ALL FOR THE LOVE OF PHOTOGRAPHY …
PREMIERE LAUNCHING OF THE FIRST PHOTOWORLD MANILA 95’ AT PICC AND NAYONG PILIPINO

 

By Domingo P. Herras
Manila
May 1, 2021
 




MANILA, Philippines In 1987, in observance of the National Photography Week held every year and thereafter from January 21-31, thru Presidential Proclamation No. 2156, the founding pillars and co-founders of the Federation of Philippine Photographers Foundation, Inc. (FPPF) had conceptualized and organized series of seminars and live workshops within and outside Metro Manila. In 1995, with the overwhelming successes and accomplishments of these projects and activities -- a new beginning, and a new concept of  photographic event was born ushering the new dawn of Philippine photography dubbed - “Photo World Manila ’95”.







The overall theme of the premiere international photographic event was “All For The Love Of Phototography.” The Nayong Pilipino served as the National photographic theme park of the Photoworld Manila ’95 International Convention.















Photo World Manila ’95 was successfully opened in January 27, 1995 at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) highlighted by two Opening Ceremonies, first – the Opening of the Photo and Trade Exhibits with Hon. Jess Sison, Press Secretary from the Office of the President cut the ceremonial ribbon assisted by Dr. Jaime Laya from the Office of the Mayor of Manila, and Hon. Mina Gabor Under Secretary from the Department of Tourism, and the second ceremonies -- was  highlighted with the formal Opening of the Photo World Manila ’95 5-day International Photographers’ Convention with the official cutting of Ribbon Ceremonies at the entrance of PICC  Plenary Hall Main Lobby with Under Secretary Mina Gabor cut the ceremonial ribbon, assisted by Hon. Jaime Laya from the Office of the Mayor of Manila, witnessed by Photoworld Manila’95 Chairwoman Mrs. Eduvegis “Edi” Huang, Tourism Director Ms. Cynthia Lazo, and  Master Photographers Ernest Brooks II, Dean Collins, Hans Karl Koch and Joseph Tan.

 

As one of the official delegate of the Photo World Manila in 1995, and President of the Lensmasters International, Inc. from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, I reminisce the essence and importance of this momentuous gigantic event not only as a professional photographer, but the meet-and-greet experience at “Nayong Pilipino.  being with fellow photographers -- the camaraderie and the bond of having the rarist opportunity to be with the well known Master Photographers from different parts of the world, and be with them hand-in-hand, shoulder to shoulder, enjoying their companies and have your photo taken together is one of my most touching and greatest experience ever recorded in in the history of my life both as professional photographer and a working Overseas Filipino Worker deployed in the Middle East since 1986.

A “Pistang Pilipino” fete was held at the Nayong Pilipino theme park which ushered in the Opening of the first major Philippine International photographers’ conference dubbed “Photoworld Manila ‘95”.  The 5-day International Convention was successfully attended by more than 700 delegates comprising of local and from the different parts of the world successfully converged at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC), with 27 foreign and local speakers who came all the way to share their experiences and expertises with all delegates -- all for the love of photography. The international photographer’s conference as organized and spearheaded by the Federation of Philippine Photographers Foundation, Inc. and supported by sponsoring major business corporations and  Philippine photographic suppliers, such as Philcom, Philippine Airlines, Energizer, Mitsubishi Color Film, KAMERAWORLD, Konica Photo Express, NIKON, Durst Phototechnik, Olympus, KODAK Express, PHOTONA, Canon EOS, CASINO FILIPINO, FUJIFILM,  Nayong Pilipino, and the Department of Tourism.

The Opening Ceremonies of the Photoworld Manila ’95 was graciously attended by prominent government officials such as among them were Hon. Teofisto Guingona, Jess Sison, Press Secretary, Office of the President, Hon. Jaime Laya, Office of the Mayor, Manila, Hon. Mina Gabor, Under Secretary of Tourism, Tourism Director Hon. Cynthia Lazo. The event was also attended Officers from FPPF and its entire Working Staff, Organizing and all Working Committees, Camera Club Associations, Photographic Film and Printing Suppliers and Sponsorsing Companies and business corporations and establishments in the country. 

President Fidel V. Ramos, in his brief message sent to the Federation of Philippine Photographer’s Foundation, Inc. (FPPF), commended the Federation’s laudable and magnanimous efforts in organizing for the very first time an international convention of topnotch photographers in the Philippines. In his message: “Photoworld Manila ’95 comes at a time when the Philippines is fast emerging as a bluechip investment haven in Asia. This event – participated in by topnotch photographers from the United States, Japan, Australia and the rest of Southeast Asia – further reinforces the country’s eminent position on the world map. I am happy that your conference will showcase the best works of Filipino photographers alongside those of foreign photographers. Your seminars and exhibit featuring the latest in photo equipment and technology will also enhance the photography industry”, President Ramos in his message to the Photoworld Manila ’95.

