10-31

I remember that day when Lito and I first started this partnership of hobby-turned-business in wedding photography. We were discussing how much our packages would be, and how we could earn back the capital of expensive camera equipment. We tried to make our packages as friendly as possible and he was saying, “10 weddings for 2008 would be enough to make me happy. It’s not about the money.” Supportive gf that I am, I’ve always believed in him, and we targeted 10 weddings for 2008.

Lo and behold, at the end of 2008, we were able to cover 31 weddings within and outside Cebu City not to mention other accounts (debut, individual, fashion, events). It is such a balm in the heart to see my Lito evolve from a photo enthusiast to still a photo enthusiast, just add being a gearhead and a multi-awarded, internationally-acclaimed wedding photographer at that (late 2008, Lito got awards in the Wedding and Portrait Photographers International’s 8x10 competition).

But then again, I could say, the achievements are not done alone. We are forever grateful for the people who have indirectly helped us in this business: suppliers we have befriended--- fellow photographers (most especially to Fafa Jayson who has been with Lito almost every step of the way), videographers (special mention Digital Minds—Joey, you rock!), make-up artists (special mention our mamas Wenwen, Emy, Rene, Jessie, Ramil, Dingdong, etc.), choreographers (special mention to Dionne, Grace, Bo), florists, caterers, etc. The business of wedding photography is indeed small and it puts smiles on our faces to bump with the same kind of crowd who naturally eases up in the concept that we are in the same goal of making momentous events a little bit perfect.

And most of all, the couples who have chosen us and who have believed in us--- the brides who eventually became our counselors and friends, the grooms who Lito transformed from dashing debonair to dashing faffas (yes, there are a lot of you). I am proud to say that most of our clients have turned out to be our friends and I guess, that’s the most fun part of it. We are very blessed with wonderful couples who are truly in-love.

Special thanks to the following couples:

 Benson and Janessa
 Irwin and Jannine
 Marv John and Faye
 Arnel and Jane
 JM and Geselle
 Ramil and Juvy
 Randy and Hazel
 Mike and Cristina
 Frederick and Joanna
 Mike and Eda

o 2008
 Jayson and Aisee
 Victor and Miraflor
 Glenn and Joy
 Amir and Cynthia
 Elias and Roselyn
 Ian and Dorothy
 Michael and Jill
 Ricky and Jean
 Adrian and Kristine
 Eliel and Madel
 Rae and Gheovy
 Jo Paul and Glenna
 Lloyed and Jillean
 Bernard and Alexie
 Jommie and Ana
 Rilt and Mindy
 JC and She
 Marione and Damaris
 Glenn and Wynette
 Roy and Bop
 Jed and Sheryl
 Noel and Arnelyn
 Ian and Christie
 Ian and Faye
 Lynde Ben and Beverly
 Christian and Leah
 Gerald and Cherry
 Arthur and Karne
 Brian and Felma
 Mark and Joyce
 Arthur and Genevieve
 Jude and Ella

2009 (others pending not mentioned yet but thank you guys in advance)
 Jon and Julie
 Jeorex and Melanie
 Nanak and Fairy
 Peter and Angelika


Thank you, guys for the trust and the friendship. We are happy and proud that we are a part of the start of your life together.

Suckers for loving moments, Lito gets goosebumps on very sensitive moments, I on the other hand, cry silently while I prepare the slides as I am caught up by the moments. Lito once told me that when he shoots, he feels closer to our own wedding. And in October 2008, Lito did decide to ask me for marriage.

You see, he was right. Be it 100 weddings or 5 in a year--- It’s not about the money, it never was. It’s having fun and living to the fullest our tagline—capturing moments, behind moments. And believing in the wonderful thing we call love. Without it, everything else in this business is just a bunch load of crap.

The GLIMPSE Exhibit Part 1

Technology. Culture. Travel. Nature. People. Life. Fashion. Moments.

See these things in 5 different sets of eyes as Peter Ryan Go’s Photoshop sponsors The Glimpse at the Atrium of Parkmall from November 15-21, 2008.
This exhibit marks the introduction of 5 new rising photographers in Cebu who have been in the humble sidelines for so long but their works of art have been screaming that they be pushed to the limelight. It is no wonder indeed that Cebu’s source of camera equipment and gadgets featured these lads who’ve had humble beginnings in the field of photography and are now making names in Cebu's photography community.

Catch a glimpse to the works of the newest additions to Cebu's pride in photography.

