Lakbay Filipinas, For Your Travel Buddies

Naga City - Holidays are here! Gift suggestions may not just be enough when we try to figure out what to get for the special people around us. One of the basic questions we ask is "What does he/she like?" Perhaps if we know the person too well, getting something useful for them is always the best option. Havaianas recently launched Filipinas 2015 with a new collection. Havaianas continues to celebrate fun, fashion, and creativity as the brand collaborates with three young Filipino artists: Abbey Sy, Alessandra Lanot, and Patrick Cabral. The three designs (Lakbay by Abbey Sy, Laro by Patrick Cabral, and Lasap by Alessandra Lanot) perfectly capture the fun of Philippine travel, food, and childhood games.

NCD is a lifestyle, food, travel blog and everything in between. Having the "Lakbay" pair made me realize that printed photographs are still the best when it comes to retrieving our travel memoirs. While we leave footprints in the places we visit and take nothing but pictures, that precious moment how and where we took them will always linger in our memories. Printed photographs are easier to retrieve and will not need any device to view it. Sure we spend a little extra for developing our shots, but one day, we will surely appreciate that we did have them printed. 

Photo enthusiasts and professionals takes a big deal out of storage devices. Like a decent flash drive is not enough but external hard drives is a must. I regret that I am failing the aspect of having my photos printed and relying too much on the digital advantage. But I guess it's never too late, I hope I can find another time and sit down and extract my photos from my storage devices and have the special ones printed. On the photo are some of the photos that I took way back 2010. That was the last time I did it. Gosh that's too long a time already. Traveling does not stop and photos are now in bulk so let's take time to print them once in a while. 

So if you have travel buddies, getting them this pair will surely boost up their lust for traveling. Like Havaianas, they also remind us to never stop exploring what our country has to offer. Like what I usually say, exploring your own city, province and region is endless.

Bring back the good ol' days with your best friends! This year's Filipinas collection will have the barkada remembering the games, food, and endless summers of childhood. Each pair comes in a drawstring knapsack too. Limited edition pairs are only P1,195 at any All Flip-Flops stores or at any select Havaianas retailers nationwide. 

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Tagbo Sa Puso Kan Bikol

Tagbo Sa Puso Kan Bikol

Plaza Quince Martires

Feb. 26 - 28, 2015

National Arts Month Celebration

Image Source: Naga Smiles to the World FB Page

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BOB Talks with Mango Red

BOB Talks is a pre-event of the Bicol Business Week which is a dialogue conducted by Filipino visionaries to inspire and empower Bikolanos for Entrepreneurship. The second run of #BOBTalks featured Randall Dagooc, one of the Mango Red borthers, an internationally acclaimed wedding and portrait photographers. Two panelists were also invited to provided more insights about the talk with Tammy Azana of The Spiral Sun Travel and Tours and yours truly. The event was held at Bigg's Magsaysay.

Randall, a pure Nagueño described Bicol as a place for good training. The Uragon culture is something that honed them into who they are now. Avoiding to be associated to particular style in their photoshoots is what is important for them. As much as possible they want to go across different perspectives and norms to express their work. They bring out the character of their clients and maximize any resource available. Their works are more than the usual and very extraordinary. MangoRed has been in and out of the country capturing the beauty and soul of what lies beyond what we see. They may be internationally exploring, but they are locally trained the Bicolano culture way and for MangoRed, Bicol, Naga, is still the best. Not only that this is their home, but Bicol is who they are. MangoRed is a  sample portrait of who and what Bicol is all about. Thank you for being an inspiration to fellow Bicolano artists.

For more info about MangoRed and their works visit http://mangored.com

Ms. Tammy Azaña, proprietor of Spiral Sun Travel and Tours today formerly worked as the EA of Tony Meloto of Gawad Kalinga. She married a Bicolano, a mother of one, and it's not the only reason why she feels like she really belongs here. With the passion to help the localities, Spiral Sun does not only aim to tour people around Bicol. For Spiral Sun, it's more than offering the wonders and sights of Bicol to tourists, but most importantly letting their clients feel and experience the real Bicolano culture.  If non Bicolanos learned to love Bicol like Ms. Tammy did, real Bicolanos should be able to appreciate more what we have and be proud of them. 

