Nicka Angeles turns One!

When the morning of June 24 came, it then hit me! (Sumakit balakang ko bigla) It's Nicka's first Birthday! Why am I so exhilirated? Well, if you've been going through all the posts in my blog, then you know our history together. This cutie pie has been the subject my camera ever since she was a little munchkin in her mother's womb. Gosh.... time does fly by so fast and now I also realized that I'm getting older.

Nald, Nicka' s dad, would jokingly tell me that I have to stick around until Nicka's 18th bday. Maybe I'll be needing a wheelchair by then, the remote control type to catch up with these youngsters and shoot them.

One thing I extremely enjoy when shooting the Angeles family is that they are very warm and such a delight to work with. I see the same familiar faces, their family, friends, relatives who give out all the laughter and fun that you just want to capture. There is never a dull moment when I shoot an event for Neri, Nald and Nicka, not to mention they always have a color motiff every ocassion. I'm getting the trend now. It's yellow(baptism) , pink (family portrait) , pink (1st bday) . . . I thought it would be yellow again for the 1st bday so I went there wearing yellow. Darn, should've been pink. Oh well, I like this guessing game.

I had so much fun, I forgot I was pregnant. Neri and Nald would go scared white looking at me climb up chairs to get a better angle for the picture. Well, I guess when you're in that party you don't want to miss out on anything!

Cynee Herce-Bacosa

When I found out that Ate Cynee was pregnant, I immediately emailed her and told her that I would LOVE to take her maternity portrait! Apart from the fact that she looks like Hilda Coronel (artistahin), she happens to be the wife of my Uncle and she's also a N@wie. Wow. Small world.

I was excited when she said yes. She's awfully busy and I can't imagine how she was able to manage squeezing in our photoshoot in her schedule. When she arrived at the studio, she was already fully made up. Talk about being prepared.

Uncle Den and Julia also joined the shoot. Though Uncle Den was more of coerced to join the shoot. I guess he just can't say no to me. Hehehe.

Julia was so full of energy that afternoon, that I was on my knees, my butt, crawling to catch a good angle of her with her parents. Uncle Den and Ate Cynee had to keep smiles on their faces and hold their poses just in case Julia might strike a pose or stand still. It was very challenging and a lot of fun.

Ate Cynee gave birth to an 5 lb. baby boy a week after this shoot. I just can't help but smile at the miracle of pregnancy. I am very happy for them. A baby is a blessing indeed.

Bongga Ka Day!

I've always loved this song and surprisingly, now that I'm starting to show (4 mos. pregnant and growing), I love this song even more. I feel that women should empower themselves more to love their bodies, flaunt their talents and be beautiful always! We are women! With our bodies, we bear children, with our love and attention we nurture our families. We are truly special! Bongga talaga tayong lahat!

Olive Macababbad-Santiago

I have been in hiatus for two long months. Why? Because I am pregnant! Ha! Many of my friends tease me that shooting maternity portraits also lead to being pregnant. Well, it is wonderful that I am now expecting, but the last two months of morning sickness was just horrible!

Now, I'm back on my feet and I'm glad that I have the energy to shoot again. Olive, a fellow N@wie was first on the list. She was ultra excited and we talked on the phone and chatted about the preparations for the shoot. She and her husband Emon, drove all the way from Cavite, for this morning shoot. Yep, they were very much on time.

These two were a delight to shoot. They were naturally photogenic, and it was a nice change to have a morena couple - their skin color turned golden under the lights. Looking at Olive and Emon hold each other laughing and tickling and holding a romantic look, made me sigh and smile. It made me think that being married could have its ups and downs. But this is proof that all the sacrifice is worth it. Loving your better half demands unconditional status. Whew! What a word.

This day is very special, as I got a text from Olive a few minutes ago that her cervix has now dilated to 2 cms! Good thing we did the shoot this morning. Any day longer would have made it impossible. Talk about perfect timing.

The Angeles Family

What's the best way to spend a beautiful Sunday Morning? How about a family pictorial over at U.P. grounds?

Yes, that's how it went for the Angeles Family last March 18. This family is one of my loyal clients and we have become very good friends. I can't believe it's been almost a year now, since I took Neri's Maternity Portrait and Baby Nicka will soon turn 1 year old!

Nald, was teasing me, telling me that I would still be their photographer come Nicka's wedding day. (Gosh, uugod-ugod na ako nun.)

