360 digest: Twas a Year - The Year That Was

While drafting this post in my mind and rehashing the moments and memories that must go into it, it struck me that mentally I included some things that transpired 2009. As someone who has a good memory of persons and particular events, I tried to come up with reasons on how this came to be. Of all the reasons i've listed, one thing stood out -- maybe, just maybe, I was always looking forward to things that sometimes I forgot the digest the now and the just has-been.

Hence, here's my photo-diary of moments that left me breathless, and people and places that took my breath away.

"be your own gatekeeper...let in only those who are worthy, but never fail to give chances..."
Taipei, Taiwan

"We only have one moon, so be certain that when you looked at it tonight, I have seen it too"
Taipei, Taiwan

Illumination.
Taipei, Taiwan

"Where quantity beats quality -- little drops of green hope"
Chocolate Hills, Bohol

"A small difference can be quite substantial" -- lesson from the tallest hill at Chocolate Hills, Bohol.

The Sky is a mix of blue and clouds, where you look makes all the difference.
Alona Beach, Bohol

"...because there's a child in each of us just waiting to run and pick up some seashells,
seashells in the seashore."
Alona Beach, Bohol

"Solitude reminds us of where we want to be and who we want to share it with."
Alona Beach, Bohol.

"Spectacular things can sometimes spring from disasters."Mt. Pinatubo, Philippines.

"We cannot move mountains, and sometimes we don't have to. It's better that way."
Mt. Pinatubo, Philippines.

"The stillness of remembering, what you have, and what you lost". ~Dreams, The Corrs.
Lake Sebu, South Cotabato

Some things must be reached by foot. Falls #2 at Seven falls.
Lake Sebu, South Cotabato

"Sometimes it's inevitable, we have to fly."
Taken from the zipline - the highest and probably the most picturesque in the country - at Seven Falls (falls #5)
Lake Sebu, South Cotabato

"Sometimes we don't have to do anything at all, but look up. "
Falls # 1 at Seven Falls.
Lake Sebu, South Cotabato

...and just appreciate the things in our backyard.
Taken at the back of Balben Cove
Lake Sebu, South Cotabato.

"Some ordinary things can seem extraordinary when viewed from a different perspective."
Stairway at a Highway in Hongkong.
Hongkong, Hongkong.

Where 2 dollars and 50 scents can give you a lift and a view.
Ferry from Kowloon to Hongkong.

"When something beautiful is reflected it becomes exquisite."
View from the sitting area at IFC mall.
Hongkong, Hongkong

"The best way to know a city is to look at its alleys."
Lang Kwai Fong Street, Hongkong, Hongkong

"Before you leave, be sure to look back. Some things are better appreciated from a distance."
Big Buddha, Hongkong

"Some splendid things are merely illusions..."
Taken from a cable car
Hongkong, Hongkong

"...and some real things are surreal"
Hongkong, Hongkong

"Despite the beauty outside, sometimes all we need to find is our nook in that corner coffee shop."
Cafe Habito, Hongkong

"Making choices is difficult, selling "your choices" even more so..."
Legaspi Sunday Market, Legaspi Village, Makati City, Philippines

"Some special things has only two elements, however, concurrence can be rare."
One Serendra and a Full Moon.
Fort Bonifacio, Taguig

Just dance...
like what these lights do.
Ayala Triangle, Makati City, Philippines.

"Time does stood still...but only for a moment.
...or so it seems."
Antonio's, Tagaytay City, Philippines.

"Some things are not meant to be buried."
Intramuros, Manila, Philippines

"Every window has a view, you just have to see it."
Intramuros, Manila, Philippines.

"Some things are black and white, its just how it should be. Determining which ones -- that's the challenge."
Intramuros, Manila.

"Some stairs leads to nowhere. Climbing it is a mistake, staying there is a suicide waiting to happen."
Near La Monja Loca. Intramuros, Manila

"Sometimes we take things for granted. Love the people who give you lights, never let it snuff."
Sagada Hanging Coffins. Sagada, Philippines.

"Some beautiful things take time."
Cave sculptures at Sumaguing Caves.
Sagada,Philippines

"The hills may not be alive, but music can dwell in your heart."
Sagada Rice Terraces, Sagada, Philippines

When mom said don't forget your greens i'm sure she didn't mean this much. :)
Sagada Rice Terraces, Sagada, Philippines.

"When we run out of words...we live."
Sunrise at Kiltepan
Sagada, Philippines

Beauty beckons as we say hi to a brand new day.
the sun ascending slowly at Kiltepan.

Simply amazing.
Sagada, Philippines.

Come to where the flavor is...
at Marlboro Country, Sagada, Philippines.

Above and beyond.
View from Mt. Tapias
Busuanga, Palawan

there's only one spot...you just have to find it.
Taken from a specific spot on the way to Kayangan Lake.
Coron Islands, Busuanga, Palawan

a third element makes it perfect....just when you thought it already is.

Never fail to be awed.
Calamianes (Coron) Islands.
Busuanga, Palawan, Philippines

Set sail...

...but never forget your anchors.
both shots taken from Banul Beach, Coron, Palawan

"mark your territory, but never fail to share."
Banul Beach

For not everything in life can be counted... (standard chartered line)
Hundred Islands, Alaminos City, Pangasinan, Philippines.

"Some beginnings are culled from endings..."
Sunrise at Hundred Islands.
Alaminos City, Pangasinan, Philippines.

Symmetry...
Camiguin, Philippines

Standing out from the crowd, sometimes means being alone.
Camiguin, Philippines.

Red, white, and Blue.
Camiguin, Philippines

In this Kaleidescope World. (from the Song Kaleidescope by Francis M.)
Camiguin, Philippines

"A rolling stone gathers no moss, but some rocks are not meant to gather any."
On our way to the restaurants, we pass by this stretch of rocky beach and a lighthouse.
Camiguin Philippines