Congratulations to Badeedadee Marl for winning 3rd place at the Manny Librodo Awards!

Badeedadee Marl's winning photo "Human Canvas"

Congratulations to hubby Badeedadee Marl for winning the 3rd place at the Manny Librodo Awards 2010! He won a post-processing session with the master Manny Librodo that is worth Php 10,000! Thanks to all who supported us, your friends and relatives, to everybody who voted for him. Maraming salamat po!

Sir Manny did a thrilling announcement by announcing the Top 20 first. He then announced the Top 10 winners the day after. And after waiting anxiously for a few days, he announced the Top 3 winners for the first-ever Manny Librodo Awards, where our friend Benedict Gacutan won the first place. Again, thank you for the support all through out the competition! :)

Vote for Badeedadee Marl at the 2010 Manny Librodo Awards!

I've said this before and I'll say this again - I'm a fan of my husband's work. Not because I'm his muse most of the time (coz he has no choice LOL), but because he's really talented in his passion which is photography. And I'm always supportive of him in whatever he does - just like as he's supportive to what I do, too. And that's why our sweet tandem has been quite known to most of our friends, and fans alike. 


And there are times when my moral support can't suffice his need for support. Because he needs YOUR support, too. And this time, for the 2010 Manny Librodo Awards. It's very simple and you just have to follow these steps:

Badeedadee's entry: #56 Human Canvas. Vote now!

Step 1: Please LIKE Manny Librodo Photography page first. You cannot vote unless you do so. Then press BACK on your browsers to follow Step 2.

Step 2: Then LIKE Marlou's top entry: #56 Human Canvas.

Step 3: Click previous and LIKE his other entry: #57 Sundar.

Step 4: Feel free to leave comment on his entries.

Step 5: LIKE Badeedadee Photography page on FB (optional). 

You can spread the word and vote until January 25, 2010 sooo LET'S DO THIS, GUYS! WOOHOOOOO!

The 2010 Highlights

It was beautifully done. Cannot be undone. Thank you, 2010!

This wonderful year is setting back in the horizon to give way to another fabulous year and another decade to come. And now is the best time to look back on the beautiful things that have happened during the past year and decade. Of course, it's the last day of the year 2010 and the last day of the first decade of the 2nd millennium.

The year 2010 did start off with a big blast. It just got better and better, ands is now ending with still, a major blast. Let's take a look at the highlights of my year 2010. Time to count our blessings...

