Congratulations, graduate!!  Joe, I am so so proud of you!  I don’t need to tell you much because you already know. . . Keep the faith.  Love you like my own son!

Irene on the other hand. . . we met her last year while photographing her cousin’s engagement session.  Hanging around her is a little weird because we act so much alike.  She’s my kindred spirit, my sista from another mista. . . (okay, that was lame) but fact is, it was so hard photographing her wedding because I had to keep an absolute professional and straight face the entire time, which meant, no cracking jokes and laughing in the background.  I love her.

Joe & Irene, congratulations again.  We are so very blessed and honored to have been a part of your wedding.  Love you guys!!  Here are just a few teasers for you.  ;-)

After documenting not only the fight itself, but the preparations and post-fight pep talks and medical look overs, I just want to express what a tremendous amount of respect I have for all these fighters. The way they mentally and physically train themselves with such discipline is amazing. These guys are true warriors.

I decided to begin the blog with a few images from the Rizal Shrine located in Fort Santiago.  If you read any of Jose Rizal’s writings then you know how powerful his words are.  This was my way of paying homage to a great national hero of the Philippines.  I really wanted to capture the essence and culture of this beautiful country, so I did my best, photographing every nuance as we visited Mark’s family in the city of Makati.  His Uncle Boy gave us a walking tour through the streets giving Mark a chance to connect with some of the people from the neighborhood.  I can’t help but think that there was a subconscious and somewhat deeper connection Mark felt with his dad, being that this was the same neighborhood his dad grew up in.

It was evident to Mark, and to me, that this is what the next trip back to the Philippines had to be about. To actually stay with family, to embrace and breathe the culture are some things that would bring this amazing and life-changing experience full-circle for Mark. . . and for me as well.  We just scratched the surface.  The people responded to Mark in such a supportive and loving way that you can see and feel how proud they were of him.  In a way he gives them a sense of hope.

For me, being half Filipino, the opportunity to experience MY culture was so profound that I have a difficult time even trying to find words to describe how deeply moved I was to be there.  That cultural connection within the Filipino people is (and always was) so prevalent that I can now really understand what makes them us—such a RESILIENT people.

I always wondered why my mother-in-law would send Balikbayan boxes (boxes filled with goodies) to loved ones back to the Philippines instead of just hauling the used clothing, for example, to Goodwill for donation.  I finally realized that this simple gesture of sending care packages was a way of saying, “I didn’t forget. I haven’t forgotten where I came from.”

By the end of the evening the family hosted a very special Welcome Home dinner for Mark which also doubled as a Muñoz family reunion, the first in many years.  I was honored that I was able to document it and to have been treated with such hospitality (another strong, almost innately cultural trait of all Filipinos); they made me feel like I was part of the family.

GRATEFUL.

I can’t even begin to say how much I love the baby portraits Amari took of our Godson, Noah.  This shoot was perfect, nothing staged, just the family kickin’ it, chillen.  He was an awesome baby to photograph, so smiley and happy.  He would smile at everything, especially when his Grandma encouraged him.  His big brother, Eli took really good care of him when mommy needed a quick break.  Amari caught me stealing a quick sniff of his feet.  Once kids turn around 2 years old, sniffing kid toes is no longer a good idea.

Shelley & Joe, we are so very honored that you have chosen us to be Noah’s Godparents!  Can’t wait to spoil the youngest GB baby!  We always love and miss you guys and it’s always dope when we can sit around with the homies and do absolutely nothing but still have the best times.  Can’t wait to see you guys in a few weeks.  So proud of you Shelley!  Two more years!  ;-)

This is a sneak peek of a project I’m working on for Team Munoz. Please visit www.markmunozmma.com for news and information on Mark Muñoz.

I just want to thank Adapt Clothing for letting me hang out and document their first store opening. I’m happy to say it was a good day in the SFC and a lot of supporters came out to show love,  not to mention, I had some of the best tacos I’ve ever tasted courtesy of Senor Sisig.  It was really an all around successful grand opening and I was honored to have some of our work displayed on the wall.  If you guys find your self in San Francisco check out the Adapt Clothing store and say wassup to my homeboy, Evan, for me.

We spent a day with Erma and Al and let me tell you, it was non-stop jokes.  Being that they are both from San Francisco it made sense to do their engagement session there.  We wanted it very low key; less about the location and what they’re wearing but more about them.  With their two kids with Erma’s mother it was fun watching them interact with each other.  Uninterrupted.  We definitely can’t wait for these two to tie the knot!  The party in itself is going to be off the hook!!

 Photographed this for my good friend Evan at Adapt Clothing. Thanks for inviting me out man.