Cross Roads

I have been taking photos of almost everything under the sun, and when I say everything you can take it literally.

It’s been years, I’ve lost count…since I started with this hobby. I’ve used a lot of cameras all of them not mine, technically (borrowed from my brother, cousin, friend and neighbor). I’ve served as a cameraman for events in school; at home; with friends; among my peers even to strangers. I never took it seriously though.

Through the years, I improved on this craft but I developed a liking for the candid; the unprepared; the unplugged type of photography the sort of behind the scene scenes. Many people may think of my style as rude even offending. I didn’t give a damn. It’s more of a feeling of indifference, being detached from your subject. It did not matter how the shot turned out, but how funny and ridiculous they’d look in the shot. I’m not related to them anyways. Well, I’m still here am I?

Recently, I reached the point when I considered stopping and do just the ordinary and focus on the all so regular things in life. It just felt like, I had to stop and forget about photography and everything that is associated with it, then and there. Burnt- out, maybe? Suddenly I chanced upon this flickr and with the inspiring works of the locals: farl (farl); ronrag (ronnie); boso (andrew); merlysunflower (merly); litratista (gigi); wasaby (aby); kool.angot (aileen); bingbing (binggaling); wantet (tet); rokbot (marvin); adlaw (dia); sweetsexything (jenny); diamonds in the sole of my shoe; koolitz (donj); dirthman (third); gani (gani); donskii (don); syke (mykl); stitch (jimmy); hocchuan (pat); jolengs (jun); temyong; estan; gomi; rare images from shutterbugrer (robert); shutterwil (willy) and his son, waltz (walter). From across the seas: kaleidoscopeGal (Mim); bloophynix; jack hess (jack); jym (jim); alexdpx (alex); Lall(lall); waves (alon); eunicej (eunice); gasss; eliremolona (eli); chillntravel (ciska); sam lamb (sam); baby7 (baby rose); holybluejeans (terri) and her daughters bluecat77 (nikki), girl4god (aly); hokulea and solea, soon enough, almost a year now, I’ve noticed the fervor creeping into my system once more. Since then, I take photos of the regular things and everyday events but this time with more care. I still, do candid shots. I will definitely shoot spontaneous gestures and unguarded moments of people I’ve never met before. I guess, “It’s a (bad) hard habit to break.” But discretion plays a great part in this now, for in the end the output that I publish will determine, did I do justice to my subject or did I ridicule him with my work?

I never thought of this profession (only now?) as degrading or putting myself down. Taking photos is one way of preserving life. You capture moments, you freeze time and in the end, who would make someone or something look good in a portrait anyways, but the man behind the lens? behind the lens

I’ve been BLOGGED!
http://flickersphotoclub.blogspot.com/2006/11/pow-3rd-week.html

Project BUILD III

PROJECT BUILD III - Day Three
A dream fulfilled!

part 3 of 3

September 2, 2006, I got there earlier than usual. Our Chairman – Orlando “Jojo” Bautista was there just before the assembly gathered for prayer. Normally; volunteers arrived a little after eight. To my surprise, they were there half an hour earlier, I wonder what nudged them to come in a little early this day. Could it be that they enjoyed what they did in the first two schedules that preceded this? Maybe…even Our Chairman Emeritus - Ma’am Del Vitangcol together with our Board Treasurer - Aida B. Francisco fresh from the U.S. was there with our friend Gigi Bundoc. Soon after, another Board member - Ernesto “BOY” Bautista graced us with hi presence. Our AVP for HROD Jude O.L. Tiongco came with two of his children Carlos and Bettina to lend a hand in the venture.

We have finished the first home, now occupied by a family of four or is it six and their pet dog. Two more houses to go, but as it turned out; the supposed two homes to be painted is now three, one more added because what was supposed to be a single structure was made into a duplex type unit. Surely, another family will benefit from this. Once more roller paint brushes, rags and dust masks were given to an enthusiastic pack of would be Picassos. We immediately began the task as we received our tools. Paint here, move there, mix every now and then, wash a bit and transfer to another wall, was the order of the day for us who participated. There were drops of paint to the face, a smear on the sleeve and a streak to the hair, even dust in the eye but not a whine, from those of us who were affected by the nuisance of the trade. How time flies when you love what you do and true to the cliché “many hands make light work”, we were done just before noon.

Again as we gathered in front of the VANA Multi-purpose hall, tired but with smiles on our faces, it was announced that to commemorate the birthday of one of the caretakers of the project we will again be having our lunch together with the residents of VANA compound. As if planned, making the celebration complete, comes our Executive Vice President and COO Ernie C. Santiago with sando bags in hand; brought with him ice-cream. Now, that’s what I call providence.

A commitment!

