Lightscapes - Mitz Lanuza's IXUS Photoblog

My Gallery Has MOVED

2006-06-08T14:09:00.000+08:00

A few months ago, I have decided to take photography seriously. I bought myself a new Canon DSLR and had a lot of fun with it, learning so many things along the way.

Please visit my new gallery at

Enjoy!

[PHOTOS] Experiments with Light

2006-03-13T23:27:00.000+08:00

[PHOTOS] Portraits: Stephanie

2006-03-13T23:26:00.000+08:00

[PHOTOS] Pasig Sunrise

2006-03-12T23:26:00.000+08:00

Taken 03/11/06.

[PHOTOS] Nightscapes (along CCP)

2006-03-08T19:06:00.000+08:00

[PHOTOS] Dewdrops: A Collection

2006-03-08T19:04:00.000+08:00

[PHOTO] Wishy-Wishy and Other Photos

2006-03-08T18:55:00.000+08:00

Wishy-Wishy

Pruning Season

My Mother, A Portrait

[PHOTOS] Grand EB: MotorcyclePhilippines.com

2006-02-20T00:15:00.002+08:00

Call it induction. Call it culture shock. My first trip to Tagaytay by bike (with my bf's group ProMotors Philippines) was one heck of a joyride.

[PHOTOS] Team-building in Tagaytay (more pics)

2006-02-20T00:05:00.000+08:00

You think this is such a heavenly place, but...

Teammates tough it out to win the team-building challenges: the Low V, and the Spider's Web:

But of course one still finds the time to take silly pictures. =)

[PHOTOS] Pyro Olympics 2005

2006-02-19T23:46:00.000+08:00

Too many people! We didn't get to see the watershow much, but still this event was worth all the sweat and heartache (we walked almost a mile to get there, plus I lost the handle of my tripod, waaah!). We only managed to watch the 2nd participant: South Africa. Not bad. =)

Copyrighted folks. Respect the IPR. =)

[PHOTOS] Spectaculo Pirotecnico

2006-02-19T23:34:00.000+08:00

Screengrabs!!! (copyrighted to me, respect IPR, folks)

Coming back to my roots (my first job was as an HR personnel in Enchanted Kingdom), and enjoying the show. I'm such a fireworks freak. =)

[PHOTOS] Beautiful Baguio! (more Baguio pics)

2006-02-19T23:27:00.000+08:00

[PHOTO] More farm pics

2006-02-19T23:23:00.000+08:00

[DIGITAL ART] Sulyap

2006-02-09T16:54:00.000+08:00

Dahil malapit na ang Valentine's. =)

[PHOTO-BLOG] 'Sa Kabila ng Ritmo' Book Signing

2006-02-06T19:46:00.000+08:00

Nakikigulo sa book launch ng Sa Kabila ng Ritmo (Mitzy at the extreme left, next to Karen, a long-lost childhood friend found again through this event). I had the pleasure of meeting Tata Raul, Gretch, Jen, Makoy, Rain and Lolito, plus seeing MK and Kramer again after a long, long time, plus other poets who are included in the anthology. Nude painting appointments, anyone? =)

[PHOTO] Flower Girl

2006-02-02T16:02:00.000+08:00

Old photo originally housed at my Deviant Art website (http://michiko-24.deviantart.com). Repost lang. =)

[DIGITAL ART] Loneliness

2006-01-18T20:06:00.000+08:00

[PHOTOS] Tagaytay - SMC Training Center Part 1

2006-01-17T20:53:00.000+08:00

These are from my friend Riza's camera because mine conked out during day one of our three-day stay at the Management Training Center (i forgot to bring the charger, hehe). Konti lang kase nahihiya akong i-hog ang camera niya. To make it worse, I left the Ixus pics at home, so I'll upload these first and upload the rest this weekend. =)

Shempre kailangan ng pic on location, hehe. =)

[PHOTOS] Enjoying Baguio and La Trinidad

2006-01-08T23:10:00.000+08:00

Used my mother's Sanyo camera so the colors are a little different. Left the Ixus at home, darnit.

Baguio Panorama

Basketful of Strawberries

Into the Woods

Gone Boating

Lake Silhouette

Wildflowers by Stephanie Lanuza (age 14)

Reflected Sunrise

Strawberry Farmer

Willow

The Ride Home

Wildflowers 2 by Francis Lanuza

Homeward View

Mitz on location. =)

[PORTFOLIO] Graphic Art for Magnolia and Corporate HR

2005-12-10T15:25:00.000+08:00

I should change my job title from "HR Assistant" to "HR Assistant-cum-Graphic Artist" from all the "favors" I did for both our marketing team and Corporate HR also. =)

36" by 60" stage backdrop banner for the Ice Cream Christmas party

36" by 60" stage backdrop banner for the Butter/Margarine/Cheese Christmas Party. Disclaimer: I do not own Ausin Powers nor his mojo.

