holga and perseverance




the holga arrived much earlier than the hasselblad, leica, canonet and rolleiflex. However, I have not devouted enough time to the use of this camera. I had managed to take slides of the palat klik shrine in Bangkok but I still have not figured out a way of having it scanned. Perhaps the mistake here was the fact that the pictures were taken in a shade and I foolishly tried to hand hold the camera. In addition, I could not figure out the correct setting of the camera so I was using B when I thought I was using the 1/100 shutter speed. It is far easier to estimate 2 sec than it is to do 1/60 sec. So I ended up either under-exposing or over exposing the pictures that I took. With the 12 exposures, the 3 pictures above are what I could photoshop into submission. The others are too blurred to be of much use. Perhaps the problem lie in the fact that I was using an iso 100 film. I am not giving up on this challenge. Next time I will try taking pictures using a tripod. Or else a different subject might be more suitable with the camera being supported by a monopod. Several options for improvement are available. all photos © 2006 daddywasabi, all rights reserved.

bangkok street photos










I was on my last few frames when a man approached me admiring my Leica M6. I noticed that he was carrying with him a Rolleiflex 3.5. I told him that I also had a Rollei but it was still being cleaned. So for now I am finishing up a roll that I have not used up in my Leica.

One reason I spent good money in getting a Leica was because of its proven performance in street photography. Afterall it was the camera that Henri Cartier-Bresson used during his career as a photo journalist. I have no intention of becoming a professional photo journalist. I just like taking photographs. I hope the people in the street will not take offense when I point my camera to them. Looking at the photographs of Cartier-Bresson, I am taken back to the times past that is forever gone. I see, the fashion of those days, the hairstyle, the cars, how people behaved. Somehow, I feel that taking street photographs is a good way of recording our time for future generations. Pictures I am taking in 2006 may be of interest to those who will see it in 2056. Most of the time I ask my subjects' permission. However there are times I do not because the moment might be lost. A posed picture is just not the same. A lot of times the people I encounter are good natured about it. Sometimes, they do not even care one way or another. Other times, they cover their faces as I click my shutter. Just like the lady in the boat. On one of this occasion, I think the blind man knew I was taking his photograph because he moved as I took my photograph.

All photos © 2006 daddywasabi, all rights reserved.

on the chao phrya express








When I was in Manila, I took some pictures using my Leica M6. Unfortunately most of the pictures did not turn out good. It was badly focused. I also stupidly took a picture of a high school friend and the result was disheartening to say the least. When I got back to Bangkok, the annual Photo Fair was still being held at the BITEC. The Leica booth was offering free check up of any Leica models. My M6 tested well. With the exception of a minor spots on the lens that the technician assured me will not affect my picture taking. Anyway, I gave it another spin when I got to Bangkok. This time since I am shooting using FP-4 at an EI-80, I decided not to take any photo below F/5.6 and a shutter speed no slower than 1/60 sec. I also paid meticulous attention to focusing the subject. My frustration was that I sometimes lost some moment. It did not help that the number of the film advance did not correspond to the film itself. Otherwise, I think this is a great camera. These photos were taken in the Chao Phrya Express Boat late in the afternoon when the light is interesting.

all photos © 2006 daddywasabi all rights reserved

paoay, ilocos norte







What a nice way to end the year with images of Paoay Church. It is called in the Lonely Planet guide book as an earthquake baroque style. The walls are really massive and thick. So it is not surprising that it is being called earthquake proof. It is unfortunate that when we got there, the church was closed so we did not get to see the inside. There was an interesting rumor of the departure of the Marcos in 1986. Supposedly, he agreed to leave Malacanang because he thought he was going to Paoay. I wonder if he did not notice how much longer the flight was taking. It only takes an hour to fly from Manila to Laoag. On the other hand it takes much much longer to fly from Manila to Hawaii.

