Photo Journal

Amazing Trick - You Will Watch This at Least 2 Times

2009-06-19T05:50:00.000+08:00

Summer Midsayap Sky

2009-04-14T21:00:00.000+08:00

Tried out the monochrome picture style feature of my camera this afternoon. Sharing some of the shots I have taken.

Summer Midsayap Sky

Enjoy!

Easter Vigil

2009-04-12T14:43:00.000+08:00

The Paschal Candle is lit from the fire that has just been blessed at the beginning of the Easter Vigil Liturgy. Light is the symbol of the risen Christ. Darkness of sin is overcomed just as light always dispell the darkness. Happy Easter everyone!!!

Rejoice, O heavenly powers. Sing choirs of angels. Exalt all creation around God's throne. Jesus Christ our Saviour is Risen! The first song (or more of a chant) sang before the beginning of the Liturgy of the Word during the Easter Vigil Liturgy. Every Easter Vigil Liturgy I attend I am reminded of the time when I used to chant this portion.

Consecration of the bread and wine. This part of the liturgy is not performed during Good Friday. All throughout the Lenten season, the Alleluia is also not sung. Consecration of the bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ is performed again during the Easter Vigil Liturgy

Candles lit at the start of the liturgy is lit up again during the renewal of baptismal vows.

Mister Clean: Support to Hygiene Promotion for IDPs in Central Mindanao

2009-02-12T10:44:00.008+08:00

Some of the items that comprise the hygiene kit distributed to IDPs in Central Mindanao. In addition to the hygiene kit, water drums are also provided for the IDPs to gather enough water for use in washing, bathing and proper maintenance of latrines.

Photos taken using a Sony DSC-S780 point and shoot digicam.

IOM Kid

2009-02-11T14:18:00.004+08:00

Sam, one of our IDP Liaison Support Officer facilitating a Camp Coordination and Camp Management (CCCM) partners forum held in Kidapawan, North Cotabato.

His ID/Name Tag says it all. He is an IOM Kid.

High Five!!!

2009-02-10T10:04:00.003+08:00

Doing the high five during a break from rafting through the rapids of the Cagayan de Oro River.

White Water Rafting

2009-02-09T22:40:00.004+08:00

Went on a White Water Rafting day with my brother and two sisters over the holidays. Eversince my two sisters left for the United States, they only get to visit the Philippines every two years. We all had a blast.

Faces of IDPs in Central Mindanao

2009-02-08T17:53:00.000+08:00

San Miguel

2008-11-30T02:48:00.004+08:00

Haven't drank this one in a long, long time. Aaaaahhhh, "isang malamig na San Miguel Beer!"

"Sinugba"

2008-11-22T22:28:00.003+08:00

Had grilled fish and chicken stomach for dinner. I just couldn't resist taking photos of the food while it was grilled.

NorthShore Waves

2008-09-26T17:12:00.003+08:00

Early this year I was nominated to be a member of the Board of Directors of the North Shore Waves Swimming Club. Photo shows the first BoD meeting at the Xavier Sports and Country Club.

Working and living far away from the base of operation of the swimming club, I am just wondering how the club is doing right now?

What are you looking at?

2008-09-25T23:47:00.002+08:00

Lion and Cheetah Park
Harare, Zimbabwe

Billboard

2008-09-25T01:13:00.003+08:00

I was in the town of Plumtree (a border town with Botswana) to visit our border reception center there. A few months back, the office commissioned me to take photos for our "Safe Journey" information campaign. I knew that the selected photos from that shoot will be used for the production of posters but did not realize that one photo was selected for the production of billboards. I was surprised and very delighted to see a big billboard in the border showing a photo that I took. Couldn't help myself but take a shot of the billboard -- my first billboard!

Plumtree Border Post (border between Zimbabwe and Botswana)
Matabeleland Province, Zimbabwe

Black and White

2008-09-21T19:06:00.003+08:00

Zebras in Hwange National Park

Elephants of Hwange

2008-09-20T13:45:00.001+08:00

The Hwange National Park is home to elephants. When going to a safari inside the park, elephants are the easiest to spot. They are almost everywhere. This is not surprising given that there is over population. To date, the total recorded population is at 60,000 when ideally, the National Park (with a total land area of 14,650 sq. kms.) maximum carrying capacity is 32,000 elephants. The over population of elephants is one of the major concerns of the park administrators. Policies and programs to find a way to bring down the population are however close to none.

Over population of elephants in the park affects the resources of the area. An elephant's average consumption of water is 200 liters of water a day and it can drink 100 liters of water at a time. Elephants, having an inefficient digestive system also continuously eats. Having an inefficient digestive system, whatever they eat goes out almost immediately. Thus, elephants are known to spend an average of 18 hours just eating.

Bahay

2008-09-14T20:54:00.004+08:00

"Bahay" is a Filipino word that means House or Home. I was in Victoria Falls a couple of weeks ago to monitor the shelter assistance project we have there for 150 mobile and vulnerable households. Photos shows the present structure they live in. These people were evicted from places that the government deemed illegal for them to stay. They have since been provided with stands to have their houses built but due to economic hardship they can't afford to build their own house following government building standards.

