Streaks of Light VII Kasalogan: A Tribute in Black-and-White to the Bicol River

MESSAGE FROM THE MENTOR

“Streaks of Light” has become part of the tradition of the Department of Media Studies at the Ateneo de Naga University. Started in 2003 and held annually to cap the first semester, it is a photo exhibit that features the best works of students of basic photography. Like any new endeavor, the exhibits of the previous years were experimental in a sense. Randomness was what best describes the previous showcases. There were no specific themes so that the works were a merry mix-up of just about any subject that beginning photographers met along the way. Usually, the most colorful ones were the favorites: flowers, insects, people in colorful costumes during the Penafrancia festival, and the like.

Despite my discussions on technique with my students, color for them seemed to have become the key ingredient for a good photograph. That is, the more colorful the subject, the better the picture. And why not with the emergence of digital photography that creates crisp, bright, color reproductions? But photography is not just all about color. Exposure, lighting, composition are equally important in the art, and in fact, defining factors of a good photograph. Even with just these, and in the ‘absence’ of color, capturing perfect images is still possible. And so, I thought of a tougher challenge: a specific theme and working with black-and-white.

Kasalogan (Rivers) was the theme that came to my mind at the beginning of my photography classes in June. The Bicol River, particularly, the tributary that is the Naga River, was the subject that I proposed to my classes. At first, the students did not make any objections to it, for who would object to a teacher’s assignment? I then asked them to take a walk during their free time just to scout for particular subjects to shoot. In the succeeding meetings, some complained that the river was ‘dead’ that there were no interesting subjects in it and no activity at all. I insisted on giving them the challenge because to me the task of photographers is to make any subject interesting, to look for activity in it, give it life, and make it a visual interest.

The challenge of working in black-in-white was met with the same cynicism on the part of my students at first. Why work with black-and-white in the age of color? My purpose for asking them to work in black-and-white and work with the drabbest of subjects was for them to concentrate on technique especially composition. Fortunately, they believed.

Looking at the outputs now, I think that my students were successful in the task. This exhibit, in my personal assessment, is by far the best through the years.

I look forward to better “Streaks of Lights” in the future.

Toots Rugeria



MESSAGE FROM CITY MAYOR JOHN G. BONGAT

Dios Marhay na aga saindo gabos! Warm Naga SMILES to everyone!

As much as I want to be there, I have to represent the City of Naga as a resource speaker in Incheon and Suwon, South Korea for the Future Cities Summit and the Forum on Participatory Governance.

It gives me great pleasure and honor to be even considered deliverin a message for this uniquely Atenean and Media Studies tradition. For years, "Streaks of Light" has held its place among the many enriching and equally rewarding activities of the Ateneo de Naga University. Students and members of the Ateneo community often look forward to this event as well as the recently concluded theater plays of the Media Studies Department.

I am delighted that the theme for this year's exhibit is "Kasalogan: A Tribute in Black-and-White to the Bikol River"--the very river that has helped shape our history as a city and as a people. Through the centuries, and even before the arrival of our Spanish forebears, the Naga River has served as an important feature for Bikolanos not only geographically, but also economically, historically, and culturally. Most societies and civilizations that flourish started as small villages and communities along riverbanks. In the same manner, the City of Naga started off as a village situated in a strategic location. The river provided food, a convenient mode of transportation, and accessibility to traders.

Even after so many centuries, Naga River continues to be an integral part of our lives. While we no longer rely on it to provide us with our food or transportation. It is an essential part of our history and our day-to-day living. Without our river, Naga would not be what it is today. Without its life-giving properties, our community and our history would be changed dramatically.

I believe that we owe it to this and future generations do everything that we can in reclaiming the glory of the once mighty Naga River. For decades we have failed to understand the fundamental good preserving this body of water would have on our society. But proper awareness of its contribution and plight has opened our eyes to the reality.

Last June, I accompanied Vice Mayor Bordado, City Planning and Development Officer Willy Prilles, City Budget Officer Frank Mendoza, and City Engineer Leon Palmiano to attend a World Bank-finaced seminar by the Singapore Cooperation Program in Singapore University. One of the major issues we discussed was the revitalization of the Naga River. We took the matter to heart and decided to pursue the revitalization of our river at all cost. In fact, a representative from UNESCO, Mr. Jose Miguel Verona will be arriving in Naga tomorrow to help the city government draft the final proposal for presentation to UNESCO for possible funding. We ourselves were even surprised at how quick and interested the UNESCO and other international agencies were in offering their assistance to our efforts. And I know that with the proper consultation and representation from the citizens of Naga, we can achieve our goals of transforming the Naga River into one worthy not only tributes and remembrance but worthy of celebration.

I laud the Media Studies Department, its faculty and students, the College of Arts and Sciences and the entire Ateneo de Naga Community for this enlightening event. The use of black-and-white images is genius in itself. The absence of color heightens the emotions and the sense of appreciation for something that we often see everyday but fail to appreciate fully. Who knows, in time and with your active participation, of course, we can help improve our river and our community and make them as bright and colorful as the very citizens that call it home.

Once again, congratulations on your prestigious event. Dios mabalos po.


John Bongat