Two more LOs in my portfolio. That's 3 for this month! Broke the record huh? :) There are too many good photos, if only I have the time and creative juice to scrap all of them. Well, here I am, trying to squeeze some juice... *LOL*



*click images for the credits*

Labels: scrap

Today's the final session of my 5 day Basic Photography class at FPPF. As I mentioned in my previous post, we were required to submit photos again for Still Life and Portrait categories. This time it's for the batch's photo contest. Then the winner's work eventually gets escalated to the next round of competition(s). I'll tell ya about my entries later.

I missed to blog about the 3rd and 4th day of class. We discussed about composition on the 3rd day with Madam Cecille Angeles, which is so taray on the outside yet very dear and kulit when you get to know her better. And on the 4th day, we had basic studio lighting with Sir Toch Arellano. I like Sir Toch very much. I like his works and he's really a very nice person. Very down to earth and approachable despite the fame he has. Really, super daddy-like. Then this morning, the final day, we had portraiture/fashion photography talk with Sir Vic Sison. Again, Sir Vic is really very nice and funny. He claimed he was a gay long before and had turned straight in the recent years. The fact is, he loves to crack jokes to bring out the natural emotions of the subject. This means, magbading-badingan and all. Boy, he really knows how to make poses. Talo ang model sa kanya! He's very approachable too. I love having chit chat with the lecturers after the talk. Parang you can feel their passion for photography and the willingness to share their skills, experiences, and knowledge to us. Even if we're just hobbyists.

Now, let's talk about the entries. These are the photos submitted for the Portraiture category.


Lots of nice photos right? So, where's my entry? Mine was the maternity photo - the 7th from the left, top row. :) My model was a preggy friend who's due to deliver soon. A lot of people were amazed (even the judges) as to how I was able to let her pose half nude on the shoot. Well, I'll skip the story nalang since I think it's really a personal thing between me and the model. All I can say is, she's very enthusiastic in helping me conceptualize the entire shoot. And what's really flattering is her TRUST on me - who's really a nobody in photography. After the shoot, I was still having apprehensions on submitting the photo since it will be posted publicly for critique. Me being conservative, ako yun nahihiya. After I got the prints, I confirmed with her pa several times kung ok lang isubmit ko yun photo. She said it's artistically done naman so ok lang. And approve din naman sa hubby niya. She's really heaven sent!

And here are the photos submitted for Still Life category. The subject is "my favorite things".


Here are the top 10 shots for each category. I was super happy coz my photos were both included. And I was already contented to be on the top 10 list.

Then, the number on each photo were called one by one according to ranking. I was ecstatic when my photos weren't called when the judges announced the 6th-10th place. Again, super saya na ako to be included in the top 5.

So the verdict? I got 2nd place on Portraiture and 4th place on Still Life! Naloka naman ako siyempre. Speechless talaga.



I had fun attending this class. I love the photo critique sessions which really made us strive to do better each time we submit our assignments. Out of fear na laitin kasi in front of the class.*LOL* The lecturers were really very helpful and the students had very good camaraderie too. I gained a lot of friends from this workshop.

I had a little chit chat with the judges before I left Fort Santiago. They were giving me suggestions and comments on my photos. Also giving me tips on how to further hone my skills. Sir Toch left his calling card with me and asked me to keep in touch with him for further questions. They were all encouraging me to enroll in the Advance Photography class. Puwede daw akong maging photographer. *blush* flattered naman ako and at the same time super happy. To think these were professional photographers encouraging me to take photography to the next level. Hay, cloud 9! *LOL*

Here are some more photos to share....

Labels: photography

I don't know what's with me today :(

• pass midnight - I went to the CR to do my thing. While I was turning the knob of the faucet, it broke and was literally torn into 2. So obviously, I was drenched as water showered all over the little lavatory. Siyempre patulog na ako at bigla naman akong nagising at naging MacGyver nang di oras. :(
  
• morning - the strap of my shoe broke. 3rd shoes damaged this month alone. God knows how I love my shoes. :(
• lunch time - went to glorietta with my colleagues coz we're purchasing materials for Halloween decor. If you heard the news, there's an explosion in glorietta this afternoon and we were at National Bookstore that moment. Thank God we decided to have lunch at a later time otherwise God knows where we would have been during the explosion. So I guess we're very lucky then... and we should be thankful to God coz we're safe.
• this afternoon - medyo nasabihan lang naman ako ng konte... nothing personal, i just felt bad.

