| VISUAL ARTS GALLERY
Mindanao Images by Bobby Timonera
 Bobby is primarily a journalist and photo-journalist who dabbles in webdesign, among others. He is known as the man who shocked the world with his photo exposé of the MILF justice system—live executions of two men found guilty of frustrated murder in 1997. Every weekend he, his cardiologist wife Miyam, and their two kids Kara and Arkay make it a point to be nowhere near Iligan City where the family is based to make sure they get a real weekend rest.
More and larger photos can be viewed at Bobby's online photo gallery at http://www.photos.ph/timonera which will soon be thelandofpromise.com. It is more than just a worthwhile visit. It's probably the most substantial photo gallery of Mindanao in the entire world.
(Click on images to enlarged version.)
 MT. MATUTUM
In my GenSan pictorial, my photographer companions were laughing at me because their film cameras had long lenses up to 300mm. My digicam can zoom in only up to a meager 96mm. From the GenSan airport, Mt. Matutum is too far away for my digicam. But as they belittled my miniscule lens against their powerful zooms, they missed out the play of clouds that could be captured only with a shorter lens. I had the last laugh.
Olympus Camedia C3000Z, lens at 96mm (35mm equivalent), 1/160sec, f/5.6, ISO 100, aperture priority.
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 FRESH ESCARGOT
Part of the tilapia-haluan-pantat-gurami diet in the Agusan Marsh are these snails being picked from their shells. The kinilaw tastes good!
Olympus Camedia C3000Z, lens at 96mm (35mm equivalent) on macro mode, 1/80sec, f/2.8, ISO 200, program mode.
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 TULO KA BAROTO
I was so impressed with these “barotos.” Although without outriggers, people of the Agusan Marsh, including the seven-year-old daughter of our host, use them as effortlessly as a child rides a bike. I tried it myself but after about an hour-and-a-half of rowing and three falls later in the muddy waters of the marsh, I still couldn’t steer the boat correctly. Saving on “film” on that long trip away from the nearest computer, I took only two closeup shots of these boats and was lucky enough to get it right immediately.
Olympus Camedia C3000Z, lens at 96mm (35mm equivalent), 1/500sec, f/3.2, ISO 100, program mode.
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 PRIVATE CONVERSATIONS
This is not Afghanistan, and these are no Taliban women. This is right in Marawi City. These Muslim women were chatting as President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was delivering a speech. Although cloaked in veil, you can see the smile in their eyes and can almost hear their conversation. I like the texture of the cloth blending with the concrete in the background.
Olympus Camedia C3000Z, lens at 50mm (35mm equivalent), 1/100sec, f/2.8, ISO 100, program mode.
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 CHILD'S WHISPER
I was to take pictures of the Muslims' Friday worship at the Islamic Center in Marawi. But right at the entrance was this wonderful father-and-son pair sharing a tender moment. The father, who was conversing with fellow Muslims, often kissed the child seated on his lap. It took nine shots to capture the "decisive moment."
Olympus Camedia C3000Z, lens at 96mm (35mm equivalent), 1/50sec, f/3.6, ISO 100 on aperture priority.
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