When Bloggers Meet... 09042010

They are your SUPAH HEROES!!!
From L-R Jepoy, Marvin, Anna, Dek, Glentot, RJ and Anton

I had so much fun yesterday that I forgot to even think about a photoshoot that I had to go to. Anyway, I think it was pretty much worth it since I get to rub shoulders with the blog owners I often read. I kinda already had that in mind... If I enjoyed the company I'll stay the whole evening, and pretty much that's what I did. =)

Got off the shower and took several costume changes (because the batman costume won't fit anymore and the marshmallow man costume does, I wonder why?!) then headed to Trinoma. I was invited by Anton the owner of pusangkalye.net and said the event was organized by Kikilabotz of (http://inusentepapalaako.blogspot.com/)... I was eager to meet other people from the same industry because I think it more or less gives you an idea why we are writing in the first place. At the back of my mind I was thinking maybe I'll find answers to why I'm blogging.
I never found the answer... but I think I found something more interesting. I realized I talk too much and it just translates to whatever I put here; right?! Uhhmm... I guess ha-ha!... Sometimes I also catch myself murmuring about senseless stuff I humiliate myself and call myself stupid (while talking to myself in my head)! Maybe that's why my head hurts a lot these days... anyway back to the story....

I decided to come a little bit late (since I'm used to American Time being HONDA aka ondadot) because I don't want to look overly excited (but yeah I was!). When I got there Anton and RJ of Boy Acads (http://boyacads.blogspot.com/) was chillin and I had a small chat. Obviously most of them are not around yet so we kinda talked about photography stuff which Anton and I are obsessed about. I think we may have had an impact on RJ and he seemed a little bit interested in it too, he was tinkering with the cameras later on. I knew... he was hooked! Oh please be a Nikonista! Ha-ha! =)

RJ playin with Anton's cam =)

Blogger/heartthrob/ladies man/manyak(joke hehe) kikilabots aka Marvin!

Jepoy and Marvin on the serious side... =)

Marvin aka Kikilabotz arrived and we all exchanged pleasantries. His blog is all about girls (LOTS OF THEM!) heheh nah, just jokin! It's all about his outlook in life and the things he's been doing. He analyzes why he's doing it and keeps the highs and the lows. Interesting fellow because I haven't met him and these guys and gals but when we talked we were like uhmmm... we thought we already knew each other. Funny for a first meetup but I guess that comes if you read each others blogs. You kinda get what the others are thinkin, and how they turn into "those posts you see on their blogs"... its like an extension of their personality... that's for some; but for some of them its like another world. I felt in some ways some of them were introverts hehe (they were not talkin to much eh hehe)but that's not a bad thing; maybe it comes with the territory of becoming a little EMOtional. We have different stories and different backgrounds, some of us were mighty similar (small world eh?!). I saw them arriving one by one; sometimes I kid around but this day, it was really nice seeing the faces behind the words and comments we put on each others posts. There was a point and instance where I said to my self "ahh kaya pala". It was really nice... and I was in for more.

Speaking of emotional, here's the famous RICO BUCO of http://bucosalad.blogspot.com/.

He was really really deep... Heheh... He did let out a little and getting to know him there told me a little more reason why his entries are of that nature. A guy writing how he's bored with everyday things make me wonder how he get's to write a lot. Maybe it is his fascination with life and trifles that makes him do it.


Glentot of the famous http://www.wickedmouth.com/ was really tough to penetrate heheh... Don't get me wrong guys and gals, it wasn't because of personality disorders of him or me =)... it was because he was also really busy with other things that day that we didn't really have that much time to talk. Probably doing errands for friends and "making ligaw women" which is a good trait hehehe but really he was a tough cookie. He is so hilarious in his blog (I mean drop dead laughing hilarious K TNX BYE) and we did get along quite well during the afternoon. I was shocked when he asked "WHY?" I said thanks on the way home... it was supposed to be a THANK YOU for the company =) when I went out of the train I was asking myself that question so many times. That stirred me up a bit (sorry I'm that crazy I need a doctor call one please! LOL). Sure enough, he was so nice he commented on my wall this morning. I really dig people like him. Sometimes they catch me off guard ehehehe! PAK!

