Once Every 4 Years

Leap Year. It's not every year we have a February 29. Since, this is my first leap year in photoblogging, this is my photo tribute to Feb 29. By the way, ever wonder how children born on this day celebrate their birthday? It's an age long question. And if you're wondering why the playing cards? Actually, I was looking for something unique or a unique representation of the number 29 and I couldn't find anything to photograph, thus, I ended up with playing cards. Enjoy!

Cubiertos

Cubiertos. Silverware in English. This is the aftermath of my boneless chicken barbeque with java rice dinner at a famed native Filipino restaurant, Aristocrat. They are known for this specialty, which goes well with their homemade Java sauce.I remember when I was young my family would always eat at the original branch during weekends located along Roxas Blvd., Manila after a nice little jog or badminton game near the Cultural Center of the Philippines. We would always order the same thing and even followed it up with a famous Filipino dessert, halo-halo with a scoop of Ube ice cream on top. Their halo-halo is equally tasty. Next time I'll take a photo of it.

Palms

Palms. I haven't got out much with my D80. So, I'm posting my other pictures taken earlier by my G6. Anyway, this is a "tree" line at the back of SM Mall of Asia. We were waiting for the pyro-musical display that happens every weekend night, so I got the oppurtunity to shoot some photos. The funny thing is, I forgot to charge my batteries. By the time, the fireworks display was on, my batteries were already running low and I couldn't get a decent shot. Tough luck.

Water Tank

Water Tank. I finally got my first (D)SLR camera at last. I bought a second hand Nikon D80 with 70-300mm telephoto lens and I went into a shooting frenzy. I am planning to buy a standard and wide angle lens for this. I scouted for prices, and, my, they are not cheap. I've got to save for it first. But for now, I love my telephoto, and I guess my Canon G6 will suffice for landscapes, for now. I haven't got the hang of using the D80 yet, but I'm practicing. This is the very first nature shot that I took. Tell me what you think?

Wedding Giveaway

"Therefore what God has joined together, let no man separate."

--- Mark 10:9

This is the common verse that priests and pastors say during wedding ceremonies. Weddings are supposed to be a once in a lifetime, magical experience of finally being with the one you want to spend the rest of your life with. No, I'm not thinking about getting married in the near future. But, what prompted me to take a picture of this just now, is the story that I read while browsing some headlines. Amidst the controversies of corruption in the Philippine government and word wars between politicians and diverse individuals alike, a sad story emerged out of nowhere. Check this out! It's a story of a runaway groom from Cebu. If what the bride-to-be claims is true, then this is a sad, sad ending for her.

By the way, the photo above is a wedding giveaway of the best couple I know, who had almost 18 years of a happy and wonderful marriage. A stark contrast to the story above.

"Chasing" Cable Cars

Cable Cars. This is a shot I took during my cable car ride at Ocean Park in Hong Kong. I was going down to the lower portion of the park and the fastest way to get there is riding this cable car. I read that there is an ocean park built here in Manila near Quirino Grandstand if I'm not mistaken and is yet to open or has recently opened (I'm not really sure). Apparently they also have dolphin shows I think, but I haven't had the chance to visit it yet.

Colorful Bird

Colorful Bird. This is a photo of a colorful bird in captivity at the Animal Farm at Island Cove Resort in Cavite. I think the bird is a certain type of parrot. I wasn't able to get the exact name. Anyway, I remembered the bird wasn't too lively, unlike other talkative parrots. It only moved when I tried to move closer for a better shot; otherwise it just stood there. Well, at least I got to take a clear picture of it. Ain't it beautiful? However, at first, I had an impression that the bird was a bit 'dusty'.

Dyorge

Kenneth Jorge. Last friday, a very good friend of ours joined the first ever Slimmer's World Mr. and Ms. Bootylicious '08 modelling contest at Adriatico, Manila. Faye, Mika, Cel and I were there to witness the event and of course to give our support (GO Ken!) Too bad he didn't win, but hey, it's good experience. Took this with an N95. There is a colored version, but I think this one's a better portrait. The colored one was a bit noisy, since everything was happening so fast and I had to click fast not giving the camera enough time to focus.

Signs

Signs. Was sifting through some old photos again, reminiscing my trip to Baguio last year, and i was able to dig this. This is a sign post of the Baguio Arts Guild inside Baguio Botanical Garden, where you can get a portrait of yourself drawn in a matter of I think 30 minutes tops. You can purchase local paintings, henna tattoos and other artwork. At the time I wasn't planning on putting up a photoblog yet, but was glad I took the picture anyway.

