Christmas 2011

Last year's Christmas wasn't really the best I've had so far, but it's a happy one. It's the usual way of celebrating it that we've been doing over the past few years. Nothing fancy, everything's simple. But what's important is I get to spend this special day of the year with my relatives. :)

Spent lunchtime and the rest of the afternoon with Papa's side of the family. I get to see my grandparents again! Bonded with my cousins and shared some kwento since it's been a year since we last saw each other. I get to see our other relatives as well, but I'm not really close to them. Probably because there aren't much kids and kids my age are just too shy to approach each other. Haha. But surprisingly, I get to bond with some of them during picture takings.


Daddy Olis, myself, Papa, Rejean and Mommy Lina



Left: Papa, myself, Rejean Right: Rejean and I


with cousins


Rejean and I with Kuya RR


Spent the evening with Mama's side of the family. Dinner, gift giving and lots of picture taking! <3 Took photos of the Christmas Tree while waiting for dinner.







We had Family photos that look like this:

myself, Rejean and Mama

And photos with my cousins that look like this:

This photo would be loads better if all my cousins are here. /sigh

Looking forward to happier Christmases! :D

P.S. I know this blog post is almost two months late, but I still feel the need to post it. New Year post is coming up! :D

Q Paskuhan 2011

I wasn't able to take much photos because I was busy finding my friends. And when I found them, we were busy rak en rol-ing to the bands. Haha

Mama and Rejean watches the Pakuhan concert every year since I entered the university. But this year, it wasn't just the two of them!

Mama and Rejean with Tasha and Tita Marisse



Watched the concert for a while when I felt a bit tired walking around to find my friends.


You would see a few paper lanterns floating in the sky once in while.

Found my friends! Actually, we really have a meeting place. I was just a bit hesitant to go there because they might went somewhere else already since it was 30mins-1hour past our meeting time when I went to UST. Haha

Lorraine (who obviously just cried), Jia, me, Louis


Jia, Jankiel, me (Jia and I in our favorite thumbs up pose. LOL)


Jia and I giving Lorraine a kiss to shoo her sadness away. Haha


Louis with Charie and Jakov


Gabby, Louis, Lorraine

After picture-taking, we went straight to Grandstand to enjoy the concert.

I didn't know that the pyromusical/fireworks display was scheduled at 9PM that night! Sobrang di ako prepared! Hence, fail fireworks photos.









If it isn't obvious, the photo I used for this blog post's cover photo is a fail fireworks photo. ;)

I think 3-4 bands played after the fireworks display.


Taking a photo of concert crowd is probably one of my favorites.


Waited for my mom + others at Lover's Lane, which explains this chandelier photos.

This year's Paskuhan was probably the most tiring Paskuhan I've been. It was a good night to sing-along to OPM songs I know. Nothing beats the Paskuhan when I was in my first year of college, though. For me, that was the best Paskuhan I've been.

UST at Christmas Night 2011

UST Plaza Mayor has been packed at night since Christmas Lights were installed on various spots in the university. For this semester, I wasn't able to use my camera because I'm lending it to my sister for her Photography classes. But I was able to get it back for one week so I can shoot UST at night and for the Paskuhan festivities as well.

The last week of school was still hectic. I was so busy and stressed out running errands, doing paper works, reviewing for quizzes and doing school works related to either S.A.D. or Thesis. Thank God I was still able to find time to do a photowalk. So I scheduled my night photowalk two nights till Paskuhan. I thought it was the perfect night to shoot since the UST will surely be packed during the next two nights due to Paskuhan festivities.

Photos Take On: Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Taken With: Canon EOS 550D + EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS and EF 50mm f/1.8 II



Test shot...

I think I got it right on this one. Sticking to this white balance for the rest of the night.

UST Main Building



Hanging Lights


Santisimo Rosario Parish Church


Construction site at the former UST Gym in b&w.


It was really hard for me to take a photo of this scenery because I don't have a tripod. I didn't know my lens' IS was turned off! So this photo turned out to be a bit shaky. :|


This year's UST Christmas Tree! The base color's red and it was embellished with violet light balls and traditional yellow lights.


Semi-wide view of this scene + filmy effect


Another photo of the Christmas Tree. This time with stage light.



Arch of the Centuries

My photowalk wouldn't be complete without a walk in Lover's Lane (formally Rizal, Burgos and Del Pilar lanes, just so you know)


Rizal Lane was decorated with lovely chandeliers. No wonder this lane is the students' favorite spot to take their photos.




Personal favorite photo of Rizal Lane with UST Main Building. <3
Miguel de Benavides Statue


Hanging Lights along Quezon Drive in b&w



Thanks to that night's manong guard at the UST Main Building entrance for letting us in even if student's aren't allowed to get inside anymore. :)


Belen outside UST Museum


Faculty/College Logos




You've got to agree that UST is lovelier than it usually is during the Christmas Season. I'm so thankful that my dorm is just a street away from UST. Also, I have night classes three times a week, so I get to enjoy these lovely scenery almost every night.

Thank you so much to my all-around buddy, Jia, for going with me. :D