Haunting Pettigrew
Had my haircut. Delayed it for sometime as I have been busy for the past (enjoyable) weekends.
After, decided to do a movie marathon.
First is
Miss Pettigrew Lives For A Day. A romantic, comedy movie about a down-on-her-luck governess who has to pretend that she's a social secretary for a bubbly aspiring actress. She then finds herself caught up in the machinations of London's society where people treat love as a commodity.
Set before the World War II, it's comedy fits the said decade. Which manages to kick off as it is refreshing and charming.
Next is
The Haunting in Connecticut. A family is forced to move in near the clinic where their son is being treated for cancer. Unknownn to them, the house they rented has a violent past.
Aliwan Festival 2009
Decided to walk my
Canon EOS 5D Mark II through its paces. Used my Canon EOS 70-200 f/4L IS with it. Also brought along my
Canon G10 for my wide shots (so as not to change lenses).
My goodness! I was ecstatic. The quality and the color of the image did not disappoint. A very, very big improvement from by
Canon EOS 350D.
The parade for the
Aliwan Festival was supposed to start at 4PM, but was there around 12:30PM. This is so I can take images while the participants are preparing for the parade and doing their practice moves.
Since I am not able to squeeze in the photographers' area near the judges, decided to go home. Passed by the stalls where each of the participating regions display and sell their wares.
Stopped by
KFC to eat, passed through
Harrison Plaza on the way home. Good decision. As soon as I am already in the jeepney, it rained.
Funny thing, somebody thought I was a professional photographer. It's either because of my gear, my attire or the way I carry myself. LOL
It can't possibly be my attire because I am a wearing a light red batik style shirt, hat, red Crocs sandals and maong capri pants.
For the gear, hobbyist are noted for having expensive gear.
Therefore, it must be how I carry myself! ROLF
Oh! Received an SMS from Tilak. He was waiting to board his plane. Should have delayed one day for he would surely enjoy the Aliwan Festival.
Fire Drill
The morning was spent simulating that there is a fire. Have to walk down twelve flight of stairs of the fire escape.
Since the fire drill would take hours, already have an early lunch so that by the time we went back to the office, the exercise has been completed.
Result: Negative
Got the result of my lab tests in
MegaClinic during lunch time. I still have to go back after office since the doctor would be in only from 5-7PM.
Tried to do a self-interpretation of the result by surfing key words from the internet. Hehehe!
According to the doctor, I don't have diabetes. Although, I still have to take care because the result of my FSB is nearing the upper limit of the range. I got 92.62, upper limit of the range is 99.
FBS
Finally, had my lab tests taken.
I wasn't able do it last Monday because I was not able to get the referral from my health card last Sunday (we were late in returning home from Pinatubo). Got the referral only that Monday.
Wasn't able to do the tests yesterday, Tuesday, because I have a meeting in Makati. Good thing, too, as I was able to meet my friend who arrived from New Zealand.
Today, have to fast for 8-10 hours because I would have to undergo FBS (fasting blood sugar). This is the first test done to check for diabetes.
There were still other tests I took. Thus, would only have the result by 8PM.
Hmmm... will just pick it up tomorrow and have it interpreted.
Travel Bowl
Received an SMS this morning. My friend who is now based in New Zealand is back in the Philippines with her family for a vacation. We are to meet for lunch with some of our friends for a short get-together.
Thus, sent an SMS blast to the rest. We had a lot of catching up over lunch at
Super Bowl, Glorietta.
Tonight is the travel photography seminar of
Mr. Harvey Tapan, sponsored by our camera club. His images and his insights (plus his looks, I guess)
kept the audience on their seats. c",)
Conquering Mt. Pinatubo, Day 2
Woke up really early as we have to be at the jump-off point in Capas, Tarlac by 6AM.
Since the driver of the other car said he knows where the jump-off point is, he led the two-car convoy. The drive was fast, overtaking a lot of cars. Then, we noticed that we are already in Mabalacat. Have to call the other car to inform them that we are driving in the wrong direction. Thus, turned around and drove our way back to Capas, Tarlac.