Anna of http://mahiwagangsirena.blogspot.com/ was also there which consequently was in Marvin's top 10. It was nice seeing her, you get to see why there was a lot of relationship stuff on her blog. The anger (YEAH I LOVE THE RAGE AND OUTBURSTS!!!! haha), happiness and geek side of her did show throughout that afternoon. It was a treat to see and hear(we kinda eavesdropped on her phone conversations!). That... and "treat" did she do also because she bought us cakes and drinks (I was supposed to pay for drinks so thanks! hehe). Really generous people. =)

Anna and Kaitee =) No this ain't an FHM ad! Heheh...

Kaitee (of http://kaitee8.blogspot.com/) also arrived, a little late but its better than not goin ye know! heheh. She was a smart kid (but please refrain from callin me Kuya! I ain't that old hehe) and honestly I haven't seen her posts before, judging from the few entries I scanned on her site, it was more of how she deals with personal relationships. It's nice and you guys should read it so you get to see yourselves years before you got into this notion of being out of the puppy love stage and have little things you appreciate in life hehe. Reminiscing am I?! Nahh..

Chyng of http://riandrew.blogspot.com/ dropped by too! + Jepoy enjoying the moment! =)

Jepoy is one DAMN good writer, you can laugh about his entries at http://iamalivingsaint.blogspot.com/ and spend an eternity reading all of it because of his antics. I haven't seen anyone doing humor that I get to enjoy. He's one of a few who I dig. Picks up and makes puchlines very fast. A simple pat on the shoulder and a handshake told me we already knew each other from just doing what we do. Plus I owe him now heheh! Just look at what he got us for dinner!

See how much we ate?! That's all courtesy of Jepoy which is YAMAN MUCH!

Whoooosh! And there was none! Hahah...

Flying or NOT we left Trinoma! L-R: Marvin, Anna, Kaitee, Glentot, Rj, Dek, Jepoy Anton left to fetch his wifee! =)

It was a nice time with you guys, I'm sure there will be more of this right?! Good times! =)
Again thank you! =) More bloggers... more fun!

Great Independent Living!

Taking care for the elderly in our part of the world is quite a cultural experience. We have very high respect and love for our extended families and we keep it a point to take care of them as they age. I also know how important it is for our children to reconnect with their grandparents and we never limit the amount of interaction. The thing that makes things like these memorable is the whole experience. I think it is quite the same for our relatives in the US. There are some slight differences but weather they decide to get Independent Living San Antonio Texas or elsewhere, we still make it a point that the family connection never ceases. It is important and there are institutions that would be able to provide the preferred living style they choose, after all they deserve to be respected the same.

Would you ever consider living alone and worry free?! I'm sure you would love to have less stress and work in your daily lives. Rest is important in your golden years and if that decision were up to me; I would gladly go alone and independent. I want to have freedom that I deserve. Maybe if there would be something that I would like my Grandparents and Parents to have; it is one that would be able to get things easier for them. The last thing I want is to make them worry about it. Wouldn't that be a nice idea to get your folks involved in?! It's just like a great vacation!

Daily Rants 09032010

Hi guys! I think this is my third installment of the Daily Rants. I guess you all pretty much have an idea now how it goes. It's a rundown on what I think of what happened today. Are you ready?!

It looks like one of the things I usually watch at night before I go to work is about to end. Yes, I watch Agua Bendita. I guess it is about time they change programs even at a high rating. It keeps the blood flowing in the network and it makes everything NOT stagnant. Pretty good strategy to end it on a high. I think the next one is bigger because of the names coming up for 1dol (or IDOL as they mentioned). It is going to be a good thing to watch. Melason might come in next as I see as she does a remake of Inday Bote. Who would have known 80's flicks would be back again! I see Vice Ganda even made a movie out of Petrang Kabayo a fantasy series popularized by Roderick Paulate.


This day also started the formal investigation for the Manila Hostage thingy. I think everything went detailed but some left people asking more questions. About qualifications of the ones holding key positions in the government, everyone's a critic... I also did not like how that guy answered questions. Apparently it showed more of his incompetence in that view. Tomorrow is going to be bad news again in Hong Kong but for me, its all the same and I am kinda not interested anymore in those kind of depressing news. If they want to send every Filipino in Hong Kong back in the Philippines, so be it!

