Skate and Live

I haven't had any legitimate physical exercise lately. Maybe months to almost a year or so. Maybe longer. And it shows. I have grown a belly which was almost impossible way back then. I feel heavy. I am trying to skate but could only do so from the building of the condo to the parking. I can't even do ollies anymore. The last ramp i dropped off in sprained my left ankle. I was totally out of sync and had no warm up so I had it coming. I hate to say it but being 30 something without any workout, well - the pounds are really taking their places inside my body. To think I wanted to get fat before.

On the other hand, I have become more open to other physical activities. Im looking into mountain biking again since now there are more bike shop options here in Manila. The only thing is - I am in Manila. Very different from the province where you kinda know what to expect when on the road. Here in Manila, aside from the toxic fumes from thousands of cars, buses and jeeps - you have to contend with the different assortment of drivers who seemed to think they're made of metal or own the road so as to occupy every part of it with their " tetano " jeeps or taxis or whatever. Manila road is scary.

Surfing and wakeboarding are also good but expensive and far off the city. 

Funny, I did try golf once and surprisingly I had fun with it. To think I once thought golf was such a lousy loser uptight elitist game, I found out that it really was quite challenging. You don't go there swishing your way with a golf club thinking you could easily hit that small white golf ball, men I tell you - it wasn't easy as it looked. But after a couple of tries I began to get the knack of it and saw,hmmm... potential. 

I did sweat a lot also.

But golf is also expensive.

Well, I guess for now - I will still try, as much as I can, to skate. Give it maybe my last few hurrahs before I shift to a new sport. Something my 30 something body can do without looking clumsy.

Men did I just say that? - that sounded like I was ready to let go and bury my board. That sounded like I was quitting. And I never quit.

Okey, compromise... I will still sate. I will get back to form. But I also will get me a bike. And yes I will little by little learn how to golf well.

Fair enough?

I do still want to ride and feel the concrete and asphalt roar beneath my feet. The snap of the maple ply as I ollie from one crack, gap and gutter to another. Nothing can be purer. More raw and more real than riding your way through the surreal concrete jungles of Manila, Philippines or any other concrete jungles anywhere for that matter. Only a skateboarder can understand this.

Skate and Live. ( sorry no cliche' juvenile " skate or die a" crap ).

Pamilya

This was supposed to be a blog about the recently held official launch of the Maharlika Mirasol Photography last November 22,2008 which was a rousing success if I may say so myself ( feedback, reactions, and just the overall mood and look on the guests' faces do seem to point out they were to say the least, happy with what they saw - which were my photographs on exhibit ). I do have a lot to make kwento about the launch but just as I was infront of my Mac, I suddenly had the urge to work instead on some intimate family portraits I took some fairly recently and some just a few months ago.

I dunno...

So here it is, if you can - tell me what you think... ( uploaded the photos, but it didn't go on this part instead its now above the text. Anyways, THERE it is.lol. )

Passion. Art. Life. - The Official Launch of The World's Most Awesome in Photography

Busy brewin' busy brewin'... We are currently getting ready for the official launch of The Maharlika Mirasol Photography. This is like a dream come true. Well, it is - a dream come true. : ) If there's anyone out there who is soon to be wed, we invite you to look into our wedding packages and samples of our work. Also, watch out for our official website. Very very soon!

This is exciting I don't know what to blog about - theres a lot! Positive reactions from clients, heartfelt congratulations from friends, warm encouragement from families... I am just overwhelmed.

There is much more to say. But it is better to let the images do the talking. That is, for those who's going to attend the launch on November 22, Saturday at the Lancaster Hotel, Shaw Blvd. Mandaluyong City, Philippines.