• LIBRODIZED I remember when I first met the master of portraiture, Manny Librodo. Marl attended his photography workshop in Cebu for the first time in January 2010 and I had a chance to meet him after the workshop. I've been a fan of his work for years and meeting him was the highlight of our month-long holiday then - I was indeed Librodized. But what I didn't know was it indeed embarked something beautiful. I became one his models, along with the beautiful British-Thai model-cum-actress Krystal Vee, on his 2 workshops in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and a friendship evolved thereafter. He again asked me to be one of the models for his workshops in Manila and Cebu, along with his other muse Kharunisia Jazmin. We're thankful for the opportunities that he has given me and Marl and for the friendship he has unselfishly offered to us.
• YAHOO! FOR ME I was featured on the homepage of Yahoo! Philippines, not only once, but twice in a row. Somehow, the video of me singing a Michael Jackson medley and doing the moonwalk in my long gown and high heels was recognized by Yahoo! And a week after that, they featured me again with a video of me doing my Michael Jackson impersonation back in 2008 - with a flying shoe! Yahoooooo indeed! :)
• SABAT Following my Yahoo! features, I was interviewed by MgaEpal.com people. And it was the most hilarious interview I've ever had. Crazy, if I may add.
• BEAUTY ENDORSEMENT Being the spokesperson and endorser for Dr. Taize Gold Sheep Placenta Plus is one of the great things that happened to me this year. Why not? It's a great health and beauty product of Malaysia to endorse. And I swear by it  - I'm taking the capsules. Lots of their local celebrities use it, too.
• MAGAZINE FEATURES I had an opportunity to meet the people at BluInc Group, the biggest publisher of magazines in Malaysia, and from then on, they had asked to pose for them. One was a full page beauty spread and another was on the cover of their 50th year anniversary edition - both for Her World magazine, one of the famous magazines in Malaysia. Then, MYBatik magazine in KL featured me as their model draped in nothing but, uhmm, batik cloths - all 11 pages of it!
• CERTIFIED MAKEUP ARTIST I was so happy when I finally got my certificate all the way from Toni&Guy London after waiting for 9 long months after taking up a makeup course with Toni&Guy Essensuals under the supervision of celebrity makeup artist, Cheryl Cabanos.
• LITTLE SUPERSTAR Who wouldn't be proud of your own child if she's as good as our little princessette? She has already won singing competitions in her school but joining and ending up as one of the top 5 contenders for Filipino Superstar in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia sure proved everyone that she has the X-Factor! :)
• BILLBOARD AD Marl and I graced the big billboards (and lightboxes) for shopping mall in Shah Alam, Malaysia called SpaceU8. Yes, Badeedadee Marl is also a model. FYI. :)
• SUCCESSFUL CHARITY SHOW I was blessed to be given an opportunity to perform for the Filipino community in my first-ever solo show in KL that was co-organized by the Philippine Embassy in Kuala Lumpur for the National Cancer Society Malaysia. It also helped my former colleague Aretha in raising funds for her pancreatic tumor surgery (which was successful).
• MY EYE & I I know you've heard me rant about my recent pink eye drama here on my site, on Facebook and on Twitter. I think there's just something with me and my eye this year. Especially when I accidentally hit it with a microphone in February! LOL.
• FUNSHOOTS As I have mentioned above, meeting Manny Librodo has opened a lot of opportunities for me to meet other creative mind alike and work with the finest through his photography workshops and fun photoshoots that were organized by mostly his students in his workshops. My portfolio couldn't even keep up! Salamat talaga, Sir Manny!
• PLACES AND FACES I've been to lots of places in Philippines this year aside from the usual Manila/Cebu route - all for the sake of photography. Along with that, I've worked with sooo many talented and creative people from makeup artists, stylists, designers, models, and photographers like Jim Paredes. And yes, I have gained lots of new friends - in real life. But yes, I also met lots of new friends on Twitter and Facebook this year. LOL.
• CATWALKED I have had offers to do different events as a model since I went back to Manila in August but I only agreed to do it with Wella Professionals on 3 different occasions: Wella SP Launching, Decoré Launching (where I started the show while posing on an descending escalator), and the biggest international hair event of the year, Hair Asia 2010.
• WEEEE FOR BADEEDADEE Marl has become quite known in his passion which is photography. His recent works show the great improvement that this year has brought him. If you haven't seen his work yet, better 'like' it now.
• HUMBLE ABODE We have finally moved in to our condo unit in Mandaluyong City which we have been renting out to our good tenants for 5 years. It's not the posh kind that I have always dreamed of but it's a sweet happy place that I can call home.

There you go. Did I miss anything? No, I didn't forget the other things that were less satisfactory than good. I just thought that they should rather be labeled as "lessons to learn from". To those who've been part of our 2010, THANK YOU. Your presence in our life was not a coincidence. We were meant to meet you to know what our purpose-driven life has in store for us.

Trust me, there were lots of other great things that happened to me this year. It was so unbelievable that it's as if lady luck was on my side. And I can feel the energy and the positive vibes of the coming year 2011. But for now, let's count all these blessings. Let's continue sharing our blessings, love, peace, and harmony to everyone we know. 

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE! CHEERS TO THE COMING YEAR 2011!

Old City, New Passion - A Manny Librodo Workshop in Manila

For more than a year of being a professional model, specifically in Malaysia, I've had my share of good and bad experiences with different people I've worked with on most shoots. But one photographer I enjoy working with - no matter what - is one of the top 5 photographers in the world according to Scott Kelby and who my husband Marl looks up to, Mr. Manuel "Manny" Librodo, Jr..

I have worked with him in Kuala Lumpur for 2 workshops and have had some fun shoot with him after those workshops. Fun shoots are usually done just for fun - it's not work - but still carefully planned and conceptualized. And this time, we did it again in my hometown... MANILA!

OLD CITY, NEW PASSION

When I worked with Manny during his second workshop in Kuala Lumpur this year last July, he mentioned to us that he'd be doing a workshop in Manila and is looking for models. Since I knew that we'd be coming back to the Philippines by then, I volunteered to be one - who wouldn't want to be his model? So after weeks of communicating with the organizers and the stylists, the day had finally come.

