INKBLOTS: Life unraveled

NEW HOME: Embracing Wordpress

2009-07-07T17:24:00.005+08:00

Finally, I gave in to a new blogger format which I have always wanted to have. I am very much comfortable with the Blogger format which I am using here in this blog, but my new project (which I will share soon!) is on a WordPress format. I had no choice but to learn the tricks f the trade. And only when I was familiarizing myself with the buttons and all, did I only realize that WP has become more user-friendly like my first love, Blogger. Back in 2007, I found the WP really, really hard to use especially when you are still starting. I could not understand how the widgets work back then.

However, the Blogger format is still much easier because you can learn the CSS easily, as well as change the layout, which I do often, hoping that it will make a better-looking blog layout.

Anyway, since I have already thousands of views in this blog, I decided not to transfer them. Otherwise, all of the years I have worked on it will be lost.

So here are my new blogs:

MY HOME: which aggregates all my blogs and other websites:

and

EXPLORED! which is my travel blog:

Hope to see you there!

...
Back to TOP

Enjoying event photography

2009-07-07T01:29:00.004+08:00

I know it would be too late if I blog about the much-talked about AKO MISMO advocacy and concert. So I am giving it a different slant, so that it would not appear like it was a long-overdue blog post, which was overtaken by events.

Anyway, now I cherish the fact that I was one of the official photographers of the event! Thanks to a friend who is directly connected to the conceptualization of AKO MISMO, which by the way is not politically motivated but a call for Filipinos to start CHANGE from themselves. I share this advocacy because since my college days in my psychology courses, we have always been inculcating during the homeroom facilitation classes and in counseling. Something like a Rogerian approach to counseling.

I have done events like the fiestas and festivals here and there, but it was my first time to shoot a concert. Anyway, I simply ran out of words to describe. it, but there is nothing more explicit than the photos I took during this event:

The commitment wall:

The people who believe in the cause:

The artists who graced the occassion:

and of course, my fellow Indios who documented the event:

...and I look forward to shooting more events in the future! {for free or for a fee - smile!}

You can see the rest of the photos HERE.

back to TOP

Lang-ay Festival 2009

2009-05-01T22:40:00.006+08:00

I took another marathon trip last April 6 and 7 to be just in time for Mountain Province's Annual Lang-ay Festival.

Witnessing and covering the event was exhausting, but it thrilled me just the same because I got the chance to mingle with the different tribes of the Cordillera people. Watching the SLU Dance Troupe perform was likewise a source of pride for my alma mater. The street dancing was superb as the participants gave their best to entertain the locals and tourists. And communing with them along the historic Chico river where the governor treated all participants for lunch was a humbling experience--where all people become co-equals.

This years' theme was "Nurturing History and Culture".

It was an honor to be part of this. If my schedule permits, I will definitely go back next year.

...
BACK TO TOP

The Earth Hour experience

2009-05-01T22:07:00.003+08:00

I know it would be a very late post. But just the same, I am glad to share this to you.

My two nephews and my niece came for a sleep over. I had the chance to observe earth hour with them, and they gladly obliged to be my models.

They had so many questions why we had to turn off the lights for one hour. They are glad to be part of history and help arrest global warming - for their children's children.

....
N.B. The Earth Hour Global just emailed me and they took interest in this photo, which they will use in their Earth Hour campaign.

...
BACK TO TOP

60 minutes into the future

2009-03-28T00:35:00.005+08:00

Just 3600 seconds.
Just 60 minutes.
Just 1 hour.
Just 4.2 percent of your day.

You can make history.
You can make global warming a thing of the past.
You can define your future...
...your children's children's future...

Be one with us...

Be a part of the change.

Back to TOP

Experiencing Hot Air Balloon Fiesta

2009-02-22T22:05:00.007+08:00

Seeing them on TV, especially in features in National Geographic (not exactly sure about it) and Discovery Channel makes me feel so young at heart! I know that they are huge and they run on winds and hydrogen, but seeing them right before my eyes is definitely an altogether different experience.

Together with my Flickr friends, we started our travel from Quezon Avenue to Clark at 4:00 Am and arrived before 6 AM. It was my first time to attend the Hot Air Balloon Fiesta last February 15, and was just surprised to so many cars and people lining up!

But we were lucky to have a friend's friend to buy tickets for us so the queuing up was a little shorter. Thank God! or else we would not see the preparation and the start. It was worth the heat, the confusion, and physical fatigue....it was indeed an awesome experience! I might go there again next year and bring my sons with me!

You can see my 2009 Hot Air Balloon Fiesta HERE.

....
Back to TOP

40 explored photos

2009-02-12T22:55:00.007+08:00

Since the day I got my first explore photo, now I have 40! Yippee!

