TRAVEL LIGHT

Just Shoot It.

Many years ago when we do field work in the Human Rights NGO that I worked with, we bring with us bulky SLR cameras and rolls and rolls of films. Field work documentation was a most taxing job then. We were so encumbered, because aside from our personal luggages, we are obliged to bring extra bags just for the cameras and films. Also, we could not preview and edit our shots while on field. The nearest dark room is miles away from where we were. In effect, we have to wait for a week or two before we can even take a peek at our shots. Digital cameras were still non-existent during that time.

Now, one can just bring a laptop and the best compact digital camera anywhere and to any field work. Although I still believe in the reliability of the old SLRs, but compact digital cameras can do the job with the same effeciency and effect and with the minimal time spent. Digital cameras make life easier and the results faster. Although I use only an ordinary Kodak digital camera, but it still serves its worth and purpose. It is my ever faithful companion and my best travel digital camera so far.

Before, photography is a cumbersome hobby, not to mention it being an expensive one. You need to have a dark room of your own, rolls and rolls and film and a lot of patience for waiting. That is why, other than those who do it for a living, only few decided to become shutterbugs as a matter of hobby. Now with the introduction of the digital era, almost everybody suddenly becomes photography enthusiasts. Some even consider themselves already photography experts overnight. So, before you jump into the Lomo fad, grab your best digital camera and practice shooting from the hip. Learn how to shoot first without thinking or composing anything - just shoot it.

My Lodge’s 15th Anniversary Celebration

Here’s a YOUTUBE photo-video of the 15th Anniversary Celebration of my Masonic Lodge, Jacques DeMolay Memorial Lodge No.305, Free and Accepted Masons of the Philippines.

Fast Car

A lot of vehicles now running on our streets are imported used cars. They are twice cheaper than a brand new or a locally sold used car of the same brand. So to keep up with the Joneses, the conspicuous consumers have their sights set to Subic. Subic has become a Mecca of imported used cars. If you see big SUVs like the Big Horn, Surf, Trooper etc., on our streets, it is most likely that that vehicle came from Subic. Most commonly transported to the free ports of Subic are right-hand drive vehicles which are converted to left-hand drive and sold at a cheaper price. Subic handles auto transport coming from all parts of globe.

Car shipping to the Philippines, or importing used vehicles are generally not allowed. Subic being an international free port is exempted but not without the usual customs. However, returning residents or OFWs, since they are considered modern heroes, are given a special privilege to bring in one they own. Provided that ownership is at least 6 months old on the day of importation.

For the OFW’s international car shipping, the car’s year model is not a question. What is important is that the shipper is the absolute owner of the vehicle for at least the past 6 months and can prove that he/she worked in that country where the car will be exported. This includes, Income tax returns, visa/passport, and so on as the case may require.

Imagine if all our OFWs will bring home one car each. Then there will be no more traffic in EDSA. The whole stretch of EDSA will become one big parking lot.

Dial S for Spying

Thanks to Mr. Bond, James Bond, everytime the number 007 is mentioned, it automatically suggests something that is spy-related. Like the latest high-tech spy phone which is aptly named, the phone-007. Phone-007 is yet another gadget made to assuage the vast ocean of human insecurities.

The phone offers a lot of can-do features for electronic eavesdropping. The only basic requirement are, a computer and an Internet connection. The unit stays at your home, or in your bedroom. It has a built in microphone, enabling it to record embient sounds around it. So don’t be surprised when you listen to the recorder and hearing other voice inside your bedroom, when you left your wife home alone. Phone-007 is web connected device, which makes you able to hear the recordings on any computer for free.

Like other phones, Phone-007 can record every calls made on it. Phone 007, however, has an added feature. When Phone-007 start recording, owner will also get notification sms or notification calls to a specified number being set. Call this high technology bugging. It would not have been difficult for us had Garci used this kind of phone when he called Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

So to make you at least assured that everything is doing fine with your family, have a Phone-007. But wait, have you checked on your mobile phone or your car lately? If you see a miniscule device with a number 007 embedded on it, be wary. Your wife might be more updated on spy gizmos and gadgets than you think she can handle.

Hide and Seek

Philippines is fast becoming a world capital of disappearing acts. From persons, properties, pets, and just about anything can easily disappear. Some of them completely disappearing from the face of the earth, without trace. Others resurfaced and brought to freedom from the hands of kidnappers by ransom. Even cars parked in secured parking areas, can suddenly disappear without trace. Next to go are pets, like, dogs, cats and including, alligators or reticulated pythons.

These phenomena however, is not surprising. For in this part of the world even votes can easily disappear and to reappear as votes counted for the other party. Our government officials are adepts in making public funds appear and disappear like bubbles in the air. Children just disappear in shopping malls. Criminals both convicted and those should-have-been-convicted persons can simply disappear right in front of the noses of their supposed guards.

The problem with all these disappearing acts, is that it happens without trace. If only have we a GPS Tracking device installed to our loved ones, cars, pets, etc, then it would not be difficult to trace their whereabouts. I hear that some convicts in the US are attached with a kind of GPS Tracking device in their bodies in order for them not to escape easily. It would only be necessary that such GPS Tracking devices must be discreet and concealed, or better still implanted just skin deep into any part of the body.

As for public funds disappearing, it can be traced but it will never be returned. The only effective solution for this would be, the utilization of devices such as a criminal court, the impeachment process or better still another people power revolution.