It’s been a long week of traveling, taking pictures, getting lost in translation, taking pictures, meeting people, taking more pictures, and finally, settling in a foreign land. As of this moment I’m back being a student and this is my new home… (for the mean time only)

Studentenwohnheim

Mainzer StraBe 2 / Room 234

04109 Leipzig, Germany

hit me up with the old school mails!

The sun was shining, the water was clear, the kids were swimming and all I needed was my underwater gear!

Before I begin, I’d like to thank my swimmers featured in the slideshow for swimming great techniques and just having fun underwater: Justin Ong, Kyle Mapalo, Kate Uy, Donny Pangilinan, Niza Estimada, Trisha Uy, and Ysabeli Hilario. Great job guys!

So, It was my very first try at my new underwater casing for the 5D. I didn’t hesitate! I wanted to try it out before the warranty for replacement ends (1 week for any factory defects). So without any delay, I swim-suited up! dove down the pool and clicked away! Check out the album HERE.

I recently got myself an underwater casing for my 5D. It’s not like the aluminum frames that professionals use which cost an arm and a leg but the cheaper plastic version that works wonders if you know the ins and outs. Unless you’re going scuba diving, this plastic underwater cover will withstand depths of up to 30m good enough for shallow sightseeing, snorkeling, and heavy rains.

PROS:

1. HIGH QUALITY UNDERWATER PHOTOS! Finally, you can take sharp and stunning high quality underwater photos with your DSLR.

2. LENS GALORE! You can use various lenses underwater. (provided that it fits the expandable lens cover)

3. WATER TIGHT! A “must-have” protection if you’re going anywhere near or on water bodies e.g. Lakes, Beaches, Fountains, Pools (at Rapids Swim Club training sample photos) and you can even use it even if it’s raining.

CONS:

1. IT FLOATS! The challenge is keeping it underwater… I’d prefer it submerged in a stable position with my hands (not tying to float like a ballon on water).

Suggestion: Add weights (Attach it to the strap).

2. ZOOMING IS LIMITED. I had troubles of zooming in and out especially with my huge 24-70mm L lens.

3. BLURRY VIEWFINDER! The difficulty is getting a good look at the subject you are shooting… with a small viewfinder that is almost a constant in any DSLR, you’ll have a hard time looking through the viewfinder with another layer of plastic and still get what you wanted.

I finally switched to the trendy and more flexible yet very very technical WordPress.org. I’m progressing slower than what I expected but I’m learning the ropes and looks like it’s going to be a breeze after the set up is done.

Taken with Nikon F2, 55mm Micro-NIKKOR-P.C f/3.5, Kodak Gold 100

Ahhh  FINALLY!!!

After almost a month and a half of long grueling wait (by demand: Tan Tien Flex 2 was out of stock)… My new Loaded Tan Tien arrives! via Johnny Air ordered from SoCal SkateShop.

with Paris 180 all black trucks…

O-tangs Stimulus wheels…

Loaded Epoxy and Tri-axle fiberglass sandwich a vert-lam Bamboo core…

Got to have the gear to match the Tan Tien…

Tan Tien Video.

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FYI: Jonathan Roco De Guzman → Gone Longboarding! via Facebook.

你好! (Ni Hao)

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Why did I ever find myself in mainland china? in search for the best spicy beef noodle soup? authentic dimsum? yang chow fried rice? siopao? green tea? I got to tell ya the food was excellent but that wasn’t why I came to China… not really… Truth is, I went on this trip just to have some alone time, experience traveling solo on a foreign land where nobody knows me and having not to speak any word of their language. Also on my agenda is to take photos and update my frequent flyer program…

so here we go… sightseeing the new world China…

more photos here.

I’m back! sorry for the very much delay on updates and photos as I’ve been so busy with summer… Summer can only mean 3 things for my métier: swimming, swimming, and more swimming….

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So, Where was I? I did get a chance to shoot an extraordinary “retreat” a couple of weeks ago… I’ll get to the photos shortly, but wait a second, what’s so special about this particular “retreat“??? ”retreat” by definition can have several meanings… In the military, it means an act of moving back or withdrawing from enemy forces as a result of their superior power or defeat. “retreat” likewise means a change in one’s decisions, plans, and attitudes due to criticism by others. Lastly, “retreat” also means “to withdraw in a secluded place where it’s quiet“.

