My updated Labayan Score.

I had it updated last December 2010. Almost a year and a half later, I'm still at C-

My Lakbayan grade is C-!

How much of the Philippines have you visited? Find out at Lakbayan!

Created by Eugene Villar.

I guess, I need to save more money so I could travel around the country XD.

Events to go to on May 26

I still have at least one more month yet, I'm already confused which event to attend to. All three events I'm posting here are worth going especially on a Saturday. 

1. Yummy Eats 2012: I've been looking forward into this since my last year's attendance. I really enjoyed my food trip and I hope I could take my wife and daughter with me when Migmig can walk. With a lot of food booths to go to, I'm sure I'll go home stuffed. XD

Taken from Google

2. Summer Komikon 2012: Since I've heard this event from last year, I've been so curious in finding out what's in store for me there. I'd say its kinda similar to Animax or Toycon or probably any cosplay event that I know of. I may be wrong but I had to check it for myself.

Taken from Google

3. Digital Photographer Philippine's 6th Anniversary Event: This would be my third if I will choose this one (and I may choose this over the two XD). Its an event for photographers from all walks of life and from all classes from newbies to seasoned professionals. You won't miss some of the free lectures given by the top pros in the country as well as some shoot-out with them with a fully-dressed models. And to recap the event, the live judging of selected photographs to be criticized by top photographers together with some free booze to boot. XD

Taken from their facebook page

Why oh why! All of these events on the same date with three different locations opposites from one another. Its like the ends of an XYZ-axis. Come on, you can't be serious right? Let's just have this one at a time. XD

But at the end of the day, what matters is you enjoyed it once its over.

A 5-hour Transport Show Shootathon.

Last Friday, I went to SM Megamall to attend the 21st Transport Show. Knowing that my camera could be subjected to scrutinizing by the security guards, I made sure to keep it at the bottom of my bag. 

I arrived at SM at almost 3:00pm. So far, so good. I head straight up to the Megatrade Hall so I could start shooting cars first. After taking pictures of most of them, its time to take photos of the models. 

I think there were more new faces than the old ones as I make sure to take a quick snap or to on them. Most of the crowd (photographers) are on the Premiere Vixens booth as the Vixens were game to pose in front of the camera.

Since the venue of the event wasn't that spacious compared with World Trade Center and SMX Convention Center in Pasay, you would be able to enjoy the transport show in 2-3 hours. 

Photos to follow soon. XD

A tiring Aliwan Fiesta 2012

Taken from Google

In 2010, I got my baptism of fire when I attended my first Aliwan Fiesta 2010. I missed last year's Aliwan Fiesta 2011 because of my work schedule. I made sure that my leave was approved so I won't be having any worries while taking pictures. Now on its 10th year, The Aliwan Fiesta is an annual event organized by the Manila Broadcasting Company (MBC) and the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) showcase various street dance numbers performed by the best of the best in each region which is I guess, well represented.

I arrived at the Quirino Grandstand at 12:00pm. It was really scorching hot but I'm quite prepared to take the heat. 

I got to witness the opening of the Street Dance Competition though I took shots from the sides instead of the front which where the action mostly happen.

This time, I was by my lonesome as my friends rather skip this event. Anyway, I was still able to take pictures of the participants from various parts of the country. From Nothern Luzon down to Southern Mindanao, I was able to capture some candids while waiting for their turn in performing.

Pictures to follow as well as my other thoughts in my second time here at Aliwan Fiesta 2012 XD. 

The week that was (April 15 - 21)

Sunday: Got up early as I had to take Migmig out for some fun in the sun before having breakfast. When we got back home, her mom was ready to give her a bath. Then it's photoshoot for her as she needs decent pictures for her upcoming birthday party. After the quick shoot, she took a nap while my wife and I got ready to hear mass. Unfortunately, we were late as my wife was at her usual slowness in getting ready (I hope Migmig won't inherit her mom's slowness in movement XD). instead of heading for mass, we went to Jollibee in Mendiola to settle our down payment. Then we took a cab going to The Frazzled Cook but I don't recall any landmark on where its exactly located. My wife got upset but I was able to determine how to get there the quickest. When we got there, we stayed for around 2 hours for our late lunch (I'll be writing a blog post for this). After lunch, we head off to SM Megamall to buy Migmig's dress for her birthday. But my wife told me that its best if our daughter has a high-chair so it would be easy for us to feed her. I felt so tired after buying the high-chair as I feel that its so heavy. We took a cab home so Migmig could have her beauty rest. My wife fell asleep as well while I read Sunday's paper before going to bed.

Monday: Got up early again to take my daughter out for some fun in the sun. After breakfast, we head back home so my baby could take her bath and get some nap. While she's sleeping, I was able to choose some pictures to be used on her birthday presentation this coming Sunday. By 4:00pm, I head out to SM Centerpoint to buy some diapers for my baby as she's almost running out of supply. After some shopping, I had some snacks before heading back home almost two hours later. I took over in taking care of Migmig until my wife arrived. I was able to free myself as she took over and enjoyed the rest of the night before going to bed.

Tuesday: Got up early and took Migmig out before having breakfast at Mc Donald's (the usual). Then its off to do my usual daddy-duties as Migmig's aunt was still in the province. I know I've been losing income by reporting late for the past couple of days, but I hope Migmig's aunt would be back very soon. By 1:00pm, I'm decided to go home in Bugtong instead of reporting for work as I had to give my birthday invites to my dad personally and see if there are a lot of improvements. Going there was quite okay as I fell asleep on the way there. When I got there at 4:30pm, my dad wasn't there as my cousin was taking care of our place. A few minutes after, my dad arrived from our home in Pacita Complex 1. He got really thin since the last time I saw him (last August of 2011). He asked me several question that I got to answer before before I handed him our invite. He was looking forward to see his apo after almost a year and I'm sure he'll be surprised when he sees Migmig. I left at 5:30pm and got on the bus almost 30 minutes later. I decided to drop-off at SM Megamall by 8:30pm and had dinner at Yabu Katsu. Their Katsu tastes moist and crispy without tasting much oil that I'll take my wife and Migmig sometime soon. After dinner, I was hoping to get some coffee but all coffee shops were packed with people so I just took an FX ride but went online at a nearby internet shop just to kill time. By the time I got back, my wife was busy preparing for Migmig's slideshow and I can't wait to see the finished video.

