Family Event/Holiday/Special Events
If February is the month of love, it is also the month of Lunar celebration for this year 2015 because Chinese New Year falls on February 19, It’s the ”Year of the Wooden Sheep” Welcome the year 2015 with good news,Happy Chinese New Year Everyone!
I’ve started covering the Paskotitap Christmas Lights and Sounds Float Parade way back year 2011 and up the the present, it was already my fourth year of following the parade. I’ve already published 3 others in the past.As usual, it is done at the same time(6:00 pm) and venue(in front of Sm HyperMart ) It was a project of the Rotary Club of Mutya ng Pasig and Ortigas group of Companies with the help of Participating schools, Barangay and City officials.
In the past,they presented different electrical float design, a movie-themed float well-structured and gracefully made with soundtrack. For this year 2014, Floats featured popular Disney characters from animated movies with live performers wearing elegant costumes. Just like the fairy tale stories, you’ll see the interpretation of your favorite Disney characters.Hundreds of watchers and passers turned to see the float.Full of people screaming with wide eyes admiration, simply, the shouts of joy.
Paskotitap Parade for this year is quiet different from the rest.There’s a quick change of set up to present the multi-colored shades particularly, the natural and exact color of the float.I can only get that view during daytime. How about that? I guess, better photos would be taken at right time,I was able to take close-up photos of all floats during the day followed by more shots at night. Indeed, photography would be easier with the absence of the crowd.
From the dark and bright sky, you’ll see the difference between ”Day photography” and the”Night photography”. So here, you’ll the difference between the two if you view photos taken by day and night.You can see the natural color of the float during the day but it’s more wonderful to see the glitzy glow of floats at night. Here ‘s to present not only day photos but, night photos as well.
Note: My night photography. Let’s get started
You’ve probably heard Paskotitap Christmas Lights and Sounds Float Parade before, it’s an annual parade done at the same time and venue ( in front of SM Hypermarket) It was a project of the Rotary Club of Mutya ng Pasig and Ortigas group of Companies with the help of Participating schools, Barangay and City officials.
Following the parade for 4 years since year 2011 up to the present,I’ve already published 3 others in the past.Adding to the excitement, I’ve collected beautiful photos as well, it’s a good subject of ”Night Photography”
Let me make a brief review of the past year’s ”Paskotitap Christmas Lights and Sounds Float Parade”
Paskotitap Christmas Lights and Sounds Float-Year 2011
Angry Birds Float
Paskotitap Christmas Lights and Sounds Float-Year 2012
The Avatars
Avatar Float
Paskotitap Christmas Lights and Sounds Float-Year 2013
Students with their unique costumes
Hello Kitty Float
Paskotitap Christmas Lights and Sounds Float-Year 2014
In the past years, photography is always done at night because it’s an electronic float but year 2014, I was able to do both day and night photography at the same day.I went to SM Hyper Mart midday and luckily all floats was already there for light fixings and finishing touches. You can see here from the photos itself the difference between night and day shots. For me, daytime, you can clearly see the original colors of the float, it was attractive but bit dry. Of course, night photography looks more attractive because of it’s vibrant colors and flashing lights.
Spider-man Float (Day Photography)
Spider-man Float (Night Photography)
Mount Halla, Jeju Island North Korea The panoramic view of the mountains is spectacular.Plenty of snow and the ice is so thick, snowflakes piled up everywhere covering the entire landscape.
Korea, a mountainous land of diverse geology. As you can see the full view, mountains are found throughout the peninsula. Southwestern coast is a maze of islands and peninsulas, it has a level plains and favored by winter and volcanic in origin but, Korea has no active volcano, this is good news for the people and rarely experience earthquake. Koreans has been marked by the influence of China and Japan maybe distantly related to Japanese as to some features they are alike. I remember my Korean friend looks like Japanese as well.
In the past, mountains are worn away by wind and water until they become a beautiful rolling hills landscape. Other areas has level plains, there was a news about the high mountain appears to have occurred during the Jurassic Ohh! that was the age of dinosaurs.
