photo by Andrew

I want to end the year with a different photo, so I thought I'd share this one...

My nephew Andrew, whenever asked what he wants to be when he grows up, answers "I want to be a grown-up". Yes, folks... He doesn't say he wants to be a doctor or an architect or a fireman. Not even a profession involving cars and trucks, given his love for them. Of course, he's barely five years old. But that's what he wants: to be a grown-up. Now, if only grown men would have the same aspirations, huh?

But once in a while, when he sees my camera, he eagerly asks if he can hold it and take a picture. Or should I say, pictures. He doesn't do that a lot with point-and-shoots. He likes the massive beast that I call my "office". Anyway, this photo was taken by Andrew with my camera... Hey, who knows if we have a future grown-up photographer in the works? ;-P


Note: Crocs are his favorite footwear... We have a photo of last year's Crocs too.

Images From My Mama's Last Two Days...

My Mama went to Heaven on October 30th. My Papa, sister Aline, brother Albert, nephew Andrew and I were there as she drew her last breath at exactly 12:25 p.m., marking the end of a brief but painful struggle with cancer.

She was diagnosed with a very aggressive type of colon cancer which had already metastasized to the liver (90% of which was affected). We were told that based on findings, she might have been carrying the disease for about two years now although it didn't manifest until a couple of months prior to her passing. She and my dad even visited me in Spain over the summer and aside from the aches and pains and other things that one would associate with aging, there was no clear indication that she was sick. We had a great time together. Little did we know that there was this dark cloud looming over us.

She had surgery on October 14th but the surgeon (who happened to be my uncle - my mom's cousin) found that it was already inoperable. The tumor in the colon was already attached to the pelvic floor and that the liver was already riddled with lesions. She was administered her first and only round of immunotherapy (a type of chemo) on October 19th. Unfortunately, her body didn't respond to the treatment. By October 24th, we were told that we were looking at one to two weeks and to prepare ourselves with what was to come. To know that a loved one is terminally ill is already heartbreaking. To be told that you have such little time with them is indescribable. To have to choose her casket even before she died was something that I never imagined doing, I wanted to run out of the funeral home when we got there. The day before her she passed, we started saying our goodbyes.

Even in pain, she was still a "mama"... She would ask us if we had already eaten or would tell us to get some food when she knew that we still hadn't. She would share her popsicles and ice creams with us. She would tell us to get some sleep. She would ask "pagod ka na?"/"are you tired?", worrying about my comfort, as she leaned against me during those times when she wanted to sit by the side of the bed after lying on her back for a long time. She said she'd cook my favorite food and some molo soup when she got better. She would notice the tiny stains on Papa's shirt (that he got from cooking meals). She even worried about the expenses at the hospital. A "mama" 'til the very end...

The following photos were taken during the last two days of my dear Mama's life.

October 28th: We set up the computer so she could Skype with family in the Philippines...

Her sister Carrie and niece Kitkat on Skype...

The tag that the nurses scanned whenever they had to take her vital signs, get her blood sugar reading, administer pain medication, etc.

October 29th: Asleep... She started sleeping a lot as her state declined...

with my Papa...

Me holding her hand...

Mama and Aline...

with her youngest, Albert...

one and only grandson, Andrew, kissing Mama...

with her younger brother, Tito Butch...

Tito Butch and sister-in-law Tita Minda saying a prayer...

I miss you already... But I know that from your special place in God's house right now, you know that you were, and will forever be, loved.

********************

On behalf of my family, I would like to thank our friends and relatives for the prayers and show of support, love and concern. Many thanks to Tito Butch, Tita Minda and the rest of their family for taking care of us while we were in Virginia; to Fr. Gaudi for the spiritual guidance and the help with coordinating with the Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C.; to the Singleton Funeral Home for their services and for making the arrangements for her transport back to the Philippines; to the Filipinos in Virginia who came to the small viewing we had and to Tita Daisy and Tita Marissa for the food they prepared for our small gathering after the viewing. To all the doctors (Dr. Mario Stefanini, Drs. Joseph and Daisy Claustro, Dr. William Hunter and the rest), nurses, nurse aides, respiratory technicians and other medical staff assigned to my Mama at Clinch Valley Medical Center, our heartfelt gratitude for the care you gave her (and us) during her stay at the hospital.

Kyoko y Miguel: Sneak Peek

Una de las fotos que hice de Kyoko y Miguel durante su mini-sesión fotográfica en Madrid...

More Mandy

Mason and Melissa traveled thousands of miles (don't ask me how many, I suck at math, hahaha!) to be with family here in Spain and to do a pregnancy session and I was the lucky photographer chosen to shoot it. And lucky was I indeed! It was a one-of-a-kind session with this one-of-a-kind couple and the resulting photos prove that. Just so you know, the first half of our shoot consisted of some unconventional maternity photos and I'm really happy with what we were able to produce (you don't get to see them here on the blog though, sorry, but I've been given clearance to include them in my portfolio for potential clients of pregnancy shoots to see... Thanx, M & M!). For this type of session to happen again is probably like waiting for the Halley's Comet to make an appearance, hahaha! Well, hopefully not! So, without further ado, here are more photos from the Mandy Maternity shoot (from the 2nd half of the session) as promised...

