I posted this on my tumblr site, but I decided to repost it, since it's the last day of 2009. so here we go ;)
So let’s start off with this photo from early January 2009: A landscape view of Kennon Road, a route that you would usually pass by when you go to Baguio. But for the first time ever, we stopped over at the viewing deck and took a photo op. And personally speaking, I like this photo as it was well-composed.
Next, we have the Three Kings celebration we had in Philam Homes. It is so fun and heartwarming to see kids happily grabbing goods in this event.
Then came Press Play 2009. A The Guidon and The La Sallian collaboration, this project was a blast, with all those awesome workshops and those winning works coming from other schools. Good job Guidon EB 08-09 and La Sallian EB 08-09!
Then it was my mom’s late birthday celebration. Despite being diagnosed with cancer, I am still thankful to God for making my mom strong, battling the sickness for 2 years, and counting.
Ending January 2009 was my Alternative Class Program trip to a coffee shop in Amadeo, Cavite. It’s nice to see how our Starbucks drinks originate from these coffee beans, freshly picked from the trees.
Now off to February 2009, me and my groupmates had this Psychology project that involves interviewing athletes, so for this day, I grabbed the opportunity to attempt shooting sports (using Ean’s 70-200 2.8 Sigma), and I realized that sports photography isn’t an easy thing.
Then on a Valentine’s day, me and a couple of Guidon Friends bonded together at MM Tan’s house for some Valentine’s day partyin’. And to think I did something DIFFERENT the day before.
After this, we had a part 2 of our set if interviews on athletes, this time with the Blue Eagles. This guys are funny when being interviewed, and sure love the camera.
Progressing through, is my dad’s birthday. Despite both of us having conflictual personalities (hence, we tend to argue and fight a lot), I still believe that he is still the most awesome dad I’ve ever had.
Off to the month of March, I attended one of Mar Roxas’ early campaigns back when he was running for president. And I realize her on the fact that my dad knows a number of politicans.
Finally, ending March 2009 is the Guidon Year-End bash, with this photo of the EB members hugging each other for a good year.
Starting off early April, me, my dad, and my sister had a trip to Avilon Zoo. For me, this has to be the best zoo here in the Philippines, competing side-by-side by the likes of Wild Animal park (of San Diego). And I leave you with this photo of a Bengal Tiger, because I love tigers. RAWR.
In the afternoon of that day, we stopped over to Wawa dam, an abandoned dam that had it’s glory days during the American period. Places like this deserve to be tourist spots, don’t they?
Then, at the third week of April, my dad bought a cute, then 6-week old dalmatian puppy for the house, since our previous dalmatian died a couple of weeks before. And the thing I like about this Dalmatian is it’s symmetrically black ears.
Then during May, I had the chance to go to Trans Sport Show, a auto show I used to visit when I was a kid but stopped visiting it until recently. Oh, and I just saw my dream car there, in the form of a R33 Skyline GTR V Spec.
Then a one-of-a-kind event had come along, in the form of a Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra concert. These guys are simply awesome, can I just say?
Then it was Duke Dy’s, our High School friend, despedida. He was leaving for Australia, and we decided to give him a despedida party that turned into a soiree because the Holy girls were there as well.
Then came a string of debuts, first with Bea Castro’s debut at Manor. Ok so I chose this photo of me and Betsy, not because I like her (but well I do, which caused some conflict because well … it’s a long story that was resolved eventually), but it was one of those rare instances that I was not on my shy, introverted side.
In the middle of a string of debuts, me and my family went to D. Tuazon elementary school for operation Brigada Eskwela. Cleaning classrooms of public schools just before classes starts is a good way for public school students to start right.
Right before AJ Tinsay’s debut was my Tita’s birthday, where most of my cousins from the father side were reunited in a reunion, hence, coming up with this photo.
Then at AJ’s debut, I have this photo of her and her dad, who is now senator candidate Alex Tinsay. Who would have guessed that a father of one of your friends will run for the upcoming 2010 elections?
Then came the first radical change in my photography equipment, starting off with a worn-out but optically superb lens, a Canon 16-35 2.8L USM. I dreamed of having at least one L lens, but I never expect getting one on my birthday. It didn’t matter if it was second hand, but the fact of owning one adds to the experience.
Then of course, May would end with my birthday! Had a simple celebration at Cafe de Chine’, because I am one of those people who don’t like lavish celebrations on his special day.
Then starting off June, there was a noise barrage at Ateneo, calling for the rejection of Charter Change. Frankly speaking, I quite missed doing photojournalism, no matter how sucky I am to it.
Then came the last string of debuts I have to attend: This time it was Lara Maigue’s birthday. And here I came to know the photographer here, who I believe had awesome shots. And there goes another jumpstart of me fulfilling this long-unfulfilled dream of mine.
