Marz Today

CNY 2012

2012-01-23T01:04:00.001+08:00

Happiness, Prosperity & Abundance!

Happy Lunar New Year dear readers! I hope we'll have an interesting year up ahead of us

Kpop Con 3: Best crowd ever yet!

2012-01-01T23:42:00.000+08:00

How was your New Year boys and girls? Right before new year's eve I got busy with the 3rd Kpop Convention for the benefit of Gawad Kalinga, PAWS, and the victims of Sendong. The attendees should be proud to know that they're having a good time for the benefit of others.

Get a glimpse of what its like before the event itself!
Call me a sneaky perv but yeah haha just the bare stage on the day before. [December 29th]

Then the next thing I knew there was that beautiful LED screen the next day. [December 30th]

I was doing behind the scene work at the Cass PH booth we managed to get 80% done on the 29th

Then on the big day [December 30th]

Poya the Cass PH mascote with Junsu the duck (because he's busy preparing for Elizabeth)

A lot of fans came as early as 7:30 a.m. talk about enthusiasm! By the time the doors opened there was three lines coming from the left, right, and center of the entrance. With a minimum of 150 PHP ($3) donation by the door the attendees got a goodie bag from Globe with lots of post cards and what-nots. No physical ticket for this event.

The lucky pre-registrants who gave bigger donations got the option to choose the goodies for their goodies bag. Those lucky folks got to pick from Magic Sing headsets, Sparkling magazines, posters and postcards, calendars, bookmarks, album booklets of Kpop artists and even gift cheques from Nature Republic.

Eager kpop fans line up to donate to KCON3 beneficiaries

According to the Megatent staff this was their best crowd ever. If my memory serves me right they reported that there was about 4000 attendees but I have yet to confirm that with the press release from the organizers. Till then I'd like to believe that it is so. It got really hot inside the venue due to the big crowd. The Megatent staff had to bring out their industrial air coolers just to help the air circulate.

The crowd anticipating the opening acts and the program proper.

The Program
After the opening acts finished the program started. This year's hosts were Kring Elenzano, the blogger behind MyKoreanBoyfriend.com and FunnySexy.ph and Krissha Viaje from TV5's Hey it's Saberday.

Here are some of the highlights of the program I was able to catch.
The explosive Kpop dance battle. I tell you, folks these cover groups were on fire!

The 4 winners for the Kpop-Idol look-a-like were recognized in the program. Earlier they got their glam shots taken at Art movement studio. Pretty awesome photos check em out here

Jop's impression of Jang Geun Suk was adorbs! It got the crowd and hosts cracking

Then to wrap things up, the awarding ceremony. Here are this years winners:

Rookie of the Year - Boyfriend
Hottest Male Artist - JYJ - Kim Jaejoong
Hottest Female Artist - Girls' Generation - Kwon Yuri
Best Male Artist/Group - Super Junior
Best Female Artist/Group - 2NE1
Song of the Year - TVXQ - Keep Your Head Down
Album of the Year - Super Junior - Mr. Simple
Globe's Kpop Fanclub of the Year - Cassiopeia Philippines

This convention was one of my best memories of 2011. I'd like to thank my parents for allowing me to participate in this event (roll credits? LOL) I'm sure you guys would too. Your hard earn money (from your parents ~~perhaps?~~) went to a good cause. Be proud because you kids have done your part!

Mabuhay ang Kpop Con till the next event! Happy New Year everyone!

New Year 2011

2012-01-01T14:01:00.001+08:00

I have a lot stories to tell, had little time to tell it

don't know how to start telling it all but we'll get

there one post a time. Thank you for believing in

me and Marz Today. For the 7 years of love and

readership the stories will continue for the sake

of LOLS! Thank 2011 you taught me well.

2012, if our world is truly in danger. STOP.

INCREASE THE PEACE

Do this for Christmas

2011-12-18T22:12:00.003+08:00

There will be no water and electricity supply in Cagayan de Oro for the next 4 days according to my mum's friend in CDO. I am sure that I am not the only one who finds this beyond alarming!

This is not the image of Christmas I had in mind (photo: inquirer)

Sendong has hit Northern Mindanao badly, albeit caught them unprepared. I call everyone to share whatever help they can for our people.

Donate in Kind

La Salle Greenhills. Donations will be accepted starting December 19, 2011 (Monday) -- Donations in cash and kind can be received at Gate 2 of La Salle Green Hills at 343 Ortigas Avenue, Mandaluyong City 1550.

Donate in-cash / SMS
Red Cross via credit card and bank deposit. Visit http://www.redcross.org.ph/donatenow
Red Cross via Globe. Text RED < amount > to 2899. You may transfer P5, 25, 50, 100, 300, 500
Red Cross via Smart. Text RED < amount > to 4143. Valid donation amounts 10, 25, 50, 100
Globe G-Cash. Text DONATE(space)AMOUNT(space)MPIN(space)SLB and send to 2882

More ways to donate:
http://iliganbloggers.com/food/one-for-iligan-help-the-typhoon-sendong-victims/
RockEd FB

There are over 652 dead and over 808 people missing as of this moment. The dead can't be identified because there are not enough embalmers. There are not enough 'kiddie' coffins. The bodies are piling up because no one is claiming the dead bodies because they too could be missing. You may not understand the pain these people have but I am sure in you know that they could use all the help they can get.

Photos from Schenley L. Baban's facebook page

This is the season of sharing after all. God bless the Philippines

C.N.A at the Dear Santa Bazaar

2011-12-04T13:39:00.000+08:00

If you're still fresh out of ideas for your Christmas gift ideas you should check out the Dear Santa sale at the Megatent catch it while you still can, today is its last day.

C.N.A's soft opening at the Dear Santa Bazaar

CNA booth at the Dear Santa Bazaar. Photo from the CNA Facebook page

Entrance at the Dear Santa Bazaar is free and their Kpop albums are 10% off only today. So make this Sunday and check them out.

Check out our hauls from yesterday after the cut + directions to Megatent.
As you can see I'm feeling pretty smug from my humble haul from CNA. Their albums are 10% only until today. I scored myself Tablo's first solo album

Earrings (ho, You have to see the whole lot yourself to see all the cuteness!)

and uchiwas too!

I also got two free posters from buying in their booth. See what posters you might be able to take home.

Don't get lost on the way there. Here a map to Megatent and directions

CNA Korean concept store comes to MNL

2011-11-27T18:00:00.003+08:00

I've been doing my research on fan goods and cute novelty items which leads me to my subject, a concept store hailing from the metros of Korea, CNA (Culture Nature Art). Just to give you an idea of what kind of products they offer I ~~stalked~~ researched some blog owners hauls from CNA.

Its the Haga Twins and Kring (1/2 of the Krimmy Couple) in these promotional photos, I'm looking forward to see the Krimmy couple in the next batch of promotional photos tee-hee.

CNA is invading the Philipines! Catch them at the Dear Santa Bazaar this starting this Friday Dec 2, 2011 at the Megatent. You will want to add their items to your Christmas shopping list. Check out what CNA has to offer after the cut.
Here are items you can look forward to seeing this Friday:
This headset

Accessories that define kawaiiness!!

CNA is brought to us as the love child of our very own Winter Sonata Couple of the decade, The Krimmy Couple. I bet they will be retailing couple items too ~♥

One of the several CNA shops in Korea

Exciting huh? I am more excited of the possibilities of CNA retailing these

CNA Philippines might not yet be carrying all these items yet but you can let them know that you want to see these in their shop and even get something in return. Join their contest to win any one of their merchandise of your choice!

