Skyway

This is my first time to upload a time lapse of Makati skyline and Fort Bonifacio from the entrance of Skyway in Buendia to Nichols Exit in Newport City (in front of NAIA Terminal 3). The video is not really time lapse because it is just 30% faster. The original length of the video is 4:44 where it ends just after the toll in Nichols Skyway Exit ramp. I didn't get the chance to record it longer because I didn't know that the memory is almost full at that time. By the way I used my new baby, Nikon D7000 :) GOSH I just love it! 100% better than D90 because it has more features and more options when recording videos, like this one I used 720p with 30fps. It's really cool when you watch it on your PC or better in TV! But the problem with youtube it only allows 24fps. Maybe that's why all HD videos in youtube are not smooth. 

Some problems I've encountered while recording was the bumpy ride resulting to the shakes and the camera is heavy! I think I should have used a lighter lens. Here I used 18-105mm. Second problem is the setting, since I'm only a beginner in video/film, I used "A" in the dial HAHA! Third problem is the weather. When we were at Pablo Ocampo Sr. (Vito Cruz) street corner Pres. Sergio Osmeña Sr. Highway (South Superhighway / SLEX / Radial Road - 3 / R-3... pocha ang daming nicknames haha!), it started to get dark and drizzle. Crap, the window is full of tiny droplets so I opened the window. Another problem is the wind! When we were at skyway, the car is getting fast because there's no traffic. The faster you drive, the more air will enter the vehicle resulting to the vibration of the other windows. I really thought that the glass will break! But I didn't dare to check since I'm busy recording the whole scenery. Ohh when the window is open, it's going to be more shaky! 

Is it a failure? Hmm, medyo... I didn't get what I wanted, the video stopped after the toll approaching Resorts World. I want it to go inside NAIA Terminal 3 (Because that was our destination at that time, dad just arrived from Cebu and we need to fetch him) Of course I wanted to go because it's an opportunity to capture that MOMENT I want to record! Makati and Fort Skyline! It's really bad that I forgot to transfer all of the pics and vids in my SD to my lappy. The length of D7000's video could reach up to 20 mins. so I was frustrated. December 2 (Tuesday) I tried to edit the video because it looks so dull and dark. I color corrected it in Adobe After Effects and tried to do some experiments with the exposure, contrast, colors and a green "SKYWAY" sign I placed in the entrance of skyway (you'll see it in the video 0:04 - 0:10). That text was so hard, I was like rotoscoping the text because the video is shaky! I think I finished everything for 12 hours including the editing in Adobe Premiere. 

As for the photos, there were a lot! So I had to choose the best shots (although majority are still bad) and super duper edit them in photoshop for a day! It's been months since I last opened photoshop for editing photos. The last time I did a major edit was in June (Philippine Fashion Week and my grandfather's death). I rediscovered my style and improved it as I play and experiment with it. The raw files are really dark and super ugly! I'm sorry because I'm not a pro in photography, I hate photography! HAHA. What I did I imagined their real colors like trees should be green when near and deep dark blue when farther away, something like that. I wanted it to look how it should suppose to look with the right contrast, colors, levels and saturation. These are not my best but here are some of my shots from skyway northbound :)

Paco Sta. Mesa Road (Tomas Claudio) Flyover. Makati Skyline

Nichols Interchange

Part of Makati and Fort Bonifacio skyline

Approaching Magallanes

Makati Skyline

Close up of Makati Skyline

More photos at my flickr  :)

My Province: Q.C.

My dad asked me if I can go with him in a photoshoot somewhere in Timog. I said "Yes, I'm not busy today." When we arrived there, there were a lot of people waiting inside the studio because the make-up artist hasn't finished the model's make-up and hair style. So we decide to go to Starbucks in Victoria Towers because it's so HOT! When we went inside, it's full. My dad ordered grande Green Tea while I ordered tall Java Chip. After we got our fraps, there was a vacant table so we hurried before someone else take the seats. My dad was reading the newspaper while I was reading InFlight Magazine. 

There was an article inside the magazine about the last frontiers in the country. Amazing. There are places like these in our country. Most of them are not familiar to me like Sohoton National Park, Palaui Island Marine, Mt. Pulog National Park, Biri-sa Protected Landscape and Penablanca Protected Landscape. 

After an hour in Starbucks, we assumed that the make-up is done so we went back to the studio. When we got there, the photographers are outside and the make-up is not yet finished. My dad changed his mind because each photographer has to pay P 750 for the studio. So That would be P 1,500 if I will take pictures too. We decided to go home because it was 4:30pm and we need to catch up mass at 6pm. 

On the way home, I took these shots (kasi sayang naman yung dala kong camera).

