“My Photo scholarship 2010 entry

My Photo scholarship 2010 entry

Philippines | Monday, October 18, 2010 | flickr photos

In the last 21 years, my family and I have spent every Holy Week up in a quiet and obscure town north of Cebu, Philippines. Daanbantayan, the name of this quaint seaside town, is not so popular among travelers and tourists. In the same way, the locals have not realized it's potential for tourism. So it is fair for me to say that not much has changed in the last two decades. It has to do with how the people value it's familiarity and simplicity as they go about the mundane nuances and joys of living. I like to think that my photos narrate a story of the place that somehow let the viewers grasp a sense of familiarity - that they too know what it's like to be there.

As a student of filmmaking in the University of the Philippines I have come to appreciate forms of perspectives. To be able to tell stories through photography is largely influenced by film. "Passion at any cost" has been my mantra when it comes to work that being in film and photography. Nothing will get in the way because I have nothing of value except for this.

I am part of a generation that would want to go to unfamiliar lands and engross to things we haven’t tried before. Bhutan offers that kind of experience and so much more. I believe that it all takes open-mindedness and a strong sense of self to be able to immerse and be one with the place, culture, and people. I hope that this belief and opportunity would let my encounters in Bhutan touch a part of me and in the same way I would touch theirs.