The last day, beach day, was when our group will be island-hopping at Puerto Princesa’s Honda Bay. Our tour guide suggested we should go to the wet market first, and buy food for our designated bangkero to cook.

I’m not an avid palengke-goer as I should be, but I was confident enough re one thing: we shouldn’t buy things we’d easily get in Manila. I didn’t lead the purchasing, but I think I got enough of what was offered there. Two noteworthy things: the fish were incredibly fresh, and huge compared to what is offered anywhere else. No red eyes spotted on any of them, too. And I did find lamayo, semi-dried marinated fish, which was a must to bring back home, I was told. I was advised though to pick it up when we get back, since it was kept in the freezer, and they’d pack it for me, plane-ready, too.

Freshest fish I’ve seen in a long, long time

The Honday Bay tour was obviously a tourist must-do, but, gladly, the boat-terminal didn’t reek of commercialism. You want food, you have to make-do with whatever is sold in the local stores. This isn’t a warning, its a fact-statement, and I do like it very much this way. Your fastfood fix is about 30 minutes back in the city proper anyway, though I find it ridiculous for anyone to want to have that here.

We had a boat to ourselves. The trip to our first island, Starfish Island, was pretty uneventful, though the smaller-island sightings were something to behold. I decided to keep camera-use minimal throughout the day though, as I think I already have enough photos to justify a vacation.

Clear waters, white -though not superfine- sand, and the late morning sun. Near noon, the skies darkened, and we had rain, which had us retreat to a cottage and eventually decide to have our lunch cooked here, if possible. It was, and all we had to do was wait.

Two hours or so after, I don’t know, I lost track of time, I was hungry, cranky, no one had breakfast, we were served our food.

Our Starfish Island spread

We had inihaw na tuna, liempo, kilawin na tanigue, a local kuhol variant in gata, and the 40 pesos-a-kilo of octopus, cooked as adobo. I wouldn’t want to blame it on our half-starved state, but the entire spread was insanely delicious, sans spoons, forks, actual playes to eat from. I ate from an aluminum foil sheet, so what?

The winner of the spread was a fish called surahan, or unicorn fish. Not the sort I’d be brave to buy at any market, but it came recommended.

Surahan/Unicorn Fish

The meat from this manna from the waters tasted like it came from the shells of crabs. We had it grilled, too, and wished we had bought a bigger specimen.

We headed off to Snake Island right after, where some went snorkelling, while I decided to see if I can get myself a tan. In less than an hour? Since our flight shedule home isn’t too far away? Highly unlikely, but I still enjoyed my dip, throwing the starfishes I found at Madel and Catz.

By the time we left the island, we probably had slightly more than an hour before our plane took off. Jeck, Tif, and I were already discussing alternative ways of going back, though we were intent on catching the flight, we weren’t willing to spend more than necessary. We had to get my lamayo from the market, though, so that’s a few minutes shed from our now Amazing Race-type of heading home. We got back to Lola Itang’s, hurriedly packed our bags, and skipped the banlaw part of beach-dipping, except for Tif. Hopped on the tricycle and we were off, off to another stopover. See, we haven’t tried Itoy’s Coffee during our stay, and I was told we should, we must. Being the sole, intent person for this goal, I ordered 3 black forest frapuccino’s, and exclaimed to the store attendants that we were in a hurry and that we were off to the airport already. I’m not usually this type of person, I’m always polite, and I always say my thank-yous at any service I get, but this was an exception. I still gave my thank-you’s, and left Itoy’s with a fistful of guilt. However, I’m not a fan of cold espresso with a whip cream topping, but for our predicament, it was apt. We needed cooler heads.

I’m assuming we had about 20-30 minutes before our scheduled departure, but we got to the airport and found the check-in counter closed. No panic ensued, at least on my end. I asked around, and we were eventually accommodated. Of course, we were scolded, and we weren’t in the position to give excuses.

