From LCD to Football Field

Sometime late last March, I, alongside several members of the media and Azkal manager Dan Palami, Coach Michael Weiss and PFF President Nonong Araneta - were  gathered around a laptop [that was around sometime 4:30 p.m.- of the opening day of the Suzuki U-23 Nationals at U.P., Los Banos]   awaiting the results of the official draw which would determine the next opponent of the Azkals in the World Cup Qualifying Rounds.  With bated breath, we waited and anticipated, in real time, for the results.  Soon enough, the Sri Lankan flag appeared beside the Filipino flag. [third from bottom]  So the writers all started composing their articles, after which . . .

 

 

. . .a few Q & As between Mr. Palami, Coach Weiss, Mr. Araneta and the media followed.  As for me, I took a few more photos,  unwound , then took the trip home with some media colleagues.

Front - Left to Right:

A rep from Suzuki [Suzuki shirt], Eilleen Esteban,Suzuki PR Officer [fuschia cap & bag],

Mia Domingo [printed blouse], Celeste Flores [blue blouse], TJ "Balita"[yellow shirt], 
KC CRuz [white printed shirt]

Rear - Left to Right:

AJ Bolando [black shirt], Team Manager D. Palami, Coach M. Weiss,  PFF Head N. Araneta,
Sid Ventura  [w/ glasses], Diego de la Paz [blue shirt],  Mark Escarlote [light blue shirt]

In about a few days from now, the Azkals will be slugging it out in the "away" game at Sri Lanka, and next weekend, July 3, will battle the same Sri Lankan team in the "home" game at the Rizal Memorial.  There isn't much for me to say at this point. I'm just as excited as everyone else.  Just have to be ready.

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Wet, Wet, Wet

In keeping with the inclement weather, I decided to post some  'Rainy Day Soccer Shots" from my Sports Archive.  These are a few of my favorites.

At Colegio de San Agustin   [Southridge vs San Agustin]

At the Ateneo [Mama Africa vs La Salle]

At U.P., Los Banos [Iloilo vs Laguna]       [above & below]

  

At De La Salle Zobel  [Southridge vs La Salle]

Rain dramatically alters the dynamics of any soccer match.  The heavier the downpour, the more mud and puddles you have.  For the athletes,  control of the ball becomes almost impossible and the risk of injury increases tenfold.  For me, it is more of a challenge than a problem.  Images tend to soften. On the other hand there are more graphic elements to play with.   It is also a chance for me to use my pro "rainsleeve'"which keeps my camera dry.  I can stay out in the open and shoot as if it were a sunny day.  

As long as my equipment is in good shape,  [I couldn't care less about getting soaked]    --->I can concentrate on my art.

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White On White

One of my favorite colors --- White

My ONLY favorite lighting technique -- Using Available light ---> God's Light 

  [also the title of my FIRST blog entry]

Combining my favorite things together - I Like.   This portrait is a result of such a combination.

Used color negative film here, had a print done, had that print scanned 
- ergo - this JPEG.

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Unrequited Love ??

UAAP Fighting Maroon Mike Silungan LOVES basketball.  That's a no-brainer.  He's one of UP's best too.  Last year, his team did not win a single game.  "Heartbroken" cannot even begin describe what the Maroons felt after every single game.  I watched all their matches.

The first time I noticed Silungan's tattoo I immediately tried to capture it in a photo.  A close up pic would have been more interesting, but this one was OK for me, the pic showing Silungan and Woody Co, with head bowed, after another defeat.

Only when I had viewed it on my desktop had I been able to read the text in the tattoo,  "For The Love Of The Game" - It read.  If the "Game" was his girlfriend, then he would be the most Loving, Loyal, Faithful, Romantic partner one could ask for - even proclaiming his devotion in the form of a tattoo.

To say Mike Silungan loved basketball, but basketball did not love him back 

[as in unrequited love] would be silly, uncalled for, and even cruel. There's no such thing as a "game loving or not loving a person".  The Fighting Maroons just need to keep the faith, recruit a couple of more guys of Silungan's calibre, make the necessary adjustments, up the ante -- and it'll be just a matter of time before they rid themselves of the ghosts of Season 73. 

And that time is fast approaching. 

UAAP Season '74 Kicks of on July 10.

[and take note, in the pic, Silungan's head is unbowed]

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Seeing Green and Feeling the Pain

Father and Daughter

That is the title of this entry [one of several] [on-line category] to the last UAAP Photo Contest, concluded last March.  What eventually happened was a case where an athlete's misfortune turned into cash, for me, a photographer.  The said entry won Third Place.

The JPEG shows Raoul Recto carrying his daughter, Robbie, away from the diamond after she took a bad fall during the UE-La Salle UAAP softball match at U.P. Diliman, early 2011. This supportive young dad watches all of Robbie's games.  [I'm glad to have met him along the way].  Those were painfully excrutiating moments for Robbie, and anxious ones for Raoul.  Father and team mates promptly attended to the injury while I tried to get photos of Robbie, in pain - even took a few of her injured ankle.  But before that, I ASKED Raoul FIRST, if it was OK to do so. He said yes.  A week or so later, I E-mailed Raoul ALL the pics I took of that incident.  [Fortunately, Robbie's injury was managed].

It is never my intention to take undue advantage of other people's misfortunes per se.  Yes, the unexpected happens in sports.  I photojournalise it - before, during, and after matches, on and of the courts, fields, and dug outs - whenever, wherever.  I'm certainly NOT perfect, and have made bad judgements - but I always try to exercise tact and discretion, among other things, when I shoot.

P.S.

A friend of mine quipped, the DAY AFTER I encashed the check I won.  "Pre, Sana binigyan mo ng BALATO si Mr. Recto o si Robbie, maski papaano.  Ano ba'ng ginawa mo sa prize money ??" 

I answered "Galing sa bangko, dumiretso ako sa Park Square at bumili ako ng isang Nike Dri-Fit,

isang Adidas Clima-Cool, yoong  "Call of Duty - Black Ops", kasi nawala ko ang kopya ko, at yoong "Mortal Combat" para sa PS ko.  Tamamg-tama, kakarelease lang kahapon."

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Seeing Red and Feelin' the HEAT !!!

 The 2 Richies [from the Amazing Race], Rikki Flo [pretty emcee], and Rick O [my boss] during a Jr. NBA Event at the MOA.  Good Times !!

Like Kobe and Derrick, don't like LeBron or Duane, never liked Chris or Udonis.  But when I took this photo, I was blinded by this Bright Ray of Light, and then  -ZZHHIING !!   In the blink of an eye -- I became a Miami Fan !!.    Man, did I feel the HEAT !!!   Whew !!!   South is GOOD  !!!


Damn It !!!  Where is that Nikon X-Ray Lens when  you need it ??


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Two Nicoles

There are two Nicoles I have photographs of :

Nicole A.  and   Nicole M.

Here are some trivial comparisons between the two --

Nicole A.                                          Nicole M.

Asian                                                Caucasian

Loves Basketball                                Loves Milk

First Saw Her in a Stadium                   First Saw Her in a Sari-Sari Store

Resides In MManila                             Resides Outside MManila

In School                                           Out of School

Goes Out a Lot                                   Stays home A Lot

I Know a Friend of Hers                       I Know Her Dad
Have Seen Her Shed A Tear or Two        Haven't Seen Her Cry
  [after a big game loss]
She's a Hottie                                    She's a Doll

                                                Nicole A.

                                                Nicole M.

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