Birthday Bash invitation

Yoplait flyer front

Yoplait flyer back

Poster for the SMC-HOC food kiosk

Announcement be sent thru our Lotus Notes email system

Ditto.

Birthday Bash mini-shirt design. Model is Ms Yeye from Sales.

Ditto.
TOP: Male model is Mike from Marketing - Jellyace.
CENTER: Disclaimer: snippet of photo-mosaic from the SMC official website.
BOTTOM: The design that won the votation.

Posters to placed on top of Magnolia Ice Cream freezers.

[DIGITAL ART] Personal Wallpapers

2005-12-10T15:16:00.000+08:00

Some of the personal wallpapers I created from the last 12 months. A couple are from my favorite comic book Culture Crash. Just thought I'd share them. =)

[PHOTOS] Callejon Farm & Forest I

2005-10-30T00:06:00.000+08:00

I spent the last weekend on our farm in Silang, Cavite just a few minutes from Tagaytay. It was a beautiful day, and the weather rather playful. It kind of reminds me of an old saying I heard... "If you don't like the weather, wait five minutes." Sunny, overcast, bit of rain, windy... all in the span of half an hour. It doesn't take a genius to figure out that I went crazy clicking away these pics, all throughout that breathtaking day.

The farm itself, situated just west of the woods. The snaky things here are my dad's drip irrigation system. Since we can only visit the farm once a week, this system ensures that the fruit trees get a lot of water.

We planted these flowers one day and the next week they have conquered half the garden. I swear, if these were animals, they'd be rabbits.

A terracotta plant holder.

I don't know the name of this flower, so I christen it as "violet".

The youngest and most beloved in the family... Mickey, taking her afternoon nap.

My sister enjoying the magnificent view... of her laptop. Some kids just don't get it.

Kamias ripening in the sun. On good days the fruits cover the tree "from roots to tip".

My dad's beloved sombrero having its own much-deserved rest after a hard day's work.

Papaya blossoms up close. The variety we have in our farm are the big round sweet Sinta.

A riot of interesting-colored leaves beside the main gate.

Our tiny collection of family memorabilia: a little working steam engine, a kerosine lamp, and a wooden rooster my brother created from a kit.

The gate is so very far from the house that we have to employ bells like this one to inform us of visitors dropping by. This complex communication system consists of metal bells, twine, and trees. We're progressive people. =)

A wooden swing our dad made, hanging from a santol tree. The variety we have is sweet, cottony Bangkok santol.

The natural walkway that gave the farm its name, "Callejon", located east of the farm.

The main gate wooden sign created and flame-torched by my multi-talented brother.

Bamboo trees abound in our farm, giving it a happy, nature-y ambient music when the wind blows.

MORE PICS COMING UP!!!

[PHOTOS] Callejon Farm & Forest II

2005-10-30T00:02:00.000+08:00

More pics... I've been REALLY busy that weekend. =)

My dad's tired old boots on the front porch, resting also.

My brother lazily reading a book overlooking the bamboo patch.

A kaong tree, fitted with scaffolding so we can slice it and rub it with siling labuyo and let the juice drip down into a bamboo container. Voila! Sweet-spicy kaong tuba(liquor)!

Busy farm ants running up and down an orange tree.

Mickey pausing during play to smell the flowers. Yellowbells by the gate, in this instance.

[PHOTOS] Callejon Farm & Forest III

2005-10-29T23:56:00.000+08:00

Last batch! Enjoy!

Little Mickey waking up from a nap.

Compared to yellowbells, wildflowers will still be infinitely beautiful.

A picnic table by the swing under the santol tree. Time and termites reduced it to a heap.

My mom with her youngest and most favorite "daughter", in the heat of a rabid Scrabble match with my dad.

My favorite front porch recliner. Ahhh...

First time I caught a buttefly on film. He's a real beauty, but he was so flighty that this shot was just a lucky one.

Mani-manian (pseudo-peanuts) planted around our two big langka trees, giving them a manicured country-club look.

The inside of the house, with my brother dozing off, mosquito nets to keep dengue at bay.

My dad in his full battle gear... when cutting grass. =)

From our her garden... thyme I think.

