How To Cope With The Work From Home Routine

Oh, yes, May 2020 is about to end and we are still in quarantine, still uncertain of what the Covid19 is really all about… still no cure, no vaccine. Although some of us may be working at our designated workplaces right now, so many of us are still confined at home, doing our home-based jobs. At times, and almost all the time, especially when we are used to dressing up each morning getting ready to go out of our houses to work, we may feel bored and even anxious just staying at home and doing the work that we used to do at our sweet sweet office habitat.

In my case, nothing much seemed to change since the enhanced community quarantine started last March. If you have been one of my loyal readers since 2009, you will remember that since then, I was having my home-based job to give more attention to my baby who was 2 years old at that time (now, I am nostalgic..hehehe!).

I know how it feels to be so busy once and then all of a sudden you have to be confined inside your homes. But on the lighter side, I found ways to adjust to such situations and to finally enjoy working from home. I am here now to share these simple tips on how to finally enjoy your new routine as a work from home employee. But before I start, please let me apologize for sharing these tips only now that the quarantine is slowly lifting. It is because it is only now that I came to understand that some of us may be working from home for good especially for those who have been laid off from a job and would attempt to be self-employed soon.

So here are the few basic things that we can do to improve and enjoy our work from home experience:

• Condition your mind and understand that working from home at this point in time is a practice that will keep you and your loved ones safer from possible Covid19 infection.
• Understand that despite working from home, you are lucky to still have your job and are still able to make a living for your family. The Covid19 pandemic has brought upon us an economic instability and ergo, the massive lay off of so many employees. So, it does not really matter whether you are at the office or at home as long as you still have a source of income that can maintain your lifestyle, or even if there may be a minor set back, what matters is that YOU ARE WORKING and EARNING A LIVING.

Now that you have conditioned your mind and you have programmed your heart to be thankful, let us consider your working place which is your home:

• It is vital that you find a nook or any corner of your room or anywhere in your house, wherein you can set up a small working space. A working space means a place where there are no clutters that can bother you while you are working. If you have just enough space, a small nook in your room may be the best bet since you will be alone inside working all day. The living or dining room may not be so conducive because it is the place where the other people in your house may be spending their time during the day. Just remember that if you are going to utilize your room as a venue, you need to make your bed so that you will not unconsciously feel tempted to keep sleeping or just resting instead of doing your job. On the other hand, if you have other conducive venues in your house, feel free to occupy that space because your comfort while working greatly affects all your work output.
  

• Have a desk and storage in that small nook of yours that will be exclusively dedicated to your work. Never put anything that is not connected to work in that area so that your energy and aura will always be programmed to work whenever you start spending your time in that special nook. Remember to be mindful where you place your laptop, always make sure that you place them somewhere where you can always be ready to have video calls and online meetings with your boss and co-workers or even your clients. Your back view when you are video chatting should be put into consideration. For example, a clean wall is better than a doorway to the bathroom. You never know when someone comes out from that bathroom with only a towel on while you are video conferencing.
• Live each day as if you are still going to work at your office. Take a bath on time, dress up, and for the ladies, put on your make up and yes even your red lipstick that makes you feel better whenever you have a rough day at work. Eat on time. There are ways to do this even if you are at home which I will be sharing soon with another blog post.
• Set goals for each day. Manage your time wisely. Since staying at home to work can give you additional works. Yes, you read that right… and yes, I am laughing again!!! That is because working from home will give you the chance to see first-hand home chores and at this time you have to manage your time between doing the job that pays you and the household chores that you do free of charge out of love for your home mates. To manage your time well, it is helpful that you have your calendar and a planner, and even a notebook wherein you could make a list of what to do and prioritize from the list. Keep in mind what to achieve for the day and which ones can be started at the moment and could be finalized for the following days. If you do multiple jobs like me, it is helpful to have multiple notebooks that are labeled according to what company it is meant for.