The three of us sat side-by-side on the plane, and I had the window seat. This time, we had what looked like University kids returning to Manila from a convention. It was night-time when we landed in Manila. The second I saw my knapsack on the conveyor belt, I declared this vacation over.

The entire photoset of my Puerto Princesa trip can be found here

Related Posts

• August 21, 2010 -- Puerto Princesa, Palawan: Day 2 (0)
• August 19, 2010 -- Puerto Princesa, Palawan: Day 1 (0)
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• May 7, 2008 -- Camiguin: Part 1 (1)
• August 21, 2010 -- Roots Rock Reggae (1)

No, the day didn’t start at the beach, and it wasn’t really part of the itinerary. Moreso are the beauty pageant contestants in their bikinis that you see above, the same ones that boarded the same plane as our group did, though yes, I did take the photo, and no, I wasn’t friends with the official photographer. I was just there, and they were there, too.

So I’ll start now from where I left from the first post: I woke up at 3AM in the morning, with no dinner digesting inside me. I was hungry, but by then, well-rested. I only got to leave Lola Itang’s when the sun was peeking out, and even if I intended to go to the Puerto Princesa baywalk, as Jeck was already there shooting the area, my appetite got the best of me. I hailed a tricycle, and asked the driver where I could eat. He noted that there weren’t a lot of places open at that time, but he did leave me at a just-opened eatery, and I was happy-enough to gouge on some streetside chaolong.

All for 45 pesos. Slightly sour and spicy, and filling. I wanted the baguette, too, but figured out I can have that elsewhere. I did go to the baywalk right after, and took a few shots as well.

Jeck and I got around to going to a church nearby, as well as a curious historical park called Plaza Cuartel, where American POWs where burned alive back in 1944. We were about to go off to the palengke, but we were summoned back by the girls, as the van our tour guide rented was ready to transport us to Sabang Beach, the dropoff point so we can head on to the infamous Underground River.

Catz, Ning, Madel, and Jeck; Tif; and myself

Let it be said that most of us were going to opt out for today’s Underground River tour. As this was a budget trip, we were thinking this can be an optional in the itinerary. Our tour guides didn’t think so, and after much collective-convincing, we all decided to go.

Puerto Princesa Underground River

Armed with my DSLR camera, a hotshoe flash, and Tif beside me using the boat light so I can autofocus, and for everyone else to see what’s inside, I don’t think there’d be any other photo-op like this that I would experience any time soon. How was it minus the camera? It stank inside from all the guano, but you’ll get used to it. So yes, I’m glad I went, I think everyone else was.

We had lunch prepared by our driver/tour guide, as arranged with one of the beach restaurants back in Sabang Beach. It was already in the early afternoon, we were famished, but all hunger seemed second priority when I saw this ongoing beach shoot from the boat from, oh, a mile away.

I did notice what looked like a beach shoot earlier on, before we went on the boat, but I wasn’t so sure then, though what was happening a few meters from where we were can’t be contested anymore. Lunch was easily set on my plate, consumed, had seconds, drunk two cold glasses of water, and I was off, off to where the shoot was, with a controlled grin, and a handful of hope that I could take some shots. Apparently, no one minded I was there.

We all hung out at the beach, even watched the contestants during their stage rehearsals. By late afternoon, it was suggested that we try the much-revered local delicacy, mangrove worms, or tamilok.

Tamilok or mangrove worms

Unfortunately, unless we take the boat tour, we were told we would have to settle for whatever is left from the previous tour group’s harvest of tamilok. These were cleaned of its digested food, and soaked in vinegar. There was enough for everyone in our group to have a literal bite, but not enough to savor it. Woody oyster-taste? Probably, though I cant really say for sure.

The van ride homeward had two highlights: a marvelous sunset, and early evening hard rain that was a sight to see from the elevated roads. We had a dinner stopover planned, and despite the server’s recommendations, we all had steaming bowl of noodle soup at Viet Ville, where Vietnamese boat people built a community in some time ago.

