Popoy in Bamboo Gig

Do you know what it feels like to do something you’ve been longing to do? I’ve been in a state of madness this year because I received a lot of gifts from Him and those things were the one that even in my wildest dreams I won’t be doing. Ecstatic, I am!

I’m a big fan of Rivermaya. I completed their albums, half of them carefully downloaded from the internet (full albums). Thankfully, when I had enough money to buy CDs, I had the chance to buy all their albums from ‘Between Stars and Waves’ to present (except the recent ‘Bagong Liwanag’). The idolism for this band continued even when they decided to go in separate ways and later on, old members formed a new group which now called ‘Bamboo the band’ while the others continued the legacy of Rivermaya. Yes, I’m bald for a very long time but Bamboo Maňalac was not the reason why I decided to become one.

Before, I used to attend the band’s album launching gigs to get a fresh copy of their album and get it signed by the members. I even had a chance to have a photo with the band. During those days, I already had a band and those instances made me dream of sharing a stage with them (and the other is with PhilHarmonic Orchestra). Noypi and Mr. Clay were the most used up songs for me because these were our ‘pondos’ in Pablikschul (my band in Philippines).

Seeing life in street and travel photography…

Of all the things I want to do outside if I have with me a set of camera and guts is to take pictures and see the life of others within my viewfinder. I love travel and I love dealing with people – people that most might think ordinary ones doing ordinary things. But there are things that most people don’t really see that makes ordinary people extraordinary.

Aside from landscape, these are the areas that I want to do – street and travel photography.

What makes street and travel photography so special? Aside from the fact that these areas don’t normally require the subjects to pose for the photographer nor requires highly technical setups, there’s only thing you must capture in these areas – MOMENT. And it makes you contemplate on a lot of things when you already captured the moment, a lot of titles to think, a lot of extraordinary meaning to find out, a lot of definition to encapsulate with the photo and most of all, a lot of lessons to dig so that people who will be seeing the photo can be touched too. For sure, that’s how I see those things.

Sensitive Doer

I haven’t posted anything here in my blog so I decided to put this intead. Got this from Lizzie, a friend from PinoyGraphers@SG. I would say, the result is 99% true. Take the same test here.

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Sensitive Doers are gentle, modest and reserved persons. They cope well with everyday life and like their privacy. With their quiet, optimistic nature, they are also good, sought-after listeners and other people feel well in their company. All in all, this type is the most likeable and friendliest of all personality types. Tolerance and heir regard for others distinguish their personality. They are very caring, generous and always willing to help. They are open to and interested in everything that is new or unknown to them. However, if their inner value system or their sense of justice is hurt, Sensitive Doers can suddenly and surprisingly become forceful and assertive.

Sensitive Doers enjoy the comforts life offers to the full. They are very happy in everyday life. Sensitive Doers are often gifted artists or very good craftsmen. Creativity, imagination and an especially keen perception are just a few of their strong points. Sensitive Doers are very presence-oriented; long-term planning and preparations do not appeal to them. They take life as it comes and react flexibly to daily demands. They do not like too much routine and predictability. Their talents come more to the fore when work processes are variable and there are not so many rules. Sensitive Doers like to work alone; if they are part of a team, they do not get involved in competitive or power games and prefer living and working together harmoniously and openly.

Sensitive Doers are completely satisfied with a small, close circle of friends as their need for social contacts is not very marked. Here, too, they avoid conflicts – quarrels and disputes put considerable strain on them. Sensitive Doers are often very fond of animals and are very good with small children. As partner, this type is loyal and reliable and is willing to invest a lot in a relationship. Mutual respect and tolerance are very important to Sensitive Doers. Their love of pleasure makes them a pleasant companion with whom one can experience intensive moments. They like to look after their partner with attentiveness and small gifts and are very sensitive to the partner’s needs – often more than to their own. However, should they meet the wrong person, they run the risk of being taken advantage of. They are then deeply disappointed.

The Irony around a person…

There are a lot of things that makes life so ironic – your life, your relationship, your everything. I guess it’s really part of living in this sinister place called earth. It’s part, that’s why it really sucks.
 
There are people that you thought they are your best of friends, people you can rely on because they give you advises, makes you fell accepted and they are always there when you needed them most. You even thought so, because you have the same wavelength with them, have the same interest and have the same disposition in life. But at your back, they’re cursing you and they’re the one telling bad things about you to others.
 
Isn’t it ironic, don’t you think?
 
