Mister Sister

In life you will encounter a lot people.  We can find a person that will affect our lives and eventually we can find someone that we can mentor and impart our life.

Last week one of our beloved associate resigned and now will take a brave path on improving his skills and talents in another country.  He not knowing that he shared his life and made a lot of impact to us.   He brought youthfulness and vibrancy in a time that our team needed it the most.  He became a new comic that made our office a more happier place to work.  He taught and reminded us to value our family, love ones and our friends.

Empoy thank you for sharing your life and the work you've accomplished in our team.  I am sure that our team and a lot of our colleagues will miss you.  I know that you will excel in your new career and I hope that everything you've learned you will apply it in your new work place. As always as I end every Project Rembrandt: "Empoy, thank you for being part of our lives."

The Thriller Miller

Thrilling as the title sounds, the person featured in this post of Project Rembrandt won 2 MVP awards in the Philippines' professional basketball league.  

When I saw him passed by us, my eyes lit and I told my friend Dan that we should ask him for a picture.  It was my second time to see him in person.  The first was when I was still a kid,  I was with my schoolmates back then and we were playing at our local barangay basketball tournament.   Never had I thought that I would get another chance to have a brief encounter with him.

I immediately took my camera and approached him.  I called him by his first name and asked him for a picture.   I never felt shy, as compared to other strangers I previously asked for pictures.  Maybe it was because he was a celebrity and we both grew up in the same province, or maybe because I felt that he was very polite and humble.

Dan and I also had small talks with him.  We told him that we were both fans and we even asked him for the team he was rooting for in the NBA Championships.  He said that he would go for the veterans and  that of course was my favorite San Antonio Spurs!

Its a good thing that I started this project. This will help me look back and remember the thrilling encounters that happened in my life.  Thank you Willie Miller for being part of Project Rembrandt!

The Smiling Cameraman

It was a busy day in New York City; people were filling up the streets in commemoration of the 9-11 tragedy.   We are on our way to Central Park and we decided to stop by at the Rockefellar Center to rest, take pictures and enjoy its scenery.    As we were about to take our seats, I noticed a group with a big camera and a microphone.  It was Fox News and it looked like they were getting insights from people who were attending the event in New York City.  This was a rare chance for me so I took my spot and aimed my camera at them.  When I was about to take my picture, I glanced at the camera man and saw that he was smiling.  I took his picture instead  because I know  I won't always get the chance to see an actual interview, but it was even a rarity to get a smiling cameraman.   Two thumbs up for you sir and thank you for being part of Project Rembrandt!

The Small Boat of Balicasag Island

 Like his old and small boat, this meek and aged man speaks a lot of how life is in Balicasag island.  Similar to every person in this place, people here make a hard earned living through eco-tourism.  Some of  them sell delicacies, pearls and shell key chains. Others, like this man use their small boats to bring tourist in the snorkeling area.
  
I asked Mr. Claudio how long has he been living in Bohol and said that since he was a little boy.   He uses the rich marine life of this place to acquire his daily bread.   I never asked him if he was a fisherman once but from his skin color and physique, one can easily tell how much he knows the definition of hard labor.

Seeing him reminded me how blessed I am in my life and how the things I experience were not as hard as it was for him.  I never failed to ask for his picture having in mind that this is the only way I can help him and his family to have a constant income through tourist referral.   As I continue Project Rembrandt, I hope to meet more people like him, trying my best to express them through pictures and short stories.

An Encounter with a Legend

It was this year's Chinese New Year that me and my wife celebrated the festivities at Ongpin.   The place is filled with people expecting the dragon dances and fire crackers.  It was a very nice day to shoot and we were very happy when we finished our little adventure.  We got the chance to experience the Chinese New Year and met new friends.

The most significant person that we've met that time was a photographer.   We were in the front of Shopper's Mart when we saw this guy wearing a NatGeo bonnet.  He was wandering around caring his cameras as if he is looking for a great shot.  I immediately told my wife that he is a famous person and that we should  take the opportunity to ask him for a picture.

My wife approached him and asked if its alright;   he said no with a grin and I was left shocked thinking why.  After a quick second, he smiled and said of course it is alright.  I immediately hurried and with shaky hands took the picture.  I'm glad with what I have captured but what is more important is the moment that he shared his simple wisdom to us.   My wife's lens cap fell and he said "Honey, never cover your lenses when you're shooting and don't turn it off, you'll never know what's going to happen."   It was then that I realize that he is Val Rodriguez, the chief photographer of Philippine Star and the Presidential photographer of Cory Aquino and Fidel Ramos.

The picture that I took is a snapshot but the moment that Sir Val shared his wisdom was something to treasure.   Sir Val, if you ever come across this blogsite, me and my wife will forever be grateful for that short time.  Thank you for being a part of my Project Rembrandt!