Litratong Pinoy#165 Tapos (End)

I knew that the arrival of the firedancers signaled that the lighted floats were getting near and the Lamdag Dabaw (Christmas Light) parade was also ending.

Pilipino:
Alam kong ang pagdating ng mga mananayaw ng apoy ang hudyat na malapit na ang mga karosa ng mga ilaw at palapit na ang tapos ng parada ng Lamdag Dabaw.

And I was right because right afterwards, these beautiful and colorful floats came after the dancers.

Pilipino:
At hindi naman ako nagkamali at sumunod kaagad ang mga nagagandahang karosang ito na punung-puno ng iba't ibang ilaw.

Ruby Tuesday#129 Christmas Lighted Sleigh Ride

Want a Christmas-lighted sleigh ride?

This is the 2nd year that our city is having the Lamdag Dabaw (Christmas Lights) parade. The parade started along R. Magsaysay Ave. and passed thru C.M. Recto Ave before culminating at the People's Park.

There were more people who watched the light parade than last year. Unfortunately, the parade started very late that we became impatient and tired. Nevertheless, it was really fun watching the floats and the walking lighted characters.


A Christmas-lighted red pumpkin ride.


This is my entry for:

Go here to see more.

Christmas Bokeh

Finally, I did the Bokeh photography. For a long time, I wanted to try it but things got busy and it has gotten the backseat in my memory bank. The get-together with two of my photographer-friends this week gave me a chance to do it. So, here're some of my shots:

By the way, Bokeh or boke in Japanese is the blur or out of focus area of an image. This is a photography technique usually used to emphasize a certain subject in the image.

Ruby Tuesday#128 Hawaiian Christmas Party

This was the backdrop of our stage for our office Christmas Party. The last time we had our branch's Christmas party was about four to five years ago. Because of budget constraints for the past years, we had our Christmas parties by our own group/division. So, the branch party was such a welcome change.

This is my entry for:

Go here to see more.

Help For Cagayan De Oro And Iligan

I was clueless about what happened last Friday night. Busy with preparations for our office Christmas party, I thought it improbable that Typhoon Sendong will affect much of the southern Philippines considering typhoons are rarities in this part of the country.

Saturday morning, I was uploading our Christmas party photos on Facebook when I saw the horrendous flash flood victim photos. Initially thinking that they were victims of the past Ondoy and Peping floods, I said a few prayers for them until I started reading the accompanying posts. The photos were of victims of the Friday night’s deluge of flash floods in Cagayan de Oro and Iligan!

Let us pray and help the victims of the flash floods of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan cities. Go here on how to help the Sendong flood victims.

Sunday Stealing#107

Today we ripped off a blogger named Tom Baker from the blog Morning Erection. (Tom points out that you shouldn't read much into his blog's name. It's a great blog.) This is an original meme and it's very first time posted. Tom asked us to rip it off and of course we are grateful! Take the time to comment on other player's posts. It's a great way to make new friends! Link back to us at Sunday Stealing!


Sunday Stealing: The Community Meme


Cheers to all of us thieves!

1. As a blogger, what do you draw inspirations from for your posts?
Current news and issues and just about anything that interests me.

2. If you could swap blogs with another blogger for a post, who would you switch with and why?
Hm...too many to mention. There are just too many great bloggers out there.

3. If your blog had a theme song, what would it be? Why?
Can't think of one right now.

4. What is your writing process for a post?
If some idea crops up and I can't make a post right away, I try to take note of it so I don't forget. Then, I make the post as soon as I could get the chance to get online.

5. Your blog requires a cute, new, mascot - what would it be?
Garfield.

6. Do you feel you express your "true self" on your blog?
Yes, I think so.

7. What is your biggest online pet-peeve?
Spammers.

8. If you could live in a fictional universe, where would you live? Why?
A universe where people can fly and move quickly. I want to see more of the world, that's why.

9. You're having a bad day, you're upset, you're angry, or you're sad - what is your go-to comfort?
Gym, movie watching or eating.

10. What is your favorite inspirational quote?
Live life to the fullest.

11. If they were to make a movie based on your life, who would play you, your leading lady/man, your best friend, and your rival?