There are people whom you fought for them, but at the end they left you unwanted after the fight. There are people you left because you felt they didn’t fight for you, but at the end they stood for you to fight. There are people whom you treated brother, but at the end they made you feel unrelated. There are people you thought you should not relate to, but at the end, they even treated you like a blood brother. There are people whom you thought you can call them when you’re down; but the truth is, they’re the first people who turned you down. There are people whom you thought you can’t rely on them when needed; but they’re the first people who rescued you when you’re in trouble. There are people whom you assured you won’t leave them no matter what, but in fact, they’re the one who wants you to leave. Ironically, there are people who didn’t leave your side even if you don’t acknowledge them doing it most of the times.
 
Isn’t it ironic, don’t you think?
 
How I wish friends can really be friends and live out to its truest meaning. But sometimes, it’s not; that even your slightest enemy you thought of will be your friend at the very end. Yeah, that’s really ironic.

“Ode From Nowhere” explained…

“Ode From Nowhere” is a new song I composed for Banda Fantastica 3. It’s the second original song performed by Transient Attack (my band) and my first composition for this year. Supposedly, the band will not be taking part in the recently compiled BF3 album due to some band concerns, but it was a test of how far the band can go while members are tested for bandhood.

I wrote the song during the time that I felt the world was not on my side and unfortunate series of events happened in my life. It was during the composition month when (1) my nephew (godson/foster child) had pneumonia, (2) my close cousin died, (3) my dad had a stroke 2 days before my birthday, (4) my cousin’s mom was bedridden after her death, and (5) my closest uncle died. All these things happened in just one month and the lyrics of the song was gradually revised to depict what I have in my heart and mind during that period.

“Ode From Nowhere” is a story of broken people in a lot of ways. May it be because of money, fortune and luck, family, job, business, relationship, anything. It is a story of something that broken people hope to achieve and that is to at some point be on top in everything they wanted to achieve. “Ode From Nowhere” is a story of my life.

My Palawan Trip…

At last, the day came for me to experience most Filipinos are looking forward to experience too and this is to be at the Philippine’s last frontier for nature reserves – Palawan. I’ve been longing to be in this place and I can’t still believe I was there last weekend. Really a great place and great experience – to sum up this vacation trip. It was a 4-day fast trip and those 4 days were spent in El Nido and Puerto Princesa – a superb experience.

In this trip, I went with my mom and my nephew and niece (whom I stood as their foster father).

The flight was booked way ahead of the scheduled departing dates. I booked my flights 4 months ago so that I can save for the general travel expenses such as food, accommodation and tour fees. I was with my family and with my closest friends the whole time. Amazingly, we spent lesser than the expected cost which is P7000 to P8000 (exclusive of airfare). We only spent P5500 per head, exclusive of the roundtrip airfare of Manila-Puerto Princesa. We spent P4500 for the roundtrip airfare each.

After months of waiting, the big day came. We left Singapore 12 midnight and arrived at Manila International Airport at 4:00am via Cebu Pacific. Some went straight ahead to the Domestic Airport and flew thru Cebu Pacific. While the rest, flew from Centennial Terminal 2 via Air Philippines.

All of us arrived safely at the Puerto Princesa airport with different time of arrival. Cebu Pacific arrived early so my group was the one who contacted the van we hired that will send us to El Nido. He was Kuya Ronald and he’s really a good, fast driver. It was almost noon when the group met again and all together, we took our lunch at the city c/o Jollibee. After the lunch break, we headed to El Nido.

From Puerto Princesa, we took 6 hours (inclusive of stops and toilet breaks) all the way to El Nido. It was a journey of sleep-trips, sound-trips, laughing-trips and bloopers in a variety of rough roads. We arrived at El Nido 5:30pm, just a right time for sunset. We found it easy to locate the place we spent the 2 nights when we were in El Nido. We stayed at the Marina Gardens, right in front of the El Nido beach.

My Vietnam Trip…

Weekend travel is really non-stop (and soon will). After diving at Dayang Island in Malaysia, my same travel stuffs (e.g. nike gym bag, lowepro bag that contains my D300, D70, wide angle and portrait lenses and tripod) will be off with me again – with the usual travel attire of walking shorts, comfortable shirts and slippers.

It’s time to go to Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam.

It was a trip that’s much anticipated. Not because of some personal expectations, but because of the company that I went with – closest friends here in Singapore – the trip that succeeded the ever-long forgotten trip in Bintan, Indonesia.

It was an early flight, unlike my other previous travels which where done after work – by bus or by plane. With a normal itinerary, I woke up 4:30am, prepared for the journey, met up at the airport, boarded and gone to the destination. In a very short while, Ho Chi Minh story started upon arrival to the city airport.

