Latest Food Trip: Chickenzilla

Yum!!! 

Banchetto has always been a favorite hangout for me and my coworkers. It gives us another option for food aside from the office pantry especially in the unholy hours in the morning. Most of the time we would settle for cakes and pasta. We also get to try new kinds of food here. One of them is Chickenzilla.

See how affordable it is? :-) and how easy to create your order

With affordable prices ranging from PHP 79.00 to PHP 105.00 you'll get a very generous size of chicken fillet and you get to choose the flavor and level of spiciness of your food. Plum with Medium spice is a personal favorite because it is something that is not common in any fast food or chicken restaurant. I will definitely try the other flavors soon.

Aside from the good food they also excel in customer service. You wouldn’t notice the 5 minutes cooking/preparing time of the chicken because the owner of stall will entertain you with his story about the humble beginnings of their business. And he also remembers the returning customers. That would be a plus point in any establishments because it shows that they really value you.

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They had just started out in Banchetto not more than a monthago but they are really promising. Most of the time there is a long queue ofbuyers, a proof that they serve good food.  I do hope that they can go with their plan andopen up a restaurant so they can offer us more food choices but for now we canvisit them every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday night at Banchetto Forum in Mandaluyong.

Pan De Americana Restaurant

Ever wondering on how it feels to have your place turn upside down. No need to imagine too much. You can just visit Pan De Americana reataurant near White Plains in Quezon City. You can easily locate it because the facade of the place is a house turned upside down. To make it even believable, there is a car on the ceiling err... floor urghh.. whatever it is. :-p

Now its not only the outside decoration is upside down but also the interior of it. Piano on the ceiling and a complete dining set anyone? :)

The place has this "home" feeling because of the simple design of the tables and chairs. You will just feel that your eating al fresco because there were also some plants inside the restaurant.

Now we didnt come here just to admire the view right? When i went here a few weeks ago for breakfast we ordered lumpia shanghai, and chicken pandan. Lumpiang Shanghai or Chinese spring rolls taste ordinary. Nothing special about it. And for the chicken pandan, I was expexting the the Thai way of cooking ir but their version has sauce in it. Sorry didnt appreciate it also. I might try their other dishes some other time. The prices of the food are not that expensive so it wont hurt your pocket even if you come back everyday.

Let me know if there is any dish you can recommend here. See yah!

Paint the town Red with Canon Photomarathon 2012

Canon has recently concluded its National Photomarathon last Dec. 8 in Fort Santiago in Intramuros,Manila. The event started at around 8am with about 2000 participants. It was well supported by a number of Sponsors. They have 3 categories; Point and Shoot, DSLR and Video.
I participated in the DSLR category. First thing that I got after signing up is the goodie bag containing the shirt,id and meal stubs. I really like the short because it says "Go out and Shoot". Its one thing I should do often. I hope I have more time to do that next year.
They have two themes this year. The first one is:

Entering the seven gates of Feudal Lords 

The Stream of Imagination and 400 year unfolds, 

Fortified from strength 

of Distinguished and ever loyal subject 

Is vibrant urban fabric of life 

where colonial past reflect

The second theme is kinda tricky as well:

A magical city that will shape our 

Future 

With Nationalism embedded in our 

Culture 

The heroic legacy of dungeons you 

will see 

Gleaming with amber spectrum and 

Classic Beauty

For the first theme I went around Fort Santiago but I cant seem to find the right inspiration. Its a good thing I used to study in PLM during college and I know a beautiful place that I've been missing so much. I went to San Diego Gardens. Was a little surprise that I have to pay P75.00 just to go there again. I used to hang out there before for free. I took a photo of the view from from the walls and also of the ruins in that garden.

One thing that I like about this event is that it has given me opportunities to meet new people who share the same interest with me. I met Chelle and her husband Dex and their friend Garry. It was also their first time to join in the contest but they had been taking photos for a very long time now. I'm really amaze with what they do. I hope next time I can join them in one of their photo gigs or in the next photomarathon.

