#302 The Grand Dames

Unlike the historic Church in Cagsawa, Daraga Church sat atop a hill thus survived the devastating eruption that claimed the former exactly 200 years ago. Today, it's a major tourist stop-over featuring two grand dames: Our Lady of the Gate, and in the distance the majestic volcano that is Mayon. Enjoy. 

(Pixel-peepers-peepers: To catch both the church's facade and the volcano in the best light, plan to shoot before noon. But do patiently wait for the cloud cover to occasionally reveal the volcano's perfection before you take your shot.)

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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.)

#301 Message of Hope

When dark clouds veil a landscape... or your life... just look to the light.

A passing shower drenched our attempt at sunset, an event largely unavoidable when traveling during the rainy season. But just like in life, crepuscular rays often find their way to earth, much to the delight of landscape photographers below. Enjoy. 

(Pixel-peepers: Crepuscular Rays are fleeting events. Move quickly and underexpose a little. And don't forget to multiply its effect by reflecting it off something on the ground, like trapped puddles of sea water on this beach in Puerto Princesa in Palawan.)

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.)

#300 An Underground River

If you're wondering why a fleet of boats is moored just off shore... 

Day-in and day-out, they haul tourists by the busting boatload to the entrance of the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River, a river of seawater that wind for kilometers inside a cave by the sea. After transferring onto smaller boats, tourists can take a short ride along its explored outer chambers. There are numerous domes, waterfalls, and many deeper caverns that remain uncharted, a true UNESCO World Heritage marvel that put our country on the map. Enjoy.

(Pixel-peepers: When visiting an iconic destination, it's always a challenge to capture unique photographs because every inch may already have been photographed to death. But walk around and you may just find yourself an untold story.)

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.)

#299 Weaving Hats

In Boctol, Bulusan, in the province of Sorsogon, we chanced upon an entire community that wove hats from native grass. The grass is indigenous and plentiful. Old and young alike toil all day to turn them into something useful & valuable. Then someone collects them for eventual sale. It's a great way to create livelihood in places that previously produced nothing else. Enjoy.

(Pixel-peepers: An open door or a window ajar, sometimes that's all that's needed to create natural-looking environmental portraits right inside someone's home. As a courtesy, send them a copy of their pictures. A little gratitude goes a long way in these parts.)

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.)