salt&bleach

Tag: life

  • A Wedding in Newtown Beach

    A Wedding in Newtown Beach

    I arrived at Manu & Nickle’s wedding preparations around 10 in the morning or something. It was another one of those “no entourage” small gatherings, you know? It could not have been any more relaxed as it was. The videographer was scrambling for clips because it was terribly quiet. As for me, I was happy to click whenever I felt it mattered. In the middle of preparations, I slid out the door, sat with an americano & a turkey sandwich at Starbucks.

    I can’t recall shooting a wedding here even when it was branded as Portofino a long, long while ago. It looks like a really wonderful place to get married despite the usual humidity. Let’s get back to the preparations first.

    Around lunch, I met Manu just outside the lobby of Savoy for a few pictures. We had a long chat during the pre wedding shoot and we both agreed to take lesser but more meaningful pictures.

    It was the usual little chaos when Nickle’s family arrived to dress up as well. Not that we can’t handle that…

    And before we knew it, it was time for some more portraits.

    The Newtown Skyline.

    And it was time to begin.

    I didn’t keep a tab but I think there were less than 80 of us. The forecast said it was going to rain but the weather actually held up. We were blessed with some cloudy skies and an occasional afternoon breeze to balance out the mild humidity.

    Before the reception started, we took a few more pictures.

    And some dusk scenery

    When I left, I was under the impression that the party was just getting started. There were still 4 large coolers full of beer & wine. I can only imagine the fun and laughter. What a wedding it was.

    Thank You Manu & Nickle!

  • Wedding Crashers

    Wedding Crashers

    To Dalaguete & Back

    We almost didn’t make it to this invitation because Kuya’s District Meet Scrabble Game was supposed to happen. Fortunately, it was rescheduled, so I thought we were meant to drive down to Dalaguete.

    The invitation came from Creselda & Kevin. I got to know them years ago, when I help put together the IT ServiceDesk Operations for Aboitiz Equity Ventures. They were On-the-Job Trainees & scholars of Passerelles Numeriques from the University of San Carlos. Kevin worked with the Network Team while Sed worked with me at the Service Desk. 2 years ago, I took wedding photos for Joy, another one of those Trainees.

    • Our usual Argao stop
    • Break time
    • Curious as ever
    • Geese

    We dressed comfortably for the drive but brought along wedding clothes and planned to change when we arrived at Dalaguete.

    I intended to bring a big camera but I knew I couldn’t pull it out with the kids in tow. So back to the mighty, mighty iPhone for some wedding related photos.

    Gone were the days where I could take as many photos as I could, you know? Growing kids meant less time for extracurricular things. Not complaining. I know when all of these will pass, I’m going to miss every second of being able to carry them around with me.

    The reception was towards Alcoy and I was glad it had a sea front because Kuya and Coxon loved it.

    I wanted to wait for the reception but time didn’t allow us. I didn’t want to arrive too late back in the city. So we hand around and left just as the reception was starting. Nevertheless, I was so glad I had the chance to drive and be part of Creselda & Kevin’s day. It was heavy on the heart but terribly beautiful at the same time.

  • A Random Sunday

    A Random Sunday

    Canta

    And just like that, we were back at Canta Homestead in Lutopan, Toledo City. The immediate answer was “Yes” when Jao inquired if we would like to visit the Bukid Collective that they were holding over the weekend.

    Coincidentally, we are neighbors which spelled convenience. Jao and his kids (AA, Gab & Chelsea) fetched us at the house and off we drove to Cantabaco via Uling in Naga City.

    Cosmos

    The same familiar flower greeted us at the entrance. I particularly like how the place is surrounded by Cosmos. It wasn’t as plenty as way back in March but undeniably noticeable still.

    There were all sort of things for sale around the homestead. Books, crafts, coffee, food, you name it. When we arrived, there was a candle making workshop happening. Maybe Angeline & Kuya can join in next time.

    On our way, Jao & I picked up coffee from Pick Up Coffee. Hahaha. What?

    Pictures

    I thought I’d bring the large camera for a change, you know? I’ve always relied on the phone for pictures but this drive sounded like a nice time to practice. These were taken by the ever reliable Mark III & 50mm lense.

    We didn’t notice it was time for lunch until Coxon asked for spaghetti. He turned down Jollibee but we ended up driving there anyway.

