To Multiply... or Not To Multiply

Bakit parang mas in na ngayon ang Multiply?
Super dami ko nang natatangap na invites. Out na ba ako?
Sabi mas maganda daw, image friendly, mas makikita kung san nagpunta ang mga guests, maa-update sa mga friends....

Kaya lang, ayoko naman iwan lahat ng entries ko dito doon...
Gusto ko yung template ko dito...
Gusto ko kung lilipat ako, madadala ko lahat ng previous entries ko...

Ano ba? Pa-advice nga po!

Chiang Rai, Thailand

Just came back from Chiang Rai, Thailand for the IOM 2007 Opening Workshop.

I met so many people who are experts in their craft, and are so generous with their wealth of knowledge! I assisted in workshops by Howie Severino, Dominic Sansoni and Jeremiah Foo. Imagine, getting paid to sit in lectures like these!

Filipino documentary-maker Howie Severino gave a lecture on media ethics and covering international stories. Interestingly, Howie's parents met in Lao while they were doing diplomatic work. And when Howie was growing up, his parent's would speak in Lao whenever they don't want him to understand. So, Howie could understand some of the words from the Lao fellows.


We also met Dominic Sansoni from Sri Lanka. He's a photographer whose photos have been covers of TIME Magazine and the like. He's traveled the world and has magnificent photos that will leave you wide-eyed! Being a neophyte photographer, he allowed me to copy a DVD of vignettes about esteemed photographers discussing their contact prints. He also was appluaded my choice of camera with my Nikon D40 and made some changes in the settings for me. Lessons, free of charge!

Another interesting person I met during the workshop is Jeremiah Foo. He's a Malaysian who pioneered web and podcasting in Asia. Since Malaysia does not have absolute freedom of speech, he has extensively used new media to broadcast his work. I was so thrilled with his lecture and the amazing gadgets he brings around. Imagine, he has an HD video camera the size of what we use in KNN! Gusto ko na tuloy mag-masters ng convergent media!

Actually, I've met so many more great minds. People who are committed to causes and have made it their life's work to uphold advocacies. The kind of people who can speak more than 3 languages fluently, and hold gravity in their words. I wish to be like them someday.

***

Now, for some photos...

I also joined a field trip to the Akha Village. A close-counterpart of the Ifugaos. They also live near the mountains but have experienced being displaced due to land conflict. They are fighting to keep their heritage alive.

En route to the Akha Village. Ang saya ng mountain, may sariling stripe.

A girl from the Akha village, selling their woven crafts.

It's been a year since I've been working on this project, and finally I get to see the infamous Mekong River that connects all 6 countries of the rightfully named Mekong Region. I also felt its power to connect all the countries when we went to the Golden Triangle, an area where the borders of Thailand, Laos and Burma meet.

Fishing in the Mekong River at Dusk

So, just by crossing the river, we were able to go to Laos. We stayed their for an hour and crossed the river again to go back to Thailand.

6.0

Ben's 23rd Bday

Celebrated the night at Moomba (Roces Avenue). The ambiance and architecture was superb , but the food was a major so-so. At least we can proudly say that we have already tried ostrich meat!

The band also granted my request, and played "The Last Time" by Eric Benet.

We couldn't give Ben his 1 bottle of Jose Cuervo Tequila, so he had to settle for Cuervo filled chocolate instead. Not bad, actually. Happy birthday Ben!


Some random photos...

Beach! with IOM 2007 Fellows

After two weeks of lectures and field production, we took the Mekong fellows to the beach. We went to La Luz Beach Resort in Laiya, San Juan, Batangas. This is an especially precious experience for them, since living in a landlocked country, many have not yet even seen, let alone swam in the sea.

The beach was not very comfortable, though. There were many sharp boulders and rocks. The sand was not fine, and hurts it when you walk. We also played volleyball, but couldn't make the most of it because the sand was blistering hot and rough. However, the beautiful and colorful fish swimming near the shore more than made up for this. You don't need to go very far from the shore to see schools of fishes feeding from corals. Inexperienced swimmers won't have a hard time too, because large boulders can serve as anchors and rest areas.

Beachfront

Lolo Phet from Laos

Towards the end of the day, most of our group had a massages in the cabanas by the beach. And just before leaving, I led a relaxing stretching session. There's really nothing compared to the fresh sea air, and the sound of waves crashing on the rocks in the distance. Whew!

We capped the night with a bulalo dinner at Rose and Grace's restaurant in Sto. Tomas, Batangas. Yummy!

