OUR AWESOME PLANET

Michael Cacnio – LEGO INSPIRED (Part 1)

Ever since Benji introduced me to the awesome art works of Filipino Artists like Michael Cacnio, I'm starting to fall in love with Filipino art. Here is Michael's latest exhibit in collaboration with LEGO. 

Don't miss to see this exhibit!

Most of them are sold already and this is the last time you'll see all these art pieces in one location. 

For those OAP readers who are not based in Manila, enjoy Michael Cacnio's LEGO-inspired exhibit:

Michael Cacnio – LEGO INSPIRED (Part 2)

Read this first: Michael Cacnio – LEGO INSPIRED (Part 1)

Don't miss to see this exhibit!

Most of them are sold already and this is the last time you'll see all these art pieces in one location. 

For those OAP readers who are not based in Manila, enjoy Michael Cacnio's LEGO-inspired exhibit:

8 Things I Learned from Cristeta Comerford

I got a chance to attend the exclusive talk of Cristeta Comerford for Asia Society members. This was a day after she received her BPInoy award for excellence in Culinary Arts.

Who is Cristeta Comerford?

She was the first woman and Asian Executive Chef from a minority in the White House.
She was an Executive Sous Chef in 1995 during the Clinton administration.
She got promoted 10 years after to Executive Chef on August 15, 2005 during the Bush administration.
She was a food technology graduate of the University of the Philippines.
She migrated to the United States with her family in the 1980s.
She is proud to be a Filipino with her roots from Bulacan and Batangas -- even after 25+ years in the US.
She is married to John, who is also a Chef.

Charice, We are Proud of You!

Charice Pempengco, David Foster, Celine Dion, and Andrea Bocelli in the Oprah Show. I'm so proud to be a Filipino watching this special Oprah show featuring Charice. Congratulations!

Wig Tysmans - 10 Secrets in Capturing the Money Shot

I learned a lot of practical travel photography stuff from Wigg Tysmans. Although his expertise is portraiture and commercial photography, he is a master of what he calls as "The Money Shot". I'm sharing with you the secrets that I learned so that you can improve your own photography and take your own "money shot".

1. The best way to take panoramic shot using your DSLR is to take panning vertical shots. It is easy to stitch vertical shots of the panoramic scene instead of horizontal shots to avoid the vignetting due to the lens.



2. The pictures that you take is a reflection of who you are. Very philosophical but true. Don't attempt to copy the works of others because you will only be dismayed with the result. Take photos of things that you love and are passionate about.



3. The best shot is always taken from an elevation. This is a confirmation of what I also learned from Master George Tapan. Always be ready with a stairs. You can call or inquire from the resort / place to check if they have one.

4. The Magical Hour. The best shots during sunset is taken during the magical hour -- 30-45 minutes after the sun sets in the horizon. Always wait for this magical hour and be ready because the lighting conditions change very fast.



5. Take the shot, have fun and go back for the right lighting condition. This is the right practical approach to travel photography. You need to enjoy and take the shot even when it is not the perfect lighting condition. You don't know when you will be back in that place again. If you have the chance to go back during the right lighting conditions, then make every effort to do so.

10 Timeless Lessons I Learned From Master Photographer George Tapan

Saying I learned a lot from George Tapan would be an understatement. He unselfishly shared his secrets on why his photographs are timeless and priceless. He taught on the field by setting up the scene, capturing the photo and showing you how to produce a timeless photograph. He spent a lot of time in the critique session. He personally worked with each person to take their photography to the next level. It does not matter if you are a beginner, a hobbyist or a professional because he will make sure that you become a better photographer after his workshop.

In the same spirit, I’m sharing with you the 10 lessons I learned from the Master George Tapan to hopefully inspire you to take your photography to the next level:

· Choose the high ground point of view. Always see if you can take the high ground point of view by getting a ladder, taking it on top of the jeep or putting your subject on a lower plane.

· Colors are critical to a timeless photograph. Solid colors are very important and there were a number of times that Master Tapan would ask the subject to reverse their clothes. Most of the time branding logos and text creates a distraction in the image.

· Know the culture of the place before taking the photo. I’ve learned this before that there is no substitute with researching the culture of the place or subject. You can do this by researching before you travel or ask from the locals.

