Happy 1st Birthday, Harvey

Speaking of parties, Harvey's birthday is tomorrow August 18th, which means his celebration is coming up. Being a loving owner of the dog that has given me so much joy, I have long decided to throw a simple birthday party for him. 1 dog year is equivalent to 7 human years, and since time for them flies so fast, birthday celebrations are must. TLC and a good home might be enough to make them feel important, but it's also nice to celebrate it with a bang.

Actually, I'm already in the process of ordering stuff and narrowing down my food choices. It doesn't have to be grand. It just has to be simple and fun for the owners and their dogs. I also have to choose the perfect weekend to hold it, either on August 29 or September 5, but that's quite easy. As long as I can finalize the food, the party favors, the decors and the guestlist, everything else will follow magically. I already have the plans and options anyways, including the help of my sister who's in charge of the invitations.

It's obvious that I'm excited. It's like I'm the one who's having a party. Harvey might not have a clue to what we are preparing for him. My family might not understand, but would just have to stand there and support me. My friends may not entirely get it, but I don't have to explain. I love this dog and a simple party for him is something that I'm ever eager to do even just once.

Dog haters and Harvey-specific haters are absolutely NOT invited.

To Harvey Elizander, Happy 1st birthday, dawg!





*Photo by: mitchbautista.com

Rocky's Quasi-Homecoming

I'm not an emotional person. I don't cry easily and I seldom feel my heart would involuntarily crush. With limited and selective interaction that I have, there are just few times that I did cry (in public or not) and usually it's because of frustration and anger never out of loneliness and heartwarming moments. Funerals don't even count because I get moved when helpless people are crying and general aura of loss and sadness is quite impossible to counteract.

But when Mitch and I went to the Vet to finally bring Rocky home from his confinement, I felt my heart lurched. Upon entering the office, Rocky stood up and went wild, happy wild, upon seeing Mitch, his master. Mitch patted him and soothed him with words that Rocky couldn't understand. But the mere presence and the contact made Rocky think of his family, his home. Rocky kept on looking at Mitch intently as if a dog's attempting to do a mental telepathy. His eyes, his whimpering, his uneasiness speak of home.

It's truly a hard and tough time for Mitch to see his dog, his first ever baby, in an unfortunate condition. I couldn't imagine what I'd do if it were to happen to Harvey. But now that the bills have been paid and Rocky is home, there are certain things that the master needs to consider. This is where morality and true love come in. The heart and mind would clash, but at the end the welfare of Rocky would always be the top priority. It might be the the master's hardest decision ever, but whatever Mitch decides, I would support him.


*Pix by Mitch Bautista mitchbautista.com

Vacation 101: Come Again to Camiguin and CDO

I recently had a vacation in Camiguin. I learned few things about the island. So for those who are planning to get enchanted by it, here are some few pointers that might prove useful.


TRAVEL:

• If you plan to head out to Camiguin, you need to book the earliest flight to Cagayan De Oro to arrive in Camiguin before lunch.
• Once you land at Cagayan De Oro there are taxis outside of the airport that are metered. These taxis will take you to any point of CDO or specifically 2 places for Camiguin bound: CDO Pier where you could ride the convenient Paras Sea Cat fast craft for a faster and more convenient travel experience . Or to the Agora Bus Terminal if you want a cheaper and longer travel time via Bus. The taxi ride would cost you (on both options) less than 200 as opposed to the 350 fixed rate of Airport Taxis. Also, Taxi models in CDO are newer rangin from the 2004 Altis to the 2009 Altis.
• IF you want to take the faster and most convenient way to Camiguin, go to the CDO Pier and buy tickets for the Paras Sea Cat. The Paras Sea Cat leaves at 8:30 am sharp bound for Camiguin and for your return trip, 3:30 pm sharp bound for CDO. The cost ranges from 400 (open air) to 600 (air-conditioned VIP). It would take 2 hours and 30 minutes tops to get you to Camiguin Port. The Paras Sea Cat also travels to Bohol. Check the schedules.
  
