viewer, depending on how the entries are categorized. “Gagawa ako ng litrato na artistic ang dating. Gagawa ako ng litrato ng pangphotojourn... Tapos gagawa din ako ng tingin ng ordinaryong tao, parang simpleng-simpleng litrato (I'll submit an artistic photo. I'll submit a photo worthy for a photojournalist...Then I'll submit a photo for the viewing pleasure of an ordinary person, a very simple photo),” said Loyola. Soul Apart from mounting exhibits and joining contests, Loyola keeps busy with giving photography workshops (whether in Los Angeles, California where he is currently based, or elsewhere in the world) and publishing his photo collections – a promise he made to himself after experiencing a plane crash in 1999. Bloodied and riding on adrenaline, his first act then was to take photos of the wreckage. Competitiveness So what makes Loyola such a favorite among jurors of photography contests, year after year taking the prize? “Kasi parati akong sumasali (Because I always join),” he joked. Levity aside, he familiarizes himself with the requirements and understands exactly what is being asked. The less prepared person loses; one should learn how to eliminate entries, and accept criticism. The first thing he does is list down the ways to execute the theme – and then immediately crosses them out. “Common e – naisip ko agad. So ibig sabihin naisip mo rin yun, naisip ng iba, pare-parehas kayo ng entry (It's common – I thought of it immediately. So that means you also thought of it, others too, and you'll have the same entry),” he explained. That done, he conceptualizes anew. If nothing comes to mind, he will go back to his rejects, pick one, but “give it a twist” so that it will be “unique.” Then he will take the photo, print it out, and hang it up for evaluation. It stays hanging for days, as he determines whether or not he's tired of it. A winning entry, he says, must (1) have visual impact, (2) tell a story, and (3) be technically proficient. He is most particular about the story: “Ang litrato na walang kuwento, walang kuwenta. Yun na lang tandaan mo (A photograph without a story has no value. That's what you should remember),” said Loyola. If multiple entries are allowed, he submits something that would appeal to himself, another to satisfy the judges, and the last to delight the general
“Paglumisan tayo sa mundo, may maiiwan naman tayo, kesa ang dami mo namang kuha, sa hard disk lang, paano makikita ng iba? Malay mo, yung litrato mo pala na yon bubuhay sa ibang tao, why not, di ba? When we leave this world, we should have a legacy, not just hoard photos in the hard disk, how will people see them? You never know, your photograph could give life to someone else,” said Loyola. Loyola had realized the importance of sharing his art and its impact. His latest book – “Edwin S. Loyola Creative iPhone Photography,” a collection of photographs he took with his iPhone – is available for $87.53 (print-ondemand) from www.lulu.com. Part of the proceeds will go to his advocacy, Mission: Save Kids with Cancer. The mission was founded in 2009, 10 years after the crash, when he met leukemia patient Almondrae “Aya” Rebollos in Zamboanga Medical Center. The child would have been sent home if Loyola hadn't enjoined his friends and fellow photographers to raise the money for chemotherapy. Aya is now considered in the clear and would “graduate” from the program in April. Loyola intends his next books – one every month, he hopes – to benefit other children with cancer. “Gumagawa ako ng art, una kailangan ko i-create. Pangalawa masaya ako. Pangatlo, dahil ngayon may natutulungan akong pasyenteng bata, kaya naitutuluy-tuloy ko. Actually, nung naging inspirasyon ko yung bata na yun, lalo akong sumipag…May mabubuhay pang tao dahil sa litrato (I create art, first because I need to create. Second, it makes me happy. Third, because now that I'm helping a child patient, I am able to continue. Since that child became my inspiration, I became more prolific… Another person lives because of the photo),” said Loyola.
“Tatlo lang umaandar kapag kumukuha ng litrato: puso, mata, saka utak. Inuutusan lang yung kamay para pumindot, parating kontrolado.
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