7th Manila Surfers Association Surfing Cup

For the first time, I was able to see what La Union is surfing all about. It was also the 7th Annual Manila Surfers Association Surfing Cup. “Para Sa’yo to Kid” is a reference to the Medical Mission for the kids of La Union that is to follow after the surf competition. Not only we get to surf, we also shared our blessings to the children.

I wasn't able to surf, because of this. Here are some surfing photography (beginner me!) 

Thank you so much Mark Crisinto and Mark Mabanag for lending me their lens. 

I will definitely go back. I miss surfing.

happy new year

sooooooooo late. i am so late.

new year's eve is my son's birthday!

hello 2012! 
its another year to make life brighter. and as i enter another timeline ( NOT facebook timeline, NO ) i wish to have more fun memories with my son and more adventures. i have been making a lot of progress especially on my photography and what i want 2012 to be.


i was supposed to fly out of the country when the new year came in, but it's not happening. i guess it is not yet the right time to leave my son and make more money outside the Philippines.  i was really expecting to gather more culinary experience and to explore a different culture and connect to the world. i felt sad but hey, isn't it more fun in the Philippines?!


gaining new friends is one other thing that moves our life. one of my closest friends, pretty much exposed me to who is behind Lokal Soul, Manila Surfers Association and making surfing trips happen. i won't forget my first ever surfing trip to Bagasbas in Daet, Camarines Norte. 10 hours drive, been there twice. I would definitely pay another visit this summer, bring the best gang and get some unforgettable waves.

this is Cemento!

recently was my first surfing trip for 2012, we went to Baler, Aurora. that's my second time to surf over there and was able to explore another spot which they call Cemento. the superb waves that day wasn't for me. i just took some satisfying shots off my camera. 


more surfing trips this year. and probably a mountain hike for me. and out of the country expeditions. to the best gang members, you know who you are.


to know more about MSA (local surfers group that shares the finest stoke) 
and LOKALSOUL (local surfing blog delight) just click their links away!


MSA
LOKALSOUL

RIP LX3

i feel guilty of its death.
damn beer spilled on it.
it was at Baler, Aurora, my recent trip to experience the surf and music festival.
and its final snaps are here.

rest in peace my good karma kamera. 


i am unhappy. i am sorry for being so clumsy.

30 SECONDS TO MARS

Into The Wild Tour, Live in Manila, July 29, 2011

i missed some good bands who have reached Manila skies and showed us their stuff. like stone temple pilots, john mayer, etc.


first reason i cannot watch is, time, and second is money. i know some were worth the wait or surprisingly making a show here. among all the bands, 30 seconds to mars was the most exciting to see, because i knew it was jared leto's band.


i didn't think twice. but since i was pretty busy with this project i have been working on, and that the execution of the project was the day before the concert, i was still held up if i should buy a ticket or not. 


i bought the ticket on the day of the concert. 


the venue was just across our home. i would even hear the whole concert from here, but definitely won't see it.


kara is a fan, a close friend of mine and we both decided to go together. 


and then it began to rain. NON-STOP. we were drenched. we didn't care. everybody didn't care.


i still got some pretty takes from my lovely good karma kamera, LX-3. and i get see jared leto's lovely, ever so dreamy eyes.

thanks to the rain and to jared, tomo and shannon and the whole crew of 30 seconds to mars. 


i still can't believe i was at a concert like that, again.



one band i would really like to see who is already disbanded: SMASHING PUMPKINS


one band i would really like to see now here in the philippines: DAVE MATTHEWS BAND

IPA

These were my two entries for Invisible Photographer Asia's Street Photography Contest. 

Tried. But nobody from the Philippines got in.

I absolutely agree those 20 finalists deserved it!

Compared to my entries.

My friend said my captions are amazing. Well, that's what he said.

Better luck next time!

First Entry:

Actually this shot was taken by my friend/mentor

Using my LX-3, he accompanied me when I visited my grandmother in our old neighborhood.

"SAKLA"

This man often witness what is happening at this local card game here in our neighborhood. Every night of his old life, wishing to get some fortune. I'm clueless if he is the 'sakla' operator or just a by-stander or a player.

That is the street corner where people gather up regularly, just to get some luck. They wrap up when the sun is already shining towards their weary eyes.

The practice of gambling at a wake has been part of our culture. Sometimes, authorities don't bother breaking these 'sakla' games because the proceeds go to the mourning family to help pay for the burial.

Malabon City, Metro Manila, Philippines

Taken: May 25, 2011 from my LX3

Second Entry:

This shot was taken by me. I joined our first ever photowalk for 2011 of my group in Flickr, Flickristasindios.

"FREE FALL" 

This is an activity which a person, or this kid has fallen off a boat into the water, although this is not an emergency situation. The kids of Manila, find leisure in their free time by getting a free fall. A big plunge, despite the dirty river. As long as they can have fun and dive in different forms possible.

