back to basics

Purchased a secondhand Rolleicord camera! :) It's been a long time since I've handled a film camera, I'm a bit nervous but really excited to play with it. I've never used a medium format camera before but I'm loving the square format of the Rollei --- it's just perfect for portraits. Can't wait to shoot women and my friends with it! :)


I want to relearn how to develop and print my own pictures... I hope the learning curve would be easy. I have no idea where and how to start with developing my own film so I searched Booksale and fortunately saw this book. A real deal for 270.00 pesos! I hope this works! :D

recent reads

Been devouring books during my free time lately... I love books! :)

I've re-read all 6 issues of Scott Pilgrim vs The World, and it's an awesome funny comic book series. Can't wait to watch the movie! Thanks Pao and Nelz for introducing me to the world of Scott Pilgrim. :)


I've been reading up on new ideas every night and here are some of the books that keep the brain burning.

Seth Godin's The Dip teaches you to quit the unimportant stuff you've been doing, and just focus on things that matter to you. This book rocked my world, now I know I've got to start doing things I love.

Scott Belsky's Making Ideas Happen is an informative book on how creatives need to organize their lives in order to push through with ideas and eventually finish them --- from vision to reality. The book packs a lot of helpful tips for the creative yet cluttered person.


And here are two current inspirations for photography:

I bought Marc Baptiste's Nudes book at Strands Bookstore back in NYC, and I couldn't take my eyes off his beautiful women. He captures them in such a sensuous and honest way that he inspires me shoot and search for my own photographic truth.


The book Looker was a surprise gift from Pao since I wasn't feeling good a few weeks ago --- this definitely made my day better! I've been a fan of Richard Kern's photographs since I was in college. His erotica shoots are raw but still sensual. I love what he does, capturing the beauty and provocativeness of women --- idol talaga! :)


I wonder what I'll be reading next month...

lightning lad

Shot artist Kidlat de Guia for Uno Magazine's fashion/portrait spread. Thanks Shaw Yao for this assignment! :)

Publication: UNO Magazine (July 2010)
sitting editor: Shaw Yao
styling: Meryll Chavez
Make-up: Regie Escolin
Hair: Ara Fernando

tiangco-ocampo nuptials

Artist Manuel Ocampo and Pablo Gallery owner Osie Tiangco tied the knot last May 15, 2010. My good friend JC Bocaling and I were honored to be their official photographers on that special day.

A lot of drinking, good food, and awesome guests... Osie and Manuel, you guys rock! :D

lounge in lingerie

My first fashion shoot for Cosmopolitan magazine! Thanks Happy Lopez! :)


Publication: Cosmopolitan (July 2010)
Stylist: Happy Lopez
Make-up: John Pagaduan
Hair styling: Borge Aloba

samsung monitor

Paolo Ferrer and I received a Samsung PX2470 monitor each! Wooooot! :)

Had it for 2 weeks, road testing it... and I'm loving it!

I'm no techie but the crisp images and exact colors are very impressive. It's a far cry from my Mag monitor at work or the Sony Bravia TV-turned-monitor I used at home before. Samsung PX2470 has this amazing crystal frame technology that supposedly decreases glare --- we have half a dozen lamps in our condo and I can honestly say that the monitor has dropped down glare to zero! It makes editing photos and watching movies so much easier.

One of the things that impress me the most is it's adjustable neck. You can finally tilt the monitor to whatever angle you want --- no more adjusting your chair's height just to get the right working view. And from wherever corner you are (whether it's from above, below, or side), it delivers the same sharp images from every possible angle!

It's one very sexy beast at only 16.6mm thin! The 23" widescreen LCD-LED backlit monitor with it's sleek black design, a power button that turns on and off with the slightest feather-like touch, and elegant glass neck really rocks my boat. Poging-pogi! :)

I don't really know why I was chosen to receive one of the Samsung PX2470 monitors, but I'm absolutely grateful.

waiting for you

The location for this shoot was really dark, good thing the house had a huge window. I'm loving natural light and still drooling over the fine lingerie! :)

Publication: Manila Bulletin
Styling: Liz Anne Bautista
Make-up: Cats del Rosario
Model: Dayan Hernandez