During the Opening Ceremonies, the Honorable Under Secretary Mina Gabor delivered her message to the Photoworld Manila “95 – “This first-ever photo event is truly significant as it harnesses the potentials and efforts of over 50 camera clubs, top caliber experts, and the photography in one big Congress and Exhibition that showcases their talents and resources, generates wide publicity, and creates a tremendous impact on Philippine tourism. The Departnent of Tourism welcomes this opportunity to promote the Philippines as a premier destination in Asia through the beautiful images of our natural surroundings, hospitable people, and exciting activities as captured in photos and shown around the world”. Gabor in her message.

Photoworld Manila ’95 Chairwoman Eduvegis “Edi” Huang, also gave her inspiring message delivered during the Opening Ceremonies – “Photoworld Manila ’95 ushered in a new dawn in long history of Philippine photography. It brings together for the first time 8 foreign and 21 Filipino lecturers, and over 700 international and local delegates in a discussion and exchange on their craft – and this at a time when innovations are fast transforming traditional photography as we know it. The FPPF, the lead organizer of this Conference, joins the global community of photographers in this rare learning experience and opportunity to meet this challenge of change, to make friends, and to strengthen the one bond that unites us all – our love for photography”, Edi Huang in her message.

With its successful launched in 1995, Photoworld Manila ’95 since, then left behind  footprints trailblazing a historic landmark that has embedded in the annals of Philippine photographic history. Photoworld Manila ’95 was a brainchild project of the prime movers, co-founders and founding pillars of the Federation of Philippine Photographers Foundation, Inc. (FPPF). It is a conglomerated efforts of unselfish individuals from NGOs, LGUs, government institutions, educators from the academe and in cooperation with business and photographic industry in the Philippines.

Photoworld Manila ’95, through the able stewardship and global coordination of the Federation, successfully managed by bringing together for the first time eight (8) Master photographers from around the World, with different expertises such Dean Collins (U.S.A.), Ken Huang (Japan), Eric Victor (Australia), Joseph Tan (Singapore), Ernest Brooks II (U.S.A.), Dan Hario (Indonesia), Hams Karl Koch (U.S.A) and Michael Demetre (USA). The 5-day international convention which commenced (January 27-31, 1995 was joined by Philippine Professional Photographers of different expertises, among them will include – John Chua, Emil Davocol, Neil Oshima, Vic Milan, Toch Arellano, Pancho Escaler, Francis Rivera, George Tapan, Bien Bautista, Richard Guzman, Ed Bayani, Vic Sison, Ollie Laperal, Leo Pumanes, Jerry Araos, Romy Gacad, Albert Garcia and Andy Hernandez.



As the prime mover of the Photoworld Manila 1995 Conference and Photo Exhibit, the Federation graciously welcomed  the  successful participation of the more than 54 camera association within and outside the Philippines, and the more than 700 delegates from the global community of photographers---(amateurs, hobbyists, professionals, masters, and experts.  Successfully, they have joined hands in realizing the FPPF way of learning, camaraderie, experiences and challenge of change.





 

Foreign and local delegates, invited friends and global photographers strengthened their united bond and spirit of friendship regardless of race, creed and religion. All of these exemplary endeavours and outstanding accomplishments -- everything is FOCUSED on for the LOVE for PHOTOGRAPHY.







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INFO/LINK/SOURCES:

Personal Research and Information thru available Photoworld Manila ’95 Souvenir Magazine

Personal interviews and inquiries thru Facebook and Messenger

PHOTOGRAPHY CREDITS:

      Colored photos were taken with Film and Scanned and Digitalized for publication.

      All colored photos were taken at the PICC and Nayong Pilipino Theme Park

      Photographed by DOMINGO “DOMS’ P. HERRAS

      Black and White Photos: Courtesy of BOB TAN,

      thru SIR PABLO “KA LITO” BELTRAN’S FPPF Facebook Account

      PHOTOWORLD MANILA’95 Magazine Cover Photo

      Courtesy of a dear late friend who passed-away recently –

      Press Photojournalist and FPPF Mentor/Lecturer, SIR ED SANTIAGO

  

Middle East Events Promotions and Media Publications Team, and official Delegate to the International Photographers’Convention at the PICC and the NAYONG PILIPINO. He is an active Officer and alumni of the FEDERATION OF PHILIPPINE PHOTOGRAPHERS’FOUNDATION, INC. (FPPF) and an active      regular member of the Federation. He is currently an active regular member of the PRESS PHOTOGRAPHERS OF THE PHILIPPINES.