Sunday, March 31, 2013

This Year, Be Re-inventive

     Good day blog readers! Have you been exploring your creativity as a response to my previous post entitled "This Year, Be Creative"? If the answer is yes, then I'm glad you did take the path towards creativity. Today, allow me to introduce another positive thought that you might want to consider for this year - being re-inventive.

     Re-inventing yourself is such a clever thing to do especially when you're more than willing to take the risk. It is like doing an experiment, which involves crossing a border far different from the borders of your own professional field. And by doing so... you are more exposed to possible risks - diverted attention, divided time, and career shift.

     Yes, there are possible risks on allowing the idea of being re-inventive, but aside from these risks, numerous benefits arise. Re-inventing ourselves gives us the joy of fulfillment and it gives us a brighter opportunity to explore our own potentials. This will definitely free us from doing our usual routine that our professional field has allowed us to do.  

     One good example of this is my second cousin named, Jose Edang. He's a Doctor and a photographer at the same time. He normally spends his regular hours inside their clinic delivering his expertise on the field that he has chosen to while spending his spare time capturing great moments through the art of photography. His love for photography began when he started as a hobbyist and from there, he went on mastering the craft through the process of self-exploration. Being a doctor is not easy... and being a doctor and a photographer is [definitely] not easy as well. And having these two fields collide harmoniously in one person requires the right mixture of focus, passion, and dedication.

   Allow me to show you some of his shots, which I self-picked from his collections.
For more of his pictures, 
you may visit his page by clicking HERE 

     Re-inventing ourselves leads us to opening new doors. These doors will allow us to better understand our potentials as God's talented creations and will give us the better understanding of why such idea/interest/passion explodes out from our hearts. We were meant for something really great and all we have to do is to seek for it, embrace it, and nurture it. 

     And just like him, I've been enjoying the benefits of re-inventing myself. I learned to explore and nurture the fields that can be found beyond my professional career and it made me enjoy the perks of having different worlds. From being an architect, I am also known as a blogger, a poet, and a photo manipulator. Want to be someone else aside form who you are right now? Try to re-invent yourself and explore countless possibilities. Enjoy re-inventing!

Thursday, March 28, 2013

Learning Photoshop the Fun Way

     Summer vacation is already here! This is the kind of season most of us wanted to spend our time going to the beach, visiting out-of-towns, attending reunion gatherings, and learning new stuff. And as for me, this is the perfect time for my Photoshop tutorial comeback! 

     I was conducting Photoshop tutorials to several students last two (2) years ago and I'm doing it again. The time is just right for a series of Photoshop sessions. My aim here is to make students become better than I am. With five (5) sessions covering different techniques, pure mentoring approach, right formula to unleash creativity, definitely one-on-one tutorial, and a no minimum/maximum number of hours per session at a very reasonable price, there's no way that my students will regret it.

     One would say that my tutorial is too good to be true (especially the no minimum/maximum number of hours). But hey, it's real. I'm not interested much on gaining money here. I'm more interested on transforming students to become better than I am. Others might say that it has no certifications and that alone makes it disadvantageous than enrolling in formal school. My only response to that is... Yes, I am not offering certificates here but you'll definitely learn from me. I don't plan to give out certificates and teach very basic stuff at the same time. I am not planning to  create regretful students here. I prefer to make successors. I'm not selfish on sharing my skills and that alone makes my objective [credible] - to create successors.

     If you see your summer vacation to be just the way you spent it last year... and you want it to be different this time - to learn new stuff, which will help you become somebody on days to come - then you better be part of my tutorial session! Just give the group - Blogged by Artistmat - a private message with your contact information included.   

      Below, is an actual work done by my former student. This kind of technique is being introduced on the very first day (basic). Her first session, yet her output can already be considered a product of a Photoshop pro.

CBTL's Passion Guava

     Guavas are here! It's been a very long time since I last ate guava. I think it's more than seven (7) years already. We normally eat guava when I was still in my hometown, which is in Iloilo. Oh I just miss my childhood years! Good thing that The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf (CBTL) brought us this new line of drink that has guava on it!