The NOSE of the DOG... Mickey is such a pig.

Sunset... and about time to pack up and go home.

[PHOTOS] Diana Behind Bars

2005-10-23T03:16:00.000+08:00

Capturing the full moon... or whatever's left of it... before it fades completely into its new-moon phase, plus some other stuff I thought interesting.

[PHOTO] Sunday Sunset

2005-10-20T19:25:00.000+08:00

Woke up on a rare Sunday afternoon nap, saw the sunset outside, and proceeded to snap pictures with half my body still fast asleep.

And was blessed with an October 16 almost-full moon (2-second shutter speed):

[PHOTO-BLOG] Re-decorating my.... bed

2005-10-20T19:20:00.000+08:00

Last week, I moved... that is, moved from the top bunk to the bottom bunk in the bedspace I as renting here in Pasig (my roomie just graduated into blessed rentless-ness). I took a look at the Rachelle Ann Go and calendar decor, wrinkled my nose, and proceeded to make something out of it. It turned out not so bad. All it took were left-over construction paper and old copies of Cosmo.

Mitz pretty much satisfied. =)

[DIGITAL ART] Sculpting Color

2005-10-09T19:14:00.000+08:00

For the lack of something better to do, I took a second look at my recent images and tried to make something out of them. It's been a while since I had last done this, so I had fun. =)

Little Girl Dreaming

- composite of four images: two from Star City, one from Callospa and the fourth is a pic of me

If I Were to Sculpt Light

- playing with new photoshop features on an Oktoberfest shot

Concert in a Bottle

- composite of two images: Oktoberfest and a macro shot of my water bottle

Aliw Theatre Festivities

- composite of three images, all from Star City

Where the Cat's At

- composite of four images: two from Callospa, one of my sister's kitty and the last of my silly water bottle

The Paradox

- playing with an 8-second shot of Callospa

My Private Agony

- a reluctant roommate, a pic from Star City, and my water bottle

Smelling Roses

- a pic of me at Oktoberfest, and a macro shot of my pillow

[PHOTOS] San Miguel Corp's 115th Anniversary

2005-10-02T01:27:00.000+08:00

We came, we saw, we PARTIED!!!

[PHOTOS] Tiendesitas

2005-09-28T19:49:00.000+08:00

I discovered a new gimik spot yesterday. The place is called Tiendesitas, and it's located along C5 very near my office. It offers a shopping experience that is so very Pinoy - most noticable in the decors and the merchandise offered. The atmosphere is hushed and posh... hushed because the Christmas season is still 80+ days away and posh because a gorgeous pair of woven sandals costs about 700! Bags with beaded handles cost as high as 1,200! The stuff sold there are very diverse - from food items, home decors, antique furnitures, collectibles, plants, lanterns, bags, shoes, kikay items, collectible, and even pets!

But the food, man... Visit Sisigan and you know why we went there lunchtime today, and will be there again tomorrow. =)

[BLOG] I'm a Neruda!

2005-09-20T20:06:00.000+08:00

Which poem are you?

Sonnet 17 by Pablo Neruda

Aw, you're a romantic. You believe in true love and all that sort of stuff. How cute are you? To you, love is incredible and amazing.

Click Here to Take This Quiz
Brought to you by YouThink.com quizzes and personality tests.

[PHOTOS] Have Camera, Will Shoot

2005-09-20T18:18:00.000+08:00

Dorm Life: zero TV, zero radio, one camera... You can tell I was bored. ^_^"

Ten Ways of Looking at a Water Bottle -->

Palaspas

Explosion

Sky-High

Grayscale Umbrella

Magenta Umbrella

Roses on Canvas

A View from the Head Office

One Girl. One Camera. Tamang Trip.

yun lang... ^_^

[TRADITIONAL ART] Watercolor & Pastel Exercises

2005-08-29T18:09:00.000+08:00

Finally! I got my paintings scanned yesterday. Most of these are recent work and only one of them is an original composition. Most were just exercises to while away the time during the first few days without PP:

Nude Exercise
(pastel on charcoal-rubbed watercolor paper)
This I tried my very best to recreate from one of Diana Constance's nude exercises. I think I had burst a blister somewhere from all the rubbing. =)

Watercolor Exercise 1
(watercolor on watercolor paper)
Recreating a trick I learned from the Walter Foster series. This was fun to make. Messy too.

Watercolor Exercise 2
(watercolor on cheap sketchpad paper)
A *very* early attempt at watercolor. This was done last year. Even though it was crude, I pretty much liked how it turned out. This was recreated from a painting I found on the net.

