October 2007 Archives

April 24, 2007: Edison, MayAnne & Rosa photographed in Manila, Philippines

Olympus E-1, Olympus Zuiko 14-54mm f/2.8-3.5 Digital: 1/125s f/3 at 23.0mm iso400

I've been thinking of the kids especially since getting Rosa's & a relatives texts last month, that the Family has been having serious problems and have had to move from their shelter of the past few years, to a very rough part of Metro Manila - in my opinion more dangerous than where they've been since 2004.

I have so many questions for the Family, and I miss them all; I can't wait to see everyone.

That said - it's also Rosa's Birthday on November 17th; she'll be 13 - I'll have to find them & source some Birthday Cake (after I scope out how safe their new location is) when I arrive a few days later.

I also have to find out when Edison's Birthday is, or was...I'm terrible on remembering Birthdays I'm ashamed to say.

Thanks for reading today,
PJAMES

ps: Kevin Weir, wish you were watching my 6 in Pasay City brother - although my last visit there was 'announced' and I was vouched for, I still needed to be escorted in; the Barrio was that rough.

A great read on the E3's development, and for those interested in digital photography - but especially for serious digital photographers.

read it now at zone-10.com

Part 2 of the story is now on the Zone-10.com home page.

Thanks for reading today,
PJAMES

Feb.20, 2007: Manila Philippines - DonnieBoy sat for an informal portrait.

Olympus E-1, Olympus Zuiko 14-54mm f/2.8-3.5 Digital: 1/60s f/3.5 at 14.0mm iso100

I had come back to Manila and went to check on Donnie, who's always been a good friend to me there.
...we went to a cheap local canteria where I like the coffee, and where he likes the soups - we always eat there.

One of the toughest people I know, Donnie is quiet, soft spoken, homeless & sleeps on the streets - I've seen where he sleeps in a back alley and it's just so damn dangerous there; I don't know how he survives it.

I always get Donnie his meals when I see him, and while we sat I was looking at the scars on his forehead, while he started telling me about how his Father used to beat him when he was growing up - but once he got to that part of the story he stopped talking.

And I never asked him about it again.

Good Sunday evening to you all,
PJAMES

ps: the particular locale of where Donnie hangs out is not the safest of neighborhoods - when I go to find him I always have to wrap the huge neoprene camera strap around my wrist several times, in case someone would try to run by me & snatch it (robberies, cell phone snatchings, muggings are prevelant there)

I have always looked after my own personal security very well in that neighborhood - I know it well, I know how to watch my back; I know the local vendors and who the gang-bangers are (they know me as well) and I know where to bail out to in case the need arose, but no one's ever given me an issue there.

Donnie does not let anyone bother me in that neighborhood - many times when other street-toughs or wanna be thugs would walk by and give me a stare, and he'd look them dead in the eye & just tell them to piss off.

...and they always would.

When I look at this image, I get the feeling that if anyone would ever try to hurt him or steal from him, that he'd probably use his hands to snap that person's neck in two.

When I see him, I always get the feeling I'm one of the very few people who've probably ever shown him any respect or kindness in his life.

November 27, 2005: Donnie joins me at 1:21pm for lunch & his portrait, Manila Philippines

Olympus E-1, Olympus Zuiko 14-54mm f/2.8-3.5 Digital: 1/125s f/3.5at 54.0mm iso400

...he'd just woken up from who knows where (I didn't ask) so let's call it breakfast.

Nov.20, 2006: Janie photographed outside her home in Pampanga, Philippines (more posts with her Family below)

Olympus E-1, Olympus Zuiko 14-54mm f/2.8-3.5 Digital: 1/125s f/4 at 52.0mm iso100 (1:22PM, available light)

PJAMES

1:20PM: after getting back from a snack run across the street to a small sari-sari store, we waited outside while her Mama prepared lunch for everyone.

I try so hard NOT to spoil them habitually, simply out of respect for their Parents lack of recourses to do the same - but I do sneak away to the store to get them some simple treats every now & then.

