Sunday, April 17, 2011

Bike For Clean Air

April 17, 2011: 13th Annual Tour of the Fireflies



Sharing this video he posted on my wall. This was during the Tour of the Fireflies last April 2011.


(Just some details about the event -- (ToF), an annually recurring 50 kilometer pedal-powered cycling ride across several key cities in Metro Manila promoting the use of bicycles (and other similar non-motorized transportation devices) as an alternative means of transportation that is cheap, efficient, environmentally sensible and good for the people's health. Other sister events were also held all throughout major cities across the Philippines. Awarding ceremonies to the best costumed bikers wearing earth-friendly themes culminated the program of activities. As always, the schedule of this yearly tour has been timed to be near the World's Earth Day event (April 22) -- http://www.earthday.org/earth-day-2011.)

 
This was my third time to join the Tour of the Fireflies already, but not as a biker.. but as a photographer. ;p As much as I really want to join, but I really don't know how to bike (yet!) ;p
Thus the reason why he shared this biking video.. :)

He said, "Kirstie Joan, this video's for you. So that you can share the experience of actually joining the tour. ^_^"


 High Key Shot by the High Way. ;)

With Michelle and Alexis.. :)


Even though he always joins ToF, this was his first shot while riding the bike. ;)


Here are more photos during this event:


- Kirstie Joan -

Saturday, April 16, 2011

On The Job..

April 16, 2011: On the Job


I got a call from Nikon a few weeks back, and was asked to do a shoot for their new line of Nikon CoolPix point and shoot cameras. The shoot would be 3 separate shoots all scheduled on the same day. It was a tough challenge, but one that I was up to! On the day of the shoot, I asked her if she wanted to tag along. She said she wasn't too busy, so she was glad to.



I picked her up at her place, and we headed to UP Diliman to meet up with the team for the first shoot of the day. It turned out that the first shoot of the day was gonna be in Ortigas, so we all crammed into my smallish sedan, with all the equipment, and we headed over to Ortigas. The shoot with Gang Badoy started some time after 1pm, and we finished at around 2:30.



The 2nd shoot of the day with Ramon Bautista was scheduled for 2pm, so we had to hightail on back to UP for that shoot. We met up with Ramon at around 4pm, and did the shoot outdoors until the sun set at around 5:30. By that time, I was already a bit tired, but I tried to hide it, because I was trying to impress someone (wink, wink! :P). The last shoot of the day with Laureen Uy and Carlos Concepcion was scheduled for 6pm at Pioneer Studios back in Ortigas, so we had to cram everyone back into my car, and I drove like a madman back to Ortigas to get to the shoot. We arrived at around 7:30 but the models were not even ready yet! The HMUA was still working her magic on them, so we had some moments to relax a bit and screw around. 



The shoot ended at around 10:30PM, and by that time, I was exhausted. She was a bit worried as well, since her place had a 10Pm curfew. I took her home, and thankfully, the gate was still open! :)  I took her to the gate, and saw her in. Once she was safely inside, I headed home. It was a long journey because I was already so tired. By the time I got home, it took all my strength to send her a message letting her know that I was home, and have a good night. Next thing I know, it was morning! Whew, what a day! 




- Ku Manahan -
 

Thursday, March 31, 2011

The Day We First Met...

March 31, 2011: Met Up For The First Time.. ❤ 

Over Coffee...
 

And some Yogurt.



It was March 31, he was already back in Manila after his 3 day Photo Workshop in Cebu. And I was just back from Boracay myself, after our Earth, Wind and Wild event with Miss Earth Foundation. My Manila trip was actually just a side trip from Boracay before going back home to Cebu. It wasn't even planned ahead that we'd be meeting that day.


On that day, I was comfortable enough to meet him, especially after knowing from the very first day that his sister-in-law is my friend. I also told my friend and room mate, Michelle, that I'll be meeting him for the first time. It was funny though, because she was surprised I'd be going on my own, since we're always together whenever we go out. Then I told her he's a brother-in-law of our friend. It was cute as well because she gave me a lot of reminders and stuff. (n_n)


So I got ready. And after some time, I received his call and he told me he'd wait outside. I went out of the house. We didn't even see each other right away since there were two gates. Then I saw him walking from the other gate, bringing a Pomelo fruit from Davao. On the side of the fruit, I saw he wrote my name.


Then we walked towards his car, he opened the door, and assisted me inside. (I know in my heart that he's really sincere and a gentleman, and I very much appreciate when he always puts me first before him. Like opening doors for me, letting me go ahead, offers to carry my stuff, and everything else.. even up to now.)


We didn't really plan ahead what we were gonna do or where we would be heading to. He asked if I wanted to go for something to eat. But I was full, and I'm not that much of a foodie. So we eventually decided to go to Trinoma and find some place to go there.


Upon arriving, we just strolled around the mall a bit at first, then decided to go to Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, which is one of his favorite coffee shops. He's a coffee drinker (I used to be also, but I started cutting it down, since I was having way too many servings in a day). I couldn't decide right away what I wanted since I was full, and shy as well.  So he got me a drink he thought would be the safest choice for me, some fresh fruit juice. ;)


We talked. And talked some more (oh, I meant, He talked, I listened. :P Yes, because I'm the silent type, but I really like listening). I was also a bit nervous by then, because I realized, it was actually my first time to go out with a man alone. But he also made me feel at ease because he treated me with much respect, gave me personal space to not feel uneasy :P and all those other positive stuff..