Viet Ville Noodles, and French Bread with Roast Pork

Everyone had beef noodles except me. The Viet Ville Noodles had shrimp and squid, and had the perfect hot broth, accented beautifully by fresh sweet basil. The baguette was lightly toasted, while the roast pork and pickled vegetables complimented the crunch to the sandwich. Too bad we couldn’t tour the area anymore.

Right after arriving back at our lodging, and realizing this was our last night in Puerto Princesa, I convinced Jeck, Tif, along with Ning, to go out and see what the nightlife looked like. Kinabuch was the first destination, which reportedly had tamilok we could partake in, but alas, they didn’t have any that night. After they sipped their beers, and after seeing that this was white-guy and cougars night, we agreed to head off to a bar with a showband nearby called Tiki.

Like habit, we requested the band to have Tif jam with them. The request was instantly granted, as we wrote on the tissue paper that we were off for home later in the day.

We greeted our beds past 1am, and I was slightly distressed that this was our last day here. No matter, the last day was beach day.

Related Posts

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• August 19, 2010 -- Puerto Princesa, Palawan: Day 1 (0)
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• May 7, 2008 -- Camiguin: Part 1 (1)
• August 21, 2010 -- Roots Rock Reggae (1)

Two names sold me to this gig: Jun Lopito, and Cocojam. I haven’t seen either of them, and as a 90s kid, I find it imperative that I take the chance to watch them weave magic on stage.

Thanks again to my Facebook network, I found out about this event. This is an event. I’m not a reggae-head by any stretch, but I don’t see these names come up on gigs often. Moreso, not in today’s de-facto rock club: Saguijo.

Lady I

Lady I was on first. Halfway through their set, I established this to be one of those rare moments of gig-going where I know nothing of the band in front of me, then I just get floored. The songs were a refreshing take on standard dancehall and reggae, and Lady I (Irene Tengasantos) effortlessly lead this outfit with a voice that didn’t even seem to try. Found somewhere online that photographer Eddie Boy Escudero witnessed her sing the blues, and found a young Janis Joplin in her.

Jun Lopito

Rock fans of my age would know Jun Lopito as part of that collective legends of pinoy rock. Around the 90s though, he came out with an album that spawned mild radio hits like Rock and Roll ng Bayan, and Pure Soul. Pure Soul was a favorite -the guitars on the track felt like controlled greatness, the vocals from Lopito apt and cool- and was glad to see it played that night. His set was mostly instrumental, he sang only about 2-3 songs, but more than enough to convince this first-time viewer that the talk was true: guitar gods lived among us.

Reggae Mistress

Lady I had another short set for reasons unknown. No complaints here. Reggae Mistress were then up, with the joyous atmosphere all too familiar for those familiar with Tropical Depression, etc. Photo-wise, it was just too damn difficult to find a good angle where all three frontwomen would be on a frame. Anyhow, this was definitely when the Saguijo crowd was dancing, with positive vibes all over.

It was almost 3 in the morning, I think. I was tired, I bet everyone else was, too. Cocojam was setting up, and Lady I herself sparked a conversation with me re where she’d see the photos I was taking. Small talk ensued, and I did exclaim that when the name Cocojam came up on the gig roster, there was no question where I’d be that rather sleepy and wet Tuesday night. There’d be another gig with the same lineup early September, she said. A semi-lament was also stated, pointing out how unbankable these acts are nowadays. I wholeheartedly share the sentiment, hence in my own little way, I try to show up, and I photo-document.

Cocojam

I was right thinking who Rolly, Cocojam himself, was, as there weren’t enough photos of him online to make an impression. He seemed nervous or disoriented though, can’t seem to get the guitar tuned properly, he was singing to a microphone that just wasn’t set up right. The voice I heard back on LA 105, and that what I can hear now from bad tape-to-mp3 conversions weren’t as soaring as our local version of Marley should be, too. This isn’t me whining, though; this is me stating the obvious, but still awed by what I was witnessing. This was Cocojam, man! One and only! Lopito appeared to be the captain of the ship during the set, but all Rolly needed was a warm-up after all, he even did a few guitar solos later in the set. His spirit was more than alive, we can see it now, and he was glowing. They did Ulap, they didn’t do Lakambini. They did Marley, of course.