CNA Philippines will have their soft opening at the Dear Santa Bazaar this Dec 2-4 at the Megatent. This is good time for KPop fans and Korean cute-stuff savvy shoppers to cop these items and more. Have I mentioned that they are retailing Korean albums as well? HUZZA!

Ain't that awesome sauce or what?! Yey A JYJ special limited edition album ~~I can be happily broke now~~

Like them on Facebook or follow them on twitter to see more of their products. CNA Philippines will participating in these bazaars this Christmas season.

Dear Santa Bazaar December 2 – 4 at The Megatent, Meralco Ave., Ortigas [Get free entrance cupon here]
Noel Bazaar December 9 – 18 at the PICC Forum, CCP Complex
Noel Bazaar December 21 – 23 at the World Trade Center, Pasay
The 3rd Philippine Kpop Convention Dec 30 at The Megatent, Meralco Ave., Ortigas

CassPH: OVERTONE Launch

2011-11-25T21:17:00.000+08:00

It is another big day for the Cassies tomorrow!

RSVP to the event

Get over 11 freebies when you buy at least any two of the three versions of Tohoshinki's Tone album.
See what exclusive items you can get at the launch after the jump.

All the freebies you can get when you buy any 2 albums

Two posters, six photocards, an uchiwa (fan), a baller, and one goodie bag to put all your goodies in.

Here are other exclusive freebies you can get apart from the 11 freebies you automatically get from buying 2 versions of of TONE

Plus 1 AADBSK season 1 would be raffled away to one lucky winner courtesy of Odyssey.

Cass PH is also holding contests for you to win a copy of Tone with their B.U.T Contest (tonight at midnight is the deadline for submissions) and the Standees at the event. You may want to try your luck at that!

All these can be yours if you buy your copies of Tone tomorrow at the launch. Looking forward to see you there!

RSVP to the event

Global Pinoy Bazaar: Calling Cards

2011-11-07T18:42:00.003+08:00

Enjoying your GPB hauls? I bet you are feeling pretty smug, unfortunately this two day sale is just... two days. The rest of the stuff you didn't buy is probably haunting you in your sleep. Thank God for calling cards for giving us a direct line to the goods.

Lots of colorful and memorable calling cards from this bazaar.

Shops' calling cards in photo: Kate Bakes, Moms 4 Nature, Junk Studio, The Clay Artist, AFS Printing Services, Klay Girl, Theo and Philo, Kinkclay, Witty Will Save The World, Quiddity Arts and Travel, Johz co. Clay, Pandora's Box and Co., Cultus, Filed, and Paperpod Seedpaper

Find out which calling card rocks the creative juices from GPB bazaar after the cut
The calling cards in photo are a handful of different canvases for the sellers' information. It is like a little token from them after seeing their products in person. A neat networking strategy too if you ask. At the Global Pinoy Bazaar I met a lot of sellers with unique products, lets see how many sellers and their products I can remember.

Cultus - is a couture house. Clothes! I'm not the sharpest when it comes to fashion but I remember them for two things. One is because the owner (I assume that was her) asked my friend, Iya A. if she was interested in modeling (Woot! we'll see how that turns out) and second is for their lovely prize which I won at the raffle. Thank you for the lovely necklace!

I'd also like to thank digiprint for the photo. (Magpasalamat sa mga "sponsors" ko -kuno)

Pandora's Box and Co. - I'm a sucker for clay art. Philippine Polymer Clay Guild was there so there were a lot of clay artists and I couldn't tell their products apart. I randomly picked out a card that struck me the most out of all the clay artists. Nothing too complex and a rather budget friendly idea, Pandora's Box and Co.'s card is printed on photo paper with a picture of their doughnut clay pendants.

Earthly Jewels - They too were among the PPCG sellers who gave away free clay goodies, I guess I should have said so earlier. I got this free for liking Philippine Polymer Clay Guild's facebook page at the bazaar. Did you score any freebies from GPB? I'd like to know what you got, leave me a comment about it.

Izzo - Just thinking about lugging a hideous black back for your DSLR that can cramp your style can make you think twice about bring it in the first place. Not with Izzo's camera bags. Panda scored a low-key DSLR satchel from them. Its hard to find stylish camera bags with enough space for other things. Their business card is worth another look with their carbon paper-like design and you can really see that their brand name stands out in this design.

Artwine - Book lovers should check out their made-to-order customizable book covers. You can have them customize what shapes to cut-out and choose the colors for the book cover. Its a neat gift to give this Christmas (*hint hint). Although they didn't have a calling card I got hold of their flyer instead. I just felt that they had to be included even without a card since I remember their brand and product. They even make felt crafts for debuts and weddings, now that's a crafty idea.

The no-frills business card means business.

Witty Will Save The World - The witty folks behind the "Akala mo lang wala nang slumbook pero meron, meron, meron!" and the 2011 Planner "Relaks, puso lang yan, malayo sa bituka" (Unfortunately I was told that there won't be a planner for 2012 （　ﾟДﾟ）). Ok, I'm not cheating since I knew the brand before hand. Their calling card is professionally printed glossy on card paper and comes in different colors you can choose from. Although the text is small it serves the design well. I just hope you haven't placed their card in your pants that is probably in the dryer as we speak. Relaks, malayo naman sa bituka.

If you have an over stock of paper you should consider donating it to them. YOUR THESIS DRAFTS, YO COLLEGE FOLKS!

Paperpod Seed Paper - Eco-friendly and a recycling advocate is the Paperpod seedpaper. Basically their paper products are so recyclable that when you just add a little water and throw it away a fruit, flower or maybe even a magic bean stalk might grow out of it. Their calling card is made with the actual product. How can anyone not remember them?

And the most memorable of all

fun and as functional as their products are is their calling card a fortune teller.

Junk Studio - As the name implies they make unique jewelry out of upcycled material, they're pretty good at it to! Thinking about why I didn't buy anything from their shop feels like a missed opportunity. I clearly remember Nikki (le full time crafter of Junk Studio) folding one to give to me after I took one of their regular ones. Their regular calling cards are well designed although it was printed on specialty paper. This fortune teller version is printed on paper but Junk Studio sure has a different way of presenting a calling card.

Calling cards leave an impression and is way for us name-game-losers remember who or what you're selling. I enjoy calling creative cards especially the really unique ones, those are a keeper. Its a must have for every professional, even a non-professional would kill time to have one (mine would have "Jedi in the making" in the profession line).

Note: Sorry blurred the contact information because these cards have personal information on em' (I was debating with myself if it is alright to post other people's contact information without their consent. I wouldn't want that). I couldn't bother asking each and every one of the card owners if I could blog about their calling card designs to keep this post timely. If you need contact details to the shops mentioned just ask and I can give you their contact details. Alternatively you can check out their web site (as linked to their names)

I hope you'll consider these brands when you do your Christmas shopping this year. Enjoy your holiday shopping, folks!

Global Pinoy Bazaar: Punch Drunk Panda

2011-11-05T21:42:00.001+08:00

From one-of-a-kind bags, clay jewelry, stationery, personalized journals, and a lot of other favorable and functional knick-knacks that is just the tip of the iceberg of what you can find at The Global Pinoy Bazaar on-going now till tomorrow. This is a great place to find young creative Filipino entrepreneurs who make money out of what they love doing.

My personal favorite among the exhibitors is Punch Drunk Panda. They're popularly known for their laptop accessories and footwear. You may have come across their products in Analog Soul and Lapdance Bags (Both in Trinoma).

Their recent product release is their camera straps as featured in Wanderrgirl. Designed by Filipino creatives Joseph Velasquez, Nathania Gail Go, Pat Manlapas, and Rob Cham whose comics entitled stories is also available at their booth. Just take a look at those straps, its a far cry from your boring black and brand name strap. You know you want one!