Korea has 4 seasons such as; spring from March- May, summer from June-August, autumn from September- November and winter from December to January. The coldest is January. During this time, Korea is in full snow, it is very cold, it can drop up to -27 to 0 Celsius.
I have learned a lot from this legendary place. I feel inspired to write as applying what I have learned in the past. I’m a graduate of Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service perhaps, most topics learned about history of places and people during my college days. Somehow,this is a good opportunity for me to familiarize myself with types of people sharing their journey and exchanging each others views on how the world has changed. Sometimes, even if we belong to the same species people living in different parts of the world has their own features and different views too. I’m now sharing not only the beautiful winter landscape photos but the good news and progress of the said place from the past to the present.
Revealing the Beauty of Korea
Climbing the top of Mt. Halla during winter, the highest mountain of North Korea. Is this your dream destination? It looks like a white world, everything is covered with ice and snow, the snow becomes gray in the background. (Photos below) Overlooking from afar is the peak of Halla mountain, this would be the best experience and memories to take back home…
Snowman Korean style
The beauty of snowy mountains with young and old, families and children around enjoying winter activities. It firmly shows a way on how to take a break during winter time. Certainly, it brought people around no matter if you are local or tourists, it is simply a bonding and gathering of togetherness regardless of wealth, race or class.
The cold refreshment for the children to play with snow.
To see the presence of kids around is a vital ingredient to make the winter mountain spectacular to view.
Cheju is the largest island in Korea. Mount Halla is a very popular place for hikers, climbers and mountaineers. You can see the climbers heading to the peak of Mount Halla. Walking on ice, you can see the clarity and purity, it’s clean.
Mount Halla,Jeju Island,South Korea
All the way going up,it was covered with fine crushed ice.
Roads leading to snow mountain, among the best places to see and experience.
Winter Climbing, the adventure begins
All the way climbing and walking on ice.
Experience mountaineers carrying items of equipment required, they loved to climb Mount Halla during winter time.
If others can climb it during summer generally winter is more exciting! I’m sure they do it with the aid of guides too.
You can see the evergreen oak and Lauraceae trees fully covered with snowflakes.
Mountain horses grazing around, you can even see the snowflakes falling.
Ice Fishing You can see some ice fishermen out here, they all have their own chair. This is entirely different from the standard Lake fishing with switch rod.
This one is interesting isn’t it? the ice fishing in a small hole using a sled bracket with a bait. This is my first time to see ice fishing, the ice opening is too small? How can you catch a big fish here? Just curious.There are some fishing accessories and equipment like; bait bucket, Auger bracket, Clam point, Runner kit,console and may more to mention a few but, this is the easiest using just a single bracket.
Korean Temple
Winter leisure activities you will enjoy in Korea like; folk games. ice fishing, sledding, kite flying, ice skating, ice boating, snow boarding and skiing. For me, the most interesting is ice fishing.
More beautiful attractions you can see if you visit Korea. All sceneries is beautiful in all seasons. Visit Korea and Experience the good things in life. Among the best places; Deoksugung, Heunginjimun, Gyeongbokgung, Namsan, Beomeosa, National Folk Museum of Korea and many more…
Photo courtesy of Professional Photographer Michael Shin.Thank you very much!
Note: Part 2 coming up next….
To be continued, it’s such a long blog so I have to cut it shortly. Follow me next post.To include some photos taken around such as; Traditional Korean Dance, Drum Dance, Buchaechum or Fan Dance, Swiver Plate Balancing Spinning performance and Events, Festivities, Religious belief , Practices and Traditional ceremonies.
How do you celebrate Halloween?
We celebrated it with horrible costumes, night and day Halloween parties, Jack-O-Lanterns, even our own foods like fruits, candies, biscuits was formed into spooky stuffs, strange forms and figures. We also decorated our garden with some horrible props.Of course, the treat or trick practice, it was all a kid’s fun.