Manila, Philippines

Taken: January 9, 2011 from my 5DMarkII

5 months passed

Due to my laziness, I forgot to update and check my blog since December 2010. My grandfather recently passed away and I haven't really been paying attention to everything around me.

Real statement: I am such an addict in micro blogging in my Tumblr and on Facebook.

I should go back to writing. I have a new "mentor", that's what I call him nowadays. He's been supportive in terms of my photography and the way I see things. I can't still say he's a gift from heaven, however I am learning a lot from him. Thank you, you know who you are.

I should be writing about the best group there is in the entire universe. I started writing on paper, though I should be writing it here. I'll make one entry about that. The history where it all started.

Recently, we started shooting my tattoo artist, Butch Rosca, about his works and life. We are going to be working on his AVP soon. I can't wait to work and practice my skills in editing and making story board and writing.

Although it's a bit wrong timing, because I have no help. I am a slave at my own home and there will be a big adjustment for my son because he's transferring now to a bigger school that will paved his way until high school. I don't think I will be transferring him anymore. That would be another orientation. I want consistency.

There were so many trips, shoots, and happy endings for the past 5 months. Now it's time to get serious, i guess. I will be more active in here, bringing back the habit. A better habit.

I am so grateful for the half year of my 2011. I have met a lot of people, establishing myself in photography, intensifying my portfolio,and just grabbing the opportunities that makes me exceptionally happy.

Should I say countless writings coming soon?

To sum it all up in photos what happened during the past 5 months...

my official flyer

finale!

thanks so much brian sergio

my way

so i am out of the restaurant world.

and now to a bridge back to the music scene.

currently shooting for a few bands and currently doing album layout for KALAYO. you should check their gigs here.

my first ever produced video, 'ULAN' by JOHNOY DANAO got more than 10,000 hits on YOUTUBE.

the second one is coming soon. watch out for that.

it's been fun! exciting! crazy!

especially when best friends are around.

thank you for the happy trips!

:)

THE food styling book of all time

i finally got the book i needed for my passion!:)

thanks tita ganda for giving me this book!

thank you thank you thank you!!!

:)

worth buying!

miss Delores Custer has shared everything from all her experiences!:)

now i have to read this by heart, cover to cover.

here goes my first street

i was bored. and it was monday. got nothing to do besides take care of my son and do housechores. i was, surprisingly, invited by a great photojournalist. and so i went. took a jeep. arrived at the church. witnessed his passion on what he does best. i said to myself, am i really here? i don't even think i was worthy to be with him that day. i look up to this man for years. he enouraged me to take shots. and so i did.

thank you.

thank you for opening me to this candid activity.

i was like a little child having her first ever field trip.

so it's not only food i take or make. but also this.

another interesting kind of photography to explore.

more street to come.

i can't wait.

resigned. reworked. relive. rest.

here i go again. trying hard to put something in here. i have been lazy, like a zombie.

well, i've been busy with so many things. being a single mom is hard work but worth it.

i resigned my assisting job in the culinary school i have graduated from. it has been rewarding for me to work with the best chefs in the country and students who have tremendously appreciated what i helped them and to those who became my close friends and played an important role in my stay at the school. even if i torture them. hahaha! i had fun and will surely miss the school.

but it is time for me to move on and get it on with my career. i really want to be in a real kitchen. honestly, i have no ultimate kitchen work experience yet. and i have been passed on for so many years, not that i'm saying i wasted time, but this is the time now for me to get it. culinary arts is at its peak here in the country and everybody is so into it. and so the search is on. i have been dreaming about this.

me, alessa (student), noreen(student), chef sean(my brah!)

anyways, i am still currently doing food styling and even photography.

my breakfast banana split

i have been recently developing recipes for a website. i hope you can check it out, Anchor Recipes, its been pleasant working with them. and i can't believe that for the first time, it gave me a boost on my confidence that random people, i don't even know, appreciated my recipes. i am very thankful for that. if you can also check out my portfolio site, which isn't that ready yet, Isi's Online Portfolio, but most of my work are at my Flickr.

and since i am back working at home, my spices and flavoring extracts are selling again. i'm starting getting food orders too, for small groups.

resting and being fulltime with my son has been a delightful experience once again. researching and browsing new things over the net and an addict on plants vs. zombies is my past time for now.

hoping by july, i will gain kitchen work, back to where i belong.

i can't wait to cook for alot of people.

:)

Cooliris Photo Wall

burfday month

it's been fun to shoot with this big client of mine, i have been doing food styling as a side job. yesterday was a success, all 30 dishes were shot. and they were good to eat too. i am not the old school food stylist who uses motor oil or other artificial products. it's been very rewarding also to see my previous work put up on a poster and print ads. and it's worth it also being paid to do this. hehehe

i can't post what i did, but i will soon. or maybe you can see them in major supermarkets or magazines and on their website. will feature that soon.

