The Lord’s Transfiguration Cathedral – better known as the Palo Metropolitan Cathedral – has been undergoing major renovation work since August of 2010.

Last reconstructed in the early 1960’s, the historic structure has badly needed repair of its roof and ceiling, electrical and communication systems, and major renovation of its sanctuary and belfry.

The renovation project  costs over 25 million pesos under the commission of Filipino architect Gervacio Amistoso.

The major facelifting comes in time when the Archdiocese celebrates its Diamond Jubilee (75th anniversary) as a diocese on November 28, 2012.

Photos taken on January 25, 2012:

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Let’s welcome the Year of the Water Dragon!

Happiness, good health and prosperity to all!!!

Forbidden City, Beijing, China

It was our first night out for the year with the wifey.

And the LSR Band together with their friends – among them our son playing the 2nd lead on guitar.

Nothing like a good dose of good rock music to perk up the cold, rainy nights in Tacloban City.

Here was the scene at Cerebro at 6500…

The LostSemenReunion: (from left) Dandi Grafil (1st lead guitar), Marti Ruiz (2nd lead), Riza Makabenta (vocals), Carleux  Solite (bass) and Howard Cabelin (drums).

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It’s definitely MORE fun in the Philippines!

Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez Jr. has been quoted as saying, ”What differentiates the Philippines from every other place in the world… is the Filipino. It’s his special gift for transforming what is already a beautiful place into an unforgettable special place.”

“You take two identical islands, put FILIPINOS in one, and it’s going to be more fun in there where they are!”

High five to that.

Well, here are my initial takes to the new DOT tourism slogan which has triggered an avalanche of memes in the internet…

Kalanggaman Island, Palompon, Leyte

Birdwatching at Samar Island Natural Park (SINP), Paranas, Samar

Zip Southern Leyte – the longest (1km) zipline ride over the tallest bridge in the country today, Agas-Agas Bridge in Sogod, Southern Leyte

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Year 2011 was no doubt a year for photo enthusiasts. With an unprecedented growth in sales of DSLR’s and mobile phones, tablets and computers with digital cameras, I doubt if there ever was any other time in mankind’s history when there were just as many people snapping away photos all the time.

Looking back at the year just passed, still nursing a hangover of the holidays, I was struck with the number of subjects I was able to cover – from birding to weddings and beauty tilts to travel destinations; from the time I had a glaucoma attack and subsequent laser procedure down to baby pictures and awesome adventure rides and treks in far-flung areas.

Thus I decided to compile my favorites and share them with you for a brief replay of gerryruiz images of 2011.

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I’ve been to the Agas-Agas Bridge in Sogod, Southern Leyte on several occasions.

Currently holding the record of having the highest elevation of all bridges in the Philippines with a height of 292 feet above the ground, it is also the site where the longest zipline (almost a kilometer long) is located.

At this elevation, and when the weather feels like it, low-flying clouds would suddenly envelop the area giving it a scene not unlike being in another temperate country; certainly some place else other than in the Philippines.

And, no, in those times I was in the area, I’ve never had the chance to take some bird shots… until last Thursday, December 22, 2011… when a hornbill, locally known as Talusi, (three of them, actually) suddenly flew into view and perched herself high up in a tree close by where I was just taking snapshots of the general scene.

It was my first bird shot at Agas-agas. And a seldom-seen-in-the-wild Samar Tarictic Hornbill (Penelopides samarensis) at that!

Whew! Certainly a great Christmas gift for me!

Merry Christmas, everybody!!!

Meet the cassowary and it sure can kick ass!

They are capable of dealing fatal blows to humans and other animals with their sharp and mighty claws.

They have put people in hospitals on numerous occasions and there have been many reports of people getting killed by a cassowary attack.

The Guinness Book of Records say that the cassowaries are the world’s most dangerous birds, very unpredictable, very aggressive, especially if wounded or cornered.

The cassowary, an exotic-looking, territorial bird,  lives in the rain forests of Australia and New Guinea and are actually pretty shy animals if undisturbed, unless they think you are a threat to them.

You’ll see one of them – alive and kicking – inside the Davao Crocodile Farm Roadshow right in Metro-Manila, located inside the Boom-na-Boom complex behind Star City in Pasay City. Also called, “Crocodile Park Manila”, the zoo-like park features bird shows and other animal interactions – a highly-recommended activity for the entire family to enjoy and experience.

And not to worry, the cassowary’s cage is securely built and keeps it from attacking park visitors.

Full steam ahead!

This seems to be the battle-cry of everybody working at “The Oriental Hotel – Leyte” – the new hotel taking shape at the former site of the MacArthur Beach Resort at Red Beach, Palo, Leyte – when we visited the site today, December 15 for a first hand view of the project.

Singaporean-backed conglomerate LKY Property Holdings is rushing construction of its P300-million resort hotel; its soft opening has been set before the end of the year.

Developers pushed not just for a renovation but a total reconstruction of a new hotel.

New structures have been erected where the buildings of the old hotel once stood.

An elegant lobby now sits adjacent to the restaurant and spa lounges.

The hotel will also have outdoor pools and fitness facilities.

The new hotel offers new facilities for functions, meetings and conferences all housed in a new building. It boasts of having a 1,000 seating capacity ballroom suited for big conferences and conventions.

This answers the clamor for a large venue which has been a major problem in the region when hosting national conferences.

Targetted to have 105 rooms, The Oriental Hotel – Leyte will initially offer 65 rooms, several of which are suites with living room, kitchen and open balconies facing the scenic Pacific Ocean.

The hotel is expected to be fully operational by March next year.

The new hotel provides a big boost to the growing tourism industry in Leyte which is eyeing foreign and domestic tourists.

The Oriental Hotel – Leyte sits on a 4.9-hectare property and stands adjacent to the historic MacArthur Landing Memorial National Park in Palo, Leyte.

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But, lo and behold – the skies cleared up last night!

And so with great haste I managed to set up my camera in what would be a tedious shoot for the next 2 hours or so! When I finally called it quits, the moon was directly overhead so that the camera position was already vertical! Looking at the viewfinder of a tripod-mounted camera positioned vertically is no joke. I was expecting a stiff neck upon waking up this morning hehe

Composite above shows photos taken from 9:02PM-10:00PM. Relative moon positions are not accurate; presented here solely for graphical purposes.

Photo taken at 10:31:39 PM

Photo taken at 10:48:14 PM

Photo taken at 10:50:34 PM

All photos taken 10 December 2011 from calle Z Cafe, Tacloban City, Leyte, Philippines using Canon EOS  7D with EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM +1.4X Extender II.

The San Agustin Church, a Roman Catholic church built in 1607 during the Spanish colonial period, is the oldest church still standing in the Philippines.

The church was one of four Philippine churches designated as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1993, under the classification “Baroque Churches of the Philippines”.

It was named a National Historical Landmark by the Philippine government in 1976. [Source: Wikipedia]