Happy Valentine's Day

I know it's probably a little late for this, but heck, better late than never. Right? I just want to greet all of you a happy valentine's day. I hope you guys had a wonderful time. I should've posted this earlier, but my computer got screwy so I had to re-format it and also I think something was wrong with blogger a while ago. Because it took me a while to re-arrange the layout of my blog. Anyway, I was planning to have a shot of a rose, heart or chocolates (traditional) to symbolize st. valentine's day, but alas, I couldn't find any. Fortunately, while I was re-installing some programs into my computer I saw this. It's the outer cover of my CD case, and I said to myself: "Perfect!" I grabbed my camera and... *click* Voila!

Happy Valentine's Day to all!!!

Pool Slide

Pool slide. Following up on my previous post, this is a photo of the pool slide at the resort I stayed in last weekend. I am refraining myself from mentioning the place since it might be conceived as an advertisement. I took this picture after having breakfast before actually diving into the pool.

Anyway, I discovered something interesting during my stay here. I mean I've visited this place about more than 5 or 6 times already, I think and it was only last weekend that I found out who the owner or one of the owners of the resort is. All the while I assumed this resort was owned by a rich private businessman but was actually surprised to find out that a very prominent and public figure (politician actually) owned this place. The circumstance in which I was able to find out who owned it was actually quite funny.

My friend and I were having dinner at the hotel cafe the night before, and there was a huge flat screen television at the cafe. It was tuned in to a particular news channel, which I found very boring since it was playing a replay of a prior show. Seeing that no one else other than me and my friend was dining at the cafe, I asked the waiter if we could change the channel. I mean in all the resorts and hotels that I've been too, so far, even restaurants, customers were allowed to change the channel as they please. But to my surprise, the waiter said that it was not possible, since it's the owner's instruction that it be tuned in only to this particular channel. Seeing the puzzled look in my face, he added that the owner was a former employee of that particular channel and instructed them that the channel shouldn't be changed. Then when he told me who the owner was, I was like: "Really?! I mean he just walked pass by us a couple of minutes ago!" So, then I understood why the channel couldn't be changed, but then again, I thought this was quite absurd. Even if you worked for that particular station you can't force your guests to watch only that specific channel. I think that they should accommodate and accede to the comfort of their guests, after all customers are always right. Right? But then, I didn't object, after all it was his resort and maybe he was just being loyal. So I guess he can do whatever he wished with his tv (haha!).

Spot Light

Spot light. This photo was taken 2 nights ago at Island Cove at Kawit, Cavite. I stayed there for two days to celebrate the Chinese new year, relax and clear my head. Moreover, it is a perfect oppurtunity to take pictures. Anyway, there was this huge spot light that reminded me of the "bat signal". It also looked like a Star Wars light saber. There was actually a valentine concert by David Pomeranz that night, reason for the festive, party mood probably.

Chinese Lanterns

Kung Hei Fat Choi! This is my chinese new year entry as we welcome the Year of the Earth Rat tomorrow. I remember the good ol' days when I used to stay at my mom's office in Chinatown, Manila. Every chinese new year they hang two red chinese envelopes with money (ang pao) and a piece of cabbage on their office ceiling and they would wait for the longest dragon dance group that would pass by and invite them in to dance for luck and take the ang pao. I remember the loud tune and sound of drums as the dragon would dance and act as if they are ready to prance on anyone. When I was 3 years old, I remember being frightened at those dragons because they seem very intimidating, but now I kind of miss seeing a dragon dance performance. It's been almost 5 or 6 years since I've seen one originating from Chinatown. The mood is just festive and their are fireworks, like January 1st all over again.

Faye

Faye. An exercise and gym maniac, a hi-lo expert, a Landbank building co-searcher, a thesis partner, a laughtrip buddy, a food trip consultant, a cam-whoring partner and most of all a best friend. A tribute to my good friend Faye Bautista. It's your day today, happy birthday!

Remember this shot? You used to hate this (you know why). But now I think you'll love it. (Wink*_*) Took this shot at UPLB, Laguna during our undergraduate thesis.

Bottlebrush (Red Inflorescence)

A macro image of a red inflorescence that I happen to notice while strolling at Camp John Hay, Baguio. I'm guessing its a spike or a catkin type of inflorescence. An inflorescence is a group of flowers arranged on a stem composed of a main branch. Technically its part of the stem where the flowers grow, simply think of it as modified form of a flower.

UPDATE! Thanks to a very smart friend of mine (jraymags), he was able to identify the flower. It's called a bottlebrush (Callistemon sp.), which prompted me to also update the entry title.

Sunset Lovers

I am very fond of taking sunsets. This is another shot of the Manila Bay sunset including a couple enjoying the scene. This time of the day really has great light, producing striking images. This is similar to my previous shot only this has a different theme.