Carcar City Trip

Carcar City Rotunda

It was a gloomy weekend on February 2011 when one of my officemates organized a road trip going to the southern part of Cebu - my first trip with my DSLR camera. This was some kind of a heritage tour which includes visiting old churches, town landmarks and ancestral houses. First on our list was Carcar City.

With my colleagues inside the bus

Carcar is located approximately 40 kilometers from Cebu City. We took a bus ride from the Cebu City South Bus Terminal and we arrived after 45 minutes in the downtown area.

Carcar City Museum

The city is known for its old houses which are mostly of Spanish and American design showing that the place is really rich in culture. Even though Carcar is already considered a city, the townspeople have been successful in preserving most of the ancestral houses along the national highway despite the fast emergence of commercial centers.

Manny at Balay nga Tisa

A few of our destinations were St. Alexandria Church, Balay nga Tisa, the famous Rotunda and their shoe retail outlet.

With Nelly, Ghia, Charles and Jobel at Carcar City Rotunda.

At Carcar City shoe retail outlet

This was my first time to have a walk in Carcar and took photos with my friends. This is only just the start of our heritage tour in the Southern part of Cebu.

Oh wait! I forgot to mention their delicious delicacies like "Ampaw" and "Chicharon". If you want to try and taste it, visit Carcar City now!

My Plantation Bay Episode

It was summer of 2011, my unforgettable experience in Plantation Bay Resort and Spa for free. Yeah, you are right, it's free.  Why it's free? Here we go.

When one of my colleague posted a link on Facebook last April 2011 that Plantation Bay will having a photo contest on their resort, well, I just click the link and go directly to their website. This time, I was so excited because this would be my chance to enter on one of the best resort in Asia. The excitement really goes to the highest level when they said that there's no registration fee and the entrance is free. Then, I just filled up the forms and email it to Plantation Bay and after that, they gave a schedule for our shoot.

Straight from the office after duty, I go directly to Marigondon in Mactan Island where Plantation Bay is located with my friend photographer, Rafael. It was 2 O'clock in the afternoon, the sun is up, the sky is blue and the weather is really good. Perfect when the staff of the hotel really gave us a warm welcome and they really treat us as a guest. So overwhelming, it was a five star greetings.

At the lobby, we start taking pictures, observing some of the guest that was entertained by some hotel personnel. They are really hospitable. They are treating everyone as VIP. The lobby pond is great, lots of colorful fishes, it really takes away my stress from work. Then after that, we go around the resort and whoah... the resort is really big. Time to Shoot.

Like a village in a resort, there are lots of swimming pools and different kind of accommodations with modern Western and Mediterranean architectures. 

This is one of the fresh swimming pools in Plantation Bay.

The pool was clear, so fresh and really tempting. I want to jump and swim. 

The bamboo fountain outside the Spa

The Mogambo Spring at Plantation Bay Spa

It feels like we are in ancient zen garden. The ambiance is so relaxing and the landscapes are really beautiful.

The Kilimanjaro Cafe

              I believe, this is where the buffet lunch/dinner were served. Plantation Bay has a lot of restaurants and International food choices. They have Palermo Cafe & Bar, Fiji restaurant, Savannah Grill and Kilimanjaro Cafe(photo above). Good thing  that we ate snacks before  we go inside the resort. The prices of the food here is a little bit expensive but they say that the food is great because they have a good and award winning international Chef. So much for the food, let's go to the beach!

Plantation Bay Beach with speed boat and Jet Ski for water sports and fun rides.

The beach scenery was amazing. The small white beach is quite, simple yet elegant and I'm sure that the guests will really love to have a sun bathing here. We stay here for almost an hour, just sitting on their mini port veranda.We keep on talking about the resort on how it was developed. We are lucky enough to get inside the resort.

The sea water pools  inside the Plantation Bay surrounded by different accommodations, rooms and cottages.

The Water Edge accommodation.
My favorite room. I wish I could stay here even just for one night.

We are now watching the sun to set and waiting for an evening lights. Perfect! Plantation Bay were having a "Night in the Plantation Bay" program. A night of entertainment with a dinner buffet for all the guests. Lights on the stage as the beautiful ladies and talented gentlemen performed on an spectacular modern and ethnic dance.

Fire dance during the Night at the Plantation Bay

If you are really  a guest, there are still lots of activities that you can experience in the resort like biking, kayaking, wall climbing and riding on their Kalesa.