Jan Gonzales (Technology/Conceptual)
Farl Baricuatro (Culture/Travel)
Gerald Yuvallos (Macro)
Joseph Ong (Fashion)
Lito Inso (Wedding)

I will be featuring each one of them in the coming days. Stay tuned and do visit the exhibit when you can.

- Ara -

The End of the Trail

Let me tell you from my point of view how I became the happiest and luckiest girl in the planet today:

Being Lito’s partner in our wedding photography business, we have seen couples get engaged and tie the knot. We have witnessed couples express their love in the most unique of ways. You could say, I am a typical Libran—an idealistic hopeless romantic. I have cried in wedding movies—from 50first dates to commercials, anything that would denote engagements. I have been dreaming of how I would get engaged ever since I saw Julie Andrews’ character, Maria sing her out when she got engaged in The Sound of Music.

October 12, 2008 is my 27th birthday. I have told my best friend, Belle a lot of times—all I really wanted was for Lito to let me know that he feels what I feel. I didn’t know that Belle, amongst my cries of despair, is one of Lito’s elves. All along, Lito was planning this proposal for 3 months.

It was a Sunday, I woke up late—savoring the weekend. I woke up with 32 messages in my phone and 12 missed calls from well-wishers. I spent lunch with my family and went to mass at 3pm. And I never received any text or call from Lito. I texted him, “Dy, did you forget about me na??”. He replied, “nope, you’re always on my mind. See you later. Happy birthday.” It was that simple. As was his instruction. That I stay home and I will be picked up at 7pm.

At around 6pm, Belle was in my room, helping me get ready. I was asking her a lot of questions because if you know me, I rarely dress up or fix my hair. So there we were, talking… me grumbling because I was hungry, I don’t know where I am going and I am about to get frustrated because of Lito snobbing me the whole day. The crazy best friend of mine just told me not to expect too much or enjoy my day. Things she said that never gave it away.. knowing her, it took a lot of willpower not to blurt it out to my face.

At around 730pm, Peter (Lito’s bestfriend) picked us up. I was confused because I wondered why Lito wasn’t picking me up. And I got this very nervous feeling that I cannot put into place. My heart was hammering my chest and I was about to cry but I don’t know why. When we arrived at their house, Peter just said, “Wabs, when you go inside, just follow the candles”. And then, I knew…. I was shaking already.
When I went inside, I saw a trail of candles going up. I can hear a violin playing one of our songs (Rey) but my focus was up. My tears were flowing, my knees were shaking. At the back of my mind, I was saying, “OMG, OMG, OMG”… I can feel the spotlight (Mona) on my face, I know there is someone taking the video (Jurly) and the photo (Jayson) and some people behind (Aisee, Gerard, Lito’s parents, Tanshot, Bryan) but I seem not to mind. I wanted to see him… And at the last step of the stairs… I saw him at the end of the trail, kneeling down. He was smiling so big… and I knelt down with him.

I asked him, “What is this? What are you doing?” again and again. He just smiled and said (From what I remember), “We’ve been together for such a long time and all I can say is you complete me and you make me so happy. And I want to spend forever with you. Would you please spend forever with me?” and I just said, “Oh my god, yes!” and he showed me a very beautiful diamond ring, took it out from the box and shakingly placed it on my ring finger. And we cried together and we embraced for long… and I can hear clapping from behind. We stood up, embraced again and faced the crowd.
It was then that I knew, Rey Lecciones (a good friend of ours) flew all the way from Clark, Pampanga, to play the violin for us. And I see most of our good friends. We went to his parents’ room and they hugged me. I was still shaking and crying when we went down and everybody was laughing and chatting and that’s it!

