Chinatown

Last night we had a dinner with some friends. We set-up a blind date for our friend Wai Chen and Zetty's friend from the Philippines who's having a week tour here in Singapore.

Both are Chinese descent Wong Wai Chen and Chan Chin Chuang...(ahahaha, both names sounds sooo cute) we've been saying their names countless times the whole night.

I remember I did have some photowalk shots at Chinatown.

We went here to buy some cheap but goody "pasalubong" and souvenirs.



these slippers looks really comfy and regal, pang "Mano Po" hehehe



Chinese are really into good luck stuffs:D

Nikki-Tip: Try to focus to one specific subject and blur your background to make it stand out. Happy-Snaps:P

Daddy moments...

Taken during one of my street photography at Orchard Singapore... this playful girl keeps on blocking her dad's sight with her skirt.

Cute Moments:D

I'm missin my dad, recently we sent him to a heart specialist (forgot how you called a doctor for heart) is it Cardiologist? Well it was for a second opinion of the first finding that he has to undergo angiogram a test to see the blocked or clogged veins of the heart. And the specialist finding is that he really needs angiogram and later on might lead to angioplasty. We told my sister not to mention the cost of both procedures to my dad because he'll definitely freak out and he'll never do it:P


Nikki-Tips: Street photography because it is spontaneous is one of the most fulfilling for me...you never know what you're gonna get. So just go with the flow, be aware of the people that sorrounds you and what they're doing. Don't be afraid to snap, snap...just do it fast and act normal, not as if you've just committed a mortal crime. When someone caught you in the act...Smile and keep walking, ahahaha. Happy-Snaps:P

EARTH DAY EVERYDAY

I strongly believed that "Earth Day" should be everyday...



when was the last time you appreciate a morning dew?


or watch an animal up-close...


be amaze or got scared at the insects, flying, crawling and hoppin' around...

did you ever notice for once how blue the sky is?


or just feel the cold breeze of the air...



are we doing our part in saving Earth for our own children...

for the next generation to come...

Lets keep EARTH a beautiful planet.

CELEBRATE EARTH DAY EVERYDAY! :D

Nikki-Tips: Go out and have a photowalk! There's so many beautiful things around waiting for you, a flower, an insect, a tree...the sky, the clouds... God have blessed us with a wonderful planet full of colors and life, be inspired by his majestic creation;P Happy-snaps:D

LIVE EARTH: Run for Water

Run for Water

This is my first marathon participation and I'm so proud that my first run is for a cause that means a lot to me.

This is why we run:

"6km is the average distance women and children walk every day in the developing world to have access to water. Close to a billion people are without access to safe drinking water."

When I was still a kid in our province I have experienced this kind of life, wherein water is scarce, every drop is precious. People rely in rainwater which they store and save in big tanks for most of their water use and they need to travel far (walk or ride in "kariton" a carriage pulled by a carabao or cow), at the middle of the town there is one single water pump station where people get the clean water safe for drinking.

I didn't bring Nikki for this event (which I regret, because I realized I can still take pictures after the race):P

These pics are taken from my phone, i used the polarize application;)
after the 6km run, i can feel the "happy-pain":P

Suzette and Wai Chen against the light, sori naman ahahaha:P

Wai Chen finished the 6km in 47mins, asteeeg lang:P

sooo proud we finished the race, well in our own time... no pressure,right zetty? ahahaha

I'm quite sure I have the endurance to finish the 6km run but I'm also certain that I don't have the speed to finish it in quickest time:P

I did my best guys... my official time is (01:01:14) one hour-one minute-fourteen seconds

This is my Run for Water Certificate:



Nikki-Tips: As much as possible bring you're cam, don't make excuses as to why you can't bring one...because you'll never know if it such a perfect timing to practice and capture some never before seen shots:P

New Beginnings...

"there's something about the sunset that makes me sad...
it's like a constant reminder that some good things never last.

but at the same time it gives you the hope...
that it will come shining again with a new and brighter tomorrow."-MindDeth

(click the image to view in large)


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We woke up 5AM just to shoot sunrise and what did we get... "A RAINY DAY!". I am not a morning person, so just imagine my frustration when we arrived at the location and the clouds are all over... that it enveloped the lights coming from the sunrise.

