what's the SHIT about DSLR use in the Philippines?

Several incidents happened this week which finally pushed me to write about this---something I have been planning to do for the longest time. The experience I had last week really got into my nerves. It was rush hour Saturday. 11.4.11 when I decided to take MRT line 1 from NORTH EDSA-Trinoma to Shaw Blvd. I was amazed at how crowded the station was and the anecdote told to me by one of my Korean students automatically put a grin on my face again. She remarked, "I thought the ones selling the train tickets are listing the names, addresses and contact numbers of the passengers that's why the line was so long when I took your MRT and it barely moved". Such was my fascination as well. As a Filipino, that's something I accept as a fabric of daily life in the Philippines and we learn to laugh about it......

Back to my experience, I was amazed at how crowded the station was so I removed my DSLR from my bag and started snapping photos. I was careful not to catch the attention of the guards as I know a confrontation will ensue should they find out I am taking pictures. Unfortunately, one of the guards noticed me. When I was inside the waiting area, I snapped another photo that prompted one of the male guards to blow his whistle "sabay turo sakin" Seeing him approaching, I immediately deleted the photos para dina humaba ang usapan if ever. He continue pointing his fingers at me and remarked, why are you taking photos? kitang kita kita, kanina pa kita minamatyagan!! (In an arrogant and strong tone as if a punch will be landing in my face next) I said, ""o ayan , denelete ko na, me problema pa? "" He mutterd a few more words I didn't understand as he went away. Or maybe I chose not to understand his words coz my mind was racing and asking "WHAT IS THE SHIT ABOUT ME TAKING PHOTOS IN THE MRT?"

I know it's prohibited pero SHIT, bakit nga ba bawal? 

what's the SHIT about DSLR use in the Philippines?


MRT LINE 1

This happened prior to the events of 11.11.11 where a group of more than 100 photographers protested in Luneta in fron of Dr. Jose Rizal's Monument to call the attention of authorities about guards telling them that taking pictures of the National Hero's Monument is prohibited. The action was covered by major tv stations including Abs-Cbn and GMA7. The news spread like fire and hours later, a FACEBOOK page was created to push for the cause of the group., As of writing, there are already 4,769 members, mostly hobbyist photographers.

SEE Inquirer article here: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/92475/photographers-snap-at-rizal-park-execs-for-%E2%80%98no-shoot%E2%80%99-rule .

The issue generated reactions from bloggers and has finally reached the authorities involved including The Department of Tourism (DOT) , The National Parks Development Committee (NPDC) and and the Intramuros Administration (IA). They issued a statement saying -----
"We wish to inform the general public that there is no 'no-shoot' policy in Rizal Park and Intramuros. In fact, we encourage the public and all visitors to take as much photos of themselves, document their visits, to talk about it and share it with their families and friends all over the world" --- FULL STORY HERE .

photo credit: jbsee ,lifted from the fb page of BAWAKmagSHOOTdito

PS: I was one of the bloggers invited by NPDC last time to promote the new Luneta and the move to promote the area is in contradiction to the realities on the ground http://www.pusangkalye.net/2011/05/one-stop-heritage-trail-opens-as-rizal.html

So if that is the case, what's with all the GUARDS  telling even hobbyist photographers that shooting is not allowed in places like LUNETA, RIZAL MONUMENT, PACO PARK and INTRAMUROS unless you have a permit? Clearly something is going on here. Let me rest my issue on the MRT first and analyze the issue about our public parks.

BLAME THE GUARDS?

Porke ba me dalang dslr, professional photgrapher na? diba pwedeng hobbyist muna? It's true that we cannot put all the blame on the guards as they are only following orders BUT....they should also have the head to discriminate which one is a professional shoot and which one is not. Shooting with a dslr doesn't automatically mean you are already shooting professional. IGNORANTE lang ba sa dslr? Common sense, a professional shoot is one where there are other gadgets involved including a tripod, reflector, lights, a generator, and make up artists. I mean, come on, a dslr user on a backpack passing by taking photos? These guards should be educated. If what the administrators are saying is true,we should help send them back to school. They are better at doing what they are not supposed to do. Why not go after all those pickpockets in Rizal Park instead? And what's the discrimination with locals all about? 

