Canon Photomarathon 2011 Winners Mindanao Leg
September 1, 2011 by MUA In Scrubs
Filed under events
As promised on my previous post on the Canon Marathon 2011 Mindanao Leg, here are the photo entries of finalists for both the point and shoot and DSLR categories. Pardon me for the poor quality of pictures which I only took while they were projected on screen.
Out of 200 plus participants, nine finalists from each category emerged as the best from the three themes given:
Theme 1:
“The people of this golden friendship city, inherent and traditional traits.Camaraderie and hospitality. The beauty of this golden glimpse.”
Theme 2:
” The golden blessings that glow and behold to this city of the river of gold. Like the confessions of His love and passion. You will deeply cross this rare Kagay-anon.”
Theme 3:
” A city considered as a melting pot in Mindanao, where modern lifestyle and booming economy arise. With the goal of nature preservation for future generation. They put eco-tourism as the core of it’s tourism attraction.”
Finalists, Point and Shoot Category:

Winners, Point and Shoot Category:
Grand Prize Winner:
Yonelyn Robles
prizes include Red Canon EOS 1100D, Benro Tripod, SD Cards, Bag, etc


1st Runner Up:
Charles Cepeda
prizes include Canon Ixus ___, Tripod, etc

2nd Runner Up:
Christopher Ronald B. Bandoy (my husband)
prize: Benro Tripod only (uh.. in fairness the tripod was nice!)


Finalists, DSLR Category:

Grand Prize Winner:
Euben Hallazgo
prizes include Canon EOS 600D, Tripod, Loot Bag with SD cards, Bag, etc


1st Runner Up:
Sally Mileva Dime
prizes include Canon EOS 500D, Tripod, Loot Bag with SD cards, Bag, etc


2nd Runner Up:
Erwin Romel Roa
I don’t remember the prizes but I’m guessing it’s also a tripod

Congratulations to all the winners! Remember, if you’re joining the Canon Photomarathon in the upcoming legs in the Visayas and Luzon regions, have fun, do your best but don’t expect too much. Anybody can win in this event, pro or not. If you don’t get lucky, don’t let the loss put you down. Consider it a rare learning experience.
Thanks to Canon for putting up a fun event like this and for choosing CDO as its Mindanao destination! Thanks for the food and other freebies! Hope this will not be the last time to gather “Canonites” from Cagayan de Oro.
Schedule for other regions:
Tagbilaran City Bohol (Visayas)- September 3
Vigan City, Ilocos Sur (North Luzon)- September 10
Legazpi City, Bicol (South Luzon)- September 24
Metro Manila- To be announced
You may register at the http://www.canon.com.ph/photomarathon2011/
number of view: 1563
Canon Photomarathon 2011 Mindanao Leg
August 28, 2011 by MUA In Scrubs
Filed under events
When I heard of the Canon Photomarathon 2011 Mindanao leg being held in Cagayan de Oro, I instantly got excited about it even if I didn’t know what it was about. I just shifted to a Canon DSLR this year so I haven’t been in the know of the past Canon activities. Part of me was scared that it had to take some athletic skills, as the term marathon suggested some degree of physical fitness. I quickly googled it and learned that it was a fun annual event attended by photographers from Luzon, Vizayas, and Mindanao that involves shooting for the whole day. In Asia (apart from the Philippines), there are even bigger Canon Photomarathon events where the prizes include a trip to Australia to attend a photo clinic.
Last year’s Canon Photomarathon Mindanao leg was held in Davao. Now that they picked Cagayan de Oro as its destination for the Mindanao leg, I made sure to sign up for it as it changes cities for its destinations every year. The only place constant is Manila where thousands of participants flock to the event.

Even if I knew that it would be attended by rabid photographers who live and breathe photography, I still wanted to join. Professional photographers, serious hobbyists, and amateurs alike are expected to bring out their intimidating canon gears. I knew that winning in it was like hitting the lotto jackpot with my newbie skills and inexpensive lens, but the fun and experience of it was hard to miss. Plus, the free lunch, snacks and dinner would save me from cooking for this day.
The Canon Photomarathon 2011 in CDO was successfully held yesterday, August 27, 2011 at the Limketkai Center Atrium.Some people traveled from Davao, Iligan, Pagadian, etc to join the Mindanao leg. We were provided with shirts and caps to use during the event for identification. We were free to shoot anywhere, as long as we return to the Atrium within the time limit to upload our best shots for the designated theme. There were three themes that we had to interpret throughout the day, with 2 and a half hours budget for each. Post-processing was not allowed except for built-in editing tools within the camera. It was called a photomarathon because it tested our endurance for a day of shooting under the scorching heat of the sun or while getting soaked in the rain.

