“There is only one important point you must keep in your mind and let it be your guide. No matter what people call you, you are just who you are. Keep to this truth. You must ask yourself how is it you want to live your life. We live and we die, this is the truth that we can only face alone. No one can help us, not even the Buddha. So consider carefully, what prevents you from living the way you want to live your life?” ― Dalai Lama XIV
The best and most creative toilet I’ve ever seen or experienced is in Yuyu Dessert Bar and Cafe, Tagum City. You can just stay here and sing along all day long. What wonderful toilet humor! (best viewed on HD) Oh, and this Cafe serves delicious food. 🙂
“I have been through a lot and have suffered a great deal. But I have had lots of happy moments, as well. Every moment one lives is different from the other. The good, the bad, hardship, the joy, the tragedy, love, and happiness are all interwoven into one single, indescribable whole that is called life. You cannot separate the good from the bad. And perhaps there is no need to do so, either.” ~ Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis
“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?
“To improve the golden moment of opportunity, and catch the good that is within our reach, is the great art of life.” ~ Samuel Johnson
Welcome to my world of art, travel, writing and photography. Just sharing my passion in a positive way and hoping it will inspire you to follow your dreams too.
“Even though fixed in time, a photograph evokes as much feeling as that which comes from music or dance. Whatever the mode – from the snapshot to the decisive moment to multi-media montage – the intent and purpose of photography is to render in visual terms feelings and experiences that often elude the ability of words to describe. In any case, the eyes have it, and the imagination will always soar farther than was expected”. – Ralph Gibson
My photography is simple in composition, more often emotional and dramatic, but easy on the eyes. Because of my orientation as a painter and artist, I view each capture as evocative scenes I want to brush on canvas. The changing header you see above are snippets of my life as a photojournalist all these years.
Oops, framed! Photo by Jojie Alcantara Cats of Juliana Palermo
“I find hope in the darkest of days, and focus in the brightest. I do not judge the universe.” ~ Dalai Lama Posted this image after my family survived the flash flood that almost wiped out everything we have, including our home last June 29, 2011. We survived on hope and faith that things will get better for us. Sunrise in Mati, Davao Oriental by Jojie Alcantara UPDATE: One year later, I have revisited this post and remember the kindness of our community, of everyone trying to reach out and help. We have started all over again and the journey is still long, but moving out into a better home was worth the pain and stress endured. This was how I got immersed in creating an inspirational and motivational blog for everyone to learn lessons from. I have always been a positive person, and each downfall I’ve gotten are lessons learned about life, not a way for me to put blame on others. One day soon, I will be able to write about the pain …
Sitio Colagsing, Barangay Tanglad, Sta. Maria Davao del Sur Photography, Jojie Alcantara Once upon a time, residents of Sitio Colagsing used to take small boats to get to the other side of town. Children ride bancas to reach school. With a newly developed road, they can now travel by land. Colagsing has a hidden paradise of long beach strip with sands like fine powder. At the end of the coastline, there is Colagsing Point, which has a small cave and a jutting rock the shape of head with a face like that of The Grinch. They call it “Lungag Bato” (Cave Rock). Excerpt from my article “Hidden Wonders of Sta. Maria”: There’s a tempting getaway from stress and urban hub in a matter of two hours or ninety six kilometers south of Davao City. All it takes is a bus or private vehicle for a smooth and scenic ride to a little municipality called Sta. Maria in Davao del Sur. How do you know that you’re there? After a panoramic vista of Malalag Bay over …
For a simple lady who used to daydream of youthful ambitions and longed for a lasting recognition she can leave her kids, this is a lasting legacy I can be proud of. That I can dream of anything as long as I work hard for it. On May 2011, my photo finally made it to the cover of Philippine Airline’s Mabuhay Magazine. Editor tells me I may be the first female photographer to have done so. This photo was made possible because I rode in an open chopper to shoot Mount Mayon while still on an alert level at that time. This is a feat for me considering that a decade ago I was terrified of heights (and water, enclosed spaces, commitment, and every paranoia I could conjure). Once upon a time, I was stuck inside a box, never wanting to leave the comforts of four corners. The day I made a 360 degree turn, broadened my horizon, and lived outside of the box, was a time I learned to appreciate the life I secretly …
“One’s destination is never a place but rather a new way of looking at things.”
(Henry Miller)
“Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful, we must carry it with us or we find it not.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson Sunset at Angkor, Siem Reap by Jojie Alcantara View more of my photos in Siem Reap here
“Look at children. Of course they may quarrel, but generally speaking they do not harbor ill feelings as much or as long as adults do. Most adults have the advantage of education over children, but what is the use of an education if they show a big smile while hiding negative feelings deep inside? Children don’t usually act in such a manner. If they feel angry with someone, they express it, and then it is finished. They can still play with that person the following day.” ~ Dalai Lama XIV My baby Kameron and cousin Princess, with a new found friend at the People’s Park
Happiness is like a butterfly which, when pursued, is always beyond our grasp, but, if you will sit down quietly, may alight upon you. ~Nathaniel Hawthorne Tacurong City, Sultan Kudarat Province Photography, Jojie Alcantara
Don’t walk in front of me, I may not follow. Don’t walk behind me, I may not lead. Just walk beside me and be my friend. ~Albert Camus Photography, Jojie Alcantara Following my two good friends Art Boncato and Ian Garcia Down the path of Ta Phrom temples, Siem Reap, Cambodia while the sunlight shines through the trees over them.
Nokia N8 from Smart Gold: Watch the video and see what Sid Maderazo, Basti Artadi and Jojie Alcantara have to say about the Nokia N8! Unlimited Mobile Internet available with Smart Gold!
Workshop in progress… Discover Davao with Rhonson Ng and Jojie Alcantara Cafe Demitasse
Workshop in progress… Discover Davao with Rhonson Ng and Jojie Alcantara Cafe Demitasse
Candles and prayers for the victims of the recent earthquake and tsunami in Japan. May we all rise above this ordeal and recover in faith, love and support. Jojie Alcantara
The Scene Stealer 