Oh and by the way, my set for Ms. Ariane Fowler is out. Take a look at some of my shots =)

She's pretty huh?! Yeah I know! I was there! LOL =)

Lands and Families

It's a really sad event when someone passes away. I learned about that when I was a kid. Mom had around 13 siblings. Their parents passed away. The estate spanned hectares upon hectares of agricultural land and barrios; there are thousands of tenants on it too. To think about it; practically a whole city in the central VISAYAN region that is consequently still under their forefathers' name. Transferring titles and rights to ownership is going to be arduous and we are learning this the hard way. With the claimants and some who I branded (no pun intended) non significant ones, it was definitely hard to manage who gets what and why. I never knew leaving a will would have fixed this. It's so hard to have these problems in a third world country. I envy those who have Probate Attorneys Austin Texas because they probably have better luck than the rest of us here. Maybe if computerization and professionals who are experts in this field were to handle the situation, it would be so easy. I really am bothered that this will take years to fix. The future generations will make this complicated as the bloodline increases. I hope it won't take to long tracing what's ours and what's not. I have to be strong for my family and find what is rightfully ours.

This would really take a lot of work but if we keep working on it I'm sure pretty soon we'll all have better lives. Mom expects a lot I guess and my siblings would step up the plate soon; real soon! Please wish us luck on this endeavor, we need your prayers that everything would be alright and peaceful. No to problems about land and families please!

Daily Rants 09022010

I hate the fact that they sent the bodies of the dead HK nationals (via the Manila Hostage Crisis) and they mislabeled it. Someone has got to get fired. I hate talking about the hostage situation. I hate seeing HK politicians talking S*** about our country when this is supposed to be an isolated case. They are blowing it out of proportion so they would look good for their people. I hate saying sorry for something that one criminal did. So I'm stopping. They said it was the fault of the funeral homes. Potatoe potahtoe. 2 survivors said they will talk about the incident now. I wonder who will go there and get their sides.

Pacquiao is going to be exempted from not attending hearings. He can go and still get paid. The hostage crisis in the US took 2 hours, and got the culprit dead. They are obviously comparing that to the one that happened here. Let them get the bus here and do that again.

Payment for teachers are going to be paid for their election duties. Hello? We already have a President and they just thought about doing that now? The SONA has already been done for crying out loud!

I saw some bloggers from other sites, it looks like they are having fun. I'm not. Hehehe.

There are going to be 5 Filipino nationals that are going to be hanged. 4 of them Pinays and 1 Pinoy... all about drug trafficking. If they did it, go ahead. But if its just to get revenge, think twice, I think we have some druglords stocked in our jails too. Not that I'm suggesting!

There are 2 kids who got in a fight because of playing spiders. They chopped each other in Negros Occidental! How gory! Yuck! Oh, I remember, I'm from that province too!

Rant off.

I love how bloggers show their love on their posts. I get inspired. I won't complain why I'm single but hell get me one of my own please! LOL I deserve one right?!

I want to commend my Dad for getting Senior Citizens discount. Because utilities will be included next month. That's great since he uses air conditioning a lot! Ha-ha!

I hope someday, someway, love will find my way.... well not now, I'm having fun every weekend. I go out so much that I sooo enjoy it! =)

The Strategic Choice: SEO

The Internet has been my second home since its inception. The Philippines has been in the forefront of producing some of the world's best hackers, red hats, white hats, black hats; and network geniuses. This goes the same with the whole region and the market that this creates essentially needs to invest in full proof on line presence so people checking them out would be able to see them on great search engines. If you are being mentioned in one or more reputable web sites around the globe, then you have achieved Link Building power. This is important for any web site and essential for businesses if they depend heavily on clients from this medium. I invested a lot of time and words to have my own site to exist and this is the same concept that they employ also. Marketing strategies are continuing to evolve; none of which are only stuck on information commercials as seen on TV. This medium reaches a wider audience. If the plan is going out of the country, regional or even just off state markets, it would be easier to present a professional looking portfolio via the Internet. Did I say it costs quite less too?!

