Passion Lunch With Jim Paredes

Had the pleasure of having lunch with Mr. Jim Paredes last July 27, 2012 over at Crescent Moon Cafe in Antipolo.  Going there was no joke but it wasn’t all to hard either being that it was a week day and traffic was relatively forgiving.  The lunch invite was one of those things where in you wouldn’t think about as it was a semi-open invite with random selection.

To briefly surmise what transpired that afternoon, it was completely grounded and without fanfare. Pretty much just a well travelled, wise and free spirited creative mind who met up with 11 complete strangers over lunch in a quiet and quaint little cafe up in the hills of Antipolo.  The food was nothing short of a good ol’fashioned home cooked meal prepared with heart and love. We got to try the “Alagaw” leaves, gave a whole new meaning to the term ‘Salad’.  I particularly liked the Prawns in coconut milk. And the chicken which tasted a bit like caldereta was perfect compliment to the mildly chilly but fresh air. Aside from the on set of heavy rains, it was a perfectly home grown lunch with equally wise and good company

To Jim

If you’re reading this, it was a pleasure meeting you. And getting to know that there are people out there who live for the journey of life and living the moment with a level of openness that one would think to be ridiculous in today’s society is certainly uplifting and inspiring. I can safely say that this was one of those moments that I will gladly tell my grand children about.

Mark “coffeebugg/Salarayman_vader”

Workshop: Studio Lighting

Last July 21st, on a very soggy and soaking wet Saturday morning, through floods and unrelenting rain, with my stubborn insistence to push through with it, at the reluctance of my colleagues, with Mr. Dale Sta. Rosa‘s tutelage, we had our first studio workshop. And one which I do believe is something we all we’re in much need of.

Unfortunately, due to the inclement weather that day, only 5 of us made it that morning alongside Dale and our model for that day, Floe.  I owe both of them greatly for coming in spite of the weather.

Make It Makati Photo Contest

So you say you’re a photographer and have been wanting to take photos of the bustling metropolis that is Makati City but you can’t because of the restrictions imposed in taking photos except that is if you’re a tourist and the photo doesn’t include a building that houses an embassy. Well now your chance to get the opportunity that only happens once in a blue moon.

Gadgets: “Janus”

Via Flickr:
It’s been a memorable and adventure filled 5 years since I got my Canon EOS 400D. Alas, it is with hesitation that I had to let her go and pass her over to an office mate who’s been wanting to learn the ways of the DSLR. I hope that my trusty 400D will be as forgiving and faithful to him as she was to me.

And as with the end of some relationships, new ones will be forged. And as bitter sweet to have my 400D to meet her, dare I call, replacement, I thought that they ought to get to know each other. Thus I introduce to you the latest member of my blogging armory; Janus. Janus is a Canon EOS 5D Mk II. Which is also why I refrain from calling her a replacement to my 400D but rather an upgrade.

Update: Since I’ve disposed of my Sigma 18-50mm F2.8 DC Macro,  here’s Janus with her new lens: Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 EX DG Macro.