The Councilor

I took this photo during a trip to Amadeo, Cavite for a project with a certain government agency. I had to absent from an entire day of classes to go to here as completion to my other class. Basically, I sacrificed 4 classes to finish 1. #College ;)

It turned out to be one of my favorite experiences in learning my discipline. As a Development Communication major, it basically focuses on intervention at the community-level. We went to a small upland town in Amadeo, Cavite where they were a model town for upland farming rice research.

We documented the town's story and progress since the project started in the community and it is where we got the chance to meet the farmers, including him (pictured above), who was also one of the town's councilors. He is a well-respected man in the community and it was an honor to hear him tell the community's story through his experiences.

They brought us to the rice planting ground, gave us samples, shared their farming challenges and showed us around other fruits and vegetables they plant. While walking, I try to capture the nature and the people or both together, as what I think I achieved in this photo. This "candid" photo is more or less what I want in my shoots.

It was a memorable experience being in an unknown place that seemed to be in the middle of nowhere. I am always amazed at how it seems to be people everywhere I go. I always think of what makes them stay in one place rather than go to the city. I just love hearing stories.

P.S. They were gracious enough to let us into their homes as we arrived earlier than expected. This is where I got to first try and taste pure black home-brewed (I think also home grown) coffee. IT. WAS. FREAKING. AMAZING. THAT. I. THINK. EVEN. WHEN. I. ALL-CAPS. THIS. ITS. NOT. ENOUGH. TO DESCRIBE. THE. DELICIOUS. ;)

So, where's your favorite exotic destination to shoot-have shot?
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