"Traveling isn't about just going around. It's about going somewhere and savoring the journey. Sprial Sun Travel and Tours is a travel agency with a strong focus on local tourism. We believe in the importance of movement, and believe that travel should be positive moment - in which the happy traveler grows with each experience. " To know more about Spiral Sun and their packages visit www.thespiralsun.com

About the other panelist, well you could just click on the About Us tab up their. Haha

Thank you BobTalks for the opportunity to tag along with the famous Mango Red and the visionary Spiral Sun. Though I'm not used to speaking as Naga City Deck, I hope i was able to inspire the audience in my own NCD way. 

The Best of Bicol is within us all!

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Xplore Naga 2013

XPLORE NAGA 2013

BACK to Peñafrancia 2013 List of Activities
CLICK HERE for the Event Page on Facebook

We offer you one of the largest photography activity this coming Peñafrancia. In tradition in providing you hip and in style events we bring you Xplore Naga 2013. It aims to bring to the upcoming festivities to the forefront of festivals in the country and the world. Participants would be treated to a plethora of festivities and experience that aims to capture what makes the Peñafrancia Festival unique in the world. 

The Photography Academy-Manila in partnership with the Oragon Photographers Association, City Government of Naga and Avenue Square we now give you this event that would surely give you a different take on the usual festivities this September.

Xplore Naga 2013 is an advocacy event for boosting local tourism by The Academy. It is part of our series of PhotoQuests for our Traveller Project, where we will visit local towns and cities with global festivals. 

With this event, first to be held in Naga, we aim to showcase to the world the beauty of Naga and its people by creating a gallery of inspirations, dreams, and hopes and using the power of social media to communicate this message. Photos will all be taken in Naga City during the Peñafrancia Festivities by local and professional photographers and students from Manila and Naga City.

This would be a month long celebration for all. 

We would be giving away awards to winners and an exhibit would follow for the photographs you took for the event at the Plaza Rizal. 

Please take note of the following schedule of activities. 

September 12 to 14, 2013
Naga City, Philippines

CATEGORIES

A. Cellphone Category- No SLR, DSLR? Sure!
B. Student Category- For students/ hobbyists
C. Professional Category- For Professional Photographers
D. Delegation- Biggest Delegations (Schools, Photography Club)
E. BRAND Awards- win awards from Brands such as "Naga City's Award for the Smiling Photo".

I. FOR MANILA PARTICIPANTS

ITINERARY:
September 12

9PM- Departure to NAGA

September 13
Join your fellow hobbyists and Photographers in Bicolandia on the 1st day. Witness Penafrancia Festival & document Naga’s best moments through Photography. Winning photos will be displayed at Xplore Naga Exhibit on September 17 to 21 2013 at the Plaza Rizal, Naga City.

2PM- PhotoQuest Orientation
7PM- PhotoQuest Awarding
10PM- Bonfire

September 14
Let us take you to Naga City and CamSur’s best spots on the 2nd day. Be captivated on a cultural, religious, historical, and fun tour within & outside the City! Learn, Experience, Wakeboard with us!

8AM to 6PM-Cultural, Historical, Nature Tour of Naga City & CamSur
9PM- Departure to MLA

Participation Fees (for METRO MANILA delegates; Limited Slots)
STUDENTS- Php 3,500.00
PROFESSIONALS- Php 4,000.00

*FEE includes TRANSPORTATION (TO & FROM NAGA), ACCOMMODATION, T-Shirts & Program Kit.
__________________________________________________
II. FOR NAGA CITY & NEARBY CITIES, BICOL PARTICIPANTS

September 9 2013
Photojournalism/ Street Photography Workshop with Francis Malasig

Learn how to take your photos to Global news publications like Time, New York Times, or the Washington Post with award winning Photojournalist Francis Malasig on September 9 (8AM to 12NN).

