My Top 10 Vote: Emerging Influential Blogs 2010

The “Top 10 Emerging Influential Blogs for 2010 Writing Project” is something bloggers, both veterans and new, look forward to year on year. New blogs covet it because only “fresh” blogs (those usually created within a year and several months from the start of the contest period) can vie for the win. Think of this as an Actor’s Guild award version for blogs. Win peers over in order for them to vote for you and, if you get enough votes and rank high, you and your blog reign victorious. Having the badge as a top 10 winner for a particular year on your side bar is like wearing a prestigious crown from something big and for always. Gotta flaunt it when you have it. Horray!

Year on year, picking a top ten gets so darn harder. I intend to always be on a look out for fresh blogs that have potential. As much as possible, I’d like to find new authors with a passion for their chosen niches. They’re the ones who put a little more effort on their published stories and ideas. It’s like constantly looking for a diamond in the rough, if you may. Let’s start with my list.

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1. Jean Fernando‘s Trip of Treats. Jean’s passion for sharing about her latest travel destination, food find, home cooked recipe, and the places that she love are what her entries are mostly about. She chronicles her “trips” or “treats” with accompanying photos which, I bet, most of her readers would either hate, spite, envy, or love her for. Also, did you already see her kitchen? ENVY!

2. Tin Iglesias‘ Fashion Ate The World. Tin majors in Clothing Technology and her blog could prove that she’s on the right career track. She shares her love for her idea of fashion to the world, several finds at a time, from head to toe. She’s got hundreds of entries and she just started in May 2009! Now that’s dedication!

3. Carlos Palma‘s Foodie Manila. The photos of food in Carlos’ blog are so great, I practically coerced him to teach me the craft of making good tasting food look even better in photos. Yes, I still need pointers for this, moreso in lighting and food styling. Know what? He obliged! Horray, free crash course! Foodie Manila deserves this award with or without the promised tutorial. I mean, come on, just look at his website!

4. Lizz and Josh‘s Yes-No-Meh takes on a he said, she said theme where the authors either agree or agree to disagree on on particular topic, one blog post at a time.

5. Mica Rodriguez‘s Project 52 Weeks takes this undertaking to a whole different level by posting 1 video for every week of the year. Others do something similar with a photo a day. With video, the task gets more challenging. You have to give it to Mica whose passion is into directing short films.

6. Andrew dela Serna and Aileen Apolo‘s Tea Completely is the only blog in the country on the milk tea niche. One of them is Manila-based while the other is in Davao. The blog came about when both wanted to chronicle their take about milk tea finds from the grocery (instant or bottled) or from restaurants.

7. Orman‘s Ganda Ever So Much is as hilarious as any blog can get.

8. Ria Jose shares her love to make good food in Kusina Maria. She’d share the latest things as she learn them in cooking school to the latest gadgets that strike her useful for any kitchen.

9. Aileen Apolo‘s Mabuhay Ang Bagng Kasal. Aileen recently got married to Jay and in this blog, she shares recipes, tips, experiences, and her struggles. She just recently blogged about their first 100 days of married bliss.

10. Vince Golangco‘s When in Manila. I first heard about this blog during last year’s Philippine Blog Awards where Vince presented and did the videos for some of the major categories of the competition. I find his spoof videos entertaining, to say the least. He also shares about some of the notable happenings around town.

Good luck, y’all. In my book, you are all winners.

This writing project would not have been possible without the passion of the organizer, Janette Toral, and the support of the following sponsors: Events and Corporate Video, Budget hotel in Makati, Pinoy Party Food, Copyediting Services, PR Agency Philippines, Budget Travel Philippines, Send Gifts to the Philippines, Black Friday Deals, Roomrent – units for rent, Search Profile Index, and Corporate Events Organizer.

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Happy 7th Anniversary, UNO Magazine!

“Whoa, Sarah Meier!” Month on month, I’d catch myself blurting out exclamations of praise for one thing that’s always been consistent during the past year. “OMG, is that Cindy Kurleto?!” Although they’ve been in the business for 7 years, last year’s revamp was a welcome change to the look, feel, and content of UNO Magazine with RJ Ledesma as EIC. “ORNUSAAAAAAAAA!!!”

Six gorgeous ladies, all of them blessed with extraordinary abilities and beauty, all of whom have at least once graced the cover of UNO, partied with guests during the magazine’s 7th Anniversary celebration. Amanda Griffin (October 2007), Karen Pamintuan (March 2009), Aiza Marquez (July 2007), Chesca Garcia-Kramer (April 2005), Ellen Adarna (March 2008), Sarah Gaugler (December 2009) all looked like visions of elegance from the 30s down to the classic hair style. To better show an era devoid of color photography, I took shots in monochrome. Huzzah!

Before the portraits, if you don’t know who the next model is for the July 2010 UNO, head over to the UNO Magazine website and be prepared to say “AUBREY MILES!!!” while crying happy tears. Congratulations to Team UNO! I take your dispatches to heart, being a discerning man myself.

Do hover your cursor on the images for the caption.

