Photoblog - Day 192, Oct 18, 2010

Signs of Christmas...

It's definitely getting to be that time of the year. Although we may see some malls starting to place display corners or show windows with Christmas, it's not yet full blast, as some stores realize that before they should go all out Christmassy, they should at least try to milk some cash form the public with Halloween.

Still, what some people try to deny, nature so often starts reminding us by way of having such plants bloom. This is a poinsettia - otherwise referred to some as the Christmas plant due to it's reddening leaves thus giving it the traditional Christmas colors of Red and Green. It happens to be a favorite plant to bring out the Christmas look, and apparently, they are already starting to show up in gardens and flower shops.

Further alluding to it's being a Christmas plant is the fact that the leaves only seeming turn red this time of the year - yup... definitely in time for Christmas. So yeah... even if it's still early early and Halloween is around the corner (not to mention All Saint's and All Soul's days and a near-ignored Barangay Election), it's nice to see these plants blooming - and though we may suspect shop owners' intentions for jumping into the Christmas celebration too early, how can we likewise think such of Nature and her impeccable internal clock?

Photoblog - Day 191, Oct 17, 2010

Starbucks with a nice view.

If Bernice was the reason for our having to wake up early yesterday, today it was Bryce... particularly his entrance exam in De La Salle University. He had to be there by 7AM, and naturally, Barbie and I saw him off (with the understanding that we'd fetch him after he had lunch with his friends who also took the exam that day.

Naturally, once we had dropped Bryce off for his exam, the obvious question was how would we now kill time... and where? A Starbucks was the obvious choice, and though I knew of one near D.L.S.U., I had concerns about parking.

It was then that I remembered that there was a Starbucks at the area near the Cultural Arts Theater... the one with many eating spots. I thought that there would definitely be more than enough parking... and it was not too far from La Salle as well.

What I did not expect was that the Starbucks had a nice view and some great entertainment factor (by way of watching many Sunday morning enthusiasts gyrating to the beat of some dance songs while obviously following the lead of an aerobics instructor). one grandmother, in particular showed how versatile and soft her body was - even if she was at the portly side. Amazing... and yeah, entertaining.

But the clincher for this Starbucks was the view - if I had seen this picture and not known of it's location, I would not think it was just the marina (notice the yachts?) in Manila Bay... I'd think that this was probably one of Barbie's out of the country trip.

Photoblog - Day 190, Oct 16, 2010

Bernice's Confirmation Seminar:

This is what made Barbie and I wake up early on a Saturday when we normally would have wanted to sleep longer. Since Bernice will be having her confirmation this coming November, the school, naturally, wanted to make sure their students' parents were well aware of the Christian (specifically, the Catholic) values - sooo.... we got dressed in a more smart casual manner - as opposed to my more relaxed shirt and shorts weekend get-up, and off we went to O.B. Montessori, with Bernice in tow.

I dropped them off so they did not have to walk too far from the parking with the understanding that I would pass by Starbucks as well to get Barbie her much needed coffee.

Turns out they (the school) only needed - and allowed one parent per child - a fact Bernice forgot to mention, and I sudden felt I was dressed with no place to go *sigh*. So I got Barbie's coffee - brought it to her then as I was about to leave and just kill time in Greenhills (I had been there the night before - remember my latest batch of comics?); I decided to take this picture to remind me of what was so different about this Saturday. Nothing fancy... either, just a wide angle shot to capture the set-up.

Lucky for me, I brought a book to read.

Photoblog - Day 189, Oct 15, 2010

Yes... more comics:

This particular batch makes me updated with the latest releases; considering we're just a few days different from the U.S. release - they get theirs on Wednesday and we get the same come Friday or Saturday, so it's just a two to three day delay... isn't that great?

What's so special about this particular batch? For starters, it's got Secret Avengers, which to me is the best Avengers title out in the market right now. Next, it has the 2nd issue of the new Classic Invaders story - and other gem... but aside from these two, I got to get a few Return of Bruce Wayne one-shots; a surprise since I did not even know of these issues, and was lucky to see them before they were all sold out. So yeah... this is a good batch - one I intend to read sooner rather than later.