While I was taking these photos, the song "bahay" kept playing in my mind. It was a song that was composed by Gary Granada. He joined the Metro Manila Pop Music Festival sometime in the late 70's and he won the grand price for this song. Ever since, the song became a favorite song of activists and NGOs especially those working for the urban poor and helping communities access their right to land and decent housing.

The lyrics of the song goes like this:

"Isang araw akoy nadalaw sa bahay tambakan. Labin-limang mag-anak ang doo'y nagsiksikan. Nagtitiis sa munting barong-barong na sira-sira. Habang doon sa isang mansion, halos walang nakatira."

"Sa init ng tabla't karton, sila doo'y nakakulong. Sa lilim ng yerong kalawang at sira-sirang gulong. Pinag tagpi-taping basurang pinatungan ng bato. Hindi ko maintindihan bakit ang tawag sa ganito ay BAHAY?"

"Sinulat ko ang nakita ng aking mga mata. Ang kanilang kalagayan ginawan ko ng kanta. Iginuhit at isinalarawan ang naramdaman at sinanguni ko sa mga taong marami ang alam."

"Isang bantog na senador ang unang nilapitan ko, at dalubhasang propesor sa malaking colegio. Ang pinagpala sa mundo, ang diaryo at ang pulpito, lahat sila'y nagkasundo na ang tawag sa ganito ay BAHAY . . . . "

". . . . Baka naman isang araw kayo doon ay maligaw, mahipo nyo at marinig, at maamoy at matanaw. Hindi ako nangungutya, kayo na rin ang magpasiya, sa palagay ninyo kaya sa mata ng Maylikha, ay BAHAY?"

Sunset over Hwange National Park

2008-09-14T03:31:00.004+08:00

Spent a long weekend at the Hwange (used to be called Wankie) National Park. Photos taken on our way back to the lodge after an afternoon safari.

GREASE at the REPS Theater

2008-09-13T21:15:00.001+08:00

For the third time now, REPS theater invited me to shoot plays they produced. The first two occasions were small plays done at the smaller theater they call "Theater Upstairs." This time, I got the chance to shoot a musical in the main theater.

Harare Annual Ballroom Dancing Competition 2008

2008-08-16T17:24:00.004+08:00

I'm slowly working on my photo journal backlog. This is one of them.

Last year I witnessed the staging of the Harare National Ballroom Competition and this year I was fortunate enough to watch it (and shoot on the side) again. I found last years competition better organized and the venue was much better especially the lighting. I guess the economic situation of the country last year was far more better than it is this year. This years staging was simpler but had more representation from other areas in the country. The City of Bulawayo was able to field in several couples to join.

Safe Migration Photo Exhibit

2008-08-06T00:22:00.007+08:00

As part of IOM's Safe Journey Information Campaign Program, an art competition was staged and was participated in by youths in Zimbabwe. Winning entries were exhibited in Harare (at the Harare National Art Gallery), in Bulawayo (Bulawayo National Art Gallery) and Mutare. Photos are samples of the art work done by the contestants.

This art work won 1st place in the competition.

Ewanrigg Botanical Garden

2008-08-05T18:04:00.004+08:00

Located around 30 kms away from Harare center. Went for a walk around the garden one Saturday afternoon with friends. Judging from a brochure I saw of the garden, I would say that the garden is no longer well maintained. Its a pity considering that the garden could be a very good place for a Saturday or Sunday afternoon picnic with friends or family. The flora arrangement is not as well kept as what the photos on the brochure shows. Nevertheless, I had a good walk that afternoon. Instead of shooting landscapes, I decided to focus my attention on details.

Victoria Falls

2008-08-04T20:27:00.004+08:00

Had the opportunity to visit Victoria Falls three weeks ago. Here is a shot of the falls taken from the Victoria Falls Bridge (Livingstone Bridge). The part of the falls seen in this photo is already part of the Zambia side. The main falls (located within the Zimbabwe side) is about 1+ kilometer in width. One side/bank of the river is in Zimbabwe while the other bank of the river is in the Zambia side.

Chiredzi Safe Zone

2008-08-04T18:27:00.003+08:00

In the town of Chiredzi, Masvingo Province, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) operates a youth center called Safe Zone. This is one of the two youth centers that IOM operates in Zimbabwe. The second Safe Zone is located in the City of Bulawayo. The Safe Zone is a concept that provides for the youth (12-24 years old) a safe place to come together and learn from each other about the realities of irregular migration, HIV/AIDS and Gender-Based Violence and Human Trafficking.

Each center is managed by a team of young men and women headed by a Safe Zone Coordinator and ably assisted by 8-10 peer educators trained to facilitate discussions on issues about safe migration. In addition to peer messaging interventions, the Safe Zone offers various recreational and educational activities. The Safe Zone in Chiredzi has facilities for movie presentations, talk shows, sports and even art related activities. IOM is in the process of introducing Vocational Training courses to youths in the future.

