Marina Bay Sands Infinity Pool

Marina Bay Sands in Singapore is one of the most beautiful Architecture I have seen, and it boasts of the world's largest pool at its height!

Taken during the soft opening of SkyPark when they still allowed you to get into the pool area.

Changi Boardwalk: My Piece of Haven in Singapore

I love places that gives me some peace and quiet. It gives me that chance to reflect on my life. Maybe somehow, I'm a bit of a loner that way. But we all need to be alone sometimes. That still water comforts me. The sunset tells me, it is okay. The day is done, tomorrow is another day. 

Yes, this is my piece of haven in Singapore.

Photo taken at Changi Boardwalk, Singapore

Glorious Sunrise in Toronto before the Extreme Cold Weather Alert

Ever wondered what Sunrise looked like this morning before the warnings and alert for the extreme cold weather today in Toronto?

It is glorious! It is for this reason why I always love waking up early to catch a glimpse of this beautiful sunrise.

The Calm before the Storm

Celebrating Chinese New Year in Toronto

For 8 years, I have lived eagerly anticipating for the Chinese New Year. In Singapore, this is the major celebration of the year. If Philippines has Christmas, Singapore has the Chinese New Year. It's the time of year when bonuses are given, parties are celebrated, Stores are on Sale. It is just the most wonderful time of the year!

This year however, I will be missing the grand celebration of welcoming the Lunar New Year, the fireworks, elaborate Chinese Lanterns on the streets, the festivities, Lion Dances, etc. 

I had to celebrate. For the life of me, I cannot not celebrate. So yesterday-Sunday, my family headed to Toronto's Chinatown to celebrate it in a simple way. 

How To Photograph Children

Photographing kids is always a challenge. One thing that you must have is, PATIENCE. Remember, children will always be in playful mode. So be prepared to run around yourself and never expect them to pose for you like adults can.

Before any shoot, you must plan on how you want it, without disregarding their age. Yes, that matters! 1 yr old kids generally are easier to photograph as they don't run like 2 yr old or 3 yr old kids. You can put them in one corner, dress them up and start shooting. I always get down to their eye level to get a nice front view. But this depends on how you want it. Be artistic. You can shoot them from the top, or any angle you wish. There are no strict rules to it. So get it on, and experiment.

Before I tell you the tips and tricks on photographing toddlers, let me tell you the settings I always use.  I am an Aperture photographer. Basically, that would be the setting for my camera, unless I shoot landscape which is totally a different story altogether.

When shooting toddlers, I like to use my 85mm 1.4 or 70-200 2.8. I normally use the widest aperture. I like those depth of field in my pictures. Make sure that you focus on the eyes, the rule for photographing portraits. Now, if you don't have those fixed lenses, always zoom out to get the best results for your depth of field. Let's say, you have 18-200 or 70-200 attached to your camera - make sure you zoom in to 200.

For my ISO, I would turn it to ISO-AUTO. Why? Because I will constantly be on the move. Unless of course I am shooting with a slave flash.

So now, let's talk about tricks on how to get them to smile for you or at least stand at the location where you want them to. Remember: You have to be very fast, as kids will be out of that location in a second. Believe me.

TRICK No. 1
It is always best to get somebody help you out to bring out the natural emotion from the kids. I normally would ask my husband to stand behind me, so he could try to make him laugh and get a nice natural smile or laugh.

Valentine's at Spring Sushi

This is the time of year when couples go out and celebrate their love for each other. Flowers, chocolates and gifts are the most common women would receive on this hearts day. While some men go the extra mile by surprising their girlfriend, or their wife, some opt to celebrate it in a simple dinner at home.

Valentine's Day has evolved and is no longer confined to just your partner. It has become a family affair. It's celebrating with the people that you love. Your parents, your siblings, your friends. 

Last night, my husband and I together with our son, celebrated our pre-Valentine Dinner at Spring Sushi at Toronto Downtown along Dundas Street East with our couple friends. Coming from Asia, Japanese Cuisine is something we enjoy.

Hongkong Travel Experience

My trip to Hongkong with my sister Fiona way back in 2007 was one of my most memorable travel experiences.

When my sister, who was working in Bermuda then, went home for a vacation after a long stint abroad, we decided to take a short trip for a bonding occasion, having missed each other from the long distance. 