Wednesday: As usual, I got up early and let Migmig do some walking exercise within our apartment. Good thing her lola was feeding her with pandesal at the same time which helped me save some money for the day. After my wife gave our daughter a bath (and she went to Divisoria early to do some errands for Migmig's birthday), both of us fell asleep but she hasn't had her milk yet. When we got up, her mom wasn't home until a few minutes after. It was time for me to get ready for work even if I know I'll be late for the nth time this month. I had lunch at Food Extreme first before taking my LRT2-MRT ride going to the office. When I got there, my work station was still occupied so I used another and do a lot of things online. When I got to my workstation, its all work and more play for me. By 5:30pm, I went to Digiprint near RCBC building to have my unshaved picture taken. When I saw my pictures, I was surprised how unpleasant I look XD. I mean, I looked like a goon but I wished I wanted to have a portrait of myself with a longer hair. After my mug session, I went to ArmyNavy to grab a Starving Sailor steak sandwich and some freedom fries. My fries were gone when I got back to my desk as I start to finish my sandwich. Still The Cheese Steak Shop was way much better if you ask me as I do some task my boss ask me to finish and I finished it by the end of my shift not with the help of a Magnum Ice Cream Bar. After my shift, I went straight home though I feel a little bit dizzy. When I got home, my wife showed me the slideshow to be presented and I liked the presentation if there was music into it (I know my wife will add music somehow).

Thursday: Got up at almost 7:00am as my wife was cleaning Migmig's poo. When I got into my senses, I took Migmig down and had her walk for a few minutes. Before that while I'm putting her shoes, I noticed a dry wound on her pointing finger (both feet) and my mom-in-law told me that could have been because of one of her sandals that may have caused it. When I noticed her shoe fell off, blood was gushing out on one of her wounds. Hence, I took her out of the walker and washed her wounds before deciding to carry her out for some fun in the sun. Then we had breakfast at Mc Donald's which she ate a lot before heading back home and we didn't notice that we were out for an hour and a half. We went upstairs to wake her mom up before she prepared her bath. After taking bath and cleaning her tub, I had her fed before getting her to sleep. I noticed that my USB's cover (4GB) was there but the USB itself was missing. I asked my wife if she has it as she took it to Divisoria the previous day to have Migmig's tarp and frame printed. Unfortunately, she forgot it there. And there goes my more than 5-year old USB. I felt mad and upset about it but I'd just move on and get another USB instead and be more careful. I had to edit another picture for Migmig's slideshow. For the past couple of days, I've been contemplating on my lates as Migmig needs someone to take a look at her and her aunt won't be in Manila until the end of the month (I hope). I don't mind getting late for two hours a day as I won't be extending my contract anyways. When she got up finally, we went down when she pooped again XD. We went back up and cleaned her (this is the task that I hate the most XD) before going back down. Sensing that she's hungry, I made cerelac for her while waiting for her lola who got back at 1:30pm. That was my cue to finally get ready for work. I took a pitstop at Meyer's to buy an extra battery for my flash/digicam before taking the LRT1 ride to work. Good thing work is still okay so far as I got to do other things online XD. Knowing that I'll be working solo again on a Thursday, I had to be up on my toes for the day. So far, so good. By 7:45pm, I had dinner at BFast again as I wanted to eat as much as I could to keep me energized. After shift, I took a cab going home so I could be with my baby and kiss her goodnight as tomorrow would be her first birthday.

Friday: Got up early as were celebrating my baby's first birthday. I couldn't imagine how time flies so fast. My Project 365 (I'm still thinking of posting it sometime soon). We went to church first (with my mom) to thank The Lord for giving us our daughter a year ago. Then we had breakfast at Mc Donalds which she ate more than I expected. Then, the usual daddy duties again and I got to use our laptop for an hour or two before Migmig got up again. I had to wait for my mother-in-law to arrive back before getting ready not for work but for the Transport Show at SM Megamall (I'll create a separate post for it sometime soon). After staying there for more than 5 hours, I was looking for a good place to eat until my feet took me to Yabu Katsu again for the second time this week. This time I ordered their chicken katsu and it also tastes good. After that heavy dinner, I wanted some Donuts from JCo but I changed my mind at the last minute and took an FX ride to go online at an internet shop near our place. Then I'm home at 11:30pm and relaxed a little before going to bed with my wife and my birthday baby girl. ^_^

Saturday: Though I've been in my senses as early as 5:00am (I fed her as I felt she was hungry), I got up at 7:00am as my wife told me to give her some breakfast. Its off to Mc Donalds we go for some sausage platter. Good thing, our daughter was in a good mood for most of our stay there as she ate a lot for her age. When we got back, we went out again to kill some more time and have some fun. When we got back before 9:00am, her mom was already up as her lola prepares the bath tub. As she slept through the morning, I got top read one of the photography books I purchased before Migmig got up abruptly. Even with the air condition on, she decided to get a little bit playful and poo XD. Just as I was about to clean her mess, my wife has just arrived to pick-up where I left off. For a change, I left home a few minutes past 11:00am and head to Glorietta 5 to attend an intimate blogger's meet at Bo's Coffee (I'll create a separate post for this). After the event, I went straight to the office and started working. The day was quite slow (except for weekend server monitoring) until I got a call that resulted into a global outage. After escalating the issue successfully, I went out to have dinner but instead of getting something heavy for my stomach, I wanted something sweet. After some thought, my feet took me to Cold Rock and had a large milkshake for 289 pesos (with free toppings). When I got back in the office, I had another call and took the remaining hours to configure 3 lotus notes users to shared PCs and I got them finished with a little help from my boss. I left the office a few minutes before midnight and took a cab and in less than 40 minutes, I'm home. Instead of getting to bed, I went online again until almost 3:00am. I hope I would have enough energy to cover my baby's first birthday party come Sunday. ^_^

A tiring but successful First Birthday Party

Early this afternoon,we just celebrated Migmig's first birthday party. Being a dad, I can't help it but feel overjoyed as her party was a success despite almost all people I've invited didn't came (Thank God most of my wife's visitors have arrived).

