When night fell, what was it like atop Mt. Pulag?
In near total darkness we followed a seemingly endless trail, winding up and down, around slope after slope, before finally sliding down a steep trail towards the dreaded Camp 3. We didn't expect to trek past nightfall, but here we were, weary and hungry, with only our headlamps and a well worn trail coaxing us on. Visibility was barely beyond my feet, thanks to the bone-chilling fog that enveloped us after the sun set. We are in the middle of nowhere. I remember asking myself... what are you doing here Bobby?
At camp, our tents stood waiting. After a cup of hot soup, some crackers, and light banter around our camp-stove, we were ready to hit the sack... until the fog suddenly lifted to reveal a sky peppered with an endless sea of stars. I stood there staring out in all directions, as far as my eyes could see, stunned that so much of the heavens above were hidden by light pollution back home. And the thick band of stars on the left-hand side of the photograph? That's the direction towards the center of the Milky Way, our own galaxy! If there was a priceless moment in the whole trip, this was it. Enjoy.
(Pixel-peepers: A photograph, even using some of today's best technology, can't do the sky around here any justice. But still I had to try. With the help of ace travel photographer Noli Gabilo, I eked-out a photograph that captured the relatively faint stars while preserving the shadows around me. That's Baguio City glowing on the horizon. And special thanks to the curves command in CS4, the magic is complete.)
Where in the world is the Mt. Pulag in Benguet?
Past 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.)
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.)
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this is just WOW! Great technique. We hardly get a view of this in Manila.
ReplyDeleteGreat photos! I love them. I've been wanting to get a print of them but Mr. Murillo hasn't replied yet. Maybe you know of an alternative place to get them (if they're printed already) or an alternative contact for Mr. Murillo. Thanks a lot.