Lunch at Dencio's

Nards and I had a thing at CCP today.  We got caught by a sudden downpour, just as we pulled in the driveway.  Instead of going straight to our errand, we parked at Harbor View and had lunch at Dencio's.   It's been ages since we've eaten at Dencio's.  I think the last time was at Metrowalk early last year. 

We ordered our usual:

 

Crunchy Sisig

 

Vegetable Kare-Kare.  The serving shrank.

 

The characters of Pugad Baboy were everywhere. (The comic strips on the placeman helped stave off my hunger.)   Funny, they (almost) served as a deterrent for me.  When I saw them feasting on all the foods, I actually contemplated on cancelling our sisig order.  

EARTH HOUR

VOTE EARTH

YOUR LIGHT SWITCH IS YOUR VOTE

This year, Earth Hour has been transformed into the world’s first global election, between Earth and global warming.
For the first time in history, people of all ages, nationalities, race and background have the opportunity to use their light switch as their vote – Switching off your lights is a vote for Earth, or leaving them on is a vote for global warming. WWF are urging the world to VOTE EARTH and reach the target of 1 billion votes, which will be presented to world leaders at the Global Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen 2009.
This meeting will determine official government policies to take action against global warming, which will replace the Kyoto Protocol. It is the chance for the people of the world to make their voice heard.

Earth Hour began in Sydney in 2007, when 2.2 million homes and businesses switched off their lights for one hour. In 2008 the message had grown into a global sustainability movement, with 50 million people switching off their lights. Global landmarks such as the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, Rome’s Colosseum, the Sydney Opera House and the Coca Cola billboard in Times Square all stood in darkness.

In 2009, Earth Hour is being taken to the next level, with the goal of 1 billion people switching off their lights as part of a global vote. Unlike any election in history, it is not about what country you’re from, but instead, what planet you’re from. VOTE EARTH is a global call to action for every individual, every business, and every community. A call to stand up and take control over the future of our planet. Over 74 countries and territories have pledged their support to VOTE EARTH during Earth Hour 2009, and this number is growing everyday.

We all have a vote, and every single vote counts. Together we can take control of the future of our planet, for future generations.

VOTE EARTH by simply switching off your lights for one hour, and join the world for Earth Hour.

Saturday, March 28, 8:30-9:30pm.

Text and Photo from www.earthhour.org

Padyak Shoot

Doing shoots out in the open is tricky because the light changes so fast.  My mind goes into hyperdrive when we do this because I'm juggling a lot of things in my head.  Nards and I enjoy bouncing ideas off each other.  Between the two of us, we can maximize the light and milk a location for all it's worth and produce photos that we like. 

Yesterday was one of those days.  We did a photoshoot that will feature apparel of UP Padyak Project.   The two of us scurried around chasing after good light.  We pushed the group until noon.  Everyone was pretty much exhausted by then.  And hungerful.

Here are some of the photos:

 

  

  

  

For full album, click here.

A Blissful Breather

It's been a very busy week (preceded and followed by another busy week - for which we are grateful), and we were looking forward to visiting his parents at the farm and getting away from the hurdy-gurdy of urban living.

We undergo a remarkable change every time we're at the farm.  For one thing, we go to bed at 8PM.  Around that time, everyone just winds down, and it gets really quiet except for our friendly tuko and the strong winds blowing through the trees surrounding the house.   At home, we're usually up late, either watching something, reading, surfing or playing video games.  The cock crows at around 4-5AM, waking up all the animals, who in turn get really noisy and wake up their humans.  Waking up in Manila is relative to our schedule the following day (i.e. early shoot means an early bedtime the previous night; late meeting means a late night).

Breakfast is served at 6AM, lunch at 12NN and dinner at 6:30PM.  Nards' Mom and Aunt would prepare and serve snacks at 10AM and at 3PM on the dot.   Our normal eating habits is not as rigorous and frequent.  We normally eat when we're hungry and we don't follow a schedule. 

