Spark Creative Shots with the LUMOS EVOKE Digital Camera [Review]

My passion for photography started at a young age as I've seen the work of masters here in Manila. Not divulging my age, I've seen them use film for most of the time and in 2010, I picked up my own digital camera to shoot runway and lifestyle events in the city. In the past, we had to go to establishments who have dark rooms to develop shots and print on photo paper. I still have a few cameras in my arsenal but if I'd want to experiment on filters, I usually depend on post processing with software for that. Good thing there's a new vintage style digital camera called LUMOS EVOKE.

I've had several LUMOS projectors in my home to watch movies and videos in off times (and it's all too pleasurable IMHO). The brand has seriously made technology accessible, but this new camera just fits right in my alley. I'm in that era of experimenting in shots. For me, taking a photo without a "look" defeats the purpose of being a photographer. 

In film, I had to use a slower shutter speed and lower exposure to use lights and have streaks in my portraits. To achieve the vintage look was a bit of an effort because you have to combine what you use as a camera, the film, the settings and the way you develop it. Although there's some in digital, much of it depends on post processing to achieve that "look" you want to see. The LUMOS EVOKE makes it easy because it's got 16 filters built in, which means all you need to do is shoot and transfer the shot to your laptop or phone to enjoy it.

Unboxing the LUMOS EVOKE

The LUMOS EVOKE comes in a classic white box that's got the image of the actual cam in front. Aside from the unit, this camera comes with a USB C charger, a micro USB adapter, the camera strap, neck strap, a card reader, a felt wipe and the user manual.

Here's what it looks like on video:

The LUMOS EVOKE Features

This is a thing of beauty. The color of the body is simply monochrome, but you can feel how they took time to design this chap, The grip naturally fits on the hand, the flash can be turned on with one button, as this also can take 4K at 30 FPS videos. The camera can take 64MP shots, and the built in 16 filters I mentioned gives you a ton of options if you want something different to come out of it. 

The LUMOS EVOKE also has a flip screen so you don't have to put in guess work when you're shooting in front of the camera (oh vlogging would be a cinch!). I would suggest to turn on the anti shake and auto focus functions especially if you've got shaky hands. It also has sufficient battery life, which means it'll last a long while if you're covering an event or traveling like I am too. When I'm with my family, I take a lot of photos which don't end up on social media. I usually keep it on albums for personal use, and show it to those who are very close to me. With the LUMOS EVOKE I get to have artsy looking shots and do that, including those that I use for coverage for the blog (including the celebrities you love!).

Now if you're keen to own one, they've got this on promo for only Php 4,999. Take the time to visit their site www.lumosprojector.ph/evoke to know more about this camera. I've got this in my bag ready to get creative, wish you get to experience what I've been doing lately. It's awesome!

Big Screen Dreams: Coco Martin, Matti, and Monteverde Team Up

When I got invited to this event, we weren't told about who's coming on stage but pretty much got clues with the shirts of the people filming it, they all had CCM printed which makes us believe it's a Coco Martin event. There were 3 chairs in front though so just seeing that made me realize it was something big, and true enough they came out with guns blazing.

One is an iconic director, of OTJ fame, Erik Matti, the other is a big producer from the Monteverde clan, Mr. Dondon Monteverde and of course, the biggest action star of this generation, producer and director Coco Martin. They plan to do 2 huge film projects for Coco particularly "MayPagasa The Battles of Andres Bonifacio" and "OTJ: Maghari" which will be under Reality Studios and CCM Productions.

Sir Dondon told us that this was sealed on the sidelines after some talks happened at the death anniversary of Mother Lily Monteverde a few months ago. He says "The death anniversary of my Mom started all of this. Losing my Mom was a huge blow to the industry. We always wanted to work with Coco and we've met in events with it behind our minds. It was just an opportune time to start talking, showing him other projects. He didn't like what we presented him at first, but when he knew about these two films (not included in the discussion, he just wanted it to happen!"

Direk Erik Matti had huge success with the OTJ franchise and Coco always wanted to be part of it. Direk Erik shares "Maghari is the story of Joel, the Tatang of OTJ. It's a 90's themed movie of him protecting his family. MayPagasa The Battles of Andres Bonifacio is a historical bio, and it is scary to do because it is based on that. Ours is different, we're bringing it to the future and shooting it in a modern way. It's all about what is happening now in the country." 