August 21 (Saturday) was the day I was so looking forward to. I think my Twitter friends would have agreed on that because I've been tweeting about that and even underwent to a very strict diet and workout just for the workshop.

Days before the shoot, I would send SMS to Sir Manny because I'm worried about the gloomy weather. It had been raining on & off for days and we heard that there was a typhoon coming. But with a full determination, he replied to me a day before the workshop with a quote worth writing about:

"Makikisabay ang panahon sa atin bukas. Kung hindi.... tayo ang makikisabay sa panahon. :)" - Manny Librodo

The day started very early at 6AM. And with the bright blue sky & the morning sun shining bright, I knew that Sir Manny was right. We all met up at Orchidarium in Luneta Park. The other makeup artists, stylists and models followed and we all started to glam up for the shoot. I am my own makeup artist - and boy, was I soooo thrilled!

Behind the scenes (click to view)

THE FIRE PRINCESS

The stylists and their muses (1st set)

My first set was a Fire concept. My stylist, Tiffany Cheung of Lifestyle by Feliz, gave me pegs of the look she wanted me to have. I did my makeup for an hour because I had to hide my eyebrows with an eyebrow sealer. The fun started when I wore the red wig and the gown created by Jearson Demavivas. It fit me just great like it was really made for me... and yes, I love how my cleavage looked in his creation! Hahaha! But panic started when I tried the red contact lenses, it just hurt! But after a few attempts and shedding real tears for that, I managed to pull it off just fine. Jearson also painted some fire thingy on my shoulder and chest. Loved it!

We then went to Puerta Real Gardens in Intramuros, a short drive from Orchidarium, where the photographers were waiting for us as they finished Kharunisia Jazmin's first set. Along with me were the other concepts: Fire and Indian. We were assigned by Manny to different locations in the garden as he divided the group of participating photographers into 3 - one group per model at a given time. I love the dress but since it's a corset dress, I couldn't bend my midsection so much thus limiting me with some of the poses I've conceptualized before the shoot. But it all went well. Thanks to my stylist, Tiffany, who was always there to assist me from my tangled wig to carrying my sandals for me. Love you, Tiff!

THE SAFARI PRINCESS

We were then asked to change into the second set... mine was the Safari theme. My stylist this time was Rica De Leon of Lifestyle by Feliz with a dress created by Jerome Salaya Ang. I super love this concept because I love earth colors and I feel good in them. Doing a brownish tinge of makeup is my forte as I've always loved to be tanned. I backcombed my hair and sprayed it with an extreme hold hairspray and a gold color hairspray. The dress was a bit too tight on my thighs, but as the other stylist named Lia said, "Tight is good!".

The Safari theme on me was cut into two sets, a quick photoshoot at the Baluarte de San Diego where I was photographed with a carriage and after lunch at Orchidarium itself. The lunch at Orchidarium was a great bonding time with everyone. Food was great but I couldn't eat - I was still in an adrenalin rush. Afterwards, we sang a birthday song to Kharu as Sir Manny presented a birthday cake for her. Then we went for a short retouch time. Feliz Diestro, the head stylist and a known prenup stylist, lent me more props and more accessories to wear. Weeeeee!

I was so much in my element at this time even though it drizzled on and off. Working with Manny in the past has made me feel at ease during this workshop that I even craved for more difficulty and challenge. Manny even had me lying on the pavement in my designer dress! I trust Manny in everything he wanted me to do because I know how he visualizes each shot. Soon enough, we were called for a group shot and Manny did a simple thank you speech to all of us. It was indeed a great workshop with lots of energy from everyone! :)

Manny Librodo with the models, participants, stylists, MUAs, organizers

Thank you "major major" to the effort of our hardworking stylists, especially to Tiffany Cheung and Rica De Leon. Thanks to my husband Marl who assisted me and for being my fashion and beauty consultant all the time. Thanks to the Image Nation for organizing the workshop. To all the participants who have tried their best to capture the best shots, galing nyo! And to the master, Manny Librodo, thank you so much for the opportunity again!

NEXT UP... CEBU!