     I was fortunate enough to be invited by CBTL to visit their Open House (March, 17, 2013) for me to try out their latest drinks -  Passion Guava Fru-Tea and Passion Guava Tea Latte - for free!
     I did went to their Open House and I enjoyed it! What I tried out was their Passion Guava Tea Latte and I find it great. The flavor is a mixture of guava and CBTL goodness... and that alone is a reason to love. I partnered it out with Blueberry Muffin and the two did perfectly blend together. 
     I don't really need to invite you to try it out. But, if you really want something to drink, which is healthy... then go for it. I researched about the benefits of guava and I found a lot! Below is an excerpt from an article published in unp.me:

Nutritional Value of Guava (amount of nutrients present in every 1 cup (165 gm) of Guava, apart from Iron and Folic Acid)
  • Calcium - 50 mg
  • Carbohydrates - 19.6 gm
  • Fiber - 8.9 gm
  • Niacin - 2 mg.
  • Phosphorus - 48 mg
  • Protein - 1.35 gm
  • Total Fat - 0.9 gm
  • Vitamin A - 412 IU
  • Vitamin B - 1.15 mg
  • Vitamin C - 498 mg
  • Calories - 84
Health & Nutrition Benefits of Eating Guava 
  • Guava is a very good source of vitamins, fibers as well as minerals.
  • Being rich in Vitamin C; guava is effective in treating male infertility caused by sperm clumping, adhesion and other abnormalities.
  • Guava has been associated with healing of wounds, when applied externally.
  • Guava has general haemostatic properties and can be used for treating bleeding nose, gums and minor internal hemorrhaging.
  • Guava helps cure dysentery, by inhibiting microbial growth and removing extra mucus from the intestines.
  • Guava helps the body in combating free radicals produced during metabolism and aids in preventing age-related chronic diseases, such as Alzheimer’s, cataract and rheumatoid arthritis.
  • Guava is one of the richest sources of dietary fiber and thus, is good for those suffering from constipation.
  • Guava strengthens and tones up the digestive system and even disinfects the same.
  • Guava, having high content of roughage, no cholesterol & less digestible carbohydrates, is good for those trying to lose weight.
  • Guavas can improve the texture of skin and help avoid skin problems. For the purpose, you can either eat it raw or make wash your skin with a decoction of its immature fruits and leaves.
  • Juice of raw and immature guavas or decoction of guava-leaves is known to bring relief in cough and cold.
  • Researches have shown that guava is pretty effective in preventing cancer and even heart diseases in people.
  • The presence of complex carbohydrates and dietary fibers in guava makes it effective in lowering cholesterol and blood sugar levels.
  • The presence of Vitamin C and other phytonutrients, such as caretenoids, isoffavonoids and polyphenols, in guava has led to it being an effective antioxidant.
Guava has been found to be beneficial for people suffering from the following ailments:
  • Acidosis
  • Asthma
  • Bacterial Infections
  • Catarrh
  • Congestion of the Lungs
  • Convulsions
  • Epilepsy
  • High Blood Pressure
  • Obesity
  • Oral Ulcers
  • Poor Circulation
  • Prolonged Menstruation
  • Scurvy
  • Swollen Gums
  • Toothache
Source: http://www.unp.me/f150/benefits-of-guava-51600/

Enjoy drinking guavas guys!

Monday, March 04, 2013

Pieces N' Creations: The Interview

     Hello awesome readers! As what I've announced on my post last February 25, 2013, which is entitled "Pieces N' Creations: A New Partner Revealed", let me share with you a much detailed information about this amazing Social Enterprise (SE). Read my full interview with the creators of Pieces N' Creations.
    
Who are the founders of Pieces N' Creations?
     The handcrafted flower was initially founded by a friend who is based in Lucena.