THE ADMINISTRATORS

Still on the parks. The administrators are to be incarcerated. Accdng to official statements: "A minimum fee collected for a permit for commercial photography in Rizal Park is P1,000, which is good for four hours of shooting. The fees go to the National Treasury and are covered by receipts" I hope its really covered by receipts so that it doesn't go straight to the pocket of the administrators who issue the ORDER to the GUARDS to prohibit shooting without permit.

IT"S ALL ABOUT THE MONEY, MONEY

And who have thought about that policy of paying should you decide to do commercial shoot in the park? Is it the law or it was just made up by some brilliant people who are good at BUSINESS? Maybe they took the idea from private properties who charge for similar undertakings? The private property shoot I can understand, the PUBLIC PARKS, I don't see the point? So as the photographers can be extended assistance and security? Are you sure you provide such after issuing the receipts and payment has been done? I don't think so. And the rates are sky high. How can hobbyists sustain that when they only shoot for the sake of learning and not for commercial purposes. 

Bottom line is, ------it's all about the MONEY!!!! It's a lucrative business so people are fully engaging in it. That's what they want even the hobbyists would do, ask permits so that they could earn from us. Sana pag hobbyist and di naman pang commercial shoot wag nang permit permit at bayad bayad pa.

INTRAMUROS RATES HERE: http://intramuros.ph/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=99&Itemid=121 .negosyo pala talaga!!!MONEY MONEY MONEY!!!

LRT LINE 2

AND WHAT ABOUT THE MRT and the Public TRAIN SYSTEM?

I would seek your advice here coz I am honestly not sure if  MRT stations are considered PUBLIC or PRIVATE. The reason I heard why they prohibit dslr use there is due to SECURITY.

DO I LOOK LIKE A TERRORIST TO YOU? DO the photos above show anything which could compromise the security of the place? So what's with the attitude of the guard in NORTH EDSA Station blowing his whistle and pointing his fingers at me as if I was holding a bomb?

If you are going to give a reason why IT's BAWAL, at least give us something BELIEVABLE .No bullshits Something we could bite naman. Come on, I don't need a dslr to blow up the area. All I need is to sneak a bomb trough the guards who use nothing but sticks to check my package. Those guards are useless unless you provide them with 21st century technology necessary for bomb detection. Ni baril nga dinila madetect (the security guards in SM know that). The only reason why there's no shooting in MRT yet similar to that SM Malls is because it's not a romantic place to shoot somebody. Mas sosyal sa mall kesa sa mga pangit na MRT Stations.

What they are good at is detecting DSLR users and intimidating them. Now spell inutil !!!!

I WOULD LIKE TO ADD :

I HATE the restrictions on dslr use in many areas of the Metro because we are left with very few places to cover as a result. In example, BINONDO-QUIAPO area which I find demeaning. Why, dahil don nagkalat ang mga street kids. And the place has become an INITIATION for new photographers. Like, if you have never done a PHOTOWALK in the area parang di ganap ang pagiging photog mo. And I hate that kasi sinu nga bang hindi matetempt na kuhanan ang mga BATANG YAGIT? I never did that coz I feel like it’s exploiting them. I take offense in that. Tas ang nakaka-irita —isasama pa sa International photo contests. Wala atang photo contest na wala kang makikitang entry from the Philippines ng mga gusgusing bata. And that is DEMEANING coz other contries perceive us as FILTHY and HELPLESSLY POOR because of our own doing as photographers. Yun lang. Sana, we showcase something good, wag yung puro mga batang nakatingin sa camera na puro uhog ang ilong and stuff. Just my opinion.:I donno who to blame, the authorities or tayo tayo ring photographers. :D

"If we want to change the way Manila looks, then let's change the way we look at Manila"- Carlos Celdran

“The Batang Yagit pictures have to stop . We want to promote the country by rendering pictures that showcase what we, as countrymen, have to offer”--Ms. Maricris Fabi Carlos (PiPho)

.....it's a subject of another debate. :D

As I look at different discussions, there are hundreds of stories similar to my experience. Which show how ignorant this country is in dealing with photographers including hobbyists. I hope these recent events will change things coz if not, we will stay in this backward thinking which is keeping us in the DARK AGES in this very progressive, high tech and modern world.

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