Right before classes started was Ateneo’s Sesquicentennial Kickoff. The most hectic shoot ever (that lasted a day), I came across the cream of the crop of photography like Philip Sison. I look up to guys like them in this field, and it is still evident in this photo on how sucky I was still (but nonetheless still willing to learn).
The first day of school, I had my first ever photoshoot with GetBlued. And I share this particular photo as it has been one of those really rare times that I get published (talk about low level of happiness), and this made me motivated in excelling in this field of photography.
Ending the month of June is a simple celebration of my parent’s wedding anniversary at Chili’s Tomas Morato. Moments like this make me appreciate more about my family.
At the start of July was OrSem, which got delayed a month because of the (A)H1N1 flu scare. First time to cover this event, and then I was suddenly reminded of those days when I was then new to Ateneo College. 
Then next came the Cheer Rally. Up from a Championship Crown for the Seniors Basketball, everyone was hyped up for this year, with a possibility of a back-to-back Championship.
When there were happy times, there were sad times too. One of my aunts died due to an asthmatic attack. It’s sad considering I just saw her a few weeks back, still doing well, and the fact that a couple of days before, she was chit-chatting with my grandfather (who is my aunt’s brother).
Then sometime in July, I was accepted in CADS, as part of the Documentations and Publications team (in short, I was a photographer there). It was my first time ever to visit the Gonzaga Dance Studio, having this shot of Kryz Uy, rehearsing for a piece that will be then used for Maximum Groovity 5.
Right after his scandal over Katrina Halilli, Maricar Reyes, and many more, Hayden Kho surprised the crowed during my mom’s homecoming this year. It was unexpected, but quite surprising.
While being exposed to CADs, I bumped across Lester Echem, known to be the “light master” in school for his skill in lighting and studio photography. I tagged along with one of his shoots, and came up with this nice shot of the cute Trina Khio.
Then came the first CADS GA. Came to know some people here, but I got to know them better only after the Acquaintance party, which happened the next day.
Ending July, it was during the Acquaintance party that I got to know the people behind CADS (well, after years of admiring their group, since the days when Liana Lim was part of it HAHA)
Starting off August, I was assigned for a shoot for a Performing Arts Cluster (PAC) event. CADS performed their supposed performance for Automash (which didn’t push thorugh, so they decided to perform it here), and hence, my first formal exposure to shooting perfoming arts.
Then right after the event, I dropped off to Iconn’s for his 20th birthday. One of those funny moments I had during his birthday was me posing in one of our friend’s Porsche 911. Speaking of rich kids, I know.
The month of August is indeed a sad month for the whole Philippines as former President Ma. Corazon “Cory” Coujangco-Aquino has succumbed to cancer. Me and my Dad visited her wake at La Salle Greenhills, and I was amazed at the number of people who were there to visit the remains of the late president.
One of the things we were taksed to do for our History Class is to visit the old Manila and appreicate their cultural relevance to our society today. Here in this photo is a part of Fort Santiago, one of the main forts of Intramuros back during the Spanish days.
Starting off September, I finally got my dream pair of shoes (a Nike SB Dunk Lo) after a month of waiting. This purchase was my first purchase ever from the internet, and I thank Iconn Cayabyab for helping me out in obtaining them legally.
Of course, I would not forget September, with the birthdays of my grandpa and grandma, for taking care of me, and for supporting me of my hobbies and passions, for all these years, …
… and to my little sister too, for being a good sister even if she’s naturally mataray and mean to me at times.
One of the memorable moments as a Political Science Major is the fact that we visited Congress, and we got to know senators Miguel Zubiri and Gringo Honasan in person.
Did I tell you I was a frustrated photographer? It took me this very fateful day, during the Tech Dress Rehearsals day for Rhythm in Blue, that I met Aaron Vicencio (whom I call as Sir or Master A), and my photography skills changed forever. And from that point on, I was motivated to shoot.
Then my first ever dance concert coverage came by, during Rhythm in Blue. I like to thank Ean Dacay here for lending me his nice 70-200 2.8 Sigma for this event. Boy, first times are indeed hard BUT nonetheless a learning experience.
The day after RiB was a horrible, dreadful day as typhoon Ondoy hit the Philippines so hard, it made thousands of people homeless and left millions stranded and hundreds dead. The worst typhoon ever. Ateneo, with a number of its students, faculty, and staff devastated by Ondoy, held relief operations to help those who were vicitms of the deadly typhoon.
Starting off October, Maximun Groovity 5 happened, which got delayed because of Ondoy. Both CADS Jazz and Street won second place and third place, respectively. For the Jazzers, this was an accomplishment since it was their first time ever to win in Maximum Groovity 5, hence, the photo I selected for this.