• Never try to procrastinate. Take deadlines seriously even if you are at home and could hide from your boss anytime you want. Remember once again that you are one of the few lucky people who are still employed while so many have lost their jobs and are struggling to find a new one. Having a salary is just one of the perks of having a job, but knowing that you do things because you have true concern for the company you work for and for your clients, will truly give you peace of mind and joy. Being a part of other people’s lives that benefits them is a perk that satiates your soul. Never deliver half baked goods. If you are self-employed, give your self a deadline or a quota for each job that you have to do. Always keep in mind that you are privileged to be your own boss so do not ruin your own business with your “maniana” habit. 
• Working from home will make you realize that somehow, it sets you free from the time table of your boss and co-workers in the sense that you can do your job anytime you like. But as it was mentioned earlier BE MINDFUL OF DEADLINES. It sets your mind free if you could give output on the deadline, but it will give you joy when you have managed to give an output ahead of time. Finishing job days or even weeks before the due date will give you time to check and even improve your output. 
• Lastly, work with your heart. Love your job and enjoy what you do. Realize that it is so good to stay at home working and earning. Be thankful for each new day and never cease praying for better days to come. Be glad to serve even if you have to stay at home and never forget to thank God every day.

This is all for now my co- ripple makers! I hope you enjoyed this blog as much as I find delight in communicating my thoughts with you. Stay safe and healthy! Let us all be productive and evolve as we help one another to fight this pandemic. Good luck working from home.

Feel free to comment to add more value to this blog. Your work from home tips will truly make a difference in other people's lives today.

Of The Ripples, Covid19 and The Koi Fish

(Image courtesy of mama Benilda Magante, taken at The Garden, Ciudad De Victoria, Bulacan Philippines)

 And so, I am back. I could not stop my self from smiling right now. Maybe the Community Quarantine, whether “enhanced”, “general” or “modified”, has made me realize that I have been giving all my time blogging for other sites, yet The Ripples of Koi has been on “super” enhanced community quarantine since I do not even know when. Thanks to those who missed me… and thanks to those who will start reading again.

The Covid19 has truly taken its toll on all of us, from our home to the world. We could feel its ill effects, not to mention, the anxiety and grief it has given us. It's been months since we lived like hermits and feeling the threat each time we go out of our homes. Yet we are here today, still living life, staying courageous despite the chaos.

At this time of our life, somehow we may have come to realize so many things that are so vital yet we failed to appreciate before the saga of Covid19.

Since the quarantine has led me to think of and miss my own blogging site, let me share with you this enlightenment that somehow kept us going and the things that we learn from life at this point in time, and the blessings that these trying times have brought upon us.

•  We are once again reminded that we do not own our life. In a blink of an eye, it could be altered or be taken from us. Yet we are all blessed with the understanding of living each day like there is no tomorrow. We remembered the value of spending quality time with our loved ones, we are reminded of the significance of seizing the day to make our loved ones feel important and needed. We are more aware of the importance of taking care of ourselves and one another.

•  That we can choose to rise or fall to any occasion. There are people who relentlessly complained out of anxiety and discomfort, yet there were people who have chosen to create opportunities for themselves and their loved ones at this time of crisis. We can see people who lost their jobs or people who did not have enough income or no income at all, because they were on a no work no pay rule. This was the time when we started seeing the complainers and the doers. The doers definitely had the attitude of real winners. We see them creating jobs for themselves. And honestly, I enjoyed ordering homemade delicacies and other stuff from my friends who acted like winners even at the worst of times.

• That there are unknown heroes among us. We see them every day, talk about the doctors, the nurses, and other members of the medical team. Talk about the policemen, our national and local government officials, the garbage collectors, the mall employees, and the unknown people who were there to help in every way they can. Think about our imperfect government, that no matter inadequate they may seem for some, they are still doing what they can to keep us safe and somehow overcome the grim that is upon us.

• That even in the darkest times, no matter how much some people give their best, there will always be imperfections. And at the midst of an almost perfect or simply imperfect help that they share, there will be people who will NEVER LEARN TO APPRECIATE THE GOOD. There will always be killers of goodness and emphasizers of the bad. There will always be complainers who unknowingly torture their own soul because of focusing on what is ugly. And there will be the thankful ones, who know how to appreciate even the smallest drop of grace and hope in times of darkness, they are the ones who harbor the smallest light that could brighten the world up, if only there were no obstacles called “the killers of goodness”. At this time, we learn that we could choose to appreciate and invigorate our own life or complain and keep our souls in total darkness.