And I'm fortunate enough to work with Manny Librodo again in his Cebu workshop on September 12, 2010. See you there, Cebuanos! :)

CLICK ON ANY PHOTO BELOW TO SEE MY UPDATE PORTFOLIO

Related Links

• Manny Librodo's Landscape of Emotions in KL 1 in June 2010
• Manny Librodo's Landscape of Emotions in KL 2 in July 2010

A Day with the Master of Portraiture Manny Librodo

When I posed for the workshop of Manny Librodo, Landscape of Emotions, in Kuala Lumpur recently, I really had so much fun. The images turned out great from all the participants which clearly showed the different kind of post-processing that Manny Librodo has always been known for. But what most friends didn't know was the best things are yet to come. Because a day after the workshop, I had the very rare opportunity to spend the morning with the master of portraiture, Manny Librodo, along with the best assistants, Dr. Ban Hup Teh and my husband Marl "BadeeDadee" Cabusas, and be their only subject.

Since we performed the night before, I found it hard to get some rest. But at least, I managed to sleep for an hour. At around 7AM, my friend Reen picked us (Marl, Selena, and myself) up from the hotel and we met up with Manny and Dr. Teh at the Mines Resort. From there, we went to a very big house that is owned by Dr. Teh's friend. It was no ordinary mansion because as soon as we entered the house, we were ushered to the elevator/lift and was taken to the best part of the house... the theatre! My jaw dropped when I saw the hi-tech equipments at the engineer's booth and I couldn't believe my eyes when Manny brought me to the dressing room full of colorful costumes. Ball gowns, Chinese traditional costumes and chongsams, Japanese kimonos, masks, hats, wigs, headdresses, gloves, and all sorts of different costumes and props. And Manny was right. He knew that I'd be speechless and could only utter "Wow!" every now and then.

Manny gave me the freedom to choose what I'd like to wear for my 3 sets/wardrobe changes. He said he wanted an elegant ball gown for my first set and as suggested by Krystal the day before, I chose the purple ball gown. After doing my own makeup and hair in the dressing room, we went to the living room of the mansion and we started shooting. We also used different beautiful masks as props.

On my second set, Manny wanted an oriental Chinese opera theme again that was a bit similar to the one I wore for the workshop, with a different design and headdress. I did my makeup slightly different instead of just smearing the eyeshadow color around my eyes. We then went up to the rooftop and started shooting at the rooftop garden/patio. After the rooftop session, we went back to the theatre's dressing room to change my headdress to blue. We went to the study room where the owners love to do their Chinese paintings.

The last set was something that I haven't done before - a Japanese Kabuki theme. Doing my own Kabuki makeup was a bit of a challenge as I had to make my skin powdery white. I wore a blue Japanese kimono with a pillow at the back with matching Kabuki wig/headdress. For once, it was also a challenge for pose to be under the noontime sun at the rooftop in my oh-so-thick face, errr, makeup. LOL.

It was tiring as it was my second day of almost no-sleep at all but it was all worth it. Great bonding time and working moments with the master of portraiture, Manny Librodo, along with the other masters in their own right, Dr. Ban Hup Teh and Marl "BadeeDadee" Cabusas. It was also a great time bonding with my daughter Selena, who was my efficient assistant by the way, on her last day in town before going back to Manila. And how can I ever repay my friend Reen for being so supportive and for being the "reflectorer" that day. Thanks, Reen!

CHECK OUT MY ONLINE PORTFOLIO FOR THE PHOTOS!!!

Here are some of the shots by Manny Librodo in my ball gown and mask...

Here are some of Dr. Ban Hup Teh's shots of me in my Chinese opera look.

And here's BadeeDadee's amazing shots, too. Be a fan of his work!

Landscape of Emotions - A Manny Librodo Workshop in Kuala Lumpur

FLASHBACK

I was very fortunate enough that my husband Marl attended Manny Librodo's workshop in Cebu. He wasn't supposed to go as he wasn't sure if we'd still be in Cebu during that 3rd week of January. But seems like the gravitational force of the universe really wanted him to attend the workshop, as of all the ones in the waiting list, he was the one who was called by the organizer when they knew that one slot was left open by another participant who backed out during the last minute. Marl was meant to be part of the workshop for sure. Before Marl left for the workshop that day, I told him to tell Manny that I would love to meet him personally. And I was so thankful that he did because Manny, who's been my contact in a modeling site, asked me to join them for dinner after their 1-day workshop. Boy, was I glad even though I was sick at that time. I was able to meet all the top photographers in Cebu who participated in the said workshop, and was fortunate enough to meet the very beautiful Kharunisia "Kharu" Jazmin and of course, the world renowned Filipino photographer, Mr. Manuel "Manny" Librodo.

