come back

It’s been a while since I wrote something in my blog. I have been busy, as in really busy – I haven’t gone to conventions like I used to. The shifts and demands of a normal work life, requires me to focus, and even more so since I have been gone from work for more than a month.

It was not so long ago, I was diagnosed with a respiratory ailment known as pneumonia, I had a hard time breathing back then, I spent up wheezing and coughing like a dog while spending my vacation on the beaches of Boracay. I was with my ex back then, and when I got back home from my vacation I immediately saw a doctor. Coughing out pools of blood was not a pretty site, and having your ex, or my girlfriend that time worry. The doctor gave me two options, bed rest or hospital confinement, I chose the approach of staying home. Fast forward 4 years later, I should have chose to stay at the hospital, my pneumonia caused a big scar, a rip or a wound in my lungs. Which never much healed back then, it stayed dormant, waiting for it to rupture. Thank you for pollution and work stress and over staying at the sleeping quarters of the office plus my allergies, helped caused the wear and tear, or maybe it’s me catching my niece’s pneumonia, whichever is which both caused me to cough immensely to this date.

Angelica Loon, Okun Fiesta

Yhu Mei, Lolita Season 2

I did attend some a con during my time off, and did one shoot, at the least, all to divert me away from my work stress. Shooting with a surgical face mask, was a bother, because I had to peel it off just for me to cough up phlegm or blood. I lost much weight but my hunger would fight back. I wouldn’t know.

Today was supposed to be the day that I have my final check up, only that my doctor cancelled. There goes an unscheduled leave, unpaid go to waste.

A lot has happened in my life, working on a food business, which is debut next year, if I am still lucky to be the business partner to this. Aside from being sick, I just celebrated my folks’ 50^th anniversary, hooray for them, my mom is so thrilled *sarcasm*, and there is where I inherited my humor. We had mostly steaks, and mom’s salad. Good meal. A month ago, we as a family suffered a loss as I lost my aunt in her fight against the dread ills of liver failure and poor management of the insurance in the U.S. She was an aunt that everyone loved, just like my sister before she passed on, she was the giving aunt and she was the aunt who was hip and fire to every reunion when she visits back here in the country. It was a grim July, more so but we feel that life had to move on, so my dad tries to do so. It was also the successful launch Of Baguio Edition, of The Asylum thanks to hands of Rina Riz.

As we approach the middle of August, I am preparing myself for my shoot this September, in which I pray it hopefully becomes successful and my shoot in November, in which I pray that I push through as I have a lot in plan. I can’t give much details except I am working every detail by the note, which is unusual for me to do since I like working on the fly, spontaneous was always my weapon of choice, and come what may was its bullet. Now, I want tarps, posters, ad placements, the whole works and etc. I just want people to experience an “event” like no other.

Good for me, a lot has happened.

Anyhow, this maybe one of my long entries… a good write, and it is good to be back.  I will be writing more, once I have something to work on. Until then stay tuned!

travel up for beer and shots

The City of Baguio is a highly urbanized city located in the province of Benguet in northern Luzon island of the Philippines. Baguio City was established by the Americans as a hill station in 1900 at the site of an Ibaloi village known as Kafagway. The Americans declared Baguio the "Summer Capital of the Philippines" on July 1, 1903. Every year between March and June, the entire American government transferred operations Baguio to escape Manila's summer heat, a practice abolished in 1913. Several years later, Baguio is being flocked by locals, and foreigners, who look for a decent getaway from the rising temperature; it was made haven to many Koreans, learning English at a place that almost feels like home. The kind smiles, the hospitality, never eluded Baguio – and the charm, of its cool climate never fazes me. I grew up to this city, in a sense that every Summer Vacation, after school my family and I would spend at least a week or two just to spend time in the mountains. The fog, the chilly air, and smell of pine trees, almost felt like a quiet retreat from the chaos, the hustle and bustle that is home, is all I could remember – several years, now that I’m much older, a lot has changed – traffic, and development gearing and progressing to what is Baguio now. Once scarred from a major earthquake in the 90s, Baguio tries to reclaim itself, be a better form to what it was then – and slowly becoming a populous city – similar back home.

Robin Balisi, City of Pines Tour
Season 2

Nothing has changed between me and Baguio, there is always that chilly air, but the cold and fog has been long gone, unless there is long periods of rains and the Ber Months comes in, it doesn’t turn me off to what it is now, though there are hints of nostalgia each time I pass the winding roads, or the chaotic streets of Session, naught has slowed me from coming back up and up.It was that the first weekend of April, Easter Sunday, I opened my shutters to host the City of Pines Tour, dubbed Season 2 because it’s the second time for me to host this event. I invited cosplayers, photographers around the city to take part of, to be held in the Botanical Garden. I would never expect how much a turnout of an event would be – I had my impressions to a small scale crowd, but the end it was bigger than what I imagined. A capacity of more than 30 ore more people showed up, majority were familiar faces, or people who didn’t make it to the first season. I pretty began the shoot quite late, just for people to catch on, it took me a while to getting to meet new people again, and there are names, still didn’t register, but I do hope to see them again when I go back up. I ended up pretty much on a high note, despite being sick again with a chronic cough, I am pretty much thankful the local community who wants me to do an event for them, and my promise to them is always delivering them. It’s my way of thanking or paying back the kindness that these kids provided, and the tokens (e.g. stuffed frog which keeps me company beside my bed), I am ever all so grateful.

