Hanami (花見 - "flower viewing")

Kinda late on this post, as the cherry blossoms have been winded away by now. But I had the opportunity to experience Hanami in Japan for the first time. I saw some sakura (cherry blossoms) in Fujisawa, Shonandai, Roppongi and Odawara. How beautiful they are..... I spent hanami first with the crew from W+K Tokyo Lab and it was a fun experience. Later on in that week, I went to Odawara Castle with wifey and her mom. Good times looking at the sakura with a cold can of beer. Ahhhhh...

Please click HERE for the photos.

Funny how time flies...

So today marks my one month anniversary since i've moved to Japan. Life's been pretty chill for now until I get the proper docs to allow me to work. I've been seeing old friends and trying to meet some too. I've been spending most of my time at home and practicing my hiragana and katakana, as well as learning some Photoshop, After Effects and Illustrator skills from online tutorials. The one thing I need to do is polish up my cover letter, so that when my visa arrives, i'm able to work a.s.a.p. I've been trying to occupy my time up with online tutorials, surfing the web, reading a book and occasionally stepping out of the house to go for short walks around the neighbourhood.

About 2 weeks ago, I went to a live show in Kichijoji, Tokyo, with Ephraim and Masako, to check out Hifana and some other live acts. This was my first time seeing Hifana live and to my surprise Semba-san and a group of percussionists and musicians, Kargamos, with Hifana collectively played great music. I had the privilege of meeting more of the W+K Tokyo staff through one of the Creative Directors, Shane Lester, that I had met while on my trip to L.A. last November. They are all personable and great! It was a good night of great music and company.

While the hunt is still on, i'll do my best to update you all on a regular basis.

For a review of the live show, please go HERE.

For photos of the evening, please go HERE.

Video of the Hifana and Semba show soon to follow.

Day One LA - Oct.31, 2008 - Happy Halloween!!

I'm currently in LA to attend an art show on Saturday night. Happy Halloween to all! Thanks to my cousin Mike for taking me out on my first night here. If you've never been to LA (West Hollywood) for Halloween, I definitely recommend it. People were in good spirits and dressed to impress. Drank a bit much, but a LA Hotdog is the s**t!! Thank you to all who let me take photos of, as well as to all of the Japanese groups too. ありがとうございます！！

For photos, please check them out HERE.

The Boyscouts Photo Shoot - October 15, 2008

One cold day in October, about 2 weeks ago, I took some photos of my good friends and Vancouver's top DJ crew, the Boyscouts. The Boyscouts, established in 1997, DJs Marlon J. English and P-Luv have proven themselves to be a ruling sound of Vancouver BC, surrounding territories and beyond. You can check out some of the shots on the Boyscouts Flickr page, as well as at www.cutnrender.com in the Photo Gallery. Come party with the Boyscouts at The Blend at Republic Wednesdays and at other Donnelly Nightclubs.

The Boyscouts of Vancity

<< Rewind << G's Stag - Sept.27, 2008

My best friend Gerald had his stag on Saturday, Sept.27. It was a day of good fun and good company. Check out some of the photos HERE.

Y&G 10-04-08 Photos

This is the special day when Young and Gerald got married. It was a great day, despite the rain, but all who attended witnessed Young's and Geralds' love and committment to eachother. It was a day of laughs and tears of happiness. Congratulations to both Young and Gerald!!

Photos are finally up. You can check them out HERE.

SVS 3 Year Anniversary @ Plush - Sept.13, 2008

The SVS Style Dance Crew celebrated, and not only brought the sexy, but the real hip-hop, to the stage at Plush Nightclub for their 3 Year Anniversary. From songs from Digable Planets to Pharcyde of the 90's, the ladies delivered a memorable performance. Another video of the performance will be coming soon. But for now, check out the video below. Thanks to Rowe for coming through and taking more photos, as well as to OJ for the SVS Style banner, and to DJ Hedspin (Eh! Team DJs/ Kut Co./ Heds Up Marketing) for the dope music track! Be sure to check SVS' website and blog.

Check out the photos HERE.

