Depth of field

^I bought this book yesterday, an addition to my photography kit and knowledge. Oh my, can't resist myself buying photography accessories. But i know this would be helpful, i knew just by browsing its content. Happy reading and happy learning rossi!

Fireflies

I love this song ^_^)

Songwriters: Young, Adam

You would not believe your eyes
If ten million fireflies
Lit up the world as I fell asleep

'Cause they'd fill the open air
And leave teardrops everywhere
You'd think me rude
But I would just stand and stare

I'd like to make myself believe
That planet Earth turns slowly
It's hard to say that I'd rather stay
Awake when I'm asleep
'Cause everything is never as it seems

'Cause I'd get a thousand hugs
From ten thousand lightning bugs
As they tried to teach me how to dance

A foxtrot above my head
A sock hop beneath my bed
A disco ball is just hanging by a thread

I'd like to make myself believe
That planet Earth turns slowly
It's hard to say that I'd rather stay
Awake when I'm asleep
'Cause everything is never as it seems
When I fall asleep

Leave my door open just a crack
(Please take me away from here)
'Cause I feel like such an insomniac
(Please take me away from here)
Why do I tire of counting sheep
(Please take me away from here)
When I'm far too tired to fall asleep

To ten million fireflies
I'm weird 'cause I hate goodbyes
I got misty eyes as they said farewell

But I'll know where several are
If my dreams get real bizarre
'Cause I saved a few and I keep them in a jar

I'd like to make myself believe
That planet Earth turns slowly
It's hard to say that I'd rather stay
Awake when I'm asleep
'Cause everything is never as it seems
When I fall asleep

I'd like to make myself believe
That planet Earth turns slowly
It's hard to say that I'd rather stay
Awake when I'm asleep
'Cause everything is never as it seems
When I fall asleep

I'd like to make myself believe
That planet earth turns slowly
It's hard to say that I'd rather stay
Awake when I'm asleep
Because my dreams are bursting at the seams


© OCEAN CITY PARK

Opinions on PUP tuition hike issue

Yesterday, I posted in my Facebook status my opinion about the plan to increase the tuition in PUP. It has elicited reactions from my FB network and as of today here is the exchange of ideas:

El Niño phenomenon

^
The drying plants is a testimony of how destructive El Nino can be. We could then imagine its impact: more droughts characterized by dry and cracked farmlands, brown forests, a possible rice crisis, hunger, skin diseases, inflation etc. Quite saddening.

Anawangin Cove... libreng beach*

Since summer has come and many people are looking for beaches and other summer destinations, I am reposting this article I wrote last year. Hope this could be of help. ^_^)

*Repost from my Facebook notes
Tuesday, August 18, 2009 at 11:08am

Boracay & Baguio in one

Sikat na sikat na ang Anawangin Cove sa mga beach lovers, mountaineers o maging sa mga ordinaryong tao tulad ko. Oo, sapagkat bukod sa mala-Boracay ang beach nito dahil sa white sand, meron pang mga bundok na pwedeng akyatin at marami ding pine trees na nagbibigay lilim sa camp site. Kaya naman talagang it’s a haven for relaxation, away from the madding crowd in the metro!

At eto pa, dito shinoot ang And I Love You So na movie nina Bea Alonzo, Sam Milby at Derek Ramsay na showing na sa mga sinehan.

Introducing the heart-shaped Anawangin Cove

Nagpunta ako dito noong February at talaga namang it was a trip to remember. Pristine white sand beach, back-to-basics life, boat ride, camping, trekking, candle-lit dinner at photo shoot to the max dahil sa napakagandang tanawin. Higit sa lahat, libre lang dito! (P100 pesos maintenance fee lang ang ibibigay mo kay Kuya). Kaya san ka pa tara na, ating tuklasin ang Anawangin!

 Welcome to Anawangin!