    It rained quite a bit just before we finished our late lunch. Afraid we’d get soaked, we opted to stay inside Jollibee in Toledo City until the rain wasn’t pouring too much. The kids agreed to hangout at the house when we got to the city but it was actually dark when we got home and tomorrow’s Monday, so Jao and his kids just dropped us off. It looks like there will be part 2 next Sunday.

    If you’ve read until here, Thank You!

  • A Wedding in Dumaguete

    A Wedding in Dumaguete

    The last wedding I shot in Dumaguete City was back in July of 2019. It was a small crowd pretty much like the one in the pictures below and the fact of the matter is, it is because of that wedding that Febe & Dylan came across me as I wrote down in the previous post. When I received Febe’s message in Facebook last year, I immediately knew we were going to get along just fine.

    I took the boat from Pier 1 in Cebu City. I planned on sleeping in until 5AM but when it docked in Dumaguete, they turned the air conditioning off. I stayed on one of the boats benches until I could see bits of the sunrise before heading out to meet my cousin for breakfast.

    As always, the boys didn’t want too many pictures so we just obliged and took a few.

    The ladies, on the other hand, were a bit game so I dragged them out of the house but still put them on the shade on their “terno” shades.

    Details

    I was quite surprised when I arrived and was asked to sign something for the details. Luckily, I don’t prioritize details so I managed to squeeze my way out of the situation. I did took some photos of the said details, but I didn’t make an effort to highlight them.

    Casa Bianca and Yucca Villa, the Airbnb places that Febe and Dylan booked were certainly nice. It provided a lot of backdrops which didn’t require too much effort.

    The ceremony was scheduled at 2PM at a church nearby. We quickly finished the preparations and arrived at church an hour early.

    You will need to scroll left or right on the next set of pictures. Otherwise, this is going to en up a bit longer than usual.

    And as always, a kiss to seal the deal.

    The reception followed at The Barn in Valencia. I didn’t drive so I rode with the rest of the guests. Febe & Dylan wrote wedding day letters and read it to each other before the reception started.

    Before we let the entourage enjoy some refreshments, we took them out for a quick all together photo. After which, I told them to leave Febe & Dylan behind for some potraits.

    No Fuss

    The reception party didn’t take too long. We were done before 7:00PM. The longest part of it was the entrance. Of course, the cake was sliced, wine opened and some speeches too!

    And just like how it was back at the church, a longer kiss to signal the end of the wedding day and the beginning of the married life. Thank You Febe & Dylan for allowing me to preserve some of these memories for you.

  • Christmas of 2024

    Christmas of 2024

    It took me a little while to find the time to write about Christmas from last year. I always write about the holidays but lately, time is scarce. If I’m not at work, I usually spend everything with the kids and then insert a little room for bike adventures if only to get that much needed exercise.

    We spent Christmas in Las Piñas and then went home shortly after to spend the new year at the house. I hope, this time, I manage to keep this blog for as long as I can so that the boys can back read when they are all grown up.

    Cousins

    I booked tickets to fly out to Las Piñas for Christmas as soon as I learned that their cousins from Australia were also coming home. Here they are with their Lolo Rudy.

    Airport & airplane things

    • Scroll left & right

    Sadly, I was mostly watching over the kids so I didn’t have too many pictures of them enjoying Christmas Day at their Lola Syv’s house in Tagaytay. The ones below, however, is when their Tita Ayla brought us to Tanay for a little adventure.

    I remember the not too far away drive from Las Piñas while passing by Marikina for breakfast and take out coffee. Scroll left and right for more of our pictures in Tanay.

    • We saw a horse
    • This is Pollie. She wants a cracker but she’s not a cracker.
    • River time.
    • Talahib life.

    When we got back to Manila, we passed by our little family in QC and then headed to BGC for cousin Wolfie’s birthday.

    We also had the time to see their Tita Tanya and her kids. She took the kids to Kinder City in Evia and then had them try the chicken at Fireside in Molito.

    On our last day, I took them to the playground in Almanza. The ground was still wet but Kuya & Coxon had fun nonetheless.

    After lunch we left for the airport to catch our afternoon flight back to Cebu.

    • Scroll left and right

    And before we knew it, we were finally home. It’s not easy traveling with two kids in tow but somehow, I find it terribly beautiful – messy but wonderful. The next travel will be a little different. Kuya will almost be a teenager and Coxon will learn more tricks. I’m writing all of this down so I can remember things that happen on Decembers. I love you Kuya & Coxon.