September 13
Join your fellow hobbyists and Photographers from Metro Manila in a PhotoQuest! Winning and chosen photos will be displayed at Xplore Naga Exhibit on September 17 to 21 2013 at the Plaza Rizal, Naga City.

2PM- PhotoQuest Orientation
7PM- PhotoQuest Awarding

Participation Fees (For Naga City Delegates)
STUDENTS
Workshop & PhotoQuest: Php 600.00*
Workshop (only): Php 350
PhotoQuest (only) : Php 250*

PROFESSIONALS
Workshop & PhotoQuest: Php 800.00*
Workshop (only): Php 450
PhotoQuest (only) : Php 350*

*WITH T-shirt included.

For inquiries and registration please contact

ALLAN – 0915.680.0862

CHRIS- 0915.266.5230

Or email 

allan.camata@gmail.com

info@thephotographyacademymanila.com

for more info visit 

www. Thephotographyacademymanila.com

facebook.com/thephotographyacademymanila

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Portraits Naga 2013

Parc Cruz's Portraits
A photography / ambient lighting / post processing workshop
April 6-7, 2013


For inquiries and reservation please contact: Acee Coralde 0916-2242450 https://www.facebook.com/Acee.Coralde
aceecoralde@gmail.com

Image Source

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Images of Faith Photo Exhibit

Images of Faith 
Photo Exhibit
October 12-14, 2012
SM City Naga 

Sponsored by:
EPSON
Hypertech Computers
Penafrancia Young Professionals (PYP)
Penafrancia Camera Club
ROTARY Club of Naga

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Lenses for Camera Phones

WIDEN your horizon, LOOK DEEPER into the meaning, and EXPOSE the beauty of your photos! How?? PicksurePicksure can help you with that!

I once created a post about these lenses when my friend first launched it months ago,  but it's much more fun experiencing it my own way. For only Php 999 have your own WIDE, MACRO and FISH EYE lens for your smart phone! As long as the lens of your camera phone has a flat surface and back casing, then you can give it a go!

For years, a DSLR has been on my wish list, and is still a dream up to date. Meanwhile, these lenses for my phone made me feel excited while taking photos imagining how it will look as the finish output.

Let's take a look at the contents of the small yet productive package.

These are the phone cases I bought that I've been using interchangeably depending upon my mood. First base below is obviously my favorite that I requested for a set of red lens too. The lenses have a STRONG magnet on it, the rings that you will have to place at the back of your case should fit it perfectly. You can cut it for the flash portion or not, which I did for the black casing. 

In order to secure your lens from falling, you can use a super glue / mighty bond to stick the ring on your casing. Your casing doesn't need to be that expensive. I got the red one for only Php70.00 and the black for Php 80.00 intended for Iphone 4s units.

The 3 lenses are: first on the top most is the Fisheye Lens (my favorite), second and third is the Wide and Macro Lens that goes together. If you put them together, twisting it to the left will give u a wide output and twisting it to the right will give you a macro output. 

The black ones are the protective rubber caps for  the lenses. The other metallic cover is for the other side of the lens which will stick to the magnet of the lens itself.

What if you lost the ring? Don't worry, your package will have extra rings for your casing. It is advisable not too place the rings on the back cover of your phone. It's one way of preserving your phone anyway.

Actual MACRO SHOTS

waterdroplet from Gulp, see how detailed the table cloth is?

My 6 year old college ring on top of a scissor

First photo on top has a wide lens and below has none (normal shot from an iphone 4s)

FISHEYE actual shots

Plaza Barlin at night

CLICK HERE for other sample shots.

There you go, these lenses will help you develop your passion for photography. We might not be professional photographers but we can develop our own characters and personality in prints and photos by how we frame scenes and events. 

Kudos to our fellow Nagueno Ian for taking phone photography to the next level! More power!

For orders please text or call 0916 312 8676 or visit their official website www.picksurepicksure.com

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Imaheramun

Imaheramun
Photo walk challenge...