Have to go for now, working on the  some more photographs for the upcoming exhibit.

i love 50mm

Haha. Im one of the EB in this EB. That's early bird in this egg basket.lol.  This was a pretty fun event held at the Mall of Asia. Joined the On the Spot Photo Contest and I got my photo landing into the Top 10. Got me some Canon products as prizes. Haha. Thats kinda cool cause Im a Nikon user. A bit weird though cause I forgot all the new people I met, at least their names that I forgot cause we were all using our handle name/ online name. I am so not good with names i have yet to fix me up on that one.

Thats me the 42nd photo. Or was that 41? : )

Another Day at the Office

Yes, be it at a nearby Starbucks               ( caramel macchiatto ).

Or Coffeebean ( English Breakfast Chai Tea Latte ), or Krispy Kreme ( original glazed ) at Bonifacio Hi Street or in a veranda of a cottage wood inspired resthouse as the cool winds of Tagaytay blow gently by the late noon sun. It is, for me - another day in the office. My office.

I don't know when exactly it happened and how or maybe even why, but there was a point in my life I decided that I can't be dull. Otherwise I'd die. Not that I didn't try to be normal. I did. I really did. But there came a point in those trial stages of normalcy that I almost puked my guts out realizing that it wasn't me. I tried to compromise. Who would in their right minds try to go against the flow of the crowd? I certainly didn't want to do that. That would be harsh. Dangerous. Stupid. Economically non viable. The words that came from people "who are in the know". I tried. Did what they told me to do. What was expected of me to do. As most do.

I really did. And I failed.

Reflect and Genuflect (ahaha).

Unfortunately, I can never be "normal". I was not and never will be the same as the others. I am as Vhong Navarro would put it, "The Anothers ". Like Professor Charles X. Xavier's students I am... different.

It was at this point that everything else fell into place. I had to come to terms with it now ( oopsss... funny how that sounded gay.ahaha). Be me or Bust. But then, who is me? So I'm different, Im not normal what then, who then Am I?

I cannot put it into words right now. But one word always speaks a familiar tone when these kinds of question arises. I am, and the word is, an - ARTIST. From the day I was born up until now. The word, the meaning of this word lingers in me. In fact this word does not, cannot even contain it - its meaning. The soul of this word. But this describes me. At its best and at its worst.

Thus there was no point of hiding in the futility of averageness. Eventually I had to break free. And break free I did.

But I feel sleepy now and I have a shoot later at 10am and its already 3am. So this means a part 2 is in the offing. : )

How abnormal is that - ending abruptly.wahaha. I don't care this is my blog. And besides you readers probably don't even exist! lol. : )

By the way thats me in the photo of  course, with my awesomeness MacBookPro which is a whole new story altogether. In fact this whole hoolabaloo is just really about HOW AWESOME MAC IS. Really. (wahaha - suckers ).

And that other thing beside me is one of my Nikon camera. Great great piece of machinery.

Thats all Katol for now Bolinao. : )

Obama - A Change We Need

Senator Barrack Obama kinda looks like my father no kidding. But truth is I was kinda skeptical about his campaign propaganda of the " Change We Need " and all those idealistic talk he was using. I was thinking its the usual propaganda to do and say to crush the already unpopular Bush administration and the Republicans. Also, being colored I was thinking he was using that to his advantage knowing that the issue of race and color is already a touchy subject and that if you happen to be white and not like Obama you automatically become a racist so it seems the white Americans are held hostage to the issue.

Those were my thoughts. Note, WERE. I was only able to listen awhile ago to his speech, his victory speech. There I realized that I could be wrong all along. Admittedly I have no real basis for my opinions I mentioned above. Except for the fact that Obama was antiwar and my own stand against it was the war on terror should not stop until the terrorists are crushed. Bush unpopular as it may be made the right decision I think. These terrorists really should be wiped off the face of the earth. Not an easy thing to do. Not an easy thing to decide to go to war. But Bush did so and stuck with this decision.

It was thus easy for Obama to ride into that unpopular choices by Bush. A classic political move.

