When I got a text from Tita Dolor Guevarra that I should keep Nov. 15 free around 4 p.m., I presumed it was a shoot for a new campaign or endorsement. I inquired who the model was and what the shoot was for. I got an enigmatic reply, simply saying I should not miss this special day, and we should call this “Happy Ever After.”
Let’s see—the skies are blue, the clouds billowing, the cold breeze gently touching my face, and the Eiffel Tower majestically standing in front of me. All I needed was my camera to record this perfect summer moment in Paris.
I traveled to Europe with my mother to rediscover France and Italy. In contrast to the Philippines where there were monsoon rains, it was summer in Europe (July/August). It was the best time to travel there because airfare was cheaper and almost everything was on sale.
Before I was totally consumed by photography, my soul had been a slave to another form of art, the theater.
I was having lunch the other day with some friends I hadn’t seen in a while, and after the usual greetings, the conversation centered around soap operas. Surprisingly, it dominated the whole table, even if there were several showbiz intrigues that were far more interesting.
It makes us proud when a fellow countryman makes a mark on foreign soil. I know we can name so many at this point, but this time I will introduce to you someone who, from my point of view, has so much power to wield yet has remained humble.
As my feet touched the Boracay sand, the aria of Grizabella from “Cats” started playing in my head as memories of old Boracay fill my weary mind. Am I getting old, or is there a new generation of tourists invading the island?
Imagine my delight when I got a text that read, “Pls. come to my birthday @ Lusso in Greenbelt 5. Intimate gathering of my close friends.”
Yes, let me enjoy and gloat. I directed and photographed Rocio Olbes for Vogue Italia. Manjo Zalamea produced the video and was my videographer, Matt Gozum and Shahani Gania were my stylists, Ines Lobregat did the hair and makeup, and Rocio Olbes is the star.
It was on the night that Joey Mead and Ian King were married in Manila that I run into a celebrity I was such a fan of. The said celebrity, however, is not from the Philippines, but is based in Singapore. The funny part is that he has more Filipino fans than Singaporeans. Confusing.
I was excited to see a good friend of mine in Malaysia to celebrate her birthday with her family, and to celebrate Ate Aida’s birthday, too. The only time I have been to Malaysia was on a cruise via Star Cruises, passing through Penang. So finally a trip to see Kuala Lumpur and Genting became a reality.
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