Muntingia Calabura Flower or Aratiles Flower

By livelifeandlove on August 24, 2016

Not only exceptionally attractive tiny flower but it is also beneficial for the insects, it blooms all year round to provide basic food for them. I’ve photographed this tiny wildflower in the morning and to other flowers from previous posts was done in different position at different times of the day with the natural light of the sun. Some images with the sun rays pointing directly to the flower and others, just as in the natural habitat.

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Striking Sun Rays Through Hibiscus Flowers

By livelifeandlove on August 16, 2016

Hibiscus or Gumamela flowers a member of mallow family, they need full sun for best bloom production, best in high humidity , they prefer full sun but can tolerate partial shade. They bloom lavishly splendid when the sun is up, definitely looks dramatic with the morning sun rays. The good atmosphere will inspire your mood as the shape and colors make the flowers. Other photos previously published was even more stunning with the background of the blue sky.

Striking Sun Rays Through Hibiscus Flowers

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My Indoor and Outdoor Photography | Wildlife/Animals/Pets

All About Inca Dove

By livelifeandlove on July 15, 2016

Inca Dove

It is said to be that doves may live, feeding and gather in large flocks but this Inca dove is solitary(existing alone) It is quite different from the rest being solitaire. At first, I thought it was a turtle dove as it is not a familiar visitor in our backyard but I’m not sure if this kind of dove belongs to the same family of turtle dove. I’ve noticed he flocked together with a large number of tree sparrows which are a regular visitors in the garden. Cat scraps on the ground are most welcome for them, our backyard seems to be a favorite destination of hungry sparrows although our garden is not that spacious enough but fruits trees can provide a place where they can refuge when alarmed at night. Natural sites and shaded positions is also important during nesting stage.

I’m a bird lover, I don’t mind the presence of birds, bees and butterflies around. They served as the best photography subject indoors. Macro shots shown here, the face is quite similar to the rock pigeon which is common in our area but has a pigeon-like appearance. I love the circular display flight, gliding on raised wings. I think, this dove is an adult dove as shown by its maturity and body appearance. Other rare pigeons were sighted in our area recently but I don’t know if there’s a census committee for rare pigeons.

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Gardening/Greenery/Garden Insects | My Indoor and Outdoor Photography

Bumblebee

By livelifeandlove on July 11, 2016

July is generally recognized as wetter month, it’s rainy season but still there were a lot of flowering trees and plants around. What a dazzling display with the bees encircling around them, they depend on flowering trees and plants for nectar and pollen. There’s a resting place but no resting time for the busy bumblebees.

Bees are divided into social, which includes the Bumblebee, Hive bee and Solitary which I think are majority, they all have the same interests, all great pollinators. Social bees are very loving because they care for the young ones while Solitary bees especially the female, leaves a supply of food in each cell as they also lay their eggs on top and sealed it. The Bumblebee is generally amber and shiny-black as shown.

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My Indoor and Outdoor Photography | Travel and Adventure

Taipei 101

By livelifeandlove on June 22, 2016

Incredible structures to present the works of art, architecture, and engineering, it is the tower that symbolizes the city,the iconic Taipei 101 is a beautiful skyscraper with a total height record of 508 meters that ranks the world’s tallest building from 2004-2010. It is also the world’s tallest floor at 438 meters and the world’s tallest roof at 448 meters. Observatory elevators holds the Guinness world Records as the World’s fastest passenger elevator. Taipei 101 mall attracts millions of tourist every year.

I have come to appreciate everything here, all the incredible structures. Indeed, the consistent effort to present the works of art and engineering which is more technically and technologically advanced. We’ve seen the big progress and development globally.

