Stories of Her Life
Iloilo, Philippines
April 2006
Rosalinda, mother of eleven, a cigarette vendor.
There’s a lot more to tell.
But I don’t want to state the obvious.
Just take a closer look and examine every line of her wrinkles.
The saying that “some pictures are worth a thousand words”
is an understatement in the case of Rosalinda.
Any picture of her is worth a thousand of stories
with a million words.
First Place: Texture Challenge (www.dpchallenge.com)
First Place Winner, People Category (www.betterphoto.com)
K A T R I N A
Bangkok, Thailand
March 2005
A window-light, a red veil, and a beautiful lady…
these are the main ingredients for this memorable picture.
Throw in a slice of emotion to spice up the image.
Katrina is my goddaughter and it is hard to believe that
the baby I once held in my arms during her baptism
is now posing for me as a full-grown woman.
Coincidentally, this picture is also my baptism
in the world of publication when it was used as a banner
to announce a Creative Portrait competition
in the Digital Photo magazine, UK.
Second Place: Photo of the Month
www.digitalimagecafe.com
P R I D E
Kathmandu, Nepal
October 2005
Behind the thick cloud of smoke obscuring his face,
I saw a proud man sitting in the bench
in front of a convenient store fronting our hotel.
It was an early morning walk that I credit this shot for.
When I travel with group tours, I woke up two hours
before the scheduled activity to explore the place on my own.
With preying eyes, I sweep the place for an interesting subject
and in this case, I didn’t have to go that far.
Published: Mabuhay Magazine
In-Flight magazine of Philippine Airlines
I N N O C E N C E
Zhongdian, China
October 2004
What started as a comfort stop turned out to be a fruitful harvest.
Abstaining from the use of any comfort room facility
in Zhongdian Province, China,
whenever our tour group stopped for such,
I wandered around looking for some people
and sceneries to capture.
This scene was far more comfortable than the comfort facilities.
Two wide-eyed innocent faces met my searching stare.
I was more than relieved.
Second Place: Photo of the Month (www.digitalimagecafe.com)
K R Y S T A L
Bangkok, Thailand
November 2005
This grand prize winner at betterphoto.com
(chosen from among 36,000 entries from all over the world)
is a product of trust.
This was my seventh photo session with Krystal
and what I liked most about her is her being self-directed
during most of our sessions.
I handed over the thin veil and told her to do whatever she wanted to.
It was wonderful to just sit back
and observe how she played around with the veil.
Without trust, this shot wouldn’t have been possible.
Grand Prize Winner for April: (www.betterphoto.com)
D E S O L A T I O N
Bali, Indonesia
June 2006
He is one of the dockworkers in Kusamba, Bali.
I trailed behind him the moment
I caught a glimpse of his powerful stare.
Hoping that he wasn’t as antagonistic as he looked,
I eventually mustered enough guts
to point my camera at his direction.
He smiled back and I replied with a few more clicks.
His expression changed as I waited for that right moment.
I guessed it was all worth the wait (and risk).
Runner Up:
Photographer of the Year 2006
Digital Camera Magazine (UK)
E Y E S
Bangkok, Thailand
November 2004
My most published photo,
this also won awards in various online competitions.
Ironically, the story behind this shot was very straightforward.
I told Noon, a student in my class,
that I would take a picture of her the next day.
Towards the end of the class period that day,
I sneaked out of the classroom with her,
positioned her in the corridor,
threw in a veil that I bought from Laos,
focused on her eyes
and clicked thrice.
Some good things happen right before your eyes.
First Place: Defining Feature Challenge
(www.dpchallenge.com)
P E E R S
Kanchanaburi, Thailand
September 2005
Intimidated –
that’s how I felt when a group of young boys
rushed to me while I was shooting one of their peers.
But why should I?
I stood my ground and continued to fire.
When the smoke cleared out,
victory was declared from both sides.
They had their moment of handsome glory
and I had one of the best candid moments
frozen in time.
S E R E N I T Y
Lijiang,China
October 2004
The blue color set the mood.
Framed by the cool water of the lake
with the shadow and light playing around
his calm demeanor,
I couldn’t ask for more.
