Cameras

Unveiling Guagua’s culinary and artistic tapestry

Off the grid with the Fujifilm X-T50

Published

September 12, 2024

MJ Jucutan

I’ve always been in the province of Pampanga but I never stepped foot in Guagua. I never planned on visiting it; not even in the near future.

But that all changed when Fujifilm brought us there for an assignment. With a couple of friends and fellow photographers, we explored Guagua, armed with the Fujifilm X-T50 and our excitement to explore every nook and cranny of the town’s rich history.

Flavors of home

The first order of business is to be welcomed by Guagua’s flavors that feels like a warm embrace. We stopped over at Apag Marangle, a restaurant famed for its authentic Kapampangan cuisine, where we enjoyed dishes that were more than just meals.

In photo: Vikka Francisco and I posing in front of Apag Marangle’s two-way mirror.

Every bite carried a memory of history; and it felt like those stories were told through taste—old recipes passed down through generations.

Using the Fujifilm X-T50, we captured the richness of the meals’ flavors with its exceptional color reproduction. Every dish looked lively with its vibrant hues; as colorful as the tradition filled with love and history.

Carved with care

In the quiet side of Guagua, the art of woodcraft bustles. It’s home to Santeros—artisans who create Spanish-style religious sculptures. Statues of saints emerge from blocks of wood, every piece carved with reverence and artistry.

I was in awe while I watch how these artisans work. Their hands breathe life into every piece, continuing a tradition that are centuries old. They were steady and skillful, with each statue reflecting their patience and passion.

As I photographed their craftsmanship, I get to focus on the intricate details of their work. At one point, I accidentally adjusted the ISO that I ended up capturing blurred imagery. Surprisingly, they looked like art in itself—smudged with the same passion that the artisans poured into their carvings.

A masterpiece of faith

Right off the bat, we went to Guagua’s crown jewel dubbed as Betis Church. It is also known as St. James the Apostle Parish, known for its pink facade.

Stepping inside felt like entering another era—its Baroque architecture invited me to pause and reflect, not on faith, but on the history woven into its walls.

I took out the Fujifilm X-T50 and set the film simulation to Velvia, so I can capture the vivid colors of the church’s interiors and murals.

During my tour of the Pink church, I had the impression that it was radiating solemnity. While walking down the aisle, I marveled at the brilliant hues; looking at them with a sense of awe as if it spoke to me with faith and dedication.

Molded with meaning

Another stop is a facility that showcases how pottery is alive and thriving in the town of Guagua. We got to photograph the pottery process, watching the ceramists at work in dimly lit workstations.

We started to perspire as the heat inside the warehouse increased due to the earth oven being used to turn the earthly clays into beautiful, useful vessels.

Nevertheless, we were drawn in by the exquisite details that gleamed, despite our discomfort. Thanks to the Fujifilm X-T50’s high ISO sensitivity, I succeeded in capturing the intricate details, feel, and creative intention that each expertly carved piece possessed.

Where nature whispers

We took a stroll across an overlooking vista in the hopes of seeing the sunset before returning to Manila. Unfortunately, we missed it by half an hour, but we still got to see the skies bloom with delicate pink hues.

As the daring member of the party, I ascended to a greater altitude before the others arrived. I saw it as the ideal opportunity to stop, breathe it all in, and acknowledge the beauty unraveling before me.

I was able to capture the small moments using the Fujifilm X-T50’s dynamic range, like the softly waving shrubs on the undulating fields cast with pink accents from the blushing sky.

As I stood there, it occurred to me that perhaps the simplest things—a shared meal, a glimpse into someone else’s life, a calm moment in nature—are the ones worth cherishing the most.

Although it’s not on my bucket list, Guagua is definitely worth a trip. Sometimes, we all need to take a detour, armed with a camera like the Fujifilm X-T50 to record every memorable moment.

All photos are taken using the Fujifilm X-T50.

Related Topics:Fujifilm Fujifilm X-T50 specials

Cameras

Osmo Pocket 4 makes a surprising appearance in public

Is the built-in light real?

Published

February 19, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

The DJI Osmo Pocket 3 might be the most popular camera in recent history. The tiny action camera constantly sells out, thanks to creators and would-be vloggers. Because of the current generation’s popularity, everyone is looking forward to the next-generation Osmo Pocket 4. Though it’s still unannounced, the new camera has suddenly made a surprising appearance out in the wild.

The leak shockingly comes from an authorized DJI retailer in Kuala Lumpur. Supposedly, a customer entered the store with what they claimed was an Osmo Pocket 4. The store, DronesKaki, even shot a now-deleted video of the unannounced camera, rescued by New Camera.

