebu in South Cotabato?

Sign-up to receive new postcards weekly FREE Older postcards at www.PostcardsFromManila.com
Say hello: Bobbyw59@yahoo.com 

But wait, there's more... 

For those who've inquired about buying prints of my postcards, you may purchase them directly from master printmaker Arnel Murillo (murilloarnel@yahoo.com), one of the country's foremost fine-art printmakers.  Arnel uses archival inks and museum-grade paper to ensure his prints will not fade. You will not be disappointed. (All my images are provided gratis to help showcase the beauty of our country. But if you feel generous, help me uplift the lives of the Children of Payatas.  No donation is too big or too small. Get in touch with Fr. Aldrin Suan at aldrinsuan@yahoo.com of the Vincentian Missionaries in the Philippines. As always, thanks and enjoy.)

#98 Land of the T'Bolis

www.PostcardsFromManila.com

www.PostcardsFromManila.com

The T'Bolis are one of many indigenous peoples in Southern Mindanao, and today we are in their home, on the fringes of Lake Sebu, in the province of South Cotabato. Who are they? Along a series of mountain lakes over 700 meters above sea level, they live off the lakes and the surrounding land, raising fish and planting rice. They weave their T'nalak (native fabric) to clothe themselves, preserving their rich culture. Surprisingly, they still live in bamboo-walled huts even to this day, are conversant in English, and are 90% Catholic. But don't take our word for it, Lake Sebu is just a four hour trip south of Manila. Enjoy.

(Pixel-peepers: To shoot under the best light, the golden hours in the morning can't be beat. Under direct sunlight, everything appears sharper, more vivid, and colors can really pop. Want a sure way to improve your photographs? Choose the right time to shoot.)

Where in the world is the Lake Sebu in South Cotabato?

Sign-up to receive new postcards weekly FREE Older postcards at www.PostcardsFromManila.com
Say hello: Bobbyw59@yahoo.com 

But wait, there's more... 

For those who've inquired about buying prints of my postcards, you may purchase them directly from master printmaker Arnel Murillo (murilloarnel@yahoo.com), one of the country's foremost fine-art printmakers.  Arnel uses archival inks and museum-grade paper to ensure his prints will not fade. You will not be disappointed. (All my images are provided gratis to help showcase the beauty of our country. But if you feel generous, help me uplift the lives of the Children of Payatas.  No donation is too big or too small. Get in touch with Fr. Aldrin Suan at aldrinsuan@yahoo.com of the Vincentian Missionaries in the Philippines. As always, thanks and enjoy.)

#97 Simmering Mist

www.PostcardsFromManila.com

www.PostcardsFromManila.com

It's a scene you don't see everyday.

Just before the sun made its dramatic entrance, we positioned our cameras on the banks of the placid Lake Seloton, a small freshwater lake downstream from the larger Lake Sebu after which the town is also named. It must have been due to the cold damp night. Just as the first rays of sunlight touched the water's surface, a gentle mist started to simmer.  Soon a veiled fog completely enveloped the valley lake formed by the surrounding mountains. Every now and then, a T'boli fisherman would zip past us, busily tending nets and/or collecting his breakfast. It was a dreamy scene so brief that it ended before we knew what happened. Being up-and-about... and in the vicinity of our country's wilderness at this hour of the day... is a gift few accept. Someone had to do it. Enjoy.

(Pixel-peepers: The misty fog looked much like steam rising from water on the verge of boiling. Caught off-guard while still trying to record the dying colors of a muted dawn, I struggled to find the correct exposure that would preserve the fog's wispy details without blowing-out the brightening sky. In the end, bracketing exposures saved the day. When in doubt, spread your risks!)

Where in the world is the Lake Sebu in South Cotabato?

Sign-up to receive new postcards weekly FREE
Older postcards at www.PostcardsFromManila.com
Say hello: Bobbyw59@yahoo.com

But wait, there's more...

For those who've inquired about buying prints of my postcards, you may purchase them directly from master printmaker Arnel Murillo (murilloarnel@yahoo.com), one of the country's foremost fine-art printmakers.  Arnel uses archival inks and museum-grade paper to ensure his prints will not fade. You will not be disappointed. (All my images are provided gratis to help showcase the beauty of our country. But if you feel generous, help me uplift the lives of the Children of Payatas.  No donation is too big or too small. Get in touch with Fr. Aldrin Suan at aldrinsuan@yahoo.com of the Vincentian Missionaries in the Philippines. As always, thanks and enjoy.)

#96 Wild Lilies

www.PostcardsFromManila.com

www.PostcardsFromManila.com

If I said you could be surrounded by flowers in Lake Sebu, you probably wouldn't expect something quite like this.


On the way to see the renowned waterfalls of Lake Sebu in South Cotabato, we pulled-over to admire a large patch of water lilies growing in the wild. These lilies are a signature of this mountain-top lake town and had been here as far as the locals can remember. While planning this trip, we had to contend with the generally negative reputation South Cotabato had among those we consulted. It didn't help that several countries had raised "do-not-travel-to alerts" singling out this province. But nothing could be further from the truth. While it's true you still have to be prudent when traveling some place new, South Cotabato had been unfairly maligned. The people are gentle and respectful, and we've never felt uncomfortable anywhere we went, day or night. We're glad we made the trip and two thumbs up to those planning one. Enjoy.

(Pixel-peepers: High on a ridge overlooking the lake, we hauled-out our longest lenses to better appreciate life on its fringes. Long lenses need sturdy tripods for optimum sharpness. And unless the sun is directly overhead, a polarizer will tame the reflections bouncing-off the lily pads, help saturate their color and reveal minute details.)

Where in the world is the Lake Sebu in South Cotabato?

Sign-up to receive new postcards weekly FREE
Older postcards at www.PostcardsFromManila.com
Say hello: Bobbyw59@yahoo.com

But wait, there's more...

For those who've inquired about buying prints of my postcards, you may purchase them directly from master printmaker Arnel Murillo (murilloarnel@yahoo.com), one of the country's foremost fine-art printmakers.  Arnel uses archival inks and museum-grade paper to ensure his prints will not fade. You will not be disappointed. (All my images are provided gratis to help showcase the beauty of our country. But if you feel generous, help me uplift the lives of the Children of Payatas.  No donation is too big or too small. Get in touch with Fr. Aldrin Suan at aldrinsuan@yahoo.com of the Vincentian Missionaries in the Philippines. As always, thanks and enjoy.)