my little film meetup

Palacio del Gobernador Building

It was around this time last year when Bea and I met for a photowalk. A long overdue meetup. It's funny because our weekend schedules conflict every time one of us would strike up an invite.

Six months and seven back-and-forth invites later, we finally both got a free day, and met at the go-to photowalk location in Manila –— Intramuros.

Bea shooting the Manila Cathedral

Meeting Bea

We met just after lunch near the Manila Cathedral. It was an easy first meetup. Probably one of my easiest, because there wasn't a moment of awkwardness when I met her.

She is who she is online. Cheery, and energetic. Later I found out that this is not just a mere impression.

It was a hot afternoon.

She is, indeed, full of energy—carrying that backpack with God knows how many camera/lenses inside haha! Not to mention an SLR and a TLR camera hanging around her neck.

She was constantly shooting, if not eyeing for a good angle of a photo. My energy was no match.

Hello, Bea!

As dusk fell, we sat at the back of Fort Santiago with the Pasig River as our background. We talked about film, other film enthusiasts, and how she learned to develop film. Then I borrowed her Rolleiflex and tinkered it for a bit.

Who knew that one year later, I would care for and own a TLR myself :)

Bea with my Ricoh GR1S, and her Canon FTb and Rolleiflex(!)

That's Bureau of Treasury Building in the background

On being part of a community

I was glad Bea asked me first for a meetup. I don't think I could muster the courage to ask anyone online to meet in person. Hello, introversion! Plus, I'm not as chirpy (if ever I am) here/online as I am in person.

But no matter how much I keep things to myself, it is still good to be part of a community and meet people with the same passion. It is nice to know that even if film isn't widely used these days, there's still a good chunk of people who are also passionate, supportive and helpful in keeping film alive.

Whatever your hobby/passion may be, I recommend finding a community with the same interest and enthusiasm as yours. You'll be surprised by how much you'll learn.