The Instax Wanderlaunch Event

It's my first time to attend an event that talks about everything Fujifilm Instax at the quaint Vanilla Cupcake and Bakery in Trinoma. They called it "The Instax Wanderlaunch" to feed the inquisitive minds of Fujifilm Instax lovers this side of Manila. I've been dreading to get my hands in one of these because it's one of the mediums I've less explored when it comes to photography. I am a Fashion Photographer and I fancy things like these especially when I see gun-hoe Fashion Bloggers take sheer effort and see their output in just a few minutes. The vintage effects are wildly spectacular, the other cute ingenious things added to that mix were pretty popular especially the ones they have launched last December 6, I wanted to see for my self the new models of Instax. That's where we met the new instax Mini Hello Kitty, instax wide 300 and more color variations of the much loved instax mini 8, and mini 90 Neo Classic.

Instax Mini Hello Kitty

Meet the ultimate Hello Kitty lovers dream camera, this is the Instax Mini Hello Kitty. This is the cutest camera that I have ever seen in my entire life, it'll probably be the same with you guys. If you're finding that perfect gift for your lovely wife, this might be just it. Mind you, this hardware has got a 60mm lens and has a 0.37x real image viewfinder. You'll only see what's out there, or maybe even better. It also has a 0.6 - ∞ focus range plust 1/60 sec shutter speed and constant firing (don't worry because it's got auto light adjust) and a flash range of about 0.6m –2.7 m, so you have room to shoot those OOTD's you love and get the best prints in a jiffy. This thing retails at Php 4999.00, but it'll be worth it, best gift ever for the ladies!

Two cameras up top are the Fujifilm Instax Mini 8 Instant Camera

For those who have loved the Fujifilm Instax Mini 8 Instant Camera of years now, this might come as a big surprise for you. I almost thought they were thinking of soft velvety cupcakes that afternoon but it looks like they're just adding a few more lovely colors to the already great line of Instax Mini 8 cameras they already have in the store. This is the Fujifilm Instax Mini 8 Grape and Fujifilm Instax Mini 8 Raspberry. Man, I could almost see my girl shooting with these cameras on our special dates, I have yet to find her first though LOL. Though really, with this look, you'll love every bit of it. It's yummy in all sides and has got really good grip. It can even last generations but just make sure it doesn't get wet, we all know how that will ruin the moment. These gorgeous things retail for only Php 3699.00. Pretty affordable for the artsy you.

Meet the Fujifilm Instax Mini 90 Neo Classic

This has got to be my favorite out of the bunch. It's the Fujifilm Instax Mini 90 Neo Classic. The photographer in me tells that it's got one of the most sophisticated looks out of the cameras that were launched that day. You can even put this side by side with the other cameras I have at home. The brown leather look just spells macho all over it without going overboard girly. How I wish I could have this thing along my travels and events because I'd surely enjoy taking shots with it. I hope they can lend me a unit so I can get to test it out some day. I have tons of film and it would be great to have this when I have celebrities to interview. It'll look pretty cool on the layout as well for my articles, then I could give them the hard copy as a souvenir. I'd be like the thoughtful one who gave them their photos. The Fujifilm Instax Mini 90 Neo Classic Instant Film Camera costs around Php 9500.00.

This is the new instax Wide 300

For those who love group shots, or taking wide angled photos of their latest destinations, the new Instax Wide 300 would be your perfect companion. Made with a purpose, it's going to fit any generic tripod if you are planning to capture those spectacular landscapes you have always wished to get a shot with. You have to use the corresponding wide sized film for Instax Wide 300 so your lovely images gets immortalized the proper way. Pretty dope, it's only available in this color now (chrome-ish/Silver and black) which looks very modern in every angle. Don't worry about dark shots too much because it's also got a built in flash to compensate with non available light if you've got problems with that too. This beauty costs Php 6999.00.

I had to have a few shots too you know!

Now that I've got a few films in my hand, I can't wait to start shooting with my friends and family. Fujifilm Instax just takes artsy photography to a whole different level. The vintage-y feel just speaks to me, and a whole other different people that appreciate what the Fujifilm Instax can do. I laud them for continuing this art form, I admit I was a skeptic before but seeing these prints made me feel and realize it has a purpose. It might fit yours too. Go get one at Fujifilm outlets and their partner stores nationwide!

For more information about their stores:

Fuji Film Philippines

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http://fujifilm.com.ph/

Come Experience The "Smart Life" At New Smart Stores

Ending 2014 with a bang is Smart Communications Inc. With the goal of an even better experience in their stores, Smart gives you the "Smart Life" bringing in a third generation concept of their wireless stores nationwide. They have also made changes in their mission statement, made to fit today's digital lifestyle - as they see the need for more personal approach, to know more about their subscribers and tailor fit their gadgets, plans and their needs to what Smart can offer them. It was high time somebody did this for the Filipino consumer.   

