Zhammy Makes History: Zham Libunao Photography

Monday, June 25, 2007

I had nothing to do so i messed up with some of my photos through photoshop. I am so excited about my photography class... I will be enrolling probably next week. I hope everything will be well.
Anyway, below is the result of my boredome, hehehe! It is called Fashion Photo Fakery. It is turning a mono fashion photo into a fully editable piece of illustrative art.

BEFORE

AFTER

If you want to know how I did this, just message me through here.

Labels: ART, PHOTOGRAPHY, PHOTOSHOP

10:47 PM

Friday, June 22, 2007

Eleven Minutes
by Paolo Coelho

Eleven Minutes tells the story of Maria, a young girl from a Brazilian village, whose first innocent brushes with love leave her heart-broken. At a tender age, she becomes convinced that she will never find true love, instead believing that 'Love is a terrible thing that will make you suffer...' A chance meeting in Rio takes her to Geneva, where she dreams of finding fame and fortune yet ends up working the streets as a prostitute. In Geneva, Maria drifts further and further away from love while at the same time developing a fascination with sex. Eventually, Maria's despairing view of love is put to the test when she meets a handsome young painter. In this odyssey of self-discovery, Maria has to choose between pursuing a path of darkness, sexual pleasure for its own sake or risking everything to find her own 'inner light' and the possibility of sacred sex, sex in the context of love.

In this gripping and daring new novel, Paulo Coelho sensitively explores the spiritual nature of sex and love and invites us to confront our own prejudices, demons and embrace our own 'inner light'.

After reading The Five People You Meet In Heaven, I bought loads of other books. One of which is this one. I am recommending it. You will be fascinated. - zhammy

Labels: Books

12:33 AM

Thursday, June 21, 2007

The
Five People You Meet in Heaven

by Mitch Albom

Listen
to an excerpt

"All ending are beginnings. We just don't know it at the time..."

#1 New York Times
bestseller!!

From the author of the number one New York Times bestseller Tuesdays with
Morrie comes this long-awaited follow-up, an enchanting, beautifully crafted novel that explores a mystery only heaven can
unfold.

Eddie is a grizzled war veteran who feels trapped in a meaningless life of fixing rides at a seaside amusement park. As the park has changed over the
years -- from the Loop-the-Loop to the Pipeline Plunge -- so, too, has Eddie changed, from optimistic youth to embittered old age. His days are a dull routine of work, loneliness, and regret.

Then, on his 83rd birthday, Eddie dies in a tragic accident, trying to save a little girl from a falling cart. With his final breath, he feels two small hands in
his -- and then nothing. He awakens in the afterlife, where he learns that heaven is not a lush Garden of Eden, but a place where your earthly life is explained to you by five people who were in it. These people may have been loved ones or distant strangers. Yet each of them changed your path forever.

One by one, Eddie's five people illuminate the unseen connections of his earthly life. As the story builds to its stunning conclusion, Eddie desperately seeks redemption in the
still-unknown last act of his life: Was it a heroic success or a devastating failure? The answer, which comes from the most unlikely of sources, is as inspirational as a glimpse of heaven itself.

In The Five People You Meet in Heaven, Mitch Albom gives us an astoundingly original story that will change everything you've ever thought about the
afterlife -- and the meaning of our lives here on earth. With a timeless tale, appealing to all, this is a book that readers of fine fiction, and those who loved
Tuesdays with Morrie, will treasure.

My friend Cager referred this book to me. She said a lot of people has been suggesting her to read it. I bought a copy and when I started reading it I was not able to stop. It brought back to life my fascination in reading novels. - zhammy

Labels: Books

9:15 PM

Wednesday, June 20, 2007

I got home early today. My legs still ache probably because I played hard yesterday in our weekly badminton game with my friends from my first job. It's been tiring again, as usual. I even had a hard time thinking what to write today. Up to this point I actually have nothing in mind. All I could think of right now is the course that I will be taking up on August. I will formally be studying photography. I want to master that craft. And I want to excel in that field. I am praying to God now that He will give this one to me. He has never failed me... not even once.
As a kid I've been taking pictures of people, mostly of my classmates, friends and family. Then the fascination grew into scrapbook making. I have like gazillions of them. I believe that taking pictures are like immortalizing that special moment captured in it. And later I discovered the beauty of taking self portraits. Not only my friends become subjects but myself too. I've been taking pictures of me with very nice results. Even I sometimes could not believe it. And the fascination grew even more when I learned how to use Photoshop. I became so addicted to it. It's like I can edit pictures forever without even noticing the time. And after 25 years I finally realized that this is something that I really want to do. Something that I know I could excel. Something that I really love to do. I am so passionate about it. I want to become a professional photographer.

I pray that everything will be well. And that my dreams would come true. I remember that song "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" saying that dreams really do come true especially if you have God in your life.

Here's something to inspire you all. It sure sparked hope in me. And it made me smile.

