A day of work with Mr. Jim Paredes

So I've been following Mr. Jim Paredes on Twitter for quite some time now. Why not? He's one the legends as one of the big contributors to the Philippine music industry. To those who don't know him, he is a great composer and music producer and he's one of the members of APO Hiking Society - their music lives on definitely! And as a photography enthusiast, he's now holding photography classes and creativity workshops when he's not busy.

Last week, Jim tweeted that he needs 2 models for his basic photography workshop. Seeing an opportunity to meet him personally and to do some work while being a professional lazy bum at home, Marl replied on behalf of me. After a few email exchanges, cancellation of other appointments and rescheduling of a TV commercial I was supposed to do - it was all set. :)

Jim Paredes and me
Saturday came. Took a cab to Mr. Jim's place in Loyola Heights. The problem was, the driver didn't know how to get there. So we took chances of "finding" the location by using my iPhone's map. LOL. And after reaching Marikina and getting lost in the highway, we finally got there at 4:20PM - call time was 4:00PM. I was a tad late.

When I came in, Mr. Jim was in a middle of his class and his students were all in the garden taking some interesting shots of their subjects. I introduced myself and I was then asked to pose right away - in my casual getup. And what does a model do when there are around 18 cameras pointed at her? Strike a pose... Vogue! LOL.

Getting used to workshops where emotions should be shown from facial expressions & eye contact, I had a bit of difficulty starting off in Mr. Jim's workshop at first because he asked me to NOT project much. I always forget that it's a basic photography workshop. LOL. But after a few minutes, I got into the flow and lovin' every second of it.

When I was asked to change in my sexy attire for the studio lighting setup - the red dress that I wore during my recent Pinoy Rockin' Rollin' show in KL - I felt a little more confident. It's like feeling who I really am. Guess I really miss performing that much. After the studio session, the students were given their certificates, we had some group photos, and we went off.

There was another model named Erica, a sweet girl from Tarlac. It was her first time to pose for a workshop and when she asked me how old I was, I asked her in return "How old are you muna?". She said she's 16 and my remark was "OMG, you're half my age!". She was stunned. LOL.

It was really great to finally meet Jim Paredes and although it was just a basic photography class, it was just as fun as my other professional shoots. Thanks Sir Jim for the opportunity! :) Below are some of the  photos taken by Sir Jim himself, only my fave ones... :)

Shots by Mr. Jim Paredes



Group photo during the workshop

11-page feature for fashion spread in MYBatik magazine

Sarita Carreon for MYBatik's Special Raya issue
Remember in June when I had a photoshoot for a magazine which wasn't really the best experience yet something that we all have learned from? Well, it's finally out - yay for that! But it only came out when I already went back to the Philippines - boo on that. I would have appreciated an SMS or anything to let me know that the magazine is already out but no one from the magazine informed me. If it weren't for my friend Reen, whom I have asked favor from to check the major bookstores every now and then, I wouldn't have known that it's already out. (Love ya, Reen!)

Anyway, bygones.

MYBatik, priced at RM18, is a quarterly published magazine that talks about the different issues, lifestyle, and fashion related to the batik arts and/or batik cloths and clothings. And I'm fortunate enough that my photos for the fashion spread of the said magazine are on its 11 pages (+1 for inside back cover - not included here) for its special Raya issue, the 11th issue for the months of August, September, and October. The photo on the right is the cover where it has Yang Terama Mulia Tunku Syed Razman on it. You can go buy them at famous bookstores in KL like MPH. And if you have spare pocket money, I'd appreciate a copy (since I'm not there to buy 20 magazines LOL!). And you can also visit their website.

Kudos to MYBatik magazine for the outstanding photos and of course to my friend, Reen, who have toured the different MPH bookstores even before this issue was published and for capturing the pages through her digital camera and sending the photos to me via email.

Here are the photos from the said magazine (click to appreciate) :)




Guess who are on a BIG billboard in Malaysia?

Space U8 Mall billboard ad
Yes, it's Marl and I!!! Weeeee! Our recent big project in Malaysia is now out just before we left Malaysia. Space U8 Mall management contacted my husband Marl and me to be the models for the ad. Marl was hesitant at first, but he was convinced eventually.

And mind you, it's not just an ad... it's a BIG BILLBOARD AD! Weeeeeeee! The billboard - hopefully not the only one - is situated at the Batu 3 Hi-way. It also appeared in lightboxes at the Batu 3 toll gate going to Shah Alam.

For the fun of it, we went to the billboard's location along with my godmom Susana and my good friend Reen. :)

We would like to thank our friends Imelda and Terry Teo for this great opportunity. Thank you sooooo much! Visit Space U8 site for more info about the mall.

