Members of expatriate organizations take the opportunity during Ramadan to strengthen their bonds and fine-tune and polish their groups' aims and objectives. It is usually in the evening, after Iftar, when bonding sessions take place. One such group is the Light Catchers, an association of Filipino photographers who provide free photo coverage during community events, such as Independence Day celebrations, cultural affairs functions and fashion shows. Members of the Light Catchers believe it is important for the group to discuss how they can be more effective and helpful to the community. For example, during the 113th Philippine Independence Day celebration, the group focused its coverage not only on the number of people taking part in the event, but also took an interest in taking photos of Philippine traditional dresses worn by models selected by the Society of Filipino Fashion Designers in the Eastern Province. Four members of the Light Catchers, namely, Bernie Bulan, Mike Dar Santos, Cyril Cadiz and Larry Nemenzo, who specialize in fashion photography, had a field day shooting the best Filipino dresses. The group's coverage of the “Harley-Davidson Live to Ride, Ride to Live” show in June received praise from the participants and their families for the excellent photos. “It is important that we discuss how a photo coverage project should be approached,” said Bernardo de Guia Bulan, head of the Light Catchers, which at present has only 11 stringently selected members. During their bonding session, members also discuss the arts of photography and the latest gadgets available. “Members of our group work in a variety of professions. We have engineers, technical support specialists, fashion designers, administrative assistants and accountants. It is important that our focus, when it comes to photography, should be on the art of photography,” Bulan said. Members of the Light Catchers suggest that photographers must learn from one another by sharing ideas and technical know-how about photography. “During Ramadan and on weekends that we do not shoot, those are bonding times to exchange ideas, views and learning more about each other,” Bulan explained. The 11 members of the group – Allan Agulto, Bernardo de Guia Bulan, Carmelo Fabro Jacusalem, Cyril Sacay Cadiz, Dominic Abel Bautista, Elviner Torres Roldan, Larry Nemenzo, Mario Urbano, Miguel de la Cruz Dar Santos, Ryan Capara and Vener Atienza Mula – are honing their talents in photography during Ramadan. “We have high hopes of being a progressive, productive and friendly group which is always ready to help the Filipino community for whatever it may call for as far as photography is concerned,” they said. __