Mr. David Rioferio of Smart Public Affairs started asking us first if we were okay with regards to the recent typhoon Ruby. Then he introduced the video for Smart Life entitled "This is our story". A fitting name. Their vision is a world where everyone is empowered. Smart would want to fulfill this.

Mr. Charles Lim EVP of Wireless Consumer Business says "There's no better time to do it but now. We are transforming our stores and completing it all by next year. We are going to give you experience with our cozy cafe setup and help you make an informed decision to choose your gadgets that fit your lifestyle. It is in our DNA to innovate. This is what we are launching today."

Smart Life in all Smart Stores Soon!

VP and Head for Retail Support for Smart Ms. Maloo Agoncillo adds "We are very excited to share with you our new Smart stores. Smart's new mission is to create new moments in life, living more, taking the most out of every opportunity to connect. The more moments we share, the more you know how it feels to be with Smart, and live the Smart life. We hope to change our subscribers mindset to a place what it means to live more with us. We already have this in stores and will completely finish this by next year. A more up close and personal approach, enjanced queues, a digital profiler, you get in line while you shop around. You can do your errands and have time to come back to the store. We aim to help enhance our subscribers digital lifestyle. We want to bring the full experience inside the store. We have shopping corners, a music hub, people can learn packages, have magazines and books, pay conveniently for game subscriptions, shop online, even without using a credit card. All these and other surprises will be in all of our stores and wil be unveiled in the next few months. People can discover how to live more, be productive, innovation never stops with Smart. We will continue to revolutionize our products so you can continue to live more with us at Smart."

It looks like a coffee shop more than a telecommunications center or store.

VP and Head of Product Innovation and Development Group Mells Limcaoco adds "This Christmas, a lot of people will get their first or new smart phone. It's the best time because there's great content out there. Now, you don't have to use credit cards to get it. We have Spinnr, Buqo, Blink, TV5, Wattpad, PBA, Dailymotion, Gamex and more in store. All you have to do is enjoy."

And we did enjoy. They also have a new queuing service so you can just conveniently shop around when your number isn't called yet inside the store. They are even eyeing an online service or app to go with it. Smart Life even gave us an even better treat by having a few people inside the store to surprise us. Singing their sweetest tune and looking lovely in all angles. Yes, they had Myk Perez (of MCA) Jasmine Curtis, James Reid and Nadine Lustre. Oh and if you haven't heard this song yet, I haven't too, so this is pretty much an exclusive - I think.

Now that ends our coverage for the day. Worth it? Of course it is! Now all you've got to do now is visit 18 new stores and the rest soon so you could experience how it is to live the Smart Life. By the way, Smart already opened their site for the iPad Air 2 and iPad Mini 3 in the Philippines, if you are interested to get these latest gadgets to be available next year, please visit them here and learn about the devices that works greater with the LTE service of the biggest network in the country. That's Smart!

For more information about their promos:

Smart Communications

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http://www1.smart.com.ph/corporate

Yeng Constantino: All About Love

Yeng Constantino just released her newest album "All About Love", and we recently talked to her during a small blog conference in Don Henricos, a restaurant located in Tomas Morato, Quezon City. She says "I used to only listen to Rock music as a preference but now I'm more open to any kind of music. I wanted to have several people to be part of the album. In a long drive to Tagaytay, we listened to a couple of his compositions and what I heard there made me know him more. I wanted to include several of his songs in this album on the spot. I want something to symbolize this album and it's a good thing we got BJ Pascual to shoot. All the concept, the shots, it was all great. I want people to remember this album as the one who has the rose on it because it is after all "All About Love". I want to do everything to be worked on perfectly before releasing it because I don't want to shortchange my fans. I am happy for the support of my Cornerstone family, Star Records who worked with me all the way. 

We'll also be working on a music video to be shot entirely in Japan. I want it to be done during "Sakura" aka Cherry Blossom season because I love the scenes at that time. I want to wear paper umbrellas, kimonos, under a tree, I'm seeing so many things that I can do there. I also wish to have time to bring the ICON concerts all over the Philippines because I know a lot of people are requesting for it. When we also made this album I had initial fears because it might be done haphazardly because I wasn't in love when this started but when I got him, I never doubted. It was something I want to do in order to reach more people. The musicality, everyone would relate with it. I want it to be something inspiring for the people who would want to listen. 

