Looking For A Long Lost Friend

SANDY G

Dear Readers,

We hope that you can spare some of your time reading this article. It would mean a lot to one of our good friends in the blogosphere, if you can help her in this.Our good friend named Sandy is currently searching for a person whom she had always regarded as her best friend. They were very close to each other, until a conflict between them arose. Ever since then, both of them lost touch of each other.It has been nine long years since they last communicated with each other, and Sandy is deeply affected by her best friend’s absence. Her greatest wish right now is to reunite with her best friend and be close to her like before.Her best friend’s name is Judy Sanford and is staying with her husband named Mike. According to Sandy, she was last found to be staying in California. Whether she is still staying in California or not is still a question mark. But you could be the person to answer the question!If you happened to know Judy and her whereabouts, kindly inform us or inform Sandy directly via her blog. Even if you have never heard of Judy, you can still do your part by spreading this heartfelt message via your blogs.Your immediate response to this message is greatly appreciated. What we are doing may be something small, but if all of us can put our hands together and be part of the search, it can bring two best friends together again after nine long years.Sandy, please be strong in going through this obstacle in your life. Have great faith that miracles can happen, always look on the bright side of life, and believe that your long awaited wish could come true. We are here for you and will do our best to help you.Judy, if you are reading this, please contact Sandy as soon as possible. She really misses you and wants to make up for the lost times. Let bygones be bygones. Hope that you will reciprocate Sandy’s feelings as soon as you can. (end of article)Bloggers, our team has come up with badges with the title ‘NAFASG CERTIFIED PARTNERS’ engraved on them.

These badges are designed specially for all our blogger friends who have shown a great amount of support towards our blog and our articles.

Below is the top list of NAFASG affiliates who truly deserve these badges:v Mariucav Janicev Jeanv Bobbyv Joe Zulv Emilav Thiamhinv Fattienv Donv Jesse v Make Trafficv Karenv Feel Happyv Adam Mutum v Trinityv Jamillav Malawikav Sandy Gv Fauziv Xiaoyenziv Sticky Artz

If you want to be a major part of the blogging experience here at NAFASG, we urge you to paste our badges to your sites to show that you are a proud supporter and affiliate of our blog and our articles, including this write-up about our quest to look for Sandy’s best friend, Judy.Readers, imagine life without a best friend to confide in and to have fun with. Show your compassion for Sandy. Put on the badges with pride and assist us in the search for a long lost friend.We are inviting everyone to copy till (end of article) and post this article in your blog with the aim to help Sandy search for her long lost friend. Kindly, notify us and add the badge above. We hope that your act of kindness will be rewarded.THE NAFASG TEAM.

Nikon ( D3 & D300)

Nikon launched their new Babies the D3 and D300. (Camera review for this new monster are not yet available once 'Ive got I will post it)

Nikon D3


Main Features

• Nikon's original FX-format CMOS image sensor with 36.0 (H) x 23.9 (V) mm image size; 12.1 effective megapixels
• Compatible with three image-sensor formats – FX format (36 x 24), 5:4 (30 x 24) and DX format (24 x 16)
  
• Sensitivity range ISO 200 to 6400 at normal setting for exceptionally high-quality images; can be set to ISO-equivalent 25,600
• Incorporates Nikon's original EXPEED digital image processing concept
• Nikon's original Scene Recognition system, utilizing the 1,005-pixel RGB sensor, greatly improves autofocus, auto exposure and auto white balance performance
  
• New 51-point autofocus system features 15 cross-type sensors that maximize the potential of lenses with apertures as small as f/5.6
• High-speed continuous shooting at approx. 9 frames per second [FX format (36 x 24)/5:4 (30 x 24)]/approx. 11 fps [DX format (24 x 16)] ^*1
• Newly employed Picture Control System enables creation of desired picture with preferred tones
• Accurate focal-plane contrast AF^*2 available with built-in Liveview mode
• Wireless Transmitter WT-4^*3 (optional) realizes wireless connection of cameras with a PC, enabling thumbnail display of images taken with up to five of them, and downloading of images selected
• CF card double slot accepts two CF cards
• Quick response with approx. 0.12 sec. startup time and 37 ms Shutter-release time lag
  
• Viewfinder with approx. 100% frame coverage and approx. 0.7x magnification in FX format
• High-definition (920,000 dots), 170˚ viewing angle, 3-inch VGA LCD monitor with tempered glass
• Active D-Lighting optimizes tone reproduction in both shadows and highlights

*1 With Continuous-servo AF, S or M exposure mode, shutter speed 1/250 sec. or faster; other settings are set at "Default".
*2 When Tripod mode is selected.
*3 Specifications differ depending on country or area.