Next gig, next gig.

View the rest of the photos here.

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• March 20, 2010 -- Shooting Gigs on Film (4)

It all started with an IM from Tif, an invite to a group outing to Puerto Princesa with some of her officemates, and Jeck, a common friend we have from Rangefinder Filipinas. There was a promo over at PAL, and they had already booked their tickets. The hesitation was instant: Tif and Jeck were good friends, and Madel and Catz were people I’m familiar with already, but there’s also the being with other people I’m not sure I could get along with. There’s also the question of cost: my out-of-town trips have always been funded, from not-so-recent Baguio and Batangas, to out-of-Luzon trips to Batanes and Camiguin.

This was Palawan, though, and long before these airline promos came into existence, its always been known that its cheaper to fly off to Singapore than Palawan.

So I gave in. I wasn’t with a non-existent sweetheart, and all expenses will come from my wallet (got it from blog revenue!), but hell, why not?

I always bring a unique dilemma to trips: wondering which cameras to bring. The DSLR will be brought, this wasn’t a Rangefinder Filipinas outing where I would get peering eyes by bringing a non-film camera. The Horizon 202 panoramic camera will also be in the bag, for landscapes and beaches. I was not so sure about bringing the Seagull 4A TLR camera, because one thing I considered was that my gear should be rugged. Though, I didn’t want to have regrets, so its in the bag, too. The Yonguo YN-465 flash? Well, I do have my pop-up flash already taped, so it will come with me.

The night before the trip was spent online, as I overslept most of the day. I was considerably early at the airport, brain half-numb, until one by one these made-up women started lining up for the same flight. Each one had Mutya ng XXXX sashes. The visual jolt was better than any coffee or energy drink could give me at that time. I badly needed that, and was glad it was a free, unexpected perk.

Mutya ng Pilipinas 2010 Candidates

The flight was an hour short. Sadly, not one of us got to sit with any of the beauties. Jeck and I did take photos of each other, specifically with the very sexy Mutya ng Subic Bay, but mine would be better kept on the hard drive. We got our ride to Lola Itang’s, settled, paid for my share for the room with Jeck (800 pesos a night with aircon, and cable tv), and realized it will really be just the five of us, without the aforementioned officemates. Good, I thought. Tif, Jeck and I would only be here for 3 days and 2 nights, so vacationing should be the main goal.

We met our tricyle drivers/tour-guides when the rest were gathering their ATM money. They had suggested an itinerary, and went on about the advantages of going with them, vs. a van tour. I had heard about this already, blogger friends Karla and Sha told me they had done this when they went there. We decided to talk it over lunch, and they brought us over to Rene’s Saigon restaurant. Vietnamese food was definitely one of my must-eats on this visit.

Spicy Fish at Rene’s Saigon Restaurant

I had spicy fish that was sizzling inside a small stone bowl, which was recommended by the server. Delicious, not all too spicy, with a sweet tang to it. We all shared fresh spring rolls, and no one was complaining.

Fresh Spring Rolls at Rene’s Saigon Restaurant

The decision to stick to the impromptu tour guides was made, and the first destination was the Irawan Crocodile Farm. It was too tourist-y a destination for me, though.

Irawan Crocodile Farm

A small zoo of animals can also be found inside the vicinity, and a mini-jungle with very interesting backdrops under the early afternoon sun.

We were then brought to an elevated area where we can see the islands of Honda Bay, and then we were off to Baker’s Hill for pasalubong-shopping. Yes, pasalubong-shopping on the first day of the trip, but this was solely because the two highlights of this trip were all-day events.