However, if you want to make your Halloween an extra creepy and memorable experience to count on, Don’t sleep and spend all night in cemeteries and haunted house waiting for something strange to come out. Call yourself a ghost hunter,anyway, it’s nice to be good at something. Just wondering, how in this world you would get rid of ghosts and bad spirits?
My Halloween Presentation for this year,2014
You can’t find what’s in unless you go out and see what’s new. In my case, I don’t have to look very far to find some spooky and horrible stuffs to show off, they are just around the corner and everywhere. Lately, I took some bone-chilling photographs during my hunt for strange things and figures for my ”Halloween Special” Some photographs is something closer to shocked! I took these photos while walking around Eastwood city.
The Gingerbread House
A kiddie ride park was set up on the other corner and Halloween superheroes show.
The ”Red Crab”, Alimango house
Along the corridors is a ”Red Crab” an Alimango house, serves the best crab in the city, they got the best theme and Halloween costume.
Very beautiful Halloween theme.
The most feared but I admired you guys for having the guts to do this freaky thing, I know it’s a part of your job, isn’t it? You look like a friendly zombie! Do you think this one is cute and cuddly? then, this one is for you.
In front of a restaurant where customers would enter and be greeted by a zombie, a dead man walking covered with blood and taken his hands off while the other hand is holding it.
Trick or treat?
If you choose treat then these photos for sharing but, if you pick trick then these guys are your besties.
Bloodied zombie with a frontal stab, it looks like a morgue. A living dead sleeping? I think, zombies never sleep.
The lower half body of ”manananggal” You can see the internal organs. The most scared but admired. Take a sharp glance and click on images to view larger.
Caught on camera, the zombie was smiling to perform his real halloween move! Other restaurant crews wearing their Halloween costume. Other costumes like the Werewolf, Demon, Hunchback of Notre Dame and many more..
Other pictures taken around Eastwood Mall. This is an amusement park for kids. I think, it was intended just for this Sunday event.
The Rubber Slide for kids.
For the kids to enjoy, this is the best place.
Full of people all around.
Front view of Rubber Slide.
It looks like an early Halloween celebration last Sunday.
The first glow of the day, ”Sunrise’‘
Sunrise snapshots I took along Ateneo De Manila University ground, Katipunan. It was quick shot taken before the (5:45 am) College Entrance test last Sunday, Sept. 21,2014
It reminds us about our culture and history,our great achievements in the past that contributed to the present progress and development of today. That’s how important Independence day is, the concept of freedom that we are embracing and enjoying meant to keep for decades.
In the Philippines, a series of exhibition and presentation revolving around celebrating 116th Independence day(June 12, 2014) Other areas was a standing attention for review, military parades, special performances, concerts, cultural shows and Aerobatic show by Jet Team to name a few.
Robinson Forum,( mall for shoppers and dining destination) The stage theme” Independence day Celebration” featured live music and cultural entertainment. The event showcased the Himig Chorale Group, Rondalla (composed of 12 members and advisers) and Kultura includes 16-18 members with teachers and technical team with the support of Cultural Director Reydora Flordeliza.
Peaceful harmony filled the entire mall by the musical numbers; OPM rendered by Rondalla and the Himig Chorale. It was a wonderful sound of journey through history that made my spirit rise. However,a special dance numbers by Kultura performing the most popular and traditional dance in the Philippines composed of Cordillera, Maria Clara , Rural and Muslim such as; Binasuan, Tinikling,Pandesetas,Pasa Doble, Banga and many more. It was a unique kind and meaningful celebration. I was one of the audience standing right in front admiring each performers. Of course I was there to cover everything till the end of the show.
(Click on images to view larger)
The Himig Chorale .At high note, they sang repertoire of OPM during the Independence Day celebration.
Rondalla
The organizers of the program
The organizers, advisers, Rondalla, Cultural dancers, Technical staff and all Coordinating Team together in one picture.
The very supportive Prof. Villanueva with the Cultural dancers backstage.
The 3 beautiful dancers; Zeha, Nicole and Jasmin with their colorful and attractive costume.
Kultura dancers, selected college students from Rizal Technological University.Each group presented their own indivividual talents and traditional performances. It was enjoyable and entertaining for young and old alike.
