Group: Voice & Harmony

Voice and Harmony Chorale
San Diego de Alcala Parish

Video: KALYE - Hidalgo Street

A youtube video of the ABS-CBN's documentary program KALYE wherein Atom Araullo (a segment host) features a vey well-known place in Manila that serious (and the not so serious) shutterbugs calls it as the "Photographer's Haven" and that place is called Hidalgo Street in Quiapo, Manila.

Humor: Facebook 101

Be very careful when posting comments in your wall in Facebook as this might happen to you! :)

Events: Fidelis

Another kiddie event that i have covered and this is for my niece-in-law Fibi who celebrated her 7th birthday at Jollibee Better Living, Paranaque.

It was a spur of the moment party with family and close friends in attendance. It was fun, nonetheless! Her father was not around to celebrate with her, but a surprise phone call came in before the party ended.

Fibi was extremely happy when she delivered her message to her parents and said, "I will never forget this day". Indeed it was a memorable birthday for her! Simple but truly memorable.

Camera:  Canon EOS 40D
Lens:  EF 50mm f1.8, EF-S 10-22mm f3.5-4.5 USM, EF 24-70mm f2.8 L USM

Events: San Diego de Alcala Music Ministry Sportsfest 2009

I have already uploaded most of my shots on this event in my Multiply and Facebook galleries but for my blog's archive sake, i will just post one of the group shots (you can click the picture to view it in a larger image) we had on that very memorable day of our church organization activity. 

Camera:  Canon EOS 40D
Lens:  Canon EF 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM

As one of the in-charge of this event, i am already looking ahead on the 2nd SDdA Sportsfest next year and i will assure you that it will showcase an even more ecstatic and totally exciting games.

Timeless: Baby Talk

Capturing my daugther Selphie mingling with my inaanak Kirsten who was christened on that day. 

Camera:  Canon EOS 40D

Lens:  EF 24-70mm f/2.8 USM

Video: Canon EOS DSLR Lenses explained

This is a youtube video that explains the technology behind the Canon EOS Digital SLR Lenses.

Canon EOS 7D unveiled

Speculations were true and the eagle indeed landed fully armed!
With the release of this mid-range DSLR from Canon, it gave us "Professional Hobbyist" photographers a good reason to keep our Full Frame dreams at bay.
Canon EOS 7D key features:

• 18MP APS-C CMOS sensor
• 8 frames per second continuous shooting
• 1080p HD video recording with manual controls
• 3.0 inch Clear View II LCD screen with 920,000 dots
• 19-point AF system (all cross-type)
• 1.0x magnification and 100% coverage viewfinder
• Wireless flash control
• Environmental sealing

With the confirmed specs, Canon gave the Nikon's D300/D300s a good run for their money.
I hope i can acquire this bird but most likely not this year, as i still have the patience of waiting for its price to go down. By the way, Canon announced that there will be another release early next year and that is for their flagship professional xD series and probably in line with that, they will introduce the successor for 50D also. These future releases will definitely affect the 7D's price.
For more detailed review, you can visit this link

Timeless: Play & Bite

Caught my daughter playing (and biting) her doughnut shape toy. Churros anyone???

Camera: Canon EOS 40D
Lens: Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

Canon EOS 7D??

Since i am a Canon user, i am really very eager to know the biggest news this year and that is the worldwide introduction of the newest Canon gear lineup this coming Sept 2, 2009 (Sept 1 on the other side of the earth).

If the rumors are true, Canon will be releasing a DSLR in prosumer category and it will be tagged as 7D. Speculations suggests that this 7D will compete with (or dethrone) Nikon's unmatched D300/D300s in terms of performance and superb AI.

Here is the rumored specs of the "EOS 7D"

*Canon EOS 7D
- Dual DIGIC 4
- Built in Flash Master (Goodbye ST-E2)
- Full HD Video
- APS-C (1.6 Crop)
- Non Articulating LCD

* from www.canonrumors.com




What made my ears smile and my eyes wide open, is the introduction of Canon's "Built-in Flash Master" a.k.a "EOS Lighting System" that will eventually make the Nikon's CLS advantage over Canon before, a standard feature now.

