ALIWAN FESTIVAL.....

I went to Manila, at Roxas Boulevard specifically, to shoot the perfect sunset that is needed for a tarpaulin montage to be used in a reunion of IM doctors of PGH. I was surprised though when a stretch of the boulevard was closed to traffic. I didn't have a clue what was going on so I asked for some information from a cigarette vendor. He told me that the Aliwan Parade was starting, with the participants just exiting the grandstand area and proceeding to the CCP complex, passing by Roxas Boulevard.

This festival is the mother of all festivals, so to speak. Top street dancers from different parts of the country and representing the festivals from which each province is observing, come to Manila on the last Saturday of April to give Manilans a glimpse of the action. Not everyone can afford to visit each province during a town fiesta. Hence, Aliwan was created.

I am sad though, since my laptop crashed by some mysterious means and almost all my photos of this event have been wiped out. These were the only decent set that survived. Lesson learned!

SKY IS THE LIMIT.....

A SIMPLE SUNSET.....





SUNSET AFFECTED BY LENS FLARE.....





AFTER THE SUNSET.....





SOLITUDE.....





STILLNESS.....






I have always valued my friends in the medical field. When I was in PGH, I could get along more with the doctors in our department than my fellow nurses, except, of course, the nurses that came in the ward after me. I really became close with the junior nurses and they ended up being my lifetime pals. But, I don't know, why it seemed that I can relate to doctors more. And the last three IM residents batches that I have closely worked with proved this, as I still keep in contact with members from each batch until now.

Imagine my surprise when Tyrone, who happens to be in the very last batch of doctors I worked with, asked me to help him take pictures of a particular view, a sunset; and PGH! Duh! Sunset?!? PGH?!? Why?!? He later explained that he needs the photo as it is going to be used in a tarpaulin backdrop during the celebration of the IM Department's 100 years (since PGH is celebrating its 100th year, it therefore follows that most departments are 100 years old too). It so happened that he and his batch mates are the ones in charge of the affair. Sunset, is that it? So off we went on certain days when he is free (he has clinics from Quezon City to Alabang), to places like Esplanade and Manila Bay to capture it. Unfortunately for him, whenever we would go out to do the task at hand, the weather doesn't cooperate and it always rains! And because he so wanted to do the job that his friends ask him, he just didn't have the free time to go out and shoot. In the end, Meng couldn't wait for Tyrone's availability and with her deadline fast approaching, she ended up asking me to shoot it! How can I refuse?

The next few days, I had to go and scout the bay for location, trying to figure out what kind of a "sunset" shot do they need. The pictures above show what I got.

GOTIDOC-KINTANAR NUPTIALS.....

The Happy Couple!






















This was the time when I shot a wedding and had the most enjoyment doing so! I found it such a breeze working with the families of the bride and groom; working with Boyet, Neil and John was such a blast; I went to Lipa City, Batangas to shoot the couple's prenuptial! What more can I ask for?

The minute I met Miko and KC, there was no room for boredom. Perhaps the reason why I was at ease especially with KC's parents is because their daughter and I are in the same profession, that of being a nurse. And we also share the common experience of working at PGH sometime in the past, but not exactly the same years. She didn't last long though, as the back breaking schedule of the hospital can be extremely difficult at times that even our health can be compromised. But I did tell her though that comparing the workload that I have in PGH and the NHS in London, the latter proved to be more difficult as I didn't have utility workers and nursing aides to help in our tasks, even if I took care of 1 patient in ICU.

I came late at the Kintanar residence, but not of my undoing. John picked up Boyet and Neil from Edsa first then went straight to their residence to begin shooting. It was after John had dropped off the others did he eventually picked me up to proceed to the house. Apparently, the subdivision where John's clients live has a very strict policy when it came to private vehicles entering without the required stickers as proof of home ownership inside it. So John, as he was secured a pass by his clients, opted to pick me up at Las Pinas instead. So, by the time I was brought in, they now where in the flow. I found it difficult to get into the groove of shooting when most have started before me. I had to observe them first, take some test shots before joining in.

I forgot the name of the church where the ceremony was held. But I do remember it to be inside a posh village in Alabang. Reception was at The Palms Country Club at Alabang. We posed the couple inside the sporting areas of the club. So we took photos of them while they played billiards, while they played bowling, while they played badminton and while they went SWIMMING? NAHH! That proved to be too much! Although we took the couple's pictures as they posed beside the pool.

We ended the shoot at around 9:30pm. And I was so happy with the outcome. Unlike my previous wedding shoots, I didn't really feel tired.

Congratulations to the married couple!

HEART IN TWO PLACES.....AN IMMIGRANT'S JOURNEY.....