• That no matter how much help we could get, it is our own choices and priorities that will determine our future. It is sad to see people being helped and even being given cashouts, just because they are considered as the less fortunate or even indigents. Yet they make poor choices of gambling or choosing to have a physical aesthetic done using the cash doled out to them. At the brighter side, there are people who started creating a new source of income for them and their loved ones out of the money doled out to them. It is vital to choose to be wise enough to create our own opportunities for better living while there are still people willing to help. It is not the help that makes us who and what we are in the future, it is what we do with it that creates our substance as a person and decide our tomorrows.

• That gratefulness helps us to overcome obstacles because it kindles our hope and happiness. This is the time when we see people who know how to be thankful for the little blessings. It gives them a positive mind to think clearly and do what is right even in times when they have to grope in the dark.

• That we are no supermen nor wonder women, no matter how powerful we are, no matter how much we own or even if we feel like we own the world, we can NEVER control everything. Yet we learned the value of entrusting our future to the One who has given us all. We realized that at the time of crisis such as Covid19, when we are at war to something we are not familiar of, to something we could not see… we learn the value of kneeling in prayers. We are reminded of the One who has taken care of us since the time of our conception.

These are just a few of the realizations I have come to appreciate at this difficult time. Let us be reminded once again my co-creators of ripples to behave and be resilient like the koi fish who manage to swim upstream a waterfall, no matter how turbulent it is. At this point in time, we can choose to be like the koi fish. We can choose to swim in this ocean of life no matter what the obstacles are because it is in the darkest times that we can see new opportunities and it is at this time that we can learn how far our own light can go. Let us always keep in our hearts, that if He who created us all, has blessed the koi fish to be so courageous, it is US who are made of His own image that should be more courageous and who are more willing to continue a positive journey in life. Let Him be the sturdy shelter that keeps us going. Believing and really knowing in our hearts that His love and grace will NEVER FAIL to keep us safe and see us through even in our darkest hours, always keeping in mind that we can create our own ripples of hope no matter what lies ahead.

I am still smiling… and now, with a very thankful heart to the HANDS THAT MADE US ALL.

May this song give you joy today! Stay courageous! :) 

(Video credit to Maylis Susan on Youtube.com, please watch it on youtube.com)

Here's An Invitation for ASPIRING PHOTOGRAPHERS from RED OGNITA

Most (if not all) aspiring photographers may have heard of or even admire RED OGNITA in one way or another. For some, who may not know or heard about him, let me share with you some details about this well renowned very talented photography artist.

RED OGNITA is a multi awarded INTERNATIONAL FINE ARTS PHOTOGRAPHER who was born in Manila but is now based in Beijing. Although he has not attended formal education on photography, he has achieved a very natural and authentic approach when it comes to his own genre of specialty in photography. He is well known for his impeccably amazing BLACK and WHITE FINE ART LANDSCAPE PHOTOGRAPHY. It is indeed a very rare chance to have the previledge to be invited to a workshop for this genre of fine art photography in which Red Ognita is the speaker of such an activity.

This is a great chance for every aspiring Fine Art Landscape Photographer to attend a workshop with a well renowned, multi awarded artist. Please spread the word ~ In cooperation with the HUKBONG LITRATISTA ng LA UNION everyone is invited to a two day intense workshop with RED OGNITA on October 26 and 27, 2013 at the Surfing Capital of Northern Luzon (specifically at Rose Bowl Steak House and Restaurant, Bauang La union). See you there!

Here are some of Red Ognita's Black and White Fine Art Landscape Photography Samples (courtesy of www.ognita.com)

Ephemera by Red Ognita

17 Arches by Red Ognita

Yenne's Amazing L.A Colours ~ An Authentic Kikay's Haven!

