The Latest Stories Of
A Hale Manna Weekend
These days I politely decline big gatherings and opt to work
by myself. This allows me to obey health protocols and
maybe, just maybe help out minimise transmissions because
there’s really no way for us to know who’s safe and who’s not.
Luckily, I still get to work on weekends aside from the 8-6 Monday to Friday job that I have. And this weekend, I get to
take Janice and Miguel with me to celebrate Geraldine’s
birthday in Hale Manna.
There were only a handful of us there but on that small crowd,
I’ve actually shot the weddings of 4 couples. Hahaha! Contrary
to most birthdays, this one was especially planned for breakfast.
Thank You Geraldine!
July 11, 2021
Almost 38 in Hale Manna
The sound of the rain beat out our alarm yesterday morning.
Nevertheless, we loaded our bags and drove of to Hale Manna in
Moalboal in the pouring rain. Our very good friend, Geraldine,
invited us to spend her 38th birthday with her.
After a brief stop to buy Pan de Sal in Naga and to see the Mantayupan Falls in Barili, we found ourselves in this wonderful resort. Hale Manna has always been this wonderful since it started a few years back. And it seems to me like it keeps
growing ever so beautifully much like the flowers and trees that sprung around.
When we arrived, the owner herself, greeted us and briefly chatted with us. Not long after, the celebrant and her family
arrive too. We spent the day enjoying the beach and lounging on on one of the cabanas and had lechon during dinner to pre-celebrate turning 38.
Happiest Birthday Geraldine!
July 11, 2021
Underneath the Trees
I was shooting a super micro wedding when I met Fea. Their
family owned the little resort, Tabique Escapada Privada in
Asturias, where the wedding took place. During the break,
she asked if I could shoot her family in the coming week.
I gladly agreed.
I brought Janice and Miguel with me so they could breathe
some fresh mountain air. We kept the shoot casual and
as natural as possible. This was all taken at Sandra’s Garden
near Cantipla. You can either pass by Transcentral or Manipis.
Both drives guarantee wonderful views of Cebu!
Thank You Fea and Family. Happy Birthday Gianne!!!
July 5, 2021
Philip and Charmaine’s 20th
Many years ago, I met Charmaine and Philip. They asked me to
take the pictures of their 15th year anniversary which took
place in Moalboal back in 2014. What supposed to be just a
wedding assignment turned out to be regular meet ups for
more pictures. The last one was for Phoebe’s 18th birthday
before the lockdown last year.
Charmaine told me earlier this year that they were going to
renew their vows around June. So yesterday, I drove all the way
to Asturias, passing by the Trans-central Highway by myself for
the first time, to capture these pictures.
Thank You Philip, Charmaine, Phoebe and Popoy!
June 27, 2021
Unexpectedly
We originally planned for a healthy breakfast at a new place in
Talisay. When we lined up to order, however, we were told they
ran out of rice. What? What kind of place runs out of rice? If
you open a new place, you should make a good impression right?
Oh, well.
So we instead ate somewhere and drove off to the mountains after
lunch which turned out to be an unexpected surprise. Firstly
because being up there in the mountains was so quiet and peaceful
and secondly because they serve “spanking good latte”.
When we drove home, we let the kids fetch stones and walk by the
river bank.They didn’t want to at first but they ended up
saying they had the time of their lives. Unexpectedly!
June 20, 2021