Viewfinders Keepers

Castaway

2012-02-25T02:24:00.000-08:00

Remember my shoot with Red Dot for Havainas last year? The CEO/store owner liked my photos so much that she again offered me to shoot their upcoming collections and items for the next year - 2012 - along with shooting her family portraits. They even booked and paid for my flight as early as January to make sure I find time in my schedule.

This is prolly one of the most hectic weekends in my life. I had to travel home straight from work just for the shoot and immediately go back to Manila right after. It also happened to be the long weekend so all the stations, streets and highways are flooded with people dying to go home to their provinces or off to a vacation hence the traffic.

This is only the first of many sets. Luckily, the model is my friend so the shoot went comfortable, light and fun. Although I must say, it was incredibly hot. These were taken I think around 11 in the morning as it still took us time to drive to the location.

After this shoot, we had to drive back to the next location to shoot another set of models and clothes (photos of which I shall upload once the photos get released by the store). We didn't even have time to stop, rest and eat lunch anymore.

Anyway, this set is my favorite. For this, we are modelling Red Dot's multi-way scarf. The thing's so versatile, it's miraculous! lol. Also, not only is Kathy a very gorgeous and photogenic subject, she's also very game and willing. She has a J.Lo vibe and looks like a mermaid, a gypsy and a sexual fantasy personified. As usual, I had to question my sexuality and womanhood again while processing these photos. lol.

During the shoot, I kept belting out orgasmic remarks everytime I preview my shots which cracks up everybody everytime.

It also took me less time than the usual to edit these photos. I think it only took me 2 minutes for each photo. Srsly. Ericke, the stylist asked me to edit the photos to make them more earth-toned but the model's skintone, haircolor, color of the scarves and the background, and the ambient light went very well altogether that I didn't have to fix or change much.

I hope you guys enjoy viewing these photos as much I enjoyed shooting them. :)

***

HMUA/model: Katherine Domingo (I'd like to believe we have the same surname for a very apparent reason. loljk)

Photographer: Ivon Domingo

Styling: Ericke Tan

Lighting Asst.: Eugene Tan

Client/Wardrobe: Red Dot

Product: multi-way scarf

Location: Currimmao, Ilocos Norte

p.s. Special thanks to my bro Johnrey Espinueva for lending me his bokehlicious and orgasmic Nikkor 35mm for this shoot. :)

Sandboarding: More fun in Laoag.

2012-02-05T12:18:00.000-08:00

Remember my article and photos on the La Paz sand dunes & sandboarding that got published in PDI last year? Well to this date, I am still proud for having been (in a way) part of the success and popularity of the La Paz sand dunes & Ilocos sandboarding.

I recall the first time I tried sandboarding about 2 years ago (March 2010) with my friends to shoot a TV feature for a national station's morning show...as a sandboarder. If you must know, I was at the "bloopers" part of the segment. lol.

Anyhow... sandboarding that time was not as popular as it is today. Matter of factly, we were one of the firsts to experience it, with my good friend Ericke's parents being the pioneers and innovators of the sport in Laoag (and the entire Philippines if I may add).

Sandboarding in Laoag (and in the entire Philippines if I may add again. lol.) was actually developed first and originally by the Laoag-Eco Adventure Development (LEAD) Movement which I have also mentioned in my said newspaper article. I am all praises for the LEAD Movement for always coming up with new and exciting attractions in Ilocos that do not require tearing down old establishments and go beyond putting up superficial, fashionable shops or some aesthetic monument only for tourists to take photos with. Not to mention, they operate on a very small and self-supported fund.

Sandboarding was so new that time that we were immediately introduced as the young members of LEAD Movement after a few days of trying to stay on the board. haha!

From thereon, Ilocos Sandboarding has become THE shiznit, getting featured in the news, TV, national magazines, even in international TV shows and TIME magazine. Hell yes!

Like I said, I am very proud to have become a part of Ilocos Sandboarding's success even in a somewhat little way... which is why I am once again even more proud to promote the very first Sandboarding competition in the Philippines!

The Laoag La Paz Sandboarding competition is the first of its kind in the Philippines. Organized by the LEAD Movement, "the innovators of sandboarding in Ilocos"

and Havaianas® in cooperation with the city government of Laoag for the annual Pamulinawen festival.

To enjoy this awesome event to its full extent, guests are asked to bring blankets, mats, tents and have a picnic of sorts. All board riders, extreme sports enthusiasts, the young, the young once, the care free, the fashionable, practically everybody and anybody who wants to experience sand boarding are invited! FREE RIDES FOR KIDS! But wait, there's more! REGISTRATION IS FREE!

Havaianas kits will be given away to the first 50 registrants.

I hear there will be a camel and Arabian-esque set-ups, Moroccan tents complete with throw pillows. I'm so stoked! Photoshoot opportunity yet again! hihi!

*For inquiries and details check out the Ilocos Sand Boarding page on Facebook or contact LEAD Movement or Red Dot Boutique in Laoag.

And in that moment, we were infinite.

2012-01-24T08:10:00.000-08:00

This is a late upload nonetheless, it is worth the wait.

I have been quite busy struggling on heels in the corporate world so I haven't the time to blog again (excuses!).

These photos were taken on the first week of January just a few hours before I rode the bus and moved to Manila.

It was a melancholic day for me and Ericke, having to spend almost every day of the past month together and suddenly accepting the thought that we won't be one drive away from each other anymore. Also, because we both dread long distance relationships. lol.

Dramatic as it may sound, we decided to spend my last day in Ilocos as if it's my last day on Earth. I wanted to achieve whatever I failed to accomplish in 2011 - or atleast thought I should have done. We actually came up with an itinerary...but being the impulsive & spontaneous bratts that we are, we never got to follow the plan.

For the longest time, Ericke and I have been wanting to get extra ear piercings and that day, we went ahead and got ourselves matching ear piercings. We pushed each other to go first and whined like nervous little girls... as if Ericke didn't have a tongue & belly piercing and I, without a tattoo. The hypocrites we are! lol.

Afterwhich, we had this random craving for ice scamble - the dirty cold treat you buy from the street. We went around the city's known spots for ice scramble (the stadium, schools, etc.) but it was as if all the vendors went on vacation that day. Somehow, we found ourselves driving all the way to a far-flung rural town in Ilocos Norte, searching for ice candy this time... and ended up in this really beautiful and photogenic place.

It was an old waterdam and is known in Laoag for the number of people who have accidentally died/drowned here. Spontaneous as we are, we climbed ontop of the dam, withstanding the strong wind that almost blew us off the edge.

You should know by now that every place and event Ericke and I get ourselves into, we turn into a photoshoot opportunity... and the succeeding shots are but expected of us.

It was ineffably windy and sunny at the same time.

I took this shot around 500 meters way (I suck at Math so I'm probably wrong). Suffice to say that when I instructed Ericke how to pose or look the other way, I had to shout every word with my lungs and heart out. It also took a few minutes to get the message across. lol.

We were so hyped with the location and the photos that we felt bummed for not bringing outfits for a photoshoot. No, awesome as the photos may seem, we weren't prepared for this. This is only an outcome of our boredom-driven spontaneity. Had we known there is a place like this, we would have prepared. Also, technicality-wise, the lighting would've been better if I brought my reflector.

Nonetheless, being the self-proclaimed creative freaks that we are, we have already come up with a list of concepts and outfits to shoot here. haha!

I love Ericke's Anne Curtis vibe in these photos. She usually claims that she has the same aura as Anne and I would usually just shrug it off (you cannot disagree with her). lol. But for this set, Ericke is the Anne Curtis to my Mark Nicdao. haha!

We drove back to the city with hopes and excitement of coming back to the place we thought we would die of boredom and asthma. lol. On our way, we were still searching for ice candy but to no avail. :(

We had isaw at the famous Tayamen's in Laoag instead.

We stargazed in our recent favorite hang-out, palm springs and formulated a romantic date plan for the night.

The date didn't turn out the way we imagined but it was cute and sweet nonetheless. :)

The only thing missing was getting matching tattoos. lol. Needless to say, it turned out to be a really special day.

...until I went home and got scolded (and almost disowned) by my parents for going home late and almost missing my trip. Definitely worth it!
_____
Photographer: Ivon Domingo
Model/Stylist: Ericke Tan (surprisinglykitsch.com)
read Ericke's version here: See ya when i see ya and here: lady love

Milkshake

2012-01-16T20:42:00.000-08:00

Milkshake

Daydream delusion,

limousine eyelash

Oh baby with your pretty face,

Drop a tear in my wineglass

Look at those big eyes

See what you mean to me

Sweet-cakes and milkshakes

I'm a delusion angel

I'm a fantasy parade

I want you to know what I think

Don't want you to guess anymore

You have no idea where I came from

We have no idea where we're going

Lodged in life

Like branches in a river

Flowing downstream

Caught in the current

I carry you

You'll carry me

That's how it could be

Don't you know me?

