Long Weekends Should Be Spent on the Beach

Zambales – January 2012, a set on Flickr.

I don’t usually make New Year’s resolutions, but when the first opportunity to come my way, I immediately grabbed it. And it became one of the most satisfying weekends I ever had.

It was fortunate that January has the first long weekends of the year, so arrangements were easily set for me to go with my friend Solo in one of her beach trips. I told her I want to learn how to surf, and  she was more than happy to let me tag along with her to Liwliwa, San Felipe, Zambales. I have been there before, but this time I was set to have a different experience with the place. And I did.

Year-end Excuses (or What Became of the Rest of Last Year)

It was one big blur, the last few months of the year. That sentiment actually came from one particular person of significance during that period, someone who I connected with but never had a photographic evidence to prove it–in a time of the ubiquity of digital cameras. I can even go as far to assume that we both can claim to most people that we didn’t even hang out in the first place. Yet, those were few of the most cherished hours I spent with someone. But with the hindsight of the practice of writing, everything, including the optimism the last sentence exuded, now seems to be a blur.

November

I, along with two other colleagues, were asked by a friend to do the photography for their wedding in Cagayan de Oro. We took up the challenge, as it was a welcome vacation. My assignment were the slightly wide angles, taking photos of guests and some of the actual “action” of course. Indeed, there was “action”, as it was the first time I witnessed a Muslim wedding, and it was a very educational and enlightening display of faith and culture. Intensity is the word that stood as my mental delineation that set apart this wedding from the earlier and traditionally Christian ones I went to.  One main reason is that the imam was a bad-ass.  Just look at him. He’s a boss:

Shots from Mayday! Mayday! – 7 October 2011

Mayday! Mayday! – 7 October 2011, a set on Flickr.

I know, I know. Another late post. I have tons of excuses but I’m not going to harp on like television shows do when they do flashbacks. But on with the post!

I’ve been busy lately…

…and I haven’t been out shooting that much music. So here’s a few shots of Number Line Records’ Outerhope and Manuel Nicolas Alvero I took when they performed in a Punchdrunk Panda event last Saturday night in Moonleaf Tea Shop. That’s a lot of tags!

Fete De La Musique 2011

Fete De La Musique 2011, a set on Flickr.

Caught performances by Good Morning High Fives, and Salamin (in the Rock Stage), Arigato Hato, and Pedicab (in the Indie Stage) last 25 June 2011 at The Fort.

Photos from “Revolver SNC [Straight NO Chaser]: Heroes, Heroines & Villains” (26 May 2011)

Revolver SNC [Straight NO Chaser]: Heroes, Heroines & Villains (26 May 2011), a set on Flickr.

In Saguijo Cafe. I was late for Toi because of a particular birthday girl (yes, Hanah, you), but I was able to catch performances by General Luna, Wilabaliw, Hijo, and a surprise performance by Pinoy rock legend Wolfgang!

You da man Cris Ramos.

©PTMTolibas2011

Swelter!

I already miss the beach.

I was in San Felipe, Zambales with a few friends for a weekend two weeks ago. That weekend fulfilled my quota for at least one beach trip per year, (the same goes with a trip abroad, if budget allows of course). Every able-bodied person who is one road trip away from a coastline or even a decent body of water with sufficient sunshine should have the same target.

Barbie Almalbis – 6 May 2011

Barbie Almalbis – 6 May 2011, a set on Flickr. ©PTMTolibas2011

I was in Trinoma looking for a place to have dinner when I heard her voice and her song. And then her smile when I found the stage.

Nostalgia relentlessly deluged me with her songs. Even the theme from “Tabing Ilog” even gave me chills. Her new material was impressive, and although I hate to use the word “mature” I have to say that it is the most appropriate term to describe her new songs. Hackneyed it might be, maturity is both sensible and logical, and the way she shredded (yes, shredded) her guitar was its most audible revelation, along with the song arrangements that were definitive departures from her pop music flair from years past.

Most importantly, she smiled at my camera. That smile she flashed at my camera, as my simulacra at that moment, wobbled my knees. Yep, I am part of the audience (and in this case, fan) first, picture-taker second, and I have the right to have my knees become gelatinous at her presence. So enjoy these few pictures from that night as I have. Next time I won’t be as torpe. I promise.

Excuses from a Glam Virgin

Joyce Quizon, a set on Flickr. ©PTMTolibas2011

This is my first time doing a glamour photoshoot. I find it way different from shooting musicians for a multitude of reasons. Also, it got me thinking about taking photos so far.

First of all the model (the beautiful Joyce Quizon) is stationary, compared to performers who are continuously on the move on stage. Timing means everything for shooting concerts, and in the first few frames of shooting the model I felt the shadow of boredom creeping in.

Photos from “Meiday x Mamasun: Quarterlife Crisis”

Meiday x Mamasun, a set on Flickr. ©PTMTolibas2011

Came in a bit late but was able to catch Ciudad at the tail-end of their set.

Ang Bandang Shirley as usual delivered energetic fan service.

Halik Ni Gringo reminded everyone that what a party this was supposed to be, bringing it with all the swagger the weekend can muster.

And then there’s this new band called Hijo, with Nathan Azarcon on bass and vox, and Vic Mercado on drums, making people forget they had former band. Although guitarist Ira Cruz had a substitute for the night, I have to say my ears were pleased with what they cranked out, and it was a pleasant surprise to have Azarcon at the helm. Suffice to say that the shadows of their former bands were kept at bay considering how refreshingly different this new sonic configuration feels, which is the type of rakenrol the airwaves are clamoring for after the heydays of Razorback et. al., the one Marco (of the Purplechickens) and I were bantering about a while back. I look forward to seeing and hearing them more.

Here’s the photo set of tardy me. And for Mei (of Meiday! Meiday! fame. Yes Mei, I said fame.), I wish you more birthdays, parties, and birthday parties.

Enjoy.