We didn't notice the time with the continous conversation. It was starting to dim outside. He asked me to go to dinner with him, but I didn't wanna eat at that time. We strolled around the mall looking for yet another place to go to. Upon passing by several stores, I couldn't resist stopping by one of my favorite stores, Frozen Yogurt! :D Yes! I've finally decided on somewhere to go! By that time, Frozen Yogurt was the trend, before all the Milk Tea (which is also my favorite!).


So we went inside and got ourselves some huge servings of frozen yogurt. We sat and continued our conversation. After some time, not fully aware of the time, it was already almost mall closing hours. It was funny because the salesmen in the store were probably just waiting for us to leave. We apologized for not noticing the time right away and we thanked them for their nice service.


We walked outside and saw people were going down the escalators now, probably from the movie house. Oh! By the way, we didn't go watch a movie also, because I was never used to watching a movie with a man alone. :P


We went down the escalator and then headed to the parking area. Most parts of the mall were already lights off, aside from the top most Cinema area. So we walked to where the car was parked, he opened the door (yes again, it's part nature to him), and I went inside.


He drove me back to the place where I was staying. It was cute because he tried the short cut at the back, but he's not used to the area there since he's from the north part of Metro Manila. We got a little lost, but he eventually was still able to find the right way. He said he used to bike the area before a few times, but during the day. There's really a big difference passing through that area in a car at night and on a bike during the daytime.


So I'm finally back home. He parked in front of the gate. We got out of the car, I rang the door bell, and he stood with me while waiting for the gate to be opened. I gave him a hug and said thank you for the time spent. I had a really nice and fun day. The gate then opened, I walked inside, and thanked him again before finally closing the gate.


I went up to our room. Michelle was there, and she asked me why I was out till night time. She's really cute. Then I told her how the day went. After which, I changed in to my pajamas, got ready for bed, held the phone, and sent him a thank you message, as well told him to take care while he was driving back home. After a minute or two, he called; he said he was already near home since there was no traffic by that time. We had just a short conversation because I didn't want him to be on the phone while driving.


After some time, he sent a message to tell me that he was finally home and safe. It was already late by that time. He just got ready for bed also. Then we messaged each other a good night and a nice sleep...


Yes, thus the name Coffee and Yogurt. It was the day we first met each other, had the so called, 'First Date' (in which I used to think and say it's not a date, just a 'get together' or a 'meet up with' thing). But my friend, Michelle, would always say, If you're out with someone, a man in particular, and it's just the two of you, then it's what you call a date. :p



- Kirstie Joan -

Friday, March 25, 2011

Name Sand Art, Boracay

March 24-26, 2011: Earth, Wind and Wild



A fun and eco awareness 3-day event by the Miss Earth Foundation together with Don Cristobal and the government of Boracay during Earth Hour. We did Tree Planting and beach clean up during day time, and a spectacular fashion show in the evening, donning the creations of Don Cristobal which were gowns/dresses made from Recycled Materials. That was a really wonderful event and experience. :)

Sharing this link to the album I posted before on facebook:
** Earth, Wind and Wild  :) **


And as for the photo above, I wrote it while we had our free period. I went alone to the beach area, searched for a good spot, wrote his name, and took a picture of it.. It's funny though why there are two foot prints.. While I was setting my camera, this tourist passed by and walked over it. ;p It happened really quick and I wasn't able to notice it that very moment. He probably didn't notice I just finished making it and was still about to take a photo. It did turn out to be some kind of artsy design though. ;p
 I made this because I promised that I would write his name on the sandy beach of Boracay. Because several days before, we talked about this trip, and he mentioned missing the place. And I thought that with this, he can somehow feel the Boracay beach experience even from a far.. :)

I showed this to him right after and it made him very happy..  (n_n)


- Kirstie Joan -

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

A Stretchy Smiley For You ;)

March 16, 2011: Stretchy Smiley :D

  
He shared this on my Facebook wall one morning...
And yes! It surely placed a smile on my face. (n_n)


May you all have a very SMILEY DAY!!
This does seem like a pretty good way to start a smile.  :D :P
 

 - Kirstie Joan -

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Shaped Bokkeh Experiment Day :)

March 15, 2011: Shaped Bokkeh Experiment


We have been communicating for a month now, and we've pretty much shared quite a lot of stories and ideas.. Oh! By the way, we've never met each other personally just yet. But we've become really good friends at this point. :)
 
 This is one experimenting stuff I told him that I got really fascinated on that day. Creating some shaped bokkeh.. He decided to make the Letter K shape, and indeed he made some really awesome letter K shaped bokkeh! :D




  
Well, as for mine..  here are my works. They're supposed to be some Smiley shaped bokkeh and a Heart shaped bokkeh.


 
 
Then again... I don't know if it does look like it's smiling. A little bit I guess.. Good thing the Heart shapes came a bit more okay..




 And yes, I know... I know... His photos are indeed really professional,
even though I was the one who told him it's just an easy cardboard cut out trick.. ;)


- Kirstie Joan -

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Where It All Began...

February 17, 2011: First Hello... ❤


How a short and simple "Small World" message
brought together two souls towards one journey
and by His grace, they are continuing to mold a future together
through trials and hardships, and continuously standing strong.


- Kirstie Joan -