More of Punch Drunk Panda at The Global Pinoy Bazaar after the jump

Today I met two creative folks behind PdP. The creative Jen Horn, one of the artists and Jonver "The Marketing Guy" David and saw Joseph Velasquez when I went back to their booth (because I couldn't resist PdP like the awesome sauce brand that it is).

Triple J's from Punch Drunk Panda. L to R: Joseph, Jonver, and Jen.

I've been a fan of PdP's designs since I've landed on their facebook page a couple of years ago while searching for laptop sleeves. Since then I usually look forward to their laptop skins (stickers) but none of them fit my 15.6'' laptop . However today I was feeling lucky with their laptop sleeves on sale. 200 a pop and will still be until tomorrow. I just had to cop this.

Fantastic design aye? Unfortunately my laptop barely fits in it *dies*. Despite it not fitting my laptop I guess someone is going to be real lucky this Christmas. Although I'm quite happy with the free pin Jen gave me when I told them that was my first ever purchase from Punch Drunk Panda. Isn't she just awesome? *imaginary high fives Jen* ... I should have just bought your shoes.

This sumo looking penguin makes up for the laptop sleeve that does not fit... like a boss.

Now kids, let me remind you to check your laptop size before getting a sleeve- no matter how much you want one.

Drop by their booth tomorrow, you won't miss it. It's the first booth you'll see if you are coming from the Powerplant mall valet parking entrance (here's a map). Their products are great gift items for Christmas. Get something for everybody!

Its so Q! The Pentax Q

2011-10-21T00:32:00.001+08:00

I'm completely sold to the idea of a portable DSLR. Mind you, I'm not the biggest fan of bulky cameras let alone lugging one around. Pentax has recently made available in the Philippines their newest addition to the family, the very cute, Pentax Q.

Why you want to consider getting me yourself a Pentax Q after the jump

A new contender in the digital camera with interchangeable lens arena is the Pentax Q. I'll try to avoid the jiberrish but the pros call this as a MILC / ILC / EVIL camera. (Mirrorless interchangeable lens compact / interchangeable lens compact / electronic viewfinder interchangeable lens). ~~IT'S MILC-Y and EVIL at the same time!~~ Basically its a 12MP palm sized digital camera that allows you to take fish eye, wide, telephoto photographs by changing its lens, just as you would with a SLR minus the bulk.

5 of Pentax Q's interchangeable lens

Why I'm so nuts about it is probably because its a point-and-shoot equipped with more than the usual photo filters like Black and White, monotone, retro to name a few (there are also scene modes too! Night, kids, portrait, moving object etc.). Sample the whole lot of its filter effects here. The feature that I like most is that it can take up to 1080p HD videos. Here's a sample taken with the standard lens that comes in the box.

Then just imagine what else you can shoot with the other lens... crazy fun yeah?

Just my two cents but it is probably the most sensible looking toy camera in the generation of plastic toy cameras out in the local market. Plus points for looking like a Leica Magnum that would make your WWII grandaddy nostalgic. This baby looks nothing like its contenders like the modern looking Samsung Nex or Lumix GF3 series but more closely to a Leica M9. What makes it slightly different is its lens and another fun part is that the flash can be popped out.

This little monster made its debut on ANC's Future Perfect a just a week ago to let us know that it is now available in all branches of CameraHaus and goes for PHP 39,999 which includes camera itself, the 8.5mm f1.9 pancake lens, an 8GB sd card, an a camera bag.

On hind sight here are the pros and cons:
Pros:

12 MP with 5 interchangeable lens.
HD video capture at 1080p with Time Lapse mode (uh hello, awesome?!)
ability to attach external flash and triggers
absolute eye-candy, available in black or white
It's specs are enough to take decent photos underwater especially if a macro lens came out for it (according to some folks from dpreview forums, but you may want to read my comment in the cons first).
It's a fancy digital camera with a lot of shooting options.

Cons:

No view-finder
The lens doesn't retract so it won't fit your pocket.
Not all the lens are available locally, you might want to consider waiting for all the lens to be available. If you're that excited all five lens will be first made available in Japan.
There is no underwater casing for it. You can make do with a zip lock bag one but I doubt you'd want to risk your warranty. Good luck with that.
Not a DSLR substitute. Dude, its still a point-and-shoot camera at the end of the day. Honestly, it really falls under the toy camera category :} ... but still!

Practically speaking this little monster is the eye-candy of toy cameras available in the market. Quite promising to be dubbed as the worlds smallest and lightest camera with interchangeable lens but you know what they say,

It's not the camera it's the photographer who takes a good picture.

Official website: Pentax Q (JP)
full specs: Dpreview
photos from: warehouseexpress

I've been blog-dead

2011-10-17T00:14:00.001+08:00

The mandatory what-has-happened-to-Marz-Ren-in-the-past-months-without-blogging post has once again appeared after a semesters worth of work took place. I'm pretending to be some busy person as always. #Iblametwitter

Another true story you may prefer not to believe after the jump.

I'm back from what I can call one of the most physically challenging months of senior college. Yes, I mean to scare you.

I may not have mentioned it earlier but I am once again diagnosed with vasculitis. If you have absolutely no idea what that is, you can refer to my 2007-ish posts and you'll have an idea. If you're lazy you can either google it or see this, scary stuff right?

Its not all bad news though, I mean after coming down from Baguio earlier July, my case of unhappy feet took its toll on me that by August I needed a miracle to dress up for my thesis defense. Luckily, like a miracle, I pulled that one off and I got a load of my back. It felt so nice that I had to remind myself that life in the institution wasn't over yet.

Institute meaning, school and graduating... forget about the other institution you were thinking of

Basically its been a heck of a task to wake up early in the morning when all the pain in my foot is throbbing, attending shoots, braving floods (past typhoon Pedring / Nesat) in order to make ends meet for my academic requirements. I had to literally brave floods and the typhoon even with the danger of getting an infection in my open wounds on my foot. Call me an idiot but that is a mass communication student's reflex to get the job done.

But really I'm just being too much now aren't I?

screencapped from Disiplina Manileño a documentary, 2011. I had to go through floods for this one

During that time I've probably hit my highest level of procrastination because I had a reason. Although the little voice in the back of my head told me that nothing is gonna come out of baby-ing the pain and should just suck it up like a boss. Which I did.

Thanks to Kat B for this lovely baller band. I don't usually adorn myself with silicone but here is an exception.

Don't tell my mum but ~~tho she'll probably read this anyways~~ I am a zombie. Working at graveyard hours, my feet looking like this, I speak zombie when I can't get my thoughts straight, and I've started to look like this.

screencapped from HyPHenated a short film, 2011

I do! Actually this 'look' was for our short film HyPHenated. It's about 4 half-Filipinos who came to the Philippines aspiring to be a Filipino youth representative for an upcoming World Youth Congress. It was screened in the 2011 MassComm Mini Film Fest in SPUQC. I even got the chance to edit another entry apart from ours.

Kapatid short film poster, 2011

I know, I'm lacking in the typography department. I might as well re-edit for portfolio purposes. Then I had another project which took the longest. I spent 2 nights without sleep trying to guess what footage went where. I don't know how I managed but I'm still alive without suffering much from vertigo.

screencapped from The Idea Pool E02 a documentary, 2011

Working on all this was like a whirlwind (whoa, whirlwind? Dejavu!) but I can guarantee you I've been working to satisfy quite a number of people at my expense. Sorry, I sound so cranky. I am when I don't get to eat doughnuts. Have you tried Cielo's doughnuts? I haven't! There is an article about in the online newspaper of ours. Ahh right that is also another project I had on hand. Check out The Requisite... watch me pull your leg trying to be all serious in journalist writing.