I smiled and he smiled back with a subtle reassurance.
I played cool and carefully pressed the shutter.
Published: What Digital Camera Magazine (UK)
12-FEB-2006
P E A C E
Tonle Sap, Cambodia
April 2006
They lived in a shanty around Tonle Sap lake.
They only knew one English phrase: “One dollar, please”.
I looked at their gestures and they seemed to signal two dollars instead.
My mind-set funneled my interpretation towards the materialistic nature of man.
I couldn’t take a good picture unless I changed my way of thinking.
I stepped back and saw a different sign: PEACE!
With a smile on my face, I pored over my backpack and took 2 dollars,
a pack of chocolates and some pens
and peacefully handed them over to their waiting hands.
T A T T O O
Boracay, Philippines
April 2005
I remember his name is Ralph,
a tattoo artist.
Apart from these, I don’t know anything more about him.
It is not necessary.
His intense stare left an indelible mark in my memory
just as his tattoos were permanently etched in his skin.
Some pictures create a lasting impact to the photographer.
For me, this is one of them.
Third Place: Colored Portrait Challenge
www.dpchallenge.com
S M I L E
Boracay Island
Philippines
The smile in her eyes was more arresting than the smile in her lips.
A daughter of a Boracay artist,
I first photographed Lorelei in 2003 when I spent my holidays in Boracay.
I didn’t know her then.
Neither did I know her family.
When I came back in 2005,
I headed straight to their shop and re-introduced myself.
And I saw her again. Now, a lot of people know Lorelei.
This picture has appeared in two international publications.
I am looking forward to 2007 when hopefully,
I can photograph her again.
First Place: People Category
www.betterphoto.com (November)
The E Y E
Kanchanaburi, Thailand
September 2005
He jumped out from behind the bushes
in front of the canal where he was swimming.
With golden brown skin shimmering from the subtle glow of the sun
and water droplets running down his cheeks,
he looked like a curious jungle boy.
I inched closer and framed him carefully.
His eyes spoke volumes but I instinctively focused on just one eye.
The story that I captured was far more intense than I thought it would be.
Published: Digital Photo Magazine UK
W I N D O W
This is Jung Min, a Korean student.
I was inspired by the movie
"Geisha" that I decided to create this shot.
With the help of Sally, an art student in our
school, Jung MIn was made up
to look like one. The veils were used
to create an impression of a window.
The light came out to help illuminate
Jung-Min's delicate features.
T I S O Y
Iloilo, Philippines
December 2005
Maybe it was his intense gaze.
Or the deep chocolate color of his skin.
From among the throng of kids who flocked in front of me
in a “perya” on the eve of the town fiesta of Maasin, Iloilo,
he grabbed my attention.
I framed him tightly and with every click, he smiled more widely.
“His father is Bombay”, someone volunteered the information.
That explained his unique features.
The blue plastic sack used as a roof
enhanced his “Tisoy-ness”.
W A I T
The Flower Market
Bangkok, Thailand
In the long corridor of an all-boy school,
Krystal stood with hopeful anticipation.
After we met at the flower market for a shoot, the rain poured.
But our spirit couldn't dash our hope for that one defining shot.
We waited, but to no avail.
Then we just started all over again.
We're waiting for the rain to stop.
Wait...so be it.
It was an eventful wait.
2nd Place People Category (www.betterphoto.com)
Published (Mabuhay Magazine)
Photo of the Day (www.digitalimagecafe.com)
21-MAY-2006
E C H O
Luang Prabang, Laos
October 2004
Echoes of love…echoes of expression…
An identical grin and look
were mirrored in the novice monk’s and dog’s face
when I pointed the camera to their direction.
Their genuine emotion elicit the joy in me
and I couldn’t help echoing the same warm smile
as I pressed the shutter.
12-FEB-2006
W I L D F L O W E R
Siem Reap, Cambodia
April 2006
She was nurtured in the green rice paddies.
She blossomed through the incessant rays of the sun.
Her red dress and colorful bracelets
invited the attention of the passersby,
me included.