With this, I would like to take this opportunity to thank those wonderful people who made my dream proposal happen:
 Belle, for keeping the secret all these months… Thank you so much for being with me all these years, for witnessing all that I have gone through and for the support.
 For Rey—it would have been a silent walk without you. I appreciate you coming over so much.
 Jayson and Aisee- Fa and Mre, Lito and I are more than blessed to have you both in our lives. The ring and pictures are perfect. Thanks so much.
 Peter – Wabs, you played your role well. You have been an amazing best friend to Lito and I am glad you were there with him during this time.
 Gerard—thank you for lighting the way. It was real nice to see you in support of Lito last night.
 Jurly--- thank you for not revealing the secret to me in YM. And for capturing all the videos—the behind the scenes, everything.. thank you thank you.
 Mama MM- for crying all the way from Ozamis.
 Lito’s family--- for the support, for understanding my situation, for welcoming me into your family. I am honored, proud and happy to be a part of it.
 My family--- for being happy for me.. my mom, for being my best friend at home, my dad for trying to get well so he can have his last dance with me, for the tears.. for my brothers and sister and Mama.
And of course --- to Lito:
I just want to let you know my wab, that I am happy, and that I am blessed that our trail started years ago in highschool, and at last, I see you at the end of my trail. I have said yes to the proposal, not just because you made my dream come true but because it's you. Had it been any other proposal from you, I would still say yes. But it has to be with you. There is no one else I would wish to see waiting for me at the end-- for you make me happy, you are my best friend, my partner... My journey begins and ends with you and I will always say yes, will always be at your side to make you feel as much as you make me feel....

I woke up today with a big smile on my face as I recalled this very wonderful dream. Bu then, something felt good on my finger and when I looked down at it, I realized that it wasn’t a dream after all. It was real.
Lito told Belle that his dilemma was what he would say. He was not good with words, he told her. But little did he know, he has always been good with it, in ways he cannot see. He has captured my heart again and again with his love and his understanding. And I am going to be his wife. That said it all.







Notes:
- Date of the wedding—July 11, 2009
- Levi and Muriel are at Lito's back when he proposed
- Proposal Idea—from Friends Season 6 Ender. Monica’s proposal to Chandler. This has been my dream wedding proposal. And Lito made it happen.

Let Minutes Turn to Moments

This is my favorite commercial jingle, which is somehow connected to our beliefs in cherishing moments. :) This is sung by Hale for the Nescafe coffee commercial.



what's another story to hear
what's another laugh or two
what's another tick on the clock
when it's magic shared by you

what's another smile to give
what's another kiss or two
what's another line to say
when it's love that's shared by you

a cup in hand
you know it's worth your while
a cup in hand
let's sit and stay for a while

let minutes turn to moments
let's sit, let's talk
one moment, one nescafe

let minutes to moments
let's mix, let's talk
one moment, one nescafe

Lito Inso Photography: 1st compilation

I think one of the best things about wedding photography is that you get to have new friends. I don't know with other wedding photographers but ever since we started with this business/hobby, our friend list has doubled and tripled. We have made new friends with make-up artists, videographers, band singers, coordinators, florists, guests, entourage, and most importantly, the couple. Inspired by Nickelback's Love Will Keep Us Together, I have made the 1st compilation of Lito's photos on our clients, our friends... Guys, thank you for the trust and friendship.

My Heart in Photography

A debate about Film VS Digital... here's my little input to that.

Since we are now in the digital age, and I work with computer hardware everyday (my first ever successful hobby and business). I have no choice but to use SLRs with good digital sensors (yes, coz there are bad ones). But I still shoot like I'm using film. I process digital negatives like developing film and retouch them like I'm in the darkroom. For me, nothing beats the natural colors, the grains, and the classic feel of film.

Until now, we can still hear the golden classics of the Platters played all over the world. Yet the modern music of Boyzone is hmm... What were their songs again?

In relation to that, Michael Buble is my favorite singer as of today. :)

Furthermore, you can study the basics and fundamentals of photography, but no school can train you on how to create beautiful images. From the viewfinder to darkroom to final prints, its all on the photographer's eye. But the real element of this art comes from the heart and inspiration.

Another portrait of my love, my inspiration... Arlyn.

Finding Wevi

Dear Muriel,
You were snoring when you were sleeping earlier. I woke up early so I can scare Carrenz. Wake up piggy and stop snoring—Levi.
***
Dear Wevi,
You are a vewy bad boy. I was snoring coz I was tired making my assignment. As I said, I am not a pig, I am a butterfwy. I will tell Mamy and Dady if you keep on teasing me. I wab you still you demon monkey- Muriel
***
Dear Muriel,
Don’t tell on Mamy and Daddy. Because they don’t know yet that you are a pig. Hahaha. I wab you too. *snort*snort*- Levi
***
Dear Wevi,
Stop quarreling me!!! And stop running around to scare Carrenz, it’s not funny anymore. C’mon don’t bother Mamy and Dady coz they are tired from da trip. We should be good kwidsh coz they wab us. – Muriel
***
Muriel,
Okay I will keep quiet not because of you but because I wab Mamy and Daddy. And secret… I am a ninja… just like Uncle Brian. Ssshhhh piggy. – Wevi
***
WEVI!!! I AM NOT A PIG!!! I AM A BUTTERFLY!!!!