Photoblog - Day 188, Oct 14, 2010

In the RAW...

It should be no surprise to this photoblog's followers (I count at least one - he he he) that I collect a myriad of books and magazines for equally many reasons - one of them, is definitely about photography.. and when I saw this book, I did not think twice.

RAW format photography was the way my friend, Jojo, suggested to me - at first I though about the eventual filling up of my memory card with such a format, but since I bought a second memory card, i worry less about that situation. I also remember another past colleague - one I still keep in touch with via FB, Pidoy... he also talked about RAW formats some five years ago - and he used to lug his camera to work all the time too.

This had definitely gotten me curious as to what RAW formats can offer - and hopefully, with this book - and some other reference materials, I will not just understand RAW photography better - but make full use of it's features/capabilities. For now though, capturing pictures in the RAW format makes my photoblogging process one step longer - since I now have to convert them to JPEG before posting - but I'm not complaining, if what happens will turn out to be quite stunning. FYI, I think with the possible exception of a handful of pictures in this photoblog, I believe most of these pictures - specifically those after the Rotary Induction I covered with Jojo, were taken in RAW format

This book is definitely a worthy addition to my library; if just for the pictures I found inside... and I am still absorbing the wisdom found between the paragraphs. So watch out world... another RAW nut is being created... me!

Photoblog - Day 187, Oct 13, 2010

Moth part deux:

Some days there are just certain situations that really call for themselves being captured by a camera - call it a photographer's serendipity moment (well... that is, if taking pictures were like shopping). There have, of course been several times I had seen an opportunity pass me by because I did not have a camera with me at that time. .. and even when I do bring a camera with me at most times, I sometimes still miss them due to the fleetingness of the situation - not this time though.

I saw this moth resting against the glass window while I was having coffee - waiting for Barbie. As it happened, the moth was outside the mall on an evening - not being disturbed by people passing by, nor apparently by me as I sat at the chair right beside the glass - overlooking the mall's outside waiting area.

I even took my time to focus for this shot, taking two or three shots before I was satisfied with what I got. I know I had already taken a moth up close once - and that picture is also i this photoblog - so this isn't the first time I captured a moth at rest... but this picture's angle was unique, so I had to just take it - and post the pic for all to see.

Defocussing the glass made it appear that the moth was suspended in air... and the macro shot background helped ensure that focus was to the moth and nothing else.

Photoblog - Day 186, Oct 12, 2010

My dad's birthday!

My dad turned 73 today - and as he mentioned, at that age... being able to celebrate and enjoy one's birthday is a gift in itself, hence his celebrating yearly. I'd have to agree... more so if you consider the fact that he is a cancer survivor (it's in total remission for year now). At his age, he still works - and he knows his best years are behind him... but that does not stop him form being an active body.

This photo is also somewhat special since it represents three generations of Syyaps - and though we're by no means complete, we're still thankful for the blessings coming his (as well as our) way.

There's another story to this event which makes our smiles that much more meaningful (meaning it's a miracle we could smile at all), since Barbie, the kids, Ben (not in the picture, since he's the one taking the shot) and I had to literally crawl through traffic to get to my dad's place. Three hours in what should have been the fast lane - the skyway, which made me quip and post in my FB that this skyway should be renamed the crawlway.

We arrived as most of the guests had already left, the caterers were in the process of cleaning up and boy... any celebratory mood we had was eaten up with th esheer frustration of the situation. Anyway... we did get to eat (and cool down), though we were unable to stay too long to enjoy the celebration, owing to the fact that it was a weekday and the kids still had classes the next day. The point is, we did arrive - and I got to take home a few samples of the dishes I liked too (one in particular dish - the callos, ended up being my dinner for two nights straight after this - and I wouldn't have complained eating it for a third night, had it not been finished by then).

Photoblog - Day 185, Oct 11, 2010

Training time again:

Back to the grind as usual, and this time, I had to handle one training; Detailed Design, with Vener (seen in this picture) and oversee how Francis was doing in Analysis - a training he can handle by himself, though with the presence of an expat, he might have needed a boost to know i was around if and when he needed help... though that is another story.

