Chachi + Jacqui's Engagement (Tagaytay Highlands, onboard an R44 Raven II Helicopter, Manila Bay Sunset)

Chachi and Jacqui are two of my closest friends, they recently got engaged in Tagaytay highlands (where Chachi proposed) and had an engagement party afterwards at Top of the Citi (Citibank Tower, Makati City) where most of our friends were there to support chachi (hahaha!) kidding Chach! the party also moved on to a place with no name but it was beside Barcino's and some other bar in Fort Bonifacio. I've never seen Jacqui so happy till then, She just couldn't wait any longer... (hahaha! kidding Jacqui!) But all this was planned of course by Chachi and his best buddies!

(FLASHBACK: 1st week of November 2008)

Iphone: ring... ring... ring... ring...

Chachi: TAN MAN!!!!

TanMan: Waddup Chach!?

Chachi: How are you man? got a minute?

TanMan: yeah man! I'm good, good, and you? whatsup?

Chachi: listen I would like to invite you to take photographs on a helicopter man, I'm planning to take Jacqui up to tagaytay then fly back on the helicopter back to manila on Novemeber 21 (Friday) I'm going to Propo....

TanMan: (blah blah blah excited and scared as hell to get invited to a helicopter flight)

Chachi: I'm going to propose to Jacqui already man!!!!

TanMan: WHAT???? WHHHHYYYY??? (hahahahaha :))))--kidding

TanMan: WOW! That's great news man! it's about time!!!

Chachi: Yeah Man! I'm thinking, I'm doing it na rin, might as well go all out!

TanMan: Yeah Man! I'll be honored to do your engagement photos :)

Chachi: Thanks Man! let's meet up soon to go over the details cuz I'm nervous as hell and you guys are gonna have to keep me sane...

TanMan: hahaha! don't worry about it man!

Chachi + Jacqui (Engagement After Party) from Jonathan Roco De Guzman on Vimeo.

My First Helicopter Flight (on board the R44 raven II)

I have never been anywhere close a real helicopter before, all I know is that it has no wings, and if the engine stops, it will drop like a flying shoe box. I wasn't a fan of flying in small cramped spaces--But this was before I got my chance last week (My first ever on a flying shoe box!!! haha:)) I have to say it was an awesome experience! it was scary and fun at the same time! but of course my story goes way before the engine started and the buzzing sound never ended...

This unexpected cool experience is because of my best friends (Christopher Salonga and his fiancee Jacqui Halili-co) getting engaged. I'm very happy and honored to be the official photographer for their engagement party. The plan was simple: I take the Helicopter to Tagaytay Highlands (30mins flight time), Chach proposes to Jacqui on the Helipad, CLICK CLICK CLICK--I take photographs, we head down to Manila to a sunset-clad Manila Bay CLICK CLICK CLICK, I take more Photographs, then we meet all of the couples' closest friends on Top of the Citi (Citiibank Tower, Makati) for Cocktails and Turkey dinner (delicious by the way!). Then we party till everyone was hammered. :)

CamSur through my Candy Colored Holga

After almost two years away from CamSur and anything wakeboarding, I finally got a chance to get back on the bindings and cables with a permanent ACL injury and see what's the fuss about wakeboarding again. IT WAS WORTH IT! after all the fears I had with this place (the reason why I got my ACL injury in the first place) I finally broke free from the usual "can I still wakeboard with my injury???" phobia. IT FELT GOOD! 

I'm also very happy I didn't get any other injuries during my visit, It felt good to be back, it was like finding something you've been looking for all these years. although I did not try any kickers or sliders, I must say i will next time I get a chance to...

Coming Soon: Chachi + Jacqui (Engagement Party)

La Liberty guidant le peuple chez Musée du Louvre (Paris, France)

Delacroix's most influential work came in 1830 with the painting which for choice of subject and technique highlights the differences between the romantic approach and the neoclassical style. Probably Delacroix's best known painting, it is an unforgettable image of Parisians, having taken up arms, marching forward under the banner of the tricolour representing liberty and freedom; Delacroix was inspired by contemporary events to invoke the romantic image of the spirit of liberty. The soldiers lying dead in the foreground offer poignant counterpoint to the symbolic female figure, who is illuminated triumphantly, as if in a spotlight.