At 11:00am, my wife and I arrived at Jollibee Mendiola to see if the set-up was complete and it turns out that they're still starting. While my wife set-up the laptop and projector for Migmig's AVP, I took out my camera and took some test shots to see which settings would work for me. I still recall my shoot at Migmig's Baptismal Party and I felt I need to improve a lot more after that.

When the visitors started arriving, I started taking their pictures and check them once in a while. I find my shots much better than the first one and I took more photos until our daughter has arrived (courtesy of my mom-in-law).

The party has started and I got to take more pictures. One lesson here is that "you can't cover an event all by yourself". Even with a small event, to get all best angles, two photographers should be present. Anyway, I got the most important shots though I wanted some shots that I wasn't able to take at.

Come eating time, everyone has enjoyed the food so far as my baby's AVP was played. For some reason, I wasn't able to see it clearly. It could be with the lighting, but with everyone eating, I guess they didn't mind.

What's a party without a mascot? Migmig had Jollibee and Hetty entertain everyone there from the kids to the kids at heart (me included XD).  Everyone smiled and laughed out loud as they enjoyed the 2-hour party.

By the time the party ended, I was so tired and yet happy as one important milestone has been achieved by my daughter. The place could have been more crowded if all of our guest came but we still thank those who attended.

Anyways, here are some more pictures.






Note: Her actual birthday was on the 20th of April but we moved it on the 22nd so our visitors could attend the event without taking a leave from work.

An Intimate Bloggers Meet-up at Bo's Coffee

When most people hears the word coffee, its almost synonymous with either Starbucks, Seattle's Best and Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf as most office workers do flock there to get the freshest brew or just stay there to hang-out. Though I liked their coffee and for me, its difficult which coffee is which, I'm looking for coffee that I could be probably proud of. 

 With Joy Reynaldo (Chief Navigator of Magnetic North Enterprises), Eddy Widjaja (Logistics Manager) and Ms Ana Benitez (Assistant Marketing Manager),

Of course there are other other coffee shops that offer locally grown products to curious taste buds. That's where I received an invite from Bo's Coffee to attend their event just today at their Greenbelt 5 to join an intimate blogger's meet-up scheduled at 2:00pm. I was the first one to sign up followed by 6 more bloggers. Were only 7 all in all for an intimate talk on coffee and Bo's. 

Biscotti Amaretto

At an instance, you may think that Bo's coffee was from the famous preacher Bo Sanchez. But actually iot was founded by Cebuano Steve Benitez who at that time couldn't understand why they have to pay so much for coffee. You may also think that Starbuck's pioneered gourmet coffee in 1997, but actually Bo's did that first in 1996 though they have concentrated in Cebu (Starbucks started in Manila). And now on its 16th year, they already had 58 stores nationwide and they plan to expand further within the year.

Super Moist Chocolate Cake

The first Bo's Coffee in Cebu opened with a measly six tables and a very small operations. Its first three months of operations was challenging and even discouraging but Steve mentioned that it's not just about coffee. "It was about the experience of enjoying quality coffee with the people you love" Benitez added.

Then we were served with Biscotti Amaretto as the Summer beverage. It's a lended coffee with biscotti and Amaretto syrup topped with whipped cream, dark chocolate drizzle and crushed biscotti sprinkles. I liked its berry-like aroma that's really considered to be a stress buster for me. Though most of my bloggers find its sweetness just right, I find it too sweet. It could be I'm getting old that it tasted much sweeter perhaps XD. While sipping their summer beverage, we tried their  Supermoist Chocolate Cake which I liked it so much. Its not that sweet yet its moist enough to let it melt in my mouth.

When you look at their interiors, all (if not most) were Filipino made and exported worldwide. I wasn't able to take pictures of it as I got hooked on their food (my bad! XD).

We had some Q&A about the product, its history and how it helped local farmers produce more coffee among other things.

At the end of the event, They gave us a token of appreciation for attending the event (the paper bag contains their new brown coffee mug and their Fruits and Nuts Trail Mix) which I liked a lot. I'll be including them in one of my coffee shops to frequent to whenever I'm somewhere. And I'll spend some time at Bo's Coffee more often. ^_^

Taking down some notes. ^_^

Some more pictures for you to enjoy! ^_^

Swabeng Food Trip: Wifey's treat at The Frazzled Cook

Last Sunday, I told my wife that we will be having late lunch somewhere as my treat to her. I told her we will have it at The Frazzled Cook but I don't know if she would like it or not. 

As we took a cab going there, I couldn't remember the nearest landmark as to where its exactly located. Even my wife got upset about it as the only thing I have was a map (and a strong sense of direction). Good thing I was able to determine how to get there as quickly as possible and before we know it we were already in front of the resto.

When we got inside, I looked for the best possible spot with a very good natural lighting so I could take food shots without much problems. Furnitures were mismatched but it was more pleasing to the eye that it hurts. Though I noticed some posters with Chinese characters on it.

I handed to them 3 cashcash pinoy vouchers (worth of 1800 pesos) to one of the attendants and I told them we were waiting for our other companion. My wife and daughter was already seated waiting for the food to arrive.

While waiting for our food, they already served us a pitcher of their famous Homemade Iced Tea (250 pesos). Don't let the look of the pitcher deceive you as it can fill up several glasses that I thought it has no bottom XD. And the tea was refreshing too.