There are also rumors on lenses, which is two EF-S lens and 1 macro L lens. Nothing too special for me but somehow these will definitely make older lenses' price cheaper.

I am already contemplating on replacing my EOS 40D or have it as an additional camera so i can have two 1.6 bodies in my arsenal but still it will all depends on the price tag.

I'll update this post once Canon finally announced this by coming wednesday.

Live and Love your Life

Texting while driving is really dangerous as this 4-minute video from the Gwent Police Dept of Wales (UK) will remind you how bad the results will be. So please don't text while driving!

The song not the singer

What happend to Miss Virna Lisa - the woman who sung "Magkaisa" during the first people power revolution?

The song not the singer

By Ben Cal
VIRGINIA, U.S.A., Sept. 5 (PNA) – The song not the singer.

This fits the description of Ms Virna Lisa, the Filipino-American singer who popularized the song "Magkaisa" in the post EDSA people-power revolt in 1986, but who faded away into obscurity.

Many do not know that Virna Lisa Loberiza is an American citizen although her parents are both Filipinos. Virna acquired his U.S. citizenship because she was born in New York. Her song "Magkaisa" has captivated millions of freedom- loving Filipinos in the Philippines and abroad which could have catapulted her to stardom, but she prefers to remain in the background and chose to become a social worker where her heart belongs.

By all probability, not too many Filipinos -– young and old -- could make an instant recall the name of the then 20-year old Virna Lisa 21 years after she sang "Magkaisa" that became a gold record despite being an obscure singer. Many would ask where is that singer Virna Lisa? Well, she works as consultant for social security for the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States, caring for the disabled. She said she loves her work being a social worker the past 12 years. "I've always been a social worker ever since," she added.

She is married to Snowden Mananzan, a Filipino banker who is the vice president of United Commercial Bank in New York. They got married in California in 1990 and have three children, Jaco, 15, Toby, 13, and only girl whom they named Frankie, 8. She finished her studies in the Philippines at St. Paul's College, Adamson University and later at the University of Sto. Tomas where she took up architecture but never graduated because she was a "Green Card" holder.
Lisa's father, Joey Loberiza, was formerly connected with Toyota Tamaraw, and her mother is the former movie actress Aura Aurea.

The Philippines News Agency had an exclusive interview with Virna at the elegant residence of Ms Emily Dearing, a Filipino nurse, living in the State of Virginia. The interview was arranged by Jun Pedery, a former US Navy serviceman and retired employee of Boeing Corporation, the world's largest aircraft maker based in Washington, DC.

Now, 41, but still possesses that stunning Filipino beauty, Lisa recalled how her singing talent was discovered by actor-comedian-composer Tito Sotto after the historic people-power uprising that toppled the 20-year Marcos regime. "Everything happened so fast," Liza recalled.
She said she was singing the song "Bridges" during an event in Adamson University in Manila when she was spotted by Sotto who was fascinated by her sweet voice. "My discovery by Sotto was by chance," she said.

Without much ado, Sotto asked her to sing a newly composed song entitled "Magkaisa," composed by Sotto, Ernie dela Pena and Homer Flores. Liza said Sotto invited her to sing in the daily noon show "Eat Bulaga" where she sang on television for the first time. When she was asked to sing "Magkaisa" she was only given a few hours to practice the song. A few hours later "I found myself inside the studio for the formal recording." "I did not sign any contract. I just sang," Lisa said. Lisa said she did not get paid for singing "Magkaisa" though it earned lots of money.

"That's one of the reasons why I did not stay in the business because I didn't understand it well. I don't think I will do well in it, and you know may be my heart is in the social work that is why I stay in the social work," Lisa added. Had she pursued a singing career, would she attain fame in the likes of Lea Salonga and other top Filipino singers? Lisa humbly said: "I don't know but may be God has other plans for me."