Don't you know me by now?

*If you know this (without searching on google), I already love you. But ofcourse, you're prolly a woman or gay. :)

Hey soulsister!

2012-01-03T00:50:00.000-08:00

First photo set of the year!

A very impromptu shoot with my forever trial model, Ericke in Ilocos.

These were taken after shooting a family holiday portrait that I was paid to do. Yay to more sidelines! haha!

It took us only a few minutes for this shoot due to the bad weather (it was very windy and there was a slight drizzle). Also, it was getting dark already. I believe this was around 6 pm although it doesn't seem like it. Thanks to my Derek's high ISO, the photos look like they were taken in the morning. :D

I had to wait until the year ended to finally upload these photos. I printed and framed it as one of my Holiday presents to Ericke for being my muse for the year 2011... and driver too. lol.

1st of 2 sets

model/wardrobe: Ericke Tan (surprisinglykitsch.com)

photographer: Ivon Domingo

location: Fort Ilocandia Resort

...and the inevitable self-portrait of the very charming and awesome photographer herself. chos!

PAGBIGYAN!

Just my thoughts: God and Government

2012-01-01T00:25:00.000-08:00

First random outburst of 2012.

It's no secret, I'm not a religious person although I do believe in a God. Nonetheless, I am never the one to utter words that encourage people to seek God's help or believe in his powers.

I think it's hypocritical when people always turn to God or their religious beliefs whenever they are in need, feel helpless or just hoping for something to happen. When people say "just pray to Him and everything will be alright", "He will always be there to help us" or "With Him, I shall rise again". I do believe in His greatness but He has already given us too much - life, we must make use of it wisely and productively instead of just calling upon him whenever shit happens or you want shit to happen. I think it's absurd to believe that you will be okay, rich or happy just because there is a God who will always be there to provide. I mean, if I were God, I would be pissed. I have already given you life but you still expect me to make it easier or better for you in the end. It's the same thing as relying your family's future on our government while you sit around all day watching lame noontime shows. It's when we rely our lives' progress & success on our government and elected officials too much, waiting for the country's economic growth to affect our income or bank deposits; instead of actually going out there and doing something to achieve our own goals.

So if your friend's house got caught on a huge fire, don't tell him/her that God will be there to help them rise again from the ashes of their downfall. If someone's going through a rough time, don't tell him/her that God will give him happiness eventually. Don't feed him/her with the assurance that God will take care of everything so he/she should stop worrying, just sit his problems out, enjoy and relax. Because unless he/she starts working hard to earn money for a new house, that dump of ashes won't rise by itself to form a mansion.

Like I said, I believe in God and his greatness. But as I see life in my own perspective, God is the nice and rich person who gave us money to buy whatever the shit we want. We can either spend all the money until it runs out or use it productively and I can see God getting pissed if we don't use the money, hide it in the house and ask him for more. Worse, when we expect him to spend the money for us.

JUST MY EFFING THOUGHTS. No need to agree.

Happy new year by the way.

Growing old with you

2011-12-27T04:06:00.000-08:00

Forgive my temporary disappearance from the blogosphere yet again. I had to deal with too many distractions-slash-temptations during the holidays and as temptations go, they succeed to distract and take over my life. lol. I have been preoccupied with final requirements for my new job, frequent acts of outdoor intoxication-slash-socialization and the worst distraction of all, tetris battle on facebook. I was too preoccupied with tetris that whenever I play, I lose track of time, forget my priorities and disregard sleep as a basic physiological need. It sucked the life out of me. So if you haven't tried it yet, I am telling you, do not try it. If you have, stop what you are doing, shut the computer down and withdraw yourself from that evil game before it sucks the life out of you.

I have been meaning to post this for the past weeks but whenever I get near the computer, that addicting evil game of evil blocks lures me in. Anyhow, after getting into too much trouble ignoring my priorities, I have come up to my senses and veered away from tetris, hence this blogpost.

This is a special post for my grandparents.

My close friends know how much I love my grandparents, even more than my own parents. They practically raised me and my brother, while my parents were busy working.

Growing up, I am more than thankful to them for not just being my grandparents but for being the parents we wished for. My lolo always took us to school and picked us up after, using his tri-bicycle (which led to his rheumatism) even when raining; while my lola never failed to attend all the parent-teacher meetings, christmas programs, field trips and whatnot.

Whenever I would come home late (and by late, I mean past 2 in the morning), my lolo would always open the door for me. In college, whenever I come home to Ilocos from Baguio, they would wait until I arrive home, even if it meant staying up until 1 am. When I run out of money for my *ehemm* habits, I run to them rather than my own parents. They ask but don't meddle with my "activities", however they do scold me after every misdemeanor (if there is) which is tolerable... compared to my parents' nagging. I can't say I hate my parents for relying on them, in fact, I'm more than thankful they we're too busy... because now that they (my parents) do have the time to take care of us, I am pretty much pissed most of the time on their frequent nagging, texting/calling and interrogations. lol.

I will definitely miss my grandparents when I move out again in January (nevermind my parents - I know they'll call, text, even visit me more often than they should. lol).

These photos were taken during the AFP-Retirees & Legal Beneficiaries Association Christmas program. I went to attend with my lola and my lolo, being a retired lieutenant of the AFP.

Every year, they go to this party and come home with either a new towel or bowl that they got as exchanged gift. This year, I decided to go with them for the first time thinking that I may never get the chance again.

Surprisingly, it was fun! They were really cheerful and energetic. People came up to me to ask if I could take their pictures and wanted to have a printed copy. They also kept asking how much they should pay for the "developing" of the photos. lol. I decided to make it free for everybody. I just haven't figured out how to give each of them a copy though. I'm afraid they'll get confused if I give them a CD of the soft copies. lol.

I did not feel out of place being with a group of old people. It was heartwarming watching them catch up with their comrades of 50 years and rekindle battle/war stories. Some even asked me if I would like to meet their grandsons. lol.

I wore my shades while shooting because I got so emotional, I was teary eyed most of the time and I didn't want to ruin the fun by being a drama queen (save that for the narcissistic Kris Aquino who manages to turn every issue about her).

This year, I think my lola got a new wall clock. She hasn't opened it yet but I could tell from extensive shaking and "groping" of the box. lol

"This party ain't what the invitation said. Where the chics and the milfs at?"

"That bitch said that? :/"

My dear, you know just how to make me feel.

2011-12-19T07:27:00.000-08:00

"Stay with me here,

You know how happy you make me feel.

Don't leave me behind,

My love for you will be forever kind."

This is a special blogpost for the very talented and new recording artist Inky Callora whom I have known and loved for her sweet disposition, delightfully charming character and heart-warming, calming singing.

I am genuinely happy for Inky and all that she has right now which she truly deserves. She's one of the people whose character brings hope to humanity - a true blessing to mankind. She's so sweet and nice, she makes me sound like a bad person. lol

"Let's not care about the world and just fall asleep"

Inky and I were each others' self-proclaimed fans... but with what Inky has achieved, I bet I have alot more competition now.

Congratulations Inky. You deserve all that you have and will have. You remember what I said before "(As artists) Let's make the world a better and more attractive place to live in", well you're doing it well and BIG. :)

Just remember, I was your fan even before you were THIS big. :D

"You are beautiful, believe me it's true.
I don't want nobody else but you."

I have this song playing on loop almost everyday. It helps me get through the (literally & figuratively) cold months of solitude and independence; makes me fall every time, despite having noone to fall for. :) No matter how much I want to keep this song to myself, it would be selfish of me to not share and deprive the world of such beauty. It's too famous now anyway. :)

*My Dear is already available on iTunes and Amazon MP3. Go. Buy. Now!

Who wears Havaianas?

2011-12-17T22:26:00.000-08:00

Here's something rather commercial yet spontaneous on my blog.

This is my first commercial shoot for a product/company and initially, I was hesitant to accept the offer primarily because of my lack of self-esteem. I usually shoot only with my friends or family as the models basically because I feel more comfortable with them and that I don't worry of meeting their expectations. I guess that is also why I like shooting in the streets more than the typical model-photographer set-up. But despite my significant lack of self-esteem, I accepted Visionaire's offer to shoot their Havaianas 2012 collection for their retail stores - Red Dot, since I am about to start working in the corporate world in a month and realized that this could be my first and last commercial shoot.

