1st TSADA Cagayan de Oro Photowalk Successfully Took Off

The 1st TSADA Cagayan de Oro Photowalk presented by the Camera Club of Cagayan de Oro, and is one of the official parallel events of the Higalaay Festival 2017 successfully took off last August 21, 2017 (Sunday).

Photo by: Project LUPAD

More than 30+ hobbyists, students, and professional photographers from different ages gathered and joined the fun-filled Photo Walk event which started around 06:30 in the morning at Plaza Divisoria with a brief introduction of themselves, the brands they are using, and their expectations. Additionally, few reminders were discussed including the mechanics and criteria for the photography competition, together with the updated itinerary to take as there were few changes made during the actual activity. On the other hand, there were more than 50+ official participants who pre-registered.

Photo by: Project LUPAD

Leading the group as their Photo Walk Leader, the actual Photo Walk officially started at 07:30am at Tourism Information Hall, Plaza Divisoria and proceeding to Gaston Park, through Kalye del Mar (Known today as the Don Apolinar Velez Street), and continued towards the St. Augustine Metropolitan Cathedral.

Photo by: Jade Anthony Pilongo

Gaston Park, and St. Augustine Metropolitan Cathedral are both the first stop to cover, giving the participants an ample time to check out the Higalaay Agri Fair and Garden Show. 

After an hour, the group went to the next spot at Pueblo de Oro covering the annual Higalaay Cowboy Festival. The group made some interesting stories documented through their photographs. Stayed for a few minutes, the group then decided to move to the next spot at Columbia Store, Centrio-Ayala branch for the sponsor visit while announcing the perks for the registered participants coming from the brand before heading to a lunch break.

At 12:30pm, the event resume for the Street Photography, and Festival Lecture at the restaurant of 1A Express Hotel located in C.M. Recto Avenue. Before the lecture started, i reminded them about the photography competition. Then after, Mr Hensell Prince Hebaya, one of the Resource Speakers introduced himself and tackled about "Documentary Photography", his assignments, projects, and experiences. After an hour, i shared my knowledge, and experiences on Festival Scenes specifically "Tips on Shooting Festivals". Mr Gian James Maagad then followed on his discussion about "Street Photography" where he shared his knowledge, the essentials of shooting the niche, his past experiences, great photographs inspirations, including the rules to follow or break. The participants were treated with the flavorful breads of different kinds from Julie's Bakeshop, and hydrated by Nature's Spring Flavored Water.

Photo by: Project LUPAD

Photo by: Gian James Maagad

Photo by: Project LUPAD

After the lecture, the photowalk then continued for the CDO Carnival Street Parade, and Higalaay Festival Queen Carnival at Paseo, Rotunda as the final stop of the Photowalk. The photographers were overwhelmed with the amazing performance made by the participants of the parade, capturing the colorful festivity while discovering the meaning of camaraderie.

The Photowalk officially ended at Pizzarella located at Corrales Avenue for sumptuous pizzas.

This event is brought to you by the following:

* Presented by: Camera Club of Cagayan de Oro, The City Government of Cagayan de Oro, and Higalaay Festival 2017

* In partnership with: 

         - Business Week Mindanao, and Mindanao Daily News

* Major sponsors:

      - Project Lupad, 1A Express Hotel, Clement Dampal Photography, Julies Bakeshop, 

* Minor sponsors: 

         - Carl's Buy and Sell, Nature's Spring Water, Columbia, Tangcalagan Enterprises, Tanduay.

* Donors:

         - Juan Gear PH, Pizzarella, Ororama Chain of Stores, Photoline, Gatorade, Pepsi, Mountain Dew.

* Media partners:

         - Best Spots PH, Easy Rock 96.9 FM Station, The Cagayan de Oro Times, CDO Dev. com,Explorer's Channel, and Eats Good To Be in CDO.