Nikon D300



Main Features

• All-new 12.3 effective megapixel Nikon DX-format CMOS image sensor with integrated A/D converter and the increased bit precision of selectable 14-bit NEF (RAW) output
  
• Incorporates Nikon's original EXPEED digital image processing concept
  
• Nikon's original Scene Recognition System greatly improves autofocus, auto exposure and auto white balance performance
  
• New 51-point autofocus system features 15 cross-type sensors that maximize the potential of lenses with apertures as small as f/5.6
  
• Viewfinder with approx.100% frame coverage and large approx.0.94 magnification (50mm f/1.4 lens at infinity, –1.0 m^-1)
  
• Rapid 8 fps^*1 or 6 fps^*2 continuous shooting for up to 100 shots^*3*4
  
• New Picture Control System for image finishing optimized to match individual preferences
  
• Quick response of 0.13 sec. power-up and 0.045 sec. shutter release time lag^*5
  
• Two liveview modes enable shooting while confirming subjects in the LCD monitor
  
• Magnesium alloy body for light weight and rugged durability
  
• 3-inch LCD with 920,000-dot (VGA) resolution and a 170° ultra-wide viewing angle
  
• Active D-Lighting optimizes tone reproduction in both shadows and highlights
  
• Shutter speeds ranging from 1/8,000 to 30 s for full creative control
  
• Optional Multi-Power Battery Pack MB-D10 extends shooting capability, enhances stability, and provides the further shooting potential of added controls
  
• Built-in Speedlight with i-TTL flash control and full support for Nikon's Creative Lighting System
  
• Support for the Wireless Transmitter WT-4 (optional) enables direct cable-free image transfer to a compatible computer
  
• Includes Nikon’s Software Suite software for easy control over image adjustment and management
  
• Supported by Nikon Capture NX software (optional), to explore the extensive potential of NEF (Nikon Electronic Format)
  

*1 When using AC Adapter EH-5a/EH-5 or Multi-Power Battery Pack MB-D10 with batteries other than Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL3e
*2 When using Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL3e
*3 NORMAL – LARGE image setting, using a SanDisk Extreme IV CompactFlash 1 GB card
*４ When shooting in Continuous-servo AF (C), Shutter-Priority Auto [S] or Manual [M] exposure modes, at a shutter speed of 1/250 s or faster with other settings at default
*5 When shooting in JPEG, TIFF or 12-bit NEF (RAW) formats

Concrete Angle

This song is dedicated to all children victims of child abused...

Martina McBride - Concrete Angel

Camera Lenses

Camera lenses

The ability to swap optics is the reason the word lens is so important in the abbreviation SLR/DSLR. Some factors to consider when choosing a camera include:

• Lens quality: Are the lenses of a particular vendor known for their quality, both optically and mechanically (what is known as build quality)? Does this vendor offer multiple lens lines with economy lenses that might be a little less rugged but afford ably priced, as well as pro-style lenses with the ultimate in sharpness and ruggedness? Depending on the type of photography you do, trading off a little weight and replacing a few metal parts with tough plastic might be important. Or, you might require lenses that can take punishment and still deliver sparkling results.

• Focal length ranges: Some vendors are stronger in the telephoto lens department and weaker when it comes to providing wide-angle lenses. Some do a better job with certain kinds of zooms than others. Make sure that vendor of the camera you're contemplating offers lenses in the focal lengths and maximum apertures you require. If not, see whether you can fill in the lenses you require from third-party vendors, such as Tamron and Sigma. These manufacturers' optical offerings might be completely satisfactory — or they might not. It's best to see whether the lenses you will need are readily available at a price you can afford.

• Special features: Focal lengths, zoom ranges, and maximum aperture aren't the only features you want in a lens. You might need close focusing, fast autofocus (which is partially dependent on the design of the lens), or the ability to control the out-of-focus areas of an image. (Nikon, for example, has a line of DC lenses that are great for portraiture because you can control how the defocused areas look.

Camera Lens (Important parts of the Camera)

As far is camera is concerned from my last post What is the Best Camera or Digital Camera to Buy" I think it is time for us now to look after the Lenses.

What is Lens? Lens is the most important part of the camera, yes it is!!! because without this you cannot capture good photos. Just for an example, Imagine a person without sunglasses with 450/450 or more of eye grade, how they see images. (Note: All Lens Images are from Nikon)


Let talk about lens basic.

Cost and Quality
Camera lenses cost from a few pence to tens of thousands of dollars, yes some lenses are more expensive than camera , but all do basically the same job of making an image on the film or sensor. You can even take pictures without a lens using a pinhole camera. Some high-budget advertising campaigns have been shot this way, using large sheet film, giving results you would never guess came from a pinhole (in some cases the client didn't either.) At least one photographer has won an advertising award with an image literally taken using the bottom from a bottle. If you have the creativity you can work in many different ways. However in general, expensive lenses are likely to produce higher quality results.

Most of us use lenses made for photographic use, either on cameras with a fixed lens or with those that take interchangeable lenses.

Many pros will have spent several times as much on lenses as they have on the camera. But even the cheapest lenses on disposable cameras can produce good pictures.

Prime Lenses and Zooms

Photographic lenses come in two main types: fixed focal length (prime lenses) and zooms. Zoom lenses let you alter the focal length - and thus the angle of view that the picture takes in - while remaining focussed at the same distance.

Focal length

The focal length of a simple lens is the distance from its centre to the sharp image it gives of a distant object. This and the film size determines the angle of view that the lens gives on film (or sensor.) With a SLR camera (Single Lens Reflex) the viewfinder image is also created by the lens and will change according to the focal length of the lens in use. Non-SLR cameras with interchangeable lenses may show different white light frames for the different lenses.

Wide Angle Lenses

Short focal lengths compared to the sensor give a wide angle of view and are usually called wide-angle lenses. On 35mm cameras, any lens of 35mm or less is a wide angle lens, with those of around 24mm or less being called ultra-wide.

Standard Lenses

Lenses with a focal length around the same size as the sensor diagonal give a moderate angle of view and are called standard lenses. On 35mm cameras these are between 40mm and 55 mm.

Telephoto Lenses

Those lenses with a long focal length give a narrow angle of view. In the early days of photography they were known as long focus lenses. Lens designers soon started to use a trick called telephoto design to make these lenses shorter, and we now call all long focus lenses 'telephoto lenses' - most but not all are. Short telephoto lenses - around 70-105mm focal length for 35mm - are sometimes called portrait lenses, as they are great for 'head and shoulders' pictures. 200mm is probably the most common length for a telephoto now, with birders and some sports photographers favouring much longer glass - perhaps 400 to 600mm

35mm equivalents

35mm cameras dominated photography from the 1960s to the turn of the century and many photographers still think of focal lengths in terms of their equivalents on the 35mm format. So a 7.6mm focal length lens on a consumer digital camera may be referred to as a '39mm equivalent' - in other words it gives the same angle of view as a 39mm lens would give on the 35mm format.

Zoom lenses

A zoom lens can have different focal lengths, usually with a ring (or less commonly a slide) to move to alter the focal length. They are designed to keep in focus when the focal length is changed. When zoom lenses became popular in the 1970s, they were all telephoto lenses, often covering the range 70-210mm; some people still assume that zoom lenses are telephotos. My favourite zoom is a 12-24mm wide-angle, and there are some zooms that go from wide-angle to telephoto.

With smaller formats it is much easier to design zoom lenses with an extreme range. Zooms for 35mm are normally limited to a ratio of longest to shortest focal length of about 3:1, while for consumer digital cameras, 6:1 is not unusual

Zoom or Prime Lens?

Generally affordable zoom lenses have smaller maximum apertures than most fixed focal length lenses.

Prime lenses are generally lighter than zoom lenses, but a zoom lens will possibly replace two or three prime lenses, and be lighter, cheaper and less bulky than three lenses.

Prime lenses usually have less distortion than zoom lenses.

When photographing a rectangular subject, the image almost always will either bulge slightly out in the middle giving a barrel effect, or slightly in, resembling a pincushion. Lenses with 'good drawing' are those that have low distortion. The effects of distortion are usually only noticeable with subjects with straight lines - such as most buildings, seldom with portraits etc.

Isang Matabang Mahaderang Matapobre sa mga OFW

Just recieved a chain mail from my fellow OFW a message to kick the ass of this fucking Piggy because of her article... regarding her bad experianced during her travel to Greece. Bad bad experienced she talking about was to fly in a plane with OFW on board. (Dapat dito sa babaeng ito ilitson ng buhay). I follow the link in the message and found this so I desided to make a post here to make an additional awareness... para naman matauhan ang baboy na ito sa kanyang pinag gagawa... pati na rin yng editor nung magazine na hinayaang ipalabas sa publiko ang ganitong klaseng panglalait sa mga OFW...

