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The Manfrotto 190 Series and BeFree Philippine Launch

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

We've been shooting a lot of things and I know what I need for my camera gear. With long exposures or just plain selfies, a photographer just needs a sturdy, light weight and non complicated tripod. I've seen a ton of these and I guess I've chosen the right ones for me. Though I have always wanted to own one of these Manfrotto's. They've always been the go to brand of the masters and I've seen a lot of them last for years. Say hello to the Manfrotto 190 Series and the Befree Compact Lightweight Tripods.

Vitec Group CEO Marco Pezzana and executives from Italy went all the way to the Philippines to witness and experience this launch. Manfrotto is one of the brands that is made by this conglomerate and some other well identified branded accessories as well. They always want the consumer to experience how it is to have quality, performance and reliability of the equipment they use. Then when we thought the event was over, we suddenly heard screeching sounds at the back and that sharp motor revolutions coming from this!

VROOM VROOM VROOM they proceeded on front with the smell of burnt rubber and carbon monoxide. No people were harmed on this photo LOL!

Gorgeous ladies clad in their little red dress came and got the packages from these motor monstrosities. Lo and behold the Tripods we were waiting for arrived in style. Those bikes were HOT!

Each awesome Tripod comes with a foreign model (joke!) buy really, if these gals can carry it around without complaining, it's probably too light that these gorgeous ladies can carry this with ease... makes sense right?

Just like Manfrotto, they are dedicated to you and to everything that involves your passion and the way you express them through images. Even a Cebu based expert landscape photographer endorsed it.

When we thought that the evening was not grand enough, they came out with two Maserati's. Yes, you are seeing them in the flesh.

Then they demo'd the Manfrotto 190 Series and BeFree Tripods. It was light, and the photographer can manipulate it with minimal effort. The tripod even can handle a 360 degree view with it's ball head. A feat not seen in other brands.

Incredibly easy to use and very sturdy, simple tasks for an accessory that photographers look for in a tripod. Both are expertly designed so you get your money's worth. These tripods, though a bit pricey can last you for years... maybe even decades as I've seen in other Manfrotto's. SRP stands at PHP 11,590 for the Manfrotto Befree whilst Manfrotto 190 is at PHP 24,290. This might get even lower prices in some stores who apply discounts.

Columbia Digital by the way is the exclusive distributor of Nikon, Manfrotto, Kata Bags, National Geographic Bags, Gitzo and KIS Photo-Me in the Philippines. Please check their channels below for more information about the tripods and other accessories.

For more information about their stores:

Manfrotto Philippines

Like them on Facebook

Visit their official website

http://www.columbiadigital.net

The 7107 International Music Festival

Monday, January 27, 2014

Been able to get a glimpse of the festival everybody's been talking about. I think this is the first time an international music festival has been hosted in the country and by paper, I couldn't believe they were able to arrange such gorgeous acts especially the one's excited about: RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS! If that isn't enough reason to be in that festival, they've got 40+ other acts to convince you that this historic event is worth every cent. With the likes of KASKADE, Empire o the Sun, Grammy Award nominee Kendrick Lamar heading the roster, you are surely going the blow your brains out when all these genres done in one venue... a little far from the city, limitless and free at the new Global Gateway Logistics City, Clark Field Pampanga, Philippines.

I've also seen Ms. Tina Herrera who I always see in Philippine Fashion Week. Together with her team, they have been secretly working on this big project for the past 2 years. Aside from that, they were dealt with the task of bringing one of the biggest bands this generation has ever had. One of the key negotiators who made it happen is this guy here:

He's Mike Pio Roda, (a really good chap) who's also got extensive experience in making things happen in big events like the Olympics, big launches of companies and festivals outside the country. He also informed us that a US based team (of experts in doing music festivals) is also going to be part of this event. They also assured that a full set concert will be done by Red Hot Chili Peppers, yes I heard that loud and clear... together with the jeering press to confirm it!

Mr. Jeff Pradhan Vice President of Sales and Marketing of Peregrine Development Inc. also said that the venue has been secured and it can accommodate the large crowd that they perceive this festival will reach. They have been able to put up 4 lines of security; including the coordination with local traffic groups plus a multitude of people from local government units. They promise a safe event and a place that will be appropriate for an International Music Festival of this proportion! That's really assuring.

