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.