Read this: (click the image to view in large)




Here are some reaction from the group of OFW but working in the Media (Filipino Press Club-Dubai) working here in Dubai:

Subject: Fwd: OFWs in Dubai are boiling mad on this article by a > certain Malu Fernandez.....read the article and the comments from this > blog>>>> >

This was forwarded to me by Ares Gutierrez, one of the thousands of OFWs now based in the UAE, working as sub-editor of The Gulf News.
> > Only one comment: Well, she better go down from the pedestal where she is or better yet, she should be a hardcore journalist to know how life really is.
> > Yun bang hindi lang kasosyalan ang mga pinaggagawa at pinagsusulat > para may katuturaan ang buhay niya at knows niya ang pinagsasabi niya.
> > MALU FERNANDEZ WHO??????

by Mariecar Jara-Puyod Isa ring OFW sa UAE na nagtatrabaho bilang isang diyarista sa The Gulf Today, Sharjah.


baboy na nagsasalita. yehey. one for the book. hala dalhin na yan sa piggery at simulang palahian.
by Nestor Perez OngCreative DirectorConcept TodayA Concept Group Company

Malu Fernandez should make public apology to all OFW and pasalamat sya sa mga Domestic Helpers naging sikat sya bigla dahil sa kababuyan nya. by Efraim Evidor ITP Photographer




To read more Click Here:

Digital Camera

As far as my post is concern regarding Photography, I almost forgot when the first digital camera was born... Now before I continue my blog regarding photography it is better to post a brief history of Digital Camera.

History in Brief:

The first true digital camera that recorded images as a computerized file was likely the Fuji DS-1P of 1988, which recorded to a 16 MB internal memory card that used a battery to keep the data in memory. This camera was never marketed in the United States. The first commercially available digital camera was the 1991 Kodak DCS-100, the beginning of a long line of professional SLR cameras by Kodak that were based in part on film bodies, often Nikons. It used a 1.3 megapixel sensor and was priced at $13,000.

The move to digital formats was helped by the formation of the first JPEG and MPEG standards in 1988, which allowed image and video files to be compressed for storage. The first consumer camera with a liquid crystal display on the back was the Casio QV-10 in 1995, and the first camera to use CompactFlash was the Kodak DC-25 in 1996.

The marketplace for consumer digital cameras was originally low resolution (either analog or digital) cameras built for utility. In 1997 the first megapixel cameras for consumers were marketed. The first camera that offered the ability to record video clips may have been the Ricoh RDC-1 in 1995.

1999 saw the introduction of the Nikon D1, a 2.74 megapixel camera that was the first digital SLR developed entirely by a major manufacturer, and at a cost of under $6,000 at introduction was affordable by professional photographers and high end consumers. This camera also used Nikon F-mount lenses, which meant film photographers could use many of the same lenses they already owned.

2003 saw the introduction of the Canon 300D, also known as the Digital Rebel, a 6 megapixel camera and the first DSLR priced under $1,000, and marketed to consumers.

A lot of Digital Camera are now available in the market its up to you what to grab... Read my post on "What is the best Digital Camera to Buy" for a little reference and guide on buying this gadgets...

Note: post courtesy of Wikipedia

Top 10 Boxers of the World

Here are the New line-up of the Top Boxers of the World

10. Sugar Shane Mosley
Points: 13
Record: 44-4, 37 KOs
Status: Interim WBC welterweight champion.
Up next: Fights No. 6 Miguel Cotto for WBA welterweight title in New York on Nov. 10.
2007 results: W12 over Luis Collazo on Feb. 10 to win WBC interim welterweight title.
Analysis: Once considered the pound-for-pound best, Mosley rebounded from back-to-back losses to Winky Wright in 2004 by winning his last five fights.

9. Israel Vazquez
Points: 15
Record: 42-4, 31 Kos
Status: WBC super bantamweight champion.
Up next: Nothing decided, but a rubber match with Rafael Marquez is likely.
2007 results: TKO by 7 by Marquez on March 3 to lose WBC super bantamweight title; TKO 6 over Marquez on Aug. 4 to regain WBC super bantamweight title.
Analysis: Voters were impressed by his war with Marquez and his ability to overcome a loss suffered when a nose injury prevented him from breathing.

8. Winky Wright
Points: 31
Record: 51-4-1, 25 Kos
Status: Middleweight contender
Up next: Nothing certain, but plans a return to middleweight.
2007 results: Lost unanimous decision to Bernard Hopkins in a July 21 light heavyweight bout.
Analysis: Wright would have been No. 2 or No. 3 on this list in January, but is now just 1-1-1 in his last three fights. It's not a good trend.

7. Jermain Taylor
Points: 33
Record: 27-0-1, 17 KOs
Status: WBC, WBO middleweight champion
2007 results: Retained title with unimpressive split decision over Cory Spinks on May 19.
Up next: Fights mandatory challenger Kelly Pavlik in a battle of power punchers on Sept. 29 in Atlantic City.
Analysis: Taylor has a lot to prove, but Pavlik is a perfect style for him and the fight figures to be a shootout.

6. Miguel Cotto
Points: 40
Record: 30-0, 25 KOs
Status: WBA welterweight champion
2007 results: Defended his title twice with TKOs in the 11th, against Oktay Urkal on March 3 and against Zab Judah on June 9.
Up next: Defends his title against No. 10 Sugar Shane Mosley on Nov. 10 in New York.
Analysis: If he defeats Mosley, he is in line to face Mayweather next year in the modern-day version of Leonard-Duran.