Watercolor Exercise 3: "Candles" by Mitz
(watercolor on watercolor paper)
Even though it's not much, I'm proud of this one because it is an original. I messed around with composition and color scheme, plus some other tricks. I hope I get better on watercolor. It's such an amazing medium. =)

[PP] Impressions - Review of July 16-31 PP Poems

2005-08-11T12:32:00.000+08:00

Placebo - Gretch Singso-Que

I've given up trying to connect the message to the poem title. But the overall effect of reading the poem is breathtaking. It made such a strong impression. It's as if I was watching a Tarantino film with split-screens. At the end I was breathing out, at the same time "lumalaban", along with the two personas in the poem who are worlds apart.

Wonder Boy - Archie Barcelon

At first I thought the poem was an inspired imitation of "I'm Tired of the Seduction of Boys". The first few lines gave me that impression. But as I read along I realized my mistake. This poem holds a magic of its own, transporting me to Archie's world with his excellent choices of details and situations. And that world is heartachingly bleak.

Haiga - Jheric Saracho and Stephie Cruz

This one brought a smile to my face. It made the elemets seem so playful. Nature's grandeur captured with such small words.

Questions and Answers - Kiko Montesa

So simply written yet it embodies a universal truth, or more appropriately, a universal dilemna. =)

The Virgin - Rhodge Fernandez

He has done it again. Although this time with Jungian overtones. I wonder why Rhodge chose these three items to hold the poem together: an apple, a dove and a ring? This poem makes me want to bury my nose yet again in "Man and His Symbols". I love poems like this that make me think.

Another Set of Quatrains - Raymond John de Borja

For the record, nothing can ever go wrong with an Emhong poem.

In this poem, we see the little future-poet-cum-future-engineer discovering for the first time his love affair with the written word. The context of this event (after tiring of building towers with toy blocks), is very interesting. It's as if we saw a glimpse in his eyes of how his past shaped him to be who he is now. Also, it's a fitting tribute to his aunt: this poem is for her.

Interesting also how he nudged my conscience with the bodega tangent: I'm sure I have also forgotten some of my early, cherished dreams.

Two Silly Poems - Elsed Togonon

The concept might be promising, but stringing cliches together that also rhyme failed to make an impression on me. But hey, it's experimental. I suggest the poet push the concept a little further, work harder on it.

Uncertainty Principle - Raymond John De Borja

Meant to be read right after Conversion. While Conversion is drenched in pessimism, Uncertainty Principle gave me the cold hard truth that everything is relative and we are all going nowhere. Together, both poems drove home the feeling that "we are always in the interim". There will never be a constant, unmoving point of reference in our lives.

I'd like to ask Emhong one thing though. When he said we can turn everything into smoke ("the actual form"), is he referring to the edge of dreams where everything breaks down into the simplest forms, or is he implying that we should just blow this whole miserable world up? "Matter is neither created nor destroyed. They are dropping bombs."

Writer's Block - Jardine Davies

This poem, a "prayer to the death of the culture of the rip-off", gave me an impression of listening to a bootleg recording of the Lord's Prayer skipping on faulty grooves. Creepy. =)

All In - Gretch Singson-Que

I love the writing style. I love the language and the rhythm of the lines. The poem seemed so playful and cool at the same time. =)

A Formalist Poet - Mark Angeles

This poem made me smile. A thinly-veiled reaction against structured poetry, perhaps? =) Ano kaya ang sinabi ng mga taga-LIRA?

Paper Cup - Stephie Cruz

The anthem of women unwilling to become attached. =)

Steph is good at doing this: using metaphorical allusions to the title - "single-serving", "flimsy core", "crushed", "vending maching love" - all in all unifying the poem into a satisfying whole.

Phases of Coming Home - Titser Bryan

An excellent homecoming poem - this one smells like an old photograph. In part III, I love the way he implied the presence of an old tree. The build-up is good, but part IV, the ending, is kind of a disappointment. I suggest giving part IV a stronger ending to be consistent with the rest of the poem.

The Guitarist - Archie Barcelona

Whew! This one is hot! It is very creative the way the poet described how the guitarist affected the audience. With all those personal effects flying up in the air, tension builds, and the poet successfully released that tension with a skill transition into a physical enjoyment of fingertips on skin. Then the reader realizes that the poet has metaphorically transformed into the guitar, helpless with the music that captivated him so.

Well done.

Swan Song - Stephie Cruz

This is my poem. Steph was able to capture me with such few words: secrets, heartaches, frustrations and all. I love her for it. I will cherish this haiku for as long as I live.