My first impression with their airport was – “nanliiit tingin ko sa airport ng pinas”. It’s clean, not that big but sufficient and looks like a mini-Hong kong airport for me.

Our general Vietnam itinerary focused on 2 places – Ho Chi Minh and Cat Tien. We arrived early at HCMH so we had time roaming around the city and stroll to their known landmarks. On the way to the Renumeration Mansion, there’s one thing that shocked us all – Jollibee! May Jollibee sa Vietnam. Though we dreamt of eating it before leaving for Singapore, it was not achieved, unfortunately.

Diving at Dayang Island

What’s the common factor between Shawshank Redemption, A series of Unfortunate Events, The Incredibles and The Man of the Year? Think hard! None (as far as I know, baka mapahiya ako haha!). But for sure there’s one common thing that Finding Nemo, Spongebob and Dyesibel share and it has something to do with underwater world.

As one of my items in my “bucket list”, it’s now time to fulfil another dream – to discover the underwater world.

Sai, a fellow photographer and the award-winning comedian from Davao who keeps on speaking to me using ‘our’ native dialect (gamay makasabot bai, dili dako. Nosebleed ako lagi) referred his officemate to me because he knew that I want to pursue diving (and eventually, underwater photography). So he introduced me to Jerric Gan, a master diver. Jerric then introduced me to James Ng; who eventually became my divemaster for the Open Water Diving Course. James handed me a thick book that I need to read and some questionnaires to answer. That’s the main ingredient for the written examination.

By the way, Sai is also a divemaster.

Theory days came, then written exam (that luckily, I was able to pass) and then the confined open water dive. It’s time to apply what I’ve read – from a book, to a deep swimming pool. But before the actual lesson started, every student performed the prerequisites of diving – swim 200m (the pool is 25m long so I had to swim 4 rounds) and float for 10 minutes. That damn first requirement made my joints soar.

Actual open water diving came. We left Singapore last Friday (April 11, 2008), travelled 3 hours to Mersing, Malaysia and rode a ferry for 4 hours to Dayang Island. We stayed 1 night in the ferry and 2 days and 1 night in the island.

The weekend was full of fun, excitement and thrill. I completed the 5 dives, including the leisure dive and I really felt extraordinary during my last weekend trip to Dayang.

Alexandra Macro EB…

I always wanted to try macro photography but didn’t have time to do it. It’s either I didn’t have time (because of out of Singapore trips) or there’s no one who initiates the EB. That’s why, most of my macro photo shots were more on flowers and plants.

Last week, someone initiated an EB. Thanks to Sai, the award-winning comedian from Davao. I got the interest and that day was blocked.

Early morning last Saturday, we met. But the day before that, we met for Tanjong Rhu EB. What an addiction! Haha! Although Rhea came, it was only Sai and I who spent the whole day shooting the butterflies. By the way, we went to Alexandra Hospital’s mini-botanical garden with ample butterflies to shoot.

It was a test of patience at first. It’s just like, I already positioned myself, my tripod and already viewing in my viewfinder and the only task remains is to press the shutter when suddenly, your target flew. It happened a lot of times. But then again, as advised by Sai – chill, relax and don’t be pressured. So I did his advice. I positioned myself in a certain area where butterflies normally settle then kept myself composed so that they won’t be disturbed. That plan was so effective.

All in all, I got some satisfying shots. But not yet good though. Macro photography is so strict; I failed to follow them to most of my photos. But then again, first timers normally commit mistake.

Here are some of the photos I got:

Tanjong Rhu Night Shots…

It was a night to remember in Tanjong Rhu. Maybe because it’s my first time to be in that place. But I guess more than that, absolutely, because it’s EB time again with PinoyGraphers@SG. It happened last friday.

The day was started with a good one. I didn’t realize that until Sai sent me an SMS, “and ganda ng ulap na gawa ni Lord!” (the clouds made by the Lord is beautiful). I didn’t have time to get my camera from my lowpro bag because I’m a bit late. No, not a bit, but so late.

End of work, gathering time and so we headed to Tanjung Rhu. It’s actually just in front of my office window (I’m working at Millenia Tower) but we actually took it a bit long cab ride, because a coast way separates the Central Business District (CBD) from our target place.

We were so blessed to have a very good sunset scene, inspite the weather’s threat to pour rain. Thanks to Eman and his answered prayer.

Over the fence, walked thru, then pwesto (position)! We’re right in front of the Singapore CBD and the Singapore flyer. Setup, then we started to shoot. Here are some of the photos I got during that day: