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Monday, October 11, 2010

On the Hunt for Picture Book

As our youngest daughter Fabienne turns 1 year old this month, we are in a hurry to look for makers of picture/storybook, of course to showcase my talent(kaya? LOL) as I venture into Photography business.  One has to have multi-skills today when you want to offer photography services as clients today are aware of the trend on story books.  Through searches on the net, we were able to consider some makers recommended by fellow hobbyists.  Prices are almost similar to each other which ranges from Php2,000 to Php5,000 depending on the size.  We almost consider these pricey packages but by a stroke of luck, someone whispered to me to try Hidalgo stores.  As everybody knows, Hidalgo is a haven for photographers, from gears to accessories and also home of the framers.  By the way, for those who are not familiar with the place, it's very near Quiapo Church and it's just across SM Carriedo.

We scoured the stalls of framers there until we saw one with a display of picturebooks or coffee table book (whatever you like to call it).  The quality of make is quite inferior than the ones offered by printlabs but given the proper exposure, this maker can make a run for the money.  The insert (palaman) between pictures is a little bit thick as compared to printlabs and one thing I noticed is that they doesn't seem to care much on the result.  An example of this is the border/margin which they cut to align pages without checking the output.  Nevertheless, it's acceptable for first-timers like me.  With constant practice, I believed they could be at par with the labs.

I have documented the making of my very first picture book / guest book as shown below:

The making of layouts






Finalizing the layout is a bit tedious and requires a lot of patience especially when you are not a born-artist.

The mock picturebook / guestbook









The actual picture book
the box


actual size with the box


the contents.


At last, I was able to complete it.  Next project, coffee table book.


Thanks guys!





Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Asian Cuisine

    This should have been done months months ago but due to tight schedule, just found time to write while watching over my eldest daughter, Beyonce in a hospital.  The write-up was supposed to be done after the 10th month of our youngest daughter, Fabienne, so it should have been barely two months ago.

    Anyway, let me show you once again through pictures the latest discovery we had (we don't go out that much) while searching for a good place to eat in SM North.  After going back & forth at the restaurants on the 3rd floor, we saw this one that seems to offer a different one, at least to our taste.  So here they are:

Malayan Beef Rendang : slowly cooked in coconut milk & other spices that includes ginger & tanglad
(lemon grass).  Taste great!


Nasi Goreng : it's their version of fried rice topped with sunny side-up egg.


Stir Fried Chinese Kangkong with Sambal Sauce

Phad Thai : large noodles with mixed veggies

Deep Fried Crispy Chicken Malayan Style

Spare Ribs with Coffee Sauce

And what do you expect for  foods like these? Washed-out! Lol.


By the way, it taste better if you'll use Banana Leaf ( also, the restaurant's name) as your plate, not to mention that it's environmentally-friendly.


Thanks everyone!  Hasta la vista, baby!

Friday, July 23, 2010

Model Photoshoots: Ups & Downs

Been shooting lately sexy models to hone my photography skills.  Last Saturday, we were about to shoot an up & coming model (?) contacted by a fellow hobbyist.  Yes, it's a planned shoot.  Place, equipment/gears, participants, model & the talent fee were discussed. 

To make the story short, the agreed time is 1:00 PM.  Five (5) of us were already at the place beforehand to set up the lights as well as make a concept.  Rob called up the model & asked her location, and she said that she's going to take a bath first.  After 30 minutes, Rob followed up & told that the model is doing her make-up.  More than an hour passed, the model told us that she's on the cab already & on her way.  Christian sensed that there is something wrong with what is happening.  This shouldn't be happenning if a model wanted to be a pro.  Hey, am not saying that we could make her an instant pro or bring her to stardom outright, but who knows!  Three hours passed but still no response from her despite several sms.  Christian even tried to call her but his calls were ignored.  Sensing that we were duped by the "model", Christian immediately called up Ms. Jem Milton & asked if she's free for a shoot.  Oh, what a relief when she said she's coming in an hour. 

Ah, enough for the sentiments.  At least, Ms. Jem Milton saved our day!  "Yan ang professional", quipped many of us.  Here's the result of a supposed bad day that turned out right:


Oh by the way, the duper model's name in the industry is Hotness Mary.  Gosh, she even got the nerve of using a sacred name.

We (Neil, Rob, Christian, Ryan & John) would also like to thank Sir Vince of VC-North.

Thanks for droppin' by peeps!

Sunday, July 11, 2010

Honeybaked Cafe & Restaurant

It's been awhile since the last time I made a blog.  Blame it on my sched as a hobbyist.  I always keep myself busy with photography chuvaness not to mention the addiction with facebook (as most of us does, hehe).

Well, to keep things goin', I'll try this time food blogging(?) or shall I say picture-taking only as am not a chef, neither pretends to know about cooking.  I'll try to relay instead to you dear readers thru very simple "photographical" presentations & I'll leave it to everyone else's imagination how it would taste like. Haha. Honestly, tastes are great and much much worthy of it's price.

Anyway, here it is:




Prices are surpisingly affordable.  So next time when you visit Cagayan de Oro, please drop by at Honeybaked Cafe & Restaurant.  It is located at the ground floor of Will's Place Hotel along Velez St., Cagayan de Oro City.

Sunday, May 2, 2010

CATANAUAN COVE

I’ve been hearin’ a lot of things about the resort, thus, when a Labor Day holiday was declared, I immediately convinced wifey to go to Catanauan, Quezon, of course in the guise of visiting relatives. Haha! I can never reveal to her that my real plan is to visit Catanauan Cove as she might be slighted. As a photography hobbyist, I always have this rush feeling to take pictures and immediately post it in Facebook or in my Multiply account especially when it comes to landscapes. No, we were not invited by the resort operator for this blog nor plans to check-in to have the feel, the curiousity is more than enough for me to make this one. Catanauan is just a 5-6 hours drive from Manila anyway or just about 260 kilometers away.
Initially, I felt bad when I was informed by my sister-in-law Agnes, that walk-ins are not allowed since it is not yet in full operations or non-members are not allowed, as of the moment. But luck is on my side (again) as my bro-in-law Armand asked me to accompany him for an ocular inspection to the resort for their summer outing. So, with my wife Alma, Agnes & Armand, we proceeded with the inspection, & of course, photoshoot.
Catanauan Cove is about 3.5 kms. away from the highway thru a macadamized road. At first, one will surmise that the development will not attract tourists because of the road, aside of being isolated. Using a sedan going through is not recommended especially on rainy days. But once you're inside, the bad impression would be replaced by fascination.
Phase 1 of the 11 hectare-project is in full swing. Balinese-inspired cottages are ready for occupancy. Oh by the way, the resort had its soft opening already & according to a marketing staff, the restaurant will have its opening soon, but food can be ordered from their kitchen.
Based on the resort's calendar, Catanauan Cove will fully open on September 2010. Can't wait for their opening? Check the pics below.

The welcome sight of the signage upon entering.




The Bali-inspired cottage(s).







The proposed spa shed.









Stairway leading to the restaurant & infinity pool.


The restaurant construction is in full swing.


"Duyan" are aplenty on this part of the resort.


For groups of guests, beach volleyball & soccer are already in placed.

There's only one thing I can say, "it's worth the trip".