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.
It has been some time since I last inflicted an installment of the 2025 Mandaon Alumni weekend upon you all. This may well have come as a blessed relief to some, while others may have assumed I had “dropped off my perch” — Australian slang for carked it.
Truth be told, it has been a combination of lacking motivation, coupled with the small matter of setting up an entirely new life in the Philippines.
I suppose that second part may excite those who prefer the Philippine content over my usual railway and assorted nonsense guff.
But fear not.
I still possess well over 300,000 images of said guff, which should comfortably allow me to rabbit on for many years yet.
Apologies in advance.
Anyway, enough of that bollocks.
This thrilling installment covers the main night of the Alumni weekend, before rapidly degenerating into a considerably less official, and substantially more intoxicated, karaoke lunch the following day with the Asawa’s batch mates.
Oooooohhhh man… was THAT an event.
At least from the tiny fragments my brain has mercifully allowed me to retain.
The main evening itself consisted of food, dancing, an absolutely brilliant band called Elmo’s Tribe, and then — in a stunning and entirely unexpected Philippine plot twist — even more food.
Let’s face it, every event here revolves around food.
And honestly, with the quality of it, one can hardly complain.
The Philippines may occasionally lack reliable footpaths, orderly traffic, or indoor venues without industrial-strength karaoke systems… but by heavens they know how to feed people.
Anyway peoples, you are not here to read my endless droning on.
And no, I do not apologise for this gallery being heavily concentrated on Elmo’s Tribe and the associated dancing. I already showed you a photo of a pizza earlier. Honestly, how much food coverage does one human require before requiring cholesterol medication?
Since this evening, I’ve had the opportunity to hear a few local bands around Masbate Island and, while this may seem ever so slightly biased now that I’ve come to know Ruffa and Mariz, I still reckon Elmo’s Tribe are probably my favourite of the lot. At least judging by the impressive variation of music they belted out throughout the night.
Now, despite the name “Elmo”, you may assume the band derives its title from that small red furry muppet with the highly questionable voice. To be fair, the appearance of the creature in name does little to discourage that theory. :-)
However, during a phone conversation with the owner back in April, I was informed the name actually derives from an alternative name associated with Philippine national hero Jose Rizal.
Sadly, this conversation took place while consuming beverages with a good friend who lives not far from Mandaon, so the finer historical details have since dissolved into the tropical haze somewhere between the second and fifth drink.
Yes, those who read the first part of this article may be beginning to detect a recurring pattern here.
But honestly, what else are you supposed to do while hanging around beaches in Masbate Province?
Photos: Brad Peadon
Inside the main entrance of the school, the building likely being the offices as the school rooms are largely on the other side of the road.
Photo: Brad Peadon
OK, a little bit of food coverage for you, with a Mia's Catering eagerly awaiting upon some hungry mouths.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Some of the many attendees. Each tent being a different batch from over the years of the high school.
Photo: Brad Peadon
During a break in the music, I somehow managed to gather enough courage to wander up and ask if I could take a few photos — fully prepared for either friendly smiles or immediate deportation.
Instead, I met Ruffa and Mariz, two of the genuinely loveliest people you could hope to meet anywhere in the Philippines.
At the time, while happily enjoying the music and atmosphere of the evening, little did I realise that a year later I’d end up hanging out with them again during the Masbate Rodeo Festival.
Of course, that particular adventure is still sitting somewhere in the ever-growing backlog of stories and photos waiting to appear on this blog.
At my current rate of progress, you can probably expect that installment sometime within the next decade or two.
Photo: Brad Peadon
The foam canon guy was busy spraying, well.......foam over the gathered dancers, making for great photos/videos and stinging eyes. :-)
Photos: Brad Peadon
Above and two below
And just like that it was all over until the next one.
Photos: Brad Peadon
Overall, a truly wonderful night, and a band I really hope to see in action again in the future.
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