Focus Weekly

Thursday, June 5, 2014

P’nan Photographers Club celebrates 5th Year Anniversary

Through the lens. This Noel Ubaldo creation on display entitled “Baston”

leaves people staring in awe. All photos by Louie dela Vega

Pangasinan’s own and Northern Luzon’s sole Federation of Philippine Photographers Foundation (FPPF) accredited club celebrates its 5^th anniversary through a public exhibit in SM Rosales. The well thought out exhibition ran from May 25 to 30, revealing some of the most brilliant photos taken by locals, and non-nationals.

Aimed at extending the faculties of its members and inspiring awareness through quality photography, Pangasinan Photographers Club (PaPhoc) opted to go a relatively new direction, albeit the methods evident from previous exhibits, now informed by ideas not limited to Pangasinan.

Joe Malicdem, the present President of the club, says that through joint efforts and supervised collection, the exhibit was made possible. It took the team three months of preparation.

"Sana, kahit sa modernisasyong mayroon tayo ngayon ay makuhang lumingon at i-appreciate ng mga tao ang kahit anong uring sining. Minsan, mas nakikita natin ‘yung realidad sa mga litrato kesa ‘yung sa telebisyon o sa Internet" (I hope despite the modernization and access to technology, people get to see and appreciate any type of art.Every so often, we discern reality through photos more than television and the Internet), expressed by Nick Custodio, a spectator and resident of Barangay Carmen East, Rosales.

Aside from conducting public displays, PaPhoc also gears towards free workshops and outreach programs in help of an unfortunate organization.

Knowing the club and its community

PaPhoc is created in 2009 for the upliftment of Philippine photography and the welfare of Pangasinan photographers.It is a non-profit organization that advocates cooperation among photographers—of which the province has more than enough than realized.

By providing the right leadership, PaPhoc has been recognized by the industry as a unifying organization.

In a special Focus Weekly interview, Joe Malicdem, who is known by some as “The One Man Production Photographer” (because he can do it all, from styling to post-production) reflects on the club’s history and future plans.

FOCUS: How did PaPhoc come to light? What was the inspiration behind it?

Joe Malicdem: Our club started during the celebration of Bangus Festival 2009, since photographers gather at the time to document the prestigious event. So forming an organization made sense. Our preliminary aim is to improve our skills, be able to share knowledge, and discover things about photography collectively.

F: Who are members of the club?

JM: We are composed of shooters who specialized in nature, portrait, still life, fashion, and events photography. But we don’t limit ourselves when it comes to our strengths. We have members who are effective in graphics, and we also conduct workshops within the club.

F: Since PaPhoc is using surplus revenues, how were you able to maintain it?

JM: We pay for our own expenses. We assist each other, from transportation means to food. But when the club decided to mature extensively by producing more workshops, and joining the Federation of Philippine Photographers Foundation (FPPF) for accreditation, we resolved to collecting annual fees.

F: Tell us more about the exhibit (in celebration of PaPhoc’s 5^th year anniversary).

JM: In our previous exhibits, we focus on showcasing the people, places, and livelihood in the province of Pangasinan. But this year, we recognized photos taken from other parts of the world since we have foreign members. This will be an exciting chance for everyone to see a large group of diverse original prints.

F: What can you advise our aspiring photographers out there?

JM: Photography is an art of observation. It’s not just how you hold a camera and shoot; it’s the way you see life and everything around you. Take lots of pictures in a variety of different situations. Get out of your comfort zone. And learn to accept criticism and use it to better your work. With experience, you grow. You may also join a club, like I did. I mastered my skills because I listened and paid attention.

F: How do you see PaPhoc in the succeeding years? What are your future plans for the club?

JM: We want it grow more. To be able to penetrate the entire region, or the global industry. Also, to do more volunteer missions. (Louie dela Vega) FOCUS

Ilocos Norte aims to increase e-Library users

The provincial government of Ilocos Norte has launched a program to promote its I-hub center at the Laoag Centennial Arena.

The provincial library programis called “Magbasa, Mag-Internet at Manalo.”

MatildeNeri, chief of the I-hub center and officer-in-charge of the Education Department of the Capitol said that the first five clientswho are registered readers in the library and will make use of the center’s Internet facility will be given free reading materials and other surprise gifts.

