Anything and Everything!: Tour

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.

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.