one for lagal[og]

How can I miss voting this year's Philippine Bl[og] Awards when I actually nominated a bl[og]? What's great is ,the blog that I've nominated, is now an official nominee for the bl[og]gers choice category.

So one vote will go to one of my favorite travel and photo bl[og].

lagal[og] www.oggieblog.blogspot.com

I personally like his blog because he captures ordinary moments and makes it extraordinary because of his connection to his subject. I already met Oggie and I can describe him as someone who's naturally witty and humble. Humble in the sense that he always recognizes God as the one behind his talent in photography and writing.

His hobby of traveling, photography and writing has already led him to numerous recognition and achievements. These includes articles and photos featured on travel and photography magazines.

I am lucky enough to have the chance to feature him before on my old blog. So I am reposting that online interview here.

what lead you to blogging?
I’ve had this affinity for writing journals since I was a kid. It was just a natural thing to follow that path when blogging started. When I started over 4 years ago, my blog was just words. But I mixed in pictures here and there over the years.

when did you consider photography as a hobby?
I always had the inclinations for photography but is just 2 to 3 years ago when I had the means to indulge in it. Now, It’s a cross between a hobby and a quasi-career. I work in advertising and working with professional photographers, I may have picked up techniques here and there so plunging into photography came a bit easily.

your pictures was featured in the Outdoor
Photographer magazine, what are the most important
lessons that you learned in
photography?
Connect with the subject whether it’s another person or an awesome landscape. One can be technically flawless but if one doesn’t connect with the subject, the image can be a faultless but emotionally detached.

you visited many places in the Philippines, what
places do you consider the best in terms of nice views
and interesting culture?
This is a very difficult question to answer since each place is different; each culture is vibrant in its own way. Although I always have an affinity for Mindanao since it is less commercialized. Also faraway places like Batanes or off the beaten path like Biliran and Siquijor. I have a predilection for exploring places less visited by tourist.

what makes every trip special?
The great unknown. You can only research so much but your actual experience would be different from what the internet or the books may tell you. Either way, you come out richer for the experience.

i noticed that your blog also promotes good
spirituality, how important is that to you?
My writing and photography are symbiotically-connected to my spirituality. When I first went into serious photography, I get a lot of comments that there’s an intense emotional feeling viewers get from the images. My only explanation for that is because I immerse myself in God’s creations. I believe that when you connect to the universe, it will open itself up to you.

Also, I got into landscape photography to share my awe of God’s creation. Nothing like standing on a mountaintop to feel there’s a power far greater than the biggest ego.

what profession would you accept even without pay?
Being a guide to the Philippines. When I started my blog, it was just to put my happenings on a journal but I had an epiphany one day and realized that it could be put to good use. So I re-skewed my directions to show that this country, no matter how dreary the news may get, is still a beautiful place to be.

for the voting details, you can check out on this link. vote!

Sponsors:

Level Up! Games
Nokia
Blog Bank
Smart Communications
Josiah’s Catering
Rsun Technology Store
Yahoo
XFM 92.3
Buddy Gancencia Reality TV
Ultravision Photo and Video
Click Booth
Aloha Board Sports
Sheero Media Solutions
YourPinoyBroker.com
Belo Medical Group
Inquirer.Net
Toshiba
ROAM Magazine
PLDT
Red Box
Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf
2go