Chelle and Garry

After a long day of shooting, Canon provided a program with Kuya Kim Atienza and Alodia Gosiengfiao as special guest and provided fun games and prizes to all participants. I was lucky enough to win a Tenba camera bag and a small shoulder bag. :)

I was really not expecting to win anything that day since I know there are thousands of other participants in the event. They had also encourage everyone to take part of the Advocacy Group of Canon who assist different organization. They had announced the finalist for the photo contest and there will be live judging on who will get the fabulous prizes. I was really glad that Dex was one of the finalist and two of his photos were chosen to go against 7 other photographers. Being chosen over 2800 participants is a big honor enough for everyone. I hope one day I'll get my chance soon.

Dex and his two entries. 

I really have no regrets on choosing Canon as my brand of camera. They really excel not only in build and quality of their products but also in the aftersale service. The free photoskwela/workshop with the Brand Ambassadors/Cruisaders of Light alone is one way of showing they care about their customers and wants them to improve their skills. I'm looking forward to the next event from Canon Philippines and hopefully win with a great photo.

Canon Click, Print and Treat

Canon does it again! They had organized activity together with HidalgoGomez Store Owners Association in putting up this Halloween event, Click, Print and Treat. It was a photography workshop at the same time cosplay competition. The workshop was facilitated by Canon Brand Ambassador, Jay Tablante and the Cosplay Queen Alodia Gosiengfiao.

I really learned a lot of things from Jay. I now understand what he means with "Photography is the last thing you should now". Its really a plus factor if a photographer knows something about makeup,fashion, clothes because that makes it easier for him to work and collaborate ideas with his group.

Another lesson that he had shared is that one should never stop in being child and imagine. It can get you all the inspiration that you need to create a wonderful shot.

Here are some photos from the event

The busy street of Hidalgo 

The model/ her character was supposed to  look psychotic

Jay doing a demo on how to look psychotic

This is the entry that I submitted.

Ms. Alodia during the award ceremony

Alodia and the winner of the Cosplay

They were also giving away cool prizes for those with great photos. The theme for the contest  is Cosplayers in Quiapo. Too bad my shots weren't that good enough. Hopefully next time I can win in one of their contest. 

Anyway congrats to Canon and everyone who had organized the event. Hopefully this will pave the way in bringing more people to shop in Quiapo.

Tiffen Filter Set Try Out

Last weekend I tried out the Tiffen Filter set that I bought in Hidalgo.  I haven't went out in a while so for most of the time I was only using the UV filter.I had used it for some events that I went to last month. I used the UV filter in my uncle's wedding and my boss' daughter christening.

Here are some sample shots:

St. Therese Church in Newport City

Here's a photo from my uncle's wedding.

Now for the Circular Polarizer, it has been stuck in my camera bag for weeks.  Good thing my aunt invited me to stay with her in EDSA Shangri-la Hotel and took picture of the Garden. I was really amaze that even the garden/pool area was smaller than what I expected, but it has a really relaxing ambiance. I will let you see it through the photos that the colors are more vibrant. No post process editing done with those pictures.

This is the view from the hotel room

Now this is from the garden

Pathway

I will update this post soon and give you more pictures. 'til next time.

A Little Change in Me

I can't remember the last time that I bought a complete make up set. Most of the time I'm already happy with a powder and and a lip gloss. Earlier this month I decided to buy a new set of make up since i have some events that I will attend to. 2 weddings and 1 birthday/out of town trip. Another reason for this purchase is because I'm trying to gain some self confidence since some people are trying to bring me down because of my weight problems. I had been  diagnosed PCOS which brought the hormonal imbalance. Wearing make up somehow makes me feel good about myself.  Well back to the topic. I was trying to look for a complete set within my budget. I try to use an article from Cosmopolitan Magazine as my guide to what  make up to buy on a certain budget. As I had checked on the cosmetics available in Watsons I thought it would be impossible for me to get a complete set for PHP1500.00 But then I saw this promo from 4u2. I get the blush on, eye shadow, lipstick,gel eyeliner and powder for only P900 compared to the regular price of P1500.00 that gives me extra money to buy a mascara and another foundation. The sales lady in Watsons in SM Megamall Department Store was also kind enough to teach me how to properly apply the make up. Thanks to her tips many people gave wonderful compliments about my updated look.  Aside from photography tips, I also watch make up tutorial videos in youtube. Its not about being vain bu just trying to avoid to look like a clown with too much make up on my face. :-p  Who knows in the future I can also be a photographer and make up stylist at the same time. A girl can dream right? :-)