She flew in from Manila and I from Singapore, marking the beginning of a set of unforeseen events that made our experiences so much more interesting.

Basilan: The Hidden Gem of the Philippines

There are 7107 islands in the Philippines, all of which boast natural treasures worthy of a fun adventure. Most famous are Palawan, voted World's Top Island based on a survey by renown Conde Nest Traveler; Boracay, a popular beach destination for both international and local tourists; Albay, home to Mount Mayon, a beauty of a volcano admired for its perfect conical and symmetrical shape; Bohol, esteemed for its delectable Chocolate Hills; Ifugao, domicile of the majestic Banaue Rice Terraces; and Tagaytay, an elevated observation deck that provides a nice vantage view of the diminutive Mt Taal, a unique volcano within a lake within an island.

There is, however, a little known gem hidden in the Southern most region of Mindanao. In Basilan, the Malamawi and Lampinigan islands remain treasures that have yet to be discovered. 

Here are lovely photos of the two beaches courtesy of my cousin, Mr Conan Dans. 

 Malamawi's White Beach. 

How to Prepare for your US Tourist Visa

Back in 1990, my siblings and I were granted an HB-1 Visa when my mother got accepted as a Hubert Humphrey scholar at the University of Texas. Those visas were left unused however but since then, I have had the desire to visit the land of milk and honey, not to mention, Hollywood!

Last year, after getting our immigration papers in Canada, my family of 3 applied for a US Visa so we could finally fulfill that long-desired visit. We were all fortunate to have been granted 10-year multiple entry visa.

For those who aspire for the US Non-Immigrant (Tourist) visa but are not in the know-how of things, here are a few things I can share regarding the experience.

Toronto's Winterlicious - Grab it before it's too late

Since 2003, the City of Toronto has been promoting restaurants during the low season.  Dubbed as Winterlicious, this year's event starts from January 30 to February 12, 2015. With few days left on the calendar, be sure to make the trip and don't forget to make your reservation.  Seats tend to be full especially for dinner. 

Currently the prices are $18, $23 or $28 for lunch and $25, $35 or $45 for dinner, with drinks and gratuity extra.

My favorite so far has been the lobster menu at Toula Restaurant and Bar at  Westin Harbour Castle right in the heart of downtown Toronto. Nothing beats a sumptuous meal with a nice view.

Check out the list here participating restaurants. 

My First Ski Trip

When I first came to Canada, one of the things I wanted to cross off my to-do bucket list was the chance to go on a Ski Trip. Coming from a tropical country, I would always wonder what it would be like to glide off cold snowy mountains. It seems so much fun!

So a month after my family and I arrived in Ontario, my sister's in-laws invited us to go on a Skiing Trip. We initially wanted to go to Blue Mountain Ski Resort, the most famous and largest Ski Amusement Park in Ontario. We settled for Snow Valley in Barrie however because they offered more affordable rates.

A First Time package includes rental equipment plus an hour of beginners lesson. The instructors are highly experienced, very kind and incredibly patient. I had too many falls on my first try but I took everything in stride, injured pride and all. Even the awkward tumbles were fun!

I really wonder how professional skiers do it. They make it look so easy on television and in the movies, but this is a sport that is extremely difficult to master. For one, the boots are huge and they weigh a ton. Finding your balance, as you move left and right, also takes rigorous practice. I had to remove my jacket as I was sweating profusely. Yes, in that snow.

That was such a fun experience though my body got tired too easily I couldn't even finish my lesson. My butt had enough of the abuse from my all too frequent falls.

Toronto in Black and White

"To see in color is a delight for the eye but to see in black and white is a delight for the soul." - Andri Cauldwell

Yesterday, I went out to brave the snow storm in Downtown Toronto. I had two sets, one taken in color (please click here) and one in black and white.

I walked on slippery snow filled walkways, covering my face from the snow and wind chill but always on the lookout on the beauty that the condition projects.

After staying in Asia for so long and getting used to Typhoons, i am now faced with another set of challenges. Snow Storm! What better way to experience and photograph something that is entirely new to me.

Alone in the Cold 

Winter Storm, Downtown Toronto

Photos of the Day:

Here are some of my photos taken this morning at Downtown Toronto.

The Mamapasano Massacre and the Long-standing Conflict in Mindanao

Contributed by my sister Pearl Dans, an alumna of the University of the Philippines Visayas. Her response to recent events surrounding the Mamapasano massacre in Maguindanao, Philippines. 