In 1994, Lisa was invited by then President Fidel V. Ramos to sing during the 8th anniversary celebration of EDSA People-Power where she sang again "Magkaisa." (PNA)

*Photo from http://www.awitingpinoy.com/2009/05/magkaisa.html

Canon Lens Sale: D-Zone Trinoma

Canon went on sale again at Canon D-Zone Branch! Though not as low as last year's sale but still its better than nothing. Got a hold of their Pricelist of Lenses.



EF-S 17-55mm ISU f2.8
P 65,460
P 58,900

EF-S 17-85mm ISU f4-5.6
P 33,850
P 31,800

EF 70-200mm f4 L USM
P 42,600
P 40,000

EF 70-200mm f4 L ISU
P 65,460
P 61,500

EF 70-200mm f2.8 L U
P 73,700
P 69,250

EF 70-200mm f2.8 L ISU
P 108,100
P 97,300

EF 70-300mm f3.5-5.6 ISU
P 41,500
P 39,000

EF 100mm f2.8 Macro
P 31,620
P 29,700

EF 85mm f1.8
P 20,200
P 19,200


For more details, contact them at 632-916-6055/632-916-7503.

*photo from canon.com.ph

Remembering Cory

Before being referred to as the icon of democracy, Cory was first an obedient daughter, a good sister, a wonderful wife, and a loving mom. Just like us, she too had dreams, her own set of fears, unanswered prayers, failures, joys and sorrows. But what made her different from all of us, was that God gave her a very special task that seemed overwhelming to us ordinary citizens. She walked through a path that she herself has no clue what is in store for her. But she braved it through, undaunted, and managed to withstand the test of time.

I was not really a big fan of Cory, but after seeing her interviews on TV, I suddenly have a change of heart. I got so amazed with her relationship with God that now, I too, believe that the opposite of fear is faith. And this is something that Cory has all her life.

I salute you Mrs. President. You have contributed so much to this country that my only wish is for the generations to come to never forget you and your husband’s love and undying faith to this country and to the Filipino people. May God continue to bless us all!

Events: Rome and Venice Ponco

Kiddie parties are the best for me. Capturing kids’ smiles and candid moves are so much fun. I don’t have to ask them to pose and make sure they look nice because they do look nice in the first place. Rome and Venice Ponco (Dave’s kids – my officemate) are two wonderful kids. The camera loves them even though Rome (my inaanak) is not in a very good mood that day. Nevertheless, I was still able to capture a nice smile!

I was not the official photographer, but took some shots nonetheless! It was fun!

Date: 09 May 2009, 4PM
Location: McDonald's Glorietta (Makati City)

The party fell on a Sunday so we had to leave at 4:15 to attend mass at 5PM. We rushed our way from Glorietta Makati all the way to Valenzuela!

Click here for more Photos

Camera: Canon EOS 40D
Lens: EF 24-70mm f/2.8 L USM; EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM

Portraiture: Shoot with Jason and Pauline

I had a photoshoot with Jason who is my choirmate's friend (Joseph) and Pauline who is actually my niece-in-law a couple of months ago. It was a blast! Even though it was their first time to have this kind of photo shoot.

They could not imagine that our parking area served as a good location for their shoot.

With way they struck their pose in front of my camera, it was unoticeable that they are first timers.

Click these link for more of their pics:
Jason
Pauline

Camera: Canon EOS 40D

Lens: EF 24-70mm f2.8 L USM

Travel: Batangas

My shots during our photo club's shoot in some parts of the very beautiful province of Batangas.


Taal, Batangas

Taal Basilica




History


Street vendor


Pasalubong



Calatagan, Batangas



The CPC Club


Camera: Canon EOS 40D
Lens: EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM

Timeless: Winning Smile

Selphie's smile

Whenever i feel fraught and over burned, the power of those smiles never cease to win me over.





Camera: Canon EOS 40D
Lens: EF 50mm f/1.8 II