Olympus E-1, Olympus Zuiko 14-54mm f/2.8-3.5 Digital: 1/200s f/4 at 54.0mm iso100

I went back to last years emailI I sent to Olympus Public Relations and to their Pro Services Division, and updated them on my plans for next month's trip & asked them to give a look to this website, asking both divisions if they could provide me with an E3 SLR body and a wide-zoom lens (demo or salesmans sample; I did not ask for anything 'new') or an demo/refurbished E1 body as a back up to my 2004 E1.

Even an extended loaner E3/E1 that I could shoot with and return at the end of the trip would be a tremendous help, so I hope to hear something back from them soon.

I'm trying to avoid any possibility of my own E1 failing, malfunctioning, or needing service, and being left with no camera to shoot with in Philippines from 11/2007 through 3/2008.

I have to have some sort of contingency plan there, as the Olympus affiliate in Manila does not honor the Olympus International warranty on cameras. (I do not know why)

Thanks for reading today,
PJAMES

Olympus E-1, Olympus Zuiko 14-54mm f/2.8-3.5 Digital: 1/640s f/5.63 at 14.0mm iso100

Just a note to thank some special people in our Family for taking the time to send my Father regards for his speedy recovery from open heart surgery.

We've been involved with the Charlie Daniels Band organization since the late 70's, when my boss was Charlie's Head of Security & Road Manager, and my first show with CDB was in 1989.

Yesterday I got a last minute call for work when CDB played New York City, and it was midnight at Charlie's Tour Bus when Charlie's Road Manager Dean Tubb & Charlie approached me and asked how Dad was doing (I had not told anyone there in NYC about Dad's condition) and although Charlie was still sweating from the show & it was 59 degrees cool outside, Dean & Charlie stayed there outside with me and talked with me about Dad and his recovery battles, and Charlie signed an 8x10 for me to take home to him, and said "tell your Dad I said God Bless..."

Dean & I chatted some more outside about me taking 2 months off from my work to care for him & get him stronger from Aug. 17/Oct.17, and as the empty Lincoln Town Car left the bus & returned to the City; he shook my hand again with a smile and said "Family FIRST" - a CDB long time motto, and a frequent motto within our own security organization also for many, many years.

Thank you Griff, Thank You Dean, and Thank You Charlie - you should have seen the big smile on Dad's face at 4am when I told him "...HEY Dad, Charlie & Dean are wishing you well & Charlie gave you his picture..." (Dad couldn't sleep & I was up working online) Dad really likes the 8x10!

Dad's actually been having stronger days since Oct.10th; he's still weak & slow compared to before, but he's on his feet more & getting in & out of the car much quicker than before (6 seconds vs. almost 30 seconds doing the same, last month), so progress is progress; I'll take it.

Good Sunday Evening to you all,
PJAMES

Olympus E-1, Olympus Zuiko 14-54mm f/2.8-3.5 Digital: 1/1000s f/5.6 at 14.0mm iso100 Olympus E-1, Olympus Zuiko 14-54mm f/2.8-3.5 Digital: 1/500s f/5.6 at 14.0mm iso100

UPDATE Wednesday, Oct.24,2007:

The New York Times is reporting AP saying that the explosion was most likely a gas leak of some sort, and probably not from a bomb, as no residue or IED shrapnel was recovered at the Mall.
read the NY Times Reprt online here

Associated Press is reporting some type of explosion, most likely from a bomb blast according to President GMA, has occurred at the Glorietta Shopping Mall in Makati, the heart of Manila's financial district.

AP also reports at least 8 people are dead and 130 wounded.

I arrive in Manila next month, and will stay about 20 minutes away (as I always have) from the Financial District/Makati - matter of fact I've never stayed anywhere near Makati for obvious reasons, although a friend of mine from New York has just arrived in Makati a few days ago, despite my recommendations to him about staying elsewhere in Metro Manila.

