Kontera

NIKON D60 GOLD SE SLR CAM W/18-55 VR ZM
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Zambales! The Budding Vacation Spot!

I am from San Antonio, Zambales. Last March 14, Chi and I went there for a one-day beach picnic with my family. We were supposed to go to Anawangin Cove but the tides were high and clouds were looming on the horizon. We decided to go there some other time (probably when I have a loose schedule and when I have my DSLR with me). We had lunch and fooled around with the waves. We even made Mikay (my cousin) a sand mermaid. LOL! Anyway, the photos were taken at Pundaquit, San Antonio, Zambales which I think is one of the budding tourist/vacation spots in the country. Travelwise, it is just 3-4 hours by car from Manila.

Since I am talking about Pundaquit, I might as well tackle what is to expect there for those would-be vacationists out there.

The Pundaquit area features sizable mountains for the hikers, a waterfalls, various islands for picnics, boat rides, fabulous resorts, white sand and a fantastic beach for the whole family. There are also scuba diving spots, sports and surfing areas. Cottage rentals and accomodations vary from P500 (cottage rental) - P10,000 (Family Villa).

Now then, here are some photos taken during the picnic. The camera used was a Canon Digital IXUS 50. Specs are:

Exposure:0.002 sec (1/640)
Aperture:f/5.6
Focal Length:5.8 mm
Exposure Bias:0 EV
Flash:Auto, Did not fire
ISO Speed:50

Uncle Dar on the Beach

The View from the Cottage

Another View

...and another one.

Chi and Me

Cianne, Uncle Dar, Mikay, Me and Chi

Me and Mikay

A Wet Lunch

Cianne, Lee Anne, Tpe and Mikay

Tpe, Uncle Dar, Mikay, Cianne, Me and Chi

Before...

After...

The Beach Gang

The Lunchtime Gang

The Camwhores

Senti Mode (Solo)

Senti Mode (Duo)

Walking Up the Beach

Subic Getaway 2008

April 14-16, 2008.

Chi and I decided to take a small vacation at Subic. We stayed at Herbie's Mansion where we payed P1,300 (approx. $28) per night. This includes a complimentary breakfast and a cool view of Subic's beach. The first day was rest day from the long travel (4-6 hours from Manila). The 2nd day, we went to Ocean Adventure where we went to see dolphins! :) Chi loves dolphins. Ocean Adventure is a nice destination. However, the road is long from the main gate at Subic. Beside the Ocean Adventure is the Camayan Beach resort. We went there after the dolphin show to get some dip. :) Entrance fee is P250, i think. It's a very nice resort. They also feature a hotel where you can stay to avoid the long travel back and forth. Overall, the vacation was very enjoyable. If ever you're going to go to Subic for a vacation, make sure you stop by Meat-Plus. They make the best steaks! :) Here are some pics of our little adventure. These were taken using Canon Powershot A310:

Exposure: 0.006 sec (1/160)
Aperture: f/3.6
Focal Length: 5 mm
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
Flash: Auto, Did not fire
ISO Speed: 50

Enjoy! :)

Before going to Ocean Adventure!

Huggies!

Another mascot shot

Fire Dancers

Dolphin

Dolphins

Dolphin 2

Enjoying the show

Chi the Rescuer

Seal

Look Alike

Taken from the Ocean Adventure's PC


Date for my D40 determined

A text message from a friend finally confirmed the date when I'll buy my Nikon D40. I am projecting to buy this "elusive" camera this May 20. :) Woot! I'm getting more and more excited everyday. LOL! I'm planning to buy at Hidalgo, probably Mayer's.

Medicine Graduation Picture

Many of you might not know this, but I am a Medicine student at PLM. I am currently in my clerkship year (4th year) and I will be hopefully graduating in March-April 2010. As early as now, we have conducted our picture taking at Studio Pro. The reason behind this is that we will be too busy to even have a picture taking this year. Just got the developed pictures today. These pictures were taken using a Nikon D200. Here are the specs:

Camera: Nikon D200
Exposure: 0.01 sec (1/100)
Aperture: f/13.0
Focal Length: 80 mm
ISO Speed: 250
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
Flash: No Flash

