2021 a year of portraits.

I must say, 2021, was a huge leap for me career-wise. I was able to connect with the industry’s best through Tethered in Clubhouse, A group of photographers that meets online every Wednesday discussing anything related to Photography; Met with photographers based in Metro Manila that I looked up to; Even had a quick voice chat with BJ Pascual on of the Tethered sessions; Did my first teaching gig as an “online” Photography Instructor. Aside from this, I got invited to a group exhibition that showcased 300+ works of Filipino photographers which were displayed in various locations in Metro Manila. I also was invited for another round of an Artist residency program for Overlab, South Korea but had to do the exchange online this time. 

Yet, personally, I was faced with the challenge to deal with a photography genre that I find quite uncomfortable, as an introvert.

Here are portraits (and more) that left a mark on my 2021.

A PORTRAIT OF A WIDOWER

A portrait I took of my last living grandparent hours after we lost his wife, my maternal grandmother.

B-BROS 2021

We ditched the annual brother’s portrait and decided to have it indoors to commemorate the year prior, 2020, when we spent most of our time at home.

KATAW

April had the opportunity to work with PRRCFI, the foundation behind Danjugan Island. As we spent most of our summer on the island I started a personal project of capturing underwater portraits of the staff and visitors as inspired by Siargao-based, French photographer Camille Robiou du Pont.

“The Kataw is one of the merfolk in the Philippine Mythology. In Visayan, Katau was believed to have higher rankings than other water and sea creatures as those of Sirena, Sireno and Siyokoy. It is believed that the Kataws are the reigning rulers of the kingdom Bantay Tubig.” - Wikipedia

EAGLE’S NEST

This might be the only documented vertical panorama photograph of the iconic Eagle’s nest tree, located at Danjugan Island’s Typhoon Beach. Ironically, the tree was uprooted recently due to Typhoon Odette. 

The tree sparked the foundation’s founders to purchase the whole island after the tree’s lumber was offered to them. More of the island’s history here.

PROCOAST PROJECT

My riskiest assignment for 2021 was when I had to climb a cliff for my drone to have a stable take-off point. We were greeted with thick mud, thunderstorms, three-story bamboo ladders, and a malfunctioning drone that kept disconnecting from the controller.

#LETLENILEAD

Among the highlights of this year was when VP Leni visited the island for Negros’ Day. Volunteers behind the presidential aspirant collectively organized a static caravan that stretched approximately 15 km long. Here’s a photo of a warm MassKara welcome when she drove by.

GEN T Photoshoot with Dave Albao

I’m very honored to capture the portrait of a “leader of tomorrow”. Dave, the Executive Director of PRRCFI was part of the list of GEN T’s “Leader of Tomorrow” for Sustainability. I’m quite honored to capture his portrait that was published internationally for Philippine Tatler. See the write-up here.

Kevin + Mabel

Among the blessings for 2021 was meeting new friends. This year we were happy to document and glam up clients-turned-friends Kevin and Mabel on their engagement shoot and wedding last August.

Dani + Francis

Who could say no when one of your closest friends requested a photoshoot a couple of days after her engagement. One of the best feelings of being a photographer is being present in the happiest moments of your loved ones. I am very glad I was able to document this freshly-engaged couple, Dani and Francis, and let them be their genuine selves as I also comfortably captured it without fuss.

GRIEF

2021 was also a year of grief. I lost loved ones young and old. You will be missed, Mama Cecil, Tatay Basil, Tita Michelle, Abigail, and all others who went ahead of us. You are all in my prayers.

MONITORING THE MONITOR LIZARD

June 2021 when an approximately four-foot-long monitor lizard paid a visit into our backyard.

MacBook FOR SALE

Among the fun shoots I had in 2021 was when I tried to sell our pre-loved Apple products. Here’s a shot of a MacBook Air we’re trying to sell imitating an Apple ad using a newly- purchased 1.2 56mm Fujinon lens.