Coco was smitten with the thought of doing an OTJ installment and told us "When I watched OTJ, I honestly was waiting, waiting to be cast in a film like it. I required my staff to watch it (before doing Batang Quiapo) and I hoped they notice me. I asked myself and said maybe I wasn't enough, because they weren't calling me. I was silent, and thinking they were not considering me because I didn't have potential, so I tried to do one myself (his shows) but got so busy with my series. One day, they informed me that they wanted to talk about it, I told them I was waiting for this to happen. I know how folks have been appreciating Filipino films that they made, they pitched a few projects with me but I told them I was a fan of OTJ and Buybust. After that, I talked about a historical film, then they talked to me about a project they wanted to do about Bonifacio. They thought I was a fit in these two projects they didn't talk about initially."

He added "Now that we're together, we just needed to make it bigger for a global audience. This will make a mark in the Filipino film industry. I'm also working with the best, and this IS an answered prayer! We can't wait to release this in 2027!"

Here's the whole press conference on video:

Giants Coco Martin, Direk Erik Matti and Dondon Monteverde actually has plans to do more, so this is just for starters. When I asked about challenges, Coco was severely optimistic that all these projects are possible, he's always had that positivity in all his projects since he's successfully done it. He attributes most of it because of this optimism, and since they plan to release this internationally, they need your support once it comes out locally. With an internationally acclaimed actor (tons of indie films on his belt), Director (familiar with Filipino film projects released worldwide) and the best production outfits this country, these projects are pretty much a done deal. 

I just can't wait to see it! 

RHIAN RAMOS, JC SANTOS Take On Complex Characters in PM Productions "MEG & RYAN"

A word was uttered around the venue when we were interviewing the cast of "Meg & Ryan", it was UNDERRATED, which we felt was certainly an apt one after meeting the stars of the movie under Pocket Media Films. 

Lead stars Rhian Ramos and JC Santos will be doing this romantic comedy film together with the cast award winning actor Cedrick Juan, Ces Quesada, Cris Villanueva, Jef Gaitan, JMee Katanyag, and social media stars Steven Bansil and Poca Osinaga, plus beauty queen Alison Black.   

While isn't first film to be directed by Direk Catherine O. Camarillo, this is somehow her first foray in the love story-romcom genre. "This is another masterpiece that I want to share with you, which I hope you would be able to give awareness to the audience, give them a fair chance to watch this in cinemas this coming August 5, 2025. (watched trailer, she became very emotional and said)  I am just overwhelmed seeing them on screen because they really look good together. Doing this was quite easy because I had some of the best actors to work with. It was quite to put them in what I envisioned in the film. I've done so many projects in the past that made me do compromises, I didn't have to do that here. I gave it my all, and got the ones I wanted to have in this project. I'm so happy I was able to do that in Meg & Ryan. I also felt the support of my cast, they respected the material, they loved this film as much as I did."

Rhian says "I haven't had drunk episodes where I wasn't aware of what I was doing. Either that, or may I just couldn't remember it. I really enjoyed the whole experience because JC is such a generous actor. If there's something he could do to help in the execution of a scene, he will. He will go farther than what is expected of him. It's not just the acting part that he's going to do, he contributes in the lines, change it to what feels more natural in the scenes. He really envibes what would Ryan do or say. It really helped me and made my job super easy! I really love complex characters, those with flaws, to make sense of people. Meg is an @lcoh0lic, opposites attract, I've seen Direk Catherine's previous films and wanted to work with JC which is why I wanted to do this. This is how I view love also, we have our own journey, when you find someone who understand that about you, it needs to be watched and told." 

JC Santos added "Actually everybody here was easy to work with. This is what's great about a collaboration because you can feel if you match. We enjoyed the process even the challenges, Rhian Ramos is a part of my bucket list and I'm seeing it now. I see how she gives the truth in her scenes. Even Tita Ces, Direk Catherine gives us freedom so we get our personalities in the mix. I also really wanted to work with Direk Catherine, and seeing the script, it's a different kind of love. It's something new, puberty at 35, he is complex, a bit difficult to do but I think we succeeded in creating this character."

Here's the press conference in full:

Aside from being shown in the Philippines, this will also have a theater run in Australia and New Zealand on August 14th. Please support Filipino films as these don't come cheap in production. They're taking a huge risk because they want to help the industry. The love story between Meg & Ryan was created by prolific writer Gina Marissa Tagasa. The soundtrack is also a fun version of Torete, which will make you feel a bit of nostalgia. This took a while before it was released, but from the looks of it, it has all the ingredients to make you connect with the story of Meg and Ryan. Go watch it on theaters, and see the trailers on their social channels because they already have 2 out!