The aim of SunPIOLOgy

MANILA, Philippines - Sun Life Financial-Philippines (SLFP) has teamed up with Piolo in a project that would help less fortunate brothers and sisters get an education. The sunPIOLOgy calendar 2010 contains photos taken by the actor of places and structures from all over the world. Funds from the calendar’s sale would go to the Hebreo Foundation, an organization that has succeeded in sending children to school, and alleviating poverty.

The project shows another side of Piolo that the public may not be familiar with. He enjoys taking photos as a hobby.

“My life is full of portraits. We take photos of people all the time. (I enjoy taking photos of) landscapes, trees, buildings, scriptures, because I appreciate the creation of God,” says Piolo, who adds that he enjoys the hobby more when he appreciates life itself. Piolo attributes his photographer mentality to wanting to bring home souvenirs with him from the places he’s been to.

The actor has never had formal training in photography, but his love affair with it began while on a stopover at Japan, on the way to the US. Piolo bought a one-megapixel camera and never looked back. Right now, he is using the Canon 610. As he went on, he also learned various photography rules, such as the rule of thirds. As photographer, he doesn’t think of his audience when he’s shooting. Piolo says that he goes by what is needed, and trusts his gut feel when taking photos. “When it’s me being photographed, I adjust,” says the actor who is also a model.