Zone Five Camera Club (ZVCC or Zone V), one of the country’s most renowned fine-art photography clubs, will be holding an online exhibit and sale at www.zonev.org from October 23 to 31, 2021.
Called ‘Images of H.O.P.E.’ (HELPING OTHERS PROSPER & EXCEL), the week-long event will showcase some of the best still camera work by Zone V.
Many of these images have gained recognition in local and international photography competitions.
Helping the advocacy of education
Proceeds from the sale benefit the Assumption Development Foundation (ADF), a non-profit organization dedicated to the learning development of select youths of Sapang Palay, Bulacan.
Established in 1966, what would become ADF was borne out of necessity of a community of 20,000 informal settlers relocated from Manila to Bulacan.
Thrust into no man’s land and lacking the most basic of needs, a school was set up by a Carmelite Missionary and Assumption College San Lorenzo to provide, at the least, schooling for Grade 1 to 6 children.
ADF later became a foundation in 1995, whose mission is to “help disadvantaged children by breaking the cycle of poverty through education.”
An ADF website post (from November 2009 data) said that since inception, more than 586 high school students and 162 college students have graduated from the program.
‘Images of H.O.P.E.’ aims to sell 200 prints and raise at least P300,000, which will be used to buy computer equipment for ADF scholars.
The prevalence of distance learning makes computers a critical education tool in the new normal.
The transition to virtual
ZVCC members stay sharp by holding friendly competitions as a form of recreation and a way of challenging one another every month.
From its regular meetings and photo contests held at the Old Swiss Inn at Makati, the Club reached an impressive milestone when it transitioned onto online platforms in the first quarter of last year due to the pandemic lockdowns.
This virtual medium will serve as the stage for the ‘Images of H.O.P.E.’ exhibit/sale.
Featured will be color and black & white prints from its 50 members, including the club’s Ambassadors of Zone Five; a group composed of Jay Camus, Manny Inumerable, Cha Pagdilao, James Singlador, Danny Yu, and Ruben Castor Ranin, who was himself a recipient of an ADF scholarship.
ZVCC Ambassadors
Combined with his discerning eye for visual arts, photography became Jay’s platform to create beauty. Though he came across Zone Five at a 1993 exhibit, it wasn’t until about a decade later that he officially joined, later becoming Club president. Jay enjoys macro shooting the most, especially creating experimental, conceptual, and abstract images.
Another former ZVCC president, Manny was introduced to photography when he was 12 years old with an inherited Royal 35M rangefinder. His favorite subjects are landscapes and human interest. Manny’s biggest pride is his collection of amazing antique cameras, which are housed at their ancestral home turned museum, the “Galleria Taal” in Batangas.
Photography has been profoundly transformative for Cha; making simple everyday experiences fuller because of newfound keenness to details and the realization that there is beauty all around. She is the current chair of the Federation of Photographers of the Philippines Foundation Photo (FPPF) World Cup 2021, and is on her second term as president of ZVCC.
A recipient of the “Ani ng Dangal,” a prestigious award given out by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, James’ images represent his advocacy for environmental and nature conservation and a passion for travel and mountaineering. He has also won numerous awards from international photography competitions and was once the president of the FPPF Photo World Cup.
Danny had been shooting since the days of film before settling down to start a family. Now that he’s retired, his interest in photography was rekindled as a hobby. His favorite genres are travel and street photography. Danny is the former president of Copacabana Apartment Hotel and chairman of Copa Holdings, and also a former president of Zone Five.
As mentioned, Ruben is a proud scholar and product of the Assumption Development Foundation.
Ruben indulges in photography as a hobby and his interest in landscape and travel photography began during his mountaineering days in 2012. Ruben’s images have received numerous accolades, and he founded a couple of photography clubs before joining ZVCC as part of his personal advocacy.
“‘Images of H.O.P.E.’ is a showcase for the talents of ZVCC’s membership, but more than that it’s a way for us to use these talents in helping the community,” said current Club president Cha Pagdilao. “Right now ADF has 287 high school students in four high schools at Sapang Palay. It also provides assistance to 173 college students attending different universities, state colleges, and institutes.”
“Obviously, they need our support. For every photograph that you buy, you become a link in the chain of hope that allows access for students to learn and eventually prosper and excel,” she closed.