One thing worth noting - that is relatively different from other trainings is the fact that the Detailed Design class was using the new flat-screen monitors (as seen at this picture's foreground). Why is this surprising? Let's just say I've grown accustomed to using the older CRT monitors for training - so this was definitely a welcome surprise.

Since Francis seemed to be alright, I just agreed with him that I would step in tomorrow to handle a major module in the Analysis training... right after I make sure Vener understood the general direction of how to handle the Detailed Design course - one that, I might add, he seems more qualified than I to conduct.

Photoblog - Day 184, Oct 10, 2010

Pampering time:

We have a semi-regular routine. I normally let Barbie have her pampering time on Sundays - which would normally consist of either having a facial or going to the parlor to get her nails done, while I would roam around the mall - spending time either in a bookstore or a coffee shop.

Today, however, I decided to accompany her to the parlor to likewise have my toe nails done. This after what can possibly be considered as ages. Not that I can't cut and clean my nails by myself - but let's just say, I need more professional people to help me rid myself so some stubborn ingrown growth.

So yeah... today I experienced what she normally likes doing, having my nails done while I relax and read my novel, at least, during the times I almost did not fall asleep (guess it was all those pillows) - where at you ask? Well, it's a nail spa on the 5th level of the Shangri La Plaza. Not that I plan to make a habit of this, of course... but then again, it's not a bad idea to have this 'deeper' nails cleaning every quarter (at the very least). Besides, why should I complain when Barbie is the one footing the bill, right?

Photoblog - Day 183, Oct 9, 2010

Sunset in Cavite:

This picture was taken while I was driving in Daang Hari, on our way to Cavite. There was one time I noticed how the fields in Daang Hari offered an unobstructed view of a sunset, and this time I decided to be ready to possibly capture one... after all, we were on our way through this road at the right time and with the right conditions (not too cloudy to obstruct such a sunset). Slight problem though... I was driving, so I couldn't just stop and take the picture... much less take the shot while driving.

Solution? I asked Barbie to take the picture, while I drove at cruising speed to give her time to take the shot (actually, she got to take several), so though this was not a picture I took, I sure set it up and somehow acted like a director - giving her some quick tips to do take the shot.

Then what was left was for me to take out the non-essentials like cropping the cars in the foreground - thus giving the picture a more general field view as opposed to a highway view. Not that I would not have liked a highway view... but in this case it would have been a distraction to the picture. I mean, the tree's silhouette is a counterpoint as it is, I did not need more clutter.

So until I can capture a more beautiful sunset... say from a beach, this will have to do.

Photoblog - Day 182, Oct 8, 2010

Bonding time!

Whenever I arrive from work - no fail, I am greeted by my two most ardent admirers... Buffy and Bubbles, and both will not let up trying to grab my attention until I at the very least acknowledge them with; at the very lest, a pat on the head - and even then, that may not be enough.

For Buffy, a stomach scratch will do, and Bubbles must be carried! But you know what? I don't mind. In fact, I might even be slightly disappointed should they not show that same level of enthusiasm whenever I arrive.

So... ardent admirers? Without any exaggeration, I'd definitely have to say they both are. But the reality is they are glad to see me - and I'm glad to be greeted by them with such enthusiasm. Then again, do they greet anyone else with the same manner? Yes they do - specifically Barbie, Bryce and Bernice, albeit in a slightly less enthusiastic manner.

This picture was taken by Barbie using her Blackberry - after all, we did not have enough time to set up the Canon to capture such a spontaneous moment as this. Then again, if it does happen every time I do arrive, maybe we can set something up some time. That said, consider this my (first) October picture.

Photoblog - Day 181, Oct 7, 2010

Mommy's Birthday!

Mommy (my mother-in-law) celebrated her 70th birthday today, and to celebrate it, her children decided to have dinner at Yakimix - a Japanese/Korean restaurant found in the Mall of Asia - no surprise there. What was surprising was the fact that two of her children - Bernadette and Brian, together with Lynn (Brian's wife) planed in for a surprise appearance. I was not around when it happened, but from what I could hear, mommy was stunned to see them here.