5. Bernard Hopkins
Points: 46
Record: 48-4-1, 32 KOs
Status: Light heavyweight champion
2007 results: Scored impressive W12 over No. 9 Winky Wright on July 21.
Up next: Nothing scheduled, unlikely to fight until 2008.
Analysis: Hopkins is as good as ever at 42.

4. Juan Manuel Marquez
Points: 49
Record: 47-3-1, 35 KOs
Status: WBC super featherweight champion.
2007 results: Won title by scoring impressive victory over Marco Antonio Barrera on March 17.
Up next: Defends his title against Rocky Juarez on Sept. 15 in Las Vegas.
Analysis: Marquez has been underrated much of his career, but he's out of the shadows after whipping Barrera.

3. Joe Calzaghe
Points: 62
Record: 43-0, 32 KOs
Status: WBO super middleweight champion.
2007 results: Stopped overmatched challenger Peter Manfredo Jr. in third round on April 7.
Up next: Meets unbeaten Mikkel Kessler for the WBA-WBC-WBO super middleweight belts on Nov. 3 in Cardiff, Wales.
Analysis: Calzaghe is a brilliant boxer with surprising power and has the potential to move up if he gets past Kessler.

2. Manny Pacquiao
Points: 90 (one first-place vote)
Record: 44-3-2, 35 KOs
Status: Super featherweight contender
2007 results: Scored an eighth-round knockout of Jorge Solis in a tuneup fight on April 14.
Up next: Has a rematch with Marco Antonio Barrera set for Oct. 6 in Las Vegas.
Analysis: The fast-handed Filipino is popular because of his aggressive style, but faces a big challenge in Barrera in his next outing

1. Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Points: 99 (nine first-place votes)
Record: 38-0, 24 KOs
Status: WBC welterweight champion
2007 results: Won WBC super welterweight title by winning split decision over Oscar De La Hoya on May 5
Up next: Will meet super lightweight champion Ricky Hatton on Dec. 8 in Las Vegas.
Analysis: Mayweather is the best in the business and the Hatton fight will be a one-sided affair that will prove that point.

Others receiving votes: Wladimir Klitschko, 12; Ricky Hatton, 11; Juan Diaz, 10; Marco Antonio Barrera 8; Rafael Marquez 7; Chad Dawson 6; Oscar De La Hoya 5; Mikkel Kessler 5; Kelly Pavlik 2; Chris John 2; Junior Witter 2; Vernon Forrest 1; Paul Williams 1.

What is the Best Digital Cameras to buy?

Last time I made a post regarding Top 5 Digital SLR Camera.
Now after that, there are some questions I received stating "What is the best Digital Camera to buy?" Now here is my answer...

There is no "Best Digital Camera". Each camera fits a particular set of needs; one size does not fit all. So use these recommendations as a jumping-off point. Plan to further narrow your options by testing out cameras, asking the advice of others.

So if you are looking for the best digital cameras - or trying to see if you are ready for digital - first ask yourself a few questions.

Okay, you've made it this far... you are definitely interested in buying a digital camera. The next step is to figure out which digital camera will best meet your needs. The following questions will help you get a better idea of which digital camera will be best for you:

• What are you looking to accomplish? What are your goals? Do you want to simply document the life and times of your family, for example, or do you fancy yourself become a digital artist?
• Do you want to print your images? In large sizes? (Look for high resolution)
• If you are going to print, what kind of output device (i.e. printer) will you be using and what are its resolution requirements? (Again, look for resolution)
• Do you only see yourself publishing your images on the Web or emailing them to friends? (You don't need much resolution - don't worry about it)
• Will you be taking this digital camera to Europe or around the world? (Look for lots of storage)
• Do you own a laptop? (Look for a CompactFlash or other PCMCIA storage device)
• As taught in our Top Ten Tips, the cardinal rule in photography is to move in close to your subject. Will you always able to get very close to your subject? (If not, be sure to get a digital camera with a good telephoto zoom lens)
• Will you be taking pictures of small items like stamps, coins, bugs, flowers, etc? (Look for a digital camera with a macro feature)
• Do you already own Photoshop or Photoshop Elements? (Then you might want to just get a camera with a Photoshop plug-in)
• Do you prefer shooting digital photos over reworking them on the computer? (Then you might want to go for a camera with a popular, easy-to-use software program)
• Do you foresee yourself shooting at night, at concerts, indoors, or in other low-light situations? (Then get a camera with flexible over sensitivity or ISO equivalents)
• Do you foresee yourself shooting sports, fashion, or anything else that moves quick? (Then get a camera with a fast burst rate)
• Do you want to make sure that the money you save on film and developing doesn't just end up getting spent on batteries? (Then you might want to get a camera with rechargeable Lithium-Ion batteries or some such similar set-up)
• How much money do you have to spend? (Look for a bank that will refinance your home...)

