SMUG Metro Manila meet at Wabi-Sabi

SMUGs Metro Manila had another meet last Friday December 2, 2011 and it was our last meet for the year. It was an exciting evening at the cozy Wabi-sabi Restaurant at The Collective in Makati as we had a guest speaker and mini photo contest for the evening.  Speaking that evening is one of the Canon Ambassadors, Edwin Martinez as he shares some of his knowledge on Landscape Photogtaphy. He also brought in some prizes courtesy of Canon Philippines for the winners of our photo contest.

Tracey discussing some things about Smugs Group

The theme was landscapes and the first place was given to Greg for his Hunan Rice Terraces and the runner up was given to Allan for his Saranggani Mangroves Sunset. Black Pencil Project also graced us giving away 4 lens pens for our raffle. Our next meet will be in January 2012. For updates check out our FB SMUG Metro Manila Page and Meetup.com for meet updates. Smugs Metro Manila is brought to you by www.smugmug.com

Edwin Martinez shares his knowledge on Landscape Photography

Some entries from our Photo Contest

The night's group hug

SMUG Metro Manila group hug last night

It was an exciting night for us co-leaders, Tracey Heppner and Me. It started with an idea of bringing the exciting SMUGs community here in the Philippines which is really popular in the Europe and USA. And finally officially launching it here was a really exciting endeavor. It was really an informal night of getting to know each other during the launch but it was the groundwork that would lead to other exciting activities for the coming months.

Tracey and the participants at the SMUG Meet at AIM

We thank the 18 guests who joined us that night. I thought it was a pretty good turn-out of participants. We would also like to thank Juned of Blog and Soul who helped us secure the venue at AIM. SMUGs Metro Manila is here and we’re the first in South East Asia. Expect exciting things to happen so join us if would like to learn more about this new Photography Community.

You can like our Facebook SMUG Metro Manila and join our MeetUp Site for those real time alerts!

Dinner Kwentuhan after the meet

Participants at the Basic Photography Workshop

This is a bit late but I would like to thank the Doctor’s of Dipolog for participating in a Basic Photography Workshop organized by Nestle Philippines last September 11. I enjoyed sharing my knowledge with you guys. It’s great you people are really enthusiastic in Photography. Many thanks as well to the Nestle folks there for the being a gracious host and letting me do this Photo Workshop.

Am excited to do another Photo Workshop again on Travel and Landscape  this October in Bagac, Bataan for another group of Doctors.

SMUGs Metro Manila

Yep you heard it right! SmugMug is coming to Manila for the first time and we’d like you to be a part of it. Best of all, its FREE!

Join us on September 30, 2011, Friday at AIM (Asian Institute of Management) in Makati, 7-9pm as we hold our first SMUGs (SmugMug Groups) meet in Metro Manila.

What to expect? Co-leading with me will be the awesome wedding destination photographer Tracey Heppner. We’ll both talk about our photography and share why we organized a SMUGs here in Metro Manila. At the same time we hope to hear from you too! We’ll also share what’s in line for the group every month starting from the first meet till next year.

If you’re interested to join us SIGN UP HERE! Like our SmugMug Metro Manila Facebook Page as well for additional details.

What the hell is a SMUGs you ask? Here’s a description from their website:

Do you dream in megapixels? Would you consider giving up a kidney for a Canon 5D Mark II?

You’re not weird. You’re one of us.

And we think you’d fit right in at a SmugMug User Group (SMUG), a mug-to-mug gathering of photographers like you.

A SMUG is a place where you can learn, teach and meet up with other photographers who share your passion. It’s also how we can tell you what’s happening in our world and discover what’s happening in yours. SMUGs are a great way to connect with other photographers and add a few weapons to your creative arsenal.

and so what will happen at these SMUG meet-ups? well…..

Things to Expect at a SMUG
You Learn: Guest speakers will light up the room with their wisdom for shooting great images and making money with photography.

You Talk: Make contacts and connect with other pros in the know. Monthly meetings set the stage for infinite opportunities.

We Listen: SMUG leaders stay in close contact with SmugMug and share your requests and gripes with our team. We also love photography as much as you, so be prepared to spot a Smugger at your local meeting.

sounds pretty amazing, right? now what is the catch? well here is what is NOT the catch:

Things You Will Never Do
• Open your wallet: Save your money for new gear. SMUGs are free.

