My video of early macs.
Category Archives: Photography
Post-Quest, inside a classroom
The quest proceeded quite smoothly, with most of the “spirits” agreeing to “move on,” while the ghost of a La Sallian brother has assigned himself as caretaker of the chapel. I was expecting, or at least ready, for some “irregularities,” like perhaps capturing some images of spirits in the shots. Other than the orbs, there was none. As far as I can tell anyway.
After the quest, Perez gave a short lecture on psychology in one of the classrooms at the main building. And that was when my perfectly functioning gear — I simultaneously shot with a 5D and a 30D, handheld, natural light — began getting trippy. Initially, I couldn’t get my meter readings right, and that was quite annoying, because the shoot at the dark chapel during the quest was far more difficult and yet I encountered no major hitches. But here inside a bright classroom?
Anyway, when I finally viewed the post-Quest photos, I kind of understood why. Well, not really. But maybe those colored bands and pillars of light messed with my settings. Or gear. Whatever. 
Spirit Quest at DLSU
Chapel of the Most Blessed Sacrament, LS Building, DLSU. I suppose every La Sallian has heard of the stories of hauntings and sightings at the Chapel. It goes back to World War II, when some families from nearby areas sought refuge at then De La Salle College. The brothers accommodated them; the group and some brothers were in the Chapel when the Japs came in, and killed everyone, children included.
Finally, DLSU called in Tony Perez, a playwright, painter, and shaman, to conduct a Spirit Quest. A quest is not a ghost-busting job in the movie sense; it really is a loving ritual–the spirits are sent love and light and encouraged to “move on.”
These are photos taken during the quest at the chapel. Note that my gear measured up to the job, in a chapel lit practically by just a few candles. I say that for a reason other than bragging abut gear, as the post-quest photos will show.
One Day at the Farm
I feel guilty not lugging my gear around all the time, but at least i bring a point and shoot, which of course doesn’t quite cut it, but hey, it’s still far better than a phone cam! Sometimes there are things that beg to be photographed.
And sometimes none, but the urge is there to shoot anyway. This is one of those days, when all i had was toy cam, trees and shadows. But I had to shoot, perhaps to save whatever little is left of my sanity. hahaha!
The Possessed
07 February marked the opening of “The Possessed,” a one-man exhibit of painter Poch Naval, at 8lanc Gallery, Salcedo-Makati. The artist “played with a historical document (by Pigafetta!), enlarged some words until until another story can be made out.” The concept sounded deceptively simple, yet looking at the works, there was nothing simple about it; the series was a mind-bender (or mind f**ker, if you will). Until then, I never realized how difficult it would be to look at a drawing, not on a blank canvas, but superimposed on prints. Concentrate on lines of words, or paint? I still have no answer, other than to look at it long enough, see what comes out, and walk away a lot richer for it.
8lanc Gallery is at 107, H.V.dela Costa St., Salcedo Village, Makati.
China Crisis @ Venice Piazza, Mc Kinley Hill
I thought it was plain Wishful Thinking when I found out the day before that, Yes, there is a go- ahead to cover China Crisis. The day before that, I didn’t even know they were in Manila! Fun fun shoot, this. China Crisis is such a cool band to cover!
Michael Jackson & Robocop at the Piazza
Aching back after a full day and hours of running around with multiple gear, heading to another gig, but just couldn’t resist. Their costumes and make-up are sci-fi flick good, gotta hand it to them.
Between China Crisis
It was a darn good thing to have attended and shot China Crisis’ gig last night at McKinley Hill. There is something about gigs, music lovers, and I guess, photographers. At a time when many people are borderline paranoid-distrustful, such camaraderie is such a breath of fresh air! Sometime during the gig, a total stranger handed me his camera, an apparently very new EOS 60D, and asked me to figure out the movie function controls! I was so sorry that a 60D is a piece of gear that I haven’t tried, and couldn’t be of much help. That little encounter made me smile, though. Later on, the same guy handed me his camera again, this time for me to take his picture with China Crisis jamming it up in the background. I was happy to oblige. Afterwards, I went for a cigarette break at the side. This time two guys approached me, asking to be photographed, but they didn’t bring their cameras. Easy. One of them gave me his calling card with his email address on it. Gave him mine, in exchange. Of course I’m not exactly hoping that they will be my new best friends, but encounters like these are certainly one of the perks of the job. Sure, standing for hours with several kilos of gear hanging on you can be a literal pain, but it sure is worth it. Posting some outtakes now; it is 1am, and shots of China Crisis will have to wait another day.
Two of them are my friends; the rest just asked to be photographed. Perhaps I’ll never see them again, but the exchange of goodwill was great!
Toy Cam & Not Very Shy Felines
I’ve always known that K has four cats, but until i dropped by for wine and pizza, didn’t realize 1. how fat and fluffy they are, and 2. how much they seem to like being photographed! Talk about feline poses and steady gazes. Too bad, the beautiful black one is just too lazy; after repeated coaxing and borderline begging, all i accomplished was to get her to half open her right eye. One Eye. That happens to be black, too. The dang lazy fella just looked like a lump of coal. I’m gonna need real bad ass gear for that one.
Toy Cam & a Punkin
Went to a gig in Saguijo a couple of weeks ago, and as usual the place was jampacked. I even thought of bringing gear, but it was good that I didn’t–it would’ve been useless if not utterly stupid to lug that in a place where there’s just enough room to stand! We sort of missed the gig, as we had to content ourselves with the only available table outside the music room. If I can’t shoot sandwich, I’ll shoot punkin instead, and a toy cam will have to do.
H Photography 