Getting cost efficient and a little prudent on spending is but a natural occurrence at these times. The government is also doing the same thing so business can stand up faster without compromising quality. Make a noteworthy choice in the marketing industry and invest in some steps that would be a better alternative than going direct to consumers. People after all are on line more these days and if you get to that audience more than those on free TV, print, cable or other media then it would be beneficial for your business. Making the right choice is crucial for the survival in these hard times. You know what to do so make sure you do it right, for all the good or bad reasons! Take it from me; I'm saving quite a remarkable amount because of it! SEO is the strategic thing to do!

Daily Rants 09012010

I'm continuing to discover some other bloggers in the metro and they are pretty good to me. Although most of these people are veterans, the new ones are all just as good. I've met some of them already and I must admit I am eager to meet more of them. I like some of their writing styles because it is somewhat unconventional. Mine's pretty much just like and essay everyday. I don't even know if it needs improvement or not but nobody's complaining. I hope! LOL!

Some of them are really funny. They are in Filipino and I often get it. I don't know why I started my site in English in the first place but I wished there was some way I could do another site in tagalog. Weird I know, but I think it's just me. I envy people sometimes ha-ha! After how many years of writing and I just said that here?! I must be crazy!

I also see some of their photos. I envy them because they talk about their everyday life. I still have some inhibitions letting people in my house let alone show them my room. I just feel its not safe. Stalkers and stuff are abound but I never got one. Must be because of me. I'm weird really!

I want a lot of things now, the IPAD, IPOD Touch, a Macbook, some decent headphones. Portable speakers, a second camera body, an UWA lens (preferably the Sigma 10-20), and a good tripod. The list might go on and bore you but I have that now on my Christmas list. I just put up a Christmas countdown on my website just in case you wanna know how many days hours and minutes left before you can get me those things. Ha-ha! I wish it was that easy. I can't talk about my work so much in my site because of confidentiality stuff, you know how it is these days... what stays in the boardroom STAYS THERE!

Saving money is like going down the drain now. I needed more money for home expenses. I don't know why but I'm losing funds now. I usually save more but I'm kinda spending so much these days because of groceries, utilities, Dad's medicines and other things. I want to complain but I think they are necessities. I wanna shout and stop spending but what can I do!

I need to go to the gym more... it was a good thing I did yesterday. It felt really good running again on the treadmill. I wanted to lift more weights but I wasn't into communicating with other people in the gym, I wish there was someway I could all ask them to go out when I'm working out. They are disturbing me! Shooo! Sorry, they smell bad!

I'll rant again soon, this will be something regular so watch out for it! =)

Real Deal HD Video for GMAIL Users!

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More Graveyard More Fun!

It looks like a ruckus today in the office. A lot of people apparently have work these days and a couple of interviews with clients. Business seems booming at this side of the corporate world I live in. It's so fun now... I remember it was only me who was here on Sundays. Now, it looks like we're around 20. Weird! Heheh...I am also getting a lot of feedback with my photos. The model apparently likes it and made it her profile photo too. I wonder what the other photographers think of my overprocessed ones. Well I did try minimal retouching but the make up was really showing so I had to cover it up bigtime.
I also made this at night which made me a little sleepy at times. But I think I did a pretty good job shooting it. Just look at how pretty she is!
I like how the photos turned out. The ultra red treatment on the umbrella was a little painstaking. I also had to work on that and the branches. Some of the hairlight was flooding over to the face and I had to remove that. The oversaturation on parts of the body was also showing so I had to clone that up and heal so it would look natural. I did rework that hairline edge so don't worry I gave a clearer one to the model. Did it work?! =)

She's so pretty noh?! I'll show you her full set soon. I'm excited! =)

"Pagbabago"

My family is my priority; and I can say that out loud without hesitation. I have a lot of things in mind right now - dating, getting married, going out, time for gym, rest, work and career advancement; but I guess that's quite normal for a single guy's life. Sometimes I even want to regret being a "bachelor" and get depressed (not that I want to get married soon! XD ) but I am SOOOO enjoying my life more without worrying about that. Life is good... and I've got a better understanding of how it works now.

