Winners of Canon PhotoMarathon Philippines 2009 announced

Around 600 photo hobbyists, both amateur and professional, flocked to Tagaytay Convention Center on November 14 for Canon Photomarathon Philippines 2009. Several bloggers were also present--not to cover--but to participate in the 4th leg of this much-awaited photography event.

Ready, Set, Go!

Participants of PhotoMarathon Philippines 2009 pose for the traditional group shot

The PhotoMarathon is an Asia-wide photo competition testing a photographer's creativity and skills. Participants are given a day to perform photography related tasks. Here in the country, no sign-up fee is collected. All successful registrants will be provided with free transportation, food, drinks, and loot bag.

Canon Marketing Philippines President Mr.Ramon Arteficio

Canon PhotoMarathon Philippines 2009 winners are the following:

OVERALL WINNER: Mr. Ramon Castillo (EOS 400D)

OVERALL 1st RUNNER-UP WINNER: Michael Declaro (Powershot SD550)

DSLR CATEGORY WINNER: Mr. Cesario Silvestre Gacoscosim (EOS 40D)

POINT&SHOOT CATEGORY WINNER: Mr. Adrian Christian Reyes (POWERSHOT S3 IS)

The grand prize winner will go to Osaka, Japan with a companion, an EOS 5D Mark II body, Crumpler camera strap, and a Canon EOS 5D Mark II miniature thumb drive. The first runner-up will get an EOS 500D with standard lens, a local trip, Crumpler camera strap, and a Canon EOS 5D Mark II miniature thumb drive. Other winners will receive the following:

EOS DSLR category
EOS 7D body
Free trip to a local destination
Crumpler camera strap
Canon EOS 5D Mark II miniature thumb drive

Point and Shoot Category
EOS 1000D with 18-55mm kit lens
Free trip to a local destination
Crumpler camera strap
Canon EOS 5D Mark II miniature thumb drive

Video Category
HF10 flash video camcorder
Free trip to any local destination

Congratulation to all the winners!

Here are some of the photos I took during the event. View complete album here.

this kid will pwn you, yes.

JP risking his life for Canon

Jonel Uy and Kin Pasana

ang aking samalamig sa Tagaytay

LOL LOL LOL

Bloggers' group shot

I would like to thank Iris, Jonel, Jennie, Jeff, Nicely, Kin, JP, Edel, and Arvin for joining the marathon. I hope you guys enjoyed! See you again next year! :)

SEAT SALE ALERT: Philippine Airlines offers Manila to Hongkong roundtrip flights for USD98

This December, fly roundtrip Manila to Hongkong via Philippine Airlines (PAL) for only USD98!

Sale Period: December 2 to 7, 2009
Travel Period: December 2 to 15, 2009. Travel must be completed by 15 December 2009

The USD98 fare is inclusive of surcharges and exclusive of government taxes and airport fees. Free 15kg baggage allowance. Valid only on PR 310 and PR 312 Economy Fiesta flights for Manila to Hong Kong.

Flight details are as follows:

PR 310 MNL - HKG
ETD 18:35
ETA 20:45

PR 312 MNL - HKG
ETD 19:35
ETA 21:35

Book and buy now through www.philipippineairlines.com or visit your nearest PAL Ticket Offices. You may alsco call PAL reservations Manila: (02) 855-8888, Cebu (032) 340-0191, Davao: (082) 222-0366 or your travel agent.

CEB implements new booking, cancellation policies

Beginning next month, Cebu Pacific (CEB) will be implementing new booking and cancellation policies where changing the name in tickets will now be allowed.

Candice Iyog, CEB's vice president for marketing, said under the new rules, in the case of voluntary or guest-initiated changes, passengers can reschedule their ticket but more than one day before departure date. This includes modifying flight, route, date of travel and name, or cancelling flights.

Involuntary flight disruptions--such as cancellations or delays by CEB--of three hours or more, meanwhile, would allow passengers to a full cash refund or they may store booking in the "Travel Fund" for future travel without penalties within 30 days.

During situations beyond the airline's control such as weather, bird-strike or closure of airports, tickets are not refundable but passengers my rebook flights without penalties as long as travel is completed within 30 days. Passengers may also store booking in the Travel Fund, but with a penalty since these disruptions are beyond CEB's control.

The new Travel Fund allows passengers to use the value of changed flights within 90 days from the date the fund is created, or to transfer the booking to another passenger. The fund eliminates the waiting time for refunds. Passengers can immediately use the stored amount for their next booking.

"The new policy and Travel Fund benefit passengers by allowing them the use of travel credits anytime within its validity period," Iyog said.

