Hands-on holidays

It’s not every day that you get to view the world through the lens of a radically distinguished travel photographer. Neither is it that common for the northernmost province of the Philippines to double as both classroom and laboratory. But there we all were, committing the alien topography of Batanes to memory — and memory sticks — with master lensman George Tapan as our tutor. Under his guardianship, the fairy-tale idyll of cows, cliffs, and lighthouses appeared even more awe-inspiring, as if our cameras had suddenly found Jesus. Then again, I think that was the point.

Leading the way to smarter tourism, Travel Club Philippines aims to bring art and travel to the individual in one postcard-perfect package. “We facilitate this experience by showing the magic of the Philippine islands and its artists,” shares Oudine Santos, who spearheads the operation together with Clang Garcia and Miles Roces.

Formerly branded as Travel Rewards Club, Travel Club Philippines was conceptualized by Colors, a publishing company that has been producing award-winning travel guides since 2002. The entrepreneurs decided to go beyond print and spread the word about our country’s highly bloggable attractions in a more tangible manner. Through their bi-monthly trips, like-minded adventurers not only get the chance to work on their tans — they get to learn from the experts as well. 

Focus On Wellness And Creativity

From yoga and diving retreats with Teresa Herrera to art sessions with BenCab, Travel Club Philippines cooks up field trips that focus on wellness and creativity. “To be able to promote both the destination and the artist to international and local travelers, we choose instructors who are globally recognized and are masters of their respective fields,” continues Oudine. Of course, all three partners would also like to help promote emerging talents. 

The club’s first stay in Batanes in 2008 was such a hit that participants raved about the “flow of the event,” produced impressive pictures, and built lasting friendships. This year’s group even includes several repeat customers who decided they wanted to learn some more.

A Way To Change Lanes

As our jeepney expertly navigated Basco’s wind-battered hillsides, Clang Ramos mentions that some of the people who sign up for the club’s activities have fairly demanding careers. They treat these hands-on holidays as a way to change lanes, slow down, and breathe a little.

“There was a time when we had mostly lawyers in our group. We’ve also had doctors, nurses, entrepreneurs,” the publisher and destination explorer explains. “They all want to unwind, have a blast, and meet people. A majority, however, wants to reconnect either with themselves or with nature and enhance their skills in a free-spirited environment.”

Proving that you have to go further afield when you want something a bit more authentic, two European ladies perched themselves on the roof of our trusty vehicle. Theirs was perhaps the greatest survival story of our journey.

Fundacion Pacita, once the home studio of the late mixed media maverick Pacita Abad, was the de facto lecture hall wherein we initiated all-important critiquing sessions. The incredible thing about our informal setup was that everyone — whether he or she was a beginner or not — encouraged one other while sharing their honest insights. I imagine this is really what happens when strangers set off to the remotest parts of the archipelago in pursuit of inspiration; you tend to reach out of your comfort zone, embrace the unknown, then return more enlightened after making it your own.

Heroic Efforts

Again, by developing “an experiential travel innovation which can serve as a powerful icon in Philippine travel,” Travel Club Philippines wants to inspire a new breed of tourism advocates. It may sound way ambitious but trust me — it can be done.

As we boarded the plane back to our normal selves, a couple of quotes stood out among the handful I scribbled in my journal. First was from George Tapan, who said the most crucial rule of photography was “Read the manual.” Next, and as important, was a line from Austrian poet Rainer Maria Rilke: “There is only one journey: going inside yourself.” Coupled with the heroic efforts of everyone who was part of this adventure, those precise words advanced my understanding of photography and the Philippines like you would never believe.

“We want to justify the beauty of Batanes and we would like you to help us promote it through good photographs,” Clang Garcia said on our first day in Basco. It’s painfully clichéd, but pictures do paint a thousand words. Ours, in fact, hum with stories of self-discovery and wink at the possibility of even more life-altering expeditions. 

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Special thanks to Dina Abad, Oudine Santos, Clang Garcia, Lai Zamora, George Tapan, Roger Delpito, and Ed Delfin.