Ken Alcala

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Maternity Shoot Helena at her 37th week

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I still could not fathom how I survived the Pinatubo Trail. The sun shined like a proud bastard, and the air, dry. I sure am not going to lose enough weight to fit me in skimpier shirts so I can only do so much to make something good out of this madness, use the camera I lugged along with this ride.

The group stopped to rest a few times, and to keep in theme, there were no great trees with overarching branches to give shade. What was there, though, were massive rocks and stones in slopes, knee-deep rivers with water so cold you'll laugh for walking in nature's contradiction.

Biking in lahar sand was another story. If it weren't for the heat, you'd think you're in spinning class. But then you'd realize that you're actually moving a foot per minute! Fun times I'll never do again.

But, yeah. Here are the photos I took. Blood, sweat, and sunburn.

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After last year's failed attempt to do a night sky long exposure, this year has been equally unsuccessful as well. On 2016, I was consumed by a mashup of sprits on two nights out of the two nights we were in Calaguas.

This year, it was the sky's turn to be uncooperative. It was impossible to get a decent photograph with clouds hovering, but I wasn't about to go home empty handed either. These were taken around noon time, my first long exposure of the Mahabang Buhangin Beach and a nearby island called Balagbag, in Calaguas, Camarines Norte.

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Balay Negrense in Silay City, Negros Occidental

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Calaguas Islands has always been my favorite destination. From the moment I stepped foot on the island some years ago, I fell instantly in love. I came back every year, and with each return, the face of this pristine place changed. I suppose it is inevitable since travel has become easier and accessible to more people now. In years to come, all I wish is that future generations experience the same awe and that bit of disbelief  I had when I first stepped foot on this breathtaking island.

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Mira

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It was my first time to shoot the Milky Way, I thought it would be difficult. Truth is, when you have figured out how to locate the pattern of the stars, tripod and proper camera settings on hand, you too, can end up with an amazing photo like this. Camera Settings: Aperture - f/2 Shutter Speed - 20 sec. ISO - 1600

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Sea of Clouds   Spontaneous trips are best especially when you find yourself in places far out than you expect to be, while you course around an oppressive city on a work week. This time my feet has taken me to Luzon's highest peak, Mt. Pulag. A four-hour hike to the summit really does well in challenging your endurance at 2am, temperatures dropped low, and in wet, muddy conditions. It doesn't help that (1) I am fueled by a few hours of sleep interrupted by incessant barking of dogs, and (2) I am wearing pants that absorb every droplet off of each wet blade of grass, adding to the weight, worsening the biting cold. These conditions will then abandon your senses when you witness the sun rising through a vast sea of clouds. A vision that plays its own soundtrack as you are consumed in awe in the presence of such magnificence. Still, it gets better. The peak of the mountain, takes you to a whole new perspective of the magnitude of our country's beauty and wealth in its rawest sense. Finally, as a bonus, I found the perfect spot for photographing the Milky Way! For the first time, unobstructed by clouds and smog, I am pleased and thrilled with what I captured. And for the entirety of this trip, I am still hung over from the mental diversion, while envisioning equally gratifying, if not better, unplanned escapes.

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Batad Escape You can either choose to stay for several days or bask in Batad’s glory in just one. We did the latter and it was more than enough time to walk along the terraces, climb the grueling steps and paths, up and downhill, wearing ourselves out. It’s one of those rare moments where you’re so beat up but you just keep going, stopping a few times to catch your breath, deep breaths to calm your racing heart. I kept checking over my shoulder since the view keeps getting better the farther up I go. Once at the viewdeck, well, I can tell you that all the exhaustion your bone-tired limbs feel will all be gone. Of course it won’t, but you will forget that it does. At least, for a moment. 

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Dreamy Outdoor Portraits With Natural Light.

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We see things others can’t.