God gave a gift to the world when you were born—
a person who loves, who cares,
who sees a person’s need and fills it,
who encourages and lifts people up,
who spends energy on others
rather than herself,
someone who touches each life she enters,
and makes a difference in the world,
because ripples of kindness flow outward
as each person you have touched, touches others.
Your birthday deserves to be a national holiday,
because you are a special treasure
for all that you’ve done.
May the love you have shown to others
return to you, multiplied.
I wish you the happiest of birthdays,
and many, many more,
so that others have time to appreciate you
as much as I do.
I love you, Mae Ann...

By Joanna Fuchs
http://www.poemsource.com/birthday-poems.html

Shutter Speed: 1/500 sec / F-stop: f/3.4 / ISO Setting: 80 / focal length: 14.7mm / flash: on / mount: handheld

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Shutter Speed: 1/250 sec / F-stop: f/4.8 / ISO Setting: 80 / focal length: 14.7mm / flash: on / mount: handheld

Photographed exactly 2 years ago. I just found this while searching for photos in my archive dated exactly a year back.>br /> Doesn't look like Jollibee, isn't it?
Anybody familiar of the place?
Photographed using Sony Ericsson K750i. Way back, nobody believe this was taken using a mobile phone camera. What about you?

Technorati Tag: Jollibee, Kalaw Street, Manila

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Shutter Speed: 1/160 sec / F-stop: f/5.6 / ISO Setting: 400 / focal length: 300mm / flash: off / mount: handheld

F ollowing to what was already discussed during our Trinoma meeting, members of My Islands Philippines, or MIP, conducted another photoshoot last April 26. The event was held in La Mesa Eco Park in Quezon City, the same place where I and my girlfriend had visited last holy week.

Originally, MIP members would assemble at the Quezon City circle 7:00 in the morning for carpooling, into which Master Rey Nocum was offering his SUV. More cars are supposedly needed as more members were expected to come. I didn't commit though as I wasn't sure myself whether I can bring my company car to the venue or not. Only when I arrived from my Tagaytay trip which was already late at night, that I was granted permission to bring our company car only if I can go back to work after lunch time. My boss gave me the Toyota FJ Cruiser but I opt to bring the Toyota Revo instead. I used the Revo in the Tagaytay trip and was able to save a few liters of gas in anticipation of the trip to La Mesa Eco Park. Earlier, I discussed about the photoshoot with my girlfriend Jovy and she expressed her desire to come only if we have our own transport going to the place. And since I was able to produce a car, she was coming with me.

Early in the morning, I was picking up my girlfriend in her boarding house. While on the way, I was thinking of making a stop at the Quezon City circle to meet MIP members. But I realized I didn't confirm my bringing a car and I lost track of the discussion at the online forum since I was in Tagaytay the whole day prior to this event and I wasn't able to go online the previous night (another disadvantage of having no internet connection at home) as well. Finally, I decided to just go straight to the park ahead of the group.

In so doing, my girlfriend and I arrived at the La Mesa Eco Park just before 7:00 o'clcok in the morning. Ours was the first vehicle to arrive at the parking area. There were no visitors yet. I was sleepy and other than that, I and my girlfriend didn't have our breakfast yet. Meanwhile, Pareng Dennis texted me saying he won't be arriving on time and that he'll just catch up at the park. He asked me to relay his message to our moderator, Rey Nocum, of which I did.

Shutter Speed: 1/400 sec / F-stop: f/10.0 / ISO Setting: 400 / focal length: 70mm / flash: off / mount: handheld

Shutter Speed: 1/320 sec / F-stop: f/9.0 / ISO Setting: 400 / focal length: 70mm / flash: off / mount: handheld

My girlfriend and I were just staying inside our car for another one hour since we arrived at the park. I felt like some T-Rex would just come out from hiding to attack us once we're stepping out of the car. Of course, that's just a reference of the Jurassic Park film series but I'm telling you it's a different feeling out there once you're left out with views of big trees from behind. Not before long, more staff were coming in and more cars were driving into the parking lot as well. It was already 8am and I was relieved from the eerie feeling.

Shutter Speed: 1/15 sec / F-stop: f/4.5 / ISO Setting: 100 / focal length: 34mm / flash: off / mount: handheld

Jovy and I paid for our entrance ticket that cost P50.00 each and we head straight to the biking area. Master Rey Nocum confirmed that they are on their way so I knew they would arrive in a few minutes. Meanwhile, my girlfriend was enjoying her rented bike that costs P70.00 an hour.

Shutter Speed: 1/50 sec / F-stop: f/5.6 / ISO Setting: 100 / focal length: 55mm / flash: off / mount: handheld

Shutter Speed: 1/100 sec / F-stop: f/7.1 / ISO Setting: 100 / focal length: 55mm / flash: off / mount: handheld

Shutter Speed: 1/100 sec / F-stop: f/7.1 / ISO Setting: 100 / focal length: 55mm / flash: off / mount: handheld

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Shutter Speed: 1/50 sec / F-stop: f/5.0 / ISO Setting: 100 / focal length: 39mm / flash: off / mount: handheld

Shutter Speed: 1/80 sec / F-stop: f/6.3 / ISO Setting: 100 / focal length: 55mm / flash: off / mount: handheld

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Shutter Speed: 1/160 sec / F-stop: f/5.6 / ISO Setting: 100 / focal length: 28mm / flash: on / mount: handheld

