Beauty in the Eye of the Lens

Drafted May 27, 2011 but hey.


So what's new? Aside from I'm not using the default font? The weather has been really wet and bipolar lately. Tropical monsoon sends scattered rainfall and really moody clouds around the metro. Do not be fooled by the weather you experience the moment you step out of your house (hot and sunny? Wait till you get to the next block!), it will change in a bat of an extended eyelash with mascara. Local nonsense weather-hopeful-related report brought to you by Donya Anita, your friendly neighborhood manghuhula. For booking in parties or maybe one-on-one private reading of your fortune, contact blogger.


I've been fond of the color red maybe because I was born during the celebration time of Valentine's Day and it's the only color around. So maybe I became attached to it. Although the real story here is how my highschool buddy Pentax Optio couldn't take the strong waves of San Juan, La Union. Sure thing the waves were no match but the sand got to him. My poor baby's LCD drowned. Aside from my camera I was distraught because I also lost my waterproof pouch. A friend misplaced it somewhere we cannot determine, maybe the sand swallowed it or some hermit crab stole it. San Juan, La Union is a great surf spot and to add, a giant waterproof-killer-machine.

Pentax on the left, Olympus on the right!

Hello new water buddy! I was supposed to buy a Canon D10 but seems like it would take an eternity and a half for the supplies to be replenished. Hopefully this red rock is solid enough to take on my lifestyle but it's not like I throw cameras around as a hobby. Although I haven't tested its prowess underwater, a few test shots using the filters are spelling f-u-n.

Sketching Forever 21!

MORAL: We have different needs and wants, but this time let's keep it simple. It is point and shoot after all. If you're really going to use it, go ahead just don't go splurging your food money on things that can be broken easily. Regret is for the weak and we ain't weak, baby. We ain't weak. (Just a little bit extravagant.)

Another filter, with vignette this time!
That's Darth Vabear. Such a cutie (from Korea!). :D

Mamma Mia Kirshner!

Miaaaaaaa. Lalala.

Hello, June! Welcome to the 2nd half of the year! Not to mention it's my first year signing up into the corporate bandwagon. Anyway, enough of that one.

The reason I got into the whole The Vampire Diaries series is because of this actress. There were only 2 episodes into the season when I started watching it. The weekly anticipation for a new episode was brutal, especially if you're actually waiting for a character to show up. So when I was able to read that Mia Kirshner is going to be part of the series, I was glued or package taped to the computer and the television. However, the series was actually really good enough and I got hooked, lined, and sinkered into the show.

Mia Kirshner's look penetrates into your soul.

I'm sorry that all my favorite characters get written off, and I'm still keeping an unfortunate hot streak on that. She might be a crazy (more like a lunatic) prima donna when she played Jenny Schecter or still a crazy vampire as Isobel Fleming, hey, she made me a fan. She's really good playing moonstruck characters. Maybe crazy isn't bad after. Crazy beautiful.

Yep that's a vampire girl over there.

MORAL: Beauty is in the eyes, ears, nose, and mouth of the beholder. Thank you, sweet Jesus for people like Mia Kirshner.

She kinda looks like someone here. Hmm.

And above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you, because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places. Those who don’t believe in magic will never find it.

Roald Dahl

Light Constellations

Definitely, definitely catching-up with life. After all the love from Tuesday (see post before this), Wednesday may be far from its level but it's good enough.

Finishing the minimum required 8 visits from the gym, I don't know if people from Gold's Gym were on a high because for the 2nd time, their staff has uttered the words, "Ang sipag ni Ma'am ah." to me. Well, it was the first month that I didn't do "pretend gym" because I actually ran and did some weights, bwahaha. Still not a total workout as I only use their treadmill most of the time but hey, I'm off to a good start. Then got complimented with "Good form!" from one of the trainers there whom I asked to remove the free weights from the row-like-pull-thing. Obviously, I was a scholar on gym equipments in my past life. Maybe people in the gym were given their mid-year bonus a month early so they're in a good mood.

Totally unrelated from the paragraph above, this post's title is "Constellations", which is actually a song from Barbie Almalbis which was playing when I started this entry, and "Lights" is another song from her album which was playing while I was typing the last paragraphs. It would come in handy as I finished the movie "I Am Number Four" a couple of minutes ago. I had a realization. I have a fascination with lights.

Yes Alex Pettyfer, light is amazing, too.

There are already 200 million reviews on the movie and I don't want to add anything more. It's a good no brainer film, great effects for this blondie movie, can't wait if there's a sequel. Would definitely watch it. Alex Pettyfer (already mentioned in my Pretty Beautiful series!), Teresa Palmer, and Dianna Agron are the blonde stars in this film.

