Salvar me de mí mismo (Save me from myself )

It takes further efforts and guts to face and challenge my old behavior promulgated by no other than me. The programmed DNA running my system for decades was really hard to beat, and that became the greatest challenge I have to face. I was not sure if I am going to last the 4 months class for I knew I'm gonna exceed  the 5 allowed absences, aside from an elusive dream of having my own camera. Having these thoughts created an uncertainty, heavy, and chaotic world inside me. Not to forget the stereotyping and intimidating approach of the people around me (showing off their cams) dragging me down, inculcating letters F-A-I-L-U-R-E in my head. I seek help but found nothing; no one is left but me. I remember Bruce Lee's master said "break the mirror and you will see the true image of your enemy" the later scene of Enter the dragon film. So in this battle I have to stand alone and face my greatest enemy, me. Me fighting myself looks so stupid for some, but hey man that's the first thing you do before achieving other things.

Should I stay imbecile? Hell no!

Back then, I hate pressures like loads of assignments and short notice deadlines. It made me think to pick up my katana blades and go berserk inside the campus decapitating faculty members just like in video games. But of course it's just an imagination hehehe. Little did I know that those things were set up to guide me to something constructive. First - of course most of the time I was late in submitting the pictures (because I have to wait for my classmates to send me my photos from their cams). It's not an excuse anyway but unconsciously I was able to comply all the requirements. Second -always aiming to come on time but still I’m late but surprisingly I was able to attend all the meetings (miraculously no absent). From being an "invisible guy" to "latecomer" means a lot to me.  Those were the two amazing things I have achieved in DC89 class that never happened in my entire college life, the biggest leap ever. It may seem so easy for others but we have to remember that we have our own strengths and weaknesses. It might be easy for some to come early to class and come up with a judgment that I am weak for being late. What if I’ll ask them with my strengths - can you sing in front a huge crowd? Can you draw like this? etc. Certainly not all of them can do these "simple things" of mine. Like I said it’s a matter of strengths and weaknesses within us.

Astonishingly I became a different person, somehow. I am more responsible than before. Instead to be driven by fear to fail in this subject, I was fueled with courage and faith to prove that I am not a loser. This is the main reason why I’m still fighting no matter how the ambiance seems so hopeless. Now my spirit is taking over my body, we’re in business. Learning photography then became more interesting to me and was not a problem anymore. I hate writing blogs because I don’t read that much, but now I enjoy doing it. Not as good as my classmates but I am happy to learn a new medium of expressing myself aside from painting and music.

So this is what all is about! It's not just a photography class for me but it was a subject packed of learning. Of course I learned a lot how to use the cam, compose to capture a good shot etc. It inspired me to be a photographer someday not just for art's sake but to be a journalist as well sending message to the public, just as what DevCom taught us. With discipline, initiative, and cooperation I guess everything would be somehow easier for me to pursue this career someday. This blog might be different from my classmates view of what they've learned, the hell I care. What matters most is I have learned to discipline myself and for sure everything will be fine in the future not just for photography but for everything I will encounter in my endeavor. Kudos to my mentor, I will forever be grateful for everything I have learned from him for I have redeem myself from the dark path that I used to follow. It gave me hope to respond all the challenges, realized my mistakes, became a better person and now ready to play with the greatest game called life, saved.

resulta sa ako na tun-an sa dc 89 class, akong achievement para sa akoang kaugalingon karon na sem

Blood, Sweat and Tears

Aggies' Bull Whippers

The XU Intramurals 2011 officially opened yesterday around 7pm inside XU Gym. It was launched with the most anticipated part of the event the cheer-dance competition. As an Aggie student, I was there as early as 4pm with cam to support my classmates and friends and of course the whole "Bull Whippers" team for this competition. Everybody was eager to start but of course as always the program had so many rituals before they got the balls rolling, you'll just have to wait.

continue ko ugma..di na makaya dghan ipass :) 2am na hapit

To watch the video just click the YouTube link. Thank you.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qxOHM5DLPE&feature=player_embedded

Grotesque world - Cogon Market

Pinag-iwanan ng panahon

escalator from hell

It was the most admired and respected Mayor of Cagayan de Oro, Justiniano R. Borja responsible for opening the Cogon Market for the Kagay-anons. It's the biggest market so far here in CDO. It helped us so many decades and still serving up to now. The place was renovated several times but not as good as it became Cogon Market and Commercial complex few years ago by Mayor Vicente Emano. The Kagay-anons were so proud for this huge development and bragged to our neighboring cities that we have a world class market.

