SLC's Blacklight Presentation

Because lately, I've been broke, I've searched for rakets on photography. I've been taking photos of Shiloh Learning Center's activities. (Well technically, I did not apply for the job - I am an alumnus and a member of SLC's church.haha)
Every year, SLC prepares a blacklight presentation for their commencement exercises. Instead of presenting the traditional "song with white gloves" performance, Teacher Abba uses her creativity by incorporating fairy tales. During my stay in SLC, I was part of the Creation and The Three Little Pigs blacklight presentation. All I can remember was the fun we had creating the props and the tension we felt while carrying packaging tapes, praying that the props won't fall apart.haha Back then DSLRs were not popular. These kids are lucky that they can keep photographs of their blacklight presentation. but I could never be more happier because I was the one who took their photos.
Here are the photos I took:

The cast
L-R - Prince, Messenger, Fairy Godmother, Cinderella, Stepmother, Stepsisters

The cast and crew

Cinderella

The Stepsisters and Cinderella

The evil stepmother and Cinderella

The evil stepmother

The evil stepmother and stepsisters

Fairy Godmother and Cinderella

The cast on house lights

The cast with their creative director, Kim Aquino
L-R - Justin, Ransom, Tiffany, Habakkuk, Kim, Eom Shin, Kendrick, Genzen

The cast with the voice over talents
L-R - Justin, Isaac, Tiffany, Andrea, Shannon, Habakkuk, Kim, Justin, Joey, Kendrick, Genzen, Nathalie

I also took productions stills but I'll just upload them on a separate entry. These kids are fun to work with! :)

Good things happen sometimes

My blog feels like an open ended story.
So here's an update.

Last March, I graduated from FPPF. Yay! Here's the photo I submitted for the graduation contest:

It's not really my favorite among my shots (it got murdered during the evaluation!haha). Here's what I liked (but it's more of a portrait than a picture of human activity):

  

Hey, but whatever, it won 5th place anyway!

I still don't know what I want to do with my life but I know God is leading me there. :)

FPPF Photos

Hay. Haven't posted for ages. A lot has happened to me these past months. First, I resigned from my job as a Quality Coordinator in Yell Adworks. Then, I got broke. Got enough money to study basic photography. Now, I'm broke once more. But then, I feel really satisfied with what I've achieved so far - kahit wala akong pera.
Went to study Basic Photography at FPPF despite the negative comments my college instructor gave the workshop. I wanted to give it a try and I also knew that by the time a workshop schedule comes up from my preferred photography instructor, I would be penniless.
Here are the photos I submitted during the workshop:

Black subject on black background, supposedly

Deep depth of field

Glassware on black background

Motion blur

Motion freeze

Portrait using window light

Shallow depth of field

White subject on white background, supposedly

The Internet...O.o

Oh my. I know that the internet is a powerful medium of information...but oh my...this is the first time I got paranoid on how well people can find things about you. The horrifying part of it is people most especially can find your dirt through the internet.
 Up until now, I still wonder how people found SQ's blog when all the vital information that might help SEO were divulged in riddles and initials like YA, WG, NL. Is that how smart technology has become?!LOL
After I found SQ's blog, I urged to checking my gmail for social network site updates (yes, I'm not allowed to access FB, especially LinkedIn from office). I choked when I saw that my boss send a request to follow me on Twitter and LinkedIn! I know I didn't say any horrible thing about him or my job in those sites but I did mention in Twitter how I felt about my job. I didn't want my boss to know how I felt because I wanted to show him how strong I am. When the day comes that I've decided (to whatevurrr), I wanted him feel that I am indispensable. Letting him see a slight hint of my discouragement might destroy the image I wanted to build. Is it Google? Have you been giving away my sites?! Ugh! I hate you! I trusted you. CHar! Lol
Ay nako buti nalang protected ang tweets ko. Lol! (and I can't remember my password!)

My Sister's Other Job

It's been a while since I wrote here. I've been very busy with work...too busy perhaps. I've been promoted to a Quality Coordinator position. I'm not going to say anything about that job...for now.
The only thing that keeps me happy during my spare time is my sister's other job - makeup application. I've always been supportive of my sister. Imagine how ecstatic I am to know that she has found her true passion and that she finally has the courage to pursue it.
My sister is a graduate of HD Makeup Studio & Academy (formerly Basement Academy). She specializes in bridal, debutante, special occasion, and fashion makeup. Ate Noemi was trained and equipped to do makeup that can withstand high resolution/definition cameras.
I've been helping her develop her portfolio. I've been assisting her during her makeup stints and taking photos of her work. Here's her portfolio:
http://www.wix.com/makeupbynoemisamson/home#!portfolio
I've also helped her develop her own website:
http://makeupbynoemi.weebly.com/
I know, I'm bad at web designing. I still believe that it's the effort that counts.



