DINAGYANG 2010

Hello! Just posted Dinagyang photos on my other blog and on flickr! Click Click here!

Good for them!

I tweeted about the video of Cebu's dancing inmates two days ago. Yesterday it was all over television and I am just so glad these inmates are getting their much deserved attention. This is beyond Will Devaugn's special apperance (heck, I didn't even see him! hahaha)

This Is It

If you've seen the video, you'd notice how clean the place is. Then the inmates. Imagine how much effort and discipline they put in each routine. In this particular video, they only had two days to learn the routine and then shoot na. Grabe, I can't imagine. Beyond being part of the DVD of This Is It, this is about hope for these inmates. This is a message that they can do something else. That they are likable and people respect them for what they do. Their image is soooo far from the Pinoy movies where prison cells are dirty, stinky, cramped and full of addicts and goon-like men. Dang, if I ever had to be imprisoned I'd like to be imprisoned in Cebu. HAHAHA

I just love it when these kinds of stories boost the morale of the Filipinos. When I visit Cebu, I hope to watch their performance. haha! And I read that the lead guy in this next video was given the role as a farewell performance because he will be moved to Muntinlupa Prison to serve three consecutive life sentences for triple murder. (huhuhu nakakaiyak!) See how much they give importance to these kinds of moments? The performance is like a 'pabaon' of good and groovy memories. gaaah ok I better stop writing because I'm at the verge of crying. hahaha The humor in the intro is a little offensive for the lead man pero keri naman coz he was joking too so sige na. game, watch na!

Just Saying

I've had enough of this issue and it irritates me to death. Okay maybe not to death but you get the point.

Many months ago, I read about people making fun of those who have DSLR cameras. Earlier tonight I saw a Facebook contact join the group 'Hindi Porket May DSLR ka Photographer Ka Na'.

WHAT IS UP WITH THESE PEOPLE?

The passion for taking photos runs in my family. My late Lolo Jaime has a Nikon film slr. Unfortunately, my tito (mom's brother) lent it to a friend and never got it back (he can't even recall the friend)- which irritates my mom every waking morning. She has been wanting to hand it to me as a pamana of lolo. My dad also has a film slr he bought back when he was still in college. It probably got lost in the bodega at Dad's family house in Bicol - which irritates me every time I remember it.

As for me, I've always had a camera. My family has a film camera which we use during graduations, recognition day, family day, birthday, and all other occasions. In grade six I destroyed our relatively new camera coz I accidentally dropped it on the sand during our camping trip. To replace it, I bought my first camera. It was a Canon film camera but I can't remember the model. Right after that, I got hand-me-down Sony digicam. Super major oldie coz its best resolution is at 1.3 megapixels. hahaha On my 18th birthday I got a SonyT10 camera and finally, my Nikon D60.

So yeah I have a DLSR. But this is not to say I shoot the best photos in the world.

Got it as a college graduation gift from my aunt and uncle in the States. Eight months later I shoot better photos, but still consider myself an amateur. I am far from understanding the nitty gritty of shooting at a completely manual mode. When going to places, only 10% of my pictures make it to my best shots. But despite that, I still strive to create good shots because I don't want to under-utilize my camera. I'm pretty sure I'm not the only person in that situation.

My two cents on this?

All professionals started out as amateurs. Not that I'm planning to a professional photographer one day. Taking photos is just my way of documenting my adventures- preserving happiness in every shot.

Kung wala kang DSLR, wag ka magalit sa meron. Not our fault you don't own one. Maybe you don't like to have one, maybe you can't afford, maybe you're planning to have one in the near future- it doesn't matter. Just don't hate us for having one.

People want to learn new things everyday- that includes learning photography. Give us that chance. Allow us to feed on that passion.

Enough said.

P.S. The Facebook fan page aforementioned isn't an anti-DSLR group. It's actually a mix. Some people became fans to hate DSLR owners, other members defend, other members are professional photographers who share tips with amateurs to encourage them to nurture their skill. That's a good thing. :)

New!

I'm liking my new template. It's so perfect for me! I like the muted color and simple design. Glad I managed to change the title because that heart logo on the leftmost side used to be a disabled sign like this. I have no idea why there is such logo but still, I'm happy with the heart. Yay!

I also started blogging in my other account which will contain anything Filipino that I've encountered- like Pinoy food, places, discoveries and experiences. This blog will still be my main blog, where I'll put my thoughts, rants and the usual stuff that happens to me everyday. I hope I can finally pull off managing two blogs. I'm hoping it'll help me organize my thoughts more. hahaha!

Here's to making little changes one step at a time!

Love it!

I keep mentioning on my tweets (follow me on twitter! adeleeza) that I'm on mega thrift mode because I'm saving up for my birthday trip to Singapore. It's sooo timely because I'm targeting the Great Singapore Sale which starts on may 28 so yay yay yay! I'm crashing my friend Ana's place. She's a Fine Arts student in UP but her whole family moved to Singapore two years ago so yay to free lodging and breakfast. hahaha

BUT just minutes ago, I found the prettiest neck piece- AND I WANT IT! The brand is called MIADORE. According to Yekky, the maker, he can custom-make a piece for anyone who's interested. (Hurray!) I'd take this piece but without the huge crystals. I don't think I call pull that off. The little crystals around the mesh are enough. LOVELY RIGHT?

Photo from Yekky's blog.

I hope he replies to me. (I asked how much!) hahaha I know I'm on thrift mode but this can definitely be an exception.

First Post!

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!

I've been enjoying my stay here in Iloilo so much that I'm so lazy to post. But I'm sinisipag now so game!

Here are my 2010 goals:

1. Read more books.

2. Buy less bags.

3. Eat more greens and tomatoes (anti-cancer!)

4. Jog more often OR take more walks.

5. SAVE SAVE SAVE!

6. WERQ WERQ WERQ!

7. Love love love.

8. Keep your friends.

So I wrote them in three words- short, and precise. I hope I get to incorporate them in my lifestyle so that it won't be such a task. I want my default self be workaholic, thrifty and health conscious. Of course it's not gonna happen overnight. My default self will be a work-in-progress. haha

I also have a few business rakets (nope, not illegal, promise!) that I wanna execute. But maybe in the latter half of the year because I'll be busy when I get back to Manila. Boss says I'll fix the papers we need for *something*. I'm excited but afraid too. Basta, can't elaborate. hihi!

I'm kinda missing Manila but I still like it here. I love going with my mom to the shop, being with my whole family when we eat. Like exage kung magkwentuhan. Even in the car, we tell jokes. I typed my kwento about one joke but I deleted it to protect my ego. HAHAHA Swerte nalang ang kukwentuhan ko.

Anyway, if there's anything I'm missing about Manila, it's the malls, hanging out with my friends until sunrise, dinners and movie dates, and occasional visits from Julian. But being with my family is a refreshing change. I spent 4 years away from them during college. We only see each other during Christmas and summer vacations.

Plus, it's so affordable to live here! In Manila, a meal would cost at least P120 at the mall- on tipid mode! Here you can have a meal for 70 pesos- as in busog meal. And there's not much need to travel in a cab or fx here. It's very easy to navigate via jeepneys (6.50-10 pesos per ride!). And if at all you take a cab, super mura coz there's no traffic.

My stay here in Iloilo is perfect for my goal to save up for the Singapore trip I'm planning for my 21st birthday. I've already achieved half of my target budget but I'm sure I'll deplete it when I get to Manila. But I will try to deplete it gently. (Yey, sort of achieving goal#5!)

Anyway, I hope 2010's start was great for you. Stay inspired and make your 2010 count!