Kain 3: Kumpares Original Pares

Cavite is a province located in Luzon, one of the surrounding lands around Manila. It's full of farms, small mountains, some beaches, and is known to be inhabited by a fierce, protective individuals. With its close proximity to the capital, Cavite is now closely gaining ground in development particularly in real estate, and as such, lifestyle- as well as food choices- are also slowly trickling in from the metropolis.

Yes, Unli in Cavite!

Let's concentrate on the food for now. Jump!

Kwento #4.5: Gearhead-gasm at ManilaPhoto

ManilaPhoto was more than just a string of talks and a fine gallery of masterpieces - it also served as a platform for camera and related accessories manufacturers to strut their stuff and attract potential markets. Numerous gizmos made it to the stand both for consumer- and commercial- level photography, and I believe many enthusiasts had the time of their lives testing out different cameras and lenses made available for the occasion.

Look at all those shelves. Drool.

Limited in time and funding (for dinner lol), I made the most out of exploring the gear gallery of the exhibit at the 3rd floor of SM Aura Premier.

Jump!

Kwento #4: Learnings at Manila Photo

It’s been a while since I last wrote, pretty much because of business or boredom, but while those hours passed without any visible progress in my photography work I’m glad to have come across things that have enriched my experience and learning along the way.

One such event that gave me a good insight and really good points to learn was Manila Photo, an event organized by DPP, one of the top photography magazines in the country. I had been looking forward to listening to unsolicited advice from several renowned professionals in the field. Turns out the experience will be one of a kind and the learning I'll receive very useful for many years to come.

More stuff after the jump!

Kwento #3: Throwbacks, Flashbacks, and the signature kick of "film"

Photography began in the Age of Analog, long before all the digital thingamajigs were invented, the medium was made up of something only chemists probably understand the most: film. But the surprising thing about it is that digital has only gone mainstream recently, in fact, it's probably only a little beyond a decade.

Not dead yet. So far.

The look and feel of a photograph shot on film is still strong (like it was the force...) in people's tastes today that aside from keeping the medium alive, many digital-only applications and even camera manufacturers employ software to make images give that classic "film look." We even have a new tradition for it (sort of): Throwback Thursdays (and for the late posters, Flashback Fridays)

Unbelievable? Read on and find out :)

Kwento #2: Shooting dietary delights

Portraits are the "in" thing today. From selfies to glamor shoots, they're everywhere (but here in Manila, it's mostly at NAPAW haha). Taking a break from the sea of faces (and occasional heavenly bodies, as well as cats, and cat-related memes), I took the opportunity to join a local camera store's in-house food photography workshop.

And in that short two-hour lecture, I learned how to shoot stuff like this:

I was successful in my attempt to restrain myself from eating it on set.

Click "read more" to ... well, see more!

Lakbayin #4.5: Way older than I thought- the San Juan del Monte Church

Right after my leisure trip around Pinaglabanan Shrine I came across this church - which reminds me of Castlevania with its old stone walls and bell towers. Situated along F. Blumentritt St., in San Juan City, the church is named "San Juan del Monte" and its proper name, Santuario del Santo Cristo.

There's no mistaking that almost-Renaissance architecture.

Lakbayin #4: Pinaglabanan Shrine, San Juan City

Metro Manila is actually a messed-up metropolis with a lot of history. Aside from the main spots like Intramuros, its neighboring cities - Quezon City, Taguig, San Juan, among others - have pockets of Philippine history worth visiting.

Scenic? Yes. Historic? Yes. That building to the left? SPOILS IT ALL, YES.

Aside from the usual Spanish this, Spanish that features left behind by 300+ years of colonial rule by Spain, the world's most notorious texting hub possesses small, fascinating finds worth looking into, if you're into reviewing Philippine history (or its formation into the republic we know today). I found one with the limited range I can get with my bike currently, nestled comfortably in the quiet heart of the old city of San Juan, Metro Manila.