As Aleda Jorge turned 18 last May 8, 2012, I was fortunate to be the person who took her pre-debut photos. Both of us had a short time to prepare for the shoot but I am glad that it was a success. I enjoyed shooting AJ because she has a perfect smile to capture and she really works good on her poses. 

The less-trodden province of Romblon is chosen to be the opening venue for this year’s celebration of National Heritage Month by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), the government agency for arts and culture which leads the annual month-long celebration of Filipino cultural and artistic wealth and legacy.

Since the signing of Proclamation No. 439 on August 11, 2003, declaring the month of May as National Heritage Month “in recognition of the need to create among the people a consciousness, respect, and pride for the legacies of Filipino cultural history, and love of country,” the whole country is given a chance to highlight and appreciate its cultural treasures. It is also an occasion to raise awareness on their significance. 

Iconic Negrenese social realist painter Nunelucio Alvarado (1950) is regarded as one of the most prominent contemporary artists in the Philippines.  He has won numerous international critical acclaim for his powerful works that mostly portrayed the life and struggles of Negros Occidental’s  the working class. 

Alvarado’s art is a panorama of Philippine life that ranges  from the decorative aspects of Negros life such as the colorful fruits and vegetables found in the market; or the simple family life that utilizes the bright prints and patterns under the Visayan sun; and on the darker side, the evils of  environmental, social and cultural degradation of which he is known for as a social realist.

Aliwan Festival is an annual event and recognized to be the gatherings of different cultural festivals in the whole Philippines. The festival this year was held last April 2012.  From Luneta Grandstand in Manila, the contingents compete and showed their bests in dance and float parade. This event is known to be the "The Mother of All Fiestas" that aims to show off the different Filipino cultures and heritage to the world. The participants also aim to promote their regions both economically and tourism-wise. Aliwan is a Tagalog word for "entertainment" or "amusement."

This event became one of the highlights every summer. Showing to the world how colorful, vibrant and happy the Filipinos are, Aliwan is a good example to show that It Is More Fun In The Philippines.

The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), headed by chairman Felipe de Leon, Jr. and executive director Emelita V. Almosara, will hold the country’s biggest dance spectacle, the Dance Xchange 2012: The International Dance Workshop and Festival, from April 27 to 30, 2012, in Cebu City, in partnership with the provincial government of Cebu led by governor Gwendolyn Garcia.

Spearheaded by the National Committee on Dance (NCD), headed by Shirley Halili-Cruz, Dance Xchange 2012 will bring together the best dance companies and dance experts, both local and international, for a grand celebration of dance that includes activities such as artists’ forum, dance workshops to be conducted by dance directors/dancers from participating countries, masters classes, cultural tours, festival of dance performances and concerts at the Cebu International Convention Center in Cebu City. 

She is Madonna! We call her Madz. She just celebrated her birthday last April 11 in the company of some of her closest friends and family in what I believe one of the most wonderful events I covered this year.  Prior to this, she asked me to do a photo shoot of her as a birthday invite. It was my pleasure shooting this beautiful lady and I am proud that she liked all the photos.

Last April 12, 2012, Dell Philippines unveiled its ultra-portable XPS 13 laptop at the Mind Museum, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. The highly anticipated Dell XPS 13 is the most compact 13.3-inch Ultrabook featuring an edge-to-edge glass, near "frameless" display, all-day battery life, and the latest innovative technology for a superb overall user experience.

I was really excited about the event since this was my first time to witness the collision of Art, Fashion and Technology. Launching the newest Dell computer in collaboration with the chic and voguish get-ups made by the well-known designer Paolo Cabahug was such a perfect event to rejoice artistry in fashion and technology. 

The Season of Lent is an important time for Christians because this is considered to be the time of reflection, repentance and mending of immoral living. As a Christian dominant country, Lenten Season became a culture in the Philippines, showing Filipinos' efforts of cleansing their sins though prayers, fasting, abstinence and alms-giving.  Filipinos are known for their evangelical celebration of Holy Week.  

During season of Lent, Poblacion, Makati City is notable because of the colorful and artistic put ups of the Stations of the Cross. Visiting the place is a wonderful act of contemplating Holy Week, engaging yourself to visualize the sufferings, death on the cross and the resurrection of Jesus Christ.