Havoc that Ondoy brought us...

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Everyone’s caught off-guard yesterday as typhoon Ondoy continue to pound Metro Manila including 23 provinces (Aurora, Quirino, Nueva Vizacaya, Nueva Ecija, Pangasinan, Pampanga, Tarlac, Zam bales, Bulacan, Rizal, Quezon, Isabela, Mt. Province, Benguet, Ifugao, La Union, Ilocos Sur, Cavite, Mindoro Oriental, Mindoro Occidental, Batangas, Marinduque, Camarines Norte). These provinces were under state of calamity.

In a matter of 6 hours the whole Metro Manila was inundated. Badly hit were Marikina, Quezon City and Pasig. The water had risen as high as two-storey house. Many families were trapped on the roof seeking for rescue. My brother Buboy and his family live in Pasig. They lived in a two-storey house. My brother had a duty that day and had left the house early in the morning with only rain shower. My sister-in-law , Janelma, had also left the house that morning. She went to Makati Medical Center to fetch her mother and Zaldy, who was confined there two-days ago. Zaldy was discharged in the hospital and they’re all ready to go home. Due to torrential rain, they weren’t able to hail a cab. Taxi drivers just refused every passengers in the streets. My nephew, Christian, my brother’s father-in-law, Tatay, Janilyn and their cousin Mica were left behind the house.

In just a matter of 6 hours, the two-storey house they lived in was already submerged in water. Earlier that day, my brother had called me from his work and informed that flood continue to rise and was already worried about my nephew. Janelma had also called from the hospital and informed that everyone in the house went upstairs as the ground floor was already half-filled with water.

I was at home the whole day yesterday. I even contemplated of going to the office in the morning but due to heavy rain I decided to just stay home. I stay tuned in the television for updates and had written emergency numbers to call for rescue. Janelma had informed me that everyone in their house had transferred to their neighbour’s house which was more elevated than theirs. The water inside their house already reached the flooring of the 2nd floor. Tatay was quick and had made an opening on the wall of their house and they transferred to another house just beside theirs. Their neighbour was kind enough to let them in. The rain continued to pour and had reached their neighbour’s house second flooring. So everyone in that house had abandoned it and transferred to the next house, this time it’s a 4- storey house that everyone was accommodated. They went to the roof in order to transfer to the 3rd house. The 3rd and 4th floors were filled with other families and that were also seeking shelters.

I'm very worried and helpless. The only thing I can do at that moment was to pray. I worried about my nephew Christian whose only 4 years old. He had to go through this situation at an early age. I was thankful though that Tatay was very alert with this kind of situation. Janilyn had kept the communication open using her celphone. She keeps us updated and from time to time if signal permits we call her on the celphone.

As the night falls, most of the thoroughfares in Metro Manila were impassable. It was a good thing that LRT/MRT administrations continued their operation but commuters are still stranded. Buboy was able to ride the LRT from Pedro Gil station and stayed at our house. Vilma and Cel are my cousins living with me. They both work at Trinoma. They had to walk past Munoz, where water was until chest-high.

Buboy was able to talk to Christian. He told his kid to stay put and be brave. There was light moment when my brother was talking to his son. Christian told Buboy not to go to the house, “daan ka na lang sa bubong kasi baha”.

As of this writing, Christian, Tatay, Janilyn, Mica and together with the families are still stuck inside the 4-storey house. They had eaten their meals though.

This morning rescue teams are now in Pasig area. The rain already stopped and the sun has shown its light. The water though has not yet subsided in Pasig as compared to Marikina. It was devastating to see the wrath brought by Ondoy.

At this very moment, we can only pray that the waters will already ebb so the rescue will continue.

God help us all.

Model shoot, Sunken Garden

Link to see more of the photos: Model photoshoot


(group photo courtesy of ONE)

Ang hirap kumuha ng location shoot! It seems that photographers nowadays have to be always ready of the permits!