Good thing, our trek coordinator is at the side of the road that I was the first to see her. Since we are still waiting for one group, we ate our packed breakfast.
We rode a 4x4, passed through boulders and waded through streams to reach the Mt. Pinatubo crater. The trek, supposedly, would take 20 minutes; but since we stop now and then to take pictures, it took us an hour more or less.
When we reached the top, the view caught our breath. The long, tiring trek to the crater we have to endure is worth it. LOL
Spent some time at the crater. We even had our lunch there. Then, decided to go down.
We then rode again the 4x4 to go back to the jump-off point. But something stopped us... the
Balikatan exercises would be starting. Thus, we have to wait for 2 1/2 hours before we can proceed with our journey back.
To while away the time, we talked to the soldiers and took images. In fact, one of the girls caught the eye of the American soldier. (Forgot to mention, the trek also has a love triangle as the sidelight... hehehe!).
Then it rained.
It seems we are really meant to do the trek. Although we are late in leaving the jump-off point, the weather is fine and the sun is not harsh, making for a wonderful photo op. And, we have already completed the trek when it rained. Just think, if we are still in the mountain, how hard it would be to protect our gear with that rain!
When we have reached the jump-off point, it was decided to freshen up in one of the gas stations along NLEX instead of doing it at the jump-off point for there would surely be lots of people queueing to use the rest room.
Our rest stop is at the Petron Station where we also had our dinner at Razon's.
Conquering Mt. Pinatubo, Day 1
It started when I saw it featured on GMA 7's
Kay Susan Tayo. Thus, sent an e-mail blast to my photographer friends of the idea. No need persuade them, they are excited as I am. Thus, coordinated with Juliet (of
Mount Pinatubo Tour) for a day tour on April 19, 2009.
The plan was to leave Manila by 4AM so that we would be at the jump-off point in Capas, Tarlac by 6AM. Then, the
Tilak Hettige suggested that we be there a day before for some bonding time. But since he has a Travel Photography Seminar on the 18th, we can only leave Manila after the seminar, about 7-8PM. A few weeks before the trek, he moved the schedule of his seminar so that we can leave around 6PM. The week of the trek, the seminar was cancelled. The sacrifices he has to make for us... c",)
Since we would be early in Tarlac, asked suggestions from Juliet as to where we can go to take some images. She suggested the
Monasterio de Tarlac. Thus, it was worked out that someone would accompany us there.
The meeting place would be at Tilak's house around 12:30PM. It would be a two-car convoy, with the other car containing the students of Tilak from another batch. On the way, picked up one at McDonald's Munoz.
We are late. Hope we can catch the gates of the Monasterio still open.
We would be staying at
Sun Garden Hotel (Juliet also suggested this because it has a promo). When we arrived there, the other car is already there. Then, Juliet with her friend, Bong, arrived. Decided not to check-in yet but proceed to the Monasterio to try to catch it open.
I guess we were really meant to be there as we were able to go in and take images to our heart's content. We were also able to venerate the Relic of the True Cross. It was opened, I assume, because of the three buses which arrived on a pilgrimage. Even Tilak was able to capture an image of light, which left us, his students, in awe.
We then had dinner at
Huat Chan, bought some necessities at the supermarket near the restaurant, and started our bonding time at Sun Garden Hotel.
Low Monocyte
Was not feeling well since last Tuesday, my head is aching and have been feeling something odd about my right hand. Because of our
Mt. Pinatubo trek on Sunday, have to be 100% healthy!
Thus, during lunch break, went to MegaClinic for a check-up. The doctor gave me medicine for my headache (Advil) and vitamin B. She also have me undergo a CBC. Since I would get the result after two hours, decided to pick it up after office.
The result? Everything else is normal, except for my monocyte level, which is low.
Since the doctor who asked that I take CBC has gone home,
Maxicare referred me to a specialist to interpret the result.