According to the Provincial Library, theI-hub center has eight service areas but the most visited section is the Internet and multimedia section with an average of 765 users a month.Neri said that the reason for the rising number of users in the section was due to the free Internet usage and film viewing.

After the improvement of the Local Revenue Code of Ilocos Norte, the free internet promowas later changed to P10 an hour for the Internet user or lower than the Internet rate of private computer shops.

The new library promo program is open from 8am to 7pm on weekdays and 1pm to 5pm on weekends and will end up on December 2014.

To increase the services of the I-hub center, the provincial government plans to set–up branches in the first and second districts of the province to establish better Internet access for the students. (Gemma Rose Benito) FOCUS

Ili-likha Artist Village: Unraveling a Breathing Space in Baguio

Before I started traveling at length, seeing many places and experiencing cultures very different than my own, I have long since learned to find myself comfortable in an environment as Baguio. Why?

Because somebody else would have marketed asolar-powered aircon eventually, but no one would or could invent the blues and soul this place provides. It’s also the home of perhaps the most uniquely awesome and uniquely eating joints. So, if you like the good, old school shit—you’re spot on.

It’s a city I feel particularly attached to and grateful for. Just about every time I walked into a new restaurant, I have been fortunate to track where some of the cooks come from, and know their back stories. I have been fortunate enough to see where that affinity for cooking comes from, and to experience preparing many delicious things.

It’s also one of those places I feel the happiest when a day’s work is over. I eat with some friends around a street stall and order cheese sticks with fresh, bright, strawberry taho while listening with moist eyes to sentimental songs from street musicians. We will look around and remark, for the hundredth time, what an extraordinary place this is.

My new found obsession with all things food may veer frequently into the silly zone—but I, in my own awkward way, am lurching towards what others might have missed, that a basic understanding of food—GOOD food—is always fundamental.

When tracking it all back—the recipes, the structure, the genealogy of light cuisine, I look back at those presentations and the combinations of ingredients.

I found this out of the world diner concept while pitching my coffee craving.Upon seeing the skeletons of the place, I can’t help but wonder. So I decided to embrace my disposition and had to get in.

Tucked in amongst the busy businesses along Assumption Road, Ili-likha Artist Village is an interesting hub that houses a group of artists and foodies. The place has no formal signage but it easily attracts and impresses with its rather quaint architecture. All you just have to do is follow your curiosity, and take an eyeful of ingenuity.

The place has three levels, and you enter at the topmost’. Dining area is located on the second and the dungeon on the first. Ili-Likha is partly finished (and has been under construction for four years now) making it more exciting as you discover each floor.

A not surprisingly indulgent extension of Oh My Gulay restaurant cum art place, Ili-likha is a divergent world on its own. Indie-genius filmmaker, writer, and actor, Kidlat Tahimik (who his films I studied during my Communications II class) encouraged a fluid scaffold through the efforts of various artists that continue to uphold the nobleness of the city. They opened a cluster of mini-restaurants,and adapted dishes with the best of what they’d grown up with—refined them to satisfy the demands of the public.

Many of the ideologies of the kitchens I’ve visited came directly from the imperatives of survival on the farm: “Use Everything, Waste Nothing.” Ili-likha certainly lives up to that, finding a way to spoil the area with notable art pieces depicting the rich culture of Cordillera and the history of our country.

In fact, the place in itself is a living work of art. But what thrill the experience are the stories shared. These were fascinating cooks who fill in their vacuum with passion for cooking, meeting people, and creating good food.So, if you see a simple looking preparation of fried rice, try and understand that what you are seeing changed the way all of us now order and eat today, that it marked a tectonic shift as important to the craft of cooking.

Light Food Cupboard

Ah, the fair. A wonderland ofhastily put-together architecture, anda place where smart conversations of goers mingle in the air with the scent of Baguio, each stall at Ili-likha offers distinct flavor profiles.

For most—especially in Session Road where authentic delis are few and far between—organic pasta is limited and some are far cry from the freshly-made heavy-creamedcarbonaraI had in Balay Gulay topped with generous parsley (one of the best I had in years). Marlon Caranto, who runs Balay Gulay with companion, Jun Ritwal, described Ili-likha as a breathing space.

Ang tema nito para sa’kin, parang mga kahoy na namatay na muling binubuhay at kapag naa-appreciate ng mga tao, nagkakakulay (I see it as reviving lifeless trees to create a place for people to meet, and when they appreciate that idea, it becomes more meaningful), says Caranto.

