Warning: Current Mode: VANITY!!!
I have finally purchased a new cellphone, courtesy of dear hubby.
My son, Aypee, accompanied me cellphone shopping. I was thinking of only two options: N70 or N73. However, when we got to the store, the sales assistants showed us other brands. My son was attracted to a Samsung SGH D-900 model, as it has a 3 megapixel built in cam. After looking at the other features of the said phonecam, I thought it was a cool buy. Besides, I wanted to deviate this time from purchasing only Nokia units. A little twist could be exciting, so I thought.
Well, here are narcissistic shots of myself with the use of my sleek and slim wine red Samsung SGH-D900 slide up phone camera…
Oopps.. wait, I know what you are thinking - that I must be only in my late 30s, or maybe early 40s…. Well, sorry to disappoint you, guys, but I am turning 52 on June 21! (I am also overweight! But I’m wise not to include my midsection in taking these photographs of myself… I can fantasize once in a while, can’t I?
But don’t worry, I am in the painful process of losing the extra pounds right now, so when I finally attain the desired weight, I will post my before and after pics, in full body shots!)
I am not a photography guru, but I have learned, from my own experience when taking self-portraits - that the best way to make oneself look youngish and make the facial lines disappear is by directly facing the light. This shot was done in our carport, and I was facing East, where the sunlight was coming from. Had I faced North or South, the light would create shadows on my face, and the lines on my forehead would show. (Kris Aquino is known to always get upset when she doesn’t have a light directly in front of her during tapings. And she admits, that it is her secret for looking flawless on the screen.)
Another plus factor for my youngish looking pics is that I know how to project. (Uhum!) Maybe my being a Speech and Broadcast Communications major has something to do with it (Uhum again!). (Sorry guys, ngayon lang naman ako magyayabang, di ba! hahaha!)
Not really sure though if looking young in pictures is flattering or not. But one time, I was so pissed off, when, while encashing a check in a bank, I presented my ID to the teller. She looked at me and at my ID several times and then remarked: “Ma’am, okay kayo sa picture, ah!” Aaah! Ang sakit! LOL!
So there, I just betrayed myself in this entry. Thus, when I finally personally meet up with my blogger friends, they should heed my warning: I don’t look as young in person. Neither do I exude with beauty. Nevertheless, I am happy with how and what I am, and most of all, I am contented with what I am within… and I don’t complain. …
Segue to early morning conversation with hubby:
Me: (Looking at reflection on the mirror) Ohh, I look so old. I am old!
Hubby: (Combing his greying hair) Stop complaining. Everyone grows old.
Me: I wish you could afford to send me for a Belo treatment.
Hubby: I’d rather buy a new car.
Me: Then, you will exchange me with your car?
Hubby: No, I will let a younger woman ride in my car!
Me: (Chasing hubby with a broomstick!)
NOTE: I am happy growing old. Looking at how my three children are blooming and shining makes me feel proud of my age.
Apr
25
Filed under: Personal
Okay ang picture ah. hehe Seriously, you don’t look your age even in real life. I can tell from the picture. I am a professional eh.
Galing sumagot ng hubby mo. Parang ako sa asawa ko.
You are a very cool and “brave” person! =)
I admire people who choose to age gracefully like you have.
nice one Rhodora
you don’t look your age alright (how did you manage that? lucky you!)
I hope to age gracefully too… harinawa!
I agree, your photo doesnt say your age at all. You are aging well then Rhodora. And I agree with rolly, you probably look young in person too.
I am looking forward to seeing your before and after photos.
We are allowed moments of vanity - why not, we are women!
You do look young, honestly!
(:
52!!! You don’t look that in this picture. Thanks for the portrait tips. You look like you are in your 30’s in this one, no kidding. Ayaw kong tumabi at baka ako ay pagkamalan Ate mo! Share naman ng beauty secrets mo.
you don’t look your age at all!
Had a wonderful laugh with your conversation with hubby!
You don’t look your age, Rhodora.