Just wanna share this to you:

1. Connection, 2. Pacman and me! For the win!, 3. A day's reward, 4. Concentration, 5. SEARCHING for meaning, 6. Kamoteh Bokeh, 7. Life is..., 8. Isang sulyap sa pananampalataya [A glance at faith],

9. Flicker Star - an ode to Flickr, 10. The race marshall, 11. Race, 12. Tingala [Look(ing) up], 13. I miss your photo streams, 14. Inkblots' harem (lols!), 15. I will seek for you among the clouds, 16. Oblation,

17. Mount Apo Peak, 18. Solitude, 19. Imagoism Thursday - Essence, 20. Batas [Law], 21. Pinoy Kodakeros give back, 22. Happy Holidays! (signing off...see you all on December 30!), 23. Searching, 24. Study 009,

25. Tindahan [Store], 26. Basco Light House, 27. Study 019-Symmetry, 28. Pong, 29. Brothers, 30. Almost blinded, 31. San ka papunta, bata? [Where to, my child?], 32. Hapô,

33. Si Superboy at tumbang-preso, 34. Buntot Pusa, 35. San Sebastian in Mono, 36. Idlip [nap], 37. Wonder, 38. Repleksyon [reflection], 39. Strawberries, 40. PAIN

Created with fd's Flickr Toys.

Thanks to all of my Flickr friends who share the passion with me, and for believing in me...

Back to top

Forty days

2009-02-11T01:39:00.008+08:00

It has been awhile again since I updated my blog. Many events have taken place, and many things have changed. It is now 40 days since my mom left us, and joined Papang and Our Creator last January 3. She was laid to rest last January 9, and I just want to share my eulogy which I delivered during the last minutes we were with her:

TRIBUTE TO MOMMY
Last November 16, I made a blog entry in my online photography album, entitled Survivor Mom. There was no special occasion. I just felt it was high time to pay her a tribute.

I never thought that the tribute I made would turn out to be a eulogy instead. Nonetheless, I am here infront of you to share my personal tribute, which is now our tribute—to share the important lessons from Mommy.

1. Mommy will always be a Mommy to us! She gave birth and raised 7 of us to become the persons we are now—as professionals and successful in our respective careers—but more importantly, to be God-fearing and just be good persons. One can never imagine how she shuffled between her teaching career and a housekeeper, and between being a loving mother to us and wife to Papang, a sister to her kins and an adorable auntie.

From her, springs a lifelong learning of doing something that comes from the heart—of showing love and care for each other, of looking after each other’s welfare, and of making sure that we make each other, and other people comfortable in or outside our home.

2. Next to being a mother, she was a dedicated educator.

For more than 40 years, she was committed to her vocation—despite the hardships and challenges of teaching in a public school. As such, she was a witness to hundreds or even thousands of young minds being moulded into becoming more productive persons. In all these years, she never complained about the hardships. Rather, she steadfastly and patiently fulfilled her vocation, lived it, and dutifully performed the role of a second mother to her pupils.

3. She was a doting grandmother to her 12 grandchildren, and all her other grandchildren who were put under her care. Together with the late Papang, she loved playing the role of doting Mamang, as surrogate mother at all times, and their attorney-in-fact who was always ready to stand up defending against their tyrant parents when her grandchildren needed some protection and comforting.

They simply love her for that! Of course! Who would not like being defended by Atty. Mamang Paring?

4. As a grandmother, she would always find time to be updated on what is happening to them, and if they were well taken cared of. Last Christmas, while lying in bed and was so weak to cook, she was still concerned if her apos, nephews and nieces had food to eat. She did not stop bugging us until we assured that everything is settled and that she had nothing to worry about.

5. For that, I would say that she is the best cook/ chef I have known all my life. Mommy is synonymous to food. If one needs some feeding, just go to our home and you will surely burp to your satisfaction. We can say that we inherited her cooking skills. She had no secret recipe to keep, but one important cooking lesson that we learned from her is that everything is just gut feel—something that comes from the heart—one that nurtures and not the one that only satisfies your physical body.

6. She is the Auntie for all seasons—our cousins branded her as "Auntie Singsingpet". I have witnessed how she showered our cousins with a motherly love and affection that sometimes makes us jealous.

7. Long before the word caregiver was a buzz word, she already was a caregiver: She took care of Inang Baket for 5 years, Auntie Aurea, Aunite Pajing, Uncle Tinoy, Papang for 7 long years, and us when we get sick. She did all these without expecting anything in return. All these she did because of her boundless and limitless love. Again, she gave us a very important lesson—the virtue of paying it forward.

In 2004, she was diagnosed with a stage 2 breast cancer. In gratitude, we did our best to give back the fruits of what she has sown in 80 years of her life. In the end, our love and care, her positive view about life, and the love for her grandchildren fueled her more to continue cherishing life! For her, having a cancer is not the end of world! It was a celebration of life!

8. Mommy is one great cheer leader—an animator, and a source of great inspiration. In our studies and in our professional life, she wrote us long letters, giving us the encouragement to bring home the bacon. When she was in the US, she never failed to send us--the old-fashioned way--birthday and Christmas cards. Although old-fashioned, she marveled at the internet! Before she went home from the US, she would always egg on Ating Edna when she goes home from work to turn on her laptop so we can chat for more than one hour through the internet. Whatever mean of communication, she never failed to remind us to be strong and pray hard amidst the difficulties we face in life. We would certainly miss those endearing words.

