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!

Major Mission in 2010

The year 2009 has been amazing for me. I graduated on time, had the funnest college life I could ever live, saw lots of good movies, had so much laughter, we were spared from the great flood, friends who were affected by the flood are alive and okay. It was a year filled with blessings.

I will make this 2010 count. It's gonna be more amazing, more fabulous and more meaningful than 2009. Dapat naman ganun eh. Each year must exceed the year before. We must strive to improve ourselves - in general, or at least one aspect of it.

Now I dunno which aspect I should work on. Love life is always on my list but then again waiting and hoping is the best I can do. Social life, yes? Keep in touch with the friends I have. Try to meet new people at random places. But not the pick-up girl sort of meeting ok? The 'common friend' works best for me. It's kinda hard to be comfortable with other people who are total strangers. A common friend kinda dissolves those worries to a certain extent.

Giving back is also on my list. I started 'giving back' last December when I gathered my friends for a little outreach project (as blogged earlier). I thanked those who came and Weng sent a very heartwarming reply. She said it was also her way of giving back for the many blessings she received this 2009- graduating, getting a job she really enjoys, and having the opportunity to work on her dreams.

More than just doing outreach stuff, what I really wanna do, as in MAJOR, is to get a scholar. If there's one thing I appreciate about my horrible application in a certain company, it was meeting this doctor who declined to take part in WWF (World Wildlife Fund). Okay side story...

I was an applicant and we were sent to do field works with their employees. To my horror, we walked around the Makati persuading (pressuring) people to enroll in the WWF program where they charge a certain amount from your credit card each month which serves as your donation to help save the world. Now we entered this beautful modern clinic somewhere in Makati (can't recall actually) and the two employees I was with approached the doctor. The conversation went something like this.

Employee1: Hi Sir! We're from the WWF (not true!) and we're here to do a survey (echos lang!) regarding the Earth hour.

Doctor: Oh, I know this. So basically you're asking me for money?

Employee2: Uuuhm, yes, something like that.

Doctor: I'm sorry but I'm involved in a foundation that sends kids to school. I think the bigger problem we have in this country is that a lot are stupid. I'd rather spend my money in educating people.

And in my mind I wanted to say YOU GO GIRL! (he was kinda gay btw hahaha) But yeah, I wanted to hug him, applaud him and do a fabulous walk out. Of course I didn't. But I did walk out the clinic with an evil grin. HAHAHA

So back to my main story. I talked to mom about enrolling in World Vision but we realized we can just build our own foundation of some sort, and handpick our scholars. (You can't choose a scholar in World Vision. They assign you to a kid.) You may ask why I want to pick my scholar. If I had a choice, I want a scholar from a minority group- an aeta, or whatever minority group.

Because they need to cope up with the times. I know they wanna keep their roots and traditions. That's totally fine. But it wouldn't hurt if they knew how to read or do simple math. It would greatly help them when they trade with lowlanders. With education, they can put into writing whatever traditions they have. Not only will it be preserved but they can also share it with outsiders so others can appreciate their culture more. Basic literacy will also allow them to vote wisely and become a significant influence in their local area. Hindi na sila babalewalain at pagsasamantalahan. In return, they can also give back to their community by teaching their fellow tribesmen what they learned in school.

Then again, I'm not closing my doors to non-indigenous people. As long as the kid has a dream and is really really needy, I'd gladly help.

I'm not earning much right now. SERYOSO. I'm so sure most of my friends (if not all) are earning more than me but I am blessed. And if I can spend a few thousands for bags and shoes, I can definitely shell out a few more for a kid's future.

I hope you do the same too. Not exactly sending a kid to school. Generally, just giving back. It's also for good karma you know.

Cheers to the amazing year that's coming to an end and to the even more amazing year that's about to start!

Will post my other 2010 stuff soon. :)

*photo from lenses.wordpress.com