Ken, if you're reading this please contact me asap to let me know you're OK.

read the full AP News Report here

UPDATE: Oct.21, 2007
People's Daily Online in China is reporting the Australian government has warned its citizens not to travel to the Philippines unless necessary, as the country could face more terror attacks.

In an advisory posted by the Australian embassy, Canberra said possibility that Friday's bombing was staged by terrorists could not be discounted, as reliable intelligence reports said terrorists plan to stage attacks in several Philippine cities.

read their report here

Thanks for reading today,
PJAMES

November 18, 2006: Pampanga Philippines - Nicole photographed outside her home.

Olympus E-1, Olympus Zuiko 14-54mm f/2.8-3.5 Digital: 1/200s f/4 at 40.0mm iso200

Just a beautiful portrait of baby Nicole I really like and wanted to share; Nicole's Family are neighbors of Mama Eve & JoJo's Family who's images are posted here earlier this month.

Photographed outside in available light at 4:09pm.

PJAMES

Jan.23, 2007: Bantayan Island, Philippines 9:52am

Olympus E-1, Olympus Zuiko 14-54mm f/2.8-3.5 Digital: 1/2000s f/5.4 at 54.0mm iso100

A local man passes me on his bicycle for his smiling portrait.
...the lattice carrier on the back of the bike if fabricated to carry chickens.

I love & respect the simple life there; it teaches humility.

LittleFish & I were on our way to check on a very poor child who approached me earlier in the month; she was walking an hour into town with bare feet because she was not able to buy any sandals (yes, I bought some for her) and she was also blind in one eye from a childhood accident, and during January I was bringing LittleFish & her Father with me to determine what her Family needed in terms of food, clothing, etc.

It turned out to be a very sad story with this child, despite all of the food, meals & clothing we got her - and I'll be posting images & telling the story in other posts this month.

Thanks for reading today,
PJAMES

read the dPreview.com E3 Announcement

dPreview.com is my favorite photography forum, and today they reported the Olympus announcement that unveiled what we Olympus photographers have all been waiting for - the 10 megapixel, weather-proof, image stabilized, ultra high-speed 11-point AF system, 5 fps/frames per second Flagship digital Pro SLR priced at $1,700 for body only, which replaces the 5 megapixel E1 (which I shoot with).

Availability is set for next month, November 2007 (right before I leave for Philippines) and I don't think I'll get to actually handle one before I go, but I'll check B&H Photo in New York for sure.

Last year when I asked Olympus to loan or Sponsor an E1 refurbished body (or salesman's sample, etc) to shoot in Philippines because I had no back up body to reply on, the request made it as far as their PR Dept. and I never did hear back after that.

I still shoot my original E1bought in late 2004, and it's that camera that's produced the content for this website, aside from a few images produced on the E10 I used in 2003 & early 2004.

I absolutely love the E1's images, handling, build quality & weather proofing, and I'm still in need of a backup/additional camera body for Philippines 2007/2008 (I only have the E1 body & the 14-54 lens) so if anyone reading who's familiar with my images & work feels they might be able to sponsor or loan me an E1 or an E3 body or knows of anyone who might be interested in donating a used E1 body or an 11-22 (wide-zoom) lens, please contact me.

see the new E3 on the Olympus website

Thanks for reading today,
PJAMES

Jan.1, 2005: Manila Philippines - Rosa photographed homeless on the street she slept on, taking her breakfast.

Olympus E-1, Olympus Zuiko 14-54mm f/2.8-3.5 Digital: 1/100s f/3.5 at 54.0mm iso100

Apparently the Family (Rosa & her brother Edison & Auntie Josie) have separated from Tito Willie, according to Rosa's texts to me, and confirmed by her aunt Janice's texts to my phone this week - this is terrible news for Rosa, as this means that the Family's meager income has now been cut in half, and I don't know what they're living on right now.

I tried to ask why the split occurred, but didn't get much of an answer from either Rosa or Janice (Rosa is still working on her English...) so I didn't press the matter.

