TIPS holds Dayaw Exhibit in Davao

The Indigenous Peoples’ Month is celebrated in the month of October. The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) sponsored and conducted a national gathering of all the indigenous peoples in Tagum City, Davao del Sur. There was a parade of all the IPs, rituals and ceremonies, performances, culinary arts, art exhibits, community outreach and forum during the event.

The Ilocandia Photographic Society (TIPS), Inc. also took part in this celebration. Dayaw Photo Exhibit was held on October 7-9, 2011 at the Energy Park in Apokon, Tagum City. Featured photographers were Dr. Edwin Antonio, Dr. Marie Joy Lazaro and Lorna Tolentino-Macatulad. Dayaw means joy or happiness in the Visayas while respect in the Ilocano terminology.

The participating photographers showcased some of their best photographic works depicting Ilocandia. There were indigenous product photographs, beautiful sights and structures. The images are printed on canvas in a dimension of 10x16. It was a successful exhibit since they admire the photographs displayed.

TIPS covers Semana ti Ar-Aria and Tumba

The past week was the season of the ghosts in the province of Ilocos Norte. There were celebrations lined up for ar-aria, ghosts for the Iloko term. The Ilocandia Photographic Society (TIPS), Inc. members were there to cover them all.

There was a free-of-charge horror film festival held at the Robinson’s Mall and Mariano Marcos State University courtesy of the Film Development Council of the Philippines. The provincial government of Ilocos Norte invited TIPS members for the opening ceremony of the said festival held at the Plaza del Norte on October 25, 2011. The group was represented by Bryan Rapadas, Lorna Tolentino-Macatulad and Ronald Macatulad.

On October 31, 2011, a parade of scary characters and costumes from the different towns of the province was held from the Laoag Cemetery to the Capitol. It was a night of fun and scare because of make believe ghosts costumes and effects. There was also a pageant called Reyna Iloca-locana. Halloween games such as the lungon challenge were played during the program Dr. Robert Luzod, Ronald Macatulad, Dr. Edwin Antonio, Alaric Yanos and Lorna Tolentino Macatulad were the TIPS members who documented the event.

On November 01, 2011, the same people went to witness and cover the Tumba celebration in Paoay. It is a celebration where the people in the community help put up a tumba made of bamboo, coconut leaves and indigenous materials and set up an altar full with food offerings, antique images, candles. The old women folks usually recite the prayer.

TIPS explores Tanap Avis Falls

With the desire of some of the members of The Ilocandia Photographic Society (TIPS), Inc. to capture majestic sites and scenes in Ilocos Norte, it came up to their shoot list the Tanap Avis Falls in the town of Burgos.

It was the first time that members discover the said falls. The visit was initiated and led by Alaric Yanos who goes for a shoot on his free weekend time. He, together with Dr. Edwin Antonio, went for the first time to the wonderful site on September 4, 2011.

They took the GMW bus early morning from Laoag City at 5:30 and took a tricycle that led to barangay of its location. They walked a short span before reaching the falls. Without any guide they were able to trek it by themselves. But they were not able to reach the topmost level of the falls. Both of them enjoyed the experience and promised to get back.

Then, come another visit. It was scheduled by the members on October 15, 2011. Alaric Yanos still led the group. He went with members Bryan Rapadas and Raffy Pasalo. They used a private car from Laoag. From the barangay, they trekked all the way to the falls. This time they hired a guide who led them to the 3rd and topmost level of water falls.

The water in the falls was voluminous attributing to the rainy period prior to the said visits. Exploring Tanap Avis Falls was considered another great experience of the TIPS members engaging on landscape photography. This photo shoot even strengthened the camaraderie among them.

TIPS member wins in local Scott Kelby Photo contest

A total of 26 photographers in Ilocos Norte has joined the Scott Kelby Worldwide photo walk and eleven has fielded in their photo entries for the contest.

The photograph taken by Godwinn Vicente was chosen as the best photo for the Laoag City Downtown location. He is a member of The Ilocandia Photographic Society (TIPS). He captured a young boy tumbling in the midst of his playmates. It's a happy photo.

Meanwhile, the grand prize winner for this year 2011 comes from none other than Philippines. The photographer is Jaime Cesar Tibe from Surigao City. He bested 1000 entries worldwide. He captured children diving in a river. “It was a cool shot with a striking balance of sky and water with bubbles from the last jumper at the corner of the photo,” says Scott Kelby.