I never expected shooting children would be this challenging. Being the kids that they are, they are really hard to control (I had to chase them around) and have short attention span (apparently, shorter than mine, which is to say alot) - they easily get bored and impatient in a split second. Nonetheless, we managed to finish the shoot in 2-3 hrs.

Visionaire's CEO wanted a prominent but well-reputed family in the local area as the models, since they will be representing the product and the store. Surprisingly, we had a difficult time coming up with a role-model type family in Ilocos. Also, she wanted it to look home/locally-made and spontaneous; nothing too professional and overboard.

Tiring and stressful this shoot may have been, I am more than happy with the outcome and I'm so glad to know that the client was happy about it; so much that she was hoping that I would shoot their upcoming collections and products in the coming year... which I hope I would be able to fit in between my schedule.

The photos will be used for their stores' online catalogue and will also be displayed digitally on ipad2's as new marketing tools for their stores.

I would like to thank Visionaire/Red Dot for requesting for me and offering me this opportunity even when there were far better photographers available. :)

Client: Visionaire (Red Dot for Havaianas)

Product: Havaianas 2012 collection

Models: Farinas family (Kristine, Francine, Rigo, Rico, Julia) + James Burnaman

Location: Farinas residence

Wardrobe: The models'

Stylist & marketing assistant: Ericke Tan

HMUA: Ericke Tan & James Burnaman

Photographer: Ivon Domingo

Uneventful events

2011-12-03T21:45:00.001-08:00

I apologize for the temporary disappearance from the blogosphere because I have been very active and productive (chos!) with my personal and social life lately. Also, I have been resisting to write about recent issues such as the Piolo-KC break-up, DJ Mo's leaked video and Rhian Ramos' abortion but showbiz is not really what my blog is about - and there's too much side comments on the matter already, I'd hate to sound redundant.

Anyhow, I've been cooking up some commercial photoshoots (which I hope I would be allowed to blog) and going to job interviews because it's a pity to be a bum and broke on Christmas and of course, in pursuit of my professional fulfillment & intellectual growth (just in case my interviewers are doing a background check and reading my blog right now) so I haven't the time to blog as well.

For the sake of my blog's photography content and timeliness, I am posting my latest shoots - basically everything that's in my camera's memory card right now that I was too lazy to transfer to my computer.

For the first set of photos, I was so bored one day that I took my cam and randomly shot every uneventful thing in the house.

My lolo's vintage bike he still uses up to now when going to the market.

Tablecloth hand-made by my lola

Happy home buds

Can you now imagine how bored I was?! lol.

This is me trying to fit my face in my 50mm frame.

Forgive the vanity. I'm still hoping for someone who can take my photos the way I take others'. For now, I only have myself.

Welcome to corporate hell.

2011-11-19T22:55:00.001-08:00

Emotional outburst of the week. Bear with me as I get through my post-college self-worth crisis.

***
Everytime I go to Manila, I always find myself hating and cursing it more than the last time I've been there; consequently, loving my home province even more. The perennial heat, multiple environmental and societal pollution, the greedy and obnoxious cabbies and the high chances of getting mugged by random people in random places takes too much perseverance, patience and energy to duel for me (and I'd like to believe I am not alone on this one).

My Manila experience usually do not vary from having to spend half of the day in traffic, inside a crumby taxi with a dysfunctional air-conditioner and a grumpy cabbie who seizes every opportunity to add an extra peso to your bill/fare (to the extent of driving you through longer, crappier routes and cursing you for giving the exact amount - which is disrespectful to the purpose of the taxi meter). 20 percent of the time, I am hailing a taxi or figuring out which jeep or bus to take; and the rest of the time, praying for the goddamned day to end so I could take a bath again and wash off the stink of the metro on my skin. But when I finally get home, with my feet and shoulders aching, I have already lost every ounce of energy to even walk to the bathroom. All of that for more or less than 1000 pesos. Pardon me for complaining this much but unlike you, I don't enjoy strolling around the city,enduring the heat, strutting whatever frilly shit I'm wearing and I don't have a car or driver to conveniently bring me where I need to be. I also do not know the pasikot-sikot of Manila because yes, I am a probinsyana and I am glad because I wouldn't have to endure the toxicity of the metro every fuckin day of my life.

I like to think that one of the reasons why our country ceases to grow economically is that we are too Manila-centric. Not only do we glorify and worship Manila too much but we discredit other parts of our country that deserves the same attention. Maybe even greater. Yes, definitely greater. We glorify and worship Manila so much that the promdis create a superficial notion that success and hope can be found here; that everything is possible here, even the shitty formulaic plot where a farmer's ambitious daughter goes to the city, meets a senyorito who falls for her simplistic beauty; they get married and the girl gets to bring home the bacon to the province and live in a big and beautiful mansion she never imagined - not even in her wildest, ambitious dreams. But as we all know, expectations do not always meet with our realities. The girl goes to the big city with great hopes to be a famous singer or actress only to be hired as a maid or labandera and her supposed prince-charming senyorito is an alcoholic who forcefully impregnates her. To make things worse, his mother accuses her of being a social-climbing whore who has an illicit affair with their family driver and throws her out to the street. If she gets lucky, she might become a prostitute and rent a room near Pasig river.

That is what the formulaic Filipino movies and teleseryes teach us - that the poor can always hope for a rich man to lift her from the muddy pit she was born in. Nonetheless, I don't blame the media entirely. We should know how to discriminate and differentiate reality from delusion but we can't always say that in behalf of the greater population that received low quality of education... or the lack of any, for that matter. Especially, when hope is all that they have. So I will not try to change your view on Manila or stop you from going there (because you're probably too cool to hate Manila anyway) but let me enlighten you Manila-centric egotists regarding your common notions of the provincial life.

A few days ago, I HAD to go to Manila for a job interview-slash-training. I had to spend an entire day with a supervisor-slash-trainor with his minions who agree to every bullshit that comes out of his mouth (Yes, this certain experience is actually the main reason for this blog entry). As you know, I studied and lived in Baguio for more than 4 years and upon knowing that, the supervisor-slash-trainor (let's call him CUNT, short for Close-minded Unintelligible Neurotic Trainor) makes a presumptuous remark about the Igorot's bodily odor due to their personal hygiene in a way that sounded so crass and factual to which the minions reacted positively. I am not an Igorot but being one would not make me less an intellectual or decent person. I respect every culture especially the Igorots' who are one of the bravest and intellectual people I know. I also know that said statement is not true and immediately disproved them while trying to maintain grace and composure as I resisted slapping each one of them in the face. One of the minions then jokingly asked if they (Igorot) even wear clothes to which I would have responded with a kick right through his balls but instead, answered him with "No. Actually, they dress just like us. I even envy their naturally smooth and white skin. Also, they have sharper nose than all of us here. Of course you don't know. Where did you say you graduated again?"

The discriminating conversation went on for the entire day and I was actually surprised at myself for keeping my composure and resisting the urge to stab them in the throats with my ballpen.

Here are some of the conversations I remember. The responses I formulated in my head but resisted vocalizing out of respect would've sounded more interesting.