Once in a Lifetime

A forwarded e-mail of my fellow member in a Club (Filipino Press Club) here in Dubai. I post this for us to think (for all pinoy's out there who may read these) not to promote the GK (Gawad Kalinga) but for us to realized who we are and what we can do as Truly Pilipino's.

This post was an experianced of a foriegn person who just pass by in the Philippines and shared what he gained and experienced during his stay.

Once in a Lifetime

By Zhao Song Inquirer Last updated 09:11am (Mla time) 07/29/2007

MANILA, Philippines—I never expected to be a hero. But I think that I have become one—along with many others.
I learned about Gawad Kalinga during my first trip to the Philippines last year. I was working towards my bachelor’s degree in Philippine Studies at Beijing University and the trip was to understand more about the Philippines, the country that I had been studying for four years.
During the trip, my classmates and I went to Baseco to see the GK villages there. I was greatly impressed when I saw the kids in Baseco playing in front of their small but colorful houses, especially when I was told that the place used to be one of the biggest squatter colonies in Metro Manila. I then decided that if I had the chance to study in the Philippines, I would do a study on GK.
After college, I pursued graduate studies, also focusing on the Philippines, and got a six-month scholarship grant at the Ateneo de Manila University last January. So I came back and was well prepared to do research on GK.
The first three months I spent in GK villages in Baseco, Payatas and in Escalante, Negros Occidental. I conducted surveys with families in these villages and interviewed some GK coordinators and volunteers. But I did not realize how rewarding it was to be actually part of the effort until I actually joined the Gawad Kalinga Isang Milyong Bayani Bicol Challenge.
It was at a GK-Ateneo regular meeting that I learned about the event: April, just after Holy Week, outside Manila, somewhere in the Bicol Region. I immediately signed up.
On the day we left Manila, it became apparent to me that this was not going to be a casual hanging-out volunteer work. As my teammates and I loaded our tools onto the bus before departure—shovels, pickaxes, pails, brushes—that’s when I began to realize that something extraordinary was about to happen to me.
GK is a nationwide poverty-alleviation movement that relies heavily on volunteerism. It aims to build decent houses for people living in squatter areas and provide them with systematic assistance in order to get them out of squatter conditions—not only physically but mentally—and move to a better life, a life of hope and dignity.
The GK 1M Bayani Challenge is a yearly GK voluntary event when people from all over the country converge in a poverty-stricken place and work together for a week to build GK houses. Last year the Bayani Challenge was in Leyte, where many lives and homes had been lost in a devastating mudslide. This year the GK event was in Bicol, after typhoon Reming had wreaked havoc in the province.
When my teammates and I arrived in Bicol, I began to worry about the inconveniences that I expected to face. The heat, the scarcity of water, the absence of toilets, the rocky ground that we would have to sleep on, the canned food that would be our daily fare, and so on. But I gained strength from my teammates, and that kept me sane for the whole week.
I remembered sharing a meal with them. Fifteen of us had plain rice and three dishes: corned beef, corned beef and corned beef. Actually we decided to have only one dish but while cooking, we realized that the cans we brought were of different brands, so we thought it best not to mix them all together lest we end up with a weird-tasting dish.
I particularly recall that meal because when the cooking was done, no one ate or served himself first until every one of the team had come to the table. I did not know all of the other people’s names then, but immediately I felt that I was part of a team. When everyone was there, we introduced ourselves and ate together. We became a family even before we started to work.
The real challenge for me came when my teammates and I started building houses. I helped dig a deep hole in the ground for the septic tank, and lay the foundation for the houses. I mastered this most important equation: bricks + cement = a wall. I stood in a human chain passing along the bricks and trekked long distances to fetch water in two large barrels.
I endured all these physical challenges, exhausted but happy at the thought that I was doing something significant for other people. In only five days of work, I had helped build a small house that would transform a family’s life forever. It was a special kind of fulfillment I felt, knowing that I was helping people start a new life with dignity and full of hope.
The GK challenge was truly a unique experience for me. GK is an avenue offering hope for the people and for the country. Through this experience, I witnessed how people cooperated with one another to realize that hope. Although I had my share of low moments, especially during the strenuous physical work, I experienced great spiritual satisfaction.
The event also left me with fond memories of the people I had worked with. If preparing the first meal taught me a lot about “kapwa-tao,” the next four days taught me more. Whenever I wanted to wash my hands, there were people offering to pump water for me. When I asked around for sunblock, several would be thrown at me. All of the people were working effectively. Everyone was helping everyone else. Each was doing his best for a common goal.
Apart from this, I am astonished at the volunteerism and dedication of the people I have worked with. My initial exposure to the mostly privileged people in Ateneo had given me various misconceptions about them. After the Bicol Challenge, I realized that people living comfortable lives can actually go out of their comfort zones and be of help to other people in need. This realization has taught me so much, especially since I always thought that the rich and the poor are always in conflict with each other. Coming from a country that has infused that notion in me, I realized that it is not necessarily always true. It was through this experience that I got to appreciate the beauty of genuine service for others—people from all walks of life coming together, united for a good cause.
I really felt the warmth and dedication of the people around me during those days. And I began to wonder even then: is it the Ateneo way? The GK way? Or actually the Filipino way?
I am truly privileged to have encountered this beautiful side of the Filipino people, which unfortunately, some Filipinos have seem to have forgotten. The impressions I had or that had been given me—of inefficiency, corruption, indolence—about the people, have been mitigated with their warmth, kindness, generosity and service for others. I am just a foreigner invited to be part of this endeavor, but if I had been touched and inspired by the humanity of these people, how much more the Filipinos themselves? I am certain that all Filipinos can be more positive and be their own heroes for their own country.
This is how I want to remember the Philippines as I go back to my country. I don’t know how many times I have been asked why I chose Philippine Studies as my major. I have been asked why I want to study the Filipino language, since most people here speak English anyway. Even Filipinos themselves have asked why I am studying the Philippines when there is nothing interesting to learn about the country.
Despite my initial misgivings in college and such discouraging remarks from people, I realize that after having come, I am grateful that I made the choice to study the country. Gawad Kalinga is just one of the many remarkable lessons I learned and one of the most significant life-changing experiences I had in this country. I am proud to be surrounded by these people whom I consider my real-life heroes. Most importantly, I really appreciate these Filipinos, who have taught me so much and have inspired me to bring out the hero in me.

