A Random Blog

 How to Take Good Shots of Die-cast Cars    Die-cast cars have been around since the early 1900s, and have evolved ever since that time, implementing different designs and liveries, as well as being a hobby for many collectors around the world. One branch of the hobby is taking photos of your favorite cars and sharing them with the world.     Just like the 1:1 counterparts, people manipulate the lighting, subject, and settings of the camera to achieve the desired outcome. I myself, have recently gotten into this aspect of the hobby because I enjoy taking my cars out of their cases and displaying them. Picture of my model Mazda RX-7 FD3S Veilside     Here are the steps that I normally take when taking photos of these model cars, and hopefully you can put them into practice. 1, Pick Your Subject - Simple enough, take a good look at your collection and decide on what car/cars do you want to take pictures of for the photoshoot (if you're starting out on th...

 Foodtrip Around U-Belt: A Travelogue      As a Manileño, U-Belt is one of the most prominent places here in Sampaloc, Manila. It houses numerous prestigious universities such as the University of Santo Tomas (UST), Far Eastern University (FEU), and De La Salle University (DLSU) to name a few. Bustling with students, professors, employees and roadside business owners alike, aside from the quality of education found in this area, there is another aspect of this place that people love experiencing after a hard day at work, or a stressful day at school. A food trip! Food is what fuels people, gives them energy to go about their day and to function like normal human beings. There are numerous spots in and around U-Belt that are easily accessible via walking or by commuting by jeep or FX. Streets like Dapitan, P. Noval, Nicanor Reyes all house a variety of food joints, stalls, and your typical restaurants to fill up your hungry belly. Avenues like Lacson Ave. and España...

  Developing Cultural Understanding & Reducing Individuality In our diverse world blooming with culture, it is important that we find ways to bridge gaps between different cultures, ideas, and ethnicities. The Pasalabuk Festival in Dipolog, the main topic of Francis Cabrera del Rosario’s article entitled, “Getting Together in Dipolog”, shows off a fantastic example of how cultural festivals can deepen understanding and togetherness among various ethnic groups. We will go and explore how exactly this festival help in making an effort to showcase different backgrounds, customs, and traditions as well as how it aims to eliminate any prejudices, biases and discrimination. We will then discuss any additional strategies that can be used to improve relationships between cultures. This festival in Dipolog usually houses a great celebration that brings together all kinds of people from Mindanao. Muslims, Lumad, and Christians alike all come together to promote peace and harmony thro...

Buko Business by Zac Dizon     There was once a big buko tree in the center of a tranquil and undisturbed Philippine town. The tree is the source of the town's prosperity and income. The tree was taken care of by everyone in the town, they saw reverence in taking care of the massive buko tree. But as time passed by, unrest was growing in the small town, especially with the arrival of a new visitor.        Enter Don Jimenez, a man who came from the city to a get a glimpse of this revered tree. And to make it into his new enterprise! He arrived to the town discreetly, originally stating that he is a city-man wanting to retire somewhere quiet and peaceful, but that was not his intention, not at all. In his house on a hill overlooking the entire town, he continues his plot to take all the buko for himself, planning to make gallons of buko juice and mountains of buko pie to ship them off to other parts of the country.      He decided to make his m...

      Melancholic Memories by Zac Dizon It was a cold, quiet August night in my room. I was staring at the screen, completely surprised. As I gazed into the bright screen in the palm of my hand, reading your text, I couldn't comprehend what was happening at that moment. All of a sudden, it was as if my world were swallowed by a blackhole and completely disintegrated. I was shaking, my hand barely holding on to the phone, as I continued to read what you sent me. My lungs felt like they got crumpled and crushed like a tin can run over by a car. I couldn't understand. I couldn't think. Why? Why were you telling this to me? We were going to be together for a long time, weren't we? We promised each other a few months ago... Yet here I was, staring at a message that had traumatized me up until now. I tried to understand as I reflected on what you sent me, yet I was breaking down like an old car. I felt tired, anxious, and devastated. You were my everything, yet you wanted to ...

  The Napa Bargain Mart by Zac Dizon Percy, who's been killing Gorgons Slashing, slicing, and slamming for days The two monsters looking for his vital organs While he tries to avoid their gaze Scrambling to hide from his pursuers Contemplating crossing bay Not wanting to become a skewer He decided to run away Running to the bargain mart Safety was short-lived Not wanting to get stabbed in the heart He hid amongst the shelves Stheno and Euryale arrived One offering Cheese 'n' Wieners The other baring her fangs Gorgons set their sights on what they prized Busy with their idiotic babble Percy looked for an opening Then while focusing He saw the way out of the bargain mart