superman returns

Yep, I saw it last night. The preview screening of Superman Returns, and believe me.... it still hasn't set in - i'm still thinking of flying, and we are going back Sunday night. It was awesome. A+. And all the talk about it being too long...no way, it flew by (pun intended). The only word I can think of is.... MORE!!

Lest you think i've switch career from a computer consultant to a movie critic, no you're wrong, I just superman-struck, that's simply it.

 

Getting in touch with old friends

Okay, as promised I'll continue what I have started yesterday - write about my old friends in the dance troupe.

I was quite hesitant to make a call. It has been over fifteen years since I made last contact with any of my friends and I don't know how they would react. I fear that they have branded me as "lahi na" (has changed) for failing to make a visit since 1991. I also snubbed the invitations to attend in the yearly alumni homecoming, and that's bad I know. Among my friends, it was only Dhafnie whom I am sure I made a call at least once a year. All the rest of the Dance Troupe Members were already off in my communication network. Gee, most of them... I have seen since 1985.

Anyway ... I did managed to make a call. First attempt: calling Jovy - failed. She didn't answer after 5 attempts. Hmm.. maybe her phone was just defective. Second attempt: Restie - out of reach. Huh, I am beginning to suspect they were avoiding me.. tsk tsk tsk. Third attempt: Emily - a ring! Hehehe... finally I was successful.

Emily was very surprised, of course, and could not believe I called up. We did have a very long talk - one hour at least - reminiscing our ole happy days. We echanged news about our accomplishments, frustrations and successes in life, and talk about what our friends had become. I learned that Restie got married with at least 3 kids, Jovy with 5 kids on two marriages, Ellen got married with an old Ang Mo (white guy) and moved to the US, Phoebe & Elena became spinsters, Ramil got married and moved out of the city, Leo is still in the city but separated and currently living with a common law wife.

Looks like the stories of our friends are not that encouraging. But wait. Let talk about two more. Mark, the heartrob, is still with Notre Dame as a faculty for high school... and is widely rumoured of having an affair with a Marist Brother (ugh!). And lastly the shocker? Our best dancer - the handsome Henry, has finally come out of the closet. During their last get-together, he declared that (s)he's a Queen and not a Prince Charming! What a revelation, don't you think?

Life is full of surprises, indeed.

Emily on the other hand hit the better end. She finished here Masters, got married to a teacher (who's currently working for an Ed. D), she lives in the city but works in a neighboring town 16 km away, commutes everyday just to be with her family all the time, and now she's contemplating of leaving her job due to frustration in the government bureaucracy. Her greatest hang up, she confide, was her failure to have her own child. They have opted to adopt, though.

Sad...

I didn't share much of my accomplishment. I know that they would not see my failures and frustration but would just be fascinated on the illusion that I am successful because I am working abroad. They all thought that I made it because I've traveled places, seen the world, and got a good job. Whew, if only they knew...

High School Dance Troupe

Would you believe that this fat burly (and ugly) guy used to strut the dance floor like Michael Jackson, and would slide and glide dancing waltz or tango ala Patric Swayze? Ayahh! don't laugh, it's true... but then that was 21 years ago. hehehe. I am sure you don't remember those dancers - they classics. Well, at least not John Travolta! har har har. Then, I would wear blue tights (sometimes red ones - arghh) for a jazz dance.

For a struggling teenage lad in an exclusive all-boys Notre Dame High School trying to fit in, how would you imagine the troubles that I undergo? Oh nothing really. Just daily doze of jeers and laughter from those Menudo-crazed catholic boys who would salute and fake-dance Billie Jean moves every time I passed by. Much as I wanted to react and hit them one by one, well, they were just simply bigger and taller so I just keep my angst with self. Anyway at the end of the day, it was me who got all the chance to hold the girls hands, embrace them, and lift them in the air. The girls, by the way, were college students. And know what? I did find my (ehem) 1st (ehem again) love in the group. Waahhh, so corny.

So what trigger with this nostalgia on High School dance troupe? Okay, (ashamed, ashamed, ashamed!!!) I did call an old flame - Dhafnie. I greeted her happy birthday, err, actually a belated birthday, and did chicka chika. Of course, we reminisce our good ole day and wish good luck with each other. Before parting, she gave me the numbers of Emily, Resty and Jovy our former colleague in the dance troupe.

