Hi everyone and especially, the #OutdoorsandMore community. This is my first time joining here, and I got ignited to enter the contest. Before joining, I checked other entries to get more inspiration. I've often been lurking in this community to see how others share their outdoor adventures.
I've been doing some outdoor activities back when I was in the Philippines. It wasn't that much. I've been to a few countries as well. I would love to show all the mini-adventures I did in the past in different countries. But, as an introduction to this community, I will show you some amazing sceneries in the Philippines.
The photos I show you are from a fundraising project I did for my late father's medication. That is, to sell 12x18 inches printed photos with frame. These photos were taken during my free time, doing volunteer work in a non-profit organization. From Cebu, I got the chance to travel to some islands in the Philippines.
Volunteering Background with SEED4COM
SEED4COM (Sustainable Energy and Enterprise Development for Communities) aims to provide renewable energy solutions to last-mile communities, promote sustainable development, foster social enterprise, and save the environment.
My photo of the boat is featured here.
Source: SEED4COM website
When I started as a digital nomad, I told myself to offer my time doing volunteer work for a non-profit organization. While visiting islands on the weekends, I make sure to bring my camera with me. I volunteered as a photographer for documentation and covering events.
I was traveling with a purpose in my free time.
Aqua Peace Farm in Palompon, Leyte
From Cebu, we went to Palompon, Leyte. A fellow volunteer agreed to host the seminar and she can show us how to live a sustainable life in her backyard, an aqua farm, and she also partnered with some people in the community to teach people how to properly reduce, reuse, and recycle for waste management.
My Spanish friend and I went ahead to Palompon and met our host. We enjoyed the freshly cooked meals prepared by her. We got the cooked fish from her aqua farm and cooked vegetables from her garden.
The Aqua Peace Farm is also a guesthouse. In the afternoon, we got the chance to roam around the farm. And we got this beautiful scenery during sunset.
Lake Danao in Ormoc, Leyte
Our host is very generous. After the seminar was finished, she brought us to Lake Danao in Ormoc, Leyte. This is a good place for hikers, mountaineers, campers, and trekkers for outdoorsy people.
I took the photos during the Happy Earth Day! We celebrated this without an internet connection, with no signal on the phone. Just my camera and with other fellow volunteers. Thanks to the people who brought us here! I miss the fresh air!
I went to this place where there is no signal on my phone and internet connection as I need to think about what I am going to do for my father's operation. He is in the hospital since a few days ago while I am on volunteer work. Thanks to the people who brought me here for free. I was able to think of some ideas and that is to RAISE FUNDS - selling printed photos from my travels.
A caption I made on Facebook by the time I received the news in Cebu that my father was sent to the hospital.
Several volunteers went to Kalanggaman Island. Since my friends and I have been to the island many times, we decided to visit the lake.
Malapascua Island in Daanbantayan, Cebu
My first ever solo backpacking in 2015 I only brought P800 with me. I went here last February 2015. Indeed Malapascua Island has the best sunset scenery.
Malapascua Island was a side trip after I came from San Remigio Beach Club for another volunteer work with the organization. I've been here before with my relatives but it was the first time I came here with a small amount of money. I had a few funny memories during the trip.
Anyway, for this photo, I love how I took this sunset. The technique was, I put my polarized sunglasses in front of the Nikon D5100 camera, and ta-dah! My lucky shot!
Gilutongan Island in Cordova, Cebu
One such need we were able to address was waste management in Ghilutungan Island in Cebu. By bringing in volunteers to do a once-a-week cleanup every week, we were able not only to help the island dwellers manage their waste but also served as an example of how to do it properly. Aside from that, we also conducted feeding programs and provided other necessities the islanders needed.
Source: here
Gilutongan Island is the island community the non-profit organization is helping until today. On their website, you can see the projects they did for the community. I am proud to be part of the volunteers.
These photos you can see are some of my epic shots during our weekend stay on the island.
It was sunset time. The group of volunteers and some photographers went to the other side of the island to watch the sunset. The lights you see from buildings are from the mainland of Cebu, well, Cebu City.
My Epic Shots at 4 AM on the island
We were camping near the beach and I woke up in the early morning before 4 AM. I wanted to go to the toilet. But the moment I opened the zipper from our tent, I was alone while everyone was sleeping and got surprised by the amazing scenery.
I hurriedly set up my camera on my tripod and tried to take a long exposure photograph. Fortunately, I got these trail stars and lightning in one setting. Oh, and there's a shooting star! <3 <3 <3
An amazing scene right after I woke up at quarter to 4 AM. Everyone was sleeping so I hurriedly grabbed my camera, tripod, and remote shutter release. (My caption on Facebook)
All photos were taken using a Nikon D5100 camera with an 18-55mm lens + Adobe Lightroom for a few enhancements.
I hope you enjoyed my entry for the scenery contest and my first posting in this lovely community.
Thanks to 
Welcome to iTravelRox! Roxanne Tamayo is a Cebuana who is a traveler. Now a mom of 2 kids and a wife. She is a travel blogger and a digital nomad. As a Virtual Assistant, she does a lot of things like content writing, WordPress web design, WP updates and maintenance, graphic design, and photo editing. She is into wedding photography, as well.
If you like iTravelRox's content, please don't forget to upvote and leave a comment. She will share a lot of stories about solo travels, motherhood, family travel, and working as a VA.