There are beautiful places in these islands that I do not particularly want to share, and have been hesitant to do so. These are serene spots you just want to preserve and protect yet at the same time you want others to feel what you went through.
“Our memories of the ocean will linger on, long after our footprints in the sand are gone.” ~ unkown
Skimboarder at sunrise in Dahican Beach
Mati, Davao Oriental
© Jojie Alcantara
“Look into your own heart, discover what it is that gives you pain and then refuse, under any circumstance whatsoever, to inflict that pain on anybody else.” ~ Karen Armstrong
“Sometimes you find yourself in the middle of nowhere, and sometimes in the middle of nowhere you find yourself.” ~ Author unknown
Portraits of Hope: Catching Moments of Inspiration and Courage from Kids of Hope
A photo exhibit by Rhonson Ng and Jojie Alcantara
in celebration of World Cancer Day 2015 and International Childhood Cancer Day, from February 4-15, 2015.
“If you’ve come in search of me, I can be found down by the sea. Feet in the sand, wind in my hair, the Sea and Me, an inseparable pair.”
The Travel Foto Expo is traveling to Davao City for a 3-day event held in SM Lanang Premier’s SMX Convention from October 11-13, 2013.
“Making one person smile can change the world – maybe not the whole world, but their world.” Bagobo Kids Tibolo Tribal Village © Jojie Alcantara Foot of Mount Apo, Barangay Tibolo, Davao del Sur Taken in 2010 * * * *
“It is with hope that each sunrise I give her cheers her more today than yesterday, and that she will accept my messages of hope and love. This is for a very outrageous character who gives everyone around her a renewed zest for life just as she does.”
This Badjao baby caught my eye as I walked carefully on wooden planks stretched across the waters within a cluster of houses built tightly and interconnected by footpaths. The family welcomed me into their community, even though I was a stranger in their eyes, just passing by to document their unique way of life. I took note of their smiling faces, houses on stilts, and their floating boats as vehicles.
“When you arise in the morning, give thanks for the morning light, for your life and strength. Give thanks for your food, and the joy of living. If you see no reason for giving thanks, the fault lies with yourself.” ~ Chief Tecumseh Shawnee These locals run out to help boats coming in at dawn. In return, they get a few rewarded fish for breakfast from grateful fishermen. Shouldn’t humanity be as simple as this?
Announcement On BetterPhoto.com – 10/2/2012 Photographer Jojie F. Alcantara of Davao, Davao del Sur, has won Second Place for August in the prestigious photography contest sponsored by BetterPhoto.com, the site’s founder, Jim Miotke, announced Tuesday. More than 10600 entries were submitted to the online photography contest, which attracted contestants from around the world and featured 10 separate categories. Alcantara’s stunning image, “Darn It”, garnered top honors after being submitted in the Monthly Theme category. All of the winning images can be viewed at BetterPhoto.com’s contest page: http://www.betterphoto.com/contest/winners/1208.asp The contest is conducted each month. Categories include Nature and Landscapes, Animals, People, Elements of Design, Digital Darkroom, Travel and Place, Flowers, Details and Macro, Catch-All, and Monthly Theme. Judging is performed by a panel of professional photographers. Besides its free, popular photo contest, BetterPhoto.com also offers a variety of services: digital camera reviews, online photo courses, free newsletters, a discussion forum, Web sites for photographers, question-and-answer section, how-to articles, photo galleries, and more.
“Remember that you are needed. There is at least one important work to be done that will not be done unless you do it.” ~Catherine Pulsifer My favorite pastime in my province is to catch the sunrise as well as the fisherfolks during early morning routine of helping boatmen with their catch. Dahican beach, Mati, Davao Oriental
“Successful people are always looking for opportunities to help others. Unsuccessful people are always asking, “What’s in it for me?” ― Brian Tracy Typical early morning scene in the coastal village of Dahican in Mati, Davao Oriental Locals wait for the boats to come back and help fishermen unload their catch, and being rewarded by an early meal. © Jojie Alcantara
“Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.” ~ Harriet Tubman Waiting for a big break…three young surfers at sunrise Dahican beach, Mati, Davao Oriental © Jojie Alcantara
I am in General Santos City, home of our beloved world champ boxer, Manny “PacMan” Pacquiao. 🙂 This has nothing to do with him, however, since I am here for a photo workshop exclusively for the Socsargen Bloggers tomorrow, June 12. This is just my way of showing support to PacMan in his recent boxing match. Congressman Manny “PacMan” Pacquiao and me Lemlunay Resort, Sarangani back in August 14, 2010 Photo by Cocoy Sexcion Happy Independence Day, Pilipinas!
In this weaving house built for them, the gentle and colorful T’boli (ti bo lee) women weave the most sought after beautiful t’nalak (woven abaca fibers in radiant colors). The cloth, culled from tie-dyed abaca fibers of distinct red and black tones, originates from the roots and leaves of trees. Then comes the arduous process of days to weeks of stripping, boiling, soaking, drying, rubbing with wax and shells to produce the final fabric of such intense, lasting colors.
“I’m not crying out for help, but I am sharing my experience in the hopes that readers will get something out of it. I’m not the one who gets to decide what that is, if anything. I’m just starting the “journey” if you will, so I can’t possibly know yet what the “message” of my life really is. I only know what has happened so far, and how I’ve felt up until this moment. I agree that reading about the pain of others is concerning when they are still hurting and in the same situation as when they wrote about it. But what can you do? You can reach out, ask how you can help and be there to listen. You can’t save someone who doesn’t want to be saved. You can’t love someone who doesn’t love themselves enough to take care of themselves and stay out of bad situations. Believe me, I know this.” ~ Ashly Lorenzana Ashly Lorenzana is between 24-25 years old. I found her on the net when I was looking …
Signs in a store in Langkawi, Malaysia. Here’s another interesting bit I found on the net: Canon + Nikon: The Camera / Lens that Reveals a Japanese Family Secret In short, they used to be together. How fun. Langkawi is a hidden gem in Malaysia that has 99 mystical islands clumped together. It’s a UNESCO Heritage Site. Will post more about the place soon. By the way, Sony has its separate building.
“Old friends pass away, new friends appear. It is just like the days. An old day passes, a new day arrives. The important thing is to make it meaningful: a meaningful friend – or a meaningful day.” ~ Dalai Lama Spending five straight days in the quaint town of Cagwait, Surigao del Sur was a wonderful discovery, back in 2008. The first time I went there was in 2003 when I marveled at how white their beach was and how blue the coastal waters were. But the best discovery was the sunrise.
The Scene Stealer 