Mga Kabayan, Meet Oliver "jojo" Pensica Jr. aka jobarracuda, our 37th "Photographer of the Week!"

"No time for being a child"



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About The Winning Photo:

He gathers plastic cups and bottles, barefooted, in the streets of Manila to help his family.
Junjun, 10 years old, is the 3rd among six siblings.

I followed him for a while and found a chance to talk to him:

"Saan ka nakatira?" (Where do you live?}, I asked.

"Kung saan-saan lang po kami nakatira" (We live anywhere, sir)

"Magkano kinikita mo sa pagkuha ng plastic? (How much do you earn from gathering plastic bottles?), I inquired.

"Minsan po, P60, minsan po, P80...depende po" (At times 60 pesos, at times 80 pesos. It really depends sir - *about 2 dollars*.)

I invited him to have a burger with me and we talked about other things. After finishing up his burger, he bade me goodbye:

"Sige po. Thank you po sa sopdrinks at hamburger" (Ok sir, thank you for the soft drink and hamburger)

"Ok, ingat ha." (Ok, be careful). I smiled at him. With a heavy heart I looked at him as he went his way.

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Oliver "jojo" Pensica Jr. aka jobarracuda

I am basically a serious hobbyist when it comes to photography and a self-confessed flickr addict. I worked in various fields and in various positions: encyclopedia salesman, artist, creative director, ad and promo officer (in a casino) and most recently a teacher in an International School somewhere in China.

I started in photography in December 2006 when I gifted myself with a Panasonic Lumix FZ50. I got interested when I borrowed a Kodak p&s from my co-teacher and took a photo of a Chinese kid. I developed the photo and gave the family a copy. I was so touched by their reaction and became close to them. Photography got me right away.

I have a Panasonic Lumix FZ50 which I love so much and a Nikon D40x which I won in a photo contest last August 2007.

I don’t think I have a particular style in my photography, I am still trying to learn different approaches and styles in this field. I do admire lots of photographers and their works: jeridaking, kamalayan, angrylittleboy, farl, I travel east, to name a few. I could go all day browsing different works here in flickr and in the net and come out inspired.

I love photos of human interests, street portraits, and street life. These are closest to my heart. But I do try glamour, wildlife and landscapes when there’s a chance.

Five years from now, I am hoping I could travel to different countries and take photos of people and their culture. Hopefully I could earn some money as well doing this passion by then.

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Three Pictures That Best Describe Me:

"Muslim Girl"



This photo is so special to me because of the story behind it* when I took this photo. This is also my very first photo that got exhibited. It participated in an exhibition in Hong Kong (The Fringe Club, HK). This photo was also selected as one of the Honorable Mentions in Charity-In-Focus Contest and got exhibited in ICOSAHEDRON GALLERIE in TriBeCa, New York City, USA last year and participated as well in a small art fest in Chicago.

*The story behind the photo:

i was shopping at Baguio market when this little girl approached me, asking that she'll carry my bag for some money. i told her that i'll just take a photo of her and she doesn't have to carry my bag.

"isang kuha lang po ha" (just one photo sir).

i smiled and took a shot as fast as i can because i didn't want her to change her mind.

she was so happy and surprised that i gave her 50 pesos (1 dollar). most of the time they get 10 or 20 pesos in every bag they carry....and most are heavy shopping bags.

"kuya nagkamali po kayo" (brother you made a mistake.)
offering back the money.

"no i didn't", i said.
that is really for you.

then i went my way praying that the photo i took of her was alright.

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#Explore Fontpage - April 22, 2007

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"Noli Me Tangere"



This photo won 1st prize in the Philippine Group Photo Contest last year and won me my very first dslr – Nikon D40x.

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"Batang 888"



This photo recently won 1st prize in the Philippine Group Photo
Contest and won me a Toshiba Satellite Core duo 2 Laptop.

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Epilogue:

I customarily put my Admin's note at the beginning of the interview.
But I did not want to spoil the continuity of Jojo's narrative and the
beauty of his outpouring. The entire article was in Jojo's own words.

Jojo is a true artist who, for good or bad, wears his heart on his sleeve.
His openness and willingness to reach out and touch someone could,
or might, cause him some hurt in the future (if this hasn't happened yet).

But reading "between his lines," to not help is not in his nature.
And if we believe in good karma, and in "paying it forward," maybe
that's why he's already won a Nikon DSLR and a Toshiba laptop after
only two years in photography!!!

In closing, I consider myself fortunate to "walk among photography giants"
who are KABAYAN - Fil-Am Fotogs members. We have seasoned professionals and gifted
hobbyists in our midst...some of whom we might never have known about were
it not for this series of contests.

