Pandesal

Canon Photo Marathon - "The Urban Jungle Challenge"

Here's an upcoming photo contest of Canon of which I have already registered =) Please check out the link below for details. Goodluck!

Title: Canon Photo Marathon - "The Urban Jungle Challenge"
Date: 13 October 2007
Time: 8.00am - 9.00pm
Venue: The Blue Leaf, McKinley Hill Village, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City

Participants have to pre-register.

On the actual day of the contest , each participant will be given 2 separate themes at different times to base their photographs on. They are given 3 hours to complete each thematic work, return to the specified location with their pictures, AND download them onto the server before getting their next assignment. Submitted photos eligible for the contest MUST be taken within the area of MAKATI CITY and on the day itself.

Judges will evaluate all the pictures after each round.

A first and second place winner will be awarded per theme. A bonus category will also be announced should the photographers have enough time to take and submit more photos. One winner will be awarded for the bonus category.

A shortlist of 10 per theme will be the basis for selecting the three top prize winners. 1st Runner Up and Grand Prize winner will be sent to the Canon Photo Clinic. Should any of them not be able to attend, the 2nd runner up will be sent in their place.

For more details please visit this link:Photomarathonasia

UAAP Cheer Dance Competition 2007

I was at Subic doing a photo shoot of The Cliff when I received a text message from Rosahlee. It read: “Nood tayo bukas UAAP cheering competition sa Araneta, ganda mag-shoot dun!” and I replied: "Yehey! Makakanood na rin ako ng live!" I’m so excited as I only get to see it on TV.

I met Rosahlee at Taco Bell, Araneta Center past 1pm. The main gate of Araneta coliseum is already filled with yuppies lined up as early 1:00pm though the event starts at 3:00pm. You can easily identify which team or school they represent through their shirts. As usual, scalpers take advantage in selling overprized tickets. Tickets were actually sold out! Rosahlee had a pass from the sponsor, Samsung, so we came in at the production gate at the back. Inside the full-house Big Dome, the deafening beat of drums resonated as students, alumni or supporters from each represented schools cheer their lungs out. The lively crowd and colorful balloons, flags, costumes and other paraphernalia definitely add to the fiesta mood.

Schools vying for the coveted title are Adamson University , Ateneo de Manila University, De La Salle Univeristy (DLSU), University of the East (UE), Far Eastern University (FEU), National University (NU), University of the Philippines (UP) and University of Santo Tomas (UST). The criteria for the competition were 50 percent for choreography, 30 percent for synchronization, 10 percent for audience audibility and 10 percent for costume.

The UP Pep Squad won the 2007 UAAP Cheerdance Competitions, dethroning, five-year consecutive champion, UST Salinggawi Dance Troupe by a mere margin. UP brought home a trophy and the top prize of P172,500. They garnered an over-all score of 92.66 points. They truly deserved the title because of their seamless aerobatics performance and pyramid styles. UST Salinggawi Dance finished second place, with measly 0.5 points behind UP. FEU Pep Squad, won third place with a score of 91.66 points. Ateneo de Manila University Blue Bubble Battalion finished fourth, Adamson Pep Squad fifth, UE Pep Squad sixth, DLSU Pep Squad seventh and NU Pep Squad eighth.

I am one lucky girl shooting like crazy on the photographers’ row. I’m grateful to Rosahlee for the opportunity to capture the event. Amazing!

Please click this link =>UAAP to see photos of competing schools.

The Cliff Royale photo shoot

Alvin and I were invited by Charina to shoot a resort called The Cliff Royale. It is located at the Ntional Road Bgy Baretto,Olongapo City.

Charina was actually recommended by her friend to the owner of the resort, Mrs. Elisa Montecastro. Since it was a “friendly/mutual” discussion among friends, there was no rate involved. In short Charina will shoot for free and invite friends along in exchange for free accommodation including transportation and food, hence the invite. Of course, I said yes. Being an amateur like Charina, it’s a good opportunity to hone my skill.

So I took a day off last Friday. Our meeting place was at Shell Gas station in Oliveros Edsa, Quezon City. When I arrived, a silvery-white-haired-woman immediately called me and asked if my name was Charina. I haven’t met Mrs. Montecastro but I got the feeling that it was her. So I introduced myself and true enough, it was Mrs. Montecastro.

Mrs. Montecastro is 78 years old. Though the white hair is apparent and with eye glasses on, she doesn’t look her age. She’s energetic and she can walk fast without stooping. She’s a retired teacher turned businesswoman. She’s an alumnae of UP Diliman and had taught at a public school for 20 years. She’s a well-traveled person. She had visited almost all the 7 wonders of the world. Wow! I hope to do that when I reached her age or even younger. =) The photos according to her will be used for advertisement purposes (i.e., brochure and for its website) to promote the resort. After a few minutes Charina and Alvin and Anthony, Alvin’s co-teacher, arrived at the gas station.

The resort was so called the Cliff because it was built along the cliff. The surrounding area is filled with establishments, restaurant and bar. You will not notice that there’s such a resort in the area. When you enter the gate, you will be surprised of the hidden view inside. The veranda is overlooking the vast ocean. There are villas with unique colors and eclectic structures, a fusion of modern concrete and nipa hut style. There’s a established walkway along the cliff going to the beach. Although it is still continuously being developed. A pool is yet to be excavated. A spa would definitely sell the resort. But it surely is a nice and relaxing weekend getaway.

Please click => The Cliff for more images. For details you may contact Mrs.Elisa Montecastro mobile no: 0917-8515273.

Verditct: Erap, Guilty of Plunder

The decision read:

“Judgment is hereby rendered finding the accused, former President Joseph Ejercito Estrada guilty beyond reasonable doubt of the crime of plunder.”

“The penalty imposable for the crime of plunder is reclusion perpetua to death. There being no aggravating or mitigating circumstances, however, the lesser penalty shall applied.”

Former president Joseph “Erap” Ejercito Estrada was found guilty of plunder but was acquitted on the perjury charge. The Special Division of the Sandiganbayan convicted Erap on two counts of plunder and sentenced him to life imprisonment after a six-year trial. His co-accused in the case, his son Sen. Jinggoy Estrada and his former lawyer Edward Serapio were acquitted on the ground that the prosecution failed to prove their guilt.

Related links:
Sandigan bayan decision
GMA news:erapplundertrial