Labels: Amazing Talents, Dreams, Inspirational, Music

8:45 PM

Tuesday, June 19, 2007

She started stalking me. She called whenever she wanted, even at work, or even when I was sleeping. She bombarded me with words that I really did not appreciate. Words that I did not even think would come from her. Words that made me feel bad about myself. I tried talking to her - several times - but it did not work. I've tried dealing with her issues and tried to help her out in her situation but nothing happened. She continued doing what she was doing. There were times that she approaches me to ask for forgiveness and promised she would never do it again. I believed her so I forgave her. But then after some time she started stalking me again.

Finally, I asked help from people with authority. I found the things she was doing really disturbing, even my family and friends were affected by it already. They talked to her and she promised she would stop bothering me and that she was ashamed of what she was doing. But I find it hard to believe. I guess I was so fed up with her lies. I guess I stopped trusting her.

But then I don't want to live with all these excess baggages. I want to let go of these emotions. I don't want to be angry forever. I want to be able to forgive those persons who has done awful things against me. I don't want to carry this burden for the rest of my life. I want to let them go and I want to be free.

I want to be able to worship my God without all of these negative emotions.

Forgive me, Lord, for keeping all of these in me. Help me forgive them totally and to forget about the things they have done. I was a sinner, too. But You have forgiven me. So in return I will do the same for them. I will do it for You. Because I love You. Amen.

Labels: Insights

10:55 PM

Someone sent me a text message today. I don't know who it was because the only thing showing on the id was the number. The message went like this, "It is a sober fact that the only being to be thrown out from heaven is a worship leader because of Pride". It hit me. I was scared because I'm not quite sure if I was hurting anybody unconsciously. And I don't ever want to hurt any body's feelings. Because I know how it feels like. I was abused emotionally by people that I have had trusted, people that I have cared about and people who I have once included as a part of my life. I was extremely blinded to the point that I have let go of myself and focused on other's welfare. I considered myself as last among my priorities. But then God did not allow that to continue. So one day I woke up filled with courage and strength to end it. I got tired of being too kind... or should I say being a fool. My true friends said that I was too kind that other people tend to abuse that kindness. I felt really hurt and betrayed. I told myself that I did not deserve to be treated like that... no one actually deserves to be used and be betrayed especially by people they considered good friends.

Also, there was this person whom I have met in a very respectable place. She always seemed too kind to me. She was a lot older, kinda like my mom's age, but she was always pleasant and has always treated me well and with extra kindness. She overwhelmed me with complements and said she sees her little brother in me. I found it odd for a woman of her age to try to associate with my circle of friends which are all as young as I was. But I did not mind and thought she was just trying to be nice. But then later on, she started to act so weird. She sent me messages that connotes a different kind of feeling towards me. But I still didn't mind it and thought she was just really trying to be sweet. I said to myself that she might probably be sending the same messages to all my other friends. But it turned out that I was wrong. And then it got worse. She began to haunt me with weird messages and started to call me even in the middle of the night. She admitted to one of my friends that she was deeply in love with me and that she thinks that I was the one she has been waiting for. Then later on she admitted it to me. She said she loves me. Normally, people would find it flattering but that was not what I felt. I felt it was wrong for her t feel that way towards me because from the beginning I have treated her with utmost respect. I never saw that coming. She got upset whenever I start dating girls of my age. She tried to manipulate me with words. She acted as if she was so hurting and that I would feel really guilty for not entertaining her feelings. (to be continued)

Labels: Insights

10:17 PM

Monday, June 18, 2007

It's been a tiring day... or night so to speak. I work in a contact center. Or should I say in a "call center". I bet everyone knows or at least has heard about call centers. I work for a very strong and competitive company whose endorser is a very famous golf player. Anyway, it's been really exhausting. I got like 25 or 30 calls tonight. The last one was a good one though. The client gave me a commendation. After my eight hour night shift I went straight to the gym to work out and sweat off those unwanted fats from my imperfect body. I wanna stay healthy, feel good and look my best all the time. I can remember saying one time that one of the reasons I am going to the gym is that I want to look good with or with out clothes! Hahaha! How vain can a guy possibly get? Hehehe! They say I am a METROSEXUAL. For those who do not know what metrosexual means, it is a word describing men who have a strong concern for their aesthetic appearance, and spend a substantial amount of time and money on their images and lifestyles. People view metrosexuality as representative of the embracing of relational understanding in addition to its lifestyle and aesthetic implications. Most metrosexuals are said to be in touch with their feminine side in terms of fashion and grooming but still is very masculine. Metrosexuals are straight men who happens to be fond of taking extra care of themselves. Some famous metrosexuals are David Beckham, Brad Pitt, P. Diddy and Tom Cruise.

For me, there's nothing wrong in taking care of one's self as long as he has the resources to cover all the expenses that go with it. One should not live larger than what he can actually afford. We should always be practical. Looking good doesn't always mean you should buy expensive clothes and shoes, or being a member of an exclusive fitness and wellness center. Looking good starts from the inside. If one has a good heart, it will definitely reflect on his appearance. A good relationship with the Lord is always the start of anything pleasant. I am a Christian who happens to know how to take care of my body and appearance - NOT a person who knows how to take care of his body and appearance who happens to be a Christian. You know what I'm saying?
I can remember one verse in the Bible saying that "Man was created in the image of God". So no one should feel bad about the way they look. We are all God's masterpiece. And we should always be positive and focus on things that will make us grow and be a better person.