I did call them, yes, but I'm not gonna write it now. Maybe tomorrow. I'm sleepy na.

another lazy weekend

Too tired and lazy to wake up in this rainy Saturday... I decided to skip the scheduled shooting at NUS High School. This would be a nice opportunity to practice sports photography, I thought, but the place is just too far. Besides, I need to do household chores... hehehe... alibi!

Pero hindi rin nakatiis. At around 1pm, I packup my camera and headed towards NUS. I pass by at City Hall MRT to see Len, who's also going to the sportsfest. We arrived at the place at around 2:30... and found no one. Hah! the activity was already finish. Yah... bad trip.

We decided to go back to the City to check for Cokin Filters and also check for lens. We first went to Cathay Photo, TCW, and then at Funan Mall but found no filter. Tsk tsk tsk.. but it was just not our day. Anyway, we decided to proceed to Eastpoint mall and watch the Ms Singapore World 3rd presentation show. As expect the photonski guys were there and as usual... we were very gaudy. Ah never mind the people lah, as long as we don't disturb anyone - we're just having fun.

The Ms Sg show? hmm... just like the last weekend, not much funfare and the contestants were presented in jeans, swimswear and casual dress. I didn't enjoy much of the show. I was busy taking picture of the current Ms Sg World 2005. She's much more beautiful than almost all of the candidates. Kahawig pa ni Imee Marcos.

Another lousy weekend. Huh!

remembering my journals

I received several surprise emails today - 5 to be exact - from my friends in the Philippines and Saudi Arabia. Hmm... interesting. I didn't realize that I have some friends who were reading my blog regularly. Hehehe, from now on, I have to be careful with what I am writing.

I remember, before I started writing blogs, I used to keep journals (some call it diary) and had been doing that since 1983 (tanda ko na!!!). Before, I don't worry about what I write, I didn't care if my grammar was correct, or my spelling were okay, or worse if I was using the correct English (oh take note - English I was writing in English, hehehe). My priority that was just to write down my feelings, my emotions which was mostly fears and uncertainties, and just write down what I have done in my early years. My objective then was to keep a memory of my youth which I can look back when I grow old. Ahyaah! nostalgia... tsk tsk tsk ... enough already lah.

What did my friends told me in my email? They were complaining that I lost my "jorge" touch in writing, meaning, all my blogs were whole some!!! Hus, these friends of mine who used to read draft of my journal without my knowledge - they hacked my computer, would certainly couldn't find errotic lines nor x rated stories in my blog. Firstly - this is a blog. Hello!!! This is a public domain, and secondly... there's just nothing to write. I am already way past my young adventurous years. So... sorry na lang my friends. This blog is definitely wholesome.

One email also ask if I can reduce the sizes of the pictures because her dial-up internet connection takes "forever" to download the images. That is a valid request! and I apologize. Also another email requested for a link to my photo archives. hehehe.. well, that's in contruction! Pag mayaman na ako, i'll have a dedicated server and website for my blog and photos. For the meantime, please bear with the limited number of picture I can post, nevertheless enjoy my wholesome writing.

O.. yung di pa nag paramdam dyan... let me know your "feelings".

Concert at Fort Canning

Another typical Sunday... hay.. boring!

I went past lunch today - there's not much to do today anyway. I pass by at the Marina Square around 1pm and bought accessories for my camera and then proceed to Lucky Plaza. I went to see my new friends, whom I met last Sunday at the Kallang Theater, and gave them their pictures. I didn't stay long, though I wanted to stay (there were many girls around hehehe), I have to leave because Jessie was waiting for me at the Orchard MRT. After watching a movie, I spent the next two hours with her relaxing at Hotel 81.

We part ways at around 6pm. In my way home, Jared called up and ask I can join him watch a rock concert at the Fort Canning. Without a second thought, I made a u-turn and proceed to the Fort.

All the while I will be watching local rock bands but my surprise, I saw Filipino bands performing in the stage . I saw Bamboo - the original vocalist of Rivermaya, and some other well known band whom I've seen perform gigs in Manila.

I saw Charlotte, my colleague in Photonski, with the band Lunchbox. Initially thought she was performing but... hehehe.. I was mistaken. It was Mikey Balagot who fronted as the lead singer of the band. Charlotte on the other hand was the photography for the band and she did what she do best - take pictures!

Me? of course, I also shoot - ako pa addict eh! Sad to say, there were only few people around - less than a hundred in my count. And come to think it's free and the performers were pinoy. I guess, there was just no information drive to reach the Filipino community.

