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.

Vanessa Ramiscal-Dulalia

Vanessa and I go way back. We've been friends since the start of grad school. It's a joke we share when someone asks how long we've been friends, we look at each other and laugh. Because we're reminded that we've been trying to finish our Master's degree for years now and slugging it through finishing the thesis - the last and final frontier. Vanessa finished hers last year, now she's my cheerleader, egging me on to finish mine.

Van and her husband Jek, have been wanting a child for some time now. So it was such great news, when Van found out that she was pregnant. I drove all the way to Bulacan to celebrate the wonderful news! And the 2 month old pregnant mommy already wanted to have her maternity picture taken. Ha! Big question: how do you do a maternity portrait without a bulging tummy? So we compromised and I took her portrait instead, along with her puppy and finally with Jek.

Can't wait for the time she starts showing.

David Balaoing Garceron

Last June 3, 2006, friends and family gathered to celebrate a beautiful moment. David's Baptism.

It is simply amazing to witness how one child can bring so much joy to many. At St. Michael's Chapel in Fort Bonifacio, David was moved from one set of loving arms to another. He was showered with kisses by Aunts, Cousins, Friends, Grandparents - you name it. Even when the priest arrived, the buzz of happiness and excitement did not quiet down.

The nice thing with baptisms, different generations bond together. The grandparents have their set of friends, Fiel (David's mom) also had her group, David's dad had his PMA classmates at another corner. These are happy moments that every parent cherishes.

I got a bit teary-eyed, trying to think how it would be when my time would come when my own child would be baptized. I'm sure I would be overwhelmed. It made me realize that babies are definitely gifts from heaven. They're the only ones who can bring so much joy with no effort at all.

Nerissa Ocfemia-Angeles

Neri was a few weeks away from her due date when she contacted me. She was experiencing high blood pressure through out her pregnancy that they opted to deliver through C-section for Neri's safety. To be honest, I was a bit nervous driving to their apartment in Quezon City, because I didn't know what to expect. I was half thinking that it might be a very serious shoot considering Neri's condition. I had a picture of a fragile pregnant lady on a bed, cranky and just want to have the shoot over and done with.

Boy was I wrong!!!!

Neri and her husband Ronald has got to be one of the wackiest couples I've ever met. Both architects, they painted their room, a warm and tantalizing shade of red. These two has the energy of a hurricane! They were so game, with Neri picking on Ronald, since he too wanted to be part of the "Maternity Shoot. It was hilarious!I could see the love these two had for each other. This is one of the reasons I do this. It makes my heart melt.

Ronald's mother is such a great cook and they made me stay for lunch. Her tinola is just to die for! I wonder if Neri would kick me out if I pass by one of these days and coerce them that I stay for dinner. Haha. Tough luck!

Irene Braga

Irene has gotta be the most gregarious pregnant woman I've met so far. A few days before her 9th month of pregnancy, she was as bubbly as a teenager having her pictorial. " Carla! Pag mukha akong mataba dyan lagot ka saken! Sasabunutan kita sa ano. . . " She was insanely funny and willing to try anything.

I always approach the topic of posing nude with much discretion, but with Irene it was like contemplating in nano seconds. The funniest thing was, her daughter, Geline, was as game as her, taking off her clothes and telling her mom that she was ready. "Mommy, bakit di ka pa hubad?" I had to laugh when Geline became impatient with her very pregnant mother. These two just loved to be photographed!

Irene was expecting another daughter and delivered through C-section, since she has a problem with her pelvic bone. We talked for hours about pregnancy, children, food, you name it! And now, I am the godmother of a very fair baby girl. Now isn't that just cute!

Desiree Oh

Desiree was six months pregnant when I started "pesking" her about getting her maternity shot taken. She's a good friend. She told me that she was shy about the whole idea and that she did not feel pretty at all being pregnant. Well, from my standpoint she was one beautiful pregnant lady! She was blooming because at last she got a girl. She was praying for a girl, having a son as a firstborn.

We kept on postponing and postponing. Desi was saving up all of her guts to pose in front of the camera. When she finally agreed (she was then eight and half months pregnant), I grabbed all of my equipment, drove all the way to Q.C. and took her photo. We had such a great time, that Miguel, her son, kept on bugging his mom - since all the attention was now on her and wanted to get some limelight too. So we then took a mother and son photo. It was a great shoot full of laughter, unexpected moments and more bonding between friends.

I had a great laugh when I first showed Desi her photos. She couldn't believe her eyes! Before she saw the photos, she begged me not to show it to our other friends, now she had them printed out - mind you, in Large prints! (wink!)