For over four decades I have been a rail and bus photographer.
However, during this time I have aimed the lens at other subjects, be they different transportation, scenery, buildings and other bollocks.
Given these do not really fit the scope of my other sites, I felt compelled to set up a new site so as to inflict my other photographic garbage upon the world. While primarily Philippine and Australian content, there will be the occasional forays into Fiji and Hong Kong. Perhaps other locations should the current pandemic ever allow it.
So sit back and enjoy, or hate, even be indifferent. That choice is purely up to you.
The Redevelopment Of The Old Eastlakes Shopping Centre.
Following on from the closure of Woolworths, and as such the whole mall, I've had the desire to cover the whole process as the site is transformed into a modern retail and residential complex.
Rather that a hundred endless posts covering each visit, the aim is to include numerous visits over a few blog entries, looking at the amazing changes along the way.
Greetings, ladies, gents, and miscellaneous upright-walking life forms,
Over the years, I’ve managed to accumulate a rather unhealthy number of aviation photos from my many jaunts to the Philippines. It turns out that snapping planes, while enduring mindless automatons (security guards), on an airport perimeter fence is a hobby. Who knew?
Now, here's the problem: these photos span over a decade of trips, and organizing them all by date is roughly as fun as herding cats with commitment issues. Still, I figured it's time to put all this guff onto the internet — if only to justify the amount of storage space they’ve consumed and to entertain you for a few minutes.
Full disclosure: I am not an aviation photographer. My natural habitat involves trains, train stations, and occasionally cursing at delayed departures. I can tell an Airbus from a Boeing (usually), and I’m reasonably confident helicopters are the loud ones that hover. Beyond that, I wouldn’t recommend asking me technical questions unless you're looking for wildly speculative answers or creative lies.
Anyway, with that disclaimer out of the way, brace yourself for an onslaught of airplane photos. This series will be delivered in several gloriously average installments, brought to you courtesy of my fifteen (yes, fifteen) trips to the ever-intriguing, occasionally chaotic, always photogenic archipelago known as the Philippines.
You’ve been warned.
Oh, and note that all these shots were at the 'Manila International Airport', or 'Ninoy Aquino International Airport' if you feel a need to use that name.
A wonderful greeting seen by thousands of passengers arriving at the airport in Manila.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Above and below.
Philippine Airlines - A330-300 - RP-C3331
Now scrapped.
According to planespotters.net on May 25th 2000 an armed man attempted to hijack the plane and tried to force it's return to Davao. When the pilots refused, he demanded they lower their altitude so he could jump out. He did so, but his homemade parachute failed and he fell to his splattering end.
Photos: Brad Peadon
Cathay Pacific - B777-300ER - B-KPD
Still active with Cathay Pacific.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Philippine Airlines - A330-300 - B-KPD
Now scrapped.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Malaysian Airlines - B737-800 - 9M-MLG
Now with Firefly, the airline not the sci-fi series.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Tiger Airways - A320-200 - 9V-TAQ
2013: Became Tigerair.
2017: To Scoot until withdrawn in 2020.
2020: Stored briefly in Alice Springs, then Singapore.
Now scrapped (2014).
Photo: Brad Peadon
Cathay Pacific - B747-400 - B-HOY
2013: Withdrawn and ferried to the USA for scrapping.
Now scrapped.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Eva Air - B747-400M - B-16403
Now scrapped (2014 Victorville).
Photo: Brad Peadon
Korean Air - B777-300 - HL-7533
Still active at 26 years old.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Philippine Airlines - A319-100 - RP-C8603
2015: To Aurora Airlines in Russia.
2021: CBD Aviation in China.
Now scrapped (2021).
Photo: Brad Peadon
Asiana Airlines - B767-300 - B-KPD
2022: ANA Trading Corporation
Now stored at Victorville.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Thai Airways - A330-300 - HS-TEB
2015: Withdrawn and stored.
Now scrapped (2020 in USA).
Photo: Brad Peadon
Cebu Pacific - ATR 72 - RP-C7258
Only 8 months old at time of photograph.
2015: Cebgo
2015: Cebu Pacific operated by Cebgo.
2023: Hi Air (South Korea).
Stored 5 month later and still listed as such.
Now scrapped.
Photo: Brad Peadon
A fuel truck.
That's all I have for you on this.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Cebu Pacific - A320neo - RP-C3239
Currently listed as parked and only 6.2 years old.
Mandaon, tucked away on the western coast of Masbate Island, isn’t a city (yet), but don’t tell the locals—it’s got enough charm to pretend. With just over 44,000 residents, it’s a peaceful place where coconuts outnumber people and rice fields stretch farther than your weekend plans.
Once just a humble barrio of Milagros, Mandaon got promoted to full-fledged municipality status in 1949—kind of like getting your own Netflix account after years of sharing. Its name supposedly comes from “mandoan,” meaning “landmark,” which makes sense since sailors used its mountain as a guide. You could say it was the Google Maps of its time.
The economy runs on farming, fishing, and the occasional sari-sari store gossip. It’s also home to DEBESMSCAT, a state college with a name long enough to be a password. Students flock there to learn agriculture and more, while probably wondering how to spell the school’s name on forms.
For those with a sense of adventure, Mandaon offers natural spots like Bat-ongan Cave (perfect if you're into dark, mysterious places that don’t involve your ex), and beaches like Lantangan, where you can relax, nap, and question your life choices—all under a palm tree. And don’t miss the Pamasayan Festival, where the town throws on its best colors, music, and probably a lot of lechon.
In short, Mandaon is quiet, underrated, and full of heart—and definitely worth a visit if you're into nature, good food, and the kind of slow living that city folks daydream about.
Departing the Lantangan International Cruise Terminal Photo: Brad Peadon
Cruise ship captain Edward Artocillo sets us forth for Mandaon.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Soon enough we were taking part in the Lantangan to Mandaon bangka regatta.
Sadly we lost.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Approaching Port Mandaon.
Photo: Brad Peadon
A barge involved with the work taking place on the Mandaon jetty that has questionable rules randomly enforced (depending on person) by the security guard.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Lantangan's finest, my dearest niecy Esther came along with us for the day.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Mandaon bangkas.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Above and five below.
Mabini Street runs along the beachfront of mandaon.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Sari sari stores are always so photogenic.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Mandaon internal cruise terminal.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Above and below.
Kuya Pia's niece Precious and offspring.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Niecy Esther in the playground at Mandaon Beach.
Photo: Brad Peadon
The beachfront at Mandaon sure looks very nice nowadays. Though it did seem to be locked off officially and may only be open for certain events.
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