Looking back, after all that has been done. What started out as a mere response to participate in a corporate affair, turned into a personal vow to give a hand to others who have little or often times none. I firmly believe that uplifting the lives of our impoverished brethren is a concrete and positive act in re-building this nation. Given this rare opportunity we’ve decided to offer our time, effort and riches to help alleviate the pains brought about by poverty.

Better yet in being God-centered - committed to promoting the Word of God and models of a loving, prayerful, sincere and moral St. Peterian way of life - we considered it our social duty to extend a helping hand and return the favors that God has bestowed on us.

May the St. Peterian tribe increase.

Project BUILD II

BUILD II - Day Two
Living a colorful life!

July 29, 2006, Saturday, new faces were added to the first batch of volunteers. Those of us who have already been to the site met there directly while the new comers were met by Charo De Leon, Manager for CTCSR at Sto. Domingo.

After the prayers and the formalities, we noticed only one among the three homes was ready for finishing works. Not that construction was slow but two of the houses had to be re-built from scratch. The former broken down shanty have transformed into a two-storey concrete home. Although unpainted and still roughly plastered it was a far better cry from its former state, plus, it had a terrace. Well, the next itinerary was…you guessed it, painting time! Roller paint brushes and rags were handed out then we were divided into two smaller groups, one to paint the ground floor and the rest to take care of the second floor. Those assigned downstairs had to strip off some old paint from the walls and ceiling with steel palettes and sand paper. Others took turns in sweeping and tidying up to minimize the dust that spews out of the flurry. You could just imagine the powder white dust clinging to everyone’s shirt, but no one’s complaining. Above them, the second group was busy painting walls, railings, window panes and doors. It was only half past ten, but the job was almost complete. At noontime workers with shirts, faces, arms, and hair blotted with white, yellow and peach paint, started to gather at the quad in front of the hall, a clear sign that the work was done.

Before calling it the day, we were asked to stay for lunch, the residents have prepared a sumptuous meal for one and all. Chicken-pork adobo, danggit (dried fish) and dilis (mini dried fish) with camatis (tomatoes) was on the menu. Seated or standing alongside a very long table, we all took part of the feast “kamayan” style. After the repast and to everyone’s delight, ice buko, through the courtesy of our President was given for dessert. We even had the chance to have our group photo taken in front of the homes we help re-build, before going home with high spirits and smiles in our face.

part 2 of 3

Project BUILD

SPGK Kami ‘yan!

PROJECT BUILD I - Day One
Out with the old and in with the new. A concrete action!

June 12, 2006, in the early morning of Philippine Independence Day, while most people were still in their beds sleeping and others were busy with their state of the nation activities and preparations for another street rally, either pro or against the present government administration, an advocate or opposed to charter change, our group of young officers and some volunteer employees of the ST. PETER LIFE PLAN, INC. headed by our President and Chief Executive Officer, York B. Vitangcol and his lovely wife Vice President for Business and Marketing Division/Greater Manila Territory, Mildred V. Vitangcol converged inside the premises of the Sto. Domingo Church. Proudly sporting their favorite Black Tees with the Philippine flag symbol and the words “UNLAD d’ Bayan!” printed on it were headed to a place called Tatalon in Quezon City. In sync we gathered in front of the VANA compound Multi-purpose Hall as we joined other volunteers from different community organizations and universities. Not to rally or shout sentiments, nor to protest against prevailing socio-political issues but to re-BUILD lives.

In coordination with the Couples for Christ’s project Gawad Kalinga (GK), our leaders took the challenge to be a part of a multi-sector partnership driven by a vision of a new Philippines with NO MORE SLUMS, by helping each other without asking or expecting anything in return or “BAYANIHAN”. Simply put GK is Giving Care. Its goal is to help communities that are in need of shelter, health, youth development, productivity, environment and values formation as well as community empowerment. Its approach is integrated, holistic and sustainable, providing an alternative solution to the blatant problem of poverty not just in the Philippines but the world. This partnership gave birth to a project called: BUILD “we help build a nation”.

As always, we St. Peterians begin our activity with a prayer, followed by the singing of the National Anthem and the recitation of the Panatang Makabayan oath. It was followed by a short welcome message by the area coordinator and responded by our President and CEO.

Immediately after the short talks, all were grouped and assigned different tasks and started working. A few were given shovels and pick to landscape the surroundings. Some were asked to help move the belongings of the families whose homes were being re-built. A few were tasked to help tear down the makeshift heap they called houses. The rest were made to line-up and with bare hands dirtied, lifted and passed along hollow blocks and other construction materials in a pass-it-on and stack-it-up manner. Children who altogether sang the GK theme song accompanied the volunteers and everyone inspired by their singing, joined in as if in unison saying “sama kami d’yan!” the carousing went on until late that noon.

When everything was moved, piled and planted in its place, everyone halted said their bye-byes and we went back to our Head Office where we shared a jolly meal of chicken and rice, after which, we went on our respective ways.

part 1 of 3