Minion1: Di ba kuripot ang mga Ilokano? Sabi sakin, kuripot daw kayo kasi puro talbos ng kamote kinakain niyo. (Ilocanos are frugal, right? I was told that you're frugal because you only eat kamote tops) *smirk*
Me: What, you learned that from your elementary teacher? I hope he/she's dead.
Minion 1: No, a friend told me.
Me: Well you have an ignorant friend. We're frugal because it's practical.
Minion 1: Sinabi lang naman sakin, malay ko ba. (Someone just told me, how I would I know?)
Me: You would know if you weren't gullible. Seriously, what did they teach you in school?
...
Minion2: Yung mga roommate ko dati na Ilokano, ang iingay. Mabunganga. Akala mo nag-aaway, nag-uusap lang pala. (I used to have Ilocano roommates and they were noisy. It's as if they were fighting but they're actually just talking.)
me: so does the Koreans and the Japaneses and the Mexicans. Basically, if you don't speak and understand the language, it can sound like anything you think it is.
...
Minion2: Kumakain ang mga ilokano ng aso diba? Yung mga roommate ko dati, aso lagi ang kinakain. Kadiri. (You ilokanos eat dog meat right? My roommates ate dog meat all the time. Gross!)
Minion1 & CUNT: *engrossed*
Minion1: eww.
Me: Not all ilocanos eat dog meat. It's more likely in the Cordilleras, actually - Not in Ilocos. Mainit daw kasi sa katawan yung karne (it warms the body) so it helps with the climate.
Minion2: Hindi kaya! e kahit pag inuman, hindi pwedeng walang aso na pulutan. (I don't think so! Even when drinking, they eat dog meat).
Me: Hindi naman kasi sya nakakadiri. (It's not gross, actually).
Minion2: Bakit, naka-kain ka na? (Why, have you eaten before?)
Me: No, but I have friends who really like it. Sino ba kasi nagsabi na lahat ng ilokano kumakain ng aso, diba ikaw?
...
Minion 1: Diba yung papaitan, nilutong tae ng kambing? (Papaitan is cooked goat's feces, right?)
Me: Please tell me you're kidding.
Minion 1: No, seriously, that's what I know.
Me: So you actually believe that goat shit is edible?
Minion 1: I don't know. I guess?
Me: Just so you know, it's not made of goat shit but if you want, you can go ahead and eat shit.
Minion 1: Yung friend ko nga ang nagsabi! (It's what my friend told me!)
Me: Is that the same friend who told you about the talbos ng kamote shit? Do us all a favor, next time you see your friend, slash him in the neck.
...
CUNT: Yang mga ilocana, malalambing at maasikaso na girlfriend. (Ilocanas are sweet and caring girlfriends) *looks at me*.
Me: e di hindi ako ilokana? (So I guess I'm not an ilocana).
CUNT: Maasikaso kaso dada nang dada. Maingay. (Caring but talks non-stop. They're really noisy.)
Minion 1: *nods in agreement then laughs*
me: *puts on a befuddled face while waiting for supporting statement to disprove*
CUNT: kasi I dated this Ilokana before and...blah blah blah
me: You dated one Ilocana, you didn't date the entire Ilocana population so stop generalizing.
...
CUNT: I want to build an office in Ilocos... Mas maganda pa rin kasi kung urbanized na ang probinsya para naman hindi puro bukid. (It would be better if we urbanize the province so it won't be all fields/farms).
me: ugh. I don't think so.
CUNT: *bullshits coming out of his mouth*
me: *finds his statements insipid and ceases to argue with a close-minded know-it-all*
...
Minion1: Alam mo ba ang pasikot-sikot dito sa Manila? (Do you know your way around Manila?)
Me: No. As you know, I'm not from here.
Minion1: So you're not street-smart.
Me: !@#$%^&*()!!
Minion1: Can you handle the long walks here?
Me: have you been to Baguio? Our roads are tilted. You dont just walk, you climb.
Minion1: Sabagay. Puro bundok pala dun noh. *laughs histerically*
Me: Dude, it's a plateau. I bet you (and your flabby arse) won't even last a day there. (Thinking aloud: Hopefully, a group of Igorots will slash your head off when you come).

It's frustrating how some people think less of the provinces just because they don't have clubs on every street or a branch of Forever 21. That just because WE didn't live in Manila, we're not street-smart enough. It's frustrating when some people think highly of themselves for being in a place where they think everybody wants to be. Well here's the news people, not everybody wants to live in Manila.

Here in the province, we get to eat fresh food and vegetables, enjoy the air, the sun and water without worrying about e-coli. We don't have to wake up 3 hours earlier to go to school or work because we do not have congested highways. Children, teenagers, young girls, old people can freely walk the streets without a 75 % chance of getting their wallets or cellphones snatched; much more, getting randomly stabbed. Not everybody's lives here depend on their Blackberry's signal or their laptop computer's speed. Our neighbors are our friends and extended families, not some random strangers we should guard our belongings from whenever we leave home - they even guard our houses for us. Our house is a home, not just a place to sleep and shower in. Here in the province, we care for our community's welfare not just about our own independent lives. We value family more than our bank account. We don't rush. We seize the moment to relax, enjoy, drink and live.

I'd rather be a promdi than a city-dweller who never knew how it was like outside the city. I can always go to Manila whenever I need to but for you who was born and has always been there, you get to live everyday of your life in a rush amongst thieves, robbers and swindlers in suits as you breathe-in the polluted air. You're so young but you're already living in hell. One day, you'll get too old for the metro's bright lights and noisy music, but I will never be too old for the province. :)

The conversation didn't end so well. We ended up discussing the Twilight saga (as it also happened to be the premiere night of Breaking dawn) of which the CUNT says that only women watch such movies and read novels because we are imaginative whereas men are visual (The minions nod and laugh in approval of every bullshit the CUNT excretes from his mouth). Basing from his premise, that would mean that women are more intelligent as they can easily comprehend and visualize what they read whereas men need to be spoonfed with the visualization itself - I'm not saying this is true but i'm saying this basing from his previous statement. But then he disagrees, saying that he was not talking about comprehension, only imagination. "You don't need intelligence or comprehension to imagine" says Mr.Know-it-all. Tell me now, how can one imagine/visualize what she's reading if she can't comprehend it? "It's because ALL women are so emotional and they fantasize about their future through books... Women want Edward Cullen as their prince charming and they all feel like they're Bella. They go 'awwww I'm so kilig!' whenever they read the book" says the egotistical sexist.

Now you're generalizing women. How brilliant.

I'm sorry sir, you may be in the position higher than me but you are not in the position to be correct all the time (nobody is). Thank you for the opportunity but I decline the offer to work in your company. Don't bother building an office in our province, we don't need people like you polluting our land. Instead, I hope your company would take extra effort in educating your ignorant employees.

This is for all the women and promdis you made a joke of, offended and discriminated; for wasting my day and disappointing me.

***

Here's to lighten your mood

Minion 1: Are you a fan of twilight?

Me: No. I hate twilight. I'm a Harry Potter fan.

Minion1 : Me too! I'm a superfan! I love it so much!

Me: oh really? Which character did you like most?

Minion1: Dumbledore.

Me: Did you know he's gay?

Minion1: The character? No way!

Me: Yes, even J.K. Rowling said it herself. He had feelings for Grindelwald.

Minion 1: I don't know him.

Me: He's Bathilda's nephew.

Minion 1: I don't know her either.

Me: *explains relationship of Bathilda, Grindelwald and Dumbledore.*
Minion 1: i don't know that. I probably forgot.
Me: I'm disappointed.

Minion1 : I'm disappointed that Dumbledore's gay. I idolized him. I thought he was strong and powerful.

Me: He still is.

Minion 1: But he's gay!

Me: (thinking aloud: and so are you, you humongous closet-queen!) I don't see anything wrong with that. I think it adds a good and funny twist to the story.

Minion 1: Which scene did you like most?

Me: alot! *starts enumerating and describing every detail of emotional scenes* How about you?

Minion 1: I haven't watched the last 2 Harry Potter movies pa kasi. And I only read half of the first 4 books.

Me: Oh. And you're a "superfan" you say? @_@

50 Reasons not to Date a Photographer

2011-11-19T00:36:00.001-08:00

You should know I did not write this (although if this was not written, I would have made something like this). I found this through a friend who shared it on facebook and I couldn't agree more with every line. ;)

They rather hold their bulky camera, than hold hands with you.
On a romantic date, you’ll watch the sun go down and think “Wow this is gorgeous” and they’ll go “mirror lock, tripod, and stop down f/8 at 1/125.”
You’ll never be able to enjoy tv, movies, or magazines because they’ll point out all the visual flaws.
They like to sit in obscure coffee shop and voyeuristically watch people for great lengths of time.
If you’re taking a walk outside and you come across some “interesting light” they will make you sit/stand/pose in public so that they can take a photo.
You’ll never get to enjoy freshly cooked meals because they’ll spend 15 minutes taking 20 variations of the same dish with their iPhone (camera).
They get angry when your friends go up to them and say “I am interested in photography, can you recommend a good camera for me? Nothing professional I just want to take pretty pictures.”
You’ll wait longer for them to finish analyzing art in a museum than you’ll wait at the dmv
Same goes with old used bookstores.
When you think they’re giving you their undivided attention, they’re really wondering how they could fix you with a little Clone Tool and Patch Tool.
Or they are actually using you to not look so creepy as they people watch everything going on around you.
They rather drop $1,000+ on new glass than a purse for you.
You can’t take a photo with them without taking at least five more.
If you ask them if you look fat, they’ll say “don’t worry I can photoshop you later.”
They’ll never photoshop something simple for you if the content is not up to their “standards.”
That photo they randomly took of you yesterday? Good luck getting them to send it to you.
They spend all their time on the computer (and not for porn.)
They can’t have a normal conversation with throwing acronyms and random numbers.
They still use film cameras.
They spend a lot of time with people cooler than you i.e. models, actors, musicians, successful rich people.
They’ll be fussy over the position of a common household object, like a coffee cup.
They won’t return your calls or text messages, but you can bet they’re still posting pics on Instagram.
They like watching old films that you’ve never heard or will ever understand.
They like looking at weird things in general.
Instead of having penis-envy (purse/shoe-envy), they have camera-gear-envy.
If there’s a natural disaster in a far away land, they’re already on a plane going over there.
Everything is watermarked.
They think everyone else’s photos suck.
They want to color correct a lot of scenes from Twilight and Jersey Shore.
They hate rainbows, especially ones spinning in a circle.
Whenever you’re in a group talking and the conversation goes deep, they’re taking notes in some form of Moleskine.
They use over priced Moleskine notebooks.
They like trespassing into old abandoned buildings filled with health hazards.
They always want to show a new photo they took, but don’t really care if you like it or not.
They hate your n00bie friend’s new artsy profile picture.
Bright, sunny days make them sad, but cloudy, overcast days are apparently great!
They’ll take you into places that have “culture” as well a high chance of getting mugged.
Your birthday present will be a portrait that they’ve taken of you.
You can’t go anywhere new without them stopping to take a photo of everything and anything.
They will always bug you to be a test subject.
Nothing can ever be naturally pretty, everything must be fixed in Photoshop.
Bringing their camera means, bringing 50lbs of equipment.
If you break any of their things on accident, you’ll owe them thousands of dollars.
You can’t get them a birthday/Christmas present without spending at least $500
They are natural hoarders, collecting and keeping piles of old newspapers, packaging, magazines, and other things that “inspire” them.
They are weird and geeky.
They have hard drives of photos, but probably have printed 10 images.
They are always secretly judging your creativity.
If you’re ever in auto mode, they laugh at you.
They orgasm every time they learn a new lighting technique.