Ang Anawangin Cove ay makikita sa San Antonio, Zambales. Dalawang paraan lamang para makapunta dito: 20-30 minute boat ride galing Pundaquit o kaya’y anim na oras na trekking sa Pundaquit range. Hindi pa commercialized ang Anawangin kaya naman natural beauty talaga ang aabutan mo. Wala ding mga tindahan dito kaya walang polusyon. Siyempre ibig sabihin niyan, magbabaon ka ng pagkain niyo.

Wala ring mga hotel dito kaya happy camping talaga. Back to basics, walang kuryente kaya siguraduhing naka-full charge ang camera niyo. Ang cellphone mo naman ay magkakaroon ng ibang role, either magiging camera o kaya radyo siya sa buong stay niyo sa island. Yup, kasi walang signal dito.

We enjoyed trekking in a mountain with completely no trail to follow! Took advantage of the view down there...

Tandaan mga friends, ito ang mga essential na kailangan kung pupunta ka dito: Drinking water, enough food, flashlight or candle, tent, swimwear at siyempre camera! Kung medyo maselan ka, pwede ring magdala ng mga sumusunod: Off lotion (pero hindi naman malamok), sun block, utensils at gamit sa pagluluto (pero ok na ang canned goods, bread at iba pang hand-food), at emergency light.

Paano pumunta: Sumakay ng Victory Liner bus papuntang Iba o Sta. Cruz, Zambales. Pwede ring hanggang Olongapo. Kung biyaheng Sta. Cruz ang nasakyan mo, baba ka sa sentro ng bayan ng San Antonio. Kung hanggang Olongapo naman ang nasakyan mo galing Manila, sakay ka ulit ng bus mula Olongapo na may biyaheng Sta. Cruz. Pababa ka rin sa San Antonio. May mga tricycle dito, magpahatid ka hanggang Pundaquit. Dito, marami kang makikilalang may-ari ng bangka. Magpahatid kasama ang iyong mga katropa sa Anawangin. Kung gusto mo namang makausap ang isang boat man bago ka pa pumunta, text mo lang ako. Ipapakilala ko sayo si Kuya Ariel, ang naghatid sa amin.

Ayan nasa Anawangin ka na! Isang mahalagang tip lang, mas magandang pumunta dito kapag tag-init (ibig sabihin hindi umuulan) para mas enjoy! Ayan, punta na sa one of the best beaches sa bansa. To simply describe Anawangin, it’s Boracay and Baguio in one.

Happy campers enjoying their stay in this wonderful place ^_^

No to tuition hike

I watched the primetime news today and one hot issue is the proposed tuition hike in the Polytechnic University of the Philippines where the main campus is located at Sta. Mesa, Manila. PUP is one of the popular state universities in the Philippines that caters to poor but deserving college students.

I oppose the plan to increase the tuition in said university (or in any state college and university for that matter) because it will deprive even more those who are already deprived of many things. Education is a basic right, regardless of one's social status. The state has the duty, as the Constitution dictates, to provide quality education with no discrimination.

It saddens me that education in the country, aside from its apparent deterioration, is also being commercialized now. Few years ago, the government did it to the University of the Philippines. They increased the tuition from P300/unit to P1,000/unit and yes they succeeded. It is really a burden paying high tuition. I am speaking based on personal experience because when i enrolled in UP last November 2009 I paid P2,000 per unit for my masteral subjects. For two subjects alone, P12,000 na agad plus the miscellaneous fees.

Now, it's PUP that is on the line; from P12/unit to P200/unit, that is the proposal. I hope it won't push through especially with the strong opposition from the students. To all students out there, wag tayong papayag na muli silang magtagumpay.

NO TO TUITION HIKE!

Kelan kaya?

Nakakainggit sila...
Sa malayong tanaw pagmamahal sa isa't-isa ang aking nakikita.
Gusto ko ring umakyat ng bundok
At masilayan ang paglubog ng araw kasama ka.
Kelan kaya kita makakasama doon sa tuktok?

Meeting new faces

Photo by Alvin Banlaygas, NCP Member

Joining Nikon Club Philippines brought lots of opportunities to meet people from different walks of life. It's a wonderful experience to have new acquaintances (hopefully these will turn into more serious friendships). For now, I am just enjoying my time in the forum, some photowalks and EBs.