For most women, it is so irritating to spend so much time looking for make- ups and skin care products to satisfy their myriad needs when it comes to total self care. We can not deny the fact that it is always so tiring to go hopping from one mall to another only to make us realize that what we are looking for is not available. Some of my female friends would even go far from their own respective places just to buy the make up or "kikay" product that truly satisfy them.

At some point, I am one of those victims who would even go to another city just to buy products like Maybelline Dual Powder Foundation... this product may be available at the mall near our place but to my dismay, my shade is out of stock. That is why I was really excited when I learned that my best friend is opening a one stop shop where every woman could find a wide array of the rare products that most of the Filipina women would love to buy and use because of their efficacy. I would like to introduce to you YENNE'S AMAZING L.A COLOURS! This is just a one stop shop that every girl or woman is truly wishing for!

Here are some of their products:

YENNE'S AMAZING L.A COLOURS ENTERPRISES offers a wide variety of authentic U.S.A products that takes care for everyone from head to toe. What's good with this shop is that we are assured that all products are direct from the United States and they are proven to be authentic making us feel secured that we will get the effect that we long for, and we are making the most of what our money can buy.

We never have to hop from mall to mall anymore just to buy the pieces of skin care and make- ups that we long for from the United States! YENNE'S AMAZING L.A COLOURS ENTERPRISES will open its doors to all customers of any kind TOMORROW (SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2013) at 2nd Floor NEPO ROBINSON'S MALL, ARELLANO STREET, DAGUPAN CITY. BE A PART OF THE GRAND OPENING and EXPERIENCE THE DIFFERENCE! HAPPY SHOPPING FOR BEAUTY AND GOODNESS at YENNE'S AMAZING L.A COLOURS - truly a kikay's haven! See YOU there! :)

"Simpleng Pinay" Lending A Big Hand With Her Simple Ways

Hello, friends and angels! It’s been quite a very long time since my last blog… I really missed blogging BIG TIME! I am so glad to be back and hopefully to write blogs as much as I did in the past (fingers tightly crossed...) At this moment I am more than just proud and excited to bring you another extraordinary Filipino who makes me REALLY proud to be a Filipina. I am honored and so blessed to present to you a very hard working asset oat a high government office, who manages to be extraordinary on the job, but is able to be a good “mother figure” to her most loved friend and baby, “Peso” and at the same time having the heart to lend a helping hand and promote the beauty and excellence of our very own country with the use of her talent in writing.

An article writer contributor at “Animal Scene” – a magazine published by the “Manila Bulletin”,a web content provider at HubPages and a Presidential Management Staff. Ladies and gentlemen, let me present to you a very talented and charming Filipina and a very good friend, MISS MARIA CECILIA ARROGANTE.

Miss Macel during her free time

Miss Macel, as her friends and love ones fondly call her has been featured in “Imbestigador” on 2008, another time in “Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho”  on 2010 and has also been invited to be a guest speaker by Hobbes and Lobbes to talk about her article about Dog Photography.

Here’s my little interview with this wonderful Pinay, who has gained so much respect with her enthusiasm for life.

Me: You have so much responsibilities, besides holding a position on a high government office, you manage to blog, take care of your dogs like they are your kids and you even have time to write for Animal Scene, how do you keep with it?

Miss Macel: I am trying to balance everything. If I am at work, it's only work and as much as possible; I don't bring work at home, or extend my time at work but never really bring work at home. I always prioritize if there is too much work to do; I set aside Animal Scene and Hubpages. My job is still my priority because it is my bread and butter and it's the reason why I can provide for my hobbies (blogging and photography) and my dogs. This year, I only had two articles published by Animal Scene, January and April pa yun, when things are gettilng light at work I started with my other articles. Actually I was working with two stories before I left for Singapore, now I need to recall my momentum, medyo tapos na medyo improvement na lang. When it comes to animal scene kasi, I really make it a point that I am confident with the stories and arrangement ng sentences ko, matindi pa rin ang editing sa print eh. I only write for Hubpages naman, whenever I have too much spare time, it depends on my mood especially if I have no stories for Animal Scene in mind. Basta ang rule ko ay prioritization - work first, then Animal Scene, then Hubpages. I won't write for Hubpages until I submit one article for Animal Scene. About my dogs naman before and after my work, it's definitely about them already. I won't go to work without bringing them to walk in the morning and then feed them before I leave. Then when I arrive home in the evening, I make sure that we spend time to stroll again, then feed them then kaunting play then sleep. Saturdays and Sundays is for them also. There are some cases when I need to break the rules that is when one of the dogs is sick, I may take a leave from work... ganun lang kasimple buhay ko, I don't go out that much. I go out of town or out of the country pero madalang yun. But whenever I have to take some time out or leave the country, I make sure someone will take care of my dogs, and it's my rule na 2 to 3 days lang ako pwedeng mawala (laughs) My dog Peso has this attitude of refusing to eat whenever he senses that I will be out for days.

