Deficit

Last day of the month.

Had my payday falls on the last day of the month, I should be happy by now. Problem is, it's not! I still have to wait five more days before grace showers from the bank. Now, you wonder why I worried so much? Hmm, this is because I am running on deficit for the past ten days.

This is not the typical me, my friends would attest that. I am usually thrifty and would make sure I have enough for my day-to-day life plus a little savings. But not this month. My first time in the past 5 years - I spend more than I could earn in a month. Worse, I even eat up my little savings. Don't ask were did I throw those money, I wasted it for nothing.

Huh, I am becoming too loose with my spending. And I guess, it's high time to rethink my budget and my hobby.

Sports Illustrated

Thanks heaven, it's weekend again!

I was a bit excited today. I was invited to join a bikini shooting - ala sports illustrated - at Che's place, and we will have Jeanne Harn as our model. Gee, I had long wanted to shoot with this type of theme, and today was my first break to practice then learn from the masters who will be attending the session.

Indeed, I got what I wished for! I have taken wonderful shots.

Where's the pictures? Nah... I can't post it. We don't have a model release agreement yet, but don't worry. I'll post it here someday - promise.

Stressful

I already promised not to write about work, but forgive me for breaking it. I am just not okay today and I need an outlet. Hah!

Remember Jiang my new PM? That asshole? Alamah! He's hitting me again.

Just when I thought that we have neutralized the critical issues at OCBC project, this new PM made an "issue" with our customer. I don't know if he is trying to gain pogi points or he's just simply stupid. He had a problem listening and would like to insist on what he though is okay - which turns out the contrary most of the time. He even solicited unwelcomed argument with our client to the point that the customer threatened to request for another PM. What's worse, he wanted me to explain in full details - I meant step by step procedure - on how I troubleshoot the problem on networks - because he wants to show off to the client that he understand the situation. And when I refused to discuss it over the phone, he raised his voice. In retaliation, I put down the phone an refused to answer his calls.

Fuck him!!! Ayahh! He's picking a fight with me? He really don't know what trouble he's getting into.

I never back out from any fight not even bend for reconciliation, and when I hit back, I do it so hard that my opponent would curse me in their entire life. In my previous corporate life, I have run into many foes and I would not survived and rose to the ranks if I didn't battered them to pieces. I didn't have regrets whatsoever - it's just work. They have bruised me too - badly!

And this newbie is picking a fight with me? tsk tsk tsk...

Before he can do any move, I called up the sales manager of the project and explained the situation. Then I called our department head and also explained what really happened. Few minutes later, the new PM send me an SMS requesting for a meeting. I didn't answered his text message. I want him to complain to our head and turn this into a full blown trouble.

I was angry!

Permanent Resident

After eight long weeks, I finally received the letter that I had been expecting from the Immigration and Checkpoint Authority. Actually, I applied for Permanent Residence here in Singapore two months ago... and you know the result?

APPROVED!!!!

Hehehe... Now I got an assurance that I can stay in Singapore. No more worries that my employer will suddenly dump me and deport me to Canada or Philippines. Being a PR would bring lots of benefits. Some of it would be a better bargaining power when applying to other job, I can ask for higher fee from my current employer, and I can bargain for more benefits. More importantly, I am now allowed to own properties in Singapore - I am buying a house. Yes!!!!

On the other hand, I would immediately feel the pinch of Central Provident Fund contribution to my take home pay. Anyway, that's my forced savings and I know someday I could use that on rainy days.

Now I have my Singapore PR, Canadian, what's next? EU PR... hehehehe

Cars

If driving is not my "thing", then don't expect me to love cars!

But that exactly what I have done this afternoon. Jared and Melvin enticed me (again) to watch a car show at Sentosa. At first I refused, thinking I wouldn't enjoy watching cars. Jared for sure would be very please knowing that is his passion - not me! But when Melvin told me that he will be shooting for the "babes" on the cars on display, that flashes the green signal for me. Hmm... this might just turn out exciting, I though.