Visit The Requisite

Last but not least, this one is upcoming. Pinaskil, a photo exhibit presenting various angles of Metro Manila. Its all going down this coming Tuesday October 18 at the Tea Bar. Bring your under-aged acquaintance there is nothing in the exhibit you would not want them to see.

RSVP to the event

That about sums up all my reasons not-to-blog nearing the "-ber" months if you thought I was working on Christmas shopping lists all that time. That isn't happening till I break even from all the expenditures.

See you around kids!

Tuwing Buwan ng Wika: Magpautograph ka sa idol mo

2011-08-21T00:31:00.004+08:00

Pagkatapos ng eskwela ako'y nagmadaling nagpunta sa may Trinoma. Sumakay sa dyip at pagkapos naglakad ng matulin kahit nararamdaman ang konting hapdi ng sugat sa may paa ko ngunit baliwala ito sa katumbas na sayang makakamit ko sa pagkuha ng pirma ni Lourd de Veyra sa kanyang bagong libro "This is a Crazy Planets".

"Yehey" nireherse ko na sa isip ko yung reaction ko pagnakakuha ako ng pirma. Naalala kong ikwinento ko sa kaibigan ko na kapag hindi ako nahiya pati cover page ng thesis ko papapirma ko kay Lourd De Veyra. Eto ang mga nangyari...

Nakarating ako sa pila ng ng pambansang bilihan ng libro aka National Bookstore (~~bakit pala to Engles eh pambansa nga di ba?~~), nakakita ng sandamakmak na tao sa loob ng pabilihan. Di ako nagkakamali ng pinuntahan.

"Tamang pila po ba ito?"
"book signing po ni Lourd de Veyra"
"alright!"

Buti na lang at na-dismiss kami ng maaga sa klase, abot tenga ang saya ko.

~~mga usisero~~ halo-halong taong gustong magpapirma ng kanilang Libro

Mga pangyayari bago ako tuluyang makalapit para magpapirma

truedat!

Baliwala ang paghantay ng humigit dalawa't kalahating oras na nakatayo sa pila kung fan ka naman ng pagpapaautographan mo. Maliban na lang kung wala ka lang magawang mabuti sa oras mo at may diperensya ka sa paa mo eh, kahibangan yon. Sa loob ng dalawa't kalahating oras na yon ay ipinagpatuloy ko ang pagbabasa ng libro ni Lourd at hindi ako nabigo sa talas ng mga paksang kanyang napiling gawan ng mga sanaysay. SOLB!

At sa loob din ng dalawang oras na yon, ang pwesto ko ay ginawang daanan ng mga tao. Sa harap at sa likod ng pinagtatayuan ko sa pila puro "Excuse me" "Padaaan po" ang mga bati sakin tila nagplaplano ng estratihiya kung papaano magpapa autograph kay Lourd. Kulang na lang magsabit ako ng karatula "Di po ako daanan" o di kaya "Doon po ang dulo ng pila". Maiba naman ang tatlong nagtanong sa akin ng "What book signing is this for?" o "Who is the author of the book?".

Para hindi mainip, merong mga tao sa pila na sumisilip kung anung nangyayari sa loob ng National at tuwing nakikita si Jun Sabayton sa white screen ay binibinyagan ng palayaw na "Lalaking palaging nakahubad". Ang iba tulad ko, nagbabasa; Ang iba nag-pipicturan sa pila, kanya kanyang trip. Di ko na nga napansin na palibot na ng tindahan yung haba ng pila.

Masaya rin maghantay sa loob ng National. Dito karamihan ay hinahantay yung kasama nilang nakapila sa labas ng National na magpapirma. Kasi may screening ng mga episodes ng Word of The Lourd. Laugh trip lang para sa madlang kilala at kininikilala si Lourd. Meron ding isang die-hard-fan na galit na galit at wala daw siyang WOTL shirt. Ate, pwede ka naman bumili nun dito wag kang bitter, pinirmahan naman ni Lourd yung libro mo.

Matapos ang konti pang pagaantay, dumating din ang pagkakataon kong magpapirma.

Usapang Lourd at Marz

L: *binuksan ang libro* Wow ang cute naman *nakita yung pangalan at bati na may drawing sa post-it na nakadikit sa libro*
M: hehehe
L: Hello Marz
M: *ngisi lang*
L: *Pumipirma* Taga san ka?
M: *nagisip dahil "Cebu" island souvenir shirt ang suot ko." Taga-QC po *Natawa sa message sa baba ng libro*
L: *natapos mag-autograp*
M: Ay, Sir pwede po bang magrequest?
L: Sige ano yun?
M: Sir, pasulat po ng "Hi Cathy" diyan po sa post-it
L: Ah sige. *sinulat ang message na may kasamang drawing*
M: hehehe, *nagpapicture*
L: ganda frames mo ah
M: salamat po
*picture, kamayan at alis*

Humirit ako ng ekstrang message ng walang autograph para sa thesis partner ko. Sa pagalis ko natuwa ako to the highest level, kumpleto na ang araw ko! Mayamaya nung nakalayo na ako naalala ko na di ko napapirma yung cover page ng thesis ko. Sa totoo lang pinagdebatihan ko yun habang nasa pila ako dahil madami pang taong nagaantay magpapirma ng mga libro nila. Baka mabato lang yun ni Lourd tulad ng babala niya sa mga magpapapirma ng Twilight.

Yan ang mga tamang gawain kapag buwan ng wika, magpapirma ka sa mga lokal na may-akda ng libro. Tulad na lang din nung isang nakapila, magpapapirma ng libro dahil kailangan sa klase (ang galing naman ng prof mo, sana di ka na minor para matanto ang lahat ng paksa). Eh kung ikaw ba naman eh may blog na ginawang libro, magpapa-autograph din ako sayo.

Hangang sa susunod na mga araw!

Perang sinemento sa lupa

2011-08-14T20:37:00.001+08:00

Tila-immesion ang photojourn class namin ng makilala ko si Lola Minda S., isang lolang taga Park 7 sa loob ng Barangay Loyola Heights, dyan-dyan lang sa may Katips. O di ba bonggang pakikisalamuha sa mga taong nakatira sa bongang community? Pero eto ang istorya- di na dapat bago sayo kung Taga-Maynila ka na merong maliliit na barangay sa loob ng mayamang nayon, tulad na lang nito.

Sa unang tingin ang nayon ng Loyola Heights ay makakakita ka ng malalaking bahay, mga mansion, at mga esblisementong pangkomerso. Ganyan sila sa Katips pero sa pinuntahan ko naramdaman ko ang tinatawag natin extreme differences. Ipagpalagay na natin kung sa drama mala- DaoMingSe at SanChai na magkapitbahay ang dating sakin. Nakita ko sa entrada ng kanilang munting nayon ang mga baryang itong nakasemento sa lupa na nagsisimbulo ng pagtangap sa pagpasok ng kasaganahan. Bakas ang malasakit na natatangap nila sa komunidad na ito, sa pagdating namin ay may naabutan akong iilang kabataang naka-NSTP shirt na kikisalamuha sa mga tagaroon.

Sa unang tingin ang pagpunta namin dun ay parang nakakaagrabyado kami sa kahirapan nila. Na minsang naisip rin ni James Nachtwey, isang photojournalist, sa pagkuha ng mga litrato ng mga tao. Ang pagpunta namin sa Park 7 Day care center ay upang kuhanan ng litrato ang mga lola't lolo na nag-aart therapy na karamihan sa kanila ay umaatend para maaiba naman ang takbo ng araw nila.

