It was a challenge compressing lessons + stories from my 15 years of radio experience to just 5 points. Will definitely come up with a Part 2! 🙂
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Fujifilm Ph and Sample Room’s Content Creation Workshop
Last weekend, I got to try the X-A5 mirrorless camera at the Sample Room & Fujifilm Content Creation workshop held at Space 1851 Manila along with other content creators and bloggers. The Fujifilm X-A5 is an entry-level mirrorless camera which is packed with features that allow users to take beautifully composed shots that are immediately ready for upload and sharing.
Angelique Manto, a sports reporter, host, Fujifilm ambassador and my fellow Thomasian (Go USTe!) shared some tips and tricks on Instagram curation, how she takes photos and why she loves using the X-A5 on the go.
After the workshop, we were tasked to take different photos using the X-A5’s Bright Mode, Portrait Enhancer and the Night+ Mode. These automatic modes are supposed to make it easy to just snap and share for people on the go.
Bright Mode ON
The Bright Mode is great for flatlays!
The Fujifilm X-A5’s Portrait Enhancer has 5 levels that make selfies and portraits look flawless but natural. Don’t worry, it’s nothing overboard like FaceTune or Camera360. 1 – Level 5 | 2 – Level 1 | 3 – Level 2 | 4 – Level 3 | 5 – Level 4 | 6 – Level 5
Fun in the dark room! Shot this using the Night+ Mode which still keeps the details sharp even in low light conditions.
I wish I had time to try out it’s video capabilities but let’s save that for another day. I devoted my time to planning out and capturing my shots since they only had a limited number of units for us to borrow. If we’re talking social media photography, I think this is a good camera to start with because it’s easy to use, lightweight and has preset modes that don’t need much filters and lighting fixes. Of course, if you have a signature look for your photos, by all means, edit away! The camera retails at P29,990 and is bundled with an XC15-45mm lens. For a list of other available XC lenses, you can visit the Fujifilm PH website.
My Husband, the Financial Advisor
Look at my husband’s big, wide smile after finishing his training and starting his new career. This is something he’s so passionate about–helping people with their finances by teaching them, walking with them and providing them with solutions so they can reach their financial goals.
One of the things the Lord amazingly considered when He brought me & my husband together is the value of proper financial management & stewardship. Having experienced how poor financial decisions and bad spending habits can affect a family, I remember praying to God for a job that would pay me well enough so I wouldn’t have to resort to taking loans. If that meant that I’d skip eating out and just make my own baon everyday, so be it. If that meant that I couldn’t buy my wants immediately, then I was willing to wait it out. It was important that my basic needs were covered and that I didn’t have to go into debt just because I overspent. Hearing Dave talk about similar financial viewpoints while we were dating admittedly caught my attention (aside from our shared interest in Biblical exegesis). He didn’t brag about cars, gadgets or a luxurious lifestyle. I remember trying to hide my kilig when we were talking about life insurance and investments during our dinner date at The Happy Garden Cafe. In my head I was screaming “SHOOOOCKS. A GUY WHO TOTALLY GETS IT AND DOES NOT FIND ME WEIRD FOR BRINGING THESE UP!” He actually had a lot to say about the topics too and I knew that he wasn’t faking it. It was something that he believed in and was in his system.
We’ve been doing budgeting and financial tracking since we started planning our wedding. Our spreadsheets are certainly different now that we’re married and living on our own but we find that recording our income, expenses, investments, savings and bills (although tedious) helps us plan, project and adjust our finances better.
Hindi ba nakakaloka na na-eexcite siyang gawin to? “Na-challenge yung brain ko, sandali.” Tapos uupuan niya yan, magcocompute just to show what’s more practical.
Since we got married, we have long been praying for God to give him a new job opportunity. He’s certainly learned a lot and has gone through massive character building while he was working in the government but he eventually reached his threshold. He’s been sending out applications since last year, some got back to him, some invited him for interviews but things just did not move forward. Though it did make us sad, we continued to pray and trust God that He knew better. When the opportunity finally came this year, we were both taken aback by the order of circumstances. No amount of human manipulation could make the timing so smooth. Clearly, God was on it.
We know that this job won’t be 100% stress free. It does come with it’s own set of challenges and areas of growth. I’m just happy to see my husband do something he is so passionate about and flourish in the midst of a motivating team. I’m happy that his job allows him to help people plan and protect their finances (and loved-ones), prepare for the future and unforeseen circumstances.