And the day isn't over yet... hay sana wag naman....

ETA: God, I didn't realize how tragic the blast was at Glorietta earlier until I saw photos on the net and news on TV. I initially thought I had a bad day, but it turned out to be the greatest day in my life. We were all safe and spared from the explosion despite being so near the place!!! Nadaanan pa namin mismo yun Glorietta 2 where the bomb exploded. Naisip nga namin kanina buti we took a cab going to the mall as oppose to our original plan to walk. Kung nadelay kami ng konte... Thank God talaga! I can't believe the little shake my friends felt when we were back at National turned into a tragedy. I didn't even feel the shake until my friends told me na parang lumindol. Thank God Thank God Thank God! Kawawa naman yun casualties. :(

Labels: news

I need to submit portraits and still life photos for our final assignment. This time, it's going to be submitted as entries for a photo contest amongst Sept-October students (including Sunday classes). My ever-dearest hubby obliged to my request to go around and look for subjects to shoot. This has been my constant headache since day 1. We decided to go to MOA, but left the mall without a single photo. I wasn't keen on taking out the SLR kasi baka sitahin ako ng mga guards (as I often read in forums). So off we went to Harbor Square. My loving husband was very much willing to be my model. On top of that, he was also the one holding the reflector (we used the shade for the windshield) so that the light would bounce onto his face. Imagine the picture... people must have thought we're crazy! *LOL* While shooting, we met 2 hobbyists - a doctor and a lawyer - who also took classes in FPPF. They were kind enough and also volunteered to be my model. But with the beautiful sunset in front of us, I ended up shooting the bay instead of the people around. *LOL*

Actually, this is my second attempt to take sunset and night shots at the bay. Needless to say, umuwi akong luhaan during the first attempt. I guess I got the settings right this time and my newly acquired gadgets also proved its worth. :)

Labels: photography

This is an attempt to find my mojo back. The subject is the curly hair which I always wanted to blog about. I actually started this page around a month ago and was quite satisfied with the layout itself without the texts. I was looking for alphas that would match the subject and alas I found the perfect fonts here. I like it that it's very convenient to see the outcome of the text in different font face before you actually grab and install it. So, is mojo back? Not entirely but I do hope it'll find it's way home soon. *LOL*

Labels: scrap

Thanks to Litzie and Alpha for including me in their "i-love-your-blog" list.



And thanks to Angie for including me in her top 5 blogger list.

Wow, flattered naman ako. *Hugz* girls! Now it's my turn to spread the love...

These are the girls I love and their blogs which I stalk most of the time... in alphabetical order (hehe Alpha, para maiba naman ako...)

• Alpha - I'm super amazed with this girl's photography skill. Talagang capture na capture niya ang emotions ng kanyang baby boy Estong. And she's also very very sweet... never fails to leave me comments whenever I blog. Alpha, way to go... galing galing mo na sa photography! :)

• Angie - Reyna! Queen! :) She's so good in photography and digiscrapping! I love her skills in making realistic dropshadows! Wows me all the time. Talented is an understatement for this girl's creativity. She's so artistic... I love how she decorated their house. Super! When it comes to blogging, I never get tired of reading her stories though she posts less often these days. Kahit mala-nobela ang haba, talagang binabasa ko hanggang dulo. *LOL* I love Angie's stories. How she bravely cope with emotional distress. Helped me a lot when I went through the same experience. Girl, blog more. We miss you. :)

• Aggie - Katukayo number 1 sa gastusan. *LOL* Fellow pink and brown bride which I knew from w@w. It's amazing how she blog about her life openly. Pag nababasa ko yun posts niya, gusto ko na rin magkaron ng Matthew at Martha. *LOL* Superwoman etong babaeng 'to. Kahit na super busy siya during the day with her work, she can still manage to do some sideline with paid blogging. At pag uwi niya, nakakapagdigiscrap pa sya. Diba superwoman? Aggie, matulog ka naman. *LOL* I love chitchatting with this girl... grabe ang tawa niyan... nakakaloka! :)

