Text by Geebee Casiano
Title Photo courtesy of Zer Cabatuan
Corregidor Island, Cavite, Philippines
November 19 – 20, 2011

Gone for the weekend…

PiPho Org in partnership with RedDot Philippines went out for a photo safari at “The Rock” (Corregidor Island) to test the newest line of Olympus PEN Cameras. RedDot Philippines is  the official distributor of Olympus cameras and other imaging devices.

I was lucky I was one of the chosen participants as this was my first time to come and conquer Corregidor. This was also my first ever photo safari with PiPho Org.

There were 23 participants coming from PiPho Org, alongside are members from the OlyClub (Olympus Club of the Philippines), the RedDot staff and Japanese delegates from Olympus Imaging.

We were all handed the newest Olympus PEN Cameras, the E-P3, E-PL1, and the E-PM1. These cameras were equipped with M. Zuiko 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 ED kit lenses. Except for our two PiPho Org members (wild bird photographers) who requested longer range lenses the M. Zuiko 75-300 f/4.8-6.7 ED.

I got an Olympus PEN E-PM1 with a M.Zuiko 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 ED (Violet body with white leather neck strap).

Olympus PEN E-PM1 (Violet)

This model is the most basic unit among the three but is still full-feature packed. My first impression – this darn camera is so small and light!

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Our scheduled departure from the Sun Cruises docks was 8:30AM. I arrived early at around 6AM, took my breakfast, and waited a long while before we were picked up by the service vehicle at the Sun Cruises office.

Before our boarding time, we took some mandatory group hugs first infront of the Sun Cruises office at Harbour Square.

PiPho Group Hug

PiPho Group Hug

Photos courtesy of Joseph Tan

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We departed at exactly 8AM aboard the Sun Cruises catamaran boat. Our group was seated on the loft (2nd floor) of the boat.

We arrived at Corregidor Island past 9AM, rode the Tranvias (tram buses) then on to the different tourist spots on the island. Our tour was very short and is mainly focused on the special vantage points that’s perfect for photographers.We only had a few minutes each stop to take some photos and walk around.

At the Tram

First stop was the Middleside Barracks, then the different artillery/cannons (aptly called Batteries). As far as I remember, we only visited Battery Way, Grubbs and Crockett. Our last stop before lunch was the Mile-Long Barracks and the Pacific War Memorial.

Middleside Barracks (E-PM1 on Diorama Mode)

Five of us actually sneaked out of the tour group and secretly went up to the lighthouse to take our shots as it wasn’t on the list of our tour stops. We then headed to Corregidor Inn for our buffet lunch and hotel check-in.

Corregidor Lighthouse (E-PM1 on P-Mode)

The first thing that grabbed my attention was the welcome drink, it was a lite pandan-gulaman drink (the glass had two colors, green and red). The buffet menu had 4-5 sets, the tomato minestrone, carbonara pasta, cream beef, seafood paella etc. Didn’t really bother with the salads and the other dishes. Dessert was cut fruits and maja blanca.

Buffet Lunch

After the lunch, we had some socials and introductory greetings from RedDot Philippines and the Olympus delegates. After the short talk, we then checked in to our rooms and took some afternoon rest or siesta.

4:30PM was the continuation of the tour. We went back to Battery Grubbs (highest point on the island) for the sunset viewing then off to the army hospital, hidden inside a forest, for an outlandish evening tour and “ghost hunting”. The tour was quite scary but I definitely had fun as we were all just laughing and playing around. I even took some of one of the pretty tour guides.

Can these really be ghostly ORBS??

Something shocked me on this shot I took before we entered the hospital ruins. Can these be real ghostly orbs? (I just found out about this now while I’m writing this post)

Orbs caught on cam (Cropped from the left side of the photo)

Nah, might be just some dust or particles on the lens. But all of the next frames/shots had none of these.. Hmmm.. Still, I’m not convinced.

Our tour guide at the hospital ruin.

Lance doing long exposures

All shots from Olympus PEN E-PM1 with a YongNuo 460 II manual flash with DIY chopping board diffuser. Used a LED flashlight to help with the focusing

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After the hospital tour, we went to our last stop for the day, the Malinta Tunnel for a “special” exploratory tour. It was called the Malinta Tunnel Lateral Visit (again with ghost hunting). We were scheduled to explore the Malinta Tunnel including its laterals (or sub-tunnels).

All lights inside the tunnel were shut down and we were only equipped with LED flashlights, a hard hat (helmet), and our PEN cameras.

Tour Group (Malinta Tunnel Lateral Visit)

Bomb Hole (Malinta Tunnel Lateral Visit)

Entering the tunnels (Malinta Lateral Tunnel Visit)

Lateral Tunnels (Malinta Tunnel Lateral Visit)

PiPho Org Group Hug at Malinta Tunnel

First four photos were shot from Olympus PEN E-PM1. Last photo was shot with the Olympus PEN E-P3. A YongNuo 460 II manual flash with DIY chopping board diffuser was used for all photos. A LED flashlight was used to help with the focusing.