Naikwento ni Lola Minda sa amin na hindi sila pinapabayaan ng mga mayayamang kabarangay nila. Kahit mahirap ang buhay nakakaranas sila ng malasakit mula sa kanilang mga kasama sa communidad tulad na lang sa ng mga progromang pang-community-exposure mula sa mga dalawang malalapit na unibersidad sa nayong ito. Ang masnakakataba ng puso ay ang kwento ng tulong na natangap ng barangay na ito nung Ondoy. Nakakapanlubag loob na mayroon nabubuong sense of community sa mga tagadito.

Ang hinananain lang ni Aling Minda ay yung panahon di na siya maalala ng mga kabataang tulad namin na nakikisalamuha para sa isang gawaing pang-eskwela. Sa mabuti naman, dinadalaw pa rin siya ng mga estudyanteng nakilala niya mula sa mga naunang proyektong pang-eskwela. Sa totoo lang nasasayangan din ako sa mabuting pagkakakilala namin ni Lola kung sa ganun na lang matapos. Nagpapasalamat ako kay Lola Minda na bukas sa pusong ipinasyal kami ng aking mga ka-grupo sa kanyang bahay. Ang mga napagusapan namin ni Lola Minda ay ikwekwento ko na lang sa iba pang-post.

Sana mabigyan ako ng pagkakataon makatulong sa pagiibsan sa hirap ng buhay sa tulong ng pagtatatag ng mga exposure sa ganitong barangay. Sa ngayon ang tanging magagawa ko para kay Aling Minda ay ang tulungan siyang magkaroon ng magandan disposisyon sa buhay dito sa Maynila. Dahil isa siya sa mga taong mabibilang ko sa kamay na dumanas ng hirap ngunit hindi binabase sa edad, antas ng buhay, at pinagmulan ang pagkakaroon ng pagasang mabuhay. (Zest for life ang ibig kong sabihin, pano ko ba i-didirect translate yan?!)

Tayong Pilipino tulad ng perang baryang nakasemento sa lupa, ay nakasemento na rin sa ating tungkulin sa buhay na maging kayamanang magbibigay pag-asa para sa matatanda ng Park 7 day care center, sa komunidad na ito at sa buong Pilipinas.

Hangang sa susunod na mga araw...

Tama na lovelife Bayan muna

2011-08-03T21:46:00.000+08:00

Nangunguna sa balita, Naalala niyo ba si Miguel Zubiri? Ang kauna-unahang politiko na bigyang pansin ko sa blog ko. Narito nanaman siya. Wag niyo na i-wikipedia maliban na lang kung masipag kang magcode ng wikipage. Salamat Twitter trending siya, doon na lang kayo magtanong-tanong.

Dating Senador, Miguel Zubiri

Bumitiw na sa pwesto si Senador bago pa mag-privilege speech sa kamara. Humahanga ako sa desisyon niyang panagutan ang epekto ng usap-usapang dayaan noong 2004 (guilty or not). Bakit, ano bang pake ko noon eh di naman ako bumoto? Sige, ako na ang nabilang sa underage (nga ba?) voting ng Sanguniang Kabataan (na naging-usapusapan rin) ang botohan na sinalihan ko.

Bakit ba kasi kailangan nun? Kung sino lang nanganidato sila-sila rin ang binoto ko (no choice, daw). Yun ang pagiisip ko nung una akong bumoto. May paki na lang ako isang araw nung botohan na. Making change ika-nga (gumawa ng sukli). Wag kayong matakot hindi pa ako magcoconvert para maging political blog. Iiwan ko na lang yan para kay Professional Heckler at Ate Cherry.

Ito na po siguro ang aking kauna-unahang buong Tagalog post sa kasaysayan ng "Marz Today". Aminado akong nakakahiyang nilimitahan ko ang aking sarili na magpahayag ng saloobin sa sariling wika. Kahiya lang, kahiya lang talaga. Ito ay aking gagawin sa buong buwan ng Agosto, buwan ng wika. Libre lang gumamit ng google translate at nang magkaintindihan tayo. kayo naman mag-effort na umintindi sa wika ko. Pitong taon na akong nagbloblog sa wikang Ingles, maiba naman.

At dahil maiiba naman, yayain ko kayong makilahok sa kontest na ito

Dear Ginoong Celdran, BAKYAAN NA! :D

Maligayang buwan ng wika. Pagpalain ang ating Bayan!

Sa susunod na mga araw, mga bata! (Parang Pong-Pagong lang no? )

4 day trip aftermath

2011-07-31T14:35:00.000+08:00

I'm back from my 4 day disappearance from the cyber-world. I have not been on a vacation neither have I been abducted to a foreign country where child-labor is imposed.

In those 4 days I've gone on a trip where I had to look into a one way mirror. On the other side was someone I knew from four years ago. She was a person who held her piece and eventually entrapped herself in a web of lies and lived miserably from then after.

Today I'm on the way to break that one-way glass and let that girl live her life.

So what on earth happened that I now speak in artsy-fartsy linguistics? It's going to be legend- Wait for it.

DARY!

We were asked to share our story to the group (my college blockmates). The story I chose to share isn't exactly the most nation-change inducing story I have to tell but it has been bugging me for a long time. After a short self-debate I chose to share a little excerpt of my story of "The gay man". I made a poem about it surprisingly I did in Tagalog more or less for 30 minutes. HELLO BUWAN NG WIKA!

If you've been reading my posts about the gay man. Surprise! I also like people in that way too. For that I don't want to blame anyone but myself because I chose not to tell the gay man that I like him but after sharing my story to a number of people (even before this trip) I've come to realize that "This is it, I have to tell him or I will hold my piece till God knows when".

No one wants that. At the end of my poem I just had to say the two things on my mind

Don't hold onto things that are really not meant for you

and

If you love then let go, if it comes back its really for you.

Just a self-ralization I made during this trip. Kids, it's always good to be honest with yourself. Don't beat around the bush like I have been. I'm already nearing my expiration date for this story and I can't wait to see how its going to end.

Later Days

Dear reader

2011-07-24T14:27:00.000+08:00

Urban Vinyl Magic at RONAC

2011-06-29T15:33:00.000+08:00

I saw a feature on the Ronac center in the in-flight Magazine of PAL, Mabuhay. Ronac center is supposedly a branch for Uratex (a company that makes bed mattresses) where they have a premium bed showroom but I wasn't there for the beds.

A pit stop at the Ronac art center

Have you guys heard of Secret Fresh? If not, I'd figure the low-down adjective on their shop name being Secret had something to do with it.

You may have seen them in this year's Toycon last June 18-19. They're known for retailing urban vinyl toys and pop art from both local and international artists. Days before that, one rainy Tuesday morning me and Kuya J decided to brave the rain and check out Ronac Center in the Greenhills. The place had urban vinyl written all over it theoretically. Unfortunately I didn't have my cam with me sans quality pics.

That's where my fancy for TokiDoki stickers started. Teehee

some of the toys they sold during the toycon. Nothing to do with my visit to Ronac center

We checked out the upper floors of the place and to our surprise there's actually a basketball court on the 3 floor and shops on the 4th called The Deck. Unfortunately they were closed.

Fish-eye photo wall

other sights: Left: entrance to the playground Right: View from the 4th floor of the ground.
We also checked out the basement to see what there is. Another shop and Jagnus design studio.

Ronac center is on FB too. My next visit will probably be after I get my thesis over the great wall of defense.