• Sign up for anything: There are no commitments, no requirements and no vacation timeshare offers here.

• Hold hands and sing Kumbayah: We love ya… but not that much.

so what will you bring to SMUG other than yourself and maybe a friend or two? let me tell you:

• Friends. Relatives. Strangers.
• Ideas: Good. Bad. Crazy.
• Toys: Make us drool.
• You: Drop in. Talk shop.

A detailed shot, part of the Art Installation at Imprints at Cubao X

Last night was Dispatch Media’s first  Travel X Thursday featuring IMPRINTS: Soul on Sole. it’s a travel art installation by Pilipinas Street Plan featuring 30 extraordinary nomads and know the tales behind their favorite travel footwear! It was a blast getting to meet fellow travelers for a while all in one place. The Art installation was really interesting, especially the part where the photos merge with the real life installation. It was also a pleasure to finally meet local author Caloy Libosada of the “26 Days Around the Philippines” fame, that book was a big influence when I started traveling.  Sharing a few photos from that evening.

Art Installation Exhibit by the Street Plan

2D merging with 4-D very nice

Computerized Sound System for the night

My worn out Sanuk

Check out more images from the even here from my Smugmug Gallery

Step into the music of Switch (Olympus E-PL1, Lumix 20mm, 1/50, f1.7, ISO 100)

It was one of those rare times where people can linger around MRT stations and bring their cameras out to take some pictures. It was also one afternoon for me where I get to do some station hopping just to see what bands were playing. Last Sunday, December 12, was Rock the Riles 2010 brought to you by RockED. It’s an annual event held every Sunday of December near the Human Rights Day.

Toto Sorioso (Olympus E-PL1, Lumix 20mm, 1/30sec, f1.7, ISO 800)

8 MRT Stations with around 96 bands playing simultaneously to help bring awareness on people’s Human Rights. Sharing here are a few shots I managed to capture. I didn’t stay long but I managed to watch Johnoy Danao, Switch and Toto Sorioso. I was looking to watch other bands but didn’t catch them. Maybe next time.

Rock the Riles at Ayala MRT (Olympus E-PL1, Lumix 20mm, 1/50sec, f1.7, ISO 800)

Marine Barrage, Singapore (Olympus E-P1)

I’m finally back in Manila. I was in Singapore for almost 11 days. And funny when I was there, I usually explore the famed country in the afternoon welcoming the evening. Witnessing the day break and greeted by Singapore’s majestic lights by night. I like the city, a bit expensive but surprisingly unique as it says. But beyond that there are seldom seen sights in the island I was able to explore which I will soon be chronicling on Ironwulf.net.

Nuffnang Awards Best Travel Blog Nominees from Ferdz Decena on Vimeo.

And I think one of the highlights of my stay there is attending Nuffnang’s First Asia-Pacific Blog Awards held in Pan Pacific October 23 2009. It was a night where more than 200 bloggers from Malaysia, Singapore, Australia and Philippines converged. It was grand and exciting and fun. And what made it more special when I got Best Travel Blog Awards that night for Ironwulf.net. My heartfelt thanks to all.

Nuffnang Trophy

I have to give credit to Nuffnang’s Ming and Tim. Coming from a leaking office at the start and being this big is an inspiring feat. And initiating a blogging event at this scale is also an achievement. Closing this dispatch with this year’s twelve winners on Nuffnang Asia-Pacific Blog Awards.

• Best Blogshop: bonitochico.livejournal.com
• Best Food Blog: ieatishootipost.sg
• Best Fashion Blog: ladymelbourne.blogspot.com
• Best Parenting Blog: childhood101.blogspot.com
• Best Travel Blog: ironwulf.net
• Best Celebrity Blog: joannepeh.com
• Best Entertainment Blog: kennysia.com
• Best Geek Blog: mrgadget.com.au
• Best Hidden Gem: dedoodleblog.blogspot.com
• Best Original Blog Design: xiaxue.blogspot.com
• Most Influential Blog: xiaxue.blogspot.com
• Region’s Best Blog: xiaxue.blogspot.com