Travels 224: In tranquillity we sail on

Most of our lives are characteristically defined not of what we naturally achieved but rather on how we responded to the challenges that come our way. We live in the days and years where challenges are abounding in all fronts: family, lovelife, career, financial freedom, debt, and of course, interpersonal relationships. Naturally still, we strived to become the best we can become because we dream and through these dreams, we achieve more to become more by less.

With it, I mean we become more by less because we aspire for a society where equality, respect, sincerity and tact is the observed norms. We achieve our dreams because we are driven for others; we are driven for others because we think less of ourselves and those that shaped us by ourselves. We obtain a fulfilling society because we care more by also showing genuine concern for others who have less than us.

In tranquillity we sail on, we pass through the most tumultuous chapters of our lives. It is because every after storm, we experience lightness of heart, openness of mind and a willing heart to sustain ourselves through our own commitment for others. Our commitment for others is much felt when we choose to lower our own stature to reach out for in our ability to reach out for those who have less than us, we felt it when we also feel their pains, their hopelessness and failed dreams. By it, one must immerse himself in the most taxing experiences to see beyond what is today. Similarly, like the lonesome journey across a flat and placid lake towards where our hearts felt free.

Tranquillity only happens when we achieve the highest form of inner peace brought about by a balanced LIFE and a lifestyle that is befitted for the greater good. People come and go, by our own bidding and adjustment; we accepted them as they come, much more as they go. Our chapters are replete with those exciting moments and reflecting failures which makes every turn of each page a profound experience. We sow tranquillity in moving on when we refuse to be bitter amidst all those that have been done unto us and those who hurt us. By tranquillity we sail on, we find inner peace and by inner peace, we deflect the bad and encourage the intangible greatness that define us through the life we live.

Travels 222: Off-the-beaten tracks in Pagadian City, the sunrise bliss

Early morning, my alarm strikes 4.30 and I carried on, strapped my Travey and walk for a relaxing Saturday sunrise photoshoot with no less than an ace photographer and web developer, Ard Catalino. Ard, whose passion for on-line world and website development is instrumental in my procurement of my own domain name Journeys and Travels. We share the same passion for photography and this is our first morning photowalk together.

We met at Dunkin Pagadian and by 5.00am, we went directly to the Pagadian City Fishport where a good vantage point for sunrise shoots is. I saw fisherfolks and their children patiently waiting for the arrival of fishes from those caught off-shore. The fishport is located at Barangay San Pedro, a progressive coastal barangay in the City.

We chatted about our passion for photos when the sunrises and we were caught with our cameras (we are both Nikonistas). He brought his tripod, poor me, I did not brought mine but my strategy is to just walk a little while towards every direction, getting the pulse of the place, getting through the scene and shoot.

Afterwards, Ard showed me one secret I have to discover myself for the first time. There is an off-the-beaten tracks that connected the fishport to the airport and run parallel to the runway. I was excited to see it for myself since it will mean more chances to see great vistas and of course, share what I gained through which the lens of Travey captured. I was not disappointed because I am enthralled.

Both side of the track are fishponds and variety of mangroves that is perfect for early morning walk. It is not paved yet but that contributes to the excitement and thrill. The sound of the motorcycle wheels skidding on small stones made this photo opportunity more rural than what I perceived to be. In the edge of urbananism in the city, there is a rural oasis where one finds peaceful respite and walk. The bliss in the experience is in the makings of greatness out of ordinariness.

The great morning when we shared the same passion was capped with a hearty breakfast prepared by Ard’s wife who is a friend too. My first time to come and visited their humble home, my first time for a shared photowalk and my grateful SMS message to him was: this is just the beginning of something BIG! I am most proud of what my city, my life has for those who explored her.

Travels 221: Youthfulness at sea to bursting sunset, the Tukuran jaunt

One of the best subjects of photography are ordinary people, much more, children who loved their mundane world, where a day spent on the sea and by the boat, as long as it is spent with friends and neighbours evoke memories so strong. I felt it when I saw children paddling a Bangka towards me asking for me to take a photo when they saw me standing over a concrete installation intended to catch sands from the seas.

Just standing on the concrete structure, I felt amazed at how the horizon is widely captured through my eyes and how I felt looking at them. I was partially interrupted when children were waving at me asking me to take a good photograph of them in their happiest moments together.

Tukuran beach is not white sand but black, it is not high-end but affordable! I was staying at the LGU Beach Resort where the shore fronting the resort is farthest and when in a low tide, the shore is far. It is where most residents of Pagadian City swim on weekends. It is the same beach where mostly, family reunions, class parties and other activities are usually held.

Prodding myself to pursue a sunset photowalk, I came back to the beachfront of the LGU Beach Resort at 30 minutes past 5:00PM and was able to capture the most romantic sunset by the sea. I have captured something of a bursting celebration on the capping a heavy and tiresome day.

I have just also noticed that sunsets are different with sunrise when you took it from the vantage point of a sea level. Sunsets are characterized with bursting clouds heading through where the sunsets and the sky is slowly becomes clearer. The waves noticeably are stronger, more disorganized and not tranquil during sunsets. I have just observed it and I may be wrong but as what I saw at the photos I took, sunsets and sunrises are two different events and phenomena that is hard to distinguished on photo unless one is a professional not a novice like me.

At the end of the day, I was captivated at what I saw combined. The youthfulness at sea to the greatest and most calm sunset. As it was observed, we have had focused too much on ourselves and what we do that we stop at what nature can also do. Day in and day out, sunsets remind us of our vulnerability while sunrises promises us agility, vitality and hope.