Fujifilm Philippines Relaunches Store and New X-Series!

It was fun to see people in a celebratory and festive mood when I arrived at the basement store of Fuji Film a few days ago in Megamall. They have been there for years now but they have completely renovated the place and got more things in store for you. Shall we look around?! Let's do this! =)

Executives from Fuji Film in the Philippines and Japan were all there to witness the relaunch of this store in Megamall. It was nice to see them celebrating, they were all very proud about how this store became a landmark for film and camera enthusiasts in the metro. We were also treated to see the new line of cameras that Fuji has for the X Series.

The X Series was launched this January 2012. The X-E1 just like the rest of the models in this line had that vintage feel. Even though this isn't film, the hybrid electronic view makes it the perfect companion without lugging around that heavy DSLR camera and quality wise this is at par with what professionals use. It's got a built in pop up flash that I was so worried about because it flips out too strong for its build and got 16 Megapixels shooting prowess that would be the envy of most mirrorless cams in its price range. Although a little pricey, it pays off as one of the most affordable toned down versions of the Fuji XPro-1. It's got HD video too and autofocuses unike DSLR's that don't have that feature yet making it a mile and a half better than other brands.

Submitting itself to the demands of those professional photographers that want a compact camera, FujiFilm came out with this X10 giving the digicam market another choice instead of the Panasonic Lumix and Powershot Cybershot cams of Sony and Canon. It's got one of the best sensors, 12MP quality and something that most professionals would carry because it can beat most DSLR's in the market even if it's not a full pledge professional camera. At 2.0 to 2.8 it's got one of the best aperture range perfect for low light conditions and all around performance without being too big for comfort.

It's got that same EX-R sensor such as in the X10 and X-S1 so you will probably have the same output even on a sleeker and quite new classy frame. This particular model is said to be the perfect second body for the conventional DSLR's. I wanted to have the brown one; the other ones were black and red; (it's clad in leather and metal finish). Testing out the camera in the Fujifilm store it's the perfect all around camera because it has fast F1.8 maximum aperture for wide angle shots and F4.9 its max telephoto capability.

This one started it all. A brand new mount, a brand new lens convention and its own set of lenses. Fujifilm totally redesigned this from ground up so they can control the excellent output they always wanted now that they are in the compact camera industry. It's got 16MP and can output raw files. This also has the APS-C X-Trans CMOS sensor that is being used now for other cams in this series; a milestone in Fujifilm's development of the new cameras. It also has the EXR Processor Pro image processor implemented in other X Series cameras, dual-magnification hybrid optical / electronic viewfinder that you can switch automatically in between, analogue dials for shutter speed and exposure compensation on the top of the camera. I like the 35mm at 1.4 and suggest you try that inside the store. It's one of the best in its class.

I would have wanted to spend a little more time at the Fujifilm center but didn't get to do so because of time constraints. But what impresses me the most is that aside from them having the new space is the experience of touching the cameras and able to test them out. This is something that I didn't get to do with my DSLR and getting a grip of it before purchasing is part of the experience. I would suggest you try and approach them at the Megamall basement branch because the people there are very accommodating. That's the upside. You can experience more in this new place. For photography enthusiasts like me, try and experience it.

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Most Favorite TV Station for 2012!

Choosing a particular channel would be dangerous in this day and age but I'll go ahead and choose for fairness sake. Not that I've been biased with any channel for that matter but yes there are more news on my site from ABS CBN. Maybe in the course, they have been sternly inviting me to their conferences more. Not to mention the celebrities who have been so kind to me too. Erich, Enchong, Jason and ♥ Melai. ☺

It was not just celebrities but the programs that they have lined up that made them first on my list. I spend a few hours watching teleseryes and news on this channel more than the others. Once you do, you just get hooked because the programs are properly researched and well executed. My vote goes to ABS CBN.

TV5 comes in a close second. They have proven their worth with the quality of programs coming out from their channel in the last few months. I specifically love Artista Academy and Amazing Race. The whole time I covered for Artista Academy the contestants, judges and crew were so kind to me as well. I love how it came out on TV and said it was worth to watch these local shows now even on TV5 which I normally skip on the remote at home before Manny Pangilinan revamped it.

GMA7 ranked third for me. Although I specifically LOVE the shows of gorgeous artists like Rocco Nacino, Kris Bernal, Enzo Pineda and the likes of Lovi Poe, Solenn Heussaff etc. there were some misses in other shows like Party Pilipinas. I covered the show and introduced myself properly. They did not like photos taken for a show that they were supposedly also promoting, so I don't get that part. The hassle this show has made has gotten me hate the channel a bit; but with changes that they have made in the last few weeks I've seen some bloggers now getting properly coordinated. I still don't like Party Pilipinas though. Sorry but that's how I feel til now. It's not the show, it's the one handling it that I'm so not happy about.