12. Do you think the world is going to end in 2012?
I hope not.

13. If you could change anything about yourself, what would it be?
My frankness.

14. What is your favorite season and why?
Summer because the weather is always sunny and it's usually the time for travels.

15. You've been bitten by a vampire. Would you fight it with all your undead being or would you embrace it for all it is worth?
I'd probably fight it with all my undead might.

16. Have you personally met any of your blogger friends?
Yes, I met some during a bloggers summit years ago.

17. What does your favorite pair of underwear look like?
Clean.

18. Have you ever drank something right from the container in the refrigerator knowing other people will have to drink out of the same container later?
Yes, at home years ago when I was younger.

19. What is your favorite word and explain why?
Fighting. A favorite word I got from some Korean teleseries. It encourages people to fight.

20. 2011 is soon coming to a close, is there anything you'd like to do different on your blog in the year 2012?
I've been thinking of changing my template.

In A Rut

I didn't update my posts here for the past days because I was too busy with work, too lazy to let my mind work and just been having less drive to blog anything about. I guess, it's a stage when any writer or blogger gets into sometimes. For whatever reason, I am trying to get out of this rut by trying to be more active in taking pictures in the hope of posting some of photos that I like. It's a good thing that there are several parties coming up in the coming days for me to enjoy taking photos.

Hopefully, I'll be able to update my posts here more next week. Let's wait and see..

Ruby Tuesday#127 Red Christmas Balls

I found these huge Christmas balls along the halls of Abreeza Mall.

This is my entry for Ruby Tuesday. Go here to see more.

2012 Philippine Holidays

Finally, I got the list of the 2012 Philippine holidays. For what are this? For travel plans, of course! Here it is...

Under Proclamation 295 issued by Malacanang late Thursday, January 23 (Chinese New Year), which falls on a Monday, has been declared special non-working holiday.

"The joint celebration is a manifestation of our solidarity with our Chinese Filipino brethren who have been part of our lives in many respects as a country and as a people," President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III, himself of Chinese heritage, said in the proclamation.

Although Malacanang said "23 January 2012 may be declared as a special (non-working) day without detriment to public interest," the said date is included in the official list of holidays. In 2012, there are six long weekends.

Complete list of 2012 Holidays:
A. Regular holidays:
New Year’s Day January 1 (Sunday)
Maundy Thursday, April 5
Good Friday, April 6
Araw ng Kagitingan April 9 (Monday)

Labor Day May 1 (Tuesday)
Independence Day June 12 (Tuesday)
National Heroes Day August 27 (Last Monday of August)
Bonifacio Day November 30 (Friday)
Christmas Day December 25 (Tuesday)
Rizal Day December 30 (Sunday)

B. Special (Non-Working) Days
Chinese New Year, January 23 (Monday)
Ninoy Aquino Day, August 21 (Tuesday)
All Saints Day, November 1 (Thursday)
Additional special (non-working) day November 2 (Friday)
Last Day of the Year December 31 (Monday)
C. Special Holiday (for all schools)
EDSA Revolution Anniversary
February 25 (Saturday)

Litratong Pinoy#164 Golden (Ginintuan)

This gold-painted structure is located near at the General MacArthur Landing Memorial in Paco, Leyte.

Pintadong ginintuan ang istrakturang ito na matatagpuan kalapit sa parke ng pagdaung ni General MacArthur sa Paco, Leyte.

Here Comes Tom Cruise!

As one of Hollywood's big celebrities, Tom Cruise's absence never wanes his popularity. Now that the latest installation of Mission Impossible is out, my friends and I are really looking forward in watching the movie this coming December 15.

I liked the previous installments of the Mission Impossible and some its TV episodes. With Tom Cruise still on the lead,  who is also known for his daring stunts, the latest installment will certainly disappointment. So, here comes Tom Cruise and we're excitedly waiting.

Adele's Rolling In the Deep

This song keeps playing inside my mind. I first heard in the gym while working out and it got stuck in my head. Now, it's my current favorite:) Love the lyrics too!

Ruby Tuesday#126 Red Alien

Is it a red alien wreaking havoc in the city? No, although it looks like one from the back. He was one of the participants of Davao's First Lamdag Dabaw last year.