When I get off the office, I usually stop by the mall and check out what I can buy. It's just usually the essentials but what I always think about is what I could bring my folks. I usually skip breakfast (and hope you believe me every now and then LOL) but it is one of the most important things I have to do everyday. I get to talk to my Mom and Dad while having my favorite cup of tea (Earl Grey, Mint or Chamomile). When I do these conversations in the past, I'd probably just end up doing tantrums and fight my way out of the room. It would really upset them whenever this happens. These days I kinda lost that rebellious fervor and got tuned up. We talk about anything under the sun now from politics, religion, current events and sometimes relatives who ask favors. I don't get that irked now since I think I have a say in everything that we talk about. Maybe because I bribed them with these...

Dad also gets first bite after opening the package!

Oh and did you notice something different with it?
The packaging and logo of Goldilocks just got vamped up!

It's the same taste we Filipinos have always loved in its 44 years of existence. I never knew it has been that long! So awesome! The Butter Puto has never been better! These are the days when I wished Dinuguan would be served in breakfast, that would have been a pair made in heaven! Mmmmm!

With the gustatory events unfolding one by one, I kept some of the food I bought for the rest of the day. After a few more rounds of conversation with Mom and Dad, I took a shower and hurriedly got to sleep. I rested with a smile on my face eagerly awaiting my Sister to wake up! Obviously, we have different shifts.

The afternoon was grand!
Hours after I slept; someone was already shouting in the kitchen.
I knew my Sister found it!

The cake I bought her was Dulce De Leche!
How can I go wrong with butter cream icing and caramel oozing all throughout the roll.

Did you know we used to fight over who gets the "ends" of it because it had the most icing?! LOL That was really a funny thing to remember together with the small food fights and smearing that happened a few years back. We definitely did not outgrew it (I won't let that happen!) but I guess we got a little toned down when people are around. It was sweet revenge when you can get that on her face or clothes too! (She was on her way to work!) Ha-ha! But we really still love it, I bought another one the day after.

Swirls of icing and caramel all in one.
How in the world can you go wrong with that!?

After watching the evening news and small chats in between, Mom prepared dinner since I was going back to work. When I was a kid, 6PM was like Martial Law when everyone outside the house should go back and prepare for dinner. We were not allowed to go beyond that otherwise you would see someone getting locked out for a few minutes! (Ha-ha I remember!) These days when I go out I usually get back home at 6PM too, the next day that is! Ha-ha! Sometimes Mom and Dad still worries too but I think they already got used to it. I think they know what I do in the weekends since I often end up in bars and clubs in Fort or QC. I don't drink that much but I think that's because I hate hangovers more than the ill benefits of it. I just act drunk if needed LOL! But most of the weekends I spend at home I do spend quality time with them. I even bought them their favorite!

It's not too sweet! It's just right! It's got that tangy - sweet, refreshing fruity flavor and custard that you really love!

Mom and Dad's favorite is the famous Crema De Fruta.

It's that custard filled layered sponge cake topped with peaches and cherries. The perfect dessert to end a meal. I got 2 servings of it in one sitting so just imagine how good this is! It's not heavy on the belly and wouldn't get you "fed up aka UMAY" to say the least. I love how it gets my Mom and Dad to smile. That's the only thing you ask for in a meal, you get to see people happy, cherishing and sharing what they have. Pretty small things, but this is SO MUCH of a big deal for me! and that's what makes me happy!

I was skeptic... I was Crazy... Til I tasted it....

It was so nice... It explodes in your mouth... It's pure bliss!

Aside from the pleasures in life that had continually improved. I guess it is a very far cry from what we have been doing in the past. If there is one thing that I have truly learned, change is inevitable. Our relationships, our love, the things we do for family and our priorities in one point or another will be different. I'm no better than any of you guys; but I'm willing to improve myself and everything that I am so I can take care of those who I love better. We sometimes need to surrender everything to fate and be glad of who we will become. We're going to be more matured, more responsible individuals. Let's just make everything worthwhile; and the people from this world feel a little better than when we first found it. It maybe something simple as puto, a slice of cake, or a piece of fruit; but the happiness it can radiate to your loved ones is priceless. Let's all start being what we want to see in this world! That's all what PAGBABAGO means to me!