My sister took this stolen shot of me and Nikki, we're very dissapointed that day, but then as I was shooting that cloudy part...a sudden light from the sun came out...so even without a tripod, coz i don't have the time to set-up... I took the shot.

You can see the difference of light from my pic (please bear in mind that she used camera phone) and that one I took and you might think I did it in post-process but no. The technique is I underexposed the setting of my cam and "tsaraaaaaan!" Even if it's noisy I mean the quality of pic because it's handheld...

I AM GLAD I TOOK THAT SHOT:P

Nikki-Tips: For sunrise and sunset there is this one cool tip that sum up the technique in capturing that magical burst of lights "UNDEREXPOSED" I actually mentioned it already. Yep, that's it. Try it! Oh, one more thing... do yourself a favor, please use a tripod;P Happy-snaps

Filipina Empowerment

I always believe that Filipina are the most beautiful woman in the world... (call me bias, i don't care!hehehe:P)

They're diligent and smart and kick-ass yet they always stay caring and loving and most of all charming.

I had wonderful chance to do portraits for some of beautiful Pinay friends I have here in Singapore...













Apparently, Filipina have been stereotyped in most of the foreign countries. I do not abhor any kind of work done by the Filipina such as being a domestic helper because it is a "DECENT" job. But what saddened me is the stereotyping of some people thinking Filipina is of a lower class because they take such jobs.

Watching this documentary about Filipina Empowerment have given me a new sense of pride and inspiration... that there is more... and that we are equally capable to do things, even far more greater things in this world as a Filipina.

Go Pinay!



Here are the links for the three-part documentary:
The Empowered Filipina Part 1
The Empowered Filipina Part 2
The Empowered Filipina Part 3

Nikki-Tips: One of the most important element of portraits are the "EYES"...eye-contact with your subject gives photo the striking effect but when you ask your model to look away, it creates mystery. Experiment on different angles and point of view. Happy-Snaps!

Universal Studios Singapore

Last Sunday we went to the newest attraction here in Singapore which is the "Universal Studios"

From our place (Bukit Panjang) we can ride 963R which is an express bus to Resorts World Sentosa. Or you can go directly to Vivo City at Harbour Front, there is a terminal for RWS buses.

Ticket for Universal Studios Singapore
Weekday: S$66.00 (around P2,100.00+)
Weekend: S$72.00 (around P2,300.00+)
Open from Monday-Sunday: 9AM-6PM

We really got no plans on going to Universal Studio, we only hop on because my sister got really depressed on how her interview turned out that day. Mega-emote ang lola mo "pasyal mo naman ako, nadedepress ako:(" andrama lang,sobrang emo! ahahaha. So 4PM we're riding our way to Universal Studio.

Note: If you're going for the theme park be there 9AM so you can enjoy naman every rides and attractions.

Hindi kame pumasok sa loob ng theme park namasyal lang kame sa labas ng Universal Studio. "FREE" po at walang entrance fee, so pamasahe lang at yung dinner namin sa Subway ang ginastos ko sa dalawang purita kong turista ahahaha:D

Soft opening pa lang ang Universal Studio so konti pa lang po ang mga restaurants and shops, pero madami-dami na ring mga namamasyal.

(one of the shop) Hershey's Chocolate Factory...


haaaay... can I live here?


From time to time, you'll encounter performers...


mas naamaze ako sa mga street magician rather than those inside the theaters, mas kapanipaniwala kase na hindi nila basta basta namamanipulate ang magic nila...


belly-a-belly-belly dancers...

and syempre photo-op time...






I remember some of my Pinoy friends are part of this project. And I'll quote BJ's caption in one of his picture during the construction part of the Universal Studios

"We Pinoy's don't wait for things to happen...we make it happen!"

Naks!

For sure we'll be back to check out the attractions and the theme park:P

Nikki-Tips: When I'm in a very spontaneous event day-tour like this and there are a lot of natural lights available I switch from "MANUAL" to "APPERTURE" mode, keep your ISO at its lowest (for Nikki, ISO 100) it will automatically adjust your shutter. Hindi ka na magtitimpla ng camera settings and photos will come out sharp pa rin...the best part you won't miss the fun:P Happy-Snaps!

I'm Back and Kickin'

Oh yes, i'm back!

This will be my new "tambayan", I'll be posting my journey and misadventures as an amateur photographer.

Expect lots and lots of photos and stories as well:D

Yahoooo!!! I'm back!