The first theme was:
” The people of this golden friendship city, inherent and traditional traits. Camaraderie and hospitality. The Beauty of this golden glimpse.”
Second theme:
” The golden blessings that glow and behold to this city of the river of gold. Like the confessions of His love and passion. You will deeply cross this rare Kagay-anon.”
Third theme:
” A city considered as a melting pot in Mindanao, where modern lifestyle and booming economy arise. With the goal of nature preservation for future generation. They put eco-tourism as the core of it’s tourism attraction.”
I’d rather not bore you with my entries for each theme in the DSLR category coz I realized they suck. But I was thrilled that two of my husband’s entries to the point and shoot category made it to the top 9, and one of it placed 2nd runner up in the said category. I didn’t want to go to the event alone, I had to convince my husband to come along. My old compact Canon, the Ixus 55 has long retired so I bought him an affordable Canon Powershot A2200 just so he could come with me. We never knew it would be his winning gear. He’s not really passionate about photography as much as I am, but I’m guessing the win will spark up interest in him.
Here are his entries which made it to the top:
For theme 1:

For theme 2, which won the 2nd runner up in the Point and Shoot Category:

It sure was an exhausting event but nonetheless fun, especially with the ongoing city fiesta parade. As for me and my husband, we only went away from Limketkai during the second theme, in which we headed to San Agustin Cathedral. Although we brought a car, we took a taxi, taking cue from ” The Amazing Race” to get there quicker and not to be bothered where to park when we come back because Limketkai Mall was more packed than usual.

In the first theme, the energy was up, we kept shooting to our hearts’ content. But towards the afternoon, especially on the 3rd theme, we got really tired and went back to the site much earlier and submitted whatever we had, whether or not it had potential for winning.
We had pictures printed at the Canon Pixma station where each participant is entitled to one print out. While waiting for the results of the competition, the hosts gave away prizes for games.There were loads of prizes given out. I just wished that they also gave at least a pen to the top 9 finalists (aside from the recognition of being up on stage) for each category because it wasn’t an easy feat to be chosen in a sea of amazing photographers from Mindanao.

If you’re from Visayas, Luzon, and NCR, be sure to join the upcoming Canon Photomarathon events in your area. Have fun and don’t take the challenges too seriously. Otherwise, the pressure might eat you up. It’s anybody’s game at the Canon Photomarathon. You can be a newbie like my husband and still win. Bring along your spouse or kids as it can be a great bonding time with them. With or without prizes, you’re sure to bring home new experiences, memories captured, and do i need to mention, freebies?

The youngest shooter with her dad, awarded with Canon Freebies
Check out these following dates:
Tagbilaran City Bohol (Visayas)- September 3
Vigan City, Ilocos Sur (North Luzon)- September 10
Legazpi City, Bicol (South Luzon)- September 24
Metro Manila- To be announced
You may register at the http://www.canon.com.ph/photomarathon2011/. Hurry coz the slots tend to fill out quickly, but be patient with the registration if you don’t get in initially. My hubby had trouble registering so I had to come back often to finally sign him up. Stay tuned for my next post where I will be featuring the winners for each category.
number of view: 1142
Make Your Own Havaianas 2011
August 12, 2011 by MUA In Scrubs
Filed under events
Whenever I try buying a pair of Havaianas slippers, I get excited about how cute they look and comfy it must feel to walk in them. For some reason, I never end up purchasing them. I set them aside for a new makeup palette or an exciting shade of lipstick. But then I guess I was fated to own one when Spruce sent me an invitation to the “Make Your Own Havaianas 2011” event at the Limketkai Mall in Cagayan de Oro.
A giant boarding pass to the event was delivered at the clinic yesterday while I was in the midst of a rather toxic but productive day of patient consultations. I made a mental note to make time for this must-attend gathering of fashionable flip-flops lovers, which I seemed to miss year after year.
This year’s Make Your Own Havaianas sparks the wanderlust in us, with designs that feature the fashion capitals of the World. The current venue at the Limketkai Center transports us to our dream destinations, as they turned it into some sort of airport, with flight announcements through paging systems to boot.
I was assisted by Astrid, one of the young “stewardess” of the event to pick the designs that I liked. With the vast selection of colors, I was overwhelmed with the choices I could make. Customization of designs allow us to pick a pair of Havaianas that define our uniqueness. This could be the reason why customers look forward to “Make your Own Havaianas” each year. I used to pass by this affair for the past couple of years and wonder why it’s always packed with people.