The Safe Zones are currently in need of support for books (educational and recreational) to allow the youths that frequent the center to keep them reading.

The establishment of the Safe Zones in Zimbabwe is one of the major thrust of the Safe Journey Information Campaign Program of IOM. The town of Chiredzi was selected to be one of the areas for the implementation of the Safe Zone because of the high number of youths jumping the border to South Africa or Mozambique.

Waterfalls Weekend in Nyanga National Park

2008-08-02T22:36:00.004+08:00

Spent a weekend in the Eastern Highlands of Zimbabwe with friends and colleagues. We spent one whole day visiting three waterfalls in the Nyanga National Park. We visited the Mtarazi falls, the Pungwe falls and the Nyangombe falls.

Harare International Festival of the Arts (HIFA)

2008-05-17T21:49:00.004+08:00

Some shots taken during the week-long celebration of the Harare International Festival of the Arts. The whole week from the 29th of April to the 4th of May, the city of Harare showcased various talents of artists coming from different countries.

Most of the events I was able to watch were concerts. Aside from concerts, HIFA also featured artists from the dance and theater genre. Artists that participated in this year's HIFA came from Portugal, Spain, Mexico, United States, South Africa, Brazil, Great Britain and West Africa.

For more photos, click here.

Ballroom Dancing Night

2008-03-20T01:01:00.004+08:00

Spent one Friday night learning the Foxtrot, the Waltz and the Cha-cha-cha with the Filipino community and friends

Totoy Bibo

2008-03-19T01:29:00.000+08:00

The latest photos I have taken of my son Gabriel. I was going through my photo files and felt like posting these. The photos were taken on the last week of my vacation (Christmas break of 2007)in Cagayan de Oro before I was scheduled to travel back to Zimbabwe

Sunday Afternoon Frizbee

2008-03-10T01:15:00.002+08:00

Random Photos

2008-02-24T19:01:00.011+08:00

Photos taken last October '07 in the Province of Manicaland (the Eastern Highlands of Zimbabwe).

World Press Photo Exhibit, Harare, Zimbabwe

2008-02-15T00:47:00.001+08:00

Held at the Harare National Museum. The event was sponsored by the Embassy of the Netherlands.

The Pointe

2008-02-12T01:08:00.003+08:00

One night at The Pointe. A nice hang-out place in Harare on Friday nights. There is good food, drinks (beer especially) and karaoke. In-between karaoke sessions, music is played to allow customers to hit the dance floor.

Piano & Flute Concert

2008-02-02T01:29:00.003+08:00

Held at the Harare International School and sponsored by the Embassy of Spain.

Money, Money, Money

2008-01-23T01:36:00.001+08:00

Happy New Year!

2008-01-07T12:52:00.000+08:00

Happy Birthday Ka Pulong!

2007-07-20T20:40:00.000+08:00

Ka pulong, an architect by profession is one of the longest staying Filipino here in Zimbabwe. He is said to have been here in Zimbabwe for almost 28 years. He lives with his wife, Cora and all their children are living in Australia and the United States.

For the Filipinos here in Zimbabwe, Ka Pulong stands as the father of the community. He celebrated his birthday last 30 June '07 with a party at his house.

Muzarabani Field Mission

2007-07-17T20:24:00.000+08:00

As part of the sustainable livelihoods intervention of the IOM, mobile and vulnerable households (mostly displaced ex-farm workers) are assisted with appropriate livelihood skills training to enable them to sustain themselves and increase their household food security level as well.

In the Muzarabani Valley, ex-farm workers are provided with training in proper ways of bee keeping. In my first visit to the area, I chanced upon ex-farmworkers undergoing a bee keeping training conducted under the shade of a Baobab Tree. This was the third batch (out of four batches) of ex-farmworkers identified to undergo the bee keeping training.

Despedida Dinner

2007-07-15T19:38:00.000+08:00

For six months (January '07 to June '07) Joe Valdehuesa, a Filipino based in the United States, worked with a research program jointly implemented by the University of Southern California-San Fransisco and the University of Zimbabwe (UZ). The research program was, I was told, about finding a cure for HIV/AIDS. Unfortunately, the UZ counterpart somehow did not worked for the issuance of his Temporary Employment Permit (TEP) so he had to leave the program and go back to the States.

As it has been the custom of the Filipino community here, a farewell dinner was hosted for him. Joe was well loved by the community and he will surely be missed.

Fare thee well Joe! We will be meeting you again someday.

Harare City Center

2007-07-08T19:33:00.000+08:00

Mukuvisi Sunday

2007-07-05T18:36:00.000+08:00

Spent one Sunday with Joe, Nieves, Clive and Zeny at the Mukuvisi Woodland Park. The park is located close to the International Airport of Harare. Its amazing to know that despite Harare being a big city several areas have been preserved for wild animals like Zebras, Giraffes and Antelopes.

