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Florianne, Jeherson and Everybody

When I was about to leave, Florianne and Jeherson both said,
“I’m more excited about the story than the pictures.”
I didn’t want to flatter myself too much
But inside, I felt a happy kind of pain
Have you ever felt so happy you want to cry?

I couldn’t be anymore thankful for people like these two
And the rest of you out there who are courageous enough
Not to hide underneath themes, setups and all those 5H!+
There is beauty in the ordinary
And I’m happy I see it along with a handful of you

I think we were busy discussing something here.

This shoot was supposed to be for Florianne’s grandpa. But.

I told him that if ever I become right, I’llt book him a room with a butler.

But we ran out of decent light to take pictures with grandpa.

Thank You Florianne, Jeherson and the rest of the family.

December 26, 2020

Jasper and Jessica

It was raining when we drove up to Busay
for their pre-wedding pictures 2 weeks ago. However,
we didn’t let the circumstance disappoint us. In our minds,
we thought coffee on a rainy day seems like the
perfect pair.

They got married when Signal #1 was raised around
the city last Saturday yet somehow, when I breezed
through the pictures for this blog, all I see
are smiling faces.

The year already took away so many things from everyone.
I’ve got a feeling we can’t go back to our old lives
anymore and it’s terribly unfair to say that it’s going
to be okay. But moments like last Saturday’s wedding
always fills my heart with hope that days are going
to get better, maybe not tomorrow but it will be better.

Thank You Attorney Jas and Jessica!

When it was time for portraits, I asked he to find a seat and we casually just chatted the portraits away.

Stephen can’t come so I asked Tim to shoot with me

I hurriedly took these photos of Jessica just outside her room.

It was my first time at Calungsod in almost a year.

Jasper’s Mama and sister walked him down the aisle.

Perhaps my favorite picture from Saturday.

Jessica’s grandparents made it to the church.

But after being postponed for 7 months, it finally happened.

Bato-bato-batotos. Ay wrong! Bato-bato Pik!

December 20, 2020

The Canonizados vol. 3

Fate kind of took away so many things
From everybody this year
And while some good things sprung out of it
It still doesn’t equal
The toll that this pandemic brought with it

We would have taken these pictures back in November
Like we always do year after year
But we got scared like everybody else
Luckily we agreed that if we drove at dawn to Tops
It would just be us messing around
So these pictures happened.
My fifth year of shooting this family of four.

Salamat kaayo Dave, Gie, JV and Gia.

This is by far the earliest family shoot I’ve ever done.

We came in early to watch the sunrise and make sure we were the only ones.

A few people beat us to it but still. It looked like we were the only ones up there.

Ahhh! The trouble with kids and mornings.

Looks a lot like the one from last year.

I thought it was going to be cold but jackets weren’t needed.

We took photos at the back of their car too.

When we were about to head home, the kids played around a bit.

December 13, 2020

The Gacayans

This time of every year calls for regular meetings
With families who’ve become friends
Throughout the years of shooting yearly portraits
And while the situation has cancelled if not postponed
Quite a number of those annual sessions
There are also a handful of new faces
Who were kind enough to ask me for pictures
I’ve gotten to know Di and her family
When the restrictions kicked in
Amazingly we kept in touch and these pictures happened in a snap

We took a few pictures at their house to begin with

I was in a little bit of a hurry because somebody needed Doc Jams expertise.

Just a few more before we went outdoors.

My first time in Camp Marina in such a long, long time.

They make the delicious mini-egg pie you know?

The light is always wonderful under these trees.

December 12, 2020

Dodong and Lailai

Towards the end of Dodong and Lailai’s Thank Yous
I heard my name being mentioned
They said they were really happy they bumped into me
Because we somehow share the same values

Lailai said they weren’t too concerned with things that only the eyes can see
And was more focused about starting their lives the right way
With a wedding that, despite the situation, reflects their values
Simple, nothing out of the ordinary but meaningful.

I wont ask you to something you don’t usually do
Mainly because I don’t know how to pose people
But I think I know a thing or two about making you feel comfortable as you are
And if I can capture that on camera, that’s more than enough for me.

Thank You Dodong and Lailai!