Wednesday, June 25, 2008 Master portraiture Librodo in Davao By Jojie Alcntara Witerary
A FEW years back, Rhonson and I discovered on the net Manuel "Manny" Librodo Jr., the multi-awarded Filipino portrait photographer based in Thailand. We got hooked and so enamored of his works. The smart pupil who graduated at the top of his class in a little town called Lambunao in Iloilo, and 4th son to parents who are both public teachers, finished in the University of the Philippines in Visayas and has been working as a Psychology teacher in Ruamrudee International School in Bangkok, Thailand.
In his spare time, he pursues his love for photography, and gives workshops around Asia, to as far as Canada. He travels around the world and posts breathtaking images of his perspective in life. His popularity online grew because of his numerous photos that won so many international photo competitions, and publications featuring his work, bringing pride to our country.
He has this uncanny gift of finding the light on his subjects ("The entire world is my studio, and the sun provides all the light I need to create my photographs!") Each year, he conducts workshops in the Philippines. Nikon has gifted him with a D2X as a valued endorser.
I researched about his life, works, and passion for photography. Short of being an online stalker, my ambition was to invite him to see Davao so I can have a workshop with him (well, it was less expensive than flying to Bangkok to be his apprentice!)
I wrote him tentatively, introducing myself, asking (or more like begging) to launch a workshop here. A good natured Ilonggo, he replied at once affirmatively, and we started a communication of sorts while fellow Ilonggo Paul Borromeo flew to Bacolod, attended his workshop and sealed the Davao workshop, to which my group facilitated (composed of fellow photographers Paul, Rhonson, City Tourism Officer Bong Aportadera and Tyron Cruz).
He flew to Davao and loved our city. His 2-day closed-door sessions ("Passion for Portraiture") held in the Aportadera's Handumanan (ancestral house in Calinan) were well attended and we got to know the simple, down-to-earth Manny with the same crazy sense of humor I have (he calls me a Librodo, so I am proudly an adopted sister).
Rhonson and I joined him in Manila and Iloilo, to meet his lovely sister and equally talented brother Boboy, also an artist and photographer, equipped with even crazier punch lines!
This year, the Master of Portraiture is again coming back to the Philippines to do workshops in Manila, Cebu and Davao as his last stop. The workshop on Portraiture (finding the light, posing and post processing) will have two batches, on July 26 (Saturday) and July 27 (Sunday).
Delegate's fee cost P6,000 per head inclusive of snacks and lunch plus and an exclusive Manny Librodo Passion for Portraiture II shirt. Requirements are SLR or DSLR, a laptop or desktop with Adobe Photoshop CS2 or CS3 program; Photography level: intermediate.
For reservation and information please contact Rhonson Ng at 09277001001 or visit Rhonson Ng Photography Studio in Matina Town Square. Reservations are open with few slots left available, and full payment to secure slot due on July 16, 2008.
I invite you to join this fun intensive course of portraiture and meet my good friend whose generosity for sharing his talents with others is for me a gesture of humility, gentle spirit and genius. His stunning photographs evoke emotions no matter how much often you stare at them. Librodo's award winning portraits can be viewed in .
(Visit the writer's website in www.witerary.com or email at jojiealcantara@gmail.com.)