***
-----
***
Wevi, where are you?- Muriel
***
Wevi, Mamy and Daddy are looking for you. Where are you hiding ? Okay, I believe now that you are a ninja. Come out now, Wevi!!!- Muriel
***
Wevi, it’s been two days. I think you are not at home. Where are you Wevi? I’m sorry with whatever I said. I did not mean it Wevi. Mamy and Daddy are looking for you and they haven’t slept well. Mamy keeps on crying and said that it’s all her fault. Daddy kept on watching the video with Mamy and they cry together and hug me. Our brothers and sisters are looking for you too. Barf is so silent he won’t even barf. And Dog is not eating. Daddy told me the story when he saw you at Watson’s together with the other kids like you. He said that he got you to surprise Mommy who’s outside talking with Uncle Peter. You were the cutest of them all. He said that you remind him of his self. Daddy got teary eyed talking about you, and how you always tease me. Wevi, please come back… We miss you terribly.
***
Mamy just posted some brochures outside da house and distributed some flyers with your picture in it. People kept on laughing at her and Dady, even some of their friends made fun of them because we are unique kwidsh. But Mamy and Dady didn’t mind coz they wab you so much Wevi. They will do anything to have you back. It’s been 4 days without you Wevi and it feels different. Daddy said he misses his litol boy. Wevi, where are you? I pwamish I won’t quarrel you anymore. I will let you call me a pig and I will always tell you my name if you ask me hu ish dish. I will tell Dragon not to tease you. Who will quarrel the ones who tease me at school Wevi? You are my big brother and I wab you vewy much. I can’t imagine another brother like you even if you tease me a lot. I wab you Wevi. I have ice cream here but I did not eat it and wont eat it until you come home. I know you are just there Wevi. Ninjas come back.
***
Dear Wevi, Mamy is vewy excited. She called Daddy and told me that a pregnant lady named Auntie Angie found you on the streets when she was jogging and she will take you home. She told us the story that you were just there, confused as to where you are but acting vewy brave. She asked you who are you? And you said, “No, hu ish dish?” She was laughing because you were vewy cute. Wevi, don’t pull the hu-ish-dish-card to anyone. It’s for me only!!! Anyway, she said that you were dirty and that you were hungry so she took you home and cleaned you up and fed you. Her litol boy wabbed you and played with you. Auntie Angie saw Mommy’s brochure in one of the schools and she called Lola. She’s a very good lady. She was having a hard time because her baby wabbed you but she knows that Mamy and Daddy needs you so that’s why she took you home. I’m excited Wevi! I can’t wait to hug you!!!
***
Dear Auntie Angie,
I am home now but I want to thank you for taking care of me when I was lost. You taught me that it is good to be honest and to take care of the people we wab, no matter how unique they are. Sorry if I have to leave your litol boy with you. He can jump on his own now like I taught him to. I can always be his playmate. But I need to go home to my family. I know I am different because some people call Mamy and Daddy crazy and they even laugh at us when we are with Mamy and Daddy. But still, they wabbed us like we are their own kwidsh. They made us feel that we are no different. And I guess that’s what wab is all about—being there even if others despise you and call you crazy. I wab them, Auntie Angie and I can never leave them alone, even with my piggy sister, errr.. butterfly sister. Thank you Auntie Angie. I will mish you. Thanks for taking me home. – Wevi
***
Dear Baby Wevi,
We are more than happy to have you home. You are our little boy and please don’t go away from us again. We love you so much Baby. Welcome back home –Mamy and Daddy
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Barf! – Barf
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(Silence plus jumping)- Dog
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Ngamsh plus hugs—Uncle Stanly
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Hugs plus kisses plus kisses plus hugs and flying—Muriel
***
Dear Muriel,
Thanks for mishing me. Okay, now for your promises. You are a pig. Stop snoring piggy. You are not a butterfwy! -Wevi
P.S. I mish you too, my baby sister. I’m glad to be home. Bye for now, have to scare Carrenz.
***



***END***
POSTSCRIPT: Growing up is not an excuse to snob being child-like and enjoy toys. Levi and Muriel is a reflection of ourselves and an appreciation of the fact that our beingchild-like is a part of us. Losing them is like losing a part of ourselves. Thank you for those who were able to understand this. You guys are great.
check out video below to get a clearer glimpse of our babies: