My First Month with Greif

Current mood: Simply Happy

Why? Because I got my first paycheck in almost 8 months (I haven't got my backpay from my previous company yet XD). This would really boost my confidence and my desire to work harder so that I could get paid and even ask to stay longer with the company. The feeling was overwhelming that I acted like a kid with lots of money in my pocket. But, the test would be how to stretch my budget since we only get our pay every end of the month. I know its hard but I know I can take on this challenge.

How am I doing at Greif? Well I'm still in the learning curve. I have to admit that its not that easy to learn the process within a month or even less. Similar to what I do as a Tech Support before, work here is less stressful. There are times that I had my handsful since I'm still under training but I still have 5 more months to learn the ropes on how an IT Helpdesk work.

For now, I'll enjoy the moment of being PAID again. XD

My 19th Transport Show Experience

Despite being tired from my previous shoot (Aliwan Festival 2010), I decided attend this event since I haven't took pictures of the models.

I have planned to attend this event 2-3 weeks earlier so there's no reason for me not to be there.

Lucky for me, I have my photographer's pass which lets me have more access to take better shots and gives me more space to be creative.

Attending this kind of events helps me enhance my photography skills as well as meet new people (models and fellow photographers).

I got side-tracked at playing poker at Premiere's booth. Though I eventually lost, I had fun plus I learned how to play poker. Since I got hooked in playing poker, I wasn't able to cover all models as my friends did a few days earlier. Also, my wife asked me to go home early since she needed help in some household chores XD.

Probably, I'll make it up next year since they will be celebrating their 20th year.

My First Aliwan Festival Experience

This was my first experience to attend this kind of event. I don't how it goes but I just simply go with the flow. 

I arrived there at around 2:30pm to take pictures of the float as well as the performers. It was really hot that time so my first realization was to wear protective clothing like hats and sleeves to cover me from the sun. I was able to experiment with some settings on my camera to create a perfect picture.

I was able to meet my friend Alex and borrowed some of his lens. Some of my pictures improved though I need more practice. My second realization would be to save enough money for me to upgrade my lens to better ones. My kit lens were fine but I really need an upgrade soon.

To my demise, I lost my camera's eye piece and I really need that for me to use my camera properly. I had no choice but to buy a new one. Third realization: be very careful.

I was able to take pictures of the event as it progress. The day was really tiring but I enjoyed every minute of it even though I have to go home and miss the program at the CCP Complex. I hope I could go back next year with better pictures.

The Week that was (April 18-24)

Last week really drained all of my energy but I was able to save enough for this week

Sunday: Last Saturday's MIAS was not enough for me so I went back there for more. But before goint to WTC again, I passed by SM Megamall for the WPPP Exhibit to see if there would be any models but there were none. Instead, I've looked for some camera add-ons and see if they would fit my budget. Then went to SM Mall of Asia to check-out another carshow there. But again, there were none. Probably they have rescheduled it to a different date. Ate lunch at Ted's Lapaz Batchoy before heading to WTC to attend the carshow. We took more pictures of the models this time as we waited for 3:30pm to have our FHMs signed by Ms. Kristel Moreno. The autograph signing was not that crowded but the bouncers made some fans uncomfortable. I made sure I emptied my memory card before going home.

Monday:  Then got up from my sleep to find out that my wife was reading my notes on my cellphone which I got mad. Eventually, we talked about it before we went to bed.

Tuesday: Got up early again despite lack of sleep. Got my ID and my ATM as well though I don't like how my ID looks like.

Wednesday: Got up early for work. Then I changed the PIN on my ATM before going to office. We were in hyper-mode finishing some tickets before a lazy afternoon. Then went online again before going home and get some rest

Thursday: Got up early to go online and check my Mafia Wars. Left home a bit late but still I was able to arrive at the office early. My boss gave my my work schedule for may and I will be working for one weekend (May 1 and 2) next week. Then a lot of work comes in. Though some part of the afternoon were kinda slow, It was really work and I have my handsful.

Friday: This would be the opposite of the excitement level I had at work last Thursday. We didn't much do anything except for creating tickets and assigning them to other departments who are really experts with these. Left the office early so I could take some photos of the cars at the 19th Transport Show held at SM Megamall.It took me almost an hour to reach SM Megamall. Good thing I was able to take pictures of the cars. I went home a little bit tired but still enjoyed the day

Saturday: Got up early to edit some pictures I took a few weeks ago to avoid backlogs. Somehow I was able to finish 3 albums and I know there are a lot more pictures to check. Left home at 1:00pm to attend the Aliwan Festival 2010 (A separate entry will be written here). It was really hot that afternoon which helped me experiment on my shooting abilities. Went home that night really tired but slept late to accompany my wife in her online tasks.

The week was really tiring. I need a massage. XD

The Death of Edwin Valero

I was shocked regarding his untimely death when I've read it through yahoo. He could have been Paquiao's next opponent. The entire news can be found here.

Another loss for the Boxing world. May his soul rest in peace.

FHM Autograph Signing April 2010: Kristel Moreno

This event coincides with the 4th day of the Manila International Auto Show (MIAS) 2010. I was at WTC as early as 1pm to take pictures of the models at the said carshow. Me together with some friends went inside and walk around the area to take more photos before the autograph signing.

By 3:45pm, we went to the lobby to join other fans to have our FHMs signed by no less than Kristel Moreno herself. The place isn't that crowded and the ambiance was just right. However, the presence of bouncers in this event made some (or probably most) attendees uncomfortable. They were doing their job in ensuring security within the area but their looks were like kinda harrassing the fans once they get close to Kristel. They would really stare at you and your magazine as she (Kristel) signs up for you. One bouncer even shouted at us for placing our bags on the floor. I don't know why he did that but for me its not right. We just placed our bags on the floor for a while for us to get ready with our turn and all of a sudden he shouted at us like he wants us to go away.

But anyway, we had our FHMs signed as well as our photos taken with Kristel. She's actually nice and charming and made her fans (including me) happy since our magazines were signed. I hope that for May, there wont be anymore bouncers to agitate the fans.

Manila International Auto Show Re-Visited

 

After 4 months since the Car Show I attended last year, I was able to attend this event despite that I've missed almost 10 car shows in the last 4 months. 

MIAS (or Manila International Auto Show) is held once a year (for 4 days) at the World Trade Center in Pasay City. This is where car manufacturers, owners, enthusiasts and the like meet to showcase their rides and share it with others. Also models and photographers (from hobbyists to serious ones) meet here to have a free photoshoot (not exactly free since entrance fee is at 50 pesos for the walk-ins XD ). 

I went there for two days to exercise my shooting skills again to see if I lost my touch or not. Together with some good friends (Richard, Alex, Vince, Roj, and Ralph), we walk around the place and took pictures of the cars first before the models. I always arrive there by 1pm and leave 6 or 7 hours later making sure I've enjoyed the most of it. 

At the end of the day, I enjoyed not just taking pictures of cars and models, but taking pictures together with my good old friends as well.

Here are some more pictures for you to look at and enjoy XD.