This policy is valid from 27 September 2007
This blog is a personal blog written and edited by me. For questions about this blog, please contact: ryanmacalandag99d@yahoo.com.
This blog accepts forms of cash advertising, sponsorship, paid insertions or other forms of compensation.
This blog abides by word of mouth marketing standards. We believe in honesty of relationship, opinion and identity. The compensation received may influence the advertising content, topics or posts made in this blog. That content, advertising space or post will be clearly identified as paid or sponsored content.
The owner(s) of this blog is compensated to provide opinion on products, services, websites and various other topics. Even though the owner(s) of this blog receives compensation for our posts or advertisements, we always give our honest opinions, findings, beliefs, or experiences on those topics or products. The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely the bloggers' own. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer, provider or party in question.
This blog does contain content which might present a conflict of interest. This content will always be identified.
Thursday, September 27, 2007
News: Disclosure Policy of this site
Ads: Cheaper ways to call abroad
I have a lot of friends abroad. Most of them are overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) trying to earn their keep leaving their families here in Philippines behind. There is Chichu who is in Dubai working at an astro-turf company. Taweng is also in Dubai. Mia married a guy who works in Dubai and they are starting their family there with their daughter. I will only mention a few.
As family-oriented Filipinos, getting in touch with families who are in other countries is a must. We spend lots of money calling them through cellphones or landlines. Chatting with them using online messengers is also rampant. We just can't spend a single moment not thinking about our families and loved ones who are away. Being sentimental and all that, moms, dads, sisters and friends want to know how they are doing and vice versa.
With the advent of the internet technology, there are a lot of cheaper ways to call and contact them now. The cheapest way to go is through Pingo global phone cards which delivers more than a billion international calling cards a month.
With the new Pingo Business and Family Plan, family members can now contact relatives from anywhere around the world with now equipment to purchase and with easy billing and management. Throw in some amazing bundled savings and it's perfect.
Pingo also features Pingo’s RateWatcher™ which assures you that you get the cheapest phone cards available and save up to 90% on your international cell phone calls with Pingo Mobile.
Pingo’s calling card affiliate program pays $15 for each new customer you refer. Just tell everyone about Pingo and voila! You get paid for referrals.
So, hurry up. The next time you buy prepaid calling cards to call your friends and family abroad, think Pingo. It's worth every peso.
Promotional Offers:
*Receive up to 5 hours of free International calls just for signing up for Pingo.
*Special phone card blog discount coupon: “ppp3” valid for $3 off Pingo
Related Pages:
cheap prepaid phone card
discount long distance
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(This is a paid ad.)
Ads: Travel the Supertravel Ski way
Have you gone to places lately? You need a break either way.
Supertravel, a UK-based travel agency can arrange you the trip of your life. With more than 40 years of hard-earned industry experience, Supertravel has dedicated departments to make your skiing or golfing holidays perfect. Travel specialists will assist you all the way.
Currently, Supertravel Ski has luxury ski chalets in Meribel, France and Courchevel, France. They also have it in St. Anton, Austria.
So, for your next luxury skiing holidays, always think Supertravel Ski. Food is always fantastic and wine is always romantic. Your chalet hosts will are all warm and attentive of your needs. They will pamper you with luxury and bathe you in opulence you may never want to go home.
You may also call Supertravel Ski to arrange trips and accommodations if you want to go to other ski hotels in the best ski resorts around the world.
So, check your calendars and plan out your next trip now.
(This is a paid ad.)
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
PayPerPost.com: I am now a pro-blogger!
Well, if getting paid to do "something" is a requirement to be a professional at that "something" then I am now officially a pro-blogger then. I am now a postie at payperpost, getting paid for sponsored posts.
PayPerPost.com is a website that caters to all pro-bloggers around. Payperpost, connects advertisers to pro-bloggers and vice versa. The site aims to provide online advertisers with a vast network of bloggers who are more than willing to post blogs regarding their products or promos for a minimal amount. Bloggers in turn, provide sponsors with the necessary links to drive traffic to their websites.
I have been a blogger for quite a long time now writing about photography and my work but haven't really been into "pro-blogging". Not that I don't wanna earn extra but I just didn't know where to start. I don't know but fate probably led me to payperpost. I was surfing around the net to look for ways to improve my searchabitly and my rankings on Google. Until I bumped into a blogger (forgot which site) who won and got paid for writing about some sponsor. From then on, I got really buzzed and immediately signed up for payperpost.
