Stephan's Traveling Camera: The RP

Sunrise from the plane.

First blog from the Philippines!!!!

It feels great to be back after 12 years. I have missed this beautiful country. So as some might have seen from photos I have posted elsewhere, I have made it safely. The biggest issue, other than jet lag, is

It was a long, stressful journey with a few obstacles I didn't know if I would be able to make it past. The biggest one is that I had overstayed my tourist visa...by 6 months. Not my proudest moment nor is that something I agreed with. It comes down to laziness on AGWM's part for not trying harder to get me a missionary visa. Shame on them! They are poor stewards of the people God has put in their care. Shame on you AGWM!

That being said, I had a clean exit. And when I checked the exit stamp, my blood pressure lowered. A word of advise from experience: overstaying is NOT RECOMMENDED.

A truck being loaded with sugar cane

Anyway, after 4 airports 3 flights, and a 2 hour car ride later, I finally made it to Kabankalan City. I had not slept in 24 hours. So Sunday I took it easy. I went to church, picked up a sim card for my phone, and took a nap.

Starting on Monday, he took me around the school, Fortress College, and introduced me to some of the classes. I kept hearing a lot of the girls the word “guwapo”. Guwapo is “handsome” in Ilonggo (which I AM most definitely NOT). The girls are usually a bit more embarrassed when I tell them that I know what the word means.

These kids were following me. Children do that.

On a side note: I have been asked if I would be open to marrying a filipina (and my answer should be obvious)

But I digress.

Most of the high school students are shy towards me. The graduating students not so much. They are a bit shy, but that doesn't stop some of the girls from flirting with me. Its strange.

The little kids on the other hand go out of their way to find me. They are shy, but they love being around me. They are so funny and

some of the 9 year olds at FC.

so cute. Keep in mind these kids are between 6-9 years old and they are speaking english with me. They learn english at a very early age. So even though some people have trouble speaking it, they usually understand english pretty well.

So I have been wondering around the school, interacting with students, and even taught a class. The first one I taught was a big challenge. For one, I had not idea what I was doing. And two, they were shy. Go figure. Truth be told, I think we were intimidated by each other. But they seemed interested in what I had to say and asked a some questions.

The second class went much better. I learned a few things teaching my first class. This time I started with a quick introduction and showed them a video I did that was shot on an old cellphone. I talked a bit more, some about myself, and some about the idea that you don't need high end equipment to take good pictures. I taught them the rule of thirds, a few elements of photography, and a few different angles. The enjoyed seeing a short film I made (deadringer) as well as 2 of my video updates

one of the students in the first session.

from Europe (2 and 6). I showed several pictures as well. From there they asked questions based on different things they saw, and later about me. Mostly if I had a girlfriend. Normally that is the first question asked.

Anyway, after the lecture, the class broke up into 2 groups. One which remained in the classroom to come up with an idea for a short film, and the other got hands on with my camera. One of the gals brought hers as well so I could teach her how to use it.

The teacher becomes the student as i teach them all.

By the time I had finished, I had been teaching for three hours. They all seemed to enjoy it and I was told that they really learned a lot from me. It was a very humbling experience and an honor to teach them. I've been told by several people that I would be make a good teacher. Perhaps it is time I look to pursuing my masters in cinematography.

I just pray I can get to know some of these students, especially outside the classroom, more in the next two weeks. I may have come to do some video and photography for my grandparents, but it has turned into something so much more.

Meanwhile, I have one last thing planned for the week. I am helping a friend photography a high school prom at the catholic school. Should be an interesting experience. Let that sink in. Photographing a prom...in the Philippines.