- Description
- Technical Specs
It is the goal of Masungi Georeserve to conserve and protect nature as Leica Store Manila aspires to preserve and share its beauty through photos — and from this collaboration is where we lay the groundwork for our community. Join us, pack your camera, and hiking gear, and learn about landscape and astrophotography.
Experience a different appreciation of our environment from the iconic and scenic views of the Masungi conservation area. The georeserve and Leica teams offer this opportunity to discover and apply the art of nature photography, as well as exchange ideas and techniques with the community.
The group is limited to 7 participants.
TOPICS COVERED
- Photographic Techniques
- Landscape Photography
- Astrophotography
- We will be visiting Discovery Trail (Liwasan/Sawa Area), Montenegro, Legacy Trail (Amihan) and Silayan
DATE
New dates to be confirmed
Participants are responsible for ensuring that he/she is available to attend the workshop on the specified date and time. No cancellation or refund is allowed upon sign up.
TIME
8am call time at Leica Greenbelt 5, Makati City
2pm estimated departure at Masungi Georeserve
MEET-UP AND DROP-OFF LOCATION
Leica Store Greenbelt 5, Makati City – to be confirmed
INCLUSION
- 2 days, 1 night accommodation at Masungi Georeserve. The conservation can only provide basic amenities as it is not a resort.
- Each guest will have his/her own room with toilet and bath. There are no air conditioners in the reserve, but given the location, it's cooler at night.
- Meals - Day 1 (Lunch, Snack and Dinner), Day 2 (Breakfast, Snack and Lunch) This will be prepared by the conservation's in-house chef. If you have any dietary restrictions, please let us know.
- Transportation (Coaster: Leica Greenbelt 5 - Masungi Georeserve - Leica Greenbelt 5)
IMPORTANT REMINDERS
- You are welcome to use any camera brand
- No cancellation or refund upon sign up. However, in the event of bad weather, the trip may be postponed to another day at no extra cost to the participant.
REQUIREMENTS
- Any camera brand with semi-auto or manual settings
- All participants attending this workshop will be required to be fully vaccinated and provide proof of vaccination. This requirement applies to participants, staff, and instructors involved.
TENTATIVE SCHEDULE
DAY 1
11:00 AM ETA at Silayan, Km 45
11:30 AM Serving of Lunch at Silayan
12:30 PM - 1:00 PM Orientation and Briefing about Masungi and Activities by Kal Joffres
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM Landscape Photography and Astrophotography by Dr. Adel Samson
2:00 PM Travel to Accommodations for check-ins
(Kanlungan Lodges, Mountain Houses, Cabin and Researchers’ Quarters)
3:00 PM Travel to Discovery Trail (Sawa/Liwasan Area)
3:00 PM - 4:15 PM Landscape shoot at Sawa bridge and Liwasan Area
4:15 PM Travel back to Montenegro
5:00 PM - 6:15 PM Sunset Shoot at Montenegro
6:15 PM Travel to Silayan
6:30 PM Dinner at Silayan
7:30 PM / 8:00 PM Astrophotography shoot at Silayan and Cocktail Hour
9:45 PM Travel back to Accommodations
10:00 PM ETA at Accommodations / End of Day 1
DAY 2
4:15 AM Wake-up call / Start of preparations from accommodation areas
4:20 PM Travel from Accommodations to Amihan, Km 46
5:00 AM Sunrise shoot at Amihan
5:45 AM Breakfast at Amihan
6:30 AM
Option 1. To stay at Amihan Floating Huts for Rest/Nap
Option 2. Travel back to Km 45 for Landscape shoot
9:00 AM Landscape shoot at Rock Garden
10:30 AM Travel back to Silayan for Reflection and picture-sharing
11:45 AM Early lunch at Silayan
12:30 PM Travel to Kanlungan
1:30 PM Check out from Accommodation Areas / ETD from Km 45, Garden Cottages
Detailed information will be sent to participants.
ABOUT MASUNGI GEORESERVE
In the late 1990s, what is now the Masungi Georeserve and its surrounding areas were deforested and overridden by an epidemic of land-grabbing activities. Illegal logging was prevalent and threats large-scale quarrying were present. Environmental offenders were many and took heavy toll on the project, as we dreamt to restore back its forests and transform it into a development where nature is a priority and man interacts with his surroundings mindfully.
The location and concept did not appeal to many, making the beginnings rocky developmentally and financially. However, this has also shown itself as a blessing to pursue conservation more intimately, a place we have grown to love. Since securing the spine of the rock formation in the 2000s, restoration and rehabilitation has been underway. Trees are now growing taller, the wildlife is slowly but surely getting richer, and genuine concern for the environment is becoming an integral part of living for everyone involved.
With a strong commitment to the environment for over two decades now, it is now our hope to share our love for nature, scale our impact on surrounding communities, and ignite our guests’ interest in the fields of conservation, sustainable conservation development, and geotourism.
In 2017, under a landmark agreement with conservation advocate and then-DENR Secretary Gina Lopez, the Masungi Geopark Project was born. The ecosystem restoration initiative aims to restore nearly 2,700 hectares of degraded forest land around Masungi Georeserve, and address gaps in halting deforestation in the area.
ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR | DR. ADEL SAMSON
Dr. Adel Samson is the Chief of Cataract and Refractive Surgery at the University of Santo Tomas. He practices Ophthalmology at the Medical City, Ortigas. He also teaches Ophthalmology at the Ateneo Medical School and Public Health and Phacosurgery here and abroad.
Before his medical career, 9-year old Adel discovered his love for photography when his father gave him his first SLR camera. After a short stint in Chroma under Pancho Escaler in 1986, he owned his first Leica (M6) and has been passionate about shooting with rangefinders. He shoots portraits, landscapes, and street scenery.
He is currently an active member of the Camera Club of the Philippines. Participating in their monthly competitions since 2009, he has received awards, such as photo of the month, photographer of the month, photo of the year, and 1st runner up for Master Photographer of the year 2017. His photos were exhibited at the UN in New York in 2019. During the same year, he received Gold, Silver, and Bronze awards at various International Photography Awards.
In 2020, he was awarded the First Bobby Paterno Cup and Photographer of the Year by the Camera Club of the Philippines.
He continues to share his talent by serving as a resource person in local and international workshops and conferences in both eye surgery and photography.
ABOUT THE RESOURCE PERSON | KAL JOFFRES
Kal Joffres is a resident photographer at Masungi Georeserve. His day job is as a Director at Tandemic, an innovation and strategic foresight firm that advises social and environmental impact organizations, including the Asian Development Bank, the World Health Organization, and UNICEF.