ILLUSIONS

If! you take a look at the following picture , let me tell you ... it is not animated. Your eyes are making it move. To test this, stare at one spot for a couple seconds and everything will stop moving. Or look at the black center of each circle and it will stop moving. But move your eyes to the next black center and the previous will move after you take your eyes away from it.... Weird

Is this Possible?

Other Side of Dubai...

As my observations to all comments I received from all of my visitors regarding the photo's I posted they make a reaction stating "WOW" Dubai is really a beautiful place. Now my reaction to this is Yes, Dubai is beautiful... All their buildings, roads and other new infrastructures. In all of this photo you can find in the World Wide Web did you find photo's of residential area where all expatriates live? A place where ordinary employee lives including myself...

To all who thinks that Dubai is a really good place to go... Here are some shots to show the other side of all this tallest building and photo's of people that you always see in the web... Not to exagerate but this is really Dubai as what I always pass by everyday...

Using Compact Camera at Low Light Situation...

A compact Digital Camera Can Take a Good Photo's at Low Light/Night? My Answer is Yes... To proved this See picture below...

I set Up this Compact Camera and put it into tripod then allow my wife to operate it... This photo was taken during the celebration of New Year 2007 here in Dubai...

Camera Used: Nikon CoolPix L4 4mega pixels

But Before you Begin

Read the manual or look through the menus and find out:

• how your can turn the flash off
• if there is a special long exposure setting
• if your camera has a 'night' scene mode
• how you can set the ISO speed of the camera

Using Flash

The flash built into simple compact cameras is designed to take pictures from around 3 foot to around 10 foot from your camera. Anything too close will almost certainly be far too bright in the picture, and anything further away is too dark.

When taking pictures, try to keep all important subject matter roughly the same distance from the camera. If you have some people much closer than others, they will look wrong, as they will be lighter than the others.

If your camera has a manual mode, you should be able to adjust the exposure.

This is often called 'exposure compensation'. If your pictures are too dark try adding a positive amount of compensation, if too bright, reduce the amount set.

Flash Outside

Outside at night, the flash will only light up anything close to the camera. If you can alter the ISO speed, you will find that increasing it gives more detail in the background. In brightly lit city streets, working at ISO 400 can produce results that give good flash exposure for people around 6 ft from the camera and also a reasonably bright background.

You don't want the background to be too bright, or it won't really look like a night picture. Take your picture at different ISO values and see which works best.

Working Without Flash

If your camera works at ISO 800 or greater, you can take pictures in brightly lit city streets or interiors without flash. Find the camera setting that switches the flash off. Make sure you keep the camera still (it helps to hold it against something solid if you can) and squeeze the button gently to avoid a jerk.

