Ginoo at Binibining Pakil 2013: Photographer Outtakes

If there's one thing you have to know about me is that, I love pageants. I love to study other people's perception of beauty and pageants are venues for such event. It is also quite the social gathering that people will be talking about for weeks. And I am one of those people, admittedly. I try to dabble to local pageants as much as I can. If I can't offer my services, I'll eventually come around and ask the next person with me about what is happening with the pageant, the rehearsals, blah, blah, but to a point of just enough of being curious of what's happening in the local scene.

Perhaps it's the collaboration of artistry that makes me want to watch pageants, the stage designing, stage lighting, costume design, photography, modeling, fashion design and overall artistic freedom in one night. Mind you, I know a little bit about theater and production stuff, but pageants are always intriguing for me. Moreover, there's always an essence of theatricality and whimsicality in it - one night dedicated to the idea of beauty and everything that comes along with it.

This year though, I was quite involved in it. Well, not much, but sort of. Anyway, I was asked to shoot the candidates for their pageant photos. I didn't want to at first but I eventually gave in because they have been so persistent and I just couldn't say no to nice people. Oh well.

I just brought a friend along with me, who has been pretty much very helpful and I never undermine it one bit and we proceeded to shooting the candidates. It was awkward at first shooting girls in their swimwear with bodies that are... well, let's just say, very sexy. But eventually, you get the hang of it and you just shoot them, no biggie. But then, boys come in in their swimming trunks, and dear lord, I feel much awkward. They are barely somewhat naked! But you know, I need to be professional and pull myself together, so I just shoot them silently and giggle on my own thoughts. haha.

We followed the shoot eventually with casual wear for both boys and girls and it was aptly done in good time. The organizers were really organized. Like things went smoothly, no wasted time, everything was done completely as planned to which I was really impressed. Really, truly impressed. Though there's still the jitters that did I get a nice picture of him or did I fuck up? I mean, these are supposedly my clients, so I must not fuck up. But he told me exactly what he wanted for the tarpaulin and I get it completely, we are in the same page, so bravo to you, Butchay.

Doing the setcards was a breeze, I thought of just making it clean and simple and elegant. I don't like the design to overpower the candidates faces so I keep it clean. And as per request of the organizer, just a close up body picture is okay and I choose the rest with the casual and another one, so he gave me limited guidelines to which I can play with which is very fine by me. I made it in smaller resolutions so it would immediately fit Facebook's news feed preview, no cut heads or something. So yeah.

Complete Setcard Layout for 2013 candidates.

Now, the tarpaulin is quite the big problem. I don't know how to layout tarpaulins. I can layout average-size photos. But to print them on a 8x10 foot scale? Err, I'm utterly clueless. I seek help from our town's resident awesome artist, Kuya Etick. To my surprise, he didn't just tell me what to do, he showed me what to do. We kept exchanging emails about how should this and this be done and he replied quickly and exactly. I mean, he was just, awesome~! Salute to you oh great leader. Haha. Almost, mustering up how to edit a big ass tarpaulin size photo, I managed to level up my skills and that is quite commendable, even if I do say so myself.

So basically, I nailed the size and resolution/math part of the tarpaulin. *good me* But imagine that tarpaulin without the logo. I was like, it looks bare. So I rummaged to get last year's logo, but it was saved as .jpeg, so I can't edit it. So I flipped my keyboards and said, "What the hell, I'll make one." Which is very odd for me to say because I haven't really tried editing logos, much more pageant ones. It needs to be very elegant and royal-looking. I focus my mind on the fonts that I'm going to use, the layout, the assembly of the logo. how I can design it without overly designing it. Meh. 

What I did was, I retained or somewhat copied the same font of the 'Ginoo and Binibining' because it's very readable and quite good enough. Then I had to enlarge the P in Pakil so that it has the essence of being a logo and not just words bunch up together and kick in the 2013. But since I'm such a minimalist person, or I just want clean stuff, I just made it plain Silver with embossed edges to make it look 3D and regal. I also ditched the former crown and sceptre to which those kind of logos are usually made with and just replaced it with an energy ball for a fantasy and whimsical effect. It looks clean and very royal indeed, so I'm happy about the logo and I'm proud I made it all from scratch. Just sad that I can't put the crown or sceptre on. haha. But it really looks very royal.

And so, I finalize the tarpaulin and the setcards and gave it to my clients. They'll be the ones to set up the page. I didn't bother to get involved with the page because it causes a lot of ruckus and it frustrates the heck out of me when getting too much notifications just like last year. I'm just happy that our photos were used and that's a gorram awesome thing for me. :D 

After giving the page an ample time to accumulate likes, I released some of the photos from the photoshoot. I know candidates could be vain and they very well be because they are the chosen bunch for this year's beautiful people. And I also like to think that beyond the competition they are friends, so I got a little something something for them to remember by: GROUP PHOTOS. I teased them on my Mira Vista page first and uploaded the rest accordingly.

Then it's the Big Night for our candidates. Even though it was drizzling, the pageant continue on and it was all in good time too. The event ended around 12:30 AM. Not that long considering they had 3 hours worth of presentation and exposure. I was in the backstage prepping myself up to award the Ms. Photogenic title, so I didn't even consider taking photos that night. One, I had enough of event photography, I just want to enjoy the night, Two, I had other things in mind, which is not screwing the awarding even if it is just being exposed for a good 1 minute, Three, I seriously cannot stand the fact that I'm too small for the high stage, my camera is beyond excellent working capability, rain, competition for vantage point and the only girl (supposedly) to take pictures during the coronation night. I know it's not an excuse but I swear, my mind is just focused on not tripping on the candidate's gown and not poking the awardee with the pin. Meh.

Me awarding the Ms. Photogenic Award.
Photo Credits to: Tadeo Sagritalo

Then of course, there will be photo opts. I got the chance to be boy crazy that night. Well, not that boy-crazy per se. I just wanted to congratulate the candidates for winning and not winning and sometimes, for not being anymore the winner. 

Photo opt with me~! lol.
Thank you D for taking these photos.

Congratulations little bro~! 

And this fella is just happy enough to turnover his title.

And since, the day after that, or the week, people are still pageant high, I put these together to make a statement. :D 

4 years of Pakil Royalty

Overall, I'm just happy to be part of the production team of this year's pageants. I don't know next year, but hopefully, I get to watch it too. Even with just that participation. :D 

34th Manila International Bookfair 2013

Wallets empty, bags and arms lay heavy yet in my mind I've been doing some somersaults, back flips, parkour and suicide dives all at the same time. Yes, I'm talking about Manila International Book Fair on its 34th year.


Last year, I blogged about my 2-hour challenge that I accepted for myself. Believe me, those sexy, tempting books, showing off their pages and curves would make you want to extend your time browsing them, but I got to push through with it and huzzah, it is worth the giant sprint.


This year, on the other hand, I decided to challenge myself again to buy as much as P1,500 worth of books on bookfair and with flying colors, I EPICLY FAILED. This was the situation: I had enough money to buy the books I wanted and a little bit to spare but things get a little bit complicated. But before that, let me walk you through the floor of this year's MIBF. (Sorry for the lack of photos, I wasn't thinking of blogging this event, but it's too late for that.)


What's New?


Upon arriving, I got a map. A useless map, I don't know how to read maps! I cannot even navigate Need for Speed using a radar either, so there goes my direction skills. So I just decided to walk around,  basically that's how you get familiar to a place. The great thing about this challenge is I have the luxury of the time, so I could spend hours on end having to do the usual "Read and Run." I also have no particular publishing house in mind, so I could stop and smell the pages for a change. (Well, maybe one. I was hoping to find this guy who sold first edition sci-fi books and magazines last year. Since I practically turn sci-fi obsessed this year due to a little known show called Doctor Who. *sarcasm*)


Spaces: Once again National Bookstore! You bagged the most space in this bookfair. Isn't it not enough to have hundreds of branches all over the country? Let independent publishing companies take your space for next year, please. Just give em a chance. And you too Fully Booked, you are rivaling NBS for spaces and seriously, your pricey books are... still awesome. Most of my haul are from Fully Booked, maybe because they have the best selection of books and I couldn't get my hands off their very wonderful new edition pieces - with discounts, which make it even better. Well, it's not that I have a problem with them, but I'm hoping to find more rare books from independent houses which sells books below the standard costs to get my money's worth, and the reason for being such a cheapskate.



My feet went for a bee line to this little book in a little corner.
Funny thing is they were all in one place when I arrived earlier, hours later, they were scattered around Fully Booked. Hmm, sabotage hunt from fellow Whovians. I see.



One down. Hello Sexy.



I would have collected these stand alones of HHGG if not for The Ultimate Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy book that I bought months before. Ha! Pfft.



Now, having NBS and Fully Booked eat the most space for this year, I'm happy to see Anvil Publishing extending their shelves too. Not only that, even Precious Pages, Summit and Alamat. These are the more known local publishing companies and seeing them getting bigger every year means a good sign for the publishing industry in the country. Including Visprint, to which I'm happy enough to discover their little stall at the Precious Pages booth. I also have to express my rare salute to Precious for translating the more known Young Adult fiction novels like Hunger Games and Twilight. To which in my opinion, is a great leap for a publishing company to translate international bestsellers and the ability to house them. Not only that, though I'm not a comic book fan, I totally support Filipino creations particularly graphic novels or comics. I saw this new line of comic books that are reminiscent of old Komik books back in the day, they are serialized and stand alone comics and are visually enticing. I first encountered them weeks before MIBF, being surprised that there's such a comic book serial growing. I checked them out during the fair to get to know what they are about. They are called Black Ink, written in Tagalog and English, they are a something refreshing to the heavily novelized market with genres ranging from love stories to fantasy to horror and sci-fi. So good work local publishing companies~!