Last week's schedule was bumped off due to continous rain. Early today was a perfect day to shoot. We have the models as well as the photographers and the weather cooperated with us. But wait, we didn't have permit!!! What the....@!?#/*&

This was the dilemma this morning. ONE had earlier informed the participants of the scheduled photoshoot at the Manila North Cemetery (MNC). His grandmother's tomb (may she rest in peace) rest inside the MNC. He was confident that the security personnel will not dare to ask the purpose of our visit (i.e., to have our photoshoot inside the cemetery, gothic theme) Unfortunately, the security didn't let us in as he had been informed of our purpose. ONE had taken efforts to call his relatives and even talked to the security head but they didn't give in to the plea. We were told that we need to secure permit in the City Hall before we can have our photoshoot inside the cemetery. Sigh!

The reason why we weren't permitted was because of the incident that happened with the tv news crew. Apparently, his stuffs were stolen on location while covering news. According to the security personnel, there were also instances of mob and hold-ups where the culprit were 'outsiders' and even use van to perform illegal acts.

Enough with the frustration. Well, almost. The question was, where are we goiing to hold the photoshoot?! There were suggestions to rent a studio somewhere near the area, or go to ONE's house and do the shoot there. I offered my portable light set-up in case everyone decided to do the shoot at ONE's abode. Another suggestion was to hold the photoshoot at UST Chapel.

The group finally decided to hold the photoshoot at Sunken Garden, UP Diliman Quezon City. UP actually requires permit for photoshoot especially if there are models, but we took our chance.

The particapants were composed of 5 models: (KRIZEL, JHANE, YANYAN, VANESSA, BERN), 11 photographers: yours truly,JUVY, WENDELL, ANTHONY, GARY, ONE, DENNIS, DOODZ, RON, MARK, JUN, RICK (whew!) and 2 make-up artist(MUA): JEN and MES and KRIZEL's Mom (Krizzel and her Mom came all the way from Rizal!; and it was Krizzel's first model photoshoot)

It's always a challenge for me to pose the models. The models were actually just starting up their path to modelling so expectedly they will need some directions. They were all easy to work with, so the posing came out naturally. Really no qualms.

One thing I learned from the activity is that, I think that it's way better if wee added a story line or concept of what the whole photoshoot is all about. For me, it's like watching a movie that in the end, it leaves you with something to think about. Just a piece of thought. =)

I'm truly grateful to all the participants. It was a fun-filled afternoon of sharing passion for photography. I'm looking forward to do another photoshoot with you guys...

Last Day Dream [HD] on Vimeo by Chris Milk

Last Day Dream [HD] from Chris Milk on Vimeo.

Shot entirely on Lensbaby Lenses and Canon 5D Mark II SLR Camera

"Last Day Dream"
a man watches his life pass before him

Quicktime version
chrismilk.com/42/

Produced for the 42 Second Dream Film Festival
Beijing China 2009
www.42x42.com

Written and Directed by Chris Milk
Produced bySamantha Storr
Associate Producer Brad O'Connor
Music Chris Milk
Photography Chris Milk
Editor Livio Sanchez
Production Designer Matthew Holt
Wardrobe Stylist Lydia Paddon
Makeup & Wardrobe Molly Paddon
Production Assistance Jason Baum
Production Assistance Clint Caluory
Telecine Dave Hussey
Sound Design Eddie Kim

A day of cosplay

This is a fun day of cosplay. Originally,my schedule today is a fashion shoot/goth shoot with friends whom I met at the Photowalk. John (a.k.a ONE) organized the said activity. Since it's been raining for a week now, the schedule was moved to a later date. If the weather permits, hopefully the scehdule pushes through next week.

ONE invited me yesterday to come and take photos of the Cosplay at the SM Megatrade Hall. I said yes since i haven't got other things in my schedule. I really have no idea what Cosplay was. I didn't care to research or even ask what Cosplay is! Usually, I do search the net for information regarding the subject that I'm gonna take photo. I thought it was a concert. Silly me! LOL! I should have asked my brother, he knows this well!

It's fascinating to see participants don costumes of their favorite character. They do exert efforts to emulate the look and portray the characters.

As of this writing, here's what I learned from Wikipedia - CAMEKO, short for "Camera Kozo" or "Camera Boy". It's a japanese term for those who photograph player. Originally the cameko give prints of their photos to players as gifts. =)

To see more of Cosplay photos, please click on the link: COSPLAY PHOTOS