Google is unzipping Gideon Sundback

Google and Wikipedia honors the Swedish- American engineer who created the interlocking teeth lock on our every jeans, the zipper. It could have been his 132nd birthday if he still lives. This is a celebration of Google armed with Wikipedia.

Gideon Sundaback, the inventor of zipper

Manila Bay Sunset from San Lorenso Tower

Manila Bay sunset, taken from the rooftop of San Lorenso Tower along Roxas Blvd

SUNSET, Monday, April 23, 2012

I was waiting for the rain to pour today. Late afternoon started to be all gloomy and cold. I decided to stay at home and instead of going out to work, I turn on my laptop, created a playlist for the rain and started editing pictures on my last shoot. The rain has been one of my favorite thing, and it means a lot to me.

I mentioned to a friend while shooting in San Lorenso Tower along Roxas Blvd, that I really love sunsets. I was amazed by how it paints the sky with all the colors I can imagine. It also has this good vibe of ending the day with hopes of a brighter tomorrow.

So I received an SMS from that friend and she told me that she is witnessing one of the best sunsets. I ran out, took my camera and tried to catch the sunset. Its surreal, unimaginable and like all the sunsets I had, this one is pretty amazing.

Sunsets remind us that the day is ending and nightfall is about to come. It also signifies that tomorrow will be a fantastic day.

Bb. Pilipinas 2012

This years Bb. Pilipinas was a bit of funny, trending on twitter and facebook and it was a bit party-ish. The pageant was hosted by Xian Lim (very well), Ms. Iza Calzado, Bb. Pilipinas 2010, Venus Raj and the ever beautiful Georgina Wilson. During the swimsuit competition, DJ David Callum made the pageant stage party like. The candidates on the other hand were serenaded by Ariel Pineda and Bamboo.However everybody was awed by Former Representative Risa Hontiveros Baraquel question when she noted; "you can answer the question either in Filipino or in English, whatever you are comfortable with".  

Last year was a hurricane as Ms. Chamcey Supsup walked away with the title of Ms. Universe Third Runner Up.

Called as one of the top 5 finalist for Ms. Universe 2011

On the other hand Bb. Pilipinas Tourism Isabella Manjon competed for the Ms. Tourism Queen International 2011 and sashayed away with Ms. Charity award.

Isabella Manjon during the MTQI 2011

Dianne Necio, the Bb. Pilipinas International 2011, landed a spot on the top 15 of the Ms. International pageant. Going home with People's Choice Award.

Ms. Dianne Necio receiving her People's Choice award during the Ms. International 2011

Singer/artist, Annalie Forbes won 2nd Runner up.

Business Management student Elline Kay Moll

Bb. Pilipinas International Nicole Schmitz. She also won Best in Swimsuit and Best in National costume. Let us all hope that this Fil-German stunner gives us the Ms. International title this year.

Bb. Pilipinas Tourism, which they say will represent the country for its tourism advocacies is Katrina Jayne Dimaranan, she also won the the Ms. Talent awards. Last year the Ms. Tourism winner snatched the representation from Mutya ng Pilipinas in Ms. Tourism Queen International. This year it will all depend on Madame Araneta's decisions. Whatever will be that decision let us hope for her to win.

This is the year for a Pharmacy cum laude graduate of the University of Sto. Tomas. The running runner up bags the title this year as Bb. Pilipinas Universe. Let us all support her and help her in bringing home the crown in the upcoming Ms. Universe 2012 which will happen on December. 

To wrap it up, it was another success for the BPCI, however the journey of the winners are just starting. Goodluck on your international pageants, represent the country well.

Piece of advice: USE THE FILIPINO LANGUAGE and HIRE A TRANSLATOR :D lols and peace

ABS-CBN Summer Station ID 2012

During my college days, I consider summer to start whenever ABS-CBN launches their summer station IDs. This year it was worth the wait for me. April 15th I marked my calendar as they will be showing it on ASAP 2012. Unfortunately I woke up late, too sad. But thanks to social networking sites, I got to watch it. 

In all aspect I would say that the whole video was festive. In connection with the networks collaboration with DOT's campaign of more fun in the Philippines it was achieved. They showed that Philippines is more fun, well during summer as the ID showed. I am  restarting my 2012 summer in every aspect that I can, inspired by this station ID. I can't wait to see their next station ID, rainy season themed perhaps.

Environment, Development, ME

Images of Old Baguio

Image of Baguio Now

Image of the trees of SM Baguio

According to history, the Philippines is a vast tropical land with more or less 30 million hectares of forests. During the Spanish era it decreases to 27 million hectares. In 1987 the classified forested area according to DENR is around 15 million hectares, the sad news is we now have 7 million hectares of forested lands and the rest are deforested. Last Panagbenga season, I wrote an article entitled ‘A Brief Review of Baguio City’, on which I mentioned most of its good aspects, scenic views and fancy places. This year because of the arising issues of Baguio which includes the earth balling of some 182 pine trees for commercial purposes, I decided to make a thorough yet concise review of how we Filipinos handle the issues of the environment.