Lagud and Keywheat, Baguio Craft Brewery

I pretty much stayed in Baguio for 4 days and 3 nights, as my partner had to go early the following day the after my shoot. So to cap that Easter, we tried something I have been reading through websites, that filled my curiosity when I first read about a year ago or so, To be frank, Baguio do have love for strawberries, they even have a festival for it, also the fruit is known to be produced in that area because of the cool climate which is suitable. Look I have tasted strawberries, it come fresh and as good it can be, I have pretty much tasted the fruit, a smoothie, the ice cream the jam, the wine and taho of it – of all, that tops it the famous strawberry beer of the North, known as Lagud.Lagud crafted by Chief Executioner, Chris Ordas, at the Baguio Craft Brewery (Located at 120 Marcos Highway), only in Baguio can you taste beer made from strawberries. Not your flavored beer, something new to me and crazy was made from this fruit. Prior to going here was a hard find, feeling lost, we just trusted the cab driver, and our eyes to find the Brewery, and all the travel was worth it. A small quiet bar, with a feel of an old inn, the cold chill of the mountains greeted us, not much a crowd, since I guess it was pretty the end of the day, a lot has possibly gone home back to the south, but then it was inviting and cozy. We decided to sit by the bar, because I would guess my hearing would be bad if in case there would be a ruckus. Our decision was not so dead wrong, it was worth it. Aside, from the famous Lagud, there were more to many of the concoctions of this Thirst Prevention Officer, from different levels alcohol content, to the how bitter it could be, the raw ingredients and its possible equivalent from Stouts to Pale ales, every man and beer aficionado would love to be there.

All I can say, the barkeeps know their stuff, ask them and they would gladly explain to what to expect and so forth. They even let you give a free sample to help you choose what you want, and that this is damn unlimited, you could try them all for a mini shot of a beer mug, to make your tongue feel what is to expect. I ran my tongue to three samples, until I decided on what I want, as my partner did pretty much the same. We grew fond seeing how the beer freshly poured in front of you from its hand crafted taps, all the awe, like a child in a candy factory. What lead to several conversations of trying and figuring I got settled on my favorite is Lagud, as my partner found solace to Keywheat (Kiwi Beer), it just draw us inspired to push our venture (a project we have been working on in the South), even more. More so, our love for food caught the attention of a freelance writer and photographer, who sat beside us and thus the conversation lead to whatever or wherever, and the beer would guide us. Deep heart to our conversations lead us to meeting the owner himself, Chris Ordas and his chef, who we shared our marketing, and possibility of branching, all I can say it was meaningful focal group discussion and invite to an event to showcase his beer here in Manila. And what made our night was a promising deal of a partnership to what me and my partner has been working on. I have never ever been more thankful. Bottom line: Baguio Craft Brewery (can be found in Facebook, Instagram), is a perfect place to bring your date, the food is indeed something really carefully paired to what you drink, and they never went wrong. I could attest to the Onion Rings we both ate that night.

Baguio Craft Brewery

As our night faded, memories are still well kept, when I left what my second home was, my denial of coming back to reality was hard to bear. I still wanted to stay, but I need to get paid, so that we keep coming back for more.

when the south meets the north

It’s more than a week since I came home from Baguio, and I am still high from the things I have done. I stayed about 4 days and 3 nights which was my usual, for a vacation that was supposed to be no work, no play, ended up me being sick even more, losing my voice, and doing a shoot in the process. In what was supposedly to be my time for healing, which I came off from a slight fever, I ended up pushing my body to its breaking point and I am not complaining - I had fun.

Jermaine Dermot, The Asylum: City of Pines Tour 

I never intended to do a photo shoot in Baguio, period. I never intended that I will be hosting a small photo shoot that lasted for two days, period. My vacation was really meant just enjoying the scenery, the food, the travel but ended up to directing an experience that would be memorable as a photographer and my times of travel. How this all began, was simply my mere curiosity with the Baguio Cosplay Community – bumping to them on a vacation last March, made me wonder how it was nice to meet them and know them. I did my research, try to know how many the
y were, and I was not really much successful. Now, I had the opportunity I posted a small ad, after my birthday, in a group that I join in Facebook, which was to look for a bunch of cosplayers who may be interested in joining me to do a small shoot in an abandoned cabin in Baguio, this ad which led me to joining a bigger group that I have sought and been longing for.  It was suggested to me to try posting the ad to the community, so I did, and whoa, overwhelming responses.  In the span of few days, I got what more I have bargained for, for a day intended pushed me for two days by public demand.

I had to cut my vacation time, really to just one day, which I ended up sulking in bed for not feeling well, but it was all worth it. The day thereafter was crunch time, It was my third or fourth time to direct a shoot, to teach people how to pose and what sort of things I want to happen – delivered through – and this Baguio Cosplay Community was more than what I expected.

