salt&bleach

Tag: writing

  • Wedding Crashers

    Wedding Crashers

    To Dalaguete & Back

    We almost didn’t make it to this invitation because Kuya’s District Meet Scrabble Game was supposed to happen. Fortunately, it was rescheduled, so I thought we were meant to drive down to Dalaguete.

    The invitation came from Creselda & Kevin. I got to know them years ago, when I help put together the IT ServiceDesk Operations for Aboitiz Equity Ventures. They were On-the-Job Trainees & scholars of Passerelles Numeriques from the University of San Carlos. Kevin worked with the Network Team while Sed worked with me at the Service Desk. 2 years ago, I took wedding photos for Joy, another one of those Trainees.

    • Our usual Argao stop
    • Break time
    • Curious as ever
    • Geese

    We dressed comfortably for the drive but brought along wedding clothes and planned to change when we arrived at Dalaguete.

    I intended to bring a big camera but I knew I couldn’t pull it out with the kids in tow. So back to the mighty, mighty iPhone for some wedding related photos.

    Gone were the days where I could take as many photos as I could, you know? Growing kids meant less time for extracurricular things. Not complaining. I know when all of these will pass, I’m going to miss every second of being able to carry them around with me.

    The reception was towards Alcoy and I was glad it had a sea front because Kuya and Coxon loved it.

    I wanted to wait for the reception but time didn’t allow us. I didn’t want to arrive too late back in the city. So we hand around and left just as the reception was starting. Nevertheless, I was so glad I had the chance to drive and be part of Creselda & Kevin’s day. It was heavy on the heart but terribly beautiful at the same time.

  • A Random Sunday

    A Random Sunday

    Canta

    And just like that, we were back at Canta Homestead in Lutopan, Toledo City. The immediate answer was “Yes” when Jao inquired if we would like to visit the Bukid Collective that they were holding over the weekend.

    Coincidentally, we are neighbors which spelled convenience. Jao and his kids (AA, Gab & Chelsea) fetched us at the house and off we drove to Cantabaco via Uling in Naga City.

    Cosmos

    The same familiar flower greeted us at the entrance. I particularly like how the place is surrounded by Cosmos. It wasn’t as plenty as way back in March but undeniably noticeable still.

    There were all sort of things for sale around the homestead. Books, crafts, coffee, food, you name it. When we arrived, there was a candle making workshop happening. Maybe Angeline & Kuya can join in next time.

    On our way, Jao & I picked up coffee from Pick Up Coffee. Hahaha. What?

    Pictures

    I thought I’d bring the large camera for a change, you know? I’ve always relied on the phone for pictures but this drive sounded like a nice time to practice. These were taken by the ever reliable Mark III & 50mm lense.

    We didn’t notice it was time for lunch until Coxon asked for spaghetti. He turned down Jollibee but we ended up driving there anyway.

    It rained quite a bit just before we finished our late lunch. Afraid we’d get soaked, we opted to stay inside Jollibee in Toledo City until the rain wasn’t pouring too much. The kids agreed to hangout at the house when we got to the city but it was actually dark when we got home and tomorrow’s Monday, so Jao and his kids just dropped us off. It looks like there will be part 2 next Sunday.

    If you’ve read until here, Thank You!

  • Renji’s Baptism

    Renji’s Baptism

    6 Years

    I last took photos of Roche & Auden back in 2019. They were one of those who didn’t want too many pictures and asked me to come to their wedding.

    While I was in Dumaguete a couple of weeks ago, Auden messaged to ask if I can take pictures on Renji’s Baptism. I checked the schedule and agreed.

    This year has been more of familiar faces in front of my camera and I could not be any happier.

    Auden told me the baptism was going to be held at San Pedro Calungsod in Jakosalem Street. Somehow, that place is the only place I’m shooting at these days. These two got married at the chapel up ahead, I got married at the same chapel and so many people, whose photos I took when they exchanged I do’s, got married there too. It was bittersweet driving inside the compound.

    6 Years

    I kind of forgot how 6 years is such a long time, you know? When I saw Auden at church, I asked here where her little boy was. When she pointed at him, I was surprised he wasn’t so little anymore. Then I remembered that we grow old and the only little boy now was Renji.

    After the ceremony, we headed to Citadines for a little luncheon. Roche & Auden prepared a brief program and made sure food was abundant. I took more photos, I even joined and won in a song guessing game before we called it a day.

    “I’m all out of love, I’m so lost without you”, Auden declared. I told my teammates, that’s Air Supply and then earned 500. Hahaha.

    We didn’t take too long. Before I left, I took a few more photos as this was a rare time where everyone was there. Roche told me to take it easy with the editing, but I thought, I could write about it on the blog so here it is. Thank You Roche & Auden for asking me to come to Renji’s Baptism.

  • 45 Years of Amy & Eugene

    45 Years of Amy & Eugene

    Campo

    I can’t recall the last time I was here for a wedding. I know, however, that I have shot a couple of weddings at this church.

    This was a last minute pitch by Therese Red whose wedding I shot back in 2013. It will be their Mama & Papa’s 45th Year Anniversary. They could have waited for 50, but you know, why not?

    Luckily, our schedules were on our side so here goes.

    Therese’s Mama & Papa didn’t have the slightest idea that their kids planned for this renewal of vows. I arrived in a blue shirt as that was the running motif for the event. I can tell how everyone loved Amy & Eugene judging by the excitement I felt as soon as I entered the church.

    As soon as the church doors opened, Amy was overcome with emotions. It was such a happy day full of happy and fulfilled tears.