Humans aim high attracting international attention for the title “World’s tallest building” to gain prestige and recognition. My feelings widened with excitement along great things. In this century which is global in perspective, It’s getting more updated, fast growing and competition is still going on, more tall buildings and great structural forms are getting better and taller. If you remember the Great Pyramid of Egypt at Giza holds the longest for 3,500 years until the next construction of another. World title started from tall,taller to the tallest. Presently holding the title, Burj Khalifa of Dubai as the ‘’World’s tallest skyscraper.’’ More skyscrapers has been and would be completed in the coming years to come..According to my reference, Jeddah Tower (167 Floors) will be the future next is still under construction so with the Merdeka PNB 118 of Kuala Lumpur,Malaysia (118 Floors)is now under construction, Dubai One (with 161 Floors) Is it practical to do this kind of expensive construction? Is it fruitful or wasteful?

Taipei 101, the irregular bamboo shaped building ranks #8 as as one of tallest building in the world as of 2016.

High above, at the top is a leisure attraction and the best way to view the whole of Taiwan.Through the top, spectacular views down there taken from the glass curtain walls,the glass wall provides protection from heat, VV screening remarkably clear and beautiful.

91 F

Aerial view taken from the top of Taipei 101 building

The wide view of Taipei is a relaxing treat.I’m enjoying the sights around but not let height scare me, not at all !

Looking outside the window and appreciate the sights down there. Imagine where you are on the map. I just have to value and be grateful for the things you’ve been blessed with.

Taiwan at Night single shot taken in front of Capital Hotel

Taipei 101 Shopping Mall

Aerial view of Taipei 101 Shopping Mall. It was a big shopping Mall.

TWG Salon and Boutique at Taipei 101

All the details and features of Taipei 101.

92-101- Communication Floors

88091- Observatory Floors

85-86F- Restaurants

61-84- High Zone Office Floors

59-60F- Elevator Transfer Floors

37-58F- Mid Zone Office Floors

35-36F- Conference Center/Elevator Transfer Floors

1-34F- Low Zone Office Floors

B1-6F – Taipei 101 Shopping Mall

B2-B5 – Basement Car Park

The elevator reaches a great speed of 1,010 meters per minute

There’s a timer, it took 37 seconds to reach Observatory floors

With a total height record of 508 meter and a total od 50 elevators, if you are brave and adventurous enough to experience riding pressurized high speed elevators reaching maximum speed 1,010m/m. Sometimes you can reach only up to 91F if the building is swaying because of strong winds, that is the observatory floors.

Taipei 101 Observatory

From 89 F is Indoor Observatory and 91F is Observatory Outdoor

Observatory Ticket Booths

Snapshot Service

It’s impossible to miss this snapshots service.Memories is good to think back in time but not just that, a photo keepsake is better to view. It’s so cute to include to your travel themed souvenirs.

Giant Damper Ball

Giant Damper ball, it is said to be the largest and the heaviest mass dumper with a diameter of 5.5 meters and heaviest of 660 metric tons. This is the reason the building can withstand major earthquakes.

Close-up shot of damper ball, they allow visitors to take close-up photo from the corridors.

From the background, the people around was accidentally included, to be curious sometimes how other people from other culture dressed-up, it is different from us?

This Giant Damper is to keep the building safe

The steel cable holding the mass damper.

Super cute damper baby

The Prestigious of Gemstone of Taiwan

Showcasing all the products and world’s achievement of Taiwan

Jade gemstones and other items.

Beautiful and lovely gems. I super love this!

To keep some souvenirs and buy a few jade necklaces here.

Really awesome! You don’t know which one to choose, they were all beautiful.

Corals of Taiwan

The most amazing corals I’ve ever seen.

The replica of Taipei 101 building

Map of Taiwan

Taiwan’s Top 101

After the tour, it was an exhausted day perhaps, a yummy treat is good. Go global for trying all the different delicacies of Taiwan.

Taipei 101 opening hours from 09:00-22:00

Address: 89F. no.7 Xinyl Road Section 5,Taipei City

Tickets for adult is NTS 500,Group Ticket for 20 persons is 450 NTS, Priority pass of 1000 NTS and Concession for children above 115 cm and students

Take entrance route at 5F and exit at 88F

Ticket Sales Closing Time-21:15

To follow precautions: Smoking and chewing gums are prohibited, no bringing of foods and pets inside. Wearing slippers and shorts, anything unpleasant will be barred from entry.

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My Indoor and Outdoor Photography | Wildlife/Animals/Pets

Beautiful Little Dove

By livelifeandlove on May 14, 2016

Beautiful closed-up shot of Inca Dove

Inca dove- pale gray in color with a short legged appearance with the underpart feathers having dull brown and gray edging. You can see the white edge to the cheeks extending down the neck, more likely to be seen in areas grouping with tree and house sparrows on ground when food is plentiful.

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Events/ Holidays/ Special Occasions | My Indoor and Outdoor Photography | Travel and Adventure

Panagbenga Festival 2016

By livelifeandlove on March 2, 2016

Panagbenga Flower Festival 2016 draws big crowd in Baguio city. The crowd bursting into spontaneous cheers filled the areas in front of Convention Center and thousands lined the streets of Session road as early as 3 a.m. to see the flower float parade. Others endured the long hours of waiting and sleeping on both roadside spaces and sidewalks, motorist and commuters having a hard time to get out from this point because of road closures nearby.

Panagbenga Festival is a popular festival in the Philippines, the most attended parade that includes parade of flower floats, street dancing, Philippine folk dance,ethnic dance, marchers, band music performed in traditional costumes. Some t v personalities and movie stars attended this event.

I was around as early as 5 am to take snapshots of this event. Of course, I want a hassle free photography with no interruptions and distractions, I don’t want to experience different factors, I already organized everything for myself beforehand. Street photography is quite hard to be with big crowd but anywhere around, it’s fun to hear enjoyable shouting and screaming of the crowd. We Filipinos are happy even when we are facing different crisis, we are hospitable to welcome our guests especially during feast. This event surely preserves the customs of particular race.

Street Photography of the Panagbenga Festival floats, all photos done as early as 5 a.m. just before the parade, I started following the parade route stretching from the Convention center, Session road to SM.

Street dancing has certainly been an important part of the festival, a form of entertainment, tradition and history.Bringing up the symbol of the festival, what a festive feeling to smell the fragrant flowers throughout the street. The flower floats are the best attractions made by the people of Baguio, all beautiful flowers seems to bloom on the float. Thank you so much for that. Let’s get started !

33 Pictures of Panagbenga Festival Floats 2016

Truly breathtaking to bring the flowers from the garden to decorate all the floats, range of colors and the arrangement of flowers according to the float theme appeared artfully creative. One can just imagine, a day before to gather all the right flowers to form in style, shaping and mixing patterns of colors adding elegant highlights to emphasized the whole outline.

Baguio city, the city of the cold sun have benefited from their cold location that some unique variety of flowers mostly originated there.

Event: Panagbenga Flower Festival 2016

February 28,2016

Venue: Session road to Melvin Jones Grounds Baguio city

As photo shows, brilliant mass of flowers with striking color combinations

Distinctive graceful pattern of blooming flowers with gorgeous walls and elegant borders.

A field of flowers on top, just like humans too, being beautiful is an advantage.

Seemingly endless variety of combinations.

Folk traditions are very much alive with the traditional colorful costumes, this scene showing ethnic influences which is expressed in folk traditions.

I will not end up here for next next would be another blog for the next Panagbenga Flower Festival 2017.

I would like to thank all the Panagbenga Flower Festival organizers for allowing me to take pictures before the parade. Thank you to all float sponsors. Looking forward to meet you again soon…

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Gardening/Greenery/Garden Insects | My Indoor and Outdoor Photography

2016 Honeybees Gallery

By livelifeandlove on February 5, 2016

In the garden, dazzling range of flowering plants everywhere, the early flowers appeared in the first signs of summer. In our garden, bright blooms just appeared, it’s a good welcome for the garden insects; butterflies, dragonflies, bumblebees and honeybees will again dominate the scene as month of February brings abundant of flowers.

