A day with Ana's band

For a photographic point of view, perfect lighting is very important to achieve the drama that we wish for the final output of an image. And for a natural lighting, we depend on the time where sunlight is on its perfect form. That's what I am trying to explain to my clients everytime we do an outdoor photo shoot.

This time, I have an emergency pictorial for an upcoming band named Ana Loves Sundays. You might ask why its an emergency? My friend Dennis called me up late in the evening and referred me this project. We come up for a half-day shoot because it's the only time I'll be available. I have some pending jobs in the office that needs attention. We have decided to start early at 8 am so we can make most of the natural lighting.

The plan don't went fine as we have expected. We are at UP Diliman by 7:30 and expecting all members of the band to be there and ready for the pictorial. They never thought that we can go as early as this. May be Dennis don't clarify with them his intention for a day light effect on their pictorials. To make the story short, we ended up shooting around 11:00 am which give us a harsh lighting in the background. The sun rays is so distinct and its not perfect for them. It might give them a squint eyes one's they are at the middle of the field. We understood, its their first time and they never expected that we are that serious. So, we have modified some concepts of the shoot to take advantage of the sun lights.

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A Hero and a Father

August 21, 1983 was really a significant date for all of us Pinoy. On this particular date we remember the martyrdom of Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino, Jr. and thru his death, the nationalistic spirit of Filipinos from all walks of life was reborn. They have joined hand-in hand for a massive unified crusade on the streets of Manila and EDSA and ended the 20 year dictator regime of the late Ferdinand Marcos and this was became popular as the bloodless People Power Revolution.

I was just a grade 3 pupil when he was assassinated and I really don't understant what my teachers are talking about Ninoy. Also I remember on this date, we go to an early mass with my father before we went to school and this continue every year without knowing why. It was only on my six grade that I stop going with him. I have already so many barkadas and have more priorities at school. Then, I ask him why?

They were ambushed by guerillas and he was a lone survivor. He was paying homage to his comrades who lost their lives in that tragic moment in Mindanao. He was also thankful for his life that he had continued his mission not on the high forest and feaful terrains but to the loving care of his wife and his eight children. . .

Power of Colors

The tradition of publishing books in black and white is already obsolete. Am I right? Though, i was sent to a private school by my parents, I seldom see four color reading materials being supplied in school not unless we went to our library to read foreign textbooks for our research. It is only in the mid-80's when I encountered two-color textbooks from local textbooks publishers. Most covers were already in full c0lor but I really don't admire our books being in two colors and in a low grade grainy skinned paper. Publishers call it black newsprints. I wanna admit that I've been a witness on how the world of publishing had matured and continue their efforts to supply quality reading materials to our educational system.

Now, we must be thankful that modern technology for printing were already adapted by these publishers. They start to come up with a new outlook in textbooks readership for modern Filipinos. Publishers now a days are creating a new world for our children to enliven them with a new outlook in their studies and this will eventually create sparks to their eyes when they start to use it.

Vibal Publishing has pionered the idea and they are launching it via the theme " A World of Colors, A World of Difference. " This is to promote full colors reading materials in Vibal text books series and will kicks-off at the 65th CEAP National Convention to be held at the historic Manila Hotel.

To start with it, I was given the opportunity to handled its principal photography for the second time. We shoot on location at Xavier School in San Juan, Mandaluyong City. I work simultaneously with the video production unit of Blitz. They are also shooting the ad video teaser for the CEAP affair. We had different situational and static shots and these will be used for its collaterals, banners and posters. And again, these will be given away and to be distributed in schools nationwide.

This campaign is really a big effort for publishers like VIBAL to deliver their message to students, teachers, parents and educational institutions. So, perfect image is necessary to work with the copy. This time, I like it to be more dynamic than last year. The theme ask for it and the image I create should carry the theme of the ad campaign. Well, that's another challnge on my part and hoping that it would be a success.

Violent Mayon

As I go with my life in this big city of Manila, I was strucked by the news that one of my friend was going home to our province in Bicol, I can't help my self but to reminisced those days where I was invited in their small and remote town in Guinubatan, Albay and stayed there a couple of days. We have good times swimming by the cold springs and bird hunting while enjoying the scenic view of Mt. Mayon.



But now, as the news broke out about the pending major eruption of the famous volcano, I can imagine the fear and worriedness of my friend over the safety of his family. The volcano has already spew sulfuric clouds and continues lava flows on its mouth for over a week now. They live in a Danger Zone being announced by the Regional Disaster Coordinating Council and for sure they are already in evacuation areas. This is his life every time the volcano erupts and they continue to fear his family's lives who can't give up their livelihood and the life they get used to for decades.Although some of his family members already settled in Manila, his old folks and relatives are still there. I just pray for their safety and hope they can go through it as what they have done in the past.

I have witnessed some major eruption of the volcano during my early school days. And we are lucky that we are kilometers away from the volcano. I still have some photos of its major violent eruption and I can remember how it attracts tourist, local and international media to cover this natural phenomena. I might still be lucky to find these photos in my "lumang baul" that I can share but I have to find it first. In the meantime I have to link with other sources :)