The Open Monumenten Dag Photo Competition

"I have this feeling that I need to gather more confidence to afloat  with this beautiful photography world."

Today was a beautiful day. It was rainy, but the rain seems cooperates because it stopped for a while, and it gave way to the awarding of the Open Monumenten Dag Photo Competition where my photo landed among the top six.

my photography landed at the top 6

It was not bad, I am still on learning and obtaining more experience in photography. There were many great photos. The covered with a roof Touwbaan serves as the photo gallery, at the same time a small market with some stalls and vendors were also present and presented their products.

the gallery

Announcement of the winners.

With one of the organizers, Mr. J. Ditiecher

I took some photos, few with myself using my iPhone. I also made some photos using my Canon digita. It is odd, because I have this shy feeling to use my digital camera when I am with other photographers.

The historical Touwbaan

with my mother in law and sister in law

It is like, I still cannot believe it that I can make photos, really beautiful photos, and winning photos. I think, I need to gather more confidence to afloat with this beautiful photography world! 

My life in photos... Another winning photo!

It is genuinely true that life is worth living when we have something to look forward to.

And I am over and over grateful that I feel so blessed in life, there is always something in life that excites me. I am welcoming the weekend by sharing a piece of good news to all my followers around the world. I joined another photography competition in our city, Vlaardingen, and my entry is one of the six nominees for the three grand winners tomorrow, as Vlaardingen, a historical city in the Netherlands will officially open the annual festival Open Monumenten Dag. The photography competition has the theme: boeren, burgers, buitenlui. In English: farmers, citizen, outdoor life. Yesterday, I received an email from one of the organizers, informing me that my photo was nominated for the grand winners. The event will be held at the historical site Touwbaan (also featured on my blog). I never expected that in my life I am going to love photography. I have grown up in a simple family background, where a camera is not a necessity but a luxury. Today, the camera that my husband gave me is my toy, I am now a hobbyist. If you will ask me what is my secret in making beautiful photos? There is no secret. It is just that whatever I am doing, I do it with all my heart. And I have just enough edited in a photo, not too much. Because I feel, a photo with too much edit is like a woman with too much make up! See you all again tomorrow! Have a nice weekend!

My winning photo at the photo exhibit of Vlaardingen door de lens van...

My winning photo; a surprising beauty just in the neihborhood.

My apology for it takes a week before I found a time to write this blog. It was an overwhelming experience for the recognition with my passion in photography. There were many entries but only forty photos were selected for the photo exhibition at the historical art building Kade 40. The photo exhibit is still on going till the 7th of July. If you will see this photo, maybe you will also feel that there is something on this photo that made the juries to decide that it will be also selected. I think this photo tells something about me as a person. I love peace. I am not only a peace-loving person. As much as possible, I also try to become a peacemaker. In this world where full of hate and strife, it feels good to be at peace with others and also with ourselves. What do you think?

with my inspirations.

stickers from the likers :)

Joining Vlaardingen door de lens van... A Photo Contest

The lake in the neighborhood

A walk to Westkijk

I am a Filipina married to a Dutchman and we live in the city named Vlaardingen. Vlaardingen is a very old city in the province of South Holland. In the recent survey, Vlaardingen has 71,338 residents. Vlaardingen is a very old city but with many interesting spots to offer. I have lived here for four years now, and both the beautiful spots and the beautiful flowers that I see around our city are a regular subject of my photography. Today, I received a surprising email. I joined the photography contest: "Vlaardingen door de lens van." The email states that one of the three photos that I submitted has won and will be included among the 40 photos in the Photo Exhibit at Kade 40 on June 23 till July 7! Which of my photos remains a surprise because they didn't name which one. For now, I want to share some of my favorite photos that I made in our beautiful city, Vlaardingen. 

Hoogstraat

Wintertime at Oude Haven

The century old Visbank

Klauterwoud

Joining The Worldwide Flying Blue Photo Contest

For me, this is my winning smile, my winning photo :)

Foremost, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to my husband. Because through him, a wide door has opened to me. Because  of him, I discover the world in so many ways that I cannot imagine possible. I have my first flight with him, when he took me to have a holiday in Bohol, Philippines. My second flight was an international flight going to the Netherlands.

my boys are enjoying our stay in Cologne Hilton

world class tulips at Keukenhof.

From that first flight, I have a quite a number of flights, mileage later that made me a Flying Blue member. In 2013 when the Flying Blue's Flying View sent me an invitation to join their photo contest. I think I sent about 5 photos to them, but I did not win. This year, they send me an invitation to join again.

Love. A word with a thousand meaning.

The theme for this year is "5 senses, 5 continents. Each contestant can send up to 10 photos on the website of Flying Blue or on Instagram mentioning @flyingblue as well as the hashtag #flyingview and the photo category.

It looks like just a fantasy but it is a reality. Kasteel De Haar

The spectacular sunset in Iba, Zambales.

This morning, I sent my last entry. I feel glad when I saw three of my entries climbed on #flyingview's Top Post. I joined because for me, I also have great photos and it is a great opportunity to let the whole world see my photography. They are simple, but eye-catcher as well. For me, each photographer has a unique style in capturing moments and beauty.

Happiness is eating your favorite foods in a foreign country.


I am posting my entries with my photo caption for you to see. The submission of entries is until June 19. You still have time to look at the entries and cast your vote if you want to. I would appreciate it so much if you can also extend your goodwill to my entries. My entries were all uploaded on Instagram. I have my Intagram link on this blog so you can go right away to my Instagram page. You can find it at the left side of this blog page.

The competition is very tight. So many professional photographers are joining from all over the world. I cannot tell if one of my photos will win. Win or lose, I am still thankful to Flying Blue for extending me the invitation and for believing that I have a beautiful work.