“Our low fares and improved on-time performance (OTP) led to a steady increase in passengers and their concern for convenience is an important consideration for CEB. The new business policy provides greater flexibility to passengers while retaining the advantage of very low fares,” Iyog added.

"CEB implements new booking, cancellation policies" by Itchie Cabayan
People's Tonight (p.2), November 25, 2009

SALE ALERT: Canon 3-Day Christmas Sale at Tiendesitas

Updated.

Here's another long-weekend gadget sale from Canon!

Enjoy huge discounts and exciting giveaways only at the Canon 3-day Yuletide Season Sale on November 28 to 30, 2009 at Tiendesitas Delicacies Village Lobby. On sale are selected Canon cameras, DSLRs, camcorders and printers. Cash and credit cards will be accepted.

Canon didn't release the price list, but here are the items that will be on sale this weekend:

DSLRs and lenses:

1000d 450d 500d 50d 40d 5d mark II 50mm 1.8 55-250is 50mm 1.4 85mm 1.8 17-40 16-35 70-200 35mm 1.4 24mm 1.4.

Save up to Php 18,000 on the following units:

DIGITAL IXUS 800 DIGITAL IXUS i7Zoom PowerShot A570 POWERSHOT A580 POWERSHOT A620 POWERSHOT A630 POWERSHOT A720 POWERSHOT A460 POWERSHOT SX100 ZR 830 MiniDV Camcorder ZR 800 MiniDV Camcorder DC 220 DVD Camcorder DC 210 DVD Camcorder

Shop will be open from 12noon to 8pm, from November 28 to 30, at the Tiendesitas Delicacies Village Lobby.

Happy shopping!

World Pyrolympics moved to January 2010

The Executive Committee of the World Pyro Olympics (WPO) '09 announced the RESCHEDULING of the WPO, originally set on November 28, December 5, 12 and 19, to January 2010.

The incessant rains and flooding during the past months have rendered the firing area almost unfit for pyrotechnics launchings which have certain international standards to observe. The participating countries have thus agreed to reschedule the event.

Tickets purchased will still be honored on the new event dates.  Final dates will be announced soon. Ticket holders are requested to contact our hotlines at 568-6908 / 384-0239 or visit the WPO official website for more details.

SEAT SALE ALERT: Cebu Pacific Piso fare is Back!!!

Cebu Pacific offers another 'Go Lite' One Peso Seat Sale for all domestic and international destinations!

Sale Period: November 20 to 22
Travel Period: June 15 to September 30, 2010

This promotion is only available via www.cebupacificair.com or through travel agents using the Amadeus global distribution system. Book and buy now  at www.cebupacificair.com or contact reservations hotlines (02) 7020-888 or (032) 230-8888, and pay through CEB ticketing offices, online, or via ATM or over the counter in partner banks.

*Go-Lite: 7kg hand-carry baggage
*Optional: Add P100 upon booking for 15kg check-in baggage
*Fares are inclusive of tax and surchages
*Exclusive of airport terminal fees and applicable government taxes

SEAT SALE ALERT: PAL 777 Special

In celebration of the first Boeing 777ER delivery, Philippine Airlines brings you the lucky sevens! Enjoy the PHP777 and PHP1777 special domestic fares (ALL-IN One-way fares on Economy Class INCLUSIVE of V.A.T. ).

The Boeing 77-300ER joins PAL's impressive fleet comprised of five Boeing 747-400s, four Airbus A340-300s, eight Airbus A330-300s, eighteen Airbus A320-200s, and fours Airbus A319-100s.

PHP 777 (Base Fare: PHP 693)
Between MANILA and BACOLOD, CEBU, DUMAGUETE, ILOILO, KALIBO, LAOAG, LEGASPI, PUERTO PRINCESA, TACLOBAN, TAGBILARAN and ROXAS

PHP 777 (Base Fare: PHP 693)
Between CEBU and DAVAO

PHP 1,777 (Base Fare: PHP 1586)
Between MANILA and BUTUAN, CAGAYAN DE ORO, COTABATO, DAVAO, DIPOLOG, GENERAL SANTOS, OZAMIZ and ZAMBOANGA

Sale Period: November 19 to 25, 2009 
Travel Period: December 01 to 25, 2009 and February 01 to March 15, 2010

Book and buy now through www.philipippineairlines.com or visit your nearest PAL Ticket Offices. You may alsco call PAL reservations Manila: (02) 855-8888, Cebu (032) 340-0191, Davao: (082) 222-0366 or your travel agent.