Note: This video was made purely just for fun & for personal use.

Wanna comment on the video? Click here.

Follow me on twitter.com/saritaonline

Since your real life has just begun... Happy Birthday, hubby!

Just reached Manila today and my body is still winding down from the busy schedule we had in KL. I'm enjoying the moment with the princessette and she was surprised when we picked her up from school today. :)

Anyway, I just want to make this quick and greet my husband Marl a very very happy 40th birthday! I'm so proud of your improvement (in your passion - photography) and achievements. You've been very supportive of what I do passionately and for that I thank you. I want you to know that you will always have my support and understanding in whatever you do. I know real life begins today for you.... so enjoy it while you can!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! YOUR DADDY'S LITTLE GIRL SELENA AND I LOVE YOU SO MUCH! :)

PS: Stay handsome and hot, aight? :)

One more day in Kuala Lumpur

This might be my last blog while I'm in KL this time around. And it really makes me feel sad. I hate goodbyes. I know I shouldn't be all mushy and stuff because I've been traveling for the past 13 years and I face the same moment almost every half a year. But this time is so much different.

THE OPPORTUNITIES
This year has been the BEST YEAR for Marl and I, career-wise. This trip has given us lots of opportunities to prove our worth. Just to round it up, these are the things that recently happened in KL.
  • Working with top photographers in Malaysia and being the model of the photography workshop of the world-renown famous Filipino photographer, Manny Librodo, in June and July.
  • Appearing in HerWorld magazine August issue for a beauty spread.
  • Being the endorser/spokesperson for the beauty product, Dr.TaizĂ© Sheep Placenta Plus
  • Being the "supposed" model in myBATIK magazine Aug-Sept issue (don't know whatever happened to that LOL)
  • Having had a successful concert Pinoy Rockin' Rollin' in 08-08-10
  • Posing for the upcoming mall Space U8 in Shah Alam (on a huge billboard!)

THE PEOPLE
We have met lots of great people and rekindled with those old ones we have lost touch with. And best of all, we have made great friends with a few special people - and that's more important for us than anything else in this world and something that money can't buy. 

First and foremost, I'd like to thank Melanie or Melfay for always being there and for being the efficient little sister that we never had... we love you. For your uploaded videos of the band which has helped us a lot, thanks. For being Selena's big sister and for spoiling her with ice cream when I'm not around, thanks you. To your family, Melinda, Megdalyn, Michael, Jacy and the 2 little boyfriends of mine, thank you for the thorough support you've shown, not only to the band, but to each of us, especially to Aretha. You guys are our family here in KL. I love you guys!

To Reen, my best buddy this time around and my fighting dude (LOL), really thank you for the times we've shared, we've laughed, we've whined about things, etc. For the support all the way, from waking up in the early morning just to pick us up because of our crazy photoshoots up to the time for being there when I want to just release my angst by biting you and "clawing" you. LOL. For letting me sleep in your car and letting Marl do his "Farmville" nap behind. For assisting me in most of my shoots, for driving us around and getting lost in the highway somewhere, for carrying my heavy bags, for removing the dandruff from my hair (hahaha), not to mention your presence almost every night at the Pub to support our band... thank you sooooo much. I love you to the bits!

(Sorry I just couldn't help it. I'm now in tears and I just tweeted about it.)

To Kuya Terry and Imelda, thank you for all the words of wisdom and for all the help you have given us, especially the love you've shown to Selena - even though your very own daughter Jasmine gets jealous of the attention you give to my daughter (hahaha!), thank you! For all the doors of opportunities you have shown and given to us, we will forever be so grateful for that.

To the Shangri-La KL management especially to those in the front desk, concierge, and The Pub staff, thanks for all the support. To our guests at The Pub, to my tweethearts in KL, and to those who have always requested the best songs for us to sing every night - thank you so much!

To all the friends we have made through photography and modeling, to all who have given us a fair chance to show what we can do, and to all who have supported Marl in his Badeedadee Photography and who have supported my modeling by buying the magazine I appear in and appreciating our works of art, you guys are our inspiration. Thank you so much!

To those who have attended my recent successful show Pinoy Rockin' Rollin' - maraming salamat po, especially to those behind it. And most specially to my 'manager', Mrs. Cherina Chacko - thank you for believing in me. To everyone who has been part of our lives this time around in KL, TERIMA KASIH!

DESTINATION: HOME
Looking at the brighter side of things, we're finally flying home to Manila! Tomorrow, we'll see our little princessette, Selena. I would love to do some shoots and some gigs so if any of you guys have anything for me, leave me a message.

