Selfie Driving

Texting while driving, that's the common cause of accidents happening in our country today but what about "selfieng" while driving? Ha! I got really really bored while I was on my way back to work when I thought of capturing my shadow while driving. I have been planning of doing this before but only got the courage a few days ago. I just thought that this picture was really nice, an action photo captured by my Nokia 808 Pureview.

Funny Toilet at Andok's Ormoc City

Andok's Ormoc City Toilet

A few days ago, I was walking the streets of Ormoc and saw a newly opened Andok's somewhere at the Ormoc Plaza. I checked in inside and ordered my food for dinner when I decided to go to the washroom to pee and to wash hands. You know, washing hands before eating is a requisite, right? I was stunned in what I saw inside the comfort room, a face-to-face toilet. I don't know what does the engineer imply in creating this design but one thing is for sure, two toilets facing each other can only be seen in Andok's Ormoc City. Woot! This is really hilarious and funny but maybe they have reasons why did they design the men's comfort room like this.

Against The Light? Break The Law.

Common issues when taking photos is when our subject is against the light. Sometimes, breaking the law is cool and I think this photo I took at SRP Cebu City is an example. I know that I was facing the direct sunset when I was about to take a photo but I gamble and tried to take multiple shots. Flares are present and I think that's normal. Those flares added drama to my photo. If you're a photography enthusiast, I think sometimes it would be better for you to break the law and innovate what are there behind the lens.

Dalutan Island Beach Resort

Yesterday, my girlfriend invited me to join with her high school classmates visit Dalutan Island of Almeria, Biliran. I was hesitant at first because I am not that close to some of her friends. So I was thinking if should I join them or not but the thought that I haven’t visited the Island yet gave me the urge to go with them and visit the Island. Dalutan Island is situated in Almeria, Biliran right in front of Agta Beach Resort, Talahid Beach Resort and VRC. The island is owned and managed by Engr. Dondon Muertegui, a childhood friend of my father. The distance is probably 2 or 3 kilometers away from the main land of Biliran, so it should take about 15-30 minutes boat ride from Talahid, Almeria.

Our group arrived at Talahid at around 1pm and was able to find a good deal for the boat ride. The boat ride was suppose to be P600 but we were able to haggle up to P500 (Hmm. P100 is still P100).  When arrived at the beach line of Dalutan, we were asked to pay P20/head for the entrance fee exclusive of the cottage and table. Since we were the only beachbum that day, we then asked if we could just pay for the entrance and use the table for free for our lunch. The caretaker was too good to let us use the table and some facilities.

My girlfriend with her high school classmates

That afternoon was all swimming and diving for my girlfriend and her high school classmates. Me, I tried to roam around and search for some interesting sites near the shoreline. Most part of the Island has rock formation on its side and only a hundred meters approximate for the beach line.

The Rock Formation of Dalutan Island

On our way back to the mainland of Biliran, the boatman was so generous to tour us to the back part of the Island. The Island has a cave on the right side wherein bats reside during day time and the only way for you to enter is to swim inside or by boat. I don’t know if that part of the island goes low tide though.

A panoramic view of the beach line with my girlfriend on it.

If you want to visit the Island, you can travel by motorcycle or a 4-wheel vehicle to Talahid and ask for a boatman that goes to Dalutan Island. Try to haggle for the fare because for me, P600 fare is too expensive for the two way boat ride. Bring your own foods on the Island because you won’t see any convenience store in it. The management also doesn’t allow an overnight stay to their visitors so at 5pm, you should be going back to the main land of Biliran together with the caretaker of the Island.

