Flower pictures and exotic butterfly at Jardin Maria Clara L. Lobregat in Pasonanca Park, Zamboanga City where flowers are in bloom and a butterfly farm is also located

the sign in front of the garden
the gumamela, or hibiscus, incidentally, is the national flower of Malaysia
a lantana, common in exotic butterfly gardens as source of nectar

a black butterfly called Common Mormon (not sure though, have to confirm with local butterfly watching enthusiasts)

Note: Entrance fee to park and the butterfly garden: Free!

All photos taken using Canon 300D either with kit lens or 50mm...

Labels: Butterfly Garden, Flowers, Parks, Zamboanga City, Zamboanga Peninsula

Commonly and erroneously called water lily in the Philippines even by mainstream media, water hyacinths were originally from South America and introduced in many parts of the world. Pasig River and Laguna de Bay are local prime examples of the havoc caused by the aquatic plants in clogging waterways, choking oxygen from the water (similar to Kiapo) and breeding of mosquitoes.

There is beauty, however, hidden from most people unfamiliar with the plant.


Picture of Water Hyacinth with leaves and stems somewhere in Laguna de Bay
How beautiful and colorful its flowers are. Beauty in spite of its destructive presence.

Tutubi has seen water hyacinths used in waste water treatment, others claim the plant's high nitrogen content make it a potential biogass source. The most succesful use of the plant, however, is the use of its fibrous stem as handicraft materials for bags, mats, and slippers (like the ones in Las Pinas City, where the erroneously called "Water Lily Festival" is celebrated in July)

Other Information:

There is a Hyacinth in Greek mythology from whom the pretty hyacinth flower is named after. The bataw, of Bahay Kubo fame, in English is hyacinth bean.

Related Post:

Kiapo: where Quiapo Got its Name

Labels: Flora, Flowers

At a time when taking a day off from my toxic work is a rarity, I was able to join my photobuddies armed with superkitlens-powered DSLR cameras, to take a breather on a Monday morning and head straight to the Orchidarium at the Quezon City hall complex.

With my 300D in tow and a "service pistol" in the guise of a Canon Ixus 30, we took shots of various flowers, cacti, pets oblivious of the traffic and smog passing us by at a dizzying pace.

some of my shots below:

the mute parrot

desert in the tropical philippines





the cactus flower
cactus flower again

now for a test: can you guys guess which camera I used for each picture without looking at the EXIF data? I have my Canon EOS 300D with superkitlens vs the Canon Ixus 30 (point-and-shoot). Do let me know for those with a discerning eye :P

By the way, as always the case, no tricks here, I only used Photoshop to put watermarks,contrast, saturation, and resizing only.:)

Labels: Flowers, Quezon City

Kinabuhayan cafe is a garden and an art work in progress that will continue to evolve and provide a respite from tired souls from the big city. (Please see links to related posts below)

after a morning of taking pictures, wonderful breakfast again with fern salad and washed down with kapeng barako, we prepared to return to the big city.


(portraits of the place's two inhabitants)

















saying goodbye to our host Jay, one of us remarked the food was good. I remarked that the food ain't good, 'twas great!

(JB Nalang "stolen" portrait)


the best thing about the Kinabuhayan cafe experience wasn't exactly the food, place or the new things learned from photography-- it's the people I met have who share the same passion for travel and photography I now call friends!

Related Posts:

Banahaw Trek, Kinabuhayan Cafe Gateway to Mt Banahaw

Kinabuhayan Cafe is part of Viaje Del Sol

How to go to Kinabuhayan Cafe from the words of the co-owner himself (Winston Baltasar aka JB Nalang)

How to Commute/Commuting to Kinabuhayan Cafe:

Take any bus going south to Quezon or Bicol province like Jac or Jam liner. Make sure it stops in Tiaong, Quezon. Bus stations in Cubao or Buendia corner Taft.

Get off at the new Tiaong market. The jeepney to Dolores waits there. Last trip is at 6pm. Get off in Dolores at Dejarme St. which is 4 streets before the Dolores church (Our Lady of Sorrows). There is no Dejarme (pronounced "deHARme") sign but there is a
white grill sign saying "Paaralang Sentral ng Dolores". If you miss it, get off before the church and walk back.

Kinabuhayan Cafe is 50 feet away from the corner. Look for the tree house by the road, the bougainvilla in front, and the stained glass windows in the cafe.

IF YOU GET LOST IN DOLORES, DON'T ASK FOR 'KINABUHAYAN CAFE' OR YOU MIGHT BE DIRECTED TO 'KINABUHAYAN BARANGAY' ON THE MOUNTAIN SIDE. ASK FOR 'DEJARME ST' OR 'THE RESTAURANT OF JAY HERRERA'.

It's all good roads to Kinabuhayan Cafe. If you are on rough roads, you're probably past the cafe and heading towards the mountain side.

Labels: Calabarzon, Flora and Fauna, Flowers, Hotels and Resorts, Quezon, Resorts, Southern Tagalog, Viaje del Sol