One of the 14 Women Who Rock: I am featured as one of the Archivists (Photo by Joseph Pascual)

Rogue Magazine asked me last November if I could be featured as one of the women in OPM and they said that I would be called one of the Archivists. It was flattering actually and never thought that I would be called such, because there’s so much happening day to day that I barely actually get to look back at my archives. I just know that I have photos, but only time will tell how important they are.

I realized that when I was asked if I had a photo of the late Francis Magalona and I sadly had only THREE photographs of him taken at one event, during the Cinemalaya opening in CCP in 2006. I don’t know why I didn’t have more of him, I actually regret not having more photos of a lot of musicians which I’m making up for right now. Maybe 6 years ago my old self wasn’t confident enough: my world was relatively larger than I’d imagine it to be, but it was still not large enough for me to grasp that I was about to take on this kind of work.

Then when I opened the magazine, I saw this article on Francis Magalona and the photo that I took which spanned two pages wide.

I honestly thought that this was never going to be of any use because when you grow as a photographer, there are times you reason with technicality and I keep comparing my works then to my works now — but you simply can’t. Moments and subjects still outweigh technicality.

Thank God for minimalism LOL: I was far away from the stage, but I took whatever I could (Francis Magalona, CCP, 2006)

Aldus Santos (the only writer who can interview Ely Buendia the best) in an article on Pulse.ph about the Rivermaya jamming with Bamboo: wrote that I was a gatekeeper. It was flattering but it also gave me a reality check on what I do. I don’t think I assess and look at what I do so thank you to these writers and magazines for actually seeing it when I don’t, or when I actually forget why I’m here in the first place.

I share a write up alongside director Marie Jamora in the field of video, as an Archivist, written by the brilliant Jason Caballa (my former boss in PULP, who trusted me enough that I could actually write a monthly column that lasted three years!) Also thank you to Joseph Pascual for the lovely photo, you rock!

Lovely friends, Barbie Almalbis, Kitchie Nadal, Myrene Academia, Aia De Leon, Armi Millare, Camyl Besinga & Sarah Marco are on the list as well. Each of us having write-ups describing our contribution to the music scene. Sampaguita, Mei Bastes, Anna Sobrepena Ong, Pat Sarabia and Micaela Benedicto are also featured.

I kind of love how Rogue Magazine wrote a teaser on the table of contents page quoting Penny Lane in Almost Famous:

“Groupies sleep with rock stars because they want to be near someone famous. We are here because of the music, we inspire the music.” But for some women it’s not enough to be the object of affection. Some girls want to rock. (Rogue Magazine, Jan-Feb 2012)

Damn right we do!

Rogue Magazine January-February 2012 issue is out now. It’s a music issue with a retrospective feature on The Dawn and the story I’ve been longing to hear: THE BEATLES IN MANILA (the photos are to die for).

And also even if it’s unrelated to music actually I can relate to KC Concepcion in some ways even if I used to not like her, I’m liking her now! LOL! So get a copy!

at the Philippine Blog Awards | Photo by Erick Dantoc

Last night I won BEST PHOTO BLOG at the 2011 Philippine Blog Awards.

I was actually late for the event because traffic was gridlocked in our area due to the Azkals & LA Galaxy. I couldn’t help but think that David Beckham probably passed by my street, hehe.

When I arrived, it was barely 15 minutes when they were already announcing the nominees for the Best Photo Blog. RosariOko was called and I was flustered & all I could think of was that in their email invite we are asked to prepare a speech! I didn’t have any prepared since I got home from the Red Horse gig at 530 that morning!!!

All I remember saying is that our local musicians are a treasure and they deserve to be photographed and I dedicated it to all the other photographers who use photos as a means to inspire other people through the world wide web.

Thank you to the Philippine Blog Awards for recognizing the importance of blogs year after year.

AND TO Erick Dantoc, who has three awesome nominations in this year’s Blog Awards which includes his music photography site, thank you for this picture!!!

A special mention to party master Jay Server, who forced me to celebrate last night which ended at 6:30 in the morning!!! It was just right being surrounded by all my friends in the music industry who kept on saying they were really proud of me. I’m so so so blessed!!!

There you go…. I’m a part of this year’s Creative IT List. I have to admit, my soul jumped out of my body for a bit upon seeing this.

The past several years have been one hell of an emotional rollercoaster ride. For some people what I do is similar to being an auto mechanic. Photography is undervalued by the usual impression that a good photo can be achieved by technical perfection.

However, I’ve always seen whatever endeavor I do not as a technical skill that is mastered through countless practice, but as an expression of self, which is what I think how everyone should think of when being a photographer. In my case its a desire to be unseen and merely observe others. Like a shield to mask the emotion of inadequacy as a both a creative and a human being, I am content on being a conduit to relay the star shine of other artists to music fans who needed music to save them.

So, having this kind of recognition, and the powerful words that Grace Velasco has described me in the opening line is extremely overwhelming. It was also very touching that Tammy David was the one who scanned this for us (and is also part of the IT List!!! I’m so honored to be included alongside you) . She has believed in what I did ever since the beginning. Unbeknownst to Tammy, she has given me so much insight to improving what I do and that despite everything, I still have a long way to go.

I have to thank the greats — Eddie Boy Escudero, Regiben Romana, Erik Liongoren who, prior to me, have documented our artists with probably even more love than I am giving it now. They deserve the recognition more than I.