    I held my ground. It is not easy witnessing all of these emotions. It, too, reminds me of so many beautiful things. I had to constantly decide when to click and when to just let it all in.

    Ceremony

    When the dust settled and Eugene & Amy were ably seated in front of the altar, the ceremony began.

    While taking the pictures, I thought, “these people looked familiar.” But of course,I must have taken their pictures many years ago.

    For most, taking photos at the church might seem the most boring. To me, however, I think it is the most important and it stretches you creatively because you aren’t as free as during preparations or the reception.

    I love the photography work I get to do these days. You know what I mean? They still tire me, especially because I’ve aged but despite the toll it leaves after every assignment, I find myself fulfilled. It’s like I’ve preserved people’s feelings so that when they look back at the images I took, they will remember the exact same feeling they had at the very moment it took place.

    And before we knew it, Amy & Eugene had renewed their vows in front of the people they love and who love them. Towards the end of the mass, the priest told everyone how 45 years ago, it was just Amy & Eugene in front of the altar and that now he really admired seeing their 3 daughters, assist them while the ceremony was under way. It felt a lot like Life.

    I also had the chance to take a picture of both Amy & Eugene surrounded by everybody. It wasn’t too small of a group, but luckily they fit in my camera. And then, of course, with their daughters and family.

    Everyone, Amy & Eugene 45 years and counting.

    Life

    I am not a good planner. When I left work to become a photographer back in 2013, I didn’t have the slightest idea that I was going to be in for a roller coaster ride.

    It was fulfilling most of the time, but there were also times when I felt exhausted and confused. So I stuck to my guns and focused on the people in front of me. Trying hard as I might to make sure who they see in the pictures are they themselves.

    While I can’t deny that photography had its fair share of monetary rewards, to me it wasn’t always about the money. It was always about the people, going through all of these words and deciding in the end that they’d like me to be there on the most important days of their lives.

    Thank You Therese Red for inviting me over to take these pictures for you & your family. I am grateful.

  • A Wedding in Dumaguete

    A Wedding in Dumaguete

    The last wedding I shot in Dumaguete City was back in July of 2019. It was a small crowd pretty much like the one in the pictures below and the fact of the matter is, it is because of that wedding that Febe & Dylan came across me as I wrote down in the previous post. When I received Febe’s message in Facebook last year, I immediately knew we were going to get along just fine.

    I took the boat from Pier 1 in Cebu City. I planned on sleeping in until 5AM but when it docked in Dumaguete, they turned the air conditioning off. I stayed on one of the boats benches until I could see bits of the sunrise before heading out to meet my cousin for breakfast.

    As always, the boys didn’t want too many pictures so we just obliged and took a few.

    The ladies, on the other hand, were a bit game so I dragged them out of the house but still put them on the shade on their “terno” shades.

    Details

    I was quite surprised when I arrived and was asked to sign something for the details. Luckily, I don’t prioritize details so I managed to squeeze my way out of the situation. I did took some photos of the said details, but I didn’t make an effort to highlight them.

    Casa Bianca and Yucca Villa, the Airbnb places that Febe and Dylan booked were certainly nice. It provided a lot of backdrops which didn’t require too much effort.

    The ceremony was scheduled at 2PM at a church nearby. We quickly finished the preparations and arrived at church an hour early.

    You will need to scroll left or right on the next set of pictures. Otherwise, this is going to en up a bit longer than usual.

    And as always, a kiss to seal the deal.

    The reception followed at The Barn in Valencia. I didn’t drive so I rode with the rest of the guests. Febe & Dylan wrote wedding day letters and read it to each other before the reception started.

    Before we let the entourage enjoy some refreshments, we took them out for a quick all together photo. After which, I told them to leave Febe & Dylan behind for some potraits.

    No Fuss

    The reception party didn’t take too long. We were done before 7:00PM. The longest part of it was the entrance. Of course, the cake was sliced, wine opened and some speeches too!

    And just like how it was back at the church, a longer kiss to signal the end of the wedding day and the beginning of the married life. Thank You Febe & Dylan for allowing me to preserve some of these memories for you.

  • Dylan & Febe in Dumaguete

    Dylan & Febe in Dumaguete

    The Old Blog

    While walking around the boulevard with these two, I casually asked how they found me. Dylan said, “I saw some pictures you took for a wedding here sometime ago”. I’m glad he did. Dylan & Febe are the kind of people who stands in front of my cameras. “Not too many pictures please.”

    I usually think of a few photos in my head before any shoot but I always end up loosing all of those as soon as we start. This is always the case almost 15 years into shooting pre weddings. I guess that’s part of the secret sauce, you think?

    I always find the ordinary beautiful so I usually ask the people asking me for pictures to come as they are. They can’t opt to not wear make up if they like and they don’t have to wear anything fancy.

    Boulevard

    Febe and I agreed to meet in front of Starbucks and to take the photos just around the Dumaguete Boulevard. There were quite a few people but we didn’t mind them too much. We kept it casual and we kept exchanging stories.

    We decided to walk towards the plaza in front of the church for a few more photos.

    It wasn’t too warm that afternoon. Something that the three of us are grateful for. Otherwise, we would have been sweating even if we met just a few minutes before 5PM.

    Goodness, I realize this is becoming a little long. Likely because I kind of enjoyed taking these pictures. Don’t worry, a few more. We just need to head back towards the edge of the boulevard.

    It was getting dark when we headed back. Parts of the sky changed colours. Sadly, I’m not so good at those kinds of pictures so these ones just show a hint of the changing hues.

    And finally, we’ve come to the end. I think we did all these in an hour or less plus the walking and talking. Thank You Dylan & Febe.