Edwin and Rochelle Nuptial

I’ve been wanting to shoot actual wedding since finishing my advance photography class. I wanted to experience how it is done and get the feel if this is the kind of expertise in photography I will pursue in the near future, who knows?!!!…

Alvin Balunes, who’s my classmate in FPPF advance class was kind enough to invite me to a wedding shoot, Rochelle and Edwin’s. He has been assisting some of photo shoots of our instructor in FPPF, Sir Ador Pamintuan. He’s supposed to assist sir Ador but he was commissioned to be the wedding singer hence, he gave me his slot. Thanks Alvin!

Edwin and Rochelle’s wedding was held last July 28,2007, 3:00 pm at the Shrine of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Makati. Reception followed at the City Garden Hotel in Makati.

It would really help if one reads wedding photography books as well as magazines to get ideas in posing the bride and groom. I would sometimes just observe and learn from the pro, sir Ador and sir Vic, how quickly they compose artistically and how they can easily command the group for candid shots.

It takes a lot of courage and patience and most of all practice to become pro. For now, I am enjoying every step of the way to hone my skills. I hope that I will someday wear the hat of a pro. =)

photos originally uploaded by Juvy Torno

Mall of Asia

The SM Mall of Asia is the largest shopping mall in the Philippines and the 7th largest shopping mall in the world. It is owned and operated by SM Prime Holdings, under the management of Henry Sy, a Chinese-Filipino business tycoon. It opened on May 21, 2006.

The Mall of Asia was constructed within the reclamation area, west of Roxas Boulevard in Pasay City, aptly nicknamed "Bay City". It is built on 19.5 hectares of reclaimed land and has a gross floor area of 386,224 square meters. The mall is located at the southmost tip of Epifanio de los Santos Avenue.

One day is actually not enough to roam around and check out every nook of the mall especially if your knees are weak.


Incidentally, this is where RCBC held its annual bowling tournmament. The company that I worked for is an affiliate, so we were able to experience a very nice venue. Last year, we held it at SM Megamall. The bowling area has 42 lanes and automatic scoring screens.

A giant globe, one of the attractions outside the mall The mall's front view at night.
with my nephew,Christian

Aside from the mall's main attraction, IMAX theater, the mall features the Philippines's first Olympic-sized ice skating rink. At 61 by 30 meters, the rink is described as the biggest of its kind in Southeast Asia. Whoa! =)

LRT Station

My ignorance had almost caused me trouble. I had no idea that it was forbidden to take photos in light railway transit (LRT) station. I had snapped few shots when the lady guard hollered at me "ma'am bawal po mag-picture paki-usap, humingi po kayo ng permit!" People are looking at my direction and immediately I hid my camera inside my bag as if nothing happened, "deadma". Thank God, the train was already approaching, so i jumped in right away! "Whew, what a reprieved!"

These "sneak" shots were taken at Quirino LRT station =)

Santuario de San Antonio church

Santuario de San Antonio church is located in Forbes Park, Makati City. We had previously passed by this church during our visit in Manila American Cemetery but decided to shoot some other time. Yesterday, Rosahlee and I pushed through with our plan and took picture of the church despite a gloomy weather.

I used a monochrome effect on the picture below. Please click the link: Santuario de San Antonio to see more of the images.

Binatog

I haven't eaten this for quite sometime...it's called "binatog", steamed white corn kernels mixed with milk, grated coconut and sugar. Others also put pinch of salt to taste.

I was at home last weekend with nothing to do that afternoon. Later, I heard “teng,teng,teng,teng” a sound created from a round metal whipped by another small metal rod. Instantly I know there’s a pushcart and someone’s selling binatog. That distinct “teng,teng,teng” sound has been associated with binatog. Unlike the vendor of “taho” the vendor of binatog need no effort to holler “binatooooog”. The sound of metal already pulls customers to buy.

At last, i've eaten binatog! It only costs five pesos(PhP5.00). Yummmy! =). So when was the last time you ate binatog? o hindi ka pa nakakain ni minsan? try it!!! =)

baywalk ???

At first glance, did you recognize that photos were taken at baywalk,Roxas Boulevard? Some of my friends have to look twice before recognizing that 'twas indeed baywalk. I took pictures of sunset at baywalk quite a few times but it's only now that i've seen the mountain at the background. It was fascinating to see the mixture of dark clouds slowly engulfing the light.

It seems that patrons along the bay do not mind the approaching rain. They continue to chat and enjoy the scenery. The color of lanterns added to a laid-back ambiance. =)

OCMI BMC1 at UP Diliman

OCMI members Vince,Richard,Rachel,Ava,Ten and I met last Saturday at UP Diliman. This is where we held our basic mountaineering course for batch XI with only two participants, Sheldon and Jason. Quantity doesn't matter it's the quality of members we produce that matters most. They were already jogging around the oblation when I arrived. They finished jogging past 10:am so we decided to eat early lunch and discussed OCMI's history at the table. Rachel had informed me and Vince to assist in introducing the organization and share to the participants OCMI's history and its culture. I guessed it goes with the age as Vince and I were pioneer in OCMI. I hope Sheldon and Jason will pass the training and become part of OCMI family. Goodluck guys! =)

a bit of trivia:
The Oblation is the iconic symbol of the University of the Philippines, represented by a man with arms wide-stretched and face facing up, symbolizing selfless offering of one's self to his country. The Oblation was made by Professor Guillermo E. Tolentino with the help of his assistant Anastacio T. Caedo, his student apprentice. According to a book tribute to Guillermo Tolentino, it was Anastacio Caedo, not Fernando Poe Sr., who served as the model for the sculpture.