Q Festival PH

In celebration of the 125 Years of San Sebastian Basilica, Quiapo, Manila (established 1891); the first Q Festival PH will be held on August 12-20, 2016. It’s a 9-day arts and heritage festival in the heart of Manila.

Activities for the first Q Festival PH includes musica sacra, university art, traditional and Halal foods, outdoor films, pop-up library, variety shows, basketball tournament, walking tours, instameets, special masses, medical clinic, among others.

Visit their Facebook page and follow them on Twitter for more information.

Technorati Tags: Q Festival PH,San Sebastian Basilica,Quiapo

Reviving Hidalgo Street As Photographers’ Haven

I purchased my Canon EOS 1100D last December 2011. Back then, I’ve already heard about the famous Hidalgo Street in Quiapo as the photographer’s haven. However, due to the stigma attached to Quiapo being a haven of snatchers, I decided to purchase my DSLR at SM Megamall. I am willing to shell out extra cash just to have the feeling of security during my stay.

I don’t know how and when the stigma of Quiapo being a snatcher’s haven begun. I also don’t know if the film Batang Quiapo have something to do with it. To a Bulakeño slash Pasigeño like me, when the word Quiapo is mentioned, three things comes to my mind – the Black Nazarene, manghuhula and mandurukot.

Last Saturday, a photography workshop and contest called Quiapo Goes Anime was held at the famous Hidalgo Street. It coincides with the celebration of Araw ng Maynila (Manila City Day) and I was an early bird to the venue so most of the shops are closed. Not to mention that the Barangay Chairman is very busy for the event and he’s making sure that everything is in order. That’s why I came with these pictures of a very clean Hidalgo Street. I had the feeling that I’m in an open-air Cyberzone and Hidalgo Street is indeed complete with all the equipment and gadget to a photographer’s delight.

I’ve Google some of the pictures of Hidalgo Street prior to the Quiapo Goes Anime and I can’t recognized the place! Take a look at this picture taken from I Heart Manila. I can hardly see the arch.

(Old Picture of Hidalgo Street from I Heart Manila)

I can finally see the arch! Taken last June 23, 2012 during a photo event.

Well, we Filipinos have a mentality and attitude called Ningas-Kugon. We’re good at the start of an event, advocacy, campaign and laws of all forms. The problem is, we can’t maintain the momentum. The challenge now is for the officials of Barangay 306 and the City Government of Manila to maintain the cleanliness of Hidalgo Street. I hope that they’re committed in promoting Hidalgo Street as a photographer’s haven.

In a few months time, we’ll see. I’ll go back to Hidalgo Street and take some pictures. I’ll bring an old digital camera (instead of the DSLR) as insurance.

Officials of Barangay 306, photographers and representatives of the City Government of Manila. Blame them if they can’t retain the cleanliness of Hidalgo Street

Well, the manghuhula are still there but they don’t harm anyone so no worries

The Manila City Band

Thank you SM Quiapo for the wonderful Marching Band

Palm Reading. It’s more fun in the Philippines

Technorati Tags: Hidalgo Street,Photographers Haven,Quiapo Goes Anime,Barangay 306

The Transformation of Quiapo Through Anime

It was my first time at the famous Hidalgo Street (in Quiapo) yesterday. I attended the free workshop and photography contest conducted by such renowned photographers like Ricky Ladia and Jay Tablante.

Ricky Ladia discussed Strobist photography on cosplayers. Strobist photography is the use of off-camera flashes to avoid direct lighting on the subject which results in the absence of shadows (no drama effect). So instead of mounting the flash on the DSLR itself, strobist photographers use stands for the external flash and positions it in a way that the subject would have a display of light and shadow on the picture (more drama).

Jay Tablante who specializes in cosplay photography, discussed a brief history of this sub-genre of Fashion Photography and Cosplay 101 in general. He gave tips on how to make the model (cosplayer) pose for the camera as well as some etiquette on dealing with fellow cameras and the models. Cosplay BTW is a combo (combination) of costume + play that started in Los Angeles, California and became such a hit in Japan.

There were bands playing (both from the City of Manila Band and SM Quiapo), Lion Dance, T-shirts and IDs being given to the participants, a talk from Mel Cortez (the founder and advocate of Facebook group Bawal Mag-Shoot Dito), cosplay photo-shoot, and a dance number from Megatron, Prime, and Bumblebee. There were also welcome speeches from the Chairman of Barangay 306 and a lawyer (who represented the City Government of Manila).

The highlight of the event is the photo contest which has the theme “Transformation of Quiapo”. We are encouraged to present Quiapo as a photography-friendly location and a safe place to be for photographers, tourist and the general public. I participated in this contest and this was my second time to participate in a photo contest. I took a picture of a lovely couple from the USA who’s carrying a backpack like the ones we see on The Amazing Race.

We were asked to print our entries (a maximum of 2 entries per participant) on an 8”x12” photo paper. It’s a good feeling to see my photograph in that size! It cost me P35.00 per print but it’s worth it. Although I wasn’t included in the Top 10 (and ultimately winning the grand prize), it’s a good feeling to be part of a competition. I also made a new friend during this event. He’s a photographer from Cavite who also attended a workshop of Winston Baltasar. We promised to attend another free workshop and photo contest.

BTW, congratulations to Gilbert Gutierrez! He won the photo-contest and brought home A LOT of prizes from the sponsors.

This event is made possible by Phottix, Rollei, Spider Camera Holster, Patriot Memory, Easy Cover Camera Case, The City Government of Manila (in celebration of Araw ng Maynila), SM Quiapo, Nikon, Canon Philippines and Barangay 306.

Were you at this momentous event in Quiapo yesterday?

Early Birds

Such a cute drummer for the Lion Dance

The Transformers are transforming Quiapo through Anime

Master Ricky Ladia

Team Phottix shirts

“Hindi po Bawal Mag-Shoot sa Hidalgo Street”

Jay Tablante, cool dude

Lolita (maid in Japan) also known to Ragnarok enthusiasts as Kafra

Mang Ramon of Mayer Photo

These are my entries to the photo-contest. Two Americans visiting Quiapo.

Technorati Tags: The Transformation of Quiapo Through Anime,Hidalgo Street,Two Americans in Quiapo