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Four Photos from Lisa's Dessert Shoot
So last year, I did a photoshoot for Lisa's Dessert in Eastlake. I haven't been to their restaurant to see what they used, but here are four of the four hundred shots I gave them.
Pinoy Fight Weekend
It's going to be a fight weekend as (the majority of) Filipinos around the world will cheer Pacquiao as he challenges Cotto for the championship. If Pacman manages to take the belt, it will be his 7th title in 7 different weight divisions.
I am not sure if many follow MMA here in the Philippines (but I'm assuming that many do). UFC 105 will have Couture and Vera going at each other as the main event. And in case you don't know, Vera has some Pinoy blood in him.
So it's going to be a Pinoy fight weekend. My only problem is that I don't have a TV so I'll probably get updated via SMS or FB or Twitter.
Ondoy and Pepeng as the country's new People Power
Clearly, this is our new People Power.
While I had the opinion that the poor did not help pick themselves up from Ondoy, and even as I retain this opinion with much reservation and self-doubt, I think that in general, we the people, whether rich or poor, delivered. I now forget the opportunist taxi drivers who were charging thousands of Pesos from stranded passengers in the airport. I forget the mobs around relief vans. I forget the vultures who raided relief centers from one barangay to another.
And now I remember in complete clarity: those men on the bridge who threw a rope to the desperate family being carried by the river, the security guard who jumped from the roof to save a doctor on top of her car, people clearing the shelves of grocery stores not to stockpile for themselves but to give as relief to others, the brave men who gave up their lives to rescue others, and the countless, nameless, picture-less, twitless, facebook-less anonymous people who lent a hand to another stranded fellow, allowed people to stay in their house, office, even mausoleums (!), who shared whatever little food and water they have, unspeaking neighbours who helped their neighbours, who reported every second which street or village or barangay needed much help, who, like me, shed tears of disbelief, desperation and sympathy for their countrymen.
I am still moved to tears as I reflect, before I start again to do real help whether by watching a concert, proceeds of which will be used to help more, or by using my job as a marketing guy to get collective action in advocacy campaigns, or by actually going to the provinces to help re-plant in GK farms. Even as try to land a job in Singapore, I want to feel that I have helped my countrymen in my countyr's own soil before I leave. This is our essence as Filipinos. Whatever we do, wherever we are, we look at our islands and our countrymen and give something that keeps everyone going -- Hope.
Kahit ano pa gawin natin, this is us. This is our reality as Filipinos. We are one, whether we like it or not, and the best thing to do is move forward together because we have none to do it for us and with us but ourselves. These are the kinds of experiences that define us, test us and build us as a nation. We have more work cut out for us in the next few months and years. We have to correct a lot of things; move things, people, earth and water, correct our attitudes and daily practices, correct our laws, correct how we govern and how we are being governed.
But in the meantime, even for a moment of temporary respite, let me congratulate ourselves, give ourselves a little pat on the back. Filipinos, kapatid, even in our poverty and seeming helplessness, we delivered.
Hope shines for the Filipino because we are the champions of hope. =) Mabuhay po tayo.
The Filipino Spirit
Just a little encouragement for our fellow countrymen.
http://burningwind.tumblr.com
Katursi
An email I got today. The subject line read "Ang Bagong Kinahuhumalingan ng mga kalalakihan" which roughly translates to "the newest craze for the male masses". It may seem a lame translation; forgive me, I'm not really adept with all our vernacular dialects.
Does anyone know what happened on Pinoy Friendster Day?
via friendster.com
Last time I heard, Friendster was organizing this whole EB thing to set the world record for the largest gathering of members of a social networking site. This was supposed to have happened last Saturday at the SM Mall of Asia.
Now I am not trying to bash Friendster here - I've done that several times already. I am just simply and honestly curious - whatever happened to this Pinoy Friendster Day? I searched Google News, nothing comes up except for one CNET Asia article about how Friendster is still doing well in the Philippines despite the Facebook threat.