Me: You have blogged so much about myriad things on your site at Hubpages, what are your favorite topics that may somehow help people especially the Filipinos?

Miss Macel: My favorite topic is always about dogs, especially when it comes to Peso's ailment and that is Perineal Hernia. I always make it a point to answer queries kasi it's a rare case for dogs. When Peso was just starting to have it, except for the internet and veterinarian, I had no other source of information. Deep within me I felt like I needed to talk to someone who can talk to me and understand what I am feeling. So I decided to document my dog's ailment so that I can answer queries for dog owners like me, and it worked though there are some who never update me after answering them, there are some who became my friends and we keep updating each other. My next favorite is featuring the restaurants where I dined in. Obviously I love to eat, and I wish that my hubs about resto's may help some people decide where to go. And I love writing about my favorite Korean actress, and I do this for her fans like me… actually some of her fans has already become my friends! (laughs).Then my fourth favorite is featuring places where I have been because I want to promote the best places in our country… although I really don't consider myself nationalistic, I still wish to show to the world the beauty of the Philippines by writing about it, kahit marami nang writers ang gumagawa nito. (laughs)

Me:  What or who inspires you to write?

Miss Macel: My definition of who inspires me to write is like who I like to write about always (laughs) - My dog Peso always inspires me to write. I guess you know that story that my first break in writing was my article about him which was entitled “My Dog Has Perineal Hernia” which was published by Animal Scene in 2008. Then Korean Actress Hajiwon, I like her beauty, parang may pagkapinay, and she's a good actress, family oriented, and still single. Sila yung main inspiration ko for writing, though I am thinking I should thank Someone above as my main inspiration, for HE is the reason why I have this gift, tingin ko this is what He wants me to do but di ko pa nagagamit in ways that he really wanted me to. 

Miss Macel with her adorble dog "Peso"

Me: You seem to be passionate about writing, photography and of course, dogs... tell us anything about them.

Miss Macel: Writing, dogs and photography, are passions that originated since I was very young. I started writing poems in grade school, I already love dogs then. Same thing with photography, I started with 110 sizes of exposure (laughs)... I have lots of pictures with friends and they all thank me now because it made them really smile to see how they looked like during our younger years. I gave the whole album to my friend in Singapore, I told her to repackage it and have it scanned (laughs), I have done my job already so it's their turn.

Me: You have been featured in several television shows, tell us something about them.

Miss Macel: Sa “Imbestigador” on 2008 yata yun, after my dog Peso’s first surgery yun. The topic had nothing to do with his ailment, but more on showing someone who treats her dog very well and those who butchered dogs to sell the meat sa Baguio. The secondnd time I went out on TV last 2010 sa “Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho” was about Manila Zoo naman yun, they found me through Hubpages where I wrote about Manila Zoo and even posted photos there when I was younger. Di na nakasama si Peso dun kasi parang it was too tasking na, na after Manila Zoo babalik pa to Marikina to shoot Peso. Ok lang... (smiles) The third time I begged off na but instead I recommended my bestfriend's mom, sa ABS CBN naman ito kay “Matanglawin”, again they found me through Hubpages , where I wrote about cremation of the my dog Pissy. Medyo not so comfortable going out on screen (laughs) by the way yung sa Imbestigador, they found me thru my celar.blogspot.com so yung mga TV exposures because of my hubs and blogs ko lang ako natutunton and most of the time iyan yung mga di ko matanggihan because it has something to do with my writing. Because of Animal Scene too, Hobbes and Lobbes invited me to be a guest speaker and talked about my article na Dog Photography kaya I can say that writing did a lot for me- things that I did not expect to do.