• Glo - Katukayo number 2 sa gastusan. *LOL* Fellow pink and brown bride which I also knew from w@w. I met her way back 2006 when I was gushing over her pink and brown cake at Judy's booth sa wedding expo. And talking about how small the world is, her real life bestfriend Chame is also my friend from previous company. This girl's a super sweet and caring friend. On the go talaga tumulong whenever somebody needs help. I love reading her posts... very touching especially the ones involving her mamu and her longtime friends. Glo, pagaling ka na ... Sana makadaan kami sa inyo para puwede mo kaming itour. :) By the way, I call this girl DIY (do-it-yourself) goddess. Grabe ang powers! :)
  

• Litzie - this sweet lady never fails to leave me sweet and heart-warming messages all the time. And I'm so gigil whenever I see photos of her tabachingching Dustin! Sabi ko nga paglilihian ko si Dustin when I get preggy. :) She's also a very talented digiscrapper. Toot pala for being part of Oscrap's CT. Yey! Hope to see more of your layouts.
  

3 As in one row huh? :) I've met Angie, Aggie and Glo in person. Sus, walang tigil na daldalan at tawanan like we've known each other for ages. I'm so looking forward to another bebot EB. Psst... mag-organize naman kayo. :) And to the other girls, sana magkita naman tayo minsan para makurot ko in person yun mga anak niyo. *LOL*

And other blog girl friends that are equally amazing...

• abie - kaloka ang tawa! At kaloka sa taray! I love how she tells stories in her blog and in person! :)
  
• cheche - fellow Canonian that's also very good in photography. :)
  
• gracita - fellow Dino bride and Lasallian. This girl is an engineer who climbs posts! Tama ba? :)
  
• jean - fellow clarice bride who just recently moved to the land downunder. I love reading her posts especially those involving her point of views. Fellow Canonian din. :)
  
• mai - I got my very first digiscrap magazine from this girl for free. haha thanks mai! Have a safe pregnancy. :)
  
• yen - fantastic digiscrapper and photographer who's also having another baby soon. I love to see snapshots of her boy Albert in school. Nakakatuwa. :)
  

Unbelievable, but yeah... friendship can truly be nurtured in this big wide world called cyberspace. :)

Before I go, here are some photos behind the names... :)

Labels: tags

Moment like this, it really makes us (including hubby) proud to be green. Well, I'm not a die-hard fan actually. But seeing Araneta stadium packed with archers' in green and white was really wow! I was telling hubby: "sana nanood din tayo..."







For a while, I thought I was back in college and started reminiscin'. I haven't been there since I graduated so I googled it and landed up in this blog. Surely brought back a lot of lost memories, some of which I can still vividly remember...

1. The PGP chapel near the library which I used to visit before going to an exam.


2. My first taste of Katsudon and Gyudon at the Japanese stall at Aristo.


3. College canteen's ketchup-etti (spaghetti with ketchup sauce), 3M pizza and burritos. Ah, and also the source of my hepa A when I was still a freshman.


4. Mang Jack


5. Tennis and Ballroom dancing class at SPS building. Nakakapagod umakyat...
   


6. SPS canteen where we usually eat lunch after P.E.


7. Angelus around the campus at 12pm and 6pm. Each prayer is ended with:
   

   St. John baptist de la Salle, pray for us
   live jesus in our hearts, forever...



8. Chess Plaza where most guys linger around for sexy babes.


9. Sisig at Kaibigan - the carinderia beside Gokongwei hall (computer science building) which turns into a beer house by night?


10. Grilled liempo and pusit at the garahe (near Agno).


11. Tumutulong aircon...
    


12. Herny's sirloin steak, Mongolian Barbeque at UM, McDo Taft, Wendy's Taft, Swan's sizzling spaghetti, Kanumayan...


13. Library - a comfort from the summer heat. Dati puwede pang matulog, pero nung huli bawal na.
    


14. SPS Bookstore - quiz booklets, DLSU t-shirts, etc. another comfort from the summer heat.


15. Mga taray sa Registrar's office.
    


16. Late night exams


17. Madugong thesis at defense
    


18. Catch '97


19. at siyempre... the alma mater hymn.. Hail! Hail! Alma Mater, Hail to De La Salle!...
    

Hay.. kakamiss...

---------

Labels: blabs

Tagged by Jannesse...

Q1: What are you doing 10 years ago?


