Mabuhay Magazine January 2012 Finding Rizal Spread

Mabuhay is probably the longest running Travel and Lifestyle Magazine in the Philippines. Now the inflight magazine is no longer confined inside the business class cabins on local flights or in the international flights of Philipine Airlines since last month as they have already gone commercial with the magazine now available at the stands. The January 2012 is a jam-packed 152 page with features on Beijing and Shanghai, interview with Robin Esrock and a section on “How to shoot festivals” especially on this month of festivities. I also contributed a story with photos about Dipolog and Dapitan on “Finding Rizal” from my last visit there in 2011. Check it out when your onboard or at the bookstores and magazine stands.

3rd page and the current cover

On the contributor's box

Book Cover of Ghost Train to the Eastern Star

The premise, retrace his route from his travel narrative that shot him to fame with his Great Railway Bazaar. It was a book published in 1975 recounting his railway journey from London to Asia, Japan and Back through the Trans-Siberian express. 30 years later, around 2005, Paul Theroux, now much mature, relived the journey which resulted to the book Ghost Train to the Eastern Star.

I have never read his Great Railway Bazaar but I found it wasn’t a problem with this book as we would give glimpses on what it’s like on his first journey. In fact each chapter can stand alone, like if you want to read a portion on Japan or Vietnam, it would not be a problem.

But take heed this is not a guide but more of a personal account and he does it with exceptional writing. He’s a keen observer and touches a lot on the social and the political state of a country. His narrative is fluid and emotional at times but can be brash and egotistic as well. But one thing is for sure, he is a very good writer even if I sometimes don’t really agree with his views.

What I really enjoyed is portions where he met up with different authors I also enjoy reading like Haruki Murakami and Pico Iyer in Japan or Isaac Asimov in Sri Lanka. I’m glad to read about these authors for a change and to have them traveling together in one book was exciting. It also gave me an idea of how the mind of a travel writer likes Theroux works, learning about his method on recording while he travels.

I also like his encounter with strangers which is really the heart of this book. It’s not entirely about the destination or the passing scenes from his cabin window. It is also about his fellow passengers, his tuk-tuk drivers, the landlords and his guides. His intelligent questions to strangers led them to open up their stories for him to note down. He may sometimes be too critical with his meticulous descriptions of people to the point of insult but I think that was his honest way to get back at them.

I took me quite a while to finish the whole book, not because it was dragging or lengthy but because of my lack of time to read. But I never got lost picking up the book from where I left off. Ghost Train to the Eastern Star is one of the non-fiction travel books I was really engaged reading when I start flipping through the pages again. There are a lot of insights in this book not only about a destination but for a traveler himself shaped by his journey.

A Photographer using his DSLR

I have been asked a lot on what camera to use or what brand is the best one to buy. Honestly that’s a real tricky question as there are a lot of factors to consider. Being one of the Olympus endorsers in the Philippines I may give a biased answer in a fly so I don’t want to give a specific brand. Here’s an article I wrote for a magazine at least a year ago which I think is still relevant at this time. Since that Magazine never saw the light of its second issue, I might as well publish it here with a few changes to adapt to time. Hope this one helps.

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We call it the “Happy Shot” — that one single photograph amongst the many attempts that captured the perfect moment. It may be the perfect smile on a portrait. The best light on a landscape. Or that unexpected candid action on an event. It’s what every photographer yearns for. The sheer pleasure of taking home the shots that you would be proud to hang on your wall, post on the internet and show off to your friends. Your quest for your own “Happy Shot” begins with getting the camera that’s right for you.

“There are no rules for good photographs, there are only good photographs”. – Ansel Adams

Know your Objective. It is a great time to get into photography with of the huge selection of cameras to choose from on a wide range of prices, but this also makes choosing the right equipment confusing. So how do you pick the right camera for you? The best way is to know your objective first. Will you be shooting people, events, sports, landscapes or travel?

Choosing a Camera. Shooting Sports, requires a camera that can shoot fast at least 5 frames per second. Landscape Photography captures rich details on a vast panorama and cameras that is capable of capturing those minute details in a scenery. Event Photography like weddings, parties and concerts requires cameras that can shoot images in various lighting conditions including dim-light low lighting. Wildlife photography calls for cameras that can zoom in from afar while Street Photography calls for cameras with stealth and unobtrusive as not to intrude on subjects. For general shooters, most entry-level cameras which are trimmed down in features and price are all capable.

A photographer shooting portraits

Digital Single Lens Reflex. An excellent tool to use in learning the basics since it has manual controls and interchangeable lenses to suit different purposes. The cheapest entry level DSLR kit comes with a basic lens and can go for as low as Php 25,000. Be ready to build your selection of high grade lenses because in time you’ll outgrow the basic lens that came with the kit. But this also means you have to be ready for the bulk and weight to get those images.

Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Cameras. The new format initiated by Olympus and Panasonic called Micro Four Thirds did away with the traditional mirror mechanism to make them lighter and compact compared to DSLRs. And now this is a fast growing market with Samsung and Sony following with their own versions. They are small and versatile. For a small package, the quality is in par with regular DSLRs. But like DSLRs be ready to invest on good lenses to get the most out of it and their lens line are growing fast yes still on a premium price being new.

Advance Point and Shoots. These are compact cameras that have manual controls with fixed lenses that are versatile and powerful enough to deliver quality images. Panasonic LX5, Canon S95, Olympus XZ-1 and Samsung TL500 are some of the cameras in this line. Key advantage is they are easy to carry.

Picking the Pixels. Images from digital cameras are made up of pixels. And the more megapixels, the bigger the print. Unless you’re going to print for large billboards, 10-12 megapixels are enough for most use. Don’t be too blinded with cameras with a whopping number of megapixels, it will just eat space on your hard drive.

Less is more. Buy only what you need. It’s easy to get excited when buying gears but ask yourself first if you’ll be able to use those gears. For cameras, you’ll get better value on good condition second hand camera bodies. Quality lenses are an investment since you can retain them even if you change camera bodies.

A monk shooting the falls at Laos

Get Comfortable. The main thing to remember when choosing your equipment is that you should be comfortable with the camera controls and features that fit your shooting style and objective. We often hear the saying “It’s the Indian not the Bow and Arrow” but in truth it should be both. The Indian may do the shooting but it also helps if the bow and arrow is in good condition. To make it simple, when shooting you shouldn’t be struggling with your camera, you should be at ease with the camera in hand.

Learn the Basics then Break the Rules. Point and shoot, shutter speed, aperture priority, ISO and composition. If those terms sound alien to you then better get started on the basics because these are the elements you mix up to get the desired exposure. One easy way to learn photography is to attend workshops and learn from professionals. Workshops are a great way to learn techniques and shooting styles but don’t get too lost in the technical aspects that you lose out on the artistic side. Ultimately, it is a creative eye that will spell the difference between a striking image and a technically perfect but less impressive capture.

In the end there is no single “Right Camera” but there is a camera that may be right for you at the moment. Don’t you think?

Seair Inflight Insider's Guide Opener Spread Feb-March 2011

It’s all about Romantic Getaways, Room for Twos and finding the Best Booze on Seair Inflight’s February-March 2011 Issue. Also inside is a walk through Binondo to welcome this year’s Year of the Rabbit. Got a photo on their opening spread for “The China Syndrome”. Check out the rest of the issue’s feature at Seair Inflight’s Facebook Page.

Seair Inflight InTheNews Dec-Jan 2011

Seair Inflight Magazine has a new look for2011. Check out their new layout on their facebook profile page and do tell what you think. I got a small photo contribution here for their InTheNews section from my recent post on Ayala Triangle Gardens Symphony of Lights. If flying Seiar anytime, checkout the magazine onboard.

Take the plunge in Bohol Adventure

Ready… set… Action! Whether it’s that adrenaline pumping activity or that really exotic delicacy, adventure is the name of the game in this August-September Issue of Seair Inflight. Get on the adventure side of Bohol beyond the Chocolate Hills, surf through the slew of activities in La Union with insider guide Luke Landrigan, and try out exotic delights with Stephanie Zuibiri. So if you find yourself riding any Seair Flight check out the latest issue. In the meantime, here are spreads from the Bohol Adventure cover story.

Bohol EAT Danao Zip Line and Rapelling

Buggy Ride at the rough trails of Baclayon

Bohol Pamilacan Island Dolphin Watching and Relaxation

Inflight June July Ins and outs

Taking Photos and writing the stories has been the theme on my published works lately. In the latest issue of Seair Inflight, June-July 2010, I was able to contribute 3 features: El Nido’s Ins & Outs Guide, Le Bistro Vert’s Indulge feature and a report on Mandala Spa’s TREEtment project for InTune. While the latter was a bit impromptu, I welcomed the task. Besides it’ll help in improving my writing. This June-July 2010 is the Green Issue where we focus on the environment and anything organic. Features story on Hacienda San Benito, a focus on 3 eco-resorts, a guide to the natural wonders and an interview with Chin-chin Guiterrez. Check out my contribution pages.

Inflight Ins and Outs Page 2

Inflight Indulg Le Bistro Vert

Inflight InTune Mandala Spa TREEtment Project