Other male performers with their handsome smiles.
Here are some photos taken during the Cultural presentation.
Let me show you the expression of God-given talents. Ethnic dance or tribal dance originated from our early ancestors and handed down from generation to generations. The traditional costume and ethnic designs are among the best made basically by weaving and embroidery.
Banga-Salidsid- Ragsaksakan
Very artistic dance. The male dancer is about to carry the 10 clay pots.
This is the most delicate part of the dance. Male partner is the one carrying all 10 clay pots to be placed on the head of her partner.
Gorgeous act needs to be slow but careful in order to succeed.
The fixing movement before the balancing act.
Dancer carrying 10 water pots on her head. It represents Cordillera woman in Northern part of Luzon.
Female performer wearing attractive ornaments and colorful beads.
Balancing the banga.
Bravo! It was perfect!
Maria Clara – Pandesetas and Paso Doble
All dances performed tells a story, a story way back to the primitive that keeps on passing from generation up to the present.
Maria Clara, traditional gown worn in the Philippines.
Gorgeous! Wearing traditional costume will really enhanced her beauty.
Very graceful indeed.
Binasuan and tinikling
Tinikling, a folk dance in the Philippines imitating the movement of a certain bird called,”Tikling” as they run through branches. Pair of dancers moves together, jumps gracefully in order to balance on air and land on their feet. Number of participants may take part in this kind of dance. I guess, the desired formation would be difficult to arrange. The stepping and hopping in between two bamboos is quiet tough.
The lovely dancers getting ready backstage.
Graceful on the floor!
Tinikling
It’s just like a floor exercise dance with discipline. It’s a group dance full of energy and acrobatic. In some cases, performed not onstage but below the stage. Number of dancers with their props(bamboo), the stage is quiet small for them to accommodate. Now, Let me show you their speedy jumps!
(Click on images to view larger)
Following the stepping cycle, the pressure will take place as you jump. Efforts applied will surely increased your heart rate.
The right formation.
Six pairs about to jump.
Stepping right foot followed by the left and jump! Carrying series of movement as quickly as possible.
See how the pair revolves, it’s the result of strength and speed. They were well-trained dancers.
The jumpers floating on air.This is my good shot!
The final photo-shoot!
(Got only one for this pic. I was running to catch up but it was too late)
Playing the ethnic musical instruments such as; kulintang , wooden drum…
I would like to thank the organizers and the teachers for graciously accommodating me. Thank you Prof. Reydora Flordeliza, (CAO Director), Prof. Villanueva and to all performers who made time during the photo-shoot. I hope to see you all again! Thank you all students of RTU.
@copyright 2014 All rights reserved. No part of my work may be reproduced, photocopying, and recording any information storage without any written permission from the author.
The Philippine Bonsai Society celebrated its 41st year anniversary with the primary aim to promote bonsai growing and appreciation in the Philippines. This year’s major event, ”National Bonsai Exhibition and Competition 2014” showcasing the best and the most popular bonsai collections in the Philippines from May 23-June 1 was held at People’s Park 1& 2 Tiendesitas with participants from Metro Manila and provinces such as Palawan, Pampanga, Ilocos to name a few.
With the presence of foreign visitors came all the way through from USA, Indonesia and Taiwan. Among the guests of honor and judges, BCI president Dr. Thomas Elias, from USA, Budi Sulistyo from Indonesia and 2 from Taiwan, Yen Tzu-Ching and Tan Chin-Fen. All 4 judges will provide top awards and merits of excellence for the winners. A lot of activities during the exhibition period like;free Bonsai lectures and workshops by bonsai artists.
I was there during the 2nd day and the 5th day. Hundreds of precious collections and winning entries displayed during the exhibition. Some displays are huge and others are miniature, I guess that’s hard to move and transport. It was my first time I had ever seen multiple kinds of bonsai in a beautiful art form, widely set bonsai displays favoured a great welcome.