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Pictures from the bench/ Uncut Denim & Underwear Show (Part 2)

NOTE: The post before this is “Part 1″ of the Photos from the bench/ Uncut Denim & Underwear Show 2010. You might want to head there first. Thanks!

You never guessed there’ll be a second installment to that last post, right? Me neither. Looking back at it and judging by the sheer volume of organic hits I got from my beloved Google, I figured, I’d give you guys some more snaps to oogle at. Same great quality and still low in calories and sugar. Great for the heart, too! I won’t be putting up Jake Cuenca’s ass shot nor Rafael Rosell’s with his undies down on his knees because that’s just plain tacky. Also, I figured, why is Ben Chan’s photo not in that first set? And the designers, when owing to them, the whole world had an Uncut Denim & Underwear Show for 2010?!

I did mention that there were several hundreds of models, dancers, and performers who gave their best in that hour and a half abs/bosom-fest and most of them will go nameless to the then spectators and those who will see these images. Heck, even I don’t know half of the names of all supposedly popular models and TV personalities in these photos. The least I could do for them and their craft, however, is show them to you and, hopefully, it could reach them and they can show others and they’ll go, “I was there, showed them what I got, and here’s the proof.” Good times.

Let’s start with Ben Chan and the designers Cory Santiago (Pinoy Lab), Furne One (Far East), Val Taguba (Brazil), Ezra Santos (Africa), and Michael Cinco (Russia). Applause please! Yes, in front of your laptops, Macs, or PCs, stand up slowly and give them all a slow clap. That’s it. Good lad.

Next, let’s showcase some of the performers who danced their asses off during the show.

Next, the models who really did well. You have all made your momma proud. Seriously.

Here are some tight photos which I deliberately missed to publish last time. As for the reason, ask me the next time you meet me in person. Maybe, when I’m sane, I’ll give you an answer.

Lastly, here are some variations of the shots I already shared previously.

It’ll be two years from now until the next denim and underwear show from bench/. I hope this collection lasts you that long. LOL

This second set of photos from bench/ Uncut can be found on my flickr.

Notice: All images in this post are proprietary to the author. This post is not sponsored by either bench/, Panasonic Lumix, their marketing arm, nor affiliates. Should you wish to use them in your own website, do ask permission and link back to fritzified.com. If you do not agree with my terms, get the fuck out of here.

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Pictures from the bench/ Uncut Denim & Underwear Show (Part 1)

NOTE: The post after this is “Part 2″ of the Photos from the bench/ Uncut Denim & Underwear Show 2010. You might want to head there next. Thanks!

If you have been since last night looking for photos from Uncut, the 5th installment of the biennial denim & underwear show from bench/, then you have come to the right place. The fashion show happened on July 2, 2010 at the Araneta Coliseum. Pardon the quality because I can only take snaps using a point and shoot camera waaaaaaaay up at the Upper Box A area.

This is the cam I used, believe it or not /snooty

This year, the show is all about “gearing towards 2020″ where 5 middle-east trained haute couture designers share their take on five reference countries as their assigned segments. I went to watch thinking I’d see the usual catwalk modeling gig, this being my first to witness a bench/ fashion show. Instead, the audience were treated with a grand visual assault of movement, expertly showcased in the dynamics between the dancers, singers, and models and, with overwhelming precision, they’re thrown into an exquisite mix of props, sound, textures, and patterns, testament that these guys really know what they are doing. The over-the-top accessories did a splendid job in making your eyes wander off and away from the new underwear designs, as did the well known TV and model personalities, but that’s the point of “blowing everyone’s mind out of proportions.” They’re like the fonts in a big, bold signeage that read “local can walk with the giants of couture,” or something like that but more oomphy.

An hour and a half late, the show kicked off with Cory Santiago and Doro Brandino’s collaboration for Pinoy Lab 2020. Furne One follows with Far East (and China). Val Taguba was next with Brazil (South America), then Ezra Santos came out with Africa, and last was Michael Cinco with his take for Russia. The show finished an hour and a half later at around 10 p.m.

I’ve never seen a show that had this much models before. At the very end of bench/ uncut, everybody did the customary runway walk once more, where hundreds of models made it look like nobody went out more than once in several segments. Outrageous, I know. There were just A LOT! Those who modelled include Benjamin Tang, Christian Bautista, Diether Ocampo, Ejay Falcon, Enchong Dee, Francheska Farr, Geoff Taylor, Georgina Wilson, Gerald Anderson, Iya Villana, Jake Cuenca, Jay-R, John Prats, Jon Avila, Karylle, Katrina Halili, Kim Chiu, Rafael Rosell, Rayver Cruz, Regine Angeles, Shaina Magdayao, Zanjoe Marudo, Carla Abellana, Aljur Abrenica, Carl Guevarra, Kris Bernal, Robi Domigo, Sam Pinto, Starstruck V: Steven Silva, Sarah Lahbati, & Rocco Nacino, Ron Morales, Coco Martin, Jome Silayan, Melai Cantiveros, Jason Francisco, and many more.

The photos may have a larger format, moreso for those in landscape, so head to the flickr page by clicking on the pic to see the larger image.