· Make your photos unique. I know from past workshops that you need to make your photos unique, but Master Tapan showed me how to actually do it. You can do it by getting a unique point of view that nobody else saw, put a subject on the right place at the right time, or taking your photos at the right time of day.

· Details are very important. Master George would stress that you should carefully create your scene and plan every aspect before actually clicking the shutter. Most of the times, we don’t care about the elements of the photograph as long as the subject is within the rule of thirds.

Aidan meets Happy Slip!

So, You’re Happy Slip! (a.k.a. Christine Gambito)

Related Post:Welcome to Happy Slip in Manila! Mabuhay!

Meeting Christine Gambito was like watching Happy Slip live... She is as bubbly and down to earth as what you can see in her you tube videos. She is a beautiful filipina in person with a nice dimple. My heart melted when she cried on her first day in Manila. Manila will simply love her because of her crusade to make your life a little brighter each day because of her entertaining videos.

I missed watching her in the Wowowee today and she was sharing with us her crazy moments in the show. They have already been to Bohol, Boracay and Cebu in a week's time. I was so happy listening to her awesome encounters with the beauty of the Philippines. She is flying off to Puerto Princessa tomorrow. Christine --- you should go back to the Philippines and visit El Nido, Palawan!

She wants to sincerely meet ALL her fans in Manila but the meet and greet on Chinese New Year at Mag:net, Fort venue is not be large enough to accommodate them. When she came to Manila, she never thought that she would have a huge fan base here. She will be giving an inspirational talk on video blogging during the meet and greet with a Q&A session followed by photo sessions.

See Happy Slip's update on the Manila Meet and Greet Session. If you are a fan and you were not able to register for the meet and greet event, please do a shout out on the comments to petition for a bigger venue.

Watch her You Tube Videos and see why she is THE Filipina You Tube Goddess:

Watch the latest videos on YouTube.com

Welcome Happy Slip to Manila! Mabuhay!

Official Website: Happy Slip.com

Related Posts: Aidan Meets Happy Slip!

MABUHAY to Christine "Happy Slip" Gambito to Manila! She arrived in Manila today and the entire Manila Blogging Community welcomes her! We are so excited to meet the most famous You Tube Internet Celebrity who is proudly a Filipina!

" Christine Gambito, better known to her audience as HappySlip, is an Internet celebrity and popular YouTube content provider. She maintains one of YouTube's most subscribed channels. In March 2007, Gambito's video Mixed Nuts was nominated for the 2006 YouTube Video Awards for Best Comedy,[2] resulting in the second place to Smosh.[3] In May of the same year, she became one of the first YouTube users accepted into YouTube's revenue sharing program.

" Gambito's performances typically include comedy sketches in which she impersonates members of her family. She also sings and plays the piano and guitar. As Gambito has stated repeatedly in her videos, she is notably one of the very few top users acting, filming, editing and producing her shorts completely on her own.

Gambito attributes her nickname "HappySlip" to her Filipino mother's mispronunciation of "half slip":

“ As a child, my Filipino mom would always remind me to wear a half-slip with skirts. However, the way she would pronounce the phrase was misleading: "Your hap e-slip! Be sure to wear your hap e-slip!" So I naturally went around calling the thing a 'happy slip,' until friends at school corrected me by asking if I had a 'sad slip' as well." (Happy Slip: Wikipedia)

She was invited by the Department of Tourism -- all expenses paid -- to explore the Philippines for 2 weeks. This is her first time to be back in Manila after the family migrated to the US. She is scheduled to visit Tagbilaran, Bohol, Cebu, Boracay, Tagaytay and Palawan. I am super excited because the entire world will see the beauty of the Philippines through the eyes of Happy Slip. This is part of DOT's Experience Philippines campaign for the OFWs.

I'm hoping to meet her with Rache and Aidan on Chinese New Year, Feb. 7 before she goes back to the US. They are planning a blogger's farewell party for Happy Slip on Chinese New Year. Let me know if some of you are interested to meet her, just post a comment. Maybe, Happy Slip can give a short seminar on video blogging to Pinoys.

MABUHAY Happy Slip, We Are So Proud of You!!

Related Posts:Tuned in to 'Happy Slip': Getting to Know Christine Gambito