The French government bought the painting but officials deemed its glorification of liberty too inflammatory and removed it from public view. Nonetheless, Delacroix still received many government commissions for murals and ceiling paintings. He seems to have been trying to represent the spirit and the character of the people, rather than glorify the actual event, a revolution against King Charles X which did little other than bring in a different king, Louis-Philippe, to power.

Following the Revolution of 1848 that saw the end of the reign of King Louis Philippe, Delacroix' painting, Liberty Leading the People, was finally put on display by the newly elected President, Louis Napoleon (Napoleon III.) Today, it is visible in the Louvre museum.

The boy holding a gun up on the right is sometimes thought to be an inspiration of the Gavroche character in Victor Hugo's 1862 novel, Les Misrables.

British alternative rock band Coldplay used the painting as the cover for their album Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends.

French Provence, Road Trip to Paris

Beaune is a commune in eastern France, a sub-prefecture of the C™te-d'Or department in the Bourgogne region.

The area around Beaune, the C™te de Beaune, is known for its Burgundy wines, with Beaune (although lacking a Grand Cru vineyard within the commune) as something of a hub of the wine business, since it is the largest city inside the wine region. Beaune is known for its annual wine sales organized by the Hospices de Beaune.

It is situated on the route des Grands Crus tourist route among the vineyards. The road runs north from Beaune to Gevrey Chambertin and Nuits-Saint-Georges and south to Nolay, Saisy and Autun.

Monte Carlo, Monaco

Monte-Carlo is world famous for its casinos, gambling, glamour, and for sightings of the world's rich and famous. The permanent population is about 3,000. Monte-Carlo quarter includes not only Monte-Carlo proper where the famous Le Grand Casino is located, but also the neighborhoods of Saint-Michel, Saint-Roman/Tenao, and the beach community of Larvotto. It borders the French town of Beausoleil (formerly known as Monte-Carlo-SupŽrieur).

Leaning Tower of Pisa, Italy

Leaning tower of Pisa, Italy or "Torre pendente di Pisa"--in Italian.

This magnificent Architectural milestone is a must see when you go visit Italia. the fact that it was constructed and rebuild and reconstructed and took over 900 years to complete is already a story to tell. what's fascinating about this tower is that it is 14,500 metric tons and it is leaning over 4 degrees and with its building height--it is slanting 12 feet from the vertical position. perfectly safe right? no wonder there's a sign "no standing" from the toppling side of it. hahaha! :)) --TRUE STORY!

Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore (Duomo) in Firenze, Italia (Tuscany)

The Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore is the cathedral church (Duomo) of Florence, Italy. The basilica is notable for its dome designed by Filippo Brunelleschi, its exterior facing of polychrome marble panels in various shades of green and pink bordered by white.

Firenze, Italia. (Tuscany)

Taken from a viewpoint overlooking Florence skyline with Palazzo Vecchio and the Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore (Duomo). Tuscany is well-known for a couple of things: 1.) the Duomo 2.) the original statue of David (by Michaelangelo himself) 3.) almost consistent Terra-cota colored roof tiles 4.) the year-round good weather and scorching sun 5.) the excellent Tuscan Flavors (food) 6.) LEATHER--lots of it. I even got myself an Authenthic Firenze Caramel Belt.

Firenze is the capital city of the Italian region of Tuscany, and of the province of Florence. It is the most populous city in Tuscany and has a population of approximately 364,779. The city lies on the Arno River and is known for its history and its importance in the Middle Ages and in the Renaissance, especially for its art and architecture.

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Basilica di San Pietro in Vaticano (St. Peter's Basilica) Vatican City

St. Peter's Basilica, is located within the Vatican City. It occupies a "unique position"; as one of the holiest sites and as "the greatest of all churches of Christendom";. In Catholic tradition, it is the burial site of its namesake Saint Peter, who was one of the twelve apostles of Jesus and, according to tradition, was the first Bishop of Antioch, and later first Bishop of Rome and therefore first in the line of the papal succession. While St. Peter's is the most famous of Rome's many churches, it is not the first in rank, an honour held by the Pope's cathedral church, the Basilica of St. John Lateran.

Piazza San Pietro in Vatican City, Vatican

Saint Peter's Square is located directly in front of St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City, the papal enclave within Rome (the Piazza borders to the East the rione of Borgo).

