#166 Home by the Terraces

Low rent. A quiet neighborhood. No traffic jams. Fresh air. Free-running mountain water. And waking-up to mornings enveloped by cool mist. Does that sound like your dream home? If you're a city slicker who's sick of the traffic and pollution, I already know the answer. But here in Banaue in the province of Ifugao, their young leave the terraces in droves for the big city, for its bright lights, and for the promise of a better future. Now what's wrong with this picture?


The Banaue rice terraces is one of the wonders of the old world, built over thousands of years, and a testament to human ingenuity and perseverance. Yet the land can't feed its growing population, with about half of their rice needs currently imported from the lowlands. How will all those imports be paid for? By the gradual export, or loss, of human capital. Will there be any farmers left to plow those green terraces in the next generation? Beats me. Pack your bags and head that way soon. Now showing and possibly for a limited time only. Enjoy.

(Pixel-peepers: In the early morning after the sun rises, the light is directional and can flatter a landscape like no other time. The strong warm light can make our pictures come alive. Now don't be sleeping when these wonderful hours present.) 

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Say hello: Bobbyw59@yahoo.com

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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.)

#165 Just Go with the Flow

Just go with the flow.


We waited five years to return to the Hungduan terraces in Hapao, to photograph it at the first light of dawn. And to make sure we catch those first rays... we decided to spend the night in a house along the Chico river, right in the heart of the terraces itself, and mere steps away from our sunrise point. Now all we needed to do was to get up at the right time, since we're already in the right place. Sounds easy enough.


But when dawn approached, the sun couldn't break through the clouds on the horizon (sigh.) And even if it did, there was this huge mountain in the way (sigh.) And it even drizzled (sigh.) I'd throw in the towel, except I'd come too far to be defeated. But wait. Aren't we beside a raging river? A few moments later, photographing something new taught me more than a familiar but disappointing dawn: just go with the flow dude, just go with the flow.  Enjoy.

(Pixel-peepers: Dim light at twilight means slow shutter speeds, which was just perfect for photographing fast-moving water, if we are to transform each splash and flow into wispy white water. Couple a small aperture like f/8 with a steady tripod, with the speed set to 1/4 of a second or slower depending on the speed of the water, can create what you see above.) 

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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.)

#164 Tattered Nets

It's only when the tides goes down that you know who's been swimming naked. --- Warren Buffet.

That's sound investment advice, and it also applies to many other things in life. After all, few things are what they initially appear to be. Just like the fish pens in today's postcard, just below the surface, they are fish pens no more. Enjoy.

(Pixel-peepers: At dusk, it's usually too dark to take any pictures, but it's plenty bright for silhouettes. Just find yourself the correct subject, something that is unmistakeable even in the dark, and you have a photograph worth keeping.)

Sign-up to receive new postcards weekly by email 

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.)

#163 View of Iraya

Few of us know what it means to live under the shadow of a volcano, but those who do know how magnificent the view can be.

We were at Fundacion Pacita in Batanes, overlooking the sea on one side and Mount Iraya on the other. The forecast this morning was for rain, but hey this is Batanes, and the weather will be what it wants to be. Taking advantage of the sun, we sat on the porch and took in the expansive view, from the highest peak to the shimmering sea, and then back again. It's like stopping to smell the flowers... only better. Enjoy.

(Pixel-peepers: A photograph of a mountain can be more interesting if you include an interesting subject in the foreground. Your best bet is to wait until both the foreground and background is lit up by the same light, then exposure would be simple.)

Sign-up to receive new postcards weekly by email 

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.)