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KATIE THURMES
"WE TAKE PHOTOS AS A RETURN TICKET TO A
MOMENT OTHERWISE GONE."
GALLERY
Photos Featured by our Admins!
Marvelous Lights of Christmas
By: Eunyse Jed J. Jayectin
On the days nearing Christmas, a festival in a town, in the Province of Compostela Valley, lights up the night brighter than the stars that light up the sky. This is the Diwanag Festival in Montevista, Compostela Valley. Otherwise called the “Festival of Lights”, this festival never failed to bring happiness to people every month of December.
Starting in 1999 and being a month long celebration since 2005, it kept the Christmas spirit alive not only to the people living in the town but also to the people traveling from various places just to visit this enormous event. Each year, different barangays in Montevista exhibit their creative ideas through the installation of different kinds of outdoor lights and Christmas decoration — especially the belen, but to make it more challenging it became a competition. Moreover, it also showcased different Christmas trees made up of recycled materials presented by different schools of Montevista — both elementary and high school.
Through the leadership of Mayor “Topoy” Jayectin, each year since 2016, it completed different themes like “Churches in the World”, “Winter Christmas Villages”, and “Diwanag goes... Disneyland on Christmas.” This attracted and invited more people from different places to witness the said event. This year, people look forward to this highlight of Christmas season, full of excitement and exhilaration of what it has to offer.
Photo Credits: Sir Mark Ian
Untold Beauty of the Upi
By: Leigh Veronica S. Ortega
On the southern isle of the Philippines, hidden from the mountain ranges where trees grow praising the beautiful creation of the Almighty, under the clouds of the sun, where moonlight can reach every soil of its land, where the humidity of its air mesmerizes its living individual, a beautiful town is found called Upi. It is full of generous, faithful, and friendly people, called the Upians. It has cold temperature that’s why it is known as the summer capital of Maguindanao or the Little Baguio.
This local place is composed of tri-people: the Tedurays, Moros, and the Christian Settlers. They have different beliefs, traditions, and practices, but they unite the municipality through respecting each other’s uniqueness.
Many tourists visit the town, especially when the coldest month of the year comes, which every child wraps its gift and place it under the Christmas tree, because they have an annual celebration of Meguyaya Festival, which is the thanksgiving for the bountiful harvest of the farmers in the town. They are celebrating the festival with many activities such as street dancing competition that portrays the culture of the tri-people, Cultural night, Local Government Unit night, Mutya ng Upi pageant, trade fair, and unlimited grilled corns.
The tourists also visit different places to spot the beauty of nature in Upi like the Kiga, Kibucay, Ranao Pilayan, Malibacao falls, and the breathtaking views of the moutains. It is not hard to approach the people in Upi, the Upians because of their kindness.
Upi is not just the place we are visiting but it is the people who live in the community harmoniously. Indeed, Upi is empowered not only by the people who live here but also by the culture that they've preserved through the years that brings light, joy and hope to the Upians that will not be replaced or forgotten.
Photo Credits: UYGP4
A PLACE LIKE HOME
By: kAYLEE FRAN MARIE S. TAURO
Davao City is known for being a productive city and is slowly climbing its way as one of the most productive cities in the Philippines. And among the barangays in the city, one barangay is also making its way to be known, it is Tibungco. Tibungco is the 3rd to the last barangay approaching Davao del Norte and as expected, its ambiance is similar as to the provinces, unlike the downtown area of the city. But even if provincial-like ambiance, it is slowly becoming productive. First off, St. Francis Xavier Parish, located in Tibungco is well-known for its monument of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ that is built in the highest point of the church’s area. Devotees would visit the church most especially during Holy Week in the month of April. Second, Tibungco is known for its public market. The Tibungco Public Market is known for being a one stop shop for anything. From farm products such as poultry and vegetables to even second hand clothes and pirated DVDs. And finally Tibungco is known for its means of transportation which are motorcycles tricycles. One of the major problems of the barangay is the road and the only way to go to places around the area is through motorcycles and tricycles. And even if it can be troublesome, but it is enjoyable and consider it to be my “stress-reliever”.
Growing up in Tibungco, I really experience the simple life even though I live within the city. But as always there are struggles in living 1 hour and 30 min. away from the city, such as traveling for work and school and when emergencies occur it is indeed troublesome to travel that far. But even after all of these, Tibungco is still a barangay worth visiting and it is a place like home.
One of the best way to bond with your family is to travel. Life gets really busy, sometimes we don’t always pay enough attention to the people who are most important to us. Travelling with your family is an opportunity to spend quality time together, just having fun with each others company. Moreover, Travelling is a great way to make new memories. Memories that will last a lifetime and you can treasure forever. Always remember to take a lot of pictures so that when you look at that photo in the future you can reminisce about how much fun you had with your family. Also when the kids grow up they can share this to their future kids this beautiful experience they had with their parents. Its nice to travel with your family once a year to the places you’ve never been before, its so convenient if you travel first to places that is near your area, its always beautiful to see the beauty of our own islands, travel spots and etc. Like Samal Island, theres a lot of beautiful and affordable resorts there, Boracay, El nido Palawan, Baguio, Bohol and a lot more. Also its very affordable that you wont worry on how much you will spend. And after travelling in your local area you can try travelling abroad and experience their culture, explore the country, communicate to the locals and maybe you can communicate to the OFW’s that are working there when you need help in directions. In order for your family to travel its better to save money so that you travel more in different places, countries as long as you want. Enjoy every moment with your family, and Make a wonderful memories with them.
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By: Kristine Faye H. Racho
Beachy Escape Escapade
By: Guia Khrisna L. Pama
I love beaches and islands. I love the white damp sand in between my toes, the water lapping at my feet, the salt water in my mouth, and the distinct salt odor in the air. Just being in the beach makes me want to live there and never come back. It is a relaxing place to be that will surely help you escape from the stress, and worries of your hectic life. I mean who wouldn’t love the beach? The mere thought of walking barefoot in the sand makes my heart flutter. The province of Surigao del Sur is known for its magnificent inlands and islands. This province is worthwhile because it will give you an incredible adventure into a magnificent destination. In the small town of Barobo, just a 30-minute boat ride from the port or even in the old market, a piece of paradise on earth awaits. Cabgan Island is a popular island and is only one of the many tourist spots that the province is blessed of.
Imagine standing in white sand beach as you hear the birds sing their devil-may-care songs, engrossed with their own proclivities. Imagine taking a step to the waves lazily dancing towards the shore. Feel the water splash upon your feet then the soft foams run back to the ocean. Feel the gentle warm sunlight on your cheeks as it reinvigorates your very soul. Listen to the beat of your heart as sun, sand and sea does its magic and sends you adrift to happy memories you never knew you had. Feel the calm and peace envelope you as the waves wash away all your worries, past and future, to the unfathomable Pacific. Then you take another step and another and another until your feet can’t touch the ground anymore, you notice your arms move naturally along the waves as you swim farther into the sea. Then you stop. You float on your back as the waves sway your whole body. Then you feel the present, that exact moment, where you can finally say- Life is worth living.
Photo Credits: Jackie Besas