WILD BIRD

Wild Bird was among the start-ups I branded back in 2017. I’m quite happy that they’re back in business after the series of lockdowns last year. They commissioned me to take photographs of their new menu. Here’s their highly-recommended Wild Bird Chicken Skin.

BLISS

Among the “ups” of 2021 was having to do an out-of-town shoot. It was the first after months of being stuck in the city. Here’s a snap during the shoot I did for a debutante’s celebration in Sipalay.

ARTIST’S PORTRAIT - Brandon Braza

2021 was the year where my expression for creativity was challenged. I was used to taking photographs of unfamiliar places whilst traveling but due to the pandemic, we were stuck at our respective homes. To address the challenge I went out of my comfort zone and started taking portraits. As an introvert, it’s a lot of challenge to establish that connection with the unfamiliar subject. Here’s Brandon Braza, a young, local, multimedia artist that I chanced upon to join in an Artists’ Retreat.

Charlie Co at Work

I started documenting artists in their respective studios a couple of years back. Here’s one of the many photos I took of Negros’ Charlie Co in his element.

Daryl Feril for Balvenie

My portfolio of artists in their studios led me to my first international photography gig. I was requested by Daryl Feril, an internationally known Bacolod-based multidisciplinary artist and also good friend, to take his portraits for the “The Makers” campaign of Balvenie, a Whiskey brand. The campaign was exhibited at Singapore ArtScience Museum launched last November.

Deni Chavez, Film Director

I was requested by local film director, Denli Chavez to do her portraits. I just had to say yes. The material we took looked great on our respective portfolios. Here’s a shot I took of her in her “studio” at Art District’s Safe House, a small cinema where she had her films shown recently.

Positive Cases # 4

Among the blessings for 2021, was the opportunity to showcase (again) my work on a billboard. Here’s ”Positive Cases #4” displayed at Art District, Bacolod City. It’s one step closer to my dream of giving Photography the respect and spotlight it deserves as an art medium.

Thiana

I’ve been documenting this kid’s birthdays ever since she was born. I’m excited to have done some experimental black and white portrait shots with her (with her mom’s approval of course) at my brother’s studio.

Lakawon

Among the many projects I had this year, was to do Lakawon Island Beach Resort’s social media content for three months. I was tasked to take photographs of their rooms and this is probably my first interior shoot. Not bad for a first.

Post Truth and Halong Bacolod 2021

I was among the four chosen artists for this year’s Artists’ Residency Program for South Korea’s Overlab Gallery. I collaborated with fellow Filipino Artist, Daryl Feril, and Korean artists Eusol Cho and Jisoo Seo to come up with two video installation work exhibited in Gwangju, South Korea and Bacolod, Philippines.

Water Nymph

As I was trying to figure my way to taking beautiful portraits, I had the chance to create a fine art photo of this nude model at the sea. For me, it depicts how fluid Mother Nature is adapting to whatever mankind had done to her.

Typhoon Odette

2021 was also packed with natural disasters that affected Negros. By the time the year started, we were gushed with a flash flood that affected thousands in Northern Negros. Mid-December when another natural calamity, Typhoon Odette devastated people from Southern Negros.

Fotomoto

2021 marked the year when the dream of penetrating the Manila Art scene as a Fine Art Photographer came true. I am very grateful to be part of a group exhibition with participating artists like Neal Oshima, Ben Cab, Mark Nicdao, among others were also showing. Three of my photographs were among the 300 photographs selected and displayed in various locations in Makati and Taguig. Photographs exhibited were for sale and can be purchased here.

* Photo courtesy of Fotomoto.ph

Thy Womb

This photograph breaks my heart. During the last months of 2021, April was diagnosed with uterine cancer….

April.

The best thing happened to me in 2021. We got married (again). This photo was taken during our engagement shoot where I tried to step in and creatively direct Keo, our photographer on the image we wanted to achieve.

This photograph sums up 2021. How it imitated a veil draping unto her head, how hopeful we are with the future, how we seek guidance from the Lord in all the decisions that we make. 

May your 2022 be blessed!