For those who will attend the 7107 International Music Festival, especially the ones coming from out of the country... don't worry about knowing where to go and what to do during the festival days because there's a dedicated free app available in the App Store or Google Play so you can travel around the venue with ease. It's got a FRIEND FINDER (in case you and your friends get lost in the venue) even the potties included! No joke! :)

The team is confident, VERY proud to say that this first ever 7107 International Music Festival in the Philippines will put us in the map once again - and make a mark in music festival history. We'll be the one of the world's go to destination on this season; and make not just one, but 7107 islands of the Philippines known for talented artists and its people. All in the name of LOVE, COUNTRY and MUSIC!

FYI: The 7107 International Music Festival will be powered by the network with the most number of subscribers and the widest coverage in the country SMART COMMUNICATIONS! They were represented by Smart Communications Innovation and Product Development Group Head Melissa Limcaoco and Prepaid Marketing Head Joel Lumanlan. They said SMART and SPINNR will surely support successful events like this without question. They will also set up booths around the venue to give EXCLUSIVE perks and more activities to their loyal subscribers. As if that wasn't enough, they are giving away tickets plus more surprises to lucky subscribers through http://www.smart.com.ph/7107 , their official Twitter account @SMARTPromos and Smart Communications on Facebook.

PS Make sure you check out the channels below where to get tickets to the FIRST ever International Music Festival in the country! :D

For more information about the festival:

7107 International Music Festival

Like them on Facebook

Visit their official website

http://www.7107imf.com/

Mark Herras and Yasmien Kurdi for RHODORA X

Sunday, January 26, 2014

It was a very intimate and relaxed mood when we talked to Rhodora X stars Mark Herras and Yasmien Kurdi a few days ago in Roots and Herbs Cafe in Timog Avenue in Quezon City. This series is going to be a little different as they take on a shcizo suspense melodrama take on their story. Rhodora X stars Jennylyn Mercado, hunky Mark Herras, Yasmien Kurdi, Mark Anthony Fernandez, Glydel Mercado and veteran character actor Gardo Versoza.

I haven't met Mark Herras before this blogcon, but have seen his compatriots in GMA7. With the likes of Rocco Nacino, Enzo Pineda and a lot of other actors, GMA has produced some of the most bankable stars when it comes to drama. Mark Herras is also on a class of his own. His approach of being "in character" and making it "real" shows in every successful show he's been on at this network.

I wasn't surprised he was made part of this cast because apart from his great demeanor in doing the role of Joaquin Quirante, he made sure he looks the role. A clean cut, handsome, rich, driven guy who's going to have this love triad a kick, he says he knows what Joaquin feels and he wants that to come across TV when the series begins to unfold the story between him, former girlfriend Jennelyn Mercado and StarStruck compatriot Yasmien Kurdi.

He's one of the most good looking and down to earth guy I have come across with; and I think he's going to do justice in playing his part in the telenovela. He was really enthusiastic to tell us about how he's doing and tells how special his relationship with Jennelyn Mercado has become. They are former lovers after all. They have amicably went on separate ways but kept it a point to still stay special friends. They clearly have kept in touch even though they have their respective partners (now ex's) before. That just means their bonds are tough, like glue.

Who can resist his charms? I don't know. Maybe that's exactly why he's in Rhodora X.

Still gorgeous and simple is Yasmien Kurdi. She's a Mom now and we even got the chance to see her kid roaming around happily on the coffee shop while we were chatting a bit. She's a bundle of joy and it looks like she's picking up after her Mom when it comes to being so cute. In this series, she's playing Angela Ferrer-Feliciano. There are some scenes when we saw an X mark on her and Jennelyn Mercado, they said that it actually stands for something from their past that will haunt them continually as the story progresses. You would have to watch the show and see how it plays in their relationships especially with her and Jennelyn's schizo role.

Yasmien Kurdi was so glad to be back from her long break from show business. She finished her studies as a Nurse and took care of her little kid, but when she told GMA Executives that she's ready to work they gladly opened their arms and said nothing. It was like clockwork and she didn't have to adjust to anything. She learned how to adjust though because previously she was always carrying the stress of the characters she was playing at home. Now she knows how to separate the two. She's also thankful that GMA gave her work that fast and trusted her with big projects like these. She laments that she manages her time well and gets to spend time with her kid like the time we did this blogcon. She wants to still take care of her personally as much as she can.