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Freelance Photographer | Writer | UST | Communication Arts 

[imjohnbat]

[Starbucks + Pampanga]

There are about nine Starbucks branches in Pampanga. Each has their own vibe. After carefully analysing each branch for 7 years, I came up with these, some-what mediocre, and slightly-unfounded conclusions.

SM Pampanga (San Fernando wing / SB OLD):

Is the first Starbucks branch to open in the Culinary Center of the Philippines. It is the birth place of local Kapampangan “Starbucks Lovers.” (like the Taylor Swift song). Patrons here are mostly OG (old school), and are students from nearby campuses (Mostly UA students). 

TIP: Probably has the friendliest security guard (short, dark man) who’s always willing to be a part-time photographer.

Verdict: Tall (poor) | Grande (tolerable) | Venti (excellent)

Noise: Tall

Crowd and Seat Availability: Tall 

Service/Barristas: Venti

Environment/Vibe: Tall

SM Pampanga (Mexico wing / SB New):

Is mostly visited by patrons of upper middle class coffee enthusiasts in the Mexico, City of San Fernando area, and student’s who want to separate themselves from the norms of “pa cool kids” of SB Old. These students/teens are of the higher level of “pa-cool kids” in southern Pampanga, or so they think.

TIP: Myca and Cha (barista) will brighten up your day. 

Verdict: Tall (poor) | Grande (tolerable) | Venti (excellent)

Noise: Grande

Crowd and Seat Availability: Tall

Service/Barristas: Venti

Environment/Vibe: Grande

Starbucks Emerald/St. Francis:

Is probably the prelude destination of upper middle class families and businessmen before they head home maybe after church or after work or what not. The location is a bit impractical for commuters so most of the people you will encounter here are legit cool kids material. Well, maybe a few  cool kids from Don Bosco, St. Scholastica, Fatima, and HAU won’t hurt.

TIP: Keep an eye on those highly coveted sofa set located at the side of the bar. That’s the prime spot.

Verdict: Tall (poor) | Grande (tolerable) | Venti (excellent)

Noise: Tall

Crowd and Seat Availability: Grande

Service/Barristas: Venti

Environment/Vibe: Tall

Starbucks SM Clark (inside the mall, and annex):

Basically, this is where you’ll find inter-racial relationships. These branches are like the hub of conspicuous meet ups between a Filipina and a prospected foreign life line. The annex branch is where most serious students flock to conduct group studies. Mostly from AUF and HAU. Some pa cool kids are also present, with their fixies of course.

TIP: (inside the mall) - I don’t know why you drink there | (annex) probably the best Starbucks branch in PMP for smokers like you and me. They have 13 tables available for you outside!

Verdict: Tall (poor) | Grande (tolerable) | Venti (excellent)

Noise: Grande

Crowd and Seat Availability: Venti

Service/Barristas: Grande

Environment/Vibe: Grande

Starbucks Marquee Mall:

Is probably the hub for cool kids, AKA “I study at an international school.” The vibe here is mixed with people from the arts, and people who are just ma-ARTe. One of the best thing besides the coffee is, there are no beggars in sight. So you don’t have to feel guilty gulping on that overpriced venti-cup.

TIP: No in-store CR available. 

(Beggar-free branches: Marquee, Berthaphil, SM Clark)

Verdict: Tall (poor) | Grande (tolerable) | Venti (excellent)

Noise: Grande

Crowd and Seat Availability: Grande

Service/Barristas: Venti

Environment/Vibe: Venti

Starbucks AUF:

Is probably the place to be if you’re on a look out for hot chicks. Nuff said.

TIP: Most of the patrons here are serious when it come’s to studying. Try to keep the noise down.

Verdict: Tall (poor) | Grande (tolerable) | Venti (excellent)

Noise: Grande

Crowd and Seat Availability: Tall

Service/Barristas: Grande

Environment/Vibe: Venti

Starbucks Berthaphil:

Now there are only two ways to get here:

1. You work at a call center (or work around the area)

2. You or your friend have access to a car key, and an automobile.

This branch is probably the most relaxing Starbucks branch in PMP.

