Roofdeck Photoshoot at Netcube

It was one of those days were a photoshoot invite would circulate in the outlook inbox. And I am pretty much the late bloomer active member who is always on top of the list of confirmed attendees (because I joined late and had fun since then) . Looking back, I couldn't help but miss those days with IDPC folks, our out of town trips, long email threads, mini-workshops and Thursday meetings. Perhaps, gone are those days since Intel's site closure announcement. It felt sad to lose big blue, the company that made a huge difference in our lives and one great member, kuya Abet, surely, he will be missed.

Indeed, some good things never really lasts, same thing almost happened in this shoot. I nearly lost my chance to take a decent photograph. We arrived late because of heavy traffic. For safety reasons, the guard had to step up and remind us of our time limit to stay there.

Batad and Banaue Trip

This is how my addiction to photography started.

I only want an out of town trip and IDPC then was bound north, August last year. I was excited when Arpi invited me to join the group. It has been a long time since I've been out on a trip, so I grabbed the opportunity, disregarded the fact that the whole bunch were a total stranger to me.

I carried with me a Canon Powershot SX100 IS. Thankfully IDPC folks were kind enough to help me with the settings. I would recall kuya Ronald would timely review my shots, specific to composition. I also had my first shot with panorama (that i never take time to stitch yet), with Alford as our mentor and his monopad to support my cam. Then, an experience with long shutter that my point and shoot is never capable of, but Chito have managed to give me a few "makeshift" tips of using my shades instead of filters, and then lent me a teeny weeny tripod to support the camera (the one that i intend not to return). He was actually the one who enlightened me on how to manipulate the manual settings of my point and shoot camera and what good it could do with my shots.

I would love to go on and talk about how each one in the group had made this trip so meaningful to me... (special mention kuya bong and kuya ed who made our tummies ache with so much laughter) but it's going to be a pretty long introduction, so to IDPC folks who was there with me during this trip... here's a big hug from me... you truly made a big difference in my life...

being with you guys, is one of the best days of my life...

thank you... thank you...

Camiguin Island Adventure

It was another out of town trip with IDPC, and with the permission with the group I tag along my good friend Eric Silla. We stayed with the Abuzo's and had tons of fun shooting here and there, it felt like we've been to every corner of Camiguin in the span of 3 days.

Katibawasan Falls

Sunken Cemetery

Paras Beach Resort

White Island

Another Sunset Shot near Belle's Grandma's House

Mantigue Island

Last glimpse of Camiguin, at the port.

It was also a great time to learn shooting using natural available lights, how to wait for the sun to go down c/o sir veni and the best hours to shoot and how to compensate if it went beyond already.

Thank you Belle, the people who organized this and the rest of the IDPC folks for this adventure. It was indeed one of the must-see places here in the Philippines.

New Year 2010

Indeed, another first for me. First time to shoot a decent photograph of the traditional New Year's eve fireworks display and first celebration without Ma. I hope that where ever she is now, it's a happy place. I miss you everyday, Ma. Thank you for everything.

Manila's Best Dressed Awards 2009

It is out of real luck that I was able to join my wedding story in the part II of their Manila's Best Dressed Awards 2009 photoshoot session. I was very excited when I received the call from kuya Mike Agsaoay who happened to be part of the team. What thrills me the most is the fact that I have always wanted to go to Manila Hotel, and it's just the perfect opportunity mainly because I am not required to wear my heels and a fancy dress. Here are very few lucky shots of:

Jesli A. Lapus, looking very sharp in his black suit.

the very endearing (with high emphasis on the fact that he liked my shirt), humble and smart, Adel Tamano.

the bubbly and witty, Mia Mancio. Who can't love her?

Cris Albert, where classy (I’m giving full credits to the champagne she ordered, that we never dare drink) and gorgeous have become an understatement.

And the most fulfilling part… the "one shot at the manila hotel in my most comfy clothes" dream.

Kat and Pao

Kat and Pao were both candidates to Just for Tonight '09 King and Queen. We were invited to shoot for their publicity materials as well as to cover the event together with JuiceUp! Events team. For the edited version of this pictorial a.k.a. "the finish product", find it here. Congratulations Kat for winning the title, indeed you carry both beauty and brains! To Pao, I'm sure after the event you won the hearts of many many many many (i lost count already...) girls!

Kat and Pao had a perfect chemistry. It concealed the fact that they were newbies (including me as their photographer) in doing random poses and they actually did great. They are so game and naturally wacky that we are actually consistently laughing at every experimental shots we take. here are some of my favorite shots:

And since we're up for a little bit of creativity, even if we lack actual props, we've decided to pull out the table, the ropes and even the bond paper boxes that are lying around at the office. It was so fun, even until today, I am still looking forward to doing this again with them.

Bel and Zalvi

Bel and Zalvi's frustration was to have a pre-nup shoot and since we're up for a shoot like this, we disregarded the fact that they are already married.

Off to Tagaytay, I made them wear something fancy, forced Zalvi to wear make-up and then invited one of the wedding masters in IDPC, kuya Mike Agsaoay. After lunch, we've decided to look for another venue to shoot and kuya Ren suggested that we took a trip to Amadeo. The idea to shoot there was great, by then Bel and Zalvi became more at ease with the cameras around. The shots came out so naturally perfect as they tease around.

We enjoyed the shoot with this lovely couple. We are actually still looking forward to doing another shoot with them, provided that time would allow us.

Bel and Zalvi, congratulations for a wonderful marriage.

Kuya Mike A and Kuya Ren, thank you for sharing your expertise with us.

Kuya Gotch, I'm really glad you joined and did enjoy as well.