Oh wow, I echo everyone’s comments. You look nowhere near 50! Good tip about facing the light,does it work for undereye circles too? Mine are huge, they’re not eye bags anymore… they’re suitcases
For a moment there I tought I was looking at 25 (or 26) years old Vernaloo, yeah, I’m serious and it’s also a compliment to verns, if she doesn’t take it some other way. But seriously the Phone Cam takes quite quality pictures. I own an old samsung a600 with less than 1 mp but still takes decent pixs. But I only take the pixs of my brothers’ grandchildren and my niece, because the Cam can’t hide my age.
Wow!!! you really are over 50? Well I’m impressed
you look way younger than your age. Thanks for the tips, I’ll have to try that next time, but I’m getting ready to believe that it is hopeless for me to hide the double chin and wrinkles 
Your post made me laugh. I was just thinking about “projecting” well to the lenses & voila! eto meron kang tip hehe
Your post made me laugh. I was just thinking about “projecting” well to the lenses & voila! eto meron kang tips
Heck, you look a lot younger than I do. In fact, I have been mistaken for my ex wife’s dad a couple of times… I guess that’s because I always wear a frown.
I took note of your tips … but no thank you .. those won’t work anymore hahaha.
Ang sabi nila, one gets the face one deserves when one ages. Example daw si Madame Curie who was so homely when she was young but who looked “almost beautiful” in her later years. So you must be one terrific person. Correction. I am sure you are.
turning 52?????? come on! you look so young nga than your age… wow. sana ganyan din ako someday..
just one word, rhodora…. gorgeous! you definitely look younger than your age. so what’s the secret? i’m starting to look my age already. so i need any tips you can give
i like cellphones too, the better the camera and video functions the better. but i don’t get to buy that often. maybe once in two years, or even longer! LOL!
ang bilis mag upgrade ng phones, noh? almost monthly they come out with a new model.
I agree! You look much younger than your age! Ala! You’re giving Miss Gemma Cruz a run for her money … hehehe.
In glamour photography pala, the subject has soft light wrapped around him/her so as to give off a flawless image much like a mannequin. But of course, this is usually accompanied by software tweaking, too. I think it was only Jamie Lee Curtis I’ve heard of who refused to have such kind of photography and post production software manipulation done on her image. She thinks they make her look to far from reality.
But your pics appear natural which I like. Not sure if I’ll ever get used to those glam shots, though.
Thanks, Rolly.. but sorry kung ma-disappoint ka pag nakita mo ako.. hehehe.
Mga husbands, ang galing talagang sumagot - at magpalusot, di ba?
Houseband00, I know why you call me ‘brave’ - coz I’m brave enough to admit my age! Di ba? Hahaha!
Thanks for visiting my humble blog!
Pining, sabi sa iyo, picture lang yan, e. My point in publishing my pics here, is to let readers know that there are people like me who manage to look young in pictures! Hahaha!
Seriously though, I don’t wear make up. I only put on eyeliner and lipstick, that’s all. No foundation, whatsoever, because I am allergic, even with those so called hypoallergenic stuff. At saka, I don’t look good in heavy make up. Mas pumapangit ako!
Leah, thanks for understanding my need to be vain sometimes, hahaha!
Yes, I am working hard to lose these unwanted pounds. And I will alert you whenever I am ready to post my before and after pics.
Tama sila ate… mas bata ka ngang tingnan hehehe…
Thanks, Kyels! I wish it works the same in person! Lol!
KK, exag ka naman, anong ate? lola kamo! Hahaha! Just kidding!
I guess, it’s the child in me that makes me feel and look young. I don’t feel 52 at all!
Thanks, Analyse!
Julie! Thanks! Hay naku, you’ll be surprised when you hear my and hubby’s other conversations. Mild nga lang yang nilagay ko dito, e.. hehehe.
Under the eyes? Yes, Christianne, I think proper lighting can do the trick!
Naku, Vic! Ang layo naman! Vernaloo is much much younger in age and in looks! But I am flattered by your compliments, really.
Samsung phone cams are great with pictures, but of course, nothing beats the real digicams!
JMom, projection lang yan.. hehehe… Thanks!
Auee, I’ve seen your pics in your site. My, my! you look great!
Snglguy, the truth is - my main problems are the lines between my brows, which developed due to frequent squinting too. Pero ayaw ko ng botox!