Mabubuking ang edad ko neto ah... *LOL* 10 years ago, I just graduated from college and started my life as a Makati Girl (at work). My wardrobe that time was polo with slacks/mini skirt with matching blazer pa. Now, I wear jeans to work everyday *hurray*!


Q2: What were you doing 1 year ago?

Was busy preparing our wedding while struggling with OT work at the office. As early as October 2006, I was already in panic mode....


Q3: What are 5 snacks you enjoy?

Instant Noodles
McDo's Chicken Nuggets with rice (yes with rice!) + Fries
Cheetos and BBQ flavored potato chips
Mangga't Bagoong
Pork Floss Bun + Brewed Coffee (cold or hot)

... di ba obvious I don't like sweets? :D

Q4: What are 5 songs you know the lyrics to?

I'll skip this since I know most of the songs by heart naman. But most of the songs I listen to are old songs and church songs.

Q5: 5 things you would do if you are a millionaire


1. Buy all stuff in my kaboodle list (*LOL*)...
2. Invest in our own business
3. Buy a house and lot (here or in Canada)
4. Travel with hubby and family.
5. Shop shop shop....

6. (sige na isa pa) ... watch Maksim's concert at gusto ko nasa first row... OMG!

Q6: 5 bad habits

procrastinating
nagging
lack of confidence
lack of patience
impulsive buying


Q7: 5 things you like to do:

watching TV (kahit ilang oras pa)
Photography
Traveling
Tsismis (hihihi....)
Cooking (provided that I don't do the washing... mahilig ako maghiwa... weird.. *LOL*)


Q8: 5 favorite toys:

computer
camera
cellphone
tv
mic (*LOL*)

Q9: 5 things you would never wear:

loose shirts
leggings
lingerie
polo with shoulder pads
skinny jeans

Q10: 5 things you hate to do:

wash the pans after cooking
waking up early in the morning
eating alone
exercise
doing technical support work (haaay..)



Snag this if you feel like answering. :)

Labels: tags

Tagged by Cynch

Since my brain is mojoless most of the time, I normally snag calendar wallpaper templates from various sites and personalize ‘em with our photos. I would make 2 copies - 4:3 format and wide screen format. 4:3 for our desktop at work and wide-screen for the laptop and PC at home. The one captured and posted below is what I see everyday at work. Desktop icons are quite cluttered but bearable. There were times when the entire screen was almost filled with files. *LOL* I used shabby princess’ desktop template for October in shades of lavender and green (a.k.a. eggplant or Halloween color) – nice isn’t it? The photos are from Disneyland HK during our honeymoon last January. These were shot using our good ole point and shoot camera with a tripod. My hair was still straight then (I promised to blog about my hair which I obviously didn’t do). Oh well, here you go...



Note: Copy Starts Here! Desktop Free View Instruction:

A. Upon receiving this tag, immediately perform a screen capture of your desktop. It is best that no icons be deleted before the screen capture so as to add to the element of fun. You can do a screen capture by:

[1] Going to your desktop and pressing the Print Scrn key (located on the right side of the F12 key).
[2] Open a graphics program (like Picture Manager, Paint, or Photoshop) and do a Paste (CTRL + V).
[3] If you wish, you can "edit" the image, before saving it.

B. Post the picture in your blog. You can also give a short explanation on the look of your desktop just below it if you want. You can explain why you preferred such look or why is it full of Icons, things like that.

C. Tag five of your friends and ask them to give you a Free View of their desktop as well. – I'm tagging - Mika, Angie, Jean (a.k.a. surfergirl), glo, Abie... please post a link so I can see your post :)

D. Add your name to this list of Free Viewers with a link pointing directly to your Desktop Free View post to promote it to succeeding participants.
i Ronnie - I Set No Corner
Thess - Thesserie
Rebecca - Skippy Heart
Knoizki - A Dialogue With K
Beng - Kauderwelch-domlawrenceOSB -bluepanjeet™ OTWOMD™
Marie @ Vanidosa Marie and Vanidosa at blogspot
Ems @ Just Let Go and Pieces of Me
Yen @ Me and Mine , Little Peanut
Aggie - Mommy Talks.Wife Stories.Girl Speak
Alpha - my blog
Jane - My Joys
Jody - Scribbles of my Life
Cynch - Marital Bliss
Wanda - daftology

Labels: tags