A New Start

"Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end" Closing Time - Semisonic

True to the lyrics, we needed to end something before we can start on something else and I just did that. I just left the company that I had been working for. I know I will be leaving a position that I had for almost 4 years and by all the benefits that goes along with it. Some ask me if I have any regrets with my decision. I tell them that there's none. If there is, maybe I should had left sooner. But then again last year when I was about leave the company my mom got sick and I needed to step up again as the breadwinner in the family. 

Will I miss my coworkers? I certainly will, somehow we were able to create some connection. But I can't stay in a place wherein the needs of an employee are not being heard. When the one you expect to support you becomes overbearing. No amount of money is worth the stress and pressure that I felt  for the past few weeks. 

I may have join the big bucket of people who are unemployed but I'm hopeful, no make that I believe, I believe I can find better work than the previous one. For now, I will use the time to go back on the things that I love to do before all the stress happened since last december. 

Smart Freedom Day Sale

Today is Independence Day and Smart is giving an opportunity to almost everyone on owning their dream device without the expensive plan. They have a sale on different malls and you can own an 64GB iPhone 4S for P10900. Me and my aunt were interested because its a really good deal. We went to Gateway Mall in Cubao to check it out. Arrived at the mall 10 minutes before 10AM and there were already a lot waiting for the mall to open. We were disappointed because obviously they haven't planned the event well. Some sale reps directed the people to go the Smart Office at 4th floor since we already have an existing line with them. It was really a bad experience because we were told go back to their kiosk in the second floor because it's a promo. Moving and walking a lot is not good especially for my aunt since she is pregnant. Upon reaching the kiosk, you really cant see the line and the only security personnel you can see is the one guarding the cars displayed across the area. How I wish Smart had planned this event more thoroughly and coordinated with the mall security. They could had added some cord there would be a proper line. Oh well, what can I say, just charge it to experience. :( 

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.