Aside from having a game park, the Mukuvisi Woodland Park also has sections for shops, dog shows, rummage sale, horse backriding for kids and more.

Father's Day

2007-06-30T18:24:00.000+08:00

I celebrated Father's Day away from my family. I celebrated Father's Day by attending a birthday party of a mother.

Lake Chivero

2007-06-28T22:27:00.000+08:00

More photos of Lake Chivero can be found in my Pbase Photo Gallery.

Independence Day Celebration

2007-06-27T22:05:00.000+08:00

Celebrated Philippine Independence Day with the Filipino community in Zimbabwe (there is about a dozen of "Pinoys" here). The celebration was done a few days earlier than the actual day (June 12 was a work day). The Filipino community went for an overnight picnic in Lake Chivero (30 min drive away from the Harare City center).

More photos of the celebration here

Opening Shot Part 2

2007-06-23T20:13:00.001+08:00

Shots taken on my first weekend in Harare. A colleague was kind enough to show me around some nice spots in the city. Since we made a quick stop at the office, I took a snapshot of the office from the parking lot.

Next set of photos were taken from the Chapungu Stone Sculpture Gallery. There are stone sculptures displayed in the big lawn outside and there is an indoor gallery as well.

Opening Shot

2007-06-23T18:44:00.000+08:00

My first ever shot since I arrived in Harare, Zimbabwe. Arrived Harare (via Johannesburg) last 28 May 2007. Unfortunately, some mix-up happened so I was not picked-up from the airport. I took a cab and I was brought to the Crowne Plaza Hotel in downtown Harare. I was lucky enough to have been given a room that had a view of the hotel name. After taking about four or five frames, I realized that the shots I have just taken were my first since arriving in Zimbabwe.

Tagaytay

2007-06-20T18:16:00.000+08:00

The last two days before I left for Harare, Zimbabwe were spent in Tagaytay City with my wife and mom. Photos taken of Sanctuario & Sonia's Garden.

Despedida

2007-06-17T17:47:00.000+08:00

I got an offer to work in Harare, Zimbabwe with the International Organization for Migration (IOM). Before leaving the Philippines, close friends from my swimming varsity days invited me to dinner and a few rounds of drinks at The SITE.

NAMFREL Quick Count Center

2007-05-17T13:47:00.000+08:00

14 May 2007, marked another milestone in Philippine history. People all over the country casted their votes to elect 12 new senators, congressmen/women to represent the various congressional districts all over the country, and their respective local government officials (Governors, Mayors and Councilors). Despite the Commission on Elections (Comelec) official pronouncements that the elections was generally peaceful and orderly, several incidences of election related violence were reported all over the country. In the province of Lanao del Sur, at least 14 Municipalities were declared to have a failure of elections due to massive vote buying, reported incidences of harrassment, ballot box snatching and disenfranchisement of voters. This incidences were heard to have been happening in other provinces, municipalities and cities in other parts of the country. This years election was said to be more "dirty" compared to the last national and local elections in 2004.

At around 9:30 in the evening, my wife, son and I went around the city center to observe the proceedings of the counting. We were a bit dissappointed when we arrived there as there was not much going on so far. So we decided to visit the National Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL) Operation Quick Count headquarters located in the Xavier University Gym. We had several friends there that volunteered to help in the operations. Nothing much was also happening in the quick count center. People were still waiting for the results from the prescints to arrive. The general mood was that of anticipation and people were raring to start work. Some were starting to get bored already.

In as much as I wanted to stay and observe the NAMFRELs Operation (take photos of the volunteers as they go about the canvassing), I had a scheduled early morning flight for Manila the next day so I had to leave early.

Bau and I-i

2007-05-14T14:59:00.000+08:00

Bau and I-i were married on May 5th in Cagayan de Oro City at the Eco-Church. It was my first time to shoot a wedding in this Church. After the wedding a reception followed at the Harbor Lights Hotel.

Cagayan de Oro WhiteWater Rafting

2007-05-01T14:50:00.000+08:00

I was very fortunate to have been invited by the Kagay, Cagayan de Oro City's premiere whitewater rafting outfitter, to be one of their photographers to shoot/document their client's day in the rapids of the Cagayan de Oro river.

It was my first time to shoot a river rafting event more so, it was my first time to go on river rafting. The idea of going on river rafting and shooting at the same time got me so excited but also got me so worried. I had to call a photographer friend and ask for some tips on how to keep my gear dry. It was a good thing that the Kagay organizers provided me with a dry bag to ensure that my photographic gear remains dry when the raft negotiates the rapids.

The day started with a jeepney ride from the City center to the starting point of the course in Barangay Mambuaya. Safety gears as well as paddles were provided to the participants of the event and a safety briefing was provided by the organizers. After the briefing, a couple of minutes were spent on familiarization of the commands to be given out by the river guides as the rafts negotiate the rapids. A total of 14 rapids were negotiated. The rapids ranged from Level II-III. I was told that there was a more advance course consisting of 24 rapids ranging from Level II-IV.

