Page 54 - MU VOL4 #3

Welcomes

SYLVIA ZAMORA

teenagers and then as parents... We Graduation came and thus I faced the fear of the
were all lucky to have practically seen unknown... the real world is out there to face. I was
our family age through the years and lucky to be invited to be a second photographer
this is all with thanks to my dear Papå. from a guy I met through a friend’s friend who
Even at his ripe old age of 70, he would happened to own a studio and was a fresh graduate
walk around Manila with his Leica flung of photography from NYU. That started my love for
over his neck and shoot anything and portraits! Every single person I shot was just pure
everything he saw. Thus I... became happiness for me. Working there was pure ecstasy, it
him. wasn’t a job at all. It was a hobby where i was being
paid at the same time, that’s happiness!
At age 9 my Dad came home one night
from a Christmas office party where Then another opportunity came, I was asked if I
he won a prize. I opened the box and wanted to be trained to be the FIRST
lo and behold! it was an ultra-modern FEMALE CAMERA PERSON for Marvel
Kodak Instant 110 camera with built in productions in Manila (Burbank Animation,
flash! In the 70s, this was as high tech as Phil.) and because I so loved challenges, I took the
can be! I begged and I bait and ended up 10 years in Animation, from
pleaded and I begged, “Please, please Marvel Productions to working for Hanna-Barbera
My love story with photography started apparently can I have this?” Being the youngest of three, Phil. (Fil-Cartoons Inc.).
very early on. as a child of 3 or 4, I saw a picture normally I would be the last choice right? But no,
of me holding a toy camera, sitting on a swing and like it was meant to be... I had my first very own 110 From Animation to Advertising: I joined Olbes,
holding on to that toy like it was made of gold. Kodak Camera, ultra modern, ultra chic, as high tech Ogilvy and Mather Philippines as their In-House
And this is because of my dear Grandfather, a very as high tech as can be!! (hahahahahaha…) I should Photographer and Commercial Photographer in
distinguished doctor, who was the Dean of Medicine have kept that one, a super classic camera by now. Advertising. Then... another opportunity came
at the University of Sto. Thomas back in the days. He knocking at my door. My cousin Irene Silos, CEO of
was an avid hobbyist photographer who even had his My high school graduation gift was of course, the real Creative Response Inc. had a friend, Mr. Tony Gloria,
own darkroom in his home. He would take thing... a 35mm Nikon FM. Ohhhhh to this day, I still CEO of Unitel Productions looking for any Female
endless photos of everyone in the family, we are love that camera! It won me my first “On The Spot” Photographer willing to be trained to be the FIRST
blessed to have a whole library of photos back to photo contest with St. Scholastica’s College Manila FEMALE CINEMATOGRAPHER in Advertising.
when he was still a young father, who took photos of and De La Salle College camera enthusiasts. It was I dove in and loved every single second, every single
his kids endlessly. Imagine me seeing a photo of my judged by the prestigious Mr. Abiva, then the Camera day doing TV Commercials and TV shows and most
Mom at the age of 6 months old Circa 1925. Seeing Club of the Philippines President. We were a busload of all, savoring the challenges of being the Director
photos of my Titas and Titos as young kids and of college students, taken up to a very concealed of Photography.
jungle, a trek of hills and cliffs only to open up to this
magical fountain that came out of nowhere, truly a It was and still is the best job ever! I thought I loved
hidden paradise sprung up right in front of our very photography... but being Director of Photography
eyes! Then, the administrator of the contest says: was far beyond loving photography.
”take out your cameras guys and gals, the contest
begins... NOW!” A week or two after... the winners Being a Cinematographer is, was, and, always will be
announcement came out, only 3 places to be won... the best profession I’ve ever had in my lifetime! and
I won 1st AND 2nd place and an invitation to be a then again this.... STREET PHOTOGRAPHY. I’m
member of the Camera Club of the Philippines. back in heaven again with photography!

52 manilaupmagazine.com