Semi Retired Foamer

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.

Official Home Of the 'Brad N Virls Adventure Series' - Images are copyright, so contact us if you would like to use any photos on your site/video! (We don't bite)

Thursday, 25 May 2023

LANTANGAN MANDAON MASBATE - PART 4

Lantangan Elementary School

These 'I Love' signs have become part of the landscape all around the Philippines nowadays. I noticed numerous during this trip, including Masbate City and the beautiful Hondagua in Quezon Province.

Photo: Brad Peadon

Has taken me two decades of collecting to finally find 'Tanduay 65'. Thankfully my wife was paying more attention while we were in Gaisano Mall in Masbate City.

After searching for so long, a talk with the Tanduay company revealed that it is only made for the Cebu market.

With this in mind, I had resigned myself to either putting up without it in the collection, or going to Cebu. I really wasn't expecting to find it in Masbate City.

However, those older Gaisano Malls never disappoint.

Photo: Brad Peadon

Travelling up the 'Lantangan Motorway' to the farm of a family member.

Photo: Brad Peadon

Hairiest Guinea Pig I have ever seen.

Photo: Brad Peadon

Tin Tin sure loves Tocino.

Photo: Brad Peadon

The entrance into the seaside part of Lantangan is absolutely beautiful. Would be paradise to set up shop here and see out your final years.

Photo: Brad Peadon

Green does not come much greener.

Photo: Brad Peadon

A little known fact is that Babe retired to Lantangan following the end of her movie career.

Photo: Brad Peadon

Discussion plans to build SM Lantangan along the Lantangan Motorway.

Photo: Brad Peadon

Local Carabao playing hide and seek with his mates.

Photo: Brad Peadon

Tin Tin exploring the local shubbery.

Photo: Brad Peadon

Carabao still looking for his hiding friend above.

Photo: Brad Peadon

A random Lantangan canine.

Photo: Brad Peadon

Magnificent early morning view from Lantangan.

Photo: Brad Peadon

More random Lantangan canines.

Photo: Brad Peadon

Mega-prawns the size of a large rodent are about to be consumed by hungry Lantangians.

Photo: Brad Peadon

Junction of Balud Road and the Lantangan Motorway.

Photo: Brad Peadon

Yet seemingly impossible to actually buy it there.

Come on Lantangan sari-sari stores, time to stock up on quality beverages.

Photo: Brad Peadon

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Last Night Party

Alas, with all trips, our time in Lantangan soon ran out.

I wanted to stay longer, but I had a few appointments in Naga City that I had to get to.

I am hoping to return to photograph the barangay fiesta, but that sadly will rely on permission being granted from the 'Minister of War and Finance' and those she travels with.

I really only know who a fraction of these people are. The Asawa was able to identify some, so am sorry if your name is spelt wrong, is completely incorrect, I totally left out due to not being recognised (possibly due to being lasing on the night).

People at the farewell party.

Red: Nany

Middle: Ana

Rear: Rosie

Photo: Brad Peadon

Even more people at the farewell party.

Ones Asawa is standing closest to the camera, while my nephew Jonarie is in the yellow, sitting behind the local cutie :-) Eduardo behind him, and apparently Peter in blue.

Photo: Brad Peadon

Even more unknown people at the farewell party.

Yellow: Danny, who I believe is a former barangay captain.

Photo: Brad Peadon

Time to pig out.

Photo: Brad Peadon

Nany and her daughter Abby (Miss Philippines 2022)

Tin Tin and Jonarie.

Photo: Brad Peadon

Betty & Gerry.

Photo: Brad Peadon

Ernie in white, Jonarie in yellow..

Photo: Tin Tin

Time for departure, and a final gathering of Lantangians.
Jonarie, Edwin, Leny, Nany, Betty, Gerry, Nhing, Tin Tin and Efren.

Photo: Brad Peadon

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Lantangan 2022 - Part 1

Lantangan 2022 - Part 2

Lantangan 2022 - Part 3

Lantangan 2007

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Video: Sabangan Beach Resort (Laiya, Batangas)

Video: City Of Dreams (Manila)

Video: Rubber tyre road tram (Manila)

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~~ All New ~~

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Sunday, 9 April 2023

RANDOM ITEMS FROM THE COLLECTION

As a youngun I was very much obsessed with the weekly top 40.

You had to be well informed for school on Monday.

This list was picked up from the local record store back in May 1982, the best era for 'real music'.

A 'Urban Transit Authority of NSW' bus ticket from back in our bicentennial year.

Streewth, do you remember travelling for 60 cents?

Manly postcard (remember postcards) that I likely only purchased for that beautiful hydrofoil photo.

I can't quite remember what Sun Pak was, but think they were small juices that we likely had packed for school.

Flemings Food Stores
Over the many years I worked for this company I saw fit to collect various items for the collection.
I seem to remember that the future was looking pretty bleak for Flemings, even back when I was working there in the 80s.
Funnily enough, the name would go on to survive until the last store, such as it was, closed in 2020.
Flemings, End Of An Era.

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Love the 1980s.

We occasionally cover 80s transport on the

Semi-Retired Foamer Youtube Channel

Subscribe so you don't miss on these that are coming in coming months.

Monday, 3 April 2023

LANTANGAN MANDAON MASBATE 23/8/2022 PT3

Welcome to our third and final coverage of Barangay Lantangan back in August 2022.

This is all the scraps left over after the first two entries, those that were taken all over the place on our visit.

It will not be the last Masbate entries as I've still to do Mandaon, Masbate City, and the ferry ride from Pio Duran. Heck, by the time I am finished I will have probably been back there again already LOL.

Lantangan locals greet the asawa on our arrival, and check out that strange Aussie bloke. :-)

Photo: Brad Peadon

This was quite funny, if you have a weird sense of humour like myself. We drove all the way from Manila with a karaoke noise generator on top, but a tree branch at Lantangan saw us not be able to complete the last 10-15 metres :-)

Photo: Brad Peadon

Lantangan, a seaside paradise without the tourist-trap price tag. :-)

Photo: Brad Peadon

A walk around Barangay Lantangan while the wife visits family, and I shot of photos.

Photo: Brad Peadon

Lantangan evening, the guys playing something while partaking in some intoxicating beverages, while the women chat and Tin Tin plays with a chick.

I would have joined in the beverages with the guys, but I was pretty much over Tanduay at that point :-)

Photo: Brad Peadon