ASHA Printad Campaign Published At Last

The Asian School of Hospitality Arts (ASHA) finally released their launch ad which I saw in The Philippine Star publication this month. It just took two short days to shoot this ad with all the photos you see. Later I will post the other shots (not shown) which will comprise the sustaining ads of ASHA. For this ad campaign I used two Nikon SB flash units in tandem with a 1000 w/s studio flash plus ambient light. The senior creative director (CD) instructed me to use strobes to mimic available light-but in a more "stylized" way. It was one of my toughest lighting assignments to date due to a contracted time-frame and cramped locations in the Quezon city area. Did I mention that the CD has worked a lot with Ad Photo and knows photography too? What a great printad! Kudos to CD James Banal concept! Whew!

Philippine Photography Promulgated At Last!

Congratulations for the first batch of certified Filipino photographers! Written below is my understanding of what certification is all about:

Remember when commercial photography then was revolutionized worldwide by digital “film-less” capture around the start of the year 1999? It was both bitter/sweet to the taste to the market: bitter because it rendered conventional photography as obsolete and expensive; and sweet because it was cheaper and more instantaneous!

A decade later on November 5-6, 2009 in the hallowed halls of the Federation of Philippine Photographers Foundation, Inc. (FPPF) was conducted the revolutionary, first-ever, national assessment on Basic Photography National Certification (Level) II! The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) through Senior TESDA Specialist Ms. Mercedes E. Javier supervised the assessment in tandem with moi, the first accredited assessor (by endorsement) for Photography NC ll. TESDA is the Philippine government’s national arm in setting the standards in Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET).

My congratulations to the famous, power-casted Press Photographer of the Philippines (PPP) who bravely and boisterously trooped to the FPPF studio with their president in Mr. Gerald Carual of the Laguna Times publication. They pass the assessment as the first group of photographers to be certified. The next day, November 6, two photography lecturers in Mr. Edwin Celestino and Toti Abdul of De La Salle-College of St. Benilde, School of Design became the second batch to be assessed. Congratulations to them too!

Like the digital revolution that swept everybody by surprise, national assessment was met with bitter/sweet reactions too. And that can be good because it shows that our industry is indeed thriving! It can be bitter to some accomplished photographers; and sweet to others who want their credentials recognized by our government (and other countries we have bi-lateral relations with) without spending much time and money to go to a prestigious college. However you may view it, it is certain that TESDA is taking photography seriously through its humble efforts to professionalize the teaching methodologies and practices of all academic institutions offering photography. Although the first-ever and historic AB Photography Photography degree program in the country has just been offered by the De La Salle-College of St. Benilde, School of Design and Arts-with Mr. Leo Santos as chairperson, abide by the laws of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).

Assessment is a voluntary initiative-especially for existing industry practitioners. However, assessment becomes only mandatory for those trainees who are graduates from programs/institutions registered with TESDA (those qualifications with promulgated Training regulations). The promulgation of the Training Regulation is always industry driven: it is up to our experts in Philippine photography to establish and update our training regulations that define the minimum standard of competency requirements of a photographer (worker) in our industry.

Since photography involves technical skills that can be measured, TESDA will assess a candidate based on direct observation with oral questioning on four Core Competencies a candidate must demonstrate: 1) Operate camera and compose a subject, 2) Setup studio light, equipment and accessories, 3) Perform post-capture processes and 4) Present finished products. Digital photography is preferred due to its expediency during assessment. Assessment centers will provide camera, studio lights, accessories, computer, printer, mounts and other supplies. But any candidate is allowed to bring their own digital camera.

So, on-the-spot, within less than two-and-a-half hours, you will have to setup your DSLR, shoot a model with glamour lighting, download and perform basic enhancements to your chosen image. After enhancing a photo for printout, you must first demonstrate basic slideshow presentation skills. Then after, the candidate is tasked to print their enhanced photo at 8”x10” size and mount it on illustration board. All the while the photo assessor asks you basic, technical questions. It’s either you pass or fail only-there are no magna-cum laude awards here. If you have you basics right then there is nothing to fear. If in doubt, then get a refresher course or workshop on basic/advance photography somewhere.