Sobra ka naman - you are only 44, right? Way younger than me, so how could I look younger than you?
Naku, Anna, ha.. I read from Vernaloo’s blog, you look slim and young and pretty! Hmmm. parang naiinggit na naman ako.. hehehe.
You know what, there are people who look better as they age. I think maturity has a plus factor. Kasi pag bata pa, mukhang totoy at totay, di ba?
Jhenny, I know you to be a beauty. Alagaan mo yan, my dear and you will mature gracefully, I promise!
Sheilamarie, I have no secret. As I said, I only look good in pics! Hehehe.
But as you are asking for tips: Hmmm.. here’s what I can share: I don’t wear thick foundation make up. It ruins my looks and skin. Even on my wedding day, I only put loose powder and some eye highlights and lipstick. One time, a gay friend made me up for an occasion, and I looked like a ghost! lol! Kaya siguro I look younger (as you say) because my face remains unadulterated.
Yes, cellphones upgrade so fast.
Eric, I told you - it’s only in pictures that I look young! So Gemma Cruz has no reason to worry.
Yes, I know Jamie Lee Curtis to be one who doesn’t want special effects while being photographed. And you know what, Gloria Diaz too, has been vocal about her not preferring any face jobs to delay her aging. She says she has had her heyday, so why want to look younger when you are in fact, older? I agree with her.
Uy, walang retoke dito sa mga pics ko, ha… Besides, di ako marunong photoshop.. hehehe
Salamat, Kneeko. Pero bakit ina-ate mo ako kung mukha pala akong bata? hehehe…
Correction, I’ll be 46 this year.
Hi, rhodora!
You really don’t look your age! Thanks for the tip. I’m not really photogenic! That’s why I seldom have my pics taken!
The picture is sharp and really clear. It is a good buy for a cp.
Geez, I can’t believe you are 52! You look so much younger than that. Like 33 or 35. What’s your secret about keeping a youthful look? Maybe you can share it with us all.
Hi ate! Seriously, you don’t look your age talaga! 52?? You really look like you’re in your mid-30s lang! Promise!
Samsung and Ericsson are known for their sleek features and way cool cameras!
Thanks for the info on how to project, ate. Naku, I will try that one nga. Facing the light… hehehe
Happy Thursday!
yes, that was supposed to be my comment, the age, but really, even perhaps you were not in front of the light, you would still not look 50.
anyway, you seem to be in a happy happy mood now!
Great shots Rhodora
You certainly took care of yourself very well ! I guess you’re not a worry wart 
If I was single I could ask you out for a date hehehe 
tita rhodes parang nasabi na nila ang gusto kung sabihin hehe
I admire women who are not afraid of ageing. Also those who don’t want to hide behind botox or facelifts
Cheers!
rhodes, thanks for the tips re:facing the light, etc. Ganda ganda mo nga, no trace of wrinkles at all. you might as well stick to whatever you have been doing. ika nga sabi nila, “if ain’t broken, why fix it.”
Snglguy, you’re 46 na? Well, at least, di ka pa 50, tulad ko..
52! Bata pa!
Where are the pictures?
Sassymom! As I said, nasa projection lang yan, believe me!
Major Tom, I have no secret. And as I said, I am just photogenic.. hehehe. I don’t even wear make up, except for eyeliner and lipstick. But I wash my face with Cetaphil facial wash…
Sasha, I agree with you. Samsung and SE phone cams produce sharper pics!
Trust me, lighting plays a great part in photography!
Dine, yes, I’m in a happy mood, and I resolve to maintain this mood at all times. I don’t want anymore drama.. Hehehe..
I’m not sure though, if I would still look as youthful without me facing the light. But one thing - I think it’s my hair too, that contributes to the youthful look.
BW - of course, I worry too, but I love humor, and I laugh a lot.
Well, if we were both single, I don’t think you could ask me for a date, because you’re too far from where you are and you need to charter a private jet to pick me up here!
Verns, thank you! I don’t see why women should be afraid to age. It’s the course of nature. No matter how many times they undergo facelifts, time will come when they can’t hide their true age anymore. Mas nakakahiya yung ganoon, di ba?
Belle! I do have wrinkles! Di nga lang kita, because of the light.