Later Days

Toycon 2011

2011-06-25T01:42:00.001+08:00

A well deserved post for Toycon day 2. Here's some late ToyCon action. ~~Seriously, I'm doing this about a week after the event but yeah.~~

I started the day early with the fear that it would be as jammed pack as Day 1. From the tweets circulating it was reported that roughly 10k people showed up and the tickets were sold out on Saturday. It was practically like Divisoria but that just goes to show how much of a sell-out the event was. The Sunday was more bearable because it was an eventful day. Fathers Day, Jose Rizal's 150th Birthday and Toycon smashed into one!
Three trade halls were used this year it's probably the biggest local Toycon set-up I've been to. One of the trade halls was exclusively for the filming of Cosplay Nation. Con-goers were free to come and go as pleased those who were cosplaying were especially welcomes because they got to go on stage and perform .

I didn't bother going to the set since I wasn't dressed for it. This year I was all about scoring a good deal for toys.

The toy exhibits had a little bit of everything. There were Vintage toys like the ones to can find in the Mint Museum in Singapore.

There were doll dressers too, world class to Filipiñana style.

JP Cuison's Cyborg Rizal from the Secret Fresh Shop was there. The maker and this piece was also featured on the Sunday inquirer on the same day.

From the shop I bought a disposable moustache from. I think we can guess who this one's trying to be. Even in Toycon Rizal is very well remembered.

The Ninoy and Cory mini bust were among the exhibits. These fall under the "collectable" category unfortunately I didn't find out who the exhibitor of these was. Whomever that exhibitor is he/she sure has a lot of limited edition designer toys. I just wonder how these are stored in a house?

I also found a Mr. Bunny By Joe Ledbetter hiding behind balloons.

That same exhibitoy also owns two Mickey Maos a gold one and a bronze one. I didn't know the cigarette can be taken off #awkward.

This piece is called Mickey Mao which goes for $199 a piece. That might not be the most amusing thing to see but if your a fan of toys or the pun behind it you'd appreciate that exhibitor's collection.

I found myself hovering Secret Fresh's booth because I was all about getting Toki Doki stickers and possibly a moofia blind box ~~but I doubt will that happen any time soon?~~ although only the 6 inch Moozarella was available... Tempting but I can't get that just yet or my mum would throw a fit if I did. I got myself one the new releases from Toki Doki instead.

All this time I thought it'd be a blind box but I guess I learned my lesson. If it's a limited edition Toki Doki X Be@rbrick collectible it is the same as the one on box design. Good thing this the one I wanted. I just saw it today on the Medicom website, I was told that I'd be the first few to get it if I bought it on the ToyCon. I just got it anyway because it was Toki Doki.

Also on display was Amanda Visell's biggest toy. It is also for sale just like JC Cuison's piece.

Did I mention she's coming to town? Check out Secret Fresh on Facebook

I also got my first piece from the Be@rbrick series 21 c/o Vinyl on Vinyl. They had limited editions signed and numbered Huck Gee X Vannen watches on raffle that was right before I had a short conversation with Ms. Gaby and she was telling me that she met THE KAWS during the unveiling of the big OriginalFake monument in Hong Kong and I was like, I'd-fan-girl that! ~~I wonder if she bumped into Ed there LULZ~~.

Meet Buzzy, the Bee just like I'll be with my thesis

Apart from her, I also got to talk to another seller at the event who handed me a flyer for the Singapore AFA. She attended last year's SGAFA and it sound just as good as I've been expecting it to be. Those days when Be@rbricks hit rock bottom prices... or so that how I understood it. We had a pretty good chat about the AFAs and yeah ~~I still can't wait to get pawned by Singapore AFA or San Diego Comic Con, whichever comes first.~~

OBJECTION!
This was the best Toycon year for me because I finally saw Jin Joson as Kimihiro Watanuki (because I'm a fan girl and you might have seen her before dressed up as your favorite character. =3). Passing Tuxessories that afternoon on the way home was totally worth it! Hey Ace Attorney, TAKE THAT xxxHolic-ness! XD

Because Jin, Miguel and Team Tux are awesome! Uber thanks to Mau who did the talking for me because I was having a fan girl moment right then and there

And thats Toycon 2011 for me, I gotta go back.

Later Days, kids

Bantay! Bantay! sa Bantayan [Day 3]

2011-06-11T13:30:00.000+08:00

Island hopping day! Mum made it a point that we visit Virgin Island and Paradise Resort. First stop was at Virgin Island. They've got an entrance fee of 450PHP per head, we didn't swim there. Instead of paying an entrance fee we made a boat entry into the sea from another part of Virgin island that didn't charge.

Just trying to make the most of Virgin Island by making a boat entry. Pretty deep around this area.

Next stop was Paradise beach which is East of Octong Cave (it's pretty close to each other). We had our packed lunch of grilled squid and fish, prepared by the folks taking care of Heather and Aspen Inn. Home cooking made of win!

In the afternoon we went for a ride in a multicab towards the north end of Bantayan, Madridejos.

The part of the island with remnants of a Spanish structure called "Kota". It's like a mini museum real small, like a four walled room with no ceiling and that's it pancit.

According to the land marker this "Kota" was constructed in 1790 with coral stone, egg whites, red sugar, lime and, sand ~~and presto! It's a cake~~. It was used as a camp during the Spanish occupation and was used till after the WWII as a public cemetery. It could use some restoration since the trees growing from it is destroying the structure.

We were too early to watch the sunset at Mardidejos so we checked out what else there is to do in the resort. This inside the resort compound there is a small library which had the cutest greeting.

Taken at Lawisanon public library. Sounds grammatically wrong but you get their point.

And there's even more interesting things to see in the beach when it's low tide.

Random things I found along the shore when the tide was going out. I'd give you a cookie if you can tell me what those orange things are. I was joking that these were Undin's eggs, it doesn't hurt to think otherwise.

By sun down it was time for another seafood delight. This time we had dinner at D'Jungle in Sta. Fe. Its been featured in Lonely planet and their seafood buffet is like a happily ever after for a hungry tourist.

D'Jungle has to be the most pricey buffet in the island but its absolutely worth it if you're cool with buffets.

That concludes my trip to Bantayan Island. I'd go back if there's a chance. Now don't you just love to pay a visit to the Philippines?

Later, kids

Bantay! Bantay! sa Bantayan [Day 2]

2011-06-09T01:26:00.001+08:00

Started the day looking for breakfast. We tried Le Petit Bonheur which is right at the end of the road from Heather and Aspen Inn. Although they said that they serve breakfast, they had no supply that day and suggested that we try another restaurant. (At least they have a sense of community).

You gotta agree with me on this, that ambiance looks really cozy huh?

We had breakfast in HK Cafe owned by a Briton. Instead of going for Filipino breakfast I had a weird craving for pancakes and oh boy was their pancake mix something! That goes the same for the syrup it came with, it tastes like prunes.

They seem to be a more popular choice for lunch or dinner than breakfast judging from their menu. While I was having breakfast, a supply jeep came by and started hollering at the neighbors "DELIVERY DELIVERY"

I just thought it was funny that at quarter to eight in the morning restaurants and shops in this island are still in snooze-for-the-nth-time-to-wake mode. I thought it was alright since its not peak season in Bantayan. BTW peak season here is during the holy week and most tourists bring their own vehicles into the island via boat, so traffic happens.

Swimming @ Marlin's
Marlin's has suddenly became a favorite, just coz its the first resort you'll come across if you're walking by the beach in Sta. Fe. It's a free country and a good example of this is that you can go resort-hopping for free by walking at the beach shore. That's what we did to get to Kota Beach.

