In the rural area of Tanay located within the province of Rizal, Philippines, you can be at peace. Tanay was originally known as “Monte de Tan-ay” during the Spanish rule. During the fight against Spain, Tanay became a military headquarter. During World War II, Tanay was occupied by the Japanese and became a Guerrilla base leading to the Liberation of Tanay in 1945.

While there are more urban areas, it is the rural area that seems to hold a little more charm. Agriculture is a major factor in the lives of its citizens are there are many farms in the city. I had the fortunate opportunity of trekking through an eight-hectare farm, owned by one family for over fifty years. Besides an abundance of mangos, the farm also grew other types of common Filipino vegetation, like Upo (White Squash). Exploring the land is reminiscent of hiking through your favorite campground with its trees, bushes, rocks, and wild plant life.

There are also many historic and natural sites. One must-see sight is Daranak Falls, a very popular hangout for locals and tourists located at the foot of the mountains. However, it is also incredibly crowded. This government-owned piece of nature is beautiful once you get passed the hustle and bustle of the crowds. There is a small entrance fee, but once you walk through the gate and down the bridge, you cannot help but take in its beauty. The falls are located at the end of the walk and crowds of people sit upon the rocks to just relax and enjoy not only the natural sights, but of the entertaining sights. At Daranak Falls, people scale the walls to the top of the falls in order to jump down in the water. Before you even see the 14-meter high waterfalls, you can already hear people cheering them on and you can’t help but look into what the commotion is all about.

Further beyond Daranak Falls is Batlag Falls, hidden with the forest. A much more serene location, it is more proof that many waterfalls are hidden within the mountains of Tanay. One only needs to go in search of it on their next adventure.

At the foot of Mount Makiling, the fairy Maria Makiling protects her home. Laguna, Philippines, is home to not only one of the most famous mythological characters in Philippine folklore, but also to one of the country’s natural treasures. Located between two volcanoes, Mt. Makiling and Mt. Banahaw, Hidden Valley Springs is a little piece of paradise. Sitting in the heart of the jungle, Hidden Valley Springs flourishes with natural springs, wild plant life, and exotic animals. The deeper you go into the jungle, the harder the walk, but the bigger the reward. At the end of the main trail is an untouched waterfall known as Hidden Falls.

While you can’t go swimming at Hidden Falls, it is still a perfect photo opportunity for nature lovers. For those who choose to swim, there are natural pools with both warm and cold water. The Warm Pool, Soda Pool, and Lover’s Pool. The Warm Pool is the nearest to the cottages, but upon first sight while walking across the bridge, is a sight to behold. The cooler massage waters of the Soda Pool has been tested to prove to be at the same level of quality of Fuji Waters. For those who want a little more privacy, the Lover’s Pool is secluded from prying eyes for a more tranquil experience.

When not in the mood to swim, there are smaller trails that you can take that have their own surprises. Although, it is not recommended that you go off on your own for safety reasons.

When visiting Hidden Valley Springs, tourists can choose between Day Tours or Overnight packages. For those who stay overnight, the cottages are well designed to give a rustic, at-home feel. You can spend long hours on your own deck just reading a newspaper or drinking coffee while admiring the view. There is also a full meal service meal for both packages. There are two dining halls that separate the tourists depending on their length of stay. For those who stay Overnight, dinner is served under the stars while breakfast is served under the clear blue sky (weather permitting).

Hidden Valley Springs is the perfect getaway for both locals and tourists.

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Random Acts (formerly known as Minion Stimulus) is a non-profit organization dedicated to doing good works in the world. RANDOM ACTS ONLINE STORE.

Random Acts, a division of The Art Department, Inc. currently holds the rights to these graphics. These designs may be used only with written permission from Random Acts’ Director of Charitable Affairs, Lisa Walker.

Also, please check out the Random Acts (Minion Stimulus) page at UNICEF for Haiti Relief HERE

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China

15 Photos

Japan

2 Photos

Taiwan

4 Photos

Singapore

2 Photos

Vietnam

9 Photos

Thailand

6 Photos

Philippines

21 Photos

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(Image ©JoJo Electro)

I designed Warhol-style designs for DJs under the new “electronic dance music”-inspired clothing line, JoJo Electro, as well as refurbished other designs for apparels.

Please visit JoJo Electro for both general and signature designs.

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A collection of personal designs based on photographs from some of my travels.

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Click the image to view the live website of Vikki Rae’s Hair Studio.

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A project for my Graphic Design III Class at Cal Poly Pomona. The topic was “Manners” and I decided to tackle the problem of School Violence in the form of a poster & magazine.

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A series of posters for The Roosevelt Special (formerly known as The Old Souls) show at SOhO in Santa Barbara, California.

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An exhibition held by the Film and Media Studies Program at University of California – Santa Barbara.

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