F21 Manila: 1st Photo Exhibit

F21 Manila's first ever exhibit was launch last November 7, 2010 at SM Novaliches featuring photos from our outreach activity with scholars of the Catholic Ministry for Deaf People last October 16 at La Mesa Ecopark and SM Storyland.

This was written by our dear president, Emman Paras. Our exhibit is about people who have physical limitations are usually called people with disability. However, we do not see the other side of their situation, that they have the capacity to make the most out of their lives despite of their disability. Their ability to love and express themselves in a way that they can - this is ability itself. Thus, we decided to name this activity "People with This Ability", in celebration of their special lives of 11 children, scholars from the Catholic Ministry of Deaf People.

We spent the entire day of October 16 with these kids, starting off at the La Mesa Eco Par, where we taught them the basic photography. It turned out that they have the natural gift of capturing good images even if they haven't had formal training. Then afternoon was spent at SM Storyland in SM Fairview, and it was their first time to go there. Their arms flailed in excitement and their eyes radiated happiness. We could not fully explain the words how we felt seeing these kids with their parents smile and laugh all day, so we will just let the photographers tell the candidly joyous moments through our cameras. But at the end of the day, it was they who have silently captured our hearts.

one of my official entry

model - thanks ateng for the photo..

my other entry

Ian's master piece

We use our teamwork to make this event successful. Otep, Jap and Emman spent their Saturday night in arranging these beautiful photos, I am in-charge in the registration booth, Ian, Ate Elsie and Otep are assigned to edit our best 3 photos, Ruel is in-charge in doing our official ID's and of course, Emman for leading the group. It was so nice working with them; they are dedicated to make this exhibit memorable.

The event was start around 2:00pm, introduction of the exhibit, followed by a song number from our dear president, Emman and then a cutting of ribbon ceremony to formalized the opening of our exhibit then a short merienda from Max's restaurant followed by a free photography lesson from our dear F21 member, Gil Hontiveros and finally a sign language lessons from Catholic Ministry of Deaf People.