Source:http://notastarvingartist.com/post/12766897643
5:16 pm | November 13 2011

we fall on and we fall off

2011-10-30T01:03:00.000-07:00

The last set from the shoot with Ericke in a construction site.

Halfway through the 2nd set, it was already dark so it was inevitable to use a flash for this last one. I was not ready to use an external flash (I didn't even bring mine so I used Ericke's lumix's), I thought we would finish shooting before sunset but due to prior difficulties with the location that got us driving around the city to search for a different one, we ran out of time and consequently, light.

I initially didn't know what to do with these photos. I had no concept in mind. For the past months, I've learned to hate shooting without a concept. It makes it even harder for me to decide how I'll process the photos and think of a title for the set... so for this one, I asked my brother what song comes to mind when he looks at the photos in general. I was that lost for inspiration. Nonetheless, I had to post these since it was mainly for Ericke's outfit post in lookbook anyway.

***

HMUA/model/wardrobe: Ericke Tan (www.surprisinglykitsch.wordpress.com)

Location: Viking construction, Ilocos Norte

Photographer: Ivon Domingo

Used and abused

2011-10-27T13:00:00.000-07:00

Here's the first set from the shoot with ms. Jaynny Lao. It served as our mood-setter before we proceeded with the main and wet concept.

When asked about the concept for this set, the immediate answer was: "babaeng nirape ng mga mekaniko-slash-tambay at iniwanan sa talyer pagkatapos pagsawaan...kaya galit at na-baliw. In-short, gang-bang victim." It was meant to be a joke (half-meant) but it's what we told the model to internalize. lol.

As in my previous post, Ms. Jaynny was very professional to work with. She was down for anything. The jeep was actually very dusty and the ledge she was seating on was rough and sharp but she went on with the shoot looking really comfortable. The dress turned out really dirty and her legs all smudged with dirt afterwards (yep,that part's not edited. it really was dirty) - just in time for a wet shoot.

Because of the nature of the shoot, I wanted the output to look dirty - literally dirty - hence the texture and treatment.

***

Model/HMUA: Jaynny Lao

Wardrobe: Ivon Domingo

Photographer: Ivon Domingo

Location: Bacarra rd. Ilocos Norte

Would you hold it against me?

2011-10-24T07:17:00.000-07:00

How do I even begin to describe this very impulsive, fun and wet shoot?

Let me start by thanking Ericke Tan, a frequent subject of my blog, for helping me organize this shoot. It started when I told Ericke how I'd love to shoot the famous Jaynny Lao of Laoag who also happened to be her boyfriend's sister. Much to my surprise, she told Jaynny about it and I found out she is also a fan of my work. She immediately agreed to model for me the following night. I was rattled and immediately came up with a sexy wet shirt photoshoot then asked Ericke if we could use their carwash for the location.

Only after we have planned everything out did I realize that I left my external flash in Baguio. I used Ericke's lumix's flash for this set but the slave option won't work so I had to use it on-board. Prior to the shoot, I was so worried that the light may not be sufficient or that I may not execute the concept very well especially after seeing Jaynny all dolled up - I got even more worried that my output might not justify her beauty & hotness (srsly, she's so much prettier and hotter in person). I think my self-esteem issues just got worse that moment.

Also, I was so shy at first but Ms. Jaynny was so easy and comfortable to work with, she made the shoot fun and enjoying. She was so fun to shoot that I actually ran out of memory - this is the second time I've ever ran out of memory (the first was during a workshop). I didn't even notice the time; we ended at around 12 midnight. Ericke also played one of the important roles behind the camera - the water squirter. lol. With water spraying everywhere, party music playing on the speakers, Ms. Jaynny dancing, this shoot was a blast! We all continued the party with some beer and nachos after.

This is the 2nd set but I processed it first because we all couldn't wait to see & post 'em.

***While post-processing these photos, I realized I might be a lesbian. go figure.

HMUA/model/wardrobe: Ms. Jaynny Lao

Location: Bacarra rd. Laoag city

photographer: Ivon Domingo

So if I said I want your body now, would you hold it against me?

BTS (grabbed from Ericke's album)

The world is a pile of grunge

2011-10-22T23:06:00.000-07:00

I thought I would have to change my blog name since I noticed my recent entries were becoming less visual and more narrative than usual but alas, I finally had the chance to shoot with a "model" subject.

I haven't gone out of the house for quite a long time (yes, I am now officially a bum) so when I got the energy and perseverance to veer away from my bed and TV, I asked Ericke to model for me for a photoshoot...and as well as catch up on the latest whatnots. I told her I wanted something different. Looking back at my old photographs, I noticed my photos were awfully too colorful...or is it just my morbid mood lately? So I told her I wanted a grungy shoot; rugged & rebellious, dull & dirty but not tacky in some construction site of some sort and she immediately got the clothes and accessories to match. She always does.

We also invited Ronan Domingo, a fellow photographer from Laoag, who also tagged his friends along. yay to new acquaintances for the antisocial me! ;)

Our planned location didn't push through due to the apparent overwhelming interest and nosiness of some bystanders that made Ericke uncomfortable. Good thing Ericke's uncle owns a wide construction site which he willingly allowed us to use. Unfortunately, we got there at past 5pm and we had to rush the shoot as we were running out of light. In the end, we were all sweaty and dusty.

Being the indecisive editor that I am, I had a long time contemplating how to postrpocess these photos - whether I shall keep the color or desaturate; to add grain & texture or keep it clean; to make it dull or sharply black. All in all, I hope my editing gave justice to the clothes, location and concept. Nonetheless, I feel more like my self with these photos...or again, is it just my mood lately? I think I'll stick with this kind of processing.

HMUA/model/wardrobe: Ericke Tan (http://www.surprisinglykitsch.wordpress.com)

photographer: Ivon Domingo

location: Viking construction, Laoag city

BTS (grabbed from James Burn)

Workflow Madness

2011-10-21T09:38:00.000-07:00

Another one of those random emotional outbursts but photography-related nonetheless. Written at 2:30 am on August 14,2011.

This is what happens when you develop a habit of not sleeping at night and you have these thoughts that you need to share otherwise you would forget about them in the morning but you have nobody to share it to because apparently, you’re the only person awake in your periphery: you write.

I postprocess like a madman. Initially, I choose the best photos in a set (while trying to be unbiased with my judgment since we’re not exactly honest critics of ourselves) and when I can’t distinguish which photo is better than the other, I process both and then I end up processing a lot of photos. Afterwhich, I again, go through choosing which photos I shall upload on the net. After uploading the photos, I take a moment of going through the whole set and most of the time, something (that I should’ve thought before processing the goddarn photo) makes me realize that one or two photos aren’t worthy of public viewing (perhaps due to a minor shite that I fear might be harmful to my non-existent photography career) so I delete it/them. It’s a goddamn ridiculous cycle that has become my habit. The even more ridiculous thing is, when I start postprocessing, I cannot stop. I always feel like I have to finish editing every single photo that I find acceptable then look at the whole set to fully satisfy myself so I spend the entire night editing… even if it means not sleeping at all. This usually happens the night of the photoshoot. I’m such an excited & giddy photo editor, I get hyped to edit the damn photos even when I’m still shooting and I want them all done the next day. It’s like being a 6-yr-old kid after buying a new pair of shoes and you just want to sleep with it at night, smelling its rubbery freshness, feeling excited to wear it the next day, expecting to look badass (but in reality, you’re just a shallow kid excited over a stupid pair of shoes). That’s me, going to bed with my laptop and photoshop, wanting to see how everything has turned out the very next day because I’m impatient as fcuk.

