Nostalgic Lights

Believer | Wanderer | Fighter

[sammymagsino]

San Juan - Summer by the Stones

I may have grown up in mountain country, but deep down I’m still a tropical beach girl by heart. Fortunately, La Union is just an hour’s drive from Baguio so summers with the cousins were mostly spent there. Also, in celebration of my niece, Olivia’s first birthday, we threw her a beach themed party at Casa la Playa in San Juan with some sand, sea, shells and baby love. Before heading back to Baguio, we took a day trip to Bahay na Bato also known as a pebble beach which felt like one of the biggest zen gardens to me in the north.

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Solo Yolo at Tokyo

What was supposed to be a group trip with me as the 5th wheel transcended into a single journey of soul searching with Jesus. I recall that I was at my lowest point last year and I wasn’t as excited to travel to Tokyo which was my third visit to Japan, a nostalgic niche where my heart was left behind since I was a youth. Despite my small budget, I manged to survive in a tiny apartment through Airbnb, a Suica (JR) train card, pocket wifi and limited Nihonggo, by God’s grace.

Japan always felt like my second home so it felt like I was given a warm or more like a chilly weekend since it was Autumn. Also, being an extrovert by nature, I realized that being with other humans can also be exhausting and I actually value my time alone especially with God. With those solo moments, I ventured through the streets of Harajuku in colorful costumes, visited a Cat Cafe in Shinjuku and literally froze in the middle of the crossing with Shibuya fever. One of the major highlights of the trip was visiting Lifehouse Tokyo in Roponggi and worshiping with fellow foreigners and Japanese on fire for Jesus which made me realize that I wanted to serve and be part of that movement! The day after, I finally fulfilled my dream by visiting the Studio Ghibli Museum in Mitaka. I felt like a little lost girl with tears of joy in Miyazaki’s world with all the wonder and adventures of his beloved films brought to life. *a moment of silence*What better way to end the trip by crashing in a Capsule Hotel by Narita airport which I found to be such an adventure. Also, last November 01, 2015, I prayed a prayer for desire to return but for long term adventure and who knows but we’ll see where that goes. Jaa ne ^_^

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Bohohol at Bohol

Another adventure time! Come on grab some friends and go to another distant land! With just an hour away via plane and a boat ride via Queen City, Bohol may seem like the underdog at first but this little gem happens to house one of the most historical relics such as century old churches, hills made of chocolate and a tea cup monkeys. You can scout the entire island of Tagbilaran in a day or escape to Panglao for some snorkeling as far as Balicasag island. Take a dip by the sand bars or chill with the turtles and fish friends nearby.

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London - English Escapade

“When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life; for there is in London all that life can afford.” -Samuel Johnson

Last year, I was given a great opportunity to visit the motherland of England which is home to my sister who’s obsessed with film and baking, her husband who enjoys biking through the cold weather and their spunky daughter who loves dinosaurs. It was also a joyous occasion for my cousin who exchanged vows with her college sweetheart plus a reunion with crazy cousins who witnessed the beautiful event.

If you’re a fan of sweater weather and fish and chips, London is the place for you plus it’s easy to get around via Tube or double-deck buses. Being someone who grew up in the tropics, it was bound to get chilly but not to worry, there’s always mulled wine waiting at the nearest pub.

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Bangkok - Land of Smiles

Like any neighbor from the Southeast of Asia, Thailand is somewhat like another version of the Philippines and it’s not hard to notice from the exotic street food, rich culture, cheap thrills and warm smiles. Ride an elephant! Sneak into the floating market! Taste spicy fish ball soup! Take selfies at shiny temples! Where pointy hats! And don’t forget to try one of them Thai massages or Muay Thai massages as I would call it.

There’s always another reason to go back to "Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahinthara Ayuthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom Udomratchaniwet Mahasathan Amon Piman Awatan Sathit Sakkathattiya Witsanukam Prasit." also known as Bangkok in it’s original tongue.

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The Road to El Nido - Did you ever have those moments when it was a promo fare and you impulsively just called and forced your friends to purchase the last remaining seats not knowing what they were getting themselves into or where exactly they were going? Yep, this was basically what this trip about. I spent an entire weekend as a 5th wheel in cramped road trips from Puerto Princesa, got stuck in sea traffic, dodging the limestone formations and sun bathing in the clear teal waters. I also found time alone, getting lost in the little lost town of El Nido and then spending a day at Nacpan beach which we had all to ourselves and ending the day trekking to the edge of a cliff basking into the ocean’s horizon. Air. Road. Sea. Repeat.

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The Travelling Tent - Guimaras

So three city dwellers decided to escape from Manila and spend their Independence Day weekend at Guimaras with some humans from Iloilo. Imagine, waking up to the wind dancing through the bamboos and rising up to the sunrise from the singing of crickets in this far away land. I felt like I was lost in Kyoto in a foreign oriental land.

Being the only extrovert of the bunch, I felt like I was in introvert’s paradaise. No tourists. No electricity. No civilization. We had the beach entirely to ourselves and the best seats in the house bonfires and star gazing! No need for alarm clocks in the bukids by the bay-bay (beach) either as we all rose up just in time for catch God’s masterpiece that He painted in the virgin skies.