Anyway, the show was okay. It was not great but not bad either. I watch the show for an hour then went home. I still have another show to watch and that would be much more exciting. What's the other show? hehehe... the 2nd part of Ms Singapore World.

beerday

oi... birthday ko pala... !!!

Wait, kelan ba yun? kahapon? hmm... ngayon yata.. teka teka.. baka bukas! tsk tsk tsk.. am old already! see, i even forgot my birthday.

Worse, my wife and friends forgot also, lah. waaahhhhh...

Ms Singapore World

The visit to my "relatives" in the zoo was very taxing. The place was very humid, my gears were heavy, and we were all hungry. By 2pm, I could feel that I had drained out all my energy. Tsk tsk tsk... I guess I had to take a quick nap just to gain enough strength for tonight's shooting. Aba.. I don't want to pass this opportunity noh, it's the Ms Singapore World!!! So, we decided to cut short our tour - everyone was tired too. I went home straight and sleep.

Well after two hours rest, I packup my gears again and proceed to Eastpoint mall at Semei. Jared and Melvin where already there when I arrived. They got a small space by the side - not the best position, but quite good enough for an acceptable photo angle. All the best places were already taken by the ClubSnap photographers. They all lined up in front of the runway.

By the way, I was quite surprise with the setup. The pageant will be at the middle of the mall with a makeshift ramp stage for the contestant and that's it. Meaning, it's free for all. Anybody can just walk in and watch. Gee.. this is far from the Ms Singapore Universe pageant in preparation. Hmm... it's good a thing though. Freelancer photographers like us wouldn't have to bother asking for permission to take pictures. It's for free!!!

Few minutes later, the emcee made an entrance and introduced the contestants in swimsuit attire. Wowowee... I hit a jackpot! I lift my camera and started pushing the camera trigger. Believe me, it took less than 10 minutes to finish off my 1GB memory card or roughly 300+ shots taken. Aside from memory card, I had to change batteries on my speedlite flash. Yeah... you're right! I missed some good moments during the time I "reload" new "ammunition". Anyway, I was quite satisfied with my take. I could easily say I made at least 20 "acceptable" shot, which is quite an improvement from my old standard of 5 in every 300.

Okay... enough of the dakdak... here's some sample shots of the Ms Singapore World 2006.

The eventual winner, Ms Francisca Collins

and here's my favorite bet - Joanne Great body, supladita (my taste), and ah basta.. type ko siya

And here's another one, the darling of the crowd...

My visit to my relatives

I've been expecting this day for quite sometime eh kase ba naman, i'll be visiting my "relatives" in the Zoo. Gee, I miss my "grandma" Gorri and my brothers at the valley rift.

Hehehe.. kidding aside. It's true that I've long wanted to go back at the zoo. I need to take wide angle shots and cropped close up shots with the animals. These pictures will come handy as background / backdrop for an album that I am currently working. Eh kase ba naman, our plans with my photo buddy Jared last March never materialized. Puro fashion show shots ang ginawa namin eh. I can't use those photos as "animal" background.

Okay back to my relatives... err, the zoo visit I meant. The trip today was an outdoor shooting exercise by the photonski team in Singapore. This is our 3rd outing (my 2nd) and we had a good attendance. There were at least 14 who joined with two new members - a lower number than our Sunrise outing but as usual, we had a wacky company. This is photonski! 50% fun, 40% shooting, 10% confusion (saan ba ang daan? saan na sila? ano settings mo? over ba? under eh?), and 1% happy moments with Goryo! That's 101% Yeah!

First order of the day? A visit to the famous white tiger, where we over stayed too much and waited too long. I think we just... spend half our day with the white tiger. Hehehhe... (saan nga tayo ulit?), what a typical photonski team we got here. Well everyone was having a good (that's more important) and were enjoying taking pictures with the tiger. I had several good shots too, though not as good as that of fafa Glenn's or mommy Blenda's, but quite acceptable na rin.

We then proceed to the Valley Rift, spend several minutes watching our "relatives" playing around, before going back for lunch. We made a quick visit to the Orangutang area - where our colleague Gorio competed and won on coconut husk peeling contest - then went back to the white tiger to catch the feeding time.

At around 2pm, everyone was wasted. The place was just too humid and there was no wind to cool off the heat. Add the weight of the equipment that we were carrying, hah! believe me.. it was so exhausting. Come to think, we have just covered less than half of the place.