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ga Kabayan, Meet Jimmy Carlos aka jimmy~ , our winner for contest # 36, "MEN IN ACTION! (Dangerous/Risky Jobs)"

The Winning Photo:

It's all in a day's work



May 22, 2008

I went up to the newly opened Sky Deck in Roppongi Hills in Tokyo during lunch, and was lucky enough to see these window washers, from 270 m above the ground, preparing to be hoisted down to clean the windows of Mori Tower.

EXIF Data:
Camera: Canon EOS-1D Mark II
Exposure: 1/6400 sec
Aperture: ? (don't remember)
Focal Length: 50mm
ISO Sped: 50
Lens: Carl Zeiss Planar T* 50mm f1.4 (for Contax fitted with an adapter for EOS mount)


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Jimmy Carlos aka jimmy~



The photo was taken by my friend, Charles Peñacerrada. And no, I don't have long hair anymore. I had to cut it prior to entering my now bankrupt company.


My name is Jimmy Carlos and I'm currently based in Tokyo. My company just went bankrupt and we're now in the process of migrating to our new buyer.

My dad loves taking snapshots, and I used to use his Olympus Pen when I was a kid. There was a big blank after that. I got my first digital camera, a Kodak DC290 in 2000. I got my first DSLR, a Canon 10D in 2004. I have since used both digital and film.

I have several cameras, but mainly use a Canon body with Contax lenses attached with an adapter. I don't use film that much recently since it's expensive to have them developed these days.

I don't really follow, nor know much about famous photographers. I just try to make up my own style based on some idea I have. I do look at different photo magazines and photos by other people in photo sites like Flickr. I would mention Tommy Oshima if I had to name one.

In the past year, I have become more into night street photography, going out mainly on Friday nights, usually with other Flickr friends who I also got to know in the past year. I also like to take photos of festivals around Japan. While I like to take landscapes, I just don't have time to go out far places. I would like to expand my "portfolio" in this area as well.

In the next five years, I would like to have at least an exhibit of my photos and have some of them published.

Three Photos That I Like:



This photo seems to be popular among my night street photos. This is also one of my favorites.




This would probably represent my photos of festivals in Japan.




My other frustration: landscape photography. What's the other? I don't know... ha ha...

Mga Kabayan, Meet Ma. Rosario D. Sanchez (aka MarorieS), Our Winner for Contest # 35

The Winning Photo:

"Where's my burger?"




August 30, 2008 our friends organized a street photography shoot in the Carbon Market. Our meeting place was in McDonald's Fuente Osmeña at 5:30am. I saw this kid lying on the ground like a dead dog and was nervous taking this photo. I felt somewhat guilty after the shot. I later heard from the bystanders that the boy sniffed rugby.


EXIF Data

Exposure: Aperture Priority
F-Stop: f/5.6
ISO Speed Rating: 900
Focal Length: 18.0mm
Lens: 18-55mm Nikkor
Flash: Did not fire
Metering Mode: Pattern

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Ma. Rosario D. Sanchez aka MarorieS/


I’m Ma. Rosario D. Sanchez, born in Sampaloc, Manila. I presently reside in Metro Cebu. I am a BSC Marketing graduate from the College of the Holy Spirit.

I'm a soft-spoken, serious type of person who can be weird at times. I love listening to music, especially to the sound of silence. Also, I have composed some songs during the darkest days of my life.

My husband and I started photographing sunrises and sunsets on South Reclamation Project Road using our Canon Powershot A460. We decided to start our small business, Anjo’s Point of Photography, January of this year. The cameras I’ve used were Canon 300D, 400D, and 40D, but now I us a Nikon D40 because it's lightweight.

I only have 2 lenses: the kit lens and the 55mm-200mm Nikkor VR lens.

Michol Sanchez is the main influence in my photography style.

I like street photography, as well as capturing people’s emotions. I would like to learn product and sports photography. Having my own photo exhibit is one of my dreams.

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Three Photos That I Like:

I love the sunrise. It makes my day more meaningful. I thank God for each new day.



Live, Love, and Laugh... Enjoy and live life to the fullest together with your loved ones.



Sailing Home... Serenity in Simple Living and Contentment in Life.

Mga Kabayan, Meet Ron Miguel (aka Kamoteus), Our Winner For Contest #34

The Winning Photo

"Philippine Jeepney"



This image was taken in Alaminos, Pangasinan, on our way to Hundred Islands National Park last October 2007. My Dad was driving and I was on the passenger side when I took this shot. Our good friend, Mr. Antonio Genovia, asked me if he can post-processed this image, and he made this photo a winner after doing his magic. Compliments goes to Antonio Genovia .... Thank You Sir!