Binuatan Creations was the next stop, and the mention of traditional weavers got me giddy. As expected, the mix of the colors and the actual weaving made for great photo-subjects.

The last stop was for more pasalubong, and for the expected bag of kasuy for the office.

Sleep-deprived and tired, we were back at Lola Itang’s for the evening. We still weren’t sure where to go for the next few days, but yes, we will be sticking with our tour guides. I woke up around 3AM the next day already.

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If you’ve read the previous entries, all you get is incessant whining about not getting the photos I want, when I shoot. This is different. This is me, crossing my fingers, since I think I’m getting over the creative slump.

First gig shoot happened last Thursday at Route196, when two bands interested me, since I haven’t seen them yet: Techy Romantics, and Gorgoro. The Techy Romantics had Ryan, songwriter/drummer from the now defunct Narda, and Camille, who, if I got my Narda history right, was originally considered to front the band. Now they’re married, and now they do electronic music, the sort that would easily get tagged as chillout-with-vocals.

Techy Romantics

Gorogro is fronted by a puppet, supposedly the bastard son of Animal from the Muppet Band. As much of a novel strategy that is, their output is surprisingly good, as catchy as any Pedicab or Giniling Festival material. And as a photographer, who in his/her right mind would pass at a subject like this?

Gorgoro

See the rest of the bands from the gig photoset here.

#

I was excited for the following day, since I’d be seeing what I would consider the great hope of OPM: Up Dharma Down. Days before, they came out with their single Tadhana, easily a modern OPM gem, catchy enough for the masa listener (it was meant for a primetime fantasy soap opera), and undeniably cool enough for the scene kids to bother with. I did what fans over at Twitterdom did as well: the song was on semi-perpetual repeat the entire day.

Up Dharma Down

The gig was held at Kenny Rogers in Katipunan, newly opened/rennovated. Cha was with me, and she hasn’t seen the band play live, but was easy enough to convince to go with me as she seemed to be more affected by the drama from Tadhana, she just had to try to transcribe it. I deemed us being two hours early too early, but it turned out to be a good decision to be there at that time, since the place was surprisingly packed, and the university kids seemed to have the same aim as I did, with about two dozen DSLR camera sightings. The only visible table available when we arrived had to be the table right smack center, and in front of the stage. We were both hesitant, but we were there for the band anyway, so we took it.

They didn’t play Tadhana. Got to talk with Armi after, and she apologized (I requested they play the song on Twitter), and said they were hesitant to play it, since they just released it, people might not know it. If only the crowd requested for an encore. Or if I told them it was Cha’s birthday.

See more of the band from the gig photoset here.

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Model photography has taken a rest, even though I’ve bought a cheap one-light kit, inspired largely by the OneLight Workshop. Decided to just go out and photo-document my usual: gigs.

First up was the manila Symphony Orchestra, with fellow Rangefinder Filipinas member Joseph Esmilla guest-conducting. There was no intention to take anything serious from the event, I just happen to have a camera with me because I intended to go somewhere else after the event. Glad enough to have the shot posted above. It was my first time to attend a classical music concert, which surprised the people I went with. It was a great concert, and I wished then I was exposed and understood the music better, along with the nuances of this sort of concert-going.

The Shocking Details

Without much sleep one night, I went to see a gig with The Shocking Details, an all-girl group I’ve met a few times before by way of Nariese, my collaborator with the model photography. Because of the connections, I told them I wanted to follow them for a few gigs, photo-document. When I got the facts that 2/3 of the band were photographers, and one of them will be teaching photography at one university, that’s when my own expectations began to sink a bit. Sure, gig photography was my realm, but about this time, I think I need a good tune-up to get some good output. Their set was short, I didn’t have much of a warm-up, and blah-blah-blah excuse-excuse. I do want to watch them again, I can have another chance at it, can’t I?

