TIPS takes part in Ms Laoag Pageant

With the growing popularity of the The Ilocandia Photographic Society (TIPS) in the local community, the group was tapped to participate in the Miss Laoag City Pageant, one of the highlights of the Pamulinawen Festival, specifically in the question and answer portion.

They were requested to act as paparazzi covering the lovely candidates as they sashayed down the ramp before they posed for a question from TIPS. Each member of TIPS was asked to present his or her photo work to the candidates and derive question from there.

A total of 16 photographs was presented during the pageant night. Alaric Yanos, Anthony Ramos, Dr. Robert Luzod, Ronald Macatulad, Michael Ong, Ferina Albano, Dr. Edwin Antonio, Lorna Tolentino-Macatulad, Joseph Reginaldo, Andie Lamug and Bryan Rapadas were the TIPS members who participated. The pageant was shown live regionwide on cable network.

Capitol and TIPS unveil the Ragrag-o Photos

On the occasion of the celebration of the 192nd foundation anniversary of Ilocos Norte Province, the Capitol and TIPS opened to the public the viewing of the Ragrag-o exhibit photos. The exhibit composed of photographs of breathtaking destinations and attractions in the province. It also included Ilocano culture and traditions.

Hon. Oscar P. Palabyab, Undersecretary of the Department of Tourism, led the cutting of the ceremonial ribbon assisted by Hon. Martin S. Valera, Regional Director of Ilocos Region of the Department of Tourism in the presence of Board Members Renato Peralta and Portia Salenda, former city administrator Gloria Peralta, and other key personalities in the province. Dr. Jose Orosa III, president of TIPS was present in the event together with other TIPS members Dr. Robert Luzod, Dr. Edwin Antonio, Alaric Yanos, Michael Ong and Joseph Reginaldo.

In the same event, the entries for the in-club photo contest with the theme abstract were also exhibited. The winners of the same contest were announced during the exhibit opening.

Ragrag-o: A Travel Photography exhibit opens today

Ilocos Norte celebrates today its 192nd foundation anniversary. Various festivities are lined up for this three-day celebration, which include a trade fair, dance parade, concerts, and a beauty pageant. The most exciting part for The Ilocandia Photographic Society members though is the opening of the "Ragrag-o: A Travel Photography exhibit " at the Capitol lobby.


TIPSters setting up the Ragrag-o photo exhibit a day before the launching (timelapse video).



Come and visit our exhibit! It will be up until the 6th of February. The prints are also for sale!

Also on display here are the TIPSters' entries to their 4th in-club photo contest: "Abstract". The winners of which will be announced today at 11am during the exhibit launching. Thanks to Mr. Edwin Tuyay, Mr. Kidlat de Guia, and Mr. Gerdick Angeles for judging the entries.

Special thanks also to Mr. Sam Blas for allowing the group to exhibit the abstract photos in his Saramsam Restaurant from January 8 to February 1.

TIPS documents Begnas Ylocos Festival

After several postponements of the holding of the Begnas Ylocos Festival, finally it was celebrated on December 29, 2009 at the town of Galimuyod and the city of Candon in Ilocos Sur.

Dr. Edwin Antonio, after attending several festivals in Ilocos Norte, he rushed to Candon in the wee hours of the morning to catch up and witness the said event. He was warmly received by the people of Galimuyod especially Mayor Jessie Balingsat to his right on the above photo.

The festival is now on its second year. This is a big gathering of the tribal groups in the province of Ilocos Sur. Tingguians, Bago, Isneg, and Igorots are some of the existing tribes in the province. The event is participated in by majority of the towns of Ilocos Sur.

TIPS covers Damili and Siwawer Festivals

In the 100 years celebration of the founding of the two towns of Ilocos Norte, The Ilocandia Photographic Society (TIPS) was there to document the events through the lenses.

The town of Vintar celebrated its centennial through Siwawer Festival on December 27, 2009. It’s a tribute to the symbolic icon Siwawer, specie of bird. A dance parade highlighted the one month celebration. Dr. Edwin Antonio and Alaric Yanos were there to witness the event.

While the town of San Nicolas celebrated its 100 years through Damili Festival on December 28, 2009. This is a festival that pays tribute to their town’s main product, ceramic pot or damili. A street pageantry was held to highlight the affair. Dr. Jose Orosa III, Alaric Yanos, Dr. Edwin Antonio and Joseph Andie Lamug covered the historic event.

A Photo Workshop cum Christmas Party of TIPS held in Vigan

As a commitment to continuing education to members and aspiring members of The Ilocandia Photographic Society, a photography lecture and workshop was held in Ilocos Sur on December 13, 2009.

The first part of the program was the lecture on light room rendered by Alaric Yanos and Andie Lamug and lecture on studio lighting and ethical treatment of models by Ronald Macatulad and Michael Ong.

A model shoot was later held at the Arce Mansion where we were allowed by the designer and entrepreneur Lito Perez of Camp Suki to use it for free. Vintage materials from dining tables, cutleries, chandeliers and whatnot were there to amaze the group and let them traveled back to the past. There was a wide array of collection of colonial costumes available for the models like Sally, Filan and Gem of Tropica Ilocandia and Carlo who rendered their services free of charge. They were also joined by tipsters Lorna, Doc Edwin and Bryan to model other costumes. They hopped to another timeless venue that was the Heritage Village or the Crisologo Street.

The second part of the program was the dinner and Christmas party of the participants held at Epektos Resto Bar with owner Mawie Chan who graciously hosted the group. The group had a few bottles of beer and sang the night out.

TIPS attends an Art Exhibit

The Ilocandia Photographic Society (TIPS) was invited by Dr Joven Cuanang, owner of the Sitio Remedios Resort to attend the launching of the art exhibit of Antonio Leano entitled Anthropometrics.

The art exhibit was held at Sitio Remedios in Victoria, Currimao on December 5, 2009. The exhibit was composed of mixed media arts where it portrayed women in their baro’t saya, Jesuit priests and illustrados in their studio poses. Anthropometry is basically measurement of people in order to better understand physical differences.

Dr. Jose Orosa, Alaric Yanos, Dr. Edwin Antonio and Bryan Rapadas were the TIPS members who attended and met the featured artist. They had the opportunity to exchange pleasantries with the patron of art Dr Cuanang and he proposed photo project for TIPS.