Photography is almost an addiction to me at this point in time. I want to loosen up but i don't know how. Bisyo na'to!!!

Well on the other hand, this hobby gives some therapy during stressful days. It gives me happiness and some kind of fulfillment especially when i get pretty good shots. Oh well, i've known long before that it is a therapy ^_^)

I love photography!

2010 Search for Outstanding Public Servants

The search for the deserving public servants is on now. Hope this one will not be politicized and those who will be chosen are really worthy of the honors they will receive. These chosen few has to exhibit integrity, honesty, and dedication to serve and uphold public interest.

jampacked weekend

My weekend was tiring yet i enjoyed every activity i had last Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

I prepared my assignment for my photography workshop last Friday, have my photos printed and spent some time in the mall (date with myself). I looked for a pair of comfy shoes since i don't have a decent shoes, which i can use for outdoor-sy activities like shooting. I only have slippers and high-heels. I don't have rubber shoes and any other flat shoes.

Saturday, i attended the Epson seminar on color management held at Ortigas organized by the Nikon Club Philippines. After the seminar, and after meeting other members of NCP, i had the chance to have lunch and li'l chitchat with some of my new acquaintances..

 Nikon Club Philippines Seminar on Color Management, sponsored by EPSON Philippines

Since i was already set to spend the whole day out for photography-related activities, i joined Konrad and Sir Cris (mga ka-org sa NCP) for a photowalk. We practiced panning at the Gladesport Lateral Drift Championship launch at Eastwood City in Libis, Quezon City. It was a perfect time for a break-in for my new lens 55-200mm. I'm happy there were models too so i was able to take several shots of them. I was not good at panning so i concentrated on the pretty models. I met Bambi, a sweet model in her early teens. We left Eastwood around 7pm after a refreshment at CoffeeBean courtesy of Konrad, my new friend and kuya.

 At Glade Lateral Drifting, Eastwood City Libis

I had my third session for the basic photography workshop yesterday. We learned about the history of photography and further insights on art in photography after our group presentations. Our mentor yesterday is a professor at UP College of Fine Arts.

During lunch time, I met Sir Marvin a member of NCP who is also taking the FPPF workshop but in the advance class. I was able to talk with him for few minutes only since they have their shoot and we have our classroom discussion. I met a friend after the workshop for dinner.

That makes my week-end :D

Out of focus

No, im not pertaining to photography or to my out of focus photographs. I am myself is out of focus. I cant concentrate on my priorities because of so many concerns and distractions.

My seemingly disorganized thoughts reflect on my activities and output. I feel that I am not productive. Why does my disposition betray me? Oh this feeling, why are you betraying me....

 The out-of-focus me

I just want to see some light, talk with sensible people, enjoy shooting, learn how to see the colors of the world, feel and see the vividness of the summer....and so on and so on.....

I do remember my childhood days, though not entirely but some seasons of naivety. Happy are those days of a young girl in me who was carefree and jolly. Growing up brings a lot of worries and stress. My mind is infested with so many thoughts, fears, and unrest.

I want to grow young again; no worries, no fears, no resentments.

i want fresh air

Yesterday was a very stressful day. I came home late because of extended meeting for the AVP project (work-related). And today, here i am in the Congress office, alone again. As usual, its writing, writing, writing messages of my boss for the annual general assemblies of cooperatives. There were lots of requests i attended to and requests are still coming.

I want to go to the field, join campaign sorties so i could also see the beauty of nature especially in provinces where air is fresh and unpolluted. I wanna see greenery, hills and beaches probably. In short, i wanna shoot :D

Please take me out of the hot metro!

Can't let go of my first love

Hundreds of preoccupations took my first 3 ½ months of the year. Reports and papers for my MA class, various concerns in my work especially that campaign period is ongoing and the sudden shift of interest in photography (given that I got my long-been- aspired dslr camera last December 30). Then there’s the chitchatting spree at various social networking sites and photography club sites.

I almost forgot about my blogging activity. But now I realized I can’t let go of my first love.