For more Ruby Tuesday entries, go here.

Davao City's Pasko Fiesta Is Up Now

This is the 2nd year that the city's Pasko Fiesta will be celebrated and several activities are lined up for this event. Last year, I was only able to watch the Lamdag Dabaw, the event's equivalent to world-famous Electric Light Parade with Christmas-costumed participants. For those who are interested to check out the schedule of the said events, go here.

In the meantime, my Canon cameras shall be cleaned in anticipation of the several colorful shots that I will be making around the city.

Sunday Stealing#106

Today we ripped off a blogger and blog called BlueLifeMemories. It's long so we will do it in two parts. She states she stole it from a friend, but did not say which friend. But, it was probably stolen there as well. So, of course, that will be as far as we go. Tracing back our theft's thieves might take some time. Take the time to comment on other player's posts. It's a great way to make new friends! Link back to us at Sunday Stealing!

Sunday Stealing: The Blue Memory Meme, Part One

Cheers to all of us thieves!

1) If the whole world were listening to you right now, what would you say? Christmas is all about the birth of Jesus, not all about shopping!

2) If you could meet anyone on this earth, who would it be? The Pope

3) You just got a free plane ticket to anywhere. You have to depart right now. Where are you gonna go?
Call my boss to ask permission, pack up my bags and my Canon cameras and go to Italy or Spain.

4) What do you think about most?
Nowadays...it's all about a relationship that has gone sour.

5) You have the opportunity to spend a romantic night with the music celebrity of your choice. Who would it be?
Adam Levine of the Maroon 5. Wooot!

6) You can erase any horrible experience from your past. What will it be?
The death of my father.

7) What's your strangest talent?
I don't think I have one.

8) What would be a question you'd be afraid to tell the truth on?

Secret..tehehehe!

9) Ever had a poem or song written about you?
Nope. If somebody did, please tell me now!

10) When is the last time you played the air guitar?
Hmm..a few months ago.

11) Do you have any strange phobias?
None, so far.

12) What's your religion?
Catholic.

13) What is your current desktop picture?
An island with coconut trees.

14) When you are outside, what are you most likely doing?
Nowadays, I think, I've been paying bills too often.

15) What's the last song you listened to?
Carpenters' I won't last a day without you.

16) Simple but extremely complex. Favorite band?

Maroon 5, Queen, Savage Garden, etc.

17) What was the last lie you told?
That I didn't feel hurt when I felt really devastated.

18) Do you believe in karma?
Oh yes. I've seen it work several times.

19) What is a saying you say a lot?
Do unto others as you would have others do unto you.

20) What is your greatest weakness; your greatest strength?
Weakness, procrastination. Strength, frankness.

21) Who is your celebrity crush?
Too many. All time crushes are Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt.

22) Give me the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word: heart.
Love.

23) How do you vent your anger?
There are so many ways...eat, workout, shop, read and pray, pray, pray.

24) Do you have a collection of anything?
Yes, I collect keychains, books, travel photos, refrigerator magnets and souvenir t-shirts.

25) What is your favorite word?
None.

PhotoHunt#159 Ripped

Kadayawan is not only famous for the fruits, the sights and the sounds of the festival but also for the celebrity-guests. These celebrities usually rode the Kadayawan floats during the parade. One of the celebrities I saw had the ripped muscles any woman would swoon over hehehehe! and he's cute too!

Giant TV Network GMA's popular primetime TV show, Amaya, has its own float during Kadayawan festival. The float was one of the Kadayawan floats that people really flocked to during the Kadayawan floral float parade. Marian Rivera, Sid Lucero, some ripped-muscled and scantily-clad male casts were there too. The ladies were equally sexy too.

Christmas Is On!

For most Filipinos, Christmas season starts when the "ber" months start. So usually it's not surprising for some Filipino families to start their Christmas preparations in September. By that time, Christmas songs over the radio can be heard on air and malls would start displaying their Christmas decorations.

For my family though, our Christmas decorations come out at the start of December.So, let's start decorating! Christmas is on! Merry Christmas in advance to all!