Taking their photos was a treat for me. It's nice to be part of something special and its great to have another chance to enjoy moments with friends whose relationship has blossomed through time.And I have the evidence all tucked away through my camera.

P.S. I just have to mention this - Nald, Neri and Nicka always have color coordinated shirts for every pictorial and this day's color is PINK!

Vanessa Ramiscal-Dulalia (8 months preggy!)

FINALLY!!!! The time has come for Vanessa to pose for her Maternity Portrait. If you can scan through my past blogs, Vanessa has a portrait where she was still two months pregnant. (Yes, ganun sya ka-excited!)

She was early for her session and brought with her what seems to be a closet of clothes. Haha. Jeck, her husband, was laughing telling me all the preparations they went through before getting on the car and driving to the studio.

I enjoyed my time shooting this couple because they are just hilarious together. Vanny kept on picking on Jeck, saying that he was as pregnant as she was. Haha. Then we had some quiet moments, talking about child birth and the pains of labor. Well, every woman shares that fear. But as we concluded the photo session, we know that a woman's body was made to bear children and Vanny and myself, felt stronger and more bonded as friends after that.

Erika's 1st Birthday!

Finally, the big day came! Though it was searing hot (summer is definitely here), the party went on without a glitch. I have to say, what makes a children's bday party a success for the kids is definitely the games and the entertainer. They were glued to their seats (pag pina upo sila ng clown), and they were scrambling to take part in the games. Sobrang saya!

Erika and her mom, Karen love having their pictures taken. So this shot is extra special having all three of them (with Erika's Dad) in it.

The clowns were hilarious! They were a big hit with the kids. As I said they were glued to their seats (kse lang prize pag tumayo kagad e). Hahaha.

And mind you, almost everyone stayed for the whole duration of the party (they had guests from Sorsogon). Well, I can't blame them, if you have a party this fun, you would really enjoy your time.

Erika Charlize Lustestica Go

Erika is nothing short of a miracle. Born prematurely at eight months, her first environment outside her mom's womb was the hospital incubator. Weighing less than 3 lbs. everyone in the family was fearful for her health.

So I am not surprised why Erika is getting two birthday parties by the next couple of weeks. One in Metro Manila, where her mother, Karen is from and another in Sorsogon, where her Dad is based. And thus is the reason, I had to make two bday invitation layouts. (Big smile). There is indeed a whole lot of reason to celebrate!

We did the pre-event photoshoot last Jan. 25 at the playground outside Karen's house and Erika, dressed in dainty blues and whites was the picture of good health! Karen could hardly throw her in the air when I asked her to.

God is good and I know miracles like Erika brings to light that we never know what we will get but that in the end, it is always something special and filled with love.

CSR Cheerdance Competition 2007

One thing I remember vividly about my highschool days was the School Intramurals, where we would prepare for weeks coming up with a routine and do a chereography accompanied by the beat of a snare drum. My mother is such an avid fan of school activities. She makes it a point that my family is present to give our support to events like these.

15 years flew by so quickly, now its my youngest sister's turn. Long gone are the snare drums and the pompoms. Now comes the generation of cheerdancing. Geez! Just looking at all those girls do sommersaults, lifts and their dance routines, makes me stop dead in my tracks. It makes me realize one thing - yep, I'm getting old. Haha!

But it does bring back a lot of memories and I love events like these, because my family gets together - join games, eat the sandwiches my mom makes (she wakes up at 5 am to do this, like how she did it when I was younger), cheer , enjoy the rides and of course, take lots and lots of pictures as mementos of a wonderful day!

Jennifer Lopez-Gana

Her nickname is Jlo. This is what her friends call her. What can I say? She has one heck of a nickname!

Jlo is a beautiful, petite woman. I was shocked when she tied her white blouse to do the first layout - no stretchmarks on her tummy whatsoever! I even had to do a search. Nope, no scar or blemish in site! What a lucky, lucky woman!

She was excited to do the shoot and for the past few days before shooting her, we exchanged emails, talked on the phone, and texted. She is a bubbly person, whom you'd easily warm up to. We originally planned to include her daughter in the shoot, but unfortunately Janelle had a bad stomach that day.

Jlo gamely posed and had no qualms about posing nude. Having had her maternity portrait taken during her first pregnancy, she was very comfortable being in front of the camera. We spent the afternoon, shooting, talking, eating, laughing. It was definitely girl bonding.