Follow my updates on twitter.com/saritaonline! :)

Pinoy Rockin' Rollin with SARITA - a huge success!

It was a show that we have long planned to have. Something that we wanted to do for charity. And since my colleague Aretha needed money for her recent surgery, it was also a great opportunity for us to raise some funds for her and of course, for the National Cancer Society Malaysia.

The show actually went well and it was considered a huge success. I performed most of the requested songs from Lady Gaga, Beyonce, Shakira, Wondergirls and of course, Michael Jackson.Thanks to all who have participated in this great show for a good cause. My friends Level Up band (Jun, Jhazmine, Edlyn, Toto & Omet), to Arlyn Hafiz, to the Electric Youth Dancers, St. John Dancers, Zumba Kids, and all who got themselves involved... BIG THANK YOU!

And to the great crowd last night, especially to my ever supportive friends... THANK YOU FOR BELIEVING IN ME! You always bring out the best in me! I love you guys!

Below is the playlist of the videos taken by my friend Melfay86. Check it out!

Manny Librodo's Landscape of Emotions in KL 2

I've been quite busy lately as it was our last week of performance at the Pub and at the same, lots of scheduled shoots - like this shoot that I was raving about. I was so flattered to be the model on Manny Librodo's workshop, Landscape of Emotions 2,  in Kuala Lumpur - for the second time around - along with the beautiful Thai-model-cum-Hollywood-actress Ms. Krystal Vee. But this time, we are joined by another model Keerat and a male model Kenneth. And again, it's organized by Dr. Ban Hup Teh.

My good friend Reen purposely took a leave from her work to assist us as the reflectorer, driver, and assistant on that day. I think she must take all the credits for being the one who made it possible for us to attend this workshop. Marl was as equally excited as this was considered his 2nd workshop with Manny Librodo after Cebu, because he was the VA during Manny's first workshop in KL. But this time, he really took everything seriously.

I rented a Javanese outfit from CentreStage DynamicVision studio in preparation for this shoot. Rental wasn't cheap at all. The whole outfit complete with the headdress, accessories, and all costed RM150. But it's really nice. Second set was a Chinese outfit with long purple 'chong-sam' and a matching headdress.

Other sets were bridal and Chinese for Krystal, Indian for Keerat and our male model just became my partner on some photos as well as Krystal's.

I had fun and much more confident this time. Marl and I adore Manny and Krystal so it was really another great opportunity for us not to be missed. Also, we had another fun shoot the day after the workshop!!! :)

WATCH OUT FOR THE PHOTOS IN MY PORTFOLIO!!!

OR


OR

Pinoy Rockin' Rollin' - a show for a cause

This has been an event long planned by my agent's wife whom I have regarded to as a godmom, Cherina Chacko, and was only finalized recently. And what a great timing because I just finished my contract with Shangri-La Hotel Kuala Lumpur and also, my colleague Aretha needs financial help on her surgery on pancreatic tumor. This event is also in cooperation with National Cancer Society.

Date: August 8, 2010 Sunday
Time: 2:00PM to 10:00PM but my performance will be around 6PM
Venue: The Palace Club, Sheraton Imperial Hotel, Jalan Sultan Ismail KL
Attire: Smart casual or MJ attire (gloves, hat, etc)
Ticket price: RM 35 inclusive of 1 drink
Organized by Cherina Chacko in cooperation with National Cancer Society

Click the tickets for more info

Follow me my updates on twitter @saritaonline

Time to say goodbye to The Pub


It has been such a great 6-month period at The Pub, and another great contract with the Shangri-La Hotel KL for the 7th time overall!

I remember very well that when we first started playing at there, expectations were set very high as we have replaced its resident band for the past 3 years, D'Adza Band. Of course it was at first stressful on our part because we were so used
to play at the lobby lounge but soon enough, we were able to adjust ourselves and got into the rhythm of fun. We have met lots of great new friends and have had lots of fun especially in the weekends.

Our last 2 night performances were a lot of fun, especially on our last night performance. As expected, I got drunk from the mix of drinks that I had: tequila, red wine, champagne, whiskey, the killer "blowjob" courtesy of The Pub staff. It was fun but it wasn't fun the day after with a hangover. LOL

Gonna miss the fun and the people at The Pub. Really time to say goodbye...

PS: Thanks Chef Nizam for the cake! :)

UPDATE:
Here are couple videos taken by my friend Reen.

Marthy sings "Hero" by Mariah Carey then Sarita sings "Baby" by Justin Bieber...


Marthy with "Sweet Dreams" > Sarita with "Waka Waka" > Sarita with "Nobody"


Posted by ShoZu