It’s really weird on how we take things for granted and how much we take advantage of every opportunity – but meeting the community made me open my eyes to what could be the biggest potential that the Cosplay community of Manila should be aware about. One of which is that these community never had big events – they don’t have backings of big Otaku Events, or organizers to create something that these people should rave. They have two events per year versus Manila having a calendar filled with fun activities. The events are just simply joining the flower parade every February and some lucky event in the nearby mall. Some of the people would travel 4 to 6 hours just to attend an event and not stay long – and that’s just sad.

Another is the community is huge for I had 100+ people invited to my FB Event Invite, I lost count to how many responded to my ad, and I was told there are more. With this massive community, there should be something or out there would take interest in hosting an activity – more so take opportunity that Baguio is one of the places of the next big thing. They have awesome scenery, places to do shoot, from the lakes of Burnham Park, to the city vibe of Session Road, to the vast Bell Tower and it is one whole city of a Fantasy Quest.  There are so many things I want to rave about my time for the community, and so much so as to rant about something but I may discuss it some other time, as how I will piece that ranting. Overall, I had really so much fun meeting people – and the hospitality I got, was a blessing to my vacation, more so I miss them already. Baguio was deemed like another home to me, and this reassures me going back every time. The smiling faces, the laughs, the fist bumps, and the hugs, is something that always replay in my mind. I got more than what I bargained for, what something never intended, for I thought it was just those vacations, shoot and go – lead to a learning experience. I learned, curiosity is a good thing – to try something new is good, because you never what it will lead you, it may lead you to something fun. 

the game has changed

It's been two months since I last wrote something, and my sincerest apologies for not informing everyone of my whereabouts. It is one of those moments, where one's pure thoughts has become more quiet, where nothing comes out thus my creative or lust for writing just stopped.

Yuri Nanami, Sin City

With these two months I was able to reflect, and took time off, It was also on February I took time to do Sin City, A photo shoot meant for the All Star Traps of Cosplay, to those who are the uninitiated to this term, Traps are cross dressers, they are not gender benders, they are the transgender community of Cosplay. Traps came from the Star Wars verse "It's a Trap!", which lead to also the feeling your talking to a beautiful goddess but instead your talking to a dude.

I have nothing against the transgender community, I even wrote love advice in my other other blog, Black Out Love. Moving forward, what lead to a heavy preparation, that lead to lot's of last minute replacements, from 6 of whom I called for a casting call, I had to settle for two who showed up for the shoot, and a make-up artist who is fairly new to my wing. Nonetheless, it was a good shoot, it was something that I have to get used to, A creative nightmare - rust, I haven't done a fashion themed shoot since November. I was thankful with the models who showed up, luckily it was my Cosplay daughter Nickhers Concepcion, who is familiar on how I do things and a new comer to the fashion scene but eager to learn, Yuri Nanami. All have opposite styles and takes - One is sweet, and the other, the rebel. And this rebel nearly got me into trouble, because we got looks and stares from crowds  - dissing her, and tossing all sort of rudeness - thus I can say Bonifacio Global City is a homophobic crowd - in insulting way. Yuri, flung her middle finger to the jeers, but I had to keep my cool. Thankfully I had Angie, my other Cosplay daughter, was my backup photographer,  was also able to keep me sane, and I am pretty much  still in awe with her skills,  she took spectacular shots - impressive.

Thanks to Kex Puerto

It was a good February, that leads me to some of my shoots in K-Pub BBQ, just for an office gathering, it was Rewards and Recognition for our department, it's been a while for half a year I have been working for that Line of Business, I took a decent good number of shots by the street, with co-workers and the insides of the pub.

March was a tumbling month, of highs and lows, my depression sort of came back but took me a while to fight back and get back on my feet, I missed out by not attending the Tamashii Con, and TagCom, since I was up in Baguio with someone in doing a Fifty Shades of Gray themed shoot, - and yes it was a porn to remember. and I also was able to meet some cool photographers while doing some shots in Camp John Hay, and learned the growing Cosplay Baguio community, in which got me excited when I go up again. I managed to host a reunion on the last week of March, with former PinoyExchange members, people whom rocked the Internet in the early 2000's, it was my way to meet friends of way back when, people who I viewed, were the pioneers of Social media, it was there also I got to meet my online crush - sweetKay... Of the 12 who confirmed via Facebook, slid down to 3 came - crush was there and the other 2 with their respective wives,and children. We had dinner at Omakase in Ayala Triangle -  there it was a time for us to have Sushi and Tempura, and had lot's of catch up.

Me and sweetkay of Life is Kulayful,Post Pex Dinner

So... Good bye March! Good Evening April! There's a lot of things to look forward to lately, and just to announce - I think I may found my significant other - which I do hope leads to a promising future, the other side is that my work life is thrown back to the graveyard, Hello! The Working Dead. I also look forward to attending the up coming con before the end of April, and hope I can push my shoot titled Inked! before the motnh ends, a casual shoot with my inked or tattooed friends, and colleagues of mine at work place.

It's 6:28 PM, and I am close to dinner time, hope to write more soon, and honestly, it feels good to write again.