Lola Anita

..or Mama Aning, my Mama's mom, as we most grandchildren call her, is a strong tiny woman who is in her eighties.

Well, strong is really a wrong word to use because she suffered a cardiac arrest right after my father's funeral. She's told by the doctor to slow down after that, and is gradually doing so, against her will.

I hardly talk about this grandmother of mine (unlike my other Grandmother Nanay Toyang--father's side), because our contact is rare and very much in small (well appreciated) doses as we live so far apart from one another. But you know you are loved even the small contact that you have.

Mama Aning was a school teacher during the war and continued to do so until she had her children. She retired in her sixties but i must say, stopping,she has done little so far.

She has a garden which she keeps immaculately, and still cleans her house top to bottom on her own.

If i feel tired or lazy, i always remember this lola of mine and im put to shame. She is always active, and never sits down as she feels tired and unhealthy when she does.


Funny thing about this lola of mine, she is quite strict and a disciplinarian, (old school type and was known in her barrio as "the terror teacher", the kind that will throw erasers at you,LOL, not kidding) and runs a tight house. I would know about the eraser-throwing reputation as one of my cousins who was under her section wasn't spared from the 'mighty' eraser. It was a source of 'fight' between the uncle and my lola. She said, she doesn't do favouritisms in her class, and whether you are the grandchild or not, if you deserved to be put in your place, she will do so, blood relatives be damned.

I agree with the non-favouritism issue, but i dont with the eraser-throwing though (haha). Those were the times when the old corporal punishment was the done (and only) punishment in small town barrio schools.

Strict, terror-teacher reputation aside, I always am inspired by her strength. She got widowed quite young, has 8 chidren, and until now, keeps her children in her bossoms as any mother would.

I always request for my lola to come and be a guest in Cebu whenever im in Cebu. Im hitting two birds with one stone when i do it, as i know, she would be able to see my mama and her other children who now live in Cebu, but she would also see her granddaughter who loves her to enjoy the city life once in a while.


And i also miss being kissed and smothered by a lola, who kisses and smells you at the same time, you know that kind of kiss? Ohh, i love that. And i always make her feel she is adored by me. Always.

She's treated like a VIP guest when shes in Cebu, toured, wined and dined. Something she probably never expected to experience in her lifetime. Oh i love doing that. ( She was so cute, everytime she's in Cebu she lists down all the places and restaurants she's been to so that she could remember the name to tell my uncles and aunties back home,LOL. she's proud of me,what can i say?)

I miss my Lola Anita. I wish and pray she's well and healthy, and taking care of herself.

More than that, i want her to be happy. And i promise, when im home in 2011, she will be there to meet me at the airport.


***

i sleep tonight with a prayer that she is healthy and strong...our Lola's (and Lolo's) are our special angels on earth. they remind us of whats to come and how we treat them, will always be how we will be treated when and if were lucky enough to get to their age.

clickers anonymous,camera make,lens and a virtue

recently, i have had 3 people in a a span of days between them ask me what DSLR camera they should get. i gave them my advice, but dont worry Canon lover friends of mine, i was honest, to say i could only comment and talk about Nikon as i have not used a Canon in my life.

But thats not putting Canon down as i know its one great camera brand too. i also said, whether they'd get a Nikon or Canon, what matters is they invest in some good lenses and learn the camera settings to optimise the use of the camera's functions. its sad when people buy their SLR's and do not fiddle with the AF points, ISO's, get the exposure and metering right, they might as well stick to point and shoots. i suggested to them to learn their camera by either attending a photography lesson (basic lessons to learn the functions) or if they're persistent enough to read a manual, play with it and learn in hindsight.

re. the lens they should get, i told them to know what photography they wanted to do. one wanted to photograph her cakes better, one wanted better pictures for her travels and one just wanted nice photos of her children. it made sense for all of them to get an all-around lens and invest in a specific lens for their craft.


after every discussion with these friends of mine, i always get the jittery happy feeling you get when you know you're getting a new expensive gadget. i always remember the feeling, sleepless night and you're itching to just hold the thing and play with it. even if you're buying your first or upgrading to your third camera, the feeling is the same--(well, basing on my experience anyway). i always get the butterflies in my stomach and the anticipation of feeling the gadget in your hands. yes, even if youre getting the same camera model as your last one (to add to your kit). no matter how much you memorised the contours and buttons of the thing, the excitement is there.

i felt that when i was talking to them (online). i could feel their excitement and i was excited too.


out of the three, only one wanted to hopefully pursue it professionally. (although if you ask me, it all starts generally not pursuing it professionally but when things get out of hand, and people start to notice your photography, you start to open up to possibilities of 'maybe, i could earn money from this hobby'. to which i say, "why not!". the world is our model/click click). the one who was intending to do it professionally asked me for a few tips, on how to make it. i gave her some honest answers.
i told her, that i really dont know. my photography is still at the baby stage, and this is just so i could get a few bob while taking photos of things i really really love (wedding, the accoutrements that come with it, the dresses, make up, romance, etc). the only way to get a free pass to photograph someone's wedding is to be the photographer, so thats the grand scheme.

some people do not like weddings, some prefer sports photography, some people travelogue-documentary photography, and some simple portraiture. depending on one's preferred scenery, i say go for it.

i also told her to research and read as there are gazillions of photographers out there who are sooo good,and extremely talented and these people are all online. its that accessible. some are household names by now, and some are just starting out and some are yet still waiting to be discovered. i am far (far far far) being considered good (yet). i am still learning everyday, and i also asked her to expand and learn more of others who are very good. although i was flattered to be asked for an opinion, but in reality, there are so many out there, who are far better beyond comparison. do not get me wrong, i am happy where my photography is right now because this is what i'm capable of. im taking it slow and in appropriate levels. i want to crawl first before i run, so to speak.


