TIPS conducts the first Pecha Kucha Night

As suggested by one of the members of The Ilocandia Photographic Society (TIPS) to hold a pecha kucha presentation among the members to showcase to the organization their photographic works, it was done once and later it was decided by the group to open it to the public. 

Hence, the first Pecha Kucha Night was held at Samtoy Books at La Tabacalera in Laoag City. It was conducted on February 25, 2012. This project is in cooperation with Samtoy Books. Several people came and joined the pecha kucha presentations. The Japanese term pecha kucha means chit-chat. There should be a format presentation of  20 images or slides  by 20 seconds. 

Lee Biscarra, a member of Karatula (Kabataang Artista Para sa Tunay na Kalayaan), Kabataan party list coordinator came to present some activism concepts. Another presentor was Shermon Cruz, a political science & public administration instructor and a blogger presented some philosophies. 

Dr. Edwin Antonio, TIPS president and a blogger has presented his story and collection of photographs from his travel to the Arab countries entitled Escape to Middle East. Similar to Carlito Villamarin, TIPS member who presented his photographs from his travel entitled Simpleng Potograpo: A Europe Trip. 

Jane Gaspar, manager of Samtoy Books, blogger, entrepreneur, and analog photographer presented Introduction to Lomography. Meanwhile Marlito Astocia, a graphic artist and a staff member of the Communications and Media Office of Ilocos Norte Capitol made an interesting video graphic presentation. 

Alaric Yanos, TIPS member and photographer of the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte made a presentation of Ilocos sand dunes. He has shown photographs of the site in different seasons. 

In the field of painting, Jennifer Felipe, officer of the Silnag Artist Guild presented her creations of murals and other painting entitled Looking at the Ilocano with the Heart and Mind. Gilbert Dela Cruz, an illustrator has presented his award-winning artworks.

TIPS covers Guling-guling Festival

It was another year of celebration of the Guling-guling Festival in the town of Paoay, Ilocos Norte. This is an annual festivity to signify the last day of merrymaking before the observance of the Lenten Season by the Catholic community.

Guling-guling is the Ilocano term for smearing a cross on the forehead with white rice flour symbolizing purification of oneself from past sins. This festival was introduced by the Spanish friars in the 16th century and thereby being celebrated for over 400 years now.

This year’s celebration of Guling-guling on February is special because Paoay Kumakaway tourism program of the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte was launched.

The Ilocandia Photographic Society (TIPS) members are always covering this event annually. They covered the assembly of dancers from the beginning point to their exciting street dancing, to the dramatic smearing highlight by the mayor, to the fabulous dance showdown and to the grand fireworks display.

TIPSters present were Bryan Rapadas, Alaric Yanos, Lorna Tolentino-Macatulad, Dr. Robert Luzod, Ronald Macatulad and Dr. Edwin Antonio who was invited at the same time to judge the dance showdown.

TIPS documents gamet picking in Burgos

On one weekend of January, TIPSters Alaric Yanos, Dr. Edwin Antonio and Bryan Rapadas went on a photoshoot in the town of Burgos, Ilocos Norte. They went early in the morning to catch a glimpse of the activities of the gamet pickers in the barangay of Saoit.

Upon arrival at the area they were awed by the wonderful sight, the beach area, cave and the corals. They saw just a few groups of people gathering some black seaweeds or locally called the gamet.

Gamet is a priced seasweed that’s only collected in the season of November to February. Picking is painstakingly done with the use of their hands covered with socks or net to avoid bruising the fingers. Pickers are always at risk of falling on the rocks because they have to run against the waves.

An Invitation for a 2nd Pecha Kucha Night

After a very successful holding of a highly interesting Pecha Kucha Night at Samtoy Bookshop in La Tabacalera Ilocano Lifestyle Center last February, a second pecha kucha night will be staged again this March.

It will be held on March 31, 2012 @ 8PM (Saturday, after "Sine Sabado") Only at Samtoy Bookshop! Everybody's welcome to present or watch the presentation of artistic creations! Bring your friends! To join, email your name and topic to present to: ilocandiaphotographic[at]yahoo[dot]com

TIPS covers Gameng Festival in Solsona

On the 5th year celebration of Gameng Festival in the town of Solsona last January, TIPSters Bryan Rapadas, vice-president, Alaric Yanos, PRO, and Dr. Edwin Antonio, TIPS president, all went to witness and document the event.

Solsona is a hall of famer awardee for the cleanest and greenest town in the Philippines. It is rich with natural resources such as its flora and fauna. It boasts of wild deer and abundant with its aba and daludal. They feature these as their treasures or gameng in the vernacular.

They paraded their decorative floats made up of indigenous materials, and showcased their talents in dancing while muses and princesses rode the floats. They displayed whatever treasures they have in their houses even vintage clothing were exhibited.

TIPS goes bird watching in Paoay

On the invitation of Dr. Pete Calope, pioneer birdwatcher of Ilocos Norte, for two succeeding years, finally The Ilocandia Photographic Society (TIPS) was able to attend and join the bird watching in Paoay Lake this year.

Some local birdwatchers and photographers visited Paoay Lake on January 14, 2012 for the yearly Asian Waterbird Census. This is a synchronized census with the other wetland censuses in other parts of the Philippines and other countries in Asia during the mid-winter migration period.

The results of the Asian Waterbird Census in Paoay Lake on Jan 14, 2012 revealed that there was one Little Grebe, six Great Egrets, seven Little Egrets, eighteen Cattle Egrets, 14 Egret Species flying unable to be identified, 675 Philippine Ducks, 305 Tuffted Ducks, one White-browed Crake, four Common Kingfishers, five White-collared Kingfishers, and one White-throated Kingfisher. There was one Great Cormorant spotted on January 17.

TIPS members Bryan Rapadas, Alaric Yanos, Raffy Pasalo and Dr. Robert Luzod were happy with their participation in this census of waterbirds in Ilocos Norte.

An Invitation for a Pecha Kucha Night

The Ilocandia Photographic Society (TIPS) in cooperation with Samtoy Books is opening an invitation to the public to participate in a Pecha Kucha Night on February 25, 2012 Saturday at 8PM.

The event will be held at the Samtoy Bookshop, 2nd Floor, La Tabacalera Ilocano Lifestyle Center, Brgy. 9 Llanes St. Laoag City.

This is open to anybody who has artistic creations and ready to showcase them on slide presentation. The event is also open to public to watch the presentation, just get in touch with Alaric Yanos by email at ilocandiaphotographic@yahoo.com.