When you combine the food you love with passion, you produce amazing tastes. And that is what Laydeh Alberto of Café Greva does with waffles. Her lightly caramelized-on-the-outside and soft-and-chewy-on-the-inside waffle bathed with nuts and fresh sliced apple is a must try. Pair it with Keso’s Tsokolate Di Baterol—hot, thick, bittersweet chocolate drink made from local cacao beans for perfect combo.

Unlike any other rice meals,Hayahay depends less on meat and focuses instead on the inherent flavors of the vegetables and spices. The seasoning is different. The infusion is different.

Whichever dish you choose, you can trust every ingredient is as fresh as possible. Ili-likha takes made-from-scratch to a whole new level. The pasta sauce is made daily, the waffles are cooked to order, and even the cheeses are homemade. Every component is chosen to showcase the flavorful simplicity of a light vegetarian cuisine from a low-priced and pared-down menu.

So, want to get some of thesefor yourself? Spare time, and visit them. And if you miss the lunch rush, don’t worry. Ili-likha is opened ‘til 7 in the evening. (Louie dela Vega) FOCUS

CAR Municipalities Received Investment Capitals from DSWD

Local communities in 52 municipalities in the Cordillera Administrative Region are set to be endowed in participatory planningand implementation and management of development projects by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

Janet Armas, DSWD – CAR OIC Regional Director, said that 52 towns in the Cordillera including 25 of the 27 municipalities in the province of Abra, are among the beneficiaries of DSWD’s approved community –driven development (CDD) this year.Out of 52 municipalities, 21 are new beneficiaries.

“Social preparations for the CDD projects were already set on July comprising around 2 million to 20 million capital investment of P350, 000 to first to third class municipality and P450, 000 for 4th to 6th class municipality”.

NCDDP is formerly known as KALAHI-CIDSS (KapitBisig Laban saKahirapan – Comprehensive Delivery of Social Services) and one of the three core poverty improvement programs of DSWD together with the PantawidPamilyang Pilipino Program and the Sustainable Livelihood Program.

The program aims to empower community through local development activities, improved local’s accountability and effectiveness; and reduce poverty in the countryside by promoting equitable access to basic services and inclusive growth.

Under NCDDP, community development sub–projects proposed are those falling into the categories of basic social services, basic access infrastructure, community production, economic support, and common services facilities, environmental protection, and conservation projects and skills training and capacity building.

As of May this year, there were already 19 municipalities in Cordillera that benefitted from DSWD’s CDD projects since 2011. The municipality of Besao in Mountain Province which has been recognized as best implementer of CDD projects is now on its third cycle as a beneficiary. (EdlynMazze e. dela Cruz) FOCUS

2nd Starbucks franchise in P’nan, launched in Dagupan

Great innovations continuously penetrate Dagupan City as seen in the employment of technology and building of establishments and stores having great impacts across industries and culture as a whole. Among those built-businesses, coffee shops don’t lose pride when it comes to enticing customers and benefiting the local economy.

Coffee shops in the city allocate a greater demand for people who wanted to spend their time with family and friends, and to also offer a tranquil meeting place for businesses while sipping their favorite blend of coffee.

A new store from the world's largest coffee chain, Starbucks, has come to the cityonMay 28 at Metroplaza Bldg., AB Fernandez.The café serves Starbucks items, including coffee and espresso beverages, Frappuccino® blended beverages, and signature pastries.

The opening started at three in the afternoon. Customers flocked the place with excitement and tall order hoping it would surpass their anticipation. “I am a certified customer of Starbucks because the quality of its coffee creates a taste profile to me and I can choose different blends according to my mood. I have waited long for this moment”, Kenneth Castillo said.

Surely, this establishment will be visited not only by Dagupeños but also people coming from nearby towns of Pangasinan which may lead to the increase of tourism progress in Dagupan City.

