He has one of the most expressive eyes that I have seen and he sees more than anybody can. He captures details -- not only its appearance but most importantly its essence. Tommy Hafalla, Cordilleran photographer extraordinaire' is able to give you a glimpse of the souls of his subjects without stripping them of it.
Our first meeting was at Biscotti and Cocolat, it was a coffee shop cum gallery at Nevada Square where he was exhibiting some of his photos. My first question was, "how were you able to get these pictures?" He replied, "I asked permission from the elders and I stayed in the background, out of their way." And instantly I liked him, he knew what I was talking about. Igorots, especially those in the hinterlands are not keen on having their pictures taken not like those who pose at Botanical Garden. The latter are the exception to the rule.
Next I saw him, he was taking pictures of the first (or second?) Baguio Flower Festival. His hair was long, the tips of which almost reached his waist. We were not able to do our usual coffee, talk and nicotine session because we each had to do our own version of work.
Running into him in Session Road months after the festival I was quite shocked to see only hair stubbles on his head where his mane used to be. He was laughing at my reaction and did not state his reason for the sudden change. Later, he told me it was because all his shots during the flower fest came out blank while he was processing it.
Then Apo Anno (the mummy) came. Or at least we fetched him from the National Museum. Of course it was a very good subject for documentation and I found myself with Tommy and Nonette in one van heading to the Manila Museum to witness the transportation of the remains of Anno. The same party brought the "goods" from Manila to the Benguet Provincial Capitol in La Trinidad for a ritual before proceeding to the site of Anno's burial site in Nabalicong, Natubleng, Buguias, Benguet.
Dave lent me his antique Lyka camera that time. He told me that if I could get one or even two good photos with the thing I could pass for a photographer. Not being able to resist the dare I got the delicate equipment with two rolls of 12 frames of black and white film. Tommy became my instant mentor.
We were resting, on the huge rocks that lined the river. I told Tommy about the dare and he was laughing. "Why?" I asked. He said, "here is one perfect place to take a picture and there you are lying on that rock staring at the sky that you cannot photograph at this time of the day. Take a shot." Classic! The lecture started there and lasted for two days.
This I learned from Tommy; You can never copy how one photographs any subject, a lot of elements are involved in one shot. Composition maybe, placement of accessories and what-have-yous but you will never be able to mimic the imprint of the photographers mind and eye. Our eyes see things in different ways. What you see in photos may not be the same as what others perceive.
Yesterday I read in the Inquirer that he bagged the documentary award in the 2006 International Folklore Photographic Contest. His "Faces of the Cordillera" was recognized with the Humanity Photo Award.
A lot of things have happened since that time in Biscotti but Tommy is still loyal to black and white prints, remains to be a very humble person, kind, generous and a very, very good friend.
Hey, if you are interested to learn from him click the links.
http://www.philphotography.net and http://www.homegrownart.net
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