UPDATE: World Pyro (MUSICAL) Olympics 2009 at The Fort Bonifacio Global City

World Pyrolympics 2009 is moved to November 21, 2009. The annual event will be held for 5-consecutive Saturdays at The Fort Open Grounds (behind Bonifacio High Street). Gates open at 3pm, competition starts at 7pm.

View complete competition schedule and ticket prices here.

Bratpack and Timbuk2 Trade-In Sale

Timbuk2 is currently offering a trade-in sale at selected Bratpack stores. Automatically get 50% off on Timbuk2 bags or 15% off on all regular items just by bringing in your old bags.

Sale is valid until November 30, 2009 at the following BratPack outlets: Robinson's Ermita, Robinson's Galleria, SM Southmall, SM The Block, Ayala Mall Greenbelt 5, SM Davao, and Ayala Marquee Mall Angeles. All traded bags will be donated to out-of-school youths.

Free Basic Mountaineering Seminar at ROX

To promote the Philippines as an ideal ecotourism destination, Recreational Outdoor eXchange (ROX) will host a FREE Basic Mountaineering course on December 14, 2009 (Monday). The 3-hour seminar will start at 7pm and will be held at ROX CORE, Bldg 1 Bonifacio High Street. Aside from discussing basic rudiments and skills of travel and backpacking, the presentation will also stress  key concepts in safety and environmental awareness.

Reserve your slot by sending your name and contact details to educom_mfpi@yahoo.com.

Philippine AllStars Open Class with Kyxz

Kyxz of Philippine Allstars will hold a FREE 2-hour open class on November 4 (Wednesday) at Stand Studio, Brahma Bldg. 172 Mabini St., Bgy. Addition Hills, San Juan. This event is open to all dance enthusiasts. Doors open 6pm.

Directions to Stand Studio:
From EDSA going to Kalentong, turn right at Mabini St. Brahma Bldg. should be on your right

Australian Filmfest 2009 Manila & Cebu Screening Schedule

Six critically-acclaimed films from Australia are set to hit select cinemas in Manila and Cebu as the Australian Embassy presents its 7th Australian Film Festival in the Philippines from 5-14 November.

Experience Australian film excellence and learn more about Australia’s popular culture, history and contemporary values with award-winning films The Black Balloon, Unfinished Sky, The Hard Word, Garage Days, Danny Deckchair and The Bank.

The Black Balloon director, Elissa Down, will visit Manila to conduct artist talks at the University of the Philippines Film Institute on 5 November, 4:30 pm and at the Mowelfund Institute on 7 November, 10:00 am.

The festival is presented by the Australian Embassy, Screen Australia, and the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in cooperation with the Ayala Malls Cinemas, Greenbelt and Ayala Center Cebu. Partners include The Peninsula Manila, the Arts Council of Cebu, the University of the Philippines Film Institute, ETC, 2nd Avenue, and ClickTheCity.com.Cebu. Partners include The Peninsula Manila, the Arts Council of Cebu, the University of the Philippines Film Institute, ETC, 2nd Avenue, and ClickTheCity.com. For information on the film screenings and master classes, visit www.australia.com.ph.

7th Australian Film Festival Screening Schedule

Greenbelt 3, Cinema 3 - Makati City
Admission Fee: Php65.00

November 5 (Thursday)
04:00PM The Bank
06:00PM The Black Balloon
08:00PM Danny Deckhair

November 6 (Friday)
04:00PM The Hard Wood
06:00PM Unfinished Sky
08:00PM Garage Days

November 7 (Saturday)
04:00PM Danny Deckhair
06:00PM The Bank
08:00PM The Black Balloon

November 8 (Sunday)
04:00PM Garage Days
06:00PM The Hard Wood
08:00PM Unfinished Sky

Ayala Center Cebu, Cinema 4 - Cebu City
Admission Fee: FREE

November 9 (Monday)
06:00PM Danny Deckhair
08:00PM Garage Days

November 10 (Tuesday)
07:00PM The Black Balloon
09:00PM The Bank

November 11 (Wednesday)
04:00PM The Hard Wood
06:00PM Unfinished Sky
08:00PM Danny Deckhair

November 12 (Thursday)
04:00PM Garage Days
06:00PM The Black Balloon
08:00PM Unfinished Sky

November 13 (Friday)
10:30AM The Bank

November 14 (Saturday)
10:30AM The Hard Wood

SEAT SALE ALERT: Cebu Pacific Piso Seats 2009

IT'S BAAAAAAAAAAAACK! Cebu Pacific offers 'Go Lite' One Peso Seat Sale for all domestic and international destinations!

