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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.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
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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