18 Photos of Honeybees Pollinating a Flower

(Click on images to view larger)

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Events/ Holidays/ Special Occasions | My Indoor and Outdoor Photography

Ferrero Rocher Christmas Tree

By livelifeandlove on January 1, 2016

Ferrero Rocher Christmas Tree

The shining example of beautiful chocolate theme Christmas tree. It’s for public viewing and photos taken at Robinson’s Galleria Supermarket before New Year.What a gracious expression of Christmas decoration. It’s incredibly beautiful! Ferrero Rocher chocolates are stunning partners for a Christmas garland. I don’t know how many pieces were attached but it seems around 5 yards of garland, good enough to cover the whole Christmas tree. The gold color of Ferrero Rocher is equally elegant and splendid, the lavish and expensive effect of decorating tradition of chocolates, color and theme features a good blitz.

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Events/ Holidays/ Special Occasions | My Indoor and Outdoor Photography

Paskotitap Float Festival 2015

By livelifeandlove on December 16, 2015

One of the most awaited event is the Paskotitap Christmas Lights and Sound Parade or Paskotitap Festival. It is an annual parade held every December in the city of Pasig. Paskotitap is a beautiful exhibition of electronic floats sponsored by participating institutions and schools.The event will also showcased all beautiful designed floats and performances of dance troupes from each school. 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.

It was truly was a beautiful Christmas evening last Sunday (December 13,2015). It was a magical night! This year’s Paskotitap Christmas Lights and Sounds presented 14 popular animated themed floats from action, epic, fantasy and adventure movies. Superp floats to represent reastically all the 14 movie-themed concept in distinctive characters; Dragon Ball, Sponge Bob,Pokemon,One Piece, Minion, Star Wars, Avengers, Fantastic Four, Jurassic World, Lord of the Rings, Scoobie Doo, Doraemon and Transformers. It was fun- filled excitement to see all floats colorful decorations, set up with eccentric lights, beautiful music that goes well with the float theme and participating students with elegant and ravishing outfits.

The float designs and artistry is quiet astonishing. A friend behind said, It’s spectacular! People beside me keeps on roaring, cheering and dancing. This parade attracted thousands of people and visitors around Pasig eventually rising to more this year.

This is already my 5^th consecutive year of covering the Paskotitap.I had published the 4 other coverage in the past. I started way back –year 2011 during the Power Puff Girls, Kitty, and Avatar time. For the first 3 years, I’ve published only the evening coverage and all images done by night photography but last year 2014 and up the present, I’ve made double effort to photograph all details ahead of time, that was done at midday and be back again in the evening for my night details. It was a double pressure to do it twice but indeed with pleasure as well. At midday, the colorful features of the float will come out but not as vivid during the night. That’s the difference.

Initially, the event due to start at 6:oo pm but this year, it was delayed to some issues, a float generator is not working and there’s a quick rush to catch up the limited time for installation.

As originally planned to follow the parade directly all the way to Pasig City Hall for the performances and awarding of winners for Group dance contest, Best float and costume design but as expected, traffic has exploded out of proportion, I was caught in a traffic jam for hours because major roads are fully congested.

You can see here all the themed floats creative design and decorations have been brought together in almost perfect coordination possible. I’m here to share the excitement.

Mayor Maribel Eusebio of Pasig with Mark Sambrano

The parade started after the live interview of GMA-7 and ABS CBN with Mayor Maribel Eusebio.

No amount of happiness can compensate for documenting this Paskotitap event so i can share it with you. My particular thanks to all Paskotitap organizers, float creators, designers, participating students, Schools, All sponsors, Rotary Club of Pasig and to Mayor Maribel Eusebio. Here are some photos taken last Sunday- Paskotitap 2015

Blog entries prepared for publications

@copyright all rights reserved Dec.2015

Note: Click on all images to view larger

The Jurassic World Float

It represents the spirit of Jurassic dinosaurs in the Mesozoic era. As you approach to see the images, it will change your mood and transformed everything bringing you back in time.