Visit Imahermun on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/Imaheramun

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It's More Fun in Naga Photo Contest

IT’S MORE FUN IN NAGA
ONLINE PHOTO CONTEST 2012
Source:  http://naga.gov.ph/news/its-more-fun-in-naga-online-photo-contest-2012/

An old and yet dynamic city known for its quaint charm and legendary hospitality, Naga City is a “go to” hub that one loves to come back to because of its smiling people, superb cuisine, ancient landmarks, rich culture and heritage, as well as modern amenities that are perfect for guests and tourists, and homesick sons and daughters who come to visit for the fiesta and family reunions.

We want to capture these images and share them with everybody, in the Internet, in public shows or exhibits, or in important social events that highlight Naga as the city we love. The funniest, the most extraordinary, the most delicious,or the oddest experience you have had in this wonderful city as caught by the camera may bring you prizes, trophies, and the chance to be honored for that perfect shot during ceremonies in celebration of the 64th Charter Anniversary of the City of Naga on June 18, 2012!


WHO CAN JOIN?

The contest is open to all amateur and professional photographers and hobbyists, ages 18 years old and above, whether based in Naga or anywhere in the Philippines and abroad but who has been to Naga and taken photos of the city. Participants who are below 18 years old must secure a written consent from a parent or guardian.

CONTEST RULES AND MECHANICS:

1. A participant must submit a fun photo that showcases the best treasures of Naga (people, food, arts, culture, traditions, places, tourist destination, landmarks, street scenes, etc.), consistent with the general theme “Naga Smiles to the World.” A participant can send as many entries but he/she can only win once.

2. This is an individual work. An entry shared by two persons or a group is not allowed. The entry should be emailed to info@naga.gov.ph with the subject line “It’s More Fun in Naga.”

3. Participant should provide the following information together with his/her entry:

Title: “One to three words title. It’s more fun in Naga.”
Location:
Date Taken:
A description of not more than 100 words:
Name of the Participant:
Address and Contact Number: (will not be published)

4. All entries should be original. The photo must have been taken between January 1, 2011 and June 8, 2012. It should not have won in any photo contest or published in any form of print and online media.

5. The photo entry must be digitally taken in JPEG format with a size of 8 inches x 10 inches. The image quality should be set in the highest possible resolution of the digital camera.

6. Entries that are scanned from a printed copy, or are digitally retouched using a photo software application are not allowed. However, a participant can use the creative effects of the camera, such as filtration and multiple exposures. Minor cropping, resizing, dodging, and adjusting the density, brightness and contrasts can be tolerated.

7. Watermarks and any other markings on the photo entry, such as the name of the photographer or the time and date the photo was taken, are not allowed.

8. The participant agrees that his/her submitted entry will become the property of the City Government of Naga and can be used on the city website (http://naga.gov.ph/). Likewise, the city government can use the photo for marketing, exhibition, and promotional purposes in all of its future publications, whether on print, film, or online media without any financial compensation to the owner. However, the owner will be duly acknowledged for his work. Failure to credit the owner due to any error or omission will not be held against the City Government of Naga.

9. Deadline of submission of entries online will be on June 8, 2012 at the close of office hours at 5:00 p.m. while final selection for the People’s Choice Award will end on midnight of June 15, 2012. The organizers reserve the right to disqualify an entry that does not meet the criteria.The decision of the jury is final and irrevocable. Any protest or complaint made after the announcement of finalists and winners will not be entertained by the organizers.

JUDGING:

1. The top twenty (20) entries will be determined by the members of the Board of Judges on June 8, 2012 and will be uploaded on the “Naga SMILES to the World” Facebook page. All other photo entries will likewise be posted on a separate album.

2. Online voting for the “People’s Choice Award” will start immediately on May 11, 2012 until midnight of June 15, 2012. Tagging the photo to his or her friends is permitted.

3. The People’s Choice Award is a separate competition using a Facebook App. This promo is exclusive for Naga SMILES to the World fans but any Facebook user will be able to vote for entries. Email, phone number, gender, and country will be required for participants to join and complete their registration.