When I first read this, I cried in tears because I couldn't agree more with her sentiments. Somehow, she found the right words to express my feelings that I could not have expressed any better.

This has been shared and reposted on other people's timeline as well. I would appreciate it very much if you could take time to read this. 


To all my friends who have posted their sentiments on Facebook regarding the Mamapasano massacre, before anything else, please know that I respect your opinions and I wish to thank you sincerely for your honesty. Only when we are able to fully express our stand regarding issues without limitations, censure or fear of retaliation, are we able to fully appreciate democracy in our country.

A former schoolmate noted an observation that the Muslim community has been questionably silent over the brutal killings of 44 police officers in Maguindanao. As a "half-breed Moro", I think I might just have been the target of that insinuation.

It seems that my decision to keep my opinion to myself have resulted in some erroneously inferring that I am biased towards a certain party.

My apologies to you, as it seems that wary caution has heightened your emotional state of resentment. Please be assured it does not mean I do not care, or that my outrage over this are less than yours. By no means does it equate that I feel no anger or pain. In truth, I fear whether there may be too much of it that sometimes I wonder whether so much negativity may have permanently taken root in this heart that is more conflicted than yours. I have to step back at times and remind myself, again and again, that I have to be circumspect with my thoughts in order to stay rationale.

Oh, Sentimental Home!

"Where we love is home - home that our feet may leave, but not our hearts." - Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr

In my 35 years, I have had the privilege of living in a few places away from home. First, was in Manila where, shortly after graduation from college, I grabbed an opportunity to work there. Then I moved to Singapore, where i lived for 8 years, and where my husband and I started our own family. Finally, I relocated to Canada where I now live with of course my husband and our son, Pico, who grows up too fast by the minute.

Love and Sunrise at Juara Beach

Back in 2010, my then new husband and I spent one of our most memorable vacations with a favorite cousin and her family at Tioman Island, Malaysia.

Below are some photos of our sojourn taken in Juara Beach on the Island of Tioman.

Travel to Bintan, Indonesia

It was in 2007 when we first went to Bintan, Indonesia to celebrate our 5th year anniversary at Bintan Lagoon Resort. 

The place was perfect for us who wanted to get away from the bustling city life and experience the peace and quiet. And yes, it almost felt like we had the beach by ourselves! We read our books at the beach while enjoying the windy sea breeze and fresh air. 

It was paradise. 

If you're looking for a place where you can relax, de-stress and have the beach to your own, Bintan is the place for you! 

You can get to Bintan from Singapore's Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal. The trip will take you about an hour. For more detailed schedule and info, please click here. 

As always, I do advice to just get any promo fares from an agency, rather than doing everything by yourself from booking your ferry, to booking your hotel. I am one who doesn't want to sweat the small stuff. 

There are a lot of Resorts in Bintan. Prices varies as well. The choice is yours. There's Nirwana Gardens,  Angsana Bintan, Bintan Lodge for those on budget, Club Med, Banyan Tree. 

Enjoy your holidays and do let me know what you think about the place. 

Sunrise at Bintan Lagoon Resort

Live and Love in Photos

That feeling of wonder when confronted by beauty as we chase a lovely sunrise or sunset. That sentimentalism that comes with throwback photographs of a memorable event. That learning fulfillment that comes from technical and creative growth and learning.

What is photography? The answer varies depending on whom we ask.

King of the Road

I was inspired to do a shot just like Joe Mcnally's on the cyclist "Some Flashes and a Cup of Water". That was just a beautifully executed shot. What do you expect, we're talking about the great, Joe Mcnally here.

Though I know I wouldn't stand a chance at being even close to that picture, I know that I just have to do it my way. The way i feel and look at it. 

Pulau Ubin: The last surviving Kampong in Singapore

What's you favorite place in Singapore?

Mine is Pulau Ubin. The last surviving "kampong" and the only place that has retained its original landscape. It is remarkable that the government has protected this from development, and I truly hope they keep it that way. 

This place is my escape from the concrete jungle of working in the city and the pressure it brings. Riding the bicycle, the smell of fresh air, the disorder of things is totally gratifying! It is the most relaxing place to be. At least for me. 

It is only 30 minutes by bumboats from Changi Village. Take the ferry and enjoy nature! :) 

Our rented bike in one of the Quarries in the Island