• If you are on a tight budget and want to take the more adventurous route, the air-conditioned and well maintained Buses in Agora Terminal would take you to Balingoan port where you would ride the bigger, older and rustic ship or "lansta" to Camiguin. The travel on bus to Balingoan Port is around 2 hours, which is followed by the travel from Balingoan Port to Camiguin Port with more or less 1 hour and 30 minutes. Bus fee is 130 pesos, tricycle fee going to Balingoan Port is 10 pesos each, and 120 for the ship going to Camiguin Port. In more or less 4 hours expect yourself in Camiguin.
• 

CAMIGUIN

• In Camiguin it is recommended to hire a multi-cab or a van to go around. Since Camiguin has various tourist spots, it's not advisable to commute from one tourist spot to the next. Most of the multi-cabs on the road are already rented and it would take a while to hitch a ride since Camiguin is like one big two-lane highway. Usually 2 thousands bucks are what the multi-cab operators would ask for a day long trip in various destinations for a day. This includes the tour and the gas. It's just up to you to haggle.
  
• 
• Hiring a certified tour guide is not needed. The drivers of the multi-cab already know the major tourist spots in Camiguin since the island is just relatively small.
• You could literally tour the major tourist spots in one day.
• The people of Camiguin are conservative, but very accommodating and friendly.
• They are speaking in Bisaya tongues.
  
• Camiguin is safe. You could walk at night feeling secure.
• Boat to White island is 400-500 bucks round trip.
• Souvenirs of pastel could be easily found in Mambajao. If there are no time, CDO has plenty.
• Paras Beach Resort is one of the best resorts in Camiguin with 1,900 pesos for their cheapest rooms.
• If you're on a budget, check in at the cottages for half the price, complete with cable TV, bathroom and airconditioning.
• People live off on Sari-Sari Stores
• ATM is only found in Mambajao

Cagayan De Oro

• CDO is a sufficient city. From CDO pier, the metered taxi could take you to your hotel for 200 bucks only.
  
• Preferably get the hotel nearest to LimketKai mall, one of the main malls in CDO. In this area there are bars, upscale restaurants, fastfood chains and coffee shops. Try Discovery Hotel, Mallberry or Pearlmont Inn.
  
• Allot at least one whole day for extreme sports in CDO.

Vacation 101: Camiguin's White Island

Contrary to popular belief, Camiguin is not known for beaches. It may be a nature lover's destination, but not necessarily because of the beaches. This island is known for lush surroundings, peaceful living, waterfalls and springs. There might be notable shorelines, but it isn't something you would travel for.

The only notable and popular beach Camiguin is known for is the WHITE ISLAND. I've seen a couple of pictures of friends who visited this White Island. The scenery is nice and the white sand could rival that of Boracay. Luckily, our cottage is just across Paras Beach Resort, which has a dock that could take us to the White island 10 minutes tops. Carlo advised that we should go there early morning, so even in a gloomy weather, we booked our Sunday for that.

The boat ride to Camiguin was pretty intense especially if you hate traveling by this mode. It's smaller than your usual pump boat and could only carry up to 6 people. Do not even expect a better price also. A roundtrip boat fee for a 10 minute cross to the island would easily cost you a whopping 400 bucks.




White Island is pretty amusing. It is a C shaped island wherein you could walk end to end. When we got there, the waves at all sides were crashing that an eerie thought entered my mind. If by chance, the waves could easily gobble the C-island and us with it. It must have been the foul weather.



The island has make-shift stalls that sell chips, bread, coffee, softdrinks and juices.

Tourists swim and bask in the sun. Actually, you have no other choice but to subject yourself to sunbathing because there are no resorts, huts or anything that could reserve as your niche. The only refuge one might have is the sitting at the plastic tables and chairs put up by the stalls, but the coverage from the sun is pretty useless because it's made of cloth and easily blown by the wind.

Like what most tourists did, we took pictures with Mount Hibok-Hibok as our background. Other groups did their jumping shots. A group of Koreans entertained the public with their annoying staged shots. And most people swam and snorkeled.