Sale Period: October 30 to November 2, 2009 (or until allotted 100,000 seats are sold out)
Travel Period: June 15 to September 30, 2010

The trademark P1 seat sale also covers all of CEB’s 14 international destinations namely: Kota Kinabalu, Taipei, Bangkok, Hong Kong, Macau, Singapore, Guangzhou, Ho Chi Minh, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Busan, Shanghai, Incheon and Osaka.

Book and buy now  at www.cebupacificair.com or contact reservations hotlines (02) 7020-888 or (032) 230-8888, and pay through CEB ticketing offices, online, or via ATM or over the counter in partner banks.

*Go-Lite: 7kg hand-carry baggage
*Optional: Add P100 upon booking for 15kg check-in baggage
*Fares are inclusive of tax and surchages
*Exclusive of airport terminal fees and applicable government taxes

FREE Action Photography Workshop this November

Join the 2-part Action Photography Workshop with Professional Sports Photographer Ben M. Chan of Blacksheep Photography at the CORE Room, 3rd Level R.O.X. (Recreational Outdoor eXchange) Bonifacio High Street

Part One: Action Photography 101
November 5, 2009, 7PM
Part Two: Action Photography workshop & Competition
November 7, 2009, 3PM

REGISTRATION IS FREE!

Interested participants may visit R.O.X. or email name & contact details to rox.cs@primergrp.com

This event is co-presented by Canon.

Del Monte dares you to Eat. Drink. Run. (Be FIT!)

I'm Dani, your typical Payat-Taba girl T_T

It's a struggle for most people to lose weight and Del Monte Philippines recognized the need to solve this problem by coming up with a health campaign dubbed "Dare to be Fit 'N Right." It emphasizes the importance of fitness by:

1. Encouraging people to EAT and DRINK healthy food products,
2. organizing healthy lifestyle activities such as fun RUNs and
3. introducing a new and effective way to Be FIT.

To formally launch the campaign, a bloggers event was held last October 23 at Taste Asia SM MOA. Good thing I signed up because sports scientist/master coach/ultimate hunk Jim Saret was there to give a lecture on Fast Intense Training (FIT), a workout strategy that enables one to burn at least 400 calories in a span of only four minutes.

LOSE 400 CALORIES IN 4 MINUTES!
LOSE 400 CALORIES IN 4 MINUTES!
LOSE 400 CALORIES IN 4 MINUTES!
LOSE 400 CALORIES IN 4 MINUTES!

Need proof? Here's the video:

FIT is touted as the most effective way to burn fat. OMG.

During the demo, I thought, "Hey, that looks do-able."

Next thing I knew, I was already doing push-ups infront of everyone. Meh.

Zoom in and LOL at my face plsz

 Argonaut made it seem so easy :(

Coach Jim also noted in his lecture that exercise alone is not enough to keep one fit. Proper diet should always be an essential part of the process. It's necessary to cut down on fatty foods and increase intake of vegetables and fruits. Healthy juices such as Del Monte Fit 'N Right also help as it contains L-Carnitine, a natural substance that speeds up the body's ability to burn calories and fats.

replace chips and sweets with this L-Carnitine filled Fit 'n Right fruit snack

TIP: Drink Fit 'n Right 2 hours before exercise to speed up your metabolism!

Aside from introducing the FIT workout, Del Monte also announced the Dare to be Fit ‘n Right culmination Fun Run, slated on November 22 in SM Mall of Asia.

For a joining fee of P300, runners can get their race packet with the Dare to Fit ‘n Right Fun Run singlet, race bib, and Fit ‘N Right products.

Interested participants may register at the following areas:

• CEMG Office – Unit 3A Vernida I Bldg., Amorsolo St., Legaspi Village, Makati City/ Look for Marianne Tapales (892.5842/09155498282)
• Dare to be Fit ‘n Right booths in Bonifacio High Street, Taguig and in selected SM Hypermarkets:  Mall of Asia, Sucat, Pasig, and North EDSA
• Fitness First branches on November 16, 2009.

The 3K/5K/10K Men  and Women Open will benefit the victims of typhoon Ondoy and Pepeng, among others, through the SM Foundation.

Winners will receive cash and gifts from Del Monte Fit ‘n Right and its sponsors, while all registered runners will automatically be qualified in the raffle and get the chance to take home a brand-new Lenovo laptop.

For more information about FIT and Fun Run, visit and join the Fit ‘n Right Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/FitnRight

More event photos here and here

You may also want to check other Fit 'n Right stories from:

Ed Arevalo
Jeff Aspacio
Jennie Apacio
Edelweiza Mabalay
Ria Tirazona
Iris Acosta
Earth Rullan
Omar Itay
Carl Valenzona
Rowena Wendy Lei
Dianne Peña

Thanks to Azrael Coladilla for the invite.