[PHOTOS] Souichiro, my little angel

2005-08-03T20:41:00.000+08:00

This post is dedicated to my puppy Souichiro, who died a little over a week ago. I miss him so much. I still spent nights itching to go home just to see him, only to remember he's no longer there.

I'll place him here for the world to remember, together with his sister Miyazawa and eldest sister Mickey to keep him company.

Yume no naka e. Fly sweetly into the dream, my little Soui. Farewell.

Together with his sister Miya...

His sister, Miyazawa.

Their eldest sister, Mickey, sleeping like a baby.

If you are wondering where on earth I got the names for my little angels, here is a clue. I'm really an otaku at heart. The lead characters are from Kareshi Kanojo no Jijyo.

Kareshi Kanojyo no Jijyo

It's a shoujo story about Miyazawa Yukino, an overachiever who excels at academics and sports, and whose pretty looks, refined manners, and accomplishments earn her a lot of popularity. But this outward display of perfection belies the true nature of Yukino, who back at home doesn't bother dressing nicely and exhibits a wild streak. As long as she remains popular with her peers, she has no trouble maintaining this facade. But when she enters high school, this much-coveted focus of attention is stolen away from her by another overachiever, Arima Souichiro.

A very dismayed Yukino declares Arima her enemy (all while maintaining her docile outward manners, of course) and vows to reclaim the spotlight. After acing the first round of exams and earning the praise of her fellow classmates, Yukino feels that she's triumphed over her rival. But when Arima graciously congratulates her, she no longer feels victorious; instead, she becomes ashamed of her own pettiness and hypocrisy. Soon afterwards, Yukino's facade is soon exposed to Arima when he pays an unexpected visit to her house. Mistakenly assuming that her younger sisters are at the door, Yukino flies out the entrance in her usual wild-mannered fashionand collides into a shocked Arima with a flying kick.

Having found out Yukino's true nature, Arima isn't above exploiting her weakness, and makes her do his school committee work in exchange for him not exposing her. But he means well (he has a crush on her) and getting Yukino to help out with his activities is really just an excuse for him to spend more time with her. When Yukino decides she's had enough of this "blackmail" and finally admits her deceit and pettiness to Arima, Arima accepts her for who she is. More importantly, his feelings for Yukino haven't changed even after finding out the truth. Now friends, they vow to drop their masks and become true to themselves."

Review from http://www.animearchive.com/

This is a drama, and thus fiction.
It is anime, which means it is all told in drawings.
The production schedule is also impacted.
But it is my hope to fill this work to the brim with the sense that this is what we feel.
I hope that this work will touch your hearts and souls.
I hope that it will reach you beyond just a sense of cuteness.
None of us will ever truly understand anyone else.
The bigger our hopes, the greater our failures.
Reality has no mercy.
But if there is a tomorrow, we will think again on those who matter to us.
That means you as well as me.
In hopes that we may all meet and fall in love with someone wonderful.

- Sato Hiroki, Producer

[DIGITAL ART] Riza's Birthday Invitation

2005-07-27T16:32:00.000+08:00

For Riza, who'll be celebrating her birthday soon. I love making invitations. =)

Kimono-clad girls pics gleaned from google. Copyrighted to their respective owners.

[PHOTO-BLOG] Wallclimbing

2005-07-27T16:29:00.000+08:00

[BLOG] Swan Song: First Four Nights Without PP

2005-07-20T18:18:00.000+08:00

Swan Song

white kimono--
a swan walks down the aisle
singing her song

stephie
7.18.05

*for Mitz Lanuza and her sakura dreams.

It's been exactly four nights since I've unsubscribed from Pinoypoets, and I'm finally adjusting back to my old state of existence. I used to spend my nights reading and critiquing new works from fellow poets, and coming up with works of my own to share. PP altered the way I face each morning going to work: anticipating the first two digest posts (25 messages each) with much excitement. Now my inbox flow has been significantly reduced, and I miss keeping my fingers on the pulse of contemporary Pinoy poetic scene - the trends, the mindsets, the many little things that make up the essence of being both a poet and a Pinoy.

Most important of all, there are the friendships that blossomed during my short stay at PP.

I've written my first post-PP poem a few hours after quitting, and last night I produced my best pastel-and-charcoal nude painting to date on watercolor paper. I guess the withdrawal symptoms are good for something after all, but this is also the first in a long while that I've caught myself renting a PC in an internet shop just to check on my blog for new messages. I miss PP so much. But my friends there have been very supportive: Steph, Xam, Jheric and Andoy have kept in touch throughout, and for them I'm forever grateful.