Self Portrait before leaving Plantation Bay: Playing with the lights on lobby. 

After 6 hours of clicking and shooting at the Plantation Bay Resort and Spa, our tummy is now complaining. It's time to go home.

 This is one of my unforgettable experience in the summer of 2011. Even though we didn't swim on their pools, or stay on their very luxurious rooms, we are still lucky enough to tour around and see the beautiful Plantation Bay. 

I hope that someday i will go here for an overnight stay and experience the real hospitality as a real guest not just a visiting photographer. I really recommend this resort for vacations, relaxations and for fun. This is an all in one resort.

You can visit their website for booking and inquiries at http://plantationbay.com. Or you can go directly to the resort located at Marigondon, Mactan Island, Cebu, Philippines.

Food Photography(For the First Time!)

Last June 2011, one of my friend in facebook leave a private message. He told me if I'm available for a photo-shoot. I don't have any idea if what kind of subject am I going to take, he just took my contact info and then in a moment, my phone ring. I answer the phone and a lady was talking. I introduce my self and she interviewed me about photography. I'm talking now with the Account Manager of a hotel in Cebu City--Golden Peak Hotel! Weeeeww... Sweating! First time to make a deal with this kind of person. She scheduled me for a meeting about what we are going to shoot. I also invited one of my istorya.net buddy that love to take pictures. Then, we make a shooting proposal for the entire hotel. One of the highlights of what we going to shoot is their restaurant-- Cafe Lucita.

On the first day of our shoot, our camera was set on the restaurant and bars. We took shots on the bar settings and of course their food and food and lots of food...hehe...

Here are some of my shots:

Leche flan

"Mangang Hilaw"(Green Mango) with Hipon

Calamari

Pork Steak Combo meal

Puto? Puto!(Steamed rice cake)

After shooting, we had a great lunch buffet. Yeah!

For more photos, please visit my Facebook and Flickr Photostream.

A visit to Olango Island Cebu

Olango Island, a known wildlife sanctuary island that belongs to the Olango group of islands that found in Central Visayas Region. Composing of the main island Olango and the 6 islets namely: Sulpa, Gilutungan, Nalusuan, Caohagan, Pangan-an, and Camugi. It lies between the Bohol strait in the north and Camotes sea in the South. Olango Island is located 5 kilometers east of Mactan Island.

Using "Banca de motor" or motor boats and a ferry boat as a main transportation to cross the Island from Hilton Wharf in Mactan, our vessel was departed around 8AM and arrive at the island after 20 minutes.

This photowalk in Olango was headed by the masters and professional photographers namely: Jeffrey Go and Alberto Abay. We are only 4 in this walk including Miss Mary Luz Tubal. We started our walk from the port area of Olango going to the Wildlife Sanctuary.

Here are some of my shots:

"Inosente"

One of the livelihood in the Island--Shell craft

Looking at you

You can check my facebook account to see all the photos in our Olango journey -- Manny Rulona.

Life at Downtown Cebu

Last August 13, 2011, photography enthusiast in Cebu and some different photography clubs gathered together in a photowalk in downtown Cebu. It was organized by Istorya.net Photography Club and 1up2down Photography team. The walk aim to unite the DSLR, Point and shoot and film camera users in Cebu.

Photo by dbgg

Around 6:30AM, the participants are divided into groups and then the walk was officially started. I was part of the group 2 route where it was headed by the IPC. Our route were from Magellans Cross, Cathedral, Colon, Carbon then going to Plaza Independencia. Due to the scattered rain shower we did a lot of shortcuts. We planned also to go Taboan public market but we opted not to go there because of the bad weather condition. But still, the weather calm down and Mr.sun shines perfectly on a very cloudy morning.

The organizer came up a theme for us to shoot--"Simple life".

Here are some of my shots:

They call him 'grease man'. "Taong grasa"

Preparing for a good market. Looks like selling a crap but it isn't a crap. This is the real third world country business ey!

Busy Lincoln Street in Carbon Public Market at 8AM.

Banana lady on her tobacco.

My friend, boss Rafael, shopping galore on a sidewalk toilet bowl. They're on SALE!

Melted prayer. At Sto. Niño candle stand.

I just remember when I was in college, I always see this man everyday in an alley near Metro Gaisano Department store. Poor blind man. The government should help him!