At the center of the ellipse stands an Egyptian obelisk of red granite, 25.5 meters tall, supported on bronze lions and surmounted by the Chigi arms in bronze, in all 41 meters to the cross on its top. The obelisk, of the 13th century BC, was moved to Rome in AD 37 by the Emperor Caligula to stand in the central spina of the Circus Gai et Neronis, which lay to the left of the present basilica. It was moved to its current site in 1586 by the engineer-architect Domenico Fontana under the direction of Pope Sixtus V; the engineering feat of re-erecting its vast weight was memorialized in a suite of engravings. The Vatican Obelisk is the only obelisk in Rome that has not toppled since ancient Roman times. During the Middle Ages, the gilt ball on top of the obelisk was believed to contain the ashes of Julius Caesar. Fontana later removed the ancient metal ball, now in a Rome museum, that stood atop the obelisk and found only dust. Though Architect Bernini had no influence in the erection of the obelisk, he did use it as the centerpiece of his magnificent piazza.

The paving is varied by radiating lines in travertine, to relieve what might otherwise be a sea of cobblestones. In 1817 circular stones were set to mark the tip of the obelisk's shadow at noon as the sun entered each of the signs of the zodiac, making the obelisk a gigantic sundial's gnomon. Below is a fabulous view of St. Peter's Square from the cupola (the top of the dome) which was taken in June, 2007.

Trevi Fountain a la Roma, Italia

When in Rome...

You will not find any other place in the world that celebrates the ever-mutating and incredible power of water like Rome. The Trevi Fountain is a fantastic work of art that is much more than a mere sculpture. This triumphant example of Baroque art with its soft, natural lines and fantasy creatures embodies movement as the soul of the world. The fountain is a true wonder, a jewel of water and stone that is nestled between the palaces of the historic centre of the city.

You can already hear its presence from the nearby streets. Indeed, as you get nearer the sound of its gushing waters grows constantly more intense, reaching a crescendo in the square, where you will find the most breathtaking sight. Suddenly, the space seems to open out and you stand before a symbolic representation of this great force of nature, a tumultuous spring that seems to flow out of the ground.

The light and shade effects on the marble make the wind seem to bellow through the drapes and locks of the statues, agitating the waves, creating an extraordinarily intense and spectacular scene. In this Baroque creation, the architecture itself seems to come alive with the current of the revitalising waters.

This work of art is so famous that even cinema has commemorated it on more than one occasion. Everyone remembers the scene in the renowned Italian film, "La Dolce Vita" by Fellini; on a quiet night in an almost unreal Rome, an alluring Anita Ekberg jumps into the Trevi Fountain with her clothes on and invites Marcello Mastroianni to join her. There is also another curious tradition regarding the Trevi Fountain. It is said that if you throw a coin over your shoulder into the water, you will be sure to return to Rome.

When in Rome

Sightseeing in Venezia, Italia (Venice, Italy)

Ponte di Rialto a Venezia, Italia

The Rialto Bridge (Italian: Ponte di Rialto) is one of the four bridges spanning the Grand Canal in Venice, Italy. It is the oldest bridge across the canal and probably the most famous in the city.

Gondola Serenade in Venice, Italy

When in Venezia, Italia. Take your very lucky and very gorgeous sweetheart to a gondola serenade around the Venezian Canals. the Italian Maestro with his opera-worthy voice will sure make you and your honey get laid in Venezia. The sights and sounds of this amazing floating city will sure make your holiday nookies top your sex charts. so open you hotel windows and let everyone hear you and your honey go at it all day everyday.

Piazza San Marco a Venezia, Italia

Summer in Venice...

Take a stroll on the 13th century brick pavement of the Piazza and enjoy the Venetian Sun casting interesting shadows on Byzantine-clad architecture, but come the rainy season is flooding over the Piazza which is also very good for some photographers but not very much for the tourists. 

Piazza San Marco is the principal square of Venice, Italy. It is one of the few great urban spaces in a Europe where human voices prevail over the sounds of motorized traffic, which is confined to Venice's waterways. It is the only urban space called a piazza in Venice; the others, regardless of size, are called campi.

As the central landmark and gathering place for Venice, Piazza San Marco is extremely popular with tourists, photographers, and Venetian pigeons.