On the other hand, compared to other photographers who usually spend 1-2 hours editing a single photo, I post process very fast. It only takes 5-8 minutes for me to postprocess one photo. When I finish processing the first one and when I’m sure that that is how I want my set to look like (because I may not be consistent with my editing style but I always make sure that I’m consistent in every set), my brain goes on photoshop autopilot. Nonetheless, I cannot easily decide on how I want the photo should look in the end. To demonstrate how absurd I could be: say I finish processing the first photo, and when I process the next one a tad bit differently (as an outcome of my frequent experimentation in hopeless search of my own editing style), I usually find it better than the first one so I go back to the first one and imitate what I did on the second [Go through the entire sentence again for full comprehension].When I finish the 3^rd/4^th photo, I’d come up with 3 or 4 different editing styles and I’d be fcuked out of my mind like a spoiled brat who couldn’t choose between an ipad, macbook or a trip to Disneyland. My 5-8 minutes then becomes hours of contemplating and mouse clicks resulting to even bigger eyebags, facial acne and backpain (maybe even osteoporosis and carpal tunnel syndrome for the worse part). By daytime (or noon, since I usually wake up after lunchtime), I scrutinize the edited photos one by one to see if I have left out a few unphotoshopped zits, teeth stains and too much armpit cleavage and correct them although sometimes I’m too lazy to care about them. Then again, being the indecisive kid that I am, I can become unsatisfied with how I edited the photos the night before (as if I have transformed into a different person overnight) and change how I edited them entirely.

(As I write this, I realize that my life’s adversities are a result of my mental instability. I am deliberately punishing myself; I must be a masochist--- I shall save that notion for future entries and contemplate on it more).

Anyhow, that is what I do or to put it more precisely, what I cannot avoid to not do, when I postprocess photos that I wasn’t even paid to take in the first place (yes, this gets even more ridiculous by the sentence). The procedure gets even more complicated when I get paid for my photos since there is the pressure to feel worthy of the payment and the challenge to meet the clients’ expectations for your photos to look like what they saw in some magazine – don’t even get me started with how frustrating it is when they expect you to make them look like a Heart Evangelista when they didn’t even care to scrub their chapped lips and clean their crappy nails prior to the shoot (I shall definitely write about that next).

As I was saying before I started semi-incoherently babbling again, I rarely get paid (because I’m too shy to ask for payment – yes I’m shy. You’d never think someone who looks like me could ever be so goddamn shy but I am). I have a very low self-esteem in person (yes, you’d never think someone like me could ever have a very low self-esteem but I do) especially when it comes to my photography so I feel unworthy of getting paid most of the time and I just wish that maybe at the end of the day, when they (client/model/whoever is in the photo) see my photos, they’d feel so happy that they’d pay me (either in monetary or material form but please, not vegetables or hugs and kisses. No worries, I’m not choosy).

Having said that, I would like you all to know (given that someone in his/her right mind has patiently managed to read down to this point) that your compliments are very much appreciated so please keep them coming. When I become rich and famous, I’ll send you all umbrellas for free… since our country is always either too hot or too wet and I have noticed that umbrellas these days have become as substandard as the roads built by our local government; they only last for a few rainstorms and for all you know, you’ll have to replace them again. Or is it just my luck with umbrellas?

But you know, the irony of it all (that I intended to write about at the start of this entry but segued into osteoporosis, Heart Evangelista, umbrellas and whatnot) is how I manage to go through all of this when I know, in my heart, that I am the laziest person I know. It just came to mind after postprocessing 4 sets tonight and my back already hurts (and I fear that I have osteoporosis and I would have to feel remorseful for not drinking the cartons of milk my mom used to buy for me when I was younger, not to mention hate myself for another zit-ridden week ahead of me).

It’s already 3:30 a.m. and I’m writing of how I came to realize that I may be a masochist while struggling to stay vertical. I think I’ll die of sleep-deprivation rather than starvation. I don’t know if I’m still thinking sense but then again, why do I think that someone/anyone is reading this let alone, care? ---I shall save that topic again for future entries, perhaps when I feel like overdosing on heroine because that sounds so badass and rockstar-ish these days.

Goodnight.

*If you can’t comprehend sarcasm very well, please do not visit my page again.

*After writing this, I tried reading what I wrote but I ended up adding more so I stopped reading so forgive the long flat-out sentences.

***

Here's something I'm working on at the moment. I'm trying to make my photos less colorful this time.

A new old experience: For art, not for profit.

2011-10-18T02:29:00.000-07:00

[This is a month late post]

There’s a new reason to love Baguio even more: Cinematheque. It is a new 75-seater moviehouse that showcases authentic old Filipino and international films, indie movies and will even hold workshops for film-making and digital arts. What makes it even more fascinating is that it is FREE! No tickets or reservation needed.

By old films, I don’t just mean the 90’s but way back 80’s down to 60’s. The films are authentic; not digital hence the classic grainy black and white quality of the movies. Nonetheless, the pictures are clear with audible dialogues and English subtitles. And besides, who watches an old movie and expects a colored, sharp, picture?

I covered Cinematheque’s launching last month and I was able to watch Anak Dalita featuring the young and surprisingly hot and classy Rosa Rosal for its first screening. I’ve always loved watching old films mostly for the outdated “vintage” fashion and in knowing what “used to be” in terms of architecture, language, art, style and whatnot. Also, I’d like to believe that I was born in the wrong generation. Unfortunately, moviehouses these days only show contemporary movies as they are more profitable.

The Cordillera is home to famous national artists such as Ben Cabrera a.k.a Bencab and Kidlat Tahimik to name a few. I have always commended the Cordillera art scene for its ingenuity and laid-back style. I believe that art is the primary form of communication and expression here. The reggae music, cultural dances and clothing, indigenous materials and subjects... If anything, Cordillera art is not commercialized. It does not strive to gain popularity or profit but it is in itself, an artful expression of the indigenous culture and lifestyle in the Cordillera. Having said all that, I think the Cinematheque rightfully belongs to Baguio for the reason that both lives for art, not for profit.

The Cinematheque is located inside Casa Vallejo. Daily screenings start at 3:30 pm.

Rain, rain, go away...

2011-10-14T06:55:00.000-07:00

I didn't know I would publish another photo in today's (October 14) issue of the PDI until late this afternoon. Good thing my mom was able to get a copy before this day ended or I wouldn't have had the slightest idea.

Photos were taken on the same day I covered the news feature in La Paz sand dunes. We went to the barangay near the river to shoot for kayaking and these kids were there to watch so I took a moment to shoot them. They were shy at first but I had them to stop running away after a few clicks...and candies. ;) These were supposed to be for my blog and satisfaction only but fortunately, it ended up in the newspaper. I love shooting the reality of unchoreographed streets and portraits. A mentor once said that a portrait is also a landscape of emotions.

Everything looks prettier in photos...even poverty. But in real-life, it's just sad.

When you throw away your trash, think of how it finds its way to the waterways. Think of the families that treat these waters as their home. Think of the lives that depend on these waters. Think of the children that take joy in these waters. Think... and shove that piece of garbage in your goddamn pocket and throw it in the proper can. k, thanks.

Location: Brgy. La Paz, Laoag city, Ilocos Norte

Photographer: Ivon Domingo

***

On a different note, I now wear eyeglasses. Watchuthink? Do I pass as a hot librarian?

Guess not.

***

On another entirely different note, I would like to take this opportunity to express my condolences to the family and friends of Given, the rape-slay victim in UPLB. I don't know her personally but I am deeply saddened by her death and feel an inexplicable sense of connection with her. I hope and pray for justice for her death and peace for her soul. :/

Page-1

2011-10-10T18:23:00.000-07:00

Today, I woke up with a serious case of hang-over due to prior irresponsible acts of intoxication but I was happy to find out that my photo of the La Paz sand dunes (previously posted here: Sands of La Paz: from movies to tourism) got published in today's -October 11- issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer's FRONTPAGE as banner photo. Yes, people, in print journalism, that is BIGfuckinDEAL! The goal is always to get to page-1.

