The Latest Stories Of
Lauren’s 5th
Around this time last month, I took the plane to Manila
It would be my first time shooting outside Cebu City since I can remember
When you’ve been taking pictures for around a decade already
You know there are people who’ll take you anywhere
Years ago, we’d fly to Hong Kong for pre wedding pictures
And when this little 5 year old was born, I flew to Manila too
It’s been quite a ride, I can definitely say
I can only hope, I’ll still have the energy to
Allow my camera to take me places
Daghang Salamat Geraldine, Dax & Gladys
July 25, 2024
San Remo
I’ve been taking pictures non-stop lately.
A 70th Birthday in Manila over the weekend
A family gathering in Casino Espanyol last Sunday
Bantayan Island when the week started for a corporate program
And a gathering of our company book club yesterday
The pictures, just keep on coming like when I was younger
And I listened to the radio
While on the Island, one of the people I worked with asked
“An official would like to have a copy of the slideshow you made.
Would it be already to give a copy?”
I told her “Of course!”.
There was no need to seek my approval but it was nice that they did.
Totally unrelated to the pictures below which I took two weeks ago
When a few friends and I agreed randomly to head over to a beach
Up north in San Remegio.
July 11, 2024
Basty & Rita
To be given the opportunity to shoot weddings like this is
really wonderful. You and me, we can just be ourselves
while photographs are being taken and in between, well maybe
get to know each other a little bit?
When I learned that Basty & Rita were going to have a
super simple wedding, I asked if we can take pictures
the night before and we did. We met late at the Vibo Place
and took some photos before heading to bed to get ready
for the next morning.
Ivan came with me. He sent me a message in Instagram to ask
if I he can tag along to observe and take some photos. I was
happy he came and held his own. Sadly, I think, I don’t have
a decent photo of him at work.
Nevertheless, Thank You Basty & Rita. I hope to see you again soon.
July 2, 2024
Clint & Kristelle
While I was shooting portraits of Kristelle, I overheard her telling
the videographer which song she liked for the video presentation later
at the reception. I jokingly said, “you didn’t tell me what song to use
for the photos.”. She hit me back with, “I know you know what you’re doing.”.
I was going with whatever song chance threw towards me that day
and my heart kind of settled with a little Boygenius.
While we had some downtime after the church, Clint asked if I had some
Oh! Caraga. The name rang a bell because back in 2019, a couple asked
if I could play Ipanumpa Ko while the photographs where shown. I asked him
which song, I told him it wasn’t such a problem and I was going to buy
the song in Apple Music.
I rarely step outside of the box. I’m happy inside.
But I’m kind of glad I went with Clint & Kristelle on this one.
Here are some of the photos that I liked from their wedding last Saturday.
June 7, 2024
182.5
I usually write with little thought about the words that go into these sentences.
It helps in keeping these ramblings candid & maybe, just maybe, a little honest. I find that the moment
I begin to think about what to write, I’m always lost for words. But, you know,
I might just need a little more practice.
The title literally is 365 days divided by 2 because it’s been that long since that
day back in November.
Things feel somewhat ok but perhaps it isn’t. You think? These days, that line
between alright and not so alright looks sort of blurry because one minute feels
quiet and the next one, you are scrambling to find somewhere to hide because
your eyes are about to make rain.
Sometimes I think I’ve been gifted with the unusual skill of being able to marry
faith and logic, because I’m almost certain that I both accept and understand, without
question, what had happened, it actually makes me feel a little bit guilty for being not
like the others. Perhaps I also do not have a lot of choices? After all, I’ve got to carry
on with two little boys in tow. You know?
I do, miss the life we once had. Very much so! But fate has led me & the boys here.
So here we are taking little steps, finding our stride, making mistakes along the way
and carrying on with all of these memories until.
I will always Love You Ma.
Always.
May 16, 2024