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My friend Mr. John Jefrrey Avellanosa recently got robbed by the bukas kotse gang in Sta. Elena, Cabuyao Laguna. Taken from him were: EOS 5D mark II serial number 0430311007 2009 EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM 246314 2009 EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM 864230 2007 Battery Grips BG-E2 434484 2008 MAYER Speedlites and Flashes 430 EX 170867 2007 CAMERHAUS Speedlites and Flashes ST-E2 Speedlite transmitter 0w0315 2007 CAMERHAUS DO NOT BUY these stolen goods. IT IS AGAINST THE ANTI-FENCING LAW. IF you have info about this goods, please report it immediately to the proper authorites or contact Jeffrey at 09228127284/ 8992767
 50 slots taken ! But we can make room for you if you are interested to join the Photowalk on July 18, 2008. Just go to our Photowalk Location Page and click "Contact Leader" below my profile photo. Then send me your mobile number and YM ID (for broadcast updates and coordination). We will free up slots occupied by unresponsive registrants (those that have not sent their mobile and YM) :)
See Wait List at the bottom :) Participants of the Photowalk Taguig Group as of 06/18/2009:
MALE = 35; FEMALE = 15
01 - Arman Joseph Bartolome SUB-LEADER (with contact details)
02 - Emeraldine Briones (F) (with contact details)
03 - John De Luna (with contact details)
04 - Jay Quibuloy (with contact details)
05 - Carlos Creencia - SUB-LEADER (with contact details)
06 - Catherine Michelle Aragoncillo (F) (a.k.a, Cathy Tupaz, with contact details)
07 - Rob Chan (with contact details)
08 - Michael Dolero (with contact details)
09 - Dominic Sarmiento (with contact details)
10 - Douglas Lopez (with contact details)
11 - Emerald Aquino (F) (with contact details)
12 - Eric Fernandez - SUB-LEADER (with contact details)
13 - Grace Fuentes (F) (with contact details)
14 - Aiza Josef (F) SUB-LEADER (with contact details)
15 - Jan Paul Jose (with contact details)
16 - Jared Josef Gomez (with contact details)
17 - Jeffrey Avellanosa - SUB-LEADER (with contact details)
18 - Judy Anne Rodriguez (F) (with contact details)
19 - Karyn Shery Bunag-Neglincia (F) (with contact details)
20 - Leah Go (F) (with contact details)
21 - Frederick Manzano (with contact details)
22 - Lan Lamoste - SUB-LEADER (with contact details)
23 - Mian Sta Cruz (F) (with contact details)
24 - Michaelangelo Malabanan (with contact details)
25 - Carlo Roderos - SUB-LEADER (with contact details)
26 - Edward Neglincia (with contact details)
27 - Ranier Icasiano (with contact details)
28 - Orville Zaragoza (with contact details)
29 - Paul Baltazar (with contact details)
30 - Pierre Santiago (with contact details)
31 - Randolph Domingo (with contact details)
32 - Renz Noble (with contact details)
33 - Rod Sollesta (with contact details)
34 - John Ryan Garcia (with contact details)
35 - Rafael Alfonso (with contact details)
36 - Sheena Jarabelo (F) (with contact details)
37 - Jenniffer Castro (F) (with contact details)
38 - Robert Regala - SUB-LEADER
39 - Thaddeus Dellosa (with contact details)
40 - Aurie Anden (F) (with contact details)
41 - Toni Joquico (F) (with contact details)
42 - Anthony Rozano (with contact details)
43 - Marian Peralta (F) (with contact details)
44 - Robert Abrigo - SUB-LEADER (with contact details)
45 - Vener Andrew Buban (with contact details)
46 - Jose Melencio (with contact details)
47 - Rex Lallata (with contact details)
48 - Christian Te (with contact details)
49 - Tricia Pena-Data (F)(with contact details)
50 - JM de Leon (with contact details) Wait List (to replace those without contact details by evening of Wednesday, June 17, 2009):
01 - Charlone Ibanez (with contact details)
02 - Rod Vicente (NO CONTACT DETAILS YET)
03 - Monica Rivera (F) (NO CONTACT DETAILS YET)
04 - Jo Anne delos Reyes (with contact details)
05 - Arnel Dizon (with contact details) DELETED REGISTRANTS (NO CONTACT DETAILS PROVIDED):
Alfonso Paboroquez
Angela Gonzales (F)
Direk Coco
Kat Corpus (F)
Maria Cecilia Avengoza (F)
Marko De La Paz
Raniel Castaeda 1 more Leader slots reserved for females :) http://istillwanttoshop.multiply.com/I still want to shop is an online shop which caters to all your fashion needs. From Kvoll, Jimmy Choos to Manolo Blahniks that will let you say you do STILL want to shop! ISWTS ushers your racy, fabulous and classy items that won't hurt your pockets. Quality and Class all rolled up in one. So what are you waiting for? Go and indulge yourself with the HOTTEST urban fashion trends NOW! You still want to shop! A song for someone disillusioned by the hypocrisy of people and the false glamour of city life. Music to follow. Empty chairs in the open bar
Rain tappin' on the window pane
No high heels on the tiled floor
You don't come 'round anymore
Playing piano only on the minor
Cold tears fall on the black keys
Nobody throws in a red rose
You leave, to where no one knows
Who do you turn to with strangers around you?