Thank you for the haiku Ate Steph. When I read my quote about leaving PP on your blog, I got goosebumps all over. I realized that even then I foresaw what would happen, and I experienced one of 'em Twilight Zone moments. Scary, but infinitely, infinitely sad.

*Image taken from:
apartment42.com/ gallery-misc-art.htm

[POEM] Shade of Black, 7/16/05

2005-07-16T10:30:00.000+08:00

The phone rings
and the night bleeds, cut
by the sharpness of noise.
My ear, cold against
the receiver, deciphers
burning decibels:
"You've hurt me so much,"
over thin wires connecting
kilometers of pain.
"This is the second time
you've broken a promise."
Heartbeats become deafening throbs
in the ensuing stillness,
pale as withered moonlight.
"You've broken me,"he says,
"I've once believed
we have the same ideals.
You have changed."
Tears are invisible
in the shadows,
save for the errant drop
that catches moonlight,
gleaming like the last
ember of hope.
"Remember my promise
to marry you next year?
Guess what? You're right.
People do change."
The night, the oppresive darkness,
turns a darker shade
of black.

[DIGITAL ART] Forever In Love, and Filipina

2005-07-15T10:44:00.000+08:00

Photoshop fantasies, hehehe. =)

Forever in Love

Filipina

[SKETCHES] Attempts at self-portrait

2005-07-13T16:26:00.000+08:00

Glorified Self-Portrait 1

Glorified Self-Portrait 2

Not a self-portrait, just an attempt at sketching hair.

Advanced Happy Birthday Vin!!!

2005-07-08T18:50:00.000+08:00

Happy Birthday Sweetheart!

Here's to all the happy memories we've shared,
and may we have many, many more to come.

Happy 28th birthday on July 12!

blow out! blow out! blow out! blow out! blow out! blow out! blow out! blow out!
I love you! I love you! I love you! I love you! I love you!

Threw some chords together

The combination D-E-F

Is who I am, is what I do

No one's gonna let it down for you

Try to focus my attention

But I feel so A-D-D

I need some help, some inspiration

(But it's not coming easily)

Whoah oh...Trying to find the magic

Trying to write a classic

Don't you know, don't you know, don't you know?

Waste-bin full of paper

Clever rhymes, see you later

These words are my own

From my heart flown

I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you

There's no other way

To better sayI love you, I love you...

Read some Byron, Shelly and Keats

Recited them over a Hip-Hop beat

I'm having trouble saying what I mean

With dead poets and drum machines

I know I had some studio time booked

But I couldn't find a killer hook

Now you're gonna raise the bar right up

Nothing I write is ever good enough

These words are my own

From my heart flown

I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you

There's no other way

To better say

I love you, I love you...

I'm getting off my stage

The curtains pull away

No hyper bowl to hide behind

My naked soul exposes

Whoah.. oh.. oh.. oh.. Whoah.. oh..

Trying to find the magic

Trying to write a classic

Waste-bin full of paper

Clever rhymes, see you later

These words are my own

From my heart flown

I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you

There's no other way

To better sayI love you...

I love you, is that okay...?

- These Words, Natasha Bedingfield

[PLUG] Ora Poetika - Pinoypoets' Poetry CD

2005-06-26T14:46:00.000+08:00

(limited copies to be sold at Conspiracy on Anniv Night, June 28)

Ora Poetika

Ora. Bibig.Doon nagsimula ang lahat – mga awit, mga panalangin. Isinasapuso ng mga katutubo, isinasalin sa bawat henerasyong dumarating, idinadagdag at dinadagdagan ng karanasan. Mga awit ng pagdiriwang, pagluluksa, panghihimok sa pagkilos. Mga panalangin – oracion – upang dalhin sa himpapawid ang mga kolektibong hiling ng bayan.

Poetika. Panulaan.

Diwang-nagsa-titik. Inilapat sa papel, sa semento, sa buhangin, sa isip. Sa puso. Tungkol man ito sa dagat, halimbawa, o sa lungsod, tiyak na may nagpupumiglas na tinig, at humihiling na ito'y pakinggan. Bumubulong sa diwa ng mambabasa hanggang sa kalauna'y mamumutawi muli mula sa bibig.

Ora. Poetika. Sa ganitong anyo nagsimula, sa ganitong anyo pa rin iiral. Sapagkat ang pagtula ay gawaing hindi lamang pang-isahan – ito'y gawain ng mga nangangahas na magpumiglas sa katahimikan.