G.A. Sky Suites and Corporate Tower, DILG building at the back

Quezon Avenue (I love the trees here)

Elliptical Road

Commonwealth Avenue and UP-Ayala Techno Hub footbridge 

before Tandang Sora

Tandang Sora Flyover

Construction of C-5 Flyover

I really like Quezon City. It's my birthplace, my hometown and my province? I consider this as my province because I don't have a province! And I'm proud of my city. HAHA. Quezon City during the Spanish Colonial Period was (I think) a province. According to my lolo's kwento (according to his lolo's too HAHA!) That Quezon City before was just a plain rice field. Some parts are hilly, grassy, while other areas are forests. It was only developed by Manuel L. Quezon. His dream was to establish a new capital where all important government buildings, new monuments and parks will be located.

Today, it no longer looks like a province. In 70 years of development, it has populated the whole area. From squatters to posh subdivisions, markets to huge malls, small alleys to super widen roads... It became the home of commercial areas like SM North EDSA, Trinoma, Araneta Center, Eastwood etc. TV networks and companies are also here in QC like ABC/TV5, ABS-CBN, GMA Network, UNTV,  NET25, GEM TV, NBN, RPN/Solar TV and IBC.

There's so many important institutions, places, parks here in QC. Just wikipedia/google it because I'm lazy to type them all here! HAHA

And there's more to come! Thanks to development :D They plan to make North and East Triangles into a business district. Yehey! There will be more office buildings, malls, condominiums and parks. 

I just hate the slow construction of C-5 flyover in Commonwealth Avenue and the C-5 road in UP. It's causing so much traffic there especially in UP area. Trucks would go there every morning, plus the jeeps, buses, private cars going to school and work... (Grabe talaga ang trapik!) I think we need a highway exclusively for the trucks HAHA!! (parang Singapore lang ah. Ang dami ko pa naman plano para sa QC pero oh well HAHA, posible siya pero imposible magawa sa panahong ito)

Memory

I just love how Lea Salonga sang Memory in CATS. I even downloaded the piano piece of Memory! It goes like...

Memory, all alone in the moonlight 

I can smile at the old days,

I was beautiful then.

I remember the time I knew what happiness was, 

Let the memory, live again.

But my post isn't about CATS this time (I'll post some experiences in CATS next time). It's about my room. Few hours ago, I got bored and decided to clean my room. 40% done. I'll continue cleaning tomorrow afternoon before we go to church. I started with some stupid magazines that are not mine! I sacrificed my hands to remove all those 200+ old magazines under my desk because I know that cockroaches passed by it. Here's the 30% of what I've done a while ago. 

Yehey! I placed all of the magazines in paper and plastic bags.

Except for BluPrint, BluPrint, BluPrint and BluPrints!!! Those are my 100+ collections.

Oh, my piano books and notes way back in 2002. I was so good at playing back then.

HAHA! My concept photography class plates! Btw, I used my sister as my model for this plate.

Uhhh, traditional art? The last time I used those mechanical pens, acrylic paints etc. was in 2nd year college (2008).

Ohhh, I remember this, I was the one who pioneered the use of "video" in school every time there's a play in Filipino class. I remember that I wanted to film the 2 assigned Kabanata's because I got jealous of my siblings who were filming their works too in college and I'M SO LAZY to memorize scripts in front of the class! I just realized that it would be easier if we film it so we can cut the scenes especially if the lines in the script are so long. After this funny film presented in class, the other class got curious and wanted to film theirs too because they're lazy to memorize! Haha! And at the same time I taught them how to edit in Windows Movie Maker (EPIC! HAHA). Then the higher batch got curious (I think my teacher in Filipino told them that if I, a 2nd year student back then was able to do it, they can do it as well). I think this changed the whole concept of plays in our school. 

The next thing I did was the use of powerpoint when I was in 3rd year high school. Back in 2005, (Hindi pa talaga uso yung mga powerpoint sa school, MANILA PAPER PA GAMIT! Sa mga big time schools siguro pero samen hindi talaga) I got curious again of my siblings because they're making powerpoints in college! So I said, if we're gonna use that in college, it's better if I introduce this new style of reporting. Then again my teacher in History was so proud of me, I even presented to the other classes. Then here comes Chemistry class, 2 weeks of reporting! One time, my classmates went to my house just to help them making their powerpoints, adding animations and designs! It's cool :D Everyday I always bring my laptop in school, my dad's projector, and everyone's like WOAHHHH!! Back then, of course it wasn't normal for a high school student to bring those kind of equipments.