My sister not only has a good heart, she is also talented. I hope someday, people can notice that.

Should I Stay or Should I Go?

I hate coming to work everyday. At the start of the week, I just wish that the weekend would come fast. I do not like my job and the shift schedules. If it weren't for the new shift schedule I might not even think of hating my job. I could not totally say that I hate what I'm doing because why else would I stay for over a year in this company? The only consolation I get from this job (aside from the pay) is the two weeks (every other month) that I feel like I'm like any other working person in the Philippines--I go to work during the mornings. However, last month, they rolled out a new shift schedule - 12mn and 3am (thanks to the "shining beacon of hope" and to mr. "designers!").
I would not deny that I liked the 12mn shift. There was no rush in coming to work and I actually slept well. Come next shift though, I felt the effects of never seeing the sun and never experiencing weekends (because I spend them sleeping, and when I'm awake, everybody else is sleeping. Sunday leaves too fast.).
What was worse was hearing that the new manager does not welcome critical and logical thinkers--he is basically a dictator. I really wish that Sir Art is still our manager. I miss having him as our OM. Naalala ko tuloy si Cor. Sir Art na mahilig mag-eavesdrop.haha At least he cared.
Last week, Liss told me that DDB is looking for SEO writers. I hesitated on giving her my resume because I haven't really thought of leaving the company. Hindi naman lahat ng bagay sa kumpanya eh masama.
1. I have really awesome friends
2. This is the first time that I get paid this much
3. They have up to par health benefits
4. I like their PTO program
5. The job really isn't that hard
6. They give opportunities for us to learn
Yun nga lang, they can be abusive at times--depending on the "company's needs."
If I leave this company, I'm afraid I might not be able to find a job that can offer the same benefits.

Decide, decide...hay mag-aaral muna ako sa May or June, tapos saka na ako mag-iisip.

Welcome home Vevi Nikon D3100!

I'm so happy to have finally bought my first ever, awesome DSLR - the Nikon D3100 (a.k.a. Vevi, I still haven't thought of a better name for it)!

 
Despite the tax and the "no log out" deductions from my salary, last Saturday, I still went to Hidalgo as planned. I was with the family. Mami was so happy for me now that I have my DSLR. Finally, she would be hearing less of my almost-quarter-life-crisis rants. Dadi was happy to lend me money (haha).

Ate was psyched about Savory

I allotted 31k for the DSLR because I've already called some of the shops in Hidalgo. But upon learning that the prices may vary from one shop to another, I checked out all of them before deciding to buy one. Henry's was the last shop I checked out, and that was not because it was at the corner of the road. The 1st shop (coming from Quiapo church, forgot the name) offered D3100 kit for 31k, with a free bag, 4g memory card, 1 year store warranty and a duster. Honestly, I wanted to buy that one already because the shop dude was really accommodating. Yes, I'm a big fan of sales talk.haha But I did not trust my instinct and went on to check out the other shops. Almost all of them offer the same price and freebies. 24k offered the cheapest price - 29k. but here's the catch -- it doesn't have a free bag and they offer 6 months store warranty only. Mami then went on with saying, "Di bale nang mahal basta mas matagal yung warranty, anong malay mo."


So finally we've reached Henry's. The shop lady had me at, "29,800 libre bag, 4g memory card, saka may 1 year store warranty." Yehei! Since nakamura ako nang malaki, I've decided to buy a lens filter. Saka na yung iba. I got my D3100 kit (body, 18-55 mm VR lens, bag, 4g memory card, and lens filter) for 30, 200.

Here's the 1st photo Vevi took of me:

  I'm happy that I was with my family who helped me buy Vevi that day.

Then off we went to Dadi's "sentimental journey." We passed by Dadi's favorite bakery, favorite carinderia, favorite movie house (now an abandoned lot), and of course, his favorite restaurant:

We spent 1,200 for a large serving of Pata Tim, Savory Chicken, and Pansit. It was really cheap considering the amount of serving they offer. We weren't able to finish them all and in fact, we ate the left overs until the night after that day.

Look at that Pata Tim plate and compare it with Ate's plate! Grabe, ang dami!

Dadi wasn't happy about the pansit though. He said David's had the authentic Chinese tasting pansit. Okay, winner na ang David's (true naman!).

Hay, so from now, expect that this blog will be filled with photos from me Vevi.