Sunrise in Dahican © Jojie Alcantara

“Your eye must see a composition or an expression that life itself offers you, and you must know with intuition when to click the camera.” – Henri Cartier-Bresson

Back in my provincial birthplace where I often went home on summer vacations growing up, sunrise has its way of creating a lasting and profound effect on you. If you strive to wake up just before dawn, you catch early stirrings of life in the coastal community. Fishing boats are already offshore waiting for the catch, while locals wait in the shoreline, hoping for a heavy load. Meanwhile, a surfer or two may brave the morning chill and waves. However, there is more to the lucky experience.

On beautiful mornings such as this, you will see one of nature’s miracles effortlessly at work. For photographers, there is no amount of filter, post processing or kelvin needed to match its astounding colors. For onlookers, there is no amount of words to describe it. For artists like me, it is a humbling experience to even attempt to duplicate a masterpiece.

For the lucky locals… it is life as they know it.