Photographic Society of Iloilo celebrates victory
Photographs are essential part of our life. It has been used as a tool for documenting the important stages and the essential happenings that we've been to through the years. Though merely pieces of glossy or silky papers with series of colors imprinted on it, pictures can actually talk. It can narrate stories from the past. It gives us the power to be omnipresent. It nurtures us to become more appreciative about life. Its vivid colors and hues bring us joy when we are utmostly down. It relaxes the oftenly preoccupied mind and allows us to wander without leaving our seat. It can even make the most frigid heart cry and uplift a sagging soul. No wonder a lot of people engage in the magical world of photography.
The Photographic Society of Iloilo (PSI), a quarter-decade old exclusive organization of rabid lens hobbyists, honored its five bonafide members who bagged the top places in the prestigious Dinagyang Photo Contest hosted by the Iloilo Dinagyang Foundation that was held last month. The party was celebrated at the New Post Marketing, General Luna Street, last February 23, 2006. Dr. Ma. Socorro Martinez who won the first place came with her winning piece, a Dinagyang ati tribe suspended in the air. "I finished more than a roll of film in the jumps alone. It took me six rolls and some of the digital for the whole competition," claimed Dr. Martinez, whom they joking call 'Miss Dinagyang' after that shocking text she received from a friend stating that "Uy Congrats! Nakita ko sa news nanalo ka pala nang Miss Dinagyang." Dr. Coro, as they used to call her, joined the PSI last 2000 with the invitation from Dr. Vic Pido right after having a Basic and Advance course in Photography at the West Visayas State University on the same year.
Mr. Antonio Rojas Jr. brought with him his two fairly captivating pieces that garnered the second and third places on the same photo contest. "The criteria for judging were, as I can recall, fifty percent for creativity and composition and another fifty percent for the technical aspect," he exclaimed. His photos feature the colorful and festive costumes of the Dinagyang ati as they were posing to what-it- seemed-to-be final part of the performance. Dr. Ruben Ramirez and Carlos Garcia who both placed as Honorable Mention were also present.
Atty. Bert Onglamsing, who owns the place, along with Mr. Napoleon Sy told stories about the framed pictures that hang in almost every part of the wall. Mr. Onglamsing's place became a home of images captured by the Society's lenses. "We have our pictures on the wall the whole year round. These are the pictures we shoot during important activities. This month we have the pictures from Paraw," said Onglamsing "and those are the shirts we have through the years," he added pointing to the pastel-painted walls adorned by their creations.
Dr. Vic Pido, who developed a love affair with his camera since 1964 on his trip from Hongkong going to US for his training as a doctor, also came to grace the ocassion. He and Mr. Onglamsing were considered as the founding pillars of the Society. He too joined the Dinagyang Photo Contest. It took him four rolls of film, two 512 megabytes and one 256 megabytes of digital memory cards to finally come up with a contesting photo.
Other members, whom they call 'Dishonorable Mentions', who attended the said event were China Bank manager Romy Reyes, Niel Valera, Caltex Enterprenur Jessie Garcia, Dr. Malbar Ferrer -- their president, Paul Go, and Daisy Cababasay. 'Dishonorable Mention' is their linggo for those who joined the said competition but unluckily were not chosen by the judges.
Ms. Cababasay will have her one-woman exhibit tentatively scheduled on the second week of March this year, has been a member of PSI for two years after an invitation from Mr. James Trimañez. Her works took home an award during the opening of the Art Republic at the Robinson's Place Iloilo.
The Photographic Society of Iloilo has been exposing their materpieces to the general public with a series of exhibits they had on the malls. The membership to this organization is by invitation and it will be subjected to the approval by all of its members. They will also have a lot of activities that Ilonggos should look forward to.
Given the chance to know PSI and to party with them, I can say that the Photographic Society of Iloilo is more than just a group of people bounded by passion. PSI is a brotherhood and a family of down-to-earth individuals who not just loves to have fun and take not-so-typical pictures, but poses for the camera as well.