After the group picture, we decided to go home. Of course, there were few who grumble.. "I want to see the Lion"... but I guess, everyone were just tired that in the end we all agreed to call it a day - a very good day.

I arrived in the house at around 3pm - and immediately fall asleep.

More pictures? hmm... sige na nga.

Philippine Independence Day in Sg

Finally, my fever had subsided. I am still feeling some chill and body pains, and my colds is still -ugh- bad!

But that did not stop me for doing what I enjoyed most - photography. At around 2pm, I went to Kallang Theater to watch the Philippine Indepence Day celebration. Of course, my main intention was to take pictures of the activities. If got lucky, perhaps I can find some beautiful Pinays whom I can use as portrait models. Gee, I am getting addicted with this hobby... pag pindot ng camera trigger. Sabi pa nga ni Melvin, certified addict na daw talaga! Hehehe...

As expected, the rest of the Photonski gang were there. I saw Franz, Jared, Melvin, Joanne, Ralph and many more. Kanya kanyang tira and position. Me?, lah... I just walk around and take pictures of the beautiful (and ugly) people among the audience. The rest of the group stayed in front of the stage and enjoyed taking pictures of Jolina Magdangal and Dingdong Dantes. I tried to avoid joining them infront because the crowd was so rowdy. Sus... baka masira pa ang camera ko, mahal ito noh!

Okay.. here's a picture of the crowd.

and of Jolina

Fever

I had a bad case of cough and colds, and worse... I had a fever since yesterday. Pains is all over my body and I feel too tired to do household chores. Huh! I am sick.

It's been five years since I last got sick, and I remember it was also a bad cough and colds with flu. Oh yeah, I got stuck in the house for two weeks the last time around. So to avoid that to happen again, I visited a family doctor in our neighborhood. As usual, the doctor's advice was to rest for three days and no work on Monday. But, that's most likely not gonna happen. I did follow his instruction, though, to take medicine and drink plenty of fluid.

Anyway, I stayed in the house the whole day.

my lost CF card

If you did read my blog last May 7, surely you would remember I lost a CF card containing... my first "portrait try". Well, good news! I found it, and you know where? Inside the washing machine under the spinning wheel.

It's Friday, and as per my regular schedule, I usually do my laundry right after my dinner. Tonight, I've notice something funny with my washing machine. It has this particular sound when the wheel is rotating, and I was suspecting there is a coin stuck inside. I took out my screw driver and open up the wheel. Lo and behold, my lost Lexar CF memory card was there. I wasted no time, hot air dry the card and clean up any traces of residue in the contact pins. I also dip it with cleaning fluid (mild alcohol) then let it dry for and hour.

Hah! when I plug in the card in the card reader, I was simply amazed that IT WORKS. YESSSS!!!!

and some sample shots of model? hehehhe... here..

ITIL

Tough!

Huh! The exam for ITIL certification was tough. Well, I am not alone who said that. The rest of the class complained that the review test was far from the real thing, and I agree with them, the exam was indeed difficult. Tsk tsk tsk... my two sleepless nights - trying to study - seems not worth it.

Well, whatever the result, that's okay with me. What is more important is I got a three-day free training on ITIL. That's additional line for my resume, you know.

Peru Musicians

Back in Singapore... finally

I got out of the house late today, 4pm, to be exact. I just feel like staying home and do some household chores. Nakakatamad. Besides, there not much activity around to shoot.

Church... hmm, that's a good idea. Para naman mabawas bawasan ang sungay ko, and I thought of attending church in St Joseph Cathedral at 6:30pm. And since it was still early, I decided to pass I pass by Orchard to take some street life pictures.

Well... I got lucky! I saw this trio performing Peruvian Music on the street. I tell you, their music was fantastic. I was even tempted to buy one of their CD. For sure, I didn't waste time - I immediately pull out my camera and started taking pictures. But only after taking few shots, one of the performer who speaks in Spanish (the one in the right), told me that they don't allow taking pictures. Hmm... okay, I didn't argue, and I understand him of course because I took 4 Spanish subjects way back in college. I just silently withdraw at the back of the crowd, waited for several minutes and then... started taking pictures again. Hehehe... I could see the eyes of the performer who warned me - it's burning! What would he do? Got out from his platform just to stop me from taking pictures? Huh!

Using my telezoom lens, I took few more close up pictures then went away. Oh, their music, by the way, was fantastic!