Yes, it's a boy!

Melissa wanted a photo of Mason's booties on her belly...

Here's a long shot of the "hearts on the belly" photo that was in the sneak peek...

Then, we headed out to the embalse for more photos! We found this natural trellis in the wooded area nearby...

Can you spell "g-o-r-g-e-o-u-s"? Soon-to-be mommy Melissa by the water...

Baby M's mom and dad have perfected (if I may borrow the word coined on ANTM, a show that the three of us are guilty of watching, hahaha!), the "smize". No "dreck" faces here, people (again, from ANTM)! ;-)

A kiss for Baby M...

Ah, those tender moments...

And last but not the least, what comes to mind when you see a pregnant lady, a man and a bench?

This is the Mandy couple's "Notting Hill" moment (love that movie!). M & M, click on the photo to enlarge, zoom in and look for your surprise (and of course, if you change your mind about it, I can always re-do that part)...

Mason and Melissa, we all know there is no shortage of photographers in the States but still you traveled so many miles and placed in my hands your trust to capture the photographs of this first pregnancy. Thank you so much, I truly appreciate it! Best of luck to you both and I hope I get to meet Baby M in the near future... (",)

Belly Beautiful

Photographers are often faced with certain restrictions when doing their jobs. One time at an event, a client said not to take photos of certain guests because they were not well-dressed. Strange request indeed, but oh-so-true. I've also received the occasional wagging of a finger when some people don't want to have their pictures taken. I even had someone say "no" to moving some furniture. But that's part of the job and we learn to make things work for us. Well, I knew Melissa and Mason wanted some "revealing" pregnancy photographs, so I was pretty stoked already... But on the day of the session, hearing Dr. Mandy suggest to his wife that shedding her clothes will show off her belly more, I knew I had hit the jackpot of maternity photo shoots!

Melissa and Mason are, to date, two of the most open-minded people I've had the privilege and pleasure of working with. I suppose it's the combination of their personalities (easy-going and uninhibited) and professions (they are, after all, a doctor and nurse duo) that made them want to have some unconventional photos taken. Whatever the case may be, one thing was certain - They clearly wanted to showcase the gorgeous belly that carries Baby M!

Well, unfortunately for you, dear blog visitors, the more intimate photos are reserved for the couple's eyes only (and perhaps a select few of their families and friends). Still, the following images are not your run-of-the-mill, roll-the-shirt-up-to-show-the-bump, let's-wrap-you-up-in-a-sheet kind... Hey, that's not really their (and my) style! ;-P

So, are you ready for some LOVELINESS?

Decisions, decisions... I like them both, so you get to see the two versions!

There's nothing sexier than wearing your husband's shirt, ladies!

USA and Spain meet the Philippines as this lovely lady who was born in the States and raised in Spain uses a mantón de Manila as cover-up...

A canvas print of a section of Gustav Klimt's Three Ages of Woman is seen in the background... Quite appropriate for Melissa's condition, don't you think?

Beautiful people... Need I say more?

So, folks, this is the first installment from this maternity shoot. A second part to follow soon! Keep your eyes peeled... (",)

Mandy Maternity: Sneak Peek

Man! Normally, I post ONE foto for sneak peeks, but in this case, I couldn't decide which to choose... Well, it's my blog so I can break my own rules, right? (",)

I ♥ this photo shoot!

The bump "peeking" from behind a tree...

The lovely parents-to-be, Mason & Melissa...

I hope you like this sampling from your shoot, guys. Meantime, Tanti Auguri on your upcoming birthday, Mason! Enjoy your first trip to Roma, Melissa!

Turnbough Kids' Summer Shoot (Part 1)

Well now, who knew kids preferred the playground? Ha! Mom Brooke wanted some photos of her kiddos among the wildflowers, but guess what? They weren’t too crazy about the grassy lot! There were swings and slides nearby and they wanted to go there instead. The boys did fine, but little Miss Curlilocks didn’t want to be anywhere near the prickly thingies. And then, dark clouds came rolling in and thunderclaps threatened rain. Alas, things didn’t go as planned (so we headed home for some much-needed brownies, hahaha!). But still, cuteness is cuteness no matter what your mood is, agree or disagree?

Andrés, 1-2-3, blow!

Caroline sat in the prickly grass for two seconds before crying...

Daniel aka Mr. Curious...

Brooke's mom, Debbi (Mimi to the grandkids), was in Spain for a visit...

Miss Curlilocks in her own backyard minutes before the rain came... She was happy there!

Well, hopefully this is just Part 1 and another to come soon! (",)

Happy Birthday, Leng!

I was hoping to take/post another image for this entry, but the weather here has not been cooperating. So in the meantime, this will have to do... Happy birthday, sis! (",)

Aline at her favorite spot in Madrid

Rania: Sneak Peek

Rania, en su vestido de comunión... No pude decidir cuál me gustaba más - la versión en color o en blanco y negro, así que subí las dos. Y vosotros, ¿qué opináis? (",)