TIP: Tip the aetas for watching over your car. =)

Verdict: Tall (poor) | Grande (tolerable) | Venti (excellent)

Noise: Venti

Crowd and Seat Availability: Venti

Service/Barristas: Grande

Environment/Vibe: Venti

Starbucks Nepo-Quad:

This is the newest branch situated right in the heart of Angeles City. Starbucks Nepo-Quad is already becoming a destination for Angelites who are pretty much intimidated by AUF students at Starbucks AUF. This branch is probably one of the smallest Starbucks in PMP.

TIP: Plenty of parking space, but the seats are scarce if you have a big group. Look for Enzo (barista) he’s nice. 

Verdict: Tall (poor) | Grande (tolerable) | Venti (excellent)

Noise: Tall

Crowd and Seat Availability: Tall

Service/Barristas: Venti

Environment/Vibe: Grande

There you have it, a personal observation that is slightly unfounded, with a hint of truth. Thanks to Starbucks for keeping the burguiose Kapampangan society alive and well. =)

[imjohnbat]

On Today’s Youth and Stupidity

Lately we’ve been subjected to issues involving the young committing acts deemed taboo for some. A number of people criticise these juvenile’s as they had acted against the norms of what is considered, too good for comfort. I need not to elaborate these unfortunate occurrences for it exists everyday. With the advent of social media, all we need to do is browse and be astonished by the way how stupid the youths of today are. This short list does not question anyone’s decision and its outcome, it does not impose a mandatory you-should-do-this rant. After all, stupidity should not be hindered. Stupidity especially with today’s youth, is encouraged.

If you’re going to do something stupid, at least be original. We’ve seen a lot of stupidity in the internet. But what some youth fail to realise is that a stupid decision that resulted in an unfortunate circumstance should not -in any way- be duplicated. | e.g. If you see a video of a young couple doing lascivious acts and get bad press for it, do not do it. If you see a leaked video of a showbiz personality masturbating in the comfort of her room and get abused and received thousands of criticisms, do not record your self doing that. If a photo of a group, smoking pot (weeds/illegal drugs) emerged online and get bad press, you guessed it right, DO NOT DO IT. There’s a famous saying in Filipino; “alam mo ng mali, ipinagmalaki mo pa.” It’s one thing to be stupid, but to be original, that’s the real challenge.

Being young gives you the opportunity to challenge an idea. It’s been a common problem amongst youth the failure to discern what should be admired and who to follow. Adhere to the teachings of a role model, then challenge him. In a class room environment, no matter what you think you should do, you must first and foremost listen, discern, and then you can challenge the idea. One of the best advantages of being young is you have the luxury to listen, learn, and change how people view things. You have the power to listen, and be stupid enough not to listen. Challenge the status quo. 

Realise that it’s a tiring thing keeping up with the trend. At some point in your life, hopefully, you will catch on the idea that keeping up with today’s trend is tiring. Your purpose as one of the population’s large denomination is you are entitled to spark new ideas that will eventually turn in to a new trend. Keeping up with your friend’s sneaker collections will only lead you or worst, your parent’s hard-earned cash to ruins. A trendy outfit seem justifiable and tempting. But the hype will eventually fade when everybody starts to wear it. Be stupid, try new things.

Being young does not require you to preach, it only requires you to prove. It’s an eyesore seeing young people talk about love and relationships online like they are very well aware of the four corners of ignorance. STOP. A virtue is like a eaglet, it must be nurtured in time, and in time it will become an eagle, that’s when it is considered a virtue. Do not be stupid and stop talking, be stupid and start proving. 

Ignorance is your best friend. We often hear people use the word as an insult. But it’s actually not. Ignorance is the lack of knowledge. Life does not demand a knowledgeable youth, it demands the youth to be ignorant. From ignorance, we start to challenge our reason. It is the time where ideas are formed. Great people in our history were once ignorant. In time, we will get to see how a great idea came from an ignorant youth. 