9. Mommy is an enigma. We are in the belief that she would survive the strange illness she had. We thought she will be okay after all. She had the best medical treatment and specialists in one of the best hospitals in the Philippines and in the US. I believe she had the best care she got from us, her children. But all the best things that the world can offer have their end after all. As I write this eulogy, I realize there is more than the best in this earthly existence. Now, she is in the BESTEST place—in the hands of God—that we could not offer.

There are still many WHY’s—burning questions that are left unanswered. Only time will tell how and why she had to leave us. Her death may seem to be a puzzle to all of us. However, slowly, each day, and true to her nature as a caring mother and teacher, she helped us unravel, and put the pieces together, and understand and accept her departure.

Just like her very nature, she made sure that, we, her children, would not suffer anymore from the agony of expecting death. She went away fast, and unannounced, but I believe that she is making sure the acceptance is also fast. Up to this day, she offers bits and pieces of information that make us realize she lived a fruitful life. Indeed, she deserved the nickname Mamang Fruits. (Of course there is another story why she is being called Fruits.).

10. One very important lesson from Mommy is her being a very prayerful person. She had a very strong relationship with God. In her journey through life, she always asked God for intercession. When I was a small child, when life was hard, she always took refuge and guidance from Mama Mary. She was a devotee of the Mother of Perpetual Help, and always prayed the Holy Rosary. On her flight back to Manila, she was praying the Rosary. Whenever she was in pain and in sorrow, she never complained. Rather she lifted them up to God and she would always utter, “Kaasian na kami Apo” (Lord have Mercy). And I would like to believe that at the time of her last breath, she was still saying her last prayers.

Mommy likes to travel. When she travels, she makes sure everything was prepared—baon na pagkain, water, candies, and anything that fills our stomach. On the spiritual side, she always brought her small prayer travel companion—a small book of prayers. In her journeys here and abroad, God is always her refuge and travel guide.

Mommy is a very secretive woman. She did not tell us her pains or how painful they are. However, when it comes to showing his love and affection, there is nothing spectacular or unusually different act. You could not tell if there is something special on a particular day because it was just her nature to freely express her affection. In short, it was normal if you get a token or a gift from her or if she feeds you in our home, or as simple as “Kumusta kan anak ko?”

True to her secretive nature, and unlike her previous travels, Mommy kept her last journey a secret. However, while we are unaware that she prepared for her last journey, we later realized she made sure that everyone and everything were okay.

On the third night of the wake, I was so bored, so I was drawn to read her small prayer book. I am still puzzled but I was surprised with my discovery. I thought, ang ingat naman ni Mommy kasi wala man lang lukot ang mga pages. Pero nagulat na lang ako na may isang page na nakatiklop ang corner. It was rather odd. So I became curious and read the page content. I was even more shocked when the content of the page, says:

MY FINAL DESTINATION:
Psalm 84

How lovely is your dwelling place,
O Lord of hosts!
My soul yearns and pines
For the courts of the Lord.
My heart and my flesh
Cry out for the living God
Even the sparrow finds a home,
And the swallow a nest
In which she puts her young
Your altars o Lord of hosts.
My King and my God!

Mommy has completed her last journey. She is gone. We could not hug and kiss her anymore. But what consoles us is that we believe she is finally home with her Creator.

We will miss her, but she will always live in our memories and beat in our hearts.

Goodbye Mamang!

....
BACK TO TOP

The Indios Experience: A photo exhibit

2008-11-25T01:02:00.010+08:00

After its two successful outreach projects, Flickristasindios is now holding its first photo exhibit, dubbed as "The Indios Experience". The exhibit will showcase selected individual works of its members from all over the world.

Fellow blogger Jojo Pensica, a.k.a. jobarracuda in Flickrlandia, says:

The exhibit will be about our group – Flickristasindios….who we are, the passion the binds us together, our weekly activities, our beloved photowalks, our small projects and our Outreach Projects.

While the group exhibit aims to make a dent in photography through this exhibit, it also aims to raise funds for its outreach projects. Thus the photos, as well as the Flickristasindios 2009 Calendar, which showcases the group's photos will be on sale during the exhibit. As I have blogged earlier, Flickristasindios has already conducted two outreach projects for the Pantay Elementary School. In the midst of all the preparations for the exhibit, the group is brewing another outreach project for another group.

For the past years, the group, with a membership of 991 as of November 25, 2008 has been very active in Flickr, which has gained for itself the most active Flickr group in the Philippines that, in turn, caught the attention of Yahoo! Philippines, which is the major sponsor of the event. Also supporting this event is TriNoMa Mall, which is providing the venue for free, and Digiprint in printing of the photos.

So you are all invited to the group's exhibit on December 15-19 at the TriNoMa Mall Cinema Lobby.