It was an exhausting 45 minutes of walk and trek inside the tunnel. I really enjoyed the last part where we were told to turn off all the lights (including flash lights, cellphones and cameras) and find our way out of the lateral tunnels to the main tunnels. We were divided into two groups with each separate tunnels to walk through with absolutely no lights. It’s purpose was to make us feel how it was back then when there was no electricity because of the bombings. Exciting but a bit scary too!

The activity/tour isn’t really advisable for those with Nyctophobia (Fear of the dark) or Claustrophobia (Fear of tight/small spaces), also to those who have heart and lung ailments as air is thin inside the tunnel.

After the tunnel visit we then headed back to the hotel for yet another buffet dinner meal, some refreshments, socials, then finally got some rest. Six of us opted to swim at the pool while enjoying some free beer and snacks. I got to sleep around 12MN. Some of the members had a scheduled star trail and night shoot around 2:30AM. I didn’t bother to wake up as I was so tired. I also missed the sunrise viewing at 5:30AM. I just slept until 8 in the morning when it was already time for breakfast.

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Breakfast was also a buffet, they served Fried rice, Scrambled eggs, Ham, and their tasty and yummy Tapa. Cereals and Chicken sotanghon soup were also available.

Breakfast

After breakfast, I went out and explored a bit further around the island. I was able to go to the South Beach (Resort Area), the chapel and took some more shots that I could submit for the photo contest. 12PM was check-out time, we had our last lunch buffet at the hotel. Yes another buffet meal for us.

Lunch Buffet (prior to departure)

We were then handed goodies from RedDot and Olympus. A folder with brochure, DVD souvenir, Press release, and a Cross Pen. Wow! Thank you so much!

Goodies from Olympus

Of course, while waiting for the tranvias to arrive, we had to take more group hugs (the PiPho Way).

Group Hug (PiPho, OlyClub, RedDot, Olympus)

PiPho Group Hug (Yari ka Titser Willie!)

PiPho Group Hug (Behaving like kids)

Photos courtesy of Lance Contreras

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The bus arrived around 2:30PM, picked us up then off to the docks for the boat ride home. We arrived Manila around 4PM.

I already submitted all my chosen shots for the contest (2 entries for landscape, 1 for macro).

Hoping I could win an Olympus Camera. Fingers crossed.

By the way, the prizes at stake are 3 Olympus PEN Cameras and 1 Olympus XZ-1.

I really fell in love with these PEN cameras. Now I’m a big fan.

It was really nice to travel and bond with my PiPho org mates for 2 days. It was great meeting the OlyClub members and the RedDot staff as well.

I hope we could all see each other again.

Thank you so much RedDot Philippines and Olympus for this wonderful opportunity!

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Original post at The Olympus – PiPho Corregidor Photo Safari

It’s Pinoy Photography Organization’s 6th Year Anniversary and this year, we celebrated the event at the 3F City Center Activity Area, SM City North EDSA. The weather wasn’t cooperating well but still almost 400 attendees were present.

Some highlights for this year’s celebration:

1. “Moving Stills Exhibit” – First ever PiPho photo exhibit wherein the photos were played on 51? Smart TV Plasma Displays c/o Samsung.

2. PiPho Org and Forum Exhibit – Large A3 Prints (c/o Canon Pixma) showcasing PiPho Org’s finest photos. And 5 Large Format Prints (c/o Canon Imageprograf) showcasing a photo collage from the PiPho website/forum.

3. Pro-Talks

Sir John Chua discussed about commercial shoots and his truly inspiring PWD advocacy.
Maricris Carlos discussed about how she started doing photography and how she discovered her own style or motiff “The Amorsoloesque.”
Jay Jallorina (Canon Ambassador) discussed the basics and some details on Landscape Photography.
Wig Tysmans (from the Nescafe commercial) shared his thoughts on how he started photography using film and his current work as a commercial photographer.
Per Andre Hoffman’s talk became one of the pro-talk highlights. He showed his amazing works from film photography to digital. His works of art delighted the whole crowd and everyone was in awe.
4. Tons of raffle prizes and giveaways were given away c/o our dearest sponsors (Canon, EOS, Pixma, Imageprograf, Benro, Black Rapid, Tenba, Henry’s, iclick, Western Digital, Digicolor, Spyder, DPC Yellow Pages, Gearheads Outlet, ang iMag).

5. Photography Clubs/Groups within the PiPho community were also invited to showcase an AVP and invite new members to their club. Pasig Shutterbugs, Grupo Potograpika, and HGT were present during the event.

6. Sponsors booth (Canon EOS with free camera cleaning, Pixma free printing, Imageprograf print for smiles, Benro and Black Rapid booth display)

I hope everyone had a great time with the event.

I got to meet again all my friends from the community and meet new ones as well. It was really an annual EB for the community and the org.

We’d like to thank all the participants, the sponsors, and of course SM City North EDSA for providing us the venue for this year’s event.

I Am Able
Making a Diference with These Abilities

A Photography & Art Exhibit
for the benefit of the Philippine Cerebral Palsy, Inc.

Exhibit is from September 19 to to 24, 2010.
At The Block, SM City North EDSA, Quezon City

PiPho Exhibit at Capone’s Bistro “Aperture and Harmonies”.
July 17 at 7pm.
Capnoe’s Bistro. 2F A-venue Mall, Makati Ave., Makati City