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!!!