With nothing better left to do. We left the island at 10:30 am. Basically we just stayed there for one and a half hours. There goes our 400.

It's a pretty amazing beach, but I like the springs better.

Vacation 101: Camiguin in the Flesh

Camiguin is a peaceful island. People literally leave their front doors open and the term "crime rate" doesn't apply to them. Quick brawls over drinks are just about it. I understand why most foreigners love this island. It is an escape and a nature lover's haven. There are no heavy traffic, pollution, schedules and unnecessary distractions. Despite being provincial, the roads are well maintained and paved, the telecommunications including cable and internet are good (except for SUN cellular) and the island is easily accessible to Cebu, Bohol, Cagayan De Oro and Surigao via fast craft/sea craft.

I. PHILVOCS CENTER

On our Tour Day, Mr. Ray brought us to the Philvocs center for a little bit of Camiguin's history. There we were able to beef up our knowledge about volcanic eruptions, how Camiguin came into place and the history of the enigmatic Sunken Cemetery. Most importantly, we saw the new equipment of Philvocs including the computers at the main center that pick up signals from the sensors located a few feet away from the volcanoes.




II. KATIBAWASAN FALLS

After the gracious educational tour, we went to Katibawasan falls, the most popular waterfall in the island. The travel time is just about 20-30 minutes.



The road going to Katibawasan falls is a little bit rough at the end that's why you need an SUV or your best bet is a multi-cab. Upon going there, there are make-shift stalls that sell chips and water. It's not actually a rip-off but slightly expensive as expected. The entrance fee to Katibawasan falls for adults is 15 pesos.

From the entry point, besides seeing the annoying monkey that attacks people, you could already hear the falls already. One has to go down cemented stairs to go to the foot of the falls. As it was a weekend there were lots of tourists swimming and taking pictures. Mitch was frustrated at some points because he couldn't get his perfect angle and he was distracted by the tourists. I initially wanted to swim, but I have a thing about swimming in lakes where I couldn't actually see what lies beneath. What really amusedme was that the leaves near the falls were moving in an orchestrated dance from the intense pressure of the water.


III. 100 PESOS BUFFET LUNCH

After an hour, we packed up and met Mr. Ray at the entrance. It was already at around 11 am at that time and he advised that we should take lunch at Mambajao proper before continuing with the tour. We agreed and he took us to a buffet lunch for 100 bucks per head. The restaurant's owners are the exact makers of the renowned VJandep Camiguin Pastel, a local delicacy of soft ensaymada-like bread with yema-custard filling.



IV. COLD SPRINGS

After the buffet at around 1 pm, we drove towards the popular Cold Springs. One look and we didn't want to stay. It was so packed. It was packed with families, tourists and foreigners. I got to view the springs and pool. Viewing is was enough for us. The crowd destroyed it. We just bought some grilled hotdogs and left the cramped resort.


V. STATIONS OF THE CROSS

Our next stop was the Stations of the Cross, volcano style. This is a popular tourist destination because you get to climb the mountain and see life size statues. We paid 20 bucks each at the ground entrance.




We climbed the cemented stairs and as expected, city dwellers like us, who are categorized as unfit and couch potatoes, got to the first station panting. Shamefully, we only reached station 2. The distance of one station to another was overwhelming, at least for us. After Station 2, we trekked back with a surprised Ray welcoming us. At that point, he must have thought of us as sissies.

VI. SUNKEN CEMETERY

We went inside a cemented drive path going to the edge of a cliff to view the Sunken Cemetery. There is no entrance fee.



It must have been the gloomy weather, but I was not quite overwhelmed by it. All I saw was a huge cross in the middle of the ocean. My imagination took over when I began thinking about the cemetery beneath it. In fact, one can cross towards the church via a banca, but Mitch just wouldn't have it. After finishing his shoot and taking creative shots, we went on with the rest of the tour.

