My photography is simple in composition, more often emotional and dramatic, but easy on the eyes. Because of my orientation as a painter and artist, I view each capture as evocative scenes I want to brush on canvas. The changing header you see above are snippets of my life as a photojournalist all these years.
“Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful, we must carry it with us or we find it not.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson Sunset at Angkor, Siem Reap by Jojie Alcantara View more of my photos in Siem Reap here
Don’t walk in front of me, I may not follow. Don’t walk behind me, I may not lead. Just walk beside me and be my friend. ~Albert Camus Photography, Jojie Alcantara Following my two good friends Art Boncato and Ian Garcia Down the path of Ta Phrom temples, Siem Reap, Cambodia while the sunlight shines through the trees over them.
“While we try to teach our children all about life, our children teach us what life is all about.” ~Angela Schwindt My one year old daughter, Kameron, at People’s Park
We all have our own life to pursue, our own kind of dream to be weaving. And we all have some power to make wishes come true, as long as we keep believing. ~ Louisa May Alcott Me in Buenavista Island Resort, Samal
“We are tied to the ocean. And when we go back to the sea, whether it is to sail or to watch – we are going back from whence we came.” ~ John F. Kennedy Boracay Helicopter Tours, Philippines (2010) Photography, Jojie Alcantara Update: This image made it to the cover of Silkair, the inflight magazine of Silkwinds (Regional Wing of Singapore Airlines) this month of April 2014! Click for details
Shooting for a magazine can sometimes be hazardous to your health.
When I was in Cambodia for the Asean Tourism Forum (ATF 2011), I carried with me my unusual calling card. It’s bigger than your regular one. Makes quite a visual impact so they won’t forget you for a time. Notably because they find it hard to place it in a wallet or a pocket. (evil grin).
“Ten tiny little fingers that always want to play, That never stop exploring the wonder of today. Ten tiny little fingers that from the very start, Will reach out for tomorrow yet always hold your heart.” — Author Unknown My daughter, Kameron (one year and eight months old) People’s Park, Davao City Jojie Alcantara
“Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take but by the places and moments that take our breath away.” ~Patricia Schultz, 1,000 Places to See Before You Die Bayon Temple, Angkor, Siem Reap, Cambodia Photography by Jojie Alcantara
During a week of stay in Phnom Penh, Cambodia (2011), I woke up each dawn for two days just to capture its beautiful red sunrise from the Tonle Sap River by the Sisowath Quay, which was near my hotel.
“ “We need to find God, and he cannot be found in noise and restlessness. God is the friend of silence. See how nature – trees, flowers, grass – grows in silence; see the stars, the moon and the sun, how they move in silence… We need silence to be able to touch souls.” ~ Mother Teresa
“Only as high as I reach can I grow, only as far as I seek can I go, only as deep as I look can I see, only as much as I dream can I be.” ~ Karen Ravn Kids in Punta Dumalag, Turtle Sanctuary, Davao City © Jojie Alcantara
“Many of us probably would be better fishermen if we did not spend so much time watching and waiting for the world to become perfect.” ~ Norman Maclean Fishermen at sea, captured on board a chopper over Legazpi City © Jojie Alcantara
“The reason birds can fly and we can’t is simply that they have perfect faith, for to have faith is to have wings.” ~ James Matthew Barrie
“Do not be afraid to shine, This world needs what you have to give. Open up the areas of your being; Expose them to yourself – to others. You are valuable. You are unique. You have much to give. Do not be afraid to give it.” Excerpt from the poem, “Risk” By Fran Watson, 1987 This photo of a skimboarder in Dahican Beach, Mati, Davao Oriental was published in SeAir’s InFlight Magazine as one of the top ten hot destinations to visit the Philippines in 2011
“Challenges are what make life interesting; overcoming them is what makes life meaningful.” ~Joshua J. Marine Dahican surfing, Mati, Davao Oriental Photography, Jojie Alcantara * * * *
“Clouds come floating into my life, no longer to carry rain or usher storm, but to add color to my sunset sky.” ~ Rabindranath Tagore Manila Bay Sunset, Philippines 2010 © Jojie Alcantara
Mana Davao Davao may be illuminated to the brim with Pasko Fiesta celebrations around town, thanks to the projects of the city government and supporting sectors, but there is one special area that stands out during this holiday season. Mana Davao (or Mana Davao Casa de Artes y Antiguos), a high end antique shop along Bajada highway, is a tourist landmark for several years now. The vibrant and stunning, festive montage it produces every year never fails to draw crowds every Christmas (not to mention the traffic it happily causes in the highway). Thousands of lights are set up in fantastic production, drawing excited people like moths to a flame. This year, MANA totally sets a higher standard of creative accomplishment with the spectacular Christmas tableau (I suspect it’s a “Going Green” theme) that lights up everyone’s faces, kids and adults alike. Never mind the electric bill afterwards. The people behind Mana know they deserve a spotlight in Davao’s history for making Dabawenyos proud. More of my Mana images here
Mana Davao (or Mana Davao Casa de Artes y Antiguos), a high end antique shop along Bajada highway, is a tourist landmark for several years now. The vibrant and stunning, festive montage it produces every year never fails to draw crowds every Christmas (not to mention the traffic it happily causes in the highway). Thousands of lights are set up in fantastic production, drawing excited people like moths to a flame. Here is my tribute to Mana Davao, along with one of my favorite childhood song.
The Scene Stealer 