Who do you turn to when everybody wants to use you?
So you reach inside yourself and find that you're gone
Then it hit you, you lost a part of you each time you won
The city is now your prison cell
Its freedom is a fleeting illusion
There's no escape, you can't bail out
You live or die, doesn't matter now
When you hear yourself scream
Silence is a scarce commodity
And you pour yourself onto a "book"
To friends whose hands you never shook
Who do you turn to with strangers around you?
Who do you turn to when everybody wants to use you?
Who do you turn to when every promise had been broken?
Who do you turn to when all you've got they have taken?  This is Hayden Phoenix. He is my wife's nephew. Everything I do he wants to do; and everything he does he wants me to do with him.
He comes to our house almost every night to play with me--with his toy cars and and bumblebee. When I am playing my piano, he plays beside me on the higher octaves. But his enthusiasm gets too much sometimes that he takes over my seat and tinkers with the keys like he knows how to play it. He takes much of my time, but it's perfectly ok with me. -- RER  Daiana Menezes Showcases
a raRER Image
Uses My Shot of Her at the Press Launch of "All About Eve" as Her Facebook Profile Photo
March 03, 2009
 At left is her Facebook(TM) profile as of today. This photo was taken during the press launch of GMA7's "All About Eve" which aired its pilot episode today, March 9, 2009.
Daiana performed the theme song of the telenovela--"All About"--with her friends Krissa Mae and Martha Joy at the press launch. They wowed the crowd composed of media people from various news, dailies and magazines with their lilting voice and gyrating hips. After the show, we had a short photoshoot at the back, where I was fortunate enough to take this shot of her.
This beautiful and sexy Brazilian came to Manila and became a favorite of Pinoys. She took over fellow Brazilian model Ariani Nogueira's job at Eat Bulaga and ever since became the delight of viewers, especially with teenage boys reportedly, with her flawless skin and body curves, her singing and dancing prowess, and even her twisted Tagalog.
Click HERE to listen to Daiana, Krissa Mae and Martha Joy's "All About", lyrics included. Or visit Daiana in Facebook HERE. Or you can view more photos of the three girls HERE. -- RER
 Autohub: 10 Years
in the Making
February 28, 2009
Autohub Group of Companies (Autohub) celebrates its 10 years in dealership of cars, accessories and services at the NBC Tent last Saturday, February 28, 2009.
 Autohub transforms the Tent into a carpark of premium car brands -- Ford, Nissan, BMW,Hyundai, Cherry and JMC, along with a slew of affiliates like Click Auto Rental, GATES (Tartarini LPG Kit), Piaggio (great background) showcasing scooters, Sony peddling car stereo, Shell and even the Belo Medical Group. Ray-Ban is also present to launch it's product line for serious car drivers. 100UnitedPhotographers was there, sponsored by Ray-Ban, to capture the wheel-dealers activities. Of course, not to miss were the pretty event models that draw attention to the dealers commodities. UPpers Tricia Data,  Russell Gil San Pedro, Lalaine Garcia (proby) and I came early, before the crowd thickens. It's one lesson I've learned about car shows. Come early so you can have the floor much to yourself, with enough space to move around and position yourself for great images. Sparse crowd affords use of telephoto and prime lenses. After the first "glory hours," the booth personnel, media, and other photographers come in to brush elbows and cramp your style.  I was first to arrive among us four. A mass was being said as we prepared our gears when we arrived. There were much movement going on as the booth keepers were setting up their booths and their products. But generally, there is still much space to move around with the 70-200mm that I put on my camera. Then Gil came in. And he became my lighting assistant, unbeknownst to him yet. First order of the day is to move around and shoot the models that also came early. My first catch were, or course, the Ray-Ban ladies, CJ, Russell.  Tricia came in later. The Hyundai booth is just a matter of turning around. So, Gil and I looked for their models. I didn't recognize Willy Tee Ten, autohub's President, among them when I took their group shot. It was only later when I saw his AVP on the stage that it dawned on me that he was there early mingling with the crowd.  Gil and I worked the Tent from taking photos of cars and especially, their models. It would be a sad insulting thing to ignore these beautiful models. They'd gladly oblige to pose, when they're not busy talking to customers. The advantage of shooting them early is that they have a few customers and onlookers yet, so they can respond to our direction more attentively. As in other events, there were models who were first-timers and were very camera shy. Almost all, however, were cooperative and would allow themselves to be shot as the we wished how. The masters of ceremony took over the priest's microphone and from time to time blurted out announcements, raffle draws and warnings to car-owners who illegally parked around the Tent. "Get them out of the way or they will tow them away!" He warned. Then there was the AVP of Willy Tee Ten, who also came by the Ray-Ban booth and tried and took some of the eye-merchandize.  The best booth I saw was Piaggio's, seller of Italian-made scooters. It's not because of their product line, but because of the catchy, photog-friendly backdrop they put on their booth. It was black with only eyes of models. It was here that I took most of the models around for an impromptu model shoot. Much thanks to The boothkeepers who didn't mind me bringing in models from other booths to take advantage of their backdrop.  A game was played at the area of JMC around 1:30pm. We were there to capture that too, like we were the official photographers, having the shooting most to ourselves, with other photogs yielding to us. After the event, I took Autozone's model Jahziel and some of the products she endorses and we had a short shoot at the stage, since there was not much of a background at her booth. Then, it was time for us to leave.
