Getaway at Playa Laiya

Photo by JC Villalva.

As mentioned in the previous post, I had a lovely day on the beach with friends last week.

Gunslinging at the Commander Shooting Range

Hold the stance, hold the gun tightly, anxious and unsure. Aim and concentrate, wonder if you’ll hit the center of the target. Wonder if you’ll hit the target paper at all. Hope that you don’t shoot anybody. Hold your breath as you squeeze that trigger. A big bang. It all happens so fast. A hole on the target and the smell of gun powder in the room. Aim again, be more relaxed. Taste the gunpowder. Hold the gun confidently now. Pull the trigger. And again, and again.

Want more. Decide to hang the target paper in your room. Decide you want to be a sniper when you grow up. Shoot anyone who laughs at the dream.

Visited the Commander Shooting Center last Saturday. Read more on that here.

"Pabili po"

Bri, Jayce, Ian, and I visited the shooting range today. Such a cool experience, but that's for another time.

After shooting, Ian wanted to buy something to drink. He got us Cokes from a small store across the street.

Said store had very interesting personnel.

ANTM models in Boracay!

Because it's not everyday that you find America's Next Top models frolicking about. 

Allison Harvard (ANTM cycle 12 runner up) and Dominique Reighard (ANTM cycle 10)!

On that Rappler internship

Maria Ressa commented on my exit piece! Gasp! 

Read more on my Rappler experience here: Those 300 hours in Rappler

Interns with Ma'am Maria, Ma'am Chay, Ma'am Beth and Ma'am Lala. (Photo from Loj Guinmapang)

My certificate with the Maria Ressa and of course, Chay Hofilena. (Photo from David Lozada)

The Palaro team! With Sir Josh, Sir David, Sir Rupert, Miss Natashya, and Kuya Tsarlllyyyy. (Photo from Loj Guinmapang)

I will miss Rappler! Remember: Tomorrow begins today (Photo form Joulo Visabella)

Rappler Team for Palarong Pambansa 2012

I just got home from the Pangasinan. I spent the week as part of Rappler's Palaro team. We covered this year's Palarong Pambansa and aimed to tell the stories of our young outstanding athletes.

There were so many stories to tell, each one more heartwarming than the last.

In a span of 7 long days, I've met so many interesting people– got to know others better, got to know myself better.

I learned that if I were tired enough, I could ignore a man screaming Lady Gaga songs at 1 in the morning. Learned that Off lotion is essential when sleeping in a kubo and that a water pitcher will do a good enough job when there is no shower or tabo.

Realized that the beach could be ignored when other responsibilities are in sight and that waking up is less of a chore when you are preoccupied with thinking about the work you'd have to do ahead in the day.

Learned that I should always bring the DSLR on events such as this one.

That there is no Mcdo in Lingayen, and Mcdo Dagupan will not deliver to said town.

I learned that there are still so many things that I have yet to discover and experience.

And that I would do all of this again in a heartbeat.

L-R (Sir Dexter, Miss Natashya, Benise who is really Benoit, Loj, David, and I)

There are so many things I've learned, and to say that this experience is an enriching one would be an understatement.

The product of all our hard work here: Palaro 2012 Rappler Coverage

Timmy's take on that Batangas trip

By Tim Serrano

My friend, Timmy, takes the most beautiful photos ever. A very talented photographer, he's also the only person I know with this much passion and love for the art. This is a shot he took while on the shoot/trip last month. He took this using a film camera. Brilliant, yes? Check out all his other photos on http://ffeathered.tumblr.com/.

Timmy and his photos are just <3

In Photos: Batangas Shoot