High-tide in the morning and low-tide in the afternoon. If you're up for some ridiculously hot sun burns, by all means do your swimming in the morning (just messing with you). The best time to swim is usually at 3P.M. onwards when the sun is cool and you have lots of sand to play in.

For a change in location we went to Sta. Fe Beach Club where the Octong cave is. You can swim there but at the moment it was only good for photo ops.

Since there wasn't going to be any cave action happening we just head down to the beach. The sand here isn't as fine as it is in Marlin's since there's a lot of shellfish business going on.

We went snorkeling to check out the marine life but it's very hard to find fish because the water is too shallow. A good habitat for star fishes to live in. Lets see if I find any.

next thing I knew they were every where and I found myself in trouble

Later when the tide got lower I did those stars a little favor and threw them into the deeper part of the beach since they might dry up, a habit I got from "The starfish story". I ended the day with another must-try-when-in-Bantayan specialty the 'Bam-i'.

Bantayan's local version of pancit. Your eyes are not deceiving you, mas marami pa akong nakitang seafood sa pansit na to kaysa sa beach.
To go with the pancit mum bought this monay-like bread which she calls Pagong

This is as big as a small American football, maybe I should call it football instead? Later during our trip I found something similar to it but much smaller in "Titay's" (a popular brand of rosquillos, my favorite also) in Liloan. It was called "Francis" and so I guessed this must also be a Francis... or this is Francis's big brother

End of day 2... more island fun coming right up

Bantay! Bantay! sa Bantayan

2011-06-07T19:21:00.004+08:00

I skipped 2NE1's The Party to do this

in an island in Cebu called Bantayan

There is a beautiful island North of Cebu known for its white beaches, lots of seafood, Bam-i and great hospitality. To get there you need to ride an airplane, a bus, a boat, and a tricikad (similar to a pedicab) and it takes about a half a day's worth of travel from Manila. Don't get lost, here's a map of Bantayan.

We arrived in Mactan-Cebu at 12a.m. (an hour late from the ETA because of a delayed flight). We were up for a 3 hour road trip so we had to have lunch in Cebu. I insisted that we have the ever famous Cebu Lechon, the closest place we could get it was at a SM Savemore near the airport. Because going to my favorite Sutokil, Luz's Lechonan in the city was out of the way and we had to catch the 3:00p.m. boat to Bantayan.

We arrived in the Sta. Fe port around 4PM and it was raining. From the port we rode a tricikad to the place we checked in. We stayed in a new cozy place called Heather and Aspen Inn. It's an ideal place to stay at in Sta. Fe where most of the good restaurants are at and it is walking distance from the beach.

After we settled in, the first thing we did was to check out the shore line and saw some interesting things

Yes boss, they have consistent white sand beaches all around the island. By night fall Dad was already hanging out at Marlin's resort for a bottle of beer and we met Enteng the bartender.

Enteng was a energetic guy whose fairly new to bartending, I was lucky to try his first attempt at a margarita and it's a pass although I enjoyed the grilled squid more.

That's just the appetizer, we had dinner at CouCou bar and had seafood pizza, which is a must-try. You know, it was so good that I forgot to take a picture of it .

CouCou bar is owned by a foreigner from Belgium, I guess that has something to do with the food they serve. Its the only place that served brewed coffee in Sta. Fe during our whole stay.

Wala pong Bangus na inihanda at nakain sa kabuoan ng itong paglalakbay

Day two coming right up...

Forget about HTML when you can do this

2011-05-31T19:46:00.001+08:00

Here are some of my favorite social media websites that might help you get cozy with 'selling yourself online' minus the trouble of coding a website. The idea of this post is to introduce you guys to sites that can help you organize your online content and mash it all together to make up one really awesome website.

Its the 21st century if the world is gonna end next year, I want my own website with a .com domain, mom / dad / or whoever would pay for that, but I don't want to bother you because I'm trying to be an independent broke.

If that's your drama, you don't really have to waste your braincells on the technical and financial pish-posh the web is throwing at you. If you really want your own website NOW, then check these alternatives out.

Wix
You've probably seen online ads on Wix. I'll tell you, they're not wasting your minutes when they promised you a flash website because they know in the back of your mind you'd be thinking "free flash website? fyeah right".

Your web address would look like this: http://www.wix.com/YOURWEBSITENAME
This has to be the best thing since I've used webs.com! Just because it's flash based gives it an edge and it's free. If you want a website feel to your personal space online Wix might just do the trick. Just a warning though, if your running on dial up internet speed you might want to try the next best thing which is

Flavors.me
Just like wix it's got a drag and drop interface (meaning anyone can do it, even your grandfolks can). Although it won't make you a flash website what people like about flavors.me is that you can do without the trouble of thinking up web content because it incorporates content from your facebook, twitter, tumblr, what have you. Now who doesn't want all of that in one page you can call home?

This a prefect example of an "aggregator" if you've heard of that word before. Your link would be like this http://flavors.me/YOURNAME alternatively you can also use your own domain.

About.me
This might look familiar because it's basically everything Flavors.me is but with a different address and a feature which allows you to check the stats of your page.

The only con is that there's a toolbar on top of your page promoting the website. If that doesn't bother you then you can have this awesome web address http://about.me/YOURNAME

For the creatives
If your looking for an online portfolio host here are some websites that can help you create an organized web look for your work.

Cargo
This site sells you the proposition that with cargo culture you can expect maximum exposure of your art that goes with your ever-changing style. Its practically a website for your creative work. The catch is it runs on an 'invite-only' basis before you can set up a site with them. This is to ensure the quality of works they host.

You can try sending them your sample works. if they like it, then your in. Pretty slim pickings huh? But it's been hosting some of my favorite creatives like Cecilia Chen Yker Moreno
If you had your portfolio here, your link of absolute win would be something like this http://cargocollective.com/YOURNAME

Behance
This site promises creatives and alike an organized website to feature their work for free. It is by far the best solution for budding creatives to showcase and sell their work online.

I even found one of my favorite craft art here. How inspiring!
A portfolio link here would look like this: http://www.behance.net/YOURNAME

Deviantart
One of my old and personal favorites, DeviantArt has housed all sorts of creative work. From vector, manga, cosplay photographs, to fan art, its all in there. Its a popular choice among young users which allowed them to create cliques with other creatives. It has housed a large number of works from budding mangkas (Japanese word for a comic artist or cartoonist) and well known artists like Alodia & Budjette Tan (Trese).

The best thing about them is that they protect each artists' intellectual property by adding creative common licenses to the artists work (if they opto to). Your link here would look like this: http://YOURNAME.deviantart.com/

Coroflot
It isn't only illustrators who need web space for their works that's why the crowd in Coroflot hosts more industrial designers, packaging artists and architects. This site lets the creatives create portfolios while the non-creatives or employers, the ability to post job ads for creatives.

That's practically putting yourself up for the job and maybe enough cash to buy yourself a domain. Because not all creatives build ideas with a graphic tablet. Your link would look like this: http://www.coroflot.com/YOURNAME

Carbonmade
THIS IS TOO CUTE TO BE TRUE! It is, so get a move on. With a homepage design like this I bet it must be turn off for guys to create a professional portfolio at carbonmade. Don't worry, your future employers won't see this page on your portfolio, just check out portfolios to the likes of Pasquale D'Silva and Patrick Galang. Wicked huh?

Your portfolio address here would be like this: http://YOURNAME.carbonmade.com/

So if you decide to make your own website or portfolio, I'd love to see what you come up with. Leave me a comment down below or at the chat box. Especially if you're game enough to try wix.com.

Before I go I'll leave you with one more website.

Listography.com
Although this isn't a personal web portal, if the idea of keeping things organized in lists appeal to you this might come in handy since I'm giving you all these websites to check out.