I'm more concerned about Auntie Josie now having to try to support Rosa & Edison on next to no income (her & Willie parked & washed cars on the street for money to live on, as well as vending cigarettes & candy), as I fear this split can easily put the Family back to sleeping on the streets of Pasay City where they have relocated to.

I've been so concerned and upset over this - if you've ever been to the poorer parts of Pasay City (and I have) you'd see how dangerous it can be there in the streets; it's a very rough utter slum, and believe me you wouldn't want to be there.

At the very least, Rosa's Family had a relative measure of safety in Willie's abandoned building shelter in Metro Manila, in the company of other poor neighbors all around them. (search Rosa's name here & see the images I've posted of the building they lived in)

So I'm now extremely concerned about Rosa's Family also being away from the protection of the other poor Families on her block in Metro Manila where she's been for the past few years - this alone makes a move to Pasay City potentially very dangerous for them.

Please keep their Family in your thoughts & prayers - and if anyone would like to assist me in helping them out with necessities next month when I arrive in Manila, please email me asap.

Good Sunday Evening to you all,
PJAMES

April 24, 2007: Manila Philippines - Rosa photographed with friend Anna (on left) in Metro Manila.

Olympus E-1, Olympus Zuiko 14-54mm f/2.8-3.5 Digital: 1/800s f/3.2 at 33.0mm iso200

I just heard news that has disturbed me - Rosa (who's image appears on the pRice homepage when she was sleeping on the street in 2004/2005) brother Edison & auntie Josie have had to move to somewhere in Pasay due to some sort of internal Family turmoil.

I don't have all the details, but her aunt Janice has texted me saying the Family has split up, and have moved 30 minutes away from their previous location, which was close to my location in Manila.

I texted Rosa on the Family cellphone & she did reply and confirm the move, and I told her to be a good girl, to stay in school, and that I would see her, Edison & auntie Josie soon, and bring them food & necessities etc. when I arrive in Manila next month.

I'll try to get more details on how they're all doing - Rosa's 13th Birthday is next month.
PJAMES

November 20, 2006: Pampanga Philippines - Mama Eve & Husband JoJo are the parents of the Family pictured in the posts below.

image: cell phone cam

Thanks for reading today,
PJAMES

Yahoo news India, via IANS is reporting the following (excerpt below)

By IANS
Sunday September 30, 06:23 PM

Manila, Sep 30 (Xinhua) Eight people were buried alive in a landslide triggered by tropical storm that washed away residential houses in a village in northern Philippines.

The victims were members of two families living in Ifugao, a mountainside village. A 9-year-old boy was the lone survivor of the two families.

Floods, caused by tropical depression 'Hanna' (locally named 'Lekima') also affected 350 families in the neighbouring Kalinga province, in northern Philippines.
Full Story Here from Yahoo News India

Please keep these people in your thoughts & prayers, as this is unfortunately a common occurance throughout many mountainous regions in the Philippines, where poor people live very simply without running water, electricity, phone service, etc.

Pictured below, a mountain village in Cebu I visit when I can (not the landslide area in the news), but the communities live the same way, without very many comforts at all.
...in the homes I'm invited to stay in, I eat what the locals eat (locally farmed veggies & native chicken [small & very tough, but a great meal after the long climb up the mountain]) and sleep on the same bamboo floors they sleep on.

Right before sunrise, the Families here head out for a 20 minute trek across the mountain to the closest local well and collect water for the day; hand carrying it back home in buckets & containers, a tremendous feat of strength and resilience in & of itself.

Anytime I think I've got it rough, I always think back to these people on the mountain who truly do have a rough life, and I'm humbled into silence, and rightly so.

I love learning from them, helping them with whatever I can do for them, and shooting as much as I can while I'm there.

Olympus E-1 ,Olympus Zuiko 14-54mm f/2.8-3.5 Digital: 1/800s f/5 at 14.0mm iso400

Good Sunday afternoon to you all,
PJAMES