Aly and Mady Gotardo

These two sisters were a delight to shoot. I call them "Chocolate Milk". Aly, the elder one, has beautiful brown skin and a very friendly personality. Mady, on the other hand, was very fair, but shy. It would take a few minutes of play, before she forgets about me and the camera I'm holding. Together, they are a wonderful combination. As delectable as "Chocolate Milk".

Aly loves the swing, going higher and higher every time. Her mom had to remind her to be careful every few seconds. Cutesy Mady, stayed low in the bars, just wanting to sit and wiggle her toes in the air.

So imagine what happens when these two get to sit together. Actually, the word "sit" is not applicable here. Haha. It was so much fun.

Oh and one more thing. When I saw Mady's slippers (which matched her capri pants), I couldn't resist to take this shot:

Dindi Gorospe-Sandoval

What I remember vividly about Dindi when I took her maternity photos was the fact that at almost 9 months, she drove her CRV to the parlor to get herself made and back like it was nothing! Talk about a gutsy woman! It makes me smile looking at her get out of the car. She was relaxed, very confident, her strides were fast and sure. Oh yeah, take note - she still hasn't taken her maternity leave from her office up to that day. Whew! Where does she get all that energy?

Right from the start, Dindi was in control. She knew what she wanted, checked out the outfits we laid out for her, listened to instructions. I was starting to think that she was one of those CEO women who had everything under control, with iron fists. But I had to do a double take when we started shooting, the professionalism just melted and there came out the mother in her.

She was smiling, holding her tummy. Next thing we know, we were laughing and telling stories and it ended up pretty well. What started out as a professional appointment, ended up as a warm, and friendly shoot. She even got her husband to pose with her.

Motherhood is indeed universal. Every mother's heart just melts when their babies come into focus and when they're in the presence of people who share the same passion for the gift of life.

I love what I do, and I thank God everyday that I get to do it.

Rikki Nickaylla Ocfemia Angeles

My! Time does fly fast! The next thing I know, Neri Angeles ( a fellow N@wie whose maternity shots I took) will now have her little angel baptized.

I was thrilled to do it! I have this thing with old clients because I like the relationship we build together. We are first and foremost friends.

It was wonderful seeing all their relatives arrive for the baptism which was held in the Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish (or more popularly known as Claret in Q.C.). Neri's brother even flew in from Cebu just to witness the event.

Neri, being the very excited mother had a butter yellow color theme. She, her husband Ronald, their families and friends were like a beaming group of sunshine in the church! It was a treat for me making their album knowing that I can follow the color scheme and it actually came out pretty nice. Here's a peek to Nicka's baptism album:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/82184792@N00/sets/72157594364525972/

(link courtesy of Neri's and Ronald's flickr account)

Everything was so well organized, that I had to hand it to the couple. From the cake, to the food, to the decorations and their giveaways, it was trully a very memorable baptism day for their little angel, Nicka.

BASECO Kids

Nothing prepared me for this moment.

I knew about poverty in the Philippines. We read about it in the papers everyday, we see small children tapping on our car windows amidst the rain trying to sell their sampaguitas, people demonstrating on the streets to get better wages - everyone feels how hard it is to make ends meet.

But not like this. My heart ached that day I went to Baseco. My photography club volunteered to help, brought items that we thought would be useful and set up a project were we would raise money through the pictures we're going to get during that visit. We were briefed by the volunteers of Project Hope. Those people have such big hearts, giving their time and dedication for these people.

I wondered how I managed to keep my tears from falling that day. I never could imagine how anyone could live like this. The stink seeped through our clothes, kids foraged through left overs in barrels from restaurants. They ate beside dogs and flies. Garbage was everywhere.

And yet, up to this day one thing registers in my mind : their smiles. Baseco, with all its filth and poverty was not enough to make these children lose their happiness and their childhood. Everywhere I looked, all the kids were laughing, smiling, playing. I was taught a lesson that day. Something I will keep for the rest of my life.

I was humbled.

Isay Berroya

For someone who loves taking pictures, I come from a family who wouldn't sit still long enough to have their pictures taken. I guess that goes with the mentality that having the service provider at your disposal anytime means not having the need to have your portraits done unless its an emergency (like they need an I.D. picture for a document or something - or its a birthday or a family occassion). So imagine how thrilled I was when my youngest sister Isay, FINALLY agreed to pose for me!

I fashioned her into a chinese doll since she is the only one in our family who got my mother's chinky eyes. I enjoy doing this since I know these pictures will be cherished for years.

This portrait now sits on our wall going up the stairs, printed in humongous proportions for everyone to see and Isay (though she vehemently denies it) loves it.