Miss Macel's article featured at "Animal Scene" Magazine about Peso.

Miss Madel's article about Manila Zoo was also featured in "Animal Scene" Magazine.

Me: As a successful Filipina, what do you think is the foremost responsibility of each Filipina woman to herself and fellow Filipinos?

Miss Macel: Parang I don't consider myself successful yet... you think I am? Measure din ba ng success ang financial stability? If yes,  in that case I don't think I am successful (laughs). Siguro in a way I am successful though I consider myself still struggling with my present job. I guess I am successful because I am happy with what I am doing. I am happy that I can write and there are people that I really do not know and yet approached me and told me that they have read my articles. Those things are making me feel high and forget my inadequacies in life. To me, it's my responsibility to make my life better and happier always. I should pamper myself always and should take care of my health, eat healthy food and right diet. I am dieting right now. I guess I could help my fellow Filipinos with my own little ways like showing them good example as tohow to be a good dog owner. I wish I could show people how to follow rules but I know I am not perfect and in fact disobey some rules sometimes, pero sa akin lang as long as you are happy and comfortable and you don't hurt or bother anyone, then you are always on a right track.

Me: Lastly, what is your advice for the Filipina women who would love to enjoy life better?

Miss Macel: Always do things that can make you happy, because when you are happy with what you do, you don't get bored waiting for financial advances or incentives. Always focus also in everything you do, in my case I really did well whenever I chose to keep quiet and concentrate in my job whenever I am in my office. And lastly Jen, words of wisdom, don't get a pet just because you are sad, or in case you think a pet can make you happy at least be responsible.

Me:  Thank you so much Miss Macel for spending some time with this interview. I salute you and it is really an honor to have you featured at Ripples of Koi. Thanks for the blessing of knowing you and for the friendship you unselfishly share. See you around!

After that talk with this extraordinary Filipina, I have learned things that I would love to impart with my readers. These are:

•  With our daily struggle to be responsible with the things and responsibilities that we have to face every day, we really need the courage to keep up and prioritize.
•  We should never rely on others, even to our pets to give us happiness- because happiness lies within us, and we only realize that when we know how to show how much we love others.
•  Humility is always a vital ingredient to success. Miss Macel is really a very humble Filipina, some Filipina women who somehow manage to climb a little step towards success act as if they own the world, yet this successful Filipina remains so down to earth despite her achievements.
• One of the greatest gifts that we can give not only to others but especially to ourselves is the ability to share our talents in ways that we can also lend a hand to the people that get by and spend some time with what we create. Miss Macel’s articles have not made her happier just because it has taken her on the screen, but it has actually made her feel so blessed that her talent in writing have given some vital information to others and even some form of realization that animals need the kind of loving care that some fail to give them.

Now, isn’t Miss Macel an epitome of a Filipina that we all should look upon? Be proud of who you are, make your hobbies be a worthwhile thing that can help others… because simple ways may give big helpful results. Yan ang Pinay!

* Read Miss Macel’s articles at http://maria-cecilia.hubpages.com/

*ALL IMAGES ARE CREDITED TO MISS MACEL ARROGANTE.

Meet Miguel De Guzman - Your "Picture" Perfect Pinoy!

Sir Miguel De Guzman, picture perfect Pinoy who gives so much soul in photography.

Oh, I am really hating my self for taking a very long time to post this blog. Honestly, I was supposed to publish this months ago, yet I was not able to do so due to so many circumstances beyond my control. But anyway, so much about that. I just feel so excited to share with you my very first issue on "Proud to be Pinoy!"

Of course, I have always been proud to be a Filipina... yet there are these people who make me more grateful for being one. Gentlemen, and (especially) ladies, I am proud to present to you Mr. Miguel De Guzman whose own love and talent for photography has made him dominate the world of soulful and wonderfully taken works of art in digital photography.

