PiPho Group Hug at Pandin Lake.
Photo by Regie Fernando

San Pablo, Laguna – Pinoy Photography Organization (PiPho) with support from Olympus through its distributor, Red Dot Philippines, embarked on its first official photo trip of 2012 to the seven Lakes of San Pablo. Leaving early (3am) from the metro, the 37 PiPhols in the convoy of 5 vans/cars reached Sampaloc Lake before sunrise. Sampaloc Lake is the most commercial of all the lakes of this city in Laguna with establishments and infrastructure around it. Just after sunrise, joggers, bikers and people could be seen trickling into the area enjoying the view and fresh air.

PiPho Group Hug before at Shell Magallanes before leaving.
Photo by Regie Fernando

Sunrise at Sampaloc Lake, San Pablo City, Philippines
Photo by Jovi Ong

After a quick breakfast at a nearby Jollibee, we went off to the next lake, Mohicap Lake. To reach the edge of this lake, the group had to go down a steep trail which ended in a small lakeside strip. This is one of the toughest lakes to shoot as although there were plenty of things of interest, the strip was tough to maneuver in especially with at least 20 other photographers shooting. This is where we first encountered the people who live at the edge of these lakes. They are quite friendly and you can enter their bamboo lake homes and platforms by just asking for their permission (with a smile of course!).

A brief downpour delayed the trip for about 20 minutes. We were quite lucky that the rain stopped and luckier still since the rain brought with it cleaner and brighter photos! After Palakpakin and Bunot Lake, we went to Kalibato Lake which required a 15 minute hike from the dirt road.

PiPho Group Hug at Pandin Lake.
Photo by Edwin Karganilla
Best viewed at 360 Cities

We then stopped for some lunch at the Clyde Josh Restaurant back at Sampaloc Lake. We were able to try some Tilapia/Milk Fish (harvested from the lakes) and they were definitely fresh and tasted sweet!

Floating rafts at Pandin Lake
Photo by Jovi Ong

The 7th lake, Yambo Lake, was accessible by a short but steep trail from the other side of Pandin Lake. The Balsa/Raft could bring you to the path and after the brief climb, you could see the Yambo Lake below.

After swimming and some dinner, we finally went back home to the metro arriving at around 10pm. A productive and successful 19 hour photo trip! Although tired from the trip, the PiPhols all enjoyed the nature trip and the group bonding as well.

The PiPhols also enjoyed the Olympus PEN cameras that were very kindly loaned to us by Olympus. The various in-camera effects were the most talked about feature of the PEN cameras producing excellent photos on the spot! The shoot definitely convinced quite a few of the strength of the Olympus 4/3 system.

See you at the next Pinoy Photography photo trip! More power to PiPho and to Olympus!

You can view the photos by the participants at http://www.pinoyphotography.org/forum/index.php?topic=99583.msg1073757#msg1073757

As President of the Pinoy Photography Org for 2012, I am pleased to announce that The Pinoy Photography Org Club is now accepting applications for new members.

Fill up the online application form here.

Deadline of Applications will be on April 11, 2012

ACCEPTED APPLICANTS:
1) Accepted applicants will be notified via email.
2) Accepted applicants will have to join (and to submit at least one entry) the current month’s photo contest “Noon Time Hour”
-Entries will be 8×12 inches print photo lab or inkjet
-No IR Photography is allowed
-Photos must be taken from 10am to 3pm with the harsh sunlight
-Open to interpretation but the main point of the theme is the harsh light of the noontime (non-golden hours)
3) Accepted applicants are required to attend the club’s monthly meeting on April 18, 2012, 7pm onwards
4) The Location of the monthly meetings is in Makati and will be informed to the applicant upon acceptance.

Sincerely Yours,
Vernes Go
PiPho Org – President

1st Place – Ninon, Orlando

2nd Place – Licerio, Ralph

3rd Place – Ninon, Orlando

4th Place – Tecson, Aids

5th Place – Ninon, Orlando

Top 6-10
6 Cabatuan, Zer
7 Fernando, Regie
8 Tan, Joseph
9 Florendo, Allan
10 Fernando, Regie

Top 11-20
11 de Vera, Willie
12 Fernando, Regie
13 Contreras, Lance
14 Florendo, Allan
15 Marbella, Larry
16 Tan, Joseph
17 Ong, Jovi
18 Tecson, Aids
19 Fernando, Regie
20 Sy, Joey

1st Place – Ong, Jovi

2nd Place – Ninon, Orlando

3rd Place Tecson, Aids

4th Place Cabatuan, Zer

5th place Florendo, Allan

Top 6-10
6 Corpuz, Mon
7 Florendo, Allan
8 Licerio, Ralph
9 Cabatuan, Zer
10 Cabatuan, Zer

Top 11-20
11 Daleon, Willy
12 Corpuz, Mon
13 Licerio, Ralph
14 Fernando, Regie
15 Tecson, Aids
16 Licerio, Ralph
17 Ninon, Orlando
18 de Vera, Willie
19 Tan, Joseph
20 Tan, Joseph

This issue is now available. Grab a copy now!

February 15
It’s More Fun in the Philippines (include a witty text on the photo with “It’s more fun in the Philippines.”  )

March 21
2 (two) Colors

April 18
Noon-time Hour (shot between 10am-3pm)

May 16
Golden Hour

June 20
Man-Made Macro

July 18
Shapes

August 15
From the Ground Up

September 19
Copy Cat (copy a picture from a magazine)

October 17
7 Deadly Sins

November 21
Golden Ratio

Olympus-PiPho Corregidor Photo Safari Macro Category Winner - Joseph Tan

Olympus-PiPho Corregidor Photo Safari Landscape Category 3rd Place - Zer Cabatuan

Olympus-PiPho Corregidor Photo Safari Landscape Category 2nd Place - Mary Ann Zubiri

—-

Official Announcement from RedDot Philippines
Posted at OlyFan PHIL Facebook Page

CONGRATULATIONS Winners and Thank You Very Much for Participating in this Event!

Winners of Photowalk Event at Corregidor Island

MACRO CATEGORY
Joseph Tan – winner of Olympus XZ-1

LANDSCAPE CATEGORY
3rd Place – Zer Cabatuan – winner of Olympus Pen Mini (E-PM1)
2nd Place – Mary Ann Zubiri – winner of Olympus Pen Lite (E-PL3)
1st Place – Juven Aquino – winner of Olympus PEN (E-P3)

*Final Votes were calculated by:
30% Facebook voting
70% From Olympus Japan Office (2 Representatives) and RedDot Philippines President