From the same guys responsible for the awesome book series of Listography, which I have been tempted to buy so many times but still fail to buy, has an online version of their lists customizable to your liking.

Later days

The Ultimate Bang!

2011-05-15T00:49:00.000+08:00

You bet your two cents you've scored a hot deal if you bought Big Bang Special Edition and Essential Big Bang this Saturday. In AstroPlus SM North Edsa branch, one of the four select venues for the launching of the two big releases by Big Bang, Universal Records brought VIPs the Ultimate Bang! with all the freebies they loaded in the deal.

SM North Edsa Ultimate Bang! Album launch of Big Bang's Essential Big Bang and Big Bang Special Edition.
A busy day for both the fans and VIPs of Big Bang PH where the eager fans came lining up for their copy of the albums. While the fans were lining up to claim their freebies the lovely VIP ladies of BBPH were also accepting membership forms that day.

The other fans and onlookers were able to watch music videos from Big Bang and took the opportunity to take pictures with the standees.

There were also performances from cover groups Dynam[i]tete] and BX3 although I wasn't lucky enough to see them perform. They were at the Megamall branch of the event by the time I got there.

The Big Bang standees. Get a chance to win one through BBPH Certified VIP Contest click the FB status for more info

Think you have a better picture than this? Join the Certified VIP contest to win the standees!

This was definitely a good day to get a copy of the two new Big Bang albums Essential and Special Edition because it came with lots of freebies like the tote bag, a file folder, posters and for the early birds a Big Bang necklace. Here's my haul of goodies:

One of 4 colors of the tote bag freebies

Three posters: 2 large landscape posters form their Essential Big Bang album and 1 portrait poster from their Special Edition album release

And finally here is their limited treat for those who came in early to buy the album. It was only announced that they would be giving this out on the same morning of the launch in AstroPlus's Facebook post.

This album launch wouldn't be possible without the help of Big Bang PH, AstroPlus and Universal Records. Much love to the lovely folks who made it happen.

Big Bang PH core / staff @ North Edsa

Time to get your copy, VIPs!

Later Days

Cass PH 8G: The hype is still there

2011-05-09T01:51:00.003+08:00

Cassiopeia Philippines 8G was definitely the carnival made of win this year. It practically felt like a mini convention where you can find a red sea overflowing with love for TVXQ. This goes out to the folks who tried to make it, didn't make it, wanted to go but *insert excuse here* and Cassiopeia.

As early as 8 am there were attendees lining up in the not yet open Starmall. Can you grammar check "excited much"?

Behind the scenes the folks setting up the venue got the chance to marvel at the humongous streamers (which was raffled off at the end of the event). I don't use 'humongous' on a regular basis to describe things, mind you.

tarps being prepared to hang

This took more skill and effort to win than to put it up

Sexy? I know, they all are ~~and then I died~~. The streamers were about 15 feet high, I wonder where the winners are gonna put them although I have an idea where one them is going. One of the winners said that she'd put it on the roof of her house. Those streamers were not the only things the attendees got to go home with, some of them won life sized standees. Where they go, what happens to them after, we'll find out in a couple of days (or in another post).

By the time the venue opened at around 11 am, I knew that this was going to be a crowd that you could only please with a good time.

Because they patiently waited TVXQ came out and welcomed them and crowd went wild!

photo courtesy of Erika Paulino @ Cassiopeia Philippines

You could see the smiles on the faces of those who were first to come in the venue. Happy happy joy joy.

The attendees didn't go empty handed because right at the entrance they got their share of goodies. While the attendees kept coming in I could not help but laugh that this happened again this year.

photo by Erika Paulino

(c) Cassiopeia Philippines

Translation of caption: The only difference between 7G and 8G. On 7G Jaejong was out of stock. This 8G SOLD OUT already!

Like every other gathering our lovely host Ms. Funny Sexy, Kring Elenzano, was there to bring more fun to the gathering.

Just for the LOLZ she mentioned coming up with K-pop inspired Tagalog gay lingo. Some of which are "GANDAra Park" and "Onew?" it's a Tagalog thing but you should check out her blog and read her post.

If you attended yesterday's gathering and have sharp listening skills, you would have heard it and ROFLMAO-ed

We had games with really tacky names like Ang Gintong Itlog ni Junsu (The Golden Egg of Junsu) a fan subbing contest and Pahabaan ng Dong Bang (Longest Dong Bang) which is actually a game of making a long line. There is also Poya o Premyo which is an adaptation of an old popular Filipino game show called Pera o Bayong, it's just a bummer that the grand prize (which was 8 official releases of TVXQ/ THSK albums) for that game was not won.

In a Cass PH gathering anything can happen, even Kim Junsu will wear a skirt for the fans photo (c) Cassiopeia Philippines

This year the cover groups were practically THE BOMB! More consistent and worth flailing over. I simply loved them! Here are my two of my favorites.
MFINIGO who performed Purple line

video courtesy of ParkHyunJae43
and 5CL with Rising Sun

video courtesy of aserre05

If you want to see more photos of this gathering there's a bunch of albums of the event floating on FB. Cass PH's FB page should be coming out with links to the photo albums of the attendees.

At the end of the day I realized "those who attended are the luckiest because they get to win everything". Just try and digest this:
2 winners got to go home with 8 TVXQ releases from Universal records
5 winners got to win original SungKyunKwan Scandal merchandise
5 people got to take home life sized standees
5 lucky folks got to keep the 15 feet long streamers
at least 10 people won Keep Your Head Down albums
PLUS other prizes came from the booths just like the Henna booth that raffled out 4 singles from the TRICK series of THSK.

Its no jokewon when they said that they were "overflowing with prizes" I wish I had won some goodies myself.

I also would like to quote Erika P. on this

"There is no denying that Cassiopeia will ever fade".

Before U Go let me end with this picture that if Kuya Edward hadn't pointed out I probably would not have notice.

taken at 4AM Shaw blvd. side of Starmall while I was sleeping... JOKEWON!

I'm just running out of adjectives and pictures to describe this event. 8G: The Carnival can be and was described in one or two words like "대박" "united" "it rocks" and these words didn't come from me but from those who were are the event themselves. Here's one from Most Requested Hits magazine's photo coverage of the event - LINK.

Much love to the folks who make this event possible! More power to the Cassiopeia fandom. As early as now I'm already looking forward to a 9G like yeah!

By then I hope the 5 people I'm waiting for have already returned

Later days kids!

The Director's not gonna be happy

2011-05-01T20:47:00.000+08:00

Are you watching SBS 내 여자친구는 구미호 / My Girlfriend is a Gumiho? If you've watched as far as episode 9 you might have, or not, seen this.

If you can spot what's wrong here, give yourself a cookie
on Episode 9 at 1:00:59 (towards the end of the episode)
~~Spoiler alert:~~

Spot it yet?

The guy holding the boom mic is seen doing his job. ~~At least you know he's working~~

They let this one go, I mean I'd bet my two cents you hardly even noticed it. Production value-wise I'd say you'd rather choose to tear your hair off than choose to re-shoot the scene by the time it hits the post-production.What's 5 seconds to none on free TV?

You might ask why I'm making a big deal out of this. I probably noticed it out of practice. ~~I thought I was going to blow my braincells from imagining~~ but someone else noticed, I found a comment at KimchiDrama, so I was not seeing things after all.

If you've worked for / with meticulous directors or supervisors you wouldn't let things like this pass. Especially if your a boom-man and your director is ~~kung ayaw mong masabihang kumain ng balot~~ anything like that.

So we learned to keep our eyes peeled when filminh

Later days