 Metrobank-Calvin Klein Sales RallyEvent @ Le Pavillion, Manila February 21, 2009 Photos and Article by Joel Sagun  The  100UnitedPhotographers ( 100UP) was invited to the Metrobank-Calvin Klein Sales Rally at the Le Pavillion, Manila. The sales rally start  ed at 8:00 A.M. with a " James Bond" theme, their mission being: to overcome Dr. No (customers who says "No" to their product). The event was hosted by Dominic Ochoa who charmed the audience, and with the special participation of Tuesday Vargas who wore a get-up of RnB artist Rhianna to entertain the crowd. The event was really great and fun especially, to the Metro bank and Calvin Klein employees who attended the sales rally. 100UP was represented by Joel Sagun and Paul dela Cruz, covering this special event. Thanks to thank Tricia Data, also a member of 100UP, for the invites and Ms. Jenny of Calvin Klein, for accommodating us in the said event. -- JSCLICK ON LOGO TO VIEW MORE 100UP PHOTOS AND ARTICLES.  CastawaysVigan-Pagudpud Solo PAT Concept ShootDecember 27, 2008 My PhotoAdvenTour (PAT) to Vigan and Pagudpud was not wasted when my sister-and-law and two of her friends, Janissa and Maricris, tagged along last December. I convinced them to shoot my concept, "Castaways" along the beaches of Pagudpud. This was the last photo we took before calling the concept shooting done.
This photo is showcased as the 9th photo in 100UnitedPhotographers Homepage, http://100-up.org/. More of the story and photos later (posting this one earlier to serve a request). -- RER  100UP & Fashion Rocks Rockouture @ Warehouse 135 February 21, 2009
Bobby Abrigo  Two UPpers, regular members of 100UnitedPhotographers, Bobby Abrigo and Gil Russell San Pedro, were invited to cover the event, the proceeds of which benefits the Ahon Foundation (building public school libraries).
The event showcased five bands; Blue Jean Junkies, Hilera, Pedicab, Kjwan, & Sandwich and was hosted by Sib Sibulo (of MTV) & Ysa Villar. Unlike other events, the rock concert also doubled as a fashion show showcasing the creations of Alodia Cecilia, Patrick Galang, Anna Leah Salvador, & Veejay Floresca among others.
There could never be a better mix between rock and fashion in one gig!
 Visit http://rockouture.multiply.com
-- BA Related Photos:
by Bobby: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mcdez/
by Gil: http://gosanpedrophotos.multiply.com/photos/album/20/
CLICK ON LOGO TO VIEW MORE 100UP PHOTOS AND ARTICLES.  UPRising at the Ark! A Photo Exhibit 100UnitedPhotographers, in partnership with Ark Avilon, presents a collection of photos by the intrepid and creative officers and members of our seminal Photography group, as a culmination of our projects, events and travels, and in celebration of our 1st Anniversary, which falls on March 31.
The exhibit will run from March 01 to 31, 2009.
Presenting the works of:
1 - Carlo Roderos
2 - Christian Te
3 - Eric Fernandez
4 - Garizaldy Cruz
5 - Ian Ong
6 - Joel Sagun
7 - John Robert Sison
8 - Kerwin Jonathan Refe
9 - Robert Regala
in a collaboration we call "100UPRising," a title indicating our "rising" above the rest and from anonymity; "uprising" indicating our maverick and revolutionary creative propensity.
