TALK IS CHEAP? IT'S FREE!

Simple joy: Hubby found more free talks on photography here in SG! 

Over the weekend, he attended "Creating Winning Shots" by Liew Tong Leng at the Selegie Art Center (nearest MRT station: Dhoby Ghaut, two stops from Orchard). His first free talk on photography, "The Art of Balance," was at the Singapore Art Museum (nearest MRT stations: Bras Basah or City Hall), last April, when we were here for our 7th Wedding Anniversary celebration. The great news: he found another one scheduled this coming weekend -- "The Photo Impressionism Seminar" at the Ion Art Gallery (MRT station: Orchard). Yey!

Back in Manila, he's a photography workshop addict. Just this year, almost every weekend, for seven months, he paid for photography classes (And they were worth the money, time and effort. Bilib ako!). But since we're currently on career breaks, he'll have to settle for free sessions muna. Hehe. 

The Selegie Arts Center
houses The Photographic Society of Singapore.

PS: Over the weekend, I explored SG on my own while Hubby attended the two-hour workshop. Spaces in our togetherness. *wink*

FIRST FREEDOM WEEKEND

The first item on my freedom list (see my previous blog entry) -- freedom from alarm clocks. But guess what? On our first freedom weekend we had to wake up early on both Saturday and Sunday! LOL. But this time, nauna ako sa alarms. Wow. There lies the difference. *big smile*

Saturday alarm: 7am

I went to fashion school to attend a morning talk. Read about it here. Hatid-sundo ako ni Hubby. After school, it was Chinese food, Cars and Church for us.

Sunday alarm: 7am

We agreed to take part in someone's "para sa pag-ibig" project. Can't talk much about it yet, don't want to ruin somebody's surprise. We were so blessed to work with three of the most talented Art Directors we know -- G, E, J. Thanks, Guys! They all said yes to this "para sa pag-ibig." I'll blog about this labor of love next month. We were dead tired after the project. But we're happy to have helped so mabilis maka-recover from the pagod.

Tomorrow's the First Freedom Monday. I. Will. Not. Set. The. Alarm. Clock. For. Anything. I want to savor this First Freedom Monday by sleeping all I want. Haha. Sa Tuesday na lang uli ang alarm, for the first set of our OFW errands. 

BEACH HOUSE's BBQ

Thirteen years after graduation, I say

U.P. Diliman's Beach House pork BBQ

is still among the best!

Dragged J to U.P. the other day. We had a total of six sticks of the Beach House's super famous BBQ, with rice, ginisang monggo, salted egg and tomatoes. Dessert: dirty ice cream from one of the parked carts at the Faculty Center.

I don't remember how much the BBQ costs when I was still a student. Now, it's Php25/stick. Sulit pa rin.

Why is the canteen called the "Beach House" e wala namang beach? Until now, hindi ko alam.Am I the only U.P. alumni clueless about this? (Uh-oh.) I'm asking Manang next week. (Yes, we're going back!)

When we were still living in QC, we were often in U.P. for jogging, running and fishball dates. Now that we're in another city, pwede pa rin naman dalasan! *wink*

J's CHESS STORY

I'm sharing J's assignment for his photography class. All he had to do was to shoot samples of white on white, black on black, glass bottle, etc. But he went beyond the requirement and created a cohesive photo story using only one subject matter -- one of his greatest loves, chess.

-----

My Chess Story

The first article I wrote that got published was a chess piece. I was 12 then. My move into writing is probably as checkered as my chess. I've been able to publish my works, in school organs, company newsletters, and national newspapers and magazines, whether it's prose and poetry, press releases and advertorials, or just advertising copy. Humility aside, I can write as well as I can play chess. But I am far from being a successful writer. In the same way that I am far from being a chess grandmaster.

This photo essay is my first move in photography. Or at least for the first set of assignments in FPPF's Basic Photography Workshop. I don't fancy this getting published. But I do have dreams of getting my pictures published in the future. This time, I want to excel.

Above: Glass Bottle

ISO100, f/1.8, 1/25 sec., 50mm

Canon EOS 450D

Fragile Prodigy.

I once fancied myself a child prodigy. At 10, my uncle taught me the basic moves. A few months later, I can beat most adults with intermediate playing strength. I was the best in school and played Board 1 in an inter-school competition. I once beat a varsity teammate, blindfolded! Unfortunately, I didn't have the proper guidance to progress further. I didn't have a chess coach. And I didn't get support to play in tournaments.