4. Users can only enter once so make it your best among many shots taken. To maximize reach users may post the contest on their wall after entering and will be able to recommend the promotion to their friends and share to get new votes.

5. The final Twenty entries will enter the second round of the competition and the TOP 3 will be determined according to the following criteria that are also used in the selection of the Top 20:

Creativity and originality 30%
Photographic quality 30%
Relevance to the theme 40%

The prizes are as follows:

FIRST PLACE P 20,000.00
SECOND PLACE 15,000.00
THIRD PLACE 10,000.00

PEOPLE’S CHOICE P 5,000.00

Winners will be notified via submitted email and guided how to claim their prizes before June 18, 2012.

Let's get that shutter ready and show how Naga smiles to the world!

Source:  http://naga.gov.ph/news/its-more-fun-in-naga-online-photo-contest-2012/

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TVGU Historical Trail Photo Cruise

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Ritrato ni Ina: Our Lady of Penafrancia Photo Exhibit 2011

Ritrato ni Ina: Our Lady of Penafrancia Photo Exhibit 2011
SM City Naga
October 21-23, 2011

October 21, 2011

Ribbon Cutting

October 23, 2011

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Naga City: An Maogmang Lugar

Naga City is the Heart of Bicolandia and now known as a Pilgrim City. Our city's culture and faith magnetizes a lot of tourists from around the country and around the world. A lot of tourists-turned-Pilgrims, guests and delegates from national conventions who had an experience of Naga City just keep coming back to Naga with plenty of reasons. Do you want to know why? Watch this awesome timelapse video of Naga City made by a Travel and Landscape Photographer Bong Bajo and have a glimpse of what is our place all about, "giving you a reason to visit Naga City".

Enjoy!

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Practical Photography Workshop

PRACTICAL PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP 
with Vic Sison and Local Photographers Tom Falcon, Yon Layosa , Kj Borja

Registration Fee: 1,500 Students and Early Birds: 1,000

Contact us for more details Reservation:

KJ-09054850612 (for Legazpi)

YON-09165281417 (for Naga)

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Juvy Aben Abion - Picture Perfect's Photographer of the Week

A fellow Bicolano from Iriga is Picture Perfect's Photographer of the Week in the Special Lifestyle Edition of Manila Bulletin, today's issue, July 20, 2010.

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grinArt Studio, Nagueños at their Best

grinArt Studio

Looking for event photographers in Weddings, Debuts, Christenings, Birthday Celebrations and other important memories to be kept in prints but for a very affordable rate? Don't go too far as Manila just to look for people who can keep you delighted with quality and unique taste of concept and style in photography. Based in Naga, but they "customize event packages to suit your needs and budget", wherever you are, grinArt can be there. They are still Naga's worth every-penny-studio, so contact them now and let your happily-ever-afters start with grinArt.

Meet the boys of grinArt ...

"we are fun-loving, never-stop-learning, we-think-art-is-what-we-do bunch who are equally passionate about one thing, creative photography. We specialize in weddings and events photography. To sum it up, we’ll shoot anything under the sun, or the moon if you will… just a sprinkle of fun and we’ll show you what color is grin. *wink *wink"

people behind:
mark&trel – the couple who started it all.
kenneth – a brother to all.
jonathan – our bebe, always busy.
rael – always in the courtroom, shhh viktoria’s that is.
ij – what’s your name again? gerald?

Contact Details:
On Earth :: Door #3 2/F Rael’s JP2 Atrium, Bagumbayan Sur, Naga City 4400 Philippines
On Mobile :: +63 918.926.6712
:: +63 921.267.9522
On Email :: info.grinart@gmail.com

Amazingly affordable rates:



Check out their wordpress site for compilation of photos of events.

http://grinart.wordpress.com/

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Random Night Shots in the City

Near Panganiban Bridge.. on the left is Sunny View Hotel and beside it is the new Sampaguita Tourist Inn

Naga City Fish Port.. shot taken from Mabulo ByPass Bridge








San Francisco Parish Church Night Shot
Peñafrancia Avenue Naga City fronting Plaza Quince Martires


Photos by: Ian Agawa

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