Now, I am writing my first payperpost sponsored post. I hope this won't be the last.
If you want to join and earn extra too, just log on to payperpost and sign-up. It's absolutely free.
If you want to know more, here are some points from the payperpost FAQ/help sheet:
Does my blog qualify?
You may accept Opportunities through PPP Direct at any time by placing the PPP Direct Badge on your blog. If you’d like to have your blog approved for Marketplace Opportunities, our Terms of Service offer specific requirements.
How do I choose the right categories?
You should select the categories that represent the main focus(es) of your blog. More information can be found here.
How often can I update my blog categories?
After updating your categories, you must wait 30 days before you may update them again.
How often are my blogs rankings going to be updated?
Our system will scan for updated ranking information if your ranks are more then 48 hours old when you log in to your PPP account.
How do I add a new blog?
Log in and go to the ‘my blogs’ tab. Scroll to the bottom of your current blog(s) and select the Add a Blog link. You must have 10 approved posts on an approved blog before you add another blog.
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Travel: Danao Adventure August 2007
Danao Eco-Adventure Tours
Magtangtang, Danao, Bohol
Our Danao Adventure trip was really special to me for a host of reasons. Top three reasons are:
- August 26, wedding anniversary
- my dad is from Danao
- we were with the "shiny happy people" gang
My dad, is from Cabatuan, Danao, Bohol. He spent his childhood roaming the jungles and woods, the rivers and caves, the simple beauty of what Danao was before. Now, we are enjoying the town in a whole new level. The long foot trails that my dad used to walk during moonless nights singing haranas to ladies in other barrios are now replaced with tire tracks of trucks, multicabs and habal-habals. We are spared from the 15-kilometer hike from the poblacion to the barrio, for sure.
And of course, without the "shiny happy people" we were with, the trip won't be crazy. Here's the list:
- Ryan (me)
- Reg
- Kinz
- John
- Weng
- Liza
- Joyce
- Jijaw
- Jeff
- Tuff
- Miriam
(More of this set, here.)
_________________________________
Photos by Ryan Macalandag
Gear: Nikon D80, SB-600
Copyright ©2007 All rights reserved. >>Keep Reading: More of This Post, Photos and Comments
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Photobin: Sail Away!
The Craft of Allan Gomez
Model maker and craftsman, Allan Gomez, uses indigenous and found-objects for his works. He makes boats, galleons, bancas, and other crafts from leaves or barks of local plants like bamboo or bananas.
He started making model galleons ten years ago when he was intrigued with how galleons look and thought about making a tiny version for himself. These days, people buy his galleons for at least 7T pesos. Not bad for a skill that seemed to have started as a mere hobby.
Allan has probably done more than a hundred different models to this day.
(More of this set, here.)
_________________________________
Photos by Ryan Macalandag
Gear: Nikon D80, SB-600
Copyright ©2007 All rights reserved.
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Gear: Nokia 6300
About a year ago and some months, my wife (girlfriend then) and I were cruising along the highway on a motorbike. Suddenly without notice, my Smartphone plopped out of my pocket and fell hard on the road. As if it was not enough, a huge-ass bus behind us finished the little gizmo off into little tiny pieces. Back to using my trusty old N3310 again.
Until recently, I got this, the new Nokia 6300:
Sleek, nice and spiffy. Easily connects to a PC too with a USB. Came with a 128mb micro-SD card. Best of all, it came with Sudoko, a very useful game if you got lots of time to burn away.
(More of this set, here.)
_________________________________
Photos by Ryan Macalandag
Gear: Nikon D80, SB-600, white illustration board
Copyright ©2007 All rights reserved.
Gear: Shoot Thru Umbrella
Basically, the output and diffusion level of a white umbrella and the silver one can be the same really if used skillfully. But the main difference is that you can actually stick the shoot-through nearer to the subject to get more of the wrapping effect of a huge light.
Here's the set-up of the photo above:
Had I used the silver version, the umbrella would have to be much farther from the subject. 
The lovely light fall-off on my semi-clenched hand also shows the effect of the white umbrella being really near. The light source is now bigger which translates to a more softer light.
Learn to Light at Strobist.
(More of this set, here.)
_________________________________
Photos by Ryan Macalandag
Gear: Nikon D80, SB-600, umbrella, lightstand
Copyright ©2007 All rights reserved.