...
BACK TO TOP

Sharing the Gift of Knowledge: The Indios' Way

2008-11-20T14:20:00.006+08:00

Bound by a common interest--that is photography, Flickristasindios members go beyond what they see and capture through their lenses. Through their photowalks in the streets of Manila, photography has enabled them to see the stark realities in the plight among the poor. An idea came, "Why not make an outreach project so that we can, in one way or another, help ease the burden of the poor?".

As a result, it came up with a partnership with Red Cross Rizal Chapter in its regular outreach project in the Municipality of Rizal, where Flickristasindios participated by providing snacks for the children of Pantay Elementary School. Everyone was just so eager to help and reach out for the children.

It did not stop there. The members were more eager and enthusiastic to come up with another outreach project that even members who are based abroad expressed their willingness to join. Since we initially held a feeding program for the pupils, we thought of giving something that is close to their needs--that is education. It is also a blessing that my wife works for Children International-Philippines Housing Foundation, Inc., which provides used books. Although it should be easy for us, but propriety dictates that we should go through the right process, by formally asking for some books that we can donate for the school. Sharing the same passion of Flickristasindios, CIPHFI granted our wish by not only giving around 300 books on health, science, art, English, and math, but also other school and art supplies which the teachers would need in preparing their teaching materials, and for the children to use for their art projects.

After planning and coordination work, and mobilizing material, human and financial resources from the members of Flickristasindios, we were able to hold our second outreach project. Last November 15, Flickristasindios conducted its 2nd Outreach Project dubbed as: Book Sharing Project: Sharing the gift of knowledge, with Pantay Elementary School in Teresa Rizal as its partner-beneficiary.

Again, the children were treated to a snack and they received the books in behalf of the school. All the members, once again, felt good about being able to reach out.

In behalf of the Administrators of the Flickristasindios, let me thank all the members who supported this activity and for being a channel of goodwill and development. We also thank the Principal and faculty of Pantay Elementary School, and also Children International - Philippines Housing Foundation for the books we have donated, and for helping this small effort come into reality.

...
BACK TO TOP

Photography 101: Other lessons learned

2008-11-15T00:16:00.007+08:00

Earlier, I blogged about my first two (2) Explored photos in Yahoo! Flickr. This week, the rest just came out one after the other, and I was so happy about it. Why not? it landed in the Top 500 photos of the day they were uploaded. Some of them were already dropped since the ranking differs each day--depending on whether there are still people who view and comment on the photos--and when they are dropped, that means they lose their "interesting-ness."

However, more than being in the Top 500 among the thousands of photos uploaded and viewed each day, it is the realization that there are photographers in Flickr who see something good about my craft. Being in Explore is just an icing on the cake. Sourgraping? No, of course. What counts more to me is the fact that my Flickr friends pat my back and show their affirmation that I have something good to show the world. (Or am I the only one thinking about it? lols!) Even if I only had a photo viewed and commented only once, but whose view and comments comes from a photographer I really admire, is enough gratification for me.

One photography club emailed me after joining them, and told me "Welcome to the real photography club!"

Being a thinking person, I reflected, "What did he mean by that?" --That Flickr groups are not real photography clubs? Ergo, I had second thoughts in joining but eventually joined--yeah, to get the feel of it. Eventually, however, it waned and lost my interest in the "real photography club".

I have some valid reasons to shy away from the group. First, I felt I did not get the warm welcome. I am not expecting the red carpet rolled out before me. But you know, you will feel when you are welcome or not. Second, I have some valid observations that I think will not fit my personality.

The "club" with its connotation of exclusivity, is, to me, so high-strung that it loses its ground, and has the tendency to close its doors to many other possibilities, networks and interactions among other photography groups and even individual photographers. The number of exclusive cliques in the group leaves you out-of-place and some of its members believe they are the best photographers while toting their expensive gears, left and right, front and back. Competition among the members is so strong that the photos you see online are the ones that are not worth commenting on (pardon me for this, because even though I have no formal training in photography, I can decipher whether or not one is a good photo).

It is very much unlike Flickr, which is a friendly learning environment, where amateur/ hobbyists and professional photographers alike share their knowledge in photography. I do not know but in that "club", there seems to be a form of "habit" not to show their photos online. It is also very much unlike Flickr where there are no strict rules. Artistry has no bounds and rules. It just does not augur well for me who has a free mind and will expressed through my creative juices. And the most important of all, it is also very much unlike Flickr where I am always welcomed or feel welcomed!

Anyway, enough for the rants. Let me thank my Flickr friends, and online friends who showed their support in my craft by at (at least) viewing my photos.

Thank you so much!

.....
Here are my photos that made it to the Flickr Top 500 based on "interestingness."

1. SEARCHING for meaning, 2. Almost blinded, 3. A day's reward, 4. Tingala [Look(ing) up], 5. Searching, 6. Study 009, 7. Repleksyon [reflection], 8. Idlip [nap], 9. Basco Light House, 10. PAIN, 11. Race, 12. Imagoism Thursday - Essence, 13. Pinoy Kodakeros give back, 14. Batas [Law], 15. Oblation

Created with fd's Flickr Toys.