Starbucks is considered as the world’s leading coffee chain in the Philippines. It reached the country in the year 1998 and opened its first store at 6750 Ayala Avenue. As of April 2013, it has opened 207 branches nationwide and Starbucks chairman and CEO Howard Schultz announced that they would open up at least another 100 branches in the next four years. His announcement has been fulfilled because another branch in Pangasinanhas been franchised. The chain will hold a grand opening for the location sometime in the future.(Nestlie Ann Soriano/Photos by Christian Paul Terrado) FOCUS

Introducing Classroom for Google Apps for Education

Google has gone far-off with innovations that break into the market and society. They meet new rations and provide market needs that will aid individuals work in order. It has not only penetrated over the field of business, tourism, and government but also positioned to take over classrooms. And here comes “Google Classroom” – a fresh, open classroom friendly toolprovide lectures on Google Docs, Drive, and Gmail.

Google classroom is intended to upkeep educators and abridge their workloads. It helps educators and students to work in congruence and at ease. It works hand in hand with teachers to help them save time, keep classes organized, and mend communication with students. And it lets students organize their work, complete, and communicate directly with their teachers and peers.

This affordable and secure application gives such benefits for educators and students for it is easy to set up, saves time, improves organization, and enhances communication.

Educators can apply for the preview of Google Classroom and based on the request that Google received, they will be inviting limited number of educators to try it.

By September, Google Classroom is expected to be accessible to any school using Google Apps for education. And if in any case,your school does not have Google Apps for education yet, your IT administrator can sign up www.google.com/edu/apps. (Christian Paul Terrado) FOCUS

GoPro Hero3+: Your All-Adventure Camera

Known to be the smallest and lightest camera, GoPro has been one of the most popular cameras today. With its capability to withstand extreme conditions, its great wide angle lens (unconditionally genius anytime) and other features geared for versatility and convenience, GoPro is a must bring device for travelers and adventure seekers like I am.

This year,GoPro has released their latest action camera –The Hero3+ which offers a better image and HD video quality, on smaller, sleeker, and lighter.

The GoPro Hero3+ has three editions–the white, silver, and black which comes with more accessories included in the package. These include a waterproofed housing that withstands 40m submergence, a 3-Way pivot arm, adhesive mounts useful on course activities, and a whole lot more.

GoPro Hero3+ has also a number of upgrades over its cheaper siblings. One brilliant addition is the WIFI remote control which lets you operate the camera in distances without touching its buttons. It allows you to control 50 cameras simultaneously within a range of 600 feet. Plus, with the GoPro app installed, you can even set it to various modes. With a built-in WiFi hotspot or access point, you can connect your camera to an Android or iOS device. Sweet!

On top of that handy feature, the latest version of GoPro is screaming with an improved image quality. It has higher resolution of 12MP, a little higher thanthe Silver edition’s 11MP and White edition’s 5MP. When taking pictures on a fast moving setting, the Burst rate feature comes in very useful. The Black edition’s maximum burst rate is three times higher than that of the Silver edition’s 10fps which gives you a maximum of 30 consecutive frames per second. For those who don’t require quite so much speed, the Black Edition has 3fps, 5fps and 10fps continuous shooting rates.

Sound quality is as important as image quality. The Hero3+ Black edition features upgraded audio performance, capturing even the most delicate of sounds—whether you’re documenting voices, music or the splash of water on a spirited dive in the sea.

Another feature of GoPro Hero3+ Black Edition is the time-lapse mode, where the camera can be set to shoot at 0.5, 1, 2, 5, 10, 30, and 60-second intervals. It all adds up to plenty of scope and flexibility.

Of course, the majority of people looking to purchase a Hero3 will probably be much more interested in its video capabilities than its still image prowess, and here again, the Black Edition enjoys a distinct advantage over its two supporting models. While the Silver and White editions support a maximum resolution of 1080p at 25fps, the Black Edition can capture 1080p Full HD video at 50, 48, or 25fps in PAL mode and 60, 48, and 30fps for NTSC capture. Furthermore, 720p recording can be captured at 100 to 50fps PAL or 120 - 60fps NTSC, which enables smooth slow-motion playback of high-def. movies.

So if you’re a person who travelsa lot and loves adventure, the GoPro Hero3+ must always be on your backpack. GoPro has already improved its battery life to last 30% longer.It will be your partner in capturing your meaningful experiences. Whether it’s surfing, sky diving, bungee jumping, biking, or racing, the GoPro has got you covered. You can bring it to places and occasions you’d normally think your usual cameras would not survive. (Reginald Agsalon) FOCUS

Why don’t we create Agrihoods?