Well, there were lot of cars - beautiful cars, nice car racing events, and plenty of moto gears to scout, but babes? Nah. Okay, there were few but not on the caliber of my liking.
I think, I just expected too much. I've watch similar shows in Japan and HK but this one was... never mind.

The ladies deserves appreciation, I acknowledge that, for being sporty and game. It's not easy to be on display where men will be ogling on you all day long. Hence, I just took pictures of these gutsy girls.... and forget the cars. I'll leave that to Jared - he's good on it.

FE-160

I wake up early today. The day was perfect, just as good as my health and enthusiasm. Hehehe.. over acting na naman!

But seriously, I joined in the Olympus Scavenger Hunt today together with the photonski guys. It was a team competiion and we fielded 4 teams. The first team the Agila Team with Marc as the team leader, then the Green Team with Bong as team leader, Goryo's Angels Team with Goryo as team leader, and the pa-cute team. There were other teams composed mostly of local Singaporeans and they look determined and had advantage over us - they have cars! But that did not dampen our spirits. Sabi pa nga ni Goryo "Pinoy tayo marunong at makakagawa ng paraan".

Indeed, he was right. A Pinoy team won, and you know what? It was our team! Yeheeey.....!

We beat 11 other teams and got an Olympus FE-160 for each member of the team. Our team composed of Goryo, Charlotte, Alain, Henry and me, did what others could not dare to do - run fast. Oh, you should have seen how a 200 pounder boys runs. It would look like and elephant, a hippo, a urangutang, and a rhino is on the loose. Spare our lady, for she was fit and was intrumental for the 500-meter dash to the last work task.

Frankly, the contest was more on running and exploring the city, ala Amazing Race, rather than a photo competition. We were given 10 task. In each task, we need to take a picture of a particular landmark or take macro/wide angle shot on an identified subject. No consideration of the composition or technical attributes, just take the picture. This was to the dismay of most contestants who was expecting competition on skills and creativity.

Well, I couldn't complain... we won! hehehe. Here's my price

And the photonski teams...

more pictures can be viewed at

http://www.photonski.com/sons_of_jorge/Oly_Scavenger_hunt

Pantene, Pond's and Mutya

Teka bakit medyo commercial yata ang title?

Kase po, one of our our models last Saturday was Jeanne Harn former model for Pantene Shampoo and Pond's, while the other was Abbey Cruz a runner-up of the 2005 Mutya ng Pilipinas beauty pageant. Now, can you imagine how pretty the girls could be? Yes, they are not only pretty - they are very very pretty!

Sabi pa nga ng lady photographer namin na si Phoebe Aviles dun kay Jeanne: "your beauty is elemental".

That words actually kept me wondering. What does she meant for that? It sounds like our model has elven beauty traces - aka Liv Tyler look-a-like. Hehehe.

Basta for me, I just enjoy watching the masters Marc, Raph and Tolitz perfecting their craft in photography. Of course, I join in the fray and took pictures too but I did it with prudence. Would you believe, I have only taken less than 50 pictures? Gee, that's far from my average of 300 shots per outing. But it's all worth it. I learned how to frame the models, how to capture emotion on print (digital image), and importantly I obtain first-hand learning experience from the gurus.

And the pictures?

Sorry! I really wanted to post it online but I still haven't secured the permission from the models. I don't want to invite trouble like being sued. Kaya, you there my friends in the Philippines, get some pamphlets of Pantene shampoo, and surely you'll get the idea of our model.

Pictures? Kulet! Next time na sabi.

a date with two angels

Don't be excited to much!

Yes, the subject was correct, I had a date with two angels - actually two soon to be supermodels (forgive my exageration). And much as I wanted to share with you what we did for two fantastic days - yes you heared it right, two days! - I am just too tired to write about it now. But don't feel bad, I'll find time tomorrow and when I did, you will surely enjoy the pictures.