The Piazza San Marco is the lowest point in Venice, and as a result during the Acqua Alta the "high water" from storm surges from the Adriatic, or even heavy rain, it is the first to flood. Water pouring into the drains in the Piazza runs directly into the Grand Canal. This is ideal during heavy rain, but during the acqua alta it has the reverse effect, with water from the canal surging up into the Square.

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Basilica di San Marco a Venezia, Italia (Venice, italy)

Basilica di San Marco a Venezia is the most famous of the city's churches and one of the best known examples of Byzantine architecture. Originally it was the "chapel" of the Venetian rulers, and not the city's cathedral. Since 1807 it has been the seat of the Patriarch of Venice, archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Venice. For its opulent design, gilded Byzantine mosaics, and its status as a symbol of Venetian wealth and power, from the 11th century on the building was known by the nickname Chiesa d'Oro (Church of gold).

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Sightseeing in Venezia, Italia (Venice, Italy)

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Mark from Holland at Venezia, Italia

If you get a chance to meet and travel with a person like Mark, your Holiday is sure to be ABSOLUTELY AWESOME!!! Mark is from Holland and He is the Best Tour Guide/Director in the World!!! He speaks 5/6 or 7 languages... I lost count at 4... It was just great to be touring around Europe with him, very experienced, knowledgeable and very fun to be with! Thanks and Good Job Mark! See You Soon!

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Road trip from Lucerne, Switzerland to Innsbruck, Austria

LOMO + SNOW ♥ at Mt. Titlis, Switzerland

Mt. Titlis, Switzerland

The Titlis (3,238m) is a mountain in the Urner Alps of Switzerland. It is located in the canton of Obwalden in Switzerland, overlooking Engelberg and is famous as the site of the world's first revolving cable car. The cable car system connects Engelberg to the summit of Klein Titlis (3,028m) through the three stages of Gerschnialp (1,262m), TrŸbsee (1,796m) and Stand (2,428m).

The last part of cable car way leads above the glacier. In Klein Titlis, it is possible to visit a glacier cave.

The peak of the glacier near Lucerne offers a special sensation: when taking the aerial cable-car to the top, the gondolas start revolving on the 600-meter-long segment beginning in Stand and ending at the mountain station Klein Titlis located at 3,020 meters above sea level.

How to get there: Drive or take public transportation from Lucerne via Stans to Engelberg, ascend the summit of Mt.Titlis by aerial cable-car.

Sunset: Before the Candlelight Dinner at 3020 meters above sea level, you can witness a fantastic sunset. The Bernese Oberland and Central Switzerland become visible in the rays of the sun Ð this vista unfolds before your very eyes.

Tuna ♥s Leningradskoye Optiko Mechanichesckoye Obyedinenie

My 10 month old Golden Retriever "TUNA" is loving my Candy Colored Holga!

Tuna has been living with my Parents

It's been 4 months since I last saw him

He has grown into an Adult

He was happy to see me

I can Tell

He takes care of Mom and Dad

He makes everyone smile

He followed me to the gate

He was sad when I left

I can Tell

I miss having him around.

Sightseeing in Luzern, Switzerland

Belgian Waffles at Brussels, Belgium

Belgian Waffles anyone???

When in Brussels, Belgium, do not forget to try any of the many many Waffle cooking Boulangeries, Try it with Nutella, Strawberries, and whipped cream. truly a mouth-watering authentic Belgian snack. Also when in Belgium, do not forget to try their delicious Belgian Chocolates, talk to a jaw-droppin belgian belle, and drink belgian beers.

Manneken Pis in Brussels, Belgium

when in Belgium, don't forget to drop by the very famous Manneken Pis (Dutch for little man pee), also known in French as the petit Julien, is a very famous Brussels landmark. It is a small bronze fountain sculpture depicting a naked little boy urinating into the fountain's basin.

On many occasions, the statue is dressed in a costume. His wardrobe now consists of several hundred different costumes. The costumes are changed according to a schedule managed by the non-profit association The Friends of Manneken-Pis, in ceremonies that are often accompanied by brass band music.

On occasion, the statue is hooked up to a keg of beer. Cups will be filled up with the beer flowing from the statue and given out to people passing by.

The famous statue is located at the junction of Rue de l'ƒtuve & Eikstraat. One has to take the left lane next to the Brussels Town Hall building from the famous Grote Markt and walk up a few hundred meters to arrive at the spot. The statue will be on the left corner.

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