One Fire Day...

Thanks to my friend Neil Ang, I am able to cross out one more item in my bucket list as he took to me my first firing experience at the Sibulan Shooting Range just hours before my scheduled departure for Cebu on Monday. 

We brought three guns, I believe two were 45 caliber pistols and a 9MM glock. I could be wrong with the names so just click on the pictures below for your reference. 

The experience was just amazing. I was first given instructions on how to properly hold the gun before trying to fire it myself. I was literally shaking and it took more than a handful fires before I got the confidence to be left alone to load the gun and fire it without trembling. Thanks to Mac, the expert firing resident at the range who taught me everything to make sure I had a wonderful but safe experience. 

After a few shots using the 9mm glock, I moved on to the 45 caliber pistol. I had an instant love affair with the 45 caliber pistol. I loved firing it. 

That's Mac giving us an analysis of how the shot went. 

the firing range


I am particular proud of my first shot... See image below. My firing coach, Mr. Ang and Mac told I did well for a beginner. 

The hole close to the center, right chest was my first shot. BOW!

Here is the expert doing it.... 

Yes, those holes are Neil's head shots and a bull's eye right there. 

Let me move on to the part where I say thank you. Yes, thanks Neil for the experience. I definitely look forward to doing this again. 

Athena... A mare dancing left

To what other's may consider a beautiful work of art, there is more to this horse sculpture gracing the entrance of TGU Tower in IT park. It is made out of driftwood. Driftwood is wood that has been washed onto a shore or beach of a sea or river by the action of winds, tides, waves or man. It is a form of marine debris or tidewrack.The intricate design is very interesting plus the fact that it is formed out of something most of us would find useless or even consider as anything of art. 

Created by James Doran-Webb, this massive structure is something worth checking the next time you are in IT Park. Please click on link to find out more about the sculptor: http://www.jamesdoranwebb.com/index.php

Sorry for the low resolution pictures, these were taken from my blackberry. 

More about Styling...

I have previously discussed how styling is essential in an engagement shoot. Putting together a nice engagement photo takes more than a good photographer. It requires a lot of creative planning, research, styling and execution. See some sample pegs created for a shoot by the Its Ur Day Team, and the actual photos taken from the shoot. Click on the pictures to enlarge images. 

The peg for the picnic scene

The Props for the Picnic Scene

The look for the bride and the peg for Scene 2 (Leighton Meester). 

Now see the pictures taken based on the pegs above.

Yes, the scenes and pictures don't come out of nowhere. Please feel free to email inquiries@itsurdayevents.com, if you want to see some sample pegs from our shoots and if you want to get our services (i'm trying to be more subtle about the plugging). Please visit our facebook page to see more images from this shoot : http://www.facebook.com/pages/Its-UR-Day-Events/138224689585011 and we also would welcome a "like" on facebook. 

That elusive... SLEEP!!!

Sleep is a naturally recurring state characterized by reduced or absent consciousness, relatively suspended sensory activity, and inactivity of nearly all voluntary muscles.[1] It is distinguished from quiet wakefulness by a decreased ability to react to stimuli, and is more easily reversible than being in hibernation or a coma. Sleep is also a heightened anabolic state, accentuating the growth and rejuvenation of the immune, nervous, skeletal and muscular systems. It is observed in all mammals, all birds, and many reptiles, amphibians, and fish. – Wikipedia

For those of us who have been working graveyard for the last few years of our lives. Night sleep is essential and priceless. Since our careers do not allow us the luxury of night sleep; here are a few tricks I have learned to make your day sleep seem like night. After being on graveyard shift for almost a decade now; here are some best practices I have tested which can work on you. (Yes, I’m sure you have noticed the effort now...  I am really trying my best not to make this sound like a Wikipedia article.)

1.Recreate the night. For those of you who have been to my place, you would notice that when the lights are out; day or night, the room would be in total darkness. I have read somewhere a few years ago; that recreating the night during the day aids in a better sleep. It does something to the brain to condition it, that’s all I can remember now.

2.Avoid stimulants before bedtime. When you are less than 4 hours away from your anticipated bedtime, forget about drinking coffee. They will most likely keep you awake beyond your needed waking hours. Try washing your face, taking mints and lozenges, or any other technique as long as it’s caffeine free.

3.Have a sleeping schedule. Drop any task you are doing when the clock strikes bedtime. Turn off laptops, TV, cellphones and anything that may distract you from your good day sleep.

4.Have a healthy lifestyle. Quit smoking. Exercise and have a healthy diet.

5.When the first four fails, having been diagnosed of rhinitis; I normally resort to drinking medicine for the colds. These meds originally created to provide relief of runny nose, nasal congestion, post-nasal drip, itchy & watery eyes, fever, body pains & headache associated w/ common cold, flu, upper; may take you into your much needed Rip Van Winkle state.

 Please take in moderation and only when necessary, walang rehab para sa adik sa N3oz#p!

That said, goodnight everyone. I hope to get an hour or two of sleep before I officially start my day...

Styling and the difference it makes...

This entry is dedicated to Tinseltown's newest couple Marshall and Melissa. Here are pictures taken from their engagement shoot (click on the photos to enlarge the image). Will try to post more pictures soon. And just a caveat, there is a science to looking great and having compelling engagement pictures, it's called styling. The next time any of you plan for one, let us know and we will show you what we mean. Thanks to Blinkbox Photos for taking the images. 

Congratulations to Marshall and Dang. Thanks for the opportunity to work with you in this very important event of your lives. 

And yes, I am going to do some shameless plugging again... For your event and wedding needs, please contact us at inquiries@itsurdayevents.com 

Two Weddings and A Sexy Goalie...

It has been over a week since my last post since I have been busy with a few things. Together with folks at Its Ur Day Events, we just successfully coordinated a wedding at the historical Boljoon Church with a reception at the scenic Granada Beach Resort. The pictures below were grabbed from Google, but this is how the place looks like less the styling for the event; I will try to find time to post pictures from the event within the week. 

Publish Post

A day after, I was invited to witness the wedding of Roald and Hannie. I was too exhausted from the previous day's wedding project and I only have this picture of the couple to share... Needless to say, I wish them the best; and a good and happy life together. 

And yes, due to demand from good friend Gabby, I am posting a picture of Neil Etheridge for an upcoming ad for Folded and Hung Underwear. The Azkal's goalie tweeted this picture of his upcoming ad which is still scheduled for release next week, consider this an initial and sneak preview. I am not sure if this will make it into a billboard given the MMDA restrictions recently, so enjoy this version for now.

Have a good week ahead everyone!!!

Carly Turns 3...

My BFFs daughter and my inaanak turned three a a few weeks ago... This is a late post... You may also want to see the beautiful decorations and other items which were handmade. These are great party ideas you can do on your own which will help you out if you are on a budget. Happy Birthday Baby Carly!!! And much love to Pong and Caloy for doing a wonderful job raising this baby girl... 

We arrived a few minutes early and helped Pong set the place up.

Original Etelecare Babies... 

The idea is to have a children's party with adult guests. Almost everything here was prepared two days before the party and the set up took around 30-45 minutes. Something manageable and something you can do on your own...

Cute souvenir items, KITKAT chocolates in personalized birthday themed wrappers...

Happy Birthday!!!

Barbie Themed Party

Barbie silhouette decoration and centerpiece