And here's a teaser. These were the angels I was talking about. hmm... on the contrary, I changed my mind. I don't want to get sued.. hehehhe

Wala lang

Ganon nga, wala lang!

The boring day passes by without much fun. I did buried some hatchet though, and had peace with Jiang my new PM. It's just work anyway and I am sure i'll forget yesterday's incident. I still love my work and this is currently my bread and butter, hence it's foolish for me to create enemies here.

Anyway, I am looking forward this coming weekend. I have a date with two beautiful ladies- one a former Mutya ng Pilipinas contestant - and we will be doing outdoor portrait shooting.

I am already excited

The new PM

I was piss off!

Last week, our Delivery Manager hired an additional PM named Jian Siang to help manage our never ending list of projects. The new guy's first project was to monitor a critical project at OCBC - which happens to be my project - and provide technical assistance if nessary. When I heared that he was formerly a Network Engr from BNP, I was quite happy, thinking that he could help me expedite the completion of the project. I even introduced him to the customer and we had lunch together.

But I was wrong with my first impression!

Monday, he passed by at my desk and asked for update of the project. Well, as what a good soldier would do, I readily provided him with the summary of what was done and the schedule of what to do next. I expect him to provide input or suggestion on how to solve the problem, but I receive the contrary. He asked me to explain, in details, the troubleshooting that I made and he also ask me to explain what the product does. I was surprised of course, yet tried to be patient and walk him slowly on the process, hoping he can pick up the general ideas. But, gee... he insisted that I explain everything and was even critical on my strategy.

That's it, bells started ringing on my ears. I was very upset that I told him that the project was beyond my skills and I cannot do it. Perhaps he sensed that I was no longer helpful, he left in a sleigh of finger. Few minutes later, he sent an email to my Delivery Manager asking for another consultant who can replace me in the project.

Hehhee... aba lalaban yata!

I've been with Computer Associates for sometime and had been with at least five PMs in many projects but I never encountered such an asshole. I remember I had worked with a known "terror" PM but we didn't had problem working together. Also last month, I did worked with a new lady PM who don't know about the products yet I did had a good time working with her. But this new PM, he tries to assert his presence and control on the project the "newbie" way. Halatang walang alam sa management.

This morning, our Delivery Manager called up and requested me to "understand" the newbie. Well, heto naman ako na malambot ang puso, pinag bigyan si manager and agreed not to drop the project. Tsk tsk tsk... what can I do? What's more important for me now is to finish the project and NEVER again to get involve with the asshole.

Oh.. I remember. This same incident happened 10 years ago. Only.. I was the newbie manager and the asshole. Gulong ng palad - Life is a revolution, don't you think?

Church

Church...

Aba, bumait ako today. Hehehehe.

I attended a fellowhip at EveryNation. I found this church nice since the format of worship and style of teaching is very similar to that of Victory - my church in Manila. I also feel at ease in this church because some of my friends in photography are also attending here. Che and Arjie are here, and I know Marc ang Phoebe are also regular attendees.

But the most important thing... I felt blessed everytime I attend church here. Ika nga, nababawasan ang sungay ko.

Last week, I got a chance to meet Erik the husband of Donita Rose. Today I met a friend of Arjie, named Abbey Cruz, na super ganda. Pang artista ang beauty at geesssss... mabait and very pleasant pa. Before she left, she agreed to pose for us next week.

Hmm... mukhang maganda and next weekend ko. Abangan...

Anne

I know I already bored you with all my previous posting talking mostly about my passion in photography, but what can I do? Most of the things I do for this past few months has been related to my hobby. My work? hah, no more! hehhee, I meant no more overtime and weekend duty. What the h**l, I don't get paid with it anyway. With my hobby, I enjoy life - not work.

And today... I got another photography session.

We used the same place, at Glendale Condo, and the main objective of the activity today was to do critique and comments on our works last week. We were lucky that Lester Ledesma graced us with his time and provided us with professional tips, dos and don'ts. Then Goryo gave us a video show of the famous Mr & Ms Simone on Portrait Photography. Plus the wrap up provided by Master Tolits, we couldn't ask for more.