I have no beauty regimen, really. I only wash my face with Cetaphil and apply moisturizer regularly, that’s it! Would you believe, I have never tried facials? Gusto ko ngang subukan, e. Sabi nila, for clearer facial skin, daw?
Really, Sidney? Bata pa ang 52? E dito sa Pilipinas, kapag 30 years old ka na, considered matanda na!
Oh, you didn’t see the pictures when you dropped by, because my site was taking forever to load. Anyhow, hope you see it now!
Hi Rhodora. You’re blessed with young looks. You’re lucky to age gracefully. I don’t think I’m as lucky as you.
Sounds like a cool cellphone. My phone only has 2.0 megapixels camera. 3.0 megapixels is certainly a good cellphone feature.
Hi, Rach, thank you for the compliments. I hope I live up to it.. hehehe.
Yes, 3.0 mp phone cam is cool. Sharper pics and images.
Thanks for coming over, Rach!
Waaah how come hindi ko makita yung pics? huhu sayang
This laptop sucks huhu
Anyway tita kapag dito man tayo sa Manila magkikita pipicturan kita sa LRT habang nag-iinsert ng card
Really now!? Honestly, you look younger than your age there.
And good choice for a phone. Good thing there are a lot of them to choose from these days.
You look like 30’s.
Mica, ay sayang! Try mo uli tignan pics. Para hindi ka makatulog.. hehehe
Uy, don’t be bad, huh. Pipicturan mo ako, tapos iba-blog mo, di nabuking na hindi marunong ang tita mong sumakay sa LRT!
Thanks, Ferdz!
Cellphones upgrade so fast and the array of choices can sometimes overwhelm.
Byunghoon Kim, thank you! I was hoping you would say 20s though… hehehe.
Now that I saw the pictures I can’t say bata pa anymore… I should say “baby pa”!
Seriously, you are kidding us. You look in your late twenties.
I think I need the same cell phone to make me look as young as you.
You know what, Sidney, I don’t think I will let you take my picture for fear that you very sensitive lenses will capture every single line and detail on my face! Haha!
You’re looking good at your age rhodora.
You still look like a beauty queen. Di ba Miss something (?) ka nung high school ba yon?
And thanks for the tips on taking self-portraits. I’ll keep those in mind.
hindi nga nasa 50 ka na? unbelievable, sana ako din kapag ganung edad na ay magmukhang 30 pa rin, gayahin ko mga ginawa mo. cool tips.
Hahaha! Funny conversation with your hubby! Can’t stop laughing… then you have to chase him around with a broomstick like a witch.
Kung witch ka… para kang si Liz Hurley sa Bedazzled… ay, devil pala yun… same banana! 
Great photo! 
Wow, you don’t look like you’re 50, in fairness! Okay lang overweight ng konti, carry na ng face value
Good luck sa ating weight loss project. How’s it going? I have not updated about it on my blog, but it’s going good! Lost 12 pounds na hooray!
I wish i would also age gracefully as you are when my turn comes
Irene, thank you! Sana nga. Ang kaso, every morning when I look at myself in the mirror, there seems to be an added line or mark on my fave!
Iskoo, picture lang yan. Pictures sometimes lie… hehehe.
Toe, mahilig nga yata ako sa mga witch acts! I remember when Gem, my daughter was in Kindergarten, I dressed her up as a witch, complete with a broomstick for props, on their Halloween party!
Thanks, Toe!
Chateau, sabi sa iyo, mag-contest tayong dalawa sa pag lose natin ng weight, di ba?
Yun nga ang problema, puro face value na lang, kaya ang camera, sa mukha na lang nakatutok! LOL!
late commenter man ako sa lahat. must i stress to be agreeing with everyone. you don’t look your age talaga!
Feng, thanks! I wish you could say that too when you see me in flesh! hehe.
Hi there! I agree with everyone. You do look yong for your age. Besides, according to Oprah, life begins at 50, kasi nga 50-ish na siya eh. And besides, what’s important is yo’re happy with your life. God bless.
Ladybug, I wonder if Oprah would also say “Life begins at 60″ when she turns 60 years old!
Thanks for coming over to my site, my dear!