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Tiffen Filter Set

For the past few weeks I have this itch to buy a filter set for my camera. After attending another Photoskwela class from Canon, I'm so amaze with the effects that it gives your photo without having to do so much post processing. I've been wanting to buy it more after watchin the tutorial videos from youtube.

One reason to buy a filter set which contains a UV, CPL and ND filter instead of purchasing it seperate (and branded) one is that i'm just new into this field and I believe I'm stll in period of learning. The afforrdabilty of this product helps me experiment on using filters in my photos. Hopefully, as time goes by and turning Pro, I'll gain more skills with their help and produce better images. As they say,A good photo is not always made with the expensive gears but the great skills by the photographer.

Well I hope I can plan my next roadtrip and test this new baby.

:-)

Note:

Tiffen Filter is available at Avenue Photosupply in Hidalgo st. Quiapo, Manila

Price:2600.00

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Canon Photography Seminar

I had this opportunity last April 21 to join Canon's photography seminar held in SM North EDSA. Its Canon's treat for the 15 years here in their loyal customers for the padt 15 years. We had Canon Ambassadors of Light Jay Jallorina, Jay Tablante and Per-Andre Hoffman as our insructors. This is one class surely i will never forget. It made me inspire more in taking photos and be a well-known Landscape and Travel photographer.This also gives me the opportunity to meet other photographers and make friends.

Sir Jay Jallorina taught us about the 3 important elements to create a breathtaking photo; Vision, Skill and Execution. Another topics is about the different techniques and tools that we will be needing to achieve the perfect shot. I find all the topics so interesting, I'm definitely going to save money to attend one of his Chasing Light trainings. I wish I can list all the topic here in my blog soon.

Sir Jay with my new friend, Victoria

The second part of the training is with sir Per-Andre Hoffman, he is one of the well known travel photographer whose works are published in National Geographic Magazines. He taught his techniques in photo printing and color management without using any software. He also told us that NatGeo doesnt accept photos with too much editing through photoshop.  He has been from almost every continent and all those photos are so amazing.

Sir Per Andre demonstrating his steps to Happy Way of Printing

Here is 

I'm really thankful that I chose Canon for my camera because the aftersales service is good and they really do take care of their customers by providing training with great masters. Looking forward for another photoskwela class.

Someday our work will also get published by international magazines. :-)

Sir Per Andre was so kind and even signed my brochure

Coming Back to Taal

Its been a while since I've been to Taal, Batangas. We always come here every Holy Week for the Visita Iglesia. This is also the hometown of my Lolo Candido so there were times that we also come here to visit some relatives.

Casa Punzalan -The Ancestral Home

The family even has its own street :-)

The purpose of my visit this time around is for my gown that I will be using for my Uncle's wedding on June. Taal is well known for the Barong Tagalog and Filipiniana gowns with very intricate embroidery. They also offer the lower cost for made to order gowns compare to the ones offered in Divisoria. The gowns can be found at the market place and they even designated one area for it.

Here are some pictures

sorry for the blurry picture. I was walking while taking this picture. :-)

Aren't they pretty?

The gown stalls.

Some wedding gowns on display

The Famous Taal Tapa

The market is at Calle Diokno.

We also made some stops to the two Church in the area. The first one is Our Lady of Caysasay church. We didnt have the time to go the famous Spring Well but I managed to get some shots in the area:

And lastly the Basilica de San Martin de Tours which is considered as the largest church in Asia and a heritage site. Just by going inside the church makes you feel that you are back in the Spanish era because of interiors of the church.

Well I hope the pictures will make you get your bag and start your own roadtrip to Taal. Definitely a place to visit.