Ferdz Decena

Traveling far with the Eagle Creek Afar Eagle Creek has been evolving in terms of branding and design. Recently, they sported a new logo and a much more defined collection line. I have been in search for a 30+ L capacity bag to replace my 5 years old Deuter Trans Alpine and found the attractive ochre-colored Eagle Creek Afar Backpack to my liking. It’s one of those bags versatile bags I can take on short trips or some city strolls. I’ve used the Eagle Creek Afar Backpack extensively for more than 3 months now and have taken it to several places already like Tagaytay, Coron and Camiguin so I can fairly say I know more about it now to warrant a fair review.

The Canon EOS 700D top entry-level Rebel with the EF-S 18-55mm kit lens Canon seems to have hit the right formula when it comes to making a DSLR for consumers moving up from the compact camera users. Their Rebel series has been very popular as “entry-level” camera as it tries to balance features while keeping the price in check and the controls to be user friendly. Last April 2013, they introduced their latest “top entry-level” of the Rebel series, the Canon EOS 700D (Rebel T5i) . I spent some time with the Canon EOS 700D and shares my impressions here. Not really a full review as I don’t think I tested the camera features up to the hilt. But I will cover the features which I’m sure new buyers and beginners would mostly be using.

The Mirror Box where you can peek into the world of Yayoi Kusama Delve into a world where obsession of patterns and a world of dots hallucination materialize into a captivating art form. Suicidal in nature, Japanese artist and writer, Yayoi Kusama , is still alive and breathing at the age of 84 and still creates works of art that is vibrant, dynamic, sensual and remains relevant even at this time. “Art is my therapy!” She says, whenever she has suicidal thoughts, she would ask her “art” what she would do. A contemporary of Andy Warhol, Kusama led a fascinating life despite her bitter childhood, yet her work is exuberant that it even inspired designers from Louis Vuitton to create a line after her. For the first time in the Philippines, Ayala Museum presents Kusama’s works in  “I Love Kusama”  exhibit, an unraveling of more than 200 original art and commercial pieces from the private collection of Lito and Kim Camacho.

The new New Balance Minimus Road 10v2 I had to retire my aging pair of New Balance All-terrain running shoes and went out shopping for a new one. I got very curious with barefoot running that I got really interested at the Vibram FiveFingers at first. Thinking I’m not up for fully barefoot running yet, I decided to go with a safe choice for a brand which is still New Balance , which I have trusted for years. I found out they got minimal running shoes with their Minimus line and decided to try the New Balance Minimus Road 10v2 . A month after, more than 70km run and gym use later, how did I find this minimal shoes perform?

KEEN entered the market in 2003 with a fresh and excitingly innovative approach in Alameda, California. The brand impressed the world with its radical departure from the ordinary with its special hybrid sandal that features a protective toe bumper – allowing the feet to get utmost protection while enjoying the breezy comfort of a sandal. In no time, KEEN flourished as an international brand embraced by many. In 2006, the company relocated to Portland, Oregon where they established its official headquarters.

Photo printing on the Canon Pixma MX927 There’s fulfillment in printing photographs. I always feel accomplished whenever I see my work on print wether it be on a glossy magazine or a photo lab print. While the image may look good on the screen, seeing the tangible details right in front of you is a lot more amazing to look at. It’s a good thing I had the chance to print out some of my photos (as well as some from my friends) just to see the quality of Canon’s latest inkjet printer, the Canon Pixma MX927 . Will this all-in-one printer be a jack-of-all-trade and master of none? I tested the printer to find out how it performs.

Expert Shield on my OM-D I’m actually one of those persons who don’t believe in screen protectors since most screens are made to withstand scratches. But there are exemptions to some. Put a phone in a pocket with keys and coins most of the time there would be chances it would get some scratch. The same for camera screens which usually is a an object of abuse when bringing it out on travel. Cameras sometimes collide together with other items when in a pack or even out in the open when hiking or rummaging in a busy street. Either way, LCD screens gets scratched one way or another. I’ve been contemplating on getting a screen guard for my OM-D and it was timely that Expert Shield Screen Protector sent in a few samples specific to my Olympus OM-D to try out.