We ate at the buffet - and I took the opportunity to go Japanese with all their Sushi and Sashimi options (man was I full that evening), and did not have space for the cooked meals - well, with exception of the tempura, which I took around six pieces of.

Did I discover anything about myself that night? Yup... namely, I'm not the same person I was with the eat-all-you-can thing. I've drastically lessened my appetite. Whether it's a psychological thing or not. who knows? Maybe I was just tired? Maybe I was 'off form' that night. Whatever the case, I felt that I did not do justice to the buffet's cost - or that I did not optimize the opportunity for said meal. Oh well... guess it comes with age too.

Needless to say, the lady of the hour definitely enjoyed the night.

Photoblog - Day 180, Oct 6, 2010

Blue birds:

These are the bird-like displays hanging from the ceiling of the Rockwell Mall, and normally they'd be almost mundane - but see how lively they turn out with the help of some lighting? Even I was amazed, and had to take a picture of this. What was seemingly so 'generic' a design came alive with the spotlight and special patters being displayed that night... and to think, this was not even a light show.

Nope... what was actually happening as I was taking this picture was a rehearsal/practice prior to a mini-Broadway show at the basement of the mall. Had I time to hang around, I may have even gotten some pictures. Unfortunately, our (meaning Barbie and me) going here was just by chance - having passed the grocery for a few items... then it's back to the road - homeward bound.

But at least, for this one brief moment, I saw a different Rockwell Mall... and further realized that with proper lighting, anything mundane can look very different - and yes... lively.

But yeah... I should find more time for enjoying these serendipitous events.

Photoblog - Day 179, Oct 5, 2010

Mangoes galore:

I chanced upon this fruit stand with really nice products, and had to just ask the proprietor his permission to take pictures of some of his fruits - I guess he rarely had someone ask permission for such because he seemed pleasantly surprised. He even gamely agreed when I said it was to make some of my friends living abroad partly envious of the pictures... after all, nothing beats the sweetness of our Philippine mangoes - and this is not just a personal opinion, mind you.

So yeah... three cheers to our local mangoes! I'm sure you Filipino folks living or working elsewhere do miss it right? Me? I take it semi-regularly... as part of the juice that Barbie prepares for breakfast (and sometimes, even for dinner), so yeah... I do appreciate what we have. Nope - I'm not taking this fruit for granted.

Photoblog - Day 178, Oct 4, 2010

My stash:

Did I say that the previous 'delayed' stash would coincide with my newer stash - the one scheduled for this last weekend? Well, true enough... as I looked at my comic shop, they already had the new batch waiting.

Not one to decline my stash - specially since the comic staff had taken effort to reserve the issues for me, I bought them (even if I was not yet really finished reading the previous stash. Besides, could not ignore the new Captain America issue, nor the Fantastic Four. I was curious about the new X-force as well. So yeah... more comics to read.

Man... it sounds almost like I'm complaining. How about that...

Photoblog - Day 177, Oct 3, 2010

My delayed stash:

One of the things I did right after arriving from Cebu, is to check my comic stash, and sure enough, I had a couple of comics waiting for me - mind you, this was when a lot of comics were connected to a current Daredevil storyline, so I naturally had a thick stash waiting for me.

True to form, I was too busy to read them when I got home, and I only got to read a couple of issues at a time - normally in between some break in what I was doing. This must be one of those really rare (though come to think of it, maybe not that rare these days) times when I'll have two stashes coming in quick succession. Ah well... I still enjoy reading them... and this Shadowland thing is just temporary.

Photoblog - Day 176, Oct 2, 2010

My Library:

I've accumulated my collection of all these books for years - some spanning even decades, and in the past they hardly warranted notice. But as early as the last two years, I started collecting books again at a quicker pace, and it eventually became apparent that I would need book selves to contain my collection.

This also brings me to one of my dreams... to have a house with it's own library, and though the dream is still that - at least, the library part was somehow fulfilled - you might even say, at the right time too, since these books were really stacking up on our headboard... and I don't know about the others, but should one of these hardbound books fall... oh, say 3 to 4 feet down your face, I'm sure it would at the very least leave one with a red face. So yeah... this bookshelf idea was long overdue.