The Invitation To The Book Launch......







One of the things that I have come to appreciate about my venture into photography is that I have come to know some amazing people who share my creative pursuit of taking photographs. And one of these people I am so blessed to get to know is Lian, a preschool owner and who happens to be the only daughter of a former president of The University of the Philippines.

I have a high regard for her dad, since I used to work at The Philippine General Hospital. PGH is the teaching hospital for UP medical students and nurses. His term of being president started after Edong Angara decided to run for the presidency in the 1990s. As someone who came from the masses, he exemplified the typical UP student of yore, brave enough to stand for his beliefs and convictions no matter what he faced, possessing an analytical and brilliant mind and an idealist who loves his country.

In between breaks when Lian and I are present for a shoot or even during our travels to locations that we head for to shoot, we would chat and talk about our respective life experiences. And one story that my friend told me was about the time when her parents were both in jail during the early moments of martial law in the 70s. She told me about her Aunt Gemma, who actually took care of her and her brothers at that period. I can't remember though how long were Lian's parents were in jail, but she was grateful to her aunt, for taking up the cudgels of looking after 3 little children who were temporarily orphaned.

So when Lian sent me an invite about a cocktail party for the launching of her Aunt Gemma's book about a Filipino's point of view on living abroad, I accepted the offer, even if the event coincided with the day that our photo club went to Tagaytay for a shoot. Not to mention the health crisis that I experienced at that time too. I have always wanted to be a published writer and meeting someone like her keeps the dream alive for me.

To my amazement, as the time went by, I found myself feeling better and better. We shot some pictures of the event that turned me into an awestruck fan, ogling at the people who came. Bernardo Bernardo (who has retired from television and now lives in the US) came home just to attend the launching. Lian's aunt's friend Ceres P. Doyo of Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism and the rest of their colleagues were also present. Danny Javier of APO sang songs during the intermission. And a handsome man who caught my eye turned out to be Carlitos Siguion Reyna with his wife Bibeth Orteza. Other guests who came were Randy David, Ronald Constantino and some members of the Senate who represent the party list groups. A joke from the host saying the Nemenzos were born holding up placards in protest really elicited a laugh from the crowd.

But the day was for Lian's Aunt Gemma. And the outpouring of support from her aunt's friends and family for this latest endeavor.

I always have a soft spot for books that depict the life of a Filipino outside the Philippines, simply because I could relate to it, having been once an OFW as I worked in London. I haven't read the book yet, but Lian promised to lend me her signed copy. Who knows, when the time is right, I might start to do some writing of my own! c",)

CRISAN'S MASQUERADE BALL.....

The Proud Parents.....





Cake!!!!! Yummy!!!!!





The Debutant.....





A Toast.....To Your Future!





Happy Family.....

Three Generations.....





I attended a masquerade ball/debut in honor of my NAYON colleague Gigi's unica hija, Crisan last Saturday, March 24. And I was the one chosen by Gigi and Boyet (who hosted the event) to do the photography for the debutante's album. And I think Gigi was pleased with the results.

I like shooting events like weddings and birthdays, particularly if the one celebrating is someone I know like a family, a relative or a close friend. It makes me the person who watches a special moment in the celebrant's life and freezes it in time. I'd look back at my shots and see what went on during that time and tell a story about the event to people who see the pictures with me or to those who failed to attend the event. And at the end of the day, I am the one who preserves the memories and documents it. When I am gray and old, these shall be my treasures. There is no such thing as an event being "over photographed".

I know that the trend for pictures in a photo album for weddings are "glamorized shots" of the couple. These kinds of pictures are great to look at but I feel it lacks the depth and emotion of the moment. What's wrong with including a photo of crying parents, or brides? And what's also wrong in showing photos of "bizarre" behavior of friends and relatives?

Hence, shooting debuts are most welcome for me. It involves less glamorized shots and more of the in the moment as it happens type. A tear there, a smile here, a guffaw from somewhere, and all the emotions that each guest exhibits are there for the taking. And at the end of the day, it is the idea that I have participated in a celebration that has a profound meaning not only to the celebrant but the celebrant's family as well, that speaks of the joy and love that they have for each other and for me to witness it, just reinforces my belief in the goodness of mankind and that love does conquer everything.

I admire Gigi and Carlos. I don't know them that well, but I know that they are good people and are great parents to their kids. I can feel the bond the their family has for each other and that their kids are well grounded people. I truly felt privelege to see the love that they have as it unfolded before my eyes during that night.

Happy Birthday Crisan! Hope you do not forget your values that your parents have instilled in you and that your school has shaped and refined but uphold them even more. For these shall be your guide as you tread on to adulthood.