In Manila, temperatures have gone up to 34-37 degrees, making everyone fully aware of the summer season and the sweltering heat and humidity it brings.  At the farm, it's relatively cooler.  For one thing, the house is far from the road and is surrounded by trees.  The ground is covered with soft grass.   There's a friendly breeze most of the time, that makes the wind chimes on the porch tinkle gently.   Wind chimes are so pleasant that I normally get sleepy whenever I hear them, which is all the time at the farm!

The family usually gathers on the porch after lunch until dinner time, just talking or reading or listening to the radio.  In the city where everyone has a pair of earbuds jammed down their ears, it's a forgotten treat to have the family sit on the porch and listen to the radio.  The last time, Nards and I brought our scrabble board with us.  We had a really good time playing on that cool porch, with the cats weaving between our legs, and the dogs surrounding our feet.

 

This is where we sleep.  It's a king-size mattress on a a huge elevated platform made of bamboo slats at the second floor of the house.   It looks out to the farm on both sides.  At night, we hunker down under a comforter because it gets really really cold.  Unbelievably so.  Nards and I had to put a curtain up to shield us from the cold wind blowing in through the windows.

 

I always bring my iPod everywhere, but at the farm it's a necessity.  It prevents me from hearing the loud cries of the tuko (gecko) - those creatures just freak me out.  And this is an understatement, believe me.

  

This is Agatha, the cow.  She's pretty shy, and likes to hide out in the back near the chicken coop.  She's got a really loud moo on her though.  She's the one who woke me up.

  

Margarita and Ross used to be stray kittens who decided to take permanent residence at the farm. They're living like queens compared to their fellow cats in Manila.

This is a part of the garden at the front of the house.  Nards' Mom has a very green thumb.  She has a huge aviary for her lovebirds, a gazebo where we sometimes eat, a small house for Bruno and Britney, the burly labradors.  Britney is pregnant, and one puppy is ours, I was told.  (I was about to do cartwheels, but Nards says we're keeping the puppy in the farm.  Crud.)

 

Meet Bantam the Bully.  He's a small rooster, but all the other roosters including Edward (Cullen?) who is about the size of a mongrel are deathly afraid of him.  I wanted to take a photo of Edward but Bantam chased him under the coop.

  

Can you believe that this is used as a doorstop? It should be in a museum!  It's solid and can actually double as a home defense system (i.e. whack an intruder with it.)

On our drive home, Nards and I made a pit-stop to take photos of a church and some old houses.  I love old houses.  I'm so fascinated by their architecture.  Houses then were made for living and pleasure.  Now, it's 30-60 square meters of full-functionality or bust.  

 

  

  

  

 

FRANCISM FILM FEST! April 3 2009.

Friday night. April 3. Sit with friends on chairs by tables or on the sidewalk by shops of Cubao X.

Films, music videos, interviews, VJ guestings, out takes, raw footage, hosting stints, photos etc of Francis M will loop the night as we raise our glasses to cheer the life and work of our friend.

*feel free to bring flash drives, iPod videos, DVDs, CDs of anything you'd like to share audio, visual, or both that celebrates Francis.

Cheers cheers tayo dahil buhay pa rin ang mga nagawa ni Kiko.

Handog ng Mogwai Cinematheque at Rock Ed Philippines.

Guilty Pleasure of the Month

I bought Mocha Sansrival from the Aristocrat Bakery on a whim.  We had our misgivings because we've tried a lot of sans rival from different shops and most were a dismal failure.  But this one is sooooo goood!!  So good, it was quickly consumed over a period of two days.

I find that it goes well with dark brewed coffee or cold milk.  

I think I'll have one delivered next week.