It's like God is calling us with these lights. Palm lights? Handlights?
Obviously not headlights, right?

Dianna Agron has a Diana in the movie. That's funny if you like cameras with light leaks (as mentioned in the movie). Here we go again with "lights" and it's not intentional! They're just really interconnected.

Who could resist such a pretty still from this movie?!?!
Number Four and Six, respectively. Awesome and madungis.

MORAL: How can a semi-photophobic fall in love with lights? Actually I don't think I'm photophobic as that is extreme, it's just that my eyes are sensitive and those grey spots around are not related (I hope so). Neither am I a heliophobe but I just can't tolerate lights, them glaring on me. Yet that won't stop anyone from pushing and dropping their jaws from lovely lights. As they say, "Impossible is just an opinion." And it's an agreed truth, that we pretty much want what we don't have.

Here we are, under a billion stars. The constellations. The light from which traveled a million years to shine down on us.

Keep Shining

Jesus you rock 'n roll.

On a rainy Tuesday when tropical storm Chedeng is scaring Filipinos into paranoia and "Ondoy 2" my officemate asked me if we're pushing through with watching Barbie at Katipunan. It wasn't a crucial day for me as in a project phase, this is my calm before the storm. One Grey's Anatomy episode, a burned mixtape, and a running magazine after, my ride called already. We're pushing through with it because she has nothing else better to do anyway and the rain stopped. Hallelujah!

Thanks, Chin! It was a great night. No waiting time, met our college people (yours and mine from different schools), and set list was amazing. Not to mention you finally noticed that Barbie is not tall and has frizzy, dry hair. :|

First dibs on the new album! Here's the music video as well but most of all, I got my fresh CD signed (thanks to Chin for being a supportive fangirl hahahaha) and finally asked my long-overdue question to Barbie: Where does she get her jacket and shoes? I told Barbie I just come to her shows to check her jackets and shoes. The girl had no idea as her former stylist were just giving her stuff then checked the one she's wearing, "Topshop ata?" She lifted her leg to check the sole of her shoes, "Uhmm... Aldo?" All the while I was thinking, "Teh, hindi ka sure kung may brand na Aldo?!?" Mahalia jackson the shoes and jacket. You already!



Still the best female guitarist around, Barbie Almalbis can still rock the world. Her music video was made with real photographs. *picks up jaw from the floor*

Jesus you are a superstar.

I am a natural anti-fangirl. I was just with a natural fangirl. And it was worth it.


MORAL: NO doesn't get you anywhere. You may prevent a possible lamentable event, but the "what if" question would haunt you forever.

Run Like the Wind

If you know me or not know me (whatever), I am not into fads. I still try to believe that I have some non-conformist hormones (if there's such a thing) inside of me. So when running became the "in" thing, meaning everyone's into it, I just laugh although not sinisterly at those into running, complete with splurging on expensive gadgets and all. Well I don't judge them, it's just that I'm waiting people out to get tired of it. However, I think running's going to be here for a while. You just invest on running shoes (which you can use even if you're not going to run, duh) and off you go. A lot of places especially the commercial centers welcome runners and walkers alike. You don't need other equipments, just run and sweat like a pig.

Then the boom of fun runs came, these events sprouting like pimples on a kid's oily face. There are fun runs at The Fort almost every weekend, as well as in other places. It took a while before I decided to join my first fun run. Ever since I got into the company's fitness program (meaning my gym fee is waived), I have been using the treadmill for some time. Carbo Girl into Cardio. Back when I was still in school, I am confident to say that I can sprint like a terrier on the loose. See illustration.

A Jack Russell Terrier at the meadow. Aww.

So yes, I can sprint like a Jackie but I believe my endurance is like a running mollusk. And I told myself that I will only join running events that have a cause. Only those with "for the benefit of [...]" and mind you, the 2 events I have joined are for a cause. First event was December 12 last year, Eco Run 2010 at Fort Bonifacio. My friend and I joined and got lost around the camp. Hahaha. At one point we were following the 10K route (while we're running 5K hahaha) and we're not the only ones who ran extra meters. Bad marshalls, tsk. First times are like crap. Next run I had was by chance. It was destiny. My officemate (the one who adopted me at my Holy Week 101 feat) and I were gym-hopping for attendance (we need to complete at least 8 visits) when we saw the ad inside Gold's Gym at Intercontinental Hotel. Skyathon Beach Run 2011. Oh yeah boy, the event (April 30) is smack in the middle of our Boracay trip! This is destiny. There were a lot of freebies in the event. The lootbag (contains a shirt, magazine, spray, totebag, slippers, etc.), breakfast, sweet and decent singlet, personalized medal, not to mention a timing device all for the registration fee of Php 700 were definitely not bad! My 2nd run was memorable because we ran barefooted and drunk. Actually, it was just my officemate who was drunk (not me!) but we partied and consumed alcohol that Friday night like it was the end of the world. So much fun for a Saturday morning run! End of story: we were 13-15minutes late. It was a very noteworthy event I can assure you.