What is the nature of your business?
     Pieces N’ Creations is a collaborative idea, hard work and passion of family and friends, who want to share an opportunity to earn something extra for some housewives through a livelihood project. We are helping them out in our own little way by teaching them to be productive while doing their household chores.
    Poverty as one of the most serious social problems in the Philippines that often leads to involuntary hunger, homelessness, and health and education deprivation so as the government and private groups strive to uplift the lives of the poor, we [as individuals] would also love to do our part through this project while promoting Filipino products globally.
     As a social entrepreneur, who possesses great ideas, we are committed to act as the change agents of the society. We seize opportunities that others may have missed, improve the system, invent new approaches, create new solutions for a better society, and implement it on a large scale. 
Why did you set up this kind of business?
     We set up this kind of business because of our vision, which is “to be the utmost dynamic, chic, and foxy handcrafted art and fashion accessories”, and because of our mission, which is “to provide a sustainable growth, source of living and perpetual livelihood to resource-constrained areas.”

What influenced you to create this company?
     We do believe that each and everyone are socially responsible and through this we are able to share our part.

What made you inspired?
    The Bible verse in Matthew 25:14-30 “The Parable of the Talents”. God gave each and everyone unique talents and it is our responsibility to share and utilize that talent otherwise it will be taken back from us.

What keeps you going?
     Our vision, mission, and the passion on what we are doing.

What is your best seller?
     Our best sellers are rose ring, earring and pearl bracelet.
Other things you might want the people to know regarding this Social Enterprise.
    Pieces N’ Creations started as a backyard business. Our products are handcrafted fashion accessory, which are made from a simple piece of cloth and other fabric materials and were made into a masterpiece. 
     We believe that being glamorous doesn't have to be costly at all and a woman can be beautiful in her own way anytime, anywhere by simply adding a little detail to her outfit. We are passionate in creating a product from modest fabrics to dazzling accessories. We personally hand-picked all the materials that we used just to make sure that this will create an incomparable, stylish, and chic accessories that will cater for casual, corporate, and cocktail wears of a woman, who wants to stand out. We are sure that woman of all ages will love wearing our fashionable picks as much as we love creating and bringing out their sense of fashion.

Invite people to support your product.
     We would like everyone to partner with us in any way you think that you want to share your gifts and talents to bless other people especially those person, who might have the same vision  of promoting Filipino products globally while helping certain communities. You may visit our website at www.piecesncreations.com and if you have some question, please feel free to send us an e-mail at info@piecesncreations.com or contact us at 09272898519 and 09227887938.

Friday, March 01, 2013

This Year, Be Creative

     Last year, I was given a chance to visit a house, which houses a Christmas village. This Christmas village is being made annually as a family tradition and it showcases creativity and imagination of the whole family as spearheaded by Miss Tess Pangan.
      I interviewed Miss Tess while she tours me to her great masterpiece and I found out that the creation of Christmas village was started decades ago where it was initially placed on a one piece of table.  And as years go by, it began bigger as more and more tables were added because flock of toy donations came in. Toy donations were results of support from neighbors, relatives, and friends.
     Second hand toys, plastic case of toothbrush, balloon sticks, plastic bottles, clay, pieces of boards...no problem. You name it and it's there. Everything's a part of the Christmas village. The main ingredient that powerfully binds pieces of things altogether was creativity.
     Creativity is such a powerful tool in creating great masterpieces out of ordinary or useless materials. People having this kind of gift have different views compared to people lacking this. For  some, materials with no use is a trash. But for creative people, a single trash can still be resurrected by giving a new value, a new identity, and a new purpose. 
     People should have a high sense of creativity to create such wonderful masterpieces and I encourage you (my readers) to develop this kind of tool. Let your mind soar, imagine beyond the borders of your box, and start creating great masterpieces. 
     And as for Miss Tess and her family, thank you so much for taking good care of your creativity and for continuously developing it. People like you are considered inspiration to people, who lack creativity. May you be a symbol of hope to my readers as I encourage them to take the first positive thought - creativity - that they should explore this year for their own personal development.   

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