Day 246: My baby is looking for something there. Milk perhaps? XD
Day 246
Day 247: Spending my late morning with my baby.
Day 247
Day 247: She went closer and wanted to get the camera from me. Oh no! XD
Day 247
Day 248: Spending the afternoon this time despite my temper.
Day 248
Day 248: She touched her cake to feel its texture. XD
Day 248
Day 249: My baby enjoying her gift from her "ninang".
Day 249
Day 250: The morning after Christmas. She wanted to feel the Christmas Spirit with her apparel. XD
Day 250
Day 251: Opps! XD
Day 251
Day 252: Trying to reach the cap as mommy looks on.
Day 252
Day 252: Minutes before mommy gets dressed.
Day 252
Day 252: Its rare that I have my picture taking with my daughter but why not.
Day 252
Almost done with 2011... XD
Dear Marien,
Years from now, you will have a life of your own to explore and enjoy. Your time will come soon as my days would be close to the end. I know your mom would laugh at this but you know time will come you will have your own family to take care of. Even if my end of days are still miles so far, here are some of the things I want you to keep in mind.
1. Money Matters: You know dad learned the hard way in handling his finances. I should know because it took me more than a decade to realize the importance of saving small and saving early. Your old man (my dad) thought me how to save my money in the bank but I never realize it until you were born. Your mom and I sometimes argue on my spending habits and she's right most of the time. I don't wan't you to be like me when it comes to handling your money. Don't worry, daddy is learning the ropes on saving money and investing (I have some books to give you at the right time) and hopefully, you'll learn them too to be financially free from dept for the rest of your life.
2. Don't Stop Learning: Read books! Daddy has bought a few with a lot of interesting topics to choose from (and you'll inherit them soon). And I forgot, You'll get to inherit ALL of my Men's Magazine (FHM, UNO, Esquire, Rogue, Playboy, Maxim, etc) as well so please, NEVER throw them away even if your mom tells you too. These magazines are not all about women in sexy out fit but there are some bits and pieces of ideas only you and me could understand.
3. Travel and Document: Your dad started traveling some places after your mom and I got married, something I didn't do when I was still single for whatever reason. Even if me and your mom have traveled together at times, I wanted you to go to places (within the country or overseas) and enjoy every moment of being free and experience what life has to offer (If you could take me and your mom, the better XD). Don't forget to take pictures of the places you'll be visiting a few years from now. and who knows, we may be traveling together and take more pictures, exchanging ideas and learn from each other. My gear would be your gear (provided that its still working XD).
4. Finish College: You're so fortunate that we won't be pressuring you on what course you should take when you start college. Unlike me (which your old man chose the degree for me and eventually embraced it), you'll have all the liberty to choose (as long as you'd benefit from it). Between Ateneo or La Salle? Either of the two would do as long as your mom and I can afford it or if you could get a scholarship. What we would expect from you is to do your best no matter what pressure comes along your way. If I could only have it my way, I want you to finish college in my alma mater (MIT-Intramuros). But since I'm a cool and understanding dad, we could negotiate XD.
5. Stay Fit and Healthy: Funny as it sounds but we would prefer that you should stay in tip-top shape. Make sure that you exercise and have a balanced diet (and we mean balanced). You don't need a gym membership as the entire world would be your playground to get fit and healthy.
6. Broaden your Horizon: I want you to be out of the ordinary. Never keep yourself doing the same things over and over. Keep yourself updated with the latest but never forget to look back at your roots. Keep an open mind and accept change with open arms. Try to learn as many hobbies as you can but make sure to choose the one you love the most (I hope it would be photography).
7. Matters of the Heart: I know I'm not the best person that you should ask but in due time you will. Most guys I've encountered through the years ask me on how to win someones heart by hook or by crook. Most of them succeeded as I've done that too before marrying your mom. I know guys in your generation are probably ten times more cunning and conniving than I am so I'll make sure that you learn how to deal with them in the gentlest way possible. I don't want you to settle for anything less than a man. And if your future man breaks your heart, I'll make sure he's screwed (as well as his sister and mother) and I'm not joking. But if your man takes care of you perfectly well, he'll be in good hands in me.
8. Raising your own family: Your mom and I did our best to raise you well. It was a little bit daunting at the beginning as your mom is not used to raise someone as mischievous and naughty as you are (you got that from my genes). Your grandmom can attest to that as well as Nanay. Nevertheless, I want to you be as patient as possible handling your little kids someday. Please never ever scold nor spank them. Instead, let them feel your love and devotion, something your mom and I did though as first time parents, we had some challenges keeping you well-behaved.
