Tuesday, February 27, 2007

KAPATID NA FERDIE

I have been meaning to post an entry on kapatid na Ferdie. I found the best opportunity today, inspired as I am by the photograph above. It was taken at Cameraderie's photo exhibit at the Philippine Embassy Chancery last Friday [Feb. 23], in celebration of National Arts' Month. The photo shows [from left] Dennis, Chris, Ferdie and me. The exhibit coincided with the induction of officers of the camera club. The induction and the exhibit was graced no less by the new Philippine Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, H. E. Antonio P. Villamor.

Ferdz, as he is more fondly called by friends, is one of Dennis' oldest friends in Riyadh, with their friendship dating back to the early 1990's. On and off ang nature nung friendship specially during the time when Ferdz was very busy with a performing arts group he founded. The friendship however was somehow rekindled these past few years. And as I always say about rekindled or new-found friendships, we're all the better/richer for it.

At the induction ceremonies, it was frequently mentioned that Ferdz finally, has decided to leave Saudi Arabia after about 15 years. Cameraderie planned on roasting Ferdz but when the supposed roaster stood up, she became quite emotional and never did make fun of Ferdz. Instead she lavished praise on Ferdz. Praise, if I may say so, that is well-deserved.

Ferdz has been so giving not only to his friends (including us) but to the Filipino community in Saudi at large, through his various involvement and participation in many activities of organizations which he invariably founded or served as one of the founding members. A nurse by profession, Ferdz also found passion in performing and in photography. As a photographer and as one of the founding members of Cameraderie, Ferdz has travelled to the other major cities of Saudi, such as Jeddah and AlKhobar, to organize workshops for other Filipino photography hobbyists and enthusiasts. On a personal note, Ferdz had been instrumental in helping bring back my brother to the Philippines after a prolonged stay in the Middle East.

Kung madami mang natulungan si Ferdz, equally marami din ang heartaches and difficulties he had to endure lalo na from unwarranted intrigues from certain individuals and groups. Pero based nga sa napag-aralan ko noon sa Sociology, where there are humans, intrigue thrives. For sure, Ferdz will be the first one to admit he is not perfect and he may have been responsible for causing heartaches and difficulties to other people but to describe Ferdz as bad or evil even for causing such, is vile and unjustified.

Anyhow, intrigues, heartaches and difficulties aside, this gentle giant deserves more than them. Kung ako nga lang ang masusunod, dapat Bayaning Pilipino din si Ferdz. Kaya lang, parang he deserves more than even such kind of an accolade din. Sabi nga nung roaster nya, Ferdz' most admirable quality is the pureness of his heart. Just about any other title or award would not match the invididual it purports to elevate.

Mabuti na lang, Ferdz is oblivious to these. Importante lang talaga sa kanya, in the pursuit of his passions, marami din siyang natutulungan at napapaligaya. Dun lang, more than sulit na.

Photograph by Rommel Sanchez.

Wednesday, February 14, 2007

PAP38M [Milby and Pascual, eat your hearts out]


Grabe, ang konti ng photos namin together.
Photos by Ferdie U.


PAP38L [The Yellowback Collection]


Photos by Ferdie U.

PAP38K [Return of the pogi]


Photos by Ferdie U.

PAP38J [Hearthrobs???]


Photos by Ferdie U.

PAP38I [Quadruple exposure]


Photos by Ferdie U.

PAP38H [Pang election poster]

Ang mga poses na pang-election poster:



Photos by Ferdie U.

Monday, February 12, 2007

PAP38G [Roberto - susulitin na talaga]


Photos by Ferdie U.

PAP38F [Roberto agen - feeling model talaga]



Photos by Ferdie U.

PAP38E [Roberto feeling model]


Photos by Ferdie U.

PAP38D [Dennis in other colors]




Photos by Ferdie U.

PAP38C [Dennis in white]


Photos by Ferdie U.

PAP38B [On our 13th year - pang cover ng notebook]

Now, 13 years later ---

Special thanks to Geri and Flor Canlapan for use of their home-based studio.
Photos by Ferdie U.

PAP38 [Thirteen years and counting]

This is going to be a series, beginning with this particular entry. The series (of the photos at least) will be on the surprising but nonetheless delightful twist to Dennis and I's February 11 celebration/commemoration of having been together for the last thirteen years, and hopefully, for many more years to come.

The delightful twist came in the form of Ferdie's call/text message on Feb. 9 [or was it Feb. 10?] that his offer - made during an earlier trip to the Eastern Province - to take photographs of Dennis and myself will finally take place February 11. We've been calling these activities pictorials [you know, we have to keep up continuously with the pretense, he he]. We've done quite a few, a few years back but with a different set of photographers; this will be the first time (and possibly the last???, for the time being) with Ferdie. Ferdie counts as one of Dennis' oldest friends in Saudi, having become friends since the early 1990s yet. Ferdie is hoping to settle back in the Philippines in the first quarter of 2007. The pictorial is his final opportunity to take our photographs in a more formal way.

I include here a photograph of Dennis and myself back in 1994 - our first year. I believe it's our first photograph together. For the life of me, I could not now recall who took it but the photograph was taken at Dennis' flat way back then.

Tuesday, February 06, 2007

PAP37 [Tagaytay]

One of the more memorable days during our homecoming to the Philippines in early January this year, was the day trip to Tagaytay. Kapatid Chris just came back to Riyadh from his own homecoming and shared the photos attached below (thanksalot Kapatid!). Highlight of the Tagaytay trip was the look-see of Tagaytay Highlands. One of Belle Corp.'s agents guided us on a tour of the estate. (For the life of me, I can't remember his name but he was such an excellent guide, even if we know he sensed we were not really out to buy any of the properties he was selling.) My Bebe and I actually fell in love with the new condo development at the lowlands. If only we have Php 10-12M to spare!!! Huh!!! To own property at Tagaytay Highlands, you must be a member first. Membership is either the Golf Club (Php900K) or the Country Club (Php650K). The condo unit will make you poorer by about Php 8-10M!!! The real estate agent said the condo can be enrolled in their time-share program so it can earn revenue from weekend stays by visitors while not being used by the owner. There is also another program that takes care of the O&M while the owners are away. It's all very appealing but....

Lunch was at Josephine's. We were quite a big group.

Dennis, the excellent guide/agent, Kapatid Chris and blogger,
at the TH country club terrace that offers a postcard pretty view of Taal Lake and Volcano.

Photos of the lunch group at Josephine's:
Photos by Chris Cafuir.

Sunday, February 04, 2007