More photos taken during the river rafting can be viewed in www.pbase.com/jllanderal.

MISORET Peace & Development Summit

2007-04-28T14:23:00.000+08:00

MISORET is an acronym for Misamis Oriental Eastern Towns. MISORET is a development cluster of low income class municipalities composed of the towns of Balingasag, Lagonglong, Salay, Binuangan, Sugbongcogon, and Kinuguitan. MISORET envisions to be an agri-industrial center and an eco-tourism area in the islang of Mindanao in complementation with other growth areas in the Philippines.

Last 25 April 2007, officials of the six municipalities, barangay/village officials, representatives from various national government agencies, representatives from partner NGOs and representatives from funding agencies gathered in the Municipality of Salay and a Manifesto for Peace and Development in MISORET was signed. The manifesto outlined the common beliefs and aspirations of all stakeholders in the development cluster which include the belief that underdevelopment in the cluster is one of the major factor that leads to unpeace in the area.

The Peace & Development Summit served as the concluding activity of the MISORET Barangay Development Planning Project supported by the German Technical Cooperation (GTZ). NGOs like Balay Mindanaw Foundation, Inc. (BMFI) and Resource Center for Empowerment and Development (RCED) has been actively assisting the cluster in their various capability-building activities.

A total of 47 barangays/villages were able to complete their respective Barangay Peace and Development Plans through a Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA). These plans were presented during the Peace and Development Summit and formed the basis for the declaration of the barangays/villages as Peace Zones.

Swimming Lessons

2007-04-25T05:10:00.000+08:00

For the past two weeks I accompanied my son Diego, to the Xavier Estates Sports and Country Club for his swimming lessons. These are some of the shots I have taken of him. On the first three days of his classes he was able to swim the front crawl stroke (a.k.a. freestyle). Going into the eighth day of his classes, he was already swimming the breast stroke.

His teacher, who happens to be my swimming coach way back when I was with the swimming varsity in college, observes that he is a fast learner. If given more time, he will start to learn the other strokes (butterfly stroke and back stroke). I feel happy that he showed interest in swimming. For all I know, one day he will follow in my footsteps and even make it to the National Swimming Team :). I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Beating the Summer Heat

2007-04-23T12:53:00.000+08:00

The Vagina Monologues

2007-03-19T17:00:00.001+08:00

In celebration of the International Women's Month, the Balay Mindanaw Peace Center hosted a presentation of Eve Ensler's The Vagina Monologues last 15 March 2007.

The presentation is a V-Day benefit production and acts as a vehicle to give voice to its mission to end rape, incest, battery, female genital mutilation and sexual slavery. "Reclaiming Peace" is this year's V-Day theme. The theme seeks to make a connection between and among worldwide anti-violence work of thousands of V-Day activists. By putting forth this production, it is hoped that awareness of the message of peace through peaceful means is increased and funds are raised to continuously support anti-violence work.

Each year V-Day creates a Spotlight around a particular group of women who are experiencing violence and resisting it with courage and vision that the world must know about. This year, 2007, the V-Day Spotlight is on Women In Conflict Zones because war exponentially increases the crimes of violence against women, girls and children. In equal measure, the strength and resilience of women in rebuilding their communities and leading governments through peaceful solutions needs to be celebrated.

For women, not just during war but for decades to come, armed conflict means escalated military, sexual, and domestic violence, lack of security as a displaced person or refugee, and vulnerability to sex traffickers and coerced prostitution.

This years Spotlight serves as the focus of the performance of The Vagina Monologues. This is in line with V-Day's tradition of celebrating, encouraging and supporting women globally to end violence.

Presentation of The Vagina Monologues was made possible by the support of the following groups and individuals: The Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT) ABEO Playhouse, the Iligan City Government Women's Desk, the Mindanao Commission on Women, the Balay Mindanaw Peace Center, the Balay Mindanaw Group of NGOs, Ms. Bebot Rodil, Ms. Jenny Ramos, Ms. Popot Baldevia, Ms. Aili Gatuslao and Ms. Charmaine Dagapioso-Baconga.

Artistic Direction was provided by Ms. Jean Graciela E. Penola. Major sponsors for the staging of the play/monologues included Petronas Energy Philippines, IVORY Printing and Publishing House, Soroptimist International, Debbie's Delight Food Haus, Peek and Betty Bakeshoppe, and Cafe Hermoso.

Sign yourselves up to "give peace a vote" and spread the word about the campaign at your events by visiting http://www.givepeaceavote.org.

"Sambayaan" An advocacy campaign for the promotion of IP rights

2007-03-15T15:10:00.000+08:00

Yesterday, my wife and I went to Xavier University to look at an art exhibit displayed by Talaandig Tribe artists. What attracted me to go and see the exhibit was the Soil on Canvass Paintings on display. It was the first time I was going to see paintings using soil as the medium. Soil painting was popularized by a Talaandig Tribe leader and artist Waway Linsahay Saway (posing beside one of his creation). Waway also composes indigenous music and is into theater arts.