The lunch was fantastic. Sarap ng pininyahang manok, chicken pork adobo with eggs, sinigang, and menudo... tsalap! Walang naiwan kahit konte. Overall, the Studio Clinic was successful. But with out the tireless efforts of Che and Arjie, I don't think I could pull that off.

Well.. the day didn't end with the clinic. Ann - the model who didn't showed up last week - posed for us for an outdoor shooting. And lady luck smiled at me today. Ako lang ang pinayagan ni Ann to assist her - meaning, nahahawakan ko siya. Yay! swerte nga naman.

Sino si Anne? here she is.. ganda di ba?

Nudes...female?

After a day that I started organizing for a male model studio shooting, someone called up again and ask if I can help organize a female nude studio shooting. What? another schedule? Huhh... tsk tsk tsk.

I had a feeling that my long term plan of taking photography as a serious career would happen sooner than I think. Nah, not yet. I'm still earning quite good with my IT job. How much? hehehe... that's another topic.

Okay, back to studio shooting. My friend Jovan called up and asked when can I schedule her model for a nude photo shoot. I was dumbfounded and couldn't answer right away. How can I tell my friend that I prioritize a male nude photo shoot over her female model? Buti na lang after few minutes, I was able to recover my composure and suggested for a double shoot. He was surprised, of course, and asked to call back because he needs to get the model's opinion. Indeed, after 10 minutes, he replied that his model is okay with the idea. They only requested for advance details of what pose to do and what level of nudity to portray.

Hmm... I'll be having good weekends this July. Abangan.

Nudes...male?

Okay, the Studio Clinic last Saturday was successful. And now, I am getting request - left and right - asking me to organize another Studio shooting.

What particularly interest me is the theme of Male Nude Photography. Ehem... hehehe, I know what's in your mind, but lemme continue. I found this theme very challenging. Female nudes, I know it's also cool but there there's a lot of photographers who do that. But male? C'mon it's not that common, right? They say that it's more challenging and you're options are limited, but who can confirm? None in the group had done it and now... they're asking me to organize one!

Then last Sunday, someone whispered asking me if I can do male photography. The model is a body builder and wants to create a slambook.Ayaahh!!! Sige na nga male model, nude and mr body builder, sabay! When...? hmm, to be arranged pa. Shhh!

Studio Clinic

It's been four months since I first picked up my digital SLR camera. The hobby that I though would be simple and easy turns out to be challenging and engaging. And... it's expensive. Few more lens and my whole gears would cost more than a second hand sedan car in the Philippines. Huh! there goes my savings.

Well, it's worth it. I am happy with my new hobby. It made me feel like a student once again, yearning to learn new subject and ideans. I even thought of making this as my future career... after I got totally bored with IT. For me, photography is more of an art than a technical hobby. It wipes out my boredom and fill up my weekends with so many activities. Do you believe that I have taken over 20 thousand pictures since Mar 1? And with the trend that I am going, I'll easily hit 100 thousand before the year end. Now ask me how many good shot have I made? hehehehe.. less than a hundred! That's gonna change in the near future, I am sure.

Today, we have done something different. I've organized a Studio Clinic with the Photonski - the Pinoy Photographer Group in Singapore - and have used internal resources for the activity. Che provided the place and models, Gorio and Tolits were the resource speakers, and other members provided the necessary props for the clinic.

The turn out was fantastic. There were at least 15 photographers who attended not counting the clinic masters. We also had two lady models who did the glamour and portrait modelling and a baby for the candid shots. The food? wow, fantastic. It was so delicious. We finished the clinic at around 8pm - two hours over the schedule. Needless to say, everyone was tired. There were deviation with the activity schedules, maraming makukulit, yung iba "over sa calcium", had challenges with the setup.. but overall everyone learned something and enjoyed the activity. The studio clinic was fruitful and successful.

I'll organized another one!