Yoga and Crocs

Friday the 13th, we had a shoot with Men's Health at a yoga studio in Greenhills.  I parked at the basement, which meant that Nards and I had to lug out all our equipment on the stairs (no elevator) up to the third floor.  I felt like a total cow when we got to the studio, sweaty and panting from the effort, particularly when we saw the students who were all lithe and trim.  It took us about twenty minutes to discuss the photo that Jed (the writer) needed, set up the background and lights, and take test shots.

Mirrors! Self-portrait time!

Jed and Nards discussing the general list of photos needed in the article.

 

Briefing Al on the list of poses.

Test shots.

We wrapped the shoot in half an hour.  Nards took the full body photos and I took details using a 135mm lens.   The studio was warm as specified in Bikram Yoga (40 deg celsius).  I was so glad I decided to dress in summer clothes.

There was a Crocs sale in Ortigas across Alexandra.   We ATTEMPTED to go, but traffic was so bad and there was a queu to the entrance of the tent about 70-75 people long!  Nards took one look and told me that the discount was not worth it.    I agreed, and we went home instead.

Fresh Take Week

This week has been all about setting up lights, backgrounds, make up, looking through the viewfinder, adjusting the settings, changing lenses and clicking the shutter.

A team of volunteers from Rock Ed visited a public high school and took the time and effort to take grad photos of over 300 fourth-year high school students. It was our way of celebrating with them their four years of hard work in high school.

They are so worth it.

Of course, we had our fun in the process.

 

 

  

  

  

  

  

More photos here and here.

Props provided by Photobot Manila.

Why Omakase

A few weeks ago, my sister and I treated ourselves to a trip to the spa; and had dinner afterwards at Omakase.

 

We started with some maki.

Then had tofu wrapped in beef with rice for our main course.

Then we shared dessert: turon (wrapped banana fritters) and mango cubes, topped with green tea ice cream and drizzled with strawberry and chocolate syrup.  (Sarraaaap!)

I love going to Omakase and I'll give you four reasons why:

1. The food is fresh and delicious;
2. The servings are hefty;
3. The price is reasonable; and
4. The staff is courteous and afable.

 Thanks Daddy G for getting us a discount!

Kelan Kaya?

Kelan kaya namin mauumpisahan at matatapos ang pag-edit ng mga peechurs nung kasal?

Pati ako naiinip na.

Dead Until Dark

Nards went to the dentist today, and he banished me from the clinic while  he was undergoing treatment.  So I took a long walk and inevitably found myself in a bookstore.  I browsed the shelves and was sorely disappointed in the selection.  Their book selection was so poor that I found myself browsing magazines.  (I don't like magazines.  I find them too expensive.)  I wanted to pick up the March copy of Men's Health because the shoot we did last year was supposed to come out in that issue.  Sadly, the bookstore didn't have recent copies of ANY magazine. 

I was about to step out and go to the coffee shop next door, when I spotted Charlaine Harris' books.  I've been hankering to read them after watching True Blood.  I found it hard to believe that I actually found a book I wanted to buy in the store.  I quickly paid for it (refused the plastic bag), and left.

So far, so good.  Sookie (of the book) is the same Sookie (of the tv series).  I hope it keeps my interest all through out.  At least, I have a light paperback to bring with me when I go out of town this weekend.

Triangles

Nards and I were at the hospital recently.  While waiting for the doctor, I was acquainting myself with Duffy's Rockerferry album. 

And amusing myself by looking at feet and shoes of other people in the waiting lounge. 

I took this photo (on the pre-text of taking a photo of my lap -- who takes a photo of their lap?! so lame! haha!) because I wanted to capture these two ladies' toe nails.  It's not clear here, but they had toe nails that were triangular with a sharp point.  I think it was a result of years of going to an old-school manicurist/pedicurist who filed down the sides of the toe nails which will eventually result to triangular toe nails.

I don't know about anyone, but seeing those toe nails actually made the hairs on my arm stand.  Because I can already imagine getting lacerated by them if they accidentally brush against my foot. 

I'm all for square toe nails!   It's supposed to be square I think.  My third grade Health Class teacher said so.