To start with,I ordered two soups. The first was Asparagus Soup with Pecorino Romano Custard (160 pesos) and Potato and Basil Chowder with Prosciutto (150 pesos). My daughter loved the Potato and Basil Chowder with Prosciutto more than the Asparagus Soup with Pecorino Romano Custard and she almost emptied the entire bowl. 

I don't want to take chances on the salad so next on the table was their famous Herbed Chicken Salad in Basil Vinaigrette (275 pesos). Its a grilled rosemary herbed chicken with the chef’s own vinegrette dressing which was tangy and fruity. The combination of the flavors were good that it could be a meal itself only healthier. 

Knowing my wife as a pasta lover with pesto on it, she had Pasta with Fresh Basil Pesto Sauce (250 pesos). I didn't had much of it as she was able to finish it in no time XD.


Our lunch at The Frazzled Cook won't be complete without their famous Wagyu Salpicao (510 pesos) on the plate. They were soft and tender plus the amount of roasted garlic included was generous as well. Though they could have done a better preparation on the dish itself as most foodies would really rave about it.


Then I got Tenderloin Nuggets with Mashed Potato in Flat Bed (350 pesos) for me. Its a meat-lover's delight with tenderloin beef with button mushrooms on top of mashed potatoes in flat bread. I should have eaten this first over the wagyu salpicao for me to notice the difference between the two.


And to cap-off our long stay, I had Pancake Ala Mode (180 pesos) all for myself. My wife was already at her limit when this was served and she didn't like the idea of having her pancakes with burnt sides (I like mine with burnt sides).

After our late lunch, I took some more interesting pictures of the place and how homey it is. How I wish I could live there so my creativity gets going as always. I just hope next time we don't get lost going there.

Pictures to follow soon. XD

Events to go this weekend

Don't know where to go again this coming weekend? I have some event you may want to visit. 

1. 21st Transport Show at SM Megamall: I'm sure I'll be here tomorrow as I filed my leave for this. Though I'll be gambling to go there on a Friday, I could check if I would enjoy the view of the cars (and models) as well. I would go solo here (just like for the past few carshows) but I may bump into some of my photographer friends as well XD.

Taken from Google

2. E-Domination 6 at World Trade Center: I've been there only once and I wanted to go back. I'm not sure if I could go there but there's no harm in trying perhaps. This would be for games, anime lovers and enthusiasts like me to check it out.

Taken from Google

So there, two events to choose from over the weekend. Maybe you have another event that you could suggest to me to perhaps visit. ^_^

The Problem With Invisible Children's "Kony 2012"

With almost every netizen is concerned on how to capture Joseph Kony and unseat him from power, there are some who thinks this may cause some bad stigma to the society. 

After posting earlier about Kony 2012, I got to read a post about the realization about it. Anyway, here is the full text on The Problem With Invisible Children's "Kony 2012" written by Michael Deibert

Recently, a new video produced by the American NGO Invisible Children focusing on Joseph Kony and the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) has been making the rounds. Having just returned from the Acholi region of Northern Uganda myself, where the LRA was born, I thought I might share some of my thoughts on the subject, for what it's worth.


I think it is easy for Invisible Children and other self-aggrandizing foreigners to make the entire story of the last 30 years of Northern Uganda about Joseph Kony, but there is a history of the relationship between the Acholi people from whom the LRA emerged and the central government in Kampala that is a little more complicated than that.

Kony is a grotesque war criminal, to be sure, but the Ugandan government currently in power also came to power through the use of kadogo (child soldiers) and fought alongside militias employing child soldiers in the Democratic Republic of Congo, something that Invisible Children seem wilfully ignorant of.

The conflict in Acholi -- the ancestral homeland of the ethnic group who stretch across northern Uganda and southern Sudan -- has its roots in Uganda's history of dictatorship and political turmoil. A large number of soldiers serving in the government of dictator Milton Obote (who ruled Uganda from 1966 to 1971 and then again from 1980 to 1985) came from across northern Uganda, with the Acholis being particularly well represented, even though Obote himself hailed from the Lango ethnic group. When Obote was overthrown by his own military commanders, an ethnic Acholi, General Tito Okello, became president for six chaotic months until Yoweri Museveni's National Resistance Army took over. Museveni became president, and has since remained so, via elections -- some legitimate, some deeply flawed.

Upon taking power, the Museveni government launched a brutal search and destroy mission against former government soldiers throughout the north, which swept up many ordinary Acholi in its wake. Some Acholi began mobilizing to defend themselves, first under the banner of the Uganda People's Democratic Army (largely made up of former soldiers) and then the Holy Spirit Movement.

This movement, directed by Alice Auma, an Acholi who claimed to be acting on guidance from the spirit Lakwena, brought a mystical belief in their own invincibility that the soldiers of the Kampala-based government at first found terrifying: Holy Spirit Movement devotees walked headlong into blazing gunfire singing songs and holding stones they believed would turn into grenades. The movement succeeded in reaching Jinja, just 80 km from the capital Kampala, before being decimated by Museveni's forces.

Out of this slaughter was born the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA), led by Joseph Kony, a distant relative of Alice Auma. Kony added an additional element of targeting civilian Acholi to his schismatic blend of Christianity, frequently kidnapping children and adolescents to serve in his rebel movement. The Museveni government responded by viewing all Acholi as potential collaborators, rounding them up into camps euphemistically called "protected villages", where they were vulnerable to disease and social ills, and had few ways to carry on their traditional farming.

The LRA's policy of targeting civilians (though not the Museveni government's draconian measures) eventually drew international condemnation and in 2005 the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants against Joseph Kony and several other seniors LRA commanders for crimes against humanity and war crimes. Ironically, one of those commanders, Dominic Ongwen, was himself kidnapped by the LRA while still a small boy.

After peace talks between the LRA and the Ugandan government collapsed in 2007, the group decamped from its bases in southern Sudan to the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Central African Republic.