Aanhin pa ang tula kung ito'y nakatago lamang sa baul ng paglimot? Aanhin pa ang tula kung hindi ito isinasapuso, isinasalin sa bawat henerasyong dumarating, idinadagdag at dinagdagan ng karanasan? Aanhin pa ang tula kung hindi naman ito makapupukaw ng nahihimbing na diwa?

Makinig. Malamang na sa mga tinig nilang mga nangangahas ay marinig mo rin ang tinig mo.
By Jonar Sabilano

[PLUG] Punta na sa Pinoypoets Anniv on June 28!

2005-06-26T14:37:00.000+08:00

Come, celebrate with us! Admission is FREE!

If you’re a writer, a poet, an artist or simply a lover of literature, better block off Tuesday, June 28 on your social calendar. Pinoypoets (PP), an online community of literary enthusiasts, will be holding its first anniversary bash at Conspiracy Bar in Quezon City.

The event, dubbed PP ‘to!(The Pinoypoets’ First Anniversary), promises to be an evening filled with laughter, music, and of course, excellent poetry. Prominent social, academic, and literary figures Makati Rep. Teddy Locsin Jr, Conchitina Cruz, Nerissa Del Carmen Guevarra, Vin and Kris Dancel, Noel Del Prado, Joyce Burton Titular, Enrico John Torralba, Hannah Romawac, Roli Inocencio, Monica Llamas and Gary Granada, are but a few of our guest readers.

The celebration will also be highlighted by performances from G-Strings, 10kpp, Rubberband, Johnoy Danao of Bridge, Paramita, and Hannah Romawac of Session Road.

Pinoypoets is a community of poets, writers and literary enthusiasts who share their works, thoughts and insights on poetry. Formed by less than 50 members in June 2004, Pinoypoets has grown to 250 members based in different regions of the archipelago---and even abroad.
Its primary objective is to facilitate a creative forum and enrich its members' knowledge and craft. Michael Coroza, Edgar Samar, Santiago Villafania, Louie John Sanchez, Eileen Tabios, Bino Realuyo and Jema Pamintuan, some of the most respected names in Philippine poetry today, are the group’s consultants and critics.

PP ‘to!(The Pinoypoets’ First Anniversary), will start at 8 p.m. Admission is FREE!

For more information, please get in touch with Rhodge Fernandez (7217229, seventhgecko@yahoo.com), Kathline Tolosa (09175777128, kathline_anne@yahoo.com) or Romel Samson (09278470212, risingphoenix101@yahoo.com)

[BLOG] I was at the Pinoypoets GA!

2005-06-24T14:12:00.000+08:00

Last night. I was at the Pinoypoets GA last night. Finally!

I was one of the early birds to arrive. Andoy emailed me about where to wait (near the PlayPlace) and so I sat there looking and waiting. Then I saw a group of people, a very small group actually, huddled around two heavy UP dictionaries having a lively conversation. I sensed the aura and guessed… and I guessed right. Turned out they were Ergoe, Kath, Jonar, and Noy (who I’ve met before na pala, that’s why he looked familiar). They welcomed me very warmly. I sat next to Jonar but it turned out he was a shy-type (kuno) so at first we didn’t converse much.

Then the guys started arriving and as I was being introduced to the group, I can’t help but be awed. Almost all of my favorite poets were there. I saw Idol Emong! Idol Emong was there! Joy! Joy! It was a roll-call of awesome people who I look up to: aside from Ergoe et al, there was Jardine Davies and his sweetie, Andoy, Jheric, Idol Rhodge, Annie, Claire, Van, Kiko, Sir John, Kramer, and of course, ang haligi ng PP, Uncle Xam. =) There were many others pa, I think, but I wasn’t able to talk to the rest personally so, my apologies to them for not remembering their names.

For the first time in my life I was rubbing elbows with kindred spirits and I felt so at home. =)

I invited Jonar to buy meals with me and somehow I ended up buying *him* a meal. Ako na raw ang bagong bestfriend niya. =) I spied Ergoe’s nifty tattoo and she promised to accompany me to the artist who made it. Idol Emong promised to sign my printed copy of Rain on Tuesday, and I was able to chat with Dave, the poet who inspired me to write Jeepney 2.5. His sweetie was there and they were so obviously in love.