I have a blog and I want to write  my thoughts about life and love, it might be seasonal but it's true. I will not retaliate with hatred because that doesn't really matter to me. I am happy with my family, happy with my supporters and I can only think that these trolls who work behind the keyboard, I am so sad they are wasting so much time with someone who doesn't even care. That's what I learned from my Dad, when I enjoy something, I go ahead and do it. Good vibes."

She also hopes you can get her album released in stores and record bars. Please also support the video of "Ikaw" which is her pre-nup anthem. All About Love, is all about love and it's personal. She thanks her sponsors, Yengsters who have been with her all the way. Her soon to be husband too, she can't wait to be with him this February, for real.

For more information about her album:

Star Records Phil

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http://www.starrecords.ph

My "Chicago" the Musical Moments with Smart Infinity

We went all the way to Solaire a few days ago to attend the first few days of one of the worlds greatest musicals "CHICAGO" hosted by equally great premium mobile services of Smart Communications called Smart Infinity. Members didn't just get discounts but perks to actually get tickets way before the public could get one. They do this to most of the musicals they've brought here from around the world. It was a dream for me though because I fell in love with the story when the movie came out. 

I super duper love the way they do it with Smart Infinity because their approach is very personal. I felt the sincerity, and they were there (literally on the venue and in character) to always make you feel special. Mind you, this is the only one I've experienced but they've got a lot of other things in the pipeline. There were a bunch of shows I think that they will be doing on 2015 which was awesome to know they'll be sternly supporting as part of their services.

The production here was awesome. Although there were not that much set design or art direction happening in this version of Chicago, you still get to see why musicals like these differ from the local ones we have in Manila. It was a performance, lead stars Terra MacLeod (Velma Kelly) and Bianca Marroquin (Roxie Hart) brought their A game and didn't short change the people who wanted to watch the show as much as I do. Aside from the lead cast, the guy who played Roxie Hart's husband and the one who did Matron "Mama" Morton. Don't be fooled by the weak character he played because he's a mean singer, whilst Mama had us stare and marvel at how big her character was during the screening. Aside from that, the ladies made a great job with the Cellblock tango who had explained their roles and lives individually, a feat that was tantamount to the success of pointing where the story will be heading. It was like 20's, mobs, tommy guns, cash, prostitution, gangsters and jazz all in one package.  

Much to everyone's surprise, there were several Filipino musicians in the orchestra. I even think there were only a few of them who were not, like the pianist and conductor. Robert Billig, Chicago's Musical Director Robert Billig says he had around 14 Pinoys do the show aside from those flying in from the US and just got them materials to rehearse with. They got a 4 hour rehearsal last December 2 and voila! That was the start of their Chicago run in Manila.

Robert knew we had really good musicians here because he worked pretty much with Lea Salonga during the Miss Saigon run in New York. Lester Dematillo (banjo, mandolin) and Jayson Rivera (ukulele, woodwind) were part of it and they knew it wasn't going to be easy. They rushed into rehearsals and had to do the show on the next day, unlike their previous staging of Phantom of the Opera and Wicked, they had very small time in order to do this. Yet they sound exactly like Chicago, even when they had their eyes were closed. It's so great to know that getting the chance to watch this is just one of the perks being a Smart Infinity member. In “Chicago” alone, some were able to get complimentary VIP tickets, discounts and privileges received through Smart Infinity, alongside Visa who are major sponsors.

Ms. Julie Carceller, Department Head of the Smart Infinity Business Group at Smart says “Just like the successful local runs of other world-class stage spectacles like ‘Cats,’ ‘Mamma Mia,’ ‘The Phantom of the Opera,’ and ‘Wicked,’ bringing ‘Chicago’ to the Philippines is again a very special treat for our subscribers” whilst Smart's Marketing Manager at Smart Infinity Mr. James Chi adds “The ongoing run of ‘Chicago’ is part of the realization of the premium mobile lifestyle that complements the experience our members get from Smart Infinity. The experience of seeing the longest-running Broadway musical in Manila is really a big takeaway for our members”. I personally didn't get to attend the iPhone 6 launch but Smart Infinity got first dibs in the iPhone6 plus last November 14. Today, they still have on going promos for new Smart Infinity subscribers to have the option to get the iPhone 6 (64GB) or the iPhone 6 Plus (16GB) with an additional P5,000 worth of GCs or bill rebates compliments of Smart Infinity starting on the consumable Prestige Plan 5000. You can also opt for SMART's fully consumable Premium Plan 8000 where new subscribers can get two 16GB units of the iPhone 6, or an iPhone 6 16GB plus a MacBook Air. If you opt for the Plan P3500 per month, or have the Aspire Plan, it can come with a 16GB iPhone 6. Amazing!

You can check Smart Infinity's offers here!

For more information about their promos:

Smart Communications

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Visit their official website

http://www1.smart.com.ph/corporate