Also showcased in the exhibit were indigenous musical instruments (e.g. bamboo flutes, rainsticks, drums), and earthcraft/stonecraft jewelry.

The two-day art exhibit was organized by first year students from the College of Law, Xavier University-Ateneo de Cagayan as an advocacy campaign to promote the rights of Indigenous Peoples.

Sports Zone 1st Friendship Badminton Tournament

2007-03-13T13:40:00.000+08:00

Selected shots taken during the Sports Zone 1st Friendly Badminton Tournament held last February. I would have wanted to join the tournament however, I could not find a partner. Singles match was not offered. The two-day tournament was open to Class E and Class F (beginners level) only.

Not being able to join, I decided to document (self-assignment) the event. This is my first attempt to cover a sporting event.

Michael's Landscape Work

2007-03-12T18:07:00.000+08:00

Loving Encounters

2007-03-12T17:55:00.000+08:00

I had the opportunity to watch and shoot (from the audience seat) a Monologue (In Four-Parts) last December 2006. The monologue was organized and performed by selected members of the faculty, staff and students of the Corpus Christi School.

Kris Valerie Navidad, the daughter of a good friend and neighbor, Conrado "Totong" and Jean Navidad, participated as one of the soloist/singer that sang songs in-between the monologues. Among the singers assigned to sing, Kris was the only singer from the Grade School Department. She is in Grade 2. Kris Valerie's mother, Jean, teaches music in Corpus Christi.

Balay Mindanaw Peace Center 2nd Anniversary

2007-03-12T17:27:00.000+08:00

"Kaangayan, Kalambuan, Kalinaw . . . . . Sa Mindanao, Sa Pilipinas, Sa Kalibutan" (Equity, Progress, Peace . . . . . In Mindanao, In the Philippines, In the World). This is the Balay Mindanaw Group of NGO's vision statement. What started out as a three-person office, has now grown to become one of the leading groups of non-profit, non-governmental, developmental NGOs here in Mindanao. From the original Balay Mindanaw Foundation, Inc. (BMFI). , four other developmental organizations were born. These are the Balay Alternative Legal Advocates for Development in Mindanaw, Inc. or Balaod Mindanaw, the Kab-ot Gahum: Resource Center for Empowerment and Development (RCED), the Balay Dabaw Sur, Inc. (BDSI), and the Balay Mindanaw Peace Center. I have been privileged to have been a witness, and to some extent have been part of the growth of the Balay Mindanaw Group of NGOs from its humble beginnings up to what it is now.

18 January 2007 marked the second anniversary of the Balay Mindanaw Peace Center. Two years into its existence, the Peace Center has taken big steps towards building genuine peace not only in the island of Mindanao but also in the Philippines and even South East Asia. Activities the Peace Center has initiated includes the hosting of the First Action Asia Peace Forum, acting as the independent secretariat for the on-going peace talks between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the Rebolusyonaryong Partido ng Manggagawa ng Mindanaw (RPM-M), and providing a comprehensive peace building course for the Philippine Army's 1st Infantry "Tabak" Division.

The simple 2nd anniversary celebration was attended by the officers and staff of the Balay Mindanaw Group of NGOs and partner organizations from the international community (Ford Foundation, EU) as well as partner organizations in Mindanaw and the Philippines.

"TAWA"

2007-03-12T17:18:00.000+08:00

I was off to the island province of Camiguin last February to document the blessing and inauguration of a meat production/processing facility of the Tubod Active Women's Association (TAWA). "Tawa" is also a Visayan or Tagalog word that literally means laugh.

Organized on September 2005, the TAWA has at least 15 active members with 5 new members joining the association early this year. Meat processing started out as an individual household-based business of two of the members. Running the business individually made it difficult for the two women to sustain the business as they could not keep-up with the cost of operations as well as the workload required for the business to grow. They soon realized that by running the business as an organization, the needed capital can be generated and sustained through capital build-up (CBU) and the workload can be shared. Furthermore, the enterprise will provide employment or income opportunities for the other women in the barangay/village.

With a starting capital of Php. 1,500.00, TAWA processed a total of 2 kilograms of meat into skinless Longonisa and Tocino. In the year 2002, the Resource Center for Empowerment and Development (RCED), a non-profit, non-governmental organization based in Cagayan de Oro City provided technical assistance to TAWA in the area of organizational strengthening, capacity building and financial management. In the year 2005, the Philippine Australia Community Assistance Program (PACAP) funded by the Australian International Development (AusAID) provided the organization with funding support to finance their organizational capacity-building activities, start-up working capital, and infrastructure and equipment acquisition. The processing center/building is one of the infrastructure support the organization has obtained from the project.

To date, TAWA processes a total of 18 kilograms of meat in a month. The organization generates around Php. 5,000.00 per month. Because of the meat processing project, women in the barangay/village now have a venue for an alternative source of livelihood/income. Based on the Barangay Development Plan (BDP) of Tubod, majority of the women (working age) do not have a stable source of income. Majority are plain housewives.

