Young Photographers Philippines ( YoPHO)

The Young Photographers Philippines (YoPho) is a non-profit organization composed of students, young professionals, artists and media people whose main objective is to pursue their Passion for Photography and to mold the next generation of Filipino photographers. 

YOPHO is a group started in the Nikon thread of digital photographers Philippines with the title "Nikon users below 25". It has now evolved to include non-nikon users and with the age limit extended to twenties and below.This is the next generation of digital photographers in the making. Taken from the words of Franz Lopez, one of the admins, "Its not just a plain hobby. for Money? for Fame? its more than that. it's for Passion."

find us in facebook....

With initially a few members, they had their first EB and photowalk on May 16, 2009 in Intramuros Manila  attended by Aina Rosales, Andie Madamba, Bea Litao, Bruce Angeles, GJ Labasug, Jerome Cruz, Mae Navarro, Nico Servando, Rennell Salumbreand and Yem Castro.

 from left: Yem Castro, Franz Lopez and Ian-- some of the pioneers of YOPHO

showing GJ in extreme left...one of the admins

The average age of it's members is 23. You even see 19 year-olds across the spectrum. All photo enthusiasts and very passionate about it. Some are now slowly making names in the field. One year on, more than a hundred people have signed up to join.Although some are no longer active and the final membership list is still in the process of refinement, this means countless EB's and photowalks.

courtesy of Franz Lopez

by Jason Gregorio

by pusangkalye

Bobbit Lim photos

And just to prove how serious this group is, they even organized the first ever tournament type photography event in the world as a prototype for the upcoming first ever Summer Photocamp in the country. This only a few months after their first year anniversary. It's learning while enjoying at it's best.

 

the awards night of extreme photo challenge @Astoria Plaza last June

I joined more than a month ago and was actually surprised to be the oldest in the bunch. I don't wanna care much about the age factor even if it is often the subject of jokes in our endless skype group chats. All I know is that I am enjoying the process of learning photography and that this group is just perfect for that cause.The members are fun to be with and you really learn a lot from them. They are very warm, and as long as you are enthusiastic to learn, you will be utmost welcome to join.

group photo  in front of Binondo Church--by Franz Lopez

After signing up, it takes 2 photowalks/EB's before you could be put on probationary status after which you will be an official member. Last Saturday was my 2nd. It was the send off party of EUGENE, one of the members, who will be moving to the US.

 pizza party @ yellowcab MOA

If you are interested to join, follow us in facebook or you can sign up in  DPP and join our forum.Be sure to leave your details.  There, you can learn some of the tricks of dslr use and join the discussion.

photo credits:
Franz Lopez
Yem Castro
Bobbit Lim
Jason Gregorio

check our links: http://yopho.multiply.com/
http://www.digitalphotographer.com.ph/forum/showthread.php?t=25084

CORAL BEACH CLUB Batangas

note: 3 people guessed my contest trivia last time. GOYO, Feil Khun and Ardee Sean. I picked the winner via draw by lots. LOCATION: Binangonan Rizal.And the book goes to...drum roll --- Fiel-Kun. congratulations!!

I am growing weary of this alternating sunny and rainy weather with matching humidity beyond tolerable levels, my most hated time of the year when you don't know what to expect. Di nalang umulan kung umulan. Been hitching for a retreat. Good thing my friend offered her condo in Coral Beach Club in Matabungkay Batangas.......

taken in the bus yesterday.
Suddenly gloomy again due to the low pressure area above Manila.

Only 4 of us were available out of 6 who planned for it. I made a resolve that I will go there even if it takes only Teresa and me. Sure enough, the weather was cooperative last Saturday. You can reach Matabungkay for 2 hours if you have your own car. It took us 3 hours to commute.

CORAL Beach Club is probably the best resort in area. I am not saying this because my friend's husband is part of the consortium of foreigners married to Filipinas who set up this resort but because it is the most decent and luxurious place to stay.

Room rates start at 1,999 so I guess they are good. We didn't get to check them coz we stayed in my friends condo just across the street, a comfort afforded only to the owners of the resort. Since they live abroad now, they opened the place for rental should there be guests or families big enough to fit in one room. We had all of it for free.....

si Teresa parang Dona lang ah...hehe

The condo has a private pool so we were pacing back and forth from the beach to it. I noticed that other resorts don't have pools. The beach area is so so. Sand is fine but if you are looking for powdery white sand, don't go here. Matabungkay is just famous especially to foreigners because there is an Ayala-owned golf course nearby and some dive sites.

I could just stay under the tree and stare at the open sea the whole day....

Coral Beach club is complete with amenities, pool area, restaurant ( not all resorts have resto)cable tv, wifi connectivity, bar, play and hilot area. Prices are a bit expensive though. Full body massage is at 500 php per hour and the food is also pricey. What we did is buy our own food and cooked. That's against the rules of the resort .We were able to do that since we stayed in the condo so it saved us a lot on the food.

billiards area..... 

With Rufo (extreme right)---
former colleague in Jose Rizal University and a good friend.

The good life. I just got back to Manila but I am already looking forward to another out of town retreat. haha

http://www.coralbeachclub-batangas.com/ppc/  

how to get there: (commute) Bus- Taft Station near MRT to Lian : 152 php
                                            Jeepney-- from Lian to matabungkay: 20php

Quote of the day:
Lots of people want to ride with you in the limo, but what you want is someone who will take the bus with you when the limo breaks down. - Oprah Winfrey

2nd blog anniversary contest......

........yes. This post is for a contest. My blog turned 2 today. In as much as I try to be discreet about it, I think being able to blog for 2 years is an achievement. We are talking of dog years here where 1 year for them is equivalent to 10.5 for us. I am a very impatient and restless person. I easily bore myself as reflected in my endless change in career. But it seems that blogging is something that I can enjoy doing for years to come.

As a sign of my gratitude for all those people who shared my stories, I am launching this simple contest.

Just guess where this place is. ( DongHo Style). You simply have to mention the town and that's it. If more than 1 person gets the correct answer, I will pick from among them through raffle. Deadline for submission will be Friday this week, July 16 and the winner will be announced on the 19th-Monday ( as I will be out of town this coming weekend.)

somewhere out there....

The winner will relieve an original copy of my favorite book BEING HAPPY-by Andrew Mathews to be sent via parcel sponsored by my friend  ALEX ( I was about to buy one when he offered his copy-still sealed and untouched-thanks lex)

I love traveling, seeing beautiful landscapes and meeting wonderful people along the way. Through this blog, I share these memories to the rest of the world.Thank you very much for sharing my life stories for the past 2 years. All of us has something to say, to brag, to celebrate. This is my way of celebrating my life. Through simple photos I hope you learn something.

I will continue blogging because I want to continue growing and learning with you guys.........