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iBlog4 Class Picture

Published terribly early in the morning of May 12, 2008

Barely making it to iBlog4, I came in just enough to catch the group pictorials as the conference concluded. I had my camera with my ultra–wide mounted so I volunteered to take the class picture. These aren’t exactly spectacular group pics, but we’ll do better next year.

You can have them in hi–res: Photo #1 and #2.

8 Replies· 2008.05.12

Prenup: Mervin & Bebbet

Published terribly early in the morning of May 2, 2008

Mervin and Bebbet were my officemates in my last 8–to–5 job. When I started shooting with a digital SLR, these two were willing models who would rarely pass on the chance to smile for the camera. We were all just a bunch of friends who had lots of fun at the office.

When they heard about my frequent driver/assistant/backup photographer gigs shooting weddings with Mimi and Karl around Manila, they were quick to suggest that with my exposure to wedding photography, I should shoot their own weddings. Mervs and Bebbet were among those who seriously considered the idea, me shooting their weddings, when that time finally comes. I gave them my word. They both had uniquely–storied separate lives then, especially when it comes to the love and romance part.

I was a witness the first time Mervs tried to win Bebbet’s heart. I was very close to both of them then since Mervs was my teammate and seatmate (and mp3–sharing buddy), while Bebbet was one of a handful in the office who spoke Cebuano just like me. Unfortunately, it wasn’t the right time for love for both of them, yet.

They remained close friends, and for months it seemed to be just that. And then one day, the girl had to leave for the US because of work — for a year. Their friends, us, saw something we couldn’t explain, something they wouldn’t discuss anyway. They were just the best of friends and nothing more, they’d tell us. But it was like magic or something like that.

A month after she left and hours of lengthy (and expensive) international phone calls, they were together. Officially this time, though they were physically in opposing ends of the globe.

But we just knew how madly in love they were.

A few months later, they were engaged. God really works wonders; consider how it didn’t happen while they were still both in Manila but He entwined their hearts when they were already oceans and mountains apart.

So here I am now, I will be shooting the wedding of two of my friends. Good thing for me, I only have to do it once to honor two wedding shoots I promised.

(Prenup photos shot at MMLDC in Antipolo.)

12 Replies· 2008.05.02

iBlog4 Portraits

Published late at night of April 28, 2008

I barely made it to iBlog4, I got in just enough to consider myself an attendee, which makes me one of not too many bloggers who’ve been in all the iBlog summits. It is nice to know we Filipino bloggers have come this far.

At the afterparty, I took some portraits of fellow bloggers I managed to convince for a shot. My favorites: AJ, Shari, Peter, Pierre, and Kring. The complete set is in my photo gallery, and you can also view it as a slideshow.

Congrats to Janette for another successful iBlog!

26 Replies· 2008.04.28

The Forbidden Kingdom

Published at around evening time of April 20, 2008

I am a big Jackie Chan fan. Expectedly, it follows that I also love watching other Asian stars rising from the martial arts genre. So when I came across an online article about the movie “The Forbidden Kingdom” starring both Jackie Chan and Jet Li, I knew I just had to see it. Fortunately for me, Hana was game enough to watch it as well.

Though both stars are admittedly a bit older for typical artists in their genre, age fails to show especially in their fight scenes. Both stars still do the crazy stunts they’ve always been known for; an MSNBC article even reports that they were too eager to show off their skills that cameramen had to beg them to slow down.

I wouldn’t say that the movie’s story is as good as “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” or any of their best films, but it’s still enjoyable enough to watch from beginning to end. Heck, I would’ve paid for the movie just for their fight scene. The other main characters fit their roles well though honestly, I was more into the fight sequences than the whole film itself.

Any fan of both artists or of their type of martial arts films will not regret seeing this. Now if only they’d do more of these films again…

Wait, I really enjoyed this one that I just had to share a desktop wallpaper I remixed from the movie’s official site. You can have it in 1280×800 or 800×480 resolution.

7 Replies· 2008.04.20

iBlog4 and the after party

Published in the early evening of April 19, 2008

The fourth iBlog will be on April 26, 2008 at the Malcolm Theater in the College of Law, UP–Diliman, Quezon City. The iBlog is one of the longest running blogging–related events in the Philippines, and has been instrumental in educating local bloggers on various topics of interest. It has also been responsible for building relationships among bloggers, which reminds me how I met Jayvee through Abe in iBlog2. Though online registration is now officially closed, I believe walk–in attendees are still welcome though seats and other giveaways may not be guaranteed. And now I remember I actually forgot to register.

After the iBlog summit proper, there will be an after–party slash bloggers’ night hosted by 88db.com.

What: 88DB.com Bloggers’ Night
When: April 26, 2008 @ 7pm
Who: bloggers of any size, age, status or whatever
How: Just leave a comment below or register through any of the coordinators blogs
Why: Booze, Music, Prizes and 88DB.com
Where: Katips Bar in Katipunan Avenue, Quezon City

The fun thing about this party is that you can win a Sony PSP if you play with the “come as your blog” theme. Now let your creativity run wild.

To confirm your slot for the party, you can leave a comment here on this entry, or with Aileen’s entry, or with any of the other assigned coordinators.

7 Replies· 2008.04.19

By the mountains…

Published mid-afternoon of April 11, 2008

I’ve been neglecting this blog quite blatantly that it’s been two weeks since my last entry, so I’ll just post something that supposedly comes to me naturally — share photos.

The mountain view was breathtaking, Batanes was more than I imagined it to be. The photo has two of our friends from Epson, taking a quick breather and admiring nature’s beauty.

3 Replies· 2008.04.11

The BlogBank Launch

Published terribly early in the morning of March 28, 2008

Having my own company has always been a dream; I’ve always wanted my own startup. When Jayvee broached the idea of setting up an advertising network focused on local weblogs and advertisers, I knew it was going to be the perfect opportunity for me to hack away on web solutions I actually will use. The first time we met with Brad, we knew it was gonna be real we could almost feel it, but at the same time uneasy considering the long list of tasks we were about to face.

After weeks of meetings over countless slices of Yellow Cab pizza, we finally had our list of potential publishers and advertisers. We had our simple system of delivering ads to our publishers’ blogs, it was all we initially needed to get things off the ground. Two months later, we now have more than 200 active blogs from a good number of local publishers. We’ve completed three campaigns, with two more currently ongoing.

Earlier this month, we had our official launch at Red Box Greenbelt 3. Good to see our friends join us celebrate a momentous milestone for the BlogBank. Of course we have photos of the launch (also mirrored at multiply) and the ensuing after–party mayhem of a photoshoot. Good times with good company.

Now we have a mountain of work to do. Bear with us as we strive to deliver a service worthy of the pinoy blogosphere’s attention. It’s for us all.

Note: If you want a hi–res copy of a photo from the set, just leave a comment here. Photo credits: Markku, Hana, Juned, Jayvee, Phoebe.

12 Replies· 2008.03.28