Use Camera Phone for Macro Shot

Use Camera Phone for Macro Shot

I know this would be a very interesting topic to some of you who really like DIY (Do It Yourself). Macro isn't impossible through our mobile phones nowadays because there have been a lot of products popping out on the market like the Photojojo and Jelly Lens but if you lack on budget or you just want a simple challenge and creating your own macro lens for your mobile phone, I think you would really want to check on this topic I created last 2009 on my personal blog. I actually learned it from Nokia Blog and applied it on myself. Enjoy macroing! :)

Let Kids Be Kids

 

Being a kid is still the best part of our life. You don't problem problems and you don't care about anything as long as you can play and hate sleeping during noon time. Sometimes I wsh I can be Benjamin Button when I get old until I stay being a kid. That would be awesome but the problem is who would take care of you. That's the most important when being a kid, you need to have a guardian. I started reminiscing about my childhood when I saw this 2 kids at Leyte, Leyte during their fiesta celebration. They are bonded together and at a very young age, they already know how to help each other in their own little way. By pushing a flat tired bike NAKED! Hehe.

Traditional Filipino Games, Is it still alive?

Some kids in an highly urbanized cities in the Philippine nowadays are very exposed to the high tech gadgets. Example are my niece and nephew. They have PSP Vita, iPod Touch, iPod Nano, Kindle, Laptop and mobile phones. All of their spare time are being spent in front of this gadgets and I don't know if they could still play outside like the kids back in the 90s. When I was a kid, I used to play tagu-taguan, habulan, patintero and all the kid stuff played at the street. I think it has been passed from the old days up to the next generation but right now, kids don't play those games anymore. Kids this days plays Dota, Farmville, Mafia Wars, Angry Birds and list goes on and on. It's like the traditional Filipino games are being erased and will now remain a history.

Bomber/Bummer

Syatong

I was amazed when I saw some kids playing at the street when I was able to visit a certain place in Villaba, Leyte. They played "syatong" and "bomber or bummer" (I don't know the exact spelling). I was happy watching them because I was able to recall my childhood games. Compared to the games being played by kids nowadays, the traditional Filipino games are more actively played and I think it's more fun. I just hope that this won't be forgotten by kids and would still be played on the streets.

Agta Beach Resort Sunset Shot

I was able to visit Agta Beach Resort again this afternoon with my Sister and her husband Tim. We inquired about their island hopping and scuba diving fees. They do really have a good deal and I think my sister and Tim would avail of their offer. So, while waiting for them to finish their chitchat with the staff of Agta, I was playing with my mobile phone Nokia N8 and was planning to take a photo of the sunset. It may be the last sunset of the week because there's gonna be a typhoon coming called Typhoon Bopha or locally known as "Pablo". Done tweaking with the settings of the camera and then I'm all set so I took the photos and I think this one is the most beautiful among the set. ☺

Siesta Under the Tree

Yesterday, when I was waiting for our vehicle to be fixed, I felt the urge of sleeping and wanted to relax. I saw a bench under a big tree and tried to reminisce. The tree isn't huge and I don't have any idea about the name of the tree. Reminiscing didn't last that long because I fell asleep. This is what I really want, siesta under a very big tree. The climate is perfect. The air is refreshing and everyhing is perfect.

Botanical Tres. Blob Upload Picture

Created this post using Blob. I was just trying it's new feature in supporting uploads direct from your mobile phone.

HDR: School Building

I stumbled upon this high school somewhere in Capoocan, Leyte and I really like the reflection of the building on the water. Took a photo of it thru my Nokia N8 and edited the picture using HDR Pro. All being done thru my mobile phone. I just hope that some of you liked it. ☺

Bottled Drinks, not available

I was at a gasoline station waiting for our mechanic to arrive because the devil's car broke down again. The climate was too warm and I felt the urge of drinking any of this bottled drinks but none of them are cold. They were all displayed on a table and nothing stored on the fridge. So I was stucked to just taking a picture of this bottled drinks and posting it on my blog. Whew. 

