No Shoot Policy! Is it really fun in the Philippines?

            

               Taking photos from the places that we’ve visited is a must for us. We took photos to document and share the beauty, the experience, the moments. But why does the government, specifically my beloved Department of Tourism are not allowing Photographers, whether a pro or a newbie to shoot photographs in the major tourist spots in Manila? 

              

               As far as I remembered, when the DOT launched the “It’s More Fun in the Philippines” slogan the secretary, Mr. Jimenez said that the social media is a big help  to promote the Philippines. And yes, I agree to that, social media is CHEAP(inexpensive), can be a viral with the support of different groups/NGO’s, and most of the time, it’s FREE.

               Yes, the slogan “It’s more fun  in the Philippines”  trends on twitter, became a talk of the town, became a VIRAL.  Even though I like the “Wow Philippines” after a while I adopted and supported the “Its more fun in the Philippines”.   

               

               Then lately I find out about the DOT’s order “No Shoot Policy”. The “No Shoot Policy” means that we, photographers, tourist, students, travel bloggers, and a certified naturally born Filipino were not allowed to shoot photos on some of the tourist spots here in Manila not unless we have to pay a certain amount for the exemption. NO PAY. NO SHOOT.

             Earlier this week, the government spends millions of dollars to promote tourism on the international market with the short video clip that showcasing how fun it is in the Philippines. But do they really need to spend that much on a short clip that were featured on an international news network? Maybe Yes, that is international, a lot of foreigners might be encouraged to visit us and maybe no, that’s so expensive, the money they’ve spend can help to improve the services and facilities here in the Philippines.

             But the “No Shoot Policy” is unfair to us. We need to pay to promote our own country. So in behalf of the group “BAWAL MAG-SHOOT DITO”, a NGO composed of students, hobbyist, pro, Filipino photographers that binds together to fight for our rights to shoot freely here in our country, I encourage to participate in our advocacy to boycott Rizal Park and Intramuros, until the time the Department of Tourism allows us to shoot freely, without paying that certain amount to pay. We launched officially this campaign last May 1, 2012 in Luneta.

Photo by Mr. Michael De Vera

           Aside from Intramuros and Luneta, some of the places that taking photos(if you look like a pro, mostly DSLR users) are in the following locations:

MALLS:

1.infront ng SM North sa over pass along edsa

2. Trinoma

3. SM Fairview inside and outside. 

4. INSIDE the main grocery area of PUREGOLD Las Piñas City, except along the fastfood areas.

5. Inside Gateway Mall, Araneta Center

6. SM megamal overpass along EDSA

7. SM Marikina overpass

8. Tutuban Bonifacio Shrine

9. SM City Iloilo - Parking Lot (bawal daw kopyahin ang design)

PARKS:

1. Pasig rainforest

2. Daranak falls 2000 ang fee

3. Paco Park (if you are a group)

PLACES OF WORSHIP:

1. Inside San Agustin Church (except  wedding shoot)

2. Inside Quiapo Church especially every Friday. On regular days, you have to secure a permit from their      admin. 15 minutes maximum shooting time for a permit.

3. Inside Baclaran Church. Haharangin ka na ng SG sa may gate pa lang.

4. Nuestra Señora de Gracia Parish (Our Lady of Grace) in  Guadalupe - Need to ask permission to the admin even if you are official photographer of the wedding or baptismal.

5. Mary the Queen Church (beside Xavier School) 

6. Inside Sta. Cruz Church.

               To the Department of Tourism, I believe on what the former Secretary Ace Durano's famous quote which i hope you will adopt "KAPAG MALAKAS ANG TOURISMO, MARAMING TRABAHO". You should  focus on how to help us and our country, coordinate with the other sectors of the government to implement the laws and regulations. A lot of beaches and mountains are slowly being deteriorated because of mining and other illegal activities financed by Chinese nationalities for their own benefit. Or relocation of growing number of informal settler in Intramuros, Luneta, Roxas Boulevard and other tourist spots.

              I encourage every Filipino, every Juan to be part of this advocacy, join our group by clicking the photo below. Meet new friends, join our activities and our advocacy. Spread the word.

         

Bawal magshoot dito o bawal magyosi dito? Photo by Mr. Poldo Santos

   What Happened last May 1?

BMSD Pilipinas at Department of Tourism Building

BMSD Pilipinas at Department of Tourism Building

We are Photographers, Not Terrorist

Explore CamNorte: What to do in Calaguas Island?

               Calaguas Island showcases a lot of activities aside from what others promise that they will give you an ultimate camping experience or even an ultimate beach bumming experience.

             Swimming, beach volleyball, island hopping soul restoration and of course, picture taking are some of the activities that we usually do on the beaches that we've gone to. But wait, there's more, my recent visit in this island made me realize that a lot of activities that everyone can enjoy here aside from what i mentioned above.

             Let me enumerate to you the activities

             1. Snorkeling- Before, I didn't advise to others to bring snorkels to others who will visit Calaguas because I don't think that this place doesn't have something amazing down under it's clear blue water, but i was wrong.
         
             I had a chance to experience snorkeling on the deeper part of the sea, then, i found out that even-though there were no coral reefs around where am I located, the picturesque view of the sand patterns and some sand dunes do exist. I do had a chance to saw some fishes and some of them do swims with me.
             
              It's a must to bring an underwater camera :)

Photo by Ivan Cultura

                     2. Trekking- Trekking on the rocky and on the mountain part of the island is best during early in the morning, before the sun rises. Some of the best landscape views in this island can be found on it's rocky side. Just remember to put some insect repellant, and take extra care while trekking, because most of the rock formation there were slippery and sharp.

       
                  3. Skimboarding- An emerging water sport in the beaches of Camarines Norte. Skim boading uses small board(around 1 meter in  length) to glide on the water. There's a shop there that let's anyone rent a board on hourly basis.

                  4. Kayaking - Because huge waves were rarely appears on the crystal clear water on this beach, kayaking is an activity that anyone will enjoy here, together with snorkeling.

                  5. Bird Watching - While i was trekking, i was surprised to saw a lot of different species of birds on the hillside of the island. Too bad i don't have a telephoto lens to capture some of the birds that i saw, so it's a must for you to bring one.

                 6. Meet the locals - Nothing knows all about this island aside from their local people, talk to them, share stories with them and make friends with them.

                So far, Calaguas Island is still on my number 1 best beach that I've visited. Even on my 2nd visit, there's still, It's wow factor.

Travel to the past in the beach that I love.

                  Childhood moments builds us on what we are today, the games we've played teaches us to interact with others and to manage the challenge we are facing in our life today and the tears that we cried due to minor injuries helps us to be strong.

                 Childhood for me means freedom. Freedom from the challenges of everyday school/office life, freedom from discrimination, and freedom from stressful life.
     
                 While i was walking along the shores of PulangDaga Beach in my hometown, Paracale, Camarines Norte, one sunny day, I saw a group of children whose playing along the rocky part of the beach. They don't mind whether they become "nog-nog" after hours of playing under the sun, like what I used to do before.

             Catching small fish and some marine creatures and put it on a clear plastic cup, collecting different stones and sea shells, are some of the activities that I used to do every-time I visit that beach with my family.

      
               Watching this kids makes me miss my childhood life. Now I'm on my early 20's, the moment that I've witnessed on my childhood will never be back again. But those memories brought a lot of smiles and happy moments of being young. 

               A lot of things and challenges happened, I graduated my primary, secondary and college degree, met a lot of people with different personalities that influenced my life.   My future is still unpredictable, but my the past teaches me how to face it.