Pipho's Rizal-Laguna Road Trip (My first)

Taken by Regie Fernando (Founder of Pinoy Photography)

I still feel my body aching after that long trip that I had courtesy of Pipho. I was a bit hesitant in joining since I didn't know when was the exact date of the trip. Prior to the trip itself, I was filled with excitement to visit other destinations in Rizal and Laguna that I haven't been to for the past 31 years. Even if I'm not sure with my schedule for July, I still signed-up for the trip hoping I would be able to join with fellow photographers. Contrary to what my other friends told me about the places we were going infested with NPA's our roadtrip was a safe one.

Good thing, my former boss gave me a Sat-Sun off which allowed me to join. However, there were some challenges including the schedule itself for the road-trip as to when will it exactly happen. After a couple of discussions, it was decided that it would be on the 31st of July. Another challenge was which van I will be included at but it has been fixed before the day itself.

At around 5:30am, I was already at our meeting place together with the other Piphols. We exchanged pleasantries first before we were briefed on our itinerary. I hoped there were more time with doing some socials as I'm not yet familiar with some of the Piphols I've joined though I've been familiar with some of them.

We left our meeting place at past 5:30am and went to our first destination.  We passed by a certain spot somewhere in Rizal overlooking a good view of Laguna De Bay in the morning. I was able to take a snapshot of the place several times before we moved on to our next location.

One of the Church Doors in St Jerome's Church

About St Jerome's Church in Morong

Our official first stop was at St. Jerome Church in Morong, Rizal. It was my first time to set foot there but not my first time to take pictures of a church in Rizal built in 1800's. I tried to take the best pictures of the entire church as well as its details too. We didn't stay there that long since we need to go to another location. 

The Lush Greens at Pacheco's Place

Our next was was at Pacheco's Gallery in Morong, Rizal.The place was owned by Señor Rafael Pacheco which is considered as the father of finger painting here in the Philippines. Though I haven't seen or noticed his works that much since I was busy looking for a good vantage point to shoot, I'll be going back there to take a deeper look into his artwork and hopefully he won't be shouting at me just as he did with some of my fellow photographers.

More lush greens available for viewing

We stopped by through a rice field and took some shots. For one, I like shooting landscapes and nature with a little people on the background (or foreground) and this was a good training exercise for my eyes.

One shot inside Baras Church

History of Baras Church

Then, we head off to Baras Church located in Baras, Rizal. Again, this was another old church built during the 17th century. If my memory serves me right, there was a mass going on there but attendees were a handful.

One sample shot at the Famous Parola

The Famous Parola in Tanay

After our 2nd church stop, we went on to Tanay, Rizal to see its the famous parola. Now I know why most photographers do go here. It not just about the parola itself but what it surrounds it. The tranquility in its surroundings and of course, lots of subject to shoot XD.

Lunch time, we were some where in Tanay but it was raining during that time. I was hoping it won't rain once we pass by some stops in Laguna. After lunch, we went straight to Laguna to get some more shots.

On our way there, we took a different route. Then we stopped at one spot to take some pictures of the scenery. That was the second time of the day that we were in high altitude and we were able to take more photos from the top.

Pakil Church in Pakil, Laguna

I really like taking pictures of these XD.

What more with these? XD

Once we descended down, we were already in Laguna. Far away Laguna, probably the other side of it. After a while we were already in Pakil, Laguna. We stopped by at it church and there was a fiesta-wedding event there, thus making our visit more meaningful as we were able to take pictures of the festivities of love and happiness there.

Taken at Paete Church

Paete Church's History

However, weather wasn't on our side as it continued raining going to Paete, Laguna. We visited its church which was the fourth in our itinerary. I took some more snaps before deciding it was time to rest a little bit from shooting the whole day.

Jesus Christ in Wood.

Time to go home.

Then we head to our next stop (which was our last since rain doesn't stop =( ) which is one of the wood carving shops in Paete. I was able to maximize the use of my 50mm prime lens since I'm not using any flash to take pictures so as not to disturb the workers there.

We were supposed to go to Lake Caliraya for a good sunset shots by the lake but unfortunately for us, the rain didn't stop. We had to be contented with passing by other towns in Laguna that I see for the first time. We bought our pasalubong in Los Baños. I got 2 boxes of buko pie for my wife and my in-laws.

Finally, we had our dinner along one of the gas stations in SLEX before parting ways back at Shell in Ortigas. The road trip was really fun as I leaned a lot from my fellow photographers and enjoyed their company as well.