Also, I made it a point to avoid uber religious publishing houses and uber educational publishing houses because their books are not my cup of tea, that or they are just too damn preachy, too damn expensive or both. Sorry but we have our own choice of books that's why kids and teens ended up buying at NBS or Fullybooked is because, other than these commercial book houses, religious books and educational publishing houses dominated the area. So needless to say, we got forced to buy at the same typical mall stores. That's why MIBF needs the independent houses, so people could buy more books for their money's worth. I mean sure, 20% discount is helpful, but not helpful like the ones I had 4 years ago where I can get 3 paper backs for the price of 100. That's a score right there. But what do I know, I'm just a convention goer who happens to be on a budget, I don't know what's happening business wise when they think of preparing for the annual bookfair. It's still a business I know but seriously, get your act together MIBF. Where are those lovely independent bookstores that sells exceptionally cheap and rare books? I want them back! I want those 3 for 100 books back! *tantrums*


Freebies: Is it just me or did MIBF forgot to print tickets? That's always been my top souvenir yearly, I just got an 'Admit One' ticket and I can't take that as a souvenir. And the bags? Where are the freebies? The free bookmarks, the free book, the flyers that are annoyingly many? Where? Why you no give us freebies anymore! Best thing I got during the fair was a nice bookmark from Fully Booked. Meh.


But despite these changes that basically 'change' every year. It was a real treat for book lovers to spend their time and money to this year's MIBF. Needless to say, the ones I mention above with regards to space is generally a marketing strategy, but there's still the quaint little charm of going to the bookfair because of these things: There has been a lot of book signing from different publishing companies per booth or per scheduled event proper, the authors are exceptionally great and handpicked. They also got really cool gimmicks, I'm talking to you, NBS, for the hourly free stuff you give out, it wasn't much but it's delightful. Discounts~! Enough said. The shopping carts at Fully Booked, finally, I got to utilized it. Also, the very very very helpful assistants who are there to really assist you and not just oversee books that could be stolen. They even recommend new best sellers or fangirl/fanboy with you and your inquiry. So... Yeah, that charm hasn't change. Also, I notice the proper storage space for each publishing houses, that's a good one. There is also the little food court that sells quite good food at a little bit above the reasonable price, but it's functional enough while you do the book shopping marathon than results to a big appetite afterwards.


Now on a more personal note, my personal challenge had gone wrong as I said before and it was the most delightful wrong I had ever made. My 4-5 hour hang out at the MIBF was all for these handful of books.


Target Book Hunt:
1. Manila Noir by Jessica Hagedorn
2. Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman
3. (Optional) Any Doctor Who inspired book
(More or less, I estimate, less a little bit below 1000Php)


But I ended up calling my mum whilst shopping because I used up all my money to buy books and with that, meaning I also spent my commuting allowance, so she has to come and get me. Embarrassing but, she have gone lenient with me and my book addiction and decided she will pay for my this year's haul. I was so happy, that immediately when I got the receipt of my books, I wanted to go home and crack open the spines of the books and set them up in my little bookshelf.





 Reality/Book Acquired:
1.      Manila Noir by Jessica Hagedorn
2.      Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman
3.      Doctor Who: The Complete Guide by Mark Campbell
4.      A Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin
5.      The Long Walk by Stephen King
6.      Assassin's Creed: The Secret Crusade by Oliver Bowden
7.      Be More Chill by Ned Vizzini
8.      Hannibal by Thomas Harris (Php35)
9.      Red Dwarf by Grant Naylor (Php35)
10.  The Kobayashi Maru of Love by Carlo Javier (Php200)
11.  Report from the Abyss by Carl de Mesa (Php200)
12.  4 books of Martha Cecilia as per request by my Aunt (Php75x4)
13.  FREE: ART Magazine (got it by just signing up)


Basically what happened was, I got lucky. So what's the lesson here? 1) Separate your commuting allowance from your bookfair budget. 2) If not, remember to have load and call your mom and be hysterical about you not being able to go home because you 'accidentally' spend it all on books. 3) Secretly stash your 'chosen' books somewhere just in case your mum pushes through so that you won't be yanked away empty handed. 4) When she comes for you, get your secret stash and head straight to the counter. 5) Prepare your victory dance. 6) Be a good boy/girl for an entire month with extensions and express how happy you are about just spending your free time cooped up inside your room reading your books. (Yeah, I think parents think ahead when they suddenly 'bought' you your self-convicting prison. Nice one mum~!) But no, seriously, Thank your mum or dad, or who happen to be your awesome person that day. Because MIBF is an emergency and in such desperate moments, we, booklovers, will not go home empty handed.