Kulukati

My first gig-night after a long time happened a week ago, and again, it didn’t feel right. No matter, I had to start from somewhere again. I was using my new Yungnuo flash at that time, and I was also trying to shoot manual for a change. The Kulukati shots had that color and exposure I like a lot, but with General Luna there, too, it was hard to turn-off that pretty-girl bias.

General Luna

Make that a jaw-dropping gorgeous girl bias. I was suddenly reminded of my old me-with-a-girl photo project when I literally had a corner of Route 196 with Nicole, the band vocalist, when I told her I wanted to take a photo of her, and she suggested I should be in the photo, too.

On a non-gig photography note, I went out last weekend with my usual posse to a few towns in Rizal. They had about four large-format cameras in tow, while the rest did have the usual film cameras. The first stop was at a lakeside scenery in Pililia, which was void of anything that looked like it was meant for tourists, which I know the group much-preferred. Lunch was had at a favorite restaurant of the group, whose name escapes me, but the food, oh the food: crispy dalag, inihaw na hito and pusit, chili-fried crabs, sinigang sa miso na kanduli, etc. This photo-walkabout would’ve been just alright with me, even for just the spread we had. The second shoot-venue was at Morong church, where Direk Uro shot this of us with a Pentax ME and a 20mm lens:

This weekend doesn’t promise a lot of photo-opportunities, but I’ll be back on the dayshift at work this August, so here’s hoping that there are better shots to come. Maybe I’m just taking to heart to much what one of my photography idols, Luis Liwanag, would always say: You’re only as good as your last photo.

UPDATE: Here’s another snap from the group c/o Atty. Yet:

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Lucban, Quezon/May 15, 2010
Taken with a Seagull 4A TLR camera, past-date Fujicolor 100

I haven’t been to Lucban’s Pahiyas festival for a long time, though I’ve gone there on a few occasions with my photography group, just not during Pahiyas-time. The chance to go there again was just timely, since work wasn’t in the way that day. Personal fact to establish first: my mother is a native of Tayabas, a neighboring town of Lucban, where I’ve spent countless summer vacations in my younger years. Tayabas has its own version of Pahiyas as well, but I do remember us going to the more popular Lucban festivities.

We were taken in by Uro, who’ve always had stories of his hometown. In a way, after assessing this year’s fiesta, we both had the same sentiments: there really was nothing new, nothing quite exciting. Or maybe its just a jaded, used-to-this feeling? Case in point, here’s a photo of Tayabas’ own Pahiyas, with the special participation of me, my siblings, and relatives:

I’m the third kid from the right, yellow jogging pants. I think the decor and human-mannequin setup won the duplex first prize that year.

However, I was a rare case: most people I was with had a glint in their eye, most of the revellers I see were enjoying their pancit habhab (my daily breakfast during vacations, when it was still 75 cents per; a sometime-treat at home, since I can cook it), marvelling at the houses, and generally braving the sweltering summer heat and taking in the collective joyous spirit. Photographers had their fill of course, brandisihing their bazooka lenses (to take a photo of what exactly? a house profile? with a 400mm? on Lucban’s very narrow streets? really?), and, puzzling the life out of me, more than half of them carrying tripods.

End rant.

I don’t think I’ve also walked the entire festival path, but I did this time. Blame it on an uninspired eye that day, I had the most difficult time finding scenes to shoot. The shots from my Fed 2 rangefinder are still unprocessed, but I’m not hopeful for any gems there either. Funny though, that a good number of photographers I was with did bring their TLR cameras, too, like it was something we all agreed on.

We got to Lucban a few hours before lunch, and after that long stroll early afternoon, I just stayed at Uro’s old house, deciding to just shoot to whatever I see there. The procession came and went. Carabaos paraded, a mini-santacruzan ensued. Last time I spent Pahiyas over at Tayabas, probably aroudn the 90s, at the very end of the procession was a burly group of men who would take all the suman and all the edible decor you have on your house. Essentially, permitted looting. FYI: THIS is the old Pahiyas tradition, and it used to be observed by all the towns that celebrate it.