...
BACK TO TOP

Inkblots™ Home

2008-11-11T20:41:00.006+08:00

Introducing my new home page: Inkblots™ Home.

This is an aggregator of my blogs, photography, personal and photography networks.

Please feel free to link. Thank you!

...
BACK TO TOP

I am explored!

2008-11-08T13:18:00.001+08:00

For two years in Flickr, and flickr-ring, I always wondered how is it to be explored. Flickr's Explore page consists of 500 photos of the day based on interesting-ness and is chosen using a secret algorithm only Yahoo and Explore people would know. Being in explore to some gives them that kind of pride and say: "Hey I am explored!" For some, being explored means winning a lottery. Some add this as a feather in their cap.

My friends kept on asking me, why on earth don't I have any explored photo? I said I don't know why. I really don't know why. I am not really interested, after all. What matters to me are the real comments of my friends who have always appreciated my photos in Flickr. Nevertheless, the question kept on nagging me. So now I am more interested to find out how "explore" works rather than being explored.

So I deleted my Bighugelabs account that provides the service Flickr Scout--the one that looks for your photos in explore. I thought that there might be some problems with my account because there was a time that I unlinked my Flickr account for fear that it would be used by a third party. Then I signed up again, and made sure both applications were linked. Still there was none. So I tinkered in my Flickr account--where I saw I disallowed third party APIs (Application Programming Interface), so I allowed all APIs to run into my Flickr account. Then voila! I found one last night! This morning, I found two.

So after two years in flickr, I have been "rewarded" with "explored" photos--oh well, not that majority of my photos are interesting. They just did not manage to get into the 500 most interesting photos of the day among the hundreds of thousands of photos being uploaded. [Sourgraping! Lols!]. So here they are: ordinary photos that made to Top 500 in that particular day:

1. Almost blinded, 2. Searching
Created with fd's Flickr Toys.

...
BACK TO TOP

Ang ngiti ni Nog-nog

2008-11-06T14:39:00.003+08:00

Si Nog-nog ay isang batang palaboy sa Binondo. Makulit at hungkag sa wastong kaugalian na natututunan ng isang batang normal sa isang normal na tahanan. Ngunit narunong siyang makihalubilo sa lansangan--street smart, ika nga.

Subalit sa bawat pag-click ng camera, napapahinahon mo sya--tila tumitigil ang gulo at ingay ng mundong ginagalawan niya. Pakiramdam niya, napa-importanteng tao nya kung bakit sya kinukuhanan ng larawan--isang panandaliang kasikatan, isang panandaliang kaligayahan, ilang sandaling pagtigil ng di kaaya-ayang salitang namumutawi sa kanyang bibig--at sa kanyang pagngiti, tumitikom ito..sandaling nahahalinhan ng kapayapaan, ng isang ngiting umaapaw ng pagmamalaki, ng pag-asa, at ng kaligayahan.

Ngiti pa bata!

...
BACK TO TOP

On being part of a rich heritage

2008-11-04T23:27:00.001+08:00

Last July 26, members of Pinoy Kodakero members, (that includes me) shared their talents to a worthy cause to San Carlos Seminary in building up their Heritage Hall, aptly called Bulwagang Karlista. It was a fun-filled day, not mentioning of course the sumptuous meals given to us! More importantly, however, is the fact that we were able to share our talents for the Glory of God!

Pinoy Kodakeros' posterity photo after the shoot.

On November 3, after three months of conceptualizing, renovating, selecting artifacts, photos, and memorabilia for display, San Carlos Seminary finally inaugurated the new Bulwagang Karlista, which included the photos of the PK members.

Bulwagang Karlista (BK) at a Glance

1. Appreciation, 2. Memorabilia, 3. Humilitas, 4. My work on display

The exhibit hall is divided into 6 areas: history, seminary life, altar area, photo mosaic, snap shots and tribute wall. As contained in the brochure of BK:

The Bulwagang Karlista is not meant to be merely a repository of old photographs and dusty artifacts--remnants of an era long gone by. It is envisioned to be a shrine dedicated to the Karlista Spirit.

Indeed, BK boasts of its rich with history and pride. It even showcases a lei given by Mother Theresa to Fr. Albert Meersschaert, CICM, and the chair an chasuble used by Pope John Paul II during his visit to the Philippines in 1995.

Being part of their heritage is both fulfilling and a humbling experience. I never knew that some of my photos were actually chosen for the exhibit. Before I took these photos, I had to remind myself, this is all for the Glory of God. Nevertheless, I feel like I am in heaven for two of my photos are on display. One in Samut-sari section and one in Paghuhubog wall.

This is one of the two photos:

One of my photos exhibited in Bulwagang Karlista, entitled: Cup of my blood

Finally, I quote:

While it may be said that the greatness of the Karlista Spirit will never be sufficiently contained within the walls of this meager hall, our collective memorial, however, is good enough beginning; for remembrance is teh language of a grateful heart.

To the Karlistas, thank you too for making me (us) part of this undertaking! And to PK members, job well done!