Visit our website at http://100-up.org/
Photos on exhibit and sale at Php 1,000 each:
1 - Carlo Roderos (5 photos)
- - - A Moment of Stillness
- - - Archway
- - - Bay Sunset
- - - Firedance
- - - Sneakers
2 - Christian Te (2)
- - - End of Day
- - - Hiway Lights
3 - Eric Fernandez (8)
- - - Child's Glee
- - - Child of Pottery
- - - Gold
- - - Pagudpud Sunset
- - - Penetencia
- - - Rain Dance
- - - Ring of Fire
- - - The Warrior
4 - Garizaldy Cruz (9)
- - - 100 Island Adventure
- - - Avilon Zoo
- - - Bangui Wind Farm
- - - Bell Tower
- - - Bolinao Lighthouse
- - - Calle Crisologo
- - - Cape Bolinao
- - - Golden Sunset
- - - Sand Dunes
5 - Ian Ong (10)
- - - Balance of Nature
- - - Rice Bowl
- - - Bangui Sunset
- - - Calm Waters
- - - iMax
- - - Leaving Port
- - - Magudlong
- - - Rush
- - - Solitary Sunset
- - - Twilight
6 - Joel Sagun (6)
- - - Candlelight
- - - Chelle
- - - Kadayawan Flowers
- - - Marshalling Station
- - - Sto. Nino Church
- - - Street Girl
7 - John Robert Sison (5)
- - - 16 Days
- - - At the End of Day
- - - Manna
- - - Sisters
- - - The Passage
8 - Kerwin Jonathan Refe (10)
- - - Camara Island Rocks
- - - Camara Island Sunset
- - - Capones Island Sunset
- - - Curve Ahead
- - - Los Angeles Skyline
- - - Pagudpud Sunset 1
- - - Pagudpud Sunset 2
- - - Pawikan Sanctuary
- - - Saud Beach
- - - Zen
9 - Robert Regala (11)
- - - After-Rain Sale
- - - Birth of Clouds
- - - Catch! (feat. Noverlyn Amadar)
- - - Force of Nature
- - - Kaleidoscope World
- - - Local Cinderella (feat. Dianne Reonal)
- - - Mass Broadcast
- - - Out of the Earth
- - - Pale Awakening (feat. Luane Dy)
- - - Sleepy Triangle
- - - Throne of the Gods
CLICK ON LOGO TO VIEW MORE 100UP PHOTOS AND ARTICLES.  Every so often, to keep our website current, we update the showcase photos we call "High Impact Takes" or HITs. This batch includes photos from various 100UP and other events conducted by the members individually. Click on the photo to view the showcase or check below for the shooting information   SHOOTING INFORMATION
Click on photographers names to view profile (some are not available)
 1 - "Rebel of the Street" by Carlo Roderos Left: Nikon D80; Exposure: Manual; F-Stop: F/7.1; Shutter Speed: 1/80 sec; ISO: 100; Focal Length: 14mm; Flash: Did not fire; Metering Mode: Multi-segment Right: Nikon D80; Exposure: Manual; F-Stop: F/9.0; Shutter Speed: 1/200 sec; ISO: 200; Focal Length: 18mm; Flash: Did not fire; Metering Mode: Multi-segment  2 - "Glam in Grass and Ruins" by Timothy Christian TeLeft: Nikon D80; Exposure: Aperture Priority; F-Stop: F/4.0; Shutter Speed: ?; ISO: 100; Focal Length: 50mm; Flash: Did not fire; Metering: Pattern. Right: Nikon D80; Exposure: Aperture Priority; F-Stop: F/5.3; Shutter Speed: ?; ISO: 200; Focal Length: 17mm; Flash: Did not fire; Metering: Pattern  3 - "Basti Artadi" by Eric FernandezCanon EOS 50D; Exposure: Manual; F-Stop: F/2.8; Shutter Speed: 1/200 sec; ISO: 500; Focal Length: 150mm; Flash: Did not fire; Metering Mode: Spot  4 - "Nina Pinayoga" by Ian OngNo shooting info available  5 - "Baywalk Patriotism" by Robert AbrigoCanon EOS 40D; Exposure: Manual; F-Stop: F/4.0; Shutter Speed: 1/8000 sec; ISO: 200; Focal Length: 24mm; Flash: Did not fire; Metering Mode: Pattern  6 - "Smoking Area" by John Robert "Dye" SisonNo shooting info available  7 - "Wolfgang: Black Xmas" by Kerwin Jonathan RefeNikon D300; Exposure: Manual; F-Stop: F/2.8; Shutter Speed: 1/400 sec; ISO: 1250; Focal Length: 160mm; Flash: Did not fire; Metering Mode: Spot  8 - "Castaways" by Robert RegalaCanon EOS 5D; Exposure: Manual; F-Stop: F/5.6; Shutter Speed: 1/125 sec; ISO: 50; Focal Length: 32mm; Flash: Fired, Compulsory flash firing; Metering: Spot  9 - "Fairy of Colors" by Paul dela CruzNikon D80; Exposure: Manual; F-Stop: F/11.0; Shutter Speed: ?; ISO: 100; Focal Length: 32mm; Flash: Fired; Metering Mode: Spot UNCHANGED PHOTOS FROM LAST BATCH
("UPRISING" EXHIBIT)
Not shown above
 "Sand Dunes" by Garry CruzNikon D80; Exposure: Manual; F-Stop: F/11.0; Shutter Speed: 1/400 sec; ISO: 100; Focal Length: 18mm; Flash: Did not fire; Metering Mode: Spot  "Potter's Child" by Eric Fernandez
Canon EOS 30D; Exposure: Aperture Priority; F-Stop: F/4.0; Shutter Speed: 1/25 sec; ISO: 125; Focal Length: 17mm; Flash: Fired; Metering: Spot