GOOD VIBES!

erratum: It is La Paz, not Paoay. Paoay is not a barangay in Laoag. It was our editor's mistake, not mine. I should know where I took this photo.

photo from: inquirer page one october-11-2011

***

Thanks for the facebook shares, reposts and blog features everyone! I'm so touched alotof people are actually overwhelmed and well, gave a fuck to say the least.

Blog feature # 1 by Blauearth.wordpress.com: La paz sand dunes, Laoag city

Blog feature # 2 by surprisinglykitsch.wordpress.com: La paz, Laoag city makes it on the frontpage of the pdi

Sands of La Paz: from movies to tourism

2011-10-07T02:09:00.000-07:00

Last week, I went home to Ilocos Norte to write about the tourism as affected by the development of adventure sports in the La Paz sand dunes. The article got side-tracked as 2 typhoons came over the country and news on calamities and tragedies were given priority for publication. This morning, I got a message from our editor saying that my article FINALLY got published. Much to my dismay, some of the texts were edited out and only one photo was published. Nonetheless, it was a box story and the photo was relatively big-ass.

And so, I decided to post my original article and the rest of the photos here for everybody's full appreciation

Laoag city – The La Paz sand dunes in Ilocos Norte has recently gained attention as one of the most viable shooting locations for movies that demand a setting similar to middleast countries for its wide coastal deserts at a cheaper cost. Such movies include "Temptation Island", Ang Panday series and the Hollywood film "Born on the fourth of July" starring Tom Cruise to name a few. However, during the past 2 years, La Paz sand dunes has also boomed into a famous hotspot for adventure sports, luring more tourists to Ilocos Norte. According to the Department of Tourism, tourist arrivals in Ilocos Norte increased from 181,295 in 2008 to 192,654 in 2009 and 191,300 in 2010.

The La Paz sand dunes is a geological feature that is unique in the country. It is an 85-square-kilometer coastal desert with scattered sand dunes ranging from 10 to 30 meters high. The steep slopes, contours and the quality of the sand makes La Paz uniquely suitable for various adventure activities. Its proximity to the Padsan river and South China sea opens the possibility for water-based activities as well.

The La Paz sand dunes used to be a parched land enjoyed mostly by locals who own 4x4 vehicles and motorbikes but for the past couple of years, a local non-government organization called Laoag Eco-Adventure Development (LEAD) Movement has developed and promoted new sports to further utilize the sand dunes and promote the province’s tourism. “The sand dunes in La Paz is unique in our country so we must utilize and highlight it; so we can have something unique to offer” says Ericke Tan, young member of the LEAD Movement.

On August 2009, the group launched sandboarding as a new tourist attraction in Ilocos Norte. Sandboarding is a variant of snowboarding which uses similar equipment except that it is done on sand. “The sport owes its popularity to bloggers who wrote their experiences through the internet” says Tina Tan, member of the Lead Movement. According to Tina, sandboarding only took off after 6 months by marketing through the internet. Eventually, it started to gain recognition and was featured in local and international TV shows such as Shanghai TV.

Sandboarding is uniquely in Ilocos Norte. The closest you can experience sandboarding is in Dubai. “Nandito ka na nga (sa Pilipinas), hindi mo pa susubukan” says Czar Manangan, another young member of LEAD Movement. “It’s not an easy sport but that adds to the thrill. You only need balance and the courage to conquer your fear. After 2 drops, you’ll get the hang of it. It’s a good exercise and you get a different kind of adrenaline rush” he adds.

Manangan also assures that the sport is safe. “Falling down is part of it but there is little possibility for injuries since our sand is fine therefore acts as shock absorber.” Nonetheless, Tina Tan says that members of LEAD Movement are knowledgeable of first aid in case of emergency. “Our equipments are of high standard; our sandboards were patterned from original sandboards” she also adds.

Because of the development and promotion of sandboarding in the province, locals have also bought or created their own sandboards.

Aside from sandboarding, adventurous tourists can also try dune bashing where they ride 4x4 vehicles across the dunes, rapidly climbing and descending steep slopes.

The LEAD Movement believes that the inclusion of additional activities will give potential for tourists to spend the entire day at the dunes which could lead to an adventure-filled day for them. “Most visitors would not want to limit themselves to a single experience, opting rather to try most, if not all, that is available” they added. This is why the group is also developing other adventure sports such as mountain biking and kayaking to offer to tourists.

The group offers cruiser bikes for adults and BMX bikes for children. “Biking in La Paz is relaxing because of the fresh air and there is no traffic or pollution” says Ericke Tan. “You will also forget your problems as you go around the peaceful place” adds Manangan quickly. More importantly, biking helps tourists learn about the livelihood of locals in La Paz as they get to see the fishing villages as well, says Reny Tan, president of LEAD Movement. Sandboarding and biking in La Paz is said to be best experienced early in the morning or late afternoon to avoid the harsh sunlight

Kayaking on the other hand is also an additional activity in La Paz that the group is currently developing. Lorna Patoc, a resident of Sitio 33B San Gabriel La Paz is enthused at the idea of their sitio becoming a tourist destination. “We like it! That would be something new and we, especially the children can get to watch and enjoy as well”, she exclaims.

Packages at discounted prices combining the different activities can be prepared to cater tourists. “Rates are very flexible and can be customized for big groups” says Reny Tan.

Tina Tan also emphasizes the accessibility of the sand dunes for tourists. “It’s very convenient! Vehicles can pass through the Ventura highway and drop tourists right on the area. No need to walk or treck a mile. Plus, it is near the airport” she explains.

LEAD Movement believes that the availability of sports and adventure tours in the unique La Paz sand dunes will further encourage more tourists to come to Ilocos Norte and boost the livelihood of local businesses. “When you talk about tourism, it has a domino effect. When tourists come to La Paz, the carinderias, tricycle and calesa drivers, down to the sari-sari stores are benefited” shares Reny and Tina Tan.

***

I would like to thank LEAD Movement, The Tan Family and Mark Czar Manangan for the accommodation. If you have inquiries or would like to schedule/book any of the aforementioned activities, you can visit leadmovement.wordpress.com or contact them through facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ilocos-Sand-Boarding/

You can contact me too if you want ;)

Just my thoughts.

2011-09-23T02:03:00.000-07:00

Another one of those random non-photography related thoughts I said I'd post from time to time.

Disclaimer: I'm not writing this as a correspondent of PDI but as a concerned individual, student & Filipino citizen.

Is our education system fulfilling its purpose of educating the youth or has it become a babysitting scheme just to keep children off the streets for a period of time?

Last September 16, a 10-year-old grade 5 student in Baguio was killed from what seemed to be a little fight with his fellow classmate gone wrong. According to William Rilverio, principal of the school, the incident happened during class while the students were unsupervised. Our public elementary schools are departmentalized so each class has an adviser and a different teacher for every subject. “The subject teacher who was supposed to teach the class during the time of incident was absent so the adviser gave the students a seatwork to keep them busy then left to teach her own class” says Rilverio. Apparently, the seatwork was not enough to keep the students busy and prevent a simple fight between two of them that lead to the death of one.

When the adviser found out about the incident, she could not immediately respond to it. “The adviser couldn’t leave her class so she gave them a seatwork first to keep them busy before proceeding to the incident” says Rilverio. Contrary to previous news reports, Rilverio also cleared that basing from their assessment, there was only 1 identified attacker. “The rest were just merely arbitrating the fight” he says. Had there been a teacher to supervise the students or successfully mediate the fight, the homicide may not have occurred. Is this incident therefore pertinent to the insufficient number of teachers in our public schools?

According to Rilverio, he was not informed that the subject teacher during the time of incident was absent so the adviser resulted to giving the class a seatwork as agreed in their school policy. “We didn’t violate anything. We did what we could to keep the students busy while the teacher was not in the class” expressed the principal. However, is it really enough to keep the students busy? If the seatwork was actually enough to keep them busy, were they able to learn something new?

JUST MY EFFING THOUGHTS. THANK YOU.