A DREAM COME TRUE

Having known Manny Librodo's work for years now and having him regarded as one of Marl's inspiration in his photography, I have turned myself into a stalking fan of Librodo who would always check out his Pbase gallery and his Facebook page for his recently posted works. And there was this question in my mind, "When can I be photographed by this talented person?". And not long after that, we got a message from him few months ago that he would be having a workshop in KL. I was so excited and even suggested Marl to attend the workshop again. But it just got better. Manny asked me if I'd be willing to be one of the models for the workshop along with the Thai model cum actress Krystal Vee as the main model. And I said, "WHAAAAAAT?!?!?!?! OMG! That's insane!!! OMG! I'd definitely do it. OMG! I must do it. In this lifetime!!!". LOL.

I mean, who wouldn't want to pose for Manny Librodo? He's like the Filipino king of portraiture in ambient lighting! He's like... he's like... a dream photographer whom most models would want to shoot with. OH MY GAWWWWD! I kept staring at his message on our Facebook wall for hours in disbelief - most of my Twitter followers know that. LOL. And he asked for Marl's assistance to be his VA aka "reflectorer" which Marl was so glad to do because he'd be part of the photo session, too, and having some chance to steal some shots. :)

THE WORKSHOP

I've been looking forward to that day and was wishing nothing but for me to not fall sick when he came to KL for the workshop on June 5th. And my wish was granted as I was in my most top shape when I arrived in the workshop - except for the nasty mosquito bite under my eye right before the shoot.

There were 15 participants, a makeup artist, Manny's assistant Marl, Krystal Vee, a local model named Sofea and myself. The workshop was organized by Dr. Ban Hup Teh. They provided a costume for me which perfectly fit the Chinese Opera theme complete with the headdress. I was my own makeup artist so I matched my makeup with the costume. The photos came out outstanding!

I was supposed to only have a single set while Krystal was changing for her 2nd set, so I was so thrilled when Manny asked me if it's okay if they continue shooting me using some of the props that were available there (I also brought some). BUT OF COURSE!!! So instead of having just a set, I ended up having a scarfed look with a fake fringe for my 2nd set and a middle eastern look for the last set. It was all good and I had so much fun posing for the participants and of course, for Manny and Dr. Teh.

Marl, on the other hand, did a great job on being the VA or the 'reflectorer'. He had his chance to take some stolen shots, too. Clever guy. :) But towards the end of the workshop when I wasn't busy anymore, I replaced him as the 'reflectorer' for him to take better shots of Krystal's last set in sexy costume.

After the workshop, Dr. Teh, Krystal, Manny, Marl, and I enjoyed a delicious lunch at a Thai restaurant near Concorde Hotel Shah Alam, where they stayed during the weekend. It was great to get to know them well. They also went to the Pub to watch our show. We're soooo humbled. :)

Dr. Ban Hup Teh, Marl, Krystal Vee, Manny Librodo, and Sarita
at The Pub of the Shangri-La Hotel Kuala Lumpur

FUN INDEED

I really had fun throughout the workshop. It was a great experience and the participants were fun to work with. Dr. Teh, the organizer, was so helpful in most ways and made sure that I got everything that I needed. Sofea, the local model, was so sweet. The beautiful Krystal was unbelievably easy-going and down-to-earth. Manny, of course, is THE man. :)

CLICK ANY OF THE PICS BELOW TO BE FORWARDED TO MY PORTFOLIO!

Chinese Opera Theme

Veiled Temptress

Behind the scenes by Dr. Ban Hup Teh, Jonathan Khee, and BadeeDadee

The participants with the models and Manny Librodo

PS: Dr. Ban Hup Teh is organizing another workshop of Manny Librodo in July 31 and August 1. Visit his website for more details and to reserve a slot (if there's an available one).