Coraline: The Graphic Novel

Posted by Jayvee Fernandez at July 22nd, 2008

There are some books that aremeant to be turned into graphic novels and Coraline fits the bar. I bought this over the weekend at Fully Booked in Rustan’s Makati for P640.00. The imagery – especially that of the “button eyed other mother” is disturbing. The graphic novel is illustrated by the award winning P. Craig Russell, who also did Ring of the Nibelung and The Dream Hunters.

TAG Linens Mothers Day Promo: Cool and Affordable Bed Linens!!

Posted by Jayvee Fernandez at May 9th, 2008

I’m really happy for my good friend Riane – she’s put up an amazing bed linen business. None of those boring sheets here. Tag Linens is very generous with what they offer – you get a complete bed linen set: comforter cover and cover for two pillows (who sleeps with just one pillow anyway?!). So what you basically get are linens designed by my friend at really affordable prices because what you would have used to buy just a comforter also gets your two pillow cases! The easy guide to Tag Linens and price list can be found here or here!

Here are photos of the first collection of bed linens. Now from May 6 to 24, Tag Linens is offering a special Mothers Day promotional discount:

Delivery takes one to three days but if you live in the beautiful south like me (BF Homes, Las Pinas, Sucat, Alabang, etc) then she can deliver within the day!

Apple releases new MacBooks: Complete Redesign, Fully Customizable

Posted by Jayvee Fernandez at April 13th, 2008

This definitely proves my point. Apple watchers have been keen on a rumor of upgraded MacBooks coming soon. The current design is being phased out in favor for lighter and more earth-friendly materials because of the ongoing green campaign in the USA.

I was able to snap a photo of a leaked unit inside one of the confines of a local dealer. Photos after the jump:
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Going Threadless, Not Shirtless

Posted by Jayvee Fernandez at April 10th, 2008

After a failed delivery attempt last January, my shipment of Threadless tees arrived with take two. Threadless was introduced to me by SPIT Founder and ‘ol friend Gabe Mercado after he showed me a shirt he was wearing at our usual hang out at mag:net BHS. The shirt was titled Marshmallow Factory and showed a unicorn in the clouds crapping marshmallows to the happy beings below as they screamed “Marshmallows!!!” The five works below are designs I got with respective titles and links.
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Lens Review: Fixed Focus AUTO Tamron 28mm f/2.8

Posted by Jayvee Fernandez at March 31st, 2008

Update: One of my readers, Rick Grogan was able to purchase this lens for $5.00. He says that “it was part of the Adapt-A-Matic range made from 1969 to 1971 and is built to the same grade as nikon/canon/carl zeiss etc”

When you leave a little boy in a room filled with different toys, there will be a tendency for that little boy to play with everything. But at some point that little boy will have a favorite toy as time passes. So thus comes my very first lens review of probably the best lens in my dad’s collection.

I’ve been searching for reviews of an old Tamron 28mm fixed focus lens on the Internet but could barely find anything worth a review. I read from Wikipedia that this lens has been discontinued in 2005 (that’s if I get my nomenclature right) and it is currently being sold in eBay with a Canon body adaptor. Apparently this lens is ADAPTALL compatible, making the Auto Tamron 28mm f/2.8 fit with a Canon EOS body given you have the ADAPTALL tube. The lens is very hard to find though. I currently have a set of two adaptors for Nikon bodies but they are for other lens brands. Read on for my review.
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Post Resurface 3/25/2008: Network Blog Woes, Plugs, On Lighting, PR Tips

Posted by Jayvee Fernandez at March 25th, 2008

Do you resurface posts that have been caught in the pile by your frequent updating? Well, I found this to be an interesting exercise in looking at how my thought train has evolved through the months and years, as well as running the risk of hanging old (dirty) laundry. Still, here are some of the old posts I’ve come across and thought to myself, hey these might still be valid today!

Should Restaurants Charge for Using Power Outlets? // June 2 2007

Back in Paranaque, the local Mocha Blends branch at President’s Avenue is packed with people till about 2 or 3AM. That’s on a weekday. The staff allows people to plug in their computers and even has a stash of extension cords available upon request. The end result is that the place has become a haven for WiFi warriors, law students (the staff has an easel and pen which they provide these types of customers for study groups) and the late night crowd that are allowed to stay on outside even when the restaurant is closed. Isn’t that great? With these small gestures from the staff, they have managed to build a community of regular patrons! [Read]

If a Network Problogger Left the Blogosphere, Would Anyone Care?// June 24 2007

So when a problogger leaves the networked owned blog, the blog manager of the network has to find a new writer through word of blog, personal recommendations, advertising, and email blasts. A new blogger eventually comes who is fit to take over the content. Now here’s the thing. There are several things happening between the time the original blogger leaves and the time the new blogger makes his first few posts: [Read]