The precious collections are beautiful and styled in a very unique way although, you can see the common type presented but in a different setting. Perhaps,the great bonsai artists today are now more impressive and current. The different perspective of bonsai artist transforming each into a styled bonsai art, the unique art expression and wild imagination to create such one is impressive. Perhaps, sharing their passion creating a bonsai art form, the huge contribution and quality work always shine. We are fully blessed to have talented bonsai artists of today.
I’ve learned that the most beautiful and rare bonsai are found in the mountains. I’m really interested to have a part collection but, I don’t have the time to hunt in the mountains. I was also told, that bonsai in the mountains are for keeps and it’s our precious treasure but, threatened. The rare ones are being cleared from the mountains where they grow. Others, they don’t care as long as it fits their own interest bringing some in the city for repotting. The good thing about it, bonsai today are being multiplied and produced by collectors to reduce further hunting in the mountains.
I took some photos during the exhibition. I was very happy to keep some precious photos of winning displays and stored it here just for you!
Let me take you around to check all the exhibits. It’s just like a time machine that could take me back in time. Bonsai landscape and unique appearance, those I’ve seen in the movies,’’Harry Potter,’’ Fairy tale setting and ‘’Lord of the Ring. Others in the jungle setting from the movie ‘’Lion King’’ you’ll see everything here.
Click on images to view larger
First of all, read the reminder!
You can see here the best bonsai styles that can change your mood; single trunk, Twin trunk and tri- trunk, Multi-trunk, Literati, Cascade, Raft, Root-over-rock, Exposed root, Shari trunk and Landscape.
Wiring lecture and demo. The sample bonsai that was used during the lecture, it was already trimmed. Various lectures and demo presented by the bonsai experts.For me, I think the wiring is the most difficult part.You need a metal wire to modify the shape of the bonsai and to prevent the branches from being damaged.
Cutting it, will stimulate growth of a new leaf. If you let me describe everything, It feels like it’s a long term relationship between the owner and the bonsai because of continues beautification. However, the forming seems to be a torture to the plant itself because you are controlling the old growth to give way to a new growth and to add more the bending form, that is to deform the original direction just to make it gorgeous. Am I right? If not, I think, I need to attend more demos and lectures but, I have mentioned the good aim above.
Free Bonsai lectures and workshops by bonsai artists. Sharing passion for creating an art form. The experts will demonstrate about leaf trimming, cutting methods and wiring.
The best and the most popular display are expensive. Other bonsai presented are large enough. It takes 20 to 30 years and above to reach the peak of perfection. Bonsai nurtured by artificial method, they survive according to the wishes of the bonsai artist unlike those in the mountains that they can easily adapt to the environment without any disturbance.
What a beautiful form!
Very artistic.
Impressive! It looks like a double frog down there.
One of a kind. I love that old trunk.
It looks like a tree in the ”Paradise Island.”
It looks like a tree in the jungles of Korea.
It looks like a walking tree.
It resembles the tree in the movie ”Harry Potter.”
Gorgeous! It looks like hunted, the ghost scene and the spirits just around.
Very beautiful.
It looks like a creepy setting.It looks like the one I’ve seen in the movie ”Harry Potter”.
It’s a fairy tale paradise.
Nicely curved bonsai.
When the branches grow downward is a cascade style.
The Wow display, fresh and luscious approach, seems to be the crowd’s favorite. It was the most photographed one. I heard grandma saying”this one is a real fruit tree, snap me beside the fruit tree. We call the fruit”Lumbuy” in the north but they call it ”Igot” in the south.I would like to pick some fruits but, how can I? there was a notice not to touch any of the display and there will be penalty for each branch and tree damaged. While there, I will just wait for the fruit to fall naturally.
Bonsai clinging to a rock.
Attractive landscape. (up and down Photos) It looks like a nesting place of the dragons.
The winning Bonsai.” BCI Excellence Award” (the owner Roberto Bobby Gopiao)
Simply the finest surrounded by a beautiful landscape.
The bonsai roots was exposed.
The single trunk.
Thank you guys for sharing your beautiful collections! I’m not done yet. See you next posts.