***

february 6th. i had a big blast for my burfday. i don't really celebrate my burfday but this year was different. everybody came. the people who loves me truly. thanks to everybody who made me feel happy on my birthday.

february 7th. i treated my family out for dinner. then after i had videoke with my friends and they brought me to a place i never been to. not going to tell where! hahahaha! after 27 years of my life, my eyes were devirginized!

february 8th. my real birthday. it was a monday, so i was at work, ordinary day to work but some of my students surprised me, one gave me a balloon, so sweet of her. and a group of students came up to me and gave me a strawberry cake with a candle on it. so so sooooo sweet of them! thank you for making me feel special.

good family, good friends, good life, feel the love. (naxxx! yiheeee!)

***

tomorrow, after 4 years of not being able to go out of town, i will finally indulge myself. my girlfriends and i will be going to zambales. we have been planning this for a very long time. it was supposed to be my burfday get away. the first plan was calaguas, an island in camarines norte, but we decided to go to a nearer destination. calaguas will come next. maybe at a later part of the summer season. i can't wait to go! i can't wait to shoot nature at its best!

see you all soon! i'm so excited!

2010

OMG

the last time i blogged was october 2009. i feel sorry for myself. i secluded myself from my own blog.

anyways, it's been so busy at work and it's been time consuming. december was a hell month of non stop working, non stop christmas parties and our christmas hongkong trip and my son's 4th birthday.

i have so much to say, but i am so lazy to type.

ok, first off, i am still working for ISCAHM, my used to be culinary school. and i have been there for almost 9 months. still taking care of my son, who just turned four years old. and still entertaining customers from my seven spice shop. i have been jogging after work. and i have been hanging out with my best friend(godmother of my son) more often than before. i also have been catching up with old friends and its been good.

year 2010, is i think a deciding year for me to find a better place to work, to find more clients for my food styling/food photography and to be able to gain more culinary experience.

i want to share more of my photography here. the later part of 2009, i have been hanging out with a few good photographers from this flickr group called, flickristaindios. they have been very nice and supportive not only of how i am in my food photography, but also for the food i bring to our get togethers.

i actually started on black and white photography, and i have been wanting to go to a photography class, and i think black and white photography class is what i have been waiting for. i haven't gone to any class except my friend, ricky ladia's food lighting workshop. and i have been his food stylist for the past three workshops and it's been great.

i got a big break from a big client. i will be doing food styling for a big client. which i never done before. and i hope this will bring in more experience and exposure for me and my work. and this will be a year long shooting of food and styling of food. and i am very thankful for this.

i need to travel this year. i want to travel this year. and i hope i can.

:)

thanks for those who are still checking out my blog even if lazy-me haven't updated this for the last few months of 2009.

let's see what's more of evil & demented little cooker girl this 2010.

family book

its been awhile. quite busy at work. and its been a hell of a ride what i am going through right now.

you don't know how big deal this is.

while the philippines was having that storm/flooding dilemna , i also had my own storm.

i am picking up my broken pieces and just moving on one day at a time.

my work is my therapy now. i love my work, (yeah right!) quite ironic actually. haha


anyways, my uncle who is a great photographer has been publishing photo books. and i just really have to blog about this because this is a first. and i am proud of it. our own family book. and i am so happy and so so sooooooooo honored to have this book right now in our home.

here is a link http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/638218

OUR SPECIAL COLLECTIONS

-PHOTOGRAPHIC LOOK AT THE TAGAYTAY COLLECTIONS OF THE LAUREANO'S-



i am just amazed how he compiled this book. i kept on browsing it today. it was such fun to see highlights of our house (first ever) at tagaytay city.

i am just too proud.
loving more my family. even if i am going through alot right now, i get to realize how much they love me.

thanks mom, thanks dad.

most important thing now is my son's well-being.
:)

PLEASE HELP ONDOY VICTIMS

i just really need to do this
in my own little way

we have been gathering our clothes that can be donated
especially my son's baby clothes way back
these can really help all those babies

i am so sad about what happend in our country

please help

here is a MAP of where HELP IS NEEDED
you can check this out for more information

thank you
and God bless us all

the seminar

whoa. it's been more than a month i haven't wrote anything in here. and i will be almost three months at work. i am actually having fun torturing students, especially now a new batch of students just came in.

the only thing i am tired of is the food. we always have the same routine of menu every year. and every after short course run, there's going to be another batch of students, and they will just be doing the same course. but some of my chefs add a new recipe, but we never mess up with the school standards.

anyways, last saturday was a day off, and i got an opportunity of attending the food styling seminar by Delores Custer. it was a fun and very informative seminar. i have learned and added so much tips from what i know about food styling.



and this coming august, will be my third time to style food for Ricky Ladia's food lighting workshop.
for all those who are interested, please do call Totally Creative Graphics Studio.



today was pretty easy day, got no work because of the President's station of the nation address.
i made pancakes for breakfast. i made brownies to bring tomorrow at work to share. and i made cream of pumpkin soup for dinner.



will share more foodies soon. and i hope you will still get to check and standby my blog.
:)

oh, here are some pralines at our chocolate room for the school's restaurant
enjoy!