Anyone who passes the NCII assessment gets certified for five years in the qualification they applied for. For now TESDA offers free assessment to the public. I say, grab it while you can!

For queries, application for assessors and/or photography assessment centers please visit www.tesda.gov.ph for more information.

Filipinos are one of the best of the best photographers in the world! We can be glad that government is doing something right regarding our industry-our passion. Three cheers for the FPPF under Ms. Eduviges Huang for galvanizing known and learned Filipino photographers, educators and business personalities in the industry establishing Photography NCII with the future in mind! It’s revolutionary indeed! And a revolution is no tea party, according to Mao. Mabuhay ang litratistang Pinoy!

Joemarie and Nea Nuptials

Congratulations to Joemarie and Nea on their wedding celebration! Thank you for your hospitalityand concern with my team-I truly appreciate it very much! I thank my trusty Ricardo Castro forbeing always resourceful and industrious in times of need. Enjoy the memories folks! And may your tribe increase more.

Robert Tan at 90 Long Years!

When I first saw Robert Tan (seated, left) walking around at age 90 years I was really impressed with his strength! Why yours truly hopes to just live by 70 years-realistically (longevity average for Filipinos). Most people ofhis age would be confined to a wheel chair. T'was a grand, grand birthday party with family and friends, hereand abroad celebrating with the happy, happy celebrant at the Edsa Shangri-la Hotel. Happy birthday indeed sir! May you continue to be a blessed example for others to emulate.

Typhoon Donations Matter

From the bottom of my heart I thank everyone (you know who you are) who gave to the victims of typhoon Ondoy.Addressing the "felt needs" of these people is practicing the virtue of love. I noticed in my flooded Pasig area that that when a truck of relief good passby it's only the best grabbers that catch any relief goods.The old, weak, disabled and sickly are at a disadvantage. Even if there was a cue, there's the possibilityof same family members falling in line. Also, some relief trucks rudely leave the que of hapless and bewilderedvictims. I guess nothing can truly be perfect in this life. But many thanks to our landlord Ms. Viring forgiving me a bag of relief goods-of all people!!! LOL

FPPF Wedding Photography Workshop '09

Due to queries about a regular Philippine wedding photography workshop, the Federation of Philippine Photographers Foundation, Inc. (FPPF) established their official FPPF Wedding Photography Workshop. This seminar will transform any amateur wedding photographer into a confident professional hopeful. IMHO my name should be downplayed in the poster's copy compared to the great Vic Sison and Ador Pamintuan-but there you have it! If you know someone interested please register them here. Slots are very limited-so please hurry. Thank you very much and see y'all!

One Workshop Studio Has A New Haven

One Workshop, Inc., upgraded to a better location at 1101 MTR Building, Chino Roces Avenue, Makati City (across Philippine Daily INQUIRER). But multi-awarded creative director Ross Capili has an alternative, hidden haven where he does serious works of art. There I appreciated important pointers Ross gave me in describing his unique and impressive style of fine art photography and mix media. To my pleasant surprise Ross is also friend to my uncle Fred Llongoren-the premier Filipino water color artist. His secret haven is a photo studio/museum/gallery/living room-all rolled into one. Muchas gracias Senor Capili!

A Nation In Need Of Great Leaders

Here are raw, unedited photos of mine depicting the trials of some Pasig city residents still enduring the trapped flood waters long after typhoon Ondoy left days ago! Hence some areas of the country are experiencing the same misery. If we Filipinos don't get our act together in executing tough environmental laws, exercise political will, elect just (and competent) officials and plan our cities intelligently...then, expect needless sufferings again. Because in a Democracy we elect the government we deserve. The clear and present dangers aren't terrorists or typhoons...it's us! B-(