Sometime past eight the interviewer from Manila Bulletin arrived and everybody gathered in a circle. He asked questions about the group’s history, what brought the members together, the past events and future activities, mentors and poets the group looks up to, members who have been published and those undergoing workshops, age demographics (haha!), and why PP chose poetry, of all the forms of literature known to Pinoys. I was blown away by the answers. The members of PP are brimming with such passion and fierce love for poetry. I actually looked forward to Kath answering the questions. Her love for the craft was sincere and deeply rooted that it was inspiring listening to her speak. Same with Ergoe and Xam, who answered most of the questions in behalf of the council and the group.

After the interview, Xam called for a group meeting for the preparations for the anniv. Dave and his girlfriend sat beside me and we had a very engaging discussion about existentialism. Jheric sat with us and we discussed poetry – the tools of the trade, the challenge of creating metaphors that work, form versus free verse. It was my very first conversation with somebody who takes poetry seriously, and even now I’m still shell-shocked. Thanks Dave and Jheric!

My impressions about the PP people in the flesh:
• They are very warm and friendly. It’s easy to feel at home.
• They do not look like poets at all. ;-)
• They embrace people from all walks of life
• They do not subscribe to any form of politics or religion
• They are respectful of people’s opinions and beliefs
• They would forfeit a trip to Galera so we could have chapbooks and CDs
• They are hopeless out of funds (potential sponsors, please take heed!)
• Their love for poetry is fierce. Really fierce. Hence sharing is enriching.

These guys opened my eyes to a new world. Thanks guys for making last night a blast. Go PP!

[PHOTOS] Lightscapes

2005-06-23T16:42:00.000+08:00

Little Girl Wishing - model: Riza from Marketing, Magnolia

Human Comet - the awesome clown who rode a luminescent bike ON A TIGHTROPE ABOVE US in Aliw Theater, Star City

Urban Borealis - me fooling around with the camera on a bus home to Laguna

Dancers in the Dark - Aliw Theater performers

Blue Smoke - ditto

Colorful Chaos - fooling around with the camera at Callospa

[PHOTOS] Ligpo Island, Batangas

2005-06-23T16:22:00.000+08:00

Hello to PP peeps Andoy, Steph, Jheric and Idol Emong. Thanks for dropping by. =)

Lazy Afternoon - cleaned and processed by the most amazing man in the world: Alvin

Sunset at Ligpo - ditto. You go sweetheart Vin!

Kumbaya - my attempt to capture firelight in zero flash.

Friends - models: Ron and Vannie from Magnolia =)

[PHOTOS] San Juan, Batangas Collection

2005-06-22T18:42:00.000+08:00

San Juan, Batangas. We did not stay in a resort, but a cotttage owned by (lemme remember) an officemate of the boyfriend of my Tita. Hehehe!

It's very pretty there, primarily because it's a virgin beach and the corals are virtually untouched. =)

These are taken early in the summer so you may call it early work (i.e., nagsasanay pa, hehe).

Paradise

Moonstruck

Alone at Noon

[PHOTOS] UP Diliman Collection (Sunrises and Sunsets)

2005-06-21T20:48:00.000+08:00

Enjoy. Snapshots taken from UP Dil on a seminar.

Sunset at the University (filter used: my sunglasses)

Sunset at Sunken Garden (ditto)

Summer Brook (taken early morning East of the graduation grounds; kinda reminds you of the Shire)

Silhouette (taken while sitting at sunken garden facing the library)

Garbage Boys in Paradise

[BLOG] Skin, peeling

2005-06-21T20:38:00.000+08:00

My skin is peeling. Last, last weekend marked the end of summer, and we celebrated it by going to Ligpo Island in San Juan Batangas. It was my first time to snorkel and wow, it's so amazing down there. I just found out that fishes, like people, have attitude. There's a special place in my heart for the stonefish, grumpy little critter, who kept had on staring at me as I stared back at him. He reminds me of a cranky old man. =)

So far this summer, I have been to Ligpo Island twice, Los Baños twice, Splash Island once, Callospa once (damn hate the owners there), San Juan Batangas once... there. My skin, normally fair, is now just three shades lighter than a choco affogato. I feel beautiful. =)

Except for the peeling, though. Hehe.

[PHOTOS] Enchanted, Ligpo Sunset II, Red Dance

2005-06-20T13:00:00.000+08:00

"Enchanted"
- taken at Callospa, a place of beauty marred by a Hitler proprietor and her equally zero-customer-service-trained daughter

"Ligpo Sunset"
-taken at Ligpo Island, San Luis, Batangas, 8-second exposure

"Red Dance"
- taken at Callospa. 14-second exposure

first post

2005-06-19T21:08:00.000+08:00

testing...