Unionbank's Branding Event

Unionbank celebrated the launch of its new brand last March 28, 2008 at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC). The event unveiled the bank's new corporate colors and vision statement.

It was hosted by Patricia Bermudez-Hizon and Rovilson Fernandez, and Side A performed to the delight of the attendees. Via Mare was in charge of catering, and prizes were given away, including trips to Beijing and Athens.

More photos here.

For Sale: Nokia 5310 XpressMusic

I'm selling a brand new Nokia 5310 XpressMusic (red) for PHP8500.00 (negotiable). This unit came free when I extended my contract with Globe. It's a really nice phone, it's actually in CNET Asia's top ten phones for January. But it doesn't fit my needs, that's why I'm selling this phone.

As I've said, it's brand new, although the box is already open since I want to check that everything inside is complete, including the free 1GB microSD card. I still have to check the phone for defects, I'll probably do that tonight. It also comes with a limited 1 year warranty from Nokia Care. The only downside is it's locked with Globe (sorry for Smart and Sun subscribers).

Please check the phone's reviews over at CNET Asia and GSM Arena. Send me an email at junzo13@gmail.com if anyone is interested.

It's A Tie

A basketball game with a final score of 90 all. That's something you don't usually see, especially when it's between La Salle and Ateneo.

That was the final score this afternoon in the 1st PBA Ateneo - La Salle meet. Since it was an exhibition game, the game was only played on regulation. Carlo Sharma was the best player for La Salle, while Enrico Villanueva got this distinction for Ateneo.

It was actually a good game. But I still want to watch the real thing. Oh well, only a few more month until the UAAP.

Animo La Salle!

Black Saturday At Rockwell

An empty bank on Black Saturday

The provinces are packed with tourists during the Lenten break. So to avoid the crowd seeking for cooler grounds, Roxanne and I decided to just spend the Holy Week here in the Metro, After spending Thursday and Friday visiting churches and watching religious events, our Saturday itinerary was a bit more relaxed.

Roxanne, Mom, and Tita Alpha

We had to make a quick stop at the bank (one of the ATMs were reported offline) before heading to Metro Club near Rockwell in Makati. There, Mom and Tita Alpha were already waiting for us. We had Spanish Chicken and Bistek Tagalog for lunch, and Mom showed me the Sony digicam my uncle was selling to her. We also got to tour the neaby pools were my cousins were swimming, as well as the demo unit of the lofts they had for sale.

Roxanne and the author

We then had a short drive to the neaby Rockwell Club, were I got to use my not-so-new ultra wide angle lens. I bought this lens, a Canon EF-S 10-22, last year, but this was the first time that I had the chance to fully utilize it. All the shots in this post were from this lens (and my trusty 400D). We had fun taking pictures of the palce and ourselves.

Roxanne in ultra wide

Our final stop was the Powerplant Mall besides Rockwell Club. We had coffee at Seattle's Best (I still prefer Starbucks though) and spent the rest of the afternoon reading magazines.

Rockwell Club's swimming pool

That was our Balck Saturday experience. Happy Easter to all.

On Security Guards And Photography

I was backtracking one of the photography threads that I used to frequent when I stumbled upon this post. It reminded me of something similar that happened to me several weeks ago, and as usual my indolence prevented me from posting this sooner.

One Friday afternoon back in February I decided to head to the nearby Washington Sycip Park in Makati (I was on assignment there that day). I had with me my complete gear and was looking forward to take some snapshots. I saw a couple taking pictures with an SLR, so I stood by them and prepared my camera. And as I as clicking away, a security guard approached me, and told me that I needed a permit in order to take pictures. The couple beside me were spared because according to the guard, you can take pictures of people while in the park, but not pictures of the view or anything related.

The ducks above were my subject when the guard apprehended me. I'm not sure if photos of these ducks are a threat to national security, or if birds in the park have some sort of copyright, but I think the whole permit thing is absurd.

That was not the first time I encountered such "hospitality" from security guards. Other places include:

* the former Park Square 2 carpark
* Bonifacio High Street
* Barangay Ugong in Pasig

In my opinion, this is killing tourism in the Metro. And I think people here and here would agree.

Nonstop

My laptop, an Asus A8Jn, has been running since Saturday night, making this it's first stress test as it turns a year old in a few weeks. So far, everything seems normal.

Anyway, I'll turn it off in a few minutes. I still have to go to work and earn some cash.

I'm So Lazy

It's a Sunday, and I have nothing to do at home. And yet, my blog is still not updated.

Maybe it's because I'm enjoying browsing other webisites so much, reading photography forums and researching on my next mobile phone (I plan to get a Nokia E51). Or maybe I just enjoy sleeping on a lazy Sunday afternoon. Or maybe my obsessive-compulsive disorder is getting in the way of blogging.

I think I should just post and post, and not worry too much about the outcome. I'll try that.

Congratulations...

...to Jayson and Myra for the start of a new life together. They were wedded yesterday, March 1, at the Nuestra Señora de Gracia Parish Church in Guadalupe, Makati. A lunch reception followed at the Manila Peninsula Hotel, also in Makati. Cupcakes were given away as souvenirs. There were so many photographers covering the event that day, so I stood back and enjoyed the festivities from afar, even though I have all my gear with me.

Jayson and I used to be officemates. We were also schoolmates back in La Salle, although our paths never crossed there. I am glad that I witnessed their fairytale love story, but I think only George (a.k.a. Greg, his bestman) and the couple themselves can do justice in telling the story.

Again, best wishes to Jayson and Myra.