PR Tips for Philippine Agencies // September 26 2006

In truth, I’ve attended about a hundred PR events, big and small since the year 2003. Here are some tips I offer PR agencies when organizing events for the press, especially for the tightly knit technology industry: [Read]

On Uncategorized Posts // September 3 2006

Do you ever forget to classify your post categories? Yankeemom seems to be the number one in rank in Technorati’s Uncategorized category.[Read]

How To Get a Press Release Published // September 14 2007

Are you a PR or marketing practitioner? Here are some effective ways to get your press released published. You have to bear in mind that dozens of press releases make it to the inbox of newspaper and magazine editors every day. How does the editor pick the really good ones to publish? How do you make your piece of paper stand out from the rest of the stack? Here is a compiled list from Ms. Penny with some of my notes: [Read]

Photo Project: Lighting // November 18 2006

We did something different here. Elber brought along his home made diffuser, very similar to the DIY FinnBounce and Smelfen for the 350D. But instead of bouncing light, it stopped it. But since the internal flash still fires, it triggers the Nikon slave (apologies, I forgot the model) allowing us to flash from anywhere. His home-made device is made of film strip bunched together and taped with masking tape which is inserted above the lens. I then uploaded the image to iPhoto and with a click of a button, converted to B&W. [Read]

Updated: OLPC to pilot in Don Bosco Technical School?

Posted by Jayvee Fernandez at March 16th, 2008

UPDATE: It seems that the OLPC deal is still nearing agreement with Don Bosco. I just find it odd that an announcement was made to all the members of the OLPC Facebook page.

Charles Chen made an announcement over the OLPC Facebook page that they have become successful in partnering with PBSP (Philippine Business for Social Progress) to launch a pilot OLPC XO program in Manila. The pilot program will involve OLPC XO, PBSP and Don Bosco Technical College in the primary school level.

This is a breakthrough for OLPC to finally pilot something big and make their debut in the Philippines. More programs will definitely be rolled out in the future with this pilot serving as the test bed for the little laptop that could.

The OLPC XO is actually here in the Philippines, but not available for retail. Check out the eServices conference photos at SMX. It should be interesting to see the dynamic that happens with the OLPC here in the Philippines. A lot of criticism has been made about the ultra cheap laptop being undercut by other manufacturers (like the already famous ASUS eee). The OLPC, at least in my opinion, shouldn’t be looked at from a hardware perspective, but from the view of the entire program that includes the education tools such as the open source curriculum and teacher training.

Argh, not only does Don Bosco get free OLPC’s, but they get the really good Amici gelato and pizza as well. Lucky bastards Congratulations to Sandeep and Charles!

MicroMinds: Miniature gifts for your geeky significant other (or for yourself!)

Posted by Jayvee Fernandez at March 11th, 2008

How small the world is. Mia, one of my friends from college sent me a link to MicroMinds by Jaycie and Honey. If you’re at a loss for a gift to give your geeky friend, then look no more.

These miniatures merge the very best between geekiness and fashion accessories. The necklaces are around P550.00 each (1 inch) and the keepsakes are about P1,200.00 each (1.5 to 2 inches in size) with an acrylic case. It would be best to PM them for updated pricing because they can customize orders for you.

Enough with the words. These miniatures will speak for themselves.
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Super Smash Brothers BRAWL in the Philippines?

Posted by Jayvee Fernandez at March 11th, 2008

Has anyone in the Wii community in the Philippines seen copies of this anywhere around the metro? Although it was only just recently launched I’m hoping to find a copy soon at DataBlitz as they get pretty updated with games releases anyway. In any case, add me up when you do find a copy and LETS BRAWL ONLINE!

Jayvee’s Wii Friend Code 1647 7187 1691 1181

Eating my words — Valentine’s Day Gift from Dad!

Posted by Jayvee Fernandez at February 15th, 2008

Remember how my dad gave me his entire Cokin creative filter collection almost a year ago? Well, for Valentine’s he went over the top by giving me a little bit more of his hobby.

But first, let me eat my words. Despite the technical support supremacy of Canon, if all things were constant, I’d opt to go for Nikon’s color quality. So yeah, dad gave me his entire lens collection. These are old lenses – some are 1986 AF Nikkor lenses (I initially thought that all were manual. One or two are AF). I actually feel that the only people who would appreciate this post would be those who are really into old school photography.

So here are the 9 reasons why I shifted to adopted Nikon:
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A Big Congratulations!

Posted by Jayvee Fernandez at February 10th, 2008

The caption says:

Noemi Lardizabal-Dado and Butch Dado said their vows and made it clear on Facebook. They’re married.

I got a pleasant surprise today in my Facebook feed. Congratulations to Butch and Noemi for tying the knot! We’re all happy for the two of you and I’m sure that all your online friends wish you the best

(Isn’t Facebook just too funny sometimes?)