You don’t have to be great, you have to be good. That goes in life in general. There’s just too much demands on how the youth should do things. e.g. CHANGE THE WORLD. No. You don’t have to change everything. But you can be good. You can be a good son, a good daughter, a good citizen. As simple as it may sound, being good and being young in today’s context does not go well. And since it’s a challenge to be good, I expect the youth to do what it does best, be stupid and take on that challenge! =)

[ranielhernandez2-blog]

[jaywalkersph]

INSTAMUROS MANILA

Behind the scenes photos are already up!

Visit JaywalkersPH’s Facebook page for the other photos and please help us tag people. Once again, thank you everyone for joining and supporting #InstamurosMNL!

Watch out for the feature post and video SOON!

________

Photos by Raniel Hernandez and Guille Francisco.

[imjohnbat]

WOW I MISSED THIS EVENT HOW CAN I EVER FORGIVE MYSELF... ARGG I NEED TO BE ACTIVE AGAIN.. AHUHU

[imjohnbat]

Culture in Stripes from John Bat on Vimeo.

[imjohnbat]

Project 160- High Five from John Bat on Vimeo.

Project 160 is a collection of short films not exceeding 160 seconds. The concept is to share a story which people can relate to and invite unique interpretations from the viewers.

Project 160: "High Five"

Artist: Aaron Yap

Music by: Explosions from the sky (No copy right infringement intended)

[imjohnbat]

Project 160 is a collection of short films not exceeding 160 seconds. The concept is to share a story which people can relate to and invite unique interpretations from the viewers.

Project 160: “I Miss You”

Artist: Mark Renz

Music by: Explosions from the sky (No copy right infringement intended)

[imjohnbat]

Try lang. Noob High Fashion Photoshoot

Location: Porac, Pampanga / Apalit Pampanga (Garments)

Model: Cai Raymundo

Designer: Adrian Sahagun (Philippine Fashion Institute)

Photographer: Me  

[imjohnbat]

The Country

[imjohnbat]

Long Bus Ride

Share ko lang yung isa sa mga pinaka-gusto kong gawin lalo na kapag stressed ako.. Yun ang; sumakay ng bus papunta sa malalayong lugar na hindi ko pa napupuntahan. May kaka-iba kasing experience dito.

Madami kang makikitang iba't ibang tao mula sa iba't ibang antas ng buhay. Para saken, nakaka relax yung wala kang pakealam kung saan ka dadalin ng bus. Ang importante, na a-apreciate mo yung mga bagay/lugar/tao na nakikita mo. Dito ako nakaka kuha ng madaming ideas.

Dati pag wala akong maisip na isulat, sumasakay lang ako sa bus minsan sa tren para lang mag isip. Dito ko nakikita ang inspiration ko. Ang weird pero ganito ako. Siguro nga, mas mahalaga ang travel kesa sa destination. 

Share lang po. =)

[imjohnbat]

I tried playing this game, and after five minutes I decided to hold my camera instead. XD

[imjohnbat]

"Sometimes I do get to places just when God's ready to have somebody click the shutter" -Ansel Adams

It's an honor to be with you guys. In a way, this is my tribute to my fellow enthusiasts. No matter what, continue the passion!

=)

[imjohnbat]

Photoset: Before the madness began.

[imjohnbat]

Lead me to the light(post)

[imjohnbat]

The Station Masters

[imjohnbat]

[imjohnbat]

Group 8:

I was tasked/requested to document/protect three students from Miriam College. The bipolar weather in Manila didn't stop these girls. Armed with overpriced cameras, they braved the concrete jungles of Manila to overcome 10 challenges. 

(2 taxi rides, 2 pedicab rides, 3 jeepney rides, some-kilometers of non-stop walking and an emphasized tan line.)

This event was made possible by JayWalkersPh, PunchDrunk Panda and GeekSpeak!

[imjohnbat]

No other way but...