Following the end of negotiations, the Museveni government launched its Peace Recovery and Development Plan (PRDP), an effort to stabilize northern Uganda after years of war. Since then, according to the United Nations, 98 percent of internally displaced persons have moved on from the camps that once sheltered hundreds of thousands of frightened people.

Despite criticisms from the Acholi that the government's program has been insufficient, local initiatives and the work of some foreign organizations have helped restore a sense of normality and gradual progress to the region, with people returned to their homes and travel between once off-limits parts of the region now facilitated with relative ease.

Now a thousand miles from the cradle of their insurgency, the LRA would appear to have little hope of returning to Uganda, though their potential to wreak havoc on civilians remains little diminished. In Congo's Haut-Uele province, between December 2009 and January 2010, the LRA massacred 620 civilians and abducted more than 120 children.

In October 2011, U.S. President Barack Obama announced that he was sending 100 Special Forces soldiers to help the Ugandans hunt down Kony. By the end of the year, the Ugandan army confirmed that the troops had moved along with the Ugandan army to Obo in the Central African Republic and Nzara in South Sudan.

The problem with Invisible Children's whitewashing of the role of the government of Uganda's president Yoweri Museveni in the violence of Central Africa is that it gives Museveni and company a free pass, and added ammunition with which to bludgeon virtually any domestic opposition, such as Kizza Besigye and the Forum for Democratic Change.

By blindly supporting Uganda's current government and its military adventures beyond its borders, as Invisible Children suggests that people do, Invisible Children is in fact guaranteeing that there will be more violence, not less, in Central Africa.

I have seen the well-meaning foreigners do plenty of damage before, so that is why people understanding the context and the history of the region is important before they blunder blindly forward to "help" a people they don't understand.

U.S. President Bill Clinton professed that he was "helping" in the Democratic Republic of Congo in the 1990s and his help ended up with over 6 million people losing their lives.

The same mistake should not be repeated today.

Swabeng Thoughts: Whenever we read something, just keep an open mind and always check both sides for us to learn the truth behind each and every cause. 

KONY 2012: WITW is that?

Taken from Google

I've been seeing this throughout the clouds (internet) and I was kinda curious what they are talking about or what are they fighting for. Anyway, I searched for local blogs about this KONY 2012 and what its fighting for.

Anyway, here is the video that has been spreading like wildfire. If you won't be able to watch it here. you could watch it on youtube. This video is done by Jason Russel to raise and support awareness for the arrest of LRA (Lord Resistance Army) leader Joseph Kony.





Tomorrow, make him famous by posting on your page (facebook, twitter, any social media application applicable) and let the whole world know what he has done to innocent people.

You may check some more information here and here (I won't bore you much with information here).

Lets hope that he would be arrested before December 31, 2012. Make him famous so we could unseat him from power.

The week that was (April 8 - 14)

Sunday: Got up as early as I could since we will be going to the beach. Yes, the beach after more than 2 years of not being able to take a dip there. I recall the last time I did that was during our honeymoon in Bohol and Cebu and boy I really missed those days. Me and the boys got there first as I had to take some pictures of the beach. The girls and kids came after and we enjoyed probably 3 hours of basking under the sun and let my body hit by the waves. I took some family pictures that my in-laws would definitely keep for a long long time. Then we went back to rinse ourselves and I felt so tired I fell asleep for at least three hours. I got up at 2:30pm and had my late lunch. Migmig was already sleeping when I checked on her. Late in the afternoon, we went to my wife's other relative to attend a graduation party given to one of them. Unfortunately, it rained so hard, we barely enjoyed our stay there. When we got back home, we waited for Gandang Gabi Vice before going to bed early.

Monday: I got up again for the last time that I don't have to get up early. I got to take some more pictures as I went to the middle of the farm field and take some more pictures. Then we went to San Fernando in La Union to buy some pasalubong. Initially, we planned to go there early to take pictures but it didn't materialize as most of them took a bath first. After buying some pasalubong, we had lunch at a restaurant as most of us were already hungry before going back to pack our bags and wait for our van to pick us up. Instead of being picked-up by 2:00pm, we waited for another two more hours before we got our ride. But before that, I took some family portraits of them again as a souvenir. As we were on our way back home, I felt like I wanted to go back not because of its quiet and laidback life there, but I felt I missed a lot of opportunities to take photos. We got home at past 10:00pm after several pit-stops. After unpacking our bags upstairs, all of us went to sleep right away but not without greeting my wife first.

Tuesday: I got up early again and took Migmig out for some fun in the sun but I wasn't able to take her walker out. We had breakfast at Mc Donalds before spending more time back home as her aunt won't be in Manila until the end of April. I left home at 12:30pm knowing I would still be able to get to the office ahead of time. Unfortunately, there was a delay at Cubao station where our ride had to wait for 20 minutes due to some technical difficulties. It also happened on the next 2 stations which I got late at work by 9 minutes even if I left home earlier. Since there were only two of us (excluding our boss) at work, we just maximized what we had. By dinner, I went to Park Square 1 as I know there is a Digiprint branch there as I had to print some pictures of Migmig. Unfortunately to my dismay, its branch doesn't exists anymore so I just had dinner at Yoshinoya and grab their to-share dinner. For some reason I had cravings for a cheese steak sandwich and I know its because of the video I've been watching from Man vs Food XD. I know The Cheese Steak Shop was just nearby so even after dinner, I looked for it until I found it XD. I got myself a 10-inch classic cheese steak and garlic fries to go and had it on my desk. It was sinfully good I had set my standard for the best cheesesteak sandwiches in Manila. After my shift, I took a cab home and got home early but not without grabbing a Magnum Ice Cream Bar at 7-11 near our place. My wife was still awake when I got home, I kissed her goodnight before going to bed.