File Size: 2.3 MB
File Type: JPEG
MIME Type: image/jpeg
Image Width: 1944
Image Height: 2896
Encoding Process: Baseline DCT, Huffman coding
Bits Per Sample: 8
Color Components: 3
X-Resolution: 300 dpi
Y-Resolution: 300 dpi
Orientation: Horizontal (normal)
Software: Adobe Photoshop CS2 Windows
Date and Time (Modified): 2009:03:24 17:27:23
YCbCr Positioning: Co-sited
Custom Rendered: Normal
Exposure Mode: Manual
White Balance: Manual
Digital Zoom Ratio: 1
Focal Length In35mm Format: 120 mm
Scene Capture Type: Standard
Gain Control: None
Contrast: Normal
Saturation: Normal
Sharpness: Normal
Subject Distance Range: Unknown
Exposure Program: Manual
Date and Time (Original): 2007:01:28 06:19:56+08:00
Date and Time (Digitized): 2007:01:28 06:19:56
Compressed Bits Per Pixel: 4
Max Aperture Value: 5.1
Metering Mode: Spot
Light Source: Unknown
Sub Sec Time: 24
Sub Sec Time Original: 24
Sub Sec Time Digitized: 24
Color Space: sRGB
Sensing Method: One-chip color area
CFAPattern: [Green,Red][Blue,Green]
GPSVersion ID: 2.2.0.0
Compression: JPEG (old-style)
Global Angle: 30
Global Altitude: 30
Copyright Flag: False
Photoshop Quality: 12
Photoshop Format: Standard
Progressive Scans: 3 Scans
XMPToolkit: 3.1.1-111
Orientation: Horizontal (normal)
Creator Tool: Adobe Photoshop CS2 Windows
Metadata Date: 2009:03:24 17:27:23+08:00
Format: image/jpeg
Color Mode: 3
ICCProfile Name: sRGB IEC61966-2.1
Viewing Conditions Illuminant Type: D50
Measurement Observer: CIE 1931
Measurement Flare: 0.999%
Measurement Illuminant: D65
Color Transform: YCbCr
Flash Return: No return detection
Flash Mode: Unknown
Flash Function: False
Flash Red Eye Mode: False
GPSVersion ID: 2.2.0.0

Anyway, without further ado, here are my pics:


Grad Pic


Formal Wear

Hidalgo Camera Shops and Supplies

Hidalgo, Quiapo is like the camera and accessories capital of the Philippines. I can safely assume that this is where you can find cameras and accessories at its lowest price. Based from my research on Nikon D40 prices, it now costs P19,000 (roughly around $380) with freebies. Take note that this price is for the "grey" units. Columbia units are at least P21,000.

For those of you who are interested in buying cameras and accessories and don't know the place yet, follow this map:


M - Mayer's; H - Henry's; W - Watson's

Here are the list of shops and their contact details in case you want to inquire:

Avenue Photo Supply
Address: 712 R. Hidalgo St., Quiapo, Manila
Tel: 733-2761, 733-5474, 734-3307
Contact: Wilson Lu
Products: Quantum, Nikon, Canon, Olympus, Slik, China brand lights, Radio receivers, Bulbs, Flash bulbs, Tamron, Tiffen, Domke, Kodak, Fuji, Ilford Film, Widest range of Lighting equiptment in Hidalgo.

Fotohaus
Address: 713 R. Hidalgo St., Quiapo, Manila
Tel: 734-4471, 734-3304 to 05, 733-4565, 733-5531
Fax: 733-5528
Contact: Lety C. Uy
Products: Nikon, Canon, Fuji, Kodak, Rechargeable batteries, Lamination equiptment, Film, Dry boxes

Henry's Camera & Photo Supply
Address: 310 P. Gomez St., Quiapo, Manila
Tel: 733-7723, 735-7989, 734-5099
Fax: 734-4018
Contact: Nicholson Ong
E : henryscamera@yahoo.com
Products: Nikon, Canon, Sony, Olympus, Assorted Studio lighting and lots of batteries

Mayer Photo
Address: 111, 113, 115 C. Palanca St., Quiapo, Manila
Tel: 733-7598, 733-7722
Look for: Ramon Ong
Products: Nikon, Canon, Sony, Olympus, good source for high end lenses.

Watson Photo Shop
Address: 312 P. Gomez St., Quiapo, Manila
Tel: 733-7697
Look for: Philip King Tan Tang
Products: Nikon, Canon, Sony, Fuji, Sunpak, Olympus

Happy shopping guys!

My first 36 hour hospital duty

My first 36 hour duty in the Pathology department at Ospital ng Maynila has been a real learning experience. I have learned a lot especially from Doc Frank, who taught me how to do a urinalysis test and properly interpret the results.