Born and raised as a pure Filipino who knows the value of family, he is known to his younger siblings to be a very sweet, loving and supportive kuya. He graduated from Lorma Colleges in San Fernando City La Union as one of the best students in their batch. He eventually landed great jobs and soon he was sent to Indonesia. He has gained so much achievements in his life and as of the moment, he is hailed as one of the most outstanding photographers who somehow has dominated one of the most best performing digital magazine in Asia - the IMag Photoworld Magazine. His image was chosen to hail the cover of the magazine on May 2012 and some of his other images won several awards to this date.

*Image taken by sir Miguel De Guzman gave glory on the cover of IMag Photography Magazine on May 2012.

So, let me share with you my little chit chat with this very talented Pinoy who made photography extraordinarily special for Filipinos.

Me: Good morning sir Mike! Thanks so much for giving me the chance for this online interview. We are just so proud to see a Pinoy Lormanian performing so well in photography. We see that the image on the cover of IMag for the May 2012 issue was taken by you. How was your photo discovered?

Miguel: I submitted some of my images to i-Mag website (www.imagphoto.com) hoping that one of my photographs would be published to their "Thousands Words" section. Luckily, one of my photo of Mount Fuji landed this column.The publisher notified me by email and asked if I have a "Star Trail" shot of the mountain. Luckily, I did...and so I made cover.

Me: Were you interested in photograpy as a child?

Miguel: No. As I child, I was more interested in music, dancing and science. As far as I can remember, I didn't have talent in visual arts…although I did try to learn how to draw.

Me:  What made you start taking phtos?

Miguel: Out of boredom, I guess. After four years of living in Indonesia, I had to adjust again to the life in the Philippines when I got transferred last 2010. I had nothing to do on weekends and so I tried all sorts of hobbies to keep me occupied.A friend invited me to try Landscape Photography. I did…and I fell in love with it!

Me:  Do yu have any professional trainings or seminars related to photography?

Miguel: Yes. I joined a group called "Guided by Light" which specializes in Landscape Photography. We had a two-day workshop last June of 2011 in Pangasinan. After that, I cannot stop myself from shooting landscapes. I got addicted with it so to speak.

Me:  What or who inspires you to take photos, and what images are your favorite to put into focus in your craft?

Miguel: When I got deeply involved in Landscape Photography, it became a way of life for me. Whenever I get the chance, I wake up early to shoot the sunrise, stay under the sun at noon to shoot Infrared photos, wait for the afternoon to shoot the sunset and even stay late to shoot the stars.Before, simple things like these that are with me everyday are almost unnoticed…just an everyday phenomenon. Now, I get excited for every sunset and sunrise because I won't know what Mother Nature will give me to visually enjoy. In the past, I don't like spending time under the sun for any reason. Now, I love it when the sun is high because it is favorable for my Infrared Photography. By the way, this is the flavor of Landscape Photography that I want to be good at.My point is that, I learned to appreciate the creation of God more as I take photographs. I don't get tired of witnessing His creation at the start and at the end on a particular day. It is a miracle to have such a beautiful world. I want to share the same passion to others. This is what inspires me.

Me:  Thanks so much sir Mike! I am so honored to have this chance to talk with you.

Miguel: Sure no problem.

So there you have it, guys! At the end of our conversation, I started to admire this very talented bachelor much more, not just because of his amzing photogrphy but also his ability to appreciate the gifts of life that we do not really have the heart to be thankful for everyday. Aside from that, this very talented Pinoy is so humble as I could see in our conversation, he's very simple and very down to earth despite the fact that he has so many things to be proud of.

Here are other images taken by sir Miguel which will simply melt your heart and will surely inspire other blooming photographers:

Sir Miguel will truly make us proud to be Pinoy! For more captivating images, feel free to visit the site of sir Migueal at MDG Landscape Photography. All images in this article are copyright of sir Miguel De Guzman. Image with * is the courtesy of IMag Photography Magazine.