Wednesday: Got up early again and took Migmig out for some fun in the sun. I left home at past 1:00pm as I went online and do other things. I took the bus to Digiprint at Times Plaza in UN Ave to have my baby's invites printed. Somehow, I liked the print so I left to go to work. For whatever reason, I stopped by Archer's Nook to try a burger at Zark's. When I got in, I had a Jaw Breaker which was really good and filling at the same time. Then I hurried off and took the next 2 buses to work which I got there at past 4:00pm (2 hours late XD). Good thing I got company which helped me somehow plus the food I ate at Zark's earlier kept me full for the entire shift. At the end of my shift, that's the time I had dinner but I'm not hungry at that point XD. When I got home, I felt so tired I slept through right away.

Thursday: Got up at almost 7:00am with a left foot that I could barely walk. Migmig and I went down and put her on the walker as she walks to and from our living room. My mom arrived a few minutes later looking forward to seeing her apo once more. She stayed for a few minutes which I was able to do other things quickly despite being unable to walk straight again. By the time she left, Migmig and I went to Mc Donald's to have breakfast for the nth time. Then we went back home and her mom was already awake and prepared our baby's bath. After giving her bath, I put her to bed and I fell asleep as well. When I got up, I had a feeling that I'm too lazy to report for work but not until my colleague texted me that I'll be alone in my shift today XD. With that predicament, I had to get ready. First, I went back to Digiprint to have my invites printed again. Then I had my late lunch at Rack's and I got their Blue Plate again. By 4:00pm, I'm at the office ready for work. But I'm all alone with my boss so it made my shift pretty much interesting. By dinner, I went to Cheesesteak Burger and Drinks to try their cheese steak sandwich. It tasted good but not as good as The Cheese Steak Shop's version (now I'm beginning to get more biased) XD. After shift, I went straight home again to get that much needed rest. XD

Friday: Got up at 6:45am still feeling a bit sleepy. Migmig's mommy has been cleaning poo that spilled from her diaper (I wonder why?) that made me get up and took our daughter down after changing her clothes and diapers. We went out for some fun in the sun and got back home after a couple of minutes. Then we went to my wife's sisters's room so Migmig could play. Little did I know she fell asleep and so am I at 8:00am. By 10:00am, both of us were awake (wrong move for me). My wife gave her a bath and we went back to our room this time to kill time. by 11:30am, both of us felt asleep again. My wife tried waking me up to get ready for work but I am too sleepy to get-up. I didn't notice the time and we got up at 1:30pm. We slept for 4 hours and I haven't even been to work. I quickly got ready for work and left home by 2:00pm. I had a quick lunch at Food Extreme before taking the LRT2-MRT and reaching the office a few minutes before 4:00pm. For the 4th day, I got to work late, and I tied an old record in the same office XD. I got to work some tickets right away before I got a call that needs to be escalated. By 7:50pm, I went out to have dinner at Chicboy and guess what I had for dinner? XD. Then I just killed some time and answered some queries through chat and email. All of a sudden, I felt dizzy that probably my sisig dinner was the culprit, but anyway, I enjoyed it still. XD. By the end of my shift, I took a cab home and got to bed a little bit early. 

Saturday: Got up early again to do some extra daddy work (taking Migmig out for some sun before having breakfast at Mc Donalds). Then after she took her bath, I got myself ready not for work but to go to Quirino Grandstand to attend the 10th Aliwan Fiesta 2012 (I'll create a post for this). By the time I got there, the weather was hot but still I have my spirits high to outdo my last Aliwan attendance. I ended shooting at past 6:00pm and head off to Makati to have dinner there.Unfortunately, food choices was jam-packed so I head out elsewhere. But the problem was I'm having difficulty walking because of jock-itch again (ouch!). I ended up at The Cheese Steak Shop and grab my 10-inch sandwich. Then I went to the office to upload some of my shots. I think I could do a teaser album as I had to do some editing before posting my official sets. By 11:30pm, I took a cab heading home.

Sorry for posting this late as my mind has been clouded with a lot of things lately. XD

Voting Season Begins.

And this is not for the National Elections =P. 

From fhm.com.ph

Though it has already started a few weeks back, FHM has already started its voting for the 100 Sexiest Women for 2012. I have yet to pick my top 10 for 2012.

There are more than a hundred lovely and sexy FHM ladies to choose from to cast your vote on. And you have until June 5, 2012 to cast your vote.

So make sure to pick your favorite FHM babe and make her #1. ^_^

A beach in Bacnotan

One of the reasons why I agree to join my in-laws for a 5-day vacation to La Union is because its beachfront is only less than 10 minutes away from their place. When I saw my wife's old photos, I'm not that sold right away as I felt the pictures wasn't able to justify how beautiful the place is.

Moving forward to Easter Sunday, we went to the beach and I loved the waves as well as the cooperative weather. Migmig was also able to enjoy the beach as almost all of us were there while having breakfast. ^_^

Most of all, its FREE. No need to pay a single centavo for entrance. All you need to do is relax and enjoy as all of us did.

Pictures to follow soon XD. 

Aliwan Fiesta 2012: I shouldn't miss it

After immersing myself with how this goes in 2010, I missed it last year because of the conflict in my work schedule (that Sucks!). I made sure I filed my leave early so I could be there without thinking much of losing my daily pay XD.

Taken from their website

I got my batteries charged and a new set of gear to use. All that is missing is me on the venue. I hope I could do better tomorrow. They say there would be at least 20 contingents for the street dance competition so I'd better charge up as well. From what I've heard, there would be NO MEDIA PASS but its better to be there early so you could get a good spot. 

You may want to check whose going to be there tomorrow at their website.

My five-day vacation at Bacnotan La Union

I'm thinking, was it worth it to skip work on a Holy Week (I know I'd get deductions for it) but you never know until you actually do it. XD

Well, I filed my leave (unpaid), and joined them in a 6-7 hour travel to La Union. It's my first time to go up north again after all these years together with my wife, daughter and my in-laws to get there. We left Manila at 11:30pm on a Maundy Thursday and arrived at their hometown at almost 5:00am as the place was still pitch black.