Capturing Undas 2008

2008-11-04T23:07:00.003+08:00

Life is pleasant. Death is peaceful. It's the transition that's troublesome. [Isaac Asimov]

Capturing All Saints' Day through the lenses always gives me that creepy feeling. Therefore I took photos therefore were simply iconic and suggestive of what it is all about.

This year is my first time to document a part of Philippine Culture and Tradition--All Saints' Day/ All Souls' Day. However, I do not have plenty of photos since I did not have much time going around the cemetery. Besides, the people in my hometown are not used to being photographed in the solemnity of remembering their departed loved ones, so I decided to leave them in peace and privacy.

...
Post Script

After shooting some, I felt a tic on my left uper eye lid. I got scared. I thought, nabati ako ng mga spirits in the cemetery. I got scared and just contented myself with a few shots.

Losing it

2008-10-26T21:37:00.005+08:00

In the past months, I guess, blogging has taken its toll on me. I could not believe that my last entry was last July 9! There were so many factors why I haven't blogged much for more than 2 months.

First, was my job. It was not new to me, but there were more changes and improvements that needed to be implemented this time. Plus I was under pressure to perform better now that I am into my 4th batch of trainees.

Second, I was hooked to photography. I am a self-confessed Flickr addict! I cannot live the day without browsing through the streams of my friends, and administering and moderating groups. My weekends are usually for shoots and photowalks and out of town shoots.

Third, I was also busy with some photography-related activities/ events like joining for the first time, a Flickr photo exhibit in TriNoMa, and joining Pinoy Biyahero of Philippines Group also in Flickr.

And many other more reasons I have already forgotten!

Recently, something motivated me to go back to blogging...and why not? It is my first love! It was actually an e-mail from someone who can relate to my earlier post on Maryhurst garden in Baguio City. I was ecstatic not only because of the fact that I am on page 2 of Google when you search "Maryhurst" (Yes I tried it after reading her email, LOLs!), that I am read, but more importantly because of the fact that we share the same "passion" for Maryhurst.

Let me quote in full her e-mail:

Hello there! I was just trying to browse on the web for some stuffs while waiting for students who'd consult me on their academic load this semester when I chanced on your site regarding the maryhurst garden. I have heard so much of the famous "rose garden." I have been teaching the Maryhurst seminarians for the last 12 yrs, and I may say, every visit to the seminary is always a new experience. But I envy you because like a few, you have been a part of that garden and had appreciated it more than I did in memory.

Maryhurst has changed-the structure, the environment, the people, and perhaps the spirit. One of my college professors told me that when he was still a seminarian back then, Maryhurst was rustic and old and nostalgic. Now, the building looked more of a hotel. It maybe because of that tragic fire that ravaged it and its accessibility to the public. Most of my colleagues in the department where I belong had been Maryhurst seminarians. They can only feed me so much of first-hand info regarding that garden. Even the Panagbennga festival here which is held every February is no match for the late Bro. Armand's rose garden. Indeed, nothing can compare to a past that has not been forgotten. In philosophy, we say that at times, it's always good to forget so that we can remember.

I thank you for your article. It really moved me-the times that I have taken so many things for granted opened a few avenues in my journey. Most good things in life come a long time, and yet, they're still worth waiting for. The Maryhurst garden is no longer that majestic perhaps, but, it still is full of trees, and ferns, a few flowers and a lot of memories.

To you, Ms. Melany Natividad, thank you also for giving me that motivation again. It is now very rare for an unpopular blogger like me to be read, and it brings so much honor to be read even by just one person like you--and I guess, we have the same Alma Mater too, madam!

Virtual flowers for a tired soul

2008-07-09T00:26:00.004+08:00

The Flickr community is such a great site where you could only share your images and passion for photography. In my short stay at Flickr, I have gained friends--whom I met, whom I joined in photo shoots, photowalks, and bonding sessions; and whom I have yet to meet in person--who are yet to remain as my virtual friends, both here in the Philippines, and abroad.

To a certain degree, you get to know their persona through active interactions in Flickr mails, in commenting and receiving the same in the photo streams, or just plainly looking at their photos, which captivate and strike a chord in you. However, there are times when you wonder why your Flickr buddy is no longer posting a photo in his/her thread. Then you begin to ask questions, and follow the traces and leads that might give you an answer. Some just put in their profile they are busy, but some choose to be quiet, and some post in their blogs (which are also provided in their profiles).

This is what exactly happened to Sayote Queen or more popularly known as SQ in the blogosphere and Flickr. Early on, her blog never failed to make me let go of that smile, and some chuckles. Her Flickr stream never failed to amaze my eyes and captivate my soul. Perhaps, it is because of the fact that we share the same passion--that is photography and Baguio. As I have blogged about earlier Baguio Vignettes and Of Maryhurst, Flowers and Drizzles, Baguio occupies a special place in my heart.

So, the "investigation" began after knowing that SQ took a "leave" from her photography--and I am not happy with what I read in her blog entry "Silent Tears". Being a parent myself, I rooted for her and felt what it like to lose a part of yourself. I did not know how to express my sympathy, and at the same time letting her other Flickr friends know about her situation.