"And he shall be like the light of the morning when the sun rises, A morning without clouds, Like the tender grass springing out of the earth, By clear shining after rain." -2 Samuel 23:4

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Wildflowers -

“If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don’t you think He’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do His best for you? What I’m trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way He works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how He works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. -Matthew 6:30-33

Follow the adventures of these Wildflowers:

Aleyn Comprendio - http://blog.aleyncomprendio.com/

Jessica Ouano - https://www.facebook.com/jessica.ouano.

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Taal Crater - The Great ReTreat 

I spent my Easter weekend at Tagaytay with some friends from work and I can honestly say that it was one of the best soul searching “retreats” I’ve been to. It was quite brief but I do miss waking up to the sight of the lake on those chilly mornings. Seeing how still the waters and how high the summit of Taal surely calms and excites my soul at the same time. 

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Cagayan de Oro  - City of Golden Friendship - 

While majority of the world opted to party during the LaBoracay weekend, some friends and I decided to escape the chaos and head down south to CDO instead quoting it as a “CDO-GO” trip! In a span of four days we were able to cover the tropical hubs of Camiguin to the breezy mountains of Bukidnon and of course ending the epic journey with the White Water Rapids. It felt like conquering different worlds with the friendliest people on earth. I love Bisaya people okay :D

If there’s one beach that I would rate the most beautiful and breathtaking, it’s probably the White Island in Camiguin which a secret sandbar only available to humans from dawn till noon. It’s worth returning to again one day ^_^

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Lost in La Union - If you’re drained from the daily grind, the perfect getaway is definitely none other than La Union! It’s usually an hour from Baguio but a 4-hour bus ride from is no sweat either if you’re craving to escape for some sand and sea. Unwind on the hammocks of Circle Hostel, then head for a trek to a cliff dive adventure. If you’re up for surfing, La Union is known for it’s killer waves and long walks by the beach. And oh yeah, don’t forget to end the fun day with some pizza and mojitos at Flotsam and Jetsam!

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[Israel] - The Epicenter of the Middle East

During my pilgrimage journey some summers ago, I stepped into the pages of the old and new testament. It’s no fairytale that Bible characters walked the earth through two thousand years of rich history and its people’s culture. Travel back in time to where Jesus performed miraculous wonders in Capernaum, brave the blazing heat in the Masada desert and take a dip at the salty Dead Sea after. Other interesting wanderlusts include a visit to virgin fields of Megiddo and ancient Roman ruins of Caesara. My favorite place getting lost in the old city of Jerusalem! More nostalgic lights on my trip to the Holy Land coming soon!

"I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.” - Genesis 12:2

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Intramuros - A Historical Heritage

If there’s one niche I can spend a Sunday afternoon relieving the history of Manila it’s definitely at this sanctuary. It’s both the pride of Manila locals and a getaway for curious tourists who adore the sights and sounds of Filipino performances, cuisine, trinkets and adventures on the kalesa. I would love to go back for a photowalk someday :) 

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Panagbenga 2012: Wild and Wonderful! Every February, the proud locals of Baguio City would celebrate a month long festival called PANAGBENGA which literally means "Season of Blooming" or also known as the Flower Festival to tourists. Growing up, I always enjoyed squeezing in the crowds of Session Road and watching the students march in their bahags and Cordilleran-flower themed costumes during the street dancing but nothing excites the people the most when it comes the flower float parades made entirely of fresh flowers while the nostalgic "Panagbenga theme" plays along with the marching bands.

Panagbenga was founded by our ever beloved Atty. Damaso E. Bangaoet, Jr. in 1995 believing that it would spread the message of family, fun and flowers in the summer capital. I really want to take time to attend every year to honor what he and his family had started within the community of Baguio and it's something we locals are proud of. He may have passed on since September 2014 but the legacy of this blooming movement still lives on in the hearts of the people. 

Taken in slide film using the Cosina CT1Super and Lomography La Sardina

No photo-manipulation was done in the process of the photographs :)

[sammymagsino]

Hong Kong, home to Jackie Chan and other movie action stars and also known as "Fragant Harbor" or the San Francisco of Asia to me.

I mean come on, the happy hills and easy subway access makes you fall in love with this city, you'll definitely leave your heart there and get lost (if you try). Whether you're a fan strolling around the city from Mong Kok hauls to reliving your childhood in Hong Kong Disneyland or Ocean Park or just taking time to escape to Lantau Island, this is the haven for you :)

"When I went to Hong Kong, I knew at once I wanted to write a story set there."

-Paul Theroux

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Baguio. My escape. My home. 

As most of you know, I grew up in the mountains. What I love doing in that city, is walking through session road under the rain or going to the wet market and haggling for some thrifty threads at ukay-ukay. Drinking strawberry taho, horseback riding, long hikes and bump-bike racing in burnham were all part of my childhood! I'm just glad to know that all this was relived and documented in film since 2010. Every photograph you see here was based on a different adventure from each visit. If you happen to drop by this haven, do let me know and I'll give you the grand tour.

"Baguio City is one of the most famous cities in the Philippines and has been celebrated as the Summer Capital of the country for the past 100 years."