Taken from Wikipedia

According to Wikipedia, Bacnotan is a first class municipality in the province of La Union, Philippines. According to the 2007 census, it has a population of 38,743 people in 7,183 households.

Ilocano is the language spoken. English and Filipino are the languages used in government and business while English is the medium of instruction in schools.

Economic activities in Bacnotan mostly involve farming, fishing, bee-keeping, pebble extraction, tourism and Portland cement manufacture. Bacnotan is the seat of the beekeeping industry in La Union. A mining engineer from Bacnotan who saw the limestone deposits in Dumarang (renamed Quirino) also saw deposits of coal and traces of gas.

Well enough of those facts (just look at it from the link up there). When we got there, almost all of them slept right away as they're to tired from the long journey. I set-up the laptop and tinker with it before taking some pictures and went to sleep. By the time I got up again, I was somehow energized and ready for the afternoon.  

The weather was really hot and humid during the day so we tried our best to cool down. However, internet connection is extremely slow as my wife could hardly connect to the internet using all service providers possible (Smart, Globe and Sun). Bacnotan is a very simple place to stay if you really want to unwind and to think over. 

What I really look forward to is the beach which was only 5-10 minutes away from our place where we stay. I'll try to do a separate post about it. 

After staying there for a couple of days, we had to go back to Manila. I was kinda sad because I wasn't able to do a long photowalk but the next time we go there again, I'll make sure to take those pictures. ^_^

Photos to follow soon.

The week that was (April 1 - 7)

Sunday: Got up early as I took Migmig out for a walk again. After 30 minutes or so, we ended up at Mc Donald's having breakfast. For an 11-month old girl, she eats like I do, almost except for the portion of course XD. Then we went back to spend the rest of the morning as I rested for a while. After my wife gave her a bath, we went upstairs to put her to sleep. My wife went online and I just watched Migmig as she sleeps. Later in the afternoon, after hearing mass, we went to Gateway as my wife wanted to go out somewhere. We went first to Rustans to look for somethings until I end up buying chocolates for my wife though she's not fond of it very much. Then we had our early dinner at Burgoo as we got a voucher from them with a free boneless buffalo wings. After we were served with our soup and our free appetizer, our baby got a bit moody and probably wanted to go home. I just decided to have our main dishes to go and took the next LRT back home. After putting Migmig to sleep, that's the time we had our dinner from Burgoo and shared it with my in-laws as well. I took the laptop down as my wife wasn't using it. I joined them late at midnight.

Monday: Got up early and took Migmig out for some fun in the sun before having breakfast there. Since her aunt was in the province for the Holy Week, I got my hands full in taking care of our baby. I just stayed with her the entire day and even turned the aircon on to cool down our room that feels like an oven. Later in the afternoon, I was struggling a bit as Migmig was getting more and more active that carrying her for almost an hour was like carrying the entire earth XD. Thank God my wife arrived and took over from there. I got to read Sunday's paper and went online for an hour before going to bed.

Tuesday: Got up at past 7:00am again but my wife took Migmig down as I got to get a few more minutes of sleep. When I got down, I am ready to take her out for a walk even for a couple of minutes. Then, we had breakfast at Mc Donalds, before going back home before putting her to sleep. It took me more than an hour to get her to sleep and took an hour of sleep as well. By the time she got awake, I got ready for work as her lola took over for me. Its hard to leave my baby knowing that my mom-in-law is also a busy woman but she took the time in taking care of her. I got in the office just in time for work. I got to do at least 4 tickets before having lunch at Chicboy for the nth time this year XD. After work, I took the next bus going home to be with my family and get some much needed rest.

Wednesday: Got up at past 7:00am as my left foot felt a bit numb. It made walking a little bit difficult for me too. When we got down, I put Migmig on her walker before my mom arrived. She took care of her while I prepared her bottles as well as cleaned the others. Then we went to Mc Donald's to have breakfast there but she got a bit moody as she wanted my pineapple juice. I had to empty my cup before giving it to her which made her smile. Then we spend more time home before my wife gave her a bath and I tried putting her to sleep after. She slept for an hour or so before getting up again and wanted to be carried. My mom-in-law gave me an assist and I got ready for work. I had to do a stop-over at Fully-Booked at Gateway to get the latest issues of my monthly men's magazine (I bought 3 of 5). Since I need to buy some stuff at the last minute, I bought some at The Landmark after having lunch at World Chicken at Glorietta foodcourt. I got in the office at 2:31pm and started to work on a few tickets (2 in all XD). It was quite a slow day as we didn't encounter much calls and emails and did some server monitoring (the usual). By night time, I was craving for a burrito and ended up at Baja's ordering their biggest burrito. I got really full finishing it on one sitting but left satisfied. I just had to wait for my shift to end before logging-off at past 11:00pm. I took a cab going home and arrived in almost 30 minutes. I got to spend some time with my wife before getting some sleep.

Thursday: Got up early again even if I'm on unpaid leave this Holy Week. I took Migmig out but we went to the two churches to buy a prayer booklet for me to use in next year's Visita Iglesia as again, I won't be able to do it for family reasons. When we got back, I gave Migmig to her mom so I could get a breather and prepare our things. On one thought, I was thinking if going on a holiday off would be well worth it as I know I'd get deducted from it but I guess I have to take my chances and enhance my experience. By night time, our bags are packed and all we had to do was wait for my wife's officemate to pick us up and head up north. He picked us up at 11:00pm just as I was watching Wrestlemania 28. Good thing there was no traffic on our way up north.