Photobin: Wooden Gates to Eden
While segment-producing for a documentary film crew around places in Bohol, I shot this photo. This is the wooden gate of Amarella Beach Resort one of the best resorts in Panglao, Bohol. What amazed me was, while looking very old and weathered, these carved wooden planks are only "copies" actually.
Sometimes, I'd like to be a carpenter.
(More of this set, here.)
_________________________________
Photos by Ryan Macalandag
Gear: Nikon D80, SB-600, umbrella, lightstand
Copyright ©2007 All rights reserved.
Places: Doljo Point, Panglao, Bohol
In Bohol, there are still places unspoilt. One just has to go to the right places, know the right people. Take for example Doljo Point. I was here once a few years ago when it was clean and pristine. Now, it still is as beautiful as before.
Only about 20 minutes from the city, Doljo offers locals and visitors alike a slice of paradise.
Uhm, apologies if the "models" above kinduv spoiled the beauty of the beach. Pardon! =)
(More of this set, here.)
_________________________________
Photos by Ryan Macalandag
Gear: Nikon D80, SB-600, umbrella, lightstand
Copyright ©2007 All rights reserved.
Products: Digital Storybook Album
Aldner & Michelle's Digital Storybook Album
Although the couple had not include an album with their wedding photography package, the husband Aldner had ordered this after the wedding, without Michelle knowing it. It was supposedly Aldner's surprise for his wife on her birthday last August. And well, as was expected, Michelle cried with joy as soon as she received the gift.
Used for weddings, the digital storybook may be used for any other purpose or events though. It is a perfect gift to your loved ones (or even to yourself). The digital storybook album is a collection of beautiful photos which can last for many years to come because of its durability.
Order yours now! Please text or call 0921-570-6574 for more details.
Monday, September 03, 2007
Photobin: Party Photography
In recent months, parties and photography merged into a whole new level. Parties are now made way cooler with photographers who've brought their "studios" to parties. And party animals are getting crazier. The portable photo booth is hotter than the bar.
And they're not even drunk yet.
But then again I lie. Because after all the pictures were taken and all the poses exhausted, the videoke machine still ruled -- until the wee-est hours of the dawn.
It's not time, to make a change.
Just relax, take it easy.
You're still young.
There's so much you have to go through.
(More of this set, here.)
_________________________________
Photos by Ryan Macalandag
Shot using a Nikon D80
Copyright ©2007 All rights reserved.
Music: Suitcase 101 rocks hard
Bohol's band scene is very anemic. One can only count the number of bands around. (Not counting the regular show bands,) There are about 8. But more recently, these few who survived playing gigs here and about are starting to rocky really hard. Take Suitcase 101 for example. These kids are winning regional contests and are starting to record their own stuff. Yeah, it's been slow but the lack of record labels/companies picking up are not a hindrance. The bands are coughing up their own dough to finance their recordings. I salute.
And BTW, Arvin the drummer passed the recent Nursing Board exams. Gratz, pre!
(More of this set, here.)
_________________________________
Photos by Ryan Macalandag
Shot using a Nikon D80
Copyright ©2007 All rights reserved.
Places: Puntod Island getaway
Except for the "No Trespassing - Private Sign" sign, this deserted island/sandbar just a few minutes from Panglao was left to ourselves as we frolicked on it's white sand beaches and basked under a not-so-hot August sun. When we arrived only a few "wild" cats were seen roaming around in bushes. Apparently, these "feline islanders" were left to tend for their own by their heartless owners. The thought had Liza imagine of things only Stephen King would be interested in.
Our French friends, Miriam, Tuff, Lalol, Olivier and Rachel were obviously having a relaxing time dipping into the (shallow) water before we had lunch. Scott, the new guy (he's Australian), felt more adventurous and trekked around the island. It took him 5 minutes. Kinz, Liza and me stayed on the abandoned shack, bored. (Or hungry because the others were still swimming, and it was already 2 pm.)
Lunch was great. I showed the group how to peel a mango like a banana. They already knew how to, but told me only after a lengthy explanation. Bastards.
I dipped and swam also a bit. 
All in all, the trip was worth it really. Not counting the expensive boat (P1500), I recommend coming here every week to meditate and relax. Panglao is just a 20-minute ride from the city.
(More of this set, here.)
_________________________________
Photos by Ryan Macalandag
Shot using a Nikon D80
Copyright ©2007 All rights reserved.