Then I thought of doing "it" again. It was a success when I first did it, and why not do it the second time around? However, it might not work this time because some members might think I am just making myself popular. Nonetheless, even if my move would be misconstrued, I posted a discussion thread in Pinoy Kodakero, and Flickristasindios where SQ is also a member.

Sympathies and prayers poured. I did not send a Flickr mail to SQ, and just waited her to open her Flickr site, and notice it. And by grace, she also posted a photo after some months of absence, and it seems she was surprised with the show of affection. I immediately commented on her photo, and said:

HI SQ! I hope you are well now! Glad you are back again!
Perhaps, it was not too late when I noticed your blog....but,

The Flickristasindios, and the Pinoy Kodakeros love you, and poured out their support for you!

Her comment in the thread speaks for itself. I am just happy with the thought that even online friends can give sympathies to persons you do not even know in person, and whom you only virtually interact with. I believe, this is one of the biggest benefits of the virtual reality where we belong now. We can touch people's lives--positively.

As I mentioned in my response to her appreciation, the credit still goes back to SQ:

I think you owe it to yourself that you have touched other people's lives through your photos, and we are just giving back what you have sown in us....I hope you also start to rekindle that passion again...you will never lose it...it just waits for a tiny spark...go out girl, and start shooting again, and express yourself!

Again, to SQ, may you find peace and happiness after your tragedy.

This may not be the last time I will do it. If there is a need to show sympathy for a person, or rally for a cause I am not going to restrain myself to campaign. I always believe that blogging (and now photography) can produce great results, if used appropriately. I always believe that Filipinos can!

Batang kalye

2008-07-03T23:38:00.002+08:00

umiinog ang mundo mo sa kalye
dito ka isinilang
nakipagbuno sa kalikasan upang kahit papaano
ang katawan mong impis ay magkalaman

naging paaralan mo ito--
natututo--tungkol sa buhay, para mabuhay
nakikipagsapalaran sa bawat sandali
kung saan ay walang katiyakan
kung kailan ka matatapos
tanging Diyos lang ang nakaka-alam

palaruan mo ang bawat lansangan
nakikipagpatintero sa mga sasakyan
humahabol sa bawat taong mapaghihingian at mapaghihingahan
upang kalam na tiyan at
sikip ng dibdib ay maibsan
habang nakikita mo ang ibang bata
akay ng kanilang magulang
alam kong itinatanong mo din,
"Pano kaya ang magkaroon ng mas mayamang magulang?"

bata!
hanggang kailan
na ang pagkain ay guni-guni na lang?
saplot sa katawan
ang bahay na inaasam
ang katreng mapaglalatagan ng hapo mong katawan
ang lapis at papel na dapat mong hawak
ay mananatiling
drowing at
kathang isip na lamang?

Inkblots: Double R [Rants and Rates]

2008-06-28T03:09:00.011+08:00

Life is not always pleasant. You wake up one morning and some work issues greet you, making you grumpy the whole day. Save for the photos I see on Flickr in between work, and getting nice comments on my photos.

Then getting some not really good news from my sister, the morbid stories about the Romblon disaster, the spiraling prices of oil in the world market, and some saddening stories about my wife's cousin. Last Friday seems Friday the 13th!

However, I think God is really good. At least, the tax exemption is bigger now, which would at least gives me a bigger take home pay. I just hope they get reflected in my next pay check. Overall, my household is peaceful. My two sons are behaving well. Blessings! Blessings! I would count them instead.

In my previous post, I just started to count my blessings by discussing and expressing my gratitude to PinoyCentric as the second home for my photos in the net. Then, while reviewing the Technorati blog stats in Larawang Pinoy, to see if my groupmates are reading the LP blog after all. i was happy with the results in terns of page views and unique visits. Not bad for a baby blog. Then I noticed that there was a new link on Rate my Philippines. So I clicked it and saw something familiar screen shot -- and that is my blog! So I clicked it and indeed, it was my blog which is the latest review of the Rate my Philippines (RMP) Website.

Although it did not come to me as a surprise because, in the first place, I submitted my blog for rating and to be included in their review. What surprised me is the fact that it came too soon, add to to it the very nice review they gave to my blog.

I would say, it feels good to get a very nice review from people like the admins and website reviewers of RMP. There are not enough words to thank them for making me feel good about myself today.

Thanks a lot, Rate My Philippines!

God Bless and have a happy weekend!

...
P.S. I finally made a way on how to perform print screen, which you can see now posted here. I think the Print Screen button of my keyboard is not functioning. Then I looked into the installation icon, and found the function called "on-screen keyboard". So I tried if it works. It did! Cool A4Tech keyboard! Now I do not have to bug Alvin to do a print screen for me. LOLs!

Also, please visit THIS LINK and rate my blog. Just click at the stars below the review. Thanks!