Then here comes 4th year high school! Since it was our last year, we gave it our all! We filmed our assigned kabanata's in El Filibusterismo. Everyone had fun despite the editors who actually suffered from not sleeping HAHA! I was one of those who didn't sleep. I used to cram all the time! When it was student council campaigning, I made sure to make powerpoint presentation for the platforms, and made this cute "Friendster-like slides" (short profile with picture, EACH SLIDE) of the running officers in our party. Every one was so amazed (especially the 1st year students) when it was projected in every classroom. I think most of them were "O_O" because of the graphics, the animation in each slides and the GIF's that I made for the profile pic, so funny HAHA!! It was so hard to transfer to another classroom because we used 2 projectors (the other one from my classmate) and 2 black garbage bags to cover the windows when presenting. Of course, I didn't forget my FOG MACHINE! Every time that the officers go inside the classroom, I make sure to fog it a little bit while others are dancing with the music! SO FUN!!! I really miss high school! Student Council is so exciting and full of drama!

Oh this one's the last, our graduation day, I made a simple cute edit of our batch pictures, videos etc. I know the effects are so JEJEFECTS haha! But it's really sad to see and watch these videos again (because our school was demolished and we were that last batch to graduate, SO EPIC).

part 2 before OLGMSC totally signs off!!!!!

When you leave here, don't forget why you came. 

~Adlai Stevenson

The truth is, I was afraid the day I walked into (OLGMSC). And I was afraid the day I walked out. ~Carly Fiorina

There is a good reason they call these ceremonies "commencement exercises." Graduation is not the end; it's the beginning. 
~Orrin Hatch

I reminisce to much, sorry HAHA! Back to cleaning my room :D

 

40% trash, 60% still scattered, hiding in my room

 HAHA! I really need this! I'm so bad in english!

I was so cute back then, what the hell happened now?! HAHA. When I saw this pic, this made me realize why my parents love me :D

Meet my twin brother HAHA! Hello Neanderthy.

This Nebulizer was a gift from my lolo (father's side) when I was in prep :D

HAHA! I always hate math :P

HUWAT?! I got a 10 in music haha!

Application Forms: Ateneo, Benilde and La Salle. 

And the last would be, dust at the back of my bed.

Cleaning a room is like time traveling. (Ano raw haha) It's like a movie! First scene: You have your first mission "to clean this part first" then in that mission you found an unexpected treasure! It's like rediscovering my past because I've seen those old pictures and stuffs before (well, probably the last time I cleaned my room).

My room also reflects who I am. What have you guys noticed in my pictures? So many BluPrints right?! I'm a big fan of architecture and I just love collecting those magazines full of archi stuffs, latest condominiums in the metro... The next would be music? Well I'm not a singer but I just love listening to piano. I play but I only play what I want to play.

Crapuccino Fudge! It's already 5:45 am and I need to end this OMG it's so long na pala HAHAHA!!!

Down Up Down

 

"Anong floor ulet?"

This happened around 5pm-ish, just 3 hours before the show starts. I went into the wrong floor because the 2 elevators at the right side of CCP in the backstage have different floor buttons. The Left Elevator has 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 while the Right Elevator has G, 1, 2, 3, 4. So it would be like Right Elevator G is also Left Elevator 1! My officemate told me to bring these heavy programs, albums etc. to the storage room (which is located at the 2nd floor of CCP) using a pushcart. Then I went to the left side of the elevator (I was at the 4th floor just outside Silangan Hall), then I pressed 1st floor. My officemate told me that CCP elevators backstage are really weird. The left elevator couldn't be opened at floors 2 and 3 because there are some "stuffs" in front of those elevator doors, while 1, 4 and 5 could be opened. I couldn't use the right elevator at the 4th floor because it is separated by a wall, not accessible! I think it leads to another room? 

Anyways, I waited for the right elevator at the 1st floor (which is also the ground floor according to right elevator) Then I entered and pressed the 2nd floor... After 8 seconds of waiting inside the rusty elevator, the door opened so slowly and I saw the cast of CATS together with Lea Salonga! I was like OMG!!! They still don't have their make-ups and wigs, and it seems like they're relaxing, chatting while drinking coffee. I went outside of that elevator, and I felt like I kinda disturbed them HAHAHA!!! I was supposed to go to the right side of that elevator lobby when I saw a dead end there, it's full of rooms etc. In my head I said... "SHET, Asan yung backstage nawawala?! OMG OMG OMG, chill ka lang kiben, kunyare iwan ko muna tong pushcart dito..." Cuz they were all looking at me! (Sino ba naman hindi kakabahan parang napahiya ata ako run haha) 

Then I went down just one floor to check if the backstage is there and oooopppsss... WRONG FLOOR! HAHAHAHA!!! I went back up again at that "2nd floor" and realized it's the 3rd floor if you're gonna use the 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. So I should be on the 1st floor of right elevator. So ok, I disturbed them again, and I was so shy that I think they also realized I went to the wrong floor HAHAHA!!! I didn't dare to look at them especially Lea. I was so shy! Then the "right elevator" opened and I saw my other officemate and I was like... "UY!!!" Then she told me what am I doing at this floor? I told her that I went to the wrong floor, I need to be on the 2nd floor of backstage but it says on this elevator that this is 2nd floor and "Gagi, nawawala yung backstage, maling floor ata ako? Hahaha" Then she laughed and told me to go down this elevator, the storage room is located at the 1st floor of the right elevator. Then finally I went down and oh yeahhhhh, I went to the right side of the elevator lobby and... 