 "Kaleidoscope World" by Robert RegalaCanon EOS 5D; Exposure: Manual; F-Stop: F/11.0; Shutter Speed: 1/10 sec; ISO: 160; Focal Length: 17mm; Flash: Did not Fire; Metering: Spot - end -
 100UnitedPhotographers Conquers Mt. Pinatubo
CHAPTER 1 -- Roll Call
"Where are you at?" That was Eric's text to me around 2:30 in the morning of January 24th. I just got behind the wheel of my car and revved the engine alive when I checked my phone for messages. Darius, our contracted driver also sent me a message asking to text him when I get to the office, the starting location of his pickup of passengers.
I slept only about a total of 3 hours the previous day, but with all the adrenalin now building up for the PhotoAdvenTour (TM) of our Photography group, the 100UnitedPhotographers (TM) to the crater of the world-renowned Mt. Pinatubo--because of its Plinial eruption way back in 1991, and the effects of the eruption around the globe--sleep was a backseat rider which I left in the office building car park.
The ground was wet and it started raining on my way to our meeting place, which is the back of our office building. During the past week, it had been raining quite ominously, threatening to put our trek plans "in deep water." Two days prior, I was in constant coordination with Ariv, our member who will be the host of this PhotoAdvenTour, to monitor the weather around Mt. Pinatubo. He assured us that the Tourism office in Capas, Tarlac, the official jump-off site, has monitored a rainless weather at the Pinatubo site.
"It seems that Ian's weather forecast is going to fail again," he once joked.
I stopped by at the Shell station at the corner of EDSA and McKinley to pick up Neil and Cris. There they were inside a small diner with their backpacks on the table. I knocked on the glass wall and the next instant, we were inside the car, catching up on each other’s lives on our way to the office. Nina was already waiting there. I called up Kael to know where he and Ayin where.
"10 minutes, I'll be there," texted Darius on his way to our location. 
"Kids are not welcome on this trip!" joked Cris at Nina when she saw her coming from 7-Eleven. Fresh from a modeling job hours earlier at the A. Venue mall, she still had some makeup on, her hair was pony-tailed on either side, and she was dressed like she was only going to the park. LOL! She showed us some photo of the event while waiting for Kael and Ayin on their way to this rendezvous location. A taxi pulls up and Kael and Ayin alighted. Darius arrived with his van and were off to our next pickup point, which is 7-Eleven at EDSA near Shaw Blvd, where Eric and Faye where having breakfast across at McDonald's. "Wave so we can see you!" Nina exclaimed on the phone on our way to pick up Josiah, a newly registered member of our group and a proby. We were about to pass by SM North EDSA, where Josiah asked to be picked, when we saw a dark figure wave from the shed at the front of the mall. We pulled over and Josiah ran over to us. He's another bald head. Now we have 3 bald heads in our group. Hehe. Josiah is Nina's friend and by the looks of this guy, I knew he is an outdoor maniac. He had a backpack with a rain guard and he wore knee protection pads. We greeted and shook hands. Then he sat in the front, beside the driver. Ian came out of the fast-food store while it started drizzling. He sat beside Nina, his girlfriend, of course. The last seat beside them was for Ariv, whom we were to pick up at the San Fernando exit. The next 45 minutes I tried to sleep, but the seat had no headrest. Neil, sitting beside me, offered his headrest and shoulder to lean on, however, I couldn't stretch my body for a comfortable nap. So I just close my eyes to give it some rest, knowing that I can also conserve energy by simply closing the eyes.
 The Sky Cooperates Along NLEX, I noticed that the road was drier here than at the Metro. So, it seems we're going to have a great trek up Mt. Pinatubo after all! I called Ariv when we were about to exit to San Fernando. "Can you drive over at the KFC and wait for me? I'll be there in about 15 minutes," he requested over the phone. 