The Lucban late afternoon was gorgeous though. By then, I was dead-tired. I handed my camera to someone I forget and asked them to take a souvenir-ish photo of me, and it turned out to be an easy favorite:

Dinner was eaten at around 12 midnight at a gas station at SLEX. Ahh yes, Manila-bound traffic never changes. Hoorah for us Northerners!

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1234 Beach Rock Shanghai (China); September 17, 2006

The Photographers’ Pit at the LivELY Benefit Concert; January 28, 2007

UP Fair; February 17, 2007

UP Fair; February 17, 2007

MALINIS PLEASE, A Gathering of Rock Ed Artists; May 10, 2007

MALINIS PLEASE, A Gathering of Rock Ed Artists; May 10, 2007

MALINIS PLEASE, A Gathering of Rock Ed Artists; May 10, 2007

MYXMO 2007; November 20, 2007

MYXMO 2007; November 20, 2007

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Stylist/MUA: Nariese Giangan
Model: Pau Paguia

The decision to go outdoors for the Monday shoot was because Nariese insisted our model Pau must look great in natural environs. I gave in. I was hesitant that we’ll be shooting where everyone else does their pre-nup and cosplay shoots (UP Diliman), but we really didn’t have much of a choice. I was concerned about being cited by security, too, but since Pau was still studying there, I held on to that silver lining.

Still, I wasn’t all too confident. Part of my first model shoot was also held there, and I wasn’t all too happy with the output. The time where I got genuinely excited was seeing Pau posing with the sun behind her, her brown hair glowing, and her smile innocently captivating. As always, Nariese’s choice of clothes was impeccable, the accessories stood as integral accents to the model. I honestly felt inferior to all these elements, but like anyone who finds himself underwater, I had to swim.

Sorry, the metaphors are probably because I’ve been wolfing down Haruki Murakami audiobooks non-stop.

So there, the sun was cooperating, we found ourselves shooting at random spots and benches, until someone noticed red leaves sprawled on the ground. I asked Pau to sit around it, and positioned her where the sun peeked through the tall greens of the area. I had a hard time shooting though, something about my eye still adjusting to the scenario. Add the constant dodging of vehicles where we were.

Right behind us, I noticed this gloriously lit scene, where I instantly had this photo in mind:

We had Pau in another getup, and sadly this was when the sun was disappearing already. No matter, we adjusted.

I had other scenes in mind, like Pau eating, and doing a docu-style shoot inside the gritty university shopping center. This was early evening already though, and we were all tired. I did push through with those, but had lackluster results.

Dinner was with Pau and Van, a common friend of both Pau and Nariese, who tagged along and did the shoot outtakes. Pau was still in awe when I told her my student number. I wasn’t offended in any way, and was more amused than anything. When I got home, looked at the shots, I couldn’t stop sorting and editing, and giving off a controlled beam. The planets aligned for this shoot! Awesome model, style, setting, light, and all it needed was a photographer of the same grade.

Oh, and on this shot, Pau looked like a young Amanda Griffin. Seriously.

#

Aby was supposed to be our first model, but she got sick. I met her at Nariese’s grad party, and she was singing Britney Spears songs on karaoke. I texted Nariese either on the same evening, or the day promptly after, if Aby ever did some modelling. She said yes, but not professionally.

I saw those model photos on Aby’s Facebook, and found them, well, lacking taste. Not that I am an expert on taste, but like what I would always try to achieve in shooting someone, I want to flatter that person, get her best angle, and of course, just discard those that make him/her uneasy on the eyes.

Stylist/MUA: Nariese Giangan
Model: Aby Ganiban

The shoot was Aby was a quick one, since there was another one scheduled after at the studio. Learning from the time management situation from the first shoot (6 hours studio time?), we just had Aby in two dresses. Those huge eyes really reeled you in, but when Aby goes back to her normal, she-should-be-in-comedy-bars mode, the facepalm moments are neverending.

