Shots - Tumblr Posts
Girl you inspire when you are mischievous | Mila Mischief
Manny the Alcoholic Robot Monkey returns, and as usual the game is drinking.
(c) Jena T.
Fort Santiago, Intramuros Day Tour - June 6, 2015
(c) Jena T.
Spotted a random couple taking in the glorious sunset (by far the best I’ve seen in my lifetime) at one of the beaches in Bolinao, Pangasinan. Little did these two know, I was already sneakily snapping some shots with my camera. Haha.
Anyway, hello Tumblr! I’m still alive. :-)
(c) Jena T.
Blue is the color of paradise.
(c) Jena T.
Bolinao & Alaminos, Pangasinan Tour - June 12-14, 2015
This long overdue post of my trip to Pangasinan last June is me keeping my promise to blog more about the happenings in my life, albeit it took me five months after to get around to actually writing about it. I have no other excuse except for the typical “I’ve just really been too preoccupied with the present and getting through many rough school days.” Alas, I’m here now and finally blogging about it.
No words would suffice to express how breathtaking Bolinao was. Patar White Beach has pristine waters. Balingasay river is so crystal clear that the water reflects the sky and the native trees surrounding it. The town is busy but not overwhelming. At the time, many tourists were flocking in, taking photos of every possible photogenic thing they could see. Every meal we had was scrumptious and filling. The townspeople were well-versed, nice, and warm too. The road trip going there may be 7hrs-long but enjoyable when you're with the family. I wasn't able to visit their famous caves and falls but it was made up for, just by luck, an access to the town's Chuch bell tower. I remember my parents and I going up a dark stairway to be greeted by small bats, and looking out the window, we beheld a great view of the sea and the town proper. If you must go to Bolinao, try to access the bell tower too.
Alaminos, on the other hand, was a few towns over and was just as beaut! It is the home to the famous Hundred Islands National Park, which refers to the hundred islands scattered over the Lingayen Gulf. One can tour the town of Alaminos and the hundred islands in just a day. You can bask under the sun all day long, dive in the deep sea waters to check out the corals and colorful fishes, and zip line too, if you will.
But goodness, the sunset back in Bolinao was still the main highlight of our stay. Imagine watching with unwavering gaze as the fiery red orb of light slowly sank beneath the horizon, and the heavens were dyed orange, then red, dark blue, until it turned mauve, which then melted away as stygian darkness took over the sky. I was just in awe at that moment. Until today, I am wishing I could relive our stay and all the moments in between.
My biggest take away from this vacation isn’t the answers to “How do I go to all these tourist sites in just three days? How do I maximize my stay? How do I make sure I take the perfect shots?”, but it’s this: The Philippines is dotted with stunning tourist destinations. Consider going to these places first before thinking of going to another country, research if you have to. I’m still amazed by how beautiful Bolinao was but it’s not as popular as Boracay or Puerto Princesa. It’s a true hidden gem. I guess that’s also a good thing as the people could preserve the immaculate beauty of the town’s beaches for a long time. I didn’t think I’d be having the most amazing time in Pangasinan but I did because, the secret is, in addition to all I’ve said, don't tour just to cross it off your list, tour because you want to experience the place.
Check out my other photos of the trip here, here, and here! :)
(c) Jena T.
11/6/15. I can’t remember the last time I took a walk around the campus alone. Oh how I cherish these moments of solitude and quiet.
(c) Jena T.
11/6/15. I can’t remember the last time I took a walk around the campus alone. Oh how I cherish these moments of solitude and quiet.
(c) Jena T.
Rock in Focus - November 7, 2015
Went to UP IE Club’s event called Rock in Focus last night and finally got to watch one of my favorite artists sing live! Boy, does this man have heart and soul when he sings. Everyone should get to witness his vocal power in person at least once in their lives. Bullet Dumas, saludo ako sa’yo.
If you don’t know Bullet Dumas yet, you could check out his soundcloud here!
(c) Jena T.
09/07/15. I remember this shoot with my orgmates all too well. We faced many bumps on the road: It was a really hot September day for a shoot in Intramuros. Once we arrived at one of the Baluartes, the guards stationed were asking us for a permit (‘cause we didn’t know we need one to be able to hold a shoot), so we had to go to the Church to get one, and once we did, we were already falling behind schedule. Because of that, we had to choose our spots fast and take photos really quickly.
Were we a scene to behold - imagine girls wearing white and black dresses, and guys wearing polo and dark blazers crossing roads, running around, and posing for photos in the middle of the streets. There were many times I had to jump out of the way just to avoid getting run over by vehicles as I take photos. Although a tiring day, it was a fun and memorable. These are just a few outtakes from the main shoot itself. Featured in these photos is my friend and orgmate, Pat! :)
(c) Jena T.