By the end of the day, our backs were burned, our feet were slashed in different small places, tired from the long trip back to the city, but our hearts are filled with sweet memories of the sea. Till next year!

Manila... Manila

Just want to share some images from our Manila Tour with the IOM 2007 Fellows.
Feeling turista din ako. Practicing my photography.

Rizal Monument

San Agustin Church, Intramuros

Bahay Nakpil, Quiapo


San Sebastian Church, Quiapo

His and Hers SLAT

Due to the mysterious disappearance of my rubber shoes, Momon and I finally have a reason to fulfill our dream of having matching rubber shoes!

Presenting, NIKE SLAT...



Naka-sale na 'to! Ang hirap hanapin sa stores dahil di na ito ang current model.
Strictly for workout purposes. Hehe.

Birthday Celebrations

24th! Syempre ako pinakamatanda sa Compassion 5, kaya nadiin na naman ang age!

Kebs! I'm still young, and I'm loving every minute of being 24. Especially the multiple celebrations.

KNN and PMFI with Susie's Cuisine
My birthday was a Wednesday, a perfect fit for KNN Manila reporters. Ang daming tao sa office, ang saya. Ate Tin, Ate Grace--na saktong may viewing. Angelo, Joseph, Nicai and Ate Astrid, Tita Nancy, Ate Lorna and Ate Josie. Ate Yas had to leave early, though.

We ate the extraordinary palabok of Susie's Cuisine! As in the Pampango original. We also had Tibok-tibok, their version of Majablanca; and Danz' recommended kakanin--Moche. As in super busog!

Padua Family at Cajun
We had dinner at Cajun restaurant along Retiro. It's the restaurant of the Chef Tony (of Popcorn fame). I first ate in this resto during one of my stints in HTVS. I was craving for their Creole Chicken pasta, that's why we went there. Muntik pa kaming maligaw. Ang dilim kasi e.

We also bought loads of Chef Tony's Popcorn! How can you resist?! I had one small tumbler of White Chocolate and Walnut popcorn to myself.

Sorry , wala akong pictures. Hehehe. ON TO MORE CELEBRATIONS!

Compassion 5 at Butter Diner
I chose Butter Diner in Cubao for my birthday dinner with the Compassion 5. It's similar to the 50's Diner in Baguio which Momon and I really enjoyed. I'm not so sure what to say about the food here. It's not really extraordinary, but it's worth a try.

Ayan, may pictures na...

Vincent and Momon, behind them is the comic mural (?) of Butter Diner's history.

This is mine! All American Burger! Super juicy!


Ewan ko ba kung bakit namin ginawa 'to!

After dinner, we proceeded to Pier One for drinks. Aside from the usual drinks we have, we each got 1 tequila shot. Ang saya, nagtoast kami sa isa't isa. Di lang ako ang may wishes, bawat isa, magbibigay ng wish sa apat. Rhea ordered Shirley Temple, ang dumating samin, tempura... go figure.

Mymies at Spiral Buffet, Sofitel
Sunday night, Momon and I conquered the Spiral Buffet of Sofitel Philippine Plaza. It was a 4-hour culinary experience, that we will not soon forget!

We enjoyed a buffet of Japanese, Italian, Spanish, Indian, Chinese and Koren cuisines. Super na-test dito ang pagiging adventurous namin sa food, at ang galing namin sa pagpe-pace ng appetite namin. I had the chance to try some things I normally just see on Lifestyle Network--smoked salmon, mango chutney, green tea pannacota, gratin, lamb, prosciutto and many more.

It's so hard to describe here what we ate-- even more, how much we ate! I took sips of hot tea each time we completed a cuisine to help me digest, tsaka para wag maumay. By the end of it all, we had to burp ourselves several times and take long deep breaths in between spoons of creme brulee.

Whew, what an eventful birthday week, not to mention a very fattening one! BURP!

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Sa Saturday na pala ito... hindi ko man lang namalayan.
Pupunta ako ng maagang maaga sa NBS Katipunan at kukunin ko ang pina-reserve kong libro.

Grabe, magkakaron na naman ako ng hibernation mode.
Hay... I'm so excited pero I'm also so sad na last book na ito. Rumor has it that JK Rowling is planning to kill Harry's character so that there will be no pressure to continue the series. Ano kayang mangyayari.

Oh well... until Saturday!

Gawad Plaridel

UP CMC awarded the Gawad Plaridel to Cheche Lazaro last July 4, 2007.
Just some pictures...