Lapaz, Zamboanga City

Lapaz is one of the 98 Baranggays in Zamboanga City, Philippines. It is located along the east coast of the city. This place is also know as the "Baguiao of Zamboanga" beacause the weather is colder due to its high elevation.

I've been to Lapaz recently and it is so much different now since the last time I visited. The road is paved and the many house are built. Thankfully, the trees were still alive and the fog is still within reach. However, the thought of building the paved road in this baranggay, one can conclude that it cost the lives of many trees. :( 

While we where leaving the place with a motorbike, I hastily took my smartphone when the heavens fell. I filmed the surreal atmosphere with my phone while the motorbike was speeding along the paved road. It was cold and I loved it. Too bad I left my Samsung NX200 at home. If I only had my NX200 with me, I could have taken a better quality video than the one showed below. Still, I manged to make it loo a little appealing by editing the video in Adobe Premiere Pro. I changed the color a bit, applied a colder tone. I slowed down the video for a relaxng ride. Added a surreal music to reflect the feeling I had while shooting this. (though I'm aware that music mood can be subjective)

So if you happen to visit Zamboanga City, and offered an opportunity to visit this place, please do not hesitate to say "yes". It is all worth it!

Shot with my smartphone, Cloudfone Excite Prime.

video was edited in Adobe Premiere Pro

Bunguiao, Zamboanga City Philippines

Bunguiao is one of the 98 baranggay in Zamboanga City Philippine. It is located on the east coast of Zamboanga. People here speak pure Chavacano (Philippines' Broken Spanish dialect) Bunguiao is a love place. It is a place that teaches you that a simple life would more likely bring you to happines.

I fell in love with this place. My job sent me here and this place has become my second home. This is a small 'barrio' is surrounded by forest. The air always feel fresh. The water is always cold, straight from springs and it is always free! Electric wires and posts are built but the electric company has not provided the electricity yet. So there are no TVs, internet, or any electronic entertainment. There isn't and mobile phone signal either. But people still find ways to have fun by playing cards and drinking alcohol, which is not-so-cool. 

I met many beautiful people and made friends. Life in this place is a bit harder than in the "pueblo" or downtown. Farming is the main source of money nd that is quite difficult. I hope to leave my imprint into the people in this place before I leave. 

Here are some videos I shot in this place :)

Enjoy! 

ECOZONE ZAMBOANGA

I simply got fed up from work. This had made me decide to take a long break and have a good time in my hometown. Well, as usual, I always invite my siblings and my cousin to go out with me when I get home. We planned to go to the beach. However, the plan has changed. My mom and my aunt decided to go with us too; they’re afraid that their skin will get darker.  They spoke like they hated the beach.

The kids were excited. I was excited too.  Everyone was ready. Off to Ecozone!

My brother is very conceited. 

LOL at the swag. The hipster in me. Go indie art and fashion. 

After arguing with the kids to where to go, we ended up in Ecozone or the Zamboanga Freeport. It was an hour away from downtown. We didn’t have our own vehicle so we walked from the gate of Ecozone going to the pool. It’s a little distant. It took us around 15mins to get to our destination.

My mom enjoyed while she walked. She has never done this for quite a while now.
Rhea and Aika were a liitle camera shy. 

Rhea and Aika have twin voices. Walking is the best exercise.

Anti, very superstitious.

Almost there!

The destination was not surprising. Nothing is really special with the place except the view of the lake, the car cable ride and the ever popular but boring zip line. My sister tried the zip line. I didn’t.  Zip line does not fascinate me. 

the lake with the zip line cable above it.

Ecozone pool. Great for family trips. Not too deep and not to shallow.

Isn't it obvious? we're having so much fun.

FUN!

Don't worry. She's not scared. 

I just realized that the coolest people on earth are found at home. Now I’m back here in the metro, I am missing them. My family is something that I can never replace.  I am looking forward to go back home again and spend quality time with them again.  

In the van while going home. Crazy little big boys.

Photoshoot

In deed, blood is thicker than water.