I guess the reason it did not happen earlier was because we did not really have the extra funds, plus the discovery of a reasonably priced bookshelf - since both happened this last month, I was able to get two bookshelves (and realize that I apparently need a third already - imagine that).

I must say, it does look good... since these book cases are at our living area, it gives the place a 'learned' look, and now I get to see all my books - even the ones I've yet to read, neatly stacked together. Organizing them - and I plan to do so by subject matter... now that is a task for another day (or long weekend). For now, I'm simply glad I have these bookshelves. Besides, this particular bookshelf is where the X-mass tree will be in a few weeks time (I plan to start the tree project by end of October).

Photoblog - Day 175, Oct 1, 2010

Rajah Lobby:

This is the morning I return to Manila - and despite Cebu's many attractions, I can't wait to get home and be with my family again. Yet before this happens I have one last chance to sample the Rajah's buffet breakfast - and it better be a heavy meal because I anticipate a few trips around Metro Manila first before finally arriving home.

I woke up real early... guess you could say it was the anticipation, but Fiel and I needed to be in the airport by 7AM, so we really had to have an early breakfast anyway. Still, up at 4AM? I just leisurely packed all my stuff (and almost had to sit on my luggage due to the added 'pasalubongs' I stuffed it with), then went down around 5:30AM - time when the breakfast buffet would open.

It was at this same time - when the lights were rather subdued in the lobby, that I decided to take a picture (of said lobby) from the dining area - and when I looked at the picture I was surprised at how it looked more beautiful than I noticed. Guess there are certain things the camera reveals to us... things we take for granted. In this case, how the blue lights highlight or accentuate the lobby's looks.

Ah well... thanks for the experience guys.

Photoblog - Day 173, Sep 30, 2010

Basilica:

Funny, but in the three times I've previously been to Cebu (don't be surprised at the number, I hardly have had any reason to go there), I can't remember having stopped at the Cathedral and Basilica - both showing artifacts of early Christianity in Asia. Guess in the past, I had neither time nor real interest in them.

Nowadays I guess I'm more spiritual in nature, hence even in my busy schedule, I made it a point to find time to visit both... both to see these icons for myself - to satisfy my curiosity, and to have some quiet, reflection time.

I saw the Sto Niño, of course, and marveled at the line of devotees waiting their turn to 'greet' him. I stepped on one of the oldest streets in the Philippines and even viewed where Magellan's cross was supposedly encased in an outer layered wooden cross... I say supposedly because without seeing it, we can only accept the fact that it's there (or not, and just accept the current cross as a mere symbol of what was) - and naturally, I looked at the Basilica itself.

Having read 'Pillars of the Earth' by Ken Follet, I better appreciated the workings of the old church, comparing it with the newer cathedral I came form earlier. I doubt I would have taken anything but an unappreciative cursory glance at this old church - even a historical one at that, had I not read the novel.

My only regret is that I was on the clock - so I really had only time to take selected pictures of all these things... and not get to create a near photo documentary of said church.

Maybe, on my 5th visit?

Photoblog - Day 172, Sep 29, 2010

The Terrace Garden:

This is Cebu's new pride - the Ayala Terraces, a well-designed (in my opinion) green mall concept; at least... from the gardening viewpoint. It's a great place to just hang around in the evening while enjoying your favorite coffee or brew. Hence the rows of restaurants, coffee shops and bistros overlooking the multi-tiered terrace overlooking the garden in the middle of the mall.

Since this place is literally walking distance to the PM training, Fiel and I went here almost on a nightly basis... not to drink though, but more to explore... admire the view (and take a few shots, naturally) while looking for some familiar things like a Fully Booked bookstore - where I had to get a new paperback, since the one I brought over with me to Cebu was already 'consumed' in two evenings.

The Terraces extends the old Ayala mall, thus adding more shopping space for those who wished to explore more - but I have to say that the main attraction of this place is the wonderfully manicured gardens, well-maintained trees and overall impact of serenity - even amidst the hustle and bustle of Metro Cebu.