 Now what? Those wonderful thoughts, the structure, the huge amount of budget, etc. were all flushed into the toilet bowl. The market looks old and distorted after few years from construction, everything was wasted. The tenants were not properly placed, kids and beggars were everywhere. I saw their rusty escalator blocked with a warning sign "Bawal gamiton kung wala mo andar" or something like that, WHAT? what a waste. And in the middle of the building there was these 4 huge industrial fan facing upwards  (why the hell is this thing facing up?) and I guess it's not working as well.

gilawa-lawa nga proyekto

Double parking and street vendors were back and stressfully chaotic. Who's in charge for these? And beside their market office was an unfinished construction, stand by for months already for some strange reasons. The future of this project lies on the result of the officers' debate, some vendors said. There were too many disputed points needed to be resolved.On the contrary just to be fair, I saw some improvements like the on going construction on the third floor said to be rented by a Chinese businessman. Well I guess that's something good for the market. There were renovations on the outside too (I don't know what are those things for). I know progress within the area is happening, it's just that it's not clearly visible to us cause maybe we are too focus on things that distracts us.

My only concern for Cogon Market is the maintenance. If we could only take care properly what was given to us then we don't have to spend another huge amount of money for another major renovations, should have been given to other projects who need it most. The old lady in the picture represents the market. She was just sitting there the whole time, ignored but still hoping for someone to help her rise again from the grotesque world - and that's us Kagay-anons.

Questions and faces

On a sunny Tuesday morning, we were grouped again for this exercise and assigned with a question. Along the SC building a black cloth hanged with cameras fronting it, guys were ready with boards and chalks, and have to make it to 100 photos before 12 noon. Seems so easy but, it wasn't. It was hard to ask someone whom you've never met before to pose for this activity, yet it was quite challenging. Asked them to write their answer on a piece of board, make a certain facial expression and then click!

What do I think about Emano's administration?

Well, tons of feedback I've heard not just about how he handled the city but also some personal stuffs. It's horrible and shameful. There was a very controversial issue that came to light, but still nothing has changed, He remained unshaken. He never gave a damn about these things. What can I do about this? Nothing. I don't really care what transpires inside offices, as long us they will serve what the city deserves. We see a lot of infrastructure projects in this highly urbanized city - Cagayan de Oro, that means huge amount of cut? Anyway, If he was not doing his job honestly, it is God who will avenge us to him and to all the cheaters under this administration.

Youth's major problems now a days?

This was our group's assigned question. As for me, just to summarize the answers - we are so DISTRACTED. New generation is distracted and over-entertained with the comfort of technology we have received. Too much time spent on TV and social networking sites. Engaging with a lot of things including getting wasted almost every night and I guess we all knew where these things lead to. Out of focus and loving it. Looks like we have a very bright future, not! LOL


Who's my role model?

It's hard to answer. I want it to be Jesus but I guess it's cliched. I find it hypocrite to say He is someone whom you're following and it seems you're in the flip side. What a shame to those who claimed "Christians", who cannot even follow the path of righteousness.

What will I be doing 10 years from now?
Honestly, me and my friends answered this question 12 years ago, some gave an accurate one, some were close to perfect but I never made it. Why is that? Am I too stupid to fulfill my destiny? Was it because I am weak? Or let's say, I was deprived by opportunities? I do not hold answers for this question for now, I am uncertain. It's not that I do not plan anything for my future, because I am an ambitious man. It's just that I believed that someone has a better and bigger plan for me, and I am just going with the flow whatever it is. I tried planning things out but it did not go according to plan. Something huge is waiting for me, sooner or later. The hell I care  if it will take some time as long as it is rest assured.

 "Yesterday has gone, we do not own tomorrow, all we have is now" that's why its hard to answer this question after all.

Fête de la Musique in Kagay-an 2011

Kagay-an Festival is an annual fiesta celebration in honor of our patron saint San Agustin, every August 28th here in Cagayan de Oro City. The occassion is second to Christmas celebrated by Kagay-anons. The whole week was flooded with events like the most anticipated league of beauty and brains "Miss Kagay-an 2011", Kumbira, the 5th Golden Float Parade, and many more.The Last week's celebration was well prepared and fun-filled compared to last year (kinda boring). Once again the roads, malls, the carnivals, almost everywhere, were like mosh-pits, can't even drop a needle. Even at night, the celebration never stopped. So an idea cross my mind to cover events at night because hypothetically most of my classmates will  be on the road early in the morning. So who else will cover at night? So I slept early til 10am because most likely I'm gonna be out until dawn. Almost every night was a feast of music, of course no celebration is complete without music, right? Luckily me and my band (Salvar) received an invitation to play in a one hell of a metal concert - The Dahong Palay Live in Cdo.

