Alcantara: Shoot for Hope

Thursday, January 5, 2012

SHOOT FOR HOPE was organized in a matter of days, just less than two weeks soon after Tropical Storm Sendong ravaged areas in the cities of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan. Rhonson and I immediately gathered our very good friends to come up with a fundraising event.

In June 0f 2011, Rhonson and I were victims of a flashflood in Bangkal area which prompted us to move out and relocate. Help came from friends and unexpected sources, and one with the most impact was the workshop that our good friend and renowned international photographer Manny Librodo organized along with respected fellows Bobby Wong and Aly Reyes in Manila.

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Together with buddies and other top photographers who waived their professional fees in support of our situation, the workshop was able to raise funds which they sent to us (or rather, Rhonson flew to Manila to humbly accept it). People we didn't know greeted us on Facebook and told us they joined the workshop to help us. 

It has warmed our hearts so much and helped us in our efforts to try to get back on our feet again.

In our small way of paying it forward (and inspired by those who helped us), we offered a workshop on Dec. 30, 2011 at the Marco Polo Hotel (readily offered its function room for free).  Many sponsors came to help, others didn't want to be announced but a lot came in to give moral support and donations.

As early as 7 a.m., participants were coming in to register.  Although some who registered online couldn’t make it, there were sudden walk-ins and others who just dropped by to pay and hang around to support. Others came with donated photography gears, old and new. Choosing the date was a gamble, as it was nearing New Year and everyone was quite busy with other events to attend.

My hats off to fellow workshop speakers who waived their professional fees for this cause. It was a heartwarming occasion to see us all team up for a wonderful project, much less get together again after a long time.
 
Having gone separate ways because of busy schedules and doing individual workshops, it was a gathering of old friends and a day of constant teasing and supporting one another.

My partner Rhonson Ng started the workshop with orientation on travel photography. Bob Mata then talked about portraiture. My turn came to give them an overview of my work as a photojournalist since 1994, while lunch was also being distributed, courtesy of Chippens.

Pepsi Cola sent cases of soft drinks, while Marco Polo was serving free coffee the whole day.

The afternoon commenced with Paul Borromeo doing fashion photography and was able to bring volunteer models, hair and makeup stylists.

Participants were able to do some fashion shoot and hands on training.

The fifth speaker, media colleague Roland Jumawan, gave valuable input on the work of a wedding photographer and the efforts involved in handling wedding clients.

Lastly and entertainingly, banker Epong Soliban blew the participants away with his concept of landscape photography.

In between these talks, items were given away courtesy of Canon premium items and MX3 products through raffle. Tekpone sold shirts and gears, Crumpler bags at a discounted price. Some friends dropped in to donate their gears as well.

Canon lent its Selphy printer so we could print out souvenirs for everyone — a wacky group shot at the end of the day.  The event finished at around 6pm.

Special thanks to the speakers who graced the event, our core team who assisted the whole day, the Camera Club of Davao members who arrived to give support, those who dropped by for moral boost, and the silent sponsors who made our project possible — we can’t thank you enough. We hope it was also a learning experience for the participants.

Rhonson and friends will be traveling to the CDO and Iligan to personally deliver our relief goods and medicines.

*****

Email writer at jojiealcantara@gmail.com or visit her blog www.dabawenya.me.