A boy watches his little sister playing a candle. (Outside Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral front gate)

Photo by dbgg: Last stop at the new Plaza Independencia. "We survive!"

This is the life at the downtown area. As time goes by, busy people walking down the streets as cars, Jeepneys and other vehicles speeding the highway--and behind these scenery, I saw different emotions, people that needs comfort and care and some things that need improvement.

Oh oh.. Let's stop! Too much drama.

Well, I'm having fun of this photowalk. I met a lot of photography enthusiasts and put them in my friends database.

After the walk, we go directly to SM City Cebu with my buddy Boss Raffy to shoot in a cosplaying activity at the entertainment center. Weeww... We still have energy for this day! Yeah!

For more photos, you can check my flickr photostream. - Manny Pacz

DSLR Generation

October 2010, when I decided to buy my first DSLR Camera. For a month of searching and comparing prices all over the internet and some store in Cebu, I found a great deal in istorya.net forum. Not that cheap, but its price has a big difference compared in department store.

Here it is, the Canon EOS 1000D. Excellent for a newbie like me.

FEATURES:

Superb Imaging Performance • 10.1 megapixels APS-C size CMOS sensor • DIGIC III imaging processor for fine-detail, and natural colour processing. • Picture Styles optimized for the photographic subject and intention • Accurate white balance • Six preset WB and manual WB • Auto Lighting Optimizer – automatically set in Basic Zone modes and manually, via custom function in Creative Zone modes. • Noise reduction for long exposures • Noise reduction for high ISO speeds • Complies to Design rule for Camera File System 2.0 and Exif 2.21 which support Adobe RGB High speed & quick response • High precision 7-point autofocus (AF) • Flexible setting of ISO speed to adjust camera's sensitivity to light for best exposure (ISO 100 – 1600) • 3 metering modes: Evaluative, Partial, Centre-weighted average. • 8 White Balance settings to fine-tune white balance as desired: - Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten light, Fluorescent light, Flash, Custom. • Fast continuous shooting speed of 3fps • Maximum shutter speed of up to 1/4000sec. and X-sync speed of 1/200sec. • Fast 0.1sec. start-up time • Maximum burst of approx. 5 for RAW Type images

Evolved ease of use • IS kit lens included • Increased battery capacity • 2.5” better & brighter LCD • Better and brighter viewfinder • Live View with contrast based AF • New GUI • SDHC card support

SPECIFICATION:

Type
Type	Digital, single-lens reflex, AF / AE camera with built-in flash
Recording media	SD card, SDHC card
Image sensor size	Approx. 22.2 x 14.8mm
Compatible lenses	Canon EF lenses (including EF-S lenses)
Lens focal length	Equivalent to 1.6x the normal lens focal length
Lens mount	Canon EF mount
Image Sensor
Type	High-sensitivity, high-resolution, single-plate CMOS sensor
Pixels	Effective pixels:	Approx. 10.10 megapixels
	Total pixels:	Approx. 10.50 megapixels
Image size	22.2 x 14.8mm
Aspect ratio	2:3 (Vertical:Horizontal)
Colour filter system	RGB primary colour filters
Low-pass filter	Fixed position in front of the image sensor
Dust deletion feature	(1) Self Cleaning Sensor Unit (2) Dust Delete Data acquisition and appending (3) Manual cleaning
Recording System
Recording format	Design rule for Camera File System 2.0 & Exif 2.21
Image type	JPEG, RAW (12-bit, Canon original) RAW + JPEG
Simultaneous recording	RAW and JPEG (Large / Fine) images are recorded simultaneously
File size	(1) L (Large):	Approx. 10.10MB (3888 x 2592 pixels)
	(2) M (Medium):	Approx. 5.30MB (2816 x 1880 pixels)
	(3) S (Small):	Approx. 2.50MB (1936 x 1288 pixels)
	(4) RAW:	Approx. 10.10MB (3888 x 2592 pixels)
File numbering	Continuous numbering, auto reset, manual reset
Colour space	sRGB, Adobe RGB
Picture Style	Standard, Portrait, Landscape, Neutral, Faithful, Monochrome, User Def. 1 - 3
Automatic image brightness correction	Automatically set in the Basic Zone modes. In the Creative Zone modes, settable with C.Fn-5 (Auto Lighting Optimizer)
Noise reduction	(1) Long exposure noise reduction (C.Fn-3) (2) High ISO speed noise reduction (C.Fn-4) Original image verification data: Can be appended (C.Fn-12)
White Balance
Settings	Auto, daylight, shade, cloudy, tungsten light, white fluorescent light, flash, custom
Auto white balance	Auto white balance with the image sensor
White balance correction	(1) Blue / amber bias:	±9 levels
	(2) Magenta / green bias:	±9 levels
White balance bracketing	±3 levels in single-level increments
Viewfinder
Type	Eye-level SLR (with pentamirror)
Coverage	Approx. 95 percent vertically and horizontally
Magnification	Approx. 0.81x (-1 diopter with 50mm lens at infinity)
Eyepoint	21mm
Dioptric adjustment range	-3.0 - +1.0 diopter
Focusing Screen	Fixed
Mirror	Quick-return half mirror (transmittance:reflectance ratio of 40:60)
Viewfinder information	(1) AF information (AF points, focus confirmation light) (2) Exposure information (shutter speed, aperture, AE lock, ISO speed, exposure level, exposure warning) (3) Flash information (flash ready, flash exposure compensation high-speed sync, FE lock, red-eye reduction light) (4) Image information (Monochrome shooting, maximum burst, white balance correction, SD card information)
Depth-of-field Preview	Enabled with depth-of-field preview button
Live View Shooting
Type	Electronic viewfinder with image sensor
Coverage	Approx. 100% vertically and horizontally
Frame rate	30fps (22fps in magnified mode)
Focusing	(1) Manual focus (2) Autofocus (Select from 2 AF modes: Quick mode and Live mode)
Metering	Real-time evaluative metering with the image sensor
Exposure confirmation	Real-time exposure simulation display
Depth-of-field preview	Possible with depth-of-field preview button
Magnified view	Magnify by 5x or 10x at the AF point position
Grid display	Two vertical and two horizontal lattice lines displayable
On-screen information display	Focus, exposure, flash, recorded image, drive mode, battery level
Possible shooting time	Approx. 1.5 continuous hours
Shutter-release time lag	(1) With SW-1 ON, time lag from SW-2 ON to the start of the exposure:	0.08sec.
	(2) With SW-1 and SW-2 pressed simultaneously, time lag until the start of the exposure:	0.14sec.
Remote Live View shooting	Enabled with EOS Utility
Autofocus
Type	TTL-CT-SIR AF-dedicated CMOS sensor
AF Points	7 AF points (Center AF point is cross-type sensitive to f/5.6 and larger apertures)
AF working range	EV 0.5 - 18 (at 23°C / 73°F and ISO 100)
AF-assist beam	Intermittent firing of built-in flash
Focusing modes	(1) Autofocus (One-Shot AF, Predictive AI Servo AF, AI Focus AF) (2) Manual focus
AF Point Selection	(1) Manual selection (2) Automatic selection
Selected AF point display	Superimposed in viewfinder and indicated on the LCD monitor
AF-assist beam	Intermittent firing of built-in flash
Effective range	Approx. 4m / 13.1ft. at center, approx. 3.5m / 11.5ft. at periphery
Exposure Control
Metering system	TTL full-aperture metering with 35-zone SPC (1) Evaluative metering (linkable to all AF points) (2) Partial metering (approx. 10% of viewfinder at center) (3) Center-weighted average metering
Metering Range	EV 1 - 20 (at 23°C / 73°F with EF50mm f/1.4 USM lens, ISO 100)