VII. GUIOB CHURCH RUINS

Just a few minutes from Sunken Cemetery, we went to the Guiob Church Ruins where there's a tour guide waiting at the entrance. The properly dressed woman, in English, told the history of the Guiob Church and its demise after the volcanic eruption some ancient years ago. We saw the abandoned convent and stone structures preserved after the eruption.




VIII. ARDENT HOT SPRINGS

AT around 3:00 pm Mr. Ray took us to one of the most popular spring resorts in Camiguin, which is the Ardent Hot Springs. This Hot springs is fully developed with a resort and hotel, but not losing its essence and therapeutic significance.



The entrance fee, if you're just a day tripper, is 40 bucks. The grounds are vast and impressive. It's clean with only tufts of cotton from plants floating about. The place is actually good shoot for a fantasy-nature shoot. The area in itself is cool because of towering trees. Upon a few minutes of walking, we saw the man-made structure of the springs and the aquamarine color it releases. The "springs" might be man-made but the water isn't. It comes directly from the mountain and is divided unto categories, very hot, hot and lukewarm as the water passes in different pools.

Most seniors liked the hot pool, whereas for some allergic reasons, I couldn't. Mitch and I stayed at the mid-section of the pool with hot to lukewarm temperature. For the entire trip, Mitch didn't entertain the thought of dipping until Ardent Springs. The water is refreshing and soothing. We even positioned ourselves at the mini-falls area for a quick back massage. We ended up talking and staying there until our fingers got pruned. Mr. Ray mentioned that the springs transformed into a spectacle at night because of the lights attached to the trees. This resort closes at 11 pm.

AT around 4:30 we left and met Mr. Ray at the entrance. On our way home, we stopped over at some scenic views for Mitch to take some shots. By around 5:00 we got home.



Dinner as usual was in Paras Beach Resort. WE decided to go for Italian this time. We ordered two pastas and a whole pizza. It was okay, but unfortunately our bill this time was 800 bucks.

Mitch Bautista Photography in Chalk

Mitch was itching to get a copy of Chalk Magazine. He was supposed to get one last weekend, but we forgot. Until I received a YM today that he found a multiply post featuring the shot he took for the designer.



All in all I am just so proud and happy for him. I really don't know how he'd exactly feel seeing his photo in a mainstream magazine. I'm sure it's beyond happiness. I think it's every photographer's ego, creative and recognition boost to be seen printed. It's every photographer's dream.

To know more about his photography and his portfolio, please visit: http://mitchbautista.com/

*Picture grabbed at: http://amourmanila.multiply.com/photos/album/31#4 -- to know more about the designer.

The Astra Zeneca Ad by DT, Ria Aquino and Mitch Bautista

Cheers to Mitch Bautista, DT Photographers and Ria Aquino (MUA) for pulling off a brilliant photo shoot.

Their Ad for Astra Zeneca is currently printed in Manila Bulletin's Classified Ads section today!

What can I say? I'm just exceedingly glad and proud for my babe! Great work, everyone!

Looking at Portrait Photography

I was skimming through sites when I came upon this write up about Annie Leibovitz. Annie Leibovitz is a popular and famous photographer in the world of Portrait Photography. Usually behind the racy, vintage and powerful images of gloriously magnificent people, is the master of art that wields it. More than a photographer, this artist is already a brand so she probably could get away with anything. Tell anyone she photographed a racy picture and I'm sure an element of understanding and appreciation would escalate.

I haven't known her all my life. I've seen some of her pictures, but didn't care to know of how she did it or didn't pay much attention to her brand. But there's one thing. I may not be a photographer or a creative genius, yet I always tend to appreciate art. I am less critical since I am lacking in perspective in terms of technicality. But appreciate I have in abundance. My honesty though makes up my knowledge in the technical side. It doesn't also mean that I'm less moved by an art piece or lacking in imagination. I just appreciate and be honest with the art as it moves me, haunts me and plays around with my mind.