EXIF DATA: Canon EOS Digital Rebel XT, 1/320s, f/4.5, 56 mm, ISO 400

Ron Miguel aka Kamoteus



I'm Ron Miguel, born and raised in Pamapanga. I am a registered nurse, not just in the Philippines, but also in England and in the US. I migrated in the US of A on 2003 because of better job opportunities and am currently residing in North Carolina. On flickr, I am known as Kamoteus, a name I got from kamote, which means sweet potato in English.

Photography is a hobby I picked up in 2005 when I bought my first DSLR, a Rebel XT year 2005. Just recently, this May, I upgraded to Rebel XTi. Basically all my gears are Canon except for my 300mm Lens which is Sigma.Jose Romelo Lagman is the main influence in pursuing my passion in Photography.

Personally, I really want to learn Sports Photography. But, since photography is not really my profession, I take the opportunity to photograph just about anything. Photography is both fun and challenging. In flickr, I was struck by the one particular flickr mail sent by someone from the group called "The Jurors," where my photostream was cited for its potential, palette of colors and diversity of composition, So, with your help my Kababayan, I hope to able to gain the respect of my fellow photographers in this community.

Five years from now I hope I would already have my first exhibit. I also would like to to start or join some projects for Street Children most especially in our country, the Philippines.

These are my 3 favorite photographs:


This is my first manual shot and it is taken in New Bern, North Carolina. Never in my life have I thought that I can take such a beautiful sunset. There is no post processing made on this image.


The photo expresses my love for children.


This one captures my love for nature.

Mga Kabayan, Meet Floramie Rose L. Mirasol aka frfefarfearz and Chris (aka Phey) Palma, Our Two Winners For Contest #33

"you!"



moalboal cebu
sept 21 2008
robert rolian

50mm f1.8 II

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Floramie aka FR

I'm Floramie Rose L. Mirasol aka frfefarfearz, but I go by the nickname FR and almost everybody calls me that way. I’m just graduated this March 2008, with a 5-year Bachelor's Degree in Applied Physics, at the University of San Carlos here in Cebu. Inasmuch as I wanted to practice in my field, I’m currently working as a CSR at Eperformax Contact Centers.

I didn’t know exactly how I started in photography. I have always loved taking photos and have always been fascinated by how a camera works. Imagine, it is just a simple box but it can create an image. This is how my high school physics teacher unwrapped the study of light and optics to me, that is, through the beauty of photography.

This inclination developed into a hobby when I met Robert Rolian, who shares the same interest. He became my first shooting buddy. I learned a lot from his passion in the art and from then on, I began to explore more.

I have an Canon EOS 400D and a Nikon Coolpix. Currently, I am interested in street, portrait and glamour photography but I am planning on venturing to other fields.

Five years from now, I still see myself as a photographer who's still learning. Photojournalism is both a passion and a dream, and if I wouldn’t be successful, I still would keep this hobby. Besides, I am planning to have a masters degree in optics. Now, that would be fulfilling.

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something to be proud of...the three photos of my choice.

#1 break free


This photo was taken using a friend's olympus 4 mp cam at Medellin cebu. Sunsets are viewed best on the north side.

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#2 hoody girls



The glamour pics started when i had my 2 good friends who were very willing to be photographed. They are so easy to work with. Taken using my dad's canon powerwshot a570is at Taoist temple!

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#3 Sundial Post



Street photography extended to the streets of dumaguete city. Taken using robert's canon powershot a630.


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Pinoyphotog note:
"When I received Phey's reply to the questionnaire I sent him,
some of the answers seemed familiar. No wonder. He's won
before (with his "Jamaican Twist" entry to our "Smoke" contest)
and he's answered the same questions before! Haha!
And the mug shot he sent to go with the first interview
was the winner in our latest contest!"

Phey is now our 7th Two-Time Contest Winner!

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"Basagulero"



"This Basagulero shot is mainly influenced by the Movie Fight Club and Joey L / Lara Jade. I placed 1 SB 600 on my side with an Umbrella as diffuser set my cam on timer and on a tripod ( It had a lot of trial and error shots done to get it right)..then everything else is all on CS3."

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Chris (Phey) Palma

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Three of Phey's recent favorite photos are:

1. "D I S T R A C T"



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2. "T E X T U R E D"



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3. "Walk Away"



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Floramie interview article by Farl
.

Mga Kabayan, Meet Elmer Borlongan aka fotobumbong, second time winner of "Photographer of the Week"

Hail to the Chief!



About the Winning Photo:

The two frogs in the pond caught my attention when I was about to enter my studio. It was an amusing sight to behold---to find them facing and reaching out to a terracotta frog statue we bought in a garden store in San Marcelino. I took this shot with my Canon 20D with the Sigma 18-200mm to get close to the subject.

