The Heart of Saint Camillus

 

  Saint Camillus de Lellis is known to be the Patron Saint of the sick, hospitals and church workers. It was a rare chance for me to view his relic at the Saint Camillus Seminary; merely a stone's throw away from our house in Marikina. I can never forgive myself if I didn't go. So on the night of February 23,  I was there at the Seminary chapel where I prayed fervently for my loved ones, especially those who are sick. It was an advantage ( or disadvantage?) that there were only a few people around so I was able to get closer to take this picture. It's just too bad that this Saint is not as "popular" as the others and I am greatly privileged to know him through my priest and seminarian friends at the seminary. Lucky me...I saw his heart during the Love month!

Prom Night

....Had a photo shoot today with a friend's daughter, Clara,  who's having her senior prom. After all the trouble of finding the right gown, shoes, accessories and make-up artist, it's just right to document everything by means of a professional photo shoot. Don't you agree?

LOVE LOVE LOVE

Next to Christmas I think Valentine's day is also a well celebrated occasion. I took pictures for a flower shop's website many years back and witnessed how they worked on Valentine's Day. Cars are all queued  along the road, with customers waiting for their turn to get their flowers. Each one of them is lead to a "showroom" . They choose the flowers they want, the staff put them all in a "pail" ( well that's how i see it) and then brought to the arranger. After a few minutes ( well actually not really few as there are so many people in the shop) they get their bouquet, and off they go. Almost 80% of the flowers are imported with ecuadorian roses being their best sellers. ( picture shown). And yes, they command a hefty price ! But no one seem to mind, after all V Day comes only once a year. Happy Valentine !!!

Landscapes and Churches

The oldest church in Marikina, this church looks a lot different now.. I'm just glad I was able to take its  picture long before its expansion and renovation.

River Parks  along the Marikina River at night..this is the floating restaurant.

  Another series of my landscape photographs

Travel

The most popular resort / hotel up north..Fort Ilocandia!

That's me, Paul Apilado, and Father Allan Lastimosa

  This was taken years and years ago but till now, I can't forget the memories it brought me. Ilocos takes you back in time and makes you forget about your worries. I hope I can go back!

Rainy Tuesday morning

    It's February 12, 2012...woke up to a rainy Tuesday morning, cool weather and happy plants !

       This is actually a very late post.. Visited a long lost friend , Jeffrie, who's based in Paete, Laguna. Dropped by his crafts store and bought a few items . Taken before Christmas , 2012.

Sweet Gesture

 

Dark chocolate with nuts from New Zealand. Went out for lunch today to see some old friends, particularly Mrs. Imelda Wood and her  hubby, David. After lunch, she gave each one of us this big chocolate bar! Just exactly what I wanted ! Thank you !!

Charmaine Mae with daughter Althea Candace

          This is  Althea, at seven months spending her very first Christmas with her mother....a picture can really say so much !  Can't wait till she turns one !

      Being a part-time pro photographer, there are times I do get inspired taking pictures ( portraits are my forte) and I go to the extent of retouching them to the best of my ability ( not overdoing it of course) and I call them my "masterpieces". Portraits done out of love and passion! I'll be posting some of them here and more to follow once i get the hang  of this new blog I just created!

    To your left is actor Jerome Ponce ( must be his screen name ). He had a "different" name when I first met him. Ha ha ha..anyway this young man was supposed to be with the PBB Teens, but something happened along the way. He did not have the chance to enter "Kuya's" house but was given the chance to be in the tele-serye "Be Careful With My Heart". Now, isn't that a big leap? When a door closes, windows do open !

 Anna Vicente is another "newbie" in showbusiness. I escaped my mind that I was able to take her pictures when she was just in her pre-teens!

This photo shoot became sort of  reunion of us and I'm just glad she's now slowly but surely realizing her dream. Barely 15, ( at the time of this shoot) Anna can easily pick up instructions in a drop of a hat. Young, pretty and oh-so-nice and talented, she's a totally complete package !

Mr and Mrs Jolly and Cecille Valdez with their parents..representing the groom's mother is his sister.

 I am not really into  covering events , but from time to time I try to take pictures at weddings and parties ( mostly friends') in order to hone my skills and expand my horizon as a photographer. This picture was taken during my good friend, Cecille's wedding to her long - time boyfriend, Jolly. I guess it's a good start but still I feel I have a lot more to learn when it comes to documenting weddings.