While waiting for my turn with the doctor, surfed the internet via my mobile phone. "
Monocytes help other white blood cells remove dead or damaged tissues, destroy cancer cells, and regulate immunity against foreign substances. Monocytes are produced in the bone marrow and then enter the bloodstream, where they account for about 1 to 10% of the circulating leukocytes (200 to 600 monocytes per microliter of blood). After a few hours in the bloodstream, they migrate to tissues (such as spleen, liver, lung, and bone marrow tissue), where they mature into macrophages, the main scavenger cells of the immune system. Genetic abnormalities that affect the function of monocytes and macrophages and cause buildup of debris within the cells result in the lipid storage diseases (such as Gaucher's disease and Niemann-Pick disease—see Hereditary Metabolic Disorders: Gaucher's Disease)." (From http://www.merck.com/mmhe/sec14/ch174/ch174f.html)
Dr. Milagros Gomez is very accommodating, very motherly, that you would not be shy to ask questions. She asked me to take several tests, this is to rule out Phase 2 Diabetes. (sad)
Post Easter Egg Treat
Strolled around
SM Megamall during lunch. It is when I remembered that there is a store there that sells religious items. It is
St. Pauls.
Was able to find a framed picture of Christ the King. Also, bought me a very small cross with Benedict medal for the desk and as a pendant. When I was paying for the items, I was pleasantly surprised. The cashier was putting an egg-shaped item in the bag along with my purchases. Also, a booklet on daily prayers, plus the daily way of the Cross. The egg-shaped item has a rosary inside it! Nice... c",)
Easter Sunday at Cuyab
This is becoming a tradition. Our Easter Sunday is spent at
Cuyab Hot Springs Resort at Laguna.
Thus, woke really early to buy our food at the
Aristocrat in Malate, Manila. While waiting for the food to be packed, crossed the street to go the
Malate Church where a Mass prior to the
salubong is held.
The Mass is a concelebrated Mass.
Picked up the rest of the group. Stopped by McDonald's along South Luzon Expressway for our breakfast; then, proceeded to Cuyab for our much-needed respite. c",)
Upon reaching Cuyab, dropped them off as
Manong and my niece proceeded to
D'Original to buy
buko pie and
espasol for
pasalubong.
There were only a few guests at Cuyab, making our swim much more fun. We have to leave early (around 2PM) to beat the traffic.
Since it is still early, have my computer sent to
Villman to have it checked, for it keeps on rebooting. (This usually happens if I don't use my desktop for a long time, like when I went to the U.S. for training.. I think the computer is making
tampo. Hehehe!) The problem was the memory. Thus, replaced and upgraded it to 2GB from 1GB. Also, have my CD-ROM replaced with a DVD-Writer.
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While my computer is being checked, decided to have the image of Christ the King printed, and bought a frame for it. Since I cannot find a Christ the King framed image in stores, decided to make one. c",)
Dragonball T2
Decided to go to the mall to buy me a Christ the King image which I can put in our house. Unfortunately, the religious items displayed at
Glorietta 4 is no longer there.
Since I am already at the mall, decided to watch movie(/s).
First is
Dragonball Evolution. Goku has to carry out the last request of his grandfather to seek out the seven orbs--dragonballs--which grant its bearer one wish. If you want action, there's lots of action. I guess, would have appreciated it more if I know the characters from its TV animation...
Second is
T2. I was wondering why the movie is titled T2. My question was answered in the latter part of the movie.
Starring Ms. Maricel Soriano, T2 is a horror, suspense film. A volunteer to an organization which unites orphans to their relatives, she encounters troubles while delivering one of her wards. This is then she realizes that the child is no ordinary child, as she came face-to-face with
engkantos.
After the movies, went to the
Landmark Supermarket to buy
chichiria that we would be bringing to
Cuyab Hot Springs Resort tomorrow.
And, of course, looked for a Christ the King image. I prefer something I can hang on the wall; but, all I can see are Christ the King figurines. It is nice to have a Christ the King image at home to remind us that God is the head of the household/family.