I hope all of you out there, all my friends are enjoying yourselves. I wish you all a very happy and prosperous 2006! I bid goodbye all the nice memories that I have of 2005.

all photos © 2005, daddywasabi, all rights reserved.

church of sta. monica, sarrat, ilocos norte






With the exception of the group of students on a field trip, we had the place to ourselves. The church was opened. But then it was very overcast outside, with a slight drizzle. It was too dark to take any pictures inside the church. This was the church where the Araneta-Marcos was held in the'80's. At the rectory, were were some pictures of the reception held at the church grounds. Now the place is very quiet. Apparently, the church had been destroyed in an earthquake and it was reconstructed for the purpose of holding Irene's wedding. The brick makers of Laoag were asked by General Ver to supply the bricks used in constructing the church, allegedly gratis et amore. At the lower floor of the rectory I found a room containing Santos and old chasubles. On one end of the room, there was a label indicating that this was the garrotte chamber. The garrotte was a form of capital punishment that dates back to the times of the Holy Inquisition. In Ilocos, it was used to deal with those with more rebellious nature during the time when Las Islas Filipinas was part of the vast Spanish colonies. As a lighter counterpoint, I also found a nikelado jeepney bearing the name of the church's patroness. all photos © 2005 daddywasabi, all rights reserved

san nicolas






San Nicolas is probably the next town after Laoag. The church front picture is a puzzle I put together using several photographs. Inside the church is we lit so I was still able to take pictures using natural light with the use of my trusty tripod. I was not as lucky when we got to Sarrat where the interior of the church is pitch black. Beside the church of San Nicolas is the market where my sister ordered her supply of bagnet and ilocano longganiza that we would hand carry back to Manila. all potos © 2005 daddywasabi, all rights reserved.

planting rice








One of the songs we were taught in grade 1 is "Planting Rice" my apologies if that is not the correct title. But I could not recall the lyrics anymore. Anyway on the way to Pagudpud, we saw endless green fields of rice with people being very busy working the farms. I also noticed that most of those working the fields were men with very few women working the land. Buddha said it was the second planting season. I told him that I have read that it is much better to let the land rest for a season before planting crops once again and using chemical fertilizers on the land.

Today I read an article in INQ7 talking about the 100th anniversary of the arrival of Ilocano workers who went to Hawaii to work the sugar fields over there. Most went there so that they could make enough money for their dowry. Others chose to live in Hawaii for good. It would not be surprising to find out that most of the ethnic Filipinos in Hawaii at present came from these Ilocano workers. The Manongs who went to Hawaii toiled the land for long hours while the sun is shining.

Ilocos is a very hard place. The land is difficult, the weather is harsh. Sometimes Ilocanos are called the Scots of the Philippines mostly because of their thrift and industry. But given the conditions they live in, they really did not have much choice otherwise their survival is at stake. Ironically, it was under President Marcos, an Ilocano that the country started to amass massive foreign debt for which the country does not have much to show for. all photos © 2005 daddywasabi, all rights reserved.

pagudpud the day before and after



As if nature was teasing us. On the single day we were spending in Pagudpud, rains was lashing the place. The wind was very strong. I was trying to get a closer shot of the rock with a hole yonder in the upper picture but the wind was quite strong and we had to flee to the safety in one of the huts near the beach. The next day, the sky was gloriously clear with the sun shining. The sky and the sea was blue. The white sands of Pagudpud was empty but for the women selling their sea shell crafts. I just consoled myself with the thought that as a photographer, I should be able to take pictures no matter what the weather for each situation offers great opportunities. all photos © 2005 daddywasabi, all rights reserved.

cathedral of st. paul, vigan, ilocos sur






Unfortunately, I do not have a picture of the exterior of the church with the exception of the girl eating ice cream. The light was quite harsh at noon time and we did not have time to come back later in the afternoon. However the interior of this cathedral is quite beautiful. The church manangs were very busy waxing the floor and they were in the process of completing the christmas decorations inside the cathedral. all photos © 2005 daddywasabi, all rights reserved.