All night I was logging incoming specimens and doing the charting (giving lab results to the various departments). All in all it was fun. It was just tiring because being awake for 36 hours still takes it's toll. Here are some random pics I got from my workplace. Got it using my Sony Ericsson camera phone with 1.3 mega pixels, f=4.35mm 1:4.0. Enjoy!


This is my workplace :)



My companion throughout the night. :)

March 22, 2009 Random Pics with Chi

Here are some pictures I have taken with my camera phone: a Sony Ericsson with 1.3 mega pixels, f=4.35mm 1:4.0. These are just random pics with Chi while having lunch at Jollibee. :) (i wish I have a DSLR right now!)


This is my honey! :)


Cute! :)


I personally like this shot! :)

Quiapo Day

Quiapo Day is a yearly celebration in the Philippines wherein the Black Nazarene is paraded throughout Plaza Miranda in Quiapo. However this year, they changed the route which included the Rizal Park which was near our school. We were very lucky to have caught a personal glimpse of the miraculous Black Nazarene. From the pictures you can see a thick density of people, all of whom are devoters of the Black Nazarene.

These pictures were caught using a Sony Erickson camera phone with 1.3 mega pixels and f=4.35mm 1:4.0.

I want a Nikon D40

The Nikon D40

It is the so-called entry level Single Lens Reflex (SLR) camera. It was designed by Nikon with beginners in mind. It is easy to use, affordable and has great features and I want one!

Here are some of the features of the Nikon D40:

  • 6 megapixel DX format CCD (1.5x FOV crop, as D50)
  • Nikon Image processing engine (as D80 / D200)
  • 3D Color Matrix Metering II, 420 pixel sensor (as D80 / D50)
  • New Multi-CAM530 three area AF sensor
  • ISO sensitivity range 200 - 1600 plus HI 1 (3200 equiv.)
  • Custom Auto ISO (selectable maximum ISO, minimum shutter speed)
  • 2.5 fps continuous shooting (as D50), unlimited in JPEG
  • No status LCD, new LCD monitor based status / settings screens
  • Help suggestions on LCD monitor (eg. scene too dark, try using flash)
  • Large 2.5" 230,000 pixel LCD monitor
  • Bigger viewfinder view (x0.8 magnification, 95% coverage)
  • Short shutter lag and viewfinder blackout
  • Support for SDHC (SD cards over 2 GB in capacity)
  • In-camera retouching
    • D-Lighting (shadow / highlight enhancement)
    • Red-eye reduction
    • Trimming
    • Monochrome
    • Filter effects
    • Small picture
    • Image overlay
  • USB 2.0 with PTP and Mass Storage device support
  • Very compact, light body (smaller, lighter than D50)
  • Improved menu user interface (as D80 / D200)
  • New EN-EL9 Lithium-Ion battery (7.2V, 1000 mAh)
  • New 'Version II' AF-S DX 18-55 mm kit lens
Cool isn't it? Hopefully, I'll get one in a few month's time. :) Wish me luck!

You Changed my Life Review

The much awaited sequel of the movie "A Very Special Love" is now showing in Philippine cinemas. This movie houses the original cast from the first in addition to some characters namely Rayver Cruz.

You Changed my Life" is a romantic comedy which focuses on the lives of two different people in two different worlds who fell in love with each other. It features the continuing struggle of both individuals to cope up with both their career and personal lives. The couple then runs into a horde of misunderstandings and eventually, as any romantic movie would go, the couple reunites with a happy ending.

As far as comedy goes, the movie was hilarious. It is safe to say that it was one of the most hilarious movie of this early quarter. Lines were delivered perfectly and Cathy Garcia Molina (Director) did a great job with the actors. Bet you didn't expect John Lloyd to dance, right?

The storyline was somewhat linear and predictable but was enjoyable nonetheless. I personally think the addition of some characters was a bad idea. However, it was necessary for the story to progress. There was a love-triangle plot throughout the movie but i think i was not thought over that much.

Overall, i'd say the movie is an 8.5 out of 10. Movie goers, male and female alike, are still flocking the cinemas for a chance to see the duo of John Lloyd and Sarah. I don't know what charisma they instilled to the Filipino people but they sure did a great job. :)

Banini

Here are some photos of "Banini" the Baby. :) These were taken during our christmas vacation at Zambales, Philippines. Cute ain't she? Enjoy!