2009 in Review

The year 2009 was a great year that passed. It was a year of wonderful surprises. Travels were big in this year since I was able to visit different countries. One major travel I made was my trip to the Americas. I was able to go around North America, Central America and South America in the first quarter. I visited one of the Seven Wonders of the World, Machu Picchu in Peru.

I visited my former classmates from elementary, high school and college. I also visited some of my friends from the exchange programs I have participated in Japan such as the SSEAYP and REN programs. I stayed with some family friends and a former intern.

I started my stint in mountaineering with the Laoag Mountaineering Group headed by the bishop. I had my induction climb to Mount Linao in Adams Ilocos Norte to which we were joined by the Ayala Mountaineers. On the same year that we also climbed Mount Bulusan in the province of Sorsogon. I had also visited Machu Picchu in Peru and Haleakala Crater in Maui Hawaii.

I covered several festivals with the newest Kurarapnit Festival and Gameng Festival. I had a dose of all the local festivals in the province during the Ragrag-o Festival in celebration of Ilocos Norte foundation anniversary. I have seen an international festival that was Folklorica Festival in Costa Rica.

Caramoan Peninsula was great treat and new discovery for me this year. It is truly a wonderful sight that is why Survivor reality show from France, Bulgaria and Israel were lured by her charm that they came here to shoot.

Started my affiliation with The Ilocandia Photographic Society better known as TIPS with photo shoots and exhibits. I was able to bring our photo exhibit at the University of Hawaii while I presented a paper in the Nakem International conference.

Lastly, surprisingly I was invited for a talk at SASMA in Tagaytay to seminarians about backpacking and traveling.