Kinda lengthy advice huh??? Well that's only the beginning as today, you're still my one and only baby.
With all Love,
Dad
PS. I have to put this a few days ahead because were going home to your "Lolo" on Father's Day.
Since I'm trying to get used to taking some pictures from a 5-year old digicam, please pardon some of my shots. XD
Day 239: Some of my bad shots. XD
Day 239
Day 240: She enjoys playing with her toys before we visited her doctor.
Day 240
Day 240: At SM Megamall. She wants to remove the battery of my cellphone so she could have all of my time to her only XD.
Day 240
Day 241: Enjoying her time on the stroller, I think. XD
Day 241
Day 242: Sleepy so early? XD
Day 242
Day 243: Feeding time before going out for some fun in the sun.
Day 243
Day 244: Playing with her toys while mommy is preparing her milk.
Day 244
Day 245: Taken a few minutes past midnight under low light.
Day 245
More shots from the old digicam in a few days. XD
Photographers Declare June 12 as Freedom to Shoot Day
Bawal Mag Shoot Dito-Only in the Philippines (BMSD Pilipinas)
Scores of photographers marched from historic Rizal Park to the walled city of Intramuros in the morning of the 115th Philippine Independence Day, June 12, 2013. The photo walk-protest was organized by Bawal Mag-Shoot Dito, a group of professional photographers and photography enthusiasts calling for freedom to take pictures in public and historic places.
"We declare our Independence Day as a day where every Filipino can freely take pictures. This is in response to the continuing abuse to camera-wielding Filipinos who are discriminated and barred from fully expressing their photography in historic and public sites in our country especially Rizal Park and Intramuros" said Mel Cortez, founder/creator of the Facebook group Bawal Mag-Shoot Dito- Only in the Philippines (BMSD Pilipinas)
BMSD Pilipinas condemns the act by security personnel in Intramuros and Rizal Park where Digital SLR camera users are profiled and selectively prevented from taking pictures unless able to secure a permit and pay the administrator. Unlike foreign nationals who are free to shoot around the historic sites, professional photographers, photography hobbyists and even Filipino tourists with cameras are discriminatively targeted with the no-pay-no-shoot policy reserved to commercial photo shoots. The group also condemns the act reported by numerous photographers where they are asked 500 Pesos by the guards to be allowed to shoot rather than pay the exorbitant fees for professional photo shoots, a clear act of extortion. Intramuros Administration charges P2000.00 for a 4-hr pre-nuptial pictorial while National Parks and Development Committee /Rizal Park costs P1,000.00.
"In the first place, there is no official policy on not allowing photographers in taking pictures in historic sites. But the unclear policy of charging photographers presents ambiguity that creates loopholes and makes all camera-wielding Filipinos susceptible to abuse" explained Cortez.
The group also asks incoming lawmakers to create legislation to declare historic and public sites as photographer-friendly. "We firmly believe that promoting freedom of expression through photography will be beneficial to the country as it will promote the country's heritage and tourism" added Cortez.
I may not be able to attend this event but my support for this group is always there.
Day 232: Our bed is her playground
Day 232
Day 233: That's one unique pose she did.
Day 233
Day 233: Her last shot using a Canon EOS Rebel XSi before it died on me that night. Her next set of pictures would be what I could call "The Dark Ages"
Day 233
Day
234: As I start to shoot using our old point and shoot camera, I am
expecting this results as I haven't been using it since my DLSR died on
me. I guess I had to get used to it for now and try maximize its potentials. Anyway, if take good pictures of our daughter, my wife could buy me a replacement XD. And I hope I could also upgrade this old digicam to a Canon Powershot G12.
Day 234
Day 235: No pictures please. XD
Day 235
Day
236: Having a digicam isn't that bad after all. I could take pictures
of Migmig upclose with me in it too. Well partially XD.
Day 236
Day 237: One of her outdoor shots while having her regular dose of Vitamin D. XD
Day 237
Day
238: I have her stroller at times when carrying her for a long time
would burden my arms and shoulders. Imagine how heavy she is at only 8
months. XD
Day 238
For the next few week, I'll be showing some pictures from an old digicam. Let me know if it has a big difference with the ones most people use nowadays (DSLR).
See you soon!