So we have ran for the environment (tree planting to be exact) and for the beach (Skyathon proceeds are for the beach clean-up). What's next?


MORAL: Run. Just run, don't think. You start running the moment you stop thinking. If you're a non-conformist like me, it's still okay to tie your running shoes and speed away. Do it for your health, for your heart, for your lungs, for the endorphins. The runner's high? It won't disappoint you.

Naya Rivera - Songbird

For you, there'll be no more crying. For you, the sun will be shining.
And I feel that when I'm with you, it's alright, I know it's right.

To you, I'll give the world. To you, I'll never be cold.
'Cause I feel that when I'm with you, it's alright, I know it's right.

And the songbirds are singing like they know the score. And I love you, I love you, I love you, like never before.

And I wish you all the love in the world, but most of all, I wish it from myself.



Santana and Brittany. Awwww.

Holy Week 101

Growing up as a Born-Again Christian in a not so religious family, I'm not very much exposed to the annual celebration and observance of the Holy Week. I prefer how Roman Catholics do it especially in the provinces. People in Manila are just about the thrill of driving around with empty streets.

So when an offer to join an officemate coming home to Pampanga for the Holy Week came up like a beanstalk (from Jack and the Beanstalk), I quickly jumped the gun. It was just after I accepted that I realized how possibly dumb that was, considering I will be a visitor/spectator/observer/pet for a couple of days, as I might be a nuisance in their festivities (hello do I hear reunions?).

I just had a dilemma at that time. It's because the saints, Virgin Mary, and their traditions are so revered, that if my hosts ask me if I want to try it (e.g. kissing the cross), would I? Two points: A.) If I try it for the sake of trying, would that be (a little) disrespectful as I'm just trying something that they consider special? It's just like an atheist wearing a cross because it's a nice accessory. And I abhor this idea. B.) If I say No, would I be channeling Discovery Channel or National Geographic and act as a pure observer of the events unfolding right in front of my pupils?

My first Visita Iglesia after dark was spellbounding! Although it was like I was the odd-man out because I was with my host's relatives, visiting 7 churches around (Bulaon) San Fernando and Bacolor was very memorable. I've never had too much gooseflesh at that time from one church to another. I found it heartwarming that people still acknowledge the importance of the Lenten Season.

One MAJOR concern I had was about cameras. Devotees and visitors pray and observe silence inside the churches. If I had epilepsy, I would have a lot of attacks or episodes inside! The flash from the cameras are blinding, not to mention distracting! Holy Lord, please abolish flash photography inside! Oh, make it 2 major concerns (one plus one is two, right?). This would be those I found sacrilegious. Making suggestive poses in front of the statues of the saints and giggling? Seriously?

San Guillermo. Famous for that series with the character "Santino."

MORAL: A bus ride to Pampanga and lots of car and wheeler (aka pedicab) rides after, Holy Week 101 in Pampanga was an enthralling experience. Not to mention I need to be acquainted on how to speak Kapampangan - my dad is as fluent like how a fish swims (what a great comparison!). :|

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths." Proverbs 3:5-6

Inside San Guillermo's museum.

Miss Israel on Wheels

After watching Fast Five in this blockbuster season, it's no wonder that Gal Gadot is going to be creating some buzz...again.

The Israeli actress, model, and former Miss Israel (2004) has been seen in the movies Fast & Furious (she was toooooo skinny here) and Fast Five, as well as a cameo with Tom Cruise in Knight and Day. If you search her movie list it was mentioned she had a small role in the movie Date Night (which I have a copy since time immemorial) but since I haven't watched the movie, I won't mention it. Nope, even if I typed about it here, I still don't consider mentioning it. :|

Ok, this is the wind effect.

I think I have a thing for Israelis. Yes, Natalie Portman is Israeli as well. Now bask in the glory of Israel! Jesus really loves that place. Either I'm quite sleepy already or my eyes are tired from the front-row seats we had in the movie house (we didn't have any choice unless we take the last full show), I think there's a semblance between Natalie and Gal.

Tough chick in the movie? Plus points. :)

Moral: Israel, you're really fast and furious. You still got your Israeli Army going on. Life is beautiful and so are we. Oh yeah.

This one's a still from Fast Five. It's a nice movie, don't mind the story.