In one of the
Glorietta stores, saw a small Christ the King image and a cross with
Benedict medal. Decided to buy both and have them blessed. c",)
Street Senakulo
Good Friday.
Because of the long weekend, some would have taken advantage of it to take a respite. Stayed at home.
Infront of our house, a street
senakulo passed by. It is a re-enactment of Christ's passion. Some of those who participated in the
senakulo do so as their
panata. Considering the heat and the heavy clothes they have to wear, it is some sort of sacrifice for the actors/actresses.
Cleaning on Maundy Thursday
Decided to continue with my cleaning today. And it is also today that I learned that I have another item missing--my Creative Zen Vision:W. Even wrote it here in my blog when I bought it ==>
link
Hayyyy......
Productive Holy Wednesday
Am back in our Ortigas office and I was able to do a lot of things, aside from work-related, that was pending.
First, was able to make a partial payment for our Mt. Pinatubo Day Tour for our confirmation on the activity. But, boy! That was a looooonnnngggg wait in the queue. Went to the bank around 9AM and got me a number. I got 65 and the client being served is number 5. From time to time, dropped by the bank to check. Before going for lunch, the client being served is number 35. So, took my lunch and bought some things for the house. When I went back to the bank, the client being served is number 59. Finally! Waited for my turn and was able to make my deposit.
Haayyyy....Second, was able to "activate" my PLDT Landline Plus Prepaid's NDD/IDD/cellular phone. Actually, it was already activated by default, I just need to top-up from my regular load. Hehehe!
Third, was able to make the arrangements for my car's insurance. I am supposed to have it registered this month.
Fourth, received a call from Smart because the mobile phone unit I won is already available. Dropped by Smart Wireless Center to pick up my Nokia E71. Already informed my friend who is planning to buy the unit. He's so excited, we'll meet after office to pick-up the phone.
Fifth, because of the long weekend, bought some food for the house as the malls/shops, etc. would be closed on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday.
On the way home, was caught in traffic. The reason? There was a procession. Thus, stepped off the jeepney and walked my way home. Of course, took images once there. c",)
Cleaning On Holy Monday
Today, Holy Monday, was declared a holiday in lieu of
Araw ng Kagitingan. It is also a good time to clean-up my room before transferring to our house, which caught fire. The house was repaired and it is about time to transfer.
While segregating my things (those to be thrown and those to be kept), that's when I noticed that my PSP is missing!!! The bag where it is kept is just an empty shell...
Before, while the house is being repaired, the mobile phone which I got in Smart's retention plan was missing. Now, its my PSP... (sad)
Framed Shots: Pollution
It's our monthly meeting for our camera club and the theme is "Pollution".
Because it is a long weekend, only a few arrived; although, there were still many entries as those who did not attend requested those who are to bring their entries.
Learned something in Photoshop today. The use of Selective Coloring to enhance color. Choose the color you want to enhance (e.g. Blue) and adjust the Black. Another is select portion of the image you want to enhance and use Color Balance, affecting only the midtones.
Stress Test
(Writing this at Burger King, Glorietta...)Bought this week a Reebok rubber sandals which is on sale. Decided to stress walk it. Planning to use it in our planned
Pinatubo trek. Just a half-day walk, some part of the sandal is hurting my "sensitive" feet. LOL
Since I love my first
Sanuk sandals, and I am planning to have another one to expand my choices (hehehe!), went to their shop at
Glorietta to buy one and wear it immediately. Love it!
Since the movies currently showing is not that exciting, decided to stay at
Burger King, my favorite free wifi zone, that is, you should buy food/drinks. Good thing, too! Received the e-mail from my friend who won't be able to attend our camera club's monthly meeting. Would have her images of "pollution" printed...
(Writing this at home...)Attended the anticipated Mass. Since it is Palm Sunday tomorrow, brought with me
palaspas when I want to
Ayala Center.
We, then, had our dinner at
Super Bowl.
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