Aside from TAWA, four (4) other people's organizations/community-based organizations (POs/CBOs) in the Province of Camiguin are being assisted by the PACAP-AusAID through RCED. Of the five POs/CBOs, three are women organizations. The other two womens organization being assisted are the Balite2 Sea-Kaunlaran Womens Association and the South Poblacion Womens Association. The Balite2 Sea-Kaunlaran Womens Association is into trading and processing of fresh and dried squid, while the South Poblacion Womens Association is into the production and marketing of banana chips.

"Balaki Ko Dai / Dong" An Evening of Poetic Celebration

2007-03-12T17:03:00.000+08:00

Got invited to watch a poetry reading activity sponsored and presented by the faculty, staff and students of the English Department, College of Arts and Sciences of Xavier University-Ateneo De Cagayan.

Badminton Mania

2007-03-12T16:58:00.000+08:00

Since the beginning of this year (2007), I have been joining my wife in playing badminton. I got into badminton by accident. Having just returned from Afghanistan after 18 months of working there, I didn't have much to do. Aside from having time in my hands, I also felt that a little exercise would be good. As soon as I started playing, I got hooked.

The closest sport to badminton that I have learned to play is tennis and table tennis. The sport however that I have been involved in, since my elementary school days has been swimming.

After about two months playing the game, I came to like the sport. Aside from being easy to learn, the sport does not require sophisticated equipment and accessories. Badminton being known to be the fastest racket sport guarantees one to have a good sweat after a game. For me, this sport provides a good alternative to running, cycling or lifting weights as a form of exercise.

While resting in-between sets, I would take photos of friends, colleagues and players. Doing this provided me with an initial experience of shooting an indoor sport. Shooting indoor sports has its own challenges. The first thing I had to contend with is poor lighting. It does help to have the appropriate gear that can cope with situation like having fast lenses. Nevertheless, I have observed that familiarity with the sport being shot provides one with an advantage. Being familiar with the sport affords one to anticipate the moves of the players thus provides the photographer with a greater chance of capturing the photo that will tell the story.

Kaamulan Festival

2007-03-11T02:17:00.000+08:00

Went up to the City of Malaybalay in the Province of Bukidnon last 3 March 2007 to shoot the street dancing parade in celebration of the Kaamulan Festival. The festival is a week long celebration that showcases the rich cultural heritage of the various tribes of "Lumads" or Indigenous People inhabiting the Province.

Closed Doors & Empty Chairs

2006-11-24T15:55:00.000+08:00

"To me, photography is all about feeling, about creating images that tell you something, that make you feel something." --- Miki Alcalde. Quoted from his post, Songs of India. (The Digital Journalist, November 2006). http://www.digitaljournalist.org/issue0611/alcalde.html

These are selected photos taken over a span of about a month. Our sub-office has completed the execution of its downsizing plan. What once was an office buzzing with activity is now a quiet office. All around I see scenes that would remind me of the offices' glorious past. Some of them makes me feel nostalgic as it makes me recollect the happy times in the past. Some scenes present to me an "in your face" reminder of the present condition of the sub-office (the sad present) and surprisingly there are scenes that somehow encourage me to believe in the inherent capacity of the organization to stand up again. Some scenes somehow moves me to hope for a better future. After office hours and sometimes over the weekend, I would go around the office and guesthouse and try to capture these scenes.

Empty Offices
What used to be busy offices are, for the meantime silent. It will only be a matter of time when these offices will be filled-up again.

Barely Standing
The predicament of the two tables, for me, symbolizes the present condition of the sub-office. We are still standing but barely. Instead of four legs, we are down to two but somehow we still manage to stand through sheer determination and creativity.

Metal Boxes
Boxes like these are common place in Afghanistan. For me these boxes symbolizes the perennial "Hellos & Goodbyes," "Comings and Goings," "Arriving & Leaving." Staff, colleagues, friends come and go and so does projects and programs.

No Cook, No Cleaner
As an effect of the downsizing, we had to let go of our cook and cleaner.

Mighty Land Cruisers
Through snow, dust, mud, mountain trails, rough road or highways, these Land Cruisers have served us well. For me they are symbols of reliability and mobility. The Land Cruisers too remind me of our hardworking and dedicated drivers who unfortunately, we had to let go. They have been to me, not only drivers but companions, interpreters, cook, & friends.

Literacy Books
To supplement the reintegration package provided to former combatants, literacy classes were provided in four provinces in the Western Region. This program has now been turned-over to the Department of Literacy.

Empty Chairs
If these chairs could only speak, it would tell the tale of thousands of Afghan former combatants, persons with disabilities, former underage combatants and Afghan women who, flocked to the office to sit patiently to learn how to read, write and count, learn how to run a small business, or learn a new vocational skill.

Silent Room
Its mighty quiet here now.

