Thursday, December 30, 2010

2010 Year-Ender : My Travels in a 3-Minute Video

If there is a word that can describe 2010 for me, it has to be "change". Place. Gears. Hopes. Faith. Relationships. Health. Success, Failures. These are all the many changes in my life.

2010 is an eventful year for me. This is the year when I almost die when our boat capsized in Baler. That single event took away my beloved Canon DSLR together with my UWA, 70-300mm, 50mm and 18-135mm lenses.(See my story here). That experience definitely changed the way I travel for I haven't had any single boat ride since then. Eventually, I know I will overcome that traumatic experience and once again ride a boat to continue my journey.

2010 is also the year when my Hanging House in Batad photo was featured in Reader's Digest Unseen Asia portion. This was the first time that a photo I have submitted was featured in a well-known magazine so this truly is a big deal for me. (See my story here). And it came just in the right time when I was seriously considering to give-up my travel-photography because of the Baler incident.

Gears-wise, I am still in the process of building-up my photography gadgets and I have re-started it with my new Canon 50D DSRL. I am still saving for new lenses thou. I also said goodbye to my trusted Neo Spiderman Laptop but welcomed my new Acer Notebook.

But the biggest change for me this year was definitely my choice of leaving Cabanatuan City to reside and work in Manila. The last six months in Manila were not that easy and I know that tougher times are ahead but I am optimistic that with the help of my family and friends, coupled with my faith and determination, I know I can survive this.

Now, travel-wise, 2010 is not that many compared to 2009 and 2008 but I still had great time. I got to travel a lot with travel buddies Dong Ho and Scud this year and went on a couple of trips with Philippine's bests Erick, Lantaw, Ironwulf and Lagalog. I got to meet some bloggers too this year, some of which have become good friends like Sheng, Ric, Olan and Ria. I have also met some of the best and promising travel-bloggers in the country like the Pinay Travel Junkie, Bariles, Melo, Pinay Solo Backpacker, Monette of Flip n' Travels, Estan and Nina of Just Wandering. Hopefully, I could meet more travel-bloggers of the same minds in the future.

As for my Top Ten Travels for 2010, my trips to scenic Calaguas and adventure-filled Davao City will definitely be on the list. As well as memorable Baler, majestic Albay and small but expensive Singapore. The rest of the countdown shall be posted at the start of the coming year.

I have also included here two other videos I have made early this year. My adventure with Dong Ho, Scud and Jon in our White Water Rafting in Davao City and the Maxima Aqua Fun in the Island Garden City of Samal.





And since this is my last post for the year, again, I would like to thank all of you for visiting this humble blog and leaving your comments. I truly appreciate them for they keep me going even through these difficult times.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

18 comments:

  1. The video is awesome as are all your photos -- as always! Thanks so much for taking us along and for sharing your incredible travels! The very next best thing to being there myself! Hope your week is going well! Wishing you a very Happy New Year -- again!

    Sylvia

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  2. A good year for all f us. Happy new year Atty. Oman.

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  3. Definitely, the highlight of this year was the Baler incident. That could be traumatic, but at the same time, it's a life changing experience. (though ayoko to maexperience 1st hand.. hehe)

    Sana next year kasama na ko sa bloggers you'll meet or travel with! =)

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  4. It's crazy what happened to your photography gears all in one dash. But it's an inspiration that you still keep on taking awesome shots and rebuilding your gadgets. If it's passion, it will never die.

    I hope to meet more travel bloggers in Manila! Happy New Year Oman!

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  5. Sabi nga ng Side A, There's a rainbow always after the rain. Kaya I know 2011 will be better for you.

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  6. Good and bad, all things are blessings. It's how we know we're alive.

    Happy New Year Lawstude!!!

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  7. For me, it's REINVENTION.

    Happy New Year, Lawstude!

    Glad that I found your site. Great source of inspiration. :)

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  8. Nice end of the year post.

    Hope you come back to Davao soon, we have more adventures for you. ;-)

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  9. Cheers for more travel in the coming year. Thanks for sharing those good stories and awesome travel pictures... I have seen in your blog. And for linking my travel blog!

    Happy 2011!!!

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  10. happy new year! hinanap ko name ko pero wala pa. hahaha. you made a nice video collage of your trips.

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  11. Love the video. What a great adventure. Hope 2011 may be a better year for all of us. Happy New Year. :)

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  12. Happy New Year to you and yours. I cannot see the video right now, but I will be back to view it.

    Thanks for a year of wonderfully composed posts filled with stories that hold your attention and pictures that make you wanna pick up your jaw from the floor.

    More Power.

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  13. very nice...like it...background music also nice....

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  14. That was a blast in 2010 Lawstude. More travels to come and to share in 2011. Happy New Year.

    P.S. Vanessa, I think you are referring to Southborder. Hehehe.

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  15. Change is good :D
    I wish you more blessings, more travels, more love this Christmas and the new year that lies ahead bai :D

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  16. Hi Lawstude! Fabulous video! I wish I was there...

    Have a Happy and Successful New Year!! Wish you all the best!!
    Horus and Sobek wait for you at Kom Ombo. Enjoy!

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  17. Marami ka na rin palang na-meet na fellow travel bloggers. Wish I could do that someday too.

    Happy New Year Lawstude! More travels in 2011!

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  18. Happy New Year Lawstude!! :) More travels this 2011!! Apir!! :)

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