Based solely on the short video, the Osmo Pocket 4 looks and feels very familiar to those who’ve already used the Pocket 3. The three-axis gimbal system still keeps shots in place for taking videos while on the move. The 2-inch rotating screen looks identical to the current one, especially because of intuitive settings and controls.

However, the biggest standout is the built-in LED light sitting atop the camera. Despite how convenient and easy to use it is, the Pocket 3 doesn’t exactly shine in low-light conditions, prompting users to always bring an external flash. If the leak is true, the Osmo Pocket 4 cures this issue to some extent. (Built-in flashes aren’t usually standout solutions, but they can work in a pinch.)

Still, take the leak with a grain of salt. Though the store could have deleted the video because of a request from DJI, they could have also deleted it because it’s not the Osmo Pocket 4. At this point, we won’t know, but current rumors speculate that the camera is launching soon.

Cameras

Canon PhotoMarathon returns, introduces video, open categories

Happening on April 18 in BGC, Taguig

Published

February 1, 2026

GadgetMatch

The Canon PhotoMarathon is officially returning this year and is introducing more categories for enthusiasts to join in.

The 2026 edition, the 19th in the Philippines, will happen on April 18 at the BGC Amphitheater in Taguig City.

For the first time, Canon is opening the competition to non-Canon users. Even those with just smartphones can register. The brand has also added a video category.

Here’s a quick breakdown of the contest categories and their corresponding prizes:

Main Category (Photo)

Open to Canon users only
Prize: Canon EOS R6 Mark III with RF24-105mm f/4-7.1 IS STM

Open Category (Photo)

Open to all camera brands
Prize: Canon EOS R8 with 24-50mm

Video Category

Open to all camera brands
Canon Prize winner: Canon EOS R50 V
Non-Canon Prize winner: Canon Powershot V1

The full mechanics will be announced on the day of the competition itself to make it even more challenging for those taking part.

To join, simply download the Canon PH Delightful app, create an account, go to the Events tab and select the Canon PhotoMarathon banner. Registration is already open.

To build up hype for the upcoming event, Canon will host photowalks, school tours, and regional tours leading up to the PhotoMarathon.

These are designed to engage photographers at every skill level. Admission is free and open to all digital camera users.

Cameras

Canon EOS C50 cinema camera price in the Philippines

Smallest, lightest cinema camera made for today’s filmmakers, creators

Published

December 6, 2025

Manila Connoisseur

Canon Philippines is capping the year strong with the release of the Canon EOS C50 in the market. The cinema camera is priced at PhP 189,998 for the body along with an XLR handle.

The Canon EOS C50 is designed for both filmmakers and creators who need mobility and professional-grade quality.

It has the same 3:2 Open Gate recording feature also on the EOS R6 Mark III, which gives users flexibility for post-production.

Creators can extract full 4K footage along with cropped 2K vertical or square versions from the same capture with the Simultaneous Crop Recording feature.

This is ideal for producing multi-platform content, like 16:9 landscape videos for YouTube then vertical shortform videos for social media.

Also, an added edge is the up to 7K 60p RAW recording capability on the C50, compared to just 7K 30p for the Mark III.

Filmmakers can also record at up to 4K 120fps should they need high frame rate captures. Recording in 4:2:2 10-bit is also available for rich color and flexibility in post-production.

In addition, the EOS C50 features dual CFexpress and SD card slots. 7K RAW can be saved to CFexpress while other formats can be saved to the SD card.

Different format, resolutions, and color sampling can be assigned for backup, distribution, or quicker edit-ready files.

Photo performance

For stills, users can take advantage of the 32MP CMOS sensor for capturing up to 40 shots per second (with electronic shutter).

The camera also supports pre-continuous shooting and AF performance improvements with its Dual Pixel CMOS AF II.

Enhancements include Auto setting, animals, vehicle priority, and eye AF, as well as the new left/right priority.

Moreover, the camera features Dual-Base ISO with Auto Selection, automatically switching between ISO 400 and ISO 3200 depending on the scene.

This ensures the highest signal-to-noise ratio while maintaining a wide dynamic range. Users can also manual select the ISO to match lighting conditions.

Professional interface

Onto its controls, the EOS C50 has a TIME CODE terminal, which is perfect for seamless multi-camera setups. It also features two XLR terminals and a handy control dial for professional audio input.

There are 14 assignable buttons, each thoughtfully positioned for quick, instinctive access while filming. There are about 100 customizable functions available so the camera can match a user’s workflow.

During the launch event, Canon Philippines demonstrated a wide range of scenarios for the EOS C50, including multi-angle live broadcasts with just one camera.