Since Mitch took up photography, I've been more exposed to it than ever. Aside from other photography genres, his interest and strength lie in Portrait Photography. And since net is a playground I work with, I am also exposed to write ups and updates of various creative disciplines, which introduced me to Annie Leibovitz, who happens to share Mitch's love for portaits. It's just surprising to know that some of the pictures that took my breath away were actually done by her. Never again, ignorant years! Her shots are not mere photography, it's life in art not the other way around. It really makes you stop and tugs emotions to heightened imagination and appreciation.














**I'm a sucker for Vanity Fair shoots I could stare at it for hours


I've expressed this to Mitch and I'll express it again. I love portraits when it isn't just about the brilliance of make-up, the poses and the models. Of course everything is crucial, but the real effectiveness is to take it beyond the purpose of existence. It doesn't matter if the models have distinct facial features not attractive to basic standards. It doesn't follow. It should always convey a story, an emotion and a plot. It should rear people to understand the complexities behind that grin, frown, smile or pout. It's kind of worthless to do it repeatedly and hope to achieve artistic change just by a difference in angle and costume. I love it when I tend to forget who they are and see the portrait as is. I also love it when it draws controversies, which signals whatever sentiments people kept apathetic about. It's good to know that people react and think. This is not magic. It takes a lot of work. Understanding and performing takes time as it takes bravery and emotional thinking. Some local artists are already masters to it. Some are on their way. But it's good to know that behind those portraits I've come to appreciate, are willing masters that stand up to the controversies and names.


Pic Sources:
http://www.latimes.com/media/photo/2008-07/41005792.jpg
http://teresawymore.files.wordpress.com/2008/02/paltrodannerbyannieleibowit.jpg
http://www.cherryflava.com/cherryflava/images/2008/03/06/keithrichards_1000x578.jpg

Hobbies and Age

If "resting" means not having an agenda to do anything, well I think I've accomplished that for this weekend. I stayed at home and had people coming over for a visit as if I'm sick. It made me have a quick peek of a slothful life, not that I recommend it.

Thinking about the future, about your specific strategic moves and constantly playing scenes in your head are not entirely healthy mental activities you could do for the whole weekend. Looking for a diversion and a need to get me into new clothes, my friend-neighbor Nikkon called me up at 10:30 am while I'm reading a suspense-action packed novel by Dean Koontz. (To Keep my mind flared up for possible activity) He asked if I'm doing anything, which meant that he wants to invite me and practice his culinary knowledge for lunch. It was a no-brainer. I accepted.

He went over at my house as soon as I've change into something appropriate. Tossed my overused pj's and got ingredients at our kitchen to bring to the chef's abode. Wow, this would be my first actual activity for the weekend. I kind of felt recharged with the thought of a yummy lunch.

While cooking, Mitch followed and decided to join us before his photo shoot in Paco Church. Nikkon, a special marketing student in CSB, talked about his impending quarter life celebration and his plans on studying culinary arts. He has a penchant for cooking, as I have a penchant for eating, therefore we compliment each other. I urged him to take up special culinary courses that can be accomplished in less than 6 months, and this means free lunches and food critiques for me.

It actually made me think that now we're getting older, our certain hobbies have also reached a more serious level. Nikkon, a frustrated chef, wanted to take his interest into formal schooling and in event try to produce his own concoctions for grills and bars. Mitch, who is technically artistic at heart, profits from his investment in photography. Whereas I, who would love to research and write, maximizes the therapy of blogging, which has become seriously fun. I cannot begin to enumerate some friends who have bought certain expensive gadgets to satiate their hobbies that they've been nursing ever since. Hobbies I guess grow with people, as people grow into mature thinking with increase resources. It's impressive and very comforting to know that interests are given various opportunities to thrive and ripen at a perfect time. Who knows, we have all the time in the world to be professionals about it. Wait till you hear a chef, a photographer, a writer, a dj, a zipper and an entrepreneur conquering the limelight. At this point we felt we could do anything.



*Presenting the future Chef Extraordinare, The Photographer, The Writer-Blogger


Gosh, we really are getting older, might as well enjoy the process!


And enjoyed we did. *Nikkon's famous impromptu Cable Rice with Tocino, Egg and Pepper