Above: Shallow Depth of Field

ISO100, f/1.8, 1.80 sec., 50mm

Canon EOS 450D

Shallow Appreciation.

To the uninitiated, chess is just a another boring board game. To be pun-ny, it's a “bored” game. And to every beginner, chess is just child's play. Until I played competitive chess. More than two decades later, I'm now back to just playing for fun.

Above: Deep Depth of Field

ISO100, f/22, 2.5", 50mm

Canon EOS 450D

In Deep Thought.

Chess trained me to easily recognize patterns, sharpened my mental acuity, and developed my foresight. And as I even delved deeper, I discovered the intricacies of strategies, tactics, and gamesmanship. On hindsight, I realized these were all important life lessons.

Above: White on White

ISO400, f/5.6, 1/60 sec., 18-55mm

Canon EOS 450D

Playing White.

One of my earliest chess idols was the eccentric genius, Bobby Fischer. As white, I played aggressively, with gambits, in both king- or queen-pawn openings. But maturity tempered the aggression. I still gamble with my moves, but I no longer play as recklessly as my youth.

Above: Black on Black

ISO100, f/5.6, 1/60 sec., 18-55mm

Canon EOS 450D

Playing Black.

The first set of defenses I learned were the so-called Indian Defenses—Grunfeld, King's Indian, and Nimzowitch. What playing black has thought me is patience, to wait it out, to keep things together in the face of great adversity. When the time is right, strike back. Again, this is a priceless life lesson.

Above: Motion Freeze

ISO1600, f/1.8, 1/4000 sec., 50mm

Canon EOS 450D

Frozen In My Mind.

There was a time when I saw the pieces of my first chess set—a gift from my uncle—flung into the air. The king fell, it's crown broken. This is one time when being better was not exactly the best move. This forever scarred my play.

Above: Motion Blur

ISO1600, f/22, 1 sec., 18-55mm

Canon EOS 450D

It's All A Matter Of Time.

After a short checkered career in chess, I resigned. I quit. I was over. The end game was as fast as the opening. I was not able to enjoy the middle game. But I have no regrets. I now play speed chess online—blitz and bullet games—against anonymous opponents, against players who cannot smash my board, and against opponents who cannot break my king. But the big irony is, we get to thrash-talk!

Above: Portrait (Head and Shoulder)

ISO100, f/1.8, 1/40 sec., 50mm

Canon EOS 450D

My Queen.

In chess, as in life, if you play the right moves, lady luck plays along. I guess that is how I won the heart of my mate, my queen, my life partner.

-----

J's photography teacher: "Congratulations. You have really won the best heart, the most beautiful mate, queen and partner. Your portrait of her is just perfect. Enjoy your photography as much as I enjoy talking to you."

More from her, "Congrats! I enjoyed reading your little piece. How about contributing to Frame One of FPPF? Good luck!"

-----

Me: Proud of my kapwa-working student / life partner / daily date! (Ang CHESS-y! Ewe.)

I actually don't like this photo of me. This is me bagong-gising. But technically, according to the professional photographers, it was a good "head and shoulder" shot. So who am I to complain? Hehe.

PICTURE PERFECT

Picture this: Hubby loves taking photos while I enjoy posing for the camera.

He's been taking photos of me ever since. But with his photography classes (yes, hindi lang isa), mas dumalas pa. He takes shots of me while I'm asleep, bagong gising, while cooking, while reading, me doing my Fashion School homework, lounging by the pool, at work, etc.

It feels great to be your Hubby's Muse. We know I'm not the most photogenic subject in the world. But in his eyes, I deserve all the close-ups. Awwww. Hope your man has his eyes only on you too. *wink*

Photo by my dear Hubby

Taken at Mamou, Serendra

STUDENTS OF LIFE

No matter how one may think himself accomplished,

when he sets out to learn a new language, science, or the bicycle,

he has entered a new realm as truly as if he were a child

newly born into the world. -- FW

J and I are currently enjoying our "working student" lifestyle. I'm in Fashion School. He's taking up Photography and Language Classes. These while we're in the middle of a station launch in our high-stress, at least 11-hours-a-day jobs; with family, friends and church responsibilities, workouts and daily dates in between! (Our school home works range from four to ten items per session ha, hindi pa-isa-isa. Bawal matulog? Haha!)