In low light, the anti-vibration systems built into some cameras help you to get sharp pictures, though any moving people or objects will still blur. Take pictures at the zoom setting that gives the widest angle of view. If you zoom out to get greater magnification it also magnifies any shaking.

Small Sensors

The small sensors that simple cameras when used at a wide zoom setting almost guarantee that - so long as you can hold the camera still - everything sharp from foreground to background should be sharp. The small sensor and low magnification make for a great 'depth of field' (the range between closest and furthest objects that are acceptably sharp.)

Street Lighting

Most street lighting has too much orange or too much green in it, and it tends to make people look rather ill. Using flash will often produce a healthier looking result.

Long Exposures

Away from the bright lights, you will need to use long exposures to work without flash. If possible, use the camera on a tripod. You can buy small table tripods such as the that fold and fit into a pocket or small bag if you don't want to carry a tripod, and it is often possible to find a wall, car roof or other piece of street furniture on which to stand one. There are also small camera clamps that will fit on lampposts etc.

If you don't have anything to hold the camera still, you can still get sharp images with exposures of several seconds by holding the camera firmly against a solid surface, such as a post or a wall, or in some places even on the ground, looking up. I've often used mine by turning my back on the subject and holding the camera above my head with its back pressed against a wall and of course the lens facing toward the subject.

Some cameras have a special 'long exposure mode' which may reduce noise in long exposures. A 'night' scene mode will probably also be worth trying if your camera has one. The important thing is to find out how to stop the flash firing.

You may need to experiment with the ISO settings and exposure compensation to find the best result. Usually when using a tripod there is no need for a high ISO setting, so work perhaps at ISO 100 or 200. Took some pictures during night needed to set the ISO to its highest level - ISO 400 - and also to set the maximum possible exposure compensation of +2 stops to get long exposures that worked in really low light.

Raw File Essentials?

Digital SLR camera has raw file capabilities why?
For those new in photography hope this will i think this is a little help.

Why use Raw?

Most of digital photographers come to regard the raw file as being the digital equivalent of a negative.

Most cameras operate in 12 bit mode on each sensor, producing a range of 4096 levels of either red, green or blue. If you choose jpeg output (or if your camera gives you no choice) then these values are used to calculate 8 bit per channel pixels, each with only 256 levels of each color. How that calculation is performed depends on the settings for contrast, white balance and other variables that you have made on the camera or the manufacturer has programmed into the firmware.
In general it gives good results, but is only one of an infinite number of ways of handling the image data. Shooting raw enables you to take your own decisions with the help of software for handling these images. The kind of corrections to be in the raw images for the test described above would not be possible with jpegs - you need to get it very nearly spot on camera for good results.
Even with 8 bit images, you can of course continue to process them in Photoshop or comparable software.
However, you are coming from a different starting point, and the result of altering contrast or other parameters will always be to cut down the number of possible levels in the file. If you make too great adjustments, this reduction may even become visible as distinct steps in tone where there should be smooth gradients.


Digital negatives

Most digital photographers come to regard the raw file as being the digital equivalent of a negative. You can alter the exposure - as when making a print - and also change the contrast, color balance and the shape of the tone response curve. Software such as [b}Bibble, Photoshop CS/CS2/CS3, Nikon Capture, Aperture and Nikon View gives you really powerful control over the appearance of your images.
This doesn't mean you can be slack about getting it right in camera, but it does widen the possibilities available to you. My choice of software was Nikon Capture, you can carry out a very considerable amount of alteration of contrast and curve shape solving almost all the problems of shadow and highlight separation and producing high quality output. Similar facilities are available in the other software. Should you need to do further manipulation in Photoshop CS/CS2/CS3, then you can output from these programs as 16 bit per channel (48 bit) TIFF files to avoid any quality loss.

Disadvantages of Raw

So exposures made on the DSLR have been in raw format. Raw files are larger than jpegs and so your CF card will fill up quicker. With a 1Gb CF card get between 103 and 107 raw files, but could store roughly three times as many fine quality full size jpegs. However the cost of CF cards is low enough for this seldom to be an important factor, and with a 40Mb 'image tank' to hand I'm unlikely ever to run out of storage space while shooting. For longer-term storage, large hard disks are now relatively cheap, and a DVD will hold well over 400 raw images.
Larger files do mean longer write times. For most purposes the burst of 4 frames to the buffer to be enough, although the wait of around ten seconds for the next frame after this can sometimes seem a very long time. In very fast-moving situations I change to jpeg - it only takes a second or so on the DSLR - select the quality setting on the dial then change quality using the wheel at the front right.
Unfortunately the compressed raw mode offered by Nikon is totally impracticable, putting the camera out of action for around 4-5 times as long. It's a problem they have not yet been able to address with a firmware update.