Seat Sale Alert: PAL Halloween Madness

Philippine Airlines offers International Round-trip Economy class all-in* fares for as low as US$99! Plus, 15kgs baggage allowance! *heart*

US$99
Manila to Bangkok, Hong Kong, Macau,Saigon, Singapore, or Taipei

US$199
Manila to Jakarta

US$299
Manila to Beijing or Shanghai

Sale Period: October 25 to 30, 2009
Travel Period: November 4 to December 10, 2009 and January 11 to February 4, 2010

Book and buy now through www.philipippineairlines.com or visit your nearest PAL Ticket Offices. You may alsco call PAL reservations Manila: (02) 855-8888, Cebu (032) 340-0191, Davao: (082) 222-0366 or your travel agent.

*Exclusive of airport fees and applicable government taxes
*Inclusive of in-flight meals, beverages, newspapers and on-board entertainment
*Tickets are non-rebookable and non-refundable
*Mileage accrual and Service Class Upgrade award do not apply on this fare

SEAT SALE ALERT: Cebu Pacific's 2-Day Seat Sale to Taipei and China

Here's another seat sale from Cebu Pacific :)

Go Lite Php999
Manila to and Taipei

Go Lite P1499
Manila to Guangzhou, Macau, and Shanghai
Cebu to Hong Kong

Selling period: October 22 to 23, 2009
Travel period: November 15, 2009 to February 28, 2010

Book now at www.cebupacificair.com or contact reservations hotlines (02) 7020-888 or (032) 230-8888, and pay through CEB ticketing offices, online, or via ATM or over the counter in partner banks.

*Quoted fares are one way
*Go-Lite: 7kg hand-carry baggage
*Optional: Add P100 upon booking for 15kg check-in baggage
*Fares are inclusive of tax and surchages
*Exclusive of airport terminal fees and applicable government taxes

Consumer Electronics Live 2009 slated on Nov. 13 to 15

The country’s biggest electronics show is set to take the stage once more as Summit Live mounts the second Consumer Electronics Live (CEL), happening on November 13 to 15, 2009, at the World Trade Center, Halls A to C.

This year’s CEL Manila promises to top their first outing last year, which showcased the latest products from over 40 exhibitors –including Canon, Apple, Bose, Nokia, HP, Sony, LG Electronics, Samsung, Lenovo, Nikon, Asus, Creative, Olympus, JBL, and Sennheiser—and had more than 10,000 gadget lovers trooping to the three-day exhibit.

Gerard de Guzman, general manager of Summit Live, says that this year, CEL Manila will focus on having the latest gadgets available for purchase during the exhibit. “I think there is nothing worse for a techie than seeing and salivating over a device on display but then you can’t buy it right there and then,” he points out, “With CEL Manila exhibitors putting together special promos just for the three-day event, techies are sure to find devices at terrific values.”

CEL Manila is not just the best place for gadget lovers to score a good bargain, but is also the perfect opportunity for exhibitors to expand their market share, generate more awareness for their products, and drum up sales.

CEL Manila is still open to exhibitors. Interested parties may call 451-8888 local 1115 and look for Jayjay Veloso, email summitliveinquiries@summitmedia.com.ph, or visit www.celmanila.com

SEAT SALE ALERT: Air Asia Last Minute Holiday Deals

Promo period: October 19 to 25, 2009
Travel period: November 9, 2009 to January 10, 2010

Philippines, Clark - Kuala Lumpur All-in fare from RM 199 / PHP 2,499
Philippines, Clark - Kota Kinabalu All-in fare from RM 119 / PHP 1,499

Promo fares are inclusive of admin fee and fuel surcharge and exclusive of terminal fees and other applicable government taxes. Baggage allowance per flight per sector is 7kg (hand carry only)

Visit www.airasia.com for online bookings and complete list of promo fares.

Learn Hiphop this Sembreak at Brewing Point

 Brewing Point Dance Studio will hold a 10-day Dance Workshop from October 24 to November 2, 2009

Classes offered: Intro to Hip Hop, Basic Hip Hop, Ladies' Hiphop, Krump, House, Groovin', Lockin', Poppin', Breakin', Saturday Night Fever, and Jazz Funk

Sembreak 2009 Class Schedule (click to enlarge)

Rates:
Php250 Single Class (Walk-in)
Php1,000 5-Class Package
Php1,800 10-Class Package

Brewing Point Dance Studio map

Brewing Point Dance Studio is at 56 TM Kalaw St., Tierra Pura Homes, Tandang Sora, Quezon City, Philippines. For inquiries, contact 09229958191 or visit www.bpdancestudio.com