Friday: Were still on the road to Bacnotan as it took us almost 6 hours I was almost awake for the entire trip until we reached La Union only to open my eyes every time we encounter a sharp curve. We reached my wife's place at almost 5:30am and packed our bags down.We tried to connect to the internet using Sun but I was unfortunate I wasn't able to connect. Instead, I uninstalled my unworkable CS4 and installed Photoshop CS5. I also made sure I'm offline XD. I tested it and so far, I liked it. Then I tired taking some pictures of the place before falling asleep at 7:00am. At 10:00am, I am up again and took more photos. Since its good Friday, I did my best to abstain from food as I ate a little though my wife's relatives offered me their best Ilocano cuisine. I wasn't able to get some afternoon nap as the weather was so hot. My wife tried going online using our newly purchased Globe Broadband stick it could only do much as 85Kbps. By night time, Migmig was crying as she's probably not used to sleeping on a different location again. Thank God Migmig's aunt was there to pacify her and succeeded. I guess I found a way to pacify my daughter every time she sleeps at a different place at night. By 11:00pm, I lay down to sleep hoping I could do other things as well.

Saturday: Got up at past 8:00am for the first time in a long time XD. I got to take a few snaps before laying down outside. I was not in the mood to eat goat meat as I'm not fond of it but after being forced to, I just gave-in. But as I tasted goat meat, its hard to chew (probably, the goat was quite old already). After our early lunch, we rested for a while as the sun was high and the climate was way too warm. Thank God for the cool wind that blows across the house were staying as it helped Migmig slept through the afternoon. By sunset, I took out my tripod and tried taking pictures with the aid of it. Also its been a while since I took long-exposed photos of something that I completely forgot two things: first, remove any filters from my lens and second, set my lens' Image Stabilizer to off. The night was quite quick as I go to bed early again for the next day.

I completely forgot!

Yikes! I forgot that this event would be tonight. XD Anyways, I was thinking earlier if I'll report for work or go somewhere where I could unwind, think and contemplate.

Taken from their facebook page

There is always a next time to meet other photographers and have a good time. XD

One Day Without Shoes

Have you ever imagined Makati without shoes? Some people may raise eyebrows why in the world I would go out with no shoes on.

Taken from Google

Yes, there are some places in the world where going barefoot is widely accepted. But when children are affected by disease and illness, or unable to attend school due to inadequate footwear, it is not about a cultural preference, but about the need for protection.  One Day Without Shoes is about raising awareness for the children that are at risk of disease, infection and injury by going without shoes.


Tomorrow the world will be celebrating One Day Without Shoes Campaign. Go to the link on my left to learn more about this event. 

Now I'm thinking if I'd be reporting for work without any shoes on. XD

Getting Ready for Next Year's Visita Iglesia

I have a few hours left before our family and my in-laws would depart tonight for Bacnotan, La Union to spend the Holy Week there. My initial plan was to do a visita iglesia before joining them but I wasn't able to do it again.

I recall, after finishing half of it in 2010 and being unable to do it last year (since my wife gave birth last year), I was keen on doing it today but I felt, I'm not 100% ready to do it. My left foot is a bit swollen again plus I had to attend some duties on taking care of Migmig.

But I know next year, I would be ready as I purchased a booklet on "The Station of the Cross" plus a friend of mine from facebook shared his route for his visita iglesia. The route he shared is a doable one but I just had to make some revisions on the route so it would be perfect for me.

Only time will tell if I could do it (and have one of my bucket list fulfilled) or maybe do it the next time. Only God knows and I hope next year, I could do it. ^_^

Swabeng Random Thoughts Part 3

1. It took me more than a year to follow this up from last year. 

2.I should have also attended the Inside Racing Bike Fest at SMX last Saturday aside from going to MIAS at WTC. That way I could have took pictures of more pretty models.XD

3. I'm having second thoughts if I should join my in-laws to Bacnotan in La Union to spend holy week there. I'm sure I'd get deductions for my pay but I think its all the risk. Plus I could practice some of my photography skills since there's a beach that is 5 minutes away from their home.

4. Still contemplating whether to user Adobe LR3 (Cant use LR4 as it requires Windows 7) or Adobe Photoshop CS5. I haven't been editing photos for nearly a month now. 

5. I'm few days away for Project 365 completion. I wanted to share how she grew right before my eyes but I value her security and privacy too. 

6. With only less than 6 months in my work contract, I'm sure I won't renew as I have to explore other options and that's final =P

7. I really need to get my 7-hour sleep back. A 5-hour sleep doesn't help. Not even having a morning nap for 2-hours could get me feel better.

8. I'm thinking if I should get a 2TB external hard drive recommended by my photography mentor or a 6TB one. Though I'm bent on getting a 2TB hd that 6TB keeps on tempting me. XD

9. I'm thinking if I would have my dead DSLR (Canon EOS Rebel XSi) revived so it would serve as my second camera. I may go pro after this (I hope XD)

10. Now I have 60 pending blogs in my draft to edit and post. Not counted are another 20 more in my head. XD

Sizzling Covergirls for April

Before I do fasting and penance for April, I need to get my monthly dose of my magazines this April. What should I get? 

1. FHM: Michelle Madrigal: Now a three-time cover-girl, looking at the cover makes one want to quench-off with a tall glass of lemonade (a tall mug of beer for adults). My friend Arra Castro is also one of the FHM Babes inside the magazine.

2. Esquire Philippines' Bianca Gonzales: Now she's going sexy after posing for another men's magazine a few years back. A very active netizen, I'm sure her followers (including me) would storm out to the nearest bookstore to grab a copy.

3. Rogue's Solenn Heusaff: Magnum's Princess is also a three-time cover-girl for Rogue (I have yet to complete my set here).  If you notice that she's covered in a chocolate-like cloth holding an ice cream bar. It seems to me that her advertisement has been extended until here. 

4. Playboy Philippines' Wilma Doesnt: With my set complete (after acquiring May 2008 and September 2009), I may have the drive to complete my set until my daughter would inherit it XD. Its also their 4th anniversary issue with the title Embracing All Colors. I have yet to check what's inside.

I am wondering what's for UNO as I haven't heard from them for quite sometime now.

Do you think I need to do separate reviews for each magazine? Let me know. ^_^