PinoyCentric - A second home

2008-06-26T00:48:00.003+08:00

When I started with Flickr last year (2007), one of the first Flickr groups that I joined is PinoyCentric. It's group description says:

This is a place to share interesting your photos from around the world. Whether you're a pro or an amateur this is the place to showcase your best images of our people and culture - your own unique view of being a Filipino no matter where the diaspora has taken you.

From the links in the Flickr, I also stumbled upon their website with the same name. I thought it was a cool site solely dedicated to the promotion of Filipino culture, tradition, arts and crafts, and events and home-grown talents, both in the Philippines and abroad. Sharing the same vision of PinoyCentric, I was further inspired to hone my craft and capture through my lens the essence of being a Filipino, and the Philippines as a whole.

One day, I received a Flickr mail from Armand Frasco, one of the owners and admins, if they could possibly publish one of my photos and the accompanying story. Of course I was excited. It was the first time my work has been published in the net. This is the result of that short negotiation, which I also blogged here. Since then, by showing gratitude to PinoyCentric, I have contributed some photos in the group pool, and I was lucky enough that some of my works were also published in PinoyCentric. Some of these landed as weekly cover photo.

May this simple blog entry be my way of showing gratitude to Armand Frasco and the rest of the PinoyCentric Admins and Staff for recognizing some of my works.

May PinoyCentric continue to showcase the Philippines--its people, culture and the arts!

Maraming Salamat!
.....

You can view the photos included in PinoyCentric, HERE.

Giving birth to a new blog!

2008-06-06T22:04:00.002+08:00

It is ironic that I stopped blogging at Viewpoint because I could not maintain it. However, I just launched a new blog called LARAWANG PINOY for my Flickr group Larawang Pinoy. Let us just say, LP, as we fondly call it is fast growing and the chances that it would be viewed at least 670 per week would not be bad.

However, it is not only the readership that was considered. First and foremost, the main objective of Larawang Pinoy Blog is to feature amateur photographers who are experts in their own right.

Gracing the launch of the LP blog is a feature on Von Punzalan, who bagged the Aliwan Fiesta 2008 Photo Contest. He bested 1490 entries. He only had 7 lucky entries.

In the next months, the LP blog will have the following feature stories:

1. Photography gadgets and thing-a-majigs; Gadget Reviews
2. Travel and Travel Photography
3. Photography tips/ Photography 101
4. Photography events
5. Featured Blog (2x a month)
6. LP Contest Winners
7. Featured Photographer.

I invite you my friends and readers to drop by our group blog. Who knows? You might get hooked on photography and join us in the near future!

My updated Lakbayan Rating

2008-05-30T21:16:00.004+08:00

I has been 11 months after I got my Lakbayan rating. So I am now updating my Lakbayan Grade. Nothing much has changed ex except I think that I have been more often in Cagayan de Oro, been to Batanes, and Romblon in the past months.

My Lakbayan grade is B+!

How much of the Philippines have you visited? Find out at Lakbayan!

Created by Eugene Villar.

So get your grade now....I am now a "B+" from a "B" Traveler in the Philippines. I wish that I could be A- at least.

Larger than life

2008-05-30T13:48:00.003+08:00

I have always been fascinated with images that are larger than life. Looking at the awesome macros of my Flickr buddies is a delightful experience--and I realized that even a dreaded and despicable housefly or garden fly would look so beautiful--then I begin to realize that God's creations--big, small and tiny, have something good to offer. Definitely, they are an eye-candy!

When I decided to buy a 70-300mm Zuiko lens, I was not thinking only of street photography. Then I realized that I can also use this for macro photography. There are dedicated lenses for macro photography, but buying another would be too costly on my part. So I thought I should make it a try with my 70-300mm zoom. I already have the 40-150mm but I just can't get what I want from my macro shots. For a time, I was wondering how I would make use of it. I had a hard time adjusting using long lenses and it just did not augur well for shaky hands like mine.

Nonetheless, I succeeded in this venture. The photo is one of my better macros so far. Not yet the best, but I hope I would be able to capture more tiny creatures.

You can view the rest of my macro photography HERE.

Esteemed

2008-05-27T22:13:00.004+08:00

I was capturing people who are praying at the Pilar Shrine. Then I saw him in one corner. He was coughing hard and seemed so sick, which explains why he had a chair solely for himself. He seemed to be waiting the whole day for people who wanted to have their photographs taken. I wanted to get near him to conduct a short interview, but for some reasons, I hesitated. I just contented myself with taking his photo. I was glad he did not mind at all, or perhaps, he was too tired to mind me.

Photographers like him remind me of a funny experience in Baguio a year after my college graduation. I was in Burnham Park doing my photography when a middle-aged woman came to me and asked if they can have their photos taken. I did not know what to say but I was so amused. I just told them I am not a park photographer and it was just a hobby. They were so ashamed and apologized, but I told them it was okay and it was not the first time it happened to me.

I always admire these park photographers. Unfortunately, their livelihood is no longer as brisk as it was 3 decades ago, when there were fewer people who had a camera. To all park photographers like him, this is my tribute!

Taken at:
Pilar Shrine
Fort Pilar, Zamboanga City