Complete set of photos can be found in http://jllanderal.multiply.com

All Rights reserved.

Unless otherwise specified herein, the copyright in this publication and any trademarks used herein are the property of Jasper L. Llanderal, No photos and images or portions of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronically, mechanically or otherwise, including photocopying, recording or any information storage or retrieval system without prior consent in writing. Please write to: jllanderal@gmail.com

RAW Shoot with Wireless Flash

2006-11-24T15:07:00.000+08:00

For a long time I have been dissuading myself from shooting in RAW mode.

From testimonies of photographer friends and from information I read on the net, magazines and books, I am convinced that shooting in RAW provides more flexibility for making adjustments on the image without sacrificing the image quality of the file.

My problem has always been my hardware. For a time, I did not have the needed hardware to effectively and efficiently process RAW files. Because of this, I procrastinated. Having been able to get myself a more powerful computer, I finally decided to give RAW a try. The experience has been extra exciting for me as I also experimented utilizing the wireless flash capability of my camera.

It is true that shooting RAW provides the photographer with more flexibility in processing the captured image. However, like all things, shooting RAW also has its downside. If one shoots in RAW, one has to have lots of storage space. You too, have to have the luxury of time to do post processing.

If you are not familiar with what a RAW file is, here is a site that provides a simple and concise explanation (http://www.luminous-landscape.com/tutorials/understanding-series/u-raw-files.shtml).

All Rights reserved.

Unless otherwise specified herein, the copyright in this publication and any trademarks used herein are the property of Jasper L. Llanderal, No photos and images or portions of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronically, mechanically or otherwise, including photocopying, recording or any information storage or retrieval system without prior consent in writing. Please write to: jllanderal@gmail.com

An Afternoon Stroll

2006-11-24T14:37:00.000+08:00

"The truth about the matter seems to be that if you can't see where you are, right in your own backyard, then you can't see anywhere." --- Michael Wood, Miksang Instructor

I have just spent another afternoon with a slow and deliberate walk-around the office and guesthouse premises and came up with these photos. The past two weeks in Herat have been clouded with an atmosphere of "heightened alert," meaning, among other things, movements are restricted to essential activities (mostly work-related) only. For me and my photography, this meant I could not go out to the bazaars and do street shooting. I could not go to the interesting places in Herat that I haven't been to and photograph them. Deep inside I was cursing myself. Unconsciously I was holding on to the myth that one has to be "out there" for excellent photos to be produced.

Then I came across "Miksang" (http://www.miksang.net). Miksang as defined in this site, is a Tibetan word that means "Good Eye." Miksang is a kind of contemplative photography that has its foundation from the Dharma Art Teachings on the nature of perception. The articles and photo galleries presented were all strong reminders to me about what photography is really all about. Producing photos is not about being "out there" but rather being "in here," being ever mindful and aware of the moment as it presents itself. Photography is about seeing.

Encouraged and motivated by this rediscovery, I ventured out into our "backyard," which happens to be one of the areas were we can freely move without the need for a security clearance. This series of photos is a product of my second attempt at "exercising the eye" in the hope that one day my eye will be come adept at seeing and not just looking.

Jasper L. Llanderal
Herat, Afghanistan

All Rights reserved.

Unless otherwise specified herein, the copyright in this publication and any trademarks used herein are the property of Jasper L. Llanderal, No photos and images or portions of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronically, mechanically or otherwise, including photocopying, recording or any information storage or retrieval system without prior consent in writing. Please write to: jllanderal@gmail.com

Junk Photos

2006-11-24T14:15:00.000+08:00

These are photos I have taken last June 2005.

The DDR (Disarmament, Demobilization & Reintegration) Program used to have its own office compound. As an effect of the downsizing of the office, all program staff and all its assets had to be transfered to the main office compound. Smaller in size compared to the former office, we had to squeeze in whatever we can. However, the main office compound can only accommodate so much.

A heap of unused office fixtures, materials and equipment can be seen in one corner of the main office compound. This afternoon, with a camera in tow, I tried to capture the scene from a different perspective. Can it be possible for a good thing to come out of something seemingly bad (like an unorganized heap of unused things)?

It is my hope that the photos succeeds in presenting a new light to an ordinary, everyday, unorganized heap of "junk".

Unless otherwise specified herein, the copyright in this publication and any trademarks used herein are the property of Jasper L. Llanderal, No photos and images or portions of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronically, mechanically or otherwise, including photocopying, recording or any information storage or retrieval system without prior consent in writing. Please write to: jllanderal@gmail.com

Bamyan, Afghanistan

2006-11-18T05:05:00.000+08:00

I had the opportunity to visit the Province of Bamyan in Central Afghanistan last June. The place is known for the historic Buddhas and beautiful Lakes of Band-e Amir.

In 2001, the Taliban blasted the stone Buddhas carved out of the mountain. This is all that remains of the Buddha shrine. The UNESCO is slowly trying to reconstruct and preserve what is left of this historical site.