Friends As Benefits

2011-09-23T00:20:00.000-07:00

Since I started “working”, I have spent most of my days outdoors even when I’m not working. My work as a correspondent requires me to be on-call all the time so I always have to be on-the-go with my camera, notebook, pen and recorder ergo, the accessibility to the outside world. By outside world, I mean outside my room – because my room, especially my bed, is a vacuum of warmth and happiness and dreams and all the comforting thoughts you can think of so it’s very hard to resist it…and as vacuums go, it sucks you in and you’ll never hear a more enticing sound than the silence under your blanket. J

I spent most of the past week splurging with my best college buddy and mars, Chuck, whom most of the girls (except me) and apparently even guys in our college fall head over heels for – due to the scarcity of men in our college perhaps. In contrary to the overrated label “friends with benefits”, I think having each other as friends is enough benefit. ;)

It’s hard to find a harmless guy friend who won’t make a move on you when you two are alone in one room these days (I’m not saying he’s gay but I’m not saying he isn’t either. I’m not saying anything ;) so I’m lucky to have Chuck... And I guess he’s lucky to have me too because instantaneous to being an awesome person, I’m also an awesome friend. ;) Other than being a harmless person, he has also seen my ugly side but still remains a loyal and complimenting friend (by ugly side, I meant physically ugly as in very oily, no make-up, uber zit-ridden, big fuzzy hair, scary and dark eyebags. Other than those I mentioned, I am perfectly beautiful inside and out. Lol).

Whenever I get media privileges (VIP tickets/seats, free dinner, etc.), I always invite mars as my +1. Not only because he looks good both in formal and casual wear but because we laugh, gawk and dislike the same things (oddly, we don’t like the same things as much – he is a pretty religious guy with deep faith in God while I, on the other hand, is still in search of a religion. And he also likes pastel colors which I abhor deeply. Nonetheless, we never argued about anything). Most of all, he’s the only guy I know who is equally vain as I am and loves taking photos - a plus for me since being the photographer most of the time, I rarely get photos of myself taken. We always end up with lots of photos of ourselves in all angles and complete facial expressions at the end of the day. Lol.

Photos in between events/news coverage, shopping, bowling and whatnot:

(Not my most beautiful state as I don’t have the time to put-on make-up anymore nor do I have the luxury of sleep hence the eyeball-swallowing eyebags and pimple scars.)

Not so funny story: We were so bored that we went shopping and eating until we ran out of money; and only on our way home did we realize that we have lost almost everything we’ve bought (except for 2 items)…so the next day, as an excuse to look for the missing items, we went back only to shop again.

BAKIT ANG POGI KO LANG?

I love my new leather jacket. I love it so much that I'd wear it everyday until I find another item I'd love more. I'm like a 5-yr-old kid who won't let her mom wash her old stinky blanket or pillowcase for no apparent reason. lol.

Reporting for duty

2011-09-12T02:51:00.000-07:00

So what have I been up to lately other than over-contemplate on my self-proclaimed existential crisis (whatever that means)?

I have been busy for the past few weeks with “work”. Last month, I applied as a photojournalist for the Philippine Daily Inquirer… after gathering much needed courage and contemplating on my future. I wanted to take photos that are socially relevant, journalistic, perhaps even life-altering – photos that would mean something to someone or everyone, for that matter; not just photos of fair-skinned girls in pretty clothes and make-up...but I ended up being a correspondent. That means I get to write news/articles and take photos of human interest as well.

I promised myself not to write about it until I have officially published an article or photo and last Thursday, September 8, I finally did. A few days before, I was given 2 VIP tickets to cover a fashion show at the Baguio Heritage Mansion. I didn’t think it would make it to the national paper since it wasn’t exactly a national concern and I’ve always thought the Baguio fashion scene was dragging. I didn’t write that, of course.

some photos from the show:

My photos of the Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Week also got published today, Monday, September 12 at PDI's Learning section:

Some photos of events I also covered for the past weeks:

Typhoon Mina in Ilocos Norte

Rice Festival

National Day of Purple Ribbon for Reproductive Health

I sure love the privileges of being in the media industry (the VIP treatments, invitations, all-access to events and whatnot)...

...but I now admire journalists EVEN MORE for their determination and patience for whatever they do that’s not always compensated. The other day, after covering a press conference, I found myself writing this on my new cellphone’s notes application: “Alam mo yung gumising ka ng maaga (na tila isang milagro para sa kagaya mong antukin), naligo ng malamig na tubig, nakinig ng boring na presscon, nag-transcribe ng dalawang oras na recording… para lang sa maliit na espasyo sa newspaper na kung hindi mo ishe-share sa facebook e malamang walang makakabasa? Minsan marereject pa at maiisip mo, bakit mo ba sinulat ang walangkwentang balitang yan? Napapaisip ka na lang, bakit mo ba ginagawa ang lahat ng toh? Ahh, for the sake of journalism, the practice of knowledge, fulfillment of your watchdog responsibility… Ngayon mo maiintindihan kung bakit nag-cacall center ang mga nursing graduates, nagiging caregiver o katulong abroad ang mga teachers natin… kasi atleast sila, naco-compensate ang pagod nila.” That was after my article got rejected so I was vulnerable and hurting. I got over it now… I think... after a few shots to flush it away and 2 days of Grey’s Anatomy DVD marathon. :P

The week before that, I also found myself wishing that I was older or atleast, get older faster to get respected. I hate how people judge others or their works basing on their age as if there is a right age to be right. Respect should not only be gained through age; for the most part, it should be for what we do. Because afterall, we all get old but being old/mature does not necessarily make us a better person (see Congressmen). I should really stop bickering. Or not.

I also finally bought a prime lens after sticking with my kitlens for the longest time. I have always been discontented with my kitlens’ sharpness and DOF.

Test shots:

I have to start getting used to manual focusing though... and not editing my photos, ofcourse.

Melancholy sunshine

2011-08-24T00:59:00.000-07:00

I am eternally grateful to those (photographers) who never forget to invite me to their shoots whether for fun or a serious concept even when I'm busy or just too tardy to get-up from my comfy bed early in the morning, which I was able to defy for this shoot. I was able to wake up at 6:00 am (hurray! big deal! :D).

This shoot was a UNITY SHOOT for Baguio photographers in response to the conflicts between photography groups and individuals (in Baguio) that seem prevalent these past few months (more apparently on cyberspace).

*side dish: someone once asked me how photographers supposedly fight each other; do they shoot each other with their cameras in their fastest shutter speeds until they run out of memory? He was joking ofcourse.

Participants of this shoot were Freedomwall Photography, Beyond Compare, Istorbong Strobista, Crimson Skye, Happy Three Friends and Ms. Olga Villanueva.

It was fun especially when we were shooting the video but since we started at noon, we ended up with itchy and striped sunburns.

As for my stand on the issue: I love Nikon because I use Nikon. I never used Canon so I do not have the right to claim that the former is better. Nonetheless, Nikon satisfies my photography needs so I do not find the need to shift to another brand (at the moment, perhaps). I am also in favor of post-processing as long as it's tasteful, appropriate and not tacky. I am for the satisfaction of the client/model and basing from personal experience, I know for a fact that we (normally) do not want eyebags and zit-ridden photos of us with chappy lips or uneven skintone for public viewing. However, I have nothing against purists or those who want their photos unprocessed; That's personal preference and just as the on-going issue with our religion needs, we all have to RESPECT each others' choice the same way we want ours to be respected. I also do not think that accreditation of whatsoever institution makes a photographer. The line is blurry on what validates a photographer's “professionalism” these days but I know for a fact that creativity does not necessarily come with a license, card or a certificate. Accreditation may make you a notch higher than the rest but the lack of it does not necessarily invalidate your being a photographer. Nonetheless, I acknowledge the downside of the democracy that has come upon digital photography; it is that everybody can now become a photographer in his/her own right just by owning a dslr (consequently, everybody can now become models too) but I guess that's just how everything works in this modern age- something looks/sounds/tastes/feels interesting or cool and suddenly, everybody's into it then for all you know, something new comes up again (I’m still hoping for the Panasonic GF and Sony NX series to outshine the dslr trend already). As for the whole conflict bullshit, why does photography have to be a competition anyway? It's not like there is a shortage on subjects - the world is full of interesting subjects to shoot, we just have to see the beauty in everything. Can't we just take beautiful photos? I don't see anything wrong with that ;)

On a different note, I now truly believe that once you experience the best or better, it is hard to go back to the usual and ordinary you were used to. I had the chance to shoot with a Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 with all its bokehlicious and 25k glory on my first shots and boy did it feel great! I felt sad and discouraged going back to my old kit lens. boohoo!

Models/Wardrobe: Thea Llamido (who looks like an anime character in Final Fantasy)

Jovy Lynne Olores (who looks like Bea Alonzo with light make-up and Anne Curtis with dark red lipstick. It's uncanny, it almost felt like shooting a celebrity. lol)

HMUA: the very accommodating Paolo Carantes-San Juan

Location: Camp John Hay, Baguio city

Photographer: Ivon Domingo

the complete set will be uploaded on my facebook gallery :)