Integrating agriculture in the neighborhood

Busy lifestyles and the internet distracting our daily lives prevent people from going to the farm or market to buy fresh produce. With so many things to do but so little time mindset, these alibis are starting to validate and manifest themselves in the present internet age, where a person has to sustain both his physical and virtual persona.

Even households need to earn dual income, meaning oftentimes, the husband and the wife need to have work in order to support the needs of the family. Hence, the increasing purchasing power, the more time needed to put into it. And that is how life is on ‘the fast lane’.

As a result, food manufacturers take advantage of this growing lifestyle. All imaginable ‘comfort food’, junk food, energy-boosters, energy drinks anything that they think will sustain us is out there in the market.

I doubt if a young working couple could still manage to go to the wet market and buy fresh produce for the family. The most convenient place to do that is the neighborhood grocery or supermarket.

Agrihoods will build and feed sustainable communities. In schools in the provinces, we see a lot of this. The produce can be turned to delicious and nutritious meals for the students or can be sold to community members who need it.

There is a huge market for organically grown products and the world is starting to frown upon companies that genetically alter or modify the natural state of food. And with Agrihoods in our area, we can actually see, watch, connect and help grow our own food which also translates to ‘you see what you eat’ and makes you a part of the process of the ‘from farm to table’ timeline. The Philippines is primarily an agricultural country. But still, we see a seeming disconnect in terms of abundance, our untilled land, shortage of food supply and pricing. Why do we have to buy a P40 kilo of rice when we can have it for P25 all year long? It seems that only the middlemen and corrupt authorities are getting the biggest share of the pie at the expense farmer and our consumers? Why don’t we innovate the way we view food on our table and start producing them on our own or co-producing them with others?

This sounds an ambitious project and many would just laugh about it, but look at the trends now. China is bent on claiming our marine resources. China is displacing our fishermen and wants to keep them off from our waters while at the same time, killing and capturing our marine species such as turtles that are rare and should just be left alone to populate.

If this scenario will persist, what are we left with?

The Filipinos are a country of consumers. We just buy. Just buy. Junk from other countries, imported goods, we seldom patronise our own? Why? Because we feel that ours is of inferior quality, and think that other countries are way, way better than us. Talk about nationalism.

If we produce our own food, we are assured of its quality and freshness. We get to see it grown regularly and we participate in the process. Which is the second best thing to exercise.

Let’s try some crazy idea and see where it goes.

Why don’t we pioneer something amazing like intergrating agriculture in the neighborhood and convert it into agrihoods?

Urban dwellers and the local community can benefit much from it. The fishermen and farmers can benefit much from it too. We can be able to raise healthy children and adults with this strategy.

Agrihoods will build and feed sustainable communities. In schools in the provinces, we see a lot of this. The produce can be turned to delicious and nutritious meals for the students or can be sold to community members who need it.

There is a huge market for organically grown products and the world is starting to frown upon companies that genetically alter or modify the natural state of food. And with Agrihoods in our area, we can actually see, watch, connect and help grow our own food which also translates to ‘you see what you eat’ and makes you a part of the process of the ‘from farm to table’ timeline. The Philippines is primarily an agricultural country. But still, we see a seeming disconnect in terms of abundance, our untilled land, shortage of food supply and pricing. Why do we have to buy a P40 kilo of rice when we can have it for P25 all year long? It seems that only the middlemen and corrupt authorities are getting the biggest share of the pie at the expense farmer and our consumers? Why don’t we innovate the way we view food on our table and start producing them on our own or co-producing them with others?

This sounds an ambitious project and many would just laugh about it, but look at the trends now. China is bent on claiming our marine resources. China is displacing our fishermen and wants to keep them off from our waters while at the same time, killing and capturing our marine species such as turtles that are rare and should just be left alone to populate.

If this scenario will persist, what are we left with?

If we produce our own food, we are assured of its quality and freshness. We get to see it grown regularly and we participate in the process. Which is the second best thing to exercise.

Let’s try some crazy idea and see where it goes.

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P’nan Photographers Club celebrates 5th Year Anniversary

Ilocos Norte aims to increase e-Library users

Ili-likha Artist Village: Unraveling a Breathing Space in Baguio

CAR Municipalities Received Investment Capitals from DSWD

2nd Starbucks franchise in P’nan, launched in Dagupan

Introducing Classroom for Google Apps for Education

GoPro Hero3+: Your All-Adventure Camera

Why don’t we create Agrihoods?