Banner image of the jagged rocks of Nagudungan Hill as well as the news/travel MISSION RAIN GAUGE article makes it to the frontpage

A major coup!

The article, entitled Mission Rain Gauge sails into fabled island, was actually a combination of two that I wrote for Smart, one a news item, the other a travel write up. Other than highlighting what the company has done as part of its CSR program, Kabalikat, focusing on education, it showcases the beauty that the island has to offer: Cibang and Caniwara Coves, wildlife, adventure activities and more.

Included also are tips where to stay and how to get there, which is quite important for the traveler.

Do check out the article at www.inquirer.net or get a copy at the newstand or 24 hour convenience store before the day ends.

Yep, Langyaw.com won again! CLICK TO ENLARGE

The awards had three categories that also included adventure/sports and leisure with best travel blog photography and best green travel blog. In the category that I won, I submitted my piece on my home province’s watchtowers: Cebu’s lonely sentinels of the sea which was part of my Cebu/Sugbo series.

The travel blog winners, L to R: yours truly, Blanca, Marcos and Angel. Ada did not make it.

Complementary hotel stay in Cebu

Am I happy? Of course! Despite the fiasco I experienced with the airline a few months ago, that was already history. And besides, with the free tickets, I need not worry of bungled online ticket booking payments, again. No headaches and no sleepless nights.

The winners? Marcos of ambot-ah won for Leisure and Relaxation. Angel of Lakwatsero won the Adventure and Sports category. Ada, Adaphobic, the Best Travel Blog Photography while Blanca, Random Thoughts by Blanca, the Best Travel with a Cause blog. Congrats to you all!

My photo (top) as editor's choice in the National Geographic Magazine May 2010 issue

Finally, it’s out: the May 2010 issue of the National Geographic Magazine where my image of a flagellant preparing his tukarol is published. The caption reads:

Estan Cabigas Talisay City, Philippines

On Good Friday in the Philippine town of Infanta, this Roman Catholic flagellant donned a floral headress called the “tukarol.” Cabigas, 36, captured his image while documenting Holy Week practices for a school assignment.

This photo is part of a story that I did for my Diploma in Photojournalism course at the Konrad Adenauer Asian Center for Journalism at the Ateneo de Manila University. Check out my slideshow.

Thanx to Nomadic Pinoy for sending me this scanned page. I’m still awaiting delivery of my copy.

Check the slideshow and free download

My profile in CNNGo.com.

The Boracay Funboard Cup article that I wrote for CNNGo.com. CLICK to visit the actual site.

Finally, my article for CNNGo.com, part of CNN Lifestyle and Travel, is up!

Part of the 52 Weekends feature series in the CNN Go website, it showcases events and activities on all weekends in 2010 happening around Asia.

From the 52 Weekends page where all feature articles are listed:

January 22 – 24: Boracay International Funboard Competition

Travel blog Langyaw’s author Estan Cabigas provides the perfect weekend: The International Funboard Competition in Boracay. It is one of the largest annual windsurfing races in Asia, attracting hundreds of surfers and kiters from around the world. There’s ocean fun for everyone: Pros compete for titles, while amateurs take lessons from the region’s best surfers. When the sun sets on the island, the revelry kicks up and rages until the next morning.

Estan Cabigas is a traveller, photographer and creator of the travel blog Langyaw.

Check also the bottom of the page for the Manila feature.

For the Philippines, I was contacted last month to write a weekend feature article:

• the Boracay International Funboard Cup, 22-24 January

The assignment was quite challenging at first since the sample writing style given to me is different to what I am accustomed to. In fact, in the travel posts I do for this blog, I must have first hand experience and don’t provide much details like contact numbers and costs since it is more of a personal insight. But here, as long as all information is available, it’s enough. Really, its quite simple. No need to be physically there. A dose of humor is also required.

What I like about this project is that it not only focuses on the main event but also on possible places to visit near the venue as well as activities to do. All these written by local contributors. That’s why you’re assured of the un-tourist trap variety.

I’m really thankful for this opportunity and for the first article on Boracay, I would like to give my gratitude to Nenette Graf, organizer of the Boracay International Funboard Cup who entertained my questions. The internet was also quite handy in making this article but just so much time done researching and sifting through many unimportant data.

And the best part? I get to have my own profile page, ahem, with some personal links included.