Livestock Block Party 2008 - Photos

Okay, so this weekend was just party, after party, after party. From Friday at Republic with DJ OMG to the Hastings Set "Freedom" Party, to Saturday at Plush for SVS Style Dance Crew's 3 year Anniversary to Bar None with DJs P-Luv and OMG, to Sunday for Livestock's 3rd Annual Block Party. Phew?!

So photos will be comin' in reverse order of events. So first up is Livestock's Block Party 2008.

Livestock hosted its 3rd annual Block Party. Each year is getting bigger and better. Thank you to the organizers, DJs, sponsors, performers, dancers and most importantly, the people, that make this event possible! LIVESTOCK!!!

For photos, please click HERE.

Have you seen these guys??

Paul Belen a.k.a. Pluskratch (www.almightypaulmighty.com) and Rowe Ladrillono helped me out at the SVS Style Dance Crew photo shoot this past Saturday. These two guys are also photographers and have an eye as well. You can check out Paul's samples @ almightypaulmighty.com and Rowe's o'er HERE. Thank you again!!

P.Luv's Birthday Bash Photos - August 24, 2008

Another year, another party. P.Luv's Birthday at Pop Opera was funky and classy. The reno's that the Donnelly Group did with Club 686 is very impressive. If you haven't been, please do. P.Luv, thank you for the guestlist! See you all at the party next year. For photos of that night, please click HERE.

SVS Style Dance Crew Photo Shoot - August 23, 2008

On Saturday, August 23, I had the privilege along with Paul and Rowe, to take photos of the SVS Style Dance Crew. We started early at 8:30am, but the girls were up earlier, getting their makeup and hair did. The ladies, despite the long day and the hot weather, they managed to keep the smiles on their face and their spirits high. On behalf of Paul, Rowe and I, we would like to thank you all for the opportunity for the photo shoot, as well as to the hairstylists and makeup artists. We would like to also thank Lynn and Lei for organizing this project. We look forward to work with you all again. I have a preview of some of the photos I took that day. Please click HERE.

Paul's Bday BBQ @ Spanish Banks - July 6, 2008

HOT HOT HOT! Missed the surprise, but i'm sure Paul got a good one. I headed to the Spanish Banks along with G and Young for Paul's Bday BBQ. It was good eats, fun games and good times. Thanks again Justine!

More photos HERE

Flashing Lights to Republic - June 25, 2008

Pluskratch (Paul Mighty, Boombox Saints, Kut Co.) and Huggy Fresh (Boombox Saints) had their birthday celebration at Fabric. It was theme based and the theme was "futuristic". G and I were only there for a minute cuz we had to bounce somewhere else. You can check out some of the photos of that night here.

Forever Brooklynne

R.I.P. June 25, 2008

Click here for more photos

Salamat - June 11

Sammie Jo Productions, Spectrum Entertainment, and 1st Love Wednesdays successfully put on a great show for the 2nd Annual SALAMAT Festival. With a DJ lineup you couldn't miss, all dj's kept the night going. There were performances from the SVS Style Crew, Pure Dance Crew, Toxic Slime Clique, Boombox Saints (sorry guys :( ), Jiggz (No Plan B.) and D-City; the night was hot and entertaining.

Pluskratch a.k.a. Almighty Paul Mighty, was sportin' and sellin' his new print "ALMIGHTY". In the back there were booths set up with some local organizations such as Enspire Foundation, the Philippine Womens Centre, and Glory MMA Apparel. Also body art provided by Got Funk Threads. Thank you to all who came down and supported. Also, KUYA was in attendance serving up hot eats for all of ya'll. I heard the puto was bangin' (extra butter :P). Anyhow, I hope you all enjoyed the night. Happy Philippine Independence Day!!

>> Please click on the names if you'd like to get more information regarding the individual and groups. Thank you! << >> To see more photos, please click here.

Photoshoot w/ Ms.Tania Marie

Last Saturday, June 7, I did a photo shoot with my good friend Tania. We had so much fun! These photos were taken for her, to be submitted to an author from the U.K. Thank you Tania!! :)

>> Click here, to view some more photos

Elf in the Summer

Found an Elf in downtown Vancouver.

Four: Twenty

Wednesday afternoon snaps.