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Elmer Borlongan, aka fotobumbong, first won in "Best Black & White"
the 30th "Photographer of the Week" contest, with his "Dreamer" entry.





fotobumbong's recent favorite photos are:



Reel and real life violinists Coke Bolipata and Julian Duque for a promotional shoot for "Boses", an independent film entry for the 2008 Cinemalaya Film Festival.

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A student of Casa San Miguel releasing hundreds of baby Olive Ridley Turtles by the shore of the sea surrounded by the Pundaquit mountains in San Antonio, Zambales.

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A lowly vine in late afternoon backlit by the sun.

Mga Kabayan, Meet Engelbert Balduman, aka enggul, "Photographer of the Week" the second time around!

I'm Singing This Song For You



About The Winning Photo:

"Digging up some old files and I found this one...
I haven't been playing guitar lately and I'd rather sing shout! LOL
As far as I can remember, I was singing "I'll Be" by Edwin McCain
(because of the B-chord) nyaahaahha!!!"

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Engelbert Balduman, aka enggul, first won in "Laughter" the 5th "Photographer of the Week" contest, with his "Girl Friends" entry. (He tied with Ericson Machacon, aka akumach, in that contest). He has recently been experimenting,
and amusing us, with his self-portraits:







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Three of enggul's recent favorite photos are:


I love this one because it shows life's reality... i speak
my mind through my photos.


This was taken during my welcome party here in Shizuoka. It
was my first time wearing the jinbei and my winning photo
was taken during this time.


This is a "no pain no gain" photo... :)

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Mga Kabayan, Meet Elmer M. Borlongan aka fotobumbong, our 30th Photographer of the Week!

" Dreamer "



About the winning photo:

I entered our bedroom and saw my nephew, David, sleeping on the couch. I, immediately, took this shot with the wonderful morning light passing through the small window. I later converted the photo from its original color to black and white in Adobe Photoshop CS2.

Camera: Canon Powershot A80
Focal length: 24mm
Shutter Speed: 1/20sec
Aperture: f2.8
ISO: 400

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Elmer M. Borlongan aka fotobumbong

My name is Elmer Borlongan. Friends call me "Emong". I'm a full-time painter living in the Philippines. I grew up in Mandaluyong City. My wife and I decided to move to San Antonio, Zambales to concentrate in our artmaking.

I bought a Nikon FE2 film camera in college. My purpose was to document my paintings and take snapshots for the family album. Fine art photography was not in my mind back then. Eventually, I had to set it aside because it's expensive to buy films and develop prints. Turning digital has rekindled my interest in shooting again.

I have a Canon Powershot A80, Rolleiflex MiniDigi toy camera and a Canon EOS 20D. I replaced the 18-55 kit lens with a Sigma 18-200 mm f/3.5-6.3 DC lens alternating with a Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II.

My source of inspiration are my flickr contacts whose photostreams I often visit. I study their techniques and composition on how they capture different subjects. The Filipino photographers whose works I admire are Sonny Yabao and Nico Sepe.

I shoot portraits, nature and objects. I would love to do documentary photography and maybe focus on photo essays that has to do with the environment.

Photography will always be part of my visual expression. This is a lifelong learning experience for me. I would love to continue sharing my images and help create an appreciation for our heritage and natural resources of our country. I hope to travel and do photo walks in different countries or explore and shoot all the islands of the Philippines.


Three Photographs I like:



While walking in a farm in Zambales, I saw this gardener burning dry leaves under a mango tree. The sun was setting and suddenly light rays came out between the branches. The smoke helped a lot to emphasize the rays. It made an incredible sight and I had to capture it. I was so happy with my dream shot.

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I was standing in a parking area inside Megamall in Mandaluyong when I saw the skylight and driveway produced a beautiful abstract image right before me. The car passing by produced a sense of space and directional lines in the background.

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I asked my five year old nephew Ani to hold an early U2 album in front of his face. Good thing he agreed to do the shoot and was game for it.

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Written by Elmer M. Borlongan aka fotobumbong

Meet Our 4th 2-time Winner: Edward Cabalit aka Light Stalker for the Weekly Contest #29

Mga Kabayan, meet Edward Cabalit aka Light Stalker for the second time!

As he has been previously interviewed, we are featuring his new large-size mug shot
(showing his new toy, too) in lieu of the write-up that should be taking up this space. :P



Edward Cabalit, "Light Stalker!"

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Edward titillated and teased the photo-voyeur in all of us with his
"silip" ("peek" or "peep")
winning entry in the "SEXY!"-themed weekly contest:



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As two-time winners get to feature three more photos that
best describe them, here are Edward's chosen pictures:

El Capitan


Yosemite Valley


Golden Gate Bridge


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