Signalling our driver cum tour guide to stop,
I got down of the car and tamed the wild spirit in her
with my one powerful weapon:
my camera.
B U B B L E S
Lopburi, Thailand
February 2005
Children have simple pleasures.
Give them a toy and they stay focused.
This boy garbed in ancient Thai costume was in his own world.
Like the soap bubbles, it is fleeting and fragile.
I seized the moment
and created my own
permanent
memory
bubbles.
S P A R K L E
Bangkok, Thailand
October 2004
Krystal is my most photographed model.
As a student in an international school in Bangkok where I currently teach,
she was a willing and available model.
Not anymore.
Now, she is a famous actress and print-ad model in Thailand.
I consider her as my muse.
When I experienced a dry spell in my photography,
a photo session with her brought back the spark in my works.
This picture is from my first photo session with her.
The sparkle is her beautiful face back then signaled a fruitful liaison.
I should have known better.
M Y S T I C
Bangkok, Thailand
September 2005
Jooi, though a student in the school where I teach,
was not in any of my classes.
In her school uniform, she looks plain and ordinary.
But I can see the beauty that comes from within.
She has an innocent yet confident look.
She appears as a sweet fragile girl
but I can feel the intensity of her character.
I talked her into posing for me in her full Indian regalia
and not only did I get her cooperation but also that of her parents.
In front of the camera, Jooi is no longer a mystery for me.
Second Place: People Category
www.betterphoto.com
Kodak Photo of the Day
I N T R O S P E C T I O N
I don't know her,
She doesn't know me....
She's one of the many audiences in an
afternoon aerobic session
at Rajamangla Stadium, Bangkok.
This was one of the very first portrait shots
I took with my 70-200 lens. Little did I know that
this picture will bring me to a passion only I could
imagine back then.
01-JAN-2007
B A Y W A L K
Manila, Philippines
January 2007
Columbia Digital Sales Company
through their General Manager, Anderson C. Tan,
sponsors my new gear, the Nikon D2X.
It was given to me last December 26, 2006.
I first used it Januray 1st of this year.
And this is one of the first few shots I took with this camera.
This was in Baywalk, Roxas Boulevard, Manila.
He is one of the streetboys roaming around
the area. A lost soul?
I too was lost that day. Still finding my rhythm
with the new gear but I am positive that pretty soon,
I'll find the right tune.
11-JAN-2007
B A N N E R
Designed by One Workshop Gallery
Makati, Philippines
L O T U S
The Flower Market
Bangkok, Thailand
Lotus...
the symbol of purity
of simplicity
of devotion
Krystal is very much like the lotus.
Her face lights up with pure bliss.
She hardly wears any make-up.
And she's always obliging to pose
for me whenever I ask her.
Published: Digital Photo Magazine to announce Portrait Tips
3rd Place: High Contrast Challenge (www.dpchallenge.com)
L I F E L I N E
From the many people that I photographed,
there probably is a single face that I couldn't forget.
Rosalinda... such a face and a personality.
Sporting a pink hair, she is an epitome of life well-spent.
Every line in her wrinkles tells a story.
Every ring in her fingers speaks of beautiful memories.
I have beautiful memories of her.
And I am going back to take a picture of her again.
One of these days...
Grand Winner: (www.woophy.com)
www.spiderawards.com
03-JAN-2007
W I S D O M
there are some faces we easily forget.
this one is certainly a face that i will remember forever
she carries grace in her wrinkles
she spoke of passion with her eyes
taken in Batanes Island, Philippines
Winner: POTD www.digitalimagecafe.com
25-FEB-2007
The Onlooker
A follow-up photo of an onlooker.
Sometimes, when we are not aware of what's around us,
we are letting go of some opportunities within reach.
He has that dagger look. But ambivalence is written all
over his face as I can see a hint of a smirk.
09-APR-2007
U N T I T L E D
I took this picture today at the Floating market in Thailand.
I am not so sure what title I'm gonna use for this.
She's our boatwoman and the reason why we chose her
was because we knew we're gonna have some fun ride.
She exuded exuberance and love for life.
She must be a beauty before.
Though weathered, she still is, now...
Please help me with the title for this picture.