Manila bands and those who were hailed from CDO were like thunder and lightning hitting the grounds. Friday night was a blast! It's been a long time since I saw the 90's bands such as Iron Clad and Black Widow, and of course the main band Dahong Palay. It was an honor to open for them and be part of the huge metal family at that night. We were blown by the cumbersome of their music, specially with their face melting guitar solos. Hoorah! Moving on, the next night I went to Touch Mobile's concert. I was waiting for Spongecola but it was kind of late already so heading back to Dvsoria was my next move. But before I left, I got Playgirls photos already. That night, another band from Manila "KJWAN" was in Dvsoria. I tried to get a closer shot but it was like surfing in a tidal wave, too risky. Almost midnight, finally in the place where I've rested, boozed a bit, met old and new friends - the most awaited come back of PUNCHBOWL resto-bar. After almost 6 years they're back in business with live performances of Gasulina, Tabularaza, KBC with Champ, XU Soundtable's Banda ni Papet and Powerspoonz from Cebu. The rock show ended almost 4am.

The celebration was like a music feast too, different genres can be heard and enjoyed everywhere.
We may have different tastes when it comes to music, we may have all come from different places and speak different dialects, but we all come together into one big happy celebration. Lets just enjoy life with our music even in the midst of a grotesque world. It's a whole new thing to enjoy fiesta here in CDO, music music music. Enormously accomplished.
 This year's celebration was not just a festival, it was an awesome experience!

Trip to Paradise (Medina)

After a series of tactical trainings, the troops were deployed to the battlefield, where the only place to engage real war. It's time for us to carry out all the fundamentals we have learned for 2 months in this exciting activity. Last August 15, 2011 DC 89 sections A and B went to Medina for our Photography exercise.  I only heard that the place is so like paradise when it comes to beaches. When we arrived, I was amazed when I saw the place clean and green. This is it! Everybody was too excited to fire their guns - camera. That kind of place was not new to me but one thing for sure, I knew it's going to be fun. It was like hitting 2 birds with one stone, both the business and  pleasure will be enjoyed.

Mayor Jojo Pupos warmly welcomed us at the Municipal hall before going to the gym where everyone will rest for our first night in Medina. The place was peaceful, the locals were very nice to us and welcoming. No traffic jam and the places were very accessible for us in just one ride of a "motorized sikad". Rides were kinda bumpy, filled with 8 noisy classmates jamming along with the driver's coolest 1 song marathon "BUDOTZ". We went to our designated community to capture the topics shared by groups. I hate to crash their quit ambiance, but it seems okay after I saw them smiling for the cameras. Most of the families were poor yet they live happily and contented. They were accommodating and very easy to get along with. After the photo-shoot, we went back to barracks (gym) and were getting ready for the most anticipated  part - dinner and swimming at Alibuag spring. The following day we went back to community and immersed with their poverty situation like how they lived their everyday lives, what they do for a living and for fun. We enjoyed our last night at Duka Bay with the lechon donated by the DC Alumni, swimming, be friend with Section B and of course the fellowship party (games and drinks).

Most the locals in the community we visited may not live base on the standards we have here in a highly urbanized city. But I don't consider them as less fortunate than us because they live their lives worry-less from bills and responsibilities we have here. They sleep soundly with the comfort of the cool sea breeze. They can just find food from the vast of natural resources. In short, life in Medina is not complicated, its like living in a paradise were everything is easy to enjoy. The activity was a success and memorable. We successfully took pictures of our subjects and applied all the things our teachers taught us. We really enjoyed the food, the activity, the beach, the people, the fellowship, we had fun. A trip is without a glitch, but of course it is something to be experience and learned. What matters most is we have absorbed a lot of new things and despite the shortcomings we have encountered we still enjoyed the whole trip at Medina.

Composition

 

In this activity (exercise 5) we have to look for subjects with different types of composition like patterns, textures, shapes, forms etc. This one isn't that hard compare to the previous exercise and it's kind of fun while looking for interesting subjects. There were lots of things to choose from, its just that it always rains. Getting drenched while taking photos was not that easy, considered as obstacles and challenges to be met for newbies like us.