Shutter Speed: 1/250 sec / F-stop: f/11.0 / ISO Setting: 800 / focal length: 55mm / flash: off / mount: handheld

Shutter Speed: 1/200 sec / F-stop: f/8.0 / ISO Setting: 800 / focal length: 55mm / flash: on / mount: handheld

Shutter Speed: 1/80 sec / F-stop: f/5.6 / ISO Setting: 100 / focal length: 18mm / flash: off / mount: handheld

Shutter Speed: 1/100 sec / F-stop: f/7.1 / ISO Setting: 400 / focal length: 55mm / flash: off / mount: handheld

Shutter Speed: 1/125 sec / F-stop: f/8.0 / ISO Setting: 400 / focal length: 38mm / flash: off / mount: handheld
My beloved Jovy showed me her wisp of dexterity.

MIPers arrived past 8 in the morning. Rey Nocum, MJ, Ronald Ibay, Jennie Dy and boyfriend Aldwin were there. I thought of immediately joining with the group but since Jovy and I had still 30 minutes left for our bike rental, we decided to just catch up later. The group was later reunited at the park's butterfly trail. Albert also came late.

Shutter Speed: 1/100 sec / F-stop: f/7.1 / ISO Setting: 400 / focal length: 55mm / flash: off / mount: handheld
Jennie Dy and boyfriend Aldwin.

Shutter Speed: 1/160 sec / F-stop: f/6.3 / ISO Setting: 400 / focal length: 70mm / flash: off / mount: handheld

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Shutter Speed: 1/60 sec / F-stop: f/5.6 / ISO Setting: 400 / focal length: 37mm / flash: off / mount: handheld

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Aldwin, Jennie Dy, and Jovy

Butterfly Touch

1/60 sec / f/6.3 / ISO 400 / 34mm / no flash /  handheld1/50 sec / f/5.6 / ISO 400 / 49mm / no flash / handheld

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Aldwin's magic touch.

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Boating at the Park

MIPers visited the boating lagoon too. A hundred students in excursion were also present at that time, so even if the group decided for a boat ride, it would take us long wait to be accommodated. We ended up just taking photos of the boats and the people enjoying the ride.

Shutter Speed: 1/320 sec / F-stop: f/8.0 / ISO Setting: 400 / focal length: 70mm / flash: off / mount: handheld

Shutter Speed: 1/400 sec / F-stop: f/7.1 / ISO Setting: 400 / focal length: 108mm / flash: off / mount: handheld

Shutter Speed: 1/320 sec / F-stop: f/8.0 / ISO Setting: 400 / focal length: 70mm / flash: off / mount: handheld

Animals at the Park

Ronald Ibay was lucky enough to have photographed a bird at the park (see his photos here). I and the rest were so much focused on the domestic ducks. I also spotted an elusive monitor lizard near the bank of the lagoon.

A feral cat gently taking his mid-day nap was also observed nearby.

Shutter Speed: 1/160 sec / F-stop: f/5.6 / ISO Setting: 400 / focal length: 300mm / flash: off / mount: handheld

Shutter Speed: 1/80 sec / F-stop: f/6.3 / ISO Setting: 800 / focal length: 55mm / flash: off / mount: handheld

Shutter Speed: 1/250 sec / F-stop: f/5.6 / ISO Setting: 400 / focal length: 300mm / flash: off / mount: handheld

Macro Shots

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Shutter Speed: 1/500 sec / F-stop: f/7.1 / ISO Setting: 400 / focal length: 300mm / flash: off / mount: handheld

Shutter Speed: 1/400 sec / F-stop: f/7.1 / ISO Setting: 400 / focal length: 300mm / flash: off / mount: handheld

Shutter Speed: 1/320 sec / F-stop: f/6.3 / ISO Setting: 400 / focal length: 300mm / flash: off / mount: handheld

Shutter Speed: 1/125 sec / F-stop: f/8.0 / ISO Setting: 400 / focal length: 55mm / flash: off / mount: handheld

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Dennis Villegas in Action

The group were so engrossed with macro photography when the legendary Dennis Villegas finally arrived in his "Humvee." We were all very happy to see him especially my girlfriend Jovy, who was meeting the great blogger and master storyteller for the first time.

Shutter Speed: 1/125 sec / F-stop: f/5.0 / ISO Setting: 400 / focal length:190mm / flash: off / mount: handheld

Shutter Speed: 1/125 sec / F-stop: f/5.0 / ISO Setting: 400 / focal length: 92mm / flash: off / mount: handheld

Unfortunately, Jovy and I wasn't able to complete the second phase of this MIP event, which is visiting Father Jun. Jovy and I needed to go ahead to report to work at noon. We parted the group at 1:00 o'clock in the afternoon.

Self Portrait

My portrait taken by Ronald Ibay for me. I was surprised to see this but appreciated this very much. Original location of this photo is found here:  http://ronaldibay.multiply.com/photos/album/118/MyIslands Philippines_Photoshoot_in_LaMesa_Ecopark#11. Thanx, Ronald...

Group Hug

Group hug photographed by Master Rey Nocum using a tripod and self-timer.

Left to right: Ronald Ibay, MJ, Aldwin, Jennie Dy, Jovy, yours truly, Albert, Master Rey Nocum. Pareng Dennis didn't arrive yet the moment this photograph was taken.

Thank you very much, Kuya Rey, for this photograph.

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