and thats the best part, the learning process. each day we learn new stuff, out of introspection and most often than not by mistakes (hopefully with lesser repercussions).

my friend G thanked me and said, she will keep that in mind. i gave her links to some of the photographers i admire, and told her to study from them, and learn her own style. one of the pitfalls of alot of photographers right now is that you can hardly tell which one's photographed by who as almost everyone has adopted the same style.


i told her that i also read a quote somewhere that said something to this effect: " id rather be a bad version of myself than a poor copy of someone else". i always try to keep that in mind when doing my photos and im sure she will.

being revolutionary is daunting and hard, but thats the beauty of it, to be different, and eventually make our own mark.

right now, that is the quest, to stick to my style, bad or awful it might look, it should be fine, because at the end of the day, its me, after all.




***

in hindsight i could have added: oh humility, thats important..people will always say positives about your work but do not let it get to your head. you are only as good as your last shot.

once a photographer let it get to their head how good they are, their craft will just be a stage for feeding their ego. the passion to learn and yearn will be gone, as they feel they are the best. the worst case scenario is that the photographer becomes greedy and tramples other people for the sake of their own photography. ugly? it could get that way. ironic when photographs generally convey something visually aesthetic.

there are so many talented photographers in Flickr too who do not take themselves seriously (and what amaaaazing photos!) and still accept criticism and feedback, and some even are so humble that they say that they are emulating someone's style and gets to learn from their readers day by day. that to me is beautiful in its honesty.

one should not confuse quiet confidence and stark arrogance--there's San Francisco bridge between the two.

***


i wish to photograph alot of people and events (now) but the heavens thought id be better off slothing off my time in books and patients.

i am a slave to the fates.

ergo, back to my books.

Neil Jordan at Ely Celebration

If you have seen the movie Interview with the Vampire, The Crying Game, Michael Collins, HIgh Spirits, Angel, etc, and read the books Night in Tunisia and Sunrise with the Seamonster, among others, most likely, you are familiar with the works of Director, Screenwriter and Author Neil Jordan.


During the graduation ceremony i attended at Ely cathedral, Neil Jordan was presented with an Honorary Doctorate. He was suc a calm and effective speaker.

Here are photos of him.





that's him signing the document of his receipt of the award





giving his speech



**

some photos from Ely:







the imposing cathedral





it is the heart of the town




some graduates milling before the ceremony



families are excited to see their graduates





a commemoration stone for the park





Anya---she's my granddaughter by marriage (yes, i have a granddaughter,haha).she is Adrian's nephew's daughter..x

(am i a cool lola or what?)


***


The atmosphere at Ely cathedral and Ely in general was buzzing. There was pride running through the beautiful town.

photobooth love

this post is quite childish and so full of self-love.

behold,you might get an allergic reaction to photos of my face,LOL.



***

i just discovered recently how i enjoy playing with the photobooth on my computer.

since i had my Macbook pro in January, i never tinkered with the apps except for processing of my photos and emails.

my sister and i played with the photobooth once, but that was temporary act of boredom.

now, its addictive to play vain and vapid infront of it and you can also you around with the effects.

i especially love the video part of the photobooth.

i must say, once you own a Macbook, you'd be very shy from using your old computer.

my fave part especially? the keypads on my mac. it has a beautiful touch to it.

i am smitten.

me and my bijoux..










please forgive me, i do find these pics from the photobooth 'nicer' shots of me...the small pixels clears out a zit-infested face, and i could control which angle i am shot from, LOL..

haaay, sige nalang gud, pag bigyan kay gibati ug kaanyag..x

hongkong by chance

old photos.

a backblog..(back log blog,haha).


***


On our last trip to Cebu (december 2009), our plane landed late at Hongkong. Adrian and i were initially shocked and frustrated as we knew we had limited holiday time and we had things lined up to do in that short time. Here's the story. Our London plane arrived at 9:25 AM while our plane for Cebu already left at 9:05 AM. The next available flight to Cebu was at 4:30 pm the next day.

What to do? Our heads were screaming.

Good thing, Cathay Pacific put us up for the entire duration of our Hongkong stay and fed us too (all beautiful 5 meals,haha).

We were billeted at a good hotel just by the airport, and as soon as we checked in and got fed lunch, Adrian and i caught up with sleep, and by dinner time, got fed again and went out to see a small part of Hongkong at night.


Some pictures at Mongkok or the night market.

taxis outside the airport

night market..Adrian curious about whats for sale

looking at Chinese wares

we were looking for a coffee place by this time.





he said, take a picture of me under a sign..even if he doesnt understand it..LOL

trivia: Adrian lived in Hongkong for two years when his father was posted in the army.

busy night in the market

night life..

trivia: a few days after, we read on the internet that there was a man who injured tourists and locals by throwing acid to pedestrians at Mongkok market. pheww!

waiting for the night train to take us back to the hotel

they gave us quite a big room..there was a little sofa and a coffee table apart from the dresser..bigger than normal hotels..what makes it lovely even better was we werent charged for it,LOL.

Adrian had a good sleep, not jetlagged anymore...the hotel's facade





the walkway to the hotel

The next day, after breakfast,we packed our bags and went out to the city for a little jaunt but didnt stay long as we were worried about making sure to check out earlier from the hotel to check our luggages with the airline in ample time.

***

after that little stopover in Hongkong, Adrian and i promised to make the most of Hongkong one day..

one day when were both not too caught up with making the most of our Cebu life.

when that will be remains a question. your guess is as good as mine.