Since I did not find anything in Google News, I tried plain and simple Google Search. Nothing comes up either, except for articles posted before August 15. Did the media not cover this? Nothing on Inquirer.net either.
Hmm. So what happened on Pinoy Friendster Day?
Meeting former Philippine President Fidel Ramos
My family and I were at a closed fundraiser for Gawad Kalinga in Calgary, Alberta last night, where former Philippine President Fidel V. Ramos was the guest of honor. It was organized by Couples for Christ Calgary in association with ANCOP International Canada.
Former President Ramos is currently in Calgary for the next couple of days to raise money and showcase his support for Gawad Kalinga, representing his foundation, the Ramos Peace and Development Foundation. From their website:
The Ramos Peace and Development Foundation, Inc. (RPDEV) serves as a catalyst of constructive change, a medium for fostering unity, stability and progress and a force for mutual understanding.
Our aim is to contribute in bringing about the “good life” for democratic societies through a culture of excellence and global competitiveness.
I am so glad to see that President Ramos has been active in his post-presidency years, and for a person who is currently 81 years old, he still retains, a great spirit of youth and energy, even mentioning at one point in the evening that it is not about how old you are, but how young you feel.
In any case, the political junkie in me was really excited to meet him. Ramos was president of the Philippines as I was growing up (I was too young to remember the people power revolution that overthrew the Marcos regime, and saw President Cory Aquino as the first woman president of the Philippines). For those of you who don't know, the current president of the Philippines is also a woman, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
Ramos' keynote speech at dinner was one that focused on Pinoy pride. Speaking mainly in Tagalog, he talked a lot about being proud of who you are, whether you are Filipino, Canadian or even Filipino-Canadian. I never knew this, but Ramos also highlighted the meaning of the Filipino word "Mabuhay", with its significance stemming from "may buhay" or in English, "there is life".
Ramos also acknowledged and extended warm wishes to Canadians on the occasion of Canada Day. Speaking on this topic, Ramos talked about Philippine Independence Day as well, asking the audience when Philippine Independence Day was - with the answer being June 12, 1898 (though not without relevance to Philippine history as noted in this Wikipedia article). Unlike Canada or the United States where independence day celebrations always take place on July 1 and July 4 respectively, Ramos mentioned that lately, Malacañang Palace has misplaced priorities (and has taken them to task) where instead of keeping to tradition and declaring June 12 as a national holiday every year, they declare a national holiday for independence day the Friday on, or around June 12. In other words, independence day in the Philippines is technically on June 12, but if it happens to fall on a Thursday, then the following Friday is declared a national holiday in order to make way for the long weekend.
Ramos' point is that you can play with dates with regards to other Philippine national holidays, but when it comes to Philippine Independence Day, it should always be on June 12 to uphold respect for the country, the flag and for those who died in its name.
I am so proud to be Filipino AND Canadian.
Styling the stylist
I've been feeling very unkept lately, which is not a good thing. The feeling stemmed from the fact that I'd style my outfit from head to toe, then I'd have to face with my overgrown shag of a hairstyle. It's gotten so long that I couldn't do anything with it. Having a Chia Pet on your head is not chic at all.
You can clearly see how long my hair was in the 2nd photo. For those of you in the same predicament, I empathize with you. Thankfully, there is hope. While there are many great hair stylists in Hawaii, I highly recommend Salon Bobbi & Guy at Ward
(http://www.bobbiandguy.com/) and the hairstylist LaVern. She is always up on trends and will work with you to get you a hair that's hip and haute. She's studied at the famous New York school for hair Bumble & Bumble, so you'll be in good hands.
This hairstyle is very new for me since I normally go much shorter. Spikes and razor-cut hair was my norm, but after a lifetime of many, many hairstyles (even a bowl haircut!) I was ready for something new. That is, afterall, the philosophy behind Firebird Photography. Like the Phoenix, it's important to re-invent yourself and rise from the ashes a more beautiful creature.
This hairstyle comes just in time for the Kane Magazine fashion show tomorrow night. I'll be an official photographer, so stop by and see my work in the gallery and check out the latest in men's fashion.