More pics from bench/ Uncut on my flickr.

Notice: All images in this post are proprietary to the author. This post is not sponsored by either bench/, Panasonic Lumix, their marketing arm, nor affiliates. Should you wish to use them in your own website, do ask permission and link back to fritzified.com. If you do not agree with my terms, get the fuck out of here.

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Photos of the Better Cosplayers at the 9th ToyCon 2010 (Cosplay Day 2)

I was on the fence whether to go to the ToyCon Day 3 today and had to check whether there’d still be cosplayers coming in. Turns out today was Group Cosplay day at the 9th Annual ToyCon (Philippine Toys, Hobbies, & Collectibles Convention) 2010. I only got to shoot 8 out of the hundreds of cosplayers. The security guards were strictly enforcing a no shoot rule in most areas at the outside perimeter of the Megatrade Hall. That and I’m too discerning. And choosy. And snooty.

Anyway, as promised, I talked to all the cosplayers in this set, got their names, the character they were portraying, and the movie/game/anime/manga they’re from. At least now, the photos are all properly labeled. Do hover on the images for the details of each photo. If you haven’t seen yesterday’s set, click here.

A congratulations is in order to the organizers of this year’s ToyCon, the retailers, the crowd that grows bigger through the years, the hobbyists, collectors, the sponsors who believe in this, as Bim said, “it’s like Christmas for nerds” tradition, and the cosplayers who make the event so colorful and fun. Cheers most especially to the organizers.

To the thieves/pickpockets, “mabaog sana kayong lahat, yun lang!”

To the cosplayers, much respect. *tip hat* Until next con!

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Photos of the Better Cosplayers at the 9th ToyCon 2010 (Cosplay Day 1)

Next: Photos of the Better Cosplayers at the 9th ToyCon 2010 (Cosplay Day 2)

There I was at the 9th Annual ToyCon (Philippine Toys, Hobbies, & Collectibles Convention) 2010 despite the hot weather, EDSA being more congested than average, and the train having a rather bizarre number or banshees (more than the normal and more relentless relentless LOL). What I like love about this now-annual gathering is it attracts the largest number of cosplayers, IMO. There were years when I’d come if only to rummage the comicbooks section for back issues of Sandman and other DC Vertigo titles. Now, I chose to come for some snaps instead. The ToyCon, by itself, has also evolved through the times: a lot more stores in the venue, more big sponsors, more spectators and hobbyists, better organized, you’ve to pay in order to enter, and, to every photographer’s, stalker’s, and anime fans’ delight, more cosplayers.

Cosplayers have gotten better at making costumes, too. The details are well incorporated, materials used are more durable, and workmanship is obviously very refined. I managed to approach some who for me represent the best of yesterday’s (Saturday, June 19) lot. I realized too late that I should have asked their names and who they’re playing for the picture labels. My bad. If you can help me in that department, dear reader, do so by leaving a comment below so I can tag the photos with descriptions accordingly. It’s the least I can do to respect and laud the efforts they’ve spent to come up with faithful cosplays. (Last shoot I did for the ToyCon’s cosplayers was in 2008, I just realized. Check out the Bleach cosplayers here. My camera of choice then was a camphone. Good times!)

Today (Sunday, June 20, 2010) is the last day for this year’s ToyCon and I’ll be going there again to take snaps. The 9th ToyCon (2010), like old times, is being held at the SM Megamall Megatrade Hall. If you’re cosplaying, do watch out for me, OK? I’ll make sure you won’t regret giving me a few seconds.  Thanks to the great Azrael for the event invites!

Please hover your mouse on the images for the descriptions.

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Sunsilk Co-Creations at the Philippine Fashion Week Holiday 2010 Photos

Thanks to Sunsilk, I got to whet my appetite again to shoot models strutting down the runway during their segment for Philippine Fashion Week Holiday 2010 last Wednesday, May 26, 2010, held at the SM Mall of Asia Atrium. Sunsilk Co-Creations, in cooperation with several of the country’s top fashion designers via Runway Productions, participated with collections inspired by the brand’s latest. There are two designers, or co-creators, per team tasked to interpret the come up with the perfect embodiment of 4 (of 9) of the new Co-Creations variants.

As if “Co-Creations” wasn’t genius enough, tapping world renowned hair experts to partner with an already established shampoo brand, the marketing team for Sunsilk takes the concept’s execution up a notch with statements told via couture, co-created for relevance.

Oh, and if you’re interested, Sunsilk has launched a blog contest asking you share your own experience on the topic “Only Beautiful Hair from the New Best-Ever Sunsilk Completes My Fashion Statement.” A Lenovo Idea Pad’s up for grab for the winning entry. The rules are a bit complicated but, hey, Lenovo Idea Pad yo! You may view the contest mechanics from here.

Before showing you the shots, I’d like to share something I realized while I was resizing these fashion week shots. Designers put a lot of effort in their craft so it takes more from us shooting them from the stage than just firing away and publishing them on the net. The shots should give the artist and the art justice. I hope mine did. (Please hover on the images for the description)

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