Gliter was there again to help us out instead of modelling. Bam assisted me again, and we were delighted at the new lighting setups Jay taught us that day.

I guess we’d all agree that it wasn’t such a bad shoot, even if what we had coming were standard poses, but around the last half hour, Aby began to strut her stuff, show us her potential, and we were all exclaiming that to her, that this should’ve come earlier, not now that we’re rushing it. Gah!

In sum, it was a fun shoot, and half of my memory card was filled with the girls camwhoring themselves on the first floor of the studio, flashing their V-signs, and puffing their cheeks, which I guess would be normal for girls about 5 years younger than they were. Ha!

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Jay’s points of improvement from assessing the shoots: pose and expression. I see this clearly now, comparing to the current output, to what the photos available online, and those magazine covers on the stands. This is duly noted, I just hope I can direct the model on how to give us that all-important, non-gimmick/outing/party look.

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Stylist/MUA: Nariese Giangan
Model: Gliter Villarin

Let’s start the story with Nariese. I met Nariese online, by means of us being followers of the band Paramita. We met a year or two ago, and did actually plan a shoot before, but that didn’t materialize. We kept in touch, and just at the start of this month, we started discussing the possibility of us getting together again and push through with a shoot, her doing the model’s makeup, assuming the stylist role, and myself as the photographer.

On previous shoots, I haven’t had anyone else to attend to the model’s makeup, clothes, etc., so this was a welcome change: those’re a couple of things I’m definitely glad to have someone take care of. Also, my work restdays this June fall on Sundays and Mondays, when band gigs are non-existent, and this would take my photographic fill.

So, it was set. We even had a model I asked about during Nariese’s grad party. That weekend though, the model was battling a trangkaso, so we had to get one on short notice. Nariese checked her Facebook contacts, while I continued doing my weekly groceries, when she texted me that she has a friend that promptly affirmed. Of course, her bragging that the model was part of our local version of that gameshow Deal or No Deal got my attention, that I had to get home sooner than expected.

Stylist/MUA: Nariese Giangan
Model: Gliter Villarin

The studio was at Jay’s again in QC, where I won’t be too ashamed to ask re lighting lessons and suggestions. I was supposed to go straight to the studio, but Gliter, Nariese’s friend/our model, was running late. Therefore, I did something that I’m not really fond of doing: introducing myself to strangers.

Two or so hours later after that meeting, I was stretching out in the first floor of the studio, while Nariese was doing Gliter’s makeup. This was something I had to get used to, I guess.

A few test shots, brief lighting lessons, and we were at it. We had music, a pro model, Nariese was with her arsenal of clothes and accessories, while I was struggling so hard not to shoot the model up close. Shooting wide has always been my habit, but fashion-y shoots like these do require the normal, non-wide perspective, where I had to place myself a few feet away.

Stylist/MUA: Nariese Giangan
Model: Gliter Villarin

Bam, photographer-friend and fellow Rangefinder Filipinas member, came to the studio and became my impromptu assistant. We had been discussing model-shooting before, as it was something very different from our current documentary/street photography orientation. Having him around made one thing clear: I really do need an assistant for shoots like these, and I’d be more than willing to switch roles next time.

Four sets of clothes, an after-shoot of everyone else in the studio, and Muriel (Gliter’s sister) eating almost a food container’s worth of Nariese’s pasta, and we were done. Our early afternoon arrival at the studio stretched to 10 PM, and I guess its safe to say we were collectively hungry, but also collectively satisfed, that we got what we came for.

As a first shoot, I can point out to a lot of things we could’ve done more efficiently, but it was a lesson-filled day, and we’re all hoping we’d do a lot better next time. Nariese and I succeeded, and though I guess we did feel a bit intimidated by Gliter, the output was justifiably good. Not groundbreaking by any stretch, but better than a lot of what I’ve been seeing online lately.

The model who got sick eventually got well, and we had her the next Monday, but that story would be for the next blog post.

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