Runway Ready

   Yesterday I covered my very first fashion show! I had so much fun taking pictures of guests, the awesome food, and models on the runway. I had a blast!

   Since my mom is a model, Ive been to many fashion shows. But this time was different. This time I wasn't in my normal seat in the crowd. I was sitting with the photographers. It was different, a good different. And I loved every minute of it. I covered the show with Duke Rodriguez, my "mentor". He is showing me all the techniques and mechanics there is. He took the videos and I took the pictures. We were the "Peter Parkers" of the event.

   Pia Gladys put Filipinos on the Fashion Map! She recently attended Paris and L.A. Fashion Week. Two of the most fashionable places in the world! She decided to give us a sneak peek of her Trans-Seasonal line for 2015. And I had the pleasure of covering her show! I enjoyed capturing the models in their beautiful dresses. They walked with confidence showing off my Tita Pia's stunning collection of dresses and outfits.

   I had a great time covering my first show. Congratulations Tita Pia! Cant wait til the next one!

Lotus Biscoff

   Today we attended the Lotus Biscoff Media Launch. It was a great opportunity to practice taking pictures for events. We ate delicious food, had a social media contest, watched a fashion show, and were given goody bags filled with Lotus Biscoffs.

   Blogger Daphne Osena Paez hosted the event. We listened to people speak about the history of the Lotus Biscoff. I learned that it is one of the most popular cookies/biscuits in the world! They are produced and distributed pretty much everywhere except for Antarctica (they're missing out). After listening to their speeches they had a fashion show! Waiters walked up and down the aisles showing off their delicious goodies. They had a social media contest! You had to post a picture of your "Lotus Biscoff Moment". The winner got a coffee machine. Sadly, my mom and I didn't win. But that's okay because they gave everyone goody bags filled with Lotus Biscoffs! I can't wait to eat them later.

   Today was a good day. I got to practice taking pictures and eat yummy food. A day well spent.

Christmas Tree Lighting 2014

   Sadly, the Philippines doesn't not celebrate Thanksgiving. So after Halloween they jump straight to Christmas! Christmas in November! Christmas spirit is in the air! It reminds me of the Marriott Christmas Tree Lighting we attended earlier this month. It was really fun, the food was great, the singers were amazing, and Santa showed up!

   We were invited by my mom's friend Michelle Garcia. The Christmas tree was grand, very well decorated. Amazing food was served. They had loads of Christmas goodies, including a S'MORES STATION! I stuffed my face with s'mores the whole night! Roasting marshmallows to perfection and sticking them between two crackers and chocolate. It was the best! I never thought one day Id be roasting marshmallows inside a hotel. The Christmas tree was lit by Richard Gutierrez, Sarah Lahbati, and their son Baby Zion. After they lit the tree Santa came with a big red bag slung over his shoulder. My sister and I rushed over to him. He gave us stockings! After seeing Santa we checked out the Gingerbread train. It looked delicious.

   Christmas is definitely in the air. Thirty Four more days left! Can't wait!

Through The Lenses

   Recently I started a job. A job in the field of photography. I did "BTS" or "Behind The Scenes" shots for a WJG Asia photo shoot. I got to learn from and watch professional photographers such as Duke Rodriguez and Cholo Dela Vega. We shot my mom, Mafae Belasco, her partner Lana Johnson, and actress/ model/ fashion consultant Maricar De Mesa.

   Photography, I started having interest when I started my Instagram. There I got to see pictures taken by professional photographers all around the world, I was inspired. I started seeing the world in a different way. Opportunities everywhere, pictures everywhere. Even the smallest speck in the air caught my eye. At the time I didn't have a camera, so I used my phone. I ended up having 3,000 plus pictures in my camera roll. Unable to resist the urge to take a picture of everything. From there on I started my "Photographic Journey".

   Yesterday I got to work with Duke Rodriguez and Cholo Dela Vega. Cholo recently photographed (a friend of my mom) Jing Monis' Hair Magazine or "Hairzine". The first ever of its kind. And I got to work with him... what an honor! I did the "Behind The Scenes" shots for the WJG Asia shoot. Duke shot my my mom, Mafae Belasco, and her partner Lana Johnson. And Cholo shot my Tita, Maricar De Mesa. I learned so much from the both of them. Like the different equipment and how they're used, different settings on the camera, and much more. I watched them take pictures and fix even the slightest details. I also learned that photography isn't as easy as it looks. It takes a lot of time and effort. And patience, lots of patience. Theres fixing all the equipment, making sure everything is perfect and running the way it should be. And then you have to wait for the models to finish their hair and make up. Nonetheless it was a fun shoot, I had a great time.

   In conclusion, Ill say this. Photography is a journey, just like life. And Im taking it, Im adventuring. Its complicated and theres much to learn. But Im excited and hungry for more.

Fishy Fishy

   The other day we drove to Nuvali to have lunch with my dad's friend. The food was delicious and I was stuffed. Filipino food is the best. Though the wifi connection was strong and fast we had nothing to do. So we decided to go outside and check out the lake. People were crowding by the rail. We went to see what they were looking at and couldn't believe our eyes. Hundreds of fish bobbing their heads up and down with their mouths open waiting for someone to throw them food. Some were out of the water on top of other fish. All of them fighting to be at the top.

    We ran to our parents and asked for money for the fish food. They gave us money and we sprinted to the stand in excitement. We dropped the food into the water and in an instant 10 fish popped out of nowhere and fought for the food. Seeing the happy faces on my siblings and uncle made my day. And I discovered a new found love for fish. Though all of my pet fish died of either starvation or over feeding haha.

Filipino Pride

  Recently the Gilas Pilipinas ended their Fiba experience with a 1-4 record. I'm very proud of  all of my dad's friends on the team! They finished with a bang, defeating Senegal 81-79. And shocked the world with their return to the tournament, it's been a while.

  On the night of the fourth game, against Puerto Rico, we decided to watch at Dillingers (a restaurant at Greenbelt, here in Manila) with my parent's friends. They picked us up and we drove there in excitement. It was a "Do-or-Die" game for both teams, meaning the winner would go on in the tournament and the loser would lose their chance of getting a spot in the next round. As soon as we parked we heard a loud roar from a nearby restaurant. We walked past the crowd. Every time the Gilas scored they'd jump up and shout in excitement. The same went for almost every restaurant we passed. You could feel it in the air, Philippine Pride.

    It was a super close game. But in the end they lost to Puerto Rico 77-73, another tough one. All of the Gilas games were close. They were an exciting team to watch. They showed the world what the Philippines can do. And I'm one Proud Pinoy. Puso!

The Law Of Attraction

  I believe in the Law Of Attraction. It was first introduced to me by my mom, who at the time was studying Kabbalah. Here's how it works: think of something you want (whether it be physical or mental, anything). Think hard and act as if you already have what you desire. Then you ask "The Creator", whoever you think it is (I don't discriminate), for what you want. After doing so, you wait. I tried this out a couple of days ago.

  There are these little spray painted graffiti "WHY"s all over Makati. And I've been searching everywhere for them ever since I heard of their existence and how difficult it is to find them. I thought, why not use the Law Of Attraction? So I did. "I will find one, I have found one." I thought to myself. Then I asked "The Creator" and waited. While doing so we were in the car on our way to my dad's radio interview on The Joyride (Wave 89.1). We were about to cross the street when my dad said, "Nico look!". Sure enough, on the first line of the crosswalk was a "WHY". I was amazed. It worked! I've used it a couple of times since then. And I've learned one lesson; ask and you shall receive. Don't ask WHY, give it a try.