Yamaha DT-125 Converted to Honda CRF

I just wanna show off my new motorcycle. Actually, its not new, it's just refurbished into a different type of motorcycle. The original body of this bike is Yamaha DT-125 Y-4 series and was able to change the body into Honda CRF. The engine is still original, only the body kit has been changed and some tweaking at the chassis. The 2T tank of my bike has been transferred underneath the chair. Painted black on it and I am really proud of the result. Thanks to Doydoy of Ormoc City for pimping my ride!☺

Bokeh by Ang Maniniyot

For all this time, I have been amazed of the art of Bokeh. If you don't know what Bokeh is, check on this link for some info about Bokeh. I practiced Bokeh but for some reason, I'm still no good at it. I don't know if it's the camera or its just me. So just take a look at some of my Bokeh shots and give me critics about it. You can also teach me how to dougie, aw, Bokeh I mean. ☺

Christmas Light Bokeh during the Midnight Mass at Naval, Biliran

Christmas Light Bokeh again at the house of my Uncle

Took this Bokeh just outside our room at  Palm Beach Resort and Spa Mactan

Bokeh from Vivo KTV Bar's Private Room

Bar Hopping at Ormoc City

Me and my colleagues decided to go bar hopping one night at Ormoc City. Our team was augmented there for about 2 months. Before we go back to our home base, we went to some bars of Ormoc and tried to relax and had some beer. One bar was Vivo KTV Bar somewhere in downtown. They have private rooms for you and your friends to hang out and sing the Karaoke. I manage to take some snapshots inside of the private room and at the hallway. I forgot the names of the other bars where we entered but yeah, its just there somewhere at the downtown Ormoc.

Bokeh of a lamp inside the private room of Vivo KTV Bar

Colleagues

The hallway. Those lights both sides are the door for their private rooms

Palm Beach Resort and Spa Mactan Cebu

You see, I really don't have something to do inside our room at the Palm Beach Resort and Spa at Mactan Cebu so I was again playing with my brother's camera. The room we occupied was good for the whole family. It has 3 beds, a fridge, a lavatory, an LCD Television, a hot and cold shower etc. One con that I observed during our stay is that the Wifi signal can't reach the 4th floor. So I'll have to go to the lobby just to surf, good thing I was registered to Globe's Unlisurf999. So here are some of the pictures I took inside the room. It is the night before the Ironman 70.3 Triathlon at Shangri-la Resorts and Spa Mactan Cebu

The vase right beside my bed

Featuring Nokia N8. :D

Parents smiling back at me. Woot!

Ironman 70.3 Triathlon at Shangri-la Cebu

The Ironman 70.3 Triathlon at Shangri-la’s Resort and Spa in Mactan, Cebu City, Philippines has been a very nice experience for me and my Family. My brother joined the competition for the second time around (I don’t know if it was Ironman 70.3 when he joined Triathlon at Subic). This year's Ironman 70.3 was hosted by Shangri-la Resort's and Spa in Mactan, Cebu City and Governor Gwen Garcia mentioned that they will again host another 2 more years of the Ironman 70.3 Triathlon. The Triathlon was composed of 1.3km swimming, 90km cycling and 21km running. Bad news is, there were 2 casualties during that day. One died because of bike accident at the SRP Underpass in Cebu and the other one is because of heat stroke. The heat stroke incident was just told by my brother’s competitor at a bike shop in Cebu. Anyway, enjoy the photos!

See those yellow heads? :D

The living proof of No Fear!

My brother going to his bike

Audience waiting at the finish line

Kuya finished the 90km bike ride

Starting of the bicycle

Anne Curtis near the transition area

Kuya finished the Triathlon

Bycicle parked for the transition

Tatay at the beachline of Shangri-la

Bike display during the competition

Troubleshooting a car that won't start. Not

Fixing a car is not an easy task specially that I am not an experienced driver mechanic. I can drive well but when it comes to troubleshooting, I'm no good at it. Maybe I can fix basic stuff but that's up to changing lights or checking the oil and water. Yesterday, our team's vehicle, the devil's car broke down and it won't start. No reaction when you try to start the engine. I checked on horn and lights and it was all working well. So battery is not the problem. I remember an experienced driver who tried to fix the car checking on the cable of the battery if it's all connected together. I tried what he did by pulling one big cable that goes throug the bottom of the engine. I believe that was the cable connected to the starter. When I did what he did before and the engine started. So I came into conclusion that it might be the starter cable who's trying to mess up with me.