Exposure modes	Program AE (shiftable), Shutter-priority AE, Aperture-priority AE, Depth- of-field AE (A-DEP, non shiftable), Full Auto (Program AE, non shiftable), Programmed Image Control modes (6 modes), Manual exposure (including bulb), E-TTL II Autoflash Program AE
Exposure beyond range warning	Shutter speed or aperture reading blinks on the LCD monitor and in the viewfinder
ISO speed (Recommended Exposure Index)	Automatically set, 100 - 1600 (in 1-stop increments)
Exposure compensation	±3 stops in 1/3-stop or 1/2-stop increments
AE lock	(1) Auto AE lock (2) Manual AE lock (Enable in all metering modes)
Shutter
Type	Electronically-controlled, focal-plane shutter
Shutter Speeds	1/4000 to 30secs. (1/3-stop increments), bulb, X-sync at 1/200sec.
Shutter release	Soft-touch electromagnetic release
Shutter-release time lag	(1) During SW-1 ON, time lag between SW-2 ON and start of exposure:	Approx. 0.09sec.
	(2) Time lag between simultaneous SW-1/SW-2 ON and start of exposure:	Approx. 0.15sec.
Camera shake warning	Provided in Full Auto and Basic Zone modes
Built-in Flash
Type	Auto pop-up, retractable, built-in flash in the pentamirror
Guide No.	13 / 43 (at ISO 100 in meters / feet)
Recycle time	Approx. 3secs.
Flash coverage	Up to 17 mm focal length
Flash sync speed	Max. X-sync speed 1/200sec.
Autoflash system	E-TTL II autoflash (Evaluative, Average), FE lock
Flash exposure compensation	Up to ±2 stops in 1/3-stop or 1/2-stop increments
Flash-sync timing	1st-curtain and 2nd-curtain sync selectable
Colour temperature	Equivalent to daylight
Red-eye reduction	With red-eye reduction lamp
External Speedlite
Sync contacts	Accessory shoe:	X-sync contact
Flash exposure compensation	±2 stops in 1/3-stop or 1/2-stop increments
External flash settings	Flash function settings and Flash C.Fn settings possible with Speedlite 580EX II via camera menu
Drive System
Drive modes	Single, Continuous, Self-timer (10secs. delay), Self-timer (2secs. delay), Self-timer 10secs. delay + continuous shooting (2 to 10 shots)
Continuous shooting speed	JPEG:	Max. approx. 3 shots/sec.
	RAW:	Max. approx. 1.5 shots/sec.
	RAW + JPEG:	Max. approx. 1.5 shots/sec.
LCD Monitor
Type	TFT colour liquid-crystal monitor
Screen size	2.5in.
Pixels	Approx.230,000
Coverage	Approx. 100%
Brightness adjustment	7 levels provided
Viewing angle	Approx. 170° vertically and horizontally
Image Playback
Image display format	Single image, Index display and Jump display
Highlight alert	Provided (Overexposed highlights blink)
Rotated display	Manual and Auto rotate
Video output	Compatible with NTSC and PAL depending on the video OUT terminal
Image Protection and Erase
Protect	Erase protect (or cancel) each image individually
Erase	Erase single image, erase selected images, erase images in a card, or erase only unprotected images
Direct Printing
Compatible printers	PictBridge-compatible printers
Printable images	JPEG images compliant to Design rule for Camera File System
Digital Print Order Format
DPOF	Version 1.1 compatible
Direct Image Transfer
Compatible images	JPEG and RAW images * Only JPEG images can be transferred as wallpaper on the personal computer screen
Customization
Custom Functions	12 Custom Functions with 32 settings settable with the camera
My Menu registration	Up to six top-tier menu options and Custom Function settings can be registered
Customization
Digital terminal	Hi-speed USB, mini B port
Video OUT terminal	NTSC / PAL selectable
Remote control terminal	Compatible with Remote Switch RS-60E3
Power Source
Battery	Battery Pack LP-E5 x 1
Battery life	With normal shooting:	At 23°C / 73°F, Approx. 600 shots At 0°C / 32°F, Approx. 500 shots
	With Live View shooting:	At 23°C / 73°F, Approx. 200 shots At 0°C / 32°F, Approx. 190 shots
	* The figures above are based on CIPA (Camera & Imaging Products Association) testing standards
Battery check	Automatic (Displayed in 4 levels)
Power saving	Select [Auto power off] after 30secs., 1, 2, 4, 8 or 15mins., or off
Date / time battery	Built-in secondary battery
Startup time	Approx. 0.1sec. Based on CIPA (Camera & Imaging Products Association) testing standards
Dimensions and Weight
Dimensions (W x H x D)	126.1 x 97.5 x 61.9mm / 4.96 x 3.8 x 2.4in.
Weight	450g / 15.9oz. (Body only)
Operation Environment
Operating temperature range	0 - 40° / 32 - 104°F
Operating humidity range	85% or less

source: http://www.canon.com.ph/PRODUCTS/DIGITALCAMERAS/EOS/EOS1000D.aspx

It's been a year since I have this DSLR but still I didn't explore yet all of the features and functions of my camera. There are lots to discover. I don't want to upgrade into higher DSLR unless I have known my 1000D entirely.

You can download the brochure of this product in Canon website.