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This “retreat” I’m talking about is different from any other “retreat” we all know. Yes, It’s a “retreat” where you want to withdraw and get away from the bustling city, the stress of everyday life, and get far far away from the harmful pollutants/pollution we are so used to in the city and re-connect with nature. Yes, it’s also a “retreat” where you can find a place to decide? maybe a major aspect in your life, a change in your game plan? hhhmmm that being said, this “retreat” is all of those + a heap-load of jollification processes that you yourself will benefit from. The endorphins will surely surge your system into a blissful happiness that you’ve always wanted in a “retreat“.

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FLOW SurfYogaSamba is a union of Monica, Noelle, and Denise’s (organizers) brilliant ideas brought together by passion and unselfish act of teaching what they l♥ve and actually have a great deal of fun doing it. By the looks of their title you can tell that you’ll totally get “stoked” because there’s some Surfing…

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“refreshed” because of the healthy dash of Yoga…

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and “pick up a beat” because there’s a dancing dose of Samba…

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but FLOW SurfYogaSamba is not just that…

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show off your secret physical ability..

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play ultimate frisbee..

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have a small family vacation…

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you can bring your dog too…

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take home reusable tote bags full of goodies from sponsors…

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win fabulous prizes…

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play charades…

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and send-off your very own Thai lantern…

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all of which was made possible by these three lovely ladies…

Monica Manzano, Noelle Hilario, and  Denise Gonzales
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FLOW SurfYogaSamba was an amazing “retreat” every participant will remember. An experience worth sharing, worth keeping, and definitely worth signing up for the next one…

…and just like that, Time flies by when you’re having fun, just as soon as you’re welcome, it was already time to go home…

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FLOW SurfYogaSamba. April 9-11 2010. San Juan Surf Resort, San Juan, La Union.

Photos

Goodsummerday to you!

CAL Swim School is inviting everyone to join our various summer learn-to-swim & training programs officially opening on monday APRIL 5 2010 (YEY!!). The swim camps will run thru for 8 weeks and will conclude on MAY 28 2010, just before the new school year begins… Anyway, Our summer is just beginning and we’re already hearing a big buzz about how everyone is having lots of fun over at Quezon City Sports Club Summer Swim Camp.–more on that story soon, I promise.

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As expected, temperatures around the Metro will continue to rise↑, our days will be longer, and berrr-months breeze will be/if not already replaced by scorching heat-waves. The question is: “what are you going to do about it?”–We can tell you a lot about why swimming is important and why it’s good for everyone but we’re not going to bore you with the millions of facts available right now. The reason you are reading this is that you are maybe looking for a swimming program that will cater to your needs, may it be a Learn-to-swim, Fitness swimming, or Competitive training for kids and adults… then Viola! We at CAL Swim School is dedicated to teach, motivate, coach and make your summer a fun and exciting experience…

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CAL Swim School has been conducting swim camps and learn to swim programs since 1999 all over Metro Manila. We pride ourselves in teaching basic and competitive swimming as a great and fun life experience.

This Summer, Choose the best and most convenient site for you and your kids. Feel free to call our Hotline: (02) 387-1424, or email us: info@calswimschool.com for suggestions, comments, and rumpus about CAL swim school…

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so “Be fit, be cool, enroll & have fun at CAL Swim School…”

See you all there!

Yesterday I got a sweet and peanut butter crunch flavored surprise…

Johnny Air sent me a text message that I have a package waiting for me in their Megamall branch. Johnny Air is one of the best way to shop online, read all about it here and here. Anyway, I Fought my way into traffic last night hoping to make it before the mall closes at 9pm. Coming from Q.C. it was unusually traffic, Thanks to Globe SuperDUO, I was on the phone with my favorite person in the world… and at 8:45pm I finally made it to their branch and voila! 4 boxes of these delicious peanut butter crunch! All SUPER-Thanks to my cousins “Alvin+Janice=Jake” over at New Jersey! You guys are the best! the sweetest! I will surely enjoy this! ♥