We travel almost everyday and I can't do the cable pulling everytime I start the engine. So I asked for the assistance of my friend who's a driver too to help me fix the cable. We were both inexperienced in being a mechanic. We did everything we think that could expedite the problem but its getting worser than we can imagine. The cable pulling doesn't work anymore. I called my father for help and advised me to check if the cable is dirty or the battery is producing salt. I checked on it and everything seems fine. But that was just on the battery's side. We checked on the cable connected underneath the engine and yes, it was all rust and dirt. We removed the cable and cleaned it. That was our last resort before we hire a professional mechanic. We connected the cable through a bolt after finalising the cleaning of the cable. Tried to ignite the engine and voila the engine had a reaction and it started. I felt happy accomplishing this mission on the devil's car. Now I'm learning new stuffs when it comes to troubleshooting a car. Woot!


P.S. This post was created via Blob, Blogger's client for Nokia mobile phones.

Hanging Boat

I was resting at the back of our barracks and trying to feel the sea breeze. This boat is newly painted and so I took a photo of it because it seems so nice. This shot was taken using my Nokia N8 phone and edited through Molome.

The Philippine Flag

I am a proud Pinoy and I want the world to know! Share this picture if you're a proud Filipino! Sharing will not cost you P1.

Copter

Took this photo somewhere in Boyscout near McArthur Park Palo, Leyte. Of all the photos I took during the activity, I think this one is my favorite.

Toy Pen from Boracay

This pen was brought here by my sister when she came back from Boracay together with my whole family and yeah, I never went there with them! Well, I like its color and tried to take a photo of it, with all the angles, this one is my favorite. I used Molome when taking this picture. ☺

Colored Pencils

Just recently, I discovered a very cool application for my Nokia N8 called Molome. Its like an Instagram for the iPod. You can easily upload your photos directly to your Molo.me account or Facebook and Twitter. I really had fun using this application and I think I'm addicted to it now. Its one of my favorite camera tool next to Joyeye, another lomography application for my Symbian phone.

Waterfalls of Almeria, Biliran

I never really thought of posting this picture here before but when I saw that it was actually nice and good looking, I decided to blog about it. This was my first time visiting this tremendous falls in Almeria, Biliran Province. Going to the place is not an easy task, you'll have to pass through some steepy cliff. There is actually four waterfalls on this side of Biliran. You can pass through them one by one until you reach the fourth waterfalls called "Kinaraha". First waterfalls is Sampaw if I'm not mistaken next is the Ulan-ulan and then Recoletos then lastly the Kinaraha Falls. We went there last May 2010 when some Cebuano friends of my cousin had a vacation at Naval. The Sampaw falls is not very accessible though you can see it while walking going to Ulan-ulan. Kinaraha is a bit far and locals said its a bit dangerous going there. So our party decided to just stay at Ulan-ulan then visit Recoletos.

Jumping from the side of Recoletos

In Recoletos, you can be like Tarzan because there's this rope hanging from a tree that you can ride on then jump off on the water. You can also go near its top and jump from there. Me and my cousins had a great time and enjoyed the beautiful scenery of Biliran's waterfalls. I'm pretty sure our visitor enjoyed their visit too.

That's me! Catching the waters of Ulan-ulan Falls!

My New Toy, the Nokia N8

Sorry, this shot was taken by my Nokia C2-00

Ever since my Nokia N82 died, I have been wondering what phone to use next as a backup camera from my Lumix and then, Nokia N8 was born. It was publicly announced last October 2010 but was able to own it only this November 2011. That was after year, it was because of my very busy schedule that I wasn't able to buy this phone immediately also, I haven't saved a lot of money to buy this last year. Right now, I am announcing this because I want you all to expect that some of my new shots here at Ang Maniniyot are from my Nokia N8 phone. Wiwo! ☺