We both agree that learning (lalo na kung talagang "school" set-up) keeps every one young. I've been mistaken for a "twenty-something" quite a few times in school, while J has always looked younger than his actual age. But beyond looks, it's the young attitude and spirit that give one the ultimate high.

In a recent forum with Jun de Leon, the Master Photographer said -- anyone who feels he knows it all "is done." That kind of person is better dead. So I say "R.I.P." to people unwilling to learn and unlearn.

More words on learning, this time from MHF, "I find four great classes of students: The dumb who stay dumb. The dumb who become wise. The wise who go dumb. The wise who remain wise."

Let's all strive to be students 2 or 4. *wink*

LIFE PARTNER

A Life Partner...

[A] volunteers to format your 68-page PowerPoint Presentation for Fashion School due in a few hours

[B] surprises you with a book you can use for class

[C] does both -- MY ANSWER! =)

Above: A gift from J

Came home from school

and found this among my fashion books!

(Check out my "hand" bookmark -- a gift from M.)

I'm adding "be each other's cheerleader" to my "Making Marriage Work" list! My hubby's really been very supportive of me attending Fashion School. I'm so touched.

Ako naman, I've always been a proud cheerleader during his Muay Thai classes, during our boxing workouts, and our fun runs. Currently, I'm his number one fan sa kanyang successful weight-loss program. He's lost 20 pounds in 4 months with a workout program and diet he designed himself! All natural, all healthy, no shortcuts.

Any one who's in a relationship where your partner fully supports your dreams (or hobbies) is very blessed. For the nth time I say, we may not be rich, famous or powerful, but with our loving marriage (and family life), WE DO HAVE IT ALL! Maraming salamat po, Ama.

ESTUDYANTE BLUES

Were you also at your most matakaw when you were in college? I was. I remember those blessed days when I could eat two cups of rice every meal and not gain a pound.

I'm back to being a student (currently attending Fashion School) and I'm scared that even my student appetite is back. Yikes! The scariest thing: I know my metabolism has changed. Now, every calorie will go straight to my thighs! Hala!

Last night, after our class "field trip" to Adora for some fashion inspiration, we held class at Lusso (also in Greenbelt). Ang saya! Eating good food (hindi patagong Skyflakes gaya nung college!) while having class. There really was an ongoing discussion, consultation and review while we were having our yummy dinner. =)

Above: MY 6PM DINNER

I had Lusso's Canneloni Bolognese

(Very Good! Rich in flavor but not nakaka-umay.)

and Iced Tea (OK. Uno's still my favorite.)

My bill: around Php470.

Lusso's famous for their Foie Gras Burger, will try it next time.

Class ended at 9pm last night. Met J right after. Just when I thought I'm done with dinner, I'm up for more! We went to Fely J's (still in Greenbelt). But instead of having our all-time favorites -- their adobo (J's fave) and their crispy hito (my fave) -- we decided to try something new. We ordered their Bistek Tagalog (US Angus black beef), P850. It was good. But we both decided that next time, we'll stick to our favorites.

Above: DINNER AGAIN?!

Where are my running shoes?

FIRST DAY OF FASHION SCHOOL

I'm so kilig! Today, for the very first time, J walked me to school, and picked me up after my class. This is a first for us. We met at work so we had no campus dates, walang ganitong mga eksena until now. Yihee!

J took a photo of me on our way to my school.

Taken along one of the Makati walkways.

I'm enrolled at the DFW: Designer Fashion Workshops, located at the iAcademy, along Ayala, just across the Triangle Gardens. After class, we have an excuse to try all the restos across the street. Yey!

Tonight, we were tempted to go back to Wee Nam Kee (we miss their Hainanese Chicken!). But decided to try something new -- Chef Laudico's BFast. As the name suggests, it's an all-day breakfast joint.

Above:

Of course, the adobo addict tried their adobo.

His bfast verdict: Matutulog na lang ako. Yawn.

Above: I had their salmon.

OK, nothing spectacular.

Above: The flourless chocolate cake.

(Cafe Bola's is still the best.)

Maybe next time we should order their best sellers, the "silogs." For today, we can't say breakfast is the new dinner. =(

As for my first day at Fashion School, it's confirmed, "Fashion is now in fashion!"

PS

For more on my Fashion School experience, check out my other blog, My Little Black Book of Style.