If you are interested to talk about finances, capital/wealth protection, retirement planning and investments, you may get in touch with my husband via email: davidingridpagulayan@gmail.com or send him a PM on Facebook. 😀
In the Kitchen: Tofu and Chickpea Sisig | INGRID NIETO Cooks
A lot of you have been curious about the healthier, plant-based recipes we cook at home. I’m no chef or cooking expert but we’ve cooked this many times and have achieved the sisig taste without the pork. The chickpeas (or garbanzos) have a yummy flavor which my husband and I both love. Hope you enjoy cooking this in your kitchen!
Your Online Presence as Your Personal Ministry
The Envy Trap
Aside from pride that can ever so subtly creep into our hearts and our best motives, another thing we should be watching out for is ENVY. 😳 Recognize it. Confess it to God. Ask for His help and forgiveness. Having fallen into the envy trap for many years made me realize how it can be so damaging to one’s soul and can corrupt relationships.
👹 Have you ever felt intense anger for someone even if the person hasn’t done anything to you directly? Check your heart. That might be ENVY.
🤬 Have you been excessively critical of people and have nothing but bad things to say about them? Check your heart. Aside from ENVY, there’s also the presence of PRIDE.
😡 Do you notice a change in your behavior and countenance when one of your peers achieves something? Check your heart. Aside from ENVY, there might be DISCONTENT.
🙏As we go to the Lord each day in prayer, let’s not forget to ask Him to search our hearts. When He reveals impurities, it isn’t always pleasant. It’s a humbling experience to be shown that we nurture and “baby” certain sins, even if we look good and noble on the outside.
Is it wrong for Christians to desire fame?
Is the desire to be famous wrong for Christians to have?
What does it say about our hearts?
“I want to be famous so that I can use MY INFLUENCE for the Lord.”
This sounds good and noble on the onset but focus on the statement “so I can use MY INFLUENCE for the Lord.”
It is not wrong to use one’s influence for kingdom purposes but desires like these need to be filtered at the heart level. Are we really bent on making the Lord known or are we merely using Him as a vehicle for us to be known? Are we forgetting the fact that God is God and if He wants to MAKE HIMSELF KNOWN, He can do so? He can use people like you and me, but that is His discretion. We cannot command Him and say “God, MAKE ME FAMOUS, so I can make you known.”
Who are we to dictate upon God, OUR STRATEGY? Is He not God who can do all things and knows all things?
How to Pray for a Car
How do you pray for a car? Is there an exact formula for it? In this video I share with you how I prayed for both my cars and the lessons I learned along the way.
Naturals by Watsons
My husband and I received these products from Watsons via Sample Room. We said we’d try it for a week and give our feedback.
The Olive Deep Moisturizing Shampoo (P209, 490ml)
I love the clear formulation. With just three pumps it lathered well on my hair and rinsed off easily. My husband on the other hand (who has thicker hair and uses wax), had to do a second round of shampooing just to get the grime off.
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The Argan Oil Revitalizing Conditioner (P239, 490ml)
The conditioner didn’t have that heavy, creamy feel. Formulation is light yet moisturizing. My husband absolutely loved touching his hair after using this. He doesn’t use conditioner daily but he observed that his hair was still soft & smooth a few days after. It also worked well on my long, colored hair and gave it volume even without blow-drying.
The Rice Bran Brightening Cream Bath (P199, 490ml)
We were expecting this to be a little thicker (since it’s supposed to be a cream bath) but it was as light as the conditioner. It took 3-5 pumps on a nylon puff for it to bubble. The smell is pleasant, not overpowering. After showering and drying up, it’s necessary to follow up with your usual body lotion to lock moisture in.
The Aloe Vera Strengthening Hair and Scalp Tonic (P229, 120ml)
I am so addicted to the smell of this. I wish I could just spray it on whenever my hair needs a lift but this has salicylic acid, which is intended to prevent dandruff and regulate sebum. I fear that if I over-do it, my scalp may react differently. This has organic aloe vera juice and aloe extract that helps moisturize hair.
UPDATE: My scalp did react after using this for another week. I felt tightness in my scalp and flakes started to form. I decided not stop using it for a while and see if my scalp condition improves. I understand that for others, this formulation can work really well but for my scalp, it may have been a little harsh.
Will we consider purchasing these in the future? We’d definitely get the Olive Shampoo and Argan Oil Conditioner because these worked well for our different hair types. We also love when we find products that we both can share since it’s more practical that way.
What do we like most about these products?
-They use certified organic oils and extracts
-Light, pleasant scent
-Moisturizing capabilities of the Argan Oil Conditioner
-Packaging = 5 stars
-Prices are reasonable, given that they use imported organic products
Grow Inside & Out Talk
I gave a short talk on appearance, poise and behavior for the ushering and welcome ministry of Focus on Christ International Ministries.
