By James G. Toga

NDB’S OWEN BAYOG (left, front row) - along with hundreds of photographers during the WPPP opening ceremonies at the SM Mega Trade Hall. * (Bodyshot photo)

Philip Loyola with wife Janet and daughter Belle Kay along with their Bodyshot Team trooped to Manila to attend the Wedding and Portrait Photographers of the Philippines (WPPP) Photo Congress 2009.

The event is a yearly gathering of the best and brightest photographers in the country. This year, it has gathered more than 250 lens men to attend the said gathering. There were International speakers, namely Mike Larson of USA, Charlie Lim of Singapore, and Louis Pang of Malaysia.

Product Trade Fair and workshops were held as the photo congress took place at the SM Megamall, Mega Trade Hall at Ortigas, Manila. Our very own Philip Loyola of Bacolod City said the photo congress was a chance for local photographers and even starters to join. The latter plans to stage a provincial photo congress in Bacolod City come October.

Loyola who was also at the Wedding and Portraits Photographers International (WPPI) in Las Vegas said there should also be events such as these to be staged in Negros Occidental and Bacolod City in particular.

Negros Daily Bulletin (NDB) photojournalist Owen Bayog was a delegate to the event sponsored by Philip and Janet Loyola of Bodyshot Photography. “This is truly one of the most inspiring workshops that I have attended. The photo congress was not merely about techniques and approaches in photography, but also the business side of trade was discussed by the speakers from abroad,” said Bayog. The photographers from Bacolod will be back in the city today filled with fresh ideas and concepts from the said gathering.*