Thanks to www.Starmometer.com, www.Showbiznest.com and www.LionhearTV.net for putting this project up. For more details about the voting process and how a blogger can do this go to this article here and vote for your Favorite TV Station too.

Imagine Life Sweeter With Splenda!

Being in a family living with Diabetes I was exposed to a culture driven to rid of this disabling condition since a very young age. Living on millions of acres in sugar cane farmlands was always part of the equation so just think about how doubly hard it was for us to shy away from the very same thing that was putting food on the table. We were like Vampires ostracized from the society. We always watched how much sugar intake we make and only limit ourselves to food and drinks that are prepared and end up tasteless not to mention quite boring. Since sugar use is limited we had to find ways to enjoy life like normal people. We can't prepare food at home just for us, it was always cooked for everybody. 70 percent have problems with it and the minority (us kids) are left having to bare the same thing that are prepared for those who have type 1 and type 2 of this condition.

Life has been good to us obviously. Taking care and watching what we eat became very beneficial. Aside from that, there's Splenda. I remember that time we were all sourcing these things from the US, we often ran out of it because we had to wait for someone to come home to get some. Good thing it's actually available now locally. Almost all major supermarkets and stores carry it and that ended up as something regularly used in our home. My brother who's an Executive Chef in Ireland taught us to use it in baking too. It's quite a healthy alternative than the regular processed sugar. His Carrot Cake is to die for. Now we're even sharing the healthy things we're doing to other people. Now that's a smart thing to do. We used to sell them to family and friends but now only do it on special occasions. Our coffee breaks and cake time just got even better because we don't have to worry so much. Splenda made us live life like normal people. Isn't that something to be happy about?! And yes we do, now we do! Our lives are now even sweeter with Splenda!=)

For more information about Splenda and the wonderful things you could do with it:

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AVIDA Towers Centera: 3D Street Painting Festival!

2 days of the hot afternoon sun, I don't know who can actually weather that but I'm impressed with what I saw a few days ago. The place, was the promising Avida Centera situated right at the heart of Mandaluyong City. The buildings are still under construction but they have been holding events there since its inception.This time, it's the 3D Street Painting Festival! 

20 entries from different colleges and universities in Manila vied for the 75,000 peso prize money for the theme "PASKO  NATIN" and as you can see these works of art are no ordinary! Each was made to look life like as if everything was being lifted off the ground. The judges themselves had a hard time choosing from the entries because it also was different when photographed. You had that full 3D effect when seen on the PC rather than in real life.

  The Judges had a hard time choosing who wins the 75,000 prize money!

Contestants AC from UP Diliman, PUP Katha Art Kits, Art Men PUP Manila, UPFA, PUP, Linya from PUP, FEATI Art Group, Guhit Visual Arts from PUP, Pabida from UP Diliman, Creative Arts Group from PUP, PUP BSID, Dakila Art Teams, ITeam, Lakandayang from PUP, TATSPROOF, MAN-O-WAR from UP Diliman, UNO, ARTCOLORES from URS Angono, Team Pintados, and OBRA LIKHA from EARIST made their entries the day before and most of hem spent overnight just to make sure they finish the projects before judging commenced. The judges were no ordinary too because some of them have work installations outside the Philippines, from esteemed broadsheets and admired artists themselves. It was so nice they looked at each entry in its entirety and made sure they look at it with 3D in mind. Soon enough they were able to choose who won and got third place (who gets 30 thousand pesos), Second Place (who gets 50 Thousand Pesos!) and the Grand Prize who will receive 75 Thousand Pesos!

I was a little disappointed not all schools like my alma mater UE didn't join the competition because I'm pretty sure they can give these guys a run for the prize. PUP had a lot of entries because they've got a whole organization supporting them on this contest alone. The veterans even made legwork to partner up with other newbies so they get the chance to experience the same enthralling work these artists put into one work of art. They learn in the process and even get needed experience to make it in this industry. Just like AVIDA Centera, they hone these talented individuals and make them better citizens through community activities that one should expect while living in their condominiums soon!

Congratulations to the winners! Here they are!

Congratulations to UPFA composed of students from UP Diliman for winning the 75,000 peso prize pot. You have a great career ahead of you now. Last year's winners had several TV guestings and work offered to them by multinational companies and started a very lucrative career so it doesn't just stop here. These guys were even first timers and they were so happy to have won the 3D Street Painting festival! Try and visit the Avida Towers Centera showroom if you want to see these entries too as they are displayed at the back of it. Simply ask your friendly agent for a tour.

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