A couple of days after came the Back2Bonfire, after the Senior’s Basketball attained a back-to-back championship, and the same goes to a lot of teams as well. The most memorable in this event was the lucky kid scoring a kiss on the ever pretty Lia Cruz.
Then right after my first semester ended (with no exams since exams were made optional as VP Cuyegkeng ordered; a first time in Ateneo history), came Skechers. The Skechers team was just as awesome as the MaxGroove Street and Jazz team, and hence they make it through the finals, which happens the month after.
During the SemBreak, one of the things I did was to join CADS in Days of Prayer, and there I realized that despite of the number of bad things that happened to me last semester, there were still good things that people talk about. I was quite touched by the things the CADSters wrote to me in this activity (here in the photo).
Another event that happened was my sister performing during Family day at her school. Here’s to one proud brother!
Jumping off to the early parts of November, I started to do some more final upgrades with my camera. First was by getting a faster CF card …
… then sealing the deal by getting a 70-200 2.8 Sigma (the same lens I used to borrow from Ean)
Then on one very hectic day, I volunteered for Blue Christmas as part of logistics, while taking some snaps in between. It’s nice to see happy kids running around Bellarmine field with their Student Facilitators on a sunny day.
Then later in the afternoon was the Skechers finals. Even if I didn’t shoot that much there (because of a long story), I was happy to see CADS and INDAK (the Ateneo High School Dance org) to both win 3rd place in their respective categories. And here, I have a photo of a happy Roanna Medina, Skechers performer and CADS president, right after the awarding.
Days after, a massive massacre happened as 60 people were killed in Maguindanao, which happens to be the most brutal massacre in Philippine history. One of the initial responses of the Ateneo was to have a candle lighting along Katipunan …
…and a silent protest on the next day, where students raise their placards, showing their aversion towards the incident.
Starting off December, there were a lot of happenings. First was PACisama, where I cover this event for the second time. Not related to PACisama, but I share this photo of Betsy in Bellarmine Field, which I took before PACisama, because it happens to be my favorite photo for this year. Don’t ask me why, but I just feel that this photograph (which was shot impromptu) is simply perfect.
The next day, Apple surprised me by deciding to replace my old MacBook (that had been repaired twice because of motherboard, optical drive, and casing issues) with a shiny, new one, that is aesthetically pleasing, and for me, has to be one of the best designs of Apple’s laptop line.
Then came a string of CADS workshops, which I attended because 1) I was in search of who is worth documenting for my upcoming photo project, and 2) I felt like documenting the event. And because of the many photos I took, I ended up creating a stop motion video, first with the sexy workshop by Hanz Go and Steff Someda.
Ateneo’s celebrating it’s 150th year this year, and the homecoming was grand, and I was happy to meet up with my old mentors from Guidon, a couple of personalities, and many more. But for this, the most interesting shot I have got here is this shot of Rico Blanco singing “Your Universe” in stage. I couldn’t believe myself that my photography skills did improve this year, but despite that, I still owe the progress of my skills to the many photographers I have bumped into.
Back with the workshops, I covered another workshop, this time it’s the exotic workshop by Roanna Medina and Pat Bautista. With twice the number of photos from the previous workshop, I have ended up with a better, more fluid stop motion video of the piece.
Since December is Christmas season, so is the string of parties as well. First off was the Christmas party of the PolSci Sophomores, and boy, they seem to be better than us (and I do hope so).
Next came the CADS Christmas party. I am this kind of person who would rarely shop for gifts, but this has to be an exception as I gave a gift to my CADS Mommy, Cy Belarmino.
Next came with the HBoys. The same old thing: drinking, gossiping, and the things guys would do. And I leave this event with this humorous photo of me drinking, with my reaction “pare ang sarap nito, lasang Slurpee” and the boys laughed hard.
Then next came the party of one of the CADS cutie (and one of the CADS girls I like) Tetel Cuevas. Her 19th Birthday bash was wild (in both the literal and figurative sense), and this was the first time that I had to filter the photos I took since there were a lot of “unwholesome” photos with my cam. To make things wholesome, I’ll leave it to a decent pic of me and the birthday girl.
In the number of firsts for 2009, one of them is my first time ever to attend Simbang Gabi, as in the traditional early morning mass (and not the modern late night Simbang Gabi). It was a new experience for me this Christmas season, for a change.
Of course, I celebrated Christmas day with relatives, complete with the tradition of exchange gifts, the opening of presents under the Christmas Tree, and our annual bingo with the relatives. Christmas day was fun, after all.
And so there we have it. That is how 2009 was to me. A lot of firsts and memorable moments within a year. Let's hope 2010 will be as good (or even better) than 2009.