According to United Nation’s push on economic growth and environmental protection, a country’s growth should neither focus on environmental nor economic growth alone. It always should be balance. However, when it terms of growth either of the two will always be compromised. People suddenly had this urge of protecting the environment, but is it too late for everyone to realize that we have consumed what would have been enough for consumption? Or haven’t we realized that we’ve developed too much that the untouched lands are the only ones left undeveloped?

The issue of environment boils down to poverty, there may be people’s controlling the upscale and unending torture to our remaining forests, but haven’t we thought about solutions on how to stop them? We may have passed tons of laws but as long as the upland people see the environment as means of medicine for their sick children, food for their empty stomach and an occupation to sustain their needs, the greedy bosses won’t stop. It should and must always begin with the people. The initiative of protecting the environment are not in the arms of city people protesting, it is in found in the people residing within the forested areas. For if they say ‘no’, the rich and greedy people can’t do anything.

In Baguio’s case, the blame goes to the government office, DENR and the Malacanang. However, it is their local government who permitted them first. It is them who sold most of the land to private companies. It is them who never stopped from telling people to invest on infrastructures and establishments. The legal right of SM to construct whatever they want at Luneta Hill is given by the one who sold them the land.

In my own opinion, if we all care about what will happen with our environment, we should start to accept the things that we have, appreciate them and make use of them without over exposing them to too much development and change. In an interview with DENR secretary Mr. Ramon Paje, he said that balling the trees in Luneta Hill, would affect the environment, but, it can be minimized. The fact that it has an effect on the environment, that means it is bad to the environment.

Economic growth is possible in many ways, SM could’ve been considerate with their architectural design. The traffic congestion in Session Road is affected by the traffic made within the vicinity of the said mall. It may have helped the people of Baguio for it offers a wide variety of stalls that could cater their needs, but come to think of it, the people of Baguio survived for years without SM. They have been completely and happily satisfied with the bargain finds in ‘Ukay-Ukay’ stores. I still remember when I was still young and we usually visit Baguio, I will be wearing jackets wherever I go. Nowadays, I only wear jackets whenever I go out at night or will be staying at Camp John Hay.

Last March before this issue even got bigger, I got the chance to roam around Baguio. I was shocked to see that Ayala is already developing their own shopping hub within the city. Designed after Bonifacio High Street, the structures seem not to damage the environmental architecture of the place. They patterned their architectural design with the environment. I thought, why can’t we develop or urbanize and pattern or adjust our wants to progress with the environment. Because the environment can’t adjust for us, but we can for them.

This issue is present almost everywhere. The sad news is, the people tend to rely too much on the environment and forgot to maximize what they already have. I have been climbing mountains for 3 years now, and out of all the mountains I stepped on to, Mt. Cristobal and Mt. Pulag were the only two I remember which are protected. I told a friend who joined me on my Cristobal climb that it is good that paranormal stories are widespread about Cristobal, because only few people dare to climb it. Most of the mountains became commercially available for anyone to explore.

Protesters said to stop the green and start to go green. What I can say is, let us start on our own ways to help the environment. We are bothered by 182 pine trees to be cut, forgetting that we needed to protect the remaining 7 million hectares of forests. Instead we need to ask ourselves, when will I be contented with development? Have I already maximize the resources from the previous destruction I made? How can I compensate the environment for the things that I destroyed? And lastly let us ask ourselves, what can I do to protect what we have left? 

Project Outbreak Album Launch

I was invited to cover a Christian Album Launch/concert, it was a collaboration of different Christian bands. Aside from the free lunch I enjoyed shooting them for this was my first time to cover such event. The changing lights and moving subjects became a challenge but in the end, the tips my friend gave me, had me these results.

A good friend from Purpose Driven Photographer Class, Michael Sy invited me to cover this event. It was fulfilling and fun at the same time. Different bands, different music, one purpose.

                 

 

Here is the deal here, I asked my friend if he can give me a FREE copy of the said album. I haven't receive a copy yet, the only problem is, I enjoyed the concert/launch so much that I forgot to ask the bands' name. The ones I remember were 'Orange', 'Tiny Cactus', 'Fuzion'. So if you know this bands kindly comment their names :D

Summer is the time to catch the heat, forget about the whitening products and start purchasing your sun protection lotions. This is also the perfect time to explore the 7107 islands of the country. For me I started my summer journey in Boracay. Tagged as one of the world's most beautiful beaches. 

Because sand castles are no longer present along Boracay beach line we decided to make our own.

Because of aviation delay, I arrived later than expected to Boracay. I don't have much time to rest for I only have few days to explore the island. We were walking along Station 2 when a sign captured my attention. 

Because Magnum is at heat, I indulged myself with a Magnum Belgian Classic, though the price surprised me a bit.
(Php100.00, not knowing that it costs Php55.00 in Manila)

Along the Beach I saw this cozy bar/restaurant.

Fire dancers are scattered along the shoreline and we could't help ourselves but to take pictures with them.

Night life in Boracay is unending, at 8:00PM people are warming up for the long night ahead.

The band at Paraiso Grill introduced me to two British girls, and because I was too drunk I forgot their name.

Too drunk to take a shot with a steady hand, but I think the photograph is still good.

Party harder in Boracay, though I missed hopping through different Boracay islands, waking up late pays a little, I got to start drinking earlier. Stayed in front of La Carmela and waited for the sunset.

One of the best sunset I've ever seen.