But now, to go back - I was able to listen to his victory speech. I cannot help but admire the man and what he stands for. I have a confession, I even got teary eyed as he was speaking ( okey I cried tears and all but I was trying to hold it back ). It was good the camera was showing people from the audience also teary eyd and crying. Rev. Jesse Jackson and even Oprah was there all teary eyed.

I pray Obama is a beacon of hope and change to this generation of apathy and pointlessness. Here in our country alone I am almost out of hope for the so called leaders of our nation. It seems everywhere you turn in the different sectors of government no one is really as they say they are. A lot are even without shame or a sense of guilt even when caught with their pants down ( the euro generals ). Our President having a lot of booboos in her integrity as President with all the scandals, corruption... I feel sick as I type this. I am not the kind who complains and blames the government. But it really is a fact that a large part of our nation's problem is the hypocrisy of our leaders. People in government are in government not to serve but to have power, feel powerful, and feel wealthy. They are burning their souls even while still here on earth.

I studied Political Science for 4 years and sadly, the conclusion of all my study of Politics is that the main driving force of politics is not idealism, not vision, not servanthood and leadership but - money. The manipulation of the peoples' minds, the temptation of money and the pride of being in power. People who mean well, who strive for change, who truly strive for vision and idealism are sadly, underfunded, smeared by black propaganda or - if all else fails, subjected to disappearance and - death. Ninoy and a lot others are obvious examples.

I was saddened by this but deep within me a passion still burns that keeps holding on to what is good. To what is ideal.

Here now is Barrack Obama. He espouses change and speaks of it. He inspires and gives hope. He is honest knowing full well of the hard task at hand yet still hopeful and headstrong. His political machinery is well funded no doubt about it but more than anything else it was due to common people believing in him and taking part in the goal, the hope of change for their country. The line was drawn. While there are people who stands for selfish individualist motives, an " i don't care attitude - there are now those who are standing up, taking part in their own little ways.

The time tested political maneuverings and spin doctoring, black propaganda and smear campaigns didn't work. A well oiled, administration backed, well funded political machinery didn't work. Against what? Against a man who envisions change. Simple. Profound.

We need this too here in our country. We need people not unlike Obama. No rhetoric, no shitty speech. No vote buying or maneuvering. Genuine Leaders. Inspiring Leaders. Humble Leaders. Selfless Leaders.

Sad how even right now a priest from Pampanga is being attacked from all sides when he stood up against a well entrenched gambling lord/politician and wins practically by a miracle. Goes to prove that there are still those who are hopeful. There are still those who will take a stand amidst overwhelming odds. That is good. We need more like that. Pinoy man o hindi. I fear for the priest's life. But more than fear I pray for strength and God's covering to be upon him. And because he took his stand and stood his ground more people are being inspired. More people will take their own stand.

I am inspired by Barrack Obama. God does bless America still. I pray God blesses our country too. We need a godly leader and one who inspires. And one who is strong that summons up the strength and courage of the people to once and for all stand up against the tyranny of the corrupt who has entrenched themselves in our government. I pray that fear divide and eat up this people who think they have the power to abuse the Filipino people and get away with it.

I pray the change we need comes soon. Its time we shine in this world. A Changed Filipino.

A Singapore Wedding PostNup Session

This is my first out of the country photo session, a post nup or some call it " Trash the Dress " but we didn't trash the dress of the bride. We just went all around Singapore with Vangie in her actual wedding gown and of course the handsome groom, Alvic - with his slick formal wear. Singapore is much more humid than the Philippines but the couple was game and didn't complain. We finished the shoot at around 8pm in the evening! Were we tired? Of course, it was exhausting! But it was all worth it. : )

Lola and Child - Pagkalinga

Amidst all the chaos of the Kawad Kalinga event and the heat of the noonday sun, I saw this grandma o so gently carressing, carefully wiping off the sweat from the little girl's forehead at the same time holding the red umbrella. A real epitome for the word " kalinga ". Or, " Pagkakalinga" ng isang lola sa kanyang apo.