Archive for November, 2009

As It Is: Portrait works by 8 photographers

Thursday, November 5th, 2009
Portraits works by Frankie Callaghan, Candice Reyes, Tesa Celdran, Dennis Rito, Geric Cruz, Dennis Vega, Miguel Nacianceno and Tammy David

Portrait works by Frankie Callaghan, Candice Reyes, Tesa Celdran, Dennis Rito, Geric Cruz, Dennis Vega, Miguel Nacianceno and Tammy David

Last September, the German photographer Espen Eichhöfer was invited by the Goethe Institut – Manila, a contribution to its regional project, City Scapes, to conduct a workshop for eight Filipino photographers at the Silverlens Gallery. It’s the second time that this kind of workshop was held, the first, with Peter Bialobrzeski that culminated in the Mapping Invisible Cities traveling exhibit.

This time, Goethe Institut focused on the Philippines as it was the only country in the Southeast Asian region that enthusiastically responded to the first workshop. With the theme Portraits, eight photographers interpreted it and the output is
AS IT IS.

Like the first work, Urban Manila, I designed this website.

A 12 year old photographer just impressed me

Wednesday, November 4th, 2009
Gabriel Lumbab, 12 years old, has a natural talent in taking images. He seems to have an eye for well composed photos.

Gabriel Lumbab, 12 years old has a natural talent in taking images. He seems to have an eye for well composed photos.

The young photographer's work impressed me. He has a good eye for composition.

The young photographer's work.

Looking at the displayed images at the children’s mini photo exhibit at Fort San Pedro last weekend, two images struck me: a photo of a flower against the sky and the façade of the old cuartel inside the fort.

Composition and framing was quite good considering that these are kids 13 years old and below with no photography training who joined a two day workshop. When I asked who the young photographers are, I was told that it belonged to one boy: Gabriel Lumbab, 12 years old. I was almost speechless! What shocked me more was when Lorens, one of the mentor-photographers, told me that Gabriel only attended the practical part (second day).

This kid has a natural eye for good images. The two complex photos demonstrate his grasp for balance and what is considered good composition. If this talent is nurtured, he will reach great heights.

Children's mini photo exhibit

Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009
Half of the output of a childrens photo workshop that was part of the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation's activities

Half of the output of a childrens photo workshop that was part of the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation's activities

I was just amazed at the output of a children’s photo workshop conducted by two friends for a series of activities including drawing, performance arts, etc, by the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation’s Kids at the Museum program at the back of the Fort San Pedro last Saturday. One in particular, Gabriel Lumbab blew me away.

Honoring the dead in Cebu now up in demotix.com

Monday, November 2nd, 2009
My fourth photo story in Demotix taken during the All Souls' Day eve

My fourth photo story in Demotix taken during the All Souls' Day eve

The images I took of the All Souls’ Day eve is now up at Demotix. It consists of 11 images all taken at the Talisay City Catholic cemetery at night. The work revolves around the dakung krus (literally, big cross) which is a common area where people offer candles and prayers instead of going from burial plot to burial plot and niche to niche.

From that center, I went around the vicinity but limited my shots within the public area where the dead are buried on the ground and in apartment link niches stacked one on top of each other.

As the night deepens, more people are coming and the main walkway gets crowded with visitors bearing candles and flowers.

All Soul’s Day eve is also an occasion to catch up with relatives and friends as mini reunions are formed.

“Day of the Dead” slideshow with free PDF

All Souls Day eve in Talisay City, Cebu

Monday, November 2nd, 2009

On the eve of All Souls’ Day celebrated 2 November, most Filipinos flock to the cemeteries to honor the departed. In Talisay City, Cebu, the glow of a thousand candles is just spectacular.

At one section of the cemetery where space is so tight.

At one section of the cemetery where space is so tight.


At the common area, a man lights a candle for a departed.

At the common area, a man lights a candle for a departed.


In another area, this family was praying the rosary

In another area, this family was praying the rosary


Burial niches stacked on top of one another

Burial niches stacked on top of one another

“Day of the Dead” slideshow with free PDF