There was a gazillion of combinations to choose from but I finally picked my first Havaianas: turquoise soles and straps which are a mix of turquoise and pink. It was accentuated with a yin yang pin on the left and Eiffel tower on the right. These perky bubblegum colors remind me of Barbie dolls when I was still a kid. Yin yang signifies my advocacy for acupuncture while the Eiffel tower is a reminder that I got to go to Europe someday when I get rich. Whew! Never thought a pair of slippers could tell a story.

If you haven’t got your latest pair, be sure to catch the event today (August 12) until Sunday, August 14, 2011 at the Limketkai Rotunda. Entrance is free so go ahead and browse around . There’s a pair waiting for your creative juices to come to life. Limited edition designs featuring the different fashion cities of the world are available, stocks of which can run out if you don’t hurry.
Thanks are in order to Spruce, especially to the owner Ms. Trisha Tamparong who I met while I was having my slippers done. She told me she insisted on having my invitation delivered just so I could come. Thanks a lot, Ms.Trisha!
For more info regarding Make Your Own Havaianas (MYOH) in the Philippines, please visit this website: http://www.makeyourownhavaianas.com.ph/
Below are pics I took during my visit:








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Suesh Goes To CDO
June 28, 2011 by MUA In Scrubs
Filed under events
Suesh successfully held its free makeup workshop in Cagayan de Oro last Sunday, June 26,2011. Through its local distributor, Spruce, Suesh had the Brew Berry Cafe packed with beauty-savvy women who attended the event.
Ms. Suzanne Tan of Suesh, who trained in Tokyo for Kanebo Philippines, gave a lecture and demo on proper skin care and makeup application. She taught the audience two looks: the daytime look and the smokey eyes using the palettes sold by Suesh.
Although I practice makeup professionally, I still grabbed this chance to attend the session because I believe there is always something new to learn. True enough, her techniques are easy to grasp and helpful for women who are always on the go but can’t skip the makeup part in their daily routine. I’ve been trying out the looks to work for the past 2 days, using the quick steps discussed in the workshop.

The event was not like the usual paid Suesh makeup workshops in which participants are provided with materials and handouts to do makeup on themselves. This one was more of a demo of their products, serving as the launching of Suesh in Cagayan de Oro. But then, no one’s complaining coz for a free event with new makeup tricks taught, the attendees were also served with overflowing snacks.

Some of the products were put on display, which were readily patronized by the guests. I bought a green makeup palette for Php 350 (which is Php300 on the Suesh multiply site) and a liquid eyeliner for Php150, which I will review on this site soon.
Suesh will now be available in CDO through Spruce at the 2nd floor of Limketkai Center.



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Suesh CDO Workshop Postponed
May 20, 2011 by MUA In Scrubs
Filed under events
In case you haven’t visited my facebook blog page, I posted an update regarding the Suesh workshop in Cagayan de Oro supposedly this Sunday. Let it be known that the said workshop has been postponed.
Ms. Sheryl Ong of Suesh texted last Wednesday that due to health reasons, Ms. Suzanne Tan (the instructor) won’t be able to travel from Manila to Cagayan de Oro. Please note that only those who reserved a slot will be admitted to the free workshop.
I will post on this blog further announcements regarding the new schedule, so please check back often. For more information regarding the Suesh CDO workshop, please text them at 09158997377 or email events@spruce.ph.
UPDATE: 5/24/11: new schedule is on June 26,2011
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