09/07/15. I remember this shoot with my orgmates all too well. We faced many bumps on the road: It was a really hot September day for a shoot in Intramuros. Once we arrived at one of the Baluartes, the guards stationed were asking us for a permit (‘cause we didn’t know we need one to be able to hold a shoot), so we had to go to the Church to get one, and once we did, we were already falling behind schedule. Because of that, we had to choose our spots fast and take photos really quickly.
Were we a scene to behold - imagine girls wearing white and black dresses, and guys wearing polo and dark blazers crossing roads, running around, and posing for photos in the middle of the streets. There were many times I had to jump out of the way just to avoid getting run over by vehicles as I take photos. Although a tiring day, it was a fun and memorable. These are just a few outtakes from the main shoot itself. Featured in these photos is my friend and orgmate, Pat! :)
11/23/15. Interviewed my friend and high school batchmate for my Speech case study today! A formal interview about her musical career ended up becoming a casual conversation and a catch-up as well. I’m so proud of this girl’s achievements since we graduated high school.
Philippines, watch out for this girl! Issa Rodriguez will blow you away with her hearfelt Flipino songs soon. :)
If you’re curious and want to check out her music, here’s a link to her soundcloud! Worth the listen, promise! ^_^
March for Climate Justice
(c) Jena T.
March for Climate Justice Philippines - November 28, 2015
In the Philippines, to see people marching on the streets with colorful costumes, streamers, and banners, followed by a band playing loud and upbeat music, signify that there’s a fiesta going on. On the other hand, to see people gathered by the roads, chanting protests, would mean totally different - there is a rally. This time, however, it was a little bit of both.
Last November 28, 2015, many people flocked Quezon City Memorial Circle to march for climate justice. This was held in line with the Global Climate March happening in 150 other countries prior the COP21 in Paris. COP21 refers to 21st Conference of Parties, wherein global leaders discussed and agreed on actions to take in the future that will prevent climate change from reaching catastrophic levels.
Spearheaded by the Philippine Movement for Climate Justice, the march in Quezon City is just one of the many staged marches across the country; other sites (in Luzon only) were in Semirara Island, Batangas, Occidental Mindoro, Laguna, Bataan, and Zambales. Given that the Philippines is one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change, it is paramount for people here to stage a nationwide mass action. It is time everyone in the world considers more seriously and carefully the negative impacts of carbon emissions and our reliance on fossil fuels.
Many people from different sectors of society came together, may it be religious groups, labor unions, youth organizations, even groups of foreigners, just to name a few. Hearts all beating as one, we lobbied for Climate Justice around the 25-hectare QC circle.
Among the themes that echoed during the protest are energy transformation, right to food, land, and water, justice and reparations for affected people, protection of our common home, jobs and just transition, and youth. I was part of the Cut it Deep, Cut Now group demanding the increase in global temperature be limited to 1.5°C. Whether it’s reducing exposure to severe drought, flooding, spread of disease, intensity of typhoons or sea level rise, scientific studies conclusively say the damage will be profoundly reduced by staying within 1.5° of warming --- which was actually SUCCESSFULLY agreed upon in COP21 a few days after the global march! YES, you read that right!
For the first time in COP history, representatives to the COP21 finally reached a universal and legally-binding agreement on climate change last December 12. One of the agreed upon terms is that developed and developing countries will ensure and are required to limit their emissions to relatively safe levels - 1.5°C. Finally! If you want to see list of other agreed terms, check this link: http://www.c2es.org/international/negotiations/cop21-paris/summary.
COP21, as well as the March for Climate Justice Philippines, were momentous. I’m really proud to have been part of this grand, festive, and historic march. However, this is just the first step in the battle against climate change. There’s still a lot to be done, one of which is standing by the agreement. I hope the Philippines, the government and its people, act and contribute to this fight as it is our homes and lives that hang in the balance.
(c) Jena T.
Shots of Boston, MA - Dec-Jan 2016
JFK Library & Museum, Old South Church, Boston Public Library, Trinity Church, Museum of Fine Arts, & CambridgeSide Galleria
(c) Jena T.
Shots of Boston, MA - Dec-Jan 2016
JFK Library & Museum, Old South Church, Boston Public Library, Trinity Church, Museum of Fine Arts, & CambridgeSide Galleria
(c) Jena T.
A blue wonderland.
Bukal Falls, Majayjay, Laguna / Kilangin Falls, Liliw - March 20, 2016