Goodbye to Francis Magalona

We lost a nationalistic artist in Francis Magalona to lukemia on March 6 at 44 years young. He is the Father of Philippine Rap music, a businessman, host to a popular noon timeshow and photographer member of the prestigious Camera Club of the Philippines. When I was confined at the Medical City hospital (I had asthma) last month, a nurse whispered to me that Francis was also secretly confined. Only a good friend stoppped me on my tracks from entering his room. Well I just thought that the good man needed someone to share the love of photography in that sterile place. I would...The nation mourns.

Mike and Jocelyn Feb Nuptial

Congratulations to Mike Duff and Jocelyn Ferrer on their memorable wedding! Top wedding photog Dino Lara did outstanding photo-journalistic coverage and Bob Nicolas did the dandy video with their macho, full-HD Panasonics outfitted with Canon lenses (photo below). Both their photo AVP, video AVP and on-site wedding movie were all artistic in treatment of the highest quality. The wedding rite was celebrated at the new Magallanes Church in Makati city and reception was held at the posh Manila Peninsula. May your tribe increase folks!

The Legendary Nikon F2

It always blows me away when I hold my classic Nikon F2 film SLR coupled with the rare Nikon DA-1 Action Finder. Colleagues tell me that the viewfinder is on steroids heh heh heh! I’m tempted to use this tank on my cousins wedding-coming soon. Because of it’s hefty weight I carry only my ultra-wide and macro lens with it. Everything about this Nikon F2 is purely manual and opto-mechanical.

Sir Jorge Strong at 70 Years Young

The honorable and charismatic Jorge Banal of the Makati Distric celebrated his 70th birthday with family and friends in high places at the posh Makati Polo Club. Gilbert Obispo was my 2nd photog and Shierdan Pamintuan did the video. A true public servant all his life, Mr. Banal vigorously refuses to be called a "traditional politician” (or "tra-po" in the vernacular-meaning "dirty rag" literally). What a great man indeed and his many works show it!

The 2nd Philippine Starball Competition

Thank you Carlo Villongco for the job as one of your dance photographer for the 2009 Philippine Starball held at the posh Makati Shangri-la Hotel in Makati city. Great dancers from around the world graced the floor! What a night to remember again. Watch the delayed telecast on March 8 on ABS-CBN channel 2 at 10PM.

UP Fine Arts Week 2009

Many thanks to Mr. Joey Tanedo (in beige shirt) of the UP College of Fine Arts (CFA) for inviting me again to do a demonstration of Lighting Patterns for studio photogrtaphy during Fine Arts Week (Feb. 16 to 21). There was Mr. Tommy Gacad (in blue shirt) of AFP giving insightful tips on extreme photo-journalism. I learn much from Tommy's stint in the Iraq war as an "embedded" photo-journalist. BTW Tommy is also an alumni of the CFA. Beside moi is fine arts photographer Marc San Valentin (in black shirt). Marc did share to me some artistic tips in alternative, conventional film developing techniques. "Iron sharpens iron" indeed during that day!

An Invitation From My Prof. Reynoso

Cruise Ship Workshop This March

Cruise Ship Photography Workshop is now ready to sail, to embark on a 3-day seminar on March 3, 4 & 5, 2009. It will be held at the FPPF offices at the FEMII Bldg. in Intramuros, Manila. The workshop includes practical shooting during embarkation, on the gangway, and how to get the proper table shots during events on the ship. Please get in touch with the FPPF (Tel: 524-7576) to catch the boat to professional training in Cruise Ship Photography! [Details]
(Photo by Custer Cano)