Ferdz Decena

One of the families living under the bridge It’s not really my thing to take Street Photos of people living in harsh conditions like the homeless, street beggars or other people in deplorable conditions. I always thought taking photos of them just glamorizes the idea of poverty and can easily be misconstrued in pictures. It’s a sensitive issue that delving into it requires caution and care. But I keep an open mind in these things and when I was asked if I can accompany Karl’s group one morning to the site they took pictures somewhere in Sta Mesa, Manila, I obliged as it would be interesting to explore this kind of photography.

Calesa Driver It’s that time of the year once again when international humanitarian photographer, Karl Grobl , brings in a new batch of photo enthusiast to tour around the Philippines for 2 weeks. I’m grateful that I’m part of this tour again as meeting people from different places is very interesting. Karl modified this year’s tour and went from Vigan to Sagada then Baguio which is opposite of last year’s. Downpour is the story of our 2 days in Ilocos. It would seem that every time were out on the streets, a squall would greet us, but that didn’t stop us from shooting.

Winston Maxino I watch as he pause for a moment midway his speech. I was standing close on the side taking his photo and saw his face, suddenly overcame with shadow, I noticed he swallowed deep, trying to keep steady in front of a crowd of 30 plus people, trying to hide what he was feeling at that moment. For what looked like he was having a hard time reading his speech, little did people know he was grimacing in pain. In just a few seconds he got his composure back, smiling, while he deliver his speech as if nothing happened. Such is the man named, Winston Maxino , a family man at his late forties, who is literally in constant pain after being diagnosed with a rare genetic disease, Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS). But despite his condition, he chose to show his sunny disposition and inspire others to be happy. Winston narrated how as an asthmatic child, he was regularly an outcast but his persistence on trying to belong despite his condition still paid off. His scout master saw his other ...

Opening spread of the Food for the Angeles Story If you are flying Jetstar Asia this June and July, don’t forget to check out the latest issue of Jetstar Inflight Magazine June-July 2012 issue. I got write-ups with photos about the food in Angeles City . Many thanks to Tin and Rico of  Angeles City Tourism Office for assisting in this assignment. Angeles City is an emerging food haven that I would certainly go back there just to eat.