"Hello backstage! You're BACK!"

Cats in CATS in CCP

My boss told me to take pictures of the main entrance at CCP (Cultural Center of the Philippines, it's located in Pasay City, Metro Manila) for their documentation (and for my portfolio as well... in OJT class). And then I saw these cute cats roaming around CCP. From the main entrance to some parts of CCP. One time I rushed to the elevators, there's this glass wall on the side of the elevator lobby and I just saw a cat starring at me! I said "Are you a jellicle cat?!" HAHAHA!! Kinda weird talking to real cats! Oh, there was also this cat that I saw outside, just near the side entrance (for the crew, staffs, actors etc) it was carrying a plastic with food using its mouth! I was like awwww... OMG! it's a real life Grizabella (Lea Salonga's character in CATS). I just wonder what will be the reaction of the cast of CATS if they saw their "fellow" real cats outside? HAHA

As a kid back then, I always get thrilled and amazed when we go to places like this (I'm not sure with the real cats I saw, maybe they just want to chill out there at CCP HAHA). Not because we're gonna watch something there but more on the archi stuffs. I love architecture! I really appreciate the architectural details of this building. Those curves buttresses, the color of the wood panels inside, the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (Main Theater) is still WOW to me, the paintings on the walls of 2nd to 4th floor and of course the 3 Capiz chandeliers in the main lobby. OMG! It's very Filipino, I LAB ET! HAHA! It still stands out for me even though it's kinda old (1969 according to wiki). 

Maybe they just have to renovate it. 

They need to replace those glass door entrance with automatic doors or just new glass doors will do. The wood ceilings at the main entrance are ok, but the lights are not! As you can see in the picture above, some bulbs are just too bright and some are not. Some have blueish in colors which is kinda weird! Replace all the light bulbs, inside and outside. Oh gosh, I was really distracted with those flickering light bulbs in the main lobby! Good thing that the crowd didn't notice that after a minute, a light bulb just turns off! Then it turns on after a minute HAHAHA!!!

Hmmm... What else needs to be improved? AH! The comfort rooms. The worst CR is in the 4th floor I think. Well actually they need to renovate all of their CR's! Next would be... Silangan Hall! Yes! I think that area is nice but the ceiling is like ughhh, needs to be painted! And some concrete walls have cracks and need to be fixed. The furniture that they use too like the wooden seat (I don't know the term haha) have some cracks!! (Parang inanay na ewan). 

At the backstage, where the fitting, dressing, music, and some other weird rooms needs to be improved! I want it to look like an interior of a hotel hallway and rooms. Simple but elegant still (kahit na backstage pa yun) so that the actors and the crew will be more comfortable. It was kinda hot backstage and even in the main lobby and main theater (Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo). They also need to improve the sidewalks at both side entrance.

The last would be those 1960's elevators. I don't see any art there so maybe they need to replace those too HAHAHA!! OMG especially the elevators backstage are SO SO SCARYY!!! The elevators backstage are so dirty and rusty! From the ground floor to 4th floor, it will take you hmm..... at least less than 10 seconds before you arrive into your destination... Heaven... NO, HELL!!! HAHAHA!!! 

On the left side of CCP, I think it's where some other stuffs are being stored, more of like storage area, not really a room. I went there one time using another scary elevator from the left side of CCP used for the crew only. I was going to the 4th floor where Silangan Hall is located to get my things at the back of it, (I can't go inside the other side because of the on-going Corporate Night of some famous company). Elevators there are weird, the door always opens at 3rd floor even though you don't press it. With that door 5 seconds opened, I saw super dirty OLD stuffs. Then the door opened at the 4th floor. I was like "shet ano tong lugar na toh..." It looks like a scene from a zombie movie, all it needs is BLOOD to make that eerie look of a zombie scene. It really looks like hell there, the walls cracked, old paint from ceiling, the tiles are so dirty!!! And some wooden stuffs like old chairs, tables that adds more creepiness. I know that there are some places in the building where the "guests or audience" couldn't pass these areas but still, they need to clean up those areas.