Thank you so much to Kissa Castaneda and Erwin Romulo. Now I’m off to find a copy of PREVIEW’s October issue.

To all the music photographers who have expressed their love and devotion to the music industry and to those who plan on treading this path — We are one. Mabuhay kayo.

Buddy Zabala of The Dawn, Cambio and The Eraserheads in the studio    Photos by Niña Sandejas

What do Kanye West, Rivermaya, 30 Seconds to Mars, The Dawn, MUSE, Rain, Smashing Pumpkins, Katy Perry, Ely Buendia, John Mayer, Franco, Kings of Convenience and Cobra Starship have in common?

They’ve all been captured by the lens of Filipino music photographer, Niña Rosario Sandejas.

In 2004, she started as a stylist for local musicians such as Rivermaya and The Dawn. A year later, armed with her first digital SLR and a lot of guts, Niña started her career as professional freelance photographer.

One of the highlights of Niña’s career was to be chosen byJPG magazine as one of 22 photographers participating in their “Breakthrough” exhibit held at the San Francisco Arts Commission Gallery in 2007.

Niña Rosario Sandejas is one of On the Radar’s favorite photographers. We spoke to her recently to find out more about the person behind the lens.

Self-portrait of music photographer, magazine columnist, fashion stylist and clothing designer Niña Sandejas

ON THE RADAR: What makes a good or interesting photo?

NINA SANDEJAS: Generally an interesting photo showcases a different perspective on things. In my particular field, it’s the details that people in the farthest row of a concert don’t get to see, or visions that could possibly contribute in our almost non-existent chronicles of the local music scene.

Are you a self-taught photographer or did you have a mentor that showed you the ropes?

I could say that I’m self-taught, but most self-taught people get their information from somewhere. Technically it was guitar player Francis Brew who filled in the void of some questions I had about running a camera. It’s just like learning how to drive. With any skill, the opportunities that you take to apply what you learned is what really teaches you and I’ve got Rico Blanco to thank for introducing me to the music scene, which I knew nothing about nine years ago.

At what point did you evolve from a person who takes photos to a photographer and then an artist?

Charice Pempengco getting ready to go onstage

I don’t want to label myself. I’m aware that being in the creative field automatically brands you as an artist, but I accept it merely to conform to industry standards, to help people who view my work consider it a career option. Anybody can do this, which is what I keep telling everyone who expresses insecurity.

I don’t really think of myself as a photographer. A lot of people don’t know that many years ago I was passionate about illustration and painting, but with all amateur artists, encouragement is needed at the first sight of work.

I wasn’t criticized, but I felt that it didn’t have much effect on the people who were important to me at the time. I guess at a very early age, relevance was very important to me but the reactions would always come too late. It may be bold for me to say this now, but I still won’t show anyone my work until I feel that I’m ready.

Fashion was an offshoot of this, really. Colors and textures were laid out in front of me. In my research, I took to heart what Paul Smith does, where he shoots anything that can be used as inspiration, even if the photos aren’t that great. In the course of this, I realized that it was people, mostly musicians who inspired me. Fashion and music are two different things, but oftentimes inseparable, as one can inspire the other and vice versa.

Ely Buendia has been featured in Niña’s monthly column for Pulp magazine called ‘One Hip Wonder’

Documenting this relationship, or the lack of it, was something I started with and realized had an instantaneous effect on people, no matter how fleeting it may be.

What made you take the leap into professional photography? Was there a defining moment where you knew it was time to take pictures professionally or was there a gradual transition?

Being surrounded by musicians, you absorb their trait of discovering new and good music. I’ve been taking photos of musicians since 2003, but in 2007 I had my first international gig in Hong Kong covering Muse.

As a huge fan of the band, I could not say no. I realized I could travel and take music photos as a profession. A month later I toured with Rivermaya in Singapore, and have been documenting gigs professionally ever since.

What was that one fork in the road you wish you’d taken, just to see what it would have been like?

When Zara first opened here in Manila, they were looking for a window dresser. It was something that a lot of people would consider a fashionista’s dream job — no egos to deal with, just six-foot-tall mannequins. I passed several interviews, was trained by a Spanish window dresser, impressed the heads of Zara themselves who flew in from abroad.

Rico Blanco’s last performance with Rivermaya

I was already scheduled for a visa interview for training in Spain but apart from a professional reason, another door opened up which I felt was closer to my heart — to be part of the production of the first Pinoy Rock movie ever to be made.

After that my life has been about travelling and meeting world-renowned musicians, but I’ve always thought about the payoff and prestige of climbing the artistic ladder in a corporate setting had I chosen that path.

What makes you feel outraged or wanting to rant?

The ignorance of the local industry in recognizing music photography as a legitimate genre.

What is the most interesting thing you’ve done or worst thing you had to endure in the pursuit of photography?

The most interesting, the best and the worst thing I could have possibly allowed myself to do is falling in love with a subject. It really does wonders on what kind of photo you want to portray. Most people want them to appear larger than life, putting your subjects on a momentary pedestal, like a passing muse, can do that. Especially in my genre of photography, people look up to musicians as their personal gods. Although it doesn’t work for all subjects, there are people who are more transparent and predictable than others, which does not require a visceral take on things.

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