Labels: Body, Fashion, Grooming, Insights

10:59 PM

Psalm 27 Of David.

1 The LORD is my light and my salvation—
whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the stronghold of my life—
of whom shall I be afraid?
2 When evil men advance against me
to devour my flesh, [a]
when my enemies and my foes attack me,
they will stumble and fall.

3 Though an army besiege me,
my heart will not fear;
though war break out against me,
even then will I be confident.

4 One thing I ask of the LORD,
this is what I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD
and to seek him in his temple.

5 For in the day of trouble
he will keep me safe in his dwelling;
he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle
and set me high upon a rock.

6 Then my head will be exalted
above the enemies who surround me;
at his tabernacle will I sacrifice with shouts of joy;
I will sing and make music to the LORD.

These are my favorite verses in the Bible... Verse 4 has always been my prayer... That I may dwell in the House of the Lord ALL DAYS OF MY LIFE... I don't ever want to leave His side... His presence gives me security... His Love embraces and comforts me... When everyone seems to go against me... when people starts to persecute me... when no one wants to be with me - He has always been my constant companion. Though sometimes my actions tend to drive His presence away, His faithfulness never let go of me... Though I have failed so numerous times, He never gives up on me...

To worship Him in the church is an awesome experience. But to lead worship for Him is something else. Being there infornt of His people, I could gaze upon His beauty, standing in awe of His greatness, overwhelmed by his majesty... It is a priviledge being used by Him through worship. There is nothing like it.

That's why I live to worship and praise Him for all He has done... My life is a song and the interpreter is myself... the Composer is He - My LORD and Saviour.

Labels: Insights, Worship

12:59 AM

i don't know how to describe myself. people say I'm mysterious. well, i don't know. i guess i am. my story? well i used to live for myself alone. as long as i was happy and enjoying, that's all that mattered. nobody's controlling me. just me and myself. well that was before. my old self already died. he ain't exist anymore. i figured life's not worth living if you ain't got a purpose at all. music has played a huge part in my life. through music, God spoke to me. and through music, He changed me... now i don't live for myself alone. i live because God has a purpose for me. I live because of my family and friends. Rebirth. being born again. Really cool. what an AWESOME feeling and experience. now i live through God's provision and guidance. if not for Him i wouldn't even exist. In Him I'll forever be dwelling. He's my strength... my armor... my portion... my shelter.. my deliverer... my best friend... my life... my everything. now I'm a God fearing, Satan-slamming, soul winning Christian! I will sing and make music for Him. I thank the Lord for blessing me with talents that I can use to glorify Him. I live to sing and make history. I am a History Maker. I worship the Lord with my life. And I always want to extend the light to others through my songs and my life.

on the lighter side, I'm just an ordinary guy who enjoys a cup of coffee, loves cheesecakes and ice cream, spends some hours of the day in the gym and loves to watch movies. Ok. i admit. my friends said I'm kinda vain. i spend time on my appearance and i can't bear to be away from the metropolis too long. They say that I enjoy the urban lifestyle. But i don't see anything wrong with that. Grooming and looking your best is vital to everyone. Everyone deserves to look neat and presentable. Bet you couldn't agree more, eh? Hehe! they say I'm radical when it comes to the clothes i wear. sometimes i can be too formal, preppy, sporty, funky, casual or whatever. i just wear what i feel and that I am comfortable in.
DON'T GET ME WRONG, PEOPLE. GROOMING IS NOT THE ONLY THING THAT IS IMPORTANT FOR ME. IT'S JUST A WAY OF SELF EXPRESSION. GOD DOES NOT LOOK IN THE OUTSIDE APPEARANCE. IT DOESN'T MATTER HOW YOU LOOK, BUT HOW YOU ARE INSIDE. HE LOOKS INSIDE THE HEART. THAT'S THE MOST IMPORTANT!

i play bowling, billiards and badminton too.

I have two pets. I have a Shih Tzu- Terrier which I call Zoe and a Cross Japanese Chin-Hound which I call Zach. They are my pride and joy... I love them both so much.

Now I discovered a new passion. Actually, it's been with me all along... I love taking photos. Some of the photos that I will be posting are taken by myself. I also love being infront of the camera. Kind of like a frustrated model... haha! In a few months I'll be studying photography. I will be enrolling at the Philippine Center for Creative Imaging In Makati. I'm so excited about it already. I believe that I can extend my service for the Lord through this field. I am really so serious about it. It's something that I consider a real passion aside from singing. I am praying now that God will bless all my plans for my life. I want to make a difference. I want everyone to see how God transformed me and how He works in me. I am a work in progress. My life now is in the hands of God. I will let Him take over...

Labels: general

12:17 AM