When we stopped by KFC, it was still closed, as expected. But outside on the streets there were street vendors already selling foodstuffs. Great time for photo-journal! I whisked out my camera and was out shooting in seconds. Moments later, the guys came out of the van and started buying themselves taho or soy bean curd in caramel syrup. I helped myself to a cupful and gulped it in a minute. Ariv arrived with our lunch and loaded it into the van. We needed water to take up the mountain so we dropped by Mercury drug and 7-Eleven to buy 6 liters container and several smaller ones to put into our backpacks for individual consumption. The bigger container we will let the porter carry it for us and consume it at lunch time inside the mountain's crater. "I think he didn't just pee," I observed about Ian when he takes longer that expected, while we wait on the side of the street. Darius was looking out through the windshield and I noticed the droplets of rain that fell on the van window. But thank God it stopped after a while. Ian was back in moments. We drove for Max's at Dau, where the 4x4 jeeps were waiting to take us up the mountain.
Dau. The van will be left here as the jeeps will be taking the road from here. While we unload our stuffs out the van, I noticed that there were so many climbers gathered around and inside Chow King. There were about 7 jeeps parked across, right at Max's customer parking. Of these, we only will use two of them. So we're not going to be alone at the top after all. I looked inside the restaurant and not only there are many hikers going up the mountain, but there were among us foreigners.
Ariv walked back from speaking with the jeep drivers con guides to buy us time for breakfast. "The Aeta guides are complaining about the other groups," he confided to me. "They lied and told them that they were all Filipino, but actually they were a mixed group of Filipinos and foreigners."
"I see," I replied. "Why does that make a difference?"
"Well, the guides charge the foreigners more and they had to ensure more stringent security for them."
"Makes sense. Well, at least our group is not like them. Common, let's go eat first!" Our Model Recruit
We went inside Chow King and at the counter, I saw the overhead menu and I thought, "I am here to enjoy the outdoor and the adventure, and am I to eat the food of the stressed urban employee?" So instead, I ordered coffee. I got Ariv one too. "Let's have a look at the native food the Aeta is peddling outside. Let's have suman or whatever he has to make us endure the trail."  The others had just helped themselves to the tables and were already enjoying their breakfast. Ariv and I scoured the bilao of the Aeta vendor and found ourselves bundles of suman, or sticky rice cakes wrapped in banana leaves. There were about 8 suman sticks in a bundle. We took a bundle each. A young lady in white shirt and shorts leaned over the stuffs. She looks like a Filipina but then she spoke in accented English, "Do you have that stuff with banana inside?" Ariv and I looked at each other with a what-is-she-talking-about look. She described it further to us and the vendor, and we decided she must be looking for turon, which is banana rolled in a thin crust of flour mix and deep fried. Well, it's our closest guess.
"You know, we are a group of Photographers and we're looking for a model to shoot inside the crater," I told the woman, who could pass for model. It's fat chance, but since our contracted model stupidly thought the trip was yet on Sunday, it was worth trying to convince this one to pose for us. We had Nina with us, but we're not sure if Ian will allow us to shoot her atop Mt. Pinatubo.
"Oh, that's cool!" The woman exclaimed.
"Yeah. Those guys with cameras inside are with us. We love to explore the outdoor and at the same time take model to shoot in exotic places, like Pinatubo."
"That's nice. But I'm not into modeling and I don't have outfit with me."
"Oh, what you wear now is actually Ok. We’ll just shoot some nice poses to compensate." "Aaah... well... my team is over there. I'll see you at the top." I could sense the reluctance in her voice and then she hurried towards her team gathered outside the restaurant.
Later, we met her again inside the restaurant. We gave her a calling card and showed her our website. "That's our website right there," pointing to where it is printed.  "Oh Ok. I will check it later."
"You can check it at the top. There's an internet cafe up there!"
“Really?!” Of course, we were only joking. My camera was inside the bag, so I didn't get a snap of her. But I had the chance later at the Tourism office, our jump-off station in Capas, Tarlac. The guides had a registration sheet with them and we signed in our names into it. We were to submit the sheet to the Tourism office when we get to the jump-off site. Ariv also collected our share of the cost of renting the jeeps which amounted to Php 1,100 each person. Then, it was time to board the jeeps. We divided the group into teams of 5 and 6. The sweethearts: Nina and Ian, both tall and big; Kael and Ayin, the opposite; and Josiah to balance the load. Our team was composed of Ariv and I, Eric and Faye, Neil and Cris. "Can you take off the overhead cover of the jeep later when we drive up Pinatubo?" Ariv asked the driver. I knew what Ariv was thinking.
"Yes, yes!" was the reply.
“Then, we’ll take that jeep!” Ariv exclaimed and we ran to that yellow jeep with convertible top to secure a nice position to shoot the trip from the jeep! Haha Roaring Tires, Screaming Wind
 The spiked tires of the jeep made the road sing and the roar of the engine joined the screaming wind to make a familiar and pleasant sound of our escape from the humdrum of the Metro to the therapeutically exhilarating and almost spiritual outdoors. I didn't mind the dust sticking to my face and hair. The crisp and cool morning air filled my lungs, seemingly revving my systems to the excitement of the adventure in waiting.
I noticed the clear sky turning dark blue into light, with puffs of clouds on the horizon. The threat of rain that would hold us from climbing was entirely gone. At this pace, only Cris dared take a nap. Sitting. Her cowboy hat over her face, warding off the stiff wind. She needs the energy up there, I thought to myself.
Maybe he doesn't know it yet, but Ariv is a born tour guide. He had something to tell about many things and places we passed by along the way.
"Only these jeeps are able to pass through the vast Lahar valley and up the mountain," Ariv explained as if we have no idea why we're not taking the van and instead, rented rough-terrain vehicles, with local guides. "They will take us to the Tourism office but we'll board them again and ride up to a point where it is not yet possible for them to pass. From there, we will be trekking to the crater for another 45 minutes." Now he sounded like we paid him to be our guide.
"But we will not be able to shoot Sunset up there," Ariv continued in a raised voice, to be heard over the howl of the headwind. "By 3 pm we should be coming down so that there is still light at the Lahar valley."
"Do they know if there are people left at the top?" someone asked.
"Yes. They will know from the registration sheet we filled up."
"Oh ok. That's why we need to sign up on that sheet! So they know whose body to retrieve in case the volcano erupts or something else bad happens," I quipped.
"If it gets dark and the guides do not report back to the office, they will send a chopper at the top to find those that haven't come down yet."
"So, it might be a good idea to not come down in time. We get to ride in a chopper!"
Laughter. "If hikers want to stay overnight at the top, they need to take an Air Force personnel with them to let them allow you." Ariv really did his assignment, I thought to myself. Lots of pointers to type into my Blackberry notes, something I found this eBay cheapo useful for. I wrote my solo Vigan-Pagudpud blog entirely on it, sending each chapter to my yahoo email.
Eric shouted that I missed a photo-journal opportunity on the wayside. "Because you were texting!"
"I'm not texting. I'm blogging!" I shouted. Having wrote some accumulated items, I returned to my shooting, with the camera shutter and ISO set to high. It's a practice we have also come to enjoy, capturing images and scenes along the way on a speeding vehicle. Sometimes we amaze ourselves at the images we get with this "drive-by shooting."
At Sta. Lucia, we catched up with some of the jeeps that left earlier when we were having breakfast. Our and their convoy created a file of jeeps traveling to the same destination, roaring along the freeways. Soon we passed by a marker of the Philippine Air Force at the Crow Valley Military Reservation. Minutes later, we joined the many 4x4s parked on both sides of the street.
 Where Big Wheels Rest
"We're here at the Tourism office," Ariv informed us. "I just need to go pay and submit the registration sheet. Those of you who needs to use the restroom, they are inside the Tourism compound." Then he was off with the driver-guides. Those of us left, of course, took the opportunity for group shots with the big jeeps around us. Then we took also shots of the people and other jeeps parked about the wayside. Men by the jeeps were actually Aeta guides waiting for their clients who were also inside the Tourism office. Local as well as foreign tourists scattered about. Some were at the open restaurant, others at the restroom, while others are amused by the antics of the monkey on the tree by the entrance to the office.  One foreigner made a mistake passing beneath the pole that the monkey walks back and forth on. His sunglass was ripped off from his face by the monkey who swung adeptly on the pole to reach for it. And then it tossed the sunglass on to the ground. I thought, "I will not make a mistake of passing beneath that gadget-grabbing primate and risk my camera being tossed to the ground from 10 feet up!" After using the restroom, Ariv and I were surprised to see the woman we invited to become our model running towards our direction from where our jeep was parked. Instinctively, we lifted our cameras onto our faces and got a snapshot in seconds! Reviewing the shot, I could see that she's not as good-looking in the light as she did in the dark.  But still, she could pass for the model position. However, Ariv came to know, obviously from the office that she was with a company that will take the long 2-hour walk via another route. Too bad! Well, I saw Nina with Ian, and I feel better again. At least there was still a chance we could shoot a model atop Mt. Pinatubo :) -- Chapter 2, “White Sand SkyWay” follows 
Many have claimed that they are members of our seminal group 100UnitedPhotographers, or 100UP, sometimes to the group's discredit. Some members have also left the group, either because their values are simply not in agreement with the group's values and therefore, have laid down their "Spartan" garbs; or, their circumstances do not allow them to join the 100UP events at the moment. Sadly, some ex-members have gone to the extreme of biting back and calling us names, for no profitable or valid reason at all. Literally, hundreds have registered in our forum but failed to pass the criteria for qualifying as Photog-UPpers. Only a handful of these registrants passes the screening. However, upon becoming as members, they fail to hold out their promise of support to the group and have lost interest and become inactive. Many simply did not comprehend in the beginning that to be a regular Photog-UPper is not easy, and becoming a "Spartan" is even harder. Why? Members need to show constant support (as compared to asking loyalty). Some have therefore asked, especially the members themselves, Who are really UPpers and Spartans?. The Council have therefore, at the end of this year, come up with an OFFICIAL ROSTER of 100UP, which we are now publishing here for the benefit of both the public. The list is also posted on our official website "The 100" page, http://www.100-up.org/the100.php. THE COUNCIL MEMBERS - Carlo Roderos
- Donjun Somodio
- Eric Fernandez
- Garry Cruz
- Ian Ong
- Kerwin Jonathan Refe
- Jeffrey Pineda
- John Robert ‘Dye’ Sison
- Timothy Christian Te
- Robert Regala
THE ACTIVE MEMBERS (with event participation for at least the last 3 months) - ABRIGO, Robert
- ADIWANG, Liza May
- ALIM, Michael
- AVELLANOSA, Jeffrey
- BOLANTE, Ronald
- CREENCIA, Carlos Antonio
- DEE, Kester (courtesy membership)
- DELA CRUZ, Paul Lenard
- DOLERO, Michael
- DORMIDO, Stephen
- FERNANDO, Ayin
- GAERLAN, Kenneth (courtesy membership)
- LARA, Katherine V.
- MacLURE, John
- MANLAPAZ, Rellie
- MONEZA, Richie
- NOBLE, Noel Nino
- OBMERGA, Sean
- REGALA, Abigail
- SAGUN, Joel
- SAN PEDRO, Gil Russell
- SANTAMARIA, Nan
- TORRES, Rommel
- VICENCIO, Neil
NOTE: The probies, Honoraries, Photog-guests, Models, Make Up Artists, and Designers are not included in this list :) 100UnitedPhotographers (100UP) contingents regularly, like once in 2 months since 2006, conduct trips to provincial scenic spots. We love the experience of being in rugged places, and the hum of the tires on the roads to exotic locations. We get up early (if we're not partying the night before) to greet the sunrise and drive like hell to the beaches to bid the sun farewell. Without cameras?! Certainly not! We are always locked and loaded for any photographic warfare we meet. So, now that we have taken landscape photos, what next? Would that rocky promontory on the beach look amazing with a model on top of the rocks?! Yes, it will! Therefore, because 100UP conducts trips extraordinarily, we always take along models with us. When we're done with landscapes, we spice up the shoot with them on these exotic locations.  Mercedes Cabral at the Mindoro Beach
We call these trips "PhotoAdvenTour," short for "Photographic Adventure Tour." Quite self-explanatory. And obviously, these are not your leisure trips to tourist destinations, booked in posh hotels or resorts and pampered by fawning attendants. That's not nearly close to the meaning of the word "adventure." And it also is not your company outings where you are stuffed in your room with food and wasting away your time watching cable TV. That is nowhere near what "tour" is meant. 
Luanne Dy at the Burgos Lighthouse
PhotoAdvenTour happens when you mix with the locals, eat their food, and do their thing; when you exert yourself physically and test your limits of endurance and talent. And after all that, go home with lots of great photos, wasted but exhilarated, craving for more. Mercedes Cabral (of "Serbis" indie fame and Playboy Phils.) and Luanne Dy (TV personality) were among those who have worked with us in our trips, proving that they're not just pretty talents, but also hardy vagabonds. We're rolling out once more! 100UP will be conducting it's... maybe 5th... PhotoAdvenTour on Dec 26 - 30, 2008 in Vigan-Currimao-Laoag-Pagudpud. If you are interested to join as our model for this trip, you can apply by replying to this blog. Or you can PM me. We will evaluate the applicants and whoever will be chosen will be awarded: (1) An ALL-EXPENSE PAID trip; (2) Great Spartan Photos; and (3) the excitement of the PhotoAdvenTour! -- Robert I can listen to this lilting instrumental ballad for hours and never get over the euphoria its chorus evokes, from the brilliant play of